The train continued its journey.
It wasn't until darkness fell that they arrived at Hogsmeade Station.
"All first-year students, follow me!"
As they disembarked, the towering figure of Hagrid appeared, lantern in hand.
"Hi, Hagrid!"
Harry eagerly stepped forward to greet him. Hagrid was the person he knew best in the wizarding world, and he was naturally thrilled to see him.
"Harry!"
Hagrid returned the greeting with a smile, waved to the others, and said, "Right, follow me, the boats are this way!"
He led the way, and under his guidance, everyone boarded the boats, passed through the tunnel under the bridge, crossed the lake, and finally landed on the shore near Hogwarts Castle.
After disembarking,
"This way!"
Hagrid called out and led the young wizards towards the entrance of Hogwarts Castle.
"I can take you only up to here. Go inside, up the stairs, and a professor will be waiting for you!" After these instructions, Hagrid departed.
Following his directions, everyone ascended the stairs.
As Hagrid had mentioned, they were soon greeted by a stern-looking woman wearing a wizard's hat and robe.
Professor McGonagall!
At one glance, William Li recognized her.
Upon seeing the students, Professor McGonagall surveyed everyone with a stern gaze.
Feeling her scrutiny, everyone instinctively fell silent.
"First of all, welcome to Hogwarts!"
She continued calmly, "Hogwarts is a school with a rich history, divided into four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."
"Shortly, you will undergo the Sorting Ceremony, a crucial step for all incoming students."
"This ceremony will determine the house best suited for you."
"From this point, your conduct will influence your house's points, culminating in the awarding of the House Cup to the house with the highest score at year's end."
After a brief pause, she added, "Now, wait here for a moment. I'll go and check everything is ready."
With that, she turned and entered the door behind her, leaving the students exchanging glances of anticipation.
Just then,
Three figures approached William Li and the others.
The leader was a young man with platinum blond hair and an arrogant demeanor, flanked by two burly boys.
William Li recognized him immediately.
It was Draco Malfoy, a prominent character throughout the Harry Potter series.
He grinned.
Given Malfoy's significant role throughout the series, William Li knew interacting with him could be highly beneficial.
The two followers, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, were also notable characters, though not as central as Hermione or Ron.
They represented valuable opportunities.
"Are you Harry Potter?"
Malfoy, wearing his arrogance like a cloak, scanned the group before his eyes settled on Harry.
He had never met Harry before, but it was easy to identify him given the small group.
First, discount the girls.
Then, those who appear less intelligent.
Finally, anyone with mixed racial features.
That left only one person, the boy with glasses: Harry.
"Who are you?" Harry asked, his expression tightening.
Malfoy's haughty demeanor instantly rubbed him the wrong way.
"Malfoy, Draco Malfoy," he responded with a slight arrogance.
"And what do you want with me?" Harry continued, his brow furrowed.
Malfoy glanced over the group and stated coolly, "I merely think you ought to associate with better acquaintances than these individuals."
His words instantly offended four people.
To Ron, Hermione, and William Li, grouped by Malfoy as unworthy, and to Harry, who had grown closer to them over the journey, Malfoy's dismissal was insulting.
Immediately,
"I know exactly whom I want to associate with!" Harry retorted sharply.
"Yeah, it's none of your business who Harry wants to meet!" Ron chimed in quickly, supporting Harry.
Malfoy's expression chilled. He looked disdainfully at Harry and remarked, "I thought you were intelligent, but it seems I was mistaken."
He then sneered at Ron, "Red hair? An old robe passed down? You must be a Weasley. A disgrace to pure-blood families."
He turned his scorn towards William Li and Hermione, "And these two, are they Mudbloods?"
Before anyone could react,
"Weak Legs Curse!"
A flash of light, and Malfoy's legs buckled, sending him to the ground.
All eyes turned to find the source of the spell.
It was William Li, holding his wand and looking sternly at Malfoy.
His wand, made of acacia wood with a core of dragon nerve, was high quality, though not as formidable as Dumbledore's Elder Wand.
"Please, repeat what you just said!" William Li demanded coldly, squatting down and tapping Malfoy's cheek.
The scene made Hermione curious.
"Why does William look so angry?" she whispered to Ron.
Harry also looked on, awaiting Ron's explanation.
"In the magical world, 'Mudblood' is a highly offensive term," Ron explained, puzzled, "But, William shouldn't be affected by it. After all, it's aimed at those from non-magical families, and his mother is a witch. He's a half-blood, not a Muggle-born."
"Oh," Harry and Hermione realized the implications.
And smart Hermione quickly understood William's anger was not for himself, but for her—she was the only Muggle-born witch among them.
Her gaze softened as she looked at William Li.
"So what if I repeat it? Mud—" Malfoy began, anger flaring.
But before he could finish,
"Slap!"
A firm slap cut him off.
"No, do you really dare to say it again?" Li William asked quietly.
Malfoy's cronies, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, started forward.
"Soft Legs Curse!"*2
William Li cast the spells without even looking.
"Thud!"*2
Like Malfoy, they collapsed.
He continued staring down Malfoy, "Still dare to say it?"
Malfoy opened his mouth, then seeing William Li's raised hand, promptly shut it.
He might be haughty, but he wasn't foolish. He knew when he was outmatched.
"Pathetic!"
Disappointed by Malfoy's easy capitulation, William Li shook his head. If Malfoy had persisted, he might have respected him more. But seeing him silenced so easily, he deemed Malfoy somewhat cowardly.
Considering Malfoy's age, his behavior wasn't unexpected. After all, he was just a child.
At this moment,
The younger wizards around looked at William Li with a mix of respect and fear.
His decisive actions marked him as someone not to be trifled with among his peers.
Suddenly,
"What happened here?" Professor McGonagall's stern voice cut through the murmurs.
She had returned to find the scene of commotion.
"Professor McGonagall!" Malfoy looked up, relief washing over his face.
"Professor!"
Ron, Hermione, and Harry's expressions shifted to apprehension.
Facing a professor, especially at their age, was daunting.
"Who will tell me what occurred?" Professor McGonagall asked, her gaze sweeping over the students.
Hermione, despite her nervousness, stepped forward to explain.
After she finished, she added, "If you must punish someone, let it be me. This was not William's concern; he acted on my behalf to address Malfoy's insult."
"Mudblood?"
Professor McGonagall frowned deeply, then after a pause, said, "Let it go. Put him down."
The term was offensive, and William's reaction, while severe, was understandable given the provocation.
It was a typical childhood altercation in the wizarding world, not warranting further investigation.
"Understood."
William Li nodded, released the spell, and helped Malfoy and his friends to their feet.
Respecting Professor McGonagall was essential, especially since she had a good rapport with his mother.
And after all, Malfoy had only insulted him; it wasn't a matter worth escalating to violence.
Once on his feet, Malfoy sneered, "I'll remember this!"
He then retreated with his cronies, wary of further reprimand from the professor.
And with that, the farce concluded.