SABAISM | H. POTTER

THREE. | THE SORTING

Gemini stepped off the train into the velvet darkness of night, her fingers clinging tightly to the edge of Harry Potter's robe for stability as the three of them—Gemini, Harry, and Ron Weasley—stumbled onto the bustling platform. The air was cool and brimming with anticipation, the scent of damp earth mingling with the distant whistle of the departing Hogwarts Express. Harry, in turn, gripped Ron's sleeve, the three forming a chain of newfound friendship, their nerves and excitement intertwining.

Gemini's robes shimmered brilliantly in the soft moonlight, the fabric catching every glimmer and casting prismatic hues across the platform—a stark contrast to Ron's slightly tattered, hand-me-down robes, which seemed to sag under the weight of the momentous occasion. Yet, to Gemini, her own robes were grand not just in their fine material, but in their meaning: they marked her very first year at Hogwarts, a dream she had cherished for as long as she could remember.

A sudden, booming voice cut through the night. "Right, then! First years! This way, please! Come on now, don't be shy! Hurry up!" The source was none other than Rubeus Hagrid, the half-giant groundskeeper whose wild mane and beetle-black eyes made him an imposing yet oddly comforting sight. He towered above the students, lantern in hand, his presence both reassuring and awe-inspiring.

Harry's gentle tug on Gemini's sleeve coaxed her forward, melting her initial hesitation. As they approached, Hagrid's face split into a wide, toothy grin. "Hello, Harry!" he greeted warmly, his voice echoing across the platform. "Hey, Hagrid," Harry replied, his tone casual but laced with excitement.

Gemini, ever curious and eager, stepped forward, her voice bright. "Hello, Hagrid! I'm Gemini Lupin-Black. It's lovely to meet you!" Hagrid's eyes twinkled with recognition, his smile growing even wider. "Right then. Off to the boats! Follow me!" he said, ushering them down a winding path toward the edge of the lake.

The trio followed Hagrid to a line of small, bobbing boats, their hulls gently knocking against the wooden dock. The vast, inky lake stretched before them, its surface mirroring the golden glow of the castle perched on the distant cliffs. The sight was breathtaking—Hogwarts itself, illuminated against the night, its turrets and towers rising majestically into the starlit sky.

"Wow," Ron breathed, his wide eyes reflecting the castle's lights. Gemini nodded, her own heart pounding with awe. "Woah, indeed."

"Four to a boat! Get in, you lot!" Hagrid called enthusiastically, waving his lantern. Gemini dashed toward the nearest boat, Harry close behind, their laughter mingling with the excited chatter of their peers. The boats glided silently across the water, the only sounds the gentle lapping of waves and the occasional gasp as the castle loomed ever closer.

Once ashore, the first years were shepherded into the castle's grand entrance hall, a cavernous space aglow with flickering torchlight. The air was thick with the scent of wax and old stone, and the echo of their footsteps seemed to reverberate through centuries of magic.

There, standing tall and regal in her signature jade robes, was Professor McGonagall. Her sharp eyes swept over the assembled students, commanding instant respect. "Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall. You will soon be sorted into your houses—Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Your house will become your family while you're here. Triumphs will earn you points; rule-breaking will cost you. At year's end, the house with the most points wins the House Cup, a great honor. I hope you all become a credit to your house," she intoned, her voice both stern and inspiring.

Gemini felt a flutter of nerves settle in her stomach, the significance of the moment pressing down on her. Yet, unable to resist, she called out with a grin, "That was inspirational, Grandma Minnie!" Her voice echoed off the stone walls, drawing startled glances and a few giggles from her fellow first years. Harry raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Is she your grandma?" he whispered. Gemini smiled, shaking her head. "Not by blood, but she did help raise me."