Chapter 15: Hogwarts

Chapter 15: Hogwarts

Kanna left quickly.

Kyle didn't take the Galleons on the table. A simple Levitation Charm sent them back into Kanna's pocket.

Kyle wouldn't take money from an eleven-year-old girl, even if she seemed to have a lot of money.

It was a matter of principle.

Well... at least until he got back from Dorset.

Cedric looked at the closed compartment door, then at Kyle, who sighed with relief, and said subconsciously, "So, I'm your first customer, right? Can I also try the tonic?"

"What are you talking about? That's too formal."

Kyle waved his hand with a serious expression, "You're my best friend, my brother. You're not a customer."

"Uh-huh." Cedric nodded, "Then the trial tonic..."

"No, that's only for customers."

"Uh..." Cedric stared straight at Kyle, his eyes twitching slightly.

This was the first time he had seen someone justify discrimination and take advantage of acquaintances with such confidence. Did he even have any shame?

Learned something new.

Cedric felt a pang of exhaustion and took the initiative to change the subject. He continued to talk about Hogwarts.

And speaking of Hogwarts, they couldn't miss Quidditch. After all, they both loved it.

So, the conversation naturally drifted to professional Quidditch teams. But here, Kyle and Cedric disagreed.

Kyle liked the Wimbourne Wasps, and Cedric was a die-hard Chudley Cannons fan.

Suddenly, the atmosphere became tense.

Kyle and Cedric looked at each other, sparks crackling invisibly where their gazes met.

Once a dispute between fans began, there was no such thing as surrender. Neither of them would give way. As time went on, the temperature in the carriage seemed to drop.

Until, after ten minutes, the carriage was jolted violently, interrupting their standoff.

"The train will arrive at Hogwarts in five minutes. Please leave your luggage on the train. We will take it to the school for you." A voice echoed through the train.

Kyle and Cedric simultaneously looked away. In unison, they didn't look at each other again. They started changing into their robes.

Kyle looked out the window. The sky outside was already dark, no wonder it felt so cold.

Fortunately, the rain had stopped. Otherwise, he would have to take an umbrella.

The train slowed down and finally came to a stop.

After ten hours, the journey finally reached its destination.

Kyle checked his robes and wand again, confirming there were no problems, before joining the bustling crowd, exiting the train, and arriving at a small, dark platform.

This place was truly dilapidated. Weeds grew everywhere. The sign was severely faded, and the words "Hogsmeade Station" were very blurry. You couldn't even make them out unless you looked closely.

There wasn't even a decent piece of pavement. Plus, it had rained recently, so as soon as Kyle got off the train, he stepped on some mud.

"Scourgify."

Kyle waved his wand at his shoes and carefully moved to a relatively clean spot.

The platform of a thousand-year-old school was broken like this. Who would believe it?

If it wasn't Hogwarts, and if the Headmaster wasn't Dumbledore, just based on this platform, it wouldn't be able to attract students.

Just then, Kyle saw Kanna.

The little girl stood trembling in the crowd. Even from this distance, Kyle could see her pale face, clearly scared by the scene before her.

Perhaps sensing someone looking at her, Kanna subconsciously turned her head and saw Kyle.

Suddenly, she seemed to find a lifeline and stumbled towards him.

Kyle reached out and helped Kanna, who was about to fall and didn't say anything. He just took out his wand again and waved it at her robe.

"Scourgify."

The girl didn't look at the road when she ran and got mud splattered all over her.

After doing that, he patted the little girl's shoulder reassuringly, "Don't be afraid, it's safe here. Someone will come to pick us up soon."

"Hmm." Kanna lowered her head and softly replied.

At the same time, an oil lamp appeared above them.

"First years! First years, this way!"

Amid all the first-year wizards, Hagrid's massive figure stood out. Combined with his messy hair and bushy beard, he scared a lot of young wizards right from the start.

Kyle even heard a whimper.

Kanna didn't cry, but she wasn't much better. She gripped Kyle's arm tightly, hurting him so much that he grimaced.

But seeing Kanna's terrified look, Kyle was too embarrassed to pull his arm away. He could only endure it.

He couldn't understand why an eleven-year-old girl was so strong.

"I'm Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts." Hagrid waved to everyone, "First years, follow me. Watch your step. I'll take you to Hogwarts by boat."

Kyle was the first to follow, taking Kanna to the area under the dim light. It was also the brightest place around.

By this time, Kanna had calmed down a bit. She quickly released Kyle's arm and whispered with a blushing face, "Sorry."

Unfortunately, her voice was too low. Other people were constantly making surprised noises, and Kyle couldn't hear what she said. He just nodded subconsciously.

...

To accommodate the first-year wizards, Hagrid walked very slowly. It took twenty minutes for the group to finally finish walking the steep and narrow path, stumbling along the way.

After rounding the last bend, Hagrid turned to the group and pointed to the front with a smile, "Come on, you're about to see Hogwarts for the first time. Don't get distracted. It's the most beautiful sight in the wizarding world."

Then came a series of gasps and shouts.

Kanna stood beside Kyle, staring blankly ahead, mumbling, "So beautiful...!"

At the end of the path was the famous Black Lake. On the opposite side, a towering castle stood on a steep hillside.

The castle was crowned with numerous spires, reflecting the bright moon, as if it were built in the clouds.

The windows in the castle, each glowing with light, were like stars dotting the sky.

It was breathtakingly beautiful, like a miracle.

Even Kyle was stunned.

He suspected that the reason why Hogsmeade Station was so dilapidated was to emphasize this scene.

"Alright, first years, we're ready to board the boats. Don't keep the professors waiting." Hagrid pointed at a row of small boats docked by the lake, shouting, "Remember, no more than four people per boat."

Kyle and Kanna boarded the nearest boat. Two first-year wizards they didn't know were with them, also a boy and a girl.

They looked like they were incredibly excited. Even after getting on the boat, they were still muttering about how they had to write to their families about this.

"Everyone on board?" Hagrid sat alone on a boat, and looked back to confirm, "Alright... off we go!"

The row of boats immediately set off across the lake, past low cliffs, through ivy vines covering the cliffs, and finally into a dark tunnel.