As the Hogwarts express made its way through the hills of the Scottisch countryside, a young boy named Peter Pettigrew sat nervously in one of the train compartments. Peter Pettigrew had a mischievous glint in his eyes and a penchant for finding himself in unexpected adventures. His heart was pounding with excitement and apprehension. This would be his first day at Hogwarts and he could not help but feel a mix of anticipation and fear about what lay ahead.
Peter had always dreamed of attending Hogwarts, of learning magic and making new friends, but now that the moment was finally here, he couldn't shake the nagging sense of doubt that gnawed his insides. What if he didn't fit in? What if he wasn't as talented as the other students? What if he was sorted in the wrong house? Peter had dreamt so many times of his first day, but he had never imagined to sit in an empty compartment and to be only accompanied by his own fears and doubts. He had imagined cousin Benjamin right next to him, as he had always flanked his side. And he had imagined his three little sisters, Florence, Morgan and Tailor, on the other side, bickering about something like they often did. He had imagined sweets being passed between them and him winning all the games of exploding snap they would play. He had imagined them all being sorted into Hufflepuf like his parents, uncle and other family members had. But none of them were here. Logical really, as only Peter had turned eleven this year. Benjamin was still ten and his little sisters were still eight. Benjamin would only start attending Hogwarts in his second year and his little sisters in his fourth. Would there be someone for him to go with on adventures? Going alone was not as much fun. He knew that. Once a few years back, he had taken them all on as adventure to Thomas McGregor's garden. He grew the the most delicious cherry's in town and Peter had craved to have more of them. He had talked Benjamin and his youngest sister Tailor into sneaking onto Thomas' garden and into climbing the trees and picking some cherries. Florence and Morgan had tried to talk them out of it, but had in the end apprehensively followed them, watching them climb into the trees. A cherry tree branch had severed. Long story short: Benjamin had broken his arm. Thomas had brought Benjamin to the hospital. Mum had been all dissapointed and worried and told them to be more careful. His sisters and cousin had been deterred from going on any adventures with Peter. What happened next were the most boring months of his life. It wasn't all that bad. They still played footbal and exploding snap. But something was just missing. He missed the excitement of dragging his sisters and cousin into all those small adventures he had gone on. Because together with them, those meant the world to him, but without them it just wasn't that exciting. Would that be what Hogwarts would be like for him? This big adventure he had dreamt about for years, only to find out that without his sisters and cousin it just was not as much fun as he had imagined. Of course they would go to Hogwarts as well, but it would take so much time. A whole year before Benjamin would flank his sides and three before his sisters would.
Lost in his thoughts, Peter barely notices when the compartment slid open, revealing a group of first year students like himself who peered inside curiously. Among them was a boy with untidy black hair and a mischievous glint in his eye - James Potter.
"Mind if we join you?" James asked with a grin. Before Peter could respond, the three had already piled into the compartment. James was chatting and laughing with them, including Peter, as if he had known them all for years. Despite his initial nerves, Peter felt himself drawn into the lively conversation, his worries melting away as he laughed and joked with his new friends. Among them were Sirius Black, whose easy confidence and quick wit captivated Peter and Remus Lupin whose quiet intelligence and kind demeamor made Peter instantly like him.
As the train rumbled onward, the hours passed in a blur of excitement and anticipation until at last the towering spires of Hogwarts came into view, rising majestically against the darkening sky.
Gatherin their belongings, Peter and his friends made their way of the train and onto the platform where they were greeted by their first view of the lake and the mountains and part of the castle. First years were called to follow Hagrid and Peter and his friends found themselves part of a throng of students bustling about. Halfway the boat trip the first years got the first view that clearly showed the castle which left every student's face alight with excitement.
As they made their way into the Great Hall, Peter's heart raced with anticipation. His eyes were still wide with wonder at the sight of the enchanted cealing above him that was filled with lighted candles. He barely heard professor McGonagall introduce herself and talk about the sorting ceremony. Sirius was called up as one of the first and was after some time sorted into Gryffindor. Later Remus joined Sirius in Gryffindor. Then Peter got called up by the strict-looking professor that made him squeam a little under her gaze. And then, as the sorting hat was placed on his head and he felt its brim brush against his temples, his heart was pounding with anticipation. After what felt like an eternity, the sorting hat spoke to him, its voice echoing in his mind. "Hmm, a Pettigrew aren't you? Normally I would just know where to put you, but you are different from your family aren't you?" Peter felt his nervousness grow, but at the same time he felt indignant. What did that stupid hat think? Of course Peter was just like his family, right? "Oh, yes, you are loyal to your family and friends and you can be a hard worker. But you are so much more. You are always going on your little adventures, aren't you? Better be.."
Then for everyone to hear the hat shouted: "Gryffindor!" With a cheer from the Gryffindor table, Peter beamed with pride, quickly forgetting having wanted to be sorted into Hufflepuf, as he took his place among his new housemates. He felt a sense of belonging wash over him like a warm embrace. Soon James joined them at the Gryffindor table. As he looked around at the faces of James, Sirius and Remus, Peter knew his journey at Hogwarts was just beginning - a journey filled with magich, friendship and the promise of adventure that awaited him at every turn.