First-Year Students

First-year students are eleven and twelve-year-old witches and wizards who are beginning their magical education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This inaugural year is a foundational period defined by the introduction to the magical world, the pivotal Sorting Ceremony, and a core curriculum of fundamental magical subjects. The experience of being a first-year, particularly that of Harry Potter's cohort, serves as the reader's primary introduction to the rules, traditions, and daily life of Hogwarts.

The journey to Hogwarts for first-years is a highly traditional and structured process, marking their formal separation from the Muggle world and entry into the wizarding community.

• Hogwarts Express: The journey begins at King's Cross Station in London, from the magically concealed Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. The train departs at 11 a.m. on September 1st.
• Arrival at Hogsmeade Station: Upon arriving at Hogsmeade Station in the evening, first-years are greeted by the Keeper of Keys and Grounds, a role held by Rubeus Hagrid during Harry's time at school.
• Crossing the Black Lake: In a tradition exclusive to them, the first-years are led by Hagrid to a fleet of small, enchanted boats. They cross the Black Lake in these boats, which provides them with their first, spectacular view of Hogwarts Castle.
• Entrance into the Castle: After docking in an underground harbour beneath the castle, the students are led up to the Oak front doors and into the Entrance Hall. There, they are typically met by the Deputy Headmaster or Headmistress, such as Professor McGonagall, who explains the Sorting Ceremony before leading them into the Great Hall.

The Sorting Ceremony is the first official event for new students and is arguably the most important of their school careers, as it determines which of the four Hogwarts Houses they will belong to for the next seven years.

• The ceremony takes place in the Great Hall in front of the entire student body and staff.
• The ancient Sorting Hat is placed on a stool. It traditionally sings a new song each year, describing the qualities of each House (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin).
• Professor McGonagall reads the names of the first-years in alphabetical order. Each student sits on the stool and the Sorting Hat is placed on their head.
• The Hat delves into the student's mind to assess their qualities and announces its decision aloud, placing the student into the most suitable House. Upon being sorted, the student joins their new House table to applause.

The first-year curriculum is designed to provide a broad introduction to the core branches of magic. All first-years study the same set of required subjects, with no electives.

• Core Subjects:
  • Astronomy (with Professor Sinistra)
  • Charms (with Professor Flitwick)
  • Defence Against the Dark Arts (with Professor Quirrell in Harry's first year)
  • Herbology (with Professor Sprout)
  • History of Magic (with Professor Binns)
  • Potions (with Professor Snape)
  • Transfiguration (with Professor McGonagall)
• Flying Lessons: First-years also have weekly flying lessons with Madam Hooch to learn how to control a broomstick. This is the only time flying is a formal part of the curriculum.
• Examinations: At the end of the school year, first-years must pass practical and written exams in each subject to advance to their second year.

First-year students face the most restrictions of any student group at Hogwarts, primarily for their own safety.

• They are forbidden from visiting the nearby wizarding village of Hogsmeade.
• Students are not typically allowed to own their own broomstick. An exception was made for Harry Potter when he was made the Gryffindor Seeker, a highly unusual occurrence for a first-year.
• First-years are subject to all general school rules, including curfews and being forbidden from entering the Forbidden Forest or other out-of-bounds areas.

The class that entered Hogwarts in 1991 is the most documented group of first-years. Their year was exceptionally eventful due to Lord Voldemort's attempt to steal the Philosopher's Stone. Key students and events include:

• Students: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Parvati Patil, Padma Patil, Lavender Brown, Crabbe, and Goyle.
• Significant Events:
  • The defeat of a mountain troll in the girls' bathroom on Hallowe'en.
  • Harry Potter's first Quidditch match.
  • The discovery of Fluffy, the three-headed dog guarding the third-floor corridor.
  • Rubeus Hagrid hatching a dragon, Norbert, in his hut.
  • Serving a detention in the Forbidden Forest, where Harry first encountered Voldemort drinking unicorn blood.
  • The trio's descent through the trapdoor to protect the Philosopher's Stone from Professor Quirrell.

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the alphabetical order for the Sorting Ceremony is not strictly followed. Hermione Granger is shown being sorted much earlier than her place in the “G” section of the alphabet would suggest, likely for narrative pacing. (film)