The landscape streaked past the windows of the train. Their features blurred into an uncertain tapestry, like the future that Ethan Baker would soon embark on. He tried to focus his vision on a particular tree, or perhaps a passing bird, but his mind couldn’t escape the conversations around him. Some of the children shared Ethan’s ignorance about Hogwarts. Others spoke of an immense castle with floating candles and secret corridors.

Ethan couldn’t help but draw parallels between these descriptions and the stories he’d write in the past. His mind conjured fantastical adventures of magic and mystery, where brave heroes would battle the forces of evil. They possessed the abilities to strike down their foes with arcane might, to understand the world’s secrets, and to help those who needed it most. Ethan imagined, if just for a fleeting moment, that he was that hero.

As his imagination whirred into action, he lost awareness of the train and other children. Ethan stood on the peak of a mountain with his dragon heartstring wand in hand. He could see the oncoming threat. With a wingspan twice the size of the train’s cabin, a fierce beast roared. Standing firm, Ethan chuckled. He raised his wand confidently. He knew just the spell. Just as the creature reached him, he began to say the words. “Alakazam?” he whispered to himself. “Razzle Dazzle?” he tried. “No. Spells are something else, something epic.” Ethan bit his lip as he focused intently on finding the correct verbage.

He sighed. Ethan knew nothing about magic and spells. That wouldn’t stop him from finding someone who did know. They could teach him. He took out his journal and opened it to an empty page. There, he wrote down his first task: “find a dragon slayer”. He grinned. That would be a good friend to have, indeed.

As Ethan returned to reality, he overheard a conversation from a nearby cabin. The inhabitants discussed four “houses”, where the incoming students would be assigned. The children seemed split on their preferred home. House Gryffindor favored the noble and courageous, while Slytherin preferred those of a subtler persuasion. House Ravenclaw, as one of the children put it, is “for nerds”. A quick rebuttal suggested that a Gryffindor simply couldn’t fathom the intellect of a Ravenclaw, and therefore shouldn’t even bother. The fourth house, Hufflepuff, didn’t garner much discourse. Instead, their members plainly received the labels of “friendly” and “hard-working”.

Ethan tried to place himself into one of the houses. Given the curt descriptions, he could only operate on a few identifiers. He didn’t consider himself particularly courageous if his fear of spiders were any indication. Nor did he recall any situation where he used cunning or subterfuge. Ravenclaw encouraged academic curiosity and creativity, something Ethan knew he exhibited. Plus, he was rather fond of ravens. He could feel the excitement brewing within. He knew where he belonged.

The train rumbled through the hills and long stretches of flatlands. A passing student pointed out the window and noted that Hogwarts would be appearing soon. Ethan began to feel nervous. The others grew in excitement as they listed the things they would accomplish or the spells they would cast. Someone mentioned a sport of broom flying and dodgeball, but Ethan could not understand. Everyone around him seemed so aware of the world they were entering. At that moment, he felt quite alone. It did not help that some students ostracized children of non-magical parents.

As the train slowed, Ethan looked out the window. There it stood, perched atop the hillside. His eyes widened as he glimpsed the castle. All concerns and worries melted away. He found it impossible to feel lost in the face of such wonder. He could not pull his eyes away from the sight as he grabbed his things. “Alakazam,” he whispered. “This is happening.”

Interacting with @Ethan Baker

Percival had hoped for a quiet ride to Hogwarts but as usual that only proved to be a rarity. He had managed to get into his cabin quite early without any fuss for the first portion of the trip, but as soon as the train had set off a fresh first year had ventured in and sat opposite. The newspaper he was reading seemed to obscure curious eyes and unwanted conversation for now, but as time went on the newcomer only seemed to get more and more excited by the site of the famous castle that was in the distance.

It was quite normal for new students to be like this, after all, it was quite a privilege to be taught here. However, Percival wouldn't go as far as talk to himself or mutter random spells that didn't exist just like he was doing just now. Releasing a small sigh, Gray finally urged himself to look over his newspaper and glare at the boy "You do realise I can hear you" Percy muttered out first, just before lowering the newspaper back onto his lap "If anyone heard you say Razzle Dazzle or Alakazam I'm sure you'd be laughed out of the castle"

He'd learn eventually what those "epic" spell names were when it came to it. The kid would also find out the harsh reality of being in such a special school, and that was something Percival didn't want to be there for.

"Anyway, tell me about yourself kid. It will be far better for your sanity to speak with a living person rather than your brain..."

@Percival Gray

Helpful advice by good natured peers is what every student needs to succeed. Ethan never considered that a magical castle would have unexpected operations. To be expelled for too many laughs made sense the more he considered it. Hogwarts was a place of excellence and
rigor, not the revels of immature children. As he turned toward the student, Ethan noted the age difference. If anyone knew how to succeed at Hogwarts, it was this individual. He probably had two hundred best friends, earned from his many years at the wizarding school. That, and the countless number of epic spells gleaned from hours in study. Perhaps he could slay a dragon, or brew a magical potion. The possibilities whirled in his mind. He had to know.

“I am Ethan.” He looked toward the newspaper. “Do you like to read?” His back stiffened to remain stern. There could be no indication of frivolity, not if he wanted to stay admitted in the school. “I love to read, it’s my favorite thing to do. That, and helping my auntie.” Oblivious to the sarcasm, Ethan gave a warm smile to the elder student.

For a moment, he struggled to remember the attributes of each house. His excitement at meeting someone new clouded his mind and brought his focus to the immediate present. He did, however, recall one specific house. “You must be very smart. Are you a Ravenclaw?”

Interacting with @Ethan Baker

"No, I like to admire the random black ink"

The wit and sarcasm of Gray held no bounds, and if he were smart he'd need to get used to it quite fast when it came to the students of Hogwarts. Rolling his eyes slightly, he finally gave him a proper answer "Yes, it helps keep my mind focused. Reading about the daily events of the wizarding world is one of them, there's always something in here to latch your mind onto" he explained while giving a brief nod to the castle "Student gossip can get tiring, trust me"

Percy raised a brow to what he said next, it was something he had never been called before, nor did he want to be called. A Ravenclaw? The confused boy must have a stone lodged in that clockwork brain of his "Please, do not call me that again. I am a Slytherin, not those blue buffoons you call smart" said Gray with a shake of his head and a small tutt "Intelligance is not confined to just one house. I've known Ravenclaws who are as dumb as an ogre and as blunt as a butterknife, there's no difference..."

"Trust me, Ethan. The older you grow here the more you'll realise I'm right."