Although Kyle was not particularly keen on taking the train, chatting and laughing with Kanna along the way kept it from being too boring.
Professor Sacia occasionally joined in, but most of the time, she preferred to quietly watch the scenery flashing past outside the window, as though reminiscing about her own days at Hogwarts.
By evening, the train pulled in beside the platform at Hogsmeade Station right on time.
Hagrid came over carrying an oil lamp, loudly calling for the first-year students to gather around him.
As usual, he needed to lead the new students across the lake to the castle.
"Long time no see, Hagrid!" Kyle stuck his head out of the train window and greeted him.
"Long time no see." Hagrid waved back happily.
"I waited for you all day. Never thought you'd choose to take the train to school. Didn't you always say the train was too slow and boring?"
"I said taking the train alone is boring," Kyle corrected him.
Just then, Kanna leaned out of the window and waved at Hagrid.
"Oh, Kanna." Hagrid said happily, "Minerva told me all about it. Congratulations on becoming a teaching assistant at Hogwarts."
"Thank you." Kanna smiled.
"By the way, Hagrid, you said you'd been waiting for me all day. Was there something you needed?" Kyle asked. "Why didn't you use the piece of parchment I gave you? You only need to write on it, and I'll be able to see it."
"It's nothing. I just wanted to tell you some good news." Hagrid's smile grew even wider. Leaning closer, he lowered his voice. "But since you're here now, you should wait for Minerva to tell you herself. I guarantee you'll be so happy you'll jump for joy."
"So happy I'll jump for joy..." Kyle raised an