[ eleven, welcome to hogwarts ]

[It is nighttime at Hogsmeade station, the train blows its whistle and pulls into outside the station. Hagrid walks along the side aisle, with a lantern. People, in their robes, begin pouring out of the train.]

Hagrid: Right, then! First years! This way, please! Come on, now, don't be shy! Come on now, hurry up!

Ever one to hold on to grudges and still experiencing a lingering sense of bitterness due to the abandonment of his daughter at the train station, where, had it not been for the unexpected kindness of Ron's kin, anything could have happened to her, Daemon almost growled at the man. "So this is where he disappeared to," He said, his tone reflecting his barely contained annoyance.

Ron's face pinkened as he clenched his fists. To say that he was resentful and annoyed by the king consort's insinuation of Hagrid's mistreatment of Aemma would be an understatement. Whilst he tried to rationalise that the man had no clue that Hagrid would have laid down his life for his best friend, nothing aided him in wrangling the indignation he was currently experiencing. "That's where he works," He snapped, uncaring that he was addressing royalty. "And before anyone says anything, it wasn't his choice to leave Aemma behind at King's Cross, so let's stop judging him, yeah?" It wasn't Hagrid who should be held accountable, but Albus Dumbledore, who was well aware of the man's whereabouts.

Whereas Daemon was too stubborn to listen to reason, Rhaenys didn't take the wizard's words lightly, especially once her gaze fell upon her granddaughter, whose anger was a wild and palpable thing that would have intimidated lesser men and all but screamed at her former father 'Say it, try me!'. How Daemon could not see that Hagrid was like family to Aemma was beyond Rhaenys. Still, for the sake of peace within their faction, she dearly hoped her cousin would open his eyes sooner rather than later.

[Aemma and Ron, now in their robes, walk up to Hagrid.]

Hagrid: Hello, Aemma.

Aemma: Hey, Hagrid.

Ron: Whoaa!

A watery, happy chuckle escaped Rhaenyra's lips. There was no mistaking her brave boy, even in a crowd of his peers, and now that she'd finally laid eyes on him, it felt like a colossal weight had been lifted from her chest.

From what she could gather, considering the crowd surrounding him, Neville looked much the same as he once did at one and ten. The only difference she noted between her brave boy and the child on the screen was how the latter carried himself, and this broke something within Rhaenyra as she thought back to what Neville had shared about his abysmal childhood.

Hagrid: Right then. This way to the boats! Come on, now, follow me.

[Later, a large number of boats are plugging across a vast lake, where up ahead there is a huge castle, known as the Hogwarts Castle, can be seen. People are in awe.]

Ron: Wicked.

Silence had enveloped the room as its inhabitants stared transfixed and in awe at the breathtaking castle on the screen. All of them had at one point inhabited the Red Keep, a place known for its grandeur, yet even that paled in comparison to the magnificent building they were glimpsing at for the first time, a true marvel of architecture and magic combined none of their best builders could ever hope to mimic.

Whilst the Blacks marvelled at such a stunning castle and how it had been designated as a place where everyone, regardless of gender and socioeconomic background, could gather to hone their talents, Otto Hightower sneered at the lack of ambition that allowed this to happen. How could people in that society lack the brains and skills to overthrow the current owner of such a majestic castle and establish themselves as its new ruler, getting rid of any unwanted pest in the meantime? Such a work of art deserved to be inhabited by the best society had to offer, not just anybody who'd be wrongly treated as their equals.

The eyes of the visitors who had joined the Westerosi citizens lacked the spark of happiness that should have otherwise been there, a detail blessedly missed by everyone as they mourned in silence. Whereas people saw Hogwarts whole, with each blink, the Quartet saw it in pieces and burning, bodies of their comrades scattered about as spells ricocheted against the walls of the place they once called home. They saw their side fighting, trying, giving it their all, even with the knowledge that it'd never be enough, not until Aemma's sacrifice. They saw the war ending, and the castle forever marred ━ scars it still bore to this day, regardless of all the hours spent rebuilding it for the reopening in September.

Upon noticing her brother's face, Baela slightly shook her twin's shoulder, excitement brimming from her pores. "Look, it's Ja ━ I mean, Neville!" She sighed in relief once she realised he hadn't heard her, for she truly did not wish to offend him or cross an invisible line.

"He looks the same," Rhaena said, utterly befuddled and rubbing her eyes. "Even his haircut is identical." Whilst there was a stark difference between how the siblings looked now and then ( namely, but not only Neville's hair ), their younger counterparts were an exact replica of the people they'd once been.

[They continue on further towards the castle. Later on, the first-year students walk in the castle, and up the staircase. As the camera pans, we see on a higher level, Professor McGonagall is waiting. She taps her fingers on a stone railing, and then goes to the top of the stairs to greet the newcomers.]

It didn't take long for Corlys to recognise the woman on the screen, for she'd been the only one to speak against Aemma's placement with her current hosts regardless of the importance or power wielded by the man in her company, something he deeply respected her for. He only wished Lord Dumbledore had paid attention to her valid concerns; perhaps, then, his granddaughter might have had a childhood worthy of being considered such.

McGonagall: Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup.

Confused by such a system, several people silently turned towards the witches and wizards, demanding further explanation. After all, they'd never heard of such a thing as being sorted in a House, for one was either born or married into one in Westeros.

Aware that the Sorting process would have sounded foreign to the Westerosi citizens and unwilling to let them face it in the dark, the witches and wizards had prepared a brief, satisfactory, and, most importantly, unbiased introduction for each House.

Without further ado, Ron introduced Gryffindor, focusing on the positive and negative traits one could find in its students, pride oozing from his words as he addressed the crowd. He didn't think it wise to give a lengthy speech about the matter, for they would have discovered more as their story unfolded, and they could always answer their queries if need be.

After a quick sip of pumpkin juice, Neville spoke of Hufflepuff almost longingly and with great admiration, going beyond the mere traits oftentimes found in those sorted in such a House as he talked of inclusivity, lack of preconception and fair play.

Hermione followed in Neville's footsteps, for Ravenclaw could have been her House had she not been sorted into Gryffindor, and she would have sported its colours with joy. She spoke of what drove the students of said House and what they prized above all, but also mentioned how they were often wrongly stereotyped by the rest of the student body, for there was more to them than their interest in academic pursuits and further learning ━ indeed, some of the Ravenclaws they'd met had been amongst the bravest and most loyal of them all.

For a long time, in the past, Aemma had denied any affiliation to Slytherin, fearful of what it might entail. However, as she grew, she'd learnt to appreciate the House she'd previously shunned and embraced them as her secondary one, much to her friends' disbelief. When she spoke of it now, there was only fondness in her tone, for she no longer believed it to be a House of evil but a House so wrongfully hated that some of its students easily fell prey to evil's alluring presence. There was good in Slytherin; she'd witnessed it herself and wouldn't allow anyone to say otherwise. Therefore, aside from speaking of the values of said House, Aemma made it a point to make the room's inhabitants aware of the preconceived hatred Slytherin had to deal with on a daily, a byproduct of the rotten apples who, in the past, had sullied that very House.

The Westerosi citizens listened attentively, yet again in awe by another facet of the Magical World and wondering what kind of ramifications such a system might have on the youths of that universe.

[A scared looking boy called Neville Longbottom, spots his toad sitting near McGonagall. He jumps forward.]

Neville: Trevor! [he catches his toad; McGonagall stares down at him as some of the students laugh; Aemma turns and glares at those mocking him] Sorry. [He backs away, embarrassed.]

Much like back then, some individuals burst into snickers at Neville's expense. It appeared they had wholly forgotten that Neville's upbringing vastly differed from the one he'd received as Jacaerys Velaryon, shattering his self-confidence and moulding him into a rather shy child, or they simply did not care. Unfortunately, it wasn't only a couple members of the younger generation of the Greens who found the situation enjoyable to witness, but also the adults who showed no qualms in mocking a child.

Whilst their target might have had incredible patience, his girlfriend's temper burnt as hot and bright as fiendfyre. Her grip was steady as she pointed her wand towards the offending party, a blank and impenetrable mask greeting them alongside her emerald irate eyes ━ all in all, it was a chilling sight that none of them would forget any time soon. "Laugh about him again, and the next time, I will cast something, and it won't be pleasant." Even drunken Aegon could tell that hers was no empty promise but a real threat, and they'd be fools not to heed her warning.

"You can't ━" Began a terrified Alicent, words failing her momentarily. "No harm can come to any of us within this room!" She clung to the Gods' words with all her might, for this side of Aemma Potter truly petrified her as much as a wrathful Daemon Targaryen did.

Ron leaned forward, emitting an amused tsking sound as if to mock the former queen. "You can't be harmed by physical objects, but when we signed the contract to come here, there were no written laws about a limitation on our magic." He almost laughed at Lady Alicent's horrified expression, but alas, he managed to school his features.

Although Rhaenyra's heart broke upon seeing her brave boy's spirits so low because of the people who should have loved him unconditionally, she couldn't help but smile when she noticed her children's protectiveness of each other, a fixed point between their two lives.

McGonagall: The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily. [she leaves to go into the Great Hall]

[A young evil looking boy, with short blonde hair, called Draco Malfoy, speaks up.]

A low chuckle escaped Aegon's lips as he examined the boy's looks, for he certainly had more in common with him and his siblings than the Strong bastards ever did. The boy's Valyrian features, although not as pronounced as Aemma, confounded him as much as the rest of the Westerosi citizens. "Why does he look like a Targaryen?" He asked the witches and wizards, only to be met with complete silence and blank stares. He might not have been the smartest amongst his kin, but he knew when he was being lied to, and the four visitors were currently withholding the truth.

Draco: It's true then, what they're saying on the train. Aemma Potter has come to Hogwarts. [some of the students are heard whispering, "Aemma Potter?" Draco introduces his two friends.] This is Crabbe and Goyle. And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. [Ron snickers at his name]

Daeron was aware that it was poor form to laugh at a child. Still, Draco's entitlement mirrored Aemond's, so much so that smothering his amusement felt like an impossible chore. "Does he remind you of anyone?" He asked his usually composed sister, who was now smiling at the screen. He must have been overheard, for it wasn't Helaena who answered his query but a smirking Neville.

"Hey, at least this one didn't actually kill her nor become so delusional it's painful to witness," And indeed it was. Aemond might have thought no one had noticed his obsession with Aemma, but he was wholly wrong. In the past year, Neville had had to master the art of reading people, and, unfortunately for the prince, he was nothing compared to Snape or the ever-confounding Zabini.

Draco: Think my name's funny, do you? I've no need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand-me-down robe? You must be a Weasley. You'll soon find that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there. [extends his hand to Aemma.]

While his knowledge of the Wizarding World was limited, it didn't mean Aemond couldn't agree with Draco. Besides the fact that the boy reminded him of himself: lonely, yet with far too big an ego to admit it and quite possibly seen as a political pawn by at least one of his parents, he could see the truth in the young Heir's statements. Aemma deserved to befriend someone of her calibre, worthy of standing by her side and not a savage who'd only ruin her image and whose family was apparently not as well-respected as previously thought.

Helaena shook her head with a sigh, disappointed in the boy's behaviour and disgusted by his vitriol but not surprised by it, for she'd Seen part of his future and his development throughout the years. Much like Aemond, he'd had so many choices to make, and while some had left her disheartened, others had taken her pleasantly by surprise. They might have started as similar individuals, but their decisions made it so that, in the end, they became completely different people.

Aemma: [not going to take Draco's arrogance] I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks.

"That's my daughter!" Proudly proclaimed Daemon, smiling at the little girl on the screen who'd chosen to stand up for the friend she'd just met and not to listen to the slimy kid who'd attempted to tear him down. "If only everyone in our family could have been as steadfast in their beliefs and refused to listen to those who tried to poison their thoughts," He commented while leaning back in his seat, not even looking at his brother as he did so.

Viserys could only lower his head in shame as he listened to his brother, for he knew he was right in his assessment of his person. Had he been born with half the courage and loyalty his granddaughter possessed, perhaps they wouldn't have lost so much and wouldn't have found themselves in their current circumstances.

Once she stopped giggling alongside most people in the room, a far more composed Rhaena spoke up. "I am not surprised that she stood by his side: in her previous life, her loyalty once earned was almost impossible to lose." Her eyes shone with admiration as she spoke, for this had been one of the traits she'd appreciated the most in her sister.

Immediately, a smile graced Hermione's features as she recalled all her years spent beside her companions. "It's the same in this one: Aemma, Ron, and Neville are three of the most loyal people I've ever known," She stated while gazing fondly at her friends. "However, once you lose Aemma's loyalty, it's lost forever; she might give you a second chance but will never trust you the same."

[Draco glares. McGonagall returns and taps Draco on the shoulder with a paper. He leaves Aemma with one last glare.]

Rhaenys shook her head amusedly. "You truly are your father's daughter: already making enemies with pompous individuals," She was curious to see how their story would unfold; after all, Daemon and Otto's relationship was chaotic at best and ugly at worst.

Regardless of all their guesses, all of the Westerosi citizens were incorrect in their assumptions. Much to a certain Professor's chagrin, Aemma and Draco's relationship mirrored that of James Potter and Severus Snape, although fortunately lacking any bullying on the girl's behalf.

McGonagall: We're ready for you now. Follow me.

author's note.      We've made it to Hogwarts! And look there, a little Neville has ( finally ) joined the story!

Question of the day ( since we have the Sorting next ): what's your House? I'm a SlytherClaw, but mainly Ravenclaw ( shocking, I know )