Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 157: Sorting
At first, Steve thought Bucky Barnes might be another transmigrator like him. But after talking to him for hours, it became clear that Bucky was simply a Muggle-born student from this universe. Even his face and appearance were different from the Bucky, Steve remembered from Marvel.
'Maybe the system just wanted to play a joke on me,' Steve thought, feeling slightly amused.
With Bucky around, the nine-hour train ride felt surprisingly short. Bucky was chatty, energetic and strangely easy to get along with. He had a way of turning even the smallest topic into something entertaining. Sometimes Steve wondered if he was sure this wasn't Peter Parker instead, given how much Bucky talked.
Eventually, the Hogwarts Express slowed, and they finally arrived and when Steve saw the castle.... He froze.
Hogwarts stood tall against the night sky, illuminated by countless lights from its windows. It looked similar to the castle from Hogwarts Legacy, but far more breathtaking in person. The towers stretched into the dark sky, the stone walls ancient yet majestic and the atmosphere carried a sense of deep, layered magic.
It wasn't just a school or a video games, he felt more alive here.
Steve didn't know how long he stood there or walking while staring in awe. Seconds passed or maybe minutes. The noise of students around him faded into the background as he took in the view.
Then suddenly, before he could fully process it, he found himself standing in the Great Hall.
Moments later, his name was being called for Sorting.
---Sorting---
The Great Hall buzzed with nervous excitement as the first-year students lined up before the long tables. Floating candles illuminated the ancient stone ceiling, reflecting countless stars that looked almost real. Steve Rogers stood near the middle of the line, his back straight, hands clenched lightly at his sides. Outwardly calm but inside, his thoughts raced.
'This was real, not a dream. Not a story from a book I once clung to for comfort in an orphanage,' Steve feel very excited.
"Steve Rogers," called Professor McGonagall.
Hearing his name being called make steve feel surprised, he didn't know how he had come here so fast.
Ahead of him, the Sorting Hat rested on a stool, old and patched, its brim folded in a way that almost resembled a face. Every time it opened its mouth to shout a House name, cheers erupted from one of the tables.
Steve comes forward he is not nervous but feel very excited. He take the sit and a moment later Professor McGonagall put the Hat on top of his head.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then.....
Hmm, the Sorting Hat murmured, its voice echoing faintly. 'A loyal heart. Strong attachment. Fear, yes.... but not cowardice. You care deeply, perhaps too deeply, about others.
Steve hands clenched into fists.
You would follow someone into danger without hesitation, the hat continued thoughtfully. But you would also stand your ground when it matters most.
Wait what is this, a passerby from other universe. Interesting!
'Are you alive hat?' asked Steve.
Me? of course not, I am simply enchantment rune that created more than 1000 years ago.
'Would my secret stay safe?" This is what steve hopes, no one should know about him as a transmigrator.
The hat paused.
Im not going to share a student secret even to headmaster... don't worry and don't believe too many of those fanfiction that said Dumbledore was evil.
'You are funny hat,' replied Steve.
I take that as a compliment now let's continue.
Plenty of bravery here… even if you don't see it yourself.
"Gryffindor!"
The table erupted in cheers.
Steve nearly jumped as the hat was pulled off his head. His eyes widened, stunned then he laughed, a short, disbelieving sound. He hurried toward the Gryffindor table, where students patted him on the back and made room.
When he looked at his side, he found Bucky had also been sorted into Gryffindor. He didn't noticed at all earlier, it looks like even in this universe, Bucky is his friend.
---First Time Meeting Her---
There are many thing happen in the first day of Hogwarts, meeting a new friend, familiarize themselves with Hogwarts and more fun thing and the next day Steve found himself in Hogwarts Library.
His priority is to learn as many as he can this year, Voldemort threat are still there so he needs to learn more to defeat him.
But he was stopped because he is seeing someone that he had long been fan of, the woman named Hermione Granger.
She was sitting at one of the long tables, surrounded by towering stacks of books, a quill moving swiftly across parchment. Even from a distance, Steve could see the intensity in her expression.
'Calm down,' he told himself. 'She's just a person.'
Still… his heart beat faster.
He took a step forward.
"Um… excuse me?"
Hermione didn't look up immediately but she put down the quill on her side before looking up, she saw someone who she didn't expect to be here.
First year student in the first day of Hogwarts?
It reminds her when she was in a first year, the first thing she search are Library. But that was for her alone, the other student won't do the same thing like her, even a year afterward there won't be a single first year who will come to Library on their first day in Hogwarts.
"Are you first year?" asked Hermione for confirmation
Steve blinked. "Oh no! I mean yes, I am first year, I did the reading. I just… had a question."
That made her pause.
She finally looked up.
Her brown eyes are very sharp, intelligent and assessing.
"You're a first-year," she observed.
"Yes. Steve Rogers."
She studied him for another second before nodding slightly. "Hermione Granger."
"I know," Steve replied before he could stop himself.
Her eyebrow lifted. "You know?"
"I mean, everyone knows," he corrected quickly. "You're kind of… famous."
Hermione looked mildly unimpressed. "Famous for studying, perhaps."
"It is more than that," Steve said sincerely.
That caught her off guard.
She blinked. "Well… that's a rather direct compliment."
Steve cleared his throat. "I just think it's impressive. Most people talk about Harry Potter, but… you're the one who figures things out."
Hermione stared at him for a moment, clearly not used to that kind of acknowledgment.
"That's… oddly perceptive for a first-year," she said slowly.
Steve smiled faintly. "I read a lot."
"I can see that," Hermione replied, glancing at the book tucked under his arm. "Advanced Theory of Magic? That's not first-year material."
"I was curious."
Hermione's expression softened slightly, curiosity replacing suspicion.
"Well," she said, closing one of her books, "curiosity is a good trait. Just make sure it doesn't get you into trouble."
Steve met her gaze steadily. "Some things are worth the risk."
She studied him again this time more thoughtfully.
"You're interesting, Steve Rogers," she said at last. "Just try not to grow up too quickly. First year only happens once."
"May I know what do you mean not to grow up quickly?" asked Steve.
"Study is important but at your age, please make a new friend they are important," replied Hermione remembering how in her first year kinda blew up until she become friend with Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley.
"I agreed," smiled Steve.
" You kinda remind me of myself, in the past I was the only student who search for library in the first day of Hogwarts," said Hermione.
"Can we become friend?" Steve blurted that words without he noticing it.
"Sure," replied Hermione.
Yeah, he thought quietly.
'She's exactly how I imagined.'