HARRY POTTER :A New Player

Harry stepped off the Hogwarts Express onto the bustling platform of Hogsmeade Station. The cool evening air bit at his skin as he stared up at the towering castle in the distance, its many windows glowing warmly against the darkening sky. His heart thumped in his chest—this was it. He had made it.

[Quest Updated: The Hogwarts Journey]

• Arrive at Hogwarts ✔

• Get sorted into a house (0/1)

• Explore the castle (0/1)

Reward: +50 EXP, Unlock House-Specific Skills

A loud voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Firs' years, over here!" Hagrid's booming call drew the attention of the small first-year crowd, and Harry quickly moved toward him. The half-giant's large form towered over everyone, his beady eyes scanning the students before giving Harry a warm grin.

"Ah, you must be Harry Potter," Hagrid said with a wink. "Come on then, all of yeh. Boats are this way!"

Harry followed the group to the edge of the Black Lake, where a fleet of small boats floated gently in the water. He climbed into one alongside a bushy-haired girl he recognized from the train.

"Hello," she said briskly, offering her hand. "Hermione Granger. You're Harry Potter, aren't you?"

Harry shook her hand awkwardly. "Yeah, that's me."

Hermione's eyes flickered with curiosity. "You've read Hogwarts: A History, right? Did you know the castle has over one hundred and forty-two staircases, and some of them move?"

Harry blinked. "Er, no. I haven't really—"

Before he could finish, another notification popped up.

[New Social Link Established: Hermione Granger]

Your interactions with Hermione can unlock unique knowledge-based skills and quests.

Current Link Level: 1

"Er…cool," Harry said, half to Hermione and half to the system. He glanced at her as she continued rattling off facts about Hogwarts, and he made a mental note to stay on her good side. If this game system had social links, it was best to build strong connections.

The Great Hall and Sorting

Once inside the castle, Harry could barely take in the grandeur of the place—the towering enchanted ceiling, the floating candles, and the hundreds of students watching them enter the Great Hall. He swallowed nervously.

Professor McGonagall stood at the front, a long scroll in hand. "When I call your name, you will come forward and be sorted into your house," she instructed.

Harry's heart pounded as he waited, watching the others go before him.

[Observation Skill Activated]

Detected Patterns: Sorting Hat evaluates based on courage, intelligence, ambition, and loyalty.

Hidden Factor: Unknown magical affinity detected.

"Potter, Harry!"

Harry took a deep breath and stepped forward, sitting under the Sorting Hat as it was placed on his head. Instantly, a voice echoed inside his mind.

"Ah, Harry Potter," the Sorting Hat mused. "Difficult. Very difficult indeed. A thirst to prove yourself, I see… and a mind sharp with potential."

Harry sat frozen. "I, uh… wasn't expecting you to talk."

The hat chuckled. "Oh, I talk, dear boy. Now let's see… brave, certainly. Ambitious, though not purely so. A great deal of loyalty too, but where shall I put you?"

A notification popped up in Harry's vision.

[Sorting Decision]

Choose your primary trait:

• [Bravery] → Gryffindor

• [Ambition] → Slytherin

• [Loyalty] → Hufflepuff

• [Intelligence] → Ravenclaw

Harry hesitated. He glanced over at Hermione at the Gryffindor table and thought of his parents, who he was sure had been Gryffindors.

"I think… Gryffindor," he thought.

The Sorting Hat hummed in approval. "A fine choice, yes. Gryffindor will suit you well."

"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted aloud.

The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers, and Harry let out a breath of relief as he made his way over. Hermione gave him an approving nod, while a red-haired boy—Ron Weasley, he remembered—grinned at him.

"Brilliant! We've got Harry Potter in our house!"

[Quest Completed: Get Sorted into a House]

Rewards: +50 EXP, New Skill: House Pride (Lv.1)

Harry opened his Skills Menu as he sat down.

[Skill Unlocked: House Pride Lv. 1]

Your connection to Gryffindor boosts your courage and determination.

+5% resistance to fear effects.

"Nice," Harry muttered under his breath, feeling a sense of pride swell in his chest.

Meeting the Gryffindors

As the feast began, Harry dug into the delicious food, barely able to believe it was all real. Between bites, he listened to Ron complain about his brothers and watched Hermione quiz Neville about magical plants.

[New Social Link Established: Ron Weasley]

Ron can provide information about wizarding culture and practical survival tips.

Current Link Level: 1

A few moments later, a tall, older boy with a prefect badge approached.

"Hi, I'm Percy Weasley, Gryffindor prefect," he said, offering Harry a handshake. "If you need any help, just ask."

Harry nodded, feeling the weight of everything sink in. He had a house now. Friends. And according to his game system, he was making progress faster than expected.

First Night at Hogwarts

Later that night, as Harry settled into his four-poster bed in the Gryffindor dormitory, he opened his Status Screen one last time.

Harry Potter

Level: 5 (EXP 140/700)

HP: 115/115

MP: 55/55

STR: 2

VIT: 5

DEX: 5

INT: 3

WIS: 1

LUC: 3

CHA: 2

Skills:

• House Pride (Lv. 1)

• Wandless Magic (Lv. 1)

• Observation (Lv. 2)

• Stealth (Lv. 3)

Feeling content for the first time in a long while, Harry whispered, "Game Menu," and the blue screen faded from view.

Tomorrow, his Hogwarts adventure would truly begin.

And he was ready.