The Hufflepuff Common Room.
It was a large underground chamber with a low, rounded ceiling. A blazing fireplace stood directly opposite the passageway, filling the entire room with warmth. Round windows had been carved into the surrounding walls, and bright moonlight poured in through them.
By then, people were already sitting on the sofas in the Common Room, warming themselves by the fire and basking in the starlight. The first-years who had arrived ahead of them had all gathered there as well, still unaware of where their dormitories were.
Li Mu continued observing the Common Room, guessing that it was probably a large circular pit dug outside the castle, perhaps right next to the greenhouses used for Herbology lessons. He could see countless flowers and plants through the round windows.
A breeze stirred the grass, while starlight and moonlight spilled across the emerald green, making the scene especially tranquil.
It was utterly different from the deep, shadowy nightscapes of mountain forests, and he found himself staring at it in a daze.
"Waaah... Move aside!" Unfortunately, a cry from behind quickly shattered the silence.
Li Mu reacted at once, darting to the side and narrowly avoiding Justin Finch-Fletchley, who slid down from the passageway. Then he watched helplessly as Justin landed face-first in the dirt with a splat. A burst of laughter erupted from the Common Room.
"N-no, sorry." The sharp-faced boy climbed out of the dirt and frantically dusted himself off.
"It's fine." Li Mu turned back, only to freeze. Behind him were two dark openings. Justin had come from the passage on the left, so what was the opening on the right...?
"This slope isn't steep, Finnegan." Cedric's voice came from the barrel passage behind Justin. "You can control your speed as you slide down. Just stay calm and keep your balance."
As he spoke, Cedric slid out of the passage and landed steadily on the ground. He patted Justin on the shoulder, then pointed behind him and continued explaining to the first-years. "As you can see, there are actually two passages here—if you want to leave, climb up through the opening on the right. It connects to another barrel. Enter from the left and exit from the right. Don't get them mixed up."
The first-years answered in agreement, and only then did Cedric relax.
"Now, look at these two doors in the walls of the Common Room. The boys' dormitory is on the left, and the girls' dormitory is on the right..."
"Whoa..." The first-years murmured in surprise. Only after Cedric pointed them out did they notice the round stone doors set into the curved walls on either side of the Common Room. Both doors were yellowish-brown and nearly impossible to spot without looking closely. The words "Boys" and "Girls" had been carved into them and could only be seen up close.
"Your names have already been posted on the doors, and your luggage has been placed in your dormitories ahead of time. If you want to make a good showing in your first day of classes, you should get to bed early." Cedric smiled.
After a day of travel, the first-years split into two groups and went their separate ways.
Perhaps because it was underground, Hufflepuff's dormitories were a little smaller than Gryffindor's—or perhaps they were simply more comfortable. Li Mu was surprised to discover that every Hufflepuff room housed three people.
And he happened to be sharing one with Ernie Macmillan and Justin Finch-Fletchley.
The room contained three four-poster beds with curtains, each covered by quilts patterned with patches of different colors. A brass lamp stood at every bedside, casting a soft, warm glow when switched on. To Li Mu's delight, the beds even came with solid wooden desks, like the computer desks he had used before crossing over. If flipped open, they allowed him to sit on the bed and read or write.
He thought he should send Old Li Jianmin a letter to report on how things were going in England. A trace of guilt rose in his heart again. He had, after all, let the old man down by giving up the path of cultivation, which was spoken of in such mystical terms throughout China. Had that choice been too rash? Could it even have been a mistake?
Then he remembered that he did not own an owl. Even if he wrote the letter, he could only send it through the public post office.
How far could those scrawny owls at the public post office fly?... He seriously doubted it. If only this era already had text messages, or even the internet.
Li Mu sat at the head of his bed, his thoughts drifting as he gazed at the wall opposite him. Cold light streamed through a round window in the same style as those in the Common Room, only to be softened by the warm glow of the brass lamp.
The dormitory air was still thick with the scent of earth. He had never expected to be sorted into Hufflepuff. From now on, he was truly someone "born and raised in the dirt."
No matter what, the most important thing now was to get some sleep first.
After the long journey, even he felt somewhat tired. Justin was already lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. Ernie Macmillan was no longer in the mood to talk either, drooping his eyelids as he sorted out his pajamas.
Li Mu said to his roommates, "All right, then. Good night, everyone."
"Good night," Justin and Macmillan said together.
At least tonight had been a good night. Hopefully tomorrow would be a good day too. Li Mu quietly closed his eyes. He had not completed his pre-sleep meditation task, but he could not be bothered with that now.
He quickly fell asleep, sleeping deeply.
Unfortunately, the facts would prove that Li Mu was destined to greet his first day of school in frustration.
End of Chapter
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