Cho Chang looked out the dark window and said, "I feel like that owl is going to be exhausted in the future."
Astoria would probably treat letter-writing like keeping a diary—writing to her parents whenever she had the chance. Her poor owl, Xiaowei, might never get a break.
Harry was genuinely worried about the poor owl's miserable future.
With a little time left before arrival, Harry used the opportunity to tell Astoria more about the school.
For a first-year student, it was bound to ease her nerves.
"Soon, we'll enter a huge castle, and there'll be a grand feast to welcome you all. The school has many magical places."
"Before that, all new students will be sorted into one of four houses."
"There's a shabby, talking hat. Once you put it on, it'll tell you which house you belong to."
Astoria's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Big brother, which house are you in? Can I be in the same one as you?"
"That's not something we get to choose. The hat will pick the house that suits you best. But no matter where you're sorted, we can still see each other often," Harry reassured her.
Astoria seemed a bit disappointed.
"But make sure to wash your hair before the Sorting. That hat probably hasn't been cleaned in decades—disgusting," Harry added.
Hermione and Cho Chang both chuckled quietly.
Astoria took Harry's words seriously and nodded solemnly. "Okay."
"You won't really see the school clearly today, but you'll have time to explore it thoroughly tomorrow."
"Oh, and remember, the school has many ghosts who love to play tricks on people. Don't be afraid of them."
Harry rambled on, and Astoria tried hard to absorb everything.
The train finally came to a stop.
They had arrived.
"Alright, you should join the first-year group now. Someone will come to guide you."
Astoria was reluctant to part, but Harry gently led her toward the line of first-years.
Just outside the train, they ran into Draco Malfoy, flanked by his goons Crabbe and Goyle, and a girl named Millicent.
Millicent had a non-mainstream, edgy style—messy hair, dark eyeshadow, and heavy lipstick.
Harry couldn't fathom how someone came to have such an aesthetic.
The two groups faced each other.
In terms of presence, Harry's group was a total loss—Crabbe and Goyle's chubby faces paired with Millicent's intimidating makeup made them look like gangsters ready to pull out knives at any moment.
But in terms of looks, Harry's group left them in the dust.
Millicent stared jealously at Hermione and Cho Chang.
Astoria called out, "Draco…"
The "big brother" part stuck in her throat. She suddenly remembered Harry's "warning" and dared not say it.
She quickly ducked behind Harry—what if that "big brother" tried to steal her parents?
Draco looked confused to see Astoria with Harry and didn't understand how they ended up together.
Wrinkling his nose, Draco said, "Uncle Greengrass asked me to take care of you at school, but I really hate kids." He spoke in a haughty tone, completely forgetting he had been the same age just last year.
"But what I hate most is Harry Potter. Since you're with him, I guess that makes things easier for me. Hmph." And with that, Draco stormed off.
Harry looked at Draco's back with pity. No wonder you're still single.
Astoria didn't seem too affected. In fact, she might've been glad to dodge a bullet.
She murmured, "Draco… he's not quite like I remember."
"That's because if he acted like that at home, his dad would beat him with a belt—assuming the Malfoy Manor even owns a belt."
As always, Hagrid led the first-years with a lantern.
Though Astoria was initially scared by his massive size, she remembered what Harry had told her—that Hagrid was a good man—and slowly her fear faded, replaced with wonder.
When Harry and the others entered the Great Hall, the first-years hadn't arrived yet.
He realized Professor McGonagall must be giving her usual speech about the four houses and the House Cup, to instill some sense of belonging.
As the returning students gradually took their seats, they began chatting about their summer adventures.
Soon, under Professor McGonagall's guidance, the new students entered in a long line and pushed open the grand wooden doors.
"Wow…"
Gasps of awe echoed as they laid eyes on the magnificent hall.
Four long tables stretched from one end to the other, packed with students. Countless floating candles lit the room alongside blazing torches on the walls, casting golden reflections on the plates and goblets.
What left them utterly speechless was the enchanted ceiling that mirrored the night sky.
Returning students loved this part—the awe-struck faces of newcomers never got old.
"Today…" Dumbledore began his speech from the staff table, recalling the past year and looking ahead. His inspiring words earned thunderous applause.
"And now, the Sorting begins."
There were about eighty new students. Nervously, they glanced at the high stool in the center, where the Sorting Hat sat.
"Cage," called Professor McGonagall.
A gray-haired boy nervously stepped forward.
"Just place the hat on your head," she said kindly.
"Hufflepuff!" the hat shouted the moment it touched his hair.
"Ravenclaw."
"Gryffindor."
"Slytherin."
The sorting continued.
"Astoria Greengrass," McGonagall called.
Astoria stepped up to the stool and placed the Sorting Hat on her head.
A soft voice echoed in her mind:
"Hmm… pureblood lineage. Slytherin would welcome you. But Hufflepuff would suit you too. You're pure and innocent, like a blank slate. You might like the atmosphere there."
"I want to be in Gryffindor…" Astoria whispered.
"What? Such a cute little girl, why would you think that?"
"But… hmm, let me see… maybe you need some friends. Gryffindor might help with that."
"So, have you made up your mind?"
Astoria: "…"
The hat stayed silent for a long time. George joked that it must've fallen asleep from old age, drawing laughter.
"Gryffindor!" the hat finally shouted.
Harry's jaw dropped.
That was never supposed to happen—had he changed the timeline?
Astoria walked toward the Gryffindor table.
Harry, sitting in the front row with the second-years, saw her coming.
Many first-years had already taken note of her beauty and cheered when she joined their house.
A nervous first-year sitting next to Harry stammered, "T-there's an open seat here." He pointed to his left.
Astoria shook her head and replied sweetly, "I want to sit on your right."
The other first-years glared at him in envy. Why does he get to sit next to her?
The boy immediately stood and switched seats, probably already fantasizing about what to say next.
Astoria happily sat beside Harry and hugged his arm.
She waved cheerfully to Hermione. "Hi, Hermione!"
Harry didn't dare look at the first-year's face—too cruel.
Hermione, seated across from Harry, seemed to notice the boy's dazed expression and doubled over laughing, shoulders shaking, kicking Harry under the table.
Dumbledore gave a few more announcements, mainly for the new students.
"Our Defense Against the Dark Arts class welcomes a new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart."
A man seated next to Snape stood, smiling and waving.
The girls' cheers were especially loud.
After the delicious feast, students returned to their dormitories.
Hermione led Astoria to the Gryffindor first-year girls' dorm.
Harry lay quietly in bed, thinking about what the year ahead might bring.
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THE REBIRTH OF HARRY POTTER
⚡🦉 THE REBIRTH OF HARRY POTTER 🦉⚡
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📢 MAGIC REBORN! 📢
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The wizarding world is changing.
Old destinies twist, familiar names return under new shadows, and magic itself may follow a different path this time.
🪄 A second chance.🌙 A different fate.⚡ A wizarding world reborn.
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