The stone house's fireplace was roaring. Ever since Sean arrived, the once-abandoned hearth had been burning non-stop—despite the fact that he hadn't seen a single log inside it.
In other words, this fire was conjured entirely by magic, likely fueled by the runic symbols carved into the walls.
"Dear Mr. Hermes, Professor Tayra—this way, please."
Headmistress Herrera gave a graceful wave. Professor Tayra's focused expression flickered, almost regretful, before she turned toward her.
Sean looked ahead—
The fog was rising.
And then, towering out of the mist, something enormous appeared before his eyes.
Veiled in the swirling, gray-white twilight fog rising off Mount Greylock, the structure looked like a massive phantom—its deep outline wavering like a hidden island drifting in a sea of clouds.
Its walls were heavy and solemn, a shade between cold stone-gray and deep indigo, darkened by moisture and fog. The tall, narrow stained-glass windows along its sides were nothing more than faint, muted blots of color—like a giant resting with its eyes closed.
"Welcome," Headmistress Herrera declared proudly, her voice ringing with passion,
"to Ilvermorny!"
At last, she took hold of Sean's hand.
The young wizard blinked up at her in mild confusion, before looking back toward his teacher.
"Go on, my student," Professor Tayra said with a soft, amused sigh.
"Headmistress Herrera will take you straight to Ilvermorny's Entrance Hall."
Her words were both an explanation—and a warning.
"We'll be Apparating, dear Mr. Hermes. I hear you've prepared?"
Herrera's tone remained warm and friendly.
"Yes, Headmistress," Sean replied, taking out a vial of potion.
In truth, he had Apparated many times—never once experiencing vertigo. But on their travels, Professor Tayra always chose to use the Floo Network, even if it meant detours.
Herrera snapped her fingers—
The scene around Sean vanished and reassembled in an instant.
They now stood inside a sprawling entrance hall, as vast as Gringotts. Torches blazed along the stone walls, and the ceiling rose so high it vanished into shadow. A grand marble staircase stretched upward ahead of them.
"The Stone House's fire has already been lit for you, Mr. Grynn. Allow me to call you that," Herrera said with a broad smile.
"Consider it a small gift. You'll have plenty of time to uncover its secrets."
She glanced meaningfully toward the marble staircase.
"All four statues are awake… Now, a simple question: which Hogwarts House are you from?"
Her eyes crinkled with genuine anticipation.
"Ravenclaw," Sean replied.
"Ah. Founder Isolt Sayre herself loved the color blue—she once dreamed of becoming a Ravenclaw student at Hogwarts."
Only now did Sean realize the meaning behind Herrera's cranberry-and-blue robes.
"Please step into the Sorting Hall. Ilvermorny—where democracy and equality guide us—awaits."
With her spirited declaration echoing behind him, Sean crossed through a draft of cold wind and arrived at the Sorting Hall.
It was a circular chamber, the floor marked with the symbol of the Gordian Knot. Around the walls stood the great carved statues representing the four Ilvermorny Houses.
"The Horned Serpent, chosen by Isolt Sayre, represents the mind and favors scholars.
The Wampus, chosen by Webster Boot, represents the body and favors warriors.
The Thunderbird, chosen by Chadwick Boot, represents the soul and favors adventurers.
The Pukwudgie, chosen by James Steward, represents the heart and favors healers…"
A voice spoke beside him.
Sean looked up to find a younger witch standing nearby. Her name—engraved on her robe's badge—was Agilbert Fontaine, Professor of Transfiguration.
And future Headmaster.
Sean couldn't help but think:
Why do Transfiguration professors always become headmasters?
Behind Professor Fontaine stood Tayra and Herrera—
and gathered around them, a ring of excited students in cranberry and blue uniforms, whispering animatedly.
"A transfer student? Merlin, I didn't know Ilvermorny even accepted transfers!"
"His eyes are gorgeous…"
"Lila, honestly—but she's right. Though I heard the statues are grumpy… said their sleep was disturbed…"
Sean hadn't expected so many spectators. He thought it was too late in the evening for crowds.
But judging by the hundreds of students gathered along the circular balcony—he was wrong.
Professor Fontaine lifted her voice above the chatter:
"When I call your name, please step forward for Sorting."
Sean blinked.
There were others?
And that opening line… it sounded oddly familiar, almost identical to Professor McGonagall's words at Hogwarts.
Looks like Founder Isolt Sayre admired Hogwarts a little too much…
"Sean Grynn!"
Silence fell.
Sean stepped forward—and the moment his foot touched the center, the crystal embedded in the Horned Serpent statue's forehead burst into brilliant light.
Herrera and Fontaine both brightened instantly.
Behind them, students wearing Horned Serpent badges erupted into cheers.
"Welcome to the Horned Serpent! We honor wisdom—scholars and thinkers alike!"
The calm-voiced prefect spoke proudly.
As a Horned Serpent student, she knew secrets others didn't.
After all… this was Mr. Hermes—the one her Headmistress had awaited, the one whispered to be the future's greatest wizard.
"Herrera," Professor Tayra murmured, amused,
"You're celebrating a bit too early for a Horned Serpent alumna."
And indeed—almost on cue—
The Wampus statue let out a thunderous roar.
Wampus students cheered wildly.
"Amazing! The Wampus welcomes you—home of warriors!"
The broad-shouldered prefect pumped a fist into the air.
"I'm quite curious, Mr. Grynn—what choice will you make?"
Herrera asked, smiling as she glanced at Professor Tayra.
"Make a choice? Now?"
Tayra scoffed lightly.
At that moment—
The Thunderbird statue burst into motion, wings beating as it swooped down to land right in front of Sean.
And the Pukwudgie statue raised its bow high in challenge—refusing to be outdone.