Another Encounter with Harry

The Hogwarts "Express" rolled into the Scottish Highlands at dusk.

Outside the window, the mountains were as dark as ink, and the lakes as still as mirrors. Thin mist rose from the woods, as if the entire land were holding its breath in anticipation.

Inside the carriage, the noise gradually died down. Some young wizards dozed, while others straightened their robes. The air was filled with the sweet scent of Pumpkin Pasties and a trace of nervous anticipation.

Yulian leaned against the window, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the hidden clasp at his cuff. It was the secret mechanism of his "tactical" school uniform. With a gentle tug, his wand would slide into his palm.

He had no intention of doing anything with the wand. He was merely enjoying its familiar, warm touch, like holding a fragment of a sleeping memory.

Hermione sat upright across from him, Hogwarts: A History spread across her knees. Her lips moved silently as she memorized some passage about the House Cup, evidently preparing for the start-of-term test.

Lyria was curled up in the corner. Though she had changed into her school uniform as well, she had still pulled up her hood. Its brim hid her face in shadow, leaving only a pair of icy-blue eyes visible as she watched the scenery flash past outside, no one knowing what she was thinking.

Rosier lounged against the opposite side, her fingers playing with the serpent-shaped brooch. Her gaze drifted aimlessly, as if she were still digesting the history of her family.

Neville sat alone on the floor, clutching the toad named Trevor tightly in his hands. No one knew what he was muttering under his breath.

"I'm saying," Yulian suddenly spoke, breaking the silence, "doesn't anyone feel that this journey... has gone too smoothly?"

"Isn't smooth good?" Hermione didn't even raise her head. "Would you rather run into a Troll or a Dementor?"

"Not necessarily." Yulian smiled. "But there should at least be some sense of occasion, right? Like a mermaid suddenly emerging from the lake, or a three-headed dog wagging its tail at us by the castle gates."

"Can your head hold anything serious besides those strange things?" Hermione finally looked up and glared at him, though the corners of her lips curled upward slightly.

Just then, the train began to slow and finally pulled into a small station. The station name was blurred and illegible. Only a few magical lanterns swayed in the wind, casting long, twisted shadows.

"What is this place? We haven't reached Hogwarts yet, have we?" Yulian stood and stretched when he saw the train stop.

"You don't read at all, do you?" Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "The train only goes as far as Hogsmeade Village. There's still some distance to go before we reach the school."

Yulian shrugged indifferently. "Then everyone should get off. They said earlier that we could leave our luggage on the train."

Lyria hesitated for a long time, hugging the long package in her arms. Yulian patted her. "Don't worry. We're on Hogwarts grounds now, so it should be safe."

Hermione also tried to persuade her from the side, saying that the road ahead would be difficult to walk. Only then did Lyria give up on carrying the package with her.

After several of them got off the train, a booming voice like thunder exploded beside their ears. "First-years! This way!"

The crowd poured out of the carriages, and Yulian immediately spotted the giant-like figure—Rubeus Hagrid. His beard was wild and untidy, but his smile was warm as a hearth fire. He carried a storm lantern in one hand, standing like a lighthouse.

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

A small black figure darted out from the distant crowd. "Hagrid." Harry looked delighted too, hopping along as he came.

Seeing this, Yulian pulled Hermione through the crowd.

After greeting Harry, Hagrid counted the new students. Once he saw that everyone had arrived, he spoke again. "Stay close, and don't fall behind!" Waving his lantern, Hagrid led a group of chattering young wizards toward a narrow path.

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

"Yulian! What are you doing here?" Harry's voice was loud enough that even Hagrid turned to look.

"Yeah, I didn't expect it either! I only realized it was you after I heard that big guy call your name." Since he felt a little guilty for not looking for Harry after boarding the train, Yulian explained himself that way.

Hermione, walking behind them, stared at this scumbag in shock. She and Neville had discussed this Savior several times on the train, yet Yulian had said almost nothing.

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

Ron looked a little embarrassed by the praise. "Hi. Just call me Ron. I don't actually know that much." Aside from playing around, Ron's childhood had indeed taught him very little of particular use.

"Hello, Ron." Yulian enthusiastically held out his hand. "Actually, I saw your family at the station. I'm really jealous of you. Harry and I don't have any siblings of our own. It must be really warm and lively, right?"

"Haha, it's nothing special. It is pretty noisy, though." Ron shrugged as if he didn't care, but he was actually delighted. It was the first time anyone had said they envied his large family.

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

"Haha, no introduction needed. Hermione and I were classmates at St. George's Primary School. What are the odds?" Yulian laughed heartily.

Before long, the four of them were chatting and laughing like old friends. Neville watched them from a distance, feeling a little envious. Beside him, a little girl with long blond hair and chubby cheeks was also gazing at them enviously.

At the end of the path lay a pitch-black lake. Its surface was as calm as black jade, reflecting the stars scattered across the sky.

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

Yulian, Hermione, Harry, and Ron naturally ended up in one group.

Behind them, Lyria, Rosier, Neville, and the blond-haired girl boarded another boat together.

The boats were light, but they did not rock when stepped into. Once all the young wizards had settled down, they automatically pushed away from the shore and glided silently toward the center of the lake.

The night wind was cool and damp with moisture.

Hermione gripped the side of the boat nervously, but she continued speaking without pause. "This is the route the Four Founders of Hogwarts took when they established the school. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History."

Ron gave Yulian a helpless look. Yulian answered without being asked, "That's right. Hermione is just this much of a chatterbox. She loves showing off her knowledge. Once you get used to it... ow!"

Before he could finish, Hermione punched him hard in the shoulder. The others burst out laughing.

Once everything had been said aloud, the others understood Hermione's habits as well, and their banter also helped Hermione realize her own problem.

On the other boat, Rosier was studying the runes on the underside with great interest. Lyria had her eyes closed, as if sensing the pulse of the lake water.

Suddenly, they both started in surprise. Rosier spoke first. "There's something huge coming over underwater." Neville and the blond-haired girl huddled tightly together in fright.

Lyria dipped her hand into the water and sensed it for a moment. "It's fine. She means no harm."

Hagrid noticed what was happening in the water as well. "There's a giant squid beneath the lake. Ha ha, but don't be afraid. She won't hurt young wizards. If you accidentally fall into the water, she'll even rescue you."

The little boats continued onward with barely a ripple. Yulian, however, lay back with his head resting against the side and his hands behind it, gazing at the brilliant Milky Way overhead. The stars here seemed brighter than those anywhere else.

"Hey, Yulian, be careful not to fall in!" Hermione warned.

"Relax," Yulian said lazily. "Even if I fall in, I can swim. Maybe I'll even run into a mermaid and have her sing me a song."

Hermione was speechless. "Can you be serious for once?"