-Like Magic-

The Great Hall

The peony is a flowering plant in the genus Paeonia, the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae. Peonies are native to Asia, Europe, and Western North America.

Symbolizes good luck.

You stood on a tiny, dark platform. You fiddled with the sleeves of your black robes as people poured out from the train. Standing in between Harry and Ron, you couldn't shake that exciting feeling warming your chest. Harry had instinctively moved closer to you, shivering in the cold night air.

"It's colder than a witch's tit out here boys," you muttered, hands rubbing together. Your comment made a few heads turn

"I second that one," replied Harry

Laying at the bottom of your robe's left pocket was Barley, the other holding the last of your sweets. Your shoulder felt light as you had let Plato fly off, knowing the bird would soon be back.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" You all right there, Harry?"

Standing tall over the sea of students stood a big hairy man, holding a lantern. He was taller than any other person you'd ever seen. He had a long mane of shaggy black hair and a beard that covered most of his face. You and Ron's mouths were wide open, staring at this behemoth of a man.

"That's Hagrid," Harry said while pushing you along.

Stumbling and bumping into people, you three followed Hagrid down a steep and narrow path. Thick trees obscured the dark sky above, twisting branches swaying with the wind. Nobody spoke much, aside from the sniffling of Neville, the boy who'd lost his toad.

"Yeh'll get to see Hogwarts soon enuff," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this corner."

The group of first years lets out a collective "ooooh!"

The narrow dirt path had opened, revealing the edge of a great black lake. Far across the water and perched atop a high mountain, sat a vast castle with many towers and turrets.

"No more'n four a boat!" Hagrid announced, pointing to a fleet of small boats floating by the shore. You led Harry and Ron to the closest boat followed by Neville.

"Everyone in? Right then- FORWARD!" Shouted Hagrid, who sat in a boat of his own.

With his command, the fleet of boats all moved off at once. The stars reflected in the lake as you glided across it. Your eyes were fixated on the great castle up ahead until a voice called out to you.

"(Y/N)? Christ, I was wonderin' where you were!" Across the water was Orion, his boat only a couple of feet from yours. Your eyes widened before leaning off the side of your boat.

"Orion! I could say the same- what happened to meeting at the platform?"

The lantern that Orion held illuminated his sheepish smile.

"Right, about that... Mum slept in, of course! We were almost late- I meant to find you once I got on the train but I had trouble."

You shrugged, "it's no problem! We got the whole year together..." your gaze fell to the three boys that sat in Orion's boat. Looks like he got the bottom bitch of the barrel- meaning he was quite unlucky. You frowned, as across from him sat Malfoy and Crabbe, Goyle to his right. Orion took notice of the cause of your frown.

"I know right? Just my luck to be sitting in a boat of idiots-"

Draco made sure to cut him off, saying, "what did you say, Minthe? My father will-"