Watch Your Step || First Years

The light from his torch flickered in the evening breeze, its flames dancing to the will of the unseen force. Maddox Stood not far from the Express, one hand buried in his pocket while he watched the students disembark. Some had a spring in their step, barely containing their excitement. There were others who sauntered off, used to the routine by now and in no hurry to go sit in the Great Hall to begin the school year. September had come too quickly and it had become glaringly obvious that, despite Halloway's unceremonious departure, he was still suffering for the man's poor choices.

Maddox couldn't remember mentioning a desire to tend the grounds and, supposedly the first years, when the large staff reshuffle had commenced. Many of their colleagues were gone--arrested and set to face trial. Others weren't exactly jumping at the chance to come work for a place rumoured to be falling apart.

They did need a new groundskeeper. His confusion came with why caring for magical creatures meant that had to be him.

"First years, follow me!"

His voice boomed across the small platform, compliments of the sonorus charm he'd cast. The professr grimaced at the volume of his voice, his ears ringing uncomfortably from the assault. It was going to be a long night, he could already feel it in his bones that ached for a rest. There was a lot that went into preparing grounds that had been left exposed--and still more to be done. Contemplating his added workload was enough to make the man want to curl up by the window of his office and pretend he was unemployed.

"Step lively, the boats won't wait for anyone. Quickly, quickly now." He didn't have all night. Rather, he did. It just happened to be filled with many things he'd prefer not to do.

Maddox led the group down to the shores of the black lake, his torch their guiding light. His movements were swift and lithe as he descended the banks, a path he'd walked countless times. There, waiting for them, where several boats, each equipped with their own lanterns for light. On the other side of the lake rose the castle, tall and looming against the night sky with its many lit windows.

Maddox gestured them closer before removing the amplification charm.

"Get in." The professor's voice was dry, interwoven with an unmistakable fatigue that they would soon discover never left him. "No more than four to a boat. No screaming. No falling off the boat. No pushing anyone off the boat," they wouldn't be talking about it, "no fancy attempts at wandwork because your obnoxious half cousin taught you the spell to make sparks."

They barely had a nurse. He wasn't trying to begin the term with injuries that happened under his watch. Let that be a problem for someone else.

Maddox gave a languid wave of his hand toward the boats, "Go on then, they'll begin moving once they're full."

Elias dodged past bigger students and out onto the platform, already shivering from the cool breeze. He gnawed on his bottom lip before shoving his hands into his pockets. He was actually here. At Hogwarts. What if he got put in the wrong House? Or the other kids thought he was weird? Or what if-
He pushed the thoughts away. There was a professor shouting for the first years, and Elias hurried over, not wanting to get left behind.

The journey down the rocky path through the dark, scrambling after the professor's tiny lantern, was a mess of stumbling and trodden toes. Elias tried to keep up, but his foot caught on a loose stone and he went down hard. He got up quickly, hoping no one had noticed, and rubbed his stinging hands on his robes. Great. His first night at Hogwarts, and already bleeding.

When they finally reached the water, Elias forgot all about his scraped hands.

Hogwarts loomed before them. Towers upon towers climbing into the night, hundreds of lit windows scattered across its face. It was everything he had imagined and more.

His breath caught instinctively as he took in the lake. Huge and black, with small ripples lapping against the shore. You couldn't see what was underneath. What if there were things down there? Waiting in the depths?

An icy breeze swept over the water, and he pulled his robes tighter. The ripples seemed to get bigger.

His heart hammered. What if it was the kraken? He had thought it was just one of his brother's tall tales, but what if it wasn't? He leaned forward slightly, shivers running through him. What if he actually got to see it?

The professor was explaining how they had to get in these tiny boats to cross over to the castle. Four people per boat, don't fall out, don't scream.

Wait, what? Don't scream? Elias' mouth went dry. It must be true after all. There really were things in the water.

He watched as all the other first years climbed into boats. Elias's legs felt wobbly, but everyone else was getting in. He scrambled after them.

It was one thing having his grandmother tell and retell stories from her own time at Hogwarts, stories Joshua had eagerly requested again and again, to himself stepping out of the train and onto the small platform for the very first time. Joshua looked around, eyes wide and curious, as he left the train and mingled into the groups of mostly older students. The train had seemed pretty calm and quiet from his compartment, where he'd spent most of the journey in the pleasant company of his books.

His mother had gifted him a rather exciting book filled with magical tales as her parting gift this morning, as if she had known that it would be just the right thing to keep his nerves at bay on the long journey.

Now though, with the book safely packed away, and students milling around him on the platform, Joshua's attention was brought back to the present, butterflies awakening in the very pits of his stomach. This was it, he was nearly at Hogwarts, and all these other students were witches and wizards just like him. Soon he'd learn magic and spells, just like grandma and grandpa, and he'd find magical herbs, make potions and meet magical creatures. There was so much to learn and so much to see!

Joshie wondered if he'd meet other children who were just like him here. Someone who wouldn't call him weird or whisper things behind his back. Someone who also liked books and fairy tales and animals. Someone who'd come exploring with him and find new and special places, learn about the castle, meet the ghosts and discover new herbs and new potions. Someone who was also excited about magic.

He hoped so.

There was a bounce to his step as he walked off the train and began moving along the platform, keen eyes taking in everything around him as he followed a man with a booming voice and a lantern out and away from the station until they arrived at a lake. There were students around him, but for the short walk, the 11-year-old's head was filled with thoughts of the future that might be.

'Get in', they were told, and Joshie snug a glance to his peers, some of whom looked a little hesitant. He might not have been here before, but he'd heard stories about the lake and what lived in it. Equal parts nervous and excited, Joshua moved forwards and climbed into one of the boats, where he quickly took seat as the boat rocked beneath him causing him to stumble, and the man (who Josh reckoned must be a professor), continued giving instructions.

No screaming, no falling off, no pushing, no spells, the professor said, and Joshua couldn't help the raised eyebrow as he turned to the boy who had just scrambled in as the last student.

"Do you think anyone has ever fallen in?" Joshua whispered and looked around at his companions in the boat while doing his very best to sit still. It was hard with the butterflies in his stomach and the eagerness to look around at everything all at once. "I've heard there are merpeople living in the lake."

Someone had fallen.

Maddox pretended not to hear.

It would only invite obligations to ensure the student--whoever they were--was okay and there was every chance the answer might be 'no', then he would have to do something about it. Thrilling as the prospect of playing cartaker or nurse happened to be, the man would have to decline for reasons bordering along his crippling apathy.

Thankfully, the tinge of metal now in the air aside, there was no one insisting they were in need of any sort of attention that might slow their arrival. What he wouldn't give to already be slumped in his chair under the enchanted ceiling, waiting for the night to go by.

"That's it, careful now," he drawled, his hand continuing its listless waving motion.

When the last of them had boarded, Maddox helped himself to a boat that floated alongside the pair of boys.

"Do you think anyone has ever fallen in?"

It was only a whisper on the wind, a faint voice silently searching for revelation, but it met his ears all the same. The man's hearing had sharpened with his affliction, as had his other senses to a degree that often made regular life uncomfortable for the creature professor. Now, it let him into a conversation he hadn't been trying to join, the words not low enough to have evaded him.

"Several," he replied simply. "Not all on the first night, not all accidentally. Funnily enough, not all knowing how to swim." An unfortunate outcome for them and himself, he supposed. While every muscle in him ached to remain where he was, Maddox had never been one to sit by in the face of real danger. It was an unfortunate side effect of his former Gryffindor heritage, one he hoped to not have provoked so early into the term.

"And the merpeople have heard there are children living up here, beyond the water, trying to pollute the lake with sandwiches and sweet treats, hoping to summon the squid." A fun tale to pass the time as they moved across the water or a warning he didn't want to have to repeat.

Only time would tell.

"When you get to the castle, you'll be taken in by our deputy headmaster. Be sure to do what he says and don't go wandering off. You'd be amazed at how many things don't work here and all the places you could get...stuck."

Elias jumped when the professor's voice carried over the water, eyes darting toward the source instinctively. He'd been about to whisper something back to the other boy's question, but the words startled him. How had the professor even heard—?

His brain caught up to what had actually been said. Had he just told them that people had—? That some couldn't—?

A cool breeze swept across the lake, carrying the scent of rain. Elias shivered, and not just from the cold night air. He was suddenly all too aware that he was one of those students who couldn't swim. He inched closer to the middle of the boat, causing it to rock unsteadily. His elbow bumped against the boy next to him.

They pulled away from shore, joining the small fleet crossing the lake. Elias gripped the wooden edge, the rough grain biting into his palms where he'd scraped them on the path. Around them, other boats drifted like fireflies, their lanterns casting weak circles of light on the water that seemed darker now, with heavy clouds building overhead.

The castle grew closer, its windows glowing against the stormy sky. What had the professor meant about things not working properly? About places where students got stuck? This was supposed to be Hogwarts - wasn't it meant to be safe? Elias stared up at the towering walls and felt a chill that had nothing to do with the wind.

Said wind picked up, making the lanterns flicker and dance. Dark clouds gathered above them, and the air felt thick with moisture. The professor's voice had faded now, replaced by the gentle splash of water and drifting voices from other boats.

Elias glanced at the boy who'd asked the question, then peered through the darkness to make sure the professor's boat had drifted further away.

"What do you think he meant," he whispered, leaning slightly forward, "about not all accidentally?"

His voice was barely audible, drowned out by thunder that rumbled in the distance. The professor had talked about drowning students the way someone might discuss a leaky roof. Like it was just another Tuesday.

"Do you think people really feed the kraken sweets?" Elias' eyes flashed bright with equal parts excitement and terror. "Do you have any? We could try it..."

"Oh! Sorry - I'm Elias." He offered his hand reflexively. "What's your—"

The flickering lantern light caught the dark smears of dried blood and dirt across his palm from where he'd scraped it on the rocky path. "Oh no, sorry, I—" He jerked his hand back and rubbed it frantically against his robes, which only made the cuts sting worse. "I fell earlier and it's all bloody and..."

His face burned with embarrassment. As if his mortification had summoned it, lightning flickered across the lake, showing rain sweeping toward them over the dark water. Fat raindrops began to fall.

Joshua snapped his mouth closed, blue eyes widening slightly as he looked towards the other first year. He hadn't meant to speak loud enough for the professor to hear, but still the man had heard him. How?!

"I think," Joshua leaned towards the other boy, keeping his voice as quiet as possible. "I think he's just trying to scare us." He gave a slight shrug, lips curling into a smile. Having three older brothers, Joshie was quite familiar with the teasing and tricks played by older boys. He wouldn't let that scare him.

Much.

Not that the professor was a boy really, but still... If he wasn't just trying to scare them like when Patrick had pretended not to see Joshua in the room and started telling stories to his friends about monsters and ghosts until Joshua had run away, then what was the professor really saying? That someone had pushed a student into the lake? On purpose? He shuddered. Even if he could swim fairly well, thanks to numerous summer lessons at the Estate, he didn't fancy a swim in the dark.

"We'll stay in the middle of the boat, yeah?" Joshua added in a quiet whisper, "Just in case."

Whether the squid or the kraken or even the merpeople would like a snack, Joshie wasn't really sure, but he wouldn't put it past either of them. Everyone liked snacks, so why not? He stuck his hand into the pocket of his robes to check for anything of use, but came up empty. He shook his head. Maybe they could try another day. It was probably too dark to see much tonight anyway.

"Joshua," he offered his fist name with a smile to Elias. He had quickly come to learn that his last name had no meaning what-so-ever in the wizarding world, and besides the first surprise, all that was left was relief. Here he was not the Major's son, not the little brother of Laurence, Patrick and Archie, not the boy who was expected to be strong and brave and follow in his father's footsteps into the military when he grew up. No, here he was just himself, just Joshua. And that was kind of nice.

Even if he did sometimes miss his father.

"Don't worry 'bout that," Joshua smiled at the other boy again. He wasn't too fussed about whether or not they needed to shake hands, even if he knew most of the grown-ups in his family thought it very important. This was exceptional circumstances, really. He was sure even grandma would agree.

She would probably have healed the wounds already. She might even have given Elias one of her special chocolate cookies and told him one of her stories about when his mum was a little girl. Joshie felt a slight pinch in his chest. He wondered what they were all doing right now. It was probably time for dinner. Maybe they'd have the left-over roast from last night, if grandpa hadn't already eaten it all.

Joshie pulled himself back to the present with a deep breath. There were so many new things to learn here. When he'd see his family next time, he'd be the one with all the stories!

"I hope your hand will be okay soon," Joshua looked back at Elias' bloodied cuts, making a promise to himself to learn a healing spell as soon as he could. "Grazes are the worst, but they heal quickly!"

The scabs on his own knees reminded him that this was the truth.

"What do you think he meant about not all accidentally?"

Two years ago, Maddox may have been amused by the antics of the boys. It had become difficult for the man to differentiate what would be considered reasonable when it involved hearing the conversations around him. It had been well over a decade of living with what he no longer considered a curse; nearly 15 years of hearing too much, smelling too much, and knowing no sensory peace.

In his previous line of work, his botched animagus status had been beneficial. It had allowed him to track scents, following the faintest pitter-patter of feet and operate under conditions that were not always ideal for his coworkers.

Now, it was little more than a means by which he heard the whispered conversations of 11-year-olds, all buzzing with excitement--some fear and trepidation--as they crossed the black lake.

They whispered now, seeking cover in the thunder that rolled. Maddox thought to let them have it. It was easy--and would've been more reasonable--to assume that at such volumes, he could no longer hear. The man could lean back in his boat and wait for the enchantments to take them to the other side. In fact, it seemed the most diligent course.

"I think...I think he's just trying to scare us."

Until that.

For reasons that went beyond any care or concern he felt in the moment, and drifted more into the peril that came with taking him lightly, Maddox thought it better to speak.

"I assure you, I've neither the time nor the motivation for such antics."

His motivations lay in not having to dive into the pitch black waters because of an overzealous first year. That was the sort of darkness even his eyes would struggle to see through and a swim was the furthest thing from his mind.

Their moving to the centre of the boat was all the better for him.

"Do you think people really feed the kraken sweets? Do you have any? We could try it..."

Maddox ran his hand along his face, realising he was in for another year of having his hands full. It was just what he'd been hoping for. Any more exuberance and his frail heart would burst.

"That was not an invitation." He exhaled, reminding himself of just how new the boy was. "Sweets will only hurt him. If you and your friend insist on contributing to his diet, he's partial to toast. You can bring him some in the morning."

The professor's words hit him like cold water. He hadn't been trying to scare them. The drownings were real. People really had been pushed in - on purpose.

Elias gripped the boat's edge until his knuckles went white. The wood was slick now with rain, and he could feel the boat rocking more as the weather worsened. What if they tipped over? What if someone pushed him in as a prank? He couldn't swim, couldn't even float properly.

"Nice to meet you, Joshua," he managed, though his voice came out smaller than intended. At least someone here seemed friendly.

"Toast?" Elias whispered, leaning closer. "He said the squid likes toast. Do you think we could actually see him if we brought some?"

Then the storm hit in earnest.

Rain lashed down in sheets so thick Elias could barely make out Joshua sitting right beside him. Wind whipped across the lake, sending spray over the sides of their boat. Water sloshed around his ankles, cold and getting deeper.

"The boat's filling up!" he had to shout over the howling gale.

Lightning split the sky, illuminating the churning black water for one terrifying moment. The castle had vanished completely behind the wall of rain. Other boats appeared and disappeared like ghosts - were they even heading the right way?

Their little boat pitched violently. Elias lurched as they dropped into a trough between waves, then climbed sickeningly up the next swell. Water poured over the sides with each rock.

The rain stung his face, running into his eyes and mouth. His robes were soaked through, heavy and clinging. The boat tilted sharply, and Elias grabbed for anything he could hold onto, his heart racing against his ribs.

This was it. They were going to capsize in the middle of the lake, and he was going to drown on his first night at Hogwarts.