When Cressida walked into the hall, she noticed the four wooden statues around a Gordion Knot, where she presumed the others had stood. They were the mascots of the four houses. The older students stood one level above them in a balcony, watching as she stepped on the Knot.

The last time she was this nervous was when she had been chosen as a Gryffindor four years ago. She didn't even know as to which house she could belong. None of the houses could describe her completely. She remembers standing stiff in the center for a few minutes that were more like hours to her.

When she had started losing hope, the wampus roared. The house of the warriors had selected her! After that, she walked over to a large hall where her wand was supposed to choose her. She kept her wand beside the others and waited for something to happen. Finally, both, her trusty phoenix feather wand and another one with soft brown undertones and swirls of darker shades glowed.

She picked both of them up. Confused why she had two wands, Cressida looked at the large screen. It described the two. She knew about her old one, so she skipped its details and moved onto the new wand. It was Sequoia and Alder, 14 and a 1/2 inches, inflexible, with doxy wing and hippogriff feather. Definitely one combination she hadn't heard of until now.

She would write a letter to Percy as soon as she got to the dormitory and ask about it. Anyway, she followed the other students to what she had heard was called The Dining Hall. She sat down with her house, feeling the whoosh of magic as her cloak's inner side took up a soft shade of sunset orange.

Headmaster Agilbert Fountaine addressed the students. "Evening, children. Welcome back to a new year full of learning and fun at Ilvermorny. We are here to help you, you mustn't hesitate before coming to us for anything. Also, there is a transfer student among us, I request that you help her get to her classes and in the basics that she'll require to learn. Please welcome, Cressida Dorea Potter, a fifth-year from Hogwarts!" The students clapped politely for her.

She stood up and smiled slightly. Headmaster Fountaine spoke again, "Alright, everyone. Best of luck for your OWLS and NEWTS. And for those of you who don't have them, please focus on your own examinations as well. Now that that's out of the way, Dig in!" 

Cressida could only stare as everyone around her closed their eyes and asked for something to eat, and it appeared on their plates. She turned to her platter and decided to try. Closing her eyes, she asked for Spaghetti Bolognese and a goblet of cherry coke. When she opened her eyes, she was pleasantly surprised to find her order ready. And so, she dug in.

Later on, she followed her Prefect to their house. Percy had told her nothing about it. He wanted to find out on her own. Why would he do that? From what she knew, Ilvermorny was not that different from Hogwarts. They would only have dorm rooms for boys and girls and a common room. Right?

But then, things hadn't been the same ever since she had sat down on the train. Everything was very different in terms of respect and basic ethics. She doubted that no one in America had heard about her being The Girl Who Lived. And yet, no one had asked about her scar or why she had transferred in the first place.

Headmaster Fountaine had been very kind and indulgent when he had introduced her. Also, her companions in the train had picked up on her reluctance to talk and had left her to her thoughts. She was broken out of her reverie when she heard a collective, 'Wow' from the firsties. She looked up, startled, to stare at the majestic hall they now stood in.

The hall was huge with the symbols of the two houses- Thunderbird and Wampus embossed in the middle. The colors sunset orange and turquoise blending softly. The Thunderbird Prefect led her firsties into a corridor on one end. Their Prefect himself was explaining something.

"Similarly, the Pukwudgie and Horned Serpent Lodgings are on the other side. Each lodging has the same design and infrastructure, except for the house colors. Our commons and Conference Room are decked in orange and black. You can remodel your rooms according to your tastes." Lodgings!? Oh my god! And rooms? Not dorm room?

She followed the Prefect through the corridor, just too shocked to say anything. He asked all of them to line up and walk out of the corridor one by one to key themselves into the wards.

Cressida was utterly baffled by that particular tidbit. Every lodging has its wards!? Not much later, it was her turn. As she walked through, she felt a soft blanket of magic engulf her, leaving behind a feeling of safety and warmth.

She was once again stunned by the well-furnished and beautifully decorated room. Comfortable armchairs took up most of the space. There was a fireplace in a corner. "These are our commons. You can sit here for as long as you want, even after the curfew. Follow and keep up with me."

They all walked to the left side of the commons, up a staircase. As they walked along a corridor, Cressida noticed that there were rooms on either side. The rooms were named:

Music Room

Dance Room

Painter's Cove

Gamer Den

Craftsmiths'

Theater Room

"This is the Leisure Gallery. You will find many options here to spend your free time. Just past this gallery is the Conference Room. If you fail to uphold the inter-house unity or bully someone, you are likely to find yourself in there, listening as the Prefects and Year Heads discuss your punishment."

At that, Cressida couldn't stop a smile from spreading on her face. They don't entertain bullying! No one will ever get away! How good is that! She hurriedly followed the firsties out of the gallery to see the Prefect already heading towards the right side. By the time she caught up with him, he was already speaking. "....... and so, this is the kitchen. You can use it at your leisure. You can only cook and bake for yourself and no one else. Clear?" Everyone nodded.

"Alright. Now, just behind me are the first-year rooms. You have to climb up the stairs and get through the door with your name. Your trunks would already be on one side, with your clothes arranged in the almirah. Your curfew begins at 10. Also, you have to be in the commons at 8 in the morning. Now, Good Night. Sleep Well. Off you go." All the firsties walked off, leaving her standing awkwardly.

"Cressida Potter, right?" The Prefect asked her. She nodded. "Your room is not here. Come on. I am a fifth-year myself. I will drop you." She smiled and murmured a soft Thank you.

He smiled back and led her away. He took her straight to the main wall in the middle of the two corridors. He asked her to watch him closely and walked through the wall?

Cressida smiled. She did it too, walking out into a hall decorated with a chandelier. There are elevators in the hall! The Prefect, Justin, gestured her to follow.

"All the years above the first are accessible through here. You step into one and press the number to your year. You will automatically be taken to the gallery. Just find the door to your room and you will be fine."

"Thank you, Justin." He laughed. "Joshua, not Justin. And you're always welcome." Cressida blushed a deep red in embarrassment. Muttering a Sorry, she almost ran out of the elevator to her room. She shut the door behind her and sighed. How could I get so distracted?

She shook her head and looked around. Damn. This room was very lovely. It was done in Blue and Light Purple. The bedsheets and the duvet were a velvety black. There was an almirah on one side and a study desk rested beside the bed. She walked to a bathroom. Hmmm. There was a shower-head and -squeal- a bathtub too!

She was in heaven!

After a good soak, she slipped into her PJs and jumped into the bed.

With a promise to self to write to Percy in the morning, she fell asleep.

Hey there! How are you? So, I hope you like the description of Sorting and the Lodgings. I hope I am not going too fast, or being too vague.

Please tell me how to improve my writing skills. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

-Shanaya