The moment Harry stepped off the train, a familiar chime echoed softly in his mind.
[Successfully signed in at Hogsmeade Station]
[Reward obtained: Shadow Clone Jutsu Scroll]
Harry's lips twitched upward. Another powerful technique...Still, he didn't dwell on it-there would be time later. His attention shifted to a towering figure ahead, lantern raised high as a booming voice carried through the night.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over 'ere! All o' yeh, follow me!" Hagrid. Harry turned back and waved lightly. "Hermione, Neville-this way." They followed without hesitation, both instinctively trusting him now.
"Hagrid!" Harry called out.
The giant turned, his face breaking into a wide grin. "Ah! There yeh are i have been lookin' fer yeh."His gaze dropped to Hermione and Neville, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Made yerself some friends already, eh?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah. This is Hermione, and that's Neville." Hagrid gave them a warm nod. "Good ter meet yeh, both o' yeh."
Then, straightening, he raised his lantern once more and shouted, "Right then! All o' yeh, gather 'round! Stick close an' mind yer step!"
Seeing Hagrid busy Hermione ask Harry "do you two knew each other"
"Yes Hagrid help me buying school things and also was the one to told me about my parents and me being wizard"
Hearing this Hermione nodded.
One by one, the first-years assembled, murmuring nervously as Hagrid turned and began leading them down a narrow, winding path. The trees closed in, shadows stretching long and deep as the sound of water grew louder.
And then-The forest opened to reveal a vast, dark lake, moonlight shimmering across its surface. Small wooden boats bobbed gently at the shore. Hagrid gestured toward them. "Four ter a boat! No more'n that!"
Harry paused for a moment, taking in the sight. Across the water, high on the cliffs beyond the lake, Hogwarts Castle rose into the night-towers and windows glowing like stars.
Even though Harry saw Hogwarts in the movies but seeing it in person was a novel experience even to him.
Harry, Hermione, and Neville stepped into one of the small boats at random. The wood creaked softly beneath their weight as they settled in, and a girl soon joined them-a slim girl with long golden hair, her posture neat and her expression gentle.
Harry recognized her at once. Hannah Abbott, he thought. Future Hufflepuff... and one of the kind ones.
Before anyone could speak, the boat gave a small lurch and began moving on its own, gliding smoothly over the dark water. No oars. No sound of rowing. Enchanted magic, Harry concluded calmly.
Hannah smiled nervously. "Um... hello. I'm Hannah Abbott."
Neville flushed and quickly replied, "N-Neville Longbottom."
"Hermione Granger," Hermione said, brushing her hair back.
Harry offered a polite smile. "Jade Smith." Harry again lied. The introductions ended there, and a comfortable silence settled over the boat.
Harry leaned back slightly, letting his gaze drift across the lake. Other boats floated nearby, each carrying excited, anxious first-years. In one, he spotted a red-haired boy with hand-me-down robes and freckles-Ron Weasley, unmistakable even from a distance. In another, a pale boy with sharp features sat stiffly between two larger boys.
Draco Malfoy... Crabbe and Goyle, Harry noted, his eyes briefly catching on a dark-haired girl chubby beside them. Pansy Parkinson he guessed.
Then his attention shifted forward.
Hogwarts.
The castle loomed larger with every passing second-towering spires, ancient stone walls, and countless glowing windows reflecting off the lake's surface. It was vast, timeless, and powerful, radiating magic so dense it was almost tangible.
Harry felt his heartbeat quicken. What kind of sign-in reward will I get here? he wondered, a small spark of anticipation igniting in his chest.
The boats continued onward, carrying them steadily toward the castle. The boats bumped gently against the stone dock, one after another.
The first-years climbed out, shoes scraping softly against the wet stone, and gathered as Hagrid motioned them forward. He led them up a short flight of steps and into a large stone entrance hall.
Harry stepped forward and, without thinking, raised his hand and knocked on the massive wooden doors three times. Thoom. Thoom. Thoom. The doors creaked open on their own.
A tall, stern-looking witch stood waiting on the other side, dressed in emerald robes and wearing square spectacles that seemed to peer straight through each of them.
Harry recognized her instantly. Professor Minerva McGonagall. The moment she appeared, the group fell silent.
"I am Professor McGonagall," she said crisply, her sharp gaze sweeping over the gathered students and when she saw Harry her eyes stayed at him for few seconds. "In a few moments, you will pass through these doors and take part in the Sorting Ceremony. Before then, you will wait here quietly."
Whispers erupted everywhere. "The Sorting decides everything," someone murmured. "I heard you have to duel older students," another said shakily.
Ron Weasley, looking pale, leaned toward those near him. "My brother told me you have to fight a troll. A full-grown one." Several students gasped.
Hermione swallowed nervously. Hannah Abbott looked like she might faint. Draco Malfoy scoffed loudly. "That's nothing," he said arrogantly. "I've been trained since I was young. I already know plenty of spells."
Crabbe and Goyle nodded along, as if that alone proved his superiority. Harry, standing slightly apart, simply smiled.
Same old trick, he thought. Scare them half to death before the ceremony.
He noticed something else too-because he hadn't given his real name, no one knew who he was. No whispers. No stares. No sudden reverence or hostility. Even Draco ignored him entirely. And Harry was perfectly fine with that.
Peaceful is good, he decided, watching the nervous excitement ripple through the crowd.
Seeing that even professor McGonagall didn't tell the students about the sorting and she even was smilling then after some time she said "everyone follow me" did then all students listen and follow her.
As soon as Harry stepped across the threshold of the door, a familiar chime echoed in his mind once more.
[Successfully signed in at Hogwarts]
[Rewards obtained:
•Hogwarts Map
•3 Senzu Beans
•Portable Gravity Chamber (Maximum: 50x gravity)]
Harry's smile widened just a little. Now this... this is worth it. This is want an important location sign in should be. Then he followed the other first-years into the Great Hall, and the moment he looked up, even he paused.
Above them, the ceiling shimmered like a living night sky, stars drifting slowly across a deep, endless black. It was so real that it felt as though the roof itself had vanished.
Hermione gasped. "It's enchanted," she whispered excitedly. "I read in Hogwarts: A History that the ceiling reflects the sky outside!"
Harry chuckled softly while Neville simply stared upward in awe.
At the front of the hall stood a single wooden chair, and atop it rested an old, dusty, patched wizard's hat, frayed at the edges and clearly ancient. The hall fell silent. Then the hat twitched.
A rip formed near its brim like a mouth, and suddenly, in a cracked yet lively voice, the Sorting Hat began to sing:
"Oh, you may think me tattered and torn, An old worn hat from ages long gone, But place me upon your thinking head, And I'll show you the path you're meant to tread.
I've sorted the brave, I've sorted the wise, The loyal of heart and the sharp of mind, Four great Houses, strong and true, Each with a place waiting for you.
If courage burns bright in all that you do, If daring and nerve pull danger to you, Then Gryffindor's fire may call your name, Where bold hearts live for glory and flame.
If patience and kindness guide your way, If fairness and toil see you through each day, Then Hufflepuff's halls will welcome you in, Where loyalty matters more than the win.
If wisdom and wit are your greatest art,
If questions and answers both fill your heart, Then Ravenclaw's tower may suit you best, Where clever minds are put to the test.
But if you have hunger, ambition, and drive, If power and purpose keep dreams alive, Then Slytherin's path may twist and bend, Yet greatness awaits at its destined end.
So fret not, child, nor fear your fate, For I see the truth-no lies, no gate.
Just don me once, I'll look inside,
And place you where your soul must reside!"
The hat finished its song, bowing slightly as the hall erupted into applause. Harry watched quietly, his expression calm but eyes sharp.
Professor McGonagall stepped forward. "When I call your name, you will step forward, sit on the stool, and place the Sorting Hat upon your head. It will decide which House you belong to."
The tension that had gripped the hall slowly melted away. Many of the students who had been pale with fear moments ago now smiled in relief, some even laughing softly at how exaggerated the rumors had been.
Professor McGonagall unrolled a long parchment and called out the first name.
"Hannah Abbott!"
Hannah jumped slightly, her face turning pink. She walked forward on shaky legs and sat down on the chair. Professor McGonagall gently placed the hat on her head.
The hat barely had time to settle before it cried out loudly-
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Applause rose from the Hufflepuff table, and Hannah hurried over, beaming.
The ceremony continued, names echoing through the Great Hall just as Harry remembered from the books.
"Susan Bones!"
"Hufflepuff!"
"Hermione Granger!"
Hermione walked up confidently, though her hands trembled slightly. The hat paused for a moment, then-
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Hermione's face lit up as she joined the cheering table.
"Neville Longbottom!"
Neville nearly tripped on the way to the chair. The hat slipped over his eyes.
"Hmm... plenty of doubt, plenty of fear... but oh, so much courage..."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Neville looked stunned before breaking into a huge smile. And rushing towards his table with the hat on but then he was reminded by Professor McGonagall and then he returned again and handed the hat to professor and said sorry and again rushed towards his house table.
"Ron Weasley!"
Ron swallowed hard, sat down, and the hat shouted almost instantly-
"GRYFFINDOR!" The Gryffindor table applause again.
Then came the Slytherins.
"Pansy Parkinson!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Draco Malfoy!"
Draco walked forward smugly, barely touching the chair before and the hat touching his head-
"SLYTHERIN!"
Crabbe and Goyle followed soon after, both ending up at the same table.
Name after name was called, each student finding their place, until the hall slowly grew quieter again.
Professor McGonagall paused.
Then, in a clear, ringing voice, she called the
name no one had been expecting to hear.
"Harry Potter."
The Great Hall exploded into whispers.
Harry felt many eyes scanning the remaining students who were waiting for the sorting wanting to know which one was Harry Potter.
"The Harry Potter?"
"The Boy-Who-Lived?"
"Is that really him?"
Even the professors at the staff table leaned forward slightly.
The moment Professor McGonagall called his name, Harry calmly lifted a hand and brushed aside the hair covering his forehead. The lightning-shaped scar was revealed clearly under the enchanted ceiling's starlight. And with an unhurried, confident stride, Harry walked toward the chair.
Under the lights, his appearance was impossible to ignore-refined features, deep emerald eyes, an otherworldly calm, and a natural presence that made even older students pause mid-breath.
The most stunned of all were the first-years who knew him. Neville stared, mouth slightly open. Hermione's mind reeled-Jade Smith... Harry Potter... why would he like about his name?
Hannah Abbott blinked rapidly, trying to reconcile the two identities.
And Draco Malfoy-His face darkened.
That boy... the one at Madam Malkin's... That was Harry Potter?!
Anger and humiliation twisted in his chest. He had mocked him. Talked down to him. Made a fool of himself-in front of Harry Potter.
At the staff table, reactions were no less intense. Professor Snape had gone utterly still.
His black eyes locked onto Harry, drinking in every detail-those emerald eyes, that posture, that presence. Lily...
For the briefest moment, something unreadable flickered across Snape's face as he was recalling forgotten mermories.
Sensing the weight of someone's gaze, Harry turned his head slightly. Their eyes met. Harry smiled-just a small, polite curve of his lips-and inclined his head in a respectful nod.
Snape did not respond but he was stunned because he literally saw Lilly's shadow in Harry. And his stare lingered. Then Harry felt another gaze-far older, far deeper. He looked toward the center of the staff table. Albus Dumbledore sat there, fingers steepled, half-moon glasses glinting as his blue eyes sparkled with curiosity and something closer to delight.
Harry met his gaze and nodded as well. Dumbledore's smile widened. Harry reached the chair and sat down calmly.
Professor McGonagall lifted the Sorting Hat-"Wait," Harry said gently.
Before anyone could react, Harry raised a finger and pointed at the hat.
There was no wand.
No incantation spoken aloud.
A soft shimmer passed over the hat.
The layers of dust, grime, and age peeled away, dissolving into faint motes of light. Gasps echoed through the hall.
Where a tattered, filthy hat had been moments before, there now rested a nighty black wizard's hat, faintly glowing, its fabric smooth and unmarred-ancient, yet renewed.
Professor McGonagall stared at Harry, genuinely stunned and speechless.
Wandless magic.
Silent casting.
In front of the entire school.
Slowly, she recovered herself and placed the now-clean hat onto Harry's head.
The hall was dead silent waiting for Harry Potter house sorting.
As soon as the Sorting Hat settled over Harry's head, it stirred again, ancient magic unfolding as it attempted to peer deeper. But the instant it tried to probe his mind. A sharp chime echoed inside Harry's consciousness.
[Warning: Mental intrusion detected]
[System protection activated-mind infiltration blocked]
Harry's eyes narrowed slightly, though outwardly he remained calm. Inside the hat, the Sorting Hat paused, surprised.
"Well now," it murmured, "that's... unusual. I can't see as I should be."
Harry replied calmly in his mind, his voice steady and firm. Please don't try to intrude. I've already helped you cleanse the dirt and decay that clung to you for centuries. You should respect that.
The hat seemed to hum thoughtfully.
"I must say, it's been many long years since I felt this... clean. Very well, child. I shall not pry where I am not welcome."
Harry continued, In that case, place me where I wish to go.
"Oh?" the hat said, amused. "And where would that be?"
Gryffindor.
There was no hesitation. No doubt.
The Sorting Hat laughed warmly.
"A brave choice-not because it is easy, but because you chose it freely."
Then, in a voice that rang through the Great Hall
"GRYFFINDOR!"
For a heartbeat, there was silence. And then-The Gryffindor table erupted.
Applause thundered through the hall as if lightning had struck. Students leapt to their feet, cheering wildly. The Weasley twins stood on their bench, whooping and dancing.
"WE GOT POTTER!"
"GRYFFINDOR GOT POTTER!"
Harry removed the hat, placed it back on the stool, and walked toward his house table with calm confidence.
He sat down directly beside Hermione.
She was staring at him with wide eyes-half disbelief, half betrayal.
"You-!" she started, clearly holding back a dozen questions and several emotions at once.
Harry leaned closer and spoke softly. "I didn't want to be treated like a zoo animal. And I didn't want unnecessary trouble in the compartment. That's why I didn't tell you."
He glanced at Neville as well. "Sorry about that." Neville blinked, then smiled shyly. "I-it's okay. I think it's... kind of cool."
Hermione huffed, clearly still flustered-but after a moment, she nodded. "Fine."
Harry smiled faintly. "Fair enough."
Moments later after some other students were sorted into their respective houses, Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat. The hall quieted instantly.
He gave the same welcoming speech as in the books-about the Forbidden Forest, about the corridors, about Filch's list of banned items-ending, as always, with four words spoken cheerfully:
"Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"
Then he clapped his hands.
"Let the feast begin!"
Golden plates filled instantly with food-roasts, pies, puddings, vegetables, and sweets beyond counting.
Harry ate calmly, enjoying the meal, and discreetly pulled Sparky out from inside his robes. The little Pichu peeked out, eyes sparkling, and Harry fed him small, safe portions of food. Sparky squeaked happily, earning a few curious glances but no trouble.
Eventually, the feast came to an end.
The prefects of each house stood and called for their students to follow them.
As Harry rose with the rest of Gryffindor, following them out of the Great Hall.
The staircases twisted and shifted as if alive, sliding into new positions the moment someone stepped onto them. Harry followed Percy Weasley and the rest of Gryffindor, calmly observing the enchanted chaos as the castle itself seemed to test the students' sense of direction. After several turns, moving staircases, and a narrow spiral climb, they finally arrived before the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Password?" she asked.
"Caput Draconis," Percy replied.
The portrait swung open, revealing the Gryffindor common room.
The moment Harry stepped inside, warmth washed over him. Red-and-gold tapestries lined the stone walls, a large fireplace crackled cheerfully, and soft armchairs were scattered across the room.
A familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[Successfully signed in at Gryffindor Common Room]
[Reward obtained: Renewal Taekwondo Manual (GOH)]
Harry's lips curved slightly in satisfaction, but he quickly masked it as his attention shifted to the prefect. Percy began explaining the rules, curfews, and finally assigned the first-year boys to their dormitories.
Just like in the books, Harry was placed in the same room as Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas, and Seamus Finnigan.
They carried their trunks upstairs and entered the round dormitory. Four-poster beds stood neatly arranged, each draped with deep red curtains. After settling their belongings, the boys introduced themselves more properly.
Ron, clearly excited, kept sneaking glances at Harry. Before long, his awe turned into blatant admiration.
"So... er... Harry," Ron said eagerly, "it's really amazing, you know. All the things you've done. I mean-You-Know-Who and all that..."
Harry sighed inwardly but kept his expression friendly. He didn't want unnecessary tension on his very first night.
"Let's just be friends," Harry said simply.
Ron's face lit up instantly, nodding far too eagerly. "Yeah! Of course! Brilliant!"
The others chatted for a while longer, the excitement of the day slowly fading into exhaustion. One by one, they climbed into their beds.
Soon, the dormitory fell silent.
Harry lay awake, staring at the canopy above him. Sparky was curled against his chest, fast asleep, tiny breaths steady and warm.
Monthly sign-in, Harry thought.
A soft chime answered.
[Monthly sign-in completed]
[Reward obtained: Sea King raw meat ×1000 kg]
Harry's eyes widened slightly.
A thousand kilograms...?
That was absurdly massive-even by his standards.
Too tired to process it further, Harry decided to deal with the problem later. He adjusted his hold on Sparky, closed his eyes, and finally let sleep claim him.
Thus ended Harry Potter's first day at Hogwarts
the beginning of a legend quietly taking shape.