no way out

the witch who had introduced herself as Professor McGonagall suddenly came to a stop before a magnificent double door. she stared at the scattered groups of young confused faces before her. clearing her throat noisily, she firmly drew our attention.

"now gather up everyone"

we all piled closer to her like strayed sheep

" please form two lines here". she stretched her hands indicating where the lines were to be formed.

'girls on my left please'.

having observed that things were to her satisfaction the lady pushed the magnificent doors open and we filed in after her.

And my oh my.What a view that met my eyes. Honestly, I cant master enough words to do the hall justice.

the beauty that stretched around and above us were the likes of which I had never seen in a scene

Had I not looked at the clear skies just a moment ago on the shores of the black lake, I would have almost thought that night had suddenly encroached on the school.

The roof was swathed with thousands of stars with a splendid moon shining gaily at the middle.

The tranquil voice of Hermione drifted to my ears...not really, it was more like hearing it inside my head.

'it's not an open space. it's enchanted to look like the night sky.'

I turned to look at the students close to me .he didn't seem to have heard her words

"How did you do that," I asked the voice in my thoughts

"oh, it's nothing big, just slipped an enchanted coin into your pocket. it helps one to talk telepathically."

"ooh, just that, can you see someone's mind? I asked worried that she might have seen my thoughts about the system task.'

"no', her voice drifted to my head with more sonic." That would be a violation of privacy. besides, it would require a lot of magic'.

"ooh, violation of privacy huh? and slipping a coin into my pockets without informing me isn't exactly that"

" Sorry, I just thought you wouldn't mind' i noted her voice had suddenly grown downcast.

"Anyway, I don't mind. can I keep the coin?'

'sure,'

The sneaky voice of professor McGonagall cut through my thoughts interrupting our telepathic conversation

"Ok now, please line up facing the rest of the students."

I noted that we had already arrived at the front of the raised dais of the hall where a grand table occupied by the staff stood.

For a split second, my eyes locked with those deep ones of the silver-haired figure that sat on a throne-like seat at the middle of the table. I felt like he was staring past my flesh into the deep doubts and secrets that I was hiding within me.

the brief moment was however broken as a commotion from the front made me turn facing the rest of the school that sat at neatly arranged long tables of two aside .in total there were four tables

I watched with dread as professor Mcgonagall placed an old haggard-looking hat on a three-legged stool just in front of us. as I looked at it anxiety suddenly filled me.

the sorting hat. my war had finally begun .and I still had no game plan.