Daphne and I waded through the crowd of incoming students as we disembarked the Hogwarts Express. The cold autumn winds bit at our faces as we joined the small crowd of first-year students, their black robes a tell-tale sign.
"Do you think we're going the right direction?" she asked, nervously stroking her blonde hair.
Nodding, I kept pace with her nervous walking. "Should be. I read someone from the staff will pick us up here before we go through the black lake."
Just as I finished speaking, a booming voice cut through the chill ahead of us.
"Firs' years! Firs' years, over here! Come now!"
Towering at a staggering almost three meters (9'2"), the joyful Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, loomed into view.
"Good lord, that's the staff member?" Daphne gasped, her eyes raking over the behemoth of a man. "He must be a half-giant, or something similar."
Laughing, I shook my head, listening to her musings.
The group of first-years all piled around Hagrid as we followed his hulking form for a couple of minutes. His single lantern did little to pierce the deepening gloom.
Flicking my wand into my hand, I muttered Lumos and a soft light bloomed from its tip.
Hey, that was way easier than I thought. I guess the years of wandless magic made utilising wand magic easier? I mused.
"I thought you said you were a muggle-born? How did you manage that spell before school started?" Daphne whispered as she moved closer to me, be it for the light or the conversation. Before I could respond, a couple more students huddled around us for the light. Smirking, I looked at her. "I'll explain it later? Honestly, it's all in our books though."
Daphne scoffed, but subtly nodded and kept her silence.
After minutes of walking, we all appeared in front of the black lake. Small wooden boats were situated on the shoreline, each looking like they had seen better days.
"Alright, four to a boat! No more than that," Hagrid said, as he found his own vessel, something that could easily hold ten students.
I took charge, heading for the nearest boat and stepping in, then extending a hand to Daphne. Two more people followed her as she sat down beside me.
A boy with a round, pudgy face, two large front teeth, and eyes that seemed to look anywhere but forward sat in front of me.
The girl that joined him had strawberry blonde hair and a gentle smile on her face as she sat down.
"Hey guys, I'm Klaus Thompson, and this is Daphne Greengrass. Nice to meet you," I said, my voice holding a degree of confidence. Being a couple of years older than these kids, at least mentally, certainly helped.
"H-hello. I'm Neville, Neville Longbottom," the anxious boy spoke.
Ah, so my assumption was right, I thought. Neville's anxious personality really wasn't dramatized in the movies at all.
"Hi, I'm Hannah Abbott, it's a pleasure."
Daphne merely nodded at the two, her eyes scanning them both in what seemed to be some silent judgement.
Did she do that with me too? Maybe she's just trying to cultivate her 'Ice Queen' persona now that we're in the open.
As we made idle talk, the boats had already lurched forward, beginning our journey on the black lake. I looked up at the full moon illuminating the sky, its bright light reflecting on the surface of the lake, making it even more beautiful.
"It's incredible, isn't it?" I spoke aloud, though to no one in particular. Daphne hummed in agreement.
Hagrid told everyone to duck as we passed through a cave entrance, though it was more a natural reaction for his immense size; no one else needed to move.
"Wow."
"Well isn't that gorgeous…" As we passed through the cavern exit, the arching towers and spires of Hogwarts gleamed in the night sky.
This is… incredible. I don't think a picture or movie could do this justice. It honestly reminded me of something from Elden Ring, such grandeur displayed in a true monolith of architecture.
In silence, our rafts all landed on the shore of Hogwarts Castle, everyone too distracted by the sights to say a word as we disembarked and followed Hagrid up the entrance steps.
BoomBoom
His enormous hands slammed on the large oak doors. Moments later, they opened, and out came Professor McGonagall, her stern expression plastered on her face.
"You're going to have to follow her around to get that scowl right, Daphne," I whispered. Her only answer was a slight glare in my direction.
"That should be all of them, Professor," Hagrid spoke. "Thank you, Hagrid. I shall take it from here."
Gesturing to us, McGonagall turned around and briskly walked through the entrance, leading us through the hallway into a side room, just adjacent to the main hall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
Her eyes moved through the crowd, maintaining eye contact with each one of us for a second. Turning, she entered the Great Hall.
Moving towards the outer line of the students, I leaned against a wall, watching how everyone was reacting to arriving here.
Red hair bobbed up and down in excitement. "My brothers said we'd be facing a troll to be sorted, bloody crazy, right?"
I couldn't help but laugh internally as I watched some faces drop in fear. Seems as though some things are completely accurate. Ron really does look like Rupert Grint.
Standing beside him was the carbon copy of Daniel Radcliffe, or Harry Potter. Smaller than most others, his skinny body was hanging in his Hogwarts robes. Somewhat broken circular glasses sat on his face.
I couldn't hear what was being said, but it looked as though Malfoy had come through and insulted him, and was being rebuffed for the second time. Just before a fight was about to break out, McGonagall appeared through the doors.
"Follow me. Keep quiet and wait your turn."
Everyone hushed as they formed some type of chaotic line-up behind her.
The Great Hall was immense, far larger than I'd imagined. Four long wooden tables housing all the students were lined on either side of us. The ceiling depicted the night sky, with hundreds of candles floating around, illuminating the entire room. The hushed whispers of the already housed students flowed out as they watched us in happiness.
McGonagall walked up a set of stairs before pulling out a wooden stool and placing it in the centre of a podium, a leather witch's hat placed atop the stool.
God, that thing looks like a health code violation. Anyone got any leather polish, and some bleach?
"Now, as I call your name, please come to the seat and place the Sorting Hat upon your head," McGonagall announced, unfurling a large piece of parchment.
"Abbott, Hannah!"
Hearing her name, my boat-mate quickly hurried up the stairs and took a seat, placing the hat on her head.
"Hufflepuff!"
"Bones, Susan!"
…
"Hufflepuff!"
"Granger, Hermione!"
…
"Gryffindor!"
…
"Greengrass, Daphne!"
Daphne's eyes quickly shot toward me, as I flashed her a small smile. Quickly bounding forward, she perched herself on the seat.
"Slytherin!"
I could practically see the tension melt from Daphne's shoulders as the Sorting Hat called out Slytherin. Placing the hat back down, she elegantly strode to the green and silver table.
I guess she was worried about how her family would react if she was placed somewhere else. They really put a lot of pressure on children! I thought, a familiar irritation rising.
"Thompson, Klaus!"
It seemed I'd been lost in my internal thoughts for longer than I assumed; my turn had arrived.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly walked through the remaining students and up the small steps. Nodding once at Professor McGonagall, I turned to the Sorting Hat, picking it up and placing it on my head as I sat down.
{Hoh! How very interesting this is. You are a confusing child, aren't you?}
Uh oh?
_____
(A/N - Last chapter of the day here in Australia! We didn't hit the goal, but if we get to 100 PS by the time I wake up, I'll post 3 - 4 chapters tomorrow! Much love <3)