HOGWARTS - HARRY

After boarding the boat, Neville's face tensed as he gripped the seat tightly with both hands, avoiding the edge of the boat at all costs. Two other first-years clambered in as well.

Once all four were seated, the boat moved on its own, gliding smoothly across the water without anyone rowing.

Dylan glanced down and was startled to see a massive squid, its suckers firmly attached to the bottom of the boat. The creature swam silently beneath the water, guiding them forward through the rocky cliffs and curtains of ivy.

Finally, the boat docked, and the squid sank into the depths, vanishing without a trace.

"I wonder if that kind of squid would taste good if it were chopped up and fried," Dylan mused, smacking his lips.

Neville, still trembling, hurriedly got off the boat and trotted to shore, releasing a long breath.

"Ahh..." he sighed in relief.

Dylan followed, giving him a casual reminder. "Don't rush so much. Make sure you didn't leave anything behind."

"Huh?" Neville froze, then hurriedly patted his pockets and checked his robes. His expression shifted from confusion to horror.

"Oh no! I've lost Trevor again!"

"What? Again?" Dylan raised an eyebrow.

He distinctly remembered Neville losing his toad once before—on the train to Hogwarts. Hermione had helped him search for it, which had led her to Harry and Ron's compartment. Dylan had wondered why Hermione hadn't shown up at his compartment, but in hindsight, she must have found the toad before reaching him.

However…

"I don't recall seeing a toad or any other creature on you earlier. So, did you lose Trevor before we even got on the boat?" Dylan asked.

Having mastered the Parasitic Possession Spell, Dylan could sense the presence of other living creatures nearby. Though he hadn't been paying close attention, looking back, he didn't recall detecting anything besides Neville himself.

Neville's face was now covered in anxious sweat. He scratched his head, struggling to remember when he last had his pet.

"It either fell on the way here or got left behind on the train," Dylan reasoned. "I think the latter is more likely."

After all, he hadn't seen any sign of Trevor since arriving at the dock.

"If it's still on the train, the house-elves will probably bring it to Hogwarts," Dylan added.

"But…" Neville hesitated.

"No 'but.' Even if Trevor fell along the way, we can't go back now. We'll have to wait until tomorrow," Dylan said matter-of-factly.

Neville looked dejected. "But I heard Hogwarts is full of dangers. I'm afraid something will happen to him…"

Dylan sighed at the sight of Neville's pitiful expression.

"Fine," he relented. "I'll try a Summoning Charm. If Trevor is nearby, I should be able to call him. But if he's still on the train or somewhere far away, there's nothing I can do."

"What? You can already cast a Summoning Charm?!" Neville looked at him in shock before his face lit up with hope. "Then I'll leave it to you!"

"Don't get your hopes up," Dylan warned.

With a flick of his wand, he cast the spell.

"Accio Trevor!"

A surge of magic burst from his wand, precisely targeting a nearby boat.

"Swish!"

A plump toad suddenly flew out from underneath it.

Dylan quickly halted the spell before Trevor could crash into him.

"Quack~"

Trevor landed with a soft thud on the ground, croaking in protest.

Neville rushed over, scooping up his beloved pet with tears of relief welling in his eyes.

"Oh my gosh, Dylan! You're amazing! I can't believe you can do such difficult magic! Thank you so much!" He sniffled. "Trevor must've fallen behind and chased after me all the way here!"

By now, most of the other first-years had already moved ahead.

Dylan shook his head. "Come on, let's go. We don't want to fall too far behind."

He strode forward, with Neville following closely behind, still clutching Trevor.

"You'd better not run off again!" Neville scolded his toad.

"Quack~"

Dylan glanced at the creature.

Plump. Slimy. Ugly.

Why would anyone keep a toad as a pet?

Was Neville raising it just to eventually use it for magical ingredients?

Dylan smirked to himself. "My Shadow is way cooler."

His pet, a sleek black cat, had an ominous appearance and an unusual moo-like meow. But so what?

Even Professor McGonagall was a cat when she transformed.

By that logic, Shadow was practically Professor McGonagall.

Besides, Shadow wasn't just any ordinary cat—it was a special species in its own right.

As they hurried to catch up with the group, the path led them to a massive set of doors.

"Bang! Bang!"

Hagrid knocked firmly, producing a loud echo.

Soon, the doors swung open, revealing Professor McGonagall standing in the entrance.

She wore a pristine emerald-green robe, its rich fabric flowing in elegant folds. Her iron-gray hair was neatly coiled into a perfect bun, not a single strand out of place.

Her sharp gaze swept over the first-years, her expression stern and unyielding. She looked completely different from the warm, approachable woman who had accompanied Dylan through Diagon Alley.

"Professor McGonagall, here are all the first-years," Hagrid announced in his booming voice.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here," Professor McGonagall said, nodding as she widened the doorway.

Hagrid stepped inside, while she gestured for the students to follow her.

"Come with me."

Dylan and Neville found themselves near the back of the group.

As they moved forward, Dylan took in his surroundings. The walls of the entrance hall were lined with intricate relief sculptures, each holding a glowing brazier.

He noticed that the carvings depicted the four house mascots—lion, snake, eagle, and badger—each with a pair of wings.

They appeared so lifelike that it almost felt like they were watching the new students enter.

"Interesting," Dylan murmured.

Hogwarts exuded an ancient, mysterious atmosphere, making him feel as if he had stepped through time itself.

"This is way better than watching 3D movies back in the day," he thought.

He vaguely remembered a 3D film he had watched long ago—one that featured Dementors floating ominously in the opening scene. As a child, he had found them terrifying.

Professor McGonagall led them to the entrance of a grand hall.

"Beyond these doors is the Great Hall," she announced. "You will soon enjoy a feast, but before that, you must go through the Sorting Ceremony."

The students murmured excitedly among themselves as anticipation filled the air.

Dylan, however, remained calm.

After all, he already had an idea of what awaited him.

(End of Chapter)

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