The September air was damp as Ambrose stepped onto Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, the enchanted handbag at his side barely bouncing against his hip. Unlike the other students, no trunk dragged behind him, no owl cage swung awkwardly in it.
But the lack of a trunk wasn't what made parents tug their children closer, it was Ambrose himself.
His hair shined white as clear ivory, falling around a face too composed for a boy at ten years old. His eyes, golden-red and faintly glowing, burning like molten metal under glass. Then there was Axel, a white falcon, owl-sized, perched regally on his shoulder. The bird's feathers as white as Ambrose's hair, and his sapphire eyes pinned anyone who dared look too long.
Murmurs followed Ambrose through the crowd.
"His hair-"
"Eyes like fire…"
"That bird isn't an owl, is it?"
A boy about Ambrose's age whispered loudly, "Mum, what is that?"
Ambrose's ignored it all, as he kept walking. At the barrier, he slipped through effortlessly, emerging onto the platform where the Hogwarts Express roared proudly, red steam billowing high. Axel let out a cry sharp enough to cut through the din, and more heads turned.
"Unnatural, that one," a witch muttered. "Strange magic."
---
Ambrose slid open a quiet compartment and let Axel hop to the windowsill, talons scratching gently at the wood. He'd just cracked open a slim book of runes when the door slid open again.
"Er-sorry, mind if I join you?"
A tall boy with a warm smile and kind eyes stepped inside, lugging a heavy trunk.
"Not at all," Ambrose said, voice light. "Better company than an empty seat."
The boy grinned. "Thanks. I'm Cedric. Cedric Diggory."
"Ambrose Emrys," he replied, shutting his book politely.
Cedric blinked. "Emrys? Huh. Don't think I've heard that one. Not around here, anyway."
Ambrose chuckled. "Most haven't. Probably for the best. Easier to just be Ambrose."
Cedric's gaze shifted to Axel. "And what about him?"
Ambrose's expression softened, almost playful. "This is Axel, my pet."
Cedric waited for more, but Ambrose only smiled mysteriously, and Axel tilted his head as if daring Cedric to press further.
"Right. Nice bird. Intense, though. Looks at you like he's sizing up dinner."
Ambrose laughed lightly. "He only eats people who talk too much."
Cedric froze for half a second-then Ambrose winked, and Cedric laughed, shoulders relaxing.
They fell into easy conversation. Cedric explained his father's Quidditch obsession and his suspicion that he'd end up in Hufflepuff.
"What about you?" Cedric asked.
Ambrose leaned back. "I don't mind where I end up. But Ravenclaw, Slytherin, or Hufflepuff suit me well enough."
"No Gryffindor?" Cedric teased.
Ambrose grinned. "Bravery's fine, but I'd rather not leap into a troll's mouth just to prove a point."
Cedric grinned. "You've got a way with words, Emrys."
The door slid open again, and in tumbled two redheaded boys with identical grins.
"Well, well," one said. "Cedric's already found the strangest fellow on the train."
"White hair, glowing eyes, and a falcon. You really know how to make an entrance," the other added.
Cedric sighed. "Ambrose, these menaces are Fred and George Weasley."
"Delighted," Ambrose said with a slight bow. "I've heard legends of your pranks."
Fred beamed. "Already a fan!"
George narrowed his eyes playfully. "But are you prank material?"
Ambrose tilted his head, pretending to think. "Well, if you mean can I run when explosions go off, yes. If you mean can I set the explosions, I'd make them bigger."
The twins exchanged a glance of admiration.
"I like him," Fred said.
"Me too," George agreed.
Soon the four of them were laughing and trading jokes, Cedric keeping things steady while the twins pulled Ambrose into their rhythm. Ambrose proved sharper than expected, tossing back witty remarks that made them pause.
"You're trouble," George declared at one point.
Ambrose smiled innocently. "Not trouble. Opportunity."
---
And when they reached Hogsmead station, a loud sound ringed into the ears of all students around.
"Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here!" Hagrid boomed, waving his great lantern high over his head. His massive frame loomed in the mist by the black lake, the light catching his wild beard. "Come on, now—don' be shy. All o' yeh follow me! Mind yer step, mind yer step—slippery this way."
First years walked towards Hagrid, Ambrose followed, Axel perched like a statue on his shoulder.
"That bird," Hagrid muttered under his breath. "Strange-very strange…"
He eyed the cluster of nervous children and a broad grin appeared on his face.
"Righ', all o' yeh'll be crossin' the lake. Hogwarts Castle's jus' on the other side-beautiful sight this time o' night, yeh'll see. Four to a boat, no more! Let's get yeh sorted out."
"Right then, off we go!" Hagrid bellowed.
Cedric, Ambrose, and the twins shared a boat. The water was dark, the castle towering above like a dream.
"Why do we have to go this way?" George asked, shivering at the depths.
Ambrose's gaze lingered on the rippling water. "Tradition. And magic. The first crossing binds you to the school. Call it a ritual of welcome perhaps protection. Or warning."
Cedric raised his brows. "You really think so?"
Ambrose smiled. "Think about it. Every witch and wizard in this castle has crossed this lake. That's not just coincidence - that's design."
The twins fell uncharacteristically quiet, each sneaking glances at the water.
---
When the boats reached the far shore, the first years clambered out, dripping and whispering. Hagrid led them up the winding stone path to the castle doors. There, tall and serious in her dark robes, stood Professor McGonagall.
"Thank you, Hagrid," she said, eyes sweeping the herd of children. "I will take them from here."
"Good luck, firs'-years!" Hagrid called, before disappearing into the castle.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said, her Scottish accent serious but not unkind. "The start-of-term banquet is about to begin, but before you may take your seats in the Great Hall, you must first be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony, for while you are here, your House will be something like your family. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend your free time in your House common room."
She let that sink in, eyes narrowing slightly as one or two students fidgeted.
"The four Houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin," she continued crisply. "Each House has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points. Any rule-breaking, however, will lose points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor."
Then, more seriously she continued:
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few moments in front of the entire school. I suggest you straighten your robes as best you can and compose yourselves. When I return, you will follow me into the Great Hall, where you will be called forward one at a time."
She gave them all a last, pointed look-equal parts warning and encouragement.
"Please wait quietly."
And with that, she swept away, her emerald robes swishing against the stone.
As she left and the children clustered together, many of them whispered and eyed the strange boy, Ambrose noticed the stares immediately. His white hair caught the torchlight; his glowing eyes seemed brighter in the shadows. Axel ruffled his feathers, drawing more attention.
"What's wrong with his eyes?"
"Looks cursed—"
"No, look at his bird, it's magical—"
Before whispers could spread further, Peeves swooped in, the moment his eyes locking onto Ambrose. He froze, went pale, then shrieked, "TOO MUCH! NO! NOT AGAIN!" and bolted through the wall.
The students gawked. The ghosts murmured uneasily. Axel let out a low cry, almost amused.
---
The line of first-years shuffled into the Great Hall, their wide eyes lifting up toward the enchanted ceiling where candlelight floated against the darkened starlit sky. Whispers raced among the older students seated at the four house tables, some gasping quietly when Ambrose entered - his glowing golden-red eyes and snow-white hair impossible to ignore. Perched calmly on his shoulder, Axel the falcon tilted his head, unblinking.
"First years, form a line," Professor McGonagall's crisp voice commanded. She carried the familiar stool and the patched Sorting Hat to the front, her eyes sweeping the crowd with authority and poise.
When all the children were arranged, she unrolled a long scroll.
"We shall now begin the Sorting Ceremony," she announced. "When I call your name, you will come forward, sit upon the stool, and place the Sorting Hat on your head. The Hat will decide your house."
McGonagall began.
"Baddock Andrew"
A wiry boy with freckles marched up stiffly. The Hat thought for a while, then declared:
"SLYTHERIN!"
Names continued to be called,
"Diggory, Cedric!"
The Hat took a moment, then:
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Until finally
"Emrys, Ambrose."
The silence was sharp.
Whispers hissed like fire through the Hall.
"Did she say Emrys?"
"What?-"
"I thought they were a legend-"
Some older pureblood Slytherins sat forward eagerly, eyes shining. A few Ravenclaws whispered urgently about genealogies they'd read. Many others looked blank, confused, but curious.
Ambrose walked with calm steps, Axel flying up to the staff table railing, startling several professors. The falcon stared down the staff with cold authority.
McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on Ambrose's head.
"Oh-ho… what have we here? Another Emrys. I haven't seen one of your line in centuries. You're clever - Ravenclaw would feast on your mind. Cunning, yes, enough to thrive in Slytherin. Ambition burns in you. And yet… loyalty, patience, and a deep well of kindness too - very Hufflepuff indeed."
Ambrose smirked inwardly. "I told a friend earlier - it matters little. Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Hufflepuff… each has merit. But not Gryffindor. I prefer reason to impulse."
"Hah! You'd give Gryffindors a complex if they heard that," the Hat chuckled. "But you're right, boy. You would shine anywhere. The question is… where will you be most needed?"
Then let it be Hufflepuff, Ambrose answered calmly. I value bonds I can trust.
The Hat chuckled. "A surprising choice - but a wise one. HUFFLEPUFF!"
The Hufflepuff table erupted in cheers. Cedric grinned from ear to ear, clapping Ambrose's back. Fred and George gave exaggerated sighs.
"Shame," Fred said. "He'd have made a brilliant target Slytherin."
"Or a Ravenclaw smartypants," George added.
"Still," Fred continued, "Hufflepuff's now officially got style."
At the staff table, reactions varied.
Snape's eyes narrowed.
Flitwick leaned forward eagerly, already scheming questions to ask.
Sprout beamed proudly at her new student.
Dumbledore twinkled, but beneath it was a quiet, almost heavy thought: The world is shifting again.
Above them, Axel locked eyes with Fawkes. For a long moment, falcon and phoenix, ice and fire, they studied each other. Not enemies - equals. And then they both turned away, as if satisfied.
---
That night, as food appeared on the golden plates and the Hall filled with chatter, Ambrose sat among his new Housemates. His glowing eyes softened in laughter, his voice mixing with Cedric's, with every smile, with every joke, the quiet weight of something ancient lingered, felt if not understood.
Hogwarts had gained a student who would not simply pass through history..
PS:
I changed the date slightly, I wanted him to be a 3rd year by the time Harry joins hogwarts (Also, expect a few families that are considered "extinct" to not be extinct in this FF, such as the prewetts)