Chapter Text
September First
The beginning of his new life. He didn’t want to linger by the now-shut doors, his brain burning with the last image of his sister crying and his mother waving him goodbye. The thought of his leaving home brought a spring of fresh tears, ones he furtively wiped away. As the train lurched forward, Jack tumbled slightly, picking up his courage and opening the first coach door.
Jack made his way through the narrow and crowded walkway of the Hogwarts Express, struggling to grip his wooden luggage bag. The business all around him made him shrink inward, envious as he was pushed and toppled by friends who embraced each other. There were the kind of screams Jack found that girls in his old school made when they hadn’t seen each other in a long time; the bro-fists and hollers, the neatly tucked shirts unravelling as the façade of perfect students broke into chaos.
“Did you hear that Eugene changed his name again?” “What is it now?” “He’s now calling himself Flynn Rider!” A group of girls sat together, cooing over a moving photograph of a boy their age.
“Did I not tell you that that Crood girl brought her pet crocodile on the Express?” “You’re not being serious!” Two burly boys that towered over Jack crossed his path, punching each other in disbelief. A third jumped out of his seat and tackled them, his pet cat hissing in their cage.
From the end of the coach, a group of four students in blue and silver robes huddled over something, furiously debating back and forth, using words Jack had never heard of and speaking of alchemic reactions. The only one of the group dressed in yellow and black, wearing a holed beanie, lazily slumped to the side, waved to someone past Jack, his slow voice carrying volume. “Yo, Nod! Get over here and tell me about you and Mary Kate!”
Jack snuck a glance behind him. A tall boy in ruffled robes signalled back and yelled about telling him all about it later.
The bombardment of names and lives finally left Jack as he entered the private quarters. The public quarter of the Express was unruly and filled with warmth that had yet touched him. Instead, he found an empty cabin and fell against the plush chairs. He relaxed for a moment, letting his emotions wave over him.
Now that he was alone he could feel a dull ache in his heart. He wondered what his old friends were doing now that school would start. No doubt Jamie and the gang were making the most of the end of summer. Their goodbye card was tucked safely in his luggage, and Jack yearned to pull it out and reread it for a hundredth time. It was paired with a photo his mum took on his birthday several months ago, of the whole gang and his sister in the bowling alley, back when he still had brown hair.
Jack pulled on his fringe, still unused to his new white strands. The accident happened so fast and now here was a permanent reminder that he was now different. That, and the fact that the wand he kept in his robe pocket would be part of his new daily life.
He clutched his robes, these new clothes that were so foreign to his usual trousers and hoodie. He traced the buttons on his robe, fiddling with the idea that all of this was not a dream. Magic existed. There was a magic school. This was a magic train- or at least he presumed this was a magic train.
His gaze wandered around the cabin, taking in the grandeur of the mahogany panels and smooth elegance. In here was a large window, which he pressed his face against, watching the scenery of farmland change into forests. A thrill sparked against his ache, calling him toward this new adventure.
“Right! No more moping!” he proclaimed with a puff of his chest, shaking off his melancholia with a bright smile.
He stood up, knuckles on his hips and decided to do something to take his mind off things. First order of business: make more space. Mustering up his strength, Jack heaved up one side of his luggage, balancing between the cushions and the table, his small hands hurting against the leather strap.
“You look like you need help!”
A pair of hands lifted up the end of his luggage and helped Jack shove his wooden crate onto the railings above.
Jack sighed, arching his back to rid the pain. “I owe you one! I think I over packed it,” he laughed, rubbing his lower back.
A girl with long blonde hair, the one who’d helped him, told him not to worry about it. She was so cute that Jack had to look away to hide his flush. They worked together to lift her own luggage bags. The girl sat down, inviting him with a simple pat. Jack relaxed, feeling the soft velvet shift under the weight of his fingers. There was nothing as luxurious as this where he came from, and he vowed to absorb the feel of it into his memory.
“I’m Jack,” he introduced, turning his neck, his head leaning against the headboard they shared.
The girl smiled widely, and ducked her head. “I’m Rapunzel! I guess you’re a First Year like me?”
Jack nodded earnestly, scooting closer to her. “I’m actually a little nervous about all of this,” he confided, “None of this feels real. I still feel like I’m going to wake up and go back to the life I had.”
“I know what you mean!” Rapunzel exclaimed, “I couldn’t believe it when I did magic. One day I was just brushing my hair when somehow, with each brush, my hair got longer and longer! My dad had to snap me out of my trance because my hair now took up half of my room.”
Jack stared with a slacked jaw, gaze falling on her plaited and braided hair. He hadn’t wanted to say anything earlier, since his mother had taught him manners better than that, but he couldn’t believe it’s length. “Whoa,” was the only thing he could mutter.
She pointed at his own snow-white locks. “Did you get those before or after your welcome letter?”
“After,” he said sheepishly, flattening his hair down. “We didn’t believe it at first, but then…”
Rapunzel laughed politely, tugging on her own hair. “Well it’s nice to meet somebody my age-“
They were interrupted by their cabin doors flying open.
“Could I join yer cabin? Thos seniors are killin meh!” A Scottish hurricane whirled into their cabin, shutting the glass doors a little hard for Jack’s liking. She sunk into the opposite chairs, rubbing her temples. She was just as dishevelled as the upperclassmen Jack had observed, but she seemed to be as young as him and his new companion.
There was something about how her commotion disrupted the peace in this small space that made Jack immaturely dislike her. Her crossed his arms and turned away, opting to look out the window instead of reply. He did his best to frown as deeply as he could.
Rapunzel took note of her new friend’s reaction, but also extended a hand to their new cabinmate. “I’m Rapunzel, this is Jack. It would be a pleasure if you joined us.”
The mess of curls grinned and took her hand, shaking roughly. “I’m Merida, nice ter meet yah!”
Jack huffed, catching her attention. Merida narrowed her eyes at him, deciding that she didn’t like him either.
“I take it that both of ye are First Years?”
Rapunzel nodded and repeated their encounter to the new girl. The clear-blue eyes of the other girl lit up, scanning between the two opposite her.
“You both are muggleborns?” she asked.
Jack and Rapunzel looked to each other.
“What?”
Merida went on to explain the term, how normal it is for both Rapunzel and Jack to feel completely out of place and such. While her insight was a source of his grudge lessening, Jack’s mind became consumed with a thought.
“You aren’t a muggleborn?” he said suddenly as Merida was speaking.
She slowly turned her attention to him, miffed that she couldn’t talk to someone she actually liked. Rapunzel could feel the growing tension and did her best to calm her newfound friends.
“I’m a half-blood. Me dad’s a muggle and me mum’s a witch. She’s actually a professor at Hogwarts.” Her nose turned upward, arms crossed as she waited for him to say something back. She’d leaned back in her seat and glared at him challengingly.
Jealousy flared up inside Jack. Her family got to be around her. She knew about this world. It wasn’t fair and he wanted to quip back something mean, but as he caught Rapunzel’s eye, he paused. She was pleading with him with those large eyes of hers, silently begging him to take it in stride. She was a muggleborn too and would be with him on this journey, now that they were friends, and they could use a friend who knew the ropes.
Reluctantly, Jack turned back to the window and mumbled something about how neat it was for Merida.
“It’s actually a pain,” Merida groaned, sinking in her chair to create a mop of hair over her freckled face. “She’ll actually be able to monitor me and check that I’m doing homework.” She shuddered.
Rapunzel laughed. “Do you not do your homework?”
“I do! It just might be turned in late, is all.” A grin cracked through the hair and Merida shifted upright again. “What about you, Rapunzel? Are you a goody-goody?”
As the girls settled into a conversation about their families and what they wanted out of their new school lives, Jack huddled in the corner. The dull ache returned with the jealousy, and this time he couldn’t just mope around- there were girls with him now.
Several hours passed of light chatter, Rapunzel sometimes asking Jack a question to bring him into the conversation. But she could sense that neither Merida or Jack particularly liked it when they had to interact. It was starting to tire her out, playing mediator; she rarely had to play this part in her homelife and previous school, glad to have loving parents and more assertive friends. If only there was someone else in this cabin with them who could balance things out.
Further down the compartment, there was a muffled cheer followed by a yell into the corridor.
“Deny all you want, but I know you, dorkface!”
A boy with shaggy brown hair and plain robes like the three First Years in this cabin appeared before them, an annoyed frown plastered on his face as he stared intently at the table. He knocked on the glass before entering.
“Could I join you guys, please?” It was gruff ask, but Rapunzel felt that it was better than whatever ignoring contest was going on between her other companions.
She made space and gestured for him to close the cabin door. “Certainly! Please join us,” she said, kicking at Merida’s feet for her to make way.
The other girl got the hint and shifted closer to the doors, letting the boy fall into the window seat. He remained quite unhappy, mirroring Jack to admire the scenery beyond.
“I’m Rapunzel!” she said spiritedly, trying to catch his eye as he turned more to the window. When the boy said nothing, and Merida gave a shrug of indifference, Rapunzel started to rub her fingers. “I’m a First Year, so I’m very excited to be going to Hogwarts today!” Still nothing.
Her merry mood was dwindling down. This was supposed to be a special day for her, the beginning of a new world. She hadn’t even cried when she bid her parents farewell, too caught up in the euphoria of learning more about this magical world. She refused to give up on because her companions decided to bring the mood down.
When she’d received her wax sealed letter, revealing that she was magical and would be admitted to this marvellous school, Rapunzel had never known such excitement. Buying the necessary equipment was not a problem, not with the money her parents had; they had given her everything she needed on the curriculum list and more, with tailored robes and a wand. The sights and smells of this magic shopping street left her on a high that lasted up until this moment.
Glancing between the boys and Merida, Rapunzel fidgeted. Her mind raced with new conversation starters and topics, most of which she’d exhausted with Merida. She’d already used that one, said a variation of another, and felt like this one was inappropriate to discuss in front of boys, but even if she wanted to Rapunzel didn’t peg Merida as the kind of girl who liked boy talk. It had only been a few hours, but she prided herself in the ability to read people fairly well. Plus, Merida seemed to be the only girl in this entire train that seemed miserable wearing the girls’ uniform. Even now, Merida was staring into nothingness, just as the boys did.
Maybe silence was the best option right now. Rapunzel leaned back and tried to relax, fidgeting her feet and fingers even more now. Silence didn’t feel right for her, but then again she never did like being alone with her thoughts.
“Sweets, cakes, and other sugary delights!”
All four kids perked up, eyes flashing to the doors. The cabins further up could be heard loudly, their orders downright unbelievable. Yelps and “yahoos” were muffled as the trolley left their section and rolled down.
The trolley, filled with all kinds of sweet delights Rapunzel could think of and more, appeared to them, obscuring the young woman pushing it. Her black hair seemingly had candy stuck to it, her infectious grin greeting them as she presented the options available. The entire batch of Dragon Claws were sold out already, bought by the loud cabin, confessed the trolley lady, who’d introduced herself as Vanellope.
“Everything else is available! So what’ll it be?” she asked, surveying the group.
“I’ll have some chocolate frogs and the gum!” Merida said excitedly, exchanging her money not quickly enough. She tore through the packet of bubble gum, chewing on several pieces at once, sinking into her sigh as if she’d been waiting forever to do this.
Everything was so new, that neither Rapunzel or Jack knew what to pick. They stared with watering mouths at the variety presented to them. For Rapunzel, money didn’t seem to be an issue with her purchases, but she suspected that Jack may not have the same choice.
“I’ll have some of those, and those please.” She purposefully bought too many, and hoped Jack didn’t notice.
“I’ll have …the every flavour beans,” Jack decided, watching his money get pocketed. He inspected the small carton of beans, reading the inscription on the back. It didn’t cost much and he’d have many flavours in one box. Win-Win?
Vanellope turned to the new boy and waited expectedly. “And you?”
“I’m good, thanks,” he said softly, his polite smile not reaching his eyes.
“If that’s all folks, I’ll get a-moving!” Vanellope saluted at the group and strolled down, her scratchy voice carrying away. “Don’t forget to visit von Schweetz’s Sweets in Hogsmeade!”
Contemplating which to start, the Exploding Bonbons or the Fudge Flies, Rapunzel kept switching the target of her greed. Fudge Flies it would be. She opened the packet and screamed when the flies began to fly. Jack jerked back, hit face-full with the flying candy. The boy also threw himself against the chair, flattening himself to stay away from them. Opposite her, Merida’s chocolate frog stuck out it’s candied tongue and caught one, causing her to double over and laugh.
“I forgot, you’re a muggleborn. The animal and bug foods are usually enchanted to move like their living versions.” Merida managed to get out between wheezes. She took out her wand and lit up the tip. Just like real ones, the chocolate flies that’d landed in various places around the cabin flew toward the light. “Quickly, get your box out!”
Rapunzel opened the lid of the box, and shut it quickly once Merida had inserted the chocolate-covered wand.
“You’ll need to fish them out one at a time to eat them,” Merida advised, stepping on her cushion to grab the chocolate frog, which had tried to escape through the air vent.
“Thanks for the help,” Rapunzel said, her heartbeat still ringing in her ears. She noted how the new boy checked himself before settling down again. She turned to him, “Is this your first time seeing enchanted candy?”
He seemed startled that she was addressing him, taking a moment to realise that nobody else was answering. He shook his head.
“It’s okay if it is! I know it is for me, and, well, probably for you too,” she said, this time addressing Jack.
Jack opened his box of beans cautiously.
“Those won’t fly away,” Merida said, her tone joking, “those are beans, after all.”
“I’m just making sure,” grumbled Jack, sneering into the box.
“Jack and I are both muggleborns. It means we were born to parents without magic,” Rapunzel continued, peering at the boy with a cheery expression, “so this entire trip is really an adventure for us both, right?”
“What? Oh, yeah, sure,” Jack said, blushing as he popped his first bean. He made a face and gagged, spitting it back out. “That was disgusting!”
“What flavour did you get?” Merida’s eyes went wide.
“Are you also a muggleborn?” asked Rapunzel, leaving forward. Her large eyes bore into the boy’s own. He tried to look away but found it difficult to focus on anything other than her friendly face; she watched as he struggled to say something.
A snort from the corridor broke the attention. A familiar disgusting sound that made him want to turn around and hide in the corner. He watched as Rapunzel turned to the boy standing by their cabin, already unlatching the door to poke his big head through.
“Hiccup? A muggleborn?” The big boy laughed in spurts. “I WISH!” He carried a bag of Dragon Claws, his chewing loud. “It would at least give him a reason as to why he’s so useless, ey, Hiccup the Useless?”
Hiccup shot his cousin a glare but stayed silent. It was a nickname that stung, bringing back images of his failed birthday test in the Scandinavian mountains. His face burned and he wanted to disappear, to sink deeper into his cushion and never reappear. Snotlout continued to spout insults directed at him, his grin growing as he saw that it was affecting Hiccup.
“Why don’t you leave?” Hiccup mumbled, leaping to shut the doors.
With one foot jamming the way, Snotlout felt invigorated to enter this compartment, pushing Hiccup down with a sticky hand. Whether intentional or not, the force sent Hiccup further back and his head bounced against the corner frame of the window, the wind knocked out him in an instant. A gasp escaped the lips Rapunzel. He was seeing stars now, slumped down clutching his head.
“Alright,” the Scottish girl beside started, rolling her sleeves back. “That’s enough of that, ye big boy.”
Snotlout sneered at Merida, his chest puffing out as he glared up at her. They may be the same age, but Merida was half a head taller and towered over him. Hiccup wasn’t sure if it was his head, but he swore that Merida’s hair grew in size.
“He’s my stupid little cousin,” Snotlout said, nearing her. He thought that the wider his eyes, the scarier he seemed to ‘prey’, which to Hiccup was the one thing he liked because it meant that Snotlout would look like an absolute fool when he was actually attempting to be intimidating. It was clear in how Merida’s eyes narrowed that this tactic was not working. Hiccup wanted to laugh, but felt like it would only cause his head to hurt more. Snotlout sent a knowing look that flooded Hiccup with dread. “Thorston, get over here!”
“What is it?” a girl’s voice called out.
“Just get over here!”
“What’s in it for us?” a boy’s voice replied this time.
“Will you just get over here!” Snotlout snapped.
Feeling the pain throb down, Hiccup rested against the hard wood wall, breathing in deeply to control himself. From across the seat way, Jack reached out and silently offered a pillow. There was unspoken comradery in the fury that burned in those brown eyes that surprised Hiccup.
The Thorston twins staggered over to the cabin door, fighting over a bag of Dragon Claws between them.
“What do you want Snotlout?” Ruffnut asked between chews, slapping her brother’s face out of the way. She barely glanced over the other members before targeting Hiccup. Her long face contorted into a sneer as she multitasked grabbing her twin’s head and noogieing him. “Ahh, wittle baby useless.”
Merida whipped out her wand from her robe pocket, hovering the tip against Snotlout, her face darkening by the second.
“Get out of our cabin and leave Hiccup alone,” Merida commanded, her regal intonation surprising not only Hiccup. From the corner of his eye, he could see the other two exchange glances. Her height served an additional purpose of glaring at Snotlout like he was a pile of hot garbage.
Even the twins withered at her sight, their playful fighting ceasing to the point where they were backing up and out of the corridor. Betrayed to be left alone, Snotlout’s eyes crossed over, concerned with the witch in front of him. He dared a glare at Hiccup, who’s wide eyes conveyed hidden glee at his predicament. Slowly, Snotlout raised his free hand and the bag of Dragon Claws in peace and backed out.
“I’ll see you at Hogwarts, little cousin,” Snotlout said, letting a little venom through.
He was gone.
Merida sighed and turned to Hiccup, a cocksure grin and cheeky glint in her eye. He couldn’t help but stare at her in wonder, her wild hair more a halo in his eyes. Were his cheeks reddening? He felt his face flush, and not because of the bump that now formed.
“Well, at least we know yer name now!” she laughed.
Rapunzel tackled Merida down with a hug. “That was amazing!” she beamed brightly, untangling herself to sit next to him.
“Hiccup, it’s nice to formally meet you,” she said, pulling him into a hug. She smelled like flowers, intoxicating and sweet. From between her hair, he saw Jack flash him a toothy grin.
“Yeah, it’s nice to meet you guys too.” And he really meant it.
Merida stuffed her wand back into her pocket, still feeling the rush. She may have directly disobeyed her mother in never using her wand to threaten another person, but as she surveyed their little group, relief welling up in her at the sight of Hiccup’s smile revealing teeth that seemed too big for him, she knew she did good. Some rules were worth breaking.
Besides, she had experience with bullies before.
With Rapunzel busy fussing over Hiccup’s bruise, Merida side stepped to sit next to Jack. He seemed less cold to her than before, less spiteful. However, she still felt like there was a wall separating them. Whatever; if he didn’t want to open up after her awesome display, then she’d just ignore him too.
From here on out, the train ride seemed to pass by with incredible speed. With Rapunzel’s infectious energy, everyone felt giddy and up on cloud nine as they got to know each other and expressed their desires for Hogwarts. Hiccup and Rapunzel bonded over being only children, while Jack seemed to glow at the mention of his younger sister. When she brought up her three younger brothers, Rapunzel’s disbelief filled her with laughter.
“Three brothers?”
“They’re triplets.” Merida crossed her arms. “Me dad’s hoping they’re all magic too. Me mum’s a little less hopeful.”
They felt it before they saw it. The lurch accompanied by the slowing of the window’s imagery meant one thing; they all started buzzing with excitement. Merida hopped up and pulled her luggage down from atop Hiccup and Rapunzel, swiftly avoiding Hiccup pulling his own bags down. The lighter-haired paired helped each other, Rapunzel even dusting off Jack’s shoulders with trembling fingers.
As they exited their cabin, the upperclassmen’s cajoling and hollering vibrated the air. The platform was a mesh of students from all years, their house colours flashing in a haze of recognition as Merida navigated through. A very large man with big hands and red hair was calling for the first years to follow him, spotting their little foursome and calling them over.
He introduced himself as Ralph, the grounds-keeper of the school. Once the group of first years as gathered, he herded them down to the lake. He explained the rules and told them of this tradition. Merida jumped into a boat and ushered for her new-found friends to join her. Rapunzel nearly tumbled, the boys taking a more careful approach. Not too far away, unfortunately not hidden by the darkness, the trio that harassed Hiccup were roughhousing, sending waves over to nearby boats.
The boats moved on their own, just as her mother had told her. In the back of her mind, Merida resented her mother telling her the First Year’s tradition of sailing the Black Lake to view the castle. The splendour of the moment, the awe and excitement, could be captured in her friends eyes as they watched the rippling waters break away from darkness, little spots of light beginning to flicker.
“And this, children, is Hogwarts.” Ralph announced, the cheer clear in his voice.
Soft gasps echoed. Merida couldn’t believe the sight of the castle. With a million lights illuminating the vast school, it seemed almost as if Hogwarts was floating above the water.
The shore came too soon, all the First Years ushered onto the soft sandy bank. As a unified group, Ralph led the First Years into the halls of Hogwarts. Not too far ahead, Merida cringed at the sight of her mother waiting in front of two large doors. She slowed down and hid behind Rapunzel.
“That’s her,” she whispered. “Me mum, Professor Dubroch.”
“Thank you, Ralph,” Eleanor Dunbroch said, laying a hand on his shoulder as he brought the students up the steps. “I’ll take it from here.” He gave her a two-fingered salute and exited.
Whatever her mother said escaped her, as Merida focused on pulling her curls down and crouching down. She couldn’t imagine anything more embarrassing than her mother scolding her for an untucked shirt or unkempt tie in front of everyone. The grandiose doors creaked and dragged open, revealing a hall so large that Merida chanced a peek to see if it ended.
The group walked together, admiring the high ceilings, carved stone columns, and magic night sky that winked above them all. Entranced, Merida and Rapunzel walked side by side, necks craned all the way up.
“Whoa,” breathed Rapunzel. Merida had the same sentiment.
The First Years approached the raised dias where a hat and chair stood. A man as tall as her father, but much broader and filled with tattoos and a snow white beard, stood up from the teacher’s tables.
“Welcome all new students!” His voice boomed with no extra effort of magic. “Your long journey to Hogwarts has one more stop; the Sorting House test! Our dear Professor Dunbroch will call from a list. Please step forward when you are called!”
“Thank you Professor North.” Eleanor unravelled a scroll in her hand and called for “Arendelle, Anna.”
Rapunzel tugged Merida’s sleeve and leaned close. “What is this test?”
Merida leaned back and pointed to how her mum placed the hat on the first student who’d approached. “There are four Hogwarts Houses, where ye will stay the whole time. They get yer with the hat, which looks into yer mind, or somethin’.” She gestured as the Anna got placed into Gryffindor, the table cheering as they gained a new member. “They all have their own colours. You’ll see soon enough.” She grinned.
As the names from A to C were called, Merida hoped, with crossed fingers, that she’d be placed in Gryffindor. Ravenclaw was her mother’s house, not hers. She also wished for her new friends to be placed all together with her.
“Corona, Rapunzel.”
Rapunzel squeezed Merida’s hand and imparted a fleeting, but nervous, expression. The hat was placed on her head. A minute passed before it decided: “Ravenclaw!”
Merida’s heart sank as she watched her excited and confused friend join the silver and blue table. She didn’t care that “Dracula, Mavis” got placed in Hufflepuff, nor the other names that flurried by. Rapunzel couldn’t even catch her eye, too caught up with upperclassmen and her new housemates. Merida swallowed her pity and focused back on being placed in Gryffindor.
“Dunbroch, Merida.” Was it her imagination, or did Eleanor swell up as she called her forth?
Merida approached the chair, glimpsing Hiccup give her an encouraging smile. She tried to return it. The hat was barely placed on her head before it called out: “Gryffindor!” Yes! Merida let out a whoop as she leapt up and bounced down to the table that called for her. She knew! She knew she would be placed here! Her robes changed to include the gold and red. She beamed from ear to ear.
Her high would dwindle back down as “Frost, Jack” was also placed in Gryffindor. She did her best to not groan and was the only one sitting down whilst the whole table leaped up. Jack seemed as happy as she was, and his brightness slipping as he saw her. Mutual feeling, she guessed. He sat opposite her, offering a neutral smile. She could try, if not for their groups sake. She mirrored him and turned her attention back to the Sorting Hat.
“Haddock, Hiccup.”
Whispers broke among the Gryffindor students. “Haddock? As in…” “Is he related to the Minister of Magic?” “Minister of Magic Stoick Haddock?” “He has to be in Gryffindor!”
Jack glanced around at the murmurs, which had traveled to the other tables. Everyone was staring at Hiccup closer, including Merida, who couldn’t believe that she’d shared a train cabin with the Minister of Magic’s son. Jack leaned across the table and poked her arm.
“Why is everyone so serious about this?”
Hiccup sat down on the chair.
Not breaking her gaze at the Sorting Hat, which had yet to say anything, Merida leaned back. “He’s the Minister of Magic’s son. That’s like being the son of the Prime Minister in your world.” Three minutes passed, everyone waiting with bated breath.
“Ravenclaw!”
The Gryffindor students held their disgruntled disappointed groans. The Ravenclaw table hardly believed it, their cheers louder for him than they had been for anyone else. The Ravenclaws patted his shoulders and made room for him at their table.
After this, nobody really seemed to care about the First Years’ placements. “Hofferson, Astrid” was accepted into Slytherin with open arms; “Ingerman, Fishlegs” was placed into Ravenclaw; “Jorgensen, Snotlout” was sorted in Gryffindor, accompanied by “Thorston, Ruffnut” and “Thorston, Tuffnut”. The three of them made sure to keep their distance from Merida and Jack. The last students, “Parr, Violet”, a Ravenclaw, and “Robinson, Wilbur”, a Slytherin, were the last to join tables.
Professor North ascended once again to congratulate a wonderful sorting process and encouraged everyone to enjoy the food. Merida and Jack exchanged glances, matching wolfish grins as they piled their plates and enjoyed the delectable spread. Maybe this sullen boy wasn’t as bad as she may have made him out to be.
Tomorrow their real days as students of Hogwarts would begin, but for now they could enjoy being the guests of honour, riding the high of finding their new homes. Their lives would never be the same after tonight.