NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Crossing the Lake
"Five minutes until we arrive at Hogwarts! Please leave your luggage on the train, we'll take it up to the school for you."
The voice over the loudspeaker urged them on as the Hogwarts Express began to slow. At that moment, Percy reappeared, no one knew where he had gone, and started hurrying his younger siblings to get changed into their robes. Clearly, their mother's instructions carried serious weight. Allen couldn't help but think that, compared to the twin brothers, it was actually Percy who needed more looking after…
Thanks to trying it on beforehand, Allen got into his school robes with little trouble. He was only asked to make a few small adjustments to the accessories, though he couldn't be blamed; unlike the Weasleys, he wasn't used to wearing robes all the time.
The train gradually slowed to a stop. The students jostled toward the doors and stepped down onto a dark, cramped platform. Night had already fallen, and the chill of September in the British Highlands swept through the air. The cold wind from the mountains did a great job of cooling down the overexcited minds of the first-years.
And this was just the beginning.
When Allen spotted a man holding a lantern, so tall he could easily pass for two people stacked on top of each other, he suddenly remembered the Hogwarts first-year tradition: entering the school by boat.
Normally, when we think of boating, we imagine a bright summer morning with singles or lovey-dovey couples paddling through a quiet lake. The warm sun sparkles on gentle waves, creating a picturesque scene straight out of a postcard.
But Hogwarts?
Yeah… not quite.
Led by Hagrid, a group of both nervous and excited first-years slipped and stumbled their way down a steep, narrow path. Worth noting: Hagrid's lantern was their only source of light. Allen suspected this had to be another clever magical safeguard, because how else could a trail so treacherous to them seem perfectly normal for a man of Hagrid's size?
At the final bend, Hagrid raised his lantern high, and at that moment, Allen heard a collective gasp from the students up front. Curious, he hurried forward, and then he saw it.
In the dim, flickering light of the lanterns, nestled beside the vast lake that hugged half of Hogwarts' grounds, stood a towering castle perched on a cliff. Countless turrets pierced the night sky, and windows sparkled like stars under the deep purple heavens.
Under Hagrid's direction, the students were quickly assigned to boats. Naturally, Allen ended up in one with Fred and George Weasley, and, unexpectedly, a quiet girl who tagged along at the last second.
Originally, it was going to be just the three of them. But as they prepared to launch, the girl stepped up and asked in a voice so soft it could barely be heard over the lapping water, "Hi… I'm Angelina Johnson. Do you mind if I ride with you?"
Angelina Johnson? The name struck a familiar chord in Allen's mind. Then he laughed at himself. Of course it sounds familiar. Most of the current Hogwarts students, aside from a few sixth- and seventh-years, are all characters from the original story.
Naturally, the trio had no reason to turn her down. So, under Hagrid's booming call, the little fleet of boats pushed off and began gliding smoothly across the glassy lake. The breeze off the water carried away the last traces of warmth from their train ride.
As they sailed, Hogwarts loomed closer and closer. When Hagrid ducked his head and signaled them to do the same, their boats drifted beneath a curtain of ivy that draped the cliffside like a veil, revealing a hidden cavern entrance.
They floated through a dark tunnel until they emerged into a sort of underground harbor, where they stepped off onto damp stone and pebbled ground. Their waterborne journey had ended.
Hagrid performed a quick headcount, then led the group up a narrow tunnel carved into the rock. At last, they arrived on a flat, grassy area shadowed by the looming castle above.
Ahead of them rose a massive staircase, nearly a hundred stone steps, that led to an enormous, imposing oak door: the entrance to Hogwarts.
Hagrid raised a giant fist and knocked three times.
The doors creaked open, revealing a tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes. Though thin compared to the massive doors, her commanding presence filled the space. Her expression was stern as she addressed Hagrid.
"These are the first-years? Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take them from here."
Of course, Allen immediately knew who she was: Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and the person in charge of greeting new students.
And that was when it hit him, he finally remembered who that quiet girl was.
Angelina Johnson. Teammate of Harry Potter. Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Later, in Harry's fifth year, she'd even become captain. A strong-willed, confident girl who didn't hesitate to speak her mind. So… how on earth was this shy, soft-spoken child the same person?
Wait.
Allen suddenly recalled another key detail about Angelina: in Harry's fourth year, Fred's sixth, she had been Fred Weasley's date to the Yule Ball.
That… was interesting.
Allen glanced over at the twins with a mischievous gleam in his eye. Fred, oblivious to the look, suddenly sneezed. "Ugh, George… I think I'm catching a cold," he muttered.
Best of luck, Fred. Allen thought fondly. As long as I'm here, I won't let you fall in the final battle. Let's hope this brave, changed girl grabs hold of you before it's too late.
And George? Don't worry, Lee Jordan's a good guy. Besides, as the FFF (Forever Friendzoned Fraternity) says: heterosexual romance is for reproduction; bromance is eternal.
Another sneeze rang out, this time from George.
"Oh, Fred," he said, "looks like you were right. Damn weather's really something."
The three sneezes and their echoing banter drew Professor McGonagall's attention. With a flick of her wand, the torches on the surrounding walls flared up dramatically, flooding the area with light, and silencing the murmuring students in an instant.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, first-years," Professor McGonagall said crisply. She paused just a beat.
"Now, follow me."
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