I took a step out of the Hogwarts Express with Susan and Hannah both following behind me.
I immediately saw the easily recognisable Hagrid waving his hand and shouting for the first-year students.
"Well, looks like we know where we are going," I said, looking at the two girls who had moved to stand on my right after exiting the train.
We started walking towards the half giant with the other first years.
I looked around and noticed both Potter and Weasley were already talking to Hagrid about something.
After a while, once all the students seemed to have left the train and began to leave with the Thestral drawn carriages, Hagrid spoke to the gathered first years.
"C'mon, follow me. Mind your step, now!" He said as we began to follow him down a steep and narrow-looking path.
"You all will be getting your first sight of Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called out over his shoulder. "Jus' round this bend here."
I heard the students around me begin to gasp and exclaim in wonder as we got our first look at the castle. I could not help but admit that it was a breathtaking sight.
I looked forward, and by the end of the path we were walking, stood a large lake that was reflecting the moonlight and the stars, and on the other side stood a magnificent castle that was Hogwarts.
Hagrid led us to the small boats that were waiting for us by the lake. "Now we'll be taking these boats across, no more than four to a boat, got it?"
I sat down on one of the boats with Susan and Hannah due to the number of students, though no fourth person joined us.
"Everyone in?" I heard Hagrid shouting as I looked around the beautiful lake. "Right then, FORWARD!"
And like that, the boats we were on started to glide forward
'Sage, start analyzing the magic on these boats, ' I told the Great Sage as I held my hand onto the side of the boat for the Sage to use her Analytical Appraisal.
[Notice. Understood.] Her robotic voice sounded in my head.
After a while, we went through a dark tunnel which led us to a small harbour.
Hagrid then took us up a flight of stairs and led us to the large doors of the castle.
As we all gathered around the door behind Hagrid, the man in question raised his fist to knock on the castle door.
The door swung open, and I got my first look at who I rather safely assumed was Minerva McGonagall, and I was proven right when Hagrid spoke up. "The first-years Professor McGonagall."
McGonagall looked at Hagrid and said, "Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."
McGonagall then led us inside the entrance hall before stopping before what I assume are the doors to the great hall. She then proceeded to give us her little speech about the four houses.
---
We stood in a line and stepped into the great hall. I could not quite hide my little smile at seeing the gaping faces of my year mates as they saw the great hall for the first time.
I looked at the hall myself and could not help but wonder at the sight of the hundreds upon hundreds of candles floating above the four long tables that made up almost the entire length of the hall.
We arrived at the other end of the hall, and we were made to stand before a tool. On top of it was the sorting hat, and knowing what was coming, I told the great sage to mute my hearing until the hat stopped its singing, since I would rather not hear the hat singing when I am standing so close to it.
I looked around as those around me gaped at the hat and its singing.
After the singing stopped, I allowed myself to hear again. I then looked as McGonagall took out a list with the names of the new students before looking at us.
"When I call your name, come sit up here and place the sorting hat on your head to be sorted into your house," She explained to us before calling out the first name, "Abbott, Hannah!"
I looked at the shy girl and gave an encouraging nod, seeing Susan doing the same before the young blonde went forward, obviously worried.
I watched as McGonagall put the hat down on Hannah's head, and after a few moments, the hat roared out, "Hufflepuff!" The Hufflepuff table erupted into applause for Hannah as her robes changed into the colors of her new house, and she made her way to their table with a blushing face.
As the sorting continued, I began to ask the Great Sage to make it so that the sorting hat would not be able to see his memories and would only see what traits he would have.
I watched as Susan was sorted into Hufflepuff as well and applauded her with the rest of the students. Other names that I recognised were sorted one after another before it was finally my turn. "Morra, Alex!" McGonagall called out"
I walked to the tool and sat down as the professor dropped the hat onto my head.
"Let's see here... Oh my... Occlumency shields, I haven't seen these in quite some time. Interesting, it seems that I can't see far into your head." The sorting hat's voice sounded in my mind.
"Well, I don't think that you need to see too far into my head in order to sort me into one of the houses," I allowed the Great Sage to send my thoughts to be heard by the hat, as otherwise we could not converse.
"That is true, I suppose, but it is the first time I have seen a first year with such powerful mental shields." The sorting hat relented after praising his shields, and I could practically feel the Great Sage's smugness at that.
"Now then, let's see." The sorting hat began to go through his traits, and it soon made its decision about which house to put him in. "From what you're letting me see... better beRAVENCLAW!"