Coral Fernsby ~ Chapter Four

Instructions

The Hogwarts castle came into view and several people on the boats gasped loudly, including Coral. A boy from another boat yelled, “Is that our new home?” Coral thought sassily, Obviously. The boats made it to the castle and the all trooped inside the castle, where a wizard with an intricate mustache was. “This is Professor Flyre, first years,” the witch who led them on the boats said. “Greetings, first years. Welcome to Hogwarts! I see you have met the gameskeeper, Madam Windily. “ —the witch who directed them here waved jovially—“Now, the start-of-term banquet will begin shortly,” Professor Flyre continued, “but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room. “The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours,” he said before clearing his throat. Whitney’s eyes gleamed and Coral could tell she really wanted to be a credit to her house. Whichever one she got, that is. A new panic engulfed Coral. What if they weren’t in the same house? That would be a nightmare, having to make new friends. What if no one liked her. What if — Professor Flyre started talking again. “The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting. I shall return when we are ready for you, please wait quietly.” With that, both Professor Flyre and Madam Windily left the first years in the hall. Coral caught a glimpse of the pretty girl that was in the boat with them putting lots and lots of makeup on. Coral pointed this out to Whitney and they both giggled. “Hey, Coral?” Whitney asked. “Hm?” “How do you think they’re going to sort us?” “Oh,” Coral said, “I have no idea.” “Are we still friends even if we get put in different houses?” Whitney asked feebly. “Oh, Whitney, of course!” Coral said. Whitney beamed and Professor Flyre came back into the room. “Follow me, please.” The first years followed the professor into a large room filled with four long tables. Lots of students were seating at these tables, looked at the first years. Coral’s heart pounded in her chest, and she felt very anxious. A long table in the front of the room was where all the teachers sat. “When you hear your name, sit on the stool and I will place the sorting hat on your head,” said Professor Flyre, “Adime, Louis!” A boy went up nervously to a stool placed in front of the teacher’s table. Professor Flyre placed a ragged old hat on his head. “RAVENCLAW!” shouted the hat, which caused Coral to jump back a step in surprise. Louis ran the table that was cheering loudly. “Archpurk, Bella!” The girl who was wearing lots of makeup went up the stool. “SLYTHERIN!” yelled the hat, and Bella went to the cheering table. “Birdply, Whitney!” Coral wished Whitney good luck before her friend went up to the stool and had the hat placed on her head. “HUFFLEPUFF!” Whitney grinned and went to the table that started clapping and cheering. Multiple more names were called, and Coral’s heart began beating painfully fast when she heard the name, “Fernsby, Coral!” Hardly aware of what she was doing, Coral went up to the stool and sat down. She felt the hat be placed on her head. It was a bit big and she felt part of it reach her nose. “Hmm….” Said a voice in her ear. “Loyal, yes. Very friendly too..hm…..” “HUFFLEPUFF!” Coral beamed and ran to join Whitney. The next Hufflepuffs were Alyssa Greenway, Maya Junebug, Flynn Mayer, Porter Hite, Lainey Fariplane, and a couple more names Coral forgot. A stern-looking old lady with a tight gray bun stood up, “Welcome, or welcome back to Hogwarts! I would like to announce that last year’s gameskeeper, Rubeus Hagrid, has retired and Madam Windily will take his place. Hagrid still lives in his cabin, so if you would like to contact Madam Windily, please go to her office on the third floor. “The Giant Squid in the lake is becoming more and more aggressive, so fair warning to any of those who try and swim. “That is all I have to say for now. Let the feast begin!” The plates in the tables suddenly filled with different foods. Coral took all her favorites and began eating. “Whitney, do you happen to know her name?” Coral asked, pointing to the witch who spoke once everyone had been sorted. “Oh yes, That’s Headmistress McGonagall,” (+)