Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter; all of it belongs to J.K. Rowling, and I'm just a high schooler in her Harry Potter era. But I do own the OCs. And English is not my first language, so please excuse any grammatical mistakes.

Do give me feedback and suggestions. It really will help! It's my first fanfiction, after all, but I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Chapter 1

A Raven, A Ferret and A Toad.

The Ravenwood family is one of the most prestigious and ancient pureblood families in the wizarding world. They are said to be direct descendants of Lady Rowena Ravenclaw herself, a connection that has only enhanced their reputation for wisdom, intelligence, and powerful magical prowess.

For centuries, the Ravenwoods have been known for producing exceptionally talented witches and wizards, many of whom have held influential positions within the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts, and other powerful institutions.

Among their most notable achievements, Elias Ravenwood, a 16th-century ancestor, was famous for developing a series of protective charms that are still used today in wizarding homes.

The Transcendent Elixir, developed by the enigmatic alchemist Seraphina Ravenwood in the 14th century, is a revolutionary potion that allows users to perceive and interact with higher planes of existence. This groundbreaking achievement grants temporary access to ethereal energies, significantly enhancing magical abilities and providing profound insights into the nature of magic and reality.

The family's vast library, rumored to contain ancient tomes lost to time, is said to rival even that of Hogwarts itself. The Ravenwoods have always been at the forefront of magical innovation and scholarship, and their influence can be felt throughout wizarding history. To be a Ravenwood is to carry the weight of immense expectations, but also to be part of a legacy that has shaped the very fabric of magical society.

King's Cross Station: 1st September 1991

Sebastian Ravenwood, a boy no older than eleven, walked briskly on the platform. His polished shoes were spotless, and his robe was pristine. The air buzzed with the excitement of children bidding farewell to their parents, and the platform was alive with activity.

Sebastian's eyes flicked to his mother, an expectant look on his face. A small smile graced his lips. "See you until Christmas break, Mother." His mother's face remained impassive. "Remember, you're upholding our family's name. Do well, Sebastian."

He nodded and bowed slightly, then picked up his baggage, careful not to crash into anyone. The platform was packed, and the smoke from the Hogwarts Express added to the chaos. He carefully stepped onto the train, beginning his journey into the magical world.

Inside the train, the corridor was crowded. Some parents had come aboard to help their children with their bags. Most compartments were already filled with children catching up with their friends about their summer holidays.

Sebastian pushed through the crowd, searching for a seat. He made his way to the very back of the train, knowing the compartments closest to the front would be full. True to his assumption, he found a completely empty compartment at the end.

He smiled and gently slid open the door. The compartment was roomy, with a large window overlooking the countryside and two comfy-looking seats, with space above for luggage. With some effort, he lifted his bags and placed them on the rack, ensuring they were secure.

Sebastian settled down and looked out the window. The weather was typical for September—relatively warm with sunny, mild temperatures. As the train began to depart from the station, he sighed softly. 'Interesting magic,' he thought. How do Muggles never see the train depart when the rails are so close to theirs?

He shrugged, dismissing the thought. Reaching into his bag, he pulled out his favorite book. The sound of the train faded into the background as Sebastian immersed himself in reading to pass the time. As Sebastian flipped through the contents of his book, he was momentarily lost in the memory of receiving the acceptance letter.

*Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter….. whoosh…..*

It rains lightly outside his window.

The quiet of his study was punctuated only by the rhythmic scratching of his quill as he worked through a new stack of homework. Despite his considerable talent, he was acutely aware of the many students brighter than him, and he labored to meet his mother's demanding expectations. Since his father's departure, her demands had intensified, and Sebastian was determined to meet them.

The silence of the room was abruptly shattered by a loud crash against his window, startling him. He set down his quill and approached the window cautiously, hoping it might be an owl—perhaps bringing his acceptance letter to Hogwarts.

He opened the window, and a brown screech owl fluttered in, its feathers ruffled and its demeanor dazed, since it had collided with the glass in its haste. The owl clutched a letter in its beak. Sebastian's heart pounded with excitement as he took the letter, his palms clammy with anticipation.

With trembling fingers, he opened the envelope and read it.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Ravenswood,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your response by no later than 31 July.

Sincerely yours,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

A wide smile broke across Sebastian's face. Acceptance into Hogwarts, a prestigious institution that had educated many of his distinguished ancestors, was a significant step in fulfilling his family's legacy. He scanned the second page detailing the required supplies; his excitement was palpable.

He walked out of his room, the corridor decorated in opulent blue and silver hues, with magical paintings moving softly on the walls. He made his way to his mother's study, knocking softly before entering.

"Mother, I've received my acceptance letter from Hogwarts," he said, his voice brimming with pride.

His mother's expression briefly softened into a smile before returning to its usual sternness. "This is your first step in continuing our family's legacy. Do well."

Sebastian nodded and handed her the list of supplies. "I'll have Elvyn take care of most of the shopping in Diagon Alley."

His mother called out, "Elvyn," and with a pop, the house-elf appeared.

Elvyn, a house-elf of considerable grace, stood just over three feet tall. His large, expressive eyes reflected a deep loyalty and wisdom. His long ears, adorned with delicate silver earrings, and his navy blue livery with silver embroidery underscored his long service to the Ravenwood family.

"Yes, ma'am?" Elvyn asked in a squeaky voice.

"Please accompany Sebastian tomorrow to buy these items from Diagon Alley," his mother instructed.

Elvyn bowed deeply. "As you wish, ma'am."

After two hours or so, he closed his book and stretched. 'Huh... No one came here,' he mused. Maybe it was because he was at the very end of the train. He slid the compartment door open and stepped into the corridor. It was mostly empty, except for the occasional prefect patrolling.

Looking to his left, he saw the door leading outside to a small balcony. He shrugged and slowly opened the metal door.

*Wooooosh... *

The wind immediately rushed at him, his hair tickling his ears.

He heard the clang of metal on metal, the roar of the engine, and the screech of wheels on the tracks.

Outside, the Scottish landscape was a blur of green grass and distant small villages. The vast, infinite blue sky hovered above him, soft and clear, with dashes of white clouds coming and going.

The sun was warm, and puffy white clouds filled the clear blue sky, making the view almost like it had been taken from a painting. Sebastian leaned into the railing, savoring the moment.

The change of atmosphere is not unwelcome. He stood there, not really thinking about anything.

"Hey!" A hand grabbed his shoulder. "You shouldn't be here." A girl with brown hair and a stern face pulled him back into the train, closing the door softly behind them.

"Sorry... I didn't think it was prohibited," he said with a shrug. "Thank you for pulling me out of potential trouble, Miss...?"

The girl huffed. "Hermione. Hermione Granger. And you?"

"Sebastian Ravenwood, at your service."

Hermione pondered. "Ravenwood, you said? I've heard the name somewhere... Is your family one of the ten ancient pure-blood families?"

Sebastian's eyebrow rose. "In fact, yes. But I've never heard of the Granger surname, so either you're a half-blood or a Muggle-born." Hermione nodded warily.

"Don't worry; I believe people are much more than their blood."

Hermione smiled softly. "You're sitting alone here? May I join you?"

Sebastian nodded and gestured to the empty compartment. "Sit wherever you like."

They chatted throughout the ride. "I've learned quite a few spells, you see. I'm so excited to learn magic!" She pulled out a thick book. "I've read everything in our textbooks and also some facts about Hogwarts..." She kept talking as he sat and listened quietly.

"Have you heard? The famous Harry Potter is enrolling at Hogwarts this year as well."

Sebastian nodded, having heard of it from his mother.

"What house would you want to be in?" she asked. "I think Gryffindor or Ravenclaw would suit me," she said, smiling cheerfully.

Sebastian pondered. "I really don't mind any house, since all of them value good traits in a person, but all of my predecessors came from the Ravenclaw house, so I really hope to continue our tradition."

Hermione nodded, agreeing with his statement. Honestly, this boy, Sebastian, feels like an enigma. Well, it wasn't like she was normal by any means, but he was different. Hermione wasn't sure why; she had never made a genuine friend over the years. Other kids either envied her or took advantage of her vast knowledge.

Sebastian was... nothing like anyone she had ever met before. Polite, gentle, and kind, but also seemingly oblivious and naive—a trait common in many pureblood heirs or children of aristocrats, as they didn't really go out much.

But he was like a puzzle, and frankly, Hermione loved puzzles. And from that day, she swore she would try her best to unravel the enigma that was Sebastian Ravenwood and maybe become friends with him along the way. That's Hermione's kind of game!

As lunchtime approached, Sebastian looked around for the food cart he had seen earlier.

He found it making its way down the corridor. The elderly lady pushing the cart had a kind demeanor, but as she got closer, he realized that most of her offerings were sweets. He wasn't particularly fond of sugary treats.

"Ma'am, do you have any savory options?" he asked politely.

She nodded with a warm smile. "We do, dear. I have pumpkin pasties, cheese and ham toasties, sausage rolls, and meat pies. What would you like?"

Sebastian eventually chose two pumpkin pasties and a cheese and ham toastie. As he made his way back to his compartment, he heard a commotion coming from one of the other compartments.

"Let him go!" a boy with a round face shouted, struggling as a platinum-blonde boy held a toad in a near-crushing grip. Curious, Sebastian quietly opened the compartment door.

"Good afternoon, Malfoy," he greeted calmly, catching everyone's attention inside. Malfoy turned, his sneer deepening as he recognized Sebastian.

"Ravenwood," Malfoy spat, his voice dripping with venom. "What's an heir to a disgraceful family doing here? How's your father? I heard he recently kicked the bucket. Must be a relief, eh? Finally rid of a coward."

Sebastian's grip on his wand tightened slightly, though his expression remained calm. The words stung, but he wasn't about to let Malfoy see that. "My father's fate is none of your concern, Malfoy. Now let the boy's toad go. You're hurting it."

The toad's face was squished, its eyes bulging as Malfoy tightened his grip further, clearly relishing the discomfort on Sebastian's face. "Ha! This'll teach Longbottom not to leave his filthy pet in my lunch!"

"It was an accident!" Longbottom stammered, his voice trembling. "He escaped his cage, and I didn't know where he went."

The toad's color was turning an alarming shade of blue. "I said, let it go, Malfoy," Sebastian repeated, his voice lower now, the calmness tinged with an edge of warning. "Or I'll make you."

Draco laughed, though it was less confident this time. "You? What are you going to do? Tell your mummy? Oh, wait… I forgot. She's probably too busy mourning your deadbeat dad."

Something cold flickered in Sebastian's eyes, but he didn't respond with words. Instead, with a swift motion, he flicked his wand, sending a sharp spark towards Malfoy's hand. The spark stung like a bee, forcing Malfoy to yelp and drop the toad, letting out a string of curses.

"Trevor!" Longbottom cried out in relief, scooping up his toad and cradling it in his hands, tears of gratitude in his eyes.

Sebastian's voice was quiet, but it cut through the tension like a knife. "Next time, Malfoy, remember that some of us had more than a name and an arrogant father to defend ourselves."

Malfoy's face flushed with anger and embarrassment, but he didn't retort. Instead, he glared at Sebastian, his eyes promising that this wasn't over.

Without another word, Sebastian turned and walked out of the compartment, closing the door behind him. He picked up his box of food and continued on his way back to their compartment.

"I'm back," he announced, placing the box down and offering Hermione one of the pumpkin pasties, which she gratefully accepted.

"What took you so long?" she asked, munching on the pastry.

"Just a little commotion with a certain ferret," he replied casually, though the encounter had left him with a lingering unease. He wasn't sure why he chose that comparison, but Malfoy did resemble a ferret in some ways. Hermione shrugged, and they continued to enjoy their meal as the train journeyed on.

As the sun began to set, Hermione nudged him. "You'd better get out. We need to change into our robes."

Sebastian nodded and stepped out of the compartment, allowing Hermione to draw the curtain across the glass door for privacy.

To be continued.