Chapter 143: The Enchanted Hogwarts Express
Chapter 143: The Enchanted Hogwarts Express
After changing into his school uniform as per the rules, Liam continued to ponder the question that had been on his mind: what mode of transportation would Hogwarts use to transport students across the vast Atlantic Ocean and around half the globe to reach Castrobrusso in South America? He had even discussed this with Hermione.
During their discussion, Apparition and Portkeys were the first options to be ruled out. Liam recalled the grandeur of the other schools during the Triwizard Tournament in the original story and concluded that Hogwarts would not opt for such undignified methods. After all, as a prestigious institution with a thousand-year history, Hogwarts would not miss an opportunity to showcase its grandeur.
Moreover, both Apparition and Portkeys have their limits. If not, the spectators at the Quidditch World Cup in the original story could have arrived simultaneously within a short time, rather than some needing to arrive weeks in advance.
The second option deemed impossible was the Flying Carpet, Broomstick, and Floo Network, for the same reasons. These methods are akin to Muggle motorcycles and trucks. Could you imagine a group of students and professors from Cambridge and Oxford riding motorcycles or sitting in the back of a truck for an academic exchange?
The wizarding world's schools are not open to using Muggle transportation. The image of a group from Hogwarts flying to Brazil and being met by Castrobrusso staff holding a sign at the airport was too absurd for Liam to contemplate.
In the end, it was assumed that Hogwarts would have its own unique mode of transportation. However, Liam never expected Hogwarts to choose the Hogwarts Express, which seemed to lack the historical grandeur he imagined.
As the steam hissed, the Hogwarts Express came to a stop at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Liam saw Headmaster Dumbledore, Minister Fudge, the heads of the four houses, and several Ministry of Magic officials and reporters disembark from the train.
Seeing them arrive at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, the students quickly stood up and formed a line. It was then that Liam noticed that among the students on the platform, there were only two from Gryffindor College and two from Hufflepuff, while the rest were four from Ravenclaw and four from Slytherin. Indeed, when it came to exams, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff were somewhat weaker.
Next came Minister Fudge's speech, which was filled with generic platitudes about the importance of exchange and the significant role of the Ministry of Magic. Liam nearly fell asleep listening to it.
Finally, Fudge concluded his speech, and Liam perked up, clapping along with everyone else. The Daily Prophet reporters hurriedly snapped photos of the scene.
Then it was Headmaster Dumbledore's turn to speak. His speech was much shorter than the minister's and lasted only a few minutes. Naturally, the applause Liam gave to the headmaster was much more heartfelt than the one for the minister.
After all the speeches, it was time for everyone to board the train. Professor Sprout was appointed as the leader of the trip, and Kettleburn, who had recently retired, was accompanying them. Under their guidance, the young wizards pulled their luggage and boarded the Hogwarts Express.
Following the others through the door of the first carriage, Liam discovered that the interior was entirely different from what he was used to. The usual compartments were gone, and the carriage had been transformed into a mini Common Room, decorated in the four house colors. A large Hogwarts crest hung on the wall.
As everyone was just entering the compartment, they heard the dull thud of the train doors closing. With a whistle, the train slowly began to pick up speed on the tracks. Suddenly, a feeling of weightlessness swept over them, and a few of the older students let out cries of surprise. Liam followed their pointing fingers and, looking out the window, was amazed to see that the train had lifted off the tracks and was flying into the sky.
Of course, it made sense. London certainly didn’t have a railway that went all the way to Castrobrusso, so the Hogwarts Express must have another way to travel. The students' cries of surprise were simply because they hadn’t expected the train to take to the skies. The idea of flying wasn’t so surprising, though—Mr. Weasley could make a car fly, so it was only natural that the collective ingenuity of the British wizarding world could produce a flying train.
A few minutes later, the Hogwarts Express reached its predetermined altitude and began a smooth flight. At this point, Professor Sprout called everyone away from the windows and began to give instructions.
“Alright, everyone, pay attention,” Professor Sprout said as she saw all the young wizards gather in the lounge. “You can see four doors at the end of this common room, each representing one of the four houses. Head to the compartment corresponding to your house. Your rooms are already assigned, with your names on the doors. Before we depart, put your luggage in your room and then return here.”
After listening to Professor Sprout’s instructions, Liam walked to the door representing Gryffindor and turned the brass doorknob, which was adorned with a roaring lion.
The door opened, and Liam was surprised to find himself in a corridor decorated in gold and red. He dragged his luggage inside and noticed the window on his right, through which he could see people on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. On his left, the walls were lined with red velvet and adorned with a row of oil lamps. Through the glass covers, he could see that the light source was not flame but rather transparent stones emitting a white glow.
This compartment, belonging to Gryffindor College, had two rooms, one for Liam and one for Hermione. Opening the door with a copper plaque bearing his name, Liam found that the dormitory was similar to his room at Hogwarts, just a bit smaller.
Neville’s letter had mentioned that the Hogwarts Express had two types of compartments, one for long-distance travel, though it hadn’t been used in decades. However, Liam noticed that neither the lounge nor the rooms showed any signs of disuse or neglect. Instead, they looked as if they had been cleaned just the day before. This was likely due to the diligent house-elves. At least, Liam thought the patina on the furniture could only have been formed through years of careful maintenance.
Clearly, this train was more than just a mode of transportation; it was a showcase of Hogwarts. The lounge and dormitories, which seemed to defy the external space, and the harmonious decor throughout the train, all reflected the rich heritage of a thousand-year-old school.
When everyone had finished stowing their luggage and returned to the lounge, they were surprised to find that the coffee table and sofas had vanished. In their place was a long table in the center, surrounded by high-backed armchairs, making the lounge resemble the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
Professor Sprout, seated at the head of the table, addressed the young wizards, “Alright, everyone, take a seat. We have a lot to do on this journey.”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
