The train ride continued without any other hiccups. It wasn't long before a lady attendant showcased a cart full of sweets. I grabbed a bag of Fizzing Whizzbees at Val's excited request. Apparently, they caused those who ate them to float a bit, which piqued my interest. As it turned out—yes, yes they did. We both found ourselves floating inches above our seats, although Val was less enthusiastic.
"This was more fun with your spell…" he grumbled slightly.
I chuckled a bit as we fell back onto the seat together.
"Well, I'm glad you don't want to load up on sweets. They're bad for you if you have too many."
I quickly cleaned up the leftovers and stashed them in my robes. While doing so, my hand grazed the other bottle of food I had brought for Val. I decided to take it out.
"You hungry? You might not get to eat for a while."
Val slithered around the bench beside me while he thought it over. His tail flicked about as his gears turned, making him look rather cute.
"I guess I could eat one. They're really good," he finally said.
I smirked while undoing the seal on my small pill container. Taking out one tiny pellet, I placed it in front of Val. He quickly gobbled it down with satisfaction just as the train began to slow. I glanced outside, noting how dark it had grown, and realized we were pulling into a station.
"I think we're here," I said, holding out my arm for Valdemar.
He quickly slithered up my sleeve, coiling around my arm to stay hidden.
I stood, grabbed my luggage from the rack, and opened the door. Leaving the compartment before the train came to a complete stop, I hoped to avoid being crushed in the aisles. As the train finally halted, I steadied myself by holding onto a nearby bar and jumped down onto the platform before anyone else could open their doors.
A towering man was calling for all first-years.
"Firs' years! Firs' years! O'er here!" he bellowed in a thick accent, though his meaning was clear.
I walked over, followed quickly by other students. The giant man suddenly greeted someone, and I turned to see who it was.
"Oh, 'ello 'Arry," he said with a grin, patting the boy on the back.
"Hi, Hagrid," the boy replied.
So this is the Boy Who Lived… I thought, staring at him with mild intrigue. I had heard the stories, but it was strange to see him in the flesh.
Two students stood beside him—a red-haired boy and that frizzle-haired girl from earlier. Our eyes met, and I frowned before pointedly looking away.
"Alright then! This way to the boats! C'mon!" Hagrid called, waving us forward.
Plenty of students were chatting nervously, speculating about the giant man, how the school would sort us, and what we might have to do. I sighed at their conjecture. To me, it seemed obvious that we could pick our houses; otherwise, families would be split. That was my theory, at least. It made far more sense than having a board of people judge your characteristics for placement.
I hope I get to pick Slytherin. I need to keep up appearances, I mused.
Shaking off my unease, I followed the group down a separate path from the older students, which led to the docks. Several small boats floated there, enough to carry all of us. I climbed into the last boat with the fewest occupants—only to realize the frizzle-haired girl was on board.
I considered changing boats, but before I could, Hagrid's voice rang out, commanding the boats to sail behind him. I sighed, resigned to my bad luck. I had no desire to be near her, especially with Val still irritated at her and our unresolved tension.
Really hope she doesn't have any pull in the school to make my life worse, I thought grimly, catching her glare.
Before I could dwell on it, another student on the boat gasped in awe. The girl turned her head, and my eyes followed hers to the breathtaking sight ahead. My mouth fell open—and so did Val's as he peeked from my robes.
We were all struck silent by the castle's grandeur, until I felt the boat suddenly rock. The others didn't seem to notice, but I glanced at the water and spotted a massive fin-like tentacle clinging to the side of the boat.
My curiosity shifted from the castle to the creature in the water. Slowly, I reached out and caressed the slimy tendril. It quickly retracted, only to attach its suckers to my hand. I stifled a giggle at the strange, cold sensation. It reminded me of touching pools at aquariums—but far more thrilling.
The creature continued to suck and release its grip on my arm, almost playfully. Then, without warning, it yanked me underwater.
I barely had time to cry out before I was submerged. Holding my breath, I struggled against the tendril, trying to free myself. Just as panic threatened to take hold, I heard Val's voice—clear even underwater.
"You'll be okay! I can tell she's nice!!"
I stopped struggling, trusting Val's instinct. As I calmed, I noticed massive yellow eyes with black, rectangular pupils staring up at me from the black depths.
Almost like…
We stared at each other, and I saw a familiar look—curiosity and wonder. It was the same look I'd once had as a child. I couldn't help but mirror it, even as my lungs burned for air.
Clutching my throat, I signaled my need for air, but the creature continued to prod and examine me, seemingly unaware of my distress. Then, its tentacle brushed against my pocket, and I realized what it was after.
Using one hand, I grabbed all the candy I had left and dumped it into the water. Then, with my remaining strength, I unscrewed my pill bottle by pressing it against my body and twisting it open.
Bubbles rose around me as the last of my food floated down into the abyss. The creature's massive eye moved closer, inspecting the offering.
Val's voice rang out eagerly.
"Oh! Is she hungry!? It's good! You'll like it too!"
The creature's colossal form finally surfaced, revealing its immense bulk in the moonlight. She was beautiful—massive enough to swallow me whole, yet strangely gentle. I felt safe in her grip, as though she meant no harm.
She drew me closer to her glowing eye, studying me one last time before suddenly launching me toward the surface.
I broke through the water, coughing and sputtering as the girl and another student dragged me back onto the boat. Apparently, the boats had kept moving, while Hagrid's had stayed behind to search for me.
I heaved and hacked, expelling the water from my lungs. Silently, I thanked my parents for sending me to this school.
That was absolutely worth it. To see such a magnificent creature up close is something I'll carry with me forever.
On the outside, however, I played it differently.
"What kind of school are they running here!? I almost died!!" I bellowed in mock outrage once I could breathe properly.
"You slipped—" the other student started, but I cut him off.
"I never slipped! I couldn't have stayed underwater that long without something holding me down!"
My claim stirred tension among the others, who suddenly looked worried about what might be lurking beneath the black water.
When we finally reached the other dock, I was dripping wet, my robes clinging to my frame. Val nestled close to my chest, keeping hidden.
Teeth chattering, I folded my arms tightly for warmth.
"Are you okay?! You're moving weird!" Val's voice rang out worriedly.
I groaned, which made the frizzle-haired girl squint at me with growing suspicion.
A stern-looking teacher in black robes, adorned with a large feathered hat, rushed over.
"Get him inside! This has never happened in all my years!" she barked.
The girl from my boat helped me along while the other students watched in hushed silence, parting the way.