Deerly in Love

Chapter III- Lucas

"First years, this way!"

Lucas's jaw drops when he sees the large bearded man towering over the group of students. He knew Hagrid worked at Hogwarts, but seeing him in person was still shocking. Hagrid was a very-well known dragonologist. Lucas even had a chocolate frog card with him on it! A couple years ago Hagrid had decided to take a break from his adventures and take on teaching care of magical creatures at Hogwarts after Professor Kettleburn retired.

"Uh...Lucas?" Upon hearing Sam's voice, Lucas quickly closes his mouth and turns around. Sam is looking at him with a confused expression while Aidan stands next to an uncomfortable-looking Harry with his arms crossed.

"Oh! Yes, let's go." Sam grins and leads the way through the crowd to join the other first years who are gathering around Hagrid.

Once most of the older students clear the platform, Hagrid leads the group of first years over to the edge of the lake where a row of boats is waiting.

"Alright, no more than four to a boat. Be careful not to tip it. Ye wouldn't want to be shiverin' during yer sortin'." Hagrid instructs. Lucas scrambles to climb into a boat next to Sam but stops when he remembers Harry. He turns back around and spots his brother standing awkwardly at the edge of the group, getting some strange looks from the other first years.

Lucas sighs and raises his hand to get Hagrids attention. "Uh, Professor Hagrid, sir?" Hagrid looks over from where he is supervising the first years.

"How can I help yeh?" Hagrid asks, marching over.

Lucas glances over at Harry trying to pick his words carefully. "What should I do with umm...my...pet?" Hagrid follows Lucas's gaze over to Harry.

"Since when did they start lettin' students keep deer as pets?" Hagrid asks, surprised. "Well I 'spose he can sit in the back of yer boat then." Hagrid nods at Aidan who is already seated in the back of the boat Sam and Lucas are trying to climb into. "Why don't yeh go sit over there." Aidan glances at Harry before silently getting up and walking to go sit next to a blonde haired girl in another boat. Lucas shoots him an apologetic look. "Right then. Load 'em up and let's go." Hagrid marches off to his own boat, leaving Lucas to help Harry into the back of his own.

"Wow..." Is all Lucas can say as he and Sam gaze up at the castle across the lake. Only the last rays of sunlight remain in the sky, casting brilliant shades of red and orange across the dark lake. High up on the rocks at the other side of the lake sits Hogwarts in all its glory. The soft glow from the windows makes the entire castle glimmer in warm light. Lucas is almost disappointed when his boat makes soft contact with the dock, jolting him out of his daze, but he is soon distracted by his excitement for the sorting.

After helping Harry out of the boat, Lucas and Sam begin the treacherous climb up the many steps to the entrance courtyard. They move at a fairly slow pace, since Harry has difficulty with stairs.

"I don't understand! How can a child who has grown up in the wizarding world not have heard of Maurice Parkin? He is literally one of the best chasers ever. He even invented his own tactic to steal the quaffle from the other team!" Lucas turns around to see a tortured looking Aidan walking next to a girl rambling on about quidditch. Lucas recognizes her as the girl Aidan had to sit next to on the boats. Her dirty blonde hair is pulled up into a high ponytail. "His tactic won the game for his team in the 1987 match against Norway!" The girl gestures widely as she speaks. Lucas looks back over at Aidan who looks like he would rather be anywhere else in the world, causing Lucas to giggle.

The girl immediately stops talking and looks up to glare at Lucas. "Hey! What are you lau-- Oh! You're that boy with the deer!" Her attitude quickly changes from annoyed to excited. Lucas just nods awkwardly, not caring to be known as 'the boy with the deer.' The girl grins and steps forward to stand next to Lucas, much to Aidan's relief. She holds out her hand formally. "My name is Annalise Berkely."

Lucas shakes her hand. "I'm Lucas Potter. Er...the deer is Harry." Annalise skips forward to where Harry is struggling to climb the unnecessary amount of steps.

"Hellooo Harry! What a cute little deer!" Annalise crouches so that she and Harry are eye level. Harry turns to glare at Lucas.

"Oh uh, he doesn't like it when people get in his face." Lucas says hurriedly and rushes to step between them. "He's...shy. Yeah. Harry is very shy." Lucas imagines Harry is rolling his eyes at his blubbering. Annalise steps away from Harry with a look of concern. She opens her mouth to, Lucas assumes, apologize, but Sam interrupts.

"We're here! We're here!" They shout. The group of first years had made it into the entrance courtyard. Through the dim light, Lucas is just able to make out a tall witch in emerald green robes standing in the doorway to the castle.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall, deputy headmistress." The witch says as they approach. Her voice is stern, but Lucas detects a hint of warmth to it. "Your sorting will begin momentarily. When I call your name, you will walk forward and sit so that the sorting hat can be placed onto your head. It will then sort you into one of Hogwarts' four houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin."

Lucas feels nerves grow in the pit of his stomach; though he imagines that he is not the only one that feels this way. Many of the other first years have begun to fidget and squirm. Lucas glances back at Harry who gives him a reassuring nod. Lucas smiles back in surprise; that type of gesture is rare from Harry.

"Follow me, first years," Professor McGonagall commands before turning to lead them into the Great Hall.