"That's what the Trace is for, and Obliviators, and...other Ministry departments and committees and things. To hide magic from Muggles."

"Obliviators?"

"If you do magic in front of Muggle, they wipe their memories. That way, no one asks the wrong questions." 

"oh."

"Don't worry, I'm sure it hasn't happened to anyone you know. Usually it's only when there are criminals, and the Ministry will send someone to explain things away first, before they send Obliviators, if things aren't too big." 

"I, on the other hand, am sure it has happened to several people I have known, a few times."

Gentle, awkward pat on the shoulder?

"What happened?"

"Well, I—" He shakes his head. "Metamorphmagic wasn't always super easy to control."

There's a light knock at their door.

"We'll be arriving shortly! Everyone into their school robes, don't dawdle!"

That makes him jump, and then reach for his luggage for robes.

They get changed, and Alistair looks out the window eagerly as they approach.

Sadde and Willow squeeze against the window to do the same.

They come to a station at the outskirts of a small village. There are a variety of shops, which purport to sell stationary and candy and assorted other goods. 

They can see the castle in the distance. 

A large man appears, looming over the first years with a jovial grin. He directs them to the boats, which offer a spectacular view of the castle. 

Willow makes an absolute mess of boarding the boat, and has the time of her life while doing it.

Sadde is very careful not to suffer the same fate. He succeeds.

Alistair is surprisingly nimble!

The first years are led through the castle, until eventually they come to the Great Hall. There's a brief speech, rather dull, and they all get into line. 

"There it is, there's the Hat," he says, as he walks ahead of the other two. 

"The Hat?"

Sadde meanwhile is looking for Scott.

Scott exists!

"Hi! This is so exciting!"

"Hi! It is! I think there's a Hat."

"That's so cool," he claims. 

"Is that how they sort us? They have to do that first, right? Is it a magic hat?"