Ned Stark stood before the statue of Lyanna, deep in thought. "Hogwarts... that's the word that came to Ned Stark's mind," he murmured to himself. "But how? And why?"
The wand in his hand seemed to pulse in tune with his thoughts. "What exactly does this wand represent? A link between two worlds?"
"Sor Rodrik," Ned called, turning his attention to the knight who still stood at the entrance of the crypt.
"Yes, my lord," Sor Rodrik responded, a mix of curiosity and respect for the Lord of Winterfell evident in his demeanor.
"Gather the knights; I am setting out."
With an escort by his side, Ned rode toward the area where magic pulsed most intensely. Hours passed before he finally reached the location. The sight before him left him in awe; he could hardly believe that the castle he had seen in visions was now real and tangible before his eyes.
"Sor Rodrik," Ned called out with a firm voice, "this will be my new home, my castle, and the beginning of a new way of life, where the North will prosper independently."
"Yes, my lord," Sor Rodrik replied, despite his confusion, ready to support his lord in any endeavor.
Entering the castle grounds, Ned was greeted by two inhabitants whose faces held fragments of ancient memories. One of them was a Grobin, robust and with an air of respect.
"My lord, I am Ragnarok, leader of the tribe of Grobins that sought refuge in the Black Forest, along with various other magical creatures," greeted the Grobin with a bow.
"Ragnarok, it is an honor to meet you and your tribe," Ned replied, his courteous tone showing his openness to this new reality.
The other being, a house-elf with curious eyes and a helpful demeanor, also introduced himself.
"And I am Krebble, in the service of this castle, and from now on, I am at your service, my lord," the elf said with a slight nod.
Ned realized he was witnessing a meeting of different races and worlds, something he had never imagined possible.
"Ragnarok, Krebble, thank you for welcoming me to Hogwarts. It seems that this place holds more secrets than I could have ever imagined."
"This is Hogwarts Castle," explained Ragnarok, "a school of magic and witchcraft. It is now a refuge for magical creatures from a destroyed world, brought here through its connection with magic."
Ned looked at the castle before him with renewed fascination. "This is an opportunity for a new alliance," he mused.
Ragnarok agreed, recognizing the gravity of the situation. "Exactly, my lord. Our peoples share a common desire for safety and progress. The magic you have brought with you, this connection, may be a key to achieving that goal."
Ned looked at the wand in his hands, contemplative. "Perhaps it is time to embrace this change," he thought to himself.
With a determined gaze, Ned turned his attention back to the majestic castle before him. "Let's go inside. Let's explore what Hogwarts has to offer and learn from its magical inhabitants."