"Just around this bend, you'll get your first glimpse of Hogwarts," Hagrid called over his shoulder, his lantern swinging as he led the winding procession.
After twenty minutes of careful navigation along the narrow path, the dense woods that had enclosed them suddenly fell away. The path opened onto the shore of an expansive black lake, its surface gleaming like polished obsidian under the night sky.
On the far side, perched atop a rugged cliff, stood Hogwarts Castle.
The medieval fortress rose majestically against the starlit sky, its countless windows aglow with golden light that danced upon the lake's dark waters. Towers and turrets of varying heights stretched toward the heavens, their silhouettes both imposing and enchanting.
Jerry stood transfixed, his breath catching in his throat. In his previous life, he'd seen Hogwarts in films and thought it impressive, but those images had been mere shadows of reality, confined to a television screen. Like viewing celestial bodies through photographs versus witnessing them directly in the cosmos, or comparing a portrait of beauty to encountering it in person, nothing could prepare him for the real thing.
Standing at the edge of the Black Lake, confronted with the actual Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in all its ancient grandeur, Jerry finally understood why the institution commanded such reverence throughout the wizarding world. He imagined generations of young wizards experiencing this same moment of awe, a memory that would surely remain etched in their minds forever.
"No more than four to a boat!" Hagrid announced, gesturing toward a fleet of small vessels moored along the shoreline. Each boat bore a softly glowing lantern at its bow, casting rippling reflections across the water.
The first-years began organising themselves, some forming groups while others simply claimed the nearest available craft. Though the boats could accommodate four passengers, many held only two or three students. Jerry, Hermione, and Neville naturally gravitated to the same vessel, settling themselves carefully to avoid rocking it.
"Forward!" Hagrid commanded once everyone was seated. He occupied an entire boat by himself at the front of the formation.
Without any visible mechanism or need for rowing, the fleet of small boats pulled away from shore in perfect unison, propelled by an unseen force across the lake's glassy surface toward the looming castle.
"Truly boats without oars, all guided by magic," Jerry marvelled quietly, watching the synchronised movement of the flotilla.
"Jerry, do you know why first-years arrive by boat rather than by carriage?" Hermione asked, lifting her chin with a spark of enthusiasm in her eyes.
There it was, Hermione's characteristic eagerness to share knowledge. Where some might find her tendency to lecture annoying, Jerry appreciated it. As someone with an adult's perspective, he viewed her explanations as valuable information freely offered.
"I honestly don't know," he admitted truthfully.
While he recalled from the films that first-years arrived by boat and older students by carriage, he had never questioned the reason. At the time, his attention had been captured by the more obviously magical elements, not by transportation logistics.
Hermione straightened her posture, clearly delighted to have an opportunity to share her insights.
"According to Hogwarts: A History, the boat journey for first-years is actually a ceremonial tradition honouring the school's founders," she explained, her voice animated with enthusiasm. "Notice how each boat seats four people? That symbolises the four founders of Hogwarts. And the route we're taking across the lake is the same path those founders travelled when they first discovered the location for the castle!"
"I had no idea," Jerry replied, genuinely impressed. "There's always something new to learn."
Privately, he marvelled at how many extracurricular texts Hermione must have devoured during her summer holiday. She truly was a walking encyclopedia, difficult to match in her breadth of knowledge.
As they glided across the Black Lake, Jerry absorbed both Hermione's continuing explanations and the extraordinary scenery surrounding them. The castle grew larger with each passing moment, its reflection shimmering in the lake's dark surface.
Eventually, the fleet of boats passed through a curtain of ivy concealing a wide opening in the cliff face. They entered a dark tunnel that seemed to take them directly underneath the castle itself, the lanterns' glow casting long shadows against the rough stone walls. The boats continued until they reached an underground harbour, where they gently came to rest against a small pebbled shore.
"Everyone follow me now," Hagrid instructed, raising his lamp high as the students disembarked. "We're almost at the castle entrance."
With Hagrid leading, they ascended a passageway carved into the rock, emerging onto a path of gravel and cobblestones. They climbed for nearly half an hour, winding their way up the hillside until they finally reached a stretch of damp grass in the shadow of the castle.
Before them stood massive oak doors, the main entrance to Hogwarts.
Hagrid approached and knocked three times, the sound reverberating like thunder in the night air. Almost immediately, the doors swung open to reveal a tall, black-haired witch dressed in emerald-green robes, her expression stern yet dignified.
Jerry recognised her instantly as Professor McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor House.
"The first-years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid announced.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take them from here," she replied with a nod of acknowledgement.
Professor McGonagall beckoned the students to follow her into the entrance hall as Hagrid departed.
They crossed the threshold and entered a space so vast it seemed impossible. Jerry heard Harry and Ron gasp nearby, and he silently agreed with their amazement. The entrance hall was enormous, its ceiling so high it was difficult to make out in the dim light. Stone walls lined with flaming torches stretched upward, their flickering light casting dancing shadows across the polished floor. Directly ahead, a magnificent marble staircase led to the upper floors.
From a doorway to their right came the murmur of hundreds of voices, the Great Hall, Jerry presumed, where the Sorting Ceremony would soon take place. Professor McGonagall, however, directed them to a small chamber off the hall, her heels clicking rhythmically against the bluestone floor.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she began once they had gathered inside. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you must be sorted into your houses."
She proceeded to explain the significance of the house system, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, along with the mechanics of house points and the House Cup competition. Though she outlined the importance of the Sorting Ceremony, she deliberately withheld specifics about the process itself, leaving the first-years to wonder what awaited them.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," Professor McGonagall concluded. "Please wait quietly and take a moment to smarten yourselves up."
With that, she departed for the Great Hall, leaving behind a chamber full of nervous first-years contemplating their imminent sorting.