Time is like a heavy tome, its pages turning quietly one after another.
Looking back, the once naive children have perhaps already stepped into the middle chapters of their lives.
Years slip away like fine sand through open fingers, falling silently, washing away the youthful faces and leaving behind the inevitable marks of time.
The tiny footsteps from memories have now grown into steady, firm strides; the joyful laughter of the past has transformed into calm, composed thoughts and profound gazes.
Some childhood dreams have been realized, while others have simply become a tender nostalgia buried deep within the heart. Time does not merely add rings to a tree; it bestows the wisdom of life and an unhurried, peaceful state of mind.
Some people manage to hold onto their original aspirations, while others are polished smooth and mellowed by the relentless currents of time.
The delicate balance between the frivolous wildness of youth and the ever-growing weight of responsibilities on one's shoulders will forever remain a difficult equation to solve.
The years shifted, and a decade passed by in a flash.
The night was deep, like a canvas painted with heavy ink, spreading across the boundless sky.
In this tranquil and peaceful night, a fleet of small boats glided silently across the calm surface of the Black Lake. They looked like phantom silhouettes swaying gently on the water.
The hulls of the boats were dyed a profound black by the night, blending perfectly with the surrounding lake, as if they were dark lotuses rising from the depths.
However, the only difference now was that every single boat was equipped with a magical lantern floating steadily at the bow.
The orange glow twinkled like scattered stars in the deep night sky, adding a touch of mystery and romance to the serene evening.
The boats gently sliced through the water, making soft, crisp sounds that broke the lake's silence, almost as if they were waking the slumbering stars.
As the boats drifted slowly forward, ripples expanded across the surface, like ripples of time itself, recording the peace and beauty of this very moment.
It was once again the annual back-to-school season.
These boats were ferrying this year's new students, and their destination was the distant Hogwarts, that ancient castle brimming with magic and miracles.
Concealed by the night, Hogwarts appeared even more unfathomable and mysterious. Its towering spires, deep corridors, and flickering lights all seemed to be whispering ancient legends and unfinished tales.
The small boats wandered slowly toward this magical fortress, as if chasing a distant dream, carrying boundless expectations and yearnings.
The night, the boats, the Black Lake, and Hogwarts.
It was a breathtakingly beautiful scene, leaving everyone intoxicated by its tranquility and mystery, making them feel as though they had truly merged into this world of magic and wonder.
Before long, the boats docked at the boathouse not far from the castle.
"Careful now, all of you! Form a line and follow me."
Standing over twelve feet tall, Hagrid easily spotted a few boisterous, highly energetic red-haired teenagers at the very back of the line with a single glance.
"Weasleys again..." Hagrid muttered reluctantly under his breath, a trace of bitterness surfacing on his face.
But this bitter expression did not last long. He suddenly remembered that the current gamekeeper was none other than Alastor Moody. With that retired Auror standing guard, it would not be easy for just anyone to sneak into the Forbidden Forest.
Thinking of something amusing, the corners of Hagrid's mouth curled up, revealing a hint of gloating satisfaction.
As Hagrid turned around, the young wizards behind him began chattering excitedly.
"Vera, are you scared? Uncle Fred said the Sorting Ceremony will hurt us a lot," a red-haired boy asked, casting a cautious glance at the towering castle in the distance.
"You actually believe my father? I haven't believed a single word he has said since I was three years old. Yes! Not a single word!"
The one responding was a girl. Miraculously, she also had vibrant, fiery red hair, making it quite easy to deduce their relationship.
During their exchange, another faint voice chimed in.
"My dad also said Uncle George and Uncle Fred are right. The Sorting Ceremony is absolutely terrifying..."
"Uncle Potter said that too?" Vera's tone carried a hint of hesitation.
She carefully studied the black-haired boy in front of her, confirming he did not look like he was lying, before her expression turned somewhat solemn. After all, in her mind, her Auror uncle was always far more reliable than her unpredictable father.
The three did not intentionally lower their voices during this exchange, allowing many of the surrounding first-years to hear them loud and clear.
Soon enough, rumors about a highly damaging and terrifying Sorting Ceremony began to spread quietly through the crowd.
Suddenly, a crisp, melodious voice, sounding just like a lark, rang out.
"Those are just lies to fool idiots. No one with half a brain would believe that. The Weasleys are always like this."
Well, a single comment about the Weasleys was enough to provoke the group.
Dennis and Vera immediately turned around, glaring fiercely.
Behind them, the black-haired boy, Severus Potter, also stopped in his tracks, choosing to stand in solidarity with his cousins.
However, upon turning around, a dazed look crossed his face.
He did not expect the girl speaking to have such a beautiful voice, let alone such stunning looks. She appeared like an elf stepping straight out of a fairy tale.
The girl possessed utterly exquisite features, every detail perfectly placed, like a masterpiece carefully sketched by a master artist. Her skin was fair and delicate, radiating a faint luster like fine porcelain.
Her long, platinum blonde hair, illuminated by the nearby magical lanterns, shimmered with captivating colors like the sparkling surface of the sea under a setting sun.
Her hair looked incredibly soft and smooth, cascading gently over her shoulders. Whenever the breeze brushed past, the strands danced lightly, releasing a faint, refreshing fragrance.
It was the scent of jasmine. In just a split second, Severus had his answer.
While he was still in a trance, the girl opposite them suddenly curled her lips upward, revealing two small canine teeth. Although her smile was sweet and charming, her expression carried a distinct hint of disdain.
A proud girl, and an undeniably beautiful one at that.
For a brief moment, Severus felt she resembled a delicate ceramic doll, radiating a unique charm from every angle.
Of course, Severus was not the only one who felt this way; Dennis, standing next to him, looked equally mesmerized.
As a girl, Vera's instincts were incredibly sharp. Noticing the sudden change in the two boys beside her, she immediately stepped forward.
"Lucy Malfoy! That is enough! You can insult me, but you have no right to insult the Weasleys!"
Vera's words made the two boys look away somewhat sheepishly.
Unlike Dennis, although Severus shared their common enmity, his eyes kept stealing imperceptible glances at the girl across from them.
However, little did he know that these subtle movements were caught perfectly by both girls.
A victorious smile blossomed on Lucy's lips, while Vera looked absolutely exasperated by her cousins' lack of spine.
The distance from the Black Lake to the castle's entrance hall was merely a few hundred meters.
In less than fifteen minutes, all the young wizards caught sight of the massive oak front doors.
Hagrid raised his enormous fist and pounded heavily against the castle doors.
Boom, boom, boom!
The heavy doors were once again opened from the inside.
But this time, the person stepping out to greet them was not the tall, stern witch of the past. Instead, it was a young man dressed in flowing blue robes, looking no older than seventeen or eighteen.
"Hagrid, I will take it from here."
Ino stood just outside the castle doors, looking quietly at the massive group of first-years in front of him, all currently as obedient and quiet as little quails.
The wheel of fate seemed to have turned once more.
After all these years, a Malfoy, a Potter, and a Weasley had crossed paths at Hogwarts yet again.
...
The End.