Ch. 3

Alex POV:

2 weeks later 

Over the course of the two weeks leading up to his enrollment at Hogwarts, Alex dedicated himself to rigorous preparation and exploration.

During this time, he delved deep into his studies, poring over textbooks and spellbooks alike, eager to expand his knowledge of magic and familiarize himself with the subjects he would encounter at school. He practiced wand movements and incantations tirelessly, determined to master the spells essential for his success as a wizard.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Alex spent countless hours honing his physical abilities, using the Boots of Hermes to push the limits of his speed and agility. He traversed the rugged terrain surrounding Hogsmeade, testing the boots' capabilities in various environments and scenarios, all while strengthening his body and refining his reflexes.

But it wasn't all work and no play for Alex. He also took the time to explore the village of Hogsmeade, immersing himself in its charm and vibrancy. From sampling the delights of Honeydukes to browsing the shelves of Zonko's Joke Shop, he reveled in the unique experiences that the wizarding world had to offer.

Furthermore, Alex forged new friendships with fellow residents of Hogsmeade, bonding over shared interests and aspirations. Whether exchanging magical theories with the local apothecary or joining impromptu Quidditch matches at the nearby pitch, he found camaraderie and support among his peers.

As the days passed, Alex grew more confident in his abilities and more excited for the adventures that awaited him at Hogwarts. With his preparations complete and his spirit alight with anticipation, he eagerly awaited the moment when he would step through the castle doors and begin his magical education in earnest.

With the two weeks of preparation behind him, Alex felt a surge of anticipation as the day of departure for Hogwarts finally arrived. He gathered his belongings, ensuring that Excalibur was safely stowed away in his system inventory while the Boots of Hermes were packed among his casual wear.

As they made their way through Hogsmeade, Alex couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the prospect of boarding the Hogwarts Express from King's Cross Station. He remembered the iconic scenes from the books and movies, where young witches and wizards embarked on their journey to Hogwarts, and the thrill of experiencing it himself filled him with anticipation.

Curiosity gnawed at him, and as they reached the outskirts of the village, he couldn't contain his excitement any longer.

"Mr. Patel, are we really going to King's Cross Station to catch the Hogwarts Express?" Alex asked, his eyes wide with excitement.

Mr. Patel chuckled, amused by Alex's enthusiasm. "Yes, indeed, Alex," he replied, his smile reflecting Alex's excitement. "I thought it would be a wonderful experience for you to ride the Hogwarts Express, just like in the stories."

Alex's heart raced with excitement. He had always dreamed of stepping into the magical world of Harry Potter, and now, it seemed, that dream was about to come true. The thought of boarding the legendary train and journeying to Hogwarts filled him with joy and anticipation.

With renewed enthusiasm, Alex followed Mr. Patel as they made their way to King's Cross Station in London. As they approached the bustling terminal, Alex's pulse quickened with excitement. Little did he know, the journey ahead would be filled with magic, adventure, and the realization of his childhood dreams.

As they reached King's Cross Station, the bustling atmosphere of the busy London terminal enveloped them. The sounds of bustling crowds and the sight of steam billowing from the Hogwarts Express added to Alex's excitement.

"Here we are, Alex," Mr. Patel said with a grin, gesturing towards the iconic scarlet train. "The Hogwarts Express awaits."

Alex's heart fluttered with anticipation as they made their way towards the train. His eyes widened with wonder as he caught sight of the gleaming carriages, each emblazoned with the Hogwarts crest.

Following Mr. Patel's lead, Alex boarded the train, his excitement growing with each step. As they found an empty compartment, Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the thought of the magical journey that lay ahead.

As the train began to move, Alex's mind raced with possibilities. He remembered the stories of Harry Potter and his friends, and a sudden idea struck him. What if he could make friends with them too?

With determination in his heart, Alex decided to seek out Harry Potter and his companion, Ron Weasley. He remembered their first encounter with Hermione Granger in the movie when she was looking for Neville's lost toad. Thinking it might be a good way to meet them, he set off down the narrow corridors of the train, his excitement mounting with each passing compartment. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of searching, he spotted the familiar faces of Harry and Ron through an open door.

With a hopeful smile, Alex approached the compartment he couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. Little did he know, this chance encounter would mark the beginning of a friendship that would shape his Hogwarts experience in ways he could never have imagined.

As Alex approached the compartment where Harry and Ron sat, he felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. He reached out to knock on the door, but before his knuckles made contact, it swung open, revealing Harry's curious expression.

"Hi," Alex said, offering a tentative smile. "I was wondering if I could join you. I'm new to Hogwarts, and I thought it would be nice to make some friends."

Harry and Ron exchanged a quick glance before Harry nodded, gesturing for Alex to enter. "Sure, come on in," Harry said with a welcoming smile.

With a grateful nod, Alex stepped inside the compartment, feeling a rush of relief. This was it—the beginning of his Hogwarts journey, and already he had found companions to share it with.

As they settled into the compartment, Alex exchanged excited chatter with the two boys, eager for the journey to Hogwarts.

"Hi, I'm Alex," he said, extending his hand to Harry and Ron.

Harry grinned warmly as he shook Alex's hand. "Nice to meet you, Alex. I'm Harry, and this is Ron," he said, gesturing to his red-haired companion.

Ron nodded in greeting. "Hey," he said with a friendly smile.

As the trolley rattled by, Alex's eyes sparkled with curiosity at the sight of the assorted magical treats.

"Anything off the trolley, dears?" the woman asked.

Ron, waving away the offer with a grin, presented his squished sandwiches. "No, thanks. I've got my snacks sorted," he declared, gesturing to his homemade meal.

Harry, reaching for his coin pouch, eagerly replied, "We'll take the lot!"

Ron's pet rat, Scabbers, perched on his knee with a box over its head, seemed to show interest as well.

"Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans?" Ron exclaimed. "They mean every flavour! There's chocolate and peppermint, and there's also spinach, liver, and tripe. George swore he got a bogey-flavoured one once!"

Harry's expression shifted from excitement to mild disgust as he discreetly removed a bean from his mouth.

"These aren't real chocolate frogs, are they?" Harry questioned, holding up a blue and gold package.

"It's only a spell," Ron reassured him. "But it's the cards you want. Each pack's got a famous witch or wizard. I've got about 500 myself."

As a frog unexpectedly leaped onto the window and disappeared, Alex couldn't help but gasp in astonishment. "Wow! Did that frog just... vanish?"

Ron chuckled, nodding. "Yeah, they only get one good jump before they're gone for good."

"Hey, I got Dumbledore!" Harry exclaimed, holding up a card.

"I've got about 6 of him," Ron added with a grin.

Excited to be part of the conversation, Alex chimed in, "That's incredible! I've read about chocolate frogs and wizard cards, but seeing them in person is something else."

Just then, Hermione appeared at the doorway, her bushy brown hair slightly disheveled.

"Has anyone seen a toad?" Hermione asked, her tone urgent.

"No," Ron replied, shaking his head.

"Are you doing magic? Let's see then," Hermione said eagerly, her curiosity piqued.

Ron attempted another spell, but it failed to produce any results.

Hermione, unimpressed, remarked, "Are you sure that's a real spell? Well, it's not very good, is it? Of course, I've only tried a few simple spells myself, and they've all worked for me. For example..." She demonstrated a spell to repair Harry's glasses, leaving him amazed.

As Hermione introduced herself Harry and Alex, felt a bit shy but intrigued, listened intently to their conversation, eager to immerse himself further into the magical world of Hogwarts.

As Hermione prepared to leave the compartment, she paused for a moment, her expression earnest as she turned to Harry, Ron, and Alex.

"By the way," she said, her tone serious, "we'll be arriving at Hogwarts soon. You might want to change into your robes."

Harry, Ron, and Alex exchanged a glance, realizing they had completely forgotten about changing out of their Muggle clothes. Hermione's reminder prompted them to quickly rummage through their belongings and pull out their Hogwarts robes, readying themselves for their arrival at the magical school.

With a grateful nod to Hermione for her timely reminder, the trio hastily changed into their robes, eager to make a good impression as they approached Hogwarts.

As the Hogwarts Express came to a halt at Hogsmeade Station, excitement filled the air within the train compartments. Alex, along with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, gathered their belongings in preparation to disembark. They joined the flow of students making their way off the train onto the bustling platform.

Just as Alex took in the lively atmosphere, a familiar voice boomed out from the crowd. "Firs' years over here! Firs' years this way!"

Turning towards the sound, Alex saw the towering figure of Hagrid, Hogwarts' gamekeeper and keeper of keys, beckoning to the first-year students. His large frame and warm smile instantly put Alex at ease.

With a nod to his new friends, Alex followed Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they made their way towards Hagrid. As they approached, Hagrid greeted them with a hearty handshake and a welcoming smile.

"Right then, follow me, follow me," Hagrid said, leading the group of first-years towards the edge of the Black Lake, where small boats awaited them.

As they climbed into the boats, Alex couldn't contain his excitement. The adventure was truly beginning, and he couldn't wait to see what wonders awaited him at Hogwarts. With Hagrid leading the way, they set off across the dark waters of the lake, anticipation bubbling in the air.

As the small boats glided smoothly across the tranquil waters of the Black Lake, Alex felt a sense of wonder wash over him. The towering silhouette of Hogwarts Castle loomed in the distance, its majestic spires illuminated by the soft glow of moonlight.

In the boat, Harry leaned forward, his eyes wide with excitement. "Can you believe it, Alex? We're really going to Hogwarts!"

Alex grinned, his own excitement bubbling to the surface. "I know, it's incredible! I've been dreaming about this moment for as long as I can remember."

Ron, who had been nervously fidgeting with his robes, looked up with a grin. "Wait until you see the Great Hall. It's massive! And the food—oh, you won't believe it."

Hermione, ever the studious one, chimed in. "And the library! It's absolutely breathtaking. I can't wait to explore every nook and cranny."

As they approached the castle's shores, the towering cliffs of Hogwarts rose up to greet them, casting long shadows that danced upon the water. The sound of laughter and chatter echoed across the lake as students disembarked from the boats, eager to begin their Hogwarts adventure.

With Hagrid leading the way, Alex and his newfound friends followed the winding path up to the castle gates. The massive oak doors stood open, welcoming them into the warm glow of the entrance hall.

Stepping onto the hallowed grounds of Hogwarts, Alex felt a sense of belonging wash over him. The magic of the castle enveloped him like a warm embrace, and he knew that he had finally found his place in the world of witches and wizards.

As they made their way into the entrance hall, Alex's heart swelled with anticipation for the adventures that awaited him within the walls of Hogwarts. With Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid by his side, he knew that this was only the beginning of an extraordinary journey.

As they reached the foot of the marble staircase leading to the Great Hall, Hagrid turned to address the group. "Now, listen up, everyone. We'll be sorted into our houses soon, so keep an eye out for Professor McGonagall. She'll be the one leading the Sorting Ceremony."

With that, they lingered in the corridor outside the Great Hall, chatting excitedly as they awaited the start of the Sorting Ceremony. The air was filled with a mix of nerves and anticipation as the first-year students eagerly anticipated the moment when they would officially become members of their Hogwarts houses.

You're correct. Given Alex's familiarity with the Harry Potter series, he would recognize Draco Malfoy and likely have some preconceived notions about his character. Let's adjust the dialogue to reflect Alex's awareness:

As they made their way to the Great Hall, the group of first-year students encountered Draco Malfoy and his two cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, on the stairway.

"Hey, you're Harry Potter, aren't you?" Draco asked, his tone carrying a hint of superiority. "I've heard all about you. Famous for something you don't even remember? How pathetic."

Harry nodded, his expression guarded as he exchanged a wary glance with Alex. "Yeah, that's me. Nice to meet you."

Draco's smirk widened, his gray eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm Draco Malfoy, by the way. This is Crabbe and Goyle."

Crabbe and Goyle nodded in greeting, their expressions stoic.

"Ron Weasley," Ron introduced himself, though his tone lacked enthusiasm. "And this is Alex."

Alex nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze steady as he met Draco's eyes. He couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension at the prospect of interacting with the infamous Draco Malfoy, but he remained composed, determined not to let Draco's arrogance get under his skin.

As they made their way to the Great Hall, the group of first-year students encountered Draco Malfoy and his two cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, on the stairway.

"Hey, you're Harry Potter, aren't you?" Draco asked, his tone carrying a hint of superiority. "I've heard all about you. Famous for something you don't even remember? How pathetic."

Harry nodded, his expression guarded as he exchanged a wary glance with Alex. "Yeah, that's me. Nice to meet you."

Draco's smirk widened, his gray eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm Draco Malfoy, by the way. This is Crabbe and Goyle."

Crabbe and Goyle nodded in greeting, their expressions stoic.

"This is Ron," Harry introduced his friend, offering a brief nod in Ron's direction. "And this is Alex."

Alex nodded in acknowledgment, exchanging a polite smile with Ron. He appreciated Harry's gesture of introducing his friend, even if it was done somewhat informally.

Draco turned his attention to Ron, his smirk growing more pronounced. "Ah, one of the Weasleys," he remarked, his tone dripping with condescension. "The red hair and hand-me-down robes are a dead giveaway. Always the mark of low breeding and even lower purse strings."

Ron bristled at the insult, his jaw clenched in frustration. He resisted the urge to retort, knowing that stooping to Draco's level wouldn't accomplish anything. Alex shot Ron a sympathetic look, silently acknowledging the unfairness of Draco's judgment.

Draco's attention turned back to Harry, his smirk still firmly in place. "You know, Potter, if you ever want to be on the winning side, I can help you out," he said, his voice dripping with faux sincerity. "You don't want to be hanging out with the wrong crowd, do you?"

Harry's expression remained guarded as he listened to Draco's offer. He bristled at Draco's insinuation but kept his response measured. "I think I can choose my own friends just fine, thanks," Harry replied evenly, his tone tinged with defiance.

Before Draco could respond, the sound of Professor McGonagall's voice echoed through the corridor, signaling the imminent arrival at the Great Hall.

"Best be on our way," Harry said, glancing at Ron and Alex. "We don't want to be late for the sorting."

Ron nodded in agreement, shooting Draco a disdainful look before following Harry and Alex toward the Great Hall. Despite Draco's offer and his thinly veiled insults, Harry couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that lingered in the air. He knew that the choices he made at Hogwarts would shape his destiny in ways he couldn't yet imagine.

As the group made their way to the Great Hall, anticipation hummed in the air. Alex's heart pounded with excitement, his mind buzzing with thoughts of the sorting ceremony and the magical experiences that awaited him at Hogwarts.

Entering the Great Hall, Alex marveled at the sight before him. The enchanted ceiling reflected the starry night sky, while the four long tables were adorned with golden plates and goblets. At the head of the room sat the staff table, where professors chatted amiably amongst themselves.

"Isn't it amazing?" Ron whispered to Alex, his eyes wide with wonder.

Alex nodded in agreement, unable to tear his gaze away from the spectacle. He couldn't believe he was finally here, surrounded by the magic and mystique of Hogwarts.

As the students settled into their seats, Professor McGonagall stepped forward to address the gathered students. Her stern demeanor softened slightly as she welcomed the first-years and explained the sorting process.

"Alexander Blake," Professor McGonagall called out, her voice echoing through the Great Hall.

Alex's heart skipped a beat as he stepped forward, trying to suppress the butterflies fluttering in his stomach. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness as he awaited his turn. Where would the Sorting Hat place him? In Gryffindor, alongside Harry and Ron? In Ravenclaw, with its focus on wisdom and knowledge? Or perhaps in Hufflepuff, known for its loyalty and fairness?

Finally, Alex's name was called, and he approached the stool, the Sorting Hat waiting patiently atop it. He took a deep breath as the hat was placed upon his head, his mind racing with anticipation.

"Hmm, an interesting mind you have indeed," the Sorting Hat mused, its voice resonating in Alex's mind. "Plenty of courage, but also a thirst for knowledge and a strong sense of loyalty. Where to place you, I wonder?"

The Great Hall fell silent as the Sorting Hat deliberated, its decision weighing heavily on Alex's mind. And then, at last, the Sorting Hat spoke, its voice ringing clear for all to hear.

"RAVENCLAW!"

A cheer erupted from the Ravenclaw table as Alex removed the Sorting Hat, a mixture of relief and excitement washing over him. He glanced over at Harry and Ron, who were cheering along with the rest of the students.

Though he hadn't been sorted into Gryffindor, Alex felt a surge of pride as he joined his new housemates at the Ravenclaw table. He knew that no matter where the Sorting Hat had placed him, he was now part of the magical world of Hogwarts, ready to embark on an unforgettable journey.

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Imma say this right now this was the hardest to write i had to fix SO MANY MISTAKES AHHH

ChatGPT kept either misunderstanding what i meant or forgetting details this is the shortest out of my 3 chapters so yeah sorry about that.

Also if your wondering why Ravenclaw i left that up to Fate kinda if you notice the hat mentioned courage, knowledge and loyalty representing Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff which where the only options not cause of PLOT but because I reviewed Alex's sorta (I say sorta cause to me he doesn't have much of a personality yet) personality and between ChatGPT and me decided that he mostly fits into those 3 so I just told ChatGPT to Randomize between them.   

Comment any ideas on what to improve upon if ya want and if its just new ideas it general throw them my way ill check them and see if they fit in with my vision of the plot.