“You two really only met today?” Cassandra asked, looking between Alistair and the direction Cedric had disappeared.
After Alistair confirmed it, a strange smile appeared on her face.
“May Merlin bless you both…assuming even Merlin is willing to deal with whatever that was.” Before Alistair could ask what she meant, Cassandra turned and followed Hagrid with the other first-years, leaving him standing there completely baffled.
He had no idea what was so strange about getting along with Cedric, but judging by her expression, Cassandra clearly thought there was something worth commenting on.
Hagrid led the first-years away from Hogsmeade Station and down a narrow, winding path until they reached the shore of a vast dark lake.
He raised his lantern and called, “This is the Black Lake!
We’ll take the boats across to Hogwarts.
No more than four to a boat—four each!” The moment Alistair heard the name, he stepped closer to the water and peered curiously into its black surface.
One of the students behind him noticed and asked, “What are you looking for?” “I heard something enormous lives in the Black Lake,” Alistair replied casually.
“I’m wondering whether it’ll come out to welcome the new students.” Several first-years immediately backed away from the water, and some who had been rushing to claim the first boats suddenly became much less enthusiastic.
Cassandra clicked her tongue in disdain.
“Cowards.
Move.” She strode straight toward one of the waiting boats and climbed aboard without hesitation.
Surprisingly, no one immediately followed her.
Alistair couldn’t tell whether he’d frightened everyone with his comment about the creature in the lake or whether Cassandra’s intimidating attitude was doing most of the work.
Seeing her sitting alone, he finally sighed and climbed into the same boat.
Hagrid eventually called over two more reluctant first-years to fill the remaining seats, and the small craft began gliding across the Black Lake with the others.
As the boats moved farther from shore, Alistair’s attention shifted away from whatever might be swimming beneath them.
Hogwarts slowly emerged from the darkness ahead.
The sight immediately made Alistair straighten in his seat.
Towers and turrets rose against the night sky, their illuminated windows reflected across the black water while starlight outlined the enormous castle above the cliffs.
He had seen Hogwarts countless times in books, movies, illustrations, and merchandise during his previous life, yet none of those versions had prepared him for the scale and presence of the real place.
For the first time, Alistair understood just how inadequate descriptions could be.
Some things simply had to be seen in person.
While the first-years were crossing the Black Lake, Ilona had already reached the Headmaster’s office under Professor McGonagall’s guidance.
McGonagall didn’t remain long; with the opening feast approaching and dozens of responsibilities still waiting for the Deputy Headmistress, she quickly excused herself.
That left Ilona—Vinda Rosier beneath the effects of Polyjuice Potion—alone with the wizard she had imagined killing more times than she could count.
Despite those old feelings, not the slightest hostility appeared on her borrowed face.
Instead, she offered Dumbledore a refined smile.
“Headmaster Dumbledore, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” Ilona said.
“I’ve heard countless stories about the greatest wizard of this age, so naturally I’ve imagined this meeting more than once.” Dumbledore regarded her through his half-moon spectacles for a moment before replying pleasantly, “Welcome to Hogwarts, Madam Ilona.
You must be tired after the journey.
The opening feast won’t begin for a little while yet.
Would you care for a honey sweet?” “Thank you, Headmaster, but I’m afraid I’ve already had more than enough sugar today,” Ilona replied.
“A very generous student shared quite a few sweets with me on the train.” Dumbledore smiled.
“Hogwarts students can be remarkably generous.
I suspect you’ll enjoy teaching them.” He paused, then added, “And perhaps I should stop calling you Madam Ilona.
From now on, Professor Ilona would be more appropriate.” Ilona allowed exactly the right amount of surprise to appear on her face.
“Then I’ve been accepted?” Dumbledore nodded.
“Yes.
Your qualifications are more than sufficient, and your mental discipline is particularly impressive.
Not everyone can maintain direct eye contact with me while resisting Legilimency so effectively.” His expression remained mild, but Ilona understood perfectly well that the interview had begun before either of them had openly acknowledged it.
“There is one inconvenience,” Dumbledore continued.
“Because the appointment has been made so late, we no longer have enough time to ask every student to purchase a new set of books chosen by you.
I’m afraid you’ll need to work with the Defense Against the Dark Arts texts already selected for this year.” Ilona’s smile widened slightly.
“That won’t be a problem.
I don’t rely heavily on textbooks.” Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?” “I prefer practical application.” By the time Alistair and Cassandra reached the castle with the other first-years, Professor McGonagall was already waiting for them.
Once everyone had gathered, she stood before the enormous entrance and addressed the group.
“Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Before you join the rest of the school, you will take part in the Sorting Ceremony.
Hogwarts is divided into four Houses—Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin—each named for one of the school’s four founders.” Alistair listened quietly for several seconds before muttering under his breath, “That’s a pretty uninspired introduction.” Unfortunately, he had forgotten just how sharp Professor McGonagall’s hearing could be, with or without her ability to transform into a cat.
Her eyes immediately moved toward him.
“Mr.
Vance, if I’m not mistaken?” she asked.
“You appear to have a better suggestion.” Alistair hadn’t expected his comment to be heard, and his first instinct was to apologize.
Then he remembered his determination to avoid Gryffindor and Slytherin if possible, and the witch standing in front of him happened to be the Head of Gryffindor.
The idea that irritating McGonagall might somehow influence his Sorting was admittedly questionable, but Alistair decided there was little harm in continuing now that he’d already been noticed.
He stepped forward under the curious gazes of the other first-years.
“Yes, Professor McGonagall.
I just think introducing the Houses only by their names and founders is a little too simple.
Hogwarts has probably used almost the same introduction for years.” He paused before adding, “The Muggle world constantly changes the way it presents things.
The Wizarding World can improve too.” McGonagall studied him carefully.
The confidence with which the eleven-year-old stood before an entire group of students immediately brought an uncomfortable comparison to mind.
Dumbledore, this boy really does carry Grindelwald blood.
Gellert Grindelwald, Alistair’s granduncle, had once spoken constantly of change and possessed a remarkable ability to make people listen.
Yet McGonagall didn’t silence the boy merely because the resemblance unsettled her.
She was strict, but she had never believed strictness required preventing students from expressing an opinion.
“It seems you know quite a bit about Hogwarts already, Mr.
Vance,” McGonagall finally said.
“So let’s hear it.” She stepped slightly aside.
“If you were introducing the four Houses, how would you do it?”