Soren and Jacqueline were still chatting, talking about their past. Also Soren introduced his Kneazle Osborn to her. She also introduced her cat as Rosy.
Suddenly, the door slid open, and a girl with beautiful golden-yellow hair, bright hazel eyes, and a slightly worried expression stepped inside.
"Hello… Did you guys see an owl fly past here? I've been looking everywhere."
Soren and Jacqueline looked towards her, and replied together. "No, we didn't."
The girl groaned softly, "Where did it go? I swear I saw it enter this coach…"
Then she looked up, realizing she hadn't introduced herself.
She straightened up with a shy smile. And extend her hand for greeting.
"Oh—sorry! I'm Penny Haywood."
Jacqueline smiled warmly, and shook hands with her.
"I'm Jacqueline Grenger. Nice to meet you."
Soren also shook hands with her. "I'm Soren Whitlock."
Penny nodded politely, but hearing his name, her eyes widened and jaw dropped.
"Whitlock…? Wait, you are the brother of Elara Whitlock?"
Soren blinked in confusion.
"Yes? Why? Do you know my sister?"
Penny stepped closer, speaking in a slightly breathless voice.
"Know her? Almost everyone knows her! Your sister Elara Whitlock and her disappearance was huge news in the wizarding world."
Soren stiffened.
"I… I didn't know that. My parents never told me anything."
Penny looked at him with surprise and sympathy, "It was all over the Daily Prophet, Soren. A massive headline."
She raised her hands dramatically, repeating the exact title: "Elara Whitlock – Disappears While Searching the Cursed Vaults!"
Jacqueline gasped hearing this, while Soren felt his heart beating.
"Cursed… Vaults? What do you mean by this? What vaults are cursed?!"
Penny bit her lip.
"There are rumors that Hogwarts hides ancient, cursed chambers deep inside the school. Only a few students ever dare look for them…"
She hesitated.
"Your sister was one of them."
A cold shock ran through Soren's chest.
And today he knew how his sister Elara has vanished.
He whispered to himself. "Why… Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Penny shook her head gently.
"I don't know… but what happened to her is still talked about even now."
Soren looked down, fists trembling slightly.
His sister's disappearance was not a quiet tragedy. It was a mystery known across the wizarding world. And he was the only one left in the dark.
Jacqueline placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. The train continued racing toward Hogwarts.
---
The Hogwarts Express finally slowed, steam clouding the windows as the train screeched to a stop. Students leaned forward, grabbing trunks and pets with excitement.
Soren, Jacqueline, and Penny stood up together.
Jacqueline sighed, "Ah, we're finally here…"
Penny looked at the scenario and murmured. "Hogwarts… it's even more magical in person."
The three stepped down onto the platform.
And then, a booming voice echoed across the platform, "FIRS' YEARS! FIRS' YEARS OVER HERE!"
A giant of a man stood there, tall as a small tree, with wild hair, a huge beard, and a lantern the size of a bucket in his hand.
He waved at the new students with a warm smile, "Come on, first years! Don' be shy! All o' yeh, follow me!"
Soren whispered to Jacqueline. "He's huge…"
Jacqueline whispered back. "He looks like he could lift the train."
Penny giggled nervously, "That must be Hagrid… he's famous for taking care of magical creatures."
They joined the group of nervous first-years, and huddled around him.
Hagrid noticed Soren's cat peeking out of the carrier.
"Tha's a cute lil' Kneazle-cross yeh got there. Rare ones, those."
Soren blinked.
"You know that just by looking?"
Hagrid laughed hearing this, "I've been 'round creatures all me life, lad. Nothing gets past me."
He turned and started walking.
"Right then! Follow me to the boats! Hogwarts is just across the lake."
The students murmured excitedly as they followed him down a lantern-lit pathway through the trees.
At the end of the trail, a breathtaking sight appeared. The great Black Lake, still and shining like glass… and beyond it was Hogwarts Castle, glowing golden under the night sky, its towers rising like ancient crowns.
The first-years gasped collectively.
Even Soren, weighed down by worry and mystery, felt awe strike him.
Jacqueline was mesmerized seeing this, "It's… beautiful."
Penny nodded with her, "I can't believe we're really here."
Hagrid clapped his huge hands.
"Right! Four students per boat! Off yeh go!"
Soren stepped into the gently rocking boat. Jacqueline followed, then Penny.
A fourth student, a girl with neatly braided brown-blonde hair and confident posture, climbed in last.
She adjusted her robe, sitting straight as a wand.
"Hope there's still room for me. I'm Cassie Alcott."
"Yes, of course, Cassie. Welcome on board. I am Soren Whitlock," Soren agreed and introduced himself.
Jacqueline greeted her. "Nice to meet you! I am Jacqueline Grenger!"
Penny also introduced herself, "Hi! I am Penny Haywood"
Cassie nodded with polite grace. Soon they introduce each other, and Soren finds out that Cassie is a pure-blood wizard. Her mom wants her to join Ravenclaw.
Jacqueline poked at her, "Then I hope you get Gryffindor."
Cassie raised a playful eyebrow. "We'll see. The hat will decides where we goes."
Hagrid shouted, "FORWARD!"
Suddenly, all the boats began to glide across the silent lake, smooth as silk.
The reflections of Hogwarts shimmered over the black water, tall towers, glowing windows, ancient stone walls lit like something from a dream.
Soren watched in awe, his mouth slightly open, "I can't believe it… we're actually here."
His Kneazle sat on his lap, purring anxiously.
Jacqueline leaned slightly over the edge, "Look… is that a giant squid?"
A long ripple in the water moved under their boat. A tentacle briefly brushed the surface and dipped back into the depths.
Penny squeaked and grabbed Soren's arm, "O-Okay. I believe you."
Cassie smirked seeing it, "A harmless creature, mostly. My father once said first-years are too scrawny to bother eating."
Penny went pale hearing it.
Jacqueline burst into laughter, while also Soren smiled.
---
As the boats approached the towering cliffside, and drifted into the narrow cavern beneath the castle, torches lighting the way.
Soren swallowed hard.
He could almost feel something inside was calling him.
Cassie noticed his distant gaze.
"You alright, Soren?"
He nodded slowly.
"Yeah… just thinking." But his voice held a weight, which Jacqueline and Penny didn't miss.
Soon, the boats were stopped.
Hagrid lifted a lantern, "Firs' years, follow me!"
The four climbed out and joined the group climbing the stone steps toward the massive wooden doors.
Soren's heart pounded. Jacqueline held her excitement. Penny tried not to shake. Cassie walked with quiet confidence.
Ahead, the door creaked open… And Professor McGonagall appeared to welcome them, she tall and regal, while her robes is flowing.
"Welcome to Hogwarts."
All the children fell silent. Candles flickered behind her, shadows dancing on the stone walls.
Jacqueline stood straight, trying to look brave. Penny clutched the handle of her bag nervously. Cassie kept her chin high, calm and elegant. Soren listened intently.
"Now... Please wait quietly while I go and see if they are ready for you."
The moment McGonagall walked away, the nearby wall glowed faintly, and several ghosts floated through, gliding past the students.
Everyone gasped.
Jacqueline nearly jumped back, "Ghosts… real ghosts…"
Penny hid behind her slightly. Cassie watched with fascination. Soren's Kneazle hissed softly.
The Fat Friar floated near them, smiling cheerfully.
"Ah! New Gryffindors? Or Hufflepuffs? Lovely, lovely!"
The Grey Lady drifted silently past Soren, her eyes flicking toward him for just a moment to study him… almost recognizing something.
Soren shivered without knowing why.
---
McGonagall returned after a few minutes, and ordered everyone, "Form a line."
When everyone form the line, the doors of Great Hall opened.
WHOOSH.
And the Great Hall revealed itself in all its glory. Floating candles lighting the room. Sky enchanted to look like the night sky. Four long House tables stood on a row. Hundreds of students watching them.
Professors seated at the high table. And in the center, the Sorting Hat, old and wrinkled, placed on a stool.
Jacqueline whispered to her new friends, "It's beautiful…"
Penny said nothing, she was too much nervous.
Cassie inhaled softly, composed. Soren stared upward, overwhelmed by the magic.
McGonagall stood with the scroll.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. Before the welcoming feast. We must sort all first year students into their proper houses."
"The Sorting ceremony is very important."
"Your House will be like your family while you are here. You will have classes together, sleep in your House dormitories, and gain or lose points for your House."
She eyed everyone sternly.
"I hope each of you will be a credit to your House."
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, the brave and chivalrous."
"Hupplepuff, kind and diligent."
"Ravenclaw, the witty and wise."
"And Slytherin, the cunning and ambitious."
"Each house has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding wizards and witches."
"I hope you all will be fine additions to their rank."
"And, now for…"
"When I call your name, you will come forward and be sorted."
The hall quieted hearing it.
"Riley Ava!"
A girl goes shyly, sat, and after a moment, the Hat shouted, "Ravenclaw!"
"Ben Cooper!" He walked forward nervously, sat, and after a moment, the Hat shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Merula Snyde!"
Sorted into Slytherin.
One by one the students went up.
After a few more names, McGonagall called, "Penny Haywood!"
Penny squeaked, nearly tripping as she walked up.
The hat touched her head for barely two seconds, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
She sighed in relief and hurried to her new table.
"Cassie Alcott!"
Cassie stepped up gracefully.
The Hat hummed for a surprising while, "Smart… ambitious… but kind at heart… Could be Slytherin… maybe Ravenclaw… But where will you shine?"
Hat thought for a few seconds, and then shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Cassie smiled proudly and walked to join her House.
"Soren Whitlock!"
Soren walked forward, while still thinking about his sister.
Instantly, students from all four tables began whispering.
"Whitlock? Same surname as the girl who disappeared…"
"Yeah, Elara Whitlock…"
"The Cursed Vault searcher, right?"
Soren sat on the stool as the Sorting Hat dropped over his eyes.
Inside Soren's Mind
The Hat's voice echoed gently.
"Ohhh… interesting. Another Whitlock…"
Soren asked hearing it, "You know Elara?"
"I know many things. But that is not your concern now."
"You have drive… sharp instincts… ambition tucked beneath doubt… Oh yes, I see exactly where you belong…"
And then, Sorting Hat shouted.
"SLYTHERIN!"
The hall applauded politely.
Soren stood and walked toward the Slytherin table.
Slytherin Prefect greeted him, "Welcome to Slytherin, Whitlock."
Soren took the seat, still thinking about it.
"Jacqueline Grenger!"
Jacqueline approached the stool, slightly trembling. She glanced at Soren in Slytherin… and her chest tightened.
The Sorting Hat dropped onto her head.
Inside Jacqueline's Mind, Sorted Heart thought was heard, "Ahh, a brave heart! Fire, courage, and a mind ready to rise. Gryffindor would suit you well, girl."
Jacqueline panicked, she didn't want to be separated from the only friend she had made today.
Under her breath, she began whispering, "Slytherin… Slytherin… Slytherin…"
The Hat hesitated.
"…You want Slytherin? Truly? This is unusual. Gryffindor fits you better."
She whispered again, "Slytherin. Please… Slytherin."
The Hat sighed like an old man giving up, "Well… if that's where you feel you belong…
I must respect your choice."
Then it shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"
Jacqueline exhaled in relief and hurried to join Soren.
She sat beside him, smiling nervously.
"I… didn't want to be separated."
Soren blinked, he was touched by her gesture, "Welcome."
The ceremony continued, candles flickering, students clapping, teachers smiling.
But for Soren and Jacqueline, their journey in House Slytherin had just begun.