Hogwarts: My Grandmother is the Queen

They continued chatting while sharing snacks.

Hannah and Susan enthusiastically introduced the magical properties of various snacks to the two freshmen with "Muggle backgrounds." For example, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans weren't as delicious as the lady had said; they might taste like snot or earwax. Bubble Gum could blow colored bubbles that wouldn't burst and could float in the classroom all day.

"Oh, speaking of classrooms," Justin mumbled, his mouth full of crucible cake, "do you know what kind of classes we have? I asked Professor McGonagall, and she told me to look at the textbooks."

"I know there are Transfiguration class, Potions class, Defense Against the Dark Arts..." Susan listed them off as if they were second nature.

Just then, the cubicle door was opened again.

This time, standing at the door was a girl with thick, long brown hair, slightly protruding front teeth, but bright and sharp eyes.

She wore a well-fitting new robe, stood tall with her head held high, one hand on her hip, her expression serious, and her tone carrying a businesslike urgency.

"Hello, excuse me for interrupting. Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville has lost his toad." She spoke quickly, her gaze sweeping rapidly over everyone in the cubicle, as well as the floor and under the seats.

Hannah and Susan shook their heads. Justin swallowed his cake and said, "Didn't see it." Henry also said no.

The girl's face showed a "I knew it" expression, as if she had already expected the result, but felt obligated to ask because of her duty.

"Thank you. If you see this, please tell him. He's extremely worried."

After she finished speaking, she turned to leave, but when her gaze swept over Henry's face, she seemed to pause for half a second, her brows furrowing rapidly as if she were recalling something, but then her attention was drawn away by a more important task.

She had clearly heard the commotion in the next stall, and immediately turned over, her clear voice ringing out again: "Excuse me! Has anyone seen a toad?"

"She's really efficient," Justin commented, watching her hurried departure.

"Her name is Hermione Granger," Hannah whispered, with a hint of camaraderie among fellow freshmen. "That's how she introduced herself at the station. She knows so much; she was already telling people about 'Hogwarts: A History' before she even got on the train."

"Sounds like a formidable person," Susan said succinctly.

Henry didn't join in the comments, but simply chewed slowly on the crucible cake.

As for Miss Know-It-All, those who know, know; she's naturally outgoing.

But it has nothing to do with Henry.

"So how are we going to sort ourselves into departments?" Justin suddenly asked. "I forgot to ask Professor McGonagall, but I don't think she'd tell me even if she did—Hannah? Hannah? Why do you look so pale?"

Henry looked over and saw that Hannah's face was indeed deathly pale, and one of her hands was still trembling uncontrollably.

"I... my dad said that the year he started school, he fought werewolves..."

"I heard it from my dad too," Susan said, as if recalling something unpleasant. "My mom told me she passed the banshee's test, and according to the rotation, it's highly likely she'll be the one this year..."

Justin's face turned pale instantly; he never expected the situation for new students to be so dire.

Henry suppressed a laugh. Of course he knew what the truth was—first they labeled people, and then… oh no, they sorted them into different schools. It wasn’t that scary.

However, he didn't expose it, but simply echoed, "Yes, that's really terrible."

"Look...you don't seem afraid at all?" Justin asked, trembling. "I can't even imagine what it would feel like to face the Banshee of Death..."

"Why be afraid?" Henry glanced at Justin. "Isn't the banshee Irish?"

"This is related to Ireland... Oh!" Justin said, then suddenly realized what he meant.

Indeed, the true siren who brought the death of Ireland was the great-great-grandmother of this prince before us.

As darkness fell, the view outside the car window showed rolling mountains shrouded in purple shadows.

The lights in the carriage came on, casting a warm glow.

Hannah and Susan, having calmed down a bit from their fear of the Sorting Test, began to discuss with Henry and Justin the items they had brought and the lessons they might need to prepare.

Finally, the train slowly slowed down and, accompanied by a long whistle, stopped next to a small, dark wooden platform with a "Hogsmeade" sign hanging on it.

The night wind was biting, carrying the chilly atmosphere unique to the Scottish Highlands.

Henry was very well prepared; he had already changed into thick clothes.

"First-year students, this way! First-year students! Follow me!"

A thunderous, gruff voice cut through the noise. At the end of the platform, a huge lantern swayed in the darkness, illuminating a towering figure. He stood out like a moving hill in the crowd.

It's Hagrid.

"My God, he's huge," Justin murmured, tilting his head back, his previous excitement replaced by awe.

"That must be the person who's picking us up," Henry said calmly. "We should head over there."

The new students huddled together in the light of Hagrid's lantern like startled animals. Many were seeing Hagrid for the first time, letting out suppressed gasps and whispers.

Hagrid, unconcerned, shouted in his booming voice, "Any more freshmen? Watch your step! Follow me, don't fall behind!"

They followed Hagrid, stumbling along a steep, narrow path that was pitch black except for Hagrid's lantern and the stars in the night sky.

Dense woods lined both sides, the night wind rustling through the treetops. Justin and many other freshmen nervously looked around, while Hannah clung tightly to Susan.

"Look down!" Hagrid shouted as the path suddenly opened up, revealing a wide expanse of black water.

It was a vast, dark lake. On the high hillside on the opposite shore, a majestic castle stood under the starry sky, its towers gleaming, and twinkling lights shining from its windows, reflected on the mirror-like lake surface, like another inverted magical world.

"Wow—" A collective gasp of amazement erupted from the crowd. Even for Hannah and Susan, who came from a wizarding family, seeing Hogwarts Castle from this angle for the first time was incredibly breathtaking.

Henry felt as if a familiar background music was playing in his ears... of course, it was music he had composed in his mind.

"No more than four people per boat!" Hagrid shouted, pointing to a group of small boats moored on the shore. The boats automatically moved closer to the shore, waiting for passengers.

Henry, Hannah, Susan, and Justin naturally boarded a boat, which rocked gently before smoothly and automatically heading towards the center of the lake, gliding across the dark water and creating ripples.

The lake was very calm, with only the faint sound of the boat's bow breaking the surface.

Everyone remained silent, gazing up at the approaching castle.

It is more magnificent than it appears from a distance, carrying with it a solemnity and mystery accumulated over thousands of years.

Henry gazed at the magical castle where he would live for seven years, feeling no fear, but rather curious about which academy he would be assigned to.

It's probably Hufflepuff, he thought. There aren't many people as loyal and honest as him anymore.