Chapter 37 Arriving at Hogwarts
Before long, the express train reached its destination—Hogwarts Station.
The group, now dressed in robes, stepped off the train. There was no enchanting view as imagined, only a dark and cramped platform, with the biting chill of an autumn night wind.
"Put this on, it will keep you warm."
Dudley untied his own scarf and wrapped it around Hermione's neck, who was constantly blowing on her hands. He then draped a coat over her shoulders.
For Hermione, the coat was far too large, nearly enough to swallow her whole.
But it was very warm.
"Thank you."
Hermione's face turned slightly red as she pulled the collar tighter, wrapping herself more securely.
"First-years! First-years, over here!"
A kerosene lamp swayed above the students' heads, accompanied by a rough yet familiar voice.
It was Hagrid.
When he saw Harry, he wanted to greet him, but the sight of Dudley made him stop himself.
"First-years, follow me, and watch your step!"
Soon, a group of young wizards gathered around him. Holding the kerosene lamp, Hagrid led the way forward. The first-years stumbled and slid, following him down a steep, narrow, and winding path.
Dudley noticed one detail: the older students left the platform in another direction. Only the first-years took this path.
"I read in A History of Hogwarts that first-years must retrace the path once walked by the four great founders of Hogwarts, to learn their spirit." Hermione, bundled tightly, poked out a small, fuzzy head and spoke.
Dudley had skimmed that passage before but had not remembered it.
This was the difference between Dudley and Hermione. Hermione absorbed everything, whether useful or not, while Dudley deliberately memorized only what he found valuable.
For instance, Potions and Herbology. Dudley had already committed the textbooks to memory, while Hermione had merely read and retained the content.
For Dudley, this walk was hardly even a warm-up. For the other young wizards, though, it left them breathless and panting.
Fortunately, the path soon ended. The narrow road opened onto a black lake. On the opposite shore, high upon a hillside, stood a towering castle. Spires rose into the starry sky, and windows glimmered with light.
That had to be Hogwarts.
What a magnificent building.
Even from afar, Dudley could feel its grandeur. Thinking about spending the coming years within those walls, he could not help but feel a thrill of excitement.
He had never lived in a castle before.
"Hey, children, get on the boats. No more than four per boat!"
Hagrid pointed loudly to the row of boats moored at the shore.
For most young wizards, it meant four per boat. For Dudley, just his own weight lowered the boat as much as four students would. So he boarded alone.
It was said that many magical water creatures lived beneath this lake, though no one knew if it was true.
Dudley stared blankly at the pitch-black water.
To him, Hogwarts was not only a place of study but also a treasure trove.
"D-Dudley, if I may call you that."
The boat Dudley boarded was close to Hagrid's. Looking uneasy, Hagrid lowered his voice and said nervously, "Sorry. I mean, that day, I shouldn't have…"
"Is it better now?"
Hagrid's words tumbled out awkwardly.
The sight of Dudley swallowing a tail had left a deep impression on him.
"It's fine now," Dudley replied calmly.
In truth, there was still a faint scar on Dudley's backside, one he had deliberately kept as a reminder to himself.
At heart, Dudley did not truly dislike Hagrid. The conflict that day had begun only because Hagrid struck Vernon first. Later, Dudley heard from Petunia that Hagrid's rudeness toward Vernon came from unpleasant encounters between them in the past.
Aside from Hagrid, Vernon had also clashed with some of Harry's father's friends. Hagrid, by nature, was of the simple-minded sort. He was not truly a bad person.
Of course, simplicity was not always purely a compliment. This was Dudley's reflection after receiving a painful lesson on his backside.
"R-really?"
Hagrid's voice was muffled and gruff.
"If possible, I hope you'll invite me to your home as a guest someday," Dudley said. "Of course, I'll bring Harry along too, since you are a friend of my aunt and uncle. That is, if you don't mind."
Dudley admitted to himself that these words carried a strong sense of calculation. He had studied the map of Hogwarts and knew Hagrid's hut stood near the Forbidden Forest, which Dudley would often visit in the future. It was necessary to maintain a good relationship with Hagrid.
"Oh, th-that's wonderful—I mean, of course I don't mind!"
Hagrid stammered awkwardly, showing none of the rudeness he had displayed in the Dursleys' home.
After passing through a dark tunnel, the boats finally stopped at a dock-like place beneath the castle.
Professor McGonagall stood sternly at the great doors.
"First-years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said to her.
"Thank you, Hagrid."
She gave him a polite nod, then turned to the young wizards. "Follow me."
She pushed open the doors, and the style of a medieval European castle spread out before their eyes. The walls were built of gray stone—Dudley did not know exactly what kind, but it was clearly far harder than ordinary stone. Even using all his strength, he could not pry off the smallest fragment, which proved its toughness.
Torches blazed on the walls, the ceiling rose so high its peak was out of sight, and a grand marble staircase stood directly ahead, leading upstairs.
As they stepped across the stone floor, the sound of buzzing voices drifted from a door on the right, clearly from a room filled with people. Following Professor McGonagall, they continued to a small empty chamber on the other side of the hall.
"I know," Hermione whispered beside Dudley. "I read in A History of Hogwarts that we must be sorted into our houses before we can officially begin learning."
Her voice was not loud, but Professor McGonagall heard her and cast her an approving glance. "Well said, Miss Granger."
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said, clearing her throat before continuing.
"The Opening Feast is about to begin. Before you take your seats, we must first determine which house each of you will join."
"Sorting is an important ceremony, for during your years here, your house will be like your family at Hogwarts. You will attend classes with your housemates, live together in the dormitories, and spend your free time in the house common room."
"The four houses are called: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."
(This chapter ends)
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