Hogwarts

Kanna left soon after.

Kyle didn't take the Galleons on the table. A simple Levitation Charm sent them back into Kanna's pocket.

Kyle wasn't about to swindle an eleven-year-old girl, even if she did look very rich.

It was a matter of principle.

Well... at least he'd wait until after he got back from Dorset.

Cedric glanced at the compartment door, still tightly shut, then at Kyle, who had clearly relaxed. He asked without thinking, "Um, I was technically your first customer, right? Couldn't I try one of those tonics too?"

"What are you saying? That's way too formal."

Kyle waved a hand with a serious expression. "You're my best friend, my brother in arms. You're no customer."

"Mm-hmm." Cedric nodded. "So, about that free tonic..."

"No. Those are only for customers."

"Uh..." Cedric stared straight at Kyle, the corner of his eye twitching.

It was his first time seeing someone draw such a clear distinction and take advantage of a friend with such shameless confidence. Did Kyle really have no shame at all?

He'd learned something new.

Cedric felt utterly exhausted. He could only change the subject himself and continue talking about Hogwarts.

And when it came to Hogwarts, there was no avoiding Quidditch, since they both loved the sport.

The conversation naturally moved on to professional Quidditch teams, but that was where Kyle and Cedric disagreed.

Kyle liked the Wimbourne Wasps, while Cedric was a devoted fan of the Chudley Cannons.

The atmosphere immediately grew tense.

Kyle and Cedric stared at each other. Where their gazes met, an invisible spark seemed to crackle.

Once an argument between fans began, neither side would ever concede. Neither of them would give an inch, and as time passed, the temperature in the compartment seemed to drop.

It wasn't until more than ten minutes later, when a violent jolt shook the train, that their standoff was interrupted.

"The train will arrive at Hogwarts in five minutes. Please leave your luggage on board. We'll have it delivered to the school for you." A voice echoed through the train.

Kyle and Cedric looked away at the same time. In perfect unspoken agreement, neither looked at the other again. Instead, they each began changing into their robes.

Kyle turned to look out the window. By now, it had grown very dark outside. No wonder it felt so cold.

At least the rain had stopped. Otherwise, he would have needed an umbrella.

The train slowed more and more, then finally came to a stop.

After ten hours, their journey had at last reached its end.

Kyle checked his robes and wand once more. Satisfied that everything was in order, he followed the bustling crowd off the train and onto a small, dark platform.

The place was truly run-down. Weeds grew all around, the station sign was badly faded, and the words "Hogsmeade Station" were so blurry that they were almost impossible to make out.

There wasn't even a decent paving stone in sight. Since it had just rained, Kyle stepped straight into a patch of mud as soon as he got off the train.

"Scourgify."

Kyle pointed his wand at his shoes and carefully moved to a spot that was at least somewhat clean.

Who would believe it if they heard that the platform of a thousand-year-old school was in this state?

If it weren't called Hogwarts, and if the headmaster weren't Dumbledore, they'd never attract any students with a platform like this.

Just then, Kyle spotted Kanna.

The girl was shivering in the crowd. Even from this distance, Kyle could see how pale she was. The scene before her had clearly frightened her badly.

Perhaps she sensed someone looking at her. Kanna turned her head instinctively and saw Kyle.

For a moment, she seemed to have found a lifeline. She stumbled over to him.

Kyle reached out to steady Kanna before she fell. He didn't say anything, just took out his wand again and flicked it at her robes.

"Scourgify."

The girl hadn't watched where she was going at all as she ran, and mud had splattered all over her.

Only after that was done did he smile and pat the girl on the shoulder reassuringly. "Don't be scared. It's safe here, and someone will come to collect us soon."

"Mm." Kanna lowered her head and answered softly.

At the same time, an oil lamp appeared above their heads.

"First-years! First-years, over here!"

With nothing but first-year students around him, Hagrid's enormous frame stood out all the more. Add his messy hair and thick beard, and his appearance was enough to scare quite a few young wizards.

Kyle even heard someone whimper.

Kanna didn't cry, but she wasn't much better. She clung tightly to Kyle's arm, making him wince in pain.

But seeing the terrified look on Kanna's face, Kyle couldn't bring himself to pull away. He could only grit his teeth and bear it.

He didn't understand it. How could an eleven-year-old girl have such a strong grip?

"My name's Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts." Hagrid waved to the group. "First-years, follow me. Watch your step. I'll take you by boat to Hogwarts."

Kyle was the first to follow, leading Kanna into the yellow glow of the lamp, the brightest spot around.

By now, Kanna had calmed down a little. She quickly let go of Kyle's arm and murmured with a red face, "Sorry."

Unfortunately, her voice was too soft, and other people kept making sudden noises around them. Kyle didn't hear what she'd said and only nodded instinctively.

To look after the first-year students, Hagrid walked very slowly. The group stumbled along for more than twenty minutes before they finally reached the end of the steep, narrow path.

As they passed the last bend, Hagrid turned to the group, smiling as he pointed ahead. "Come on, you're about to see Hogwarts for the first time. Don't get distracted. It's the most beautiful sight in the Wizarding World."

A chorus of gasps and cries of wonder followed.

Kanna stood beside Kyle, staring blankly ahead. "It's so beautiful...!" she murmured.

At the end of the path lay the famous Black Lake. On the far shore, a magnificent castle stood atop a steep hillside.

Its many towers rose high into the sky, gleaming alongside the bright moon. It looked as though it had been built among the clouds.

The castle's many glowing windows were like stars scattered across the sky.

It was breathtaking, like a miracle.

Even Kyle was spellbound.

For a while, he suspected that Hogsmeade Station had been left so shabby just to make this scene look all the more impressive.

"All right, first-years. Let's get into the boats. We can't keep the professors waiting." Hagrid pointed to a row of small boats moored at the lakeside and called loudly, "Remember, no more than four to a boat."

Kyle and Kanna climbed into the nearest boat. Two first-years they didn't know joined them, one boy and one girl.

They looked so excited that even after getting into the boat, they kept chattering away about how they had to write home and tell their families about what they'd seen.

"Is everyone aboard?" Hagrid sat alone in one of the small boats and turned to check one last time. "All right... off we go!"

The row of boats immediately glided across the lake, passing low cliffs and sailing beneath the ivy covering the mountainside, before finally entering a dark tunnel.