"Hogwarts," Dudley murmured, the word a soft exhalation in the cool night air. Standing on the cliff, gazing at the majestic castle across the dark water, he felt a genuine flicker of anticipation. For the first time since returning to this world, he felt like he was on the cusp of a true adventure.
"Right then, everyone, into the boats!" Hagrid's voice boomed, echoing across the cliffside. "No more than four to a boat!"
On the shore below, a small fleet of wooden boats bobbed gently, each with a single, flickering lantern casting a warm, inviting glow. Dudley, Harry, and Ron found an empty boat and climbed in. Hermione, after a moment's hesitation, saw that the other boats were nearly full and made her way over.
"If you don't mind," Dudley said, gesturing to the empty seat, "come on up."
"Thank you," Hermione replied with a grateful smile, stepping carefully into the boat. Ron's initial wariness of her had been replaced by a grudging respect after she had stood up for them on the train.
"Thanks for speaking up for us earlier," Dudley said to her as the boat pushed off from the shore.
"You're welcome," she said, her tone earnest. "I was just telling the truth. Besides," she added, her voice dropping slightly, "I come from a Muggle family, too. What Malfoy said about… 'mudbloods'… he wasn't just insulting you. He was insulting all of us. You were right to teach him a lesson."
"It's a pity I didn't get to punch him," Ron said with a hint of genuine regret. "Dudley was too fast."
"Me too," Harry agreed with a grin. "By the time I even knew what was happening, they were already on the floor."
Hermione gave a shy smile and said nothing more. Under Hagrid's guidance, the fleet of small boats began to glide across the vast, black lake toward the castle. The dark water lapped against the sides of the boats, the sound a soft, rhythmic counterpoint to the excited whispers of the students. The braver ones dared to peer over the side, while the more timid huddled together, their eyes fixed on the distant, welcoming lights of the castle.
"My brother told me there are water monsters in this lake," Ron whispered, his voice trembling slightly, though whether from fear or the cold, it was hard to tell.
"They won't suddenly rush out and eat us, will they?" Hermione asked, her own voice laced with anxiety.
"Probably not," Harry reasoned. "Otherwise, Hogwarts would definitely send a professor to protect us."
Dudley, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them at the mention of "water monsters." His interest was piqued. He shifted his body slightly, his eyes scanning the inky depths. Even with the faint light from the castle, the lake was a void. Its water was a deep, impenetrable black, far darker than any ordinary lake.
He concentrated, his spiritual power flowing to his eyes. The pitch-black water slowly began to resolve into shades of grey and deep blue. Then, he saw them.
Swish.
A faint, silvery light streaked through the depths, moving with the speed and grace of a fish, yet possessing the unmistakable form of a person.
So, there is something strange in this lake, he thought, his gaze narrowing. There were extraordinary creatures living here, and some of them were humanoid.
Merpeople?
He had encountered legends of them in his past life. They were a powerful and often dangerous race, their songs capable of luring sailors to their doom. He wondered what form they took in this world. As he watched, he saw other strange shapes moving in the darkness—creatures that were definitely not of the mundane world.
Suddenly, one of the silvery figures stopped. It turned its head, its luminous eyes seeming to look directly at him, through the water, through the darkness. Faintly, as if from a great distance, he heard a hauntingly beautiful melody, a song that seemed to echo in his very soul…
"DUCK!"
Hagrid's loud shout startled him back to reality. He quickly lowered his head just as the boats began to pass under a thick curtain of ivy, entering a dark, hidden tunnel. They had arrived beneath the castle.
That was definitely a merperson, he thought. The song had been beautiful, but unlike the sirens of his past life, it hadn't carried any sense of malice or compulsion. These merpeople seemed… gentler. The surroundings of this castle are more exciting than I expected.
The boats soon reached a small, underground harbor. The first-years disembarked and followed Hagrid up a cobblestone path to a set of enormous oak doors. During the short walk, Neville, the boy who had lost his toad, let out a delighted cry. Trevor the toad had been found, hiding in a corner of his boat.
Hagrid raised a massive fist and knocked three times. A moment later, the great doors swung open, revealing Professor McGonagall. She was now dressed in emerald-green robes, her hair tied back in a severe bun. She looked every inch the formidable witch.
"I wondered where she went after the train," Ron whispered. "She must have come back to the castle to change." Professor McGonagall's sharp eyes seemed to catch his whisper, and she gave him a glare that made him shrink back into the crowd.
"Thank you, Hagrid," she said curtly. "First-years, follow me."
She led them into a vast, stone entrance hall, her voice echoing off the high ceiling. "Welcome to Hogwarts. Before you enter the Great Hall for the start-of-term banquet, you must first be sorted into your houses." She went on to give a brief overview of the four houses—Gryffindor for the brave, Hufflepuff for the just, Ravenclaw for the wise, and Slytherin for the ambitious. It was much the same as what Ron had told them, only more formal.
She didn't explain the sorting process, only mentioning that they would have to undergo a "test." This sent a wave of nervous whispers through the first-years. Hermione began frantically reciting spells under her breath, and Harry's face went pale.
"It will be a simple test," Dudley said quietly, his calm voice a steadying presence.
"I hope I can pass it," Harry murmured, though he did seem to relax slightly at his cousin's words.
"Alright, we are ready for you now," Professor McGonagall announced. She pushed open another set of massive doors.
A magnificent, awe-inspiring hall was revealed before them, its enchanted ceiling a perfect replica of the starry night sky outside.
***
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For More Chapters On All
Of My Fanfics!!] [www. p@treon.com/meowthtl]
[+300 Power Stones = +1 Bonus Chapter]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]