Chapter 1: The Unwelcome Arrival

The Hogwarts Express screeched to a halt at Hogsmeade Station, and the excited chatter of students filled the air as they poured out of the carriages. Among them was a nervous-looking young boy with messy black hair and wide brown eyes, clutching a worn leather suitcase and trying to make sense of the unfamiliar surroundings. This was Leon, a fourteen-year-old first-year student who had just received his Hogwarts acceptance letter and was about to start his journey at the prestigious school. As Leon scanned the platform, his eyes widened in awe at the sight of the majestic castle in the distance, its towers and turrets glinting in the fading light of day. He had heard so many stories about Hogwarts, but nothing could have prepared him for the reality. Taking a deep breath, he made his way through the crowd, trying to find the group of students wearing the same colored robes as him – the first years. Meanwhile, a tall, dark-haired boy with piercing green eyes and a confident smirk was watching the commotion from a distance. Mattheo, a third-year student and one of the Quidditch team's star players, had just finished a grueling practice session and was looking forward to a well-deserved rest. However, as he scanned the crowd, his gaze landed on the new student, and his smirk faltered for a moment. There was something about the boy's awkward demeanor and bewildered expression that caught Mattheo's attention. He couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity, but it was quickly replaced by annoyance as he remembered the countless pranks he had to pull off during his own first year, and how much of a pain it was. As Leon struggled to keep up with his group, he accidentally bumped into a tall, blonde-haired girl, spilling his belongings all over the platform. Mattheo, who was about to walk away, paused and raised an eyebrow at the commotion. The girl, whose name was Sophie, was apologetic and helpful, but Mattheo couldn't help but notice the new student's mortified expression. "Hey, you okay, mate?" Mattheo asked, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm, as he sauntered over to the group. Leon looked up, startled, and their eyes met for the first time. For a moment, they just stared at each other, Leon's eyes wide with intimidation, and Mattheo's sparkling with mischief. "Yeah, I'm fine, thanks," Leon stammered, quickly gathering his belongings. Mattheo chuckled, a low, husky sound, and shook his head. "Well, you're not exactly off to a great start, are you?" The group began to move towards the castle, with Sophie chatting nervously to Leon, trying to calm him down. Mattheo fell into step beside them, his eyes never leaving Leon's face. "So, what's your name, then?" Mattheo asked, his tone still playful, but with an undercurrent of curiosity. "I'm Leon," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. Mattheo's smirk returned, and he leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Well, Leon, I hope you're ready for the wild ride that is Hogwarts. You're going to need it." As they approached the castle, Leon felt a shiver run down his spine, unsure if he was excited or terrified about what lay ahead, but one thing was certain – he had a feeling that Mattheo was going to be a major part of his Hogwarts experience.