The Hogwarts Express chugged steadily through the Scottish Highlands as dusk settled over the land.
Outside the windows, mountains rose like dark ink strokes against the sky, lakes gleamed like polished mirrors, and thin mist rose from the forests. The whole countryside seemed to hold its breath.
Inside the carriages the noise had died down. First-years dozed, straightened their robes, or simply sat in quiet anticipation. The air smelled of pumpkin pasties and nervous excitement.
Julien leaned against the window, fingers absently tracing the hidden catch in his sleeve—the secret mechanism of his custom "tactical" robes. One tug and his wand would slide straight into his palm.
He wasn't planning to use it. He just liked the familiar warm weight, like holding a piece of sleeping memory.
Hermione sat opposite him, spine straight, Hogwarts: A History open on her lap. Her lips moved silently as she memorised another passage about the House Cup, clearly preparing for some imaginary entrance exam.
Liriya had curled into the corner. She had changed into her school robes but kept her hood up, face half-hidden in shadow, only her ice-blue eyes visible as she stared out at the passing scenery.
Isabella lounged on the other side, idly turning her silver snake brooch between her fingers, lost in thought about her family's past.
Neville sat on the floor, clutching his toad Trevor and muttering to himself.
"You know," Julien said suddenly, breaking the quiet, "doesn't this journey feel… a bit too smooth?"
"What's wrong with smooth?" Hermione didn't even look up. "Would you rather we ran into a troll or a Dementor?"
"Not exactly." Julien grinned. "But you'd think there'd be some ceremony. A mermaid popping out of the lake, or a three-headed dog wagging its tail at the castle gates."
"Can your brain hold anything besides weird nonsense?" Hermione finally glanced up, glaring, but the corner of her mouth twitched in amusement.
Just then the train began to slow and finally stopped at a tiny station. The name was too faded to read. Only a few magical lanterns swayed in the wind, casting long, twisted shadows.
"Where are we? We can't be at Hogwarts yet," Julien said, standing and stretching.
"You really don't read, do you?" Hermione rolled her eyes. "The train only goes as far as Hogsmeade. There's still a short way to the school."
Julien shrugged. "Guess we all get off, then. They said luggage can stay on board."
Liriya hesitated, still clutching her long hide-wrapped bundle. Julien patted her shoulder. "It'll be fine. We're on Hogwarts ground now—it should be safe."
Hermione chimed in too, reminding her the path ahead wasn't easy to walk while carrying something that big. Liriya finally nodded and left the bundle behind.
The moment they stepped onto the platform, a booming voice like thunder rolled over them.
"First-years! This way!"
Everyone poured out of the carriages. Julien spotted the giant figure immediately—Rubeus Hagrid, beard wild, smile warm as a hearth, lantern swinging like a lighthouse.
"Hey, Harry! Over here!" Hagrid bellowed, waving.
A small black-haired figure darted through the crowd. "Hagrid!" Harry called back, bouncing with excitement.
Julien grinned and tugged Hermione along. "Come on."
After greeting Harry, Hagrid counted the first-years, made sure everyone was there, and boomed, "Follow me—keep up, no wandering!"
He swung his lantern and led the chattering group down a narrow path.
"Harry! Harry!" Harry turned at the shout and his face lit up. It was Julien—the cousin who had visited the Dursleys and become his very first real friend.
"Julien! It's you!" Harry's voice was so loud even Hagrid glanced back.
"Yeah, I didn't realise until I heard the big guy call your name," Julien said, a little sheepish. "Sorry I didn't find you earlier on the train."
Hermione stared at him, stunned. She and Neville had spent half the ride talking about the Boy Who Lived, and Julien had said nothing.
"Harry, this is Ron Weasley," Harry said happily, introducing his new friend. "He comes from a proper wizarding family—knows loads of stuff we don't."
Ron looked embarrassed. "Hi, just call me Ron. I don't actually know that much."
"Nice to meet you, Ron." Julien shook his hand warmly. "I actually saw your whole family at the station. I'm jealous—Harry and I don't have any brothers or sisters. Must be nice and loud at home."
"Haha, yeah, it's loud all right." Ron shrugged, but he was clearly pleased. No one had ever said they envied the Weasleys before.
Harry spotted Hermione behind them. "Oh, right—this is Hermione Granger. We just met on the train."
Hermione gave a small wave.
"No need for introductions," Julien laughed. "Hermione and I went to the same primary school. Small world, right?"
The four of them fell into easy conversation and laughter. Neville watched from a distance, looking a little wistful. Beside him, a golden-haired girl with a round, baby-faced smile watched the group with the same quiet envy.
At the end of the path lay a vast, ink-black lake. Its surface was mirror-still, reflecting the starry sky above.
"Four to a boat!" Hagrid called. "No pushing, no panicking—the boats move themselves!"
Julien, Hermione, Harry, and Ron naturally formed one group.
Behind them, Liriya, Isabella, Neville, and the golden-haired girl climbed into the same boat.
The little vessels were light and steady. Once everyone was seated, they glided silently away from shore toward the middle of the lake.
The night wind was cool and carried the scent of water.
Hermione gripped the edge nervously but couldn't stop talking. "This is the exact route the four founders took when they founded the school. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."
Ron shot Julien a helpless look. Julien answered before Ron could. "Yeah, Hermione's always like this—loves sharing facts. You get used to it… ow!"
He hadn't even finished before Hermione's fist landed on his shoulder. Everyone burst out laughing.
Once the teasing started, the others quickly understood Hermione's habit, and even she realised how she came across. The mood stayed light and warm.
In the next boat, Isabella studied the glowing runes on the hull with interest. Liriya closed her eyes, as if listening to the lake's pulse.
Suddenly both girls tensed.
Isabella spoke first. "Something big is coming up from below."
Neville and the golden-haired girl huddled together in fright.
Liriya dipped her fingers into the water. "It's all right. She doesn't mean us any harm."
Hagrid noticed too. "There's a giant squid down there, ha! No need to worry—she won't hurt students. If you fall in, she'll probably fish you out herself!"
The boats continued gliding with barely a ripple. Julien lay back, head resting on the gunwale, hands behind his neck, gazing up at the brilliant river of stars. The sky seemed brighter here than anywhere else.
"Hey, Julien, careful—you'll fall in!" Hermione warned.
"Don't worry," he drawled lazily. "Even if I do, I can swim. Might even meet a mermaid and get a song out of it."
Hermione groaned. "Can you be serious for five seconds?"