Part 3: Beginning An Adventure

Albus Dumbledore's POV [IN THIRD PERSON]

Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, cleared his throat and stood up. His beard was ancient and gray, about a foot long with a silver rope tied to the end of it. He had incommensurable, narrow baby blue eyes with cut off glasses (which he wore below his nose) due to his poor vision.

"Yes, I was informed that, thanks Minerva," Albus replied. He was a close friend of Minerva McGonagall and she liked to keep him up-to-date, in this case, about Alex and Justin Russo's company. She was also the Headmistress, and a former Professor of Transfiguration.

Minerva was a pure-blood witch, with her long wand standing at 16 and half inches long. Her figure was also decrepit, and she usually wore her black witch hat with a fleck at the top. As a teacher, Minerva was a strict disciplinarian, maintaining control of her students with a stern hand that made her someone not to be crossed.

Albus clutched his vigorous wand and lifted the spell to reveal the castle. Justin and Alex Russo stepped in the castle, unsure. Putting them in here was like taking a polar bear and placing it in the desert. They seemed like they didn't harmonize with their surroundings, which was comprehensible since they were from New York.

Dumbledore rushed downstairs to greet them. He was sure a flourishing learning experience was what they needed. "The magical world tends to be very eccentric and surreal. I understand that you two are supplementary, apologies for the hard time. I am the Headmaster here in Hogwarts, also known as the absent-minded Albus Dumbledore.

Anti- Apparition spells and muggle repelling charms help keep this castle safe. Now we have lots to cover, so I shall not go on and on, but there is one thing that I affirm. You will do stupendous here, study, respect, and learn. Just like your ancestors once did."

Alex was confused why he said that, but then she remembered how horrible they had done back at Wiz-Tech. Now it would be time to improve. Justin nodded, understanding, and Alex muttered "our ancestors probably died here, too." Justin elbowed her with a stern look and Albus motioned for them to follow him to the Sorting Ceremony.

While they were pacing in the idle halls, Albus asked, "Now why didn't both of you just take Hogwarts Express here? It would've been so much easier, trust me." Justin frowned and replied, "Our Dad. We can't rely on him; sometimes he can be dysfunctional and vain. Heck, we didn't even know there was a train!"

Albus chuckled and opened the vast door in the Great Hall. It was the 1st of September, the day to assign new students to Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Gryffindor. Lights were hung all over the ceilings and crowds of people in their cloaks filled the room. It was the magic, brown hat A.K.A. the Sorting Hat, which stood out the most.

The Hat was singing, in tune, about the grading system of Hogwarts, which was, according to the song, O means outstanding, E is exceeded expectations, A was acceptable, D is dreadful, and T means troll, which Justin thought was humorous. Alex half-smiled. Hogwarts was un-predictable and she didn't know what to expect.

Justin and Alex joined the crowd in front of the Sorting Hat, Alex going first because it went alphabetically. Murmurs silenced and people started to notice Alex and Justin Russo as the "new pupils." Applauds filled the room as an effect.

"Alex Russo," the Sorting Hat called out. She swallowed and stepped forward, sitting on the stool and placing the convivial hat on her head. Then she waited as the hat studied her. Finally, the hat cried, "Cunning is your skill, but you lack hard work. Maybe in Slytherin, you won't be such a berk!"

Everyone laughed and smirked. Alex was furious and missed her home. The Sorting Hat had just called her a berk, or stupid person. She yanked the hat off her head and threw it on the table. Then she disappeared into the crowd and pouted her face.

More laughter filled the room at her rejecting temper. Then a young girl stepped forward. She had shady eyebrows, hazel and fearless eyes, and brown locks. She was wearing a white, collared long sleeved shirt with a gray jumper vest and a black, knee-length skirt with grey socks. Over it was a cloak with the Gryffindor crescent.

"Oh, great. Another encyclopedic wizard from the fabulous Gryffindor that wants to make fun of me," Alex added sarcastically. The girl smiled and added, "No I wasn't going to make fun of you or anything. I was just going to say that sometimes the Sorting Hat just makes things up to rhyme and for attention. I'm Hermione Granger by the way."

Alex smiled back and found herself starting a conversation with Hermione. "How do you dress in Manhattan?" Hermione asked, jokingly but curious. Alex raised her eyebrow and unbuttoned her grey sweater to reveal a purple neck scoop top, black skinnies, and black Chuck Taylor, I 3, High Top converse.

People clapped and Minerva stepped forward to see what was causing all of the commotion. Then she handed Alex a Slytherin cloak and added, "This is how we dress here in Hogwarts!" Everyone laughed and pointed to their crescents.

Horace Slughorn, Head of Slytherin, and the Potions Master, welcomed Alex. Then Justin's name was called. He stepped forward and sat on the stool. Then he closed his eyes, waiting for a response. Finally, "You need chivalry, but you have wits instead. Ravenclaw will suit you and store more in your head."

Justin grinned and stepped back into the crowd. A young boy with a cloak and glasses similar to the ones back in Wiz-Tech held out his hand. "I'm Harry Potter. Welcome to Hogwarts, I suppose you are frae New York!"

Justin shook his head and said, "Yes! I've heard all about you! I've always wanted to come here. Now all I need is a tour guide?" Harry pushed his glasses back and added, "Of course. I can show you around and teach you all of the basics." Then Harry introduced Justin to his friend, Ron Weasley.

Filius Flitwick, Head of Ravenclaw, stepped forward. He was part goblin part wizard and his characteristics were diminutive and stubby with white, circular glasses and a stuffy beard. He was dressed as if he were attending a cocktail party. "Ah, quite an audience have we?" Professor Flitwick asked with an exciting squeak and a chaotic laugh.

"Our first year is going to be lots of fun, and why, yes, I still do game days on Wednesdays," he added with a perspicacity giggle. "I want to make this pithy so let me just welcome our new member, Justin Russo." Ravenclaw members and people from other houses cheered. "Cheers! Oh, and, I hope to see the opposite of abominable grades!"

Pamona Sprout, Hufflepuff's leader, started talking about The House Cup and Quidditch Cup. Neville Longbottom, the Herbology Professor, also made a short speech. Argus Fitch, the Caretaker, talked about magical creatures with Rubeus Hagrid, the Care of Magical Creatures Professor. Harry Potter also went on stage and explained the house ghosts, Bloody Baron, Nearly Headless Nick, Fat Friar, and Grey Lady.

"These fleshless spirits were either afraid of death or have an extremely strong connection to the locations they haunt." Harry exclaimed. Justin and Alex were both amazed at everything at Hogwarts. It was much, more exciting than Wiz-Tech. They were excited to explore and learn new things, even if it only was for a few months. Alex even considered asking her parents to let them stay longer.