Chapter ─ 2 | Hogwarts
Night had fallen, and several hours had passed since the earlier incident. Barty, Pandora, Noelle, and I were still deep in conversation when, one by one, we took turns going to the bathroom to change into our school uniforms. Before long, the train began to slow, and soon enough, we had arrived at the station.
Stepping off the train, we were greeted by a large, burly man with a wild beard and a slightly round belly. He introduced himself as Hagrid, and in a booming voice, he called for all the first years to gather. He was to escort us to Hogwarts.
We followed Hagrid down a winding trail until we reached a lake, where a cluster of boats awaited us. Turning to face the group of nervous first years, Hagrid announced, ─ Right, first years! Y’all will be takin’ a boat adventure across the lake to get to the school. Four to a boat! ─
Once everyone had found a boat, we settled in, and the boats began to glide across the water. I stared in awe as the reflections of stars danced on the surface of the lake, and in the distance, the silhouette of the towering Hogwarts castle came into view. It felt like magic itself surrounded us.
After several mesmerizing minutes, the boats reached the shore, and we disembarked. Hagrid led us up to the castle gates, where an elderly man with a sour expression greeted us. Hagrid introduced him as Filch, the school’s caretaker. He would guide us the rest of the way.
We followed Filch through several winding corridors and up a few staircases before finally arriving at a large room. Moments later, a tall woman entered, wearing a pointed hat and dark green robes. She introduced herself as Professor Minerva McGonagall.
─ In just a few moments, ─ she began, her voice crisp and authoritative, ─ you will be sorted into your houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin. While you are here, your house will be like your family. You will earn points for good behavior, and lose points for breaking the rules. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will be awarded the House Cup. ─
After delivering her speech, Professor McGonagall gestured for us to follow her. She led us to a set of large double doors and turned to face us once more.
─ Any questions? ─ she asked.
No one spoke.
Satisfied, she opened the doors, revealing the Great Hall, which was illuminated by floating candles and filled with four long tables. Each table was filled with students dressed in their house colors: red, yellow, blue, and green. We followed McGonagall to the front of the hall, where a single stool stood with a ragged old hat resting on top.
Suddenly, the hat’s brim opened wide, and it began to sing:
─ Oh, you may not think I’m pretty,
But don’t judge on what you see,
I’ll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
For I’m the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all,
There’s nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can’t see.
So put me on! Don’t be afraid!
And don’t get in a flap!
You’re in safe hands (though I have none)
For I’m a Thinking Cap! ─
Once the song ended, Professor McGonagall stepped forward, holding a long scroll in one hand and the Sorting Hat in the other. She began to call out names.
After about ten students were sorted, she called, ─ Barty Crouch Jr. ─
Barty grinned widely and stepped forward. He sat on the stool, and the hat was placed on his head. After a few moments of deliberation, the hat shouted, ─ RAVENCLAW! ─
Barty stood up, grinning, and made his way to the table where the students in blue sat, applauding him.
Next, McGonagall called, ─ Pandora Lestrange. ─
Pandora, looking a bit nervous, approached the stool. The hat barely touched her head before it declared, ─ RAVENCLAW! ─
With a relieved smile, Pandora joined Barty at the Ravenclaw table.
A few more students were sorted, including a terrified girl named Emily Blishwick, who took several minutes before the hat finally announced, ─ GRYFFINDOR! ─
Then, it was Noelle’s turn.
She walked forward with a calm expression, though I could tell she was nervous. Like with Pandora, the hat didn’t even need to think twice. ─ SLYTHERIN! ─ it shouted almost instantly.
I watched as she joined the Slytherin table, looking relieved. After a few more names were called, it was my turn.
─ Regulus Jackson. ─
I walked quickly to the stool, sat down, and waited. As soon as the hat touched my head, it boomed, ─ SLYTHERIN! ─
Relief washed over me as I hurried over to join Noelle at the Slytherin table. At least I wouldn’t be alone.
Once the sorting was complete, a bearded man stood up at the staff table, commanding everyone’s attention. ─ Welcome! ─ he said, his voice full of warmth. ─ I am Albus Dumbledore, your Headmaster. Before we begin the feast, I would like to remind you that the third-floor corridor is strictly forbidden this year. And now, let the feast begin! ─
With those words, the tables magically filled with food, and everyone began talking excitedly about the year ahead. In the midst of the lively banquet, I found myself sitting at the long table, still absorbing the grandeur of the Great Hall. Noelle had just introduced me to her older brother, Iyon Macmillan, and his friends, Cardan Yaxley and Severus Snape. They were nice enough, but my attention drifted back to the enchanting ceiling that mirrored the night sky, while students around us reveled in their meals and laughter.
As I admired the floating candles, a curious thing happened: several ghosts began to glide into the hall. I felt a flutter of nerves when I noticed them approaching, their forms glowing softly in the warm candlelight.
Most of them seemed to recognize me, their expressions shifting to ones of warmth and familiarity. A nearly headless ghost, with a jovial demeanor, floated closer and nodded at me, a smile tugging at his translucent lips. I could sense the whispers amongst them, acknowledgments of my lineage that remained unspoken in the presence of the other students.
A mix of pride and unease washed over me. I was aware that they were here to greet me as the son of Hades, yet they kept their voices low, mindful of the surrounding students and professors. I glanced at Noelle, who was deep in conversation with a ghost who went to greet her, unaware of the specters circling around me.
The nearly headless ghost leaned in closer, his voice soft but encouraging. ─ You’ll find many allies here, Regulus, ─ he said. ─ Embrace your heritage, and you’ll thrive. ─
I nodded, feeling the weight of his words sink in. The warmth of the ghosts surrounded me, but a part of me remained cautious, wondering what expectations came with my lineage. As they continued to hover nearby, I felt a strange mix of comfort and pressure, like I was on the cusp of something significant, yet still uncertain of how to navigate it. After that we all chatted for a while, discussing Hogwarts and what to expect. Before long, the feast came to an end, and Dumbledore instructed the prefects to escort the first years to their house common rooms.
Noelle and I joined the other first-year Slytherins as we followed the Slytherin prefect down into the dungeons. We descended a long staircase and eventually reached a solid stone wall. The prefect turned to face us.
─ Every common room has a way to enter, ─ he explained. ─ In Slytherin’s case, it’s a password. This year’s password is ‘Salazar.’ ─
Entering through a wide, imposing archway supported by dark stone pilasters, you step onto a set of dark wooden stairs, seven steps polished to a deep shine. The stairs lead you into the common room, where the walls are painted in a charcoal gray, almost black, that absorbs the dim light and gives the room an air of mystery. The floors are made of the same dark wood, smooth and elegant underfoot, large windows looked out into the lake, where we could see the shadows of fish swimming by.
Ahead is the seating area, arranged to exude both comfort and elegance. A large, gently curved sofa in deep gray velvet forms the focal point of the room, its soft, rounded edges inviting you to sink into its cushions. The sofa is complemented by a few high-backed armchairs, each in matching dark gray fabric.
A wide coffee table sits in the middle of the arrangement, made of black marble with a silver trim. The table is adorned with a few items: a decorative silver snake-shaped candle holder, a stack of neatly arranged magical texts, and a small, intricately carved bowl filled with polished stones.
Around the seating area, a few potted plants, mostly dark green ferns and climbing vines, bring life to the otherwise cool, dark space. Their pots are silver, engraved with subtle snake motifs, adding a touch of organic elegance.In the corners of the room, there are a few tall standing lamps shaped like twisted serpents, casting a soft greenish light that enhances the mysterious ambiance.
To the right of the common area is a small kitchen with a sleek, dark marble island in the center. The kitchen is functional yet stylish, with dark green cabinetry and black granite countertops. Silver fixtures shaped like snakes’ heads add a touch of the house’s theme to the room. A black tea set rests on the countertop, ready for late-night study sessions. The kitchen includes a shelf filled with glass jars of various magical herbs and potions ingredients, all neatly labeled and arranged.
On either side of the kitchen are two doors, each with a brass plaque indicating the bathrooms, one for girls and one for boys. The bathrooms themselves are clean and modern, featuring silver fixtures, dark stone sinks, and walls lined with emerald tiles that give off a faint, watery glow.
Off to the left is a hallway that leads to the dormitories, the entrance marked by a silver plaque engraved with ‘Dormitories.’ The walls here are lined with deep green tapestries bearing the Slytherin crest, and the occasional silver-framed mirror reflects the dim light of the lamps.
Throughout the common room, subtle snake motifs can be found: from the snake-shaped candelabras, to the embroidered throw pillows on the sofa, to the coiled serpent sculptures sitting on polished wooden shelves.
The color palette is dominated by deep greens and charcoal grays, with silver accents giving the room a regal, noble feel. Everything in the common room feels carefully chosen, designed to reflect the prestige of Slytherin House, while also being a cozy place to unwind after a long day of studies. The room gives off an aura of quiet power, ambition, and comfort, a space where cunning minds can relax and plan their next move.
The prefect then explained how the dormitories were divided, with the boys’ rooms to the left and the girls’ rooms to the right. He wished us a good night and reminded us to meet him in the morning to receive our class schedules.
As we said our goodbyes, Noelle and I went to find our respective rooms. I didn’t have much trouble finding mine, and when I opened the door, I was greeted by a spacious room with noble decor. A grand staircase led to a small section lined with bookshelves. Large windows gave a perfect view of the lake outside. There were luxurious beds, desks for studying, and a few more bookshelves scattered around.
Not long after I arrived, two other boys entered. They introduced themselves as Evan Rosier and Rabastan Lestrange.
Recognizing the name, I asked Rabastan if he was related to Pandora. He nodded. ─ She’s my cousin, ─ he said.
I smiled, mentioning that I had met her on the train ride to school. The three of us stayed up talking late into the night, sharing stories about our journey to Hogwarts and what we hoped for in the year ahead. Finally, we decided to call it a night and headed to bed.