I, Hogwarts Second Time Around.

Chapter 4 I Like Money-Giving Fools (Please Read On)

"That's a threat," Hermione said angrily from behind Owen.

She swore she had never been this angry before.

Even when that mischievous neighbor's child used her treasured textbook to wipe his nose, she had never been this angry as she was today.

"When we get to Hogwarts, I will tell the professors everything that happened on the train."

"Whatever." Owen shrugged indifferently, then took two candies out of his pocket.

One was given to Harry, and the other to Ron.

"Let's be friends!"

"Forehead"

Harry stared blankly at the fruit candy Owen handed him.

Oh—it looks like he bought it.

"Harry, Harry Potter," Harry said, forcing a smile as he took the candy.

The taste in his mouth was a mixture of sweetness and bitterness, leaving him with a complex mix of emotions.

It turns out that not everyone in the magical world is a good person.

There are also bad kids like Dudley.

At that moment, a certain belief was planted in Harry's heart.

Ron Weasley.

"My name is Owen, Owen Sanchez." Owen smiled at the two of them. "After you've eaten my candy, we're friends now. Come to Slytherin if you need anything at school—um."

Should I still go to Slytherin?

Irving was slightly taken aback.

If it's a normal Harry Potter story.

Slytherin is definitely not a good choice.

He planned to go the white-robed wizard route in his second playthrough.

"Ahem, we're all first-year students anyway, we'll see each other often in the future." Owen chuckled casually as his thoughts drifted away.

Immediately, he planned to leave.

As Owen walked past Hermione, who stood in front of the cubicle door, looking at the formally dressed doorman, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Hmm—I must say, with that fierce look, he has the potential to be a door god.

She added jokingly, "Don't forget my Galleon, Miss Granger, I'm very poor."

"Of course, you're welcome to continue betting. I like young people who are willing to throw money at me." Owen's condescending tone almost detonated Hermione's powder keg. Her face turned red and then almost black.

If she hadn't known for certain that she couldn't beat him, she probably would have pounced on him and bitten him long ago.

After all, that's Hermione.

A first-grader dared to burn a professor's robe.

In his second year, he stole ingredients from Professor Snape to brew a Polyjuice Potion. (Oh! Poor Professor Snape!)

The third graders violated regulations by using a time converter.

Fourth grader captures Rita with a glass bottle.

The fifth graders organized a paramilitary unit called Dumbledore's Army.

Laugh—does she really think the little witch is some great philanthropist?

Owen had no doubt that Hermione, as she grew up, would cause him trouble.

After all, in the first playthrough, that black Hermione was his nemesis.

In fact, it was Hermione who led to the Dark Lord's ultimate defeat and the destruction of the entire Death Eater organization.

Because it was she who successfully helped Harry escape his pursuit on several occasions.

Even Irving himself—oh, by the way, how did he die?

Um.

It seems—maybe—probably—possibly—damn Gryffindor swordsman.

Neville, you old codger, you actually used the Shattering Curse to sneak up on me.

In an instant, a surge of malice rose in Irving's heart, and anger welled up within him. He quickened his pace involuntarily; it was time to go back.

He then stuffed all the snacks into Nawi's hands.

After all, he was a dark figure who had organized the Death Eaters.

I understand the principle of minimizing enemies and maximizing friends.

Regardless of whether he continues his unfinished business in the future, it's always good to maintain good relations with Harry and Nave; who knows, he might even be able to drag them down with him later.

Ooh ho ho!

Just imagining the scene of everyone participating in such a grand event is exciting.

Outside the window, Hogwarts sped across fields dotted with cattle and sheep.

The scents of meadows, forests, and sweet flowers drifted in through the cracks in the windows. The air seemed to carry a magical quality.

However, Neville, who was in the same cubicle, was not so happy.

He held a large pile of snacks with a worried expression, his head down, his little face scrunched up, looking extremely uncomfortable.

Especially when his eyes occasionally glanced at Irving, a look of fear, like a cat seeing a mouse, flashed across his face.

This torment continued until dusk began to fall. The last rays of golden light were obscured by deep purple clouds in the distance, and the train slowly slowed down, finally bringing it to an end.

Hogsmeade Station was a dark, small, and extremely rudimentary station.

Owen could guess with his toes that this dilapidated place was definitely under the Ministry of Magic's responsibility for repairs.

If it were a school, they would never wrong their students.

"First graders! First graders, come this way!"

Hearing Hagrid's familiar shouts, Owen, who had been shoving and pushing his way out of the crowd, felt inexplicably at ease.

Yes. The real Hagrid is a man.

Not a male mother.

Squeezing through the crowded platform, Irving easily found Hagrid's location.

Then comes the Hogwarts tradition.

Take a boat across the Black Lake and arrive at Hogwarts Castle.

It is said that the four founders of the school crossed the Black Lake in a famous boat—why didn't they use magic?

Ravenclaw personally selected the location, and Hogwarts was established.

Every year, new students must follow tradition and experience rowing across the Black Lake; this is considered part of Hogwarts' history education.

Unfortunately, apart from Hermione, probably none of these new students knew the significance of the ferry.

This education was completely pointless!

Hagrid led them along a steep, narrow path, while the older students took the wide, straight road in the opposite direction.

After walking several dozen steps, the narrow path revealed its end: a black lake and a tall, majestic castle on the opposite hillside.

"No more than four people per boat!" Hagrid shouted, pointing to a group of small boats moored on the shore.

Harry and Ron boarded the small boat immediately, while Owen, under Hermione's watchful eye, gladly joined them.

The small boat carried them through the ivy curtain covering the front of the cliff to a secluded, open entrance.

Hagrid, carrying a pine lamp, beckoned and led them through a dark tunnel that seemed to lead them to the basement of the castle, eventually arriving at a place resembling an underground dock, before climbing up a ground covered with gravel and pebbles.

They continued upwards until they finally arrived at a lawn covered in dew.

In the distance, the gates leading to Hogwarts are right in front of us.

It was a huge oak door, with the stories of the four founders inscribed on the door and on the walls on both sides.

As we all know, the paintings at Hogwarts are animated. Although the techniques used to create murals and paintings are completely different from the magic required, the murals in front of us are indeed animated, just not very nimbly.

"Is everyone here?" Hagrid roared.

None of the young wizards beside him answered.

The little ones' pale faces were filled with coldness, and they had no energy left to pay attention to this gentleman who looked quite 'not to be trifled with'.

"Alright!" Hagrid smiled somewhat awkwardly, then raised his fist and knocked three times on the castle gate.

This is a traditional British custom.

The British Parliament opens, the Queen arrives at the Houses of Parliament, and takes her seat. The doors then close.

Members of parliament and the prime minister, led by guards with black staffs, need to knock three times to enter.

The "Black Staff Guard" is the monarch's representative in the House of Lords.

This custom of knocking only after closing the door symbolizes the independence of the House of Commons from the British monarchy. (Its power of deliberation and debate is not subject to interference from the British Crown.)

As for why Hogwarts also has this rule, it may be to indicate that new students need to knock on the door of the temple of knowledge.

Hmm—once Owen travels back to reality, he'll definitely write to Rowling and ask her about it.

(End of this chapter)