The Shadow Prince

Chapter 3: The Sorting Ceremony

Hogwarts [September 1 1991]

As the train come to a slow stop everyone looks at each other with excitement while Alexius gets up and picks up his luggage and offers to carry Daphne's which she happily accepted.

As everybody gathers their luggage Alexius checks if everyone is ready before depositing their luggage outside.

They watch as other students come rushing out of the train with a wide grin in their faces.

Alexius sneered as one student starts to jump around screaming in excitement. Then Alexius hears a loud footsteps. He turned around to see a gigantic man about eight feet tall with large coal black beard and small beady eyes. The gigantic man yells out. "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!

Alexius and his friends fight the urge to roll their eyes as they make their way towards the gigantic man as he direct all the students into the boats.

Alexius, Alexa, Harry and Draco pilled into one boat while Daphne, Pansy, Blaise and Neville huddled into the other.

As they drew closer they couldn't help but admire the beauty of the huge castle, it's towers standing tall and proud. Even Alexius grudgingly looked impressed though he tries to hide it.

As they reached the dock Alexius jumps out first as he helped his friends out of the boat.

Alexius took a deep breath, his heart pounding with contained excitement as he stood before the entrance to Hogwarts. He had heard countless stories from his family about the school, but nothing could prepare him for the sheer magnificence of the sight that unfolded before his eyes.

With a nod to his friends Alexius and his friends followed the narrow path that wound its way through the mystical Forbidden Forest. The rustling leaves whispered secrets, as if sharing ancient tales of the castle that lay hidden beyond the trees. As they walked, beams of sunlight peeked through the dense canopy, creating an enchanting interplay of light and shadow.

As the path opened up, Alexius came to a sudden stop, his eyes widening in awe. There it stood, Hogwarts Castle, a mesmerizing sight that seemed straight out of a fairy tale. The castle's stone walls, weathered by time, rose majestically against the backdrop of the rolling hills. The reflection of the castle danced on the calm surface of the lake, as if mirroring its magical presence.

Unable to tear his gaze away, Alexius marveled at the castle's intricate architecture. Towering turrets reached for the heavens, each one crowned with a fluttering banner representing a Hogwarts house. The castle seemed to possess a personality of its own, an ancient wisdom that resonated with the souls of countless witches and wizards who had passed through its halls.

As he approached the entrance doors, a rush of anticipation surged through Alexius. The towering wooden doors, adorned with carvings of magical creatures, seemed to beckon him forward. With a flick of the giant man's wand, the doors swung open, revealing the awe-inspiring sight of the Entrance Hall.

Alexius stepped inside, his breath catching in his throat. The hall stretched out before him, a symphony of stone and torchlight. The flickering flames cast dancing shadows on the walls, creating an atmosphere of enchantment and mystery. The ceiling above was a mesmerizing portrayal of the night sky, studded with twinkling stars and floating candles that seemed to defy gravity.

Gazing up at the celestial display, Alexius felt a sense of belonging, as if Hogwarts had been waiting for him all along. The murmurs of fellow students filled the air, their excitement palpable as they reunited with old friends or made new ones. The buzz of anticipation was infectious, filling Alexius with a renewed sense of wonder.

Taking a hesitant step forward, Alexius marveled at the grandeur of the Grand Staircase at the far end of the hall. The staircase, with its shifting steps and ever-changing paths, seemed to embody the very essence of magic itself. It was a tantalizing invitation to explore the unknown, to unravel the secrets that lay hidden within the castle's many corridors and chambers.