We rode in boats instead of carriages like the older kids, to be completely honest I would choose the boats over carriage any day. The view was splendid. I was stuck with two girls who were very, very different from Carrie and didn't really care who I was. I wasn't cute so I'm not important. I knew instantly the brunette and the blonde girls with way to much makeup plastered on there face would never in their right mind talk to me so i didn't dare to venture towards them. I stayed in my own personal bubble. I didn't mind though, it made it easier for me to draw the castle as we approached it. I didn't really have enough time to actually make it look good but I decided to sketch the rest from memory later on if I got the chance. When our ride was over, we finally got to enter the castle itself. I was amazed of course. I had never been in a place so beautiful before. It was still hard to process I'd be living here, yet It still didn't feel right. Almost like I didn't belong in a place so grand and tall.
"Students." A tall man with dark black hair nodded toward the large group of students that paraded down the hallway. He was dressed in long simple robes that at some point probably looked handsome but they were now covered in dirt. It almost looked as if he had just came in from a walk in the woods. "My name is Professor Longbottom. I am the herbology teacher here at Hogwarts and head of gryffindor house, and someone decided it would be a good idea to let me explain the sorting process to you first years." He laughed at his own joke. Herbology. That explains the dirt on his robes. I blocked out the rest of what he was saying and let my mind wander on thoughts of what living here would be like. Maybe I'd make friends with Carrie and the curly haired boy. Or maybe I would talk to the hairy guy who brought us on the boats. He looked nice, although he was a bit burly. I followed behind the rest of the first years as we were lead in to the dining hall by professor longbottom, who proceeded to walk on and tell us to stay as he took a seat behind a stern looking old lady and a brown, patched up hat. Everyone was silent while the lady, who we learned was headmistress mcgonagall told us what to do. The hat started to speak- no sing and I carries big head of curly hair practically bounce in excitement a couple of rows ahead of me. The hat sang a song about the houses and names were called out in alphabetical order. Every time someone was sorted into a house and people from each house would cheer and clap for there new housemate. As soon as they got around to the E's my mind was transported back to what my dad had told me before putting me On the train.

-FlashBack-

I was slightly behind my father, standing straight up and pretending not to notice the glances we got as we walked in the platform. I was supposed to act this way in public; detached and more important than you. I hated it but knew if I were to act any other way the punishment would be worse than what it's worth. "Daniel. Son. May I have a word?" My father raised his eyebrow, something I knew he did when he was daring me to refuse him. I nodded and my father lead me away from my mom, who was busy handling my younger sister, Who had started to cry. "Yes Father?" I asked. My dad looked my over with the same brown eyes we share and pushed a light brown curl away from his eyes. They were stone cold. I have never seen even an ounce of care reflect on his eyes. "I know this is a hard time son, and you will be confused for a long time but I want you to know, as long as you keep up our family's honor you will always be considered one of us. Get sorted into slytherin boy. That's all I ask. Stay a Howell and we will continue to thrive." His cold look only reminded me that he was always serious. As soon as he said that, I lost all my fake demeanor and was on the verge of breaking down. Why did I always expect something different? I always thought this time would be better, maybe he would be encouraging or maybe loving, No. It was always this way. I think I might get love or sympathy or anything closely resembling a family and I'm just disappointed. Every single time. I watched my fathers eyes move across me and for a split second I thought he was going to hit me. I clenched up ready to receive a harsh blow but my father came to his senses. We were out in public. We have a reputation to keep up. So instead, he grips me tightly on the shoulder and pushes me towards the train.

The flashback ends and for a moment I forgot where I am. I am pulled back into reality by The headmistress calling my name to be sorted. I do as instructed and shakily take a seat on the stool. I can feel every eye in the room on me and I want it to end.

Why hello there young Howell.
The hat spoke to me. I was startled by the voice, it was louder and deeper than I had originally thought.

Let's began shall we? You are different. Oh yes. I see.
"What do you see?" I think- er... Talk back to the hat.

I think you are more than you give yourself credit for Daniel. You are kinder than you think, braver than you know and certainly much more than you let on.
"Oh umm....thank you?"

Oh yes. I see. No. I don't believe gryffindor is for you. You are brave, but there are those much braver.
"Ok then. Not gryffindor. What else?" I feel my heart drop but due to habit I didn't let it show.

Your heart is big. Yes, but yet you fall short on the hard working aspect.
"I'm not that big of a procrastinator." I try to lie to the hat. Oh who am I kidding? I'm not a hard worker at all.

Ah, yes. Now ravenclaw. You may not be smart but you have curiosity. A certain ready to learn attitude and originality shines off you but still....
"Umm, can I please be in ravenclaw?"

Oh of course. Your scared. I would be to. Why the constant fear of being like your family. I can assure you that you are a slytherin for very different reasons than your parents.
"Please! I can't be like them! Let me be different!" I plead

I'm sorry Daniel. But the choice is made.
"No! Wait! Please mr.Hat sir! I can't-"

"Slytherin!"

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Dans Drawing of Hogwarts is Above