"Probably," agrees Anthony.

They are soon led out of the train by a rather large and hairy grinning man, who guides the firsties to a bunch of boats, five people to a boat.

Thea decides to get into a boat with Anthony.

Anthony is planning on going with Willow and Sadde, unless they decide to part ways!

… Do they get another person? It feels possibly mean if the new person doesn't know any of them.

Sadde goes with them!

And Willow falls into the lake and is rescued by the giant squid and can't stop giggling about it.

"There's a giant squid?"

"At least it's friendly?"

"I was rescued by a giant squid that is so cool this is the best castle."

"I am – personally – slightly disturbed by the giant squid."

"Why?"

"I don't think we usually have giant squid in lakes in Britain."

"It's probably magical."

"The lake or the squid or…? I realise the answer is probably 'yes'."

She giggles.

"I hear it's very picturesque in the winter. The castle."

"Can't wait to see it!"

The boats eventually reach the castle, and the children are led to the Great Hall, where the long House tables are illuminated by the light of floating candles and the stars visible through the enchanted ceiling.

Thea likes the special effects. Thea continues to dislike the robes. (She has already realised she will have to put up with them.)

Anthony is looking curiously at the staff table.

In front of the staff table and behind a small podium is the witchiest witch to ever witch; someone who wouldn't look out of place cackling and cooking small lost children. The effect then proceeds to be completely ruined by her strong Scottish accent and firm polite tones.

"Good evening, students. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Sorting Feast. It is customary for the Headmistress to deliver a speech before the actual Sorting, but I believe the Hat has a few words it would like to say before that."

"—the Hat?"

Anthony shrugs.

Indeed, the Hat! For there is a hat on a small stool in front of the podium, there, and it starts... singing.

Faces staring up at me
Few and far between
People in this gathering
Not as many as I've seen

But after night, morning comes
After night, dawn shines
And bit by bit we will rebuild
And soon I'll write new lines

But what, I ask, does the future hold?
What will we yet see?
That, I know, depends on you
And what you wish to be

Gryffindor may be your path
Bold and bright and brave
Valor and people to serve
Is what your heart does crave

Or maybe loyal Hufflepuff
Through blood, sweat, but no tears
Will you build a whole new world
Where we will know no fear

Perhaps your way is Ravenclaw's
Hoard knowledge in your mind
And by the power of your words
The future be defined

Lest we forget Slytherin
I beg you, hear my words!
With noble goals and good friends
Tomorrow will be spurred

With this verse I close my song
My message has been sent
I may help push you along
But you choose where you end

After Thea gets over the 'talking hat' aspect of this all, she wonders about how ominous this all is.

She might look slightly unimpressed.

"… How did I not know there was a talking hat," asks Anthony, quietly, mostly of himself.