Time slipped by surprisingly quickly as Alvin, Cho, and Marietta talked.
Before any of them realized it, darkness had swallowed the countryside beyond the train windows.
Rain pattered softly against the glass.
The rhythmic clatter of the tracks began to slow.
Hogwarts was close.
Very close.
The three students quickly changed out of their Muggle clothes and into their Hogwarts robes.
As Alvin glanced outside, he noticed the steady drizzle and the faint mist gathering beyond the platform lights.
The evening looked cold.
An idea struck him.
He opened his suitcase, reached inside, and rummaged around for a moment before pulling out a thick scarf.
“Here.” Before Cho could react, he gently draped it around her neck.
“It’s raining.” He smiled.
“You’ll be freezing once we’re outside.” Cho blinked.
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
For a moment, she seemed caught off guard.
Then she lowered her gaze to the scarf and smiled.
“Thank you.” The train gave one final shudder and rolled to a stop.
Immediately, the corridors filled with movement.
Students grabbed luggage, owl cages, and robes before pouring toward the exits.
Alvin, Cho, and Marietta joined the flow of students onto the platform.
The moment his feet touched the ground, a booming voice cut through the night.
“First-years!
First-years over here!” The source was impossible to miss.
Rubeus Hagrid towered over the crowd like a walking mountain, lantern held high above his head.
“First-years!
Gather round!” He waved enthusiastically.
“Plenty o’ room!
This way!” “Well,” Alvin said, glancing toward Cho.
“I suppose this is where we split up.” Cho smiled.
“Looks like it.” “See you at the castle.” “See you there.” Then, after a brief hesitation, she added, “Good luck, Alvin.” A mischievous glimmer appeared in her eyes.
“I’ll be cheering for Ravenclaw.” Alvin’s smile immediately became a little strained.
Ravenclaw.
That would be nice.
Unfortunately, his surname was Gaunt.
As far as most witches and wizards were concerned, that practically translated to: Future Slytherin.
Still…
He intended to resist.
Not only because of Cho.
He genuinely preferred Ravenclaw.
Besides, entering Slytherin as the newly discovered heir of an ancient pure-blood family sounded like an excellent way to attract every arrogant pure-blood nuisance in the castle.
That prospect held very little appeal.
After a final wave, Alvin joined the gathering group of first-years.
Once everyone had assembled, Hagrid counted heads.
Satisfied, he turned and began leading them down a narrow path through the darkness.
“Watch yer step!” “Mind the roots!” “Gets a bit rough down here!” The trail wound through rain-soaked grounds and dense shadows.
Unfortunately, Hagrid’s lantern illuminated only a small patch of the path ahead.
Several students had already stumbled over roots or loose stones.
One nearly walked into a bush.
With a shrug, Alvin drew his wand.
“Lumos.” Soft white light blossomed from the tip.
The darkness immediately retreated.
Nearby students visibly relaxed.
A ripple of impressed whispers spread through the group.
“Blimey, Ron, look at that.” “He’s brilliant.” The familiar voice made Alvin glance over his shoulder.
Walking directly behind him were Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.
Harry looked slightly embarrassed after being caught.
“Er…
hello.” He offered a hand.
“I’m Harry Potter.” Then he gestured beside him.
“This is Ron Weasley.” Alvin shook his hand.
“Alvin Gaunt.” For a moment, Harry simply nodded.
No staring.
No gasping.
No dramatic reaction.
Then something seemed to click.
“You grew up with Muggles too?” Harry asked eagerly.
“I mean, outside the magical world?” Alvin nodded.
“More or less.” Harry immediately brightened.
“That’s great.” Then he winced.
“Well…
not great.” “You know what I mean.” Alvin laughed.
“I know what you mean.” Relieved, Harry continued.
“I met another Muggle-born on the train.” “Hermione Granger.” “She already knows loads of spells.” “She even fixed my glasses.” Alvin wasn’t surprised in the slightest.
That sounded exactly like Hermione.
“Nothing special,” he replied.
“I just spent some time studying after I got my books.” “Managed to learn a few simple spells.” Harry looked impressed.
Apparently, he had attempted exactly the same thing.
The difference was that his efforts had mostly involved reciting spell incantations in his bedroom and hoping something exploded.
Nothing had.
After several unsuccessful attempts, he’d given up.
As they continued walking, Harry asked another question.
“Which House do you want?” “Ron says Gryffindor’s the best.” “Honestly, I’ll be happy as long as I don’t end up in Slytherin.” Beside him, Ron nodded vigorously.
Every member of his family had been sorted into Gryffindor.
Being placed elsewhere would probably trigger a national emergency in the Weasley household.
Alvin chuckled.
Then, entirely against his will, a certain Ravenclaw entered his thoughts.
Cho’s smile.
Cho’s eyes.
The warmth of her hand earlier that afternoon.
Before he could stop himself, he muttered, “Ravenclaw seems nice.” A brief pause.
“…Very nice.” Harry blinked.
“What?” “Nothing.” Alvin coughed.
“I just think Ravenclaw would suit me.” “Oh.” Harry sounded slightly disappointed.
Not because he disliked Ravenclaw.
He had simply hoped his new acquaintance might end up in the same House.
Still, he understood.
The conversation gradually faded as the path descended toward the lakeshore.
Then the trees parted.
The first-years stopped.
A collective gasp spread through the crowd.
The Black Lake stretched before them like a mirror of darkness.
And beyond it— Hogwarts Castle.
Golden light spilled from hundreds of windows.
Towering spires rose into the stormy night sky.
Ancient stone walls stood proudly above the cliffs.
The entire castle seemed to glow against the darkness.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Even Alvin found himself staring.
He had seen photographs.
Illustrations.
Film adaptations.
None of them came close.
Hogwarts wasn’t merely a school.
It felt like a legend made real.
“Four to a boat!” Hagrid called.
Students hurried toward the waiting vessels.
Alvin ended up sharing a boat with Harry, Ron, and another nervous-looking first-year.
The enchanted boats glided silently across the water.
No oars.
No visible magic.
Just a smooth, effortless journey through the darkness.
The castle grew larger with every passing second.
As they approached the cliffs beneath Hogwarts, Hagrid’s voice rang out again.
“Heads down!” Everyone immediately ducked.
Alvin nearly laughed.
Hagrid himself remained at least twice as tall as anyone else despite supposedly lowering his head.
Yet every first-year obediently followed his example.
The boats passed through a hidden opening beneath the castle and entered a cavern illuminated by flickering torchlight.
A few minutes later, they arrived at an underground dock.
From there, Hagrid led them up a series of stone passages and stairways.
Finally, they emerged before the enormous oak doors of Hogwarts Castle.
Alvin looked up.
And up.
And up.
The castle seemed even larger from this close.
Ancient.
Majestic.
Timeless.
A place that had witnessed centuries of magical history.
With a deep rumble, the doors swung open.
Standing beyond them was a stern-looking witch dressed in emerald-green robes.
Professor Minerva McGonagall.
The effect was immediate.
The previously noisy first-years fell silent.
Not a single student seemed eager to test her patience.
“Professor McGonagall.” Hagrid gestured toward the group.
“The first-years are all here.” “Thank you, Hagrid.” Her expression softened slightly.
“I’ll take it from here.” With a casual flick of her wand, a wave of magic swept across the students.
Mud vanished.
Wrinkles disappeared.
Rain stains evaporated.
Their robes looked freshly pressed and perfectly presentable.
Several students stared in amazement.
McGonagall’s popularity rose considerably in that moment.
She led them into the castle.
Alvin’s eyes widened.
The interior was every bit as impressive as the exterior.
Towering stone columns.
Ancient banners.
Burning torches.
Vaulted ceilings.
Magic seemed woven into every corner of the castle.
Soon they reached a set of massive doors.
Through the opening beyond, Alvin caught his first glimpse of the Great Hall.
Four long House tables.
Thousands of floating candles.
Golden plates and goblets.
Hundreds of students.
The enchanted ceiling overhead mirrored the stormy night sky.
At the staff table sat Hogwarts’ professors.
One figure stood out immediately.
Albus Dumbledore.
The legendary Headmaster was quietly speaking with Severus Snape.
McGonagall did not lead them inside.
Instead, she ushered the first-years into a side chamber.
The sounds of the Great Hall drifted through the doors.
Laughter.
Conversation.
Excitement.
Occasionally, older students peeked through the entrance to catch a glimpse of the incoming first-years.
McGonagall turned to face them.
“Welcome to Hogwarts.” The room instantly fell silent.
“In a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your fellow students.” “But before you take your seats, you will be sorted into your Houses.” She explained the role of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin.
The responsibilities.
The traditions.
The importance of House loyalty.
Finally, she concluded: “When I call your name, you will step forward, place the Sorting Hat upon your head, and be sorted into your House.” A wave of nervous energy swept through the room.
Students whispered.
Fidgeted.
Adjusted robes that were already perfectly straight.
Alvin barely noticed any of it.
His gaze remained fixed on the Great Hall beyond the doors.
The floating candles.
The enchanted ceiling.
The ancient castle.
For years, Hogwarts had existed only in stories.
A world beyond a screen.
A place he could visit only through imagination.
Now he was standing here.
A grin spread across his face.
His heart pounded.
Not from nervousness.
From excitement.
Hogwarts.
I’m finally here.