Memories of the Heart || Harry Potter x Reader

Y3 ~ The Study Room

The rain drummed relentlessly against the windows of the Hogwarts Express, creating a rhythmic pattern that blended with the occasional creaks of the train as it pulled to a sudden halt. The abrupt stop jolted Y/N in her seat, causing her to glance around in confusion. A sudden chill swept through the compartment, making her shiver as she instinctively rubbed her arms, trying to generate some warmth. The dim light flickered, and for a brief, unnerving moment, everything was plunged into darkness, leaving only the sound of the rain and the unsettling creaks of the train settling into the silence.

"Well, that was a great start to a new school year," Y/N muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with sarcasm as she continued to rub her arms, hoping to ward off the lingering cold.

The chill dissipated almost as quickly as it had arrived, leaving Y/N to wonder if it had all been her imagination. But her curiosity was piqued when she noticed a tall, weary-looking man walking briskly down the corridor toward the conductor's cabin. His lined face and shabby robes suggested a life burdened by many battles, both literal and metaphorical. 'He must be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher,' Y/N thought, watching him disappear down the corridor. 'Hopefully, he won't be another Gilderoy Lockhart—full of himself and useless in the classroom.'

The train lurched forward again, slowly picking up speed as it resumed its journey toward Hogwarts. Y/N settled back into her seat, her gaze returning to the rain-soaked countryside that blurred by outside the window. Despite the unsettling interruption, she couldn't help but feel a familiar sense of excitement building within her as the train drew nearer to her second home. The sight of Hogwarts Castle looming in the distance, shrouded in mist and rain, never failed to fill her with awe.

By the time the train arrived at the station, the rain had intensified into a torrential downpour, the sky an oppressive gray that matched the mood of the evening. Y/N didn't mind the rain, though; there was something comforting about the steady rhythm of it, a reminder of the constancy of nature amidst the ever-changing world of magic. She hurried to gather her things, clutching her cloak tightly around her as she stepped onto the platform. The rain soaked through almost immediately, but she ignored the discomfort, focusing instead on finding a carriage to take her up to the castle.

Luck wasn't entirely on her side. Instead of the usual boat ride across the Black Lake, the first years were ushered into carriages due to the relentless downpour, the storm making the waters too treacherous for their usual journey. This change in tradition left Y/N to share a carriage packed with first-years, their faces alight with wide-eyed wonder and nervous excitement. The ride to the castle was anything but quiet—the first-years chattered endlessly, bombarding each other with questions about Hogwarts, Quidditch, and every bit of magic their curious minds could conjure.

Y/N did her best to tune them out, her gaze fixed on the rain-streaked window as the castle loomed into view. Despite the years that had passed, Hogwarts still had the power to take her breath away. Its towering spires and ancient turrets stood resolute against the stormy sky, a beacon of familiarity amidst the unknowns of her past. No matter how many mysteries remained unsolved, one truth was certain—Hogwarts was home.

The memory of her own first year came flooding back as the carriage approached the castle gates. Everything had seemed so much bigger then, the world full of endless possibilities. She had been so innocent, so naive to the realities that lay ahead. Now, as she stepped down from the carriage and joined the throng of students making their way to the Great Hall, she felt a bittersweet twinge of nostalgia.

Inside the Great Hall, the Sorting Ceremony was already in full swing. Y/N made her way to the Gryffindor table, slipping into a seat near the end, close to the doors. She had chosen the spot deliberately, hoping to finish dinner quickly and retreat to the common room before it got too crowded. She still needed to unpack and organize her things in the girl's dormitory.