The Hogwarts Express screeched gently to a halt, steam hissing along the platform as students bustled toward the castle. Louis stepped down from the train, adjusting his satchel when he caught sight of a boy, smaller than the others, with messy black hair and round glasses. Their eyes met for the briefest second before the boy was lost in the crowd. Louis felt something stir in the back of his mind—a ripple of familiarity he couldn't place.
"That must be the famous first-year," Charles said, stepping beside him. "He fits the description."
Louis raised a brow. "What description?"
"Harry Potter, of course."
They didn't dwell on it. Charles soon spotted the Weasley twins further down the platform. "Oi! Fred! George!" he called out, waving enthusiastically. The twins waved back, grinning. "I'll catch up with you later," Charles added and trotted over to join them.
The rest of the group—Louis, Cho, and Evangeline—found an empty compartment and settled in as the train started its journey northward.
Conversation flowed easily as the familiar landscape rolled by. Inevitably, the topic shifted to the newest and most anticipated student.
"So, Harry Potter's finally arrived," Cho said. "There's so much talk about him in the papers again."
Evangeline crossed her arms. "I wonder what he's really like. I mean, defeating Voldemort as a baby? There must be more to the story."
Louis looked out the window thoughtfully. "I don't think he defeated Voldemort. I think something went wrong with whatever curse was used. He might be famous, but that doesn't mean he's... special."
"But what if he is?" Cho asked.
Louis shrugged. "He might just be a normal boy with a scar and a tragic past."
Before anyone could respond, the compartment door slid open and a bushy-haired girl poked her head in.
"Have any of you seen a toad?" she asked briskly. "A boy named Neville's lost his. I'm Hermione Granger, by the way."
Evangeline stood, raising her wand. "Accio toad!"
Moments later, a slightly dazed-looking toad flew through the door and landed gently into her hands.
Hermione gasped. "That was... brilliant! That was a summoning charm! I've read about them, of course, but I've never seen anyone actually perform one!"
She sat down without asking, excitement bubbling over. "Have you read The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2? Or Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling? Oh! Do you know what year Hogwarts was founded?"
They all blinked in surprise, barely able to get a word in.
"Oh! Sorry! I should go—Neville's probably still panicking," Hermione said suddenly, standing up. "Thank you for the toad!" And with that, she rushed off.
The compartment was silent for a heartbeat, then erupted into laughter.
"She's intense," Cho giggled.
"Smart though," Evangeline added.
The rest of the train ride passed in animated conversation, but they were once again interrupted—this time by a blond-haired boy with a pale, pointed face.
"You must be Louis De Versailles," he said with a confident smirk. "I've heard of your family. Very influential in France."
Louis offered a polite nod. "Yes, and you are?"
"Draco Malfoy," he said proudly. "I was just looking for Harry Potter. Thought I might introduce myself before the Sorting."
Louis raised a brow but said nothing. Malfoy lingered a moment, then, sensing the indifference, excused himself.
"I'll be off then. Potter can't be far."
When the train finally arrived at Hogsmeade Station, the group disembarked and walked toward the line of carriages waiting to take them to the castle. The carriages appeared to be pulled by nothing—at least, to most of them.
"What's pulling them?" Cho asked, frowning.
Evangeline looked puzzled. "They look empty."
"They're called Thestrals," Louis said softly. "You can only see them if you've seen death firsthand."
The others fell silent. Louis didn't elaborate, but they respected the tone in his voice and climbed into the carriage.
The ride to Hogwarts was filled with anticipation. Soon, the towering castle came into view, its lights flickering in the evening mist. Once inside, the Great Hall welcomed them with its floating candles and enchanted ceiling, mirroring the night sky.
They took their seats, watching as the first-years filed into the room, looking small and uncertain. Louis spotted the boy with the glasses again, walking beside a red-headed boy who had to be a Weasley.
"Look, that's him," Cho whispered.
When the Sorting Hat ceremony began, names were called one by one. Finally, the hall fell quiet.
"Potter, Harry."
Louis leaned forward slightly.
The black-haired boy approached the Sorting Hat and placed it on his head. It didn't take long.
"Gryffindor!" the Hat bellowed.
The Gryffindor table exploded with cheers. Harry removed the hat and joined them, his cheeks slightly flushed.
"Well, that settles it," Cho said. "The Boy Who Lived is a Gryffindor."
The ceremony continued, and once all students were sorted, Dumbledore rose to speak. His voice, though calm, commanded attention.
"A few start-of-term notices," he began. "First, the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all students. And secondly, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death."
There were a few awkward chuckles, thinking it a joke. But the group exchanged glances.
"He's serious," Louis said quietly.
"Looks like we've got another mystery," Evangeline murmured.
"Third floor corridor," Cho repeated, frowning. "We'll have to look into it."
Louis didn't reply immediately. He glanced toward the Gryffindor table, where Harry sat laughing with his new friends. Something was beginning again—something big. And this year, Louis felt it in his bones: the magic, the mystery, the danger.
It was going to be an unforgettable year.