As the Hogwarts Express came to a halt, the students began to gather their belongings and step off the train. The platform was bustling with activity, filled with excited chatter and the occasional call from a lost student looking for their friends.
Lily, Hermione, and Harry stepped off the train together, looking around in awe. The air was cool and crisp, a welcome change from the warm, crowded train.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" a booming voice called out. They turned to see a giant of a man with wild hair and a bushy beard standing near the edge of the platform, holding a lantern high. "C'mon now, firs' years! Don' be shy!"
"That's Hagrid," Harry whispered to Lily and Hermione, his eyes wide with recognition. "He's the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts."
They joined the other first-year students gathering around Hagrid, who smiled warmly at them. "Welcome to Hogwarts," he said, his voice carrying easily over the crowd. "We're gonna take the boats across the lake. Follow me!"
Hagrid led the way down a steep, narrow path to the edge of a vast, dark lake. Four students to a boat!" he called, pointing to a fleet of small boats bobbing gently on the water.
Lily, Hermione, and Harry climbed into one of the boats, joined by a nervous-looking boy named Neville Longbottom. "Hello," Neville said, his voice shaking slightly. "I'm Neville."
"Hi, Neville," Lily said kindly. "I'm Lily, and this is Hermione and Harry."
The boats set off across the lake, gliding smoothly over the water. The air was filled with a sense of wonder and anticipation. As they rounded a bend, the first-years gasped in unison. Hogwarts Castle came into view, its turrets and towers rising majestically against the darkening sky. The castle was illuminated by countless windows, casting a warm, golden glow across the lake.
"It's beautiful," Hermione whispered, her eyes wide with awe.
Lily nodded, unable to take her eyes off the magnificent sight. She felt a sense of belonging and excitement, knowing that this was where she would learn and grow.
The boats reached the far shore, and the students disembarked, still gazing up at the castle in wonder. Hagrid led them up a flight of stone steps and into the entrance hall, which was even more impressive up close. The ceiling was so high it seemed to disappear into the shadows, and the walls were lined with flaming torches.
"Firs' years, this way!" Hagrid called, guiding them into a smaller chamber off the entrance hall. "Professor McGonagall will be along shortly to take yeh to the Sortin' Ceremony."
The first-years waited anxiously, their whispers echoing off the stone walls. Lily stood with Hermione and Harry, her heart pounding with anticipation.
The door to the chamber opened, and a stern-looking witch in emerald-green robes entered. "Welcome to Hogwarts," she said, her voice crisp and clear. "I am Professor McGonagall. In a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates in the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony. Your house will be like your family here at Hogwarts. The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."
Before she could continue, a blond boy with a pointed face stepped forward. "So it's true then," he said, eyeing Harry. "Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."
Harry nodded, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Yes, I'm Harry Potter."
The blond boy smirked. "I'm Draco Malfoy. You should be careful about the company you keep, Potter. Some families are better than others. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort."
He glanced disdainfully at Hermione and Neville. Lily felt a surge of anger but kept her composure. Harry, however, didn't hold back.
"I think I can choose my own friends, thanks," Harry said coolly.
Draco's smirk faded, and he turned on his heel, rejoining a group of students who were clearly Slytherins. Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, drawing the students' attention back to her.
"When I call your name, you will step forward and put on the Sorting Hat," she continued. "It will decide which house you belong to. Now, follow me."
The first-years filed out of the chamber and into the Great Hall. Lily's breath caught in her throat as she took in the scene. The ceiling was enchanted to look like the night sky, filled with stars. Four long tables were filled with students, and at the head of the hall, a fifth table seated the teachers. An old, tattered hat sat on a stool in front of the head table.
Professor McGonagall began calling names, and one by one, the first-years stepped forward to be sorted. The hat's brim opened like a mouth, announcing the house for each student.
"Neville Longbottom!" McGonagall called. Neville stumbled forward, putting on the hat. After a moment, the hat shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" The Gryffindor table erupted in cheers as Neville joined them, looking relieved.
"Hermione Granger!" McGonagall called next. Hermione walked confidently to the stool, and the hat barely touched her head before it declared, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Hermione beamed and hurried to join Neville. Lily watched nervously as more names were called. Then, finally, it was her turn.
"Lily Rose!" McGonagall announced.
Lily took a deep breath and stepped forward, her heart pounding. She sat on the stool and placed the hat on her head. She felt it shift slightly, as if it were thinking.
"Ah, interesting," the hat murmured in her ear. "Very interesting. Plenty of courage, I see. And a talent for Transmutation... But where to put you?"
Lily held her breath, hoping for Gryffindor. She had grown fond of Hermione and Neville, and she felt a connection with Harry.
"Yet," the hat continued, "I sense a desire for power and an ability to deceive. Ambition and cunning are strong within you. Better be... SLYTHERIN!"
Lily's heart sank, but she kept her composure as she removed the hat and walked towards the Slytherin table. She could feel the eyes of her new friends on her, but she didn't dare look back. She was determined to make the best of this unexpected turn.
The Slytherin table greeted her with polite applause. She took a seat, feeling out of place but resolute. Draco Malfoy smirked at her from across the table, clearly pleased with her placement. She ignored him, focusing instead on the grandeur of the Great Hall and the new challenges ahead.
As the Sorting Ceremony continued, Lily tried to shake off her disappointment. She reminded herself of her mission and the importance of staying true to her goals. She would find a way to navigate her new house and make her mark at Hogwarts.
When the last student was sorted, Professor Dumbledore rose to address the school. "Welcome!" he said, his voice warm and kind. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! Let the feast begin!"
With a wave of his hand, the tables filled with food, and the hall erupted in chatter and laughter. Lily picked at her food, her thoughts racing. She knew that her journey at Hogwarts had only just begun, and she was determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead with courage and determination.