Chapter 2 First Steps

Liora Potter followed Ella down the winding staircase that led to the Hufflepuff common room, her heart still fluttering from the Sorting Hat ceremony. The scent of warm herbs and polished wood greeted her before the golden light revealed the room itself—a cozy haven tucked away near the dungeons, lined with low, inviting armchairs and soft, welcoming couches. The fireplace blazed cheerfully, casting dancing shadows across the walls adorned with tapestries of sunflowers, badgers, and fields of golden wheat.

“Welcome to our little slice of Hogwarts,” Ella said, gesturing to the room with a proud flourish. “Isn’t it perfect?”

Liora couldn’t help but smile. “It’s… amazing. It’s so… warm. I didn’t expect it to feel like this.”

Ella grinned. “Most people don’t. Hufflepuff is kind of the best-kept secret of Hogwarts. We’re loyal, kind, and we like to have fun—though don’t tell anyone in Slytherin, they’d never believe it.”

The two girls reached a circle of first-years unpacking their trunks. Liora felt a little nervous; she didn’t know anyone except for Harry’s stories and the distant fame of her own name. But the students around her all looked friendly, curious, and eager to make friends.

“This is Marnie,” Ella said, nodding toward a tall girl with curly hair and bright green eyes. “And that’s Tobias, over there. He’s the one who tried to teach me a ‘shortcut’ up the stairs and nearly got us caught by Filch last week.”

“Hi,” Liora said, smiling shyly. “I’m Liora. Nice to meet you.”

Marnie waved enthusiastically. “You’re Harry’s sister, right? I’ve heard about you! Don’t worry, everyone says the Potters are… well, amazing.”

Liora flushed. “I hope I live up to that,” she admitted. “I’m new to all of this.”

“You’ll be fine,” Tobias said with a friendly grin. “Hufflepuff looks after each other. You’ll see.”

The girls helped Liora unpack, showing her where to put her trunk, robes, and magical belongings. As she arranged her things, she noticed the dormitory door tucked behind a sliding panel of golden brickwork, a subtle nod to the house’s protective charm. Soon, she was guided to a cozy four-poster bed, draped with warm yellow and black blankets.

“This is your room,” Ella whispered, giving her a conspiratorial smile. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but you’ll get used to it fast.”

Liora sank onto the soft mattress, letting out a small sigh of relief. Hogwarts had seemed so overwhelming from the train, so vast and mysterious, but here, in the quiet warmth of Hufflepuff, she felt a sense of belonging she hadn’t expected. For the first time since arriving, she felt… at home.

“Do you want to explore a bit more?” Ella asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “There’s a secret little nook in the common room with the best view of the courtyard. You’ll love it.”

“Yes, please,” Liora said, eager to see more.

The two girls wandered around, discovering low tables for homework, shelves filled with magical books and games, and cozy corners perfect for hiding away with a cup of tea or a chocolate frog. The more she explored, the more Liora realized how welcoming Hufflepuff really was. Here, no one cared about blood status or house rivalries—they were just… friends.

When they returned to the main sitting area, a group of first-years had gathered for a casual game of Exploding Snap. Tobias motioned for Liora to join. Hesitant at first, she soon found herself laughing at the ridiculousness of the exploding cards and the light-hearted teasing. For the first time that day, she felt truly part of something.

“You’re a natural,” Marnie said, nudging her playfully as Liora narrowly avoided a card explosion. “You’ll fit right in.”

As the laughter faded into the background, Liora’s eyes drifted toward the staircase leading to the upper floors. A faint chill ran down her spine. She knew she had been watched before—those mysterious eyes at the Sorting Hat ceremony—but now, for the first time in the calm of Hufflepuff’s warmth, the feeling returned.

She turned slightly, scanning the room without revealing her concern. Nothing. Just the cozy common room, the crackling fireplace, and her new friends, oblivious to her unease. Still, that prickle at the back of her neck refused to fade.

“Are you okay?” Ella asked, noticing her momentary distraction.

Liora nodded quickly. “Yes… I just thought I saw something. Nothing, probably.”

Ella raised an eyebrow but didn’t press the matter. “Alright, but you know, sometimes the castle likes to play tricks on new students. Don’t let it spook you.”

Even so, Liora couldn’t shake the feeling that someone—or something—was out there, observing her. She tried to focus on the laughter, on the warmth, on the comfort of her new friends. Yet the sensation lingered, a soft whisper against her skin, a pull she didn’t understand.

Soon, dinner was called, and the first-years were led to the Great Hall. Liora followed Ella through the hidden corridor that led to the common room’s private entrance. The golden doors slid shut behind them, protecting them from the bustling hallways outside.

“I think Hogwarts is already starting to like you,” Ella said, smiling. “But watch out… the castle has its secrets. And sometimes, those secrets like to notice new arrivals first.”

Liora shivered slightly—not from cold, but from the thought of unseen eyes watching her. She tried to shrug it off, telling herself it was just nerves. After all, she had survived the Sorting Hat, made friends, and settled into her room. She was safe… wasn’t she?

As she climbed into bed later that night, the flicker of candlelight from the common room below spilled through the small windows of the tower. Liora stared at the ceiling, tracing patterns in her mind, trying to catalogue all she had seen and felt.

Then she felt it again—a presence. A pull. Somewhere beyond the walls of Hufflepuff, from across the castle, dark eyes lingered, watching her. Not threatening… not yet. But intent. Curious. And impossibly… familiar.

Liora pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders, heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. She couldn’t explain why, but a strange certainty took hold in her chest: someone here knew her. Knew her. And somehow, she would meet them.

Sleep came reluctantly that night, dreams flickering with shadows, whispers, and golden eyes that glimmered from the darkness. The first day at Hogwarts had ended, but already, Liora Potter sensed that her journey was only beginning—and that she would never truly be alone in this castle again.