Chatting and laughing, the group passed the time on the train until dusk fell.
Surrounded by rolling mountains, the train finally arrived at the Hogwarts platform.
The three of them, who had already changed into their wizarding robes, were just about to grab their luggage when a rough, booming voice echoed from outside the train.
“First-years, please gather over here by me!
Your luggage will be sent to your dorms for you later, just head straight off the train.” Following the sound, the three of them spotted the man who had spoken.
He was a massive, imposing giant of a man.
The large coat he wore looked rather unkempt, and his beard was untamed, giving him a wild appearance.
Yet his clear, bright eyes and the honest, wide grin stretching across his face made it impossible for anyone to feel afraid of him.
This was Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts.
Soon, the new young wizards entering school this year gathered around Hagrid.
Harry Potter was among the most excited; having met Hagrid prior to the others, he seemed particularly happy.
Hagrid also took special care of him, drawing side-eyes from quite a few young wizards.
However, because Harry’s iconic lightning-bolt scar was covered by his hair, no one recognized who he actually was.
Led by Hagrid, the group walked down to the edge of the Black Lake, not far from the station.
There was a small dock, where a fleet of little boats lay moored.
“No more than four to a boat!
Then we’ll be off to Hogwarts.
And don’t worry, you won’t need to row.” Hagrid called out another reminder, ushering the young wizards onto the boats.
Leon and his two companions stayed together.
Joining them on the boat was a blonde girl with a prominent forehead.
She looked rather ordinary, but she had a calm and serene aura, clearly marking her as someone easy to get along with.
Since they were just temporary boatmates, the girl didn’t strike up a conversation.
She simply smiled and nodded a greeting to Leon and the others.
Because Hermione was sitting next to Leon, the girl chose the seat beside Neville.
Neville seemed a bit stiff and awkward, but Leon couldn’t help but marvel at the wonders of fate.
He remembered this girl.
He had seen her at the Leaky Cauldron when he visited Diagon Alley, helping out right alongside Tom, the pub’s landlord.
Combining that with her appearance here among the incoming first-years at Hogwarts, the answer was obvious.
She was Neville’s future wife, Hogwarts’ legendary first-to-be-sorted student, Hannah Abbott.
Unfortunately, the two kids had no idea what the future held, and Leon had no intention of spoiling it.
He merely watched them with a fond, knowing smile, leaving Hermione beside him completely baffled.
Once all the first-years were aboard, the little boats began to glide smoothly forward without any visible external force.
Passing through the curtain of trees lining the shore, a grand, ancient castle could be seen from afar under the moonlight, perched majestically atop a cliffside.
“There’s Hogwarts!
It’s so beautiful,” Hermione couldn’t help but gasp as she noticed it.
“Yeah, it really is spectacular,” Leon agreed.
At this moment, his own heart was far from calm.
After all, with the real Hogwarts right before his eyes, a profound sense of reality finally washed over him.
He was truly becoming a part of Hogwarts.
Similarly, the other young wizards in the boats shared much the same feeling.
Everyone fixed their eyes on the approaching castle until the boats crossed the lake and docked at the underground harbor.
Only then did the crowd recover from their excitement, immediately plunging into a new wave of emotion.
Anxiety!
This included Hermione and Neville, and Hannah was no exception.
Only Leon remained perfectly calm.
The Sorting Ceremony held no surprises for him.
Upon reaching the ground floor, Leon spotted Professor McGonagall, who was already waiting for them.
“The first-years are all yours, Professor McGonagall.” “Thank you, Hagrid.” After a brief handover, Professor McGonagall pushed open the large doors behind her and led the students through the corridor into a small chamber off the Great Hall.
Although the room was small and lined with torches, it wasn’t uncomfortable.
Even if it had been, the first-years probably wouldn’t have noticed; they were currently just following meekly at Professor McGonagall’s side, their minds completely blank.
Leon, the only one unfazed, felt a twinge of regret.
He hadn’t gotten to see Malfoy bringing his lackeys to give Harry Potter a hard time.
It looked like that particular encounter had taken place on the train instead.
This confirmed that the narrative timeline of this world followed the book canon rather than the movies, which gave Leon some new food for thought.
“Welcome to Hogwarts,” said Professor McGonagall.
“The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly.
But before that, you will be sorted into your respective houses.
The Sorting Ceremony is highly important because, while you are here, your house will be your home at Hogwarts.
You will attend classes, live, and spend leisure time together with the other students in your house.” “The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.
Each house has its own glorious and long history, and each has produced highly talented wizards.
During your time at Hogwarts, your good behavior will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose points.
At the end of the year, the house with the highest score will be awarded a supreme honor—the House Cup.
I hope you will all bring honor to your respective houses.” “The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school.
I suggest you all take this time to smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you wait.” With that, Professor McGonagall began to pace through the room.
Every young wizard who caught her eye unconsciously began straightening their robes, even if there was nothing wrong with their clothes.
He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but Leon noticed that Professor McGonagall’s gaze lingered on him significantly longer than on anyone else.
Yet he couldn’t find anything wrong with his own appearance.
He even went so far as to whisper a question to Hermione beside him, but she didn’t notice anything amiss either.
Left without an answer, Leon simply stopped worrying about Professor McGonagall’s gaze and looked right back into her face with a clear conscience.
“Very well, let’s go.” After waiting in the small room for a moment, Professor McGonagall finally led the first-years out.
Turning left out the door, they entered the Great Hall.
The space was vast, with older students already seated at four long dining tables.
Everyone fixed their eyes on the procession of first-years walking down the center aisle.
A few friends and family members of the new students even actively waved or called out to greet them.
But none of the first-years paid them any attention; they were all far too nervous at this moment.
Because the Sorting Ceremony was about to begin.