Aldric shook his head with a smirk. "What a weak threat," he said. "Alright, someone fill me in on exactly what happened."
Harry and Ron quickly took turns explaining Malfoy's recent visit and what he was up to. Aldric chuckled softly, clearly understanding Malfoy's motives all too well.
This time, Malfoy came across as if he had good intentions, but it was obvious he was just a spoiled kid. He respected Harry, sure, but looked down on Ron.
Most importantly, he actually thought Harry, who'd grown up in the Muggle world and lost his parents to Voldemort, a fierce pureblood supremacist, would share his pureblood beliefs. It was clear they were on completely opposite sides. Trying to win Harry over? Pure fantasy.
"If he shows up again, come to me. I'll take care of it. I've handled plenty of situations like this when I was living on the streets," Aldric said earnestly.
"You guys are awesome!" Ron and Harry said together.
Hermione, however, was focused elsewhere. "Wait, you lived on the streets?" she asked.
"That's right. I'm an orphan."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean, " Hermione quickly realized she'd said the wrong thing and apologized.
"It's fine, anyway…" Aldric interrupted before she could say more. "The train's almost at Hogwarts. Let's get changed.
Miss, you might want to step aside for a moment. And Neville, thanks for your bravery earlier. You'll definitely be sorted into Gryffindor."
Hermione blushed and hurried away. Harry and the others quickly changed into their wizard robes.
Without even realizing it, they all started to see Aldric as a steady presence they could rely on. Aldric put on a secondhand Hogwarts robe that had been given to him; it was clearly too small, barely reaching his calves.
Harry's robe fit perfectly, covering his shoes neatly. Ron's robe looked like it had been passed down a few times, and seeing Harry's new robe made him feel a little less confident. But Aldric didn't care that his shabby robe might attract judgmental looks.
Striding confidently, he led Harry and Ron off the train. As soon as they stepped onto the platform, a huge figure caught their eye.
Hagrid's towering frame stood out among all the young witches and wizards. "First years! First years, over here!" he called out. "Harry! Over here. How are you?" Hagrid called out as he finally spotted the three of them.
Following his lead, they soon found themselves facing a dark lake. On the other side, a grand castle rose up on a hillside. Bathed in starlight, Hogwarts looked like a sparkling gem set against the night sky, so bright that even the moon seemed to fade beside it.
"No more than four per boat!" Hagrid shouted, helping the first years climb into small boats.
Harry and Ron jumped in first, followed by Aldric and Hermione. Neville had planned to join Aldric, but with Hermione getting on first, Neville had to step back reluctantly.
Hagrid rowed the fragile-looking boat at the front, leading the way, while the others followed slowly behind. As they drew closer, Aldric could truly appreciate the castle's grandeur.
Up close, Hogwarts was brightly lit inside, its towering spires piercing the night, a breathtaking sight. "Keep your heads down!" Hagrid suddenly warned.
The group had been so captivated they'd momentarily forgotten to be cautious until Hagrid's shout brought them back to reality. They passed through a dark tunnel leading to an underground dock and finally stood before a massive oak door.
Along the way, Neville's toad had somehow hopped back into his hands, and he wept with joy. Seeing this, Aldric caught Neville's eye and gave him an encouraging smile.
Then, the door creaked open, revealing a tall witch in a deep green robe. She watched the young wizards with a serious expression, her lips pressed tight as her gaze briefly flickered over Aldric and Harry.
This was none other than Professor McGonagall. "Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here," she said.
Bidding Hagrid goodbye, she led the group into the castle. Under her firm presence, the chatter among the first years quieted, and they followed her obediently like chicks trailing their mother.
After passing through the vast entrance hall, they stopped in a small room. "Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said. "Before you officially begin your studies, you must take part in the Sorting Ceremony to decide which house you'll be in for the next seven years.
There are four houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each one has produced countless outstanding witches and wizards who have made great contributions to the magical world.
Every year, the school holds the House Cup competition, and I hope you all do your best to bring honor to your house," Professor McGonagall announced.
"In just a few minutes, the Sorting Ceremony will take place in front of the entire school. Before that, I suggest you tidy up your appearance." She glanced briefly at the dirt smudged on Ron's nose, then turned away.
Seeing McGonagall's look, Aldric quickly pulled out his wand and pointed it at Ron's nose. "Scourgify!"
The dirt vanished instantly. Hermione's mouth dropped open in amazement. "You actually know Scourgify? I haven't even learned that yet, it's so difficult!"
Aldric smiled politely but didn't dwell on it. His attention was soon drawn to the translucent white figures emerging from the walls behind them, ghosts.
He was fascinated by these apparitions. 'What kind of beings were they? Could souls really exist after death?'
Before he could think more, McGonagall returned and led the young wizards into the Great Hall. Aldric swore he had never seen anything so magical.
Seeing it on a screen was one thing, but witnessing it with his own eyes, the atmosphere, the view, everything was truly enchanting. He bet people will kill for his experience.
Students in their house robes sat around four long tables. Candles floated above the tables, flickering softly in the dim light. Above them, the ceiling was enchanted to disappear, revealing the moonlight and a sky full of twinkling stars.
"Ahem!" McGonagall cleared her throat, bringing the new students' attention back.
In front of her stood a tall wooden chair, with a worn and patched pointed wizard's hat resting on top. "Now I will call your names. When you hear yours, please come forward, sit in the chair, and put on the Sorting Hat."
Aldric was a little surprised, he had expected the Sorting Hat to sing, but it stayed silent. There was no time to wonder, as McGonagall began the roll call.
The first name called was his. "Aldric Thistlewaite!"
Aldric stepped forward, already certain of the house he wanted, Ravenclaw. From what he had learned in the original stories and from the gossip he'd heard in Diagon Alley over the past few days, Slytherin was the stronghold of purebloods, so that was out.
Hufflepuff was known as the house for the mediocre, also a no. That left Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. He chose Ravenclaw.
For one, Ravenclaw students were clearly more skilled fighters than Gryffindor, it wasn't called the haven for brainiacs for nothing.
Second, like Slytherin, Ravenclaw had produced many dark wizards over the years. After all, the name "Ravenclaw" literally means "Raven's Claw," which suggested a greedy predator.
And where else did Hogwarts' vast library come from, if not from the cleverness of Ravenclaws Wizard?