When we reached Hogwarts I stepped off the train, almost relieved to feel the wind on my face. Though it’d been bright and sunny earlier, the night was cold and breezy.

“Just follow my lead,” I instructed to the new group of Prefects. I pulled out the stairs at the foot of one of the doors, waved at them to do the same, then yelled, “Come on, time to get off! Watch your step now… hold on to the rail!”

When the others were doing the same, I wrapped my jacket closer around me and headed toward one of the “horseless” carriages, still relieved that I couldn’t see what really pulled them. Marie joined me and we were shortly on our way to the castle.

It was nice to step into the cozy Entrance Hall and even better to sit at the all-to-familiar Gryffindor Table. I wave of sadness rushed by as I realized how life would be without Hogwarts. I pushed the thought into the back of my mind and concentrated on the new First Years who were filing in. Professor Dumbledore came out with the three-legged stool and placed the ratty old Sorting Hat on it.

He brushed his long silvery beard out of the was of his pockets and pulled out a scroll, then waited patiently for the Hat to begin it’s start-of-the-term song.

For hundreds of years I’ve sang many songs
Delivering a message to you
And now that we are gathered here
It’s time to say something new
Difficult times approach us all
It may not seem so sane
But many lives will leave us all
Under someone’s horrible reign
No matter what house you go to
Remember my sayings’ tell
And when the times approach us all
Stay together well
In Gryffindor you’ve got
The brave and strong
Willing to fight to the death
And punish all who are wrong
In Ravenclaw the witty lay
Their brains and their charm
And when a puzzle will arrive
You can lean on their outstretched arm
The Hufflepuff are another story
They’re brave, smart, and loyal
And as a mix of all the houses
They’re not afraid to toil
Slytherin is my final tale
Of those witty and cunning
Though mischievous by glance
Their personalities are stunning
Stick together like parchment and glue
Don’t argue about the has-been
If you’ve listened well, I’ll dismiss you
Let Hogwart’s sorting begin

I looked at Marie, and her puzzled face reflected mine. The kids were sorted and Dippet made his speech, but my hearing only went in and out. What had the Hat meant? Did we really have anything to worry about?

Finally, when the long list of banned items was recited, the feast began. I piled my plate with food, took a bite of chicken, and then turned once again to Marie. “An idea what that was about?”

“Nope…” she replied through a mouthful of bread.

“Wow, you guys have the best manners,” Remus Lupin laughed. “I think you’re worse than James.”

I shook my head. “Impossible.”

We finished eating, and I decided that trying to pursue the conversation when I was so tired was pointless. After giving the Prefects the password and telling them what to do, I took a few shortcuts to my Common Room, climbed up the stairs, and sunk into bed. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.