( the entrance hall )

a Large, cavernous room, lit by torches, with ceiling so high it's barely visible. Wide marble staircase opposite the front doors leads up to first floor. Double doors to the right lead into the Great Hall. On the east wall are two doors, one on either side of the staircase. To the north of the staircase is a door leading down a flight of steps to the first dungeon level. To the south is a door leading to the Hufflepuff common room and the kitchens. On the left is a door leading to a smaller antechamber where First Years wait to be sorted.Four giant hourglasses - one for each House - stand in niches in a corner opposite the main doors. Each hourglass is filled with gemstones rather than sand, one gemstone in the lower bulb for each House Point currently held by that House.