I thought of this idea when I heard JK Rowling's quote, "Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home." This is the first of three oneshots about Hogwarts.


My life was changing. Family leaving. People dying. Friends lost. Enemies made. Lessons learned. Yet one thing remained the same; always there. Soothing, comforting like the hand of a mother. Thrilling, exhilarating like the first time seeing a firefly. Steadying, reassuring like the ground. Like the rock it was carved out of.

It was the center of a hectic world.

Unmoving when the rest of the world was spinning. Whirling so fast it made me dizzy. But when it was too much to take, when I was about to fall over, when I was collapsing under the weight of everything, I would return to it. Return home.

Inside it might be crazy. It might have thrown people of all ages together. It might have duels in the hallways and detentions in the evenings. It might have demanding classes and not know what normal was. But it was safe. Reliable. Welcoming.

Rounding the last curve, it came into view. Its turrets reaching proudly towards the starry sky. Warm light shining from its many windows gave it a homely air. I could smell the delicious feast wafting through the great doors now opened to show the grand staircase.

My troubles lifted away. Here, any problem could be solved. Here, magic happened all around you. Here, I was happy. I was home.

The stone castle may feel cold and unforgiving to others, but I had found the truth to it. I had found the reason that it was still around, that it was still loved by the people inside. It was because it was there to welcome you.

Hogwarts was always there to welcome you home.