Chapter 12
Seeing someone walk up to the giant without any trouble, the rest of the first-years breathed a little easier and followed behind.
"All right now, first-years, this way—watch your step!"
Sainz and the others followed Hagrid down a narrow path that twisted along a steep slope, almost like they were walking on the back of some great serpent lying still on the ground. On either side, thick woods closed in, so dense they blocked out even the stars overhead. Everything was pitch black.
Sainz thought for a moment, then whispered, "Lumos."
A beam of white light shone from the tip of his twelve-inch, pale green applewood wand. The glow was soft, just bright enough to light the path without blinding anyone.
"You go ahead," he told the others. "I'll stay in the back."
As soon as the others saw the light, they instinctively clustered toward it, filing past him one by one. Sainz counted as they went—fewer than fifty students altogether.
"Thank you. You cast that light spell very well," Hagrid said once they reached the lakeside. "Rare for a first-year to manage it so cleanly."
"You're welcome, Hagrid. I heard the upperclassmen call you that. I'm Sainz—Sainz Autumn."
"Nice to meet yeh, Sainz. I'm Hagrid—keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts. Live in a hut near the Forbidden Forest. Yeh're welcome to drop by sometime and try one of me rock cakes."
"Thank you! I'll definitely take you up on that," Sainz said.
Hagrid beamed at the answer.
"First-years—gather round now. See the high hillside across the Black Lake?" he called. "That castle up there is Hogwarts. We'll be takin' boats to get there."
He gestured to a line of boats drawn up along the shore.
"All right, four to a boat—no more than four!"
The four-per-boat rule had stood for generations. It was a symbolic nod to the four founders of Hogwarts, reminding each new class of how the school had been built—on unity, and on shared purpose.
Sainz's companions were still the same three from the train: Angelina, Roger, and Stebbins.
"Were you talking to that giant earlier?" one of them whispered as they climbed into the boat.
"You're so brave! What did you say?"
"Not much. He thanked me for lighting the path and invited me to his hut to try his rock cakes."
"Whoa. That's… actually kind of nice."
"Yeah. He seems like a decent guy—if you ignore his terrifying appearance," Sainz joked.
The others laughed, tension easing.
"Right then, is everyone aboard?" Hagrid called out. "Okay—let's go!"
He had a boat to himself, naturally.
The little fleet set off across the glassy surface of the lake, water parting gently beneath the hulls. Up ahead, the towering castle came into view, lit windows blinking like curious eyes beneath the stars.
As they neared the far shore, the laughter and chatter faded. The closer they got, the more silent they became. Hogwarts loomed above them now, vast and awe-inspiring, as if a slumbering giant had just begun to stir.
"Heads down!" Hagrid called.
Everyone ducked as the boats passed through a thick curtain of ivy that draped the rocks like wind-blown hair. They slipped through into a hidden cove, sheltered and still.
A dark tunnel stretched ahead—but thankfully, Sainz's wand was still lit, and they didn't have to stumble through the blackness.
They soon reached an underground dock at the base of the castle.
But it wasn't over yet.
They climbed out of the boats and trudged up a gravel path—loose stones crunching underfoot like some desert trail. Then came a long set of stone steps, winding upward. At the top, at last, they reached a huge oak door.
"Let's see—everyone here?" Hagrid muttered, doing a quick headcount.
Satisfied, he raised one massive fist and knocked three times.
The door swung open.
Standing there was a tall, black-haired witch in emerald robes, stern and composed.
"Professor McGonagall, first-years are here," Hagrid said stiffly.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take them from here."
Hagrid nodded and quickly disappeared into the shadows.
The door opened wider, and the new students entered what felt like a great stone hall. Flaming torches lined the walls, casting flickering light across the ancient masonry.
The ceiling soared so high it was lost in darkness.
Directly opposite the entrance stood a grand marble staircase, glowing in the torchlight and rising toward the upper floors.
Professor McGonagall led them across the hall. Their shoes clacked against the stone floor. On the right, a large doorway stood slightly ajar, and from within came the faint hum of voices and movement.
She brought them to a smaller, empty chamber at the end of the corridor. The group crowded together, wide-eyed and whispering, stealing anxious glances around the room.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said, her voice crisp and clear. "The Start-of-Term Feast will begin shortly. I suggest you straighten yourselves up while you wait."
Her sharp eyes scanned the group, and the students instantly began smoothing hair, tucking shirts, and brushing off dust.
She turned at the door. "You are to remain quiet. I will return when they are ready for you."
Once she was gone, a collective sigh of relief swept through the room.
"Sainz, why aren't you nervous?" Angelina whispered. "Do you know how they're going to sort us?"
"Oh, don't worry," Sainz said, feigning seriousness. "I've read all the first-year textbooks, so I think I'll pass the entrance exam."
"E-entrance exam?!" she stammered. Even Roger and Stebbins turned pale.
"You've all grown up around magic," Sainz continued. "So you should be fine."
Several kids began to murmur nervously. Some were whispering incantations under their breath as if trying to cram for a test at the last second.
It was a classic Hogwarts tradition—keeping the Sorting Ceremony secret from new students. Each new generation of first-years walked blindly into the same prank, passed down gleefully by those who had already survived it.
All eyes were fixed on the door, expecting Professor McGonagall to return at any moment—to lead them to their doom.
In the thick silence, any sound felt like a thunderclap.
Suddenly—
"Ahhhh—what is THAT?!"
********
If you want to read more there's 50 chapters there of my written fanfictions and translated works in my Pat.Reon.
patreon.com/DukeUldurath