The trip to the castle seemed to take forever, the developers being idiots and making the trip real time, and the instant everyone arrived, everyone rushed to get out of the accursed train. People pushed their way out the doors and out on to a tiny, dark platform. The night air was cold enough to cause breath to steam and goosebumps to appear. Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students and everyone heard a familiar voice: "Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here! Alright there, Harry?"

Most players had to refrain themselves from showering Hagrid with hugs, wanting desperately to show the half-giant that he was adored by many.

"C'mon, follow me- any more firs'-years? Mind yer step, now! Firs'-years follow me!"

Slipping and stumbling, a few maybe more than others, everyone followed Hagrid down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was so dark either side of them that it was pretty clear that there were thick trees there. Whispers filled the night air alongside giggles of excitement.

"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec, jus' round this bend here." Hagrid called over his shoulder.

There was a loud 'Ooooooh' and more than a bit of excited squealing.

The narrow path had opened suddenly on the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was Hogwarts with its many turrets and towers. A couple people started tearing up at the sight.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore.

The players were some of the first to scramble into them, excited chattering now appearing along with whispers on possible houses. Gryffindor popped up a lot, as did Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Slytherin was talked about in hushed tones like a dirty secret.

"Everyone in? Right then- FORWARD!"

And the little fleet of boats moved off all at once, gliding across the mirror still lake. Everyone was silent as they stared up at the castle. It towered over them as they sailed closer and closer to the cliff it was perched on.

"Heads down!" yelled Hagrid as the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy which hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbour, where they clambered out on to rocks and pebbles.

"Oy, you there! Is this your toad?" said Hagrid, who was checking the boats as people climbed out of them.

"Trevor!" Neville cried blissfully, holding out his hands.

Then they clambered up a passageway in the rock after Hagrid's lamp, coming out at last on to smooth, damp grass right in the shadow of the castle. They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door.

"Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?" Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.

Before the excited murmurs could start again, the door swung open at once. Before them, fully realised, stood Professor McGonagall. The players jaws dropped open, pure awe radiating into the air.

"The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall,"

'"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

She pulled the door wide open. They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. The rest of the school was already seated in the Great Hall and their voices could be heard as McGonagall showed them into a small empty chamber off it. They crowded together nervously, the players most of all.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," a ripple of amazed pleasure ran down the group of players, a dream finally realised with these words, "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, 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 your house points, while any rule-breaking," she seemed to look directly at a couple players as she said this, "will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."

'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." She left the chamber and quiet chatter was exchanged.

Until a scream from the back of the group drew attention to the nearly twenty ghosts that had just streamed through the back wall. A few of the braver players ran their hands through them and were rewarded with an achievement, some Galleons and the feeling of icy numbness in their hand.

"Forgive and forget, I say, we out to give him a second chance-"

"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost- I say, what are you all doing here?"

Nobody answered Nearly-Headless Nick, though it's clear a few want to.

"New students! About to be sorted, I suppose?" The Fat Friar smiled around at them.

A few people nodded mutely, the more excitable ones being players.

"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house, you know."

"Move along now. The Sorting Ceremony's about to start." McGonnagal stated when she returned.

The ghosts floated away through the opposite wall, one by one.

"Now, form a line and follow me."

The players eagerly snapped into a line and follow, marvelling at the Great Hall. They eventually came to a stop in a line in front of the teachers' table, facing the other students. Hundreds of students faced them, a few ghosts dotted amongst their ranks.

McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first-years along with the Sorting Hat. Whispers started up amongst the players at the sight of it and they intensified slightly when the Hat began to sing.

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Head can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart,
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil,
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind,
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
Don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The whole Hall burst into applause as the Hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became still again.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a long roll of parchment.

"When I call your name, you will put on the Hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she stated and the players got ready to be sorted.

((Main Chain))