The temperature in the Scottish Highlands was unusually low for September. The moment Harry stepped out of the carriage, a cutting gust of wind sliced through his clothes, chilling him to the bone.
"It's freezing…" Ron muttered, his teeth chattering as he shoved his hands into his pockets.
"First-years, this way!" called a familiar voice. "All of you, come here. Oh—Harry, I see you! Are you all right?"
"That's Hagrid," Harry said to Ron, smiling as he waved. "Hagrid! We're here!"
Hagrid's towering figure stood out clearly in the gathering darkness. He smiled when he spotted Harry, waved back, and then turned to the rest of the children.
"Any more first-years? Come along now. I'll be takin' you up to the school—"
This was not the first time Harry had walked this path. The trail was narrow, slippery, and thick with mud and thorns. It was said to be the very route taken by the four founders of Hogwarts, meant to allow new students to experience—if only briefly—the hardships their predecessors endured when establishing the school.
An old tradition. A reminder of the past.
"Round this bend and you'll see Hogwarts!" Hagrid shouted. "Now listen carefully: there's a lake ahead. We'll be crossin' by boat. Four students to a boat—don't forget that. You can sort yourselves out."
Harry pulled Ron along with him. Glancing briefly over his shoulder, he saw Hermione approaching with a short, round-faced boy clutching a toad tightly in his hands.
"Harry, Ron, this is Neville," Hermione introduced. "He lost his toad, but Harry helped him find it."
"Th-thank you, Mr. Potter," Neville said shyly.
"It was nothing," Harry replied with a warm smile. "You can call me Harry."
Neville felt as though that smile alone had chased away not only his nerves, but even the cold numbing his fingers.
"How about the four of us take the same boat?" Ron suggested, slinging an arm around Harry's shoulders and motioning to Hermione and Neville. "Perfect, that makes four."
"Yes… perfect," Hermione replied, though she quickly added in a hushed voice, "Do you think we're going to be expelled…?"
"Don't worry," Ron said, trying to reassure her. "We only used a simple spell… it's not like it was Avada Ked—"
Harry cut himself off just in time, frowning slightly.
"Avada what?" Neville asked, confused.
"Alohomora… Open," Harry improvised quickly. "Come on, let's hurry. We still need to get into the boat together."
The others suspected nothing. After all, students their age certainly wouldn't know the names of the Unforgivable Curses.
The crossing was quiet. The damp air made the cold feel even sharper, and the four of them pulled their cloaks tighter as the boat glided slowly across the dark water.
Before long, the boats reached the shore.
Everyone followed Hagrid up to a massive wooden door.
"Wait here a moment—"
Before he could finish, the door swung open. A witch with a stern expression, dressed in a dark green robe, stepped forward.
It was Professor McGonagall.
"The first-years have arrived, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here," she replied.
Hagrid gave Harry a discreet wave before turning and heading back down the path.
"First-years, follow me," Professor McGonagall instructed.
They were led into the castle and brought to a small chamber just off the Great Hall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she began. "The Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly. Before that, there are a few things you must understand. You will be sorted into one of four Houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin. Your House will be like your family for the duration of your time here."
She paused, surveying the students carefully.
"Good conduct will earn points for your House. Misconduct will result in points being taken away. At the end of the year, the House with the highest total will be awarded the House Cup, a great honor."
Her gaze lingered briefly on Neville's rumpled cloak, then moved to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger," she said firmly. "Please come with me."
Then she added,
"Mr. Malfoy."
Hermione's face drained of all color.
"Oh my God… Harry…" she whispered, on the verge of tears. "We're going to be expelled…"
Draco heard her and let out a short, unpleasant laugh.
Harry turned toward the sound and saw Draco mutter contemptuously:
"Mudblood."
The word made Harry's stomach twist, but his immediate concern was understanding what was about to happen.
"Hermione, calm down," Ron said, gripping her arm. "Even if something does happen, Harry and I will be with you, right?"
That only made Hermione cry harder.
Moments later, the four of them were escorted into a small office.
Inside were four people. Harry immediately recognized Albus Dumbledore, whose image he had seen on Chocolate Frog cards. To Dumbledore's left stood a short man in a suit and bow tie; beside him, a stout witch dressed plainly, with leaves adorning her clothes.
To Dumbledore's right stood a wizard with greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and a piercing stare.
The man paused when he saw Harry, his gaze lingering longer than necessary, cold and almost hostile.
"Have I offended him somehow?" Harry wondered.
"I believe the matter is quite clear," the wizard began sharply. "Mr. Potter cast a spell on fellow students aboard the train, with Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley acting as accomplices—"
Hermione let out a loud sob.
"Easy, Severus," Dumbledore said calmly, raising a hand. His blue eyes twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles. "Why don't we hear from the students themselves before reaching any conclusions? After all, it would be unwise to judge a situation after hearing only one side of the story."
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