The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the estate of the Borghese family. The occasion was a grand masquerade ball in honor of the Borghese heir's 13th birthday. "A night in Verona," Mia had told Jace and Theo when she handed out the invitations for her birthday. The manor was adorned with torches and strings of lanterns, creating a magical atmosphere. Guests, dressed in elaborate costumes, their faces hidden behind intricately designed masks, moved gracefully through the ballroom.

Leaning against a column was Jace, dressed as Romeo, his mask hanging around his neck. He watched the dance floor with a contemplative expression, the flickering torchlight casting intriguing shadows on his face. Couples twirled in waltzes, their laughter and whispers concealed by the enchanting music that filled the air. In the middle of the dance floor, he spotted Mia. She was dressed as Juliet, her gown a vision of ethereal beauty, and she laughed and twirled around in the arms of a dark, curly-haired boy dressed in deep burgundy.

Theo, dressed as Mercutio, approached Jace with two champagne glasses in hand, his own mask perched on his forehead. "I see you're admiring the show, Romeo," he said, offering one of the glasses to Jace.

Jace accepted the glass, taking a sip of the bubbly liquid, and then turned his attention back to the dance floor. "Who's Mia dancing with?" he asked, curiosity tingeing his voice.

Theo followed Jace's gaze and scanned the dance floor. It didn't take him long to spot their friend. "Ah, there she is," he said with a knowing grin. "Mia's dancing with Agostino Necci."

Jace furrowed his brow. "Agostino Necci?" he repeated, clearly not recognizing the name.

Theo leaned closer to Jace and lowered his voice. "Agostino is a half-blood, Ravenclaw I think. He's the only son of the Necci family, and rumor has it, he's the heir to the Montemaggio vineyards."

Jace's frown deepened. "I've never heard of him."

Theo shrugged, taking a sip of his champagne. "Well, probably because Necci is a Muggle surname and he doesn't go to Durmstang"

Jace continued to watch as Mia and Agostino twirled around the dance floor, their laughter infectious."I hope she's having a great time," he said, raising his glass in a silent toast.

"Mia's always been the social butterfly. Besides, it's her birthday, let her have some fun." Theo said. "Here she comes. Having fun, Juliet?"

Mia approached Jace and Theo, her eyes sparkling with delight. She embraced both of them in a warm hug, her laughter like music in the beamed and pulled away slightly, her excitement palpable. "This is the best birthday party ever!" She then grabbed both of their hands and tugged them toward the dance floor. "Come on, you two! Let's make this night even more unforgettable!"

Without further ado, they found themselves in the midst of the swirling dancers. Jace,his heart lightened by Mia's infectious joy, twirled Mia around with practiced grace. She laughed, her eyes shining with pure joy as they moved together in perfect harmony. Jace couldn't help but look at Mia with a softness in his eyes that only she seemed to bring out.

Theo, not one to be left out, playfully pouted and exclaimed, "Hey, I want to dance with the birthday girl too!" With a flourish, he dramatically pulled Mia into an improvised tango, making her laugh even harder. Jace shook his head with an affectionate smile, thoroughly entertained by Theo's antics.

Suddenly, with a loud pop, golden confetti rained down upon them, and the entire room erupted into a chorus of "Happy Birthday" for , still holding her, pulled her into a tight hug, his head resting on top of hers. "Happy birthday, Juliet," he said warmly.

Jace, next in line, gave Mia a lingering hug. When they finally pulled away his green eyes locked onto her bright blue ones. With a soft voice and a tender kiss on her forehead, "Happy birthday, princess."

Theo, noticing the intimate exchange between his two friends, raised his eyebrows and watched the scene before him with his amethyst-colored eyes. He knew he had to talk to Jace about what he had just witnessed, sensing that there might be more to their relationship than met the eye. But for now, he simply joined the celebration, knowing that tonight was all about making Mia's birthday unforgettable.

Theo had been searching for Jace for a while, and he finally found him in the sprawling gardens of the Borghese estate, where Jace was engrossed in practicing polo. The rhythmic sound of the horse's hooves on the grass and the clinking of mallets against polo balls filled the air as Theo approached.

He waved to catch Jace's attention, and after a few moments, Jace halted his horse and took off his helmet. With a practiced ease, he dismounted and led his horse toward Theo.

Jace, wiping sweat from his brow, smiled at his friend. "Hey, Teddy. What brings you out here?"

Theo watched Jace closely, his expression serious. "I've been looking for you," he began. "There's something I need to talk to you about."

Jace furrowed his brow, concern flickering in his eyes. "Sure, what's on your mind?"

After a brief pause, Theo blurted out, his words rushed, "Jace, you like her."

Jace's eyes widened in shock, and he stammered, "Wh-what are you saying, Teddy?"

Theo, not one to beat around the bush, pressed on, his tone firm. " like Mia, Jace. I've noticed it, and I'm not blind. You've been looking at her differently since her birthday, and it's not just as a friend. Admit it."

Jace hesitated, his gaze drifting away for a moment as he grappled with Theo's words. Finally, he let out a deep sigh and met Theo's gaze, his shoulders slumping. "Yeah, okay, maybe I do," he admitted quietly. "but it's impossible."

Theo frowned, his concern deepening. "Why is it impossible, Jace? You're her best friend. What's stopping you?"

Jace sighed and looked Theo in the eye. "Have you read the books that Magnus left for us? The ones about Parabatai bonds?"

Theo shook his head, realizing that he hadn't delved deeply into those texts. "Not really, just briefly."

Jace took a step closer, his expression serious. "Parabatai can't be romantically involved with each other. It's one of the fundamental rules. We could go mad and since we're technically not Nephilim we could die. She could die. I'm not risking her life for some feelings that I don't know for sure."

Theo's eyes widened as he processed Jace's words. "I had no idea, Jace," he admitted, feeling a pang of guilt for not exploring the information in those books more thoroughly. "So what, you're going to watch her go on dates and say nothing?"

Jace looked conflicted but determined. "I don't know, Teddy. But I'll figure it out"

Theo nodded sympathetically, understanding the difficult position Jace was in. He placed a reassuring hand on Jace's shoulder and said, "Just be careful, okay? I don't want to see either of you hurt."

"My, my, my, Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." The door to the compartment suddenly slid open, and an amused voice called out rang out.

Harry looked up, his emerald eyes locking onto the source of the voice. There stood Pansy Parkinson, a sly grin on her face. Harry couldn't help but smirk in return. "If you want an autograph or a kiss, Pansy, you only need to ask," he teased cheekily.

Pansy arched an eyebrow, her smirk growing wider. "Oh, Potter, you wish.I'm afraid I'm way out of your league."

With a flourish,she entered the compartment and plopped down in front of Harry, grabbing a chocolate frog Ron, making him pout.

As the banter continued, the compartment door swung open once again, revealing Neville Longbottom. He looked slightly flustered as he asked, "Harry, Draco, have either of you seen Trevor?"

Draco, who had been sitting quietly, stood up and turned to Neville. "Aunt Alice told you not to let Trevor out of your sight, didn't she?" he remarked, raising an eyebrow.

Neville nodded, his expression sheepish. "Yes, she did. But he disappeared when I went to get some snacks."

Draco sighed and then turned to Harry. "Potter, looks like we have a job to do. I'll go help Nev find his toad."

As the Hogwarts Express came to a stop at the station, Pansy stood up, kissed Harry on the cheek, and waved silently as she left the compartment. "I'll see you guys at the Sorting Ceremony," she called out before disappearing into the bustling crowd of students.

Harry and Ron eagerly joined the sea of first-year students, their excitement palpable. They listened as a giant called out for all first years to carefully step into a boat. Draco and Neville, who had been searching for Trevor, managed to catch up and joined Harry and Ron in the boat.

The boat ride across the dark lake was both thrilling and a little bit eerie. The reflection of the castle shimmered on the water's surface, and the anticipation of the Sorting weighed on their minds.

Upon reaching the shore, a tall, stern-looking witch with black hair in a tight bun was waiting for them. The giant who had helped them into the boats informed Professor McGonagall that the first years had arrived, and she nodded in acknowledgment.

Professor McGonagall turned her attention to the students, her voice carrying a slight Scottish accent. "Welcome to Hogwarts," she began, her gaze sweeping across the eager faces. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses."

She continued, "The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room."

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."

She then turned her attention to their appearance, her gaze lingering on Neville's cloak and Ron's smudged nose. Harry nervously tried to flatten his hair as he listened intently.

McGonagall concluded, "The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting. I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly."

As McGonagall left the chamber, Harry felt a knot of nerves in his stomach. "How exactly do they sort us into houses?" he asked Ron.

"Some sort of test, I think," Ron replied uncertainly. "Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking."

Draco huffed dismissively. "My dad told me it's nothing like a test, Weasly, don't be dramatic."

Harry's heart gave a horrible jolt at the thought of a test in front of everyone. He didn't have much time to dwell on it as McGonagall returned. "Move along now," she instructed, her voice sharp. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to start. Now, form a line, and follow me."

With Professor McGonagall leading the way, the first-year students lined up and followed her into the castle. They halted in a line facing the rest of the students, with the teachers standing behind them. The Great Hall was filled with hundreds of faces, their expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation. The ghosts of Hogwarts floated among the students, their silvery forms adding an eerie but magical touch to the atmosphere.

Harry, trying to avoid the staring eyes, looked upward and saw the velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. Professor McGonagall, with her stern demeanor, placed a four-legged stool in front of the first-year students. On top of the stool, she carefully set a pointed wizard's hat that looked extremely old, patched, frayed, and the hat settled in place, it began to sing in a voice that echoed throughout the Great Hall:

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

As the hat finished its song, a burst of loud applause erupted throughout the hall. Professor McGonagall, holding a parchment list of names, waited for the applause to die down before she began calling out the first-year students.

"Longbottom, Neville!" she called, making Neville jump in surprise. Ron hurriedly pushed him Sorting Hat took its time to decide, making Neville look like he was about to faint. When it finally shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" Harry, Ron, and Draco cheered loudly.

When McGonagall called Draco's name, he swaggered forward with a confident smirk. The hat barely touched his head before it screamed, "SLYTHERIN!" The Slytherin table erupted in whistles and applause. Draco sat down, looking pleased, and turned to give Harry an encouraging smile

The list of names continued, and then came the moment everyone had been waiting for. "Potter, Harry!" Professor McGonagall called. Whispers broke out like hissing fires all over the hall. Harry looked at Draco, who was looking at him, smiling, and motioning him to sit on the stool.

"Potter, did she say?"

"The Harry Potter?"

As the Sorting Hat was placed on his head, a small voice spoke inside Harry's ear, "Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. So where shall I put you?"

Harry gripped the edges of the stool tightly and thought about his father. I just want to make my father proud he thought desperately.

The Sorting Hat seemed to hear his thoughts. "You want to make your father proud, eh?" it said in a small voice. "What about Slytherin? You could be great, you know. It's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that."

Harry hesitated, thinking about Draco. I wouldn't mind being in Slytherin. My friend Draco is there

The hat seemed to consider for a moment. "A noble heart, I see—better be GRYFFINDOR!" it finally shouted to the whole hall. Harry removed the hat and walked shakily toward the Gryffindor table. He glanced at the Slytherin table, where Draco sat, a bit disappointed but still offering a warm smile.

Then it was Ron's turn. He was pale green with nervousness, and Harry crossed his fingers under the table. A second later, the hat shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" Harry clapped loudly along with the rest of the Gryffindors as Ron collapsed into the chair next to him.

After the Sorting Ceremony and a hearty meal in the Great Hall, Harry, Neville, Ron, Draco, Pansy, and a dark-skinned boy who introduced himself as Blaise found themselves standing at the doors of the grand chamber.

As they gathered, Ron and Harry took a moment to congratulate Draco and Pansy on their respective Sorting outcomes. Ron grinned at Draco and said, "Congratulations on Slytherin, mate."

Draco smirked, his trademark confidence showing as he replied, "Thank you, Weasley. I couldn't imagine myself in all that red." He cast a playful glance toward Pansy, who mockingly shuddered at the thought.

Neville, with his soft-spoken voice, broke the momentary silence with a question that seemed to weigh heavily on his mind. "Are we still going to be friends?" he asked, his tone filled with uncertainty.

Draco turned to Neville, his expression sincere. "Of course, Nev. We've been friends since we were babies, and I'm not about to let house rivalry separate us."

Pansy nodded in agreement, her voice warm. "He's right, Longbottom. Houses are just houses. Friends are what matter most."

Harry couldn't resist a smirk as he corrected her with a playful tone, "Pansy, love, Houses are just houses until Quidditch becomes involved. And let me tell you, I'm going to make sure Gryffindor wins every match."

Pansy scoffed, a hint of amusement in her expression. "Your confidence is amusing, Potter, but Slytherin is going to make you lions bite the dust."

Draco joined in with a confident smirk of his own. He looked at Harry and said, "Harry, you're delusional if you think I'm going to let you win just because we're best friends."

Harry laughed, the competitive spirit alive in his eyes. "Wouldn't expect anything less from a snake, Dray."