Better than Binns

First Day of the Ninth Month

Today was the opening day of Hogwarts. What a day it was! Let me start at the time before the students were supposed to arrive.

It was early morning and we were all preparing for our classes and the opening ceremony. We heard the boats coming as the first set of students arrived by magical boats. Helga went out to greet them. In the Great Hall, Salazar, Godric and I sat anticipating their arrival. They came in. There were so many of them! They filed in, waiting to get Sorted. The Sorting Hat, formerly Godric's hat, opened its brim and began to sing. I was shocked! I looked at Godric and he grinned at me. The song introduced the school and us. It then fell silent.

Helga stood in front of them and began reading off the names in alphabetical order.

"Ambers, George."

Helga put the hat on his head and the hat mused. We heard the cry "Ravenclaw!"

I was elated! My first student! Helga continued calling out names until Zeller, Lauren. Godric, Helga, Salazar and I had an equal amount of students for each of our houses. Then each child sat down at their respective table and waited. They were remarkably patient for eleven-year-olds. I stood up to give the first of many speeches. I was chosen as Headmistress of the school, with Helga as my Deputy. Salazar and Godric chose us because we weren't very emotional and were calm in most situations. Or so they said. Well, back to the Sorting.

I stood up and began to speak. "Welcome to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You are all the first class of this new school and we hope you enjoy and benefit from it. Seated next to me are two of your teachers, Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin and the Deputy Headmistress Helga Hufflepuff. We are all going to teach you and be the heads of your houses this year. You are here because of your magical abilities, don't forget that! On a different note, we have food prepared for you and then we shall send you off to your respective dormitories. Enjoy the meal and again, welcome to your new school!" I heard the clanking of forks, knifes and plates. Next to me, I heard the others talk about the upcoming days. I just sat and observed the children. They'd interested me since the moment they walked in. I don't understand why, they just did. I suppose it was the fact that they were the new generation of people with magical abilities and the first to make it official.

The eating ended shortly and each of us directed our students to their dorms. We got them settled in; their luggage had been sent up earlier. I gave them a quick tour and explanation of the next day and left them. And now I'm back in my room. I'm absolutely exhausted by today's events. I can't write anymore or my hands will just fall off.

I'm so full of things to tell. Let me explain them calmly. You see, dear diary, yesterday was the first day of our new school. We were all so eager to see if it worked. I thought that the day went well. The children seemed very interested and curious about what they were getting themselves into. The Sorting Ceremony went very well. Godric had charmed the hat to sing! He can be such a show off! Well, the song ended and I began to read out the names in alphabetical order. At the end, each of us had gotten an equal amount of students. Rowena made her speech and we sat down to eat. Once the meal was over, we led the students to their respective houses. After I took my students to the Hufflepuff Common Room and showed them their dorms, I went to my room to relax.

As I was sitting at my desk yesterday, I thought about the students. They looked so curious about the school. I heard them whisper, while I was leading them to the Great Hall. I heard "Wow!" and "This place is amazing." and "Is that a real sky?" from the crowd of faces. I was pleased by their reaction. At least they liked the place and I was hoping that they'd enjoy their time here. I also noticed that when the hat sang, their faces lit up. They seemed to enjoy it and I'm sure Godric noticed that. When the eating began, they began talking to each other, asking names, origins etc. They weren't making fun of each other, just curious about their classmates. I was happy to see that.

But on to today. For the first day of classes, it went remarkably well! Most of the children got lost, but we handed out maps to help them. In class, they were attentive, more than I was at the convent, and they asked a lot of questions. I really enjoyed all of my classes today and I'm looking forward to teaching them all year. And on that note, I have to prepare for tomorrow. The lesson has to be as good as today or I'll lose them fast.

~

"Ron, it's time for dinner!" Ron was brought back to reality by his mother's voice.

"Coming, Mum!" Ron scrambled around for a bookmark of some sort. He couldn't lose his spot now. It was too good. He found a piece of paper, an old letter from Hermione, and placed it where he stopped. He bounded down the stairs, eager to eat.