Arrival at Hogwarts
September 1, 1937
The shrill sound of the tracks, accompanied by the echo of the whistle, signalled that the train had finally come to a halt. The students, brimming with anticipation, began moving towards the exit as September’s twilight sky enveloped them in a gentle breeze. The walk to the castle was lengthy but filled with murmurs and whispers. Even before properly meeting one another, the young witches and wizards expressed their personalities and interests through curious glances and discreet remarks.
Upon reaching the lakeshore, small boats swayed gently atop the water. The grand Hogwarts Castle, with its towering, imposing spires, emerged before the wide eyes of most new students. It was impossible not to notice the awe on their faces, though some attempted to conceal it.
Indeed, the astonished expressions of some, gazing up at the castle's vastness from their tiny boats, were notable as they observed the tall, shadowy towers.
Abraxas Malfoy, however, could not resist commenting to Tom Riddle that he had a home nearly as large (perhaps a childish exaggeration, but not entirely untrue) where he spent his summers. Orion Black, too, took the opportunity to boast of his own estates.
After a brief crossing, the boats reached the opposite shore, and the students disembarked, climbing the steps leading to the castle entrance. At the top, Hogwarts revealed its grandeur, with extensive corridors and walls emanating centuries of magical history. The young students were guided by a petite yet elegant woman who introduced herself as Abigail Collins.
As they proceeded, groups of students began to separate, engaging in lively conversations. At the back of the crowd, a rather large boy held his hands together nervously, his posture slightly withdrawn.
Mrs. Collins led them into a grand, majestic hall with an enchanted ceiling reflecting the outside sky—undeniably magical. Four long tables, each adorned with banners in distinct colours, stood prominently. The older students, already seated, wore uniforms matching the banners’ colours and observed the newcomers with varied reactions, mostly amused.
Following instructions, the new students formed a long queue in the centre of the hall, moving towards a raised platform where a slightly worn wooden stool was placed.
A name was called: William Lestrange, a hunched, sharp-featured boy with dark hair. As the boy sat on the small stool, whispers and surprised murmurs filled the air at the sight of the remarkable, shrieking hat. It didn’t take long before the Sorting Hat bellowed “SLYTHERIN,” and the boy jumped up, grinning, making his way to the green and silver table with the serpent emblem in its centre, greeted by triumphant cheers from the older students.
The new students seemed to relax after William's sorting—some, at least—having started to grasp the process.
Next came the name “Tom Riddle,” and for some reason, the room seemed to fall slightly quieter. The young boy walked slowly and calmly towards the stool, where, almost instantly, the hat proclaimed yet another “SLYTHERIN,” sending him to the table of the coiling serpent.
Several students followed, and then the observant Minerva McGonagall was called, taking a seat on the stool.
“Well, what do we have here…” the hat mused in an ancient tone. “A fine mind indeed…”
Minerva allowed a faint smile to grace her lips, sitting a little straighter, almost proudly.
“A very fine mind, yes… Wisdom, hmm, certainly. Determination, too… Ravenclaw, perhaps? But I see a strong sense of leadership...”
Shortly after, the hat shouted “GRYFFINDOR,” and loud cheers erupted from the red-and-gold table with the golden lion emblem. With an intrigued expression, but her lips pressed into a smile, Minerva rose and made her way to the table.
Following her, Lyall Lupin, who had been observing the young girl from afar, was called.
“Hmm, let’s see… Truly, another bright mind here,” the hat drawled, sounding amused yet determined. “A good blend in this one, hmm? Courage, yes, but not quite enough… Let’s put this to good use: RAVENCLAW.”
Lyall seemed somewhat puzzled but noticed the applause from the table (not as boisterous as Gryffindor or Slytherin) and made his way to the blue-and-silver table with the bronze eagle emblem. He waved briefly to Minerva across the hall, and she returned the gesture with a smile. The two then turned their attention to a fair-haired girl ascending the steps gracefully: Poppy Pomfrey.
It didn’t take long for the hat to echo “HUFFLEPUFF,” and now the four found themselves at entirely different tables. Poppy waved cheerfully at the two by the staircase and then proceeded to the merry yellow-and-black table with the black badger emblem.
The students were called one by one until a boy with an exceptionally charming smile took the seat after hearing the name “Fleamont Potter.” The hat barely took a moment to place him in the house of the golden lion, where Fleamont leapt up, placing a hand on his chest proudly, as triumphant cheers erupted from Gryffindor.
After Fleamont, the slender black-haired girl, Eileen Prince, made her way to the stool. She appeared somewhat nervous, but a certain red-haired boy in the queue behind her smiled, giving her an encouraging nod.
“Ah, very good, very good. Plenty of potential here… SLYTHERIN.”
Eileen seemed caught in a mixture of emotions but offered a small smile, brushing her hair from her face as she rose. She waved to the two other students in the queue and walked over to the bustling table of the silver serpent.
Ignatius Prewett, next in line, was also swiftly sorted into “GRYFFINDOR.” He chuckled and made his way to the lively red table.
The next name called was “Lucretia Black.” A small hush fell over the hall. Everyone knew of the Black family, and it was no surprise that young members of the lineage would begin their Hogwarts journey this year.
“Well, another Black,” the hat drawled nostalgically. “Interesting, very interesting… A Black, hmm?”
A brief pause followed, and Lucretia’s bronzed complexion seemed to redden slightly as she stared fixedly at a point ahead, her face stunned.
But after those few seconds (which felt like hours of torment for the young girl), the hat shouted “SLYTHERIN,” and Lucretia’s muscles seemed to relax at last. She sighed quietly, as though relieved, and glanced at Ignatius in the distance, smiling before sitting beside Eileen at the Slytherin table.
Walburga Black was next, and once again, curious gazes followed. However, her sorting required no deliberation; the hat barely brushed her head before declaring “SLYTHERIN.”
Behind her, Euphemia Foster observed the girl’s poised stride as she walked to the table. When Euphemia herself took the stool, the hat assessed her with playful enthusiasm.
“Ah, yes. Cleverness here… Determination, excellent… SLYTHERIN!”
Euphemia looked puzzled but made her way to the Slytherin table nonetheless.
The sorting continued until the queue dwindled to its final student: Rubeus Hagrid, the giant boy.
Whispers and glances followed him as he nervously held his hands while approaching the stool. His large frame drew murmurs about whether the small wooden stool would survive, but surprisingly, it remained intact. Mrs. Collins placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, and within seconds, the hat bellowed “GRYFFINDOR.”
For a moment, silence lingered before a magnificent feast appeared across the vast tables. Excited chatter and laughter erupted as steaming dishes stretched across their lengths.
At Gryffindor’s table, Fleamont Potter enthusiastically shared tales of Quidditch, though Minerva McGonagall remained disinterested, eating her warm potatoes and tender meat quietly. Sienna Goyle, however, seemed enthralled by everything Quidditch-related, much to Fleamont’s delight, prompting him to talk even more. Nearby, Ignatius Prewett, amused by Fleamont’s interaction, paid brief attention before another boy, Michael, asked about his red hair, leading Ignatius to recount nearly his entire family tree.
Meanwhile, Ravenclaw’s table was much calmer. Lyall Lupin found himself seated next to Audrey Bones, engaging in a conversation about Hogwarts. Audrey, with her bright blue eyes, struck Lyall as particularly pleasant. Sybill Trelawney soon joined in, introducing herself with her curly hair and rapid speech, leaving Lyall slightly bewildered but intrigued.
At the Slytherin table, Eileen Prince and Lucretia Black exchanged words, joined by Euphemia Foster. Walburga Black, seated nearby, scolded her brother Alphard Black for something he had done at the table. Abraxas Malfoy, meanwhile, entertained Orion Black with jokes about random professors, eliciting hearty laughter and a stern glance from his cousin. Orion straightened his posture slightly, though his expression remained amused. Tom Riddle, quietly eating, raised an eyebrow at Orion’s remark about his eating habits, causing Abraxas to nearly choke on his food. Tom’s penetrating gaze softened into a faint smirk.
And so, at last, Poppy sat smiling at her table, having already socialised with several Hufflepuffs around her. Miles Bones, a boy with striking hazel eyes, spoke to her animatedly, exuding both kindness and serenity. Mabel Craven, a second-year student, also joined the conversation, chatting about her skills in Defence Against the Dark Arts, proving to be both engaging and pleasant company.
The dinner continued in this lively manner, with students gradually getting to know one another.
When the feast finally concluded, the first-years were gathered according to their respective houses and led away by their prefects.
For Hufflepuff, Bertie Hodge, the house prefect, took charge. Organising the group efficiently, he led them down a staircase near the kitchens. Stopping before a stack of barrels, he spoke a specific password and tapped on the correct barrel rhythmically. The entrance to the common room revealed itself, immediately radiating warmth and comfort.
The Hufflepuff common room was rustic and natural in design, dominated by wooden furnishings and lush greenery. Its inviting atmosphere was amplified by the soft glow of candles and magical lamps. The space was adorned with plants and featured simple yet comfortable furniture. There were communal tables for group activities, giving the area a homely, countryside vibe, perfectly encapsulating the essence of the house.
Meanwhile, in Ravenclaw, Felicity Hawke, the house prefect, took time to share instructions with the new students before leading them on an extensive journey up to the tower. At the entrance, they were greeted by an enchanted door, which would only open once a riddle posed by a sphinx was answered correctly.
Upon entering the Ravenclaw common room, the first-years were met with an air of calm and contemplation. The space was decorated in shades of blue and silver, the house colours, with refined and elegant furnishings. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with tomes and intriguing artefacts, encouraging curiosity and intellectual growth. A ceiling enchanted to reflect the night sky created a serene, open atmosphere, complemented by the breath-taking view from the tower’s windows. This common room fostered creativity, introspection, and inspiration.
The Gryffindor first-years, forming a large group, were guided by their prefect, Jasper Flint. He led them through an intricate path to the castle's west wing. After ascending a tower, they reached a portrait of a rather plump woman. Jasper spoke the password, reminding the new students to remember it, and the portrait swung open to reveal their common room.
The Gryffindor common room was immediately welcoming, exuding warmth and energy. A large hearth dominated the room, casting a cheerful glow. The walls were adorned with tapestries, while expansive windows provided a stunning view of the castle grounds. The furniture, upholstered in rich red and gold—the house colours—was arranged around study tables and cosy seating areas. A bulletin board hung prominently, brimming with notices and announcements.
As the students settled in, Jasper called for their attention, pulling out a notebook to assign dormitory groups. Each group of four to five students received a set of instructions and their keys. Once all were organised, the first-years ascended the stairs to their respective dormitories, separating into boys' and girls' wings.
For Slytherin, the journey to their common room was notably different. Led by their prefect, Thaddeus Carrow, the first-years descended below ground level, following a shadowy and silent path deep into the dungeons. They stopped before an imposing stone wall, which opened seamlessly upon Thaddeus speaking the password.
The Slytherin common room was dark and enigmatic, reflecting a more serious and reserved atmosphere. The room’s cool temperature and subdued lighting, with green-tinted lamps, created an eerie but sophisticated ambience. The walls, clad in dark stone, gave the room a stately feel. Furnishings were in deep green and silver, plush yet formal. The vast space featured an impressive fireplace, completing the room's sense of exclusivity and mystery.
And so, the first night at Hogwarts came to a close. Each student settled into their dormitories, filled with anticipation for the year ahead —a year that promised to be rich with discoveries, friendships, and adventures.