Harry Potter and the Cataclysm

The train gradually slowed before finally coming to a complete stop. The students jostled and pushed their way toward the doors, stepping out onto a dimly lit, narrow platform.

A booming voice rang out, "First years! First years, over here!"

Carnie looked in the direction of the voice and saw a massive, bearded man holding a lantern. That had to be Hagrid.

"Come on now, follow me! Any more first years? Mind yer step! Alright then, all first years, this way!" Hagrid's bushy face broke into a warm smile.

Following him, they walked along a winding path until they reached a lake. Across the water, perched high on a hillside, stood a towering castle, its many windows glowing warmly against the night sky.

"That there is Hogwarts!" Hagrid announced, pointing toward the boats moored at the shore. "Right then! Four to a boat, no more than four!"

Carnie, Neville, and Hermione climbed into the same boat while the other students quickly found their own groups.

"Everyone aboard? Off we go!"

Hagrid took a boat to himself, and with no oars in sight, the vessels moved forward on their own, gliding smoothly across the lake. Ripples spread across the water as the small fleet made its way closer to the castle.

They passed beneath a curtain of ivy that draped over the rocky cliffs, entering a dark tunnel. The boats carried them through until they arrived at an underground dock. One by one, the students stepped out onto solid ground.

Under Hagrid's guidance, they climbed through the tunnel, crossed a grassy area, and ascended a stone staircase leading to an enormous oak door.

"All here?" Hagrid glanced around before raising his fist and knocking three times.

The door swung open instantly, revealing Professor McGonagall. She stood in the doorway, her expression stern as ever.

"First years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid announced.

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

She pulled the door open wider, allowing the first years to step into a grand entrance hall. A marble staircase spiraled upward in front of them.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," McGonagall addressed the group. "In just a few moments, you will step into the Great Hall for the Start-of-Term Feast. But before you take your seats, you must first be sorted into your houses.

"Sorting is an important ceremony, as your house will be like your family during your time at Hogwarts. You will attend classes together, share dormitories, and spend your free time in your house's common room.

"There are four houses at Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each has its own proud history and has produced many remarkable witches and wizards. During your stay, your achievements will earn points for your house, while any rule-breaking will result in points being deducted. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I trust that, no matter which house you are sorted into, you will strive to bring it pride."

She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in.

"In a few minutes, the Sorting Ceremony will begin in front of the entire school. I suggest you take this time to tidy yourselves up and make yourselves presentable."

Her eyes flickered over Neville's slightly askew cloak and the smudge of dirt on Ron's nose. Harry anxiously tried to flatten his perpetually messy hair.

"I will return when everything is ready. Please wait quietly."

With that, McGonagall left the room, and the group immediately broke into hushed conversations.

"How do they sort us, though?" Harry's voice drifted through the room.

"I suppose it's some kind of test," Ron answered. "Fred says it's really painful, but I think he was joking."

Everyone looked tense. Hermione had started muttering under her breath, likely reciting something from memory. Neville looked moments away from panicking. Carnie, on the other hand, wasn't the least bit concerned—he was too busy glancing around, taking in the castle's details.

A sudden shriek rang out from behind them, making Carnie turn his head.

"That's—"

Someone had screamed in fright. From the walls behind them, nearly twenty ghosts drifted into the room. The pearly-white, semi-transparent figures glided past, barely paying attention to the first years as they chatted amongst themselves.

A plump ghost dressed like a monk was saying, "We should be forgiving! We should forget the past! I say, we give him another chance—"

"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves enough chances already? He's been nothing but trouble! You know he's not even a proper ghost," another ghost interjected. Then, noticing the first years, he asked, "And what are you all doing here?"

"We're first years," Carnie answered.

"Brave first years!" the Fat Friar beamed at him. "I suppose you're about to go through the Sorting?"

"That's right," Carnie replied.

"Then I do hope you end up in Hufflepuff! I was in Hufflepuff myself. Well then, we won't keep you. Good luck!"

With that, the ghosts floated off, disappearing through the walls.

"You're really brave," Neville whispered.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just confidence," Carnie replied, giving Neville a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You've got it in you too."

Neville looked at him, then nodded firmly. "Yeah."

A murmur spread through the room, and the first years instinctively turned to look at the commotion. A pale-haired boy, flanked by two burly companions, was staring directly at Harry.

"So it's true then—Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts," the boy said smoothly.

Carnie recognized the scene instantly. Here we go…

The boy, standing on the step above Harry, introduced himself with an air of superiority. "I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

Ron let out a barely concealed snicker.

Draco's eyes flicked to him. "You think my name is funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all about the Weasleys—red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford."

Turning back to Harry, Draco said, "You'll soon find out that some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to make friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

He extended his hand.

Harry didn't take it. "I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks."

Draco's pale face tinted red with embarrassment, though he quickly masked it.

This guy really needs to work on his social skills. Carnie thought as he watched. Does he even hear himself when he talks?

Draco opened his mouth to say something else, but before he could, a hand landed on his shoulder. He turned to see Professor McGonagall had returned. She glanced briefly at Harry and Ron but didn't say anything about the exchange.

"Now then, follow me," she instructed. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin. Form a single line and follow me inside."