When Su Er reached the Castle's Entrance Hall, the Heads of House were ordering their students to line up.
The torches on the walls burned especially brightly, their flickering light stretching the young wizards' shadows across the Entrance Hall.
"First years at the front! No pushing! Stand in your proper places according to your year!" Professor Sprout had changed into clean clothes and put on a tall wizard's hat, and was calling loudly to her little badgers.
Professor McGonagall's sharp eyes swept over the young wizards' clothing, and she called out reminders from time to time.
Standing in Hufflepuff House's third-year line, Su Er saw Harry and Ron come rushing breathlessly down the Marble Staircase. Ron even received a "kind" reminder from McGonagall, because his hat was far too crooked.
Hermione was comforting Parvati, who had just received a sharp word from McGonagall, and discreetly waved at Su Er and winked.
After a noisy bout of confusion, the young wizards finally formed their lines. Led by Professor McGonagall, they walked down the steps and stood in rows on the small marble square in front of the Castle.
Night was falling, and the weather was not particularly good. A few dark clouds hung stubbornly in the sky, though the moonlight was especially bright. The air was cold but wonderfully fresh, leaving them feeling refreshed from head to toe, as though they had taken a great gulp of cool mint water.
The sky gradually darkened, and the sun, stubbornly lingering beyond the mountains, finally had no choice but to go home to bed.
Without the warm sunlight, the chill in the air grew more pronounced. Despite the cold, the young wizards still chattered excitedly about which school would appear first.
Su Er also listened to his dormmates' discussion, chiming in now and