HP: Hogwart's Journey

"Alright, since you know about Quidditch, have you really looked into it? Its rules, everything about it?" Fred asked with an eager look on his face.

Robert shook his head. "I just know it's the wizarding sport where you ride broomsticks and catch the Golden Snitch."

"Oh, Merlin's beard, you don't know nearly enough! You see, a Quidditch match is a battle between two teams of seven players each, including three Chasers, two Beaters, one Keeper, and one Seeker," Fred explained excitedly, gesturing wildly. "We play on an oval-shaped field, 500 feet long and 180 feet wide, with three goalposts at each end. To score, you have to throw the Quaffle through one of those iron rings, but the Keeper will do everything in their power to block it."

George continued, "And the Bludgers? They're iron balls that fly around the pitch, trying to knock players off their brooms. The Beaters are the ones who stop them, keeping everyone else safe!" He flexed his nonexistent muscles for added effect.

"I see," Robert nodded, offering his best wishes. "You guys are going to be the best Beaters!"

"Thanks!" The twins were thrilled. "We'll be the best Beaters in Gryffindor history!"

"Gryffindor? That's one of the four houses, right?" Robert asked curiously. "I think my dad was in that house. My mum was in Ravenclaw, though."

The twins were even more excited. "Gryffindor is the best! But Ravenclaw's not bad either! Robert, you've got to come to Gryffindor!"

Robert rolled his eyes. "Don't go assuming you'll both be in Gryffindor!"

"Actually," George said, "everyone in our family has been in Gryffindor."

"If we both end up in Gryffindor, Mum will be so happy!" they cheered, drifting off into a conversation about their family.

Robert wanted to remind them that they hadn't mentioned anything about the Chasers or the Seeker, or the love-hate relationship with the Golden Snitch, but by the looks of it, they were on a roll, talking all about Gryffindor. The black guy, clearly a Gryffindor fan too, was just as caught up in the conversation. The four of them were so absorbed that they only remembered there was still one more person in the compartment when it was time to get off the train.

"Sorry, Robert, we got a bit carried away," Fred apologized first.

George looked a little embarrassed too.

The black guy was still excited. "Hey, Robert, let's go watch Quidditch together next time! First-years can't play, but we can definitely watch the match!"

Robert, now very intrigued, gladly agreed.

"In five minutes, the train will arrive at Hogwarts. Please leave your luggage on the train; we will deliver it to the school for you." It was the conductor's voice.

Robert quickly stuffed his book back into his suitcase and began putting on his robes, and the others followed suit. They hurriedly joined the stream of students moving toward the front, and Robert, clutching his Puffskein, squeezed through the crowd.

The train gradually slowed to a stop, and the little witches and wizards pushed and shoved as they disembarked. The platform was small and dark, with no sight of anyone else. The chilly night air cut through, and Robert had an uneasy feeling.

Just as he thought this, a gust of wind blew past, and scattered raindrops started falling from the sky. Puffskein, who disliked the rain, immediately snuggled under Robert's robe.

"Ugh, I hate the rain!" The black guy's voice was loud in the cold, rainy night.

Since they were the last to disembark, they weren't caught in the crowd like others, but the icy wind was relentless, making the group shiver.

Robert quietly fumbled through his magically enchanted bag at his waist. The bag was huge, and it seemed to defy gravity with how much it could hold. Finally, after rummaging through, he found a black umbrella.

"Robert, you're amazing! How did you think of carrying an umbrella?" The black guy asked, astonished. "Where did you even put it?"

Ignoring the question, Robert replied, "Don't you see something really serious here?"

"first-years! Hey, first-years, over here!" Hagrid's booming voice echoed through the rainy night. As all the little witches and wizards, heads lowered, looked curiously at him, he continued, "Are all the first-years here? Good! Come with me! Watch your step!" With that, he turned and led the way down a narrow path outside the station.

In every sense, it was a narrow path. The ground was uneven, and the rain had made it slippery and muddy. The path was dark, with only the occasional flash of distant light, and the eerie feeling that something was watching them in the shadows.

For the first time away from home, the little wizards were nervous, their faces pale and their steps shaky as they followed Hagrid, afraid they might trip or be left behind.

The four of them walked together, the umbrella keeping them dry. The black guy stayed by Robert's side, and only when they reached the end of the narrow path did he have time to ask, "What was that serious problem you mentioned?"

Robert was about to answer when he heard Hagrid shout, "See the other shore? That's Hogwarts! Now, we'll be taking boats across. Each boat can carry no more than four people!" He pointed ahead, where a silver-glimmering lake stretched out. On the far side, a towering castle stood on the hillside, its turrets reaching up into the night sky. Orange lights flickered from the windows, giving the castle a mysterious glow.

On the lake, a line of small boats floated, each with a dim lantern swaying with the waves.

It was clear—these would be their means of transportation.

"Get in the boat," Robert urged, pulling the black guy along. They quickly made their way to the boat. As soon as they were seated, they heard Hagrid shout again, "Everyone on board? Then let's go!"

The boat moved steadily across the lake.

The twins sat in front and behind, close to the black guy and Robert, grateful for the umbrella, which kept them dry even on the boat.

Finally, Robert could answer the black guy's question, raising his voice over the rain, "You forgot to introduce yourself!" He said, somewhat irritated, "Do you want us to call you 'the guy who thinks Flobberworms are magical creatures' for the rest of the time?" 

(End of Chapter)