The rhythmic clatter of the Hogwarts Express wheels against the tracks had become a steady background noise as Harry, Hermione, and Ron sat in their compartment, now dressed in their Hogwarts robes. The train was nearing its destination, and excitement crackled in the air. Their uniforms were still unmarked by house colors, leaving their future at Hogwarts open-ended.
Harry, feeling a twinge of curiosity, glanced at Ron. "So, which house do you think you'll end up in?"
Ron, who had been stuffing his face with the last of his Chocolate Frogs, swallowed hastily. "Gryffindor, hopefully. My whole family's been in Gryffindor. It'd be a right disaster if I ended up anywhere else."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "That's not necessarily true. Each house has its own merits."
"Yeah," Harry agreed, a grin forming. "Let's break it down. Gryffindor's fine. I mean, it's got a lion, and that's pretty cool."
"The brave and the bold," Hermione added with a proud nod.
"But then we've got Slytherin," Harry continued. "The Sneaky Little Serpents."
Ron snorted. "That's… actually pretty spot on."
"Ravenclaw," Harry tapped his chin thoughtfully, "should have something with 'claw.' Maybe Eagle-foot?"
"What about Penguin-Toe?" Hermione suggested with a giggle.
Ron choked on laughter. "That's ridiculous!"
"Not as ridiculous as Hufflepuff," Harry smirked. "Badgerfluff."
Ron wiped a tear from his eye. "Still unrealistic. I mean, have you ever seen a badger? They're rare nowadays!"
Laughter filled the compartment as the train began to slow. They gathered their things, their amusement keeping nerves at bay, as the train came to a final stop.
Stepping out onto the platform, the first-years were greeted by a familiar sight—at least, familiar to Harry. A massive man, towering over the crowd, waved enthusiastically.
"Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here!" Hagrid bellowed.
Harry smiled and approached him on his own. "Hey, Hagrid."
Hagrid blinked in mild surprise before grinning. "Knew ye'd find yer way ter me, Harry. Good ter see ye."
The students followed him down a winding path leading to the edge of a vast, inky black lake. Small wooden boats bobbed at the shore, waiting to ferry them across.
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron clambered into one together, joined by a nervous-looking Neville. As they pushed off, Hermione gasped in delight.
"This lake is incredible!" she exclaimed. "Did you know it's home to a giant squid? And there are rumors of merpeople living in its depths! The biodiversity of this place must be astonishing!"
Harry and Ron exchanged amused glances.
"Just wait 'til it grabs someone," Ron muttered.
As they floated across, the castle emerged from the mist—Hogwarts. A colossal structure, its towers piercing the sky, windows glowing warmly against the night. The sight left them all breathless.
"Wow," Harry whispered.
Hagrid chuckled. "Aye. Never gets old."
Once inside the castle, the first-years huddled in an antechamber. Professor McGonagall stood before them, her sharp gaze scanning the group.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said, her voice crisp. "The Sorting Ceremony will determine which house will be your home for the next seven years: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has a proud history and will shape you in different ways. Conduct yourselves well, and you will earn points. Misbehave, and you will lose them."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle. "You will enter the Great Hall shortly."
With that, she swept away, leaving them in tense silence.
The first-years buzzed with nervous whispers.
"I heard we have to wrestle a troll to get in," one student muttered.
"No way, it's a dragon," another countered.
"Both at the same time!"
Harry rolled his eyes. "This is getting ridiculous."
Then, with a dramatic swoop, ghosts appeared, soaring through the walls.
"Ah, fresh blood!" the Bloody Baron hissed, making a few students yelp.
Peeves cackled, tossing an invisible bucket of water over a group of terrified first-years. "Welcome to Hogwarts, kiddies!"
Ron paled. "What have we gotten ourselves into?"
Finally, McGonagall returned. "Follow me."
The Great Hall was breathtaking. Floating candles illuminated the enchanted ceiling, mimicking the night sky. Hundreds of older students sat at four long tables, watching as the first-years entered. The welcoming smiles of the upperclassmen did little to ease the tension.
At the front stood an old, patched hat resting on a stool. Without warning, the hat sprang to life, bursting into song. It sang of the four houses, their strengths and values, before falling silent.
McGonagall stepped forward. "When I call your name, you will come forth, sit on the stool, and I will place the Sorting Hat upon your head."
The ceremony began.
To Harry and Hermione, it was anticlimactic. No trolls, no dragons—just a talking hat.
"Granger, Hermione."
She took a deep breath and approached. The hat was placed on her head.
"Ah, a bright one! Clever, ambitious, hardworking… but also fiercely brave. You'd do well in Ravenclaw, but I sense a strong desire… ah, Gryffindor, then? Very well—GRYFFINDOR!"
Relieved, Hermione scurried to her new house table.
"Potter, Harry."
Silence fell. Harry sat on the stool, and the hat whispered in his mind.
"Interesting… very interesting. A mind shaped by fate. I see a connection to Death itself… but you are not ready for that knowledge yet. Hmm. A thirst to prove yourself, loyalty to friends, bravery…"
Harry focused. Gryffindor. Let's go to Gryffindor.
"Ah, pushing for a path. Not unlike another Potter I knew. Very well—GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor table erupted in cheers as Harry took his seat beside Hermione.
Soon, "Weasley, Ronald" was called. The hat barely touched his head before it shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Dumbledore rose, smiling warmly. "First things first, Welcome to all of you! Before we begin, a few warnings: the third-floor corridor is off-limits. The Forbidden Forest is named such for a reason. And with that—let's feast!"
With a clap of his hands, food appeared. Harry's eyes widened at the sheer variety. He went all out—politely, but with enthusiasm. The feast was glorious.
As laughter and chatter filled the hall, Harry knew one thing for sure:
Hogwarts was going to be an incredible adventure.