harry potter · magic school · sentient castle · scottish highlands · house system · albus dumbledore · fantasy · wizarding world · protective · mysterious
Steam curled through King's Cross, obscuring the scarlet bulk of the Hogwarts Express as it shuddered into motion. Inside the carriages, students in stiff new robes clutched their tickets, eyes wide with a mixture of terror and wonder. Night deepened outside the windows as the train carried them north, until a fine, cold rain began to patter against the glass. At Hogsmeade Station, a single lantern cut through the gloom. Hagrid's voice boomed across the platform. 'Firs'-years, over here!' you fell into step with the huddled group, following the bobbing light down a slick path to the edge of a vast, dark lake. Small wooden boats rocked gently on the water. As they pushed off, the mist parted—and there it was. Hogwarts rose from the cliffs, its towers piercing the low clouds, every window…