A Year in the Life of a First-Year

By Bity Bywell

As exams finish, so does one of the biggest years of my life. I turn twelve on the very last day of exams, and with that, I’ll be ending my very first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

This time last year, I was terrified about what was coming. I’d just received my acceptance letter, and I was waiting to hear if I’d also be accepted into Summer Camp. I had no idea what to expect. I grew up in a low‑magic household. Yes, my parents used magic, but not much around my brother and me. Heading somewhere to learn magic, to step properly into the Wixen world, a world I was mostly sheltered from for my formative years… it was exciting, but if I’m honest, also very daunting. I knew I’d be surrounded by kids who’d grown up with magic like it was breathing. I wasn’t sure I’d fit in, let alone live up to what people expected of me.

Camp was my first real taste of what school would be like, and I was lucky enough to make friends who became my rocks for the rest of the year, and hopefully into the years to come. It helped so much to know a few people when it came time for Diagon Alley shopping and my first trip on the Hogwarts Express.

Sorting Day was definitely a highlight, at least, the parts I remember. I was so nervous and excited that most of it is a blur. I remember crossing the lake in one of the worst thunderstorms I’ve ever seen, praying we’d make it across. We were drenched by rain and then soaked again when a giant squid decided to say hello, but we made it to the Great Hall. And then the Sorting Hat… For everyone else, it seemed to debate, to consider options. For me, it was immediate. Ravenclaw. No ifs, buts, or maybes. 

Was the Hat right? I asked our prefects that in my very first article of the year, and now I ask myself the same thing. And yes, I think it was. I’ve flourished here. I’ve made friends. I’ve grown. And I believe it has made me a better person.

This year has been incredible. I finally got to see what it’s like to be surrounded by magic,  not just in the buildings or our wands, but in the people. For all the classes, the dances, the magically appearing meals, and the absolutely bonkers sport where people fly around hitting balls at each other, I’ve learned that the most important part of Hogwarts is… us. The students, the Professors, and the staff who keep everything running. You’ve all been the highlight of my year. Whether terrifying (thank you, Professor Grimstone, for that Lethifold illusion), hilarious (Nox, your glowing werewolves will haunt me forever), or just plain weird (Beau… the chicken suit… and Incendio… why?????), none of it would have been the same without you.

And it hasn’t just been the people. A beautiful flying horse named Cinnamon helped me get over my fear of flying (and definitely earned too many apple treats for it). A flock of FBCs helped me get fitter by making me run for my life every time they clucked and charged. Luckily, the medical staff always had burn paste ready whenever I wasn’t fast enough, or when I accidentally blew myself up with my own spells.

I asked other first-years what they thought too, and their answers were a lot like mine. So I think I can safely say, on behalf of all of us First Years of 2032-33:

Thank you.

Thank you for making this the best year of our lives. From the Quidditch pitch to the Dueling Room to the classrooms, you were there for us. Students, Professors, house-elves, groundskeepers, and especially the medical staff. From cheering us on in whatever ridiculous thing we were attempting, to patching us up right after. You helped us believe in ourselves when we’d forgotten how. No matter how much we messed up, got hurt, were scared, or fell down, you were there to help us up, hold our hand, and have our back.

So thank you. Truly and sincerely.

I just hope we can do the same for next year’s first-years, and make their year as wonderful as ours has been.