“They're yours now, Professor Walker.” His red hair swayed when he gave the professor a short bow. Wax had been used to pull Professor Walker's hair back, giving him a worn-out appearance. He groaned, observing each of them with lifeless brown eyes. Thomas was most surprised by his left earlobe, which was missing. What in the world happened to it?

“Thank you, Asad.” He turned and slipped into the big wood doors with another sigh. Leaving his voice behind him. “Follow me.”

“Good luck.” Asad said to them, nodding to them and disappearing into the darkness of the school grounds. In a river of flowing robes, Thomas walked behind Lars and the other first-year students. Thomas's feet felt the hard flagstone floors. Little could be done to stop the chill spreading up his spine, despite the flaming torches lighting the hallways. Thomas looked around in awe while shivering. He was in a castle—a real-life working castle!

“Welcome to Hogwarts, budding witches and wizards.” The top of a flight of stairs was where Professor Walker stopped. His wide-brimmed hat and brown robes flared around him as he turned, casting a shadow over his face.

“While you are here, Hogwarts will be your second home.” He continued while crossing his arms over his chest. “Your house will be like your family. We professors will be your protectors, keeping an eye on you as you develop. We have rules, just like every family. Following them will award you points.” When he spoke, his head nodded, and Thomas had the impression that he might doze off at any moment.

“Points get automatically collected in giant hourglasses. To make the points visible to everyone, they are placed in niches along one wall in the entrance hall. For points, Gryffindor uses rubies. Those of Ravenclaw are sapphires, those of Hufflepuff are diamonds, and those of Slytherin are emeralds.” Walker's eyes started to close. Thomas saw him glare a hole into some whispering students. “These precious stones are under the guard of powerful spells.”

“What is given can be taken away too.” The whispering in front of the professor stopped, and he went back to his sleepy demeanor. “Points accumulate over the course of the school year. At the end of which, a House Cup is awarded to the house with the most. A prize cherished by all houses.”

“I am Deputy Headmaster, Head of Slytherin House, and your Transfiguration Professor. You may call me Professor Walker.” Heaving a sigh, he rubbed the back of his neck. “I'll be right back for you. Try not to burn down the stairs.” He slid into the door and disappeared inside it.

“First years!” A zipping of cold came whirling overhead. Thomas looked up and saw a man who looked like an old but poor court jester. His clothes were all patched up, right down to the three-bell hat. Swirling around, cackling as he pleased. Thomas could see right through him! A shimmering white specter, right from the pages of a famous poem.

“Nice,” Thomas whispered, thinking of one of his favorite poems. More amazed than scared, Thomas wondered what guilt kept the jester's soul lingering.

“There's one for each house, too.” From his side, Lars murmured to him. Thomas gave him a startled look. Did they keep ghosts here on purpose? Or did witches and wizards turn into ghosts more often after death?

“He's Peeves — the poltergeist, not a ghost.” Bernard spoke quietly. His focus was fixed on the circling specter.

“What's the difference?” When the poltergeist or ghost approached her from behind and pulled at her hair, Pipa questioned.

“Ow!” Pipa attempted to swat him away, but was unsuccessful because her hands went straight through him. She flickered blue; he was sure of it.

“What does it matter what I am to you, little first year?” He blew a raspberry at her.

“Leave her alone.” Lars spoke up, standing for Pipa. Peeves turned and stared right at Thomas, and Thomas learned that even a ghost could turn pale.

“Eek!” He screamed and turned into thin air. Thomas frowned. Did he scare a ghost off? With his face or... Thomas reached up to check if his ears were still covered.

“Are you okay, Pipa?” Lars asked, tucking Pipa's hair back around her shoulders.

“I'm fine.” Pipa rubbed her arms. “Cold though.”

“I thought only the Bloody Baron could scare off Peeves.” Bernard muttered. Head dipped in thought. “He's scared of vampires or blood?” Bernard looked at Thomas, his finger tapping on his lip.

“Welcome first years!” Another clear, floating man came into view. He was a heavy man with a happy, chubby smile on his transparent face.

“Fat Friar!” A girl squealed from the bottom of the stairs.

“I hope to see you in Hufflepuff.” He waved at her and went straight into the room beyond the wall by going through the wall.

“Nearly Headless!” Another ghost came in, grabbing everyone's attention. Much more regal-looking than the last.

“He prefers Sir Nickolas.” Thomas overheard the slap someone received. His eyes were on the next ghost, traveling overhead and into the next room. Curious, if it were a ghost, reactions would be the same as Peeve's.

“Thank you, young witch.” A thin, dejected woman followed him a short distance behind as he grinned and continued on. She remained silent, and nobody identified her. Another man entered the room, his shirt bloodied and his body bound in chains. They all ignored Thomas, on purpose? Thomas couldn't be sure, but none of them screamed at him, which was better for him.

“That's the Bloody Baron.” Bernard said, responding to Thomas' interest in the ghost. “He looks after Slytherin’s house.”

“Who was the one before him?” Pipa asked Bernard, who seemed knowledgeable on the subject of ghosts.

“Helena, Ravenclaw house.” Bernard shook his head, and his eyes looked watery. “She's had it rough in life and death.”

“I heard there was a vampire this year.” Thomas turned to see a pair of judgmental green eyes with a black mop of hair. His hands were tucked in his pockets, but he reminded Thomas a bit of John. Who Thomas knew both hated and eared him and liked to take that out on him.

“M mm,” Thomas nodded and didn't hide it—not like he could anyway. Bernard's reaction to him on the train told him that word about what he was out already. Thomas tucked his hands into his sleeveless robes, hiding their shaking. He was hoping that things didn't go beyond words. Thomas wanted a peaceful school year.

“I heard there would be a Potter attending school this year.” Lars came up beside Thomas, and his relaxed state made Thomas feel more at ease.

“Irish?” A tanned, blue-eyed boy with long brown hair tied at his nape asked Lars.

“The brogue gives me away every time.” Lars flashed the boy a smile.

“Pale skin, dark eyes, and under that hair, I bet there are pointed ears.” His lips curled. “It's hard to believe they let a magical beast into this school. No matter how human it looks,”

“Daniel, you shouldn't do this.” A small girl with striking similarities to the boy beside her. Her hair was curly red, and her face was freckled, but not her eyes. They’re identical.

“Let me deal with this, Emma.” He shoved her tugging hand off his sleeve.

“Should you be hanging around a vampire?” The green-eyed boy, Daniel, asked Lars, twitching, Demon or vampire? It seemed like his treatment would remain the same for most people. “How can you tell if you're a friend or...” Daniel dragged out his words, staring Thomas down. Thomas resisted the urge to roll his eyes; the stare wasn't that bad. It would take a few more years before it could make him shake any more than he already did. “A midnight snack.” Emma beside him gasped, and the long-haired boy shook his head.

“I have to go.” Emma said, “Sorry.” Shaking her head and turning to go up the stairs. Thomas didn't get a chance to come up with a response before Pipa stormed in front of him.

“Hey!” Pipa marched in front, poking her finger right in the boy's face. “He doesn't bite people.”

“How would you know?” He sneered, actually curled his lip, and sneered at Pipa. Thomas frowned, not liking that at all.

“I asked.” Pipa stomped her foot. “I learned about people before I judged them, you jerk!”

“Didn't you judge us?” The long-haired kid asked, his eyebrow raised. Only to be ignored by both Pipa and his friend.

“Didn't you come over here to start something?” Pipa countered, turning her finger and shaking it at him. “You should feel ashamed. Bad boy!” Pipa spat, “Bad.” Pipa was treating them like dogs. Thomas's lips twitched; it was a comical sight. Thomas heard the light cuffing of Lars's held-back laughter. Leaving him unsure how to stop it, or if he should at all. Pipa looked like she had it.

“I came over because I saw Malfoy.” His green eyes narrowed at Bernard, whose face looked blank. “He would hang out with the vampire.” He turned his green eyes at Thomas. “You want to fix the image of vampires? Don't hang out with a Malfoy.”

“!” Thomas didn't need to know the reason behind the way he said Bernard's last name. He only had to glance at Bernard's pale face to notice the hurt.

“I'm Daniel, Daniel Potter.” Daniel pulled his hands out of his pockets. Holding one out to Thomas.

"We're your best bet if you want to change your image." Thomas turned his attention to his hand and Daniel's face. Daniel had a cool, confident appearance. But all Thomas saw was a reflection of the orphanage residents in his eyes. He was deeply interested in him and a little afraid, but not for anything he would find enjoyable. He couldn't help having the feeling, even if Thomas was wrong.

Bernard caught Thomas' attention as he retreated into the swell of people surrounding him. Accepting that Thomas would abandon him. Without a second thought, Thomas reached out. Grabbing not Daniel's hand, but Bernard's arm, he had no intention of becoming some vampire poster boy. Thomas was more interested in learning magic and making real friends. Like Lars.

“Stay.” Thomas said. Bernard may have been scared or at least weary of him at first, maybe even now. Thomas couldn't say; he didn't have Lars's way with people. Bernard tried, at least. He said he was sorry and was trying. Bernard stayed with them on the train and the boat. Despite thinking Pipa would sink it, thinking back, Bernard could have left at any time, but he didn't, and that had to mean something.

"I've already found my best bet.” Thomas's hand shook, but he turned and faced Daniel. “Right here.” Thomas's motion went not to Bernard but to Pipa too.

“I couldn't agree more.” Lars placed a hand on his shoulder. Thomas turned and received a smile. Lars had a way of helping Thomas feel more confident. “Thanks for the offer.” Lars declined Daniel's hand too, and it fell down to his side.

“Your mistake.” Daniel turned with a TSK falling off his tongue. The student and his friend parted ways, though.

“Bill Weasley. See you around.” Bill nodded and followed his friend. Everyone turned back into their groups, whispering. Taking sideways glances at Thomas's group.

“You rejected a Potter — for me?” Bernard's mouth opened a few times before he used his hand to cover it. “You'll regret that, you know.” Bernard whispered it, but Thomas could see the edges of a smile around Bernard's hand.

“He is a Potter, and his friends are all descendants of the holy trio.” Pipa brought it up. Thomas shrugged and looked at Lars, who also shrugged.

“So?” Thomas asked, and Pipa grabbed her chest, her mouth dropping in shock.

"So—they're descendants of heroes. Loved by all.” Pipa shook her head. “We made the whole school's first-year group hate us.” Pipa whispered, looking around the group. Not looking bothered by the idea.

“More room for us?” Thomas looked around, not seeing a big problem yet. If they avoided them, then Thomas would have fewer people to deal with.

“We have each other.” Lars swung an arm around Thomas's neck. “No matter what, it's our house.” Thomas leaned into Lars shoulder and returned his hug.

“Me too!” Pipa grabbed poor Bernard by the arm and forced him into the hug. “Mates for life!”

“Sounds like a plan.” Lars laughed and patted Pipa's head. Thomas looked at Bernard and smiled. Bernard's eyes went wide; he wasn't expecting the hug.

“You'll get used to the hugs.” Thomas offered his advice: if he got used to them, then Bernard could too.

“Yes.” Bernard smiled, and Thomas couldn't help but think that Bernard was a bit cute when he smiled.

“First years, this way!” Professor Walker's voice yelled, sounding tired, as he went on speaking.

“It is time to get sorted!” Thomas shook and looked up at Lars. He nodded. They had a plan for the sake of a future that Lars couldn't see. Thomas had to be strong. Trembling hard, Thomas moved forward with the group. Stepping into a great hall. They were flanked by long wooden tables. That Thomas couldn't even take a moment to appreciate. His nerves were dancing too hard inside him.

“Look at Thomas, the ceiling!” Pip tugged on his robe and pointed up. Thomas looked to see the night sky with candles for stars. It was a beautiful sight.