The fields rushing past outside the window looked even more desolate now—the neat farmland had disappeared, replaced by woods, winding rivers, and dark green hills.
Time passed quickly as Harry and Brian continued chatting about different countries' customs and their upcoming life at Hogwarts. During their conversation, a round-faced boy tearfully opened the compartment door and asked if they had seen his pet toad. Brian recognized him as Neville, the slightly clumsy boy who would also be attending Hogwarts.
Brian and Harry both said they hadn't seen it, and Harry even offered a few comforting words. The boy left, visibly upset, the door clattering loudly behind him.
"Where's your pet, Brian?" Harry asked, as he bravely tasted a gray Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean.
Brian gave Harry a glance and replied flatly, "I didn't buy one. Pets are too expensive." Damn it, he thought, does he think everyone's as rich as him?
But then again, Harry's money had come from his parents, whose early deaths had cast a long shadow over his childhood.
"Oh, alright," Harry said, not pressing the matter. He tore open a colorful package and pulled out a cream cake that shimmered in shifting hues. He took a bite and looked surprised. Then he picked up another one and offered it to Brian. "Try this."
He had finally found a good friend—and wanted to share everything good with him.
Just as Brian unwrapped the cake, the compartment door opened again. The boy who had lost his toad was back, this time accompanied by a girl. She wore a brand-new Hogwarts robe, her brown hair was bushy and unkempt, and her most noticeable feature was a pair of prominent front teeth. As soon as she entered, she announced loudly, "Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one."
Her assertive tone made Brian frown slightly.
"We told him we haven't seen any toad," Harry replied.
"If you do, please bring it to the front carriage," she said. "Oh—are you two new students as well? I'm Hermione Granger. And you are?"
"Mike Brian," Brian replied coolly.
"Harry Potter," Harry said.
Hermione's eyes widened. "The Harry Potter? I've read about you in so many books!"
"Read about me?" Harry blinked, feeling like his head had swollen a size. The same feeling had come over him back in the Leaky Cauldron—people's enthusiasm made him deeply uncomfortable.
"Oh my goodness, you really don't know? If it were me, I'd be reading every book that mentioned me." Hermione stared at him, then continued, "Do you know which House you'll be sorted into? I've asked everyone. I hope to be in Gryffindor. They say it's the best—Dumbledore was in it! Ravenclaw seems fine too. As long as it's not Slytherin."
Brian looked at her calmly. "You seem to know quite a bit about the Hogwarts Houses, Miss Granger. Would you mind explaining them to us?"
Harry perked up. "Yeah, we don't know much. Could you tell us more? I don't want to embarrass myself later."
Harry was already feeling overwhelmed—he had never seen himself as a wizard and feared being sent back to the Dursleys if he failed.
Hermione nodded, her voice softening at their interest. "There are four Houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. None are bad, per se, but Slytherin has a pretty poor reputation."
"That's where Vol—sorry, You-Know-Who was, right?" Harry asked.
"Yes, but that's not all," Hermione said. "Most Slytherin students are from pure-blood wizarding families and tend to look down on Muggle-borns."
Suddenly remembering her mission, Hermione tugged Neville's arm. "Anyway, we still need to find his toad."
They left in a hurry. A moment later, Hermione popped her head back in. "You two should change into your robes—we're arriving soon."
Harry rummaged through his trunk and finally pulled out his black Hogwarts robes. The boys changed clothes and tidied the compartment, gathering snack wrappers and empty packages. Outside, the sky had darkened, and the train was slowing down.
"In five minutes, we'll be arriving at Hogwarts. Please leave your luggage on the train—it will be delivered to the school," said a voice over the loudspeaker.
Harry's stomach twisted with nerves. The train pulled into what looked like an ancient station, and voices rang out from the platform.
"First-years! First-years, over here!" a loud, familiar voice called.
A towering figure waved a large bronze lantern over his head. Harry's tension eased—it was Hagrid.
"Harry, over here! You alright?" Hagrid called out.
"Harry, Brian, you both alright? Any more first-years?" he added, looking around as he gathered the younger students.
"Watch your step!" he said as the group followed him down a steep, narrow path. Hermione and Neville chatted about wizarding history as they walked beside Harry and Brian. The group only paused when Hagrid brought them to the edge of a vast, black lake.
The moonlight glistened on the water's surface, forming shimmering ripples. Across the lake, on a high hill, stood the magnificent silhouette of Hogwarts Castle.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Hagrid said proudly, his deep voice filled with warmth. "We'll be taking boats—just like the four founders did. It's tradition!"
He launched into a brief history of the founders until Harry coughed politely, cutting him off. Hagrid gestured toward a line of small boats moored by the shore.
"No more than four per boat!" he instructed.
Hermione grabbed two girls, pulled Neville along, and jumped into a boat, eager to reach the castle.
Brian took a moment to examine the boats. Once he was sure they were safe, he stepped into the last one with Harry. Just then, a red-haired boy hurried up behind them.
"No space on the others," he muttered, looking at the departing boats. "Mind if I join you? I'm Ron—Ron Weasley."