Katherine Greenwood: The Hidden World #18

Instructions

Katherine's POV: Professor McGonagall continued with the beginning-of-term announcements. She reminded everyone that the Forbidden Forest was out of bounds for students and that students were expected to follow the rules of the school. She also reminded us that certain areas of the castle were restricted unless we had permission from a professor. I listened carefully, trying to remember everything. There seemed to be so many rules at Hogwarts, and I didn't want to accidentally break one. Then Professor McGonagall paused and looked toward the students. "There is one more matter before we begin our feast. As many of you know, we have several members of staff teaching at Hogwarts this year." She gestured toward the teachers sitting behind her. "Professor Flitwick will teach Charms. Professor Slughorn will teach Potions. Professor Longbottom will teach Herbology. Professor Sinistra will teach Astronomy, and Professor Binns will teach History of Magic. Madam Hooch will be teaching Flying." I looked toward each teacher as she named them, trying to remember their faces. Then Professor McGonagall continued. "I am also pleased to announce that Professor Harry Potter will be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts this year." My eyes widened. I looked toward the teacher sitting at the staff table. Harry Potter. The same Harry Potter who had helped me find Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. I still couldn't believe that he was a teacher here. I wondered if I would actually have him as one of my professors. The thought made me nervous and excited at the same time. Professor McGonagall gave one final look across the Great Hall. "That concludes the announcements. Now, I believe you have all been waiting long enough." A few students laughed. "Let the feast begin." The moment she finished speaking, the empty plates sitting on the tables suddenly filled with food. I stared in amazement. A moment ago, there had been nothing on the table in front of me, and now there were plates of roast chicken, potatoes, vegetables, bread, pies, and all sorts of other food. I looked around in complete surprise. "How did that happen?" I whispered. A Ravenclaw sitting beside me smiled. "Magic." I looked down at the food and then back up at her. "It just appeared?" She nodded. "Yep." I picked up my fork carefully. I still couldn't believe how different everything was here. At home, dinner meant Mum cooking in the kitchen while everyone sat around our table. Here, food could simply appear whenever someone wanted it. I took a small bite of potatoes and smiled. It was delicious. I started eating a little more as the Great Hall filled with conversation. Students were laughing, talking about their summers, and getting to know the new students in their houses. I glanced across the room toward the Gryffindor table and found Lily. She was talking to some of the other students, but she noticed me looking and gave me a little wave. I waved back. Even though we were sitting at different tables, it was nice knowing she was there. I looked around at the Ravenclaw table again. These were my housemates now. I didn't know any of them yet, but I hoped that would change. I looked toward the teachers at the front of the hall and saw Professor McGonagall taking her seat at the staff table. Professor Flitwick was talking to another teacher, Professor Longbottom was smiling as he listened to a conversation, and Professor Potter was sitting quietly among them. Everything still felt strange. The castle, the magic, the talking hat, the floating candles, the moving staircases, and now food that appeared out of nowhere. Just a few weeks ago, I had been sitting at home wondering whether my Hogwarts letter was real. Now I was sitting in the Great Hall as a Ravenclaw student, eating my first meal at Hogwarts. I looked up at the enchanted ceiling and smiled. I still had hundreds of questions. I probably had thousands. But for the first time, I wasn't worried about not knowing everything. I knew I would have time to learn. I picked up another piece of bread and listened to the conversations around me. My first night at Hogwarts had officially begun.