"Between Shadows and Smiles"
Everyone walked toward the carriages parked along the side of the path.
Except, of course, for the first and second years. Since Hogwarts had been closed the previous year, the second years had never had the chance to cross the lake in boats, as all first years were supposed to. For that reason, Luna and Astoria joined the group of newcomers, along with other second years, to experience it properly.
Meanwhile, the third years and above boarded the carriages. These began to move as if by magic, gliding forward without horses or any visible creatures pulling them.
The amusing part was that the carriage carrying Harry and his friends was being escorted by Fluffy, Red, and Destructor, happily trotting alongside them as if they were royal guards.
"By the way, we never asked the unicorn's name," said Daphne curiously, noticing the detail. Though, to be fair, it wasn't as if they'd had many encounters with him; he spent most of his time in the forest with his fellow partners in crime.
"According to Mum, his name's Destructor," Harry said with a half-smile, amused by how exaggerated the name was for a creature that was supposed to be peaceful.
"What? That name's awesome," exclaimed Daphne enthusiastically, though not everyone seemed to agree. Several glances turned toward the unicorn, who walked calmly and cheerfully beside them, looking nothing like the dangerous beast his name implied.
The unicorn, perhaps sensing they were talking about him, turned his head toward the students in the carriage with such an innocent expression that he looked almost adorable.
The other two companions, however, did live up to their reputations: a small red dragon who was pure walking chaos—and everyone knew it—and a massive three-headed dog who commanded respect even when yawning.
After a few minutes of travel, Harry raised an eyebrow upon noticing two strange figures floating quietly near the castle gates. They were unfamiliar to most, wrapped in dark tattered cloaks, and their mere presence turned the air icy cold. The students felt their blood chill, as if all happiness were being drained from their bodies.
"Those are…" murmured Harry, watching them closely.
"Dementors. Azkaban's guards," Draco replied, frowning. His tone was serious, slightly uneasy; even he knew those creatures were anything but friendly.
Hermione's eyes widened in shock. "Dementors?" she repeated, her voice trembling. "They say they can devour happiness… even a person's soul, with their dementor's kiss. They're not just guards—they're executioners for the Ministry."
The creatures, meanwhile, seemed to have fixed their hollow attention on the carriage where they were riding.
Neville shrank so much he nearly disappeared into his seat, while two other girls riding with them clung to each other, trembling in fear.
Harry kept his gaze locked on the dementors, who stared back at him for a brief moment before turning their attention toward the next carriage.
"Do you think it's because of him?" Draco asked quietly, his expression tense.
"Possibly. Maybe they think he'll try to get revenge or something. Though honestly, that coward wouldn't dare come anywhere near the castle," said Harry with a mocking smile, clearly referring to Peter Pettigrew. The mere thought of him was enough to bring out a mix of irritation and sarcasm on his face.
"As always, Hogwarts proving it's the safest school in the world," Daphne said dryly. "And now we even have these lovely guards to protect us."
"They're not the only ones," Harry replied, pointing toward the forest. Among the trees, dark shapes could be seen moving—without a doubt, more dementors wandering near the castle grounds.
"Stuffing a place full of dangerous creatures where hundreds of students live… I wonder how that'll turn out," Draco muttered with his usual sarcastic tone.
The carriage finally stopped before the castle's great gates, and the students began to descend, whispering among themselves about the sinister figures now surrounding Hogwarts.
…
Inside the Great Hall, students settled along the long tables, comparing every detail of the room to how they remembered it from the previous year. Some searched for changes, while others simply chatted about their time in the different magical schools they had attended while Hogwarts was closed.
Harry, however, wore a slightly puzzled expression as he looked toward the staff table. Every professor was familiar to him… except one. And it wasn't because the man was a stranger—quite the opposite.
Dominic, the former Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher from Beauxbatons, was sitting there, now occupying the Defense post at Hogwarts. He smiled with elegance and confidence, effortlessly winning over several of the female students within minutes of the feast's start.
Well, to be fair, he didn't have much competition.
"Great… this year just keeps getting better," Harry muttered sarcastically, right as the first and second years entered the Great Hall. But they weren't alone; four additional students accompanied them, and their presence was enough to leave Harry momentarily speechless.
Luciel walked at the front, greeting everyone with his usual charming smile. If Dominic could capture hearts, Luciel could make half the hall faint with his charisma. His earrings shimmered under the hall's lights, and his grin shone with a confidence that was impossible to ignore.
Beside him, looking somewhat annoyed at how freely her boyfriend was winking at half the room, walked Katerina. When she met Harry's gaze, she nodded politely in greeting. Luciel, of course, winked at them playfully.
Behind them walked Fleur, graceful and poised, her steps elegant and deliberate. Her gaze met Harry's for a moment, and a faintly teasing smile curved her lips, as if she were thoroughly enjoying the surprise her arrival had caused after their last encounter.
Beside Fleur walked a woman just as beautiful, though her air was far colder and more refined. Her gaze was so imperious it seemed to look down on everything in sight. She was Juliette Marceu, president of the Beauxbatons student council.
Behind them came the second-year students; among them were Luna, Ginny, and a boy carrying a large camera. He tried to take a few pictures of the Great Hall, but was quickly stopped by Professor McGonagall, who shot him such a sharp look that his enthusiasm vanished instantly.
Finally came the first years, staring around with wide-eyed excitement and awe, almost unable to close their mouths. Two boys in particular caught Harry's eye—he'd seen them a couple of times before—and their eyes were shining with innocent fascination, taking in every corner as if they were dreaming.
…
After the traditional Sorting Hat song, Professor McGonagall took charge of the ceremony.
"When I call your names, you will come forward and put on the hat, so that it may decide the house to which you belong. First, the exchange students for this year; next, the second years who missed their sorting last term; and finally, the first years," she said in her calm but firm voice. "Since there are nearly twice as many as usual, we'll need to move quickly, so please step forward as soon as your name is called."
She pulled a long parchment from her hands and unrolled it; the list was so long that a few students let out low whistles. Two entire years together this time.
"Bellois, Katerina," McGonagall called, glancing at one of the girls in the group.
Katerina approached gracefully, though she couldn't help but make a face of disgust when she saw the hat. It looked so old and grimy that one could swear it hadn't been washed in centuries—perhaps longer.
The moment the Hat touched her head, it shouted,
"Ravenclaw!"
Katerina pulled it off immediately, as fast as someone dodging a curse, gave McGonagall a polite bow, and walked toward the Ravenclaw table.
"Delacour, Luciel," the professor read next.
Luciel strode forward with his usual confident smile and sat down under the hat. The instant it touched his head, it seemed ready to yell "Griff—!" but Luciel quickly raised a hand and clamped it over the Hat's mouth before it could finish. His smile didn't waver, though his eyes didn't quite match it.
A heavy silence followed.
"…Ravenclaw," the Hat finally announced, though even it didn't sound convinced.
McGonagall frowned, looking at him sternly, while many students burst into laughter and applause. The Ravenclaws cheered enthusiastically at having him join their house; the Gryffindor girls, on the other hand, looked ready to cry.
"Delacour, Fleur," continued the professor. At the sight of the surname, she paused for a moment, watching the young woman with cautious expectation, hoping she wouldn't repeat her brother's performance.
But there was no need to worry. Unlike the other two, the Hat took its time with Fleur. It seemed to be conversing with her, tilting slightly as if responding to her thoughts.
"Ravenclaw!" it finally shouted.
This time, it was the male students who celebrated with loud enthusiasm. Fleur, her radiant smile almost luminous, glided toward the table, leaving a faint trail of charm behind her that made several boys sigh dreamily. She took her seat beside Katerina, who in turn sat next to Daphne.
Luciel, meanwhile, took the seat right beside Harry, across from the girls.
"Marceu, Juliette," McGonagall announced.
The student council president walked forward with a near-regal air, as though presenting herself before a royal court. She sat gracefully, her face composed and almost icy.
The Hat hadn't even fully touched her head before it bellowed,
"Slytherin!"
Juliette merely raised an eyebrow, glancing at the Slytherin table as if assessing whether they were worthy of her presence. At last, she gave a small, dignified nod, politely greeted the professor, and walked calmly toward her new house.
Then came the turn of the second years. Harry and his friends paid little attention, except when they heard the names Eliana and Astoria.
Luna was sent to Ravenclaw within seconds, which surprised no one. But Astoria's turn was… peculiar.
The Hat had barely touched her head when it began to say, "Slith—!" but Astoria snatched it off abruptly, glaring at it in irritation. Then, with defiance, she put it back on.
The Hat tried again, "Slith—!"
Astoria yanked it off once more, her gesture so sharp it looked like she might throw it to the floor.
Professor McGonagall intervened immediately before that could happen, her expression caught somewhere between authority and disbelief.
Harry and the others could barely hold back their laughter. Harry even pointed discreetly toward the Hat, sending it a threatening look that only the two of them seemed to understand.
Finally, when McGonagall firmly insisted that Astoria accept the result, the Hat—perhaps realizing its predicament—shouted in resignation,
"Ravenclaw!"
Astoria grinned from ear to ear and ran down to join her friend, clearly delighted with her victory.
Though both girls looked a little sad when Ginny was sorted into Gryffindor, they didn't seem too bothered. It didn't matter which house their friend was in—they were already determined to go after her whenever they pleased.