Connor quickly left.
The Galleons left on the table remained untouched by Kyle. With a simple Levitation Charm, he returned them to Connor's pocket.
Kyle would never take money from an eleven-year-old girl, no matter how wealthy she appeared. It was a matter of principle.
Well... at least not until after his trip to Dorset.
Cedric glanced at the closed compartment door, then at Kyle, who was visibly relieved. Almost without thinking, he said, "So, uh, I guess I'm technically your first customer. Shouldn't I get to try out the potion?"
"What are you talking about? That's way too formal," Kyle said with an earnest expression, waving his hand dismissively. "You're my best friend, my brother in arms—not some customer."
"Uh-huh," Cedric nodded. "So about that potion trial…"
"Not happening. That stuff is strictly for customers."
"Seriously?" Cedric stared at Kyle, his eye twitching slightly.
This was the first time he'd met someone who could make favoritism and ripping off friends sound so justified. Shameless, really.
He was impressed.
With a weary sigh, Cedric decided to change the subject, steering the conversation back to Hogwarts-related topics. And when it came to Hogwarts, Quidditch was unavoidable—after all, both of them loved the sport.
Naturally, the topic shifted to professional Quidditch teams.
Here, however, they hit a snag.
Kyle was a die-hard fan of the Wimbourne Wasps, while Cedric was a staunch supporter of the Chudley Cannons.
Tension quickly mounted.
They locked eyes, and sparks seemed to fly in the air between them.
When Quidditch fans argue, surrender is never an option. Neither was willing to back down. As time went on, the temperature in the compartment seemed to drop noticeably.
It wasn't until a violent jolt from the train interrupted their standoff that the atmosphere shifted.
"The train will be arriving at Hogwarts in five minutes. Please leave your luggage on board; it will be delivered to the school," a voice echoed through the train.
Kyle and Cedric simultaneously broke eye contact. Without saying another word, they began changing into their robes.
Kyle glanced out the window. The sky had grown quite dark, which explained the sudden chill. Fortunately, the rain had stopped, or he'd have needed to grab an umbrella.
The train slowed down further until, finally, it came to a halt.
After a ten-hour journey, they had reached their destination.
Kyle double-checked his robes and wand to ensure everything was in order before stepping off the train and joining the bustling crowd on a small, dark platform.
The place was truly run-down—overgrown with weeds, the station sign heavily faded. The words "Hogsmeade Station" were barely legible unless you squinted.
Not a single proper paving stone was in sight, and the recent rain had turned the ground to mud. Kyle's first step off the train landed him ankle-deep in it.
"Scourgify."
With a wave of his wand, Kyle cleaned his shoes and carefully stepped onto a relatively dry patch of ground.
It was hard to believe that a thousand-year-old institution like Hogwarts had such a shabby station. Anyone who didn't know better would think it couldn't attract a single student.
If it weren't called Hogwarts, and if its headmaster weren't Albus Dumbledore, this station alone would be enough to scare people off.
Then Kyle spotted Canna again.
The young girl stood trembling in the crowd, her pale face clearly showing her fright at the unfamiliar surroundings.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, Canna turned her head and spotted Kyle.
At that moment, she seemed to find a lifeline. Stumbling, she ran toward him.
Kyle reached out to steady her before she could fall. Without a word, he pulled out his wand again and waved it at her robes.
"Scourgify."
The girl had gotten mud all over herself from not watching where she was going.
After taking care of that, Kyle gave her a reassuring smile and patted her on the shoulder. "Don't worry. This place is safe, and someone will come to pick us up soon."
Canna nodded faintly, her head bowed. "Okay," she whispered.
Just then, a lantern appeared overhead.
"First-years! First-years, over here!"
Amidst the crowd of first-year students, Hagrid's towering figure was unmistakable. His wild hair and thick beard made him stand out even more, startling quite a few of the younger children.
Kyle even heard some of them begin to sob.
Although Canna didn't cry, she wasn't far off, clinging to Kyle's arm with a grip so tight it made him wince.
Despite the discomfort, Kyle couldn't bring himself to shake her off—not when she looked so terrified.
He couldn't understand how an eleven-year-old girl could have such a strong grip.
"I'm Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts," Hagrid called out, waving to the group. "First-years, follow me. Watch your step. We're taking boats to the castle."
Kyle was the first to follow, guiding Canna under the lantern's glow—the brightest spot around.
Canna gradually calmed down and quickly released Kyle's arm, blushing furiously as she stammered, "Sorry."
Her voice was so soft, and with the surrounding commotion, Kyle didn't catch what she'd said. He just nodded absently.
...
To accommodate the first-years, Hagrid kept a slow pace. It took them over twenty minutes to navigate the steep, narrow path.
Finally, after rounding the last bend, Hagrid turned to the group with a smile. Pointing ahead, he said, "Look sharp, now. You're about to see Hogwarts for the first time—one of the most breathtaking sights in the magical world."
A collective gasp and exclamations of awe filled the air.
Canna stood beside Kyle, staring ahead in stunned silence. "It's so beautiful," she murmured.
The path ended at the edge of the Black Lake, and across the water, atop a towering hill, stood a majestic castle.
Its spires reached skyward, illuminated by the moonlight, as if it were floating among the clouds.
The countless lit windows sparkled like stars, creating a scene of unparalleled beauty.
Even Kyle found himself momentarily entranced.
He couldn't help but wonder if the sorry state of Hogsmeade Station was intentional—to make this view all the more striking.
"Alright, first-years, time to board the boats. Let's not keep the professors waiting," Hagrid announced, pointing to a line of small boats by the lakeshore. "Remember, no more than four to a boat."
Kyle and Canna stepped into the nearest boat, joined by two unfamiliar first-years—a boy and a girl.
The two newcomers were clearly bursting with excitement, chattering non-stop about writing home to describe the sight.
"Everyone aboard?" Hagrid asked, seated alone in his own boat. After a final headcount, he shouted, "Alright… off we go!"
The fleet of boats glided across the lake, passing beneath low cliffs and through ivy-covered tunnels before entering a pitch-dark cavern.
(End of Chapter)
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