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It didn't take long for the Hogwarts Express to reach the final stop of the journey — Hogwarts Station.
Now dressed in their robes, the three of them stepped off the train.
There was no enchanting scenery like they had imagined.
Just a small, dim, almost deserted platform… and the biting chill of an autumn night.
"Put this on, it'll keep you warm."
Dudley took off his scarf and wrapped it around Hermione's neck, as she kept rubbing her hands together and blowing warm air into them.
Then he took out a coat and draped it over her shoulders.
The coat was far too big.
It almost swallowed her whole.
But it was warm.
"Thank you…"
A faint blush spread across Hermione's face.
She pulled the coat tighter around herself.
"First-years! First-years, over here!"
A lantern swung above the students' heads.
A deep, familiar voice rang out.
It was Hagrid.
When he saw Harry, he seemed about to greet him—
But the moment he noticed Dudley, he hesitated and held himself back.
"First-years, follow me! Watch your step!"
Before long, a group of young wizards gathered around him.
Holding the lantern, Hagrid led the way down a steep, narrow, winding path.
The students slipped, stumbled, and struggled as they made their way down.
Dudley noticed something right away.
The older students had gone off in a different direction after leaving the train.
This path was meant only for first-years.
"I read in A History of Hogwarts that first-years have to retrace the path the four founders once walked, to learn their spirit."
Hermione, wrapped tightly in the oversized coat, poked her head out like a small, curious creature as she explained.
Dudley vaguely remembered reading that.
But he hadn't bothered memorizing it.
That was the difference between him and Hermione.
Hermione absorbed all kinds of knowledge, whether useful or not.
Dudley, on the other hand, was selective about what he committed to memory.
Like Potions and Herbology.
Those were subjects he had already studied inside and out.
Hermione, by contrast, had simply read them and remembered the content.
For Dudley, this walk didn't even count as a warm-up.
But for the others, it was enough to leave them out of breath.
Fortunately, they reached the end.
The narrow path suddenly opened up to reveal a vast black lake.
On the other side, atop a high slope, stood a magnificent castle.
Its towers rose into the sky, and its many windows shimmered under the starlight.
That had to be Hogwarts.
It was truly a magnificent sight.
Even from a distance, Dudley could feel its imposing presence.
Thinking about spending the next few years there…
He couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement.
He had never lived in a castle before.
"Hey, kids! Into the boats! No more than four per boat!"
Hagrid pointed at a line of small boats by the shore.
For the others, it was four per boat.
For Dudley…
If he got in alone, the water level dropped as if four people had boarded.
So he ended up taking a boat by himself.
It was said that many magical aquatic creatures lived beneath the lake.
Whether that was true or not…
No one could say for sure.
Dudley stared at the dark surface of the water, lost in thought.
To him, Hogwarts wasn't just a school.
It was a treasure trove.
"D-Dudley… if you don't mind me calling you that…"
His boat drifted close to Hagrid's.
The giant looked a bit uneasy, lowering his voice.
"Sorry… I mean… that day, I shouldn't have…"
"Are you… alright now?"
He clearly still remembered what had happened.
"I'm fine now."
Dudley replied calmly.
In truth, there was still a faint scar.
He had kept it on purpose.
As a reminder.
At his core, Dudley didn't exactly dislike Hagrid.
That conflict had started because Hagrid struck Vernon first.
Later, Dudley heard Petunia mention that the two had clashed before.
Vernon had also argued with some of Harry's father's friends.
Hagrid was, at heart, a simple person.
Not a bad one.
Though sometimes, being "simple" wasn't exactly a compliment.
That was a lesson Dudley had learned…
the hard way.
"R-Really…?"
Hagrid said, still a bit awkward.
"If possible, I'd like you to invite me to your place sometime."
"Of course, I'll bring Harry too. After all, you're friends with my aunt and uncle."
"If you don't mind."
Dudley admitted to himself—
There was a clear ulterior motive behind those words.
He had already studied the layout of Hogwarts.
Hagrid's hut was near the Forbidden Forest.
And that place…
Would become somewhere he visited often.
Maintaining a good relationship with Hagrid was important.
"Oh… t-that's great… I mean… of course I don't mind!"
Hagrid stammered, clearly flustered.
Nothing like the rough attitude he had shown at the Dursleys' hut.
After passing through a dark tunnel, they arrived at what looked like a dock beneath the castle.
The boats finally came to a stop.
Professor McGonagall stood at the entrance, her expression stern.
"First-year students, Professor McGonagall."
Hagrid announced.
"Thank you, Hagrid."
She replied politely, then turned to the students.
"Follow me."
She pushed open the great doors.
A medieval European castle interior unfolded before them.
The walls were made of gray stone.
Dudley didn't know exactly what kind, but he was certain it was far harder than ordinary rock.
He had even tried to chip a piece off—
And failed.
That alone said everything.
Torches burned brightly along the walls.
The ceiling was so high it was almost impossible to see the top.
Ahead, a grand marble staircase led upward.
As they walked across the stone floor, a low murmur of voices drifted out from a door on the right.
It was clearly filled with people.
Following Professor McGonagall, they entered a small empty chamber.
"I know, I read it in A History of Hogwarts. We have to be sorted into houses before classes begin."
Hermione whispered beside Dudley.
Even though she spoke softly, McGonagall heard her.
She gave her an approving look.
"Very good, Miss Granger."
"Welcome to Hogwarts…"
McGonagall cleared her throat before continuing.
"The start-of-term feast will begin shortly. But before you take your seats, you will be sorted into your respective houses."
"The Sorting is a very important ceremony, because while you are here, your house will become your family at Hogwarts. You will attend classes together, sleep in your house dormitories, and spend your free time in your common room."
"The four houses are: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."
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