Disclaimer: All characters and story plots belong to J.K Rowling, some of my spelling will be quite different to British spelling, so please bear that in mind when reading. Happy Reading!

As the train slowed to a halt at Hogsmeade Station, a faint mist curled around the wooden platform, lending the cool night an eerie, magical quality. The dim glow of the lanterns flickered like will-o'-the-wisps, casting dancing shadows over the cobblestones. The scent of wet leaves and pine from the surrounding forest mingled with the faint metallic tang of the train's steam, creating an atmosphere ripe with anticipation.

The four girls disembarked with the other first-years, their voices blending into the chorus of excited chatter. Amid the commotion, a booming voice cut through like thunder, its commanding tone instantly drawing the students' attention.

"Over here, first years! First years, this way!"

The crowd surged toward the source of the voice, and a towering figure emerged from the mist—a man with wild hair and a beard that seemed almost sentient. He held a lantern aloft, its light reflecting off his beetle-black eyes.

"I'm Rubeus Hagrid," he bellowed, his voice authoritative yet oddly kind. "Now, all of you, get on the boats—four to a boat, and be quick about it."

The students shuffled toward the waiting fleet of small, wooden boats bobbing gently on the surface of the Great Lake. The lake itself stretched out like an inky mirror, its glassy surface broken only by the occasional ripple from the faint breeze. Far in the distance, the silhouette of Hogwarts stood like a crown atop a darkened hill, its spires piercing the star-studded sky.

The four girls quickly claimed a boat, their giggles and whispers about the upcoming Sorting Ceremony trailing behind them. Meanwhile, Henry lingered on the shore, his sharp emerald eyes scanning the other students and their boats. His gaze settled on one of the last remaining vessels, where three figures sat in tense silence.

The first was a boy with olive-toned skin and piercing blue eyes that carried a guarded wariness. Beside him sat another boy, his darker complexion and calm demeanor contrasting with the faint tension in his posture. The third was a girl with jet-black curls that framed her pale face, her violet eyes fixed on the water as if it might hold the answers to unspoken questions.

Henry approached, his steps deliberate against the gravelly shore. "Is this boat taken?"

The blue-eyed boy's head snapped up, his expression flickering between surprise and suspicion.

The second boy, with soft brown eyes that betrayed a hint of discomfort, hesitated before answering. "Do you... want to join us?" His voice was polite but cautious, as though unsure of Henry's intentions.

The girl looked up, startled, her violet eyes meeting Henry's for a fleeting moment before she looked away.

Henry raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

The blue-eyed boy exhaled sharply, as though this wasn't the outcome he would've chosen, but he motioned for Henry to sit. "Fine. Get in."

As Henry stepped into the boat, it rocked gently beneath his weight, the surface of the lake rippling in response. The distant croak of frogs and the faint rustle of leaves in the forest created a quiet symphony around them.

Hagrid's voice boomed again from the shore: "Forward!"

With that command, the boats glided across the lake, their enchanted movements smooth and soundless. The gentle lapping of water against wood was the only noise, though it was soon joined by hushed whispers from the other boats.

Henry noticed the way the other first-years stole glances at his companions, their whispers carrying faintly across the water. He frowned but said nothing, his focus shifting to the horizon where the towering silhouette of Hogwarts grew closer with every passing moment.

"Don't mind them," the brown-eyed boy said suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice carried a note of resignation. "They're just whispering because... well, you're sharing a boat with us."

Henry turned his gaze toward him, his expression neutral. "And why is that a problem?"

The boy hesitated, his fingers tightening around the edge of the boat. "Because of who we are," he admitted quietly. "Or rather, because of who our families are."

The girl with violet eyes let out a soft sigh, her voice barely above a whisper. "My parents were Death Eaters," she said, her gaze fixed on the rippling water. "Both of them. They served the Dark Lord until the very end."

The blue-eyed boy chimed in, his tone laced with bitterness. "Same with mine. The Notts are practically synonymous with the Dark Arts." He glanced at Henry, his expression daring him to judge.

The brown-eyed boy offered a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "And me? I'm Blaise Zabini. My family's known for... less than savory dealings. People assume the worst."

Henry leaned back slightly, his gaze sweeping over the three of them. His expression didn't change, but his emerald eyes seemed to pierce through their words, weighing them carefully.

"You're worried I'll judge you," he said finally, his voice low but steady. "That I'll see you the same way everyone else does."

The three of them exchanged uncertain glances, but none of them denied it.

Henry's lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smirk. "I don't care who your parents are. You're not them."

Violetta's head snapped up, her violet eyes wide with surprise. "You don't?"

Henry shook his head. "No. Everyone's got a history, and everyone's got a choice. What matters to me is what you do with yours."

For a moment, the only sound was the gentle lapping of the water against the boat. Then, Theodore broke the silence, his voice quieter but steadier than before. "Not what I expected you to say."

Blaise leaned back, his expression softening as a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Maybe we've underestimated you."

Henry's gaze shifted between the three of them before he spoke, his voice low but firm. "Listen, I don't know what everyone else's problem is, but if you're going to carry the weight of your family's name, you might as well do it with pride. Your parents may have chosen the Dark, but that doesn't mean you have to. You have a choice in who you become. Don't let anyone else decide that for you."

For a long moment, the boat's gentle rocking was the only sound as the three students processed his words. They stared at him, stunned, their jaws practically grazing the surface of the boat.

Henry gave a soft sigh before continuing, his tone shifting into something a bit more detached. "My name's Henry. You'll learn my last name at the Sorting. No rush."

Theodore was the first to recover, his gaze unwavering as he introduced himself again, with a hint of pride. "Theodore Marius Nott, Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Nott."

Blaise followed suit, his voice calm but carrying an air of quiet confidence. "Blaise Zabini, Secondary Heir to the Noble Clan of Zabini."

Violetta looked up at Henry, her violet eyes gleaming as she spoke in a soft yet firm voice. "Violetta Isabella Lestrange, Heiress to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Lestrange."

Violetta didn't speak much, but the shy smile that blossomed on her face spoke volumes.

As the boat neared the castle's dock, the students turned their attention to Hogwarts. The golden glow from its windows spilled over the grounds, illuminating the jagged cliffs and the faint outline of the Giant Squid's tentacles stirring beneath the surface of the lake.

Henry's eyes narrowed slightly, a faraway look creeping into his gaze. Whatever awaited him inside those ancient walls, he would face it head-on.

And, perhaps, so would the three sitting with him.

As the boat glided away from the shore, the murmurs of other first-years quieted, replaced by the soft splash of water against wood. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine from the surrounding forest and the earthy aroma of the lake. Above them, the sky stretched vast and black, studded with stars that seemed to shimmer in rhythm with the lanterns dangling from the boats.

Henry sat with a calm demeanor, his emerald eyes scanning his companions briefly before resting on the looming silhouette of Hogwarts in the distance. The castle's spires rose like sentinels over the lake, their reflections rippling on the dark water.

The silence in their boat stretched uncomfortably long. Finally, Blaise spoke, his voice smooth but edged with an attempt at nonchalance. "So, Henry, you didn't tell us your last name. Hiding something, are you?"

Henry's gaze flicked to Blaise, his face impassive. "Not hiding. Just don't see the need to mention it yet."

Blaise arched a brow, leaning back slightly as he regarded Henry with a curious smirk. "Mysterious, are we? Let me guess. You're one of those types who likes to keep everyone guessing. Keeps people on edge."

Theodore let out a snort, crossing his arms tightly over his chest. "Don't bother, Blaise. People like him don't have to explain themselves. Not when everyone already likes them."

Henry raised an eyebrow, catching the bitterness in Theodore's tone. "Everyone? You think that's true?"

Theodore hesitated, his blue eyes narrowing slightly. "Why wouldn't it be? You walk up to this boat, like it doesn't bother you who we are. Like you're above the stares, the whispers, all of it."

"Ignore him," Blaise interjected, though his tone was more amused than dismissive. "Theo's got a bit of a complex. Comes from years of being judged for having a family that bent the knee to the Dark Lord."

Theodore shot Blaise a sharp look. "I don't have a complex."

"Yes, you do," Blaise replied smoothly, a grin tugging at his lips. "And it's fine. Everyone's got something. For instance, people look at me and think, 'That's Blaise Zabini. His mother's married more times than I can count. His family's full of—'"

"Stop," Violetta said softly, her violet eyes flicking to Blaise with an almost pleading look. "Just… don't."

The tension in her voice quieted Blaise instantly, his playful smirk faltering.

Henry watched the exchange carefully before speaking, his voice steady and calm. "You three care a lot about what people think of you."

"Of course we do," Violetta said quietly, her gaze dropping to her hands. "We've spent our entire lives being judged. People don't see me, just my name. 'Lestrange.' It's all they need to hear." Her voice trembled slightly, and she quickly composed herself. "They see my parents in Azkaban, and they think I'm destined to be the same."

Theodore nodded, his jaw tightening. "It's no different for me. My father was one of the Dark Lord's most loyal followers. It doesn't matter what I do or say. People already think they know who I am."

Henry leaned forward slightly, his voice thoughtful. "Do they?"

Theodore frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Do they know who you are?" Henry asked, his gaze sharp. "Or do they only think they do? Because the way I see it, you've already let them win if their opinion matters that much to you."

Theodore blinked, his mouth opening as if to respond, but no words came out.

"Easy for you to say," Blaise muttered, though his tone lacked its usual bite. "You don't have people whispering about you behind your back. Or judging you before you've even said a word."

Henry's gaze shifted to Blaise, his expression unreadable. "You think I don't? You don't even know my last name, but you've already made up your mind about me."

Blaise looked taken aback, his smirk faltering. "That's not—"

"I don't care about your parents or their choices," Henry interrupted, his voice firm. "What matters to me is what you choose to do with your life. If you want to keep living in their shadows, that's your choice. But don't expect me to treat you like you're any different from them if you keep acting like you have no control over who you are."

The boat rocked gently as silence fell over the group. The three stared at Henry, their expressions a mix of surprise, confusion, and something else—respect.

Violetta broke the silence, her voice quiet but resolute. "You really believe that?"

Henry nodded. "I do. And if you're smart, you'll stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and start worrying about what you think of yourselves."

Theodore exhaled slowly, his shoulders relaxing for the first time since Henry had joined their boat. "You're… not what I expected."

Blaise chuckled softly, the tension in his posture easing. "I'll give you this much—you're not boring."

Violetta offered Henry a small, genuine smile, her violet eyes glinting with a newfound warmth. "Thank you," she said softly.

Henry gave a small shrug, his gaze returning to the castle as it loomed ever closer. "Don't thank me. Just prove me right."

As the boat neared the dock, the golden glow of Hogwarts reflected off the water, casting long, rippling shadows. The students' awe-filled murmurs grew louder as the castle's grandeur came into full view. The scent of damp stone and fresh grass filled the air as the boats slowed to a stop.

For the first time in what felt like hours, Henry's companions sat in comfortable silence, their earlier tension replaced with quiet determination. They didn't say it out loud, but in their minds, one thing was clear: Henry wasn't like the others. He didn't see them as their parents' children or as products of their bloodlines.

He saw them for who they could be.

And for the first time in a long time, that felt like enough.