Once Again Like Once Before| R.J.Lupin

Chapter three: 282

She followed behind her fellow classmates as they were led into the Great Hall, the small witch clenched her hands together in front of her when she saw the number of eyes that were watching her group of first-years walk toward the front of the hall.

She waited at the back of the group as names began to be called, watching her fellow first-year peers get sorted into their respective houses.

"Wood, Oliver!" The Professor shouted while looking at the long list of names she held in her hands, she then promptly placed the sorting hat on the little boy's head right after he had sat down on the stool, facing towards the students.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The old hat shouted out after a bit of silence, yelling and shouting quickly ensued from the Gryffindor table.

"Forelowe, Winona!" McGonagall yelled out while looking at the list after the Gryffindor's quieted down.

Winona let out a quiet breath as anxiety bubbled up in her stomach at the sound of her name being called, nevertheless, she held her head high, taking steps with shaky legs up to the stool while having to say multiple "excuse me's" because she was coming from the back and no one noticed her trying to get through.

Once she finally made it through the crowd of first years, she walked up to the platform with her face pointed toward the ground before she turned around to face the students as she raised her head, when she did, she heard a soft gasp come from her right side.

Curious, the young witch looked over to Professor McGonagall to see the professor's mouth open wide with shock.

Blinking, Winona hurried up and sat on the stool, trying to get sorted quickly. As she sat on the stool she heard the old witch let out a loud breath of air before inching closer to her, finally placing the sorting hat on her head.

"You again." The old hat sneered at the young witch in her head.

"SLYTHERIN." The old hat shouted out before she could start wondering about what the old hat said.

She hurried off of the stool, heading towards her new house's table as her fellow Slytherins politely clapped for her until she reached the table and took her seat.

The older Slytherins offered the newest Slytherin a small nod as a greeting before going back to whatever they were doing before.

While the sorting ceremony proceeded, some more of her fellow first years were sorted into her new house; she recognized one from the train, the big blue-eyed blondie.

The young witch watched as the blue-eyed girl whispered to the other first years, glancing at Winona with a wide-eyed expression, apparently whatever the blue-eyed girl said must have been astonishing because whoever was listening to the young girl simultaneously gasped, leaving young Winona confused as to why she was being left out but also curious of what the big-eyed girl was yapping about.

After all of the first years were sorted into their respective houses and the headmaster made his announcements, Professor Dumbledor finally began the feast causing everyone to rush to fill up their plates with food.

Winona's eyes widened at the amount of food that appeared on the table, never in her life had she ever seen so much food, so much so, that she began to become overwhelmed by the amount of options she had.

Winona let out a quiet sigh as she decided to keep it safe by picking food out that her Mother would regularly cook, so she politely took one chicken leg, and a spoonful of both rice and broccoli.

As the young witch was peacefully eating, a ghost came up from the table, right in the middle of the mashed potatoes that were placed in front of her.

"Hello there." The ghost said politely before letting out a loud gasp at the sight of the young witch.