30.
The morning sun was breaking through the window of the Potter Townhouse, its rays falling on the trunk in the hallway. Dana was sitting on the edge of the couch, her new Hogwarts uniform neatly donned, her wand tucked safely in a pouch on her belt. Her eyes were sparkling with excitement, but there was also a hint of nervousness in her gaze.
Dean was pacing the room, his hands deep in his pockets. He glanced at Dana every few seconds to remind himself that this was all happening. Sam entered the living room with two coffee mugs. “Here.” He handed one to Dean and sat down next to Dana.
Dana looked up at Sam. “What time do we have to be there?”
“Eleven,” Sam replied. “The train leaves Platform 9¾ right on time.”
Dana nervously wiggled her foot. “How do we get there?”
Dean chuckled. “Apparently we have to walk through a wall.”
Dana raised her eyebrows. “Through a wall?” Sam nodded with a smile. “That’s what Hagrid told us. It sounds strange, but… magic.”
Dana giggled. “Magic.”
Dean put down his mug and walked over to the trunk. He rechecked it to make sure everything was there. “Okay,” he mumbled. “You’ve got your books, your uniform, your wand…”
“And Hedwig,” Dana added cheerfully. She looked at the owl in her cage, who turned her head and winked at Dean.
Dean grinned briefly. “Yeah, and Hedwig.”
Sam stood up and patted Dana gently on the shoulder. “Are you ready, kiddo?”
Dana nodded, but her smile faded a little. “Yeah… but I’m going to miss you guys.”
Dean walked over to her and crouched down in front of her, looking her in the eye. “Listen, Dana. We’re always just a Floo connection or a letter away. And you’re in for an amazing adventure.”
Dana bit her lip. “But… you’re my family.” Dean smiled softly and put his hand on her shoulder. “And we always will be. Always.”
King’s Cross Station was busy and chaotic, as always. Dana held Sam’s hand tightly as they made their way through the crowd. Dean walked slightly ahead of them, constantly alert, his gaze sharp.
“Platform 9¾,” Dean mumbled. “So… somewhere between 9 and 10?”
Sam nodded. “That’s what they said.”
Dana looked around. “I don’t see any fences or gates.”
Dean stopped and looked at the wall between platforms 9 and 10. “Maybe… it’s just a wall.” Sam looked at him. “You think?”
Dean grinned. “You know what? You go first.”
Sam sighed. “Of course.” He squeezed Dana’s hand gently. “Ready?”
Dana nodded nervously. “Yeah.” With Sam at her side, they walked straight to the wall… and disappeared through it. Dean paused for a moment, looked around, took a deep breath, and stepped after it.
On the other side of the wall, they were greeted by the bustling sound of the platform full of wizards and witches. The Hogwarts Express stood ready, red and shiny, smoke curling from the chimney.
Dana’s eyes widened in amazement. “Wow…” Dean looked around, clearly impressed despite himself. “Okay, this is pretty cool.” Sam smiled at Dana. “There’s your train.”
Dana looked up at Dean. “Do you want to come inside?” Dean shook his head. “This is your adventure, kiddo. But make us proud, okay?” Dana jumped into his arms and hugged him tightly. “I will, Daddy.”
Dean swallowed hard, held her tight, and whispered in her ear, “We love you.” Sam stepped closer and placed a hand on her head. “And remember… we’re always just one letter away.” Dana nodded, her eyes shining with tears. “I will write. Every week.” Dean grinned. “I expect you to.”
Dana boarded the train and found a seat by the window. She opened the window and waved enthusiastically to Dean and Sam. “See you soon!” she called.
“See you soon!” they called back. The train honked loudly, and the Hogwarts Express slowly began to move. Dana continued to wave until she saw her family disappear from view. Dean stood there until the train was out of sight. He took a deep breath and looked at Sam.
“She’ll be fine,” Sam said softly. Dean nodded slowly. “I know. But still… it feels like we’re leaving a piece of ourselves behind.” Sam put a hand on his shoulder. “That’s because we are. But we’ll always be there for her.” Dean looked down at the trail and smiled. “Yeah. And if someone wants to hurt her… they don’t know what’s coming.”
***
The steam of the Hogwarts Express curled upward as the train slowly pulled out of the station. Dana leaned out of the window and waved enthusiastically to Sam and Dean. Her face was beaming with joy, but her eyes also glistened with sadness. The goodbye was harder than she had expected.
Dean raised his hand in a final salute and stood there until the train disappeared from view. Only then did he turn to Sam. “Well… that’s that.”
“Do you think she’ll make it?” Sam asked softly. Dean nodded slowly, but his face betrayed his concern. “She’s a Winchester. She’ll be fine.” They stood there in silence for a moment, until a warm, friendly voice interrupted them. “Excuse me, gentlemen, but may I interrupt?”
Sam turned to see a kind, pot-bellied man watching them with a smile from ear to ear. He wore an aged cloak and had a strange kind of curiosity in his eyes. Next to him stood a woman with red hair, watching them suspiciously, her arms crossed tightly.
“Arthur Weasley,” the man introduced himself, holding out his hand. “And this is my wife, Molly.” Dean took Arthur’s hand, though he was clearly still on guard. “Dean Winchester. This is my brother, Sam.” Arthur looked at them with wide eyes. “Winchester? Fascinating! And you’re not wizards, are you?” Dean raised his eyebrow. “Is that so obvious?”
Arthur chuckled. “Ah, you look… different.” Sam smiled politely. “That’s right. We’re muggles.”
Arthur’s eyes glittered with excitement. “Fascinating! And you’re sending the Potter girl to Hogwarts?” Molly’s gaze softened slightly, but a hint of suspicion remained in her eyes. “Yes… how does that work exactly?”
Dean looked straight at her, his posture protective. “Dana is my daughter.”
Molly’s eyes narrowed. “But… the Potters are a famous wizarding family. How did she end up with you?” Dean’s face remained stern. “We adopted her.” Arthur clapped his hands enthusiastically. “Adoption! What an interesting concept. And what do you do for a living?”
Sam gave Dean a quick look and decided to take matters into his own hands. “We hunt.” Arthur’s eyes widened even further. “Hunt? What do you mean?” Dean grinned dryly. “Monsters.” Arthur looked at him in disbelief. “Monsters? Like what?”
Dean shrugged. “Ghosts, vampires, demons… that sort of thing.” Arthur’s jaw dropped in surprise. “Unbelievable! And you don’t use magic?”
“No magic,” Dean confirmed. “Just salt, silver, and a lot of bullets.” Molly let out a startled cry. “You… hunt ghosts? And… vampires? And you have a child with you?”
Dean’s gaze darkened. “We protect her. That’s what we do.”
Arthur’s curiosity overcame Molly’s concern. “So you know how to use Muggle technology to kill ghosts?” Sam nodded. “That’s right. And we’ve learned that some creatures in the magical world are… quite different from what we’re used to.”
Arthur looked at Sam with great interest. “Maybe we should have a talk about Muggle protection techniques. I’m sure the Ministry could use that.”
Dean rolled his eyes. “Sure. Maybe you could also give us a lesson on how not to walk through walls to get somewhere.”
Arthur grinned widely. “Well, I have to say… I find you fascinating. Muggles with knowledge of the supernatural! Molly, can you imagine?”
Molly rolled her eyes. “Yes, Arthur. Fascinating. But we have to go.” Arthur extended his hand again to Dean and Sam. “It’s been a pleasure. Maybe we’ll see each other again.”
Dean grinned briefly and shook his hand. “Maybe.” As the Weasleys left, Dean watched them go. “Strange people.” Sam chuckled. “They could say the same about us.”
***
Dana sat alone in her compartment, her wand safely tucked away in her handbag. She looked out at the fields that shot past the window, trying to ignore the nervousness in her stomach. Everything still felt so strange. The train, the magical world… the fact that she was without Sam and Dean for the first time.
Just as she was starting to feel a little lost, the compartment door slammed open. “This looks like a great place to relax, Fred,” said a boy with bright red hair and a wide grin. “Absolutely, George,” replied the other, who looked exactly the same.
Dana looked up in surprise. Two boys who were identical. Twins. They both had a mischievous twinkle in their eyes and wore their Hogwarts uniforms casually, as if they were completely out of place there. “Hello there,” said the first twin. “You’re all alone here. Is that okay?”
Dana smiled cautiously. “I think so?” The second brother leaned against the doorframe. “We’re Fred and George Weasley. And you are?”
Dana hesitated. She knew the name Potter meant a lot in the magical world, but it felt strange to introduce herself like that. “Dana,” she said softly. “Dana Potter.”
The twins’ reaction wasn’t what she expected. Instead of being shocked or asking strange questions, they simply exchanged a knowing look.
“Potter, you say?” Fred asked.
“Interesting,” George said.
Dana felt uncomfortable. “Why is that interesting?”
“Don’t worry,” Fred said quickly, plopping down on the couch next to her. “We’ve had our fair share of dealings with famous people.”
“Yeah,” George nodded seriously. “Our mother says we’re pretty famous too. At least, in the neighborhood.” Dana giggled. “You guys are funny.”
“We’re trying,” Fred said with a wink. “First year huh?” Dana nodded.
“We’re third years,” George said. “But we don’t want to brag about how much we know.” He grinned. “Although, if you want some tips on how to avoid Filch…”
“Or how to avoid Peeves…”
“Or how to find the best places to get lost…” Dana laughed harder. For the first time since she’d been on the train, she felt at ease. Fred pulled a bag of Hogwarts Sweets from his coat. “Sweets?”
Dana carefully picked up a Chocolate Frog. “Thanks.” George leaned forward slightly. “So, Dana Potter… who drove you to the station?” Dana’s smiled. “My dad and uncle.”
Fred and George exchanged another look. This time more seriously. “You have two dads?” Fred asked. “No… I’m adopted,” Dana explained. “By Dean Winchester.”
The twins stared at her, and then George broke into a grin. “Winchester? Like… the famous hunters?” Dana looked surprised. “You know them?”
“Our father works at the Ministry of Magic,” Fred explained. “He sometimes talks about Muggles hunting magical creatures.” George nodded enthusiastically. “He finds it fascinating.” Dana chuckled. “That’s what they always say.”
Fred gave her a gentle slap on the shoulder. “Look, Potter. With that name and that family behind you… you don’t have to worry about anything. You’ll be fine.” Dana sat with her Chocolate Frog in her hand, listening to the twins put her at ease with their witty remarks. But as the train took a sharp turn, she frowned at them.
“How does it… work with the houses?” she asked cautiously. “I mean… I know you’re sorted somewhere. But what if I don’t fit?” Fred and George exchanged another look, but this time with a bit more seriousness. “Oh, that won’t happen,” George said reassuringly.
“Exactly,” Fred nodded. “Everyone fits somewhere. The Sorting Hat knows where you belong.” Dana bit her lip. “But… what if I end up in Slytherin?”
George raised his eyebrows. “Why would that be a bad thing?” Dana looked at him in surprise. “Well… I heard from Hagrid that’s the bad house.”
Fred shook his head. “That’s not entirely true. Yes, bad people have come from Slytherin. But bad people have come from other houses, too.” George leaned forward a little. “Houses are a description of who you are, not what you’ll become.”
Fred began with his typical humor. “Look, I’m a Gryffindor. That means I’m brave.” He pointed at George. “And he’s a Gryffindor too… but he’s mostly reckless.” George playfully smacked him on the shoulder. “Well, thank you.”
Fred continued. “Ravenclaw means you’re a learner. Hufflepuff means you’re hardworking and loyal.” Dana looked at him expectantly. “And… Slytherin?” George thought for a moment. “Slytherin means you’re ambitious and want to protect yourself. That’s not a bad thing at all.”
Dana frowned. “So it doesn’t matter where I end up?” Fred smiled warmly. “No, really. The only thing that matters is that you stay true to yourself.” George nodded. “And who knows… you might end up in Gryffindor with us.” Dana laughed softly. “I would like that.”
***
The sky was dark as the Hogwarts Express screeched to a halt on the platform at Hogsmeade Station. Dana stood in the doorway of the carriage, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to take it all in.
“This is it,” she whispered to herself, her breath visible in the crisp evening air. The doors of the train swung open and dozens of children stepped out, chatting and laughing as they packed their bags. Dana felt overwhelmed. She looked around, searching for a familiar face, but everything still felt so strange.
Suddenly, a deep, friendly voice rang out across the platform.
“FIRST YEARS! FIRST YEARS, OVER HERE!”
Dana’s face brightened as she saw Hagrid, waving his huge hands. She hurried over to him, her cloak wrapped tightly around her.
“There you are, Dana!” Hagrid called with a wide smile. “Come on, girl.” Dana walked beside him as Hagrid led a group of first-years down the dark path. The lake glistened in the moonlight, and on the other side, the silhouette of Hogwarts appeared, vast and magical.
Dana held her breath. The castle looked like something out of a fairy tale. Towers and spires towered skyward, while lights flickered in the windows.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered. Hagrid smiled at her. “It certainly is, girl.”
The first-years followed Professor McGonagall through the large wooden doors and into the Great Hall, where floating candles hung above them and the ceiling reflected the starry sky. Dana’s eyes widened in wonder. “This is magical,” she murmured.
McGonagall led the group forward, where the Sorting Hat sat on a wooden stool. Dana swallowed. She had heard about this from Fred and George, but it still felt intimidating.
The professor spoke in her usual stern voice, “When I call your name, you will come forward and put on the hat. The hat will sort you into one of four houses.” Dana felt her hands trembling as the names were called out one by one.
“Bones, Susan.”
“HUFFLEPUFF!”
“Bones, Terry.”
“RAVENCLAW!”
Dana looked around. The Slytherin table looked grim with its silver and green decorations, while Gryffindor looked warm and inviting.
Suddenly McGonagall’s voice sounded again, and this time she called out, “Potter, Dana.”
The Great Hall fell silent. All eyes were on her.
Dana swallowed hard and stepped forward. She could feel the gazes of the older students on her, but she held her head high. She sat down on the stool and put on the hat.
The hat dropped down over her eyes and immediately began to speak. Dana sat quietly on the stool, the Sorting Hat firmly on her head. The great hall suddenly seemed very quiet, as if everyone was holding their breath. “Hmm,” the hat began, its voice soft but piercing in her ears. “Very interesting. A Potter and a Winchester. What a combination.”
Dana swallowed. “What do you mean by that?”
“Oh, I see a lot in you. Courage, certainly. But also a deep loyalty and a strong desire for a home. You’ve been through a lot, girl.” She nodded slightly. “I just want to belong somewhere.”
The hat hummed thoughtfully. “Gryffindor would suit you well because of your courage and determination. But that’s not your greatest strength. You’re loyal to those you love, and you have a big heart. Hufflepuff will help you grow.” Dana felt a wave of relief flow through her. “Hufflepuff sounds… nice.”
“Nice, you say? No, Hufflepuff is much more than just nice. It’s a place where you will flourish. So let’s make it clear: HUFFLEPUFF!” The Hufflepuff table erupted in loud applause and cheers. Dana breathed a sigh of relief as she carefully removed the hat and slid off the stool. Her hands were shaking a little, but her heart felt lighter. As she walked to the Hufflepuff table, she heard whispers going through the hall.
“Potter? She’s a Potter?”
“I thought she was going to be in Gryffindor.”
“Interesting…”
At the Hufflepuff table, a friendly girl with dark brown hair stood up and beckoned her enthusiastically. “Come here, you can sit with us!” Dana smiled and sat down next to the girl, who immediately introduced herself. “I’m Hannah Abbott. And this is Susan Bones.”
Susan nodded politely. “Welcome to Hufflepuff.” Dana finally felt more at ease. The warmth and friendliness of her new house gave her a sense of security she had never felt before.
Fred and George, sitting at the Gryffindor table, clapped loudly and grinned at Dana. Fred leaned toward George. “She’ll do just fine there. She’s got the right people around her.”
“Absolutely,” said George. “Hufflepuff is a good choice.”
Dana felt more at home at dinner. The Hufflepuffs were friendly, and they put her at ease with stories about Hogwarts and what to expect. Hannah leaned toward her. “Don’t worry, we’ll help you find your way around. That’s what Hufflepuffs do.” Dana smiled. For the first time in a long time, she felt like this might work out.