Forbidden Love

A New World Awaits

The Hogwarts Express rolled into Hogsmeade Station, its arrival met with a chorus of excited chatter. The platform was abuzz with students eager to start their school year. As the train came to a halt, I joined the throng, my heart racing with anticipation.

The snowy landscape glowed under the starlit sky, and the majestic castle of Hogwarts loomed in the distance, its turrets and towers piercing the night. It was even more breathtaking than I had imagined.

The Slytherin gang—Mattheo, Theo, Pansy, Blaise, Draco, Tom, Enzo, Charlotte, and Mellony—were gathered around, their faces alight with the thrill of arrival. As we waited for the carriages to take us to the castle, they filled me in on what to expect.

"So, Abby," Mattheo said with a grin, "this is the start of an incredible journey. Hogwarts is something else, trust me."

I smiled, feeling the warmth of their enthusiasm. "I can't wait to see it up close."

Draco, with his usual smirk, added, "Hogwarts is huge. The castle itself is like a maze, and there are more hidden rooms and secret passages than you can count."

Pansy nodded enthusiastically. "And the Great Hall—you'll love it. It's enchanted to reflect the sky outside, so it looks like you're dining under the stars. It's absolutely magical."

Tom Riddle, standing a bit apart from the group, looked on with a scrutinizing gaze but remained silent. Draco, too, maintained a certain distance, talking quietly with Tom and a few others.

Tom leaned in and muttered to Draco, Mattheo, Theo, and Blaise, his tone laced with skepticism. "Do we know if she's trustworthy? It's strange how easily she's fitting in with us."

Draco, maintaining his usual air of aloofness, nodded slowly. "We don't know much about her yet. The fact that she's a Black could be both an advantage and a complication."

In his mind, Draco was already making assumptions. *If Abby ends up in Gryffindor, it will be just as expected.* He had seen enough of the House to know that they had a penchant for attracting attention and drama. To him, it seemed likely that someone with a Black surname would land in Gryffindor—a house known for its loud, brash members who often clashed with Slytherins.

Mattheo, clearly uncomfortable with the tension, tried to defuse the situation. "She seems alright so far. I wouldn't judge her too harshly before we know more."

Theo chimed in, "Let's not make assumptions. She hasn't done anything to warrant distrust, and we should give her a chance."

Blaise, looking at the castle with admiration, added, "It's better to wait and see. Hogwarts has a way of revealing people's true colors. Let's focus on enjoying the start of the year."

Tom glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "Alright, but let's keep an eye on her. We can't be too careful."

As we climbed into the carriages and headed towards the castle, I felt the weight of their scrutiny, despite their attempts to hide it. The excitement of seeing Hogwarts for the first time momentarily distracted me. The castle's grandeur grew more impressive with each passing moment.

Inside the entrance hall, the sounds of students chatting and laughing filled the space. I noticed Tom and Draco still conversing quietly, their conversation focused on Mattheo, Theo, and Blaise. Their skepticism was evident in their guarded expressions.

I took a deep breath, determined not to let their doubts affect me. The Sorting Hat ceremony was ahead, and I was ready to face it with an open heart. The Slytherins had their reservations, but I was determined to make the most of this opportunity.

The adventure at Hogwarts was just beginning, and despite the cautious eyes of some, I was ready to embrace whatever came my way.