Chapter 4

The train ride to Hogwarts was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I found an empty compartment near the back of the train, grateful for the moment of solitude. Guinn curled up on the seat beside me, her small form rising and falling with each peaceful breath. I absentmindedly ran my fingers through her soft fur as the rhythmic chug of the train soothed my nerves.

Outside the window, the English countryside passed in a blur of green and gold, bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun. I let my thoughts drift, going over everything Viviane and Kirion had told me before my departure. The Holy Grail. The balance of nature. Dark magic stirring in Britain.

I was no ordinary first-year student. I had a mission.

A sharp knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I turned just as the compartment door slid open, revealing a girl with bushy brown hair and a slightly impatient expression. Her eyes quickly took in the scene before settling on me.

"Everywhere else is full. May I sit here?" she asked, her tone brisk and matter-of-fact.

I inclined my head slightly. "Go ahead."

She stepped inside and took a seat across from me, immediately pulling out a book and flipping through its pages. "I'm Hermione Granger," she said without looking up.

"Genevieve Lake," I replied simply.

Her gaze flickered briefly to Guinn, who stretched lazily. "Oh wow, now that's a rather unusual-looking cat. Is it safe to assume she isn't a normal one?"

I allowed a small smile. "It is."

Before she could press further, the compartment door slid open again. A nervous boy with a round face and blond hair peeked inside, clutching an empty pet cage. His voice wavered as he spoke. "Excuse me, have you seen a toad? I think I lost mine."

Hermione sighed, setting her book down. "Honestly, how does one even lose a toad?"

The boy's ears reddened, and he looked away.

I took pity on him. Pulling my wand from my cloak, I murmured, "Revelio Animale."

A faint glow pulsed from my wand, spreading across the room before moving beyond the door. Moments later, a small ripple of energy revealed a tiny form beneath one of the train seats. Trevor, the missing toad, blinked up at us.

He gasped. "You found him!"

I bent down and carefully retrieved the toad, placing him into the boy's empty cage. "There you go. Try to keep a better hold of him."

The boy stammered his thanks before shuffling away, looking both relieved and embarrassed. Hermione raised an eyebrow at me.

"That was advanced magic for a first-year. Where did you learn that?"

I met her gaze steadily. "Just something I picked up."

She narrowed her eyes slightly, clearly intrigued, but thankfully did not press further. As she returned to her book, I settled back into my seat, my fingers running idly through Guinn's fur. 

The train ride continued, the chugging of the Hogwarts Express filling the silence between me and Hermione. She had returned to her book, occasionally glancing at me as if trying to piece together a puzzle. I remained composed, keeping my thoughts guarded. Guinn stretched beside me, her blue eyes flickering as she nestled into my lap.

The door to the compartment slid open again, and this time, a blond boy with sharp features entered, flanked by two bulky boys who seemed more muscle than mind. He glanced around the compartment before his pale eyes settled on me.

"I haven't seen you before," he said smoothly, stepping further inside without invitation. "I'm Draco Malfoy. And you are?"

I met his gaze evenly. "Genevieve."

His lips curled slightly, as if my response amused him. "Just Genevieve?"

"For now."

Hermione huffed from across the compartment, snapping her book shut. "You shouldn't just barge into people's compartments without asking. It's rude."

Draco barely acknowledged her, keeping his focus on me. "I thought I'd introduce myself. It's important to know the right sort of wizards."

I tilted my head slightly. "And you consider yourself the right sort?"

His smirk grew. "You'll find that out soon enough."

I studied him for a moment before offering a polite, but unimpressed nod. "Then I suppose we'll see."

Draco's smirk faltered just slightly before he turned away. "Come on, Crabbe, Goyle," he muttered, striding out of the compartment. His lackeys followed without question, leaving behind an air of arrogance in their wake.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly. The nerve of some people."

I said nothing, only stroking Guinn's fur thoughtfully. Malfoy's presence was a reminder—Hogwarts was filled with those who sought power, just as it was filled with those who wished to protect it.

I would have to tread carefully.

As the sky darkened and the train neared its destination, I glanced out the window, catching sight of the first lights of Hogsmeade in the distance.

The train soon began to slow, and a voice echoed through the train: "We will be arriving at Hogwarts in five minutes. Please leave your belongings in the train; they will be taken to the castle separately."

Excitement buzzed in the air as first-years hurried to change into their robes. I followed suit, fastening my cloak and adjusting the sleeves of my robes. The moment was upon me.

As the train pulled into the station, I took a deep breath and stepped onto the platform. Lanterns flickered in the distance, illuminating a towering figure calling for first-years.

"Firs'-years! This way!" Hagrid's deep voice boomed over the chatter.

I followed the throng of students toward the boats waiting by the black lake, my heart steady but my mind alert.

The castle loomed ahead, glowing against the night sky, its presence ancient and powerful.

Hogwarts.

I had arrived.

The boat ride across the lake was silent, save for the occasional whisper of awe from my fellow first-years. The water reflected the towering turrets and glowing windows of the castle, the image rippling as the boats glided forward. Guinn sat perched beside me, her blue eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

We soon reached the shore, where an imposing set of stone steps led to the castle entrance. Hagrid led us inside, and we found ourselves in a vast, torch-lit hall. The warmth of the castle was a stark contrast to the chill of the lake outside.

A stern-looking woman stood at the far end of the hall, her robes immaculate, her sharp gaze sweeping over the gathered students. Professor McGonagall.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said, her voice commanding silence. "In a few moments, you will enter the Great Hall to be sorted into your houses. The Sorting Ceremony is a tradition that determines which house will be your home for the next seven years."

Murmurs spread through the group, but McGonagall's sharp look quickly silenced them. "Follow me."

We were led into the Great Hall, where four long tables stretched across the room, filled with older students watching our arrival with interest. At the far end, a raised platform held the staff table, and in front of it sat an old, tattered hat on a stool.

The Sorting Hat.

One by one, names were called, and students stepped forward to receive their house assignments. My heart remained steady as I waited. When my name was finally spoken, the hall seemed to quiet.

"Lake, Genevieve."

I walked forward, head high, and took my seat beneath the Sorting Hat. The ancient voice whispered into my mind.

"Interesting… very interesting. Where shall we put you?"

I remained silent, waiting.

"Hmm," the Hat mused. "Odd... I cannot seem to read your thoughts properly. There's something shielding you. Quite unusual. A natural Occlumens? No… this is different. Something ancient."

I remained still, my expression neutral.

The Hat sighed. "Well, that does make things tricky. Let's see what I can gather. Intelligence, curiosity, a thirst for knowledge... yes, I see potential here. Ambition, certainly, but not the type that seeks power alone. Bravery, too, but measured, thoughtful. You would do well in many places… but where would you thrive?"

A pause.

"Ravenclaw, I think," the Hat finally announced.

The table to my right erupted into applause. I removed the hat and stepped down, making my way toward my new house. As I sat among the Ravenclaws, I exhaled softly, feeling the weight of expectation settle upon my shoulders.

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The feast began in earnest, plates filling with delicious food as the chatter of students filled the hall. I watched carefully, memorizing faces, noting the way certain students carried themselves. The girl I shared in the train compartment, Hermione—was at the Gryffindor table, speaking in hushed tones with two boys, one with red hair and the other with black. Not too far away at the Gryffindor table was the boy who lost his toad, Neville, which apparently was his name. Across the room, Draco Malfoy and his entourage sat in Slytherin, their postures easy, confident.

Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet, calling for silence. His twinkling eyes swept across the hall as he addressed us with warmth, welcoming both new and returning students. My fingers drummed lightly against the table. The magic in this place was undeniable, thick in the air like a lingering mist.

I had spent centuries in Avalon, learning magic beyond the reach of mortals. Yet, here I was, masquerading as a child, entering a world that had no idea what I truly was. A student. A seeker. A protector of something lost.

As the feast carried on, I felt a pair of eyes on me. Looking up, I met the gaze of Professor Snape. His dark eyes narrowed slightly, studying me, and in that moment, I wondered—had he noticed what the Sorting Hat had? That something about me did not quite belong?

The feast continued, laughter and chatter filling the Great Hall as the students indulged in the vast array of food before them. Though I ate, my attention remained elsewhere, my senses stretched beyond the ordinary. I could feel the hum of magic, thick and ancient, within the very walls of the castle.

The moment the desserts vanished, Dumbledore stood again, drawing all eyes to him. His voice was warm and commanding. "Now that our bellies are full and our minds eager, it is time for you all to head to your dormitories. Prefects, please guide the first years. Welcome to Hogwarts."

The Ravenclaw prefects gathered us, and I followed them as we left the Great Hall and ascended the castle staircases. The corridors were lined with towering bookshelves, enchanted suits of armor, and shifting staircases that creaked underfoot. The closer we got to the Ravenclaw Tower, the more the air seemed to change—cooler, sharper, filled with an intellectual energy that resonated deeply within me.

When we reached the entrance, a large bronze eagle knocker awaited us. The prefect turned to the group. "To enter Ravenclaw Tower, you must answer a riddle."

The knocker came to life, its wings moving as it asked in a melodic voice, "What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?"

A murmur spread through the first-years. I spoke before the others had time to think.

"The letter M."

The eagle knocker inclined its head, and the door swung open. The prefects looked impressed, but said nothing as we stepped into the common room.

The room was breathtaking—vast, circular, and bathed in the glow of enchanted blue flames. High arched windows revealed the night sky, the stars twinkling like scattered diamonds. Towering bookshelves stretched up toward the domed ceiling, and plush armchairs circled a grand marble fireplace.

"Your dormitories are up those staircases," the prefect said, motioning to two spiraling sets of stairs. "Girls to the right, boys to the left. Get some rest—classes begin tomorrow."

I climbed the stairs, finding my assigned bed in the shared dormitory. Guinn leapt onto the mattress as I settled beneath the covers, my mind still reeling from the day's events. I had arrived at Hogwarts, successfully blended in among the students, and secured my place within Ravenclaw.

But my mission was only beginning.

As the castle settled into sleep, I gazed out the window, my fingers brushing the hidden pendant beneath my robes. Somewhere within these walls, the Holy Grail called to me.