The God of Ice and Fire at Hogwarts

"It's just a fire spell. I'm no different from you when it comes to casting other spells!"

Lynn shook his head and replied.

Fred and George simply nodded, refraining from asking further.

A talent like this, excelling in a specific type of magic, often stemmed from bloodlines, touching on personal matters. Fred and George had no interest in prying into someone else's privacy.

Before long, the three of them spent the long journey engrossed in studying. By the time the sun set, the train had begun to slow down.

"The train will be arriving at Hogwarts in five minutes. Please leave your luggage on the train; it will be transported to the school for you."

The announcement echoed through the compartment.

The Weasley twins immediately closed their notebooks on the table and each pulled their wands from their robes.

"Time for wizard robes!"

"Time for wizard robes!"

They simultaneously cast the summoning charm, calling their wizard robes from the pile of luggage in the corner.

With a quick turn, the Weasley twins slipped into their robes.

Lynn, meanwhile, closed the Simple Introduction to Ancient Magical Texts he had been reading, pulled out his wizard robe from his bag, and used the levitation charm to drape it neatly over himself.

"Lynn, is your bag enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm?"

Only now did Fred realize that Lynn carried no other luggage apart from the bag in his hand, prompting his curious question.

Lynn nodded in confirmation.

At that moment, the train came to a stop, and the young wizards began filing toward the exit.

Fred and George dragged Lynn along as they squeezed toward the train's doors.

Soon, the three of them stepped off the train onto a small, dark platform. The cold air hit their faces, causing the Weasley twins to shiver.

Not far away, a lantern hovered over the heads of the young wizards as a towering figure called out loudly:

"Firs' years! Firs' years, this way!"

It was a giant of a man, with a bushy beard and a thick fur coat. His unusual size made him stand out among the crowd of young witches and wizards.

This was Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts.

"Off with you, then. We'll see you in the Great Hall!" Fred clapped Lynn on the shoulder, smiling as he spoke.

Lynn bid the Weasley twins farewell and headed in Hagrid's direction.

"Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. Follow me!"

Hagrid's gruff voice carried over the crowd as the first-years followed him down a steep, narrow path. It was pitch dark, and the stars overhead were not enough to light their way.

Seeing this, Lynn gave his wand a slight wave. A small ball of fire materialized out of thin air amidst gasps of surprise from the first-years, hovering steadily in the air and lighting their path forward.

Hagrid, holding a dim oil lamp, was briefly stunned before praising him:

"That's a fine fire spell! What's your name, young wizard?"

"Thank you, Mr. Hagrid! I'm Lynn Rohr," Lynn replied politely.

Hagrid gave Lynn an encouraging pat on the shoulder. The tremendous force nearly knocked him over.

At this distance, Hagrid assumed Lynn's spellcasting was simply steady and quiet. He hadn't realized it was a feat of nonverbal magic, or his reaction would have been far different.

At the end of the path, a vast black lake came into view. On the slope across the lake stood a magnificent castle with countless spires. Its glowing windows shone dimly under the starlight.

Boats were moored on the lake's shore, ready to ferry the new students.

"Four to a boat! No more than four to a boat!" Hagrid shouted as he pointed to the vessels.

The first-years hurried to find a boat. Lynn waited until everyone else had boarded, then extinguished the flame in the air and joined Hagrid on the last remaining boat.

The small fleet of boats glided across the glassy surface of the lake, heading toward the towering castle.

As the lead boat neared a cliff face, Hagrid called out:

"Mind yer heads!"

But aside from Hagrid himself, no one else would have hit the cliff even if they didn't duck.

Before long, the group of young wizards arrived at the castle. Lynn quickly rejoined the line of first-years.

Hagrid stepped forward and knocked three times on the castle's massive oak doors with his enormous fist.

The door swung open to reveal a stern-faced witch clad in emerald-green robes.

"First-years are all here, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid announced.

"Thank you, Hagrid," Professor McGonagall replied with a nod, opening the door fully to usher the young wizards inside.

She led them through the stone-paved entrance hall and into an empty chamber.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall began. "The start-of-term banquet is about to begin, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because your house will be your family here at Hogwarts.

"You will attend classes with your housemates, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend time together in your house common room.

"The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each has its own noble history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards.

"During your time at Hogwarts, your achievements will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose them. At the end of the year, the house with the most points wins the coveted House Cup. I hope each of you will bring honor to your house, whichever one you are placed in."

After her speech, Professor McGonagall led them through the hall and into the Great Hall.

As Lynn followed at the end of the line, he couldn't help but marvel at the sight.

The Great Hall was grand beyond imagination. Students from all years were seated at four long tables, one for each house. Thousands of floating candles illuminated the tables, and the starry night sky was mirrored on the enchanted ceiling, adding to the splendor.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward and placed a patched, worn, and battered wizard's hat onto a four-legged stool at the center of the hall.

This was the Sorting Hat, the magical artifact that determined the house of each young wizard.

As the hat wriggled on the stool, its wide brim stretched into a makeshift mouth that began to sing.

The Sorting Ceremony had officially begun!