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─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
As the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station, Meissa felt her heart race with excitement and a touch of nerves. She stepped off the Hogwarts Express, her breath visible in the crisp evening air, and looked around, taking in the sight of her new classmates gathering along the platform. Suddenly, a booming voice called out over the crowd. "Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here!" Meissa turned toward the source of the voice and spotted a towering figure holding a lantern high above the heads of the students. The man had a wild, bushy beard and kind, beetle-black eyes that sparkled with warmth. He looked like a giant, a gentle one, with an air of familiarity that made her instantly feel more at ease. "That's Hagrid," came a voice beside her. She turned to see Harry standing there with another boy who had bright red hair and a friendly, freckled face. "Hi, Meissa!" Harry greeted her with a grin. "This is Ron Weasley. We met on the train." Ron gave her a slightly awkward smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Where were you? I thought we would sit together?" Meissa awkwardly looked away, "Yeah I know but then I lost you and I looked for you. But after not being able to find you I decided to sit with some other people. Sorry Harry." Harry looked sad for a short bit but quickly smiled at her. "It's fine." Harry looked back to Hagrid, who was waving them over. "Well, I guess we better get moving. Don't want to miss our boat ride."
They followed Hagrid down a steep, winding path that led them through the dark forest surrounding the station. The path soon opened up, revealing a vast lake with still, glassy waters. And across the lake, glowing in the night, was Hogwarts Castle, its turrets and towers stretching toward the starry sky. The sight took Meissa's breath away. "Blimey" Ron murmured, his face lit up with awe. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Meissa whispered, unable to take her eyes off the castle. They climbed into one of the boats, the three of them squeezed together, with Hagrid taking a boat of his own. As the boats glided silently across the lake, Meissa could feel the weight of the moment. She was on her way to Hogwarts, about to discover where she belonged in this magical world. The boats docked at the edge of the castle, and Hagrid led them through the giant oak doors and up a grand marble staircase, where a stern-looking woman with sharp features and square glasses waited. She introduced herself as Professor McGonagall and informed them about the Sorting Ceremony, her tone brisk but not unkind.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
The first-years crowded together in the vast entrance hall of Hogwarts, wide-eyed and buzzing with whispers. Meissa lingered near the back of the group, taking in her surroundings, the flickering torchlight, the grand stone archways, and the distant echo of voices from within the castle's depths. Her heart pounded with excitement, yet a strange sense of familiarity settled over her, as if she were stepping into a place she had somehow always known. As she scanned the faces of her fellow first years, her gaze fell on a girl standing alone by one of the large stone pillars. The girl was strikingly familiar, with dark straight hair that fell over her shoulders in waves and piercing gray eyes that mirrored Meissa's own. She held herself with a confidence that set her apart from the nervous students around her, and yet there was something else, something intangible, as though Meissa should know her from somewhere.
