The three of them boarded the carriage, and even though it wasn't full, it slowly started moving.
Accompanied by the creaking and rattling of the wheels, the carriage clumsily made its way toward Hogwarts.
Tom opened the window, letting the faint musty and straw smell inside the compartment dissipate with the wind. Soon, the grand entrance gates of Hogwarts appeared in Tom's view. It was Tom's first time seeing the main entrance of Hogwarts; as a first-year, he had crossed the lake by boat and missed seeing the main gate.
There were many stone pillars on either side of the main entrance, with winged boars carved on top.
Legend had it that the four like-minded founders gathered and swore to establish the best wizarding school in the world. Later, Rowena Ravenclaw reportedly dreamt one night that she was led by a boar to the cliff by the lake. She observed the terrain in her dream and felt that it was an excellent location. So, the next morning, she followed the path from her dream, eventually finding the location and establishing Hogwarts with her friends.
Well, the English word for "疣猪" (boar) is "wart hog," which, when reversed, becomes "Hogwarts." That makes sense. However, another legend is not as reasonable: that the land of Hogwarts belongs to Slytherin.
Considering that Ravenclaw found the location following a dream, was it just a coincidence that it happened to be Salazar Slytherin's land? That seemed too convenient!
So, there are two possibilities. One is that Slytherin invited his friends to his territory, and then Ravenclaw eventually found the location. In that case, if Slytherin and his friends fell out later, it would be considered leaving home—or getting kicked out...
To be honest, if that were the case, Slytherin's situation would be a bit tragic.
But the second possibility is more likely: after Ravenclaw found the location, Slytherin bought the land. Although Hogwarts has a vast area nowadays— with a lake, a flat field, a castle, and a huge Forbidden Forest—Slytherin probably didn't spend much money, possibly even freeloaded.
Considering that it was the 11th century in the Scottish Highlands, rulers were constantly caught in cycles of infighting, changing kings, fighting with England, and internal struggles. The kings changed frequently, and they didn't have time to pay attention. Slytherin might have taken advantage of this chaos to secure this piece of land—maybe with some Confundus Charms, Imperius Curses, or other magical manipulations.
Afterward, the four founders jointly cast spells on the land, hiding Hogwarts. Once hidden, there was no need to pay for the land.
The carriage passed through the main gate, finally arriving at the base of the castle. Young wizards and witches filed in, entering the brightly lit Great Hall.
...
Meanwhile, Harry and Ron were still in the air.
If Harry had ever experienced the aroma of stinky tofu, he might have felt like he had turned into a piece of stinky tofu. However, he hadn't encountered this Eastern delicacy. Still, he had experienced the smell of blue cheese and canned sardines. The current scent in the Ford Anglia was a combination of blue cheese and canned sardines.
Despair-inducing stench.
The window was, of course, open, but the fresh air rushing in couldn't dispel the stubborn stench. If they weren't flying in the air, they would have wanted to open the car door.
Ron's eyes were filled with tears as he keenly felt the unfairness of fate. They were all students, but some could comfortably sit in the compartment, savoring chilled pumpkin juice, while he had to drive through a foul environment with smoke billowing from the engine.
Ancient wisdom: "When it rains, it pours." Often, one bad thing leads to another. For example, some people might discover, to their pleasant surprise, that their rented house had been canceled only after their flight back home was disrupted...
Harry, Ron, and the Flying Ford Anglia were facing such a situation. The engine was emitting a mournful sound.
"It's exhausted; it has never flown this far before," Ron explained anxiously, though he suspected the sewage smell might be to blame.
As the day darkened, stars appeared in the night sky. Harry put on his robe, and the windshield wipers were swinging silently, an unvoiced protest of the Ford Anglia.
But the protest was in vain. Harry and Ron had to reach Hogwarts.
Finally, Hogwarts Castle appeared on the horizon, and the Ford Anglia had reached its limit. Its engine made a groaning sound, and steam billowed from under the hood. Ron was desperate; he couldn't do anything. He could only grip the steering wheel and softly plead with the Ford Anglia to hold on a little longer.
As the car flew over the surface of the Black Lake, Harry's heart almost stopped. If the car suddenly plunged into the lake, all three of them would die today. As Harry was trying to remember how to swim, the car miraculously soared over the lake, then sputtered to a stop.
The car, carried by momentum, continued forward but began a rapid descent. Ron, with all his strength, managed to turn the steering wheel, guiding the car over the greenhouse, past the vegetable patch—
Boom! The car violently shook as it crashed into a tree. The interior of the car was a mess, and Harry slammed against the windshield. Hedwig screeched loudly, Lockhart bit his lip so hard it bled, and Ron, in the worst condition, had his wand broken, only a few splinters holding it together.
Worse yet, they quickly realized that the tree they hit seemed to be alive! Thick, snake-like branches angrily whipped at the car, causing the Ford Anglia to dodge in panic.
In the end, the Ford Anglia managed to escape the thrashing branches before it exploded. However, its patience with the passengers had reached its limit. They, along with their luggage, were ejected from the compartment.
The car, emitting steam, disappeared into the depths of the forest.
Ron looked at the taillights of the car disappearing from view, a face full of despair.
With a broken wand and a lost car, he couldn't face his future.
When a person falls into a pit, there's often someone who steps forward, kicking them a bit deeper. Lockhart wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, approached Ron, and said, "You need my help. Don't worry, just a simple little spell!"
He drew out his wand, and with a swift motion, Lockhart completely snapped Ron's wand in half.
"Let's go," Lockhart awkwardly smiled and walked away.
Harry and Ron struggled to carry their broken suitcases, making their way toward the school. Harry attempted to cast a Levitation Charm, but his incantation wasn't enough to lift the heavy luggage.
As they stumbled toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Lockhart had fallen behind. However, when Harry turned to look at him, he saw Lockhart raising his wand, pointing it at the two of them.
He flashed a brilliant smile. "Obliviate!"
You can read 180+ advanced chapters on my P@treon page for just 4$ !!
P@treon.com/young_sunlight
Collection/Tag is : TDDH
**Vote Power Stones to show support **
(End of this chapter)