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The large wooden door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face and Aurora's first thought was that this was not someone to cross. She very much doubted this woman would tolerate any nonsense.
"The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." She pulled the door wide open. The Entrance Hall was huge. It reminded Aurora of her own hall, only ten times bigger. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches that gave the whole place a medieval feel. The ceiling was too high to make out and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors.
They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Aurora could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right- the rest of the school must already be here- but Professor McGonagall showed the first-years into a small empty chamber off the hall.
They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room.
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." Her eyes lingered for a moment on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and a few other boys.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly." She left the chamber.
Aurora swallowed. "How exactly do they sort us into houses?" She asked the other girls.
"Some sort of test, I think," Parvati said nervously.
"I'm sure it'll be fine," Susan said calmly.
Aurora's heart gave a horrible jolt. A test? In front of the whole school? But she didn't know much magic yet– what on earth would she have to do?
She looked around anxiously and saw that everyone else looked terrified too. No one was talking much except Hermione Granger, who was whispering very fast about all the spells she'd learnt and wondering which one she'd need.
