https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-14-Closing-the-Door-is-a-Good-Habit/13006596/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-16-If-You-Can-t-Beat-Them-Join-Them/13006598/
Chapter 15: Hogwarts
Chapter 15: Hogwarts
Conna quickly left.
Kyle didn't take the Galleons that were on the table; with a simple Levitation Charm, they returned to Conna's pocket.
Kyle would never take advantage of an eleven-year-old girl, even if she seemed wealthy.
It was a matter of principle.
Well, at least until he returned from Dorset.
Cedric looked at the closed compartment door, then at Kyle, who seemed to have relaxed, and unconsciously said, "I'm probably your first customer, so I should also be able to try the potions."
"What are you talking about? That's too polite."
Kyle waved his hand seriously, "You're my best friend, a brother, not just a customer."
"Hmm." Cedric nodded, "Then the trial potions..."
"No, that's only for customers."
"Hmm..." Cedric stared at Kyle, his eyes twitching slightly.
This was the first time he had seen someone so boldly draw a distinction between treating friends and strangers, and he seemed to have no shame at all.
Cedric felt a wave of fatigue and decided to change the subject, continuing to talk about Hogwarts.
When it came to Hogwarts, Quidditch was inevitably part of the conversation, as both of them enjoyed it.
The topic naturally extended to professional Quidditch teams, but here, Kyle and Cedric had a disagreement.
Kyle liked the Wenham Wasps, while Cedric was a loyal fan of the Chadley Cannons.
The atmosphere immediately became tense.
Kyle and Cedric looked at each other, and at the intersection of their gazes, there seemed to be an invisible spark crackling.
Once a dispute between fans began, there was no option to concede. Neither of them would back down, and as time passed, the temperature in the carriage seemed to drop significantly.
After several minutes, a violent jolt interrupted their standoff.
"In five minutes, the train will arrive at Hogwarts. Please leave your luggage on the train, and we will deliver it to the school for you." A voice echoed through the train.
Kyle and Cedric simultaneously averted their gazes, very tacitly, neither looking at each other again. They began to change into their robes on their own.
Kyle turned to look out the window. At this moment, the sky outside had become very dark, which explained why it felt so cold.
Fortunately, the rain had stopped, or else he would have needed an umbrella.
The train slowed down and eventually came to a stop.
After a ten-hour journey, they finally reached their destination.
Kyle checked his robes and wand once more, confirming that there were no issues. He then followed the bustling crowd out of the train and onto a small, dark platform.
This place was truly dilapidated, with overgrown weeds all around. The station sign was severely faded, and the words "Hogsmeade Station" were so blurry that they were barely legible without careful examination.
There wasn't even a decent tile on the platform, and due to the recent rain, Kyle stepped off the train and into a muddy puddle.
"Clean it up."
Kyle waved his wand at his shoes and carefully moved to a relatively cleaner spot.
It was hard to believe that the platform of a thousand-year-old prestigious school could be in such a state.
If it weren't called Hogwarts and the headmaster weren't Dumbledore, this platform alone would deter potential students.
At this moment, Kyle also spotted Conna.
The little girl was shivering in the crowd, and even from a distance, Kyle could see her pale face, obviously frightened by the scene before her.
Perhaps sensing that someone was watching her, Conna turned her head instinctively and saw Kyle as well.
For a moment, she seemed to have found a lifeline, stumbling over to him.
Kyle reached out to steady the nearly fallen Conna, without saying a word, he once again took out his magic wand and waved it at her robe.
"Clean up."
When the girl ran, she didn't even look at the road, and splashed herself with mud.
After doing all this, he smiled and patted the little girl's shoulder in comfort, "Don't be afraid, it's safe here, someone will come to pick us up soon."
"Hmm." Conna lowered her head and responded softly.
At the same time, an oil lamp also appeared above their heads.
"First-year students! First-year students, come here!"
Among the surrounding first-year wizards, Hagrid's tall figure was particularly eye-catching, with his messy hair and full beard, he scared many wizards as soon as he appeared.
Kyle even heard a crying tone.
Although Conna didn't cry, she wasn't doing much better, gripping Kyle's arm tightly, hurting him so much that he grimaced.
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But seeing Conna's terrified look, Kyle felt embarrassed to take it out directly, and could only bear it.
He didn't understand either, why was an eleven-year-old girl so strong?
"My name is Rubeus Hagrid, the groundskeeper of Hogwarts." Hagrid waved to the crowd, "First-year students, follow me, watch your step, I'll take you by boat to Hogwarts."
Kyle was the first to follow, leading Conna to the dimly lit area, which was also the brightest spot around.
At this moment, Conna also calmed down a lot, hurriedly releasing Kyle's arm, and blushing, she stammered, "Sorry."
Unfortunately, her voice was too soft, and there was always the sound of others' sudden movements around, so Kyle didn't hear what she said, he just nodded subconsciously.
...
To take care of the first-year wizards, Hagrid walked very slowly, and it took the group more than twenty minutes to finally finish the steep and narrow path.
After passing the last bend, Hagrid turned to face the crowd, pointing forward with a smile, "Come on, you're about to see Hogwarts for the first time, don't be distracted, this is the most beautiful scenery in the wizarding world."
Immediately, there was a chorus of gasps and exclamations.
Conna stood beside Kyle, staring at the front in a daze, muttering, "So beautiful..."
At the end of the path was the famous Black Lake, and on the opposite shore, a towering hill stood a majestic castle.
The castle was adorned with numerous towers, shining under the bright moon, as if it were built in the clouds.
The windows of the castle, glowing with light, were like stars in the sky.
Magnificent and splendid, it was like a miracle.
Even Kyle was stunned.
He once thought that the reason why Hogsmeade Station was in such a state was to set off the scene before him.
"Alright, first-years, we're going to take the boat, don't keep the professors waiting." Hagrid pointed to a team of small boats docked by the lake and shouted, "Remember, no more than four people per boat."
Kyle and Conna boarded the nearest small boat, along with two unfamiliar first-year wizards, one male and one female.
Judging by their appearance, they seemed extremely excited, even after boarding the boat, they kept muttering, saying that they must write home about this scene.
"Everyone on board?" Hagrid sat alone in a small boat, turning back to confirm one last time, "Alright... let's go!"
The team of small boats immediately rowed across the lake, passing by the low cliffs, through the ivy vines covering the cliffs, and finally entering a pitch-black tunnel.
(End of Chapter)
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