Hogwarts: I'm Harry's older cousin

Chapter 37. First Impressions at Hogwarts (Please vote!)

Before long, the express train arrived at its destination—Hogwarts Station.

The group of people, dressed in long robes, got off the train. Instead of the enchanting scenery they had imagined, they found only a dark and small platform and the biting cold wind of an autumn night.

"Wearing this will warm you up."

Dudley took off his scarf and tied it around Hermione's neck, who was constantly breathing on it, then took out a coat and draped it over her shoulders.

The coat was far too big for Hermione; it could practically fit her inside.

However, it's very warm.

"Thanks."

Hermione's face flushed slightly as she tightened the collar of her coat, making herself even more covered up.

"First-year students! First-year students, come this way!"

A kerosene lamp swayed above the students' heads, and a rough yet familiar voice rang out.

It's Hagrid.

When he saw Harry, he wanted to go up and say hello, but he stopped himself when he saw Dudley.

"First-year students, follow me, watch your step!"

Before long, a number of young wizards gathered around him. He carried a kerosene lamp and led the way forward. The young wizards followed Hagrid, slipping and stumbling, as they descended a steep, narrow, winding, and rugged path.

Dudley noticed something: the older students walked in another direction after getting off the platform, and only the first-year students were walking on this road.

"I read in 'A History of Hogwarts' that first-year students have to walk the path taken by the four great founders of Hogwarts to learn from their spirit," Hermione said, peeking out her furry little head from under her heavy blankets.

Dudley had only skimmed through what she said, but hadn't memorized it.

This is the difference between Dudley and Hermione. Hermione is indiscriminate in her knowledge and will memorize all sorts of random information, whether useful or not. Dudley, on the other hand, will deliberately choose to memorize things that are useful to him.

For example, Dudley had memorized the contents of Dudley's books perfectly for subjects like Potions and Herbalism, while Hermione had only read them and remembered the contents.

For Dudley, this distance wasn't even enough to warm up, but for the other young wizards, it left them breathless.

Fortunately, the journey had come to an end. At the end of the narrow path, a black lake suddenly appeared. On the opposite shore, a majestic castle stood on a high hillside, its spires towering and its windows twinkling under the starry sky.

That must be Hogwarts.

It is truly a magnificent building.

Just looking at Dali from afar, one can feel the grandeur of the castle. Thinking about spending the next few years there, it's hard not to feel a little excited.

I've never lived in a castle before.

"Hey kids, get on the boat! No more than four people per boat!"

Hagrid pointed to a fleet of small boats moored on the shore and said loudly.

For other young wizards, each boat could not carry more than four people. But for Dudley, the water level dropped to the level of four people just because he was the only one on board. So Dudley's boat was a one-man boat.

It is said that many magical aquatic creatures live at the bottom of this lake, but I don't know if it's true.

Dali stared blankly at the pitch-black lake.

For Dudley, Hogwarts was not just a place to learn, but also a treasure trove.

"Dadali, please allow me to address you this way."

Dudley's small boat was very close to Hagrid's, and he looked somewhat uneasy. He lowered his voice and whispered, "I'm sorry, oh, I mean, I shouldn't have..."

"Are you feeling any better?"

Hagrid spoke incoherently.

The scene of Dudley swallowing the tail left a deep impression on him.

"It's all over now," Dali said calmly.

Actually, there's still a small scar on his buttock, which he left intentionally as a warning to himself.

Dudley didn't actually dislike Hagrid. The conflict that day was caused by Hagrid hitting Vernon first. Dudley later heard from Penny that the reason Hagrid was rude to Vernon was because the two had some unpleasant experiences in the past.

Besides Hagrid, Vernon also had conflicts with some of Harry's father's friends.

Hagrid is a simple-minded person; he is not inherently bad.

Of course, sometimes simplicity is not a purely positive term.

This is Dali's reflection after his buttocks were taught a lesson.

"Really?"

Hagrid said in a deep, muffled voice.

"If possible, I hope you can invite me to your home in the future."

"Of course I'll bring Harry along, after all, you're a friend of my aunt and uncle."

"If you don't mind."

Dudley admitted that his words were driven by self-interest. He had studied the map of Hogwarts, and Hagrid's house was near the Forbidden Forest, which would become a place Dudley frequented. Therefore, it was still necessary to maintain a good relationship with Hagrid.

"Oh, ma'am, I mean, of course I don't mind."

Hagrid was somewhat incoherent, showing none of the rudeness he displayed earlier at the Dursleyan cottage.

After passing through a dark tunnel and arriving at a place resembling a dock beneath the castle, the small fleet finally stopped.

Professor McGonagall stood solemnly in front of the door.

"Professor McGonagall, a first-year student."

Hagrid said to Professor McGonagall.

"Thank you, Hagrid."

Professor McGonagall politely addressed Hagrid, then said to the other young wizards, "Come with me."

As he spoke, he pushed open the door, and the style of a medieval European castle unfolded before the young wizards. The walls were made of a gray stone. Dudley didn't know exactly what it was, but he was sure it was much harder than ordinary stone. The fact that Dudley couldn't break off a small piece even with great effort was enough to prove this point.

The stone walls were surrounded by blazing torches, the ceiling was so high that it was almost impossible to see the top, and in front of it was a luxurious marble staircase leading directly upstairs.

Walking up the stone floor, you can hear buzzing voices coming from the door on the right. It's obviously full of people. Follow Professor McGonagall to a small, empty room at the other end of the hall.

"I know, I read in 'A History of Hogwarts' that we have to be assigned to a house before we can officially begin our studies."

Hermione leaned close to Dudley and whispered.

Her voice wasn't loud, but Professor McGonagall heard it and gave her an approving look: "Well said, Miss Granger."

Welcome to Hogwarts.

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and began to speak.

"The opening banquet is about to begin. Before you take your seats, you should first confirm which college you will be attending."

"The Sorting Ceremony is a very important ceremony because during your time at Hogwarts, your house will be like your home. You will attend classes with other students in your house, live in the house dormitories, and spend your free time together in the house common rooms."

"The names of the four houses are: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."

I posted this morning's content early today because it's Monday.

(End of this chapter)