The train finally stopped at Hogsmeade station and students rushed to get off as quickly as possible. The tiny platform was freezing, rain drizzling down in a steady sheet.
"Firs' years this way!" boomed Hagrid as he gathered all the nervous first years. His eyes fell on us, and he asked, "Are yeh all right?"
"We're fine, Hagrid" I replied, and we headed towards the Thestral-drawn carriages.
Inside, I kept my eyes on the rain-blurred window as the carriage rattled toward Hogwarts. As the carriage moved toward a pair of magnificent wrought iron gates, flanked with stone columns topped with winged boars, Harry saw two dementors standing guard on both sides. A wave of coldness and sadness engulfed him as they passed through the doors.
As the carriages came to a stop everyone got off them and made their way inside the magnificent Hogwarts castle. At the doors of the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall approached and led Hermione away—no doubt to explain her Time-Turner arrangement.
As I made my way towards the Gryffindor table many people looked at me in shock and few of them even pointed fingers as they realized who I was.
"Is that Harry Potter?"
"How did he change so much?"
"What happened to his scar?"
I ignored them all, pushing past the chatter and finding a seat next to Ron. I closed my eyes and practiced Occlumency while the Sorting Ceremony unfolded in the background.
After the end of the sorting ceremony Professor McGonagall and Hermione returned to the great hall and made their way toward the teacher's table and Gryffindor's table respectively.
As soon as all the students settled in their House tables, the headmaster stood up to speak.
"Welcome!" said Dumbledore "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast…"
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."
A murmur rippled through the students.
"They are not to be trifled with," Dumbledore continued. "They are immune to tricks, disguises, and even Invisibility Cloaks. Take every caution."
"Now on a happier note, I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks."
Dumbledore then introduced Professor Remus Lupin as the DADA professor and Hagrid as the COMC professor.
The feast commenced, and once the plates had been cleared, students drifted toward their common rooms. I joined the Gryffindors streaming up the marble staircase, following the twists and turns until we reached the hidden entrance to Gryffindor Tower. The Fat Lady eyed the crowd, her pink dress glaringly bright.
"Password?" she asked, arching a brow.
"Coming through, coming through!" Percy called from behind the crowd. "The new password is Fortuna Major!"
Entering the common room, I head straight toward the spiral staircase leading to the Boy's dormitory. Quickly changing my clothes, I lay down on my bed and fell asleep.
The next morning, I woke at 5 a.m., changed into my tracksuit, and headed for the grounds. As I stepped outside, a quest screen blinked before my eyes:
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-Quest Triggered-
-Quest: Saitama Training-
-Description: Do 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, 100 pushups, and run for 10 kilometers. (Daily except when sick or injured)-
-Time Limit: Entire Hogwarts year-
-Rewards: 3 body stat points, 3 free stat points-
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I hit accept and threw myself into the routine. By the time I returned to the dormitory at 7:30 a.m., I was dripping with sweat and tired.
After a quick shower, I woke Ron and headed to breakfast. In the common room, I found Hermione and Ginny deep in a heated discussion.
"Morning" I greeted the two of them, cutting through their argument.
They fell silent, exchanging glances before we walked together to the Great Hall. A little later, Ron joined us, eating like a troll as usual.
"Ron, don't talk with your mouth full. It's disgusting and rude," Hermione snapped.
As we were talking Professor McGonagall distributed our third year timetable.
"Merlin's Beard! Hermione, there must be something wrong with your timetable. There's no way you can take three classes at the same time." Ron frowned as he saw Hermione's timetable.
"I'll manage. I've fixed it all with Professor McGonagall. "
"But-"
Ron opened his mouth to protest, but Hermione turned away, ending the discussion.
The hall started to get empty as people headed off to their first lesson.
Harry stood up and made his way towards the Arithmancy class along with other students.