ᏕᎮᏗᏒᏦᏕ

𝖺 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝖻𝖾𝗀𝗂𝗇𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀

Rhea stood at the edge of the platform, her heart pounding as she stared up at the grand sight before her. Hogwarts. The castle loomed in the distance, its towers reaching into the sky, illuminated by the soft glow of twilight. She clutched her worn leather trunk tightly, her knuckles white from the pressure, and took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. Most students started their Hogwarts journey at eleven, wide-eyed and filled with wonder. But Rhea was starting late—very late. At sixteen, she was entering Hogwarts as a fifth-year, something that had caused her more anxiety than she could have anticipated. The magical world was not unfamiliar to her—her family came from a long line of witches and wizards—but circumstances had kept her from formal schooling. She had been homeschooled in magic until now, and while her tutors had done their best, there was no replacing the structure and prestige of Hogwarts.

The platform around her buzzed with life as students hurried off the Hogwarts Express, reuniting with friends and chatting excitedly about the upcoming year. Rhea felt like an outsider, watching from the edges as they navigated a world that was second nature to them. She took another deep breath and lifted her chin. This was her chance, her opportunity to finally immerse herself in the magic she had longed to be a part of. But it wasn't going to be easy.

"Oi, you alright there?" A voice broke through her thoughts.

Rhea turned to see a boy with messy dark hair and round glasses standing a few feet away. He was looking at her curiously, as if sensing her discomfort.

"Yeah," she replied, forcing a smile. "Just... taking it all in."

The boy smiled kindly. "It's a lot, isn't it? I remember my first time seeing the castle too. It gets less overwhelming after a while."

Rhea recognized him immediately. Harry Potter. Even for someone who had never attended Hogwarts, his name was impossible to miss. The boy who lived. The chosen one. She felt a little self-conscious standing there, unsure of what to say to someone with such a legendary reputation.

"I'm Harry, by the way," he said, offering his hand.

"Rhea," she replied, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Rhea, huh?" Another voice chimed in from behind Harry, and a girl with bushy brown hair and a bright smile appeared. "You must be the new transfer student Professor McGonagall mentioned."

"That's me," Rhea said, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

"I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Ron Weasley," the girl introduced herself, gesturing to the red-headed boy who had just joined them.

Ron gave her a friendly nod. "Starting in fifth year? That's gotta be rough."

"It's... different," Rhea admitted. She appreciated their friendliness but felt the weight of starting so late pressing down on her. "I'm hoping I can catch up."

"Don't worry," Hermione said, her voice full of reassurance. "If you need help with anything, I'm happy to lend a hand. Hogwarts might feel overwhelming at first, but you'll get the hang of it."

Rhea smiled gratefully. "Thank you. I think I might take you up on that."

As they made their way to the carriages that would take them to the castle, Rhea couldn't shake the feeling that she was stepping into a world that had already moved on without her. She had missed so much—the friendships, the lessons, the experiences that had shaped everyone else. And now she had to try to fit in.

The castle loomed larger as they approached, its ancient walls and glowing windows welcoming them. But Rhea's heart was heavy with nerves. She could feel the weight of her family's expectations, of her own insecurities, pressing down on her. Would she be able to keep up with the other students? Would she make friends? Or would she forever feel like an outsider, disconnected from the place she had always longed to be?

The Great Hall was as magnificent as she had imagined. The ceiling was enchanted to reflect the night sky, and the long tables were filled with students, chatting excitedly as they prepared for the new year. Rhea's eyes swept over the room, taking in the sights and sounds of Hogwarts. It felt surreal to finally be here.

As they made their way to the Gryffindor table—Hermione had kindly insisted she sit with them—Rhea couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort. She didn't belong to any house yet. Sorting for her would come later, after the headmistress had a chance to speak with her privately. For now, she was adrift, caught between the world of Hogwarts and her own uncertainties.

But as she sat down, she felt eyes on her from across the room. She glanced up, her breath catching slightly when she saw the sharp gaze of a boy with pale blond hair and cold grey eyes. He was seated at the Slytherin table, his expression unreadable as he watched her.

Draco Malfoy.

Rhea had heard about him, too—another name that carried weight within the halls of Hogwarts. He was notorious for his pureblood elitism and his connections to darker forces. But there was something about the way he looked at her—an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Don't mind Malfoy," Ron muttered, following her gaze. "He's always glaring at people like that."

Rhea quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I wasn't... I wasn't staring."

Ron chuckled. "It's alright. Just stay clear of him. He's bad news."

But as the feast continued and the chatter of the Great Hall filled the air, Rhea found her thoughts drifting back to that piercing gaze. There was something about him, something she couldn't quite place. She had come to Hogwarts for a fresh start, but something told her that her time here would be far more complicated than she had ever anticipated.

As the evening drew to a close and the students made their way to their dormitories, Rhea couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Her gaze drifted back to the Slytherin table, and for a brief moment, her eyes met Draco's once more. This time, there was no mistaking the flicker of interest in his cold, grey eyes.

Rhea's heart skipped a beat.

Hogwarts was about to change her life in ways she could never have imagined.

And Draco Malfoy... he was going to be a part of that change.