Every single year without fail, Professor Eileen Margins could be found waiting at the bottom of the stairs for the new arrivals to descend the main staircase for the first time. This year, however, was quite different. When the first years arrived and started walking down the stairs, apprehensive toward the unknown, there was no Professor Margins. Waiting in her stead was a young man, draped from head to tow in a heavy black cloak. He looked like he couldn't be older than a fourth year. The only features the first years could see were his golden hourglass eyes, and his long silver hair.

Upon seeing all of the first years finish descending the stairs, he briskly turned his back toward them and without a word, started down the hall. The first years, not knowing exactly what to do stood still for a moment. That is, until the realized that the man in the cloak had not even slowed down to wait for them. They almost had to jog to catch up the hooded boy. Only after a couple minutes of walking at a very steady pace did the boy finally turn around and speak his first words to the new students.

"You," he began carefully choosing his words, "have all been sent here to learn the fine art of sorcery." He took a deep breath, then continued speaking in his steady tone. "Unlike many witches and wizards across the world, you have the privilege of learning magic in its truest form. As most of you have probably heard, this school has extremely high standards. I would caution all of you as to how you behave while you are staying here."

"In a few short moments the doors behind me will open." Upon hearing this, the first years had realized that the young man had stopped in front of two extremely large stone doors. Doors that blended in so well, that even now, it was hard to tell where the wall ended, and the doors began. Oblivious to the looks of surprise and confusion of the new students' faces, the boy with silver hair continued. "When those doors open, your schooling will begin. Unlike many other magical institutions around the world, you are not chosen to be in a house, you earn it. I will give you one piece of advice." At this all the first years perked up considerably, focusing all of their attention on what the older boy was about to tell them. As if this one secret would mean the difference between surviving here or not.

"Do not believe everything you hear or see in there."

And with those words, the massive doors seemed to dissolve away, leaving them all room to enter the hall.