Rain lashed at the windows as the Hogwarts Express hurtled
down the train tracks taking the new and returning students to Hogwarts School
of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Even the rain didn't put a damper on Carrie's mood
because she was so excited to get to Hogwarts. Granted it would have been good
to have some good weather so that they could have explored the grounds when
they arrived but there was a buzz surrounding Carrie and her friends that it
would take a misery potion to kill. Carrie wasn't coming to Hogwarts alone she
was coming with her three best friends from Wiztech Junior school; Samera, Bon
and Georgiana. Sam, Bon and G were Carrie’s closest friends for as long as she
could remember and she was so glad they had all been accepted to Hogwarts as
well. Carrie’s other friend Kam was also coming to Hogwarts but he would be
coming a few days late as he was still visiting family in Turkey.

A high tinkling noise on the train told the girls that they
would soon be arriving at Hogwarts so they went to get changed into their
robes. Carrie felt like it was going to be the start of an amazing year as she
pulled on her Hogwarts uniform. Minutes later they were climbing off the train
at Hogsmeade Station and making their way to the large convoy of boats ready to
take them to Hogwarts. The games keeper of the school Hagrid was leading the
way and was saying “No more than four to a boat, no less than four neither” The
girls climbed in and as soon as all the boats were full the convoy set off with
just a word from Hagrid.  As they
approached a large bend in the river the girls started to see a humungous
castle illuminated by hundreds of lights. After a short while they finally
entered the castle grounds and docked just outside the dungeons in an
underground chamber.  They soon warmed up
as Hagrid quickly led the first years to the large entrance hall where a rather
stern looking woman wearing Emerald Green robes stood.

“You were supposed to be here 15 minutes ago.” She said to Hagrid  in a
soft but firm Scottish accent .

“I know professor but the weather weren’t great an somebody
lost a cat at the other end” Hagrid replied sheepishly.

After a couple of minutes of discussing the female professor
turned to the gaggle of first years and said “My name is Professor McGonagall
and I teach transfiguration here at Hogwarts. Wait here and I will be back
shortly to lead you to The Great Hall for the start of year feast. However
before you take your seats you will need to be sorted into your houses.”

Carrie wasn’t sure how they sorted you into your houses but
considering she hadn’t yet picked up one of her textbooks she hoped she wasn’t
going to make a fool out of herself.