Arriving at Hogwarts

After they got off the train, the chill of the night made Neville instinctively hunch his shoulders. He glanced at Klein, who had already changed into his robes, and couldn't help asking,

"Klein, aren't you cold at all?"

"Did you know, Neville? The trick to not feeling cold is to pretend you're nice and warm. It's a psychological technique. You can give it a try, too."

Klein spoke unhurriedly, still wearing that calm, unruffled expression, as if the cold air didn't bother him in the least.

"Really?"

Neville's face lit up with surprise. He believed Klein without reservation.

The truth, however, was that no matter how often he muttered, "I'm not cold," his body kept shivering.

"All right, I was joking. The reason I'm not cold is that I'm wearing an extra undershirt."

It was fun to trick an honest person, but it could also leave one feeling guilty. Seeing the chubby boy's adorably earnest expression, Klein's dwindling conscience finally pricked him, and he told Neville the truth.

"Klein!"

Realizing he'd been had, Neville let out an indignant yelp and widened his round eyes.

He wasn't really angry. In fact, he was quite happy that Klein was willing to joke around with him.

"Okay, is everyone off the train? Gather around, over here."

Suddenly, a deep, thunderous voice came from the front of the group. A hulking giant with a scraggly beard held up a lantern and swung it from side to side, trying to catch everyone's attention.

"I'm here to meet you. Are there any first-years still on the train? No? Good. Follow me! And watch your step!"

Rubeus Hagrid, Hogwarts' gamekeeper, looked delighted. As he ushered the first-years along, he hummed an unfamiliar tune.

They left the dark, chilly station and found themselves surrounded by dense, ancient trees. The silence was almost frightening.

"Whoa, watch out. The path's a bit tricky here."

Hagrid swung his lantern and led the way down a steep, narrow path. Everyone hurried after him, stumbling and slipping along the way. Before long, their freshly changed robes were smeared with wet mud and dew.

"I hate this path," Neville muttered, sniffling. A protruding bush had just torn a hole in his sock.

"Just hang on a little longer. I think we should be close to the school," Klein said softly, offering a mildly helpless smile as he tried to comfort him.

Sure enough, the instant he finished speaking, Hagrid's booming voice rang out again.

"Hogwarts!"

"Wow!"

Though they were tired just moments ago, the young boys and girls were suddenly full of energy. They ran to the end of the path and eagerly looked out at the view—a huge, black lake stretched before them, and beyond it stood a castle with turrets reaching into the sky and windows glittering beneath the stars.

"Hogwarts," Klein murmured, anticipation in his eyes.

This castle would be his new beginning.

"All right, you'll have plenty of time to be amazed once we're inside the castle. Now, get in the boats!" Hagrid called, pointing to a row of small boats moored by the lake.

"No more than four to a boat. Hurry up, you little ones."

Klein and Neville picked a boat at random and settled in. Sharing it with them were a Black boy named Dean and a girl who didn't talk much.

"Is everyone aboard?"

Hagrid scanned the shore to make sure no one had been left behind, then called out in his booming voice.

"Let's get going!"

The boats filled with students immediately glided forward, cutting across the still surface of the lake.

They sailed past cliffs and through trailing vines. Hogwarts grew larger and larger before their eyes until the castle seemed to tower directly overhead, leaving them awestruck.

"All right, we're here."

They disembarked at a place that looked like an underground dock. Hagrid led the group of little ones over a surface paved with gravel and small pebbles. They passed through a hidden tunnel, crossed a damp lawn, and climbed several stone steps before gathering in front of a huge oak door.

"Bang, bang, bang."

Hagrid raised his enormous fist and knocked three times on the wooden door. Then he turned around, a sincere and cheerful smile on his face.

"Welcome to Hogwarts."

Creeeak.

The door swung open, and a tall, stern-looking witch stepped out. She wore a dark green robe and a pointed hat.

"Professor McGonagall, these are the first-years."

Before the woman could speak, Hagrid lowered his head deferentially, seemingly full of respect for her.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here."

Professor McGonagall gave a small nod and pulled the oak doors wide, revealing the castle interior. Flaming torches lined the stone walls, the ceiling was so high it was almost impossible to see its top, and a magnificent marble staircase rose straight ahead, leading upstairs.

"Now, follow me."

Leaving them with those words, she turned and walked into the castle.

The boys and girls filed in after her, jostling together as they curiously took in everything around them.

"This way."

Professor McGonagall didn't stop to let them look around the hall. Instead, she led them straight to a small, empty room. Four ancient-looking banners hung inside, each bearing the image of a lion, snake, eagle, or badger.

"Children, welcome to Hogwarts. The Opening Feast will begin shortly, but before you enter the Great Hall, you must be sorted into one of the Houses.

"Sorting is a very important ceremony, because your House will be your home at Hogwarts while you're here. You'll attend classes with your fellow House members, sleep in your House dormitory, and spend your free time in your House common room."

She paused, then pointed to the banners and began introducing Hogwarts' Four Houses.

"The four Houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.

"Each House has a proud history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you're at Hogwarts, your achievements will earn points for your House, while any rule-breaking will cost it points.

"At the end of the year, the House with the most points will receive the Academy Cup. It's a great honor, and I hope you'll do your House proud, whichever one you're sorted into.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in front of the whole school in a few minutes. While you wait, I suggest you make yourselves presentable and look sharp."

As she finished speaking, her gaze lingered on Neville's robes for a moment, making the chubby boy instantly nervous.

"I'll come back for you when you're ready. And please, keep quiet."

With that, Professor McGonagall left the room.

"Phew."

Neville let out a long breath and finally relaxed.