Zayn was jolted awake with a loud voice yelling above him.
"Get up, Zayn! Get up! We've arrived, mate!" Niall yelled excitedly as he shook his friend's shoulders.
Zayn rubbed his eyes as he shook Niall off of him. Looking out of the window, he could see that it was pitch black outside save for the glowing orange cluster of what looked like a small village. That must be Hogsmeade, Zayn thought.
The boys collected their bags and got off the train with a crowd of dozens of other nervous or excited students. They were standing on a dark platform in what appeared to be the middle of a forest, a winding road snaking ahead of them. Many kids were already running down the road in small groups.
"I say we follow them," Niall proposed, looking over his shoulder at Zayn, who appeared to be gawking at his surroundings.
Coming out of his reverie, Zayn replied, "Yeah, yeah, let's go..."
Not far down the path was a long line of carriages. Nothing was pulling them, but they were carting students in groups of four down the lane. Niall and Zayn eagerly clambered into an empty carriage, sitting across from each other. Almost immediately, two more boys had piled into their carriage. Both of them looked as young as Zayn and Niall.
The boy sitting next to Zayn looked quite snobbish, as far as Zayn was concerned. He was dressed in his Hogwarts robes like everyone else. His face was rather square-looking, and he held a perfectly upturned chin, like sitting with three boys he didn't know was not worth any of his time. He was slightly tanned, and it made his green eyes shine. His brown hair was combed over one side like most of the wealthier boys on the Hogwarts Express. He nodded curtly in greeting but said nothing as the carriage began to push forward.
Niall looked like he wanted to say something to the newcomers at first, but he then just looked at Zayn and gave him a look that said, What a couple of bums.
The boy next to Niall looked equally antisocial. He had a tall, lean frame and a brown buzz cut which didn't really seem to match his face. It was a thin, angular face, and his dark eyes were cast down at his feet. He did not look in any mood to talk.
The awkward silence continued for the whole carriage ride, but it turned quite pleasant when they approached a huge, shining lake. Zayn was the first to leap off the carriage and gazed at the beautiful sight before him. The black water shone vividly like liquid silk. It was surrounded in the distance by mountains and sweeping hills. Most importantly, right across from the students, a large, old castle stood on an incline right on the lake. The uneven towers and gleaming yellow lights shining in every window looked incredibly welcoming. It looked perfect against the clear night sky, the moon pouring silver light over the water and the trees.
"Alrigh', four to a boat, kids! First years, this way!" came a gruff, booming voice at the shore of the lake. Zayn could just make out the shape of the biggest man he had ever seen. He was carrying a lantern, which illuminated a great black beard and muddy clothes.
Obeying the stranger, Zayn, Niall, and their two new acquaintances boarded a small rowboat that would carry them across the lake. Compulsively, Zayn stuck out his hand toward the snobbish boy. "Zayn Malik," he said with a small smile.
The boy looked a bit taken aback but took Zayn's hand and shook it. "Louis Tomlinson," he replied in a bored voice, then gestured to his friend next to him. "This is Liam Payne."
The boy named Liam waved slightly and muttered, "Enchantée."
This made Niall chuckle and he introduced himself. The boat had launched itself from the shore by then, and they were slowly crossing the lake to Hogwarts. The castle seemed to get larger with every inch closer.
Louis began studying the two boys in front of him. "Where're you two from? You sound a little far from home," he said with a knowing look at Niall.
Niall cleared his throat and said proudly, "Mullingar, Ireland, born and raised."
Louis nodded, like this fact was acceptable. He looked at Zayn who replied, "Bradford."
But Louis nodded awkwardly again, dropping the entire conversation. Niall gave Zayn another exasperated look. Zayn decided to direct his attention to the fact that they were nearly to the opposite shore, and Hogwarts was now towering over everyone. The large man was now standing on the shore waiting for them.
The boats hit shallow water with a small thud. The boys climbed out of their boat. "We'll see you for the Sorting," Louis said to Niall and Zayn, he and Liam walking off to another group of first years.
"He's a strange creature," Niall muttered to Zayn. Zayn nodded in agreement, watching the two boys as they talked to a small group of girls.
Everyone was suddenly silenced by a sharp whistle. Some kids covered their ears, startled.
The large man stood in front of everyone, and he blocked some of the light coming from the school with his massive gait.
"Welcome ter Hogwarts School o' Witchcraft an' Wizardry!" he bellowed. "I'm abou' ter take yer inside so yer can be sorted into yer Houses. Yer can call me Hagrid. I'm the school Groundskeeper."
Some of the students snickered at Hagrid's voice, but Niall and Zayn were completely amazed. Niall seemed a little more intimidated. "Why's he so big?"
"My sister told me about him," Zayn answered. "I think he's half giant." Niall whistled under his breath.
Hagrid began to walk them up the hill to the glaring front entrance of Hogwarts. The doors were high enough to fit a couple of the largest trees through them. The walkway was lit with torches, casting shadows along the castle's stone walls. Niall was almost jumpy with excitement, and this made Zayn laugh. "Settle down, will you?" he told his new friend.
"I'm trying, but I'm feeling the magic. Feel the magic, Zayn!" Niall whispered as he bounced where he stood. Zayn remembered that Niall was a Muggle, so all of this was completely new and possibly frightening for him. He rolled his eyes, clapped Niall on the shoulder, and watched as Hagrid approached the doors.
Hagrid gave all of them a large smile, turned, and knocked on the heavy wood.