Whitney Writes…

The little boats all bumped into the little boat house, one after the other lining up at the wooden docks. After each two or three students climbed out, the boat was whisked away into the rafters. When it was Cirice and Joanne’s boat that arrived and their turn to disembark, the girls clasped hands and climbed out. They fell into line behind the other first years and followed them up the winding stone staircase that went from island-to-island, and then was carved into the side of the cliff.

They were all huffing and puffing when they finally reached the top and were deposited into a beautiful courtyard. As they all huddled together, shivering in the damp and cold air, awaiting Hagrid to catch up to them, they all stared up at the towers and turrets high above them. Joanne’s hand, which still clutched Cirice’s squeezed a little harder. “How are we ever going to learn our way around here?” Joanne whispered.

“That’s what Prefects are for,” Cirice whispered back.

“No need for the Sorting Hat,” Hagrid suddenly boomed from behind them, and as one, the group of first years whirled around to see the burly groundskeeper standing before the ornate front doors, “you’re clearly all Hufflepuffs.” He gave a wink and a chuckle. “Now,” he continued, “in all seriousness and the like, when we go in there, you lot are going to take center stage while you’re sorted into your houses. Don’t be frightened, as they’ve all been through it, your house will welcome you and you’ll make friends quickly. If the hat deals you a house you didn’t wish, take it in stride, it looks deeply into each and every one of you.”

Inktober 2025, Prompt #18: DEAL🧡🖤👻🎃