The pouring rain probably isn't the best welcome for this batch of first years. Fortunately plastic rain ponchos were handed out to each of them before going further down a steep, narrow path. After what must have been several minutes of slipping and stumbling, the path opens up to the edge of the Black Lake. There before you a number of small boats are docked on the shore, and, if you squint your eyes, the twinkling lights of the castle from its many turrets and towers can be seen in the distance.

Once everyone has taken a seat in the boat of their choosing, the boats all move at once and begin slowly gliding across the lake. With the rain pouring, the lake isn't as smooth as it normally has been in the past. If no one manages to fall out of their boat, the journey will take about fifteen minutes. Once the boats carry you through a curtain of ivy and along a dark tunnel, coming to a halt at the boathouse, you need only clamber up a flight of stone steps to the giant oak front doors of the school.

OOC: The Hogwarts boats can carry up to a total of four first-year students.