Conna quickly left.
The Galleons on the table were not taken by Kael; a simple Levitating Spell returned them to Conna's pocket.
Kael would never swindle money from an eleven-year-old girl, even if she seemed quite wealthy.
It's a matter of principle.
Hmm... At least, he'd wait until he got back from Dorset to say anything.
Cedric glanced at the closed compartment door, then at Kael, who was visibly relieved, and instinctively said, "Um, I guess I'm technically your first customer, right? Can I also try the potion?"
"What are you talking about? That sounds way too formal."
With a serious look, Kael waved his hand and said, "You're my dearest friend, a brother in arms, not a customer."
"Yes, yes." Cedric nodded, "So about that potion trial..."
"Nope, that's only for customers."
"Uh..." Cedric stared at Kael, the corner of his eye twitching slightly.
It was the first time he'd seen someone speak so righteously about differential treatment and exploiting friends without an ounce of shame.
He learned something.
Cedric just felt a bit exhausted, so he took the initiative to change the topic, continuing about matters related to Hogwarts.
And when it comes to Hogwarts, Quidditch is an unavoidable topic since both of them love it.
Thus, the conversation naturally extended to professional Quidditch teams, but here, Kael and Cedric had a disagreement.
Kael liked the Wimbourne Wasps, while Cedric was a loyal fan of the Chudley Cannons.
Instantly, the atmosphere became tense.
Kael and Cedric looked at each other, and it seemed that invisible sparks were flying between their converging gazes.
Once a dispute between fans begins, surrendering is not an option. Neither backed down, and as time went on, the temperature in the compartment seemed to drop quite a bit.
Until a violent jolt interrupted their confrontation.
"The train will arrive at Hogwarts in five minutes, please leave your luggage on the train. It will be delivered to the school for you." A voice echoed through the train.
Kael and Cedric both looked away, and instinctively, neither glanced at the other again. Instead, they busied themselves changing into their robes.
Kael turned his head to glance out the window. By now, the sky had turned very dark, which explained the cold.
Luckily, the rain had stopped. Otherwise, he would have needed an umbrella.
The train's speed gradually slowed down and finally came to a halt.
After a ten-hour journey, the trip had finally reached its end.
Kael once again checked his robe and wand, ensuring everything was in order before following the bustling crowd off the train onto a small, dark platform.
The place was indeed dilapidated, overgrown with weeds, and the station sign was severely faded. The words "Hogsmeade Station" were extremely blurry, barely recognizable without close inspection.
There wasn't even a decent piece of pavement, and having just rained, Kael stepped into mud as soon as he got off.
"Scourgify."
Kael waved his wand over his shoes, carefully moving to a comparatively clean spot.
It's hard to believe a platform for a thousand-year-old school could be this run-down. Who would believe it?
If it wasn't called Hogwarts and if the headmaster wasn't Dumbledore, this platform alone wouldn't attract anyone.
At this moment, Kael also spotted Conna.
The little girl stood shivering in the crowd, her face pale even from a distance, clearly frightened by the surroundings.
Perhaps sensing someone looking at her, Conna instinctively turned her head and noticed Kael.
In that instant, she appeared to have found a lifeline, stumbling her way over.
Kael reached out to steady the nearly falling Conna, not saying a word, but pulling out his wand again and waving it over her robe.
"Scourgify."
The girl hadn't been watching her step while running and was splattered with mud.
After doing all that, he patted the little girl's shoulder with a smile and comforted her, "Don't be scared, it's safe here. Someone will come to pick us up soon."
"Okay." Conna replied softly, her head lowered.
Meanwhile, an oil lamp appeared above them.
"First-year students! First-year students, this way!"
In the midst of the first-year young wizards, Hagrid's huge figure was particularly conspicuous, complemented by his bushy hair and full beard, scaring quite a few young wizards right from the start.
Kael even heard someone about to cry.
Though Conna didn't cry, she wasn't much better, clutching Kael's arm so tightly it hurt.
But seeing Conna's terrified expression, Kael couldn't bring himself to retract his arm, so he endured it.
He couldn't understand why an eleven-year-old girl would have such strength.
"I'm Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts." Hagrid waved at everyone, "First-year students, follow me. Watch your step. I'm taking you across the lake to Hogwarts."
Kael was the first to follow, leading Conna under the dim lamplight, the brightest spot in the area.
Conna seemed much calmer now, quickly releasing Kael's arm and murmuring an apology with a flushed face, "Sorry."
Unfortunately, her voice was too soft, and amidst the constant exclamations from others, Kael didn't quite catch what she said, but nodded instinctively.
...
In consideration of the first-year young wizards, Hagrid walked slowly. The group stumbled along for over twenty minutes before finally reaching the end of the steep and narrow path.
After the last bend, Hagrid turned toward them, smiling as he pointed ahead, "Hurry on, you're about to see Hogwarts for the first time. Don't get distracted. This is the most beautiful view in the Magic Realm."
This was followed by a symphony of gasps and exclamations.
Conna stood beside Kael, gazing ahead in a daze, muttering to herself, "So beautiful...!"
The path opened up to the famous Black Lake, where a tall castle stood on the opposite mountain slope.
The castle's spires intertwined with the bright moon, as if it were built on the clouds.
The castle's lit windows were like stars in the sky.
Breathtaking, like a divine scene.
Even Kael was captivated.
He suspected the dilapidation of the Hogsmeade Platform was meant to highlight this view.
"Alright, first-years, we're getting ready to cross the lake. Don't keep the professors waiting." Hagrid pointed to a line of boats by the lake, "Remember, no more than four people per boat."
Kael and Conna boarded the nearest boat, along with two first-year young wizards they didn't recognize, a boy and a girl.
From their looks, they seemed elated, still chattering nonstop even after boarding, saying they must write home about this sight.
"Is everyone on board?" Hagrid, sitting alone in a boat, checked one last time, "Well then... off we go!"
A group of boats immediately began gliding across the lake's surface, passing low cliffs, weaving through ivy-draped slopes, and finally entering a dark tunnel.