The Hogwarts Express pulled out of King's Cross with a lurch, picking up speed as the city skyline gave way to green hills and patchwork fields.
Hall made his way down the corridor, case in hand, peering into compartment after compartment. All full. First-years pressed against windows. Older students sprawled across seats. He'd sold all thirty copies of his guidebook on the platform — not bad for an hour's work — and he wanted somewhere quiet to count his take.
"Have you seen Trevor?"
A bushy-haired girl blocked his path, chin lifted like she was already grading him.
"Neville's toad. Have you seen him?"
"No," Hall said.
He recognised her immediately. Hermione Granger. Muggle-born, brilliant, insufferable, and — more importantly — rich. Dentist parents. Only child. She'd have Galleons to spend on the right resources.
Hall filed the thought away and smiled. "Haven't seen him, sorry. Good luck."
She nodded once and moved on, dragging a round-faced boy behind her. Hall caught the compartment door she opened before it slid shut.
Harry Potter. And Ron.
Jackpot.
"Mind if I sit here?" Hall said, already stepping in. "Everywhere else is packed."
"Course not," Ron said. "I'm Ron Weasley."
"Harry Potter."
Hall let his eyebrows rise. "That Potter?"
Harry sighed. "Yeah. That Potter."
Hall sat down across from them, mind already racing. Harry Potter — newly arrived in the wizarding world, desperate for guidance, and sitting on a vault full of gold at Gringotts. A patron had just walked into his compartment.
If I don't take advantage of this, I don't deserve the Niffler title.
"You're new to all this, aren't you?" Hall asked, lowering his voice. "First time in the wizarding world?"
Harry nodded.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
"Know how many houses Hogwarts has?"
"...No."
"Know who the Heads of each house are?"
Harry shook his head.
"Know which house is closest to the kitchens? Which one's best for sneaking around after curfew? Which sweet shop in Hogsmeade runs student discounts?"
Harry stared at him blankly.
"Know which fish in the Black Lake tastes best grilled?"
"Black Lake?" Harry glanced at Ron, desperate for translation. Ron looked equally lost.
"Aha." Hall leaned back, satisfied. "None of that matters."
"Then what does?" Harry asked.
"The important thing is — the fish in the Black Lake are absolutely delicious."
"What?"
"What?!"
Harry and Ron stared at him like he'd grown a second head.
"You want to eat Hogwarts fish?" Ron said. "There are mermaids in that lake!"
Hall waved a hand. "Mermaids eat fish too. My source is reliable — I talked to one at Knockturn Alley before term started. They say the grilled gilly-grouper near the shore is excellent."
Ron looked horrified. Harry just looked confused.
"Hang on," Harry said slowly. "What's the Black Lake? And why wouldn't you be able to eat fish from it?"
"It's not that you can't," Ron said, clearly worried this strange boy was leading Harry astray. "It's just — it's Hogwarts' lake. It's got mermaids and giant squid and — you don't just fish there!"
Hall smiled, calm and assured. "Harry. If you have questions about the wizarding world, ask me. Anything."
Harry hesitated, then spoke. "How many houses are there? And how do I get into one?"
"Hogwarts has four houses," Ron cut in, annoyed that Hall was monopolising Harry. "Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. My whole family's been Gryffindor. I will be too. Gryffindor's the best — brave, bold, righteous. Dumbledore was in Gryffindor."
Harry's eyes lit up. "Really? You think I could get in?"
"'Course you can," Ron said. "You're Harry Potter."
"But what if I don't?" Harry pressed. "What if I get sorted somewhere else?"
Hall observed quietly. The Boy Who Lived — starved for reassurance, terrified of being sent back. A child who'd been told he wasn't good enough his whole life, now sitting in a train compartment hoping a magic hat would finally prove everyone wrong.
What he needs isn't information. What he needs is certainty.
Hall reached into the system quietly.
[Available Galleons: 400 Galleons, 21 Knuts]
"Purchase Charms talent," he thought. "Learn Patronus Charm."
[Ding — Panel Update]
[C-Rank Ability: Charms (Patronus Charm)]
[Available Galleons: 290 Galleons, 21 Knuts]
Worth every Knut.
"Actually," Hall said aloud, "you might not end up in Gryffindor at all. The Potter family has a history with Slytherin, you know."
"What?" Ron's face went red. "Harry can't go to Slytherin!"
"Why not?" Harry asked, alarmed. "What's wrong with Slytherin?"
Ron dropped his voice. "They only want pure-bloods. Ambitious types. Cunning. You-Know-Who was in Slytherin."
Harry went still at the name. "You-Know-Who? The one who...?"
"Yeah." Ron shivered. "Almost no Weasley's ever been in Slytherin. We're Gryffindors."
Harry's face hardened with determination. "I want Gryffindor too. How do we get sorted?"
Ron hesitated. "George and Fred said you have to fight a troll."
Hall almost laughed. Fight a troll. Right. That's the twins.
He leaned in, lowering his voice so only Harry could hear. "I can help you. I can make sure you get Gryffindor."
Harry's green eyes went wide. "Really?"
"Really." Hall smiled. "But — it'll cost extra."