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Aiden followed Hermione into the carriage, the corridor behind them still echoing with the commotion of the search for Neville's toad. Sharp-eyed Ron caught sight of Aiden and immediately seemed to regain his confidence.
"Aiden, help us teach this little Death Eater a lesson," Ron called, glaring at Draco Malfoy, who stood with Crabbe and Goyle at his side.
Draco's pale face flushed with anger. "Look at those strange eyes—you must be from the Prewett family. Are you really going to associate with blood traitors like the Weasleys?"
"Take that back!" Ron snapped, pulling out his wand and pointing it at Draco. He tried to cast a spell, but nothing happened.
"You dare cast a spell on me? Crabbe, Goyle, teach them a lesson!" Draco shouted, his voice trembling with indignation.
Enough."
Aiden sighed and stepped forward, his mismatched eyes narrowing. With a subtle flex of his will, he released a wave of pure intimidation. The pupils of his heterochromatic eyes sharpened into vertical slits, and for a heartbeat, everyone in the compartment felt as though they were staring down a dragon. Panic swept through the room—Draco and his cronies tumbled to the floor, scrambling back in terror.
"My father will hear about this! My father will hear about this!" Draco shouted as he retreated, his voice cracking.
As the chaos faded, Aiden gently released a soothing spell, calming the nerves of everyone left behind.
"Fear in the left hand, comfort in the right. I really am a support master for the new era," Aiden mused inwardly, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
"That was amazing, Aiden! Teach me how to do that," Ron said, eyes shining.
Aiden rolled his eyes. "Alright, I'll lend you two books to start. They're the ones Dumbledore sent me last time—you've seen them at my place."
Ron's enthusiasm evaporated. "Never mind then."
With the tension gone, Hermione and Neville started chatting with Harry, and for a while, Neville even forgot about Trevor. The train rattled on, the landscape outside growing darker as they approached their destination.
As the Hogwarts Express began to slow, the five friends said their goodbyes and returned to their respective carriages.
"Aren't you going to change into your robes, Aiden?" Hermione asked as she gathered her things.
Aiden drew his wand and tapped his clothes. With a ripple of magic, his Muggle attire transformed into crisp school robes.
Hermione's eyes widened. "You're really good at Transfiguration. I tried at home, but I couldn't get it right."
Aiden just smiled, then pulled Neville aside. Together, they changed into their uniforms and joined the throng of first-years disembarking from the train.
*****
"First years, please gather here!" Hagrid's booming voice cut through the night, guiding the new students to the edge of the Black Lake. The September air was damp and chilly, and soon a fine drizzle began to fall.
"Impervius," Aiden murmured, casting a charm on himself, Hermione, and Neville. Neville stared in awe—Aiden hadn't even used his wand.
The students made their way to the boats. "Four to a boat!" Hagrid called, but by the time Aiden and his friends reached the dock, only three of them remained to share a boat.
As they drifted across the dark water, Hermione turned to the others. "I forgot to ask—which house do you want to be in? I've been torn between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, but I read that Dumbledore was in Gryffindor."
"My gran says my parents were both in Gryffindor, and she hopes I'll be sorted there. But I've heard wizarding families often end up in Slytherin, and that scares me a bit," Neville admitted quietly.
Aiden shrugged. "I quite like the idea of Hufflepuff. Their Head of House is a master of Herbology—I bet she gives her students special lessons."
Hermione frowned. "You shouldn't think that way. I read that professors from all four houses teach us impartially."
Aiden only smiled at first, then said quietly, "You'll see in time."
The boats bumped gently against the shore, and the first-years clambered out, gathering at the castle's entrance. They passed through the great oak doors, climbed the stone steps, and assembled outside the Great Hall. The three of them, dry and comfortable, stood out among the shivering, rain-soaked crowd.
Aiden watched the other students and, feeling a bit sorry for them, reached out and brushed his fingers through the air. A gentle wave of magic swept over the crowd, drying their clothes and warming their skin. The students looked around, puzzled, but no one seemed to notice the source. Hermione, however, caught Aiden's eye and gave him a look of admiration.
"What a powerful spell," she thought. "Are all wizarding family children like this? I'll have to work twice as hard."
Aiden caught her thoughts and grinned. "Looks like Gryffindor's first-years are in for a challenge."
Suddenly, a group of ghosts glided through the wall. The Fat Friar floated over, beaming at the new arrivals. "Welcome to Hogwarts! I do hope you'll join Hufflepuff—it's the best house, you know."
Aiden looked at the ghosts curiously, using his ability to sense their emotions. To his surprise, beneath their cheerful exteriors, many were filled with sadness and longing—a stark contrast to the faces they showed the world.
Before he could ponder this further, the doors to the Great Hall swung open and Professor McGonagall appeared, her expression stern but not unkind. She gave a short speech about the importance of the Sorting and instructed the students to line up.
As Aiden passed her, she leaned in and whispered, "Beautiful wandless casting, Mr. Prewett. It's a pity you haven't been sorted yet, or I'd have given your house ten points."
Aiden blinked in surprise. "She could sense my magic through a door. Professor Cat really is amazing," he thought.
The students filed into the Great Hall, gazing in awe at the floating candles and the enchanted ceiling, which mirrored the stormy sky outside. Hermione, unable to resist, began reciting facts from her textbooks under her breath. Aiden stifled a laugh.
"What's so funny?" Neville whispered.
"Nothing—just thinking of something happy," Aiden replied, dodging the question.
Neville hesitated, then offered a small, encouraging smile. "That's good, then," he said quietly. "We could all use a bit more of that."
*****
The Sorting Hat sat on a stool at the front of the hall, its battered brim twitching as it broke into song. When it showed signs of launching into a second verse, Professor McGonagall quickly interrupted.
"Now, when I call your name, please come forward to be sorted."
"Hannah Abbott!" called Professor McGonagall.
"Hufflepuff!" the Hat shouted after a moment's deliberation.
One by one, the students were sorted. Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Neville all ended up in Gryffindor, to the delight of their friends.
Finally, Professor McGonagall called, "Aiden Prewett."
Aiden stepped forward and sat on the stool. The Hat settled on his head, its voice a low whisper in his ear.
"Well, well, what have we here? There's a layer of protection on your mind—not Occlumency, but something else. I don't sort based on memories, you know."
"You can read minds?" Aiden asked silently.
"I can, to an extent. But let's get your Sorting done first—there are others waiting. Can you lower your mental guard?"
Aiden relaxed his defenses slightly.
"Hmm… brave, clever, and ambitious. Gryffindor, Slytherin, and Ravenclaw would all suit you. But what do you want?"
"I was thinking of Hufflepuff, but that doesn't seem likely now. Maybe I'll just let you decide."
"Why not listen to your heart? A young wizard who can shape his mind like this should trust his own desires."
Aiden closed his eyes and looked inward, seeing his mind's form—himself, as he had been before coming to this world, smiling back at him.
"I want to explore the mysteries of magic and the mind. I want to follow the path of those who came before and see where it leads."
"A surprising answer," the Hat mused. "But I know where you belong."
"Ravenclaw!" the Sorting Hat called out, loud and clear.
As Aiden stood and removed the hat, he felt a sense of peace. He glanced at the Gryffindor table, where Hermione was watching him thoughtfully. Ron leaned over and whispered, "Don't bother. Aiden's always been clever. It's no surprise he's a Ravenclaw."
The feast began, and Aiden found himself swept up in the excitement of his new house. The Ravenclaw table welcomed him warmly, and he quickly made friends with several of his new classmates.
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