Harry is left alone in the compartment and starts changing, quickly throwing on his new uniform. It's less colorful than the ones the older students were wearing, although they all seemed to wear the same specific color schemes. Red and Gold? Green and Silver? Blue and Bronze? Yellow and Black? What do they mean? Harry is unsure, and his current isolation allows his anxieties to flow back into his mind. He is relieved though, when he hears a familiar voice.
"Oh, you found Neville's toad! Good job Harry. Where's Hannah and Tracey?" Hermione asks, looking for their missing friends.
"Went to the restroom. They had me change while they were gone. You probably should as well. I'll step outside and make sure Neville or someone else doesn't come in." Harry says, raising himself from his position on the floor. When did I end up there? Harry thought, having lost track of where he was in his brief anxiety attack.
"Oh, well that is a good idea. Thanks Harry." She flashes him a smile, her teeth are exceptionally white.
"You're welcome. Your teeth are pretty by the way. Very white." Harry says, words coming out before he can think to not say them. Hermione flushes deeply and Harry cuts his losses, moving to the hallway.
Harry hopes all of Hogwarts isn't as overwhelming as this train ride. His heart can't take it.
Alix33: Lavender's mom very specifically gave her a run down of who and what she needs to look-out for. What better source of information for her gossip column than her own daughter after all?
Pulling into Hogsmeade station, Harry again started grappling with his anxiety about the situation. Even seeing the friendly face of Hagrid, who began to direct him towards a dock full of small boats, fails to truly ease Harry's worries. Fortunately, Hermione stays steadfastly by his side for the entirety of their journey, and procures the seat next to Harry's as they board the small boats.. Each boat could fit five students, in two pairs and then a single. Harry and Hermione take their place as one of the pairs, Neville and Hannah as the second, and a red-haired boy that Harry had previously caught a glimpse of on the train as the single.
"Why do you think they have us first-years on boats instead of in the carriages like the other students?" Harry asks the group at large. Hannah and Neville swivel slightly in their seats to look at their new friends.
"I-I think it's because of where we're supposed to go for sorting," Hannah says nervously. She's wrapped her hand in Neville's in an attempt to calm herself down. Whether or not it's succeeding, it is causing Neville to do a sublime impression of a tomato. Harry laughs internally at his new friend's struggle.
"Hogwarts: A History mentions there being some kind of sorting, but doesn't say what it is. I hope it's not a difficult test, I don't think I've studied enough," Hermione says, starting to shake in her seat.
"I don't think it would be a test, that would be pretty unfair for people like me who only just learned about being a wizard. Maybe it's like a personality quiz? A no wrong answers kind of thing?" Harry says, grabbing Hermione's hand. That seems to calm her down a bit, so Harry ignores the mild embarrassment he feels at holding a girl's hand.
"Now that I think about it, no one has ever actually told me how students are sorted," Neville says. "I know Gran and Uncle Algie had to have been sorted, but they've never told me how it happened."
"My parents haven't either, must be a secret so you can't influence the sorting too much," Hannah says, seemingly calmer. The hand-holding must be working.
"What are they sorting us into anyway? I'm still playing catch-up here," Harry says.
"There are four 'houses' at Hogwarts, where you dorm,
as well as where you determine who you have classes with. They are supposed to be separated by personalities. Gryffindor is the house of the Brave, Ravenclaw the house of the Clever, Slytherin the house of the Cunning, and Hufflepuff the house of the Loyal," Neville says, counting them off on his fingers, as he spoke.
"Well, then Hermione's a shoo-in for Ravenclaw!" Harry says laughing. Hermione grips his hand tighter.
"I'm not that clever. I just really like books," Hermione says softly, seemingly sinking into herself.
"Well, wherever you get sorted, I'm sure you'll do great. As will Hannah, and Neville. You guys will do amazing!" Harry says confidently. He does truly believe that the three with him, as well as Tracey will do great. Their time together on the train had convinced them of that. What Harry wasnot so sure about was his own chances.
"Yeah, yeah. We're the best. You guys are annoying." The red-haired boy speaks up. "Let me tell you how it actually is. Gryffindor is the best house. All the good wizards come from Gryffindor. Ravenclaw is full of annoying know-it-alls, and all Slytherins are evil. Hufflepuff is where they send the worthless ones."
"That doesn't seem very nice. There have been plenty of great wizards from all houses, and not all Slytherins are evil." Hannah says, looking at the boy.
"Sure, keep telling yourself that." He says, before the boat magically begins moving, shocking the quintet of first-years; and they all sit in stunned silence as they watch the other boats also begin to move.