⊹ ࣪ My chosen one ⊹ ˖ { Harry Potter x Reader }

ᯓ⋆. Year 1 ⊹ ࣪ ˖ The beginning ⊹ ࣪ ˖

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The train rattled to a stop, and as I stepped out, Hogwarts loomed ahead, towering silhouette against a star-speckled sky. Awe washed over me like a tidal wave. The castle, bathed in soft golden light, was even more magnificent than I'd ever imagined. Its ancient walls stood resolute atop the hill, whispering secrets of magic and time. A cool breeze carried the earthy scent of rain-soaked grass and old stone, sending a shiver up my spine-not from the chill, but from the overwhelming realization I was here. Hogwarts.

A tall, stern-looking woman greeted us, her sharp eyes sweeping over the crowd like an eagle surveying its domain. Despite the noise and chaos of excited first-years, her presence commanded instant respect.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she announced, her voice crisp but reassuring, like a lighthouse cutting through the fog. "I am Professor McGonagall. In a moment, you will be sorted into your houses, there are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. When you are sorted your house will be like your family, "

My stomach twisted into knots, and I tapped my foot on the ground anxiously. A nagging wave of worry washed over me-what if I don't get into Hufflepuff? The thought of being separated from Cedric felt unbearable.

As if sensing my anxiety, Cedric leaned down and ruffled my hair, his playful grin breaking through my spiraling thoughts. "You look like you just soiled yourself, " he teased.

I rolled my eyes, but the smile tugging at my lips betrayed me. "I'm fine," I muttered, though the tremor in my voice gave me away.

Cedric's grin faded, replaced by a softer expression. "Hey, what's really bothering you?"

I hesitated, then looked at him, "What if I don't get into Hufflepuff? I don't want to be separated from you."

Cedric crouched slightly, bringing us eye-to-eye. "Listen," he said gently, placing a reassuring hand on my head. "No matter what house you're in, you'll do just fine. Besides," he added with a smirk, "Do you really want to live in my shadow forever?"

I sniffed, letting out a small laugh despite myself. "I guess not."

"Exactly." His grin returned. "You'll make your own mark, Puff. Trust me, you've got this." With a final pat on my head, he straightened up and walked off to join his friends.

Before I could fully absorb his words, a group of students approached us. At the center was a boy with slicked-back hair and an air of entitlement. His cold, pale eyes scanned us with disdain.

"So it's true, then," he drawled, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." He gestured lazily to the two burly boys flanking him. "This is Crabbe, Goyle, and I'm Malfoy.... Draco Malfoy."

Ron snorted beside Harry, earning a sharp glare from Malfoy. "Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask yours-red hair and a hand-me-down robe... you must be a Weasley."

The sneer in his voice struck a nerve. Before I could think, the words slipped out. "You must be an arsehole."

The air around us froze. Malfoy's eyes snapped to mine, surprise flickering across his face before hardening into annoyance. "What did you say?" he hissed.

Feigning innocence, I tilted my head. "Oh, did I mumble? Sorry, I said you must be an arsehole."

Hermione shot me a warning look, but I held Malfoy's icy gaze, refusing to back down. He took a step closer, his sneer deepening, but before he could retort, Professor McGonagall's sharp voice sliced through the tension like a knife.

"That will be quite enough, It's time for the sorting ceremony. Move along." she said, her tone brooking no argument.

For a split second, as her eyes flicked to me, I could have sworn I caught the faintest hint of a smirk-as if, beneath her stern facade.

"That will be quite enough," she said, her tone sharp and authoritative. "It's time for the sorting ceremony. Move along."

Malfoy threw me one last scornful look before stalking off with his goons. I exhaled, feeling Ron's gaze on me. "Thanks," he muttered with a smile.

"What are friends for?" I smiled back at him,

The Sorting Ceremony went by in a blur, students being called up one by one, but my nerves grew worse with every name. My stomach churned violently, making me feel like I was on a rollercoaster. When Professor McGonagall finally called my name, my heart nearly stopped.

"Y/n Diggory!"

I looked at Cedric one more time as he flashed a goofy smile giving me two thumbs ups of encourage, I stumbled toward the sorting stool, every step heavier than the last. As I sat, the Sorting Hat was placed on my head, its voice immediately filling my mind.

"Ah... interesting. Very interesting," it murmured, sifting through my thoughts. "Brave like a Gryffindor, kind as any Hufflepuff, sharp as a Ravenclaw, ambitious as a Slytherin, oh but a feisty one aren't you? Where to put you?"

My heart pounded so loud I was sure the entire hall could hear it. My palms were slick against the edge of the stool, and every breath felt like a struggle as the Sorting Hat hummed, lingering in its decision. "Please... Hufflepuff, with Cedric," I thought, practically pleading.

The hat hummed thoughtfully. "Yes, you'd do well in Hufflepuff... but I see something more. A thirst for bravery. A heart ready to face challenges head-on. No, there's only one place for you."

GRYFFINDOR!

The word echoed across the hall, and the Gryffindor table erupted in cheers. Stunned, I hesitated before making my way over, my heart racing. Gryffindor? It wasn't what I expected, but as I sat down, many fellow Gryffindor students greeted me warmly,

Y/N looked over at the Hufflepuff table to see Cedric beaming proudly at his little sister. Y/N's smile faltered a little, which he did not fail to notice.

Cedric seemed to have noticed it too as he shook his head at her and made a 'smile for me' action at her, which made Y/N chuckle.

"Isn't this incredible?" whispered the bushy-haired girl beside me, her eyes practically glowing with excitement. "We're finally at Hogwarts! I've read all about it in 'Hogwarts: a history' of course-did you know the staircases move? They change positions all the time to keep things interesting. And the Forbidden Forest, it's teeming with magical creatures!" Her voice lowered slightly, though her excitement remained undimmed. "Oh, and the library-did you see how massive it is? There's a whole section on ancient runes! I can't wait to explore it all." She clasped her hands together as though imagining the endless possibilities.

Hermione beamed, already launching into another fact when a strange awareness prickled at the edge of my mind. Glancing up, I met a pair of comforting green eyes across the table.

He was looking at me, his expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his gaze. For a heartbeat, everything else faded-the laughter,

Harry's cheeks flushed, and he looked down quickly, finding a certain interest to his plate,

Before I could dwell on it, two identical redheads suddenly draped their arms over my shoulders, grinning like they'd just found their next victims.

"Y/n, right?" Fred asked, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"So, you and Harry, eh?" George chimed in, waggling his eyebrows.

"What? Me? No!" I spluttered, feeling my cheeks burn.

Fred sighed dramatically. "A textbook case of denial, wouldn't you agree, Georgie?"

"Fred and George Weasley, by the way. But feel free to call me the better-looking twin." George said with a wink.

Fred scoffed. "Ignore him. Everyone knows I'm the charming one."

I couldn't help but laugh, the tension in my chest easing with every second. As the Great Hall buzzed with life around us, I felt the weight of my earlier fears lift. Cedric was right-this was my chance to shine.

Dumbledore's voice echoed, marking the start of a new chapter. Hermione squeezed my hand. "This is just the beginning."

I nodded, looking around the hall filled with possibilities. "Yeah," I whispered. "Just the beginning."

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The staff room :

Dumbledore: [gasps dramatically] "Minerva! Minerva! Did you see that? The way they looked at each other? I think I'm going to cry!" [dabs at his eyes, visibly moved] "They're just so adorably awkward!"

McGonagall: [smiling fondly] "Oh, yes, it's rather sweet, Albus. Young love..."

Snape: [groaning, arms crossed] "It's sickening." [mutters under his breath, glancing away]

All the Professors: [in unison, rolling their eyes] "Shut up, Severus!"

Dumbledore: "Stop being so salty, Sev. Just because you're lame excuse of a love life didn't work out doesn't mean you get to be a hater."✋️🙄

Severus: "Meanie..." [silently weeps]

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Toodles, my badass badgers, eagles, lions, serpents🫦

💋 LoafyLaufey out 💋