With Irina's reassurance, Hermione wasn't as anxious as before, but there was still a hint of worry on her face.
Time passed, and as the sun set, Hogwarts Castle gradually appeared in everyone's view.
The Hogwarts Express slowly came to a stop, and announcements echoed through each carriage, reminding the young witches and wizards to change into their school robes.
Meanwhile, Ron was steering the flying car toward Hogwarts School like a reckless daredevil. At that moment, Ron realized the flying car seemed to be losing control and no longer obeying his commands—it was plummeting toward the ground.
As everyone knows, Hogwarts School, the only magical school in the United Kingdom, is protected by the most powerful enchantments in the British wizarding world. If a flying car could simply enter the grounds, then Hogwarts Castle could no longer claim to be a safe haven.
As soon as the flying car crossed into Hogwarts' boundaries, it was instantly affected by the powerful magical field protecting the school. The overwhelming magical interference struck the car, causing most of its systems to malfunction.
"No!"
"Stop! Stop!"
Harry and Ron yelled in panic. Right in front of them loomed the Whomping Willow, a massive, ancient tree planted on the Hogwarts grounds.
But the flying car, disrupted by the magical field, didn't respond as they wished. Under the desperate stares of the two boys, it hurtled straight into the Whomping Willow.
CRACK!
A loud sound echoed as metal collided with wood. The flying car smashed into the thick trunk of the Whomping Willow, carrying Harry and Ron with it before finally crashing to the ground. The car's frame shook violently from the impact.
Thick black smoke billowed out from under the crushed hood. Luckily, the seatbelt had kept Harry from slamming into the car's roof.
"Are you okay, Ron?" Harry asked anxiously.
Ron replied in a trembling voice, "It's ruined! My wand! Look at my wand!"
He held up his wand, which had been nearly snapped in two by the earlier crash. The tip was broken off, leaving only a few splinters holding it together.
Just as Harry was about to reply, there was a sudden, powerful jolt. A tremendous force struck the car door beside Harry, denting it inward and shoving Harry against Ron.
Immediately afterward, another strong impact landed on the roof of the car, leaving a deep dent.
"What's happening?" Ron gasped, staring out the windshield.
Harry turned his head just in time to see a branch as thick as a python slam into the glass.
It was then that Harry realized what had attacked them: it wasn't just any tree—it was the Whomping Willow itself. The tree was violently swaying, its gnarled branches swinging like enormous arms, striking every part of the car within its reach.
Ron screamed as yet another branch punched a hole in the car's side door. Countless smaller twigs, each as thick as a finger, hammered violently against the windshield like hailstones. Meanwhile, the larger branches, as thick as battering rams, slammed wildly into the car's roof.
Far from the main entrance to Hogwarts Castle, the other young witches and wizards silently watched the Whomping Willow pummeling a flying car from several hundred meters away.
"Bloody hell, it's like a scene from a Quidditch match gone wrong!"
Watching this chaotic and strangely familiar sight, Lynn muttered to himself and mentally gave the Whomping Willow a thumbs-up.
At that moment, the castle doors opened, and the students looked away from the scene, filing into the castle in an orderly fashion.
Back at the Whomping Willow, the flying car suddenly roared to life and lurched out of the tree's reach, escaping its wrath.
But as though the car had developed a will of its own, it abruptly ejected Harry, Ron, and their luggage before driving off into the distance, leaving the two boys dumbfounded.
Harry, holding Hedwig's cage, stared after the car in shock. "That car... it seems like it has a mind of its own!"
Ron, equally stunned, muttered, "You told me it was automatic…"
Abandoned by the flying car, Harry and Ron dragged their luggage toward the castle's oak front doors.
Through the glowing windows, they could see that this year's Sorting Ceremony was already underway in the Great Hall.
Countless candles floated mid-air, illuminating four long, crowded tables. Golden plates and goblets sparkled in the warm light. The enchanted ceiling above reflected the night sky, dotted with stars.
Beyond the sea of black, pointed hats, Harry and Ron saw a nervous line of first-years entering the Great Hall. Among them was Ron's younger sister, Ginny.
At the same time, Professor McGonagall was placing the Sorting Hat onto the familiar four-legged stool.
"Wait…" Harry said, suddenly noticing something odd. "There's an empty seat at the staff table. Where's Snape?"
Hearing this, Ron also glanced at the staff table. He spotted the vacant chair that belonged to Professor Snape and said hopefully, "Maybe he's sick!"
Harry, who had always disliked Snape, replied with a smirk, "Maybe he quit because he didn't get the Defense Against the Dark Arts position!"
Ron nodded eagerly. "Or maybe he was fired! You know, everyone hates him!"
"Or maybe…" came a cold voice from behind them, "…he's waiting to find out why you two didn't arrive on the Hogwarts Express."
The chilling words made Harry and Ron freeze as though they'd been plunged into ice water. They turned stiffly to see Professor Snape standing behind them, his black robes billowing like bat wings and his eyes gleaming with malice.
"Follow me," Snape ordered icily.
The professor led Harry and Ron away just as the Great Hall erupted into the noise of the Sorting Ceremony concluding.
In the Great Hall, after standing to give his welcome speech, Professor Dumbledore announced the start of the feast.
The clinking of knives and forks rang out as students, both new and returning, enjoyed the magical banquet before them.
At the Gryffindor table, Hermione barely touched her food, her thoughts preoccupied with her two reckless friends.
But Irina, sitting beside her, stuffed a large chicken leg into Hermione's mouth, forcing her to chew without thinking.
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