the sorting hat

as the ruddy man's voice echoed after them, Casmir pounded desperately upon his sister's heels, breath coming shallowly. the light widened, then enveloped them, and he veered to run at Eilidh's side. "What were they!?" he shouted in terror at her, though curiosity demanded he slow his pace to a stop and turn to look back at the frightening cave with its odd wolf-monsters. 

what were they? what had they been doing? why did they threaten -- "were they really gonna eat us?" He turned wide eyes to his sister; what did she think? and should they tell their parents?