Chapter 328: Opening Day
Before leaving, Aragorn gently declined Anlomire's family's invitation to stay. At the door, he bent to speak softly to the boy. "Anlomire, receiving an acceptance letter from Hogwarts is a chance many can only dream of. Make the most of it. Study well, understand?"
Anlomire's young face turned solemn as he nodded. "Chieftain, I'll study magic as hard as I can. When I'm strong, I'll protect the honor of the Dúnedain!"
Aragorn couldn't help ruffling the boy's hair with a smile. "Easy now. Don't put that kind of weight on yourself. Learn well, make true friends, and grow up happy. Glory and such things aren't burdens for a child."
He then took his leave and returned home to prepare for the journeys ahead.
Back at home, Anlomire could not wait to crack open his spellbooks and practice with his wand. Three days later, he finally managed to cast Lumos.
He dashed downstairs, ready to tell his parents the good news, when a sudden knock sounded at the door.
Opening it, they found a stranger in a black work uniform standing outside.
"And you are?" Anlomire's father asked guardedly.
The uniformed man answered with brisk professionalism. "Is this the home of Mr. Anlomire? I'm Matthew from the Floo Network Office, Department of Magical Transportation. You applied to connect your fireplace to the Floo Network. I'm here to set it up so you can travel by fireplace."
Hearing that, and noting the wand in his hand, the family understood at once and quickly invited him in.
The official politely declined refreshments and went straight to the hearth. He raised his wand and chanted steadily. In a short while, he lowered his wand and stepped back.
"All done. Your fireplace is now connected to the Floo Network. With Floo Powder, you can travel to any other connected hearth." He then explained important points about Floo use, took his leave, and headed out.
"Mr. Matthew, stay for tea!" they urged.
"No, thank you. I have another hearth to open."
With that, he stepped outside and Apparated away.
Anlomire and his parents stood astonished. Anlomire's eyes shone with excitement. Once at school, he was determined to learn that magic.
Time passed quickly, and September 1st arrived.
All families who had received acceptance letters traveled by fireplace and gathered in Diagon Alley at Hogsmeade. It was Opening Day at Hogwarts, and the alley bustled more than ever.
At the bridge leading from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts Castle, a student reception point had been set up.
A castle retainer stood there with a line of carriages drawn by Pegasi waiting nearby.
Parents were kindly stopped at the bridge while the retainer ushered children one by one into the carriages.
Once a carriage was filled, the Pegasi started forward of their own accord, crossing the long bridge and following the winding road up to the castle.
Parents lingered at the bridgehead, watching their children go with reluctant eyes, but none called them back.
The children on the carriages felt the ache of parting as well. Yet as the figures of their parents vanished from view, new marvels quickly drew their attention.
The carriages held children from the lord's lands, along with Dúnedain and elf children. The strikingly beautiful elven youngsters drew every gaze. The shy only dared to sneak peeks; the bold and friendly could hardly stop themselves from crowding closer, until the embarrassed little elves, faces flushed, huddled together.
Soon, everyone was distracted by other wonders.
The Pegasi themselves enthralled them, wings beating as they pulled the carriages along. Even the elven children stared wide-eyed and unblinking. On the hillsides, the Kine of Araw grazed at ease, their white hides and horns gleaming with sacred light under the sun.
Dúnedain boy Anlomire and elf child Aranil, who had met in Diagon Alley, now sat together again.
Both stared at the Pegasus team pulling their carriage. "Winged horses," Anlomire breathed, regretful and amazed. "If only they could fly us straight to the castle!"
Aranil watched with equal fondness, his voice clear and melodious with elven grace. "Imladris has Pegasi, too. I've heard Headmaster Kael Black bred this line. I've always wanted to keep one, but they are so few. I never expected to see so many here at school."
Chattering all the way, the new students' carriages climbed the mountain road and finally drew up before the great gates.
They craned their necks in awe at the soaring castle. A colossal mallorn rose within the grounds, its golden leaves shining like hammered gold in the sunset. Nearby stood the White Tree, bright as polished silver, its leaves shimmering with a radiance like moonlight. Together, the two trees bathed the castle in a world of gold and silver, full of grandeur and sanctity.
Thunderbirds spread their wings and rose from their eyries, circling above with cries like thunder. Their splendid plumage flashed with prismatic light in the falling sun, threads of lightning flickering around them.
The Tower of Amon Sûl soared like a pillar into the sky, and around it countless great snowy owls wheeled and danced.
Amid the children's wonder, the carriages passed the gate and rolled on to the castle's main doors.
Edward, the steward and deputy headmaster, and professor of Transfiguration, stood waiting there in deep blue robes that lent him a severe, authoritative air.
The children climbed down and gathered before him. Faced with his solemn presence, the chatter quickly fell away.
Edward swept his gaze over them, counting heads with practiced ease. Satisfied, he spoke.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor Edward, your Transfiguration teacher. The Opening Feast will begin shortly. Before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses.
"Sorting is very important. While you are here, your house is like your family at Hogwarts. You will attend class with your housemates, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend your free time in your house common room.
"Our four houses are Phoenix, Dragon, Thunderbird, and Basilisk. Once sorted, your triumphs will earn points for your house, and any rule-breaking will lose points.
"At the end of the school year, the house with the most points will win the House Cup, a great honor. May each of you bring credit to your house."
He clapped his hands once to focus every eye.
"Now, the Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly. Form two lines and follow me to the Great Hall."