As the fleet of boats glided across the still water, the castle loomed ever larger, its many turrets and towers illuminated against the night sky. A hush fell over the first-years, the weight of the moment settling in as they drifted toward the shore.
Albus couldn't help but feel a nervous thrill as he stared up at the castle. It was one thing to hear stories about Hogwarts his whole life, but seeing it like this—majestic, ancient, and utterly massive—was something else entirely. He gripped the edge of the boat a little tighter, his mind racing with thoughts of the Sorting and what House he'd be placed in.
Jonas, meanwhile, was grinning like a kid on Christmas morning. "This is incredible," he whispered, eyes darting around to take in everything—the reflection of the castle on the water, the lantern-lit boats bobbing around them, the soft ripple of waves against the shore. "My mother told me that seeing Hogwarts for the first time is always amazing, but I never imagined it like this."
Adrian, who had been mostly quiet, finally spoke up. "I still can't believe this is all real," he admitted. "I mean, a magical castle? A train to get here? Floating boats? It's like—"
"-Like magic?" Scorpius grinned. Before Adrian could reply, something happened.
SPLASH!
A massive water spray erupted from the lake's surface, sending ripples across the calm water. A murmur of alarm swept through the first-years as something large and shadowy shifted beneath the surface.
Albus yelped, nearly toppling backward into Scorpius, who barely managed to grab his arm to keep him steady. "What was that?" Albus gasped.
Jonas's grin vanished. "Uh. That was big."
Adrian was gripping the side of the boat so tightly that his knuckles were white. "Please tell me that the Loch Ness Monster isn't real."
Before anyone could panic further, Hagrid's booming laugh carried across the water. "Ah, don't worry! S'just the Giant Squid sayin' hello!" He gestured to the disturbance in the water as a massive, slick tentacle rose again, curling slightly before disappearing beneath the surface with another splash.
Most first-years still looked terrified, but a few had calmed down. Some kids from wizarding backgrounds probably had been told of a giant squid living in the lake.
Hagrid's voice boomed through the night as the first boats reached the cliffside. "Heads down!"
Albus instinctively ducked as they passed beneath a thick curtain of ivy, revealing a hidden tunnel carved into the rock. The passage was dark, the only illumination coming from Hagrid's lantern at the front. The boats moved steadily forward, the water lapping softly against the stone walls.
Jonas looked up at the towering landmass above. "This is insane. We're going under the castle."
Soon, the tunnel widened, revealing an underground harbor where the first group of boats came to a stop. The shore was rocky and uneven, with lanterns on the walls casting flickering light across the water. The students clambered out, shoes crunching against pebbles, filling the air.
Albus glanced around, noticing something unusual. "Why does it look… incomplete?" He gestured toward the water, where several unfinished wooden pillars jutted out as if the construction had been abandoned midway.
Jonas followed his gaze and nodded. "They're probably building a bigger dockyard. Maybe this is just a temporary setup?"
Adrian, observing quietly, added, "That makes sense. The dock we came from looked newer. Maybe they're expanding this one too."
Before they could dwell on it further, Hagrid called out, "Alright, off the boats now! The rest are comin' in behind ye!"
The students stepped onto the rocky shore consecutively while the next set of boats entered the harbor. Once all the first-years were gathered, Hagrid led them through a passageway carved into the rock, the flickering light of his lantern guiding the way. The air was damp and cool, and the sound of water dripping echoed through the tunnel.
At last, they emerged onto smooth, damp grass, the towering silhouette of Hogwarts casting a long shadow over them. Albus craned his neck, taking in the sheer size of the castle up close. It was even more overwhelming than he'd imagined.
Adrian let out a breath. "Wow… It's so big."
Scorpius smirked. "That's what she said."
"Who said it?" asked Adrian innocently.
Scorpius stopped, realizing the inappropriateness of explaining to a kid," I mean Headmistress Mcgonagall."
"Ok?" Adrian did not get it, but he shrugged it off.
They followed Hagrid up a set of stone steps, their footsteps echoing in the quiet night until they finally reached the massive oak front doors of the castle. The group huddled together, whispering excitedly among themselves as they waited.
Hagrid knocked thrice on the castle door, and it swung over at once.
The door swung open, revealing a tiny, white-haired wizard with a warm, mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Despite his small stature, he carried himself with an air of authority, his robes a deep royal blue with silver trim.
"The first years, Professor Flitwick," Hagrid announced.
"Ah! Wonderful, wonderful! Thank you, Hagrid," Professor Flitwick said cheerfully. His voice, though high-pitched, carried easily through the entrance hall. "Come in, come in! No need to dawdle in the doorway—there's plenty of space for everyone!"
The students shuffled inside, their eyes widening as they took in the massive entrance hall. The flickering torches bathed the stone walls in warm light, and the grand marble staircase loomed ahead.
"Is the professor a dwarf?" Adrian discreetly asked Jonas. Jonas, Scorpius, and Albus tensed. Such questions were almost taboo.
Flitwick replied before Scorpius could intervene, his voice light and amused. "Ah, an excellent question! And one I don't mind answering. No, my boy, I am not a dwarf. I happen to have goblin ancestry." He gave Adrian a knowing smile. "And before you ask, no, I don't hoard gold or forge magical weapons in my free time—though I do make a mean cup of tea."
Adrian blinked, looking embarrassed. "Oh. Uh—sorry, Professor, I didn't mean—"
Flitwick waved a hand dismissively. "No offense taken, dear boy! Curiosity is a fine thing—better to ask and learn than make assumptions, wouldn't you say?"
Still a little stunned by how easily Flitwick had taken the question, he nodded. "I guess that makes sense."
Scorpius sighed in relief, leaning over to mutter, "For the record, maybe don't ask people what species they are."
Albus gave Adrian a reassuring look. "I know you didn't mean anything bad by it," he said. "It's just… a lot of magical beings have a history of being… hated, and some still are. Even people who aren't fully human but were born into wizarding families deal with it."
Adrian tilted his head. "Like who?"
Albus hesitated, then said, "Well, I have a couple of cousins—Ted and Victoire—who aren't exactly… just wizards. They're great people, but I've seen how some folks look at them, how they assume things about them just because of their blood. It's not fair, but it happens."
Adrian whispered back, "Noted."
"Ah, yes, the rest of the school is waiting for us," Flitwick said, glancing back. "I do hope they haven't started without us. I'd hate to miss the food!" He chuckled, then gestured them toward a small chamber off the hall. "Now, everyone inside, no shoving! We'll all fit—I promise!"
The first years crowded into the chamber, standing much closer than usual as nervous energy filled the air.
Professor Flitwick turned to face them, his expression kind but firm. "Welcome to Hogwarts! In just a few moments, you'll be sorted into your houses, and let me tell you—it's quite the momentous occasion."
His eyes twinkled as he continued. "Your house will be your home here. You'll take classes together, share dormitories, and—yes, yes, even get into the occasional bit of trouble together." He winked. "Not that I'm encouraging it, of course. But I do remember being a student myself."
Some of the tension in the room broke as a few students giggled.
"The four houses," he went on, "are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each one has its history, its traditions, and its own… let's say, personality." He clasped his hands behind his back. "Earn points for your house through your achievements, and beware—breaking the rules may cost you points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points wins the House Cup! A great honor, I assure you."
Adrian whispered, "Does it come with a prize?"
Albus shrugged. "Bragging rights, mostly."
Professor Flitwick clapped his hands together. "Now, the Sorting Ceremony will take place in the Great Hall, in front of the entire school—oh, don't look so nervous! It's nothing too terrible. I mean, no one's vanished during Sorting in at least a hundred years." He grinned as some of the students gasped. "I'm joking, I'm joking!"
The tension in the room eased, though Albus still felt his stomach twist into knots.
"Before we go in, I'd suggest tidying yourselves up a bit." Flitwick's gaze landed on a boy whose tie was half undone. "Ah, my dear boy, unless you plan to start a new fashion trend, I'd fix that."
As the students fidgeted with their robes and hair, Professor Flitwick smiled. "I'll return in a moment when it's time. And remember—no need to worry. The hat has never made a mistake… Well, rarely."
With a chuckle, he turned and disappeared through the door, leaving the first-years apprehensive.
As the first years huddled together in the waiting chamber, small groups naturally began to form. Some students stuck with those they knew, while others gravitated toward anyone who looked the least bit familiar.
One thing was certain. In each group, at least one or two extroverted students were coming up with wild theories about the Sorting Ceremony. The Half-Bloods and Purebloods were especially the most vocal. Most of the Muggleborns looked confused, and even scared by what was going on.
Out of the corner of his eyes, Scorpius caught a familiar-looking girl adjusting her robes properly. One could even mistake her for a noblewoman with her mannerisms. It was the girl he had seen in Gringotts, but he had forgotten her name. He mentally reminded himself to find out what it was as soon as possible.
James marveled at how different second year at hogwarts was. Merely one year earlier, he had entered the Great Hall for the first time, filled with apprehension and worry. Now he threw himself happily into the noise of the gathered students, greeting friends he hadn't seen all summer and being welcomed into the hearty fracas of the Gryffindor table. The floating candles filled the hall with warmth and light, forming an exciting contrast against the sullen grey clouds represented on the room's ceiling. Peeves swooped randomly throughout the candles, blowing raspberries on the tiny flames in an effort to put them out, but they simply relit themselves with small pops as he passed. James sat down at the Gryffindor table and grabbed a handful of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans from a nearby bowl. Bravely, he popped one into his mouth without checking the color. A moment later, he screwed up his face, not quite daring to spit the candy out.
"You'll want to be especially careful with those, James," said a fellow second year, "Those were provided free of charge by your pals at Weasleys'. They partnered with Bertie Bott's for a whole new line of novelty flavors, and we get to be the test market."
"What is it?" James managed to say, swallowing the horrid bean and grabbing a pitcher of pumpkin juice.
"Judging by the color of your tongue, I'd say that one was Lemon-Lima-Bean," Graham said, squinting studiously. "There's also Mint-Chocolate-Chipmunk and Peanut-Pickle-Brittle."
"Damien just ate one of the Steak-and-Kidney-Stone beans!" Noah Metzker called from the end of the table, pointing. "Everybody, duck! I think he's going to blow!"
James couldn't help laughing as Damien struggled to swallow the bean. Petra pounded him gravely on the back until Damien shoved her away, lunging for a goblet filled with water.
While Damien gulped the water down his throat, the doors opened and the new first years entered the hall in an ordered manner. It was a long line, with students standing five per row and about 30-40 rows if he had to wager a guess. From his spot, he saw his brother talking to a few others.
"I can't wait until Albus realises that he just needs to put on a hat to get sorted?" said James.
"Poor kid, remember how you came here last year thinking we were supposed to face a vampire." commented his roommate.
"Didn't you believe me?" said James.
"I was a muggleborn. You were not." he retorted.
The Great Hall gradually quieted as Headmistress McGonagall stood from her seat at the staff table. Even the older students who had spent years at Hogwarts straightened in their seats out of respect. Despite her advancing years, McGonagall's presence commanded absolute attention, and her sharp gaze swept over the new first-years as they fidgeted nervously in their rows.
"Welcome, first-years, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," she began, her voice strong and clear. "Each of you has taken your first step into a world of magic, learning, and discovery. During your time here, you will find that Hogwarts is more than just a school—it is a home. The friendships you forge, the lessons you learn, and the choices you make will shape your future as witches and wizards."
A hush of reverence settled over the hall. James glanced at Albus, who stood somewhere in the crowd of first-years, his green eyes locked onto McGonagall with an expression of nervous anticipation.
"Your years at Hogwarts will be filled with challenges," McGonagall continued, "but also great rewards. You will be expected to uphold the values of our school: bravery, intelligence, hard work, and loyalty. Each house values different qualities, but all are essential to what makes Hogwarts great. I trust that, regardless of where you are sorted, you will do your utmost to bring honor to your house and to the school itself."
She paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in, before concluding with a small but knowing smile. "And now, without further delay, it is time for you to be sorted into your houses."