Simultaneously traversing: the pinnacle of all realms

Hagrid was pleased—he always thought his rock cakes were quite delicious, but his friends just didn't appreciate it.

Xavier, however, was savoring it earnestly—chewing it heartily.

"Hmm... nuts, and something like dried fruit, and the aroma of dairy products," he commented.

To be honest, this tastes a bit like the teething snacks I ate in my past life, but much tastier.

Hagrid's eyes lit up even more after hearing this, and he kept adding several more pieces to his plate.

Xavier readily agreed, then said somewhat shyly, "Um, Hagrid, could I take some back with me later?"

Upon hearing this, Harry and the others looked at them as if they were looking at a warrior, filled with nothing but admiration.

As a result, Hagrid looked even happier, his beard trembling with joy, and he hurriedly stood up to prepare Xavier's meal.

After finishing their tea, Hagrid took the children to his vegetable garden.

Halloween has passed, but there are still many large pumpkins left in the field, each as big as a small table, with their orange-red skins gleaming warmly in the afternoon sun.

"These pumpkins are no longer needed," Hagrid said, scratching his head. "I want to give them to my friends in the Forbidden Forest."

By the way, Hagrid basically provided all the giant pumpkins for Halloween.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione tried to move the pumpkins, their faces turning red with frustration, but the pumpkins wouldn't budge.

Finally, using a levitation spell, they managed to lift the pumpkin off the ground and make it float shakily towards the edge of the vegetable garden.

Xavier thought for a moment, then walked to the largest pumpkin, bent down, gripped the edge of the bottom with both hands, and lifted it up steadily—the pumpkin, big enough to be used as a small table, was lifted up by him.

He turned around and walked steadily toward the Forbidden Forest, as if he were carrying nothing more than a pillow.

Harry and his friends were dumbfounded.

"Merlin's beard!" Hermione blurted out. "You're incredibly strong!"

Hermione seems to really like the interjection "Merlin's beard," it's almost become her catchphrase.

Perhaps she felt that saying it like that would make her seem more like a genuine wizard?

Hagrid laughed heartily, walked over, and patted Xavier on the shoulder.

The force of that slap was enough to send an ordinary student sprawling to the ground, but Xavier's body only sank slightly, without even swaying.

"Good lad!" Hagrid said, his eyes full of admiration. "You're almost as strong as me!"

Xavier knew this was an exaggeration.

Hagrid was, after all, a half-giant, and his true strength was beyond what humans could match.

-

On the way back to the castle from Hagrid's hut, Xavier carried a large bundle containing rock bread given to him by Hagrid, as well as some other food.

Harry walked over to Xavier and walked alongside him.

"You were really brave that night," Harry exclaimed. "Why didn't the Sorting Hat sort you into Gryffindor?"

Ron and Hermione nodded in agreement.

“No, Harry,” Xavier shook his head, giving him a meaningful look, “courage is not the only virtue.”

Harry didn't seem to fully understand the meaning of the sentence, but he didn't ask any further questions.

Over the next few months, Xavier and Harry's group gradually became acquainted and could be considered friends.

They would occasionally stop and chat when they met in the hallway, and sometimes they would sit down and eat together.

Xavier discovers that beneath Harry's "savior" exterior, he is actually a pretty ordinary kid—he likes to eat and play, isn't very enthusiastic about homework, but is exceptionally loyal to his friends.

-

One evening, Xavier was reading in his dormitory.

My roommate Ernie, who's always talking, leaned over and glanced at the cover, then gasped dramatically.

"Ancient magic script? Isn't that a third-year elective course?"

"Let's take a look beforehand," Xavier said.

"You're such a weirdo," Ernie said, shaking his head in an exaggeratedly strange tone.

"You really should go to Ravenclaw, shouldn't you, Justin?"

Justin leaned over from the side: "Don't listen to his nonsense. I think it's good to learn in advance."

Xavier smiled helplessly upon hearing this, put down his book, and decided to relax for a bit.

Ernie disappeared in the blink of an eye, and a moment later returned with a plate of food he had gotten from the kitchen—some desserts, and of course, his favorite butter cookies.

"Would you like to play Wizard Chess? I happen to have a set here."

Ernie, with food in his mouth, placed the plate on the table.

Several people sat together and set up a chessboard.

After several rounds, each side had its winners and losers. The common lounge was filled with the clattering of chess pieces colliding with each other and the groans of pieces being captured.

Hannah and Susan came over from the girls' dormitory and saw them playing chess, so they came over to watch for a while.

Hannah wasn't particularly interested in wizard chess, but she brought some homemade cookies—they didn't look very appealing, but they tasted good.

Xavier felt that the atmosphere of Hufflepuff was indeed very suitable for him.

-

The Quidditch season begins in November.

Unlike previous years, the atmosphere in Gryffindor and Slytherin is exceptionally tense this year.

That's not right either. According to the older students next to them, it's the same every year.

During the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin match, Harry's broom suddenly went out of control, bouncing wildly in mid-air and nearly throwing him off.

There was also trouble at the teachers' table—Snape's robes inexplicably caught fire, causing a commotion.

Gryffindor ultimately won, and Harry caught the Golden Snitch, but everyone could tell that something was off about the match.

Xavier saw that there was even some arguing on Gryffindor's territory, but he couldn't make out what they were arguing about.

-

Time flew by, and Hogwarts was covered in snow.

Christmas is coming.

The armor in the corridor was enchanted and could sing Christmas carols—though the tunes were always a bit off.

Peeves hid behind the door and threw snowballs at passing students; only the professors escaped unscathed.

By the way, the Christmas trees in Hogwarts were still provided by Hagrid.

Xavier decided to go home for Christmas and sent a letter to his parents a week before the holidays to tell them that he would be coming back by train.

Beth's reply arrived quickly, the letter paper stained with flour, her joy evident in her tone.

Although Christmas at Hogwarts is very appealing, Xavier still plans to go home and spend time with his parents.

Harry was a little down when he heard the news. Many of his friends had gone home—Hermione, for example, went home to spend Christmas with her parents.

Harry, on the other hand, planned to stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas holidays because he had no desire to return to Privet Road for Christmas.

Fortunately, Ron and his brothers stayed behind because Ron's parents were going to Romania to visit Charlie.

As a result, Ron's two twin brothers continued their pranks—they cast a spell on several snowballs, causing them to chase Professor Quirrell around and hit him behind his turban.

Xavier was somewhat terrified—he guessed that Voldemort, who had no nose, hated these two brats the most besides Harry.

"Oh God—no, Merlin, may you bless them!"

Xavier made the sign of the cross on his chest and prayed.