September 1st
A day that Itachi looked forward to with excitement, but also with a dose of anxiety. Waking up early in the morning, he quickly dressed and went downstairs where his parents were already waiting for him. The atmosphere in the house was filled with anticipation and sadness at the same time.
After a hearty breakfast, Mikoto and Fugaku escorted Itachi to the fireplace. They apparated to a small inn near London's King's Cross Station. It was a way to avoid unnecessary eyes, as their family still preferred to stay in the shadows.
Fugaku checked the time on his pocket watch and nodded
"It's time, Itachi."
They stepped out onto the bustling street and headed towards the train station. Itachi watched the hustle and bustle carefully, absorbing every sound and movement. He couldn't help but compare this world to the one he had left in his previous life - both full of people, but so different.
Upon reaching the correct platform, Mikoto and Fugaku stood at the pillar between platforms nine and ten.
"Now listen carefully, Itachi," Mikoto said.
"To get to Platform Nine and Three Quarters, you need to go through this column. Don't be afraid, just go straight ahead."
Fugaku added
"And don't forget about us. Write to us often. And take care of yourself."
Itachi nodded, trying not to show his excitement. He hugged each of his parents, feeling their warmth one last time before heading out into the new world. He knew they were worried, but he also knew they were proud of him.
With his suitcase in one hand, Itachi took a deep breath and took a determined step towards the pillar. For a moment he felt a slight tingling sensation, and then... he found himself on Platform Nine and Three Quarters.
Itachi looked around. The platform was full of wizards of all ages. Noise and noise like any train station, but this one was special - magical artifacts flashed everywhere, suitcases flew by themselves, and owls' whoops came from the cages. He had never seen so many wizards in one place.
The red steam train, the Hogwarts Express, puffed and let out puffs of steam, ready to depart.
Itachi walked down the platform, trying not to draw attention to himself. He found a vacant compartment and placed his luggage.
Itachi took a seat by the window and began to survey the platform through the glass.
He saw a boy with bright red hair hugging a woman and then running towards the train. Other children passed by, some quiet and shy, others boisterous and scraggly. He began to notice small manifestations of magic around him - suitcases that flew without anyone's help, or a scarf that randomly changed color.
Soon a whistle sounded, and the train touched down. Itachi stared out the window as the platform was left behind.
He was on his way to Hogwarts, the place where he was to study, grow, and learn magic. He clutched his wand in his hand feeling its power pulsing through him. He was ready for new challenges, ready for adventure, ready for a new stage in his life.
The ride on the Hogwarts Express passed in relative silence for Itachi. He spent most of the time watching the scenery float by outside the window.
Finally, the train slowed down and came to a stop. Voices could be heard in the carriages, students hurriedly gathering their belongings, anticipating their arrival at Hogwarts. Itachi picked up his suitcase, getting ready to leave.
When he stepped onto the platform, he immediately felt the cool, moist air. It was as bustling as King's Cross Station, but the atmosphere was different, more magical, more mysterious. The platform was lit by flickering lanterns, and at the far end could be seen a narrow path leading somewhere into the darkness.
The students crowded up ahead, and Itachi, following them, slowly made his way forward. He took his time, trying not to stand out from the crowd. He watched carefully, trying to memorize every detail.
Itachi noticed a large figure that stood out from the rest of the crowd. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a thick, dark beard and long hair that was hidden under a large, shaggy hood. His face looked good-natured, despite his imposing appearance. He held a large lamp in his hands, which illuminated his face and the path in front of him.
"Freshmen, over here!" - came his loud, good-natured voice.
"All freshmen, follow me!"
The crowd of students began to move towards him. Itachi, keeping slightly behind, followed everyone else. They walked down a narrow path that soon led them to the shore of a large, dark lake. On the other shore, towering over the water surface, a majestic castle could be seen. It was Hogwarts.
Small boats were waiting for them at the shore of the lake. A man with a beard helped the freshmen get into them, and soon they set off from the shore. Itachi sat in the boat with three other students, not knowing anyone. They were focused on what was to come, and only occasionally exchanged quiet phrases.
They silently looked at the castle that was gradually approaching them, growing larger by the minute. Its towers and spires rose majestically above the lake, and its windows glowed with a warm light, as if inviting them in. Itachi could feel the excitement building up inside him. This castle was not only a place where he was to learn, but also a new world full of mystery and possibilities.
The boats docked at the shore, and the freshmen, one by one, came ashore. A man with a beard, who introduced himself as Hagrid, said
"Follow me, freshmen! Distribution will begin soon!"
The freshmen, without any hesitation, lined up again and followed Hagrid as if mesmerized by his imposing appearance. Itachi tried to keep his eyes on the castle, trying to memorize every detail of it.
After passing through the massive oak doors, the freshmen found themselves in a spacious hallway. It was an impressive place with high ceilings and stone walls decorated with torches that cast bizarre shadows. The massive doors leading to the Great Hall could be seen up ahead, but they were closed for now.
A tall, thin woman stood in the center of the hallway and stepped forward. Her face was stern, but her eyes read wisdom and kindness. She was dressed in a dark robe and wore a pointed hat.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said in her clear, confident voice.
"I am Professor McGonagall, vice-principal. Before you join your fellow students in the Great Hall, you will have to go through a placement ceremony. It will determine which of the four faculties you will study in."
She paused, letting her words sink into the minds of the freshmen. Itachi listened intently, trying to memorize every word she said.
"There are four faculties at Hogwarts, Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and ."
"Your placement will determine who you will study, live, and compete with. Throughout the school year, faculties will compete for points. Points are awarded for academic success, for following the rules, and for being honorable. But points will also be taken off for infractions, misconduct, and inappropriate behavior. The faculty with the most points by the end of the year wins the Hogwarts cup."
Professor McGonagall looked around the hallway, as if checking to see if everyone understood her words. Itachi realized that this was a system to encourage both success and discipline.
"I will leave you alone for a while. Please remain quiet and orderly. When I return, we will continue."
With those words, Professor McGonagall turned and headed for the Great Hall doors, disappearing behind them. After she left, a silence hung in the hallway, which was immediately broken by a quiet whisper.
Itachi turned his attention to the small group of freshmen in the front rows. A boy with a pale face and blond hair, wearing a robe of expensive fabric, was haughtily saying something to a boy with black, disheveled hair and round glasses.
"They say it's true, don't they?" - uttered the boy with the blond hair. His voice was loud and harsh, and his words reached Itachi, who was standing a little further away.
"Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."
A whisper drifted through the hallway. Itachi noticed many of the children begin to look over and point their fingers at the boy with black hair. Even those who hadn't shown interest before began to look in his direction.
Itachi inwardly tensed up. Harry Potter. He knew the name.
He'd heard many stories about this boy - how he'd managed to survive a confrontation with a dark wizard as a baby, how he'd defeated him with no magical training.
The blond-haired boy continued with arrogance, "I'm Draco Malfoy. And I think you and I are going to be good friends."
Itachi involuntarily frowned slightly. Draco Malfoy. He knew that last name. He had read about the Malfoys in the history books of the magical world, studying their connections and influence. They were an ancient and influential family, known for their connections. They were wealthy, ambitious, and always seeking power. His analysis immediately gave him a complete picture of the family, and their place in this world.
At that moment, the doors to the Great Hall opened, and Professor McGonagall appeared in the doorway.
"Please follow me," she said, inviting the freshmen to enter.
The freshmen, revitalized, began to move towards the doors in a crowd. Itachi, trying to keep up, followed them, analyzing the information he had received.