Chapter 27: The Hogwart's Express

Waking up I felt incredibly energetic, looking over I saw the empty black cage that used to have Nyx in it, now of whom was of course heading off towards Newquay. I hope that little guy has no issues getting there…

Never mind that though, today was the day I'd finally head to Hogwarts. My 6 years on this earth had finally led to this moment. I looked around my room and grabbed anything I had lying around stuffing it into my extension pouch which included Nyx's cage. Now I thought about the name Nyx, it was based of a female goddess yet Nyx seemed to like his name... was 'he' actually a 'she' and I didn't know cause the manager always called him 'Little guy'...? I better check when he/she gets back...

I didn't need to grab my luggage as McGonagall had sorted that out for me as a reward for buying my own supplies and being independent.

Heading downstairs in the Leaky Cauldron I noted that it was certainly busier than usual. I could already spot students walking around with parents in tow, some heading through to Diagon Alley and some sat down eating. Looking over into the corner I noted that my table I usually sat at was now full. It was around 8am right now and the train for Hogwarts left at 11am so I had 3 hours to spare, looking at the filled out Leaky Cauldron though I wondered if it would be better to get food in Diagon Alley or out in London instead…

As I remarked about this in my mind, A voice beckoned me over;

"Ah, Oz! Come over here!"

Looking towards the bar I saw Gwen who was serving a few people. I headed on over to the bar and squeezed through, looking up at Gwen behind it.

"I had a feeling you would come down to this mayhem. To the right over there I've reserved a seat and table for you in the corner. Ill bring your breakfast over as soon as I'm done sorting these orders out"

I thanked Gwen for her help here. Looking over in the corner there was truly a table waiting for me that had a reserved sign on it. I didn't know if this was done by Gwen due to the Hogwarts Orphan Policy paying for this sort of service or if she had done it out of her own goodwill.

Heading over to the table I took a seat and started to people watch. Watching the different families run in and out in panics whilst I was completely sorted and ready to go was a fun watch. As I watched I also tried to see if I could spot any notable characters and a few did appear briefly. Katie Bell and Marcus Belby were two I seemed to spot during this time and overheard their names. They weren't integral to the plot of the story though, appearing only here and there.

After about a 30-minute wait, Gwen headed over to my table with a smile and handed me my breakfast.

"Thank you, Gwen, I appreciate sorting a table out for me"

"It's no problem. I noted it was going to be mayhem today and decided to do it ahead of time for one of my favourite customers"

Gwen very quickly headed off back behind the bar after leaving me with those words. I didn't know why she saw me as her favourite customer considering we've only exchanged words a few times. Maybe she noted how intelligent I was and wanted to build a connection with me in some way? Honestly, I didn't know.

I started to eat my breakfast quickly whilst taking in the different conversations in the Leaky Cauldron. Some words that drifted into my ears took my interest like talk of 'The Boy who Lived coming next year' and such, however the majority was just random ramblings.

As I finished my meal, I headed up to the bar and put the finished plate on the side for Gwen. Gwen was in the middle of serving someone so I waved her goodbye as I headed for the door and left the Leaky Cauldron, she gave a wave back as I did so and seemed slightly disappointed that she couldn't have a talk with me before I headed off. It was coming up to around 9am now, I wanted to get to King's cross and platform 9 ¾ early so I could get myself a compartment.

.

The trip to Kings Cross from the Leaky Cauldron was about 1 hours' drive. I was able to flag down a taxi and hopped on in, paying with some muggle money I kept on hand for situations like these. I could have used the floo network instead but apparently that had waiting times especially on days like todays, or so I overheard whilst eating. Using my previous life's muggle knowledge, it just seemed easier to get a cab.

I stayed silent in the back of the cab the whole journey until we arrived at the station, thanking the driver and paying as I hopped out. I quickly headed into Kings Cross in search of the fabled platform 9 3/4. Heading down onto the platform I started to look up at the numbers of each platform, following them slowly.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and… 9. It should be here.

As I got to the right platform, I saw a witch running through the wall unbeknownst to the surrounding muggles. I took a deep breath as I followed in after her, walking directly into the wall. Thankfully no Dobby was here as I walked on right through and ended up on another platform, turning to the right I saw the Hogwarts Express alongside a bunch of families getting their children on board.

Since I had no luggage, I just headed directly onto the train and looked for a compartment. It didn't take much searching as most were empty at the moment since I was an hour early. Finding the right compartment for me I sat down on the seat closest to the window on the right side and fetched a book from my extension pouch, starting to read it. This book was specifically a book about cloaking spells I had bought in Diagon Alley during the days I was there. This was my main first goal to succeed in at Hogwarts so I had more freedom.

Time passed as I quickly flicked through this book, and the next, and the next. I was so absorbed that I didn't realise others had come into my compartment and tried to talk to me however I just aired them. They noted I was so into the books I was reading they just left me alone and talked amongst themselves. The train then started to move and I looked out the window for a brief moment smiling that I was now on my way.

.

The train journey was a smooth one for me personally. I just simply read the books on hand and kept to myself. There were some times when I raised my head the kids in the compartment would ask questions however, I just kept the answers brief and simple before looking back at my books. As expected, I felt all itchy when trying to talk to 11-year-olds with my 27-year-old mind. It was much more comfortable to just read and chill out.

Midway through the journey I fetched I took myself to a secluded area of the train in order to change into my dress robes. I had them currently in my extension pouch. McGonagall left those robes with me considering that I needed to wear them heading into the school. Taking them out I got dressed up in the proper attire and headed back to my compartment for the rest of the trip.

Before I knew it, the train started to come to a stop and looking out the window I noted we had arrived at Hogsmeade station. Outside I could see the figure of a giant man with a lantern, ushering the first years over who had exited the train early in excitement. I followed behind the group I was with in the compartment and headed out onto the platform with the rest of the first years. Looking at the group I could see a few familiar faces starting with me this year.

People such as; Katie Bell, Cormac McLaggen, Marcus Belby, Eddie Carmichael and finally Cho Chang. It was surreal seeing so many people from the canon, even if they were sort of side characters in the same place. That surreal feeling would only grow when I see the characters that were set to appear soon.

"First years! This way!"

Looking towards the location of the voice I spotted Hagrid calling out to us. I was currently right at the back of the group, trailing behind quietly. I followed as we headed towards the docks and got onto our own little boats. I ended up getting onto a boat with some random student and surprisingly Cho Chang.

We started to sail towards Hogwarts as the night sky was bejewelled in stars. There was a light fog on the lake and as it cleared, I saw the majesty of the Hogwarts school. Looking up at the castle I heard that famous music play. Then I thought to myself, do they purposely put the fog for an epic reveal? I looked around at all the gasping students and sighed, sitting myself back and relaxing on the boat journey across.

Eventually we arrived at Hogwarts itself and walked up the stairs from the boat house all the way into the school. We continued to follow Hagrid until we go into the castle.

"I'll take them from here Hagrid"

McGonagall appeared and took us from Hagrid, Leading us on through the castle. Eventually we arrived at a massive door where we came to a stop. McGonagall turned around and started to speak to us.

"Behind this door you will be sorted into your individual houses… These are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. When sorted you will sit with your respective house and then after the feast be taken to your dormitories… Is that all clear?"

All the first years nodded and McGonagall smiled, she looked throughout the group and spotted me at the back. She smiled towards me for a moment before opening the doors behind her into the great hall. The doors swung open and inside there were candles floating high in the sky illuminating the hall. Students of different years sat on 4 separate tables looking over at us all entering. I followed behind the group looking directly ahead at all the professors at the head of the great hall. I also saw the headmaster, Dumbledore.

We gathered at the front of the great hall and came to a stop. Names started to be called out in order. I saw each person go up and get sorted one by one into their respective houses. All the characters I recognised seemed to land in the houses they were supposed to be in. After some time, my name was called out.

"Oz Osbourne!"

Hearing my name, I headed up to the chair where the sorting hat would be placed on my head. I noted that my name was still 'Osbourne' as my second name which meant that Hogwarts hadn't caught wind of me being Merlin's descendant yet… or it could be that some knew/had an idea and they didn't change it purely as help for me. I doubted that though.

Sitting on the seat I looked out at the great hall in front of me, All the students seemed to have their eyes locked onto me who was getting sorted into a house. Behind me all the teachers had their eyes locked onto me also. McGonagall who had read my name out eventually placed the sorting hat on my head. Silence filled the air for a moment before the sorting hat started to speak;

"Peculiar fellow you are… You seem to know about the strengths and weaknesses of all the houses. Not only that, there's something about you that feels familiar…"

The sorting hat was said to be a thousand years old. There was a chance that this hat had also sorted Merlin into his house of Slytherin. I wondered if the sorting hat was feeling familiarity from that.

"Your willpower is strong, the magic within you pure yet plentiful. Honestly you are the biggest genius I've seen come into these doors in a long time..."

The sorting hat started to speak in a tone only I could hear as if trying to question my existence. I remained with a stoic expression, acting matter of factly.

"It's certainly strange… part of me wants to immediately place you into Slytherin whilst the other part thinks you are a fit for all the houses at once… I look forward to where you end up boy"

"I believe I have made my decision though…"

"SLYTHERIN"

I expected as much.