22 Chapter 22: Arrival at Hogwarts

"So what chased you out of your original compartment?" asked Harry the two newcomers after they finished their introductions.

Daphne looked again guarded at him, "Why do you think we were chased out of our Compartment?"

"Well, since the journey is halfway over, and you just joined us now. And I don't believe you spend so long in the Corridors, especially since you don't have your baggage with you." Explained Harry his reasoning.

"Let's just say politics. The Company we were expected to be in for a while wasn't very pleasant, and we decided to take a breather until the rest of the journey." Explained Daphne.

"Good that he thinks that Harry Potter died, or he would be looking for him all over the train." Muttered Tracey.

"And who may that person be? Why would that person be looking for me?" asked Harry Interestingly, this is an opportunity to give him a bit of insight into the politics of the Wizarding World and inside of Hogwarts.

After sighing Daphne explained, "Draco Malfoy, he was planning for years that he would befriend you to raise his Status, and bring you to the proper side."

"The proper side? What's that supposed to mean?" asked Hermione a bit weirded out.

"Pretty much supporting the Pure-bloods in their view that Muggles and Muggleborns are below them, and a menace on our Society. Destroying our ways and traditions." Summarised Daphne the general idea.

"What? There is something like that? But most people in Britain are Muggles." Said Hermione offended.

"Ah, I understand where this conflict developed from. Although the overall view is extreme." Realized Harry after thinking about it for a moment, "Hermione, you are already making a mistake! You are working under the conclusion that we are still in Britain. But magical Britain is a completely different Country! If we act like we would in Britain and don't consider their traditions, we are trampling over their culture! And this whole view had probably developed into this extreme doctrine as all the racists jumped onto the whole thing." Explained Harry.

"Oh, I didn't think about that in such a way. You are right, I was assuming I still am in Britain." Replied Hermione before she turned to Daphne and Tracey, "I am sorry if I should have done something to offend you."

"Don't worry about it too much, you did everything okay. As long as you are polite and don't parade around wanting to change anything to how you know it, you are fine with most people. The People who have problems with muggle-borns, won't change their view and trouble you either way." Explained Tracey was familiar with the Difference between the Muggle and Wizarding World as her Mother was a Muggle.

"But why was that Malfoy troubling you?" asked Harry still wanting to learn more.

"The Malfoy family is pressing my family for my Hand, as they want to get our name and good standing. We even had to vacate the Country during the first war with You-know-who because they were his supporters and tried to force us. Now that he is no longer here, they are using financial and political pressure, they are even trying to exploit my sister." Daphne rambled as she explained her Problems, "Now he will always annoy me in Slytherin."

"I see. That sounds annoying." Nodded Harry before he added, "Then just don't go to Slytherin. The people going to Slytherin don't really fit into that House either way. Why would anyone who truly represents the Slytherin values like cunningness and deceptiveness, go to Slytherin? Everyone would be on guard of you! It's not Slytherin to be a part of House Slytherin." Explained Harry as he thought for a while about the different Houses.

The other three Occupants looked now shocked at him, "It's not really Slytherin to be part of house Slytherin." Muttered Daphne as if Harry had opened her eyes.

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The steaming Hogwarts Express entered the Trains station in Hogsmeade, the train slowed right down and finally stopped. "You can leave your luggage on the Train. They will be transported to the castle." Said Daphne as Harry wanted to pick up his trunk from the rack. All four of them already in their School robes left the Compartment.

People were pushed out of the train, onto a tiny dark platform. The cold night air made the Students shiver, as a lamp appeared above their heads of the Students. "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" shouted the biggest man Harry had ever seen, 'Maybe he is part giant or another big race?'

All first-year Students gathered at the big bearded man's side pushing through the crowd of Students leaving the station, "C'mon, follow me — any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!" Slipping and stumbling, they followed the big man down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path.

Getting their first view of the Castle in the beautiful Moonlight the first-year Students arrived at the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.

On the shore waited a fleet of little boats as the giant pointed at them, "No more'n four to a boat!" Harry entered with Hermione, Daphne, and Tracey one of the boats. With a shout from the Giant, the small fleet took off, moving across the smooth lake towards the castle.

With his superior eyesight in the darkness, Harry was awed as he saw giant Squid below the surface of the Lake guiding their boats toward the Castle. "Wow, we are getting pushed by a big Squid."

"Stop joking Harry. How could you see that in the dark." Giggled Hermione.

"The boats are pushed by the Giant Squid?" wondered Tracey trying to look below the boats.

"Wait- there is really a-" questioned Hermione before she got distracted as they entered a dark Tunnel at the side of a Cliff. The tunnel led right underneath the Castle towards a small Underground Harbor where they climbed out onto the stony ground.

After a nervous-looking boy was reunited with his pet Toad who traveled with them in the boats, the Giant led them up a passageway towards a massive castle door. Where he knocked three times against it before it opened revealing A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes with a stern look on her face.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said the big man.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." 'So his name is Hagrid.' Noted Harry.

Professor McGonagall led them through a big entrance Hall, as big as the one in Gremory Manor, on the stony walls were torches giving light to the area. They followed her until they arrived at another doorway, hearing hundreds of voices from the other side.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," greeted Professor McGonagall. "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." She explained as the first years focused on her.

"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 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."

'What's the point of the cup? It's not like we get anything for it.' Thought Harry confused, 'Is it just a System to keep clueless Students in line or are they serious? Not like any employer will care if their resume has 'won the Housecup' in it.'

"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." Finished the stern Professor as she gave all of them a critical look, especially at a red-headed boy with a dirty nose. Harry was completely calm since he kept his Clothes and himself in pristine condition, he didn't want to be punished by Grayfia his etiquette teacher again if he looked inadequate since she had a really mean streak. So he made it a habit to always look good.

"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly." She left the chamber entering the Great Hall, as the first years began chatting amongst themselves, wondering how the Sorting would go.

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