Another Encounter with Harry

The Hogwarts "Express" steamed into the Scottish Highlands as dusk settled.

Outside the window, mountains loomed like ink, lakes lay like mirrors, and mist rose from the forests, as if the entire land held its breath in anticipation.

Inside the carriage, the clamor gradually subsided. Young wizards dozed or tidied their robes, the air filled with the sweet scent of pumpkin pasties and a hint of nervous excitement.

Yulian leaned by the window, his fingertips unconsciously stroking a hidden clasp on his cuff—a secret mechanism in his "tactical" school uniform. A gentle pull, and his wand would slide into his palm.

He didn't plan to use his wand for anything, just to feel its familiar, smooth texture, like holding onto a slumbering memory.

Hermione sat opposite him, sitting up straight, a copy of "Hogwarts: A History" spread across her knees. Her lips moved silently, clearly memorizing a passage about the House Cup, as if preparing for the start-of-term tests.

Lyria curled up in a corner. Although she had also changed into her school uniform, she still pulled up her hood, the brim casting her face into shadow. Only a pair of ice-blue eyes were visible, gazing at the fleeting scenery outside the window, lost in thought.

Rosier leaned against the other side, idly playing with the snake brooch, his gaze unfocused, as if still processing his family's past.

Neville sat alone on the floor, clutching his toad, Trevor, tightly. He mumbled something under his breath.

"I say," Yulian suddenly spoke, breaking the silence, "don't you guys think this journey has been... too smooth?"

"Isn't smooth a good thing?" Hermione asked without looking up. "Do you want to encounter a troll or a Dementor?"

"Not to that extent," Yulian chuckled. "But shouldn't there be some sense of ceremony? Like a mermaid suddenly popping out of the lake, or a three-headed dog wagging its tail at us by the castle entrance."

"Can your brain hold anything other than these bizarre things, like actual proper knowledge?" Hermione finally looked up, glaring at him, but the corners of her lips curved upward.

Just then, the train slowly decelerated, finally stopping at a small platform. The station name was blurry, with only a few magic lanterns swaying in the wind, casting long, distorted shadows.

"Where is this place? We shouldn't be at Hogwarts yet," Yulian said, standing up and stretching as he saw the train stop.

"Don't you even read?" Hermione shot him a look. "The train only goes to Hogsmeade Village. It's still a ways to the school."

Yulian shrugged indifferently. "Then let's all get off. We were told we could leave our luggage on the train."

Lyria hesitated for a long time, clutching a long, cylindrical package. Yulian patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, we're on Hogwarts grounds now, it should be safe."

Hermione also chimed in, saying the path ahead would be difficult. Only then did Lyria give up the idea of carrying the package herself.

After they disembarked, a voice as loud as thunder boomed in their ears. "First years! This way!"

The crowd poured out of the carriage. Yulian's eyes immediately fell upon a giant figure—Rubeus Hagrid, his beard a mess, but his smile as warm as a hearth fire. He held a wind-proof lantern, like a beacon.

"Hey, Harry, come over here," Hagrid shouted and waved in a certain direction.

A small, dark figure darted out from the distant crowd. "Hagrid." Harry also seemed delighted, hopping with excitement.

Seeing this, Yulian pulled Hermione along and squeezed through the crowd.

After greeting Harry, Hagrid counted the first-year students. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he spoke again, "Stick close to me, don't fall behind!" Waving his lantern, Hagrid led the chattering group of young wizards down a narrow path.

"Harry, Harry!" Harry, who was talking to Ron, turned his head and saw Yulian, whom he had met when visiting the Dursley family. He was overjoyed. Yulian was not only his cousin but also the first friend he had made in this world.

"Yulian! It's you!" Harry's voice was so loud that even Hagrid turned to look.

"Yeah, I didn't expect it either! I only realized it was you when that big guy called out," Yulian said apologetically, as he hadn't sought out Harry on the train.

Hermione, following behind, looked at the scoundrel in surprise. She and Neville had discussed the Savior several times on the train, but Yulian hadn't said much.

"Yulian, this is Ron Weasley," Harry happily introduced his new friend to Yulian. "He comes from a wizarding family and knows a lot of things we don't."

Ron looked a bit embarrassed by the introduction. "Hello, just call me Ron. I don't actually know that much." Ron's childhood, apart from playing, had indeed not involved learning anything particularly useful.

"Hello, Ron," Yulian extended his hand enthusiastically. "I actually saw your family at the station. I envy you guys. Harry and I don't have any direct siblings. It must be warm and lively."

"Haha, it's nothing much, it does get quite noisy," Ron shrugged nonchalantly, but he was actually pleased. It was the first time someone had said they envied his large family.

Harry then noticed Hermione behind him. "Oh, right, this is Hermione Granger. We just met on the train."

"Haha, no need for introductions. Hermione and I were classmates at St. George's Primary School. What a coincidence, right?" Yulian also laughed heartily.

Soon, the four of them were chatting and laughing together. Neville watched from afar with a hint of envy. Beside him, a little girl with long blonde hair and a baby-fat face also looked at them with envy.

At the end of the path lay a dark lake. The surface was as calm as black jade, reflecting the myriad stars in the sky.

"Four to a boat!" Hagrid shouted. "Don't crowd, don't be afraid. Once you're on the boat, they'll move on their own!"

Yulian, Hermione, Harry, and Ron naturally formed a group.

Behind them, Lyria, Rosier, Neville, and the blonde girl also boarded the same boat.

The boats were light but didn't wobble when stepped into. Once all the young wizards were seated, they automatically pushed off from the shore and glided silently towards the center of the lake.

The night breeze was cool, carrying moisture.

Hermione gripped the edge of the boat nervously, but still spoke incessantly, "This is the path the four founders of Hogwarts took when they built the school. I read about it in A History."

Ron glanced at Yulian with a hint of helplessness. Yulian answered before being asked, "Indeed, Hermione is such a chatterbox, she loves showing off her knowledge. You'll get used to it... Ouch!"

Before he could finish, Hermione landed a solid punch on his shoulder. They all burst into laughter.

Now that things were out in the open, the others understood Hermione's habit, and through their banter, Hermione also became aware of her own tendency.

On another boat, Rosier observed the runes on the bottom of the boat with great interest. Lyria closed her eyes, seemingly sensing the pulse of the lake water.

Suddenly, both of them startled. Rosier spoke first, "Something big is coming from underwater." Neville and the blonde girl, hearing this, huddled together in fear.

Lyria reached her hand into the water to feel. "It's okay, she's not hostile."

Hagrid also noticed the situation in the water. "There's a large octopus beneath the lake's surface, haha, but don't worry, she won't harm the young wizards. If you accidentally fall in, she'll even save you."

The small boats continued to sail, with barely any sense of movement. Yulian, however, lay back, his head resting on the side of the boat, hands tucked behind his head, gazing at the brilliant Milky Way above. The stars in the sky here seemed brighter than elsewhere.

"Hey, Yulian, be careful you don't fall out!" Hermione warned.

"Don't worry," Yulian said lazily. "Even if I fall, I can swim. Maybe I'll even meet a mermaid and she'll sing me a song."

Hermione was speechless. "Can you be a little more serious!"