1 | Sunlight ➙ Cedric Diggory

Chapter Three

Matthew and Toby sat staring out the window of the Hogwarts Express, their bodies pressed up against the side of the compartment. A comfortable silence had fallen over the two boys as they contenting listened to the train running on it's tracks, and the distant voices of other students.

Soon enough, the train was coming to a stop at it's station. It was hard to see much out the window, mainly because there was nothing to look at. Matthew and Toby rose from their seats, waiting for a break in the student traffic coming down the aisle before walking off the train.

As the two boys stepped down on the platform, they saw a man who was well above average in height, with long and messy brown hair that cascaded down his shoulders, and a matching facial hair that covered his neck.

"First years, over here!" The man bellowed out, a large lamp in his hand.

"Come on, Toby." Matthew turned to see if the dark haired boy was still behind him, before both of them headed off in the direction of the tall man. Other first years walked over, feeling slightly nervous and intimidated by the man who towered over them.

"First years, this way. Come on, hurry up now." The man, Rubeus Hargid, called out again, before starting to walk backwards and waving first years over as he went.

Matthew and Toby stuck together as they walked, the blonde boy not being bother by Toby grabbing onto the sleeve of his robes so he wouldn't get lost in the crowd.

The first years were being led over to a large dock, where many wooden boats were bobbing peacefully in the dark water.

"Alright, everybody get in. Only four to a boat, please. Come on, get in!" Hagrid instructed, before the students started clambering into the boats. Some were very nervous, and needed some assistance out of fear that they'd fall in the water. Matthew and Toby got a boat together, with two other students. A raven haired asian girl who sat to herself with her hands in her lap, and a boy who light blonde hair who stared out at another boat. Matthew couldn't see either of their faces that well though, as the two first years had their backs to him and Toby. He just caught a quick glimpse as they had walked onto the boat.

Without warning, the boats jolted forwards. Matthew quickly grabbed onto the edge of the boat, as it slowly started moving. Magic was pulling the boats and students across the lake, towards a large castle that was lit up by at least a hundred windows and surrounded by vast land for as far as the eye could see. Which wasn't very far, due to how dark it was.

Matthew stared up at the castle, his mouth slightly open. His dad always told him stories of the castle, and Matthew saw a few pictures, but seeing Hogwarts for his own eyes was something out of a dream. Something magical. He loosened his grip on the boat and looked over at Toby, to see he had the same amazed expression on his face. Toby's lips were pulled into a smile as he looked over at Matthew.

"That's so cool." Toby stated, Matthew just nodding in response. He couldn't believe he was finally at Hogwarts.

The boats docked themselves at the shore, before all the students started clambering out of them. The man who had led them over had been at the back of the group, in his own back. Now he stood before them, the lantern still in his hand.

"Follow me!" Hagrid ordered before leading the way up to the castle, all the first years following closely behind. Some where talking with their new found friends, but most were too focused on the castle to say anything.

Eventually, Matthew was inside the castle. The inside was just as beautiful as the outside, with stone architecture and portraits lining almost every inch of the walls. Matthew noticed that the people in the portraits were moving, and he couldn't help but smile widely.