A fallen narrow leaf landed on her medium-sized lavender luggage while she was preparing to leave. More greens that turned into a bright golden one, some are orange to reddish tone scattered on the ground as the cold breeze whispered gently—proclaiming that the autumn season has began.

The young lady was standing on the front door with her brother and checking on her things one last time. His trunks appeared to be smaller than the younger, perchance he is an incoming third-year student. Both of them were holding their bags, their parents were gazing down the road, awaiting for their ride to arrive. The distant thud was heard, a metallic rattle of the wheel and a carriage invincibly pulled by a beast emerged from the lane.

The siblings climbed into the carriage, after their bags were settled. The smell of an old parchment and burnt wood lingers inside the wagon. As it moved, it's wheel crunched over the crispy dried leaves on the pavement. A various hue transitions were visible from the small window pane like watching an old scenery. They passed through some narrow roads going to Hogsmeade.

As they neared the station, the carriage slowed and halted before the crowd. The family hopped off and the parents greeted some familiar faces. The brother were joyed to meet his classmates again after their summer break. While everyone was conversing, Seraphine, her mother, formed a soft curved on her lips and slightly bent down to look at her daughter's face.

"Remember, your house isn't just your school dormitory. It will be your forever home no matter which house you will get in." She advised with a lovely expression.

"And don't let the ghosts rattle you." The father spoke, smiling at her daughter. "And you, keep out of a trouble." He added, referring to his son.

Other families and parents were doing the same thing as they did. She didn't know that there will be numbers of first year students this school year, and she was hoping to get along with them—planning to make friends during the boat ride. Her hazel-green orbs were wandering around as it landed to the open door of the Hogwarts Express. She tipped her toes to look more inside when they got called by the Keeper to prepare for their departure to Hogwarts. As a pure-blooded young witch, she lived in the East Hogsmeade Valley her whole life and never been outside the wizarding world. She never been into the Hogwarts Express, hopefully, soon.

The first year students were led apart from the other years. She got separated with her brother, who will be riding the carriage to Hogwarts. All new students followed the Keeper down to the small dock on the Black Lake.

"Listen, first years! Mind your steps. One at a time. Just pick a seat and don't move a lot. Or else you all wanna meet our massive friendly beast!" The Keeper warned.

Anika carefully hopped inside the boat with the other freshmen. She was seated between two young witches. As they filled in the capacity, the boat drifted forward as if it was guided by a captain. It was moving like a plank. All students has the spark of anticipation, looking around while chattering about the huge and whimsical castle. Few minutes have passed, they had successfully crossed the lake with no harm. The boat slowly scraped against the pebbled shore.

As she stepped out, the young witch looked up at the fortress. She heard a lot about the school but never imagined how it was more beautiful to witness with her own eyes. Somewhere inside the castle, her brother was up there or still in the carriage. But for now, she will unlock a deep memory.