Chapter 15: Hogwarts

Kanna soon left, and Kyle, ever principled, didn't touch the pile of Galleons on the table. Instead, he used a simple Floating Charm to return the money to Kanna's pocket as she walked away. Even though she seemed wealthy, Kyle had no intention of cheating an eleven-year-old out of her money. It was a matter of principle.

Well... at least wait until I get back from Dorset, he thought with a hint of humor.

Cedric, who had been watching the entire scene unfold, turned to Kyle with a look of mild disbelief. "Well, since I'm kind of your first customer, can I try the tonic?"

"What are you talking about? You're my friend, my brother, not a customer," Kyle responded seriously, waving off the suggestion with dramatic flair.

Cedric nodded, catching on quickly. "Mm-hm. So the trial tonic…"

"No, that's only for customers," Kyle cut in, smirking.

Cedric stared at him, his eye twitching. Really? This was the first time he'd seen someone treat acquaintances so differently while sounding completely justified. Kyle has no shame, does he? Cedric thought, feeling a wave of exhaustion.

Deciding to change the subject, Cedric brought up Hogwarts again, and soon enough, their conversation veered toward Quidditch. It was inevitable—both of them were passionate about it. But that's where the disagreement began. Kyle was a proud fan of the Wimbourne Wasps, while Cedric staunchly supported the Chudley Cannons.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. The air between them grew tense, as they locked eyes, sparks of rivalry flying between them. Once a dispute over Quidditch teams started, neither side could afford to back down. They stared each other down for a good ten minutes, the temperature in the compartment seeming to drop with the tension.

Their standoff was abruptly interrupted by a sudden jolt, followed by an announcement. "The train will arrive at Hogwarts in five minutes. Please leave your luggage on the train, and it will be delivered to the school for you."

Kyle and Cedric broke eye contact at the same time, and without a word, began changing into their Hogwarts robes. Kyle glanced out the window. The sky had grown dark, and the cold he'd felt earlier now made sense. Thankfully, the rain had stopped.

The train slowed down and came to a halt. After a ten-hour journey, they had finally arrived. Kyle checked his robe and wand one last time before joining the crowd as they exited the train onto a small, dark platform.

The platform was run-down, overgrown with weeds. The sign was so faded that the words "Hogsmeade Station" were barely legible. Mud squelched beneath Kyle's feet as soon as he stepped off the train.

"Scourgify," Kyle muttered, cleaning his shoes with a wave of his wand as he moved to a relatively dry spot. Who would believe this run-down platform belongs to a thousand-year-old prestigious school? he thought with a smirk. If it weren't for Hogwarts' reputation and Dumbledore's name, no one would be impressed by this place.

In the crowd, Kyle noticed Kanna. The little girl stood shivering, her face pale and eyes wide with fear at the chaotic scene around her. As if sensing his gaze, Kanna turned and spotted Kyle. Her expression shifted to one of relief, and she stumbled toward him.

Kyle reached out just in time to catch her before she fell. Without a word, he took out his wand again and waved it over her robes.

"Scourgify," Kyle muttered as he cleaned the mud off Kanna's robes. She had been so panicked when running toward him that she hadn't noticed the puddles.

Once he finished, he gave her a reassuring smile and gently patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. It's safe here. Someone will come to pick us up soon."

Kanna nodded softly, still looking down, her nerves clearly not settled yet.

Just then, an oil lamp appeared above their heads, casting a dim but warm glow.

"First-year students! First-year students, come over here!" a booming voice called out.

It was Hagrid, towering over the small crowd of first-year wizards. His wild hair and large, unkempt beard gave him a rather intimidating appearance, causing a few of the younger wizards to start crying at the sight of him.

Kyle noticed Kanna wasn't crying, but she was clutching his arm with surprising strength—so much so that it hurt. He winced but refrained from pulling away, not wanting to upset her further.

Kyle grimaced through the discomfort, thinking, How is she so strong? She's only eleven!

Hagrid waved to the group, introducing himself. "My name's Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts. First-years, follow me. Watch your step—I'll be takin' yeh to Hogwarts by boat."

Leading the way, Kyle gently guided Kanna through the crowd of nervous students, following the light that Hagrid carried. Slowly, the group of first-years stumbled along the narrow, steep path for about 20 minutes.

When they finally reached a bend in the path, Hagrid stopped, grinning widely as he turned to the group. "All right, yeh lot, we're almost there. Get ready—yeh about to see Hogwarts for the first time. It's the best view in the whole wizarding world!"

As they rounded the final bend, gasps of awe echoed through the group. Kanna, standing beside Kyle, stared ahead with wide eyes, her voice barely a whisper. "It's so beautiful…"

Before them lay the famous Black Lake, with the towering silhouette of Hogwarts Castle perched high on a hill on the opposite shore. The castle's many spires glowed softly under the light of the full moon, giving it the illusion of being suspended among the clouds. The windows sparkled like stars, casting a warm, inviting glow across the dark water. It was breathtaking, like something out of a dream.

Even Kyle was transfixed. For a brief moment, he wondered if the dilapidated state of Hogsmeade Station was intentional—designed to make the sight of Hogwarts all the more striking.

"Come on, new students, time to board the boats," Hagrid called, pointing to a fleet of small boats docked along the lake's shore. "Remember, no more than four to a boat."

Kyle and Kanna quickly climbed into the nearest boat, joined by two other first-year students they didn't know—a boy and a girl, both of whom were buzzing with excitement. The two kept chattering away about how they couldn't wait to write home about the experience.

"Is everyone on board?" Hagrid called, seated in a boat of his own, checking to make sure all the students were accounted for. "All right... off we go!"

With a gentle push, the boats glided smoothly across the lake, the water rippling in their wake. They floated past low cliffs, through ivy-draped rocks, and eventually into a dark tunnel carved beneath the castle itself.