They continued chatting while they shared their snacks, and Hannah and Susan enthusiastically explained the magical properties of each treat to the two freshmen from Muggle backgrounds.
Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, for instance, proved far less universally appealing than the trolley witch had claimed; some beans truly tasted like snot or earwax. Bubble Gum could blow bubbles in shimmering colors that refused to pop and would drift through classrooms for an entire day if left unchecked.
"Oh, speaking of classrooms," Justin mumbled around a mouthful of cauldron cake, "do you know what classes we have? I asked Professor McGonagall, and she told me to look at the textbooks."
"I know there's Transfiguration, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts…" Susan rattled off the names.
Just then the compartment door opened again.
This time a girl with thick, long brown hair, slightly protruding front teeth, and bright, sharp eyes stood in the doorway.
She wore a well-fitting new robe, held her head high with one hand planted on her hip, and spoke in a serious, businesslike tone that carried unmistakable urgency.
"Excuse me, but has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville has lost his." She spoke quickly, her gaze sweeping across every face in the compartment, then dropping to the floor and under the seats.
Hannah and Susan shook their heads. Justin swallowed his cake and answered, "No, I haven't seen it." Henry added that he had not.
The girl wore a knowing look, as though she had expected the answer yet felt duty-bound to ask anyway.
"Thank you. If you see it, please tell him. He's very worried."
She turned to leave, but her gaze lingered for half a second on Henry's face. Her brow furrowed briefly, as if something familiar tugged at her memory, before a more pressing matter pulled her attention away.
She had clearly heard the commotion in the next compartment and pivoted at once, her voice ringing out crisp and clear once more. "Excuse me! Has anyone seen a toad?"
"She's really efficient," Justin commented, watching her hurried departure.
"Hermione Granger," Hannah whispered, a note of camaraderie threading through her words as she spoke of a fellow freshman. "I heard her introduce herself like that at the station. She knows so much; she was already quoting 'Hogwarts: A History' before she even boarded the train."
"Sounds impressive," Susan said succinctly.
Henry offered no comment. He simply chewed his cauldron cake slowly, letting the rich flavor fill his mouth. Miss Know-It-All—she knew everything, and that was simply how she moved through the world.
Yet none of it concerned him.
"So how are we sorted?" Justin asked suddenly. "I forgot to ask Professor McGonagall, but I don't think she would have told me even if I had. Hannah? Hannah? Why are you so pale?"
Henry glanced over and saw that Hannah's face had indeed gone deathly white; one hand trembled uncontrollably in her lap.
"I… my dad said he fought werewolves the year he enrolled…"
"I heard it from my dad too." Susan seemed to recall something equally unpleasant. "My mum told me she passed the Banshee's test, and according to the rotation she'll probably be doing it this year as well…"
Justin's face drained of color in an instant. He had never imagined the freshman enrollment process could be so severe.
Henry suppressed the laugh that rose in his chest. Of course he knew the truth—first they labeled you, then you sorted into your house. It was hardly as terrifying as it sounded. Still, he kept silent and simply echoed, "Yeah, that's really terrifying."
"You… you're not afraid at all?" Justin asked tremulously. "I can't even imagine what it would be like to face the Banshee…"
"Why be afraid?" Henry glanced at him. "Isn't the banshee of death Irish?"
"That's Irish… oh!" Justin stammered as realization dawned.
Indeed, the real banshee of death in Ireland was the great-grandmother of this prince.
The sky outside gradually darkened while purple shadows of rolling mountains flashed past the train windows. The carriage lights flickered on, bathing the compartment in a warm, golden glow.
Hannah and Susan, their earlier fear of the Sorting Test now calmed, began discussing their belongings and possible course preparations with Henry and Justin.
At last the train slowed, accompanied by a long, mournful whistle, and came to a stop beside a small, dark wooden platform bearing a sign that read Hogsmeade.
The night wind bit sharply, carrying the distinctive chill of the Scottish Highlands.
Henry had prepared well; he had already changed into thicker clothes.
"Freshmen, this way! Freshmen! Follow me!"
A thunderous, gruff voice rolled over the crowd. At the far end of the platform a huge lantern swayed in the darkness, illuminating a towering figure who stood out like a moving hill among the students.
It was Hagrid.
"My God, he's enormous," Justin murmured, tilting his head back as awe replaced his earlier excitement.
"That must be the one who's here to take us," Henry said calmly. "We should go now."
The freshmen huddled together in the circle of light cast by Hagrid's lantern, many of them seeing the giant for the first time and letting out hushed gasps and whispers.
Hagrid paid them no mind. He called out in his booming voice, "Any more freshmen? Watch your step! Follow me, and don't fall behind!"
They followed him, stumbling and sliding down a steep, narrow path. Pitch darkness cloaked the way, broken only by the glow of Hagrid's lantern and the distant stars overhead.
Dense forest pressed close on either side, and the night wind rustled through the treetops. Justin and many other new students glanced around nervously; Hannah clung tightly to Susan's arm.
"Look down!" Hagrid shouted as the path suddenly opened onto a wide, dark expanse of water.
It was a vast, gleaming black lake. On the opposite hillside a majestic castle rose beneath the starry sky, its towers gleaming and windows twinkling with light that reflected on the mirror-like surface, creating an inverted magical world below.
"Wow—" A collective gasp of amazement rose from the crowd. Even Hannah and Susan, who came from wizarding families, found their breath stolen by the sight of Hogwarts Castle from this angle for the very first time.
Henry felt as though familiar background music played inside his head—of course, it was music he had composed himself.
"No more than four people per boat!" Hagrid shouted, pointing to a fleet of small boats moored at the shore. The boats glided forward automatically to meet the waiting students.
Henry, Hannah, Susan, and Justin naturally boarded one together. The little vessel rocked gently, then moved smoothly and on its own toward the center of the lake, sending soft ripples across the dark surface.
The lake lay perfectly calm except for the quiet sound of the boat's bow cutting through the water.
Everyone remained silent, eyes lifted toward the approaching castle.
It looked even more magnificent up close, carrying the solemnity and mystery that a thousand years had layered upon its stones.
Henry stared at the enchanted castle where he would live for the next seven years. No fear stirred in him—only a strong desire to discover which house he would join.
Most likely Hufflepuff, he thought; there weren't many people left in the world as loyal and honest as he was.