“Mum, please…” Sevrin mumbled, attempting to wriggle out of his mother’s hug but her arms were like steel as she embraced her only child on his first day as a Hogwarts student. 

“Oh, I’m sorry lad…” She sniffled in her thick northern accent made even worse by her overflowing emotions. She wiped a small tear from her red eyes as she released him, nervously adjusted the ruffles on her flower-patterned blouse before standing up straight, heels together; the perfect model of a primary school teacher. “I jus’ can’t believe me own boy’s goin’ t’beh a wizard! Ye goin’ t’ave so much fun! Maybe y’should give y’mutha anothah hug jus’ f’road.” 

“That’s enough, JoAnna…” His father smiled, as he put a comforting arm around his wife. “He’s not so much a boy anymore, is he?” The large, physically imposing Auror that was his father spoke in a calm, dignified way that was quite surprising for his stature as he leaned down onto his knee so that his dark eyes could meet Sevrin’s grey ones, the same eyes as his mother. “You’re going to do great things, Sevrin… Don’t forget your goals and stay focused on your school work.” He put a large hand on the boy’s shoulder, the sheer weight of it causing his small frame to sway. “Oh, and don’t forget to make some good friends while you’re at it!” With a hearty chuckle he embraced his son and then pushed the cart to the edge of the platform where the ruby-red [i]Hogwarts Express[/i] was letting off steam. Feris squeaked excitedly, bouncing around his cage atop the small pile of trunks and bags, clearly wanting to be let out to explore this new and exciting place as the train attendants helped lift the trolley through the train car doors.

Turning back to his parents who stood together on the platform, Sevrin finally offered them a small smile. “I’ll make y’proud…  Ah’promise!” He found a seat in the first year’s car and waved to them as the train slowly pulled away from the station, quickly wiping away the moisture in his eyes before anyone could notice. Sevin rode the majority of the way in silence, though he did make a bit of small talk with those nearest him until they lost all interest. He heard the shouts as chaos erupted in the car next to his own but only caught the tail end of the fight as the window between their cars suddenly frosted over. Before long a handful of shivering students were led out of the car by a few teachers with annoyed expressions. “Well that din’ tek long…”

The hills rolled by for several hours, little more than green grass and English countryside much like that which surrounded his hometown, and after a time staring at the sights Sevrin drifted off. He awoke gently as his body felt the train begin to slow and a quick glance showed the other first years gathering their things as the last rays of orange-red sunlight streamed in through the window. He stepped off the train onto the Hogwarts platform and followed the crowd of nervous first-years as the teachers led them down to the docks. The dark water rushed past as their longboat skimmed silently over the surface of the lake as Sevrin leaned over the edge, his bright eyes reflecting off the water as he was overcome by the feeling of something watching them from those murky depths. They rounded a bend and his trance was broken by the gasps of the students around him and as he looked up he couldn’t help but join them. The ancient castle rose before them, its spires piercing high into the deep red sky and standing vigilant over the lake and forests that stretched on all around. [i]Hogwarts![/i] 

It would be his second home for the next seven years.  

He jumped out of the boat as it parked beside the castle docks, his suddenly animated movements betraying his nervousness, and followed the teacher who led them into the twisting stone halls of the school. They entered the great hall, already awash with sound and activity as the older students had already arrived and taken their seats. Sevrin could see the banners drifting above each group, the symbols of each house his father had familiarized him with a week before, but he was led to a small barren table near the front of the hall; clearly placed for first years yet to be sorted. One by one they were called up, the strange crumbled hat shouting out their placements followed by a roar of excitement from the welcoming house. Sevrin was towards the end of the list and as he took his seat upon the stool he became afraid that the several hundred students staring eagerly at him would be able to hear his heartbeat pounding in his chest. The musty hat slipped over his ears and suddenly drowned out the milling sounds of the hall, leaving Sev in muffled silence. 

But not so silent as he would have thought.

[i]‘Oh my, oh my! The son of Marten Crillden, if I’m not mistaken! And I’m not, oh no no, for I can see the same spark in you, my boy.’[/i]

The Sorting Hat spoke in such a way that Sevrin couldn’t decide if it was whispering in his ear or straight into his mind but he answered all the same. “Spark?” 

[i] ‘Yes! That spark of courage! It’s one that values justice and friendship above all things! Your father did well in Gryffindor, and has done great things since! Perhaps you’d like to follow along his path, hmm?’[/i]

Sevrin’s held his breath at the remark, the thought of being an Auror like his father shining brilliantly in his mind, but for the first time there was something else too; a sort of hesitation at the thought of being exactly like his father.

[i]’Ah… but there’s something else too… Your mother’s given you a few gifts of her own, I see. A muggle, yes, but no less brilliant than any great wizard and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise! Perhaps you’re realizing now that there are many paths to a destination… and I think your path will be one of your own making! And what better place to start that path than…[/i]

[b]“RAVENCLAW!”[/b]

Sevrin blinked in surprise as the hat was slipped off and the roar of the blue and bronze table filled the Great Hall. He stepped down beneath their banners to a myriad of congratulations and friendly greetings with a reserved smile on his face, his mind still twirling around what the old and wise hat had said.