Harry Potter: Awakening the Unknown

Harry had just opened the cabin door, stepping aside to let Hermione and Neville back in. The two returned with slightly flushed faces from the rush of navigating the crowded corridors. Outside the window, the darkening sky loomed over rolling hills, and in the distance, faint lights flickered.

"We're almost there," Hermione said, adjusting her robes. "I can't believe we're about to see Hogwarts in person."

Neville nodded. "Gran always said it looked like something out of a storybook. I wonder what the Sorting will be like."

Harry glanced down, brushing some stray lint off himself. He had read about the Sorting but wasn't entirely sure what to expect.

"We'll find out soon enough," Harry said, his fingers brushing against his wand where it rested in his pocket.

The train slowed, the rhythmic clatter of the wheels gradually easing into silence. An older student's voice echoed through the compartments: "We will be arriving at Hogwarts in five minutes! Please leave your luggage on the train; it will be taken to the school separately."

Excitement buzzed in the air as students gathered their final things. Hermione straightened her robes one last time, while Neville made sure Trevor was securely tucked into his pocket. The toad had tried to get away twice already, and Neville wasn't about to take any more chances.

Outside, the last traces of sunlight slipped beneath the horizon and the train gave a final, gentle lurch as it came to a stop.

The moment the train doors slid open the scent of damp earth and fresh pine rushed in. Students spilled onto the platform in a flurry of movement, their excited chatter filling the night.

A booming voice cut through the noise.

"Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here!"

Harry turned toward the source and spotted a towering figure holding a lantern high above his head. He was hard to miss, standing well above the crowd.

"Come on," Harry said, nodding toward the group forming around the huge man. Hermione and Neville followed, weaving through the herds of older students.

As they reached the gathered first-years, the man beamed down at them. "Right then—follow me! Mind yer step now, it's a bit dark!"

The students murmured among themselves as they followed him away from the station, down a narrow, winding path. The sounds of the train faded behind them, replaced by the distant hoot of an owl and the rustling of leaves.

Then, as they rounded a bend, the path suddenly opened up, revealing Hogwarts.

Gasps and awed whispers filled the air.

Perched atop a great, rocky hill, the castle stood illuminated against the night sky, its many turrets and towers reaching toward the stars. Golden lights shone from the tall windows, reflecting off the vast black lake below. It was grander than anything Harry had ever imagined.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called, motioning toward the small fleet of boats bobbing along the lake's edge.

Harry, Hermione, and Neville quickly clambered into one, an empty spot left for a fourth passenger. A moment later, another boy climbed in, a wiry-looking student with sandy hair and a nervous expression.

"Er—hello," the boy said, settling in. "I'm Justin. Justin Finch-Fletchley."

"Neville Longbottom," Neville introduced himself with a small nod.

"I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione added, offering him a polite smile. "Are you Muggle-born?"

Justin nodded. "Yeah, my parents are both non-magical. I was supposed to go to Eton before I got my letter." He glanced toward the castle, his expression a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. "This is all… a lot to take in."

"It is," Hermione agreed, her eyes shining as she took in the sight of the illuminated towers. "But incredible, isn't it? I've read all about Hogwarts, but seeing it is something else."

Harry, who had been watching the reflections on the water, turned his gaze to Justin. "Harry Potter."

Justin's eyes widened slightly. "Oh! I—well, I've heard about you, of course." He hesitated. "I suppose a lot of people have."

Harry gave a small, nonchalant shrug. He was beginning to expect that reaction.

"You'll get used to it," Neville muttered to Harry before glancing at Justin. "So, do you know much about magic yet?"

"Not really," Justin admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've only read a bit since I found out I was a wizard. But I did manage to make my mum's teacups float across the room once."

Hermione perked up. "That's impressive! Most students haven't done any controlled magic before arriving."

Justin grinned. "I don't know about controlled... I think she nearly had a heart attack."

The group chuckled, and some of Justin's nervousness seemed to ease.

"So, what house do you all want to be in?" Justin asked, glancing between them.

Neville fidgeted. "Gran says my whole family's been in Gryffindor, so she expects me to be there too… but I'm not so sure."

"I just want to be somewhere I can learn as much as possible," Hermione said eagerly. "Ravenclaw would be a good fit, but Gryffindor sounds exciting too."

"I don't really mind," Harry said truthfully, though he had a feeling his choice might be more complicated.

Justin hummed in thought. "Well, I read about the houses a bit. I think Hufflepuff sounds nice. It seems like a good place for people who want to work hard and get along."

"That does sound nice," Neville admitted.

Their conversation was cut short as they neared the ivy-covered cliffside. The boats glided smoothly beneath an archway and into a dark tunnel. Water lapped gently against the stone, the only sound in the enclosed space.

"Guess we'll find out soon enough," Harry murmured.

The four exchanged glances with excitement and nerves spread across their faces. The journey across the lake had been brief, but it had already cemented a sense of camaraderie between them.

As the boats docked at the underground harbor, they climbed out, Justin staying close to them as the first-years gathered together.

"Good luck," he said with a small grin.

"You too," Hermione replied.

Hagrid led the way up a flight of steep steps, finally stopping before a set of enormous doors. He raised a giant fist and knocked three times.

A moment later, the doors swung open.

Professor McGonagall stood in the doorway, her sharp gaze scanning over the gathered first-years. Dressed in deep emerald robes, she held herself with an air of quiet authority.

"The first-years, Professor," Hagrid rumbled.

"Thank you, Hagrid." McGonagall turned to the students. "Follow me."

The group shuffled forward, stepping into the grand entrance hall. The ceiling stretched high above them, lit by floating torches and glistening chandeliers. The polished stone floor reflected the light, adding to the castle's already overwhelming majesty.

"This way."

McGonagall led them through another set of doors and into a smaller chamber just off the main hall. The murmur of hundreds of voices could be heard beyond the walls, hinting at the vast crowd waiting for them.

"The Sorting Ceremony will begin momentarily," McGonagall announced, her sharp eyes surveying them. "While you wait, please compose yourselves."

She swept out of the room, leaving the first-years in an anxious silence.

"So… how do you think they'll do it?" Justin asked, looking around. "The Sorting, I mean."

"I've read about it," Hermione whispered. "Although there wasn't anything written in—"

She was cut off as several students yelped. Ghosts had just floated through the walls, their translucent forms drifting among the group.

"Ah, new students!" One ghost, a pearly white figure in fine robes, smiled at them. "Welcome to Hogwarts! I am Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, the resident ghost of Gryffindor House"

"Nearly Headless Nick," a student muttered, and the ghost frowned.

Harry barely heard the rest of the conversation. His heart was pounding.

In just a few minutes, he'd be stepping into the Great Hall to be sorted.