Night enveloped the land, the sky pitch black, as if soaked in ink.
The Hogwarts Express traveled through the mountains and forests, gradually slowing down, finally coming to a steady stop at the platform.
Inside the carriage, Adelaide and her good friends quickly changed into their black robes, ready to disembark and welcome the new semester.
Adelaide opened the compartment door, and the Slytherins in the luxurious carriage aisle all cast respectful glances. They spontaneously made way, allowing Adelaide and her friends to pass smoothly.
This was a stark contrast to the previous year, when Adelaide had been jostled by the surging crowd, almost losing her shoes.
Now, she walked gracefully down the aisle, smiling and nodding to her classmates, a sense of confidence and satisfaction welling up within her.
The Wizarding World truly speaks with strength!
As soon as she got off the train, Adelaide immediately heard the familiar shouts: "First-years! First-years over here—Harry, are you alright?"
It was Rubeus Hagrid's voice, his tall figure particularly conspicuous in the crowd.
Hermione nervously tugged at Adelaide's sleeve. Adelaide gave her a comforting hug and whispered, "Don't worry, Hermione, I've made arrangements for you. Just follow Harry. You, Harry, Neville, and Ron, four first-years, can sit in one small boat."
Hermione looked at Adelaide gratefully, feeling a little more relaxed.
Adelaide, along with Cho Chang and Alice, walked along another muddy path, and soon arrived at a carriage parking area.
Hundreds of carriages were parked there, neatly arranged, each appearing solemn and mysterious.
Adelaide and Alice curiously observed these carriages. They noticed that the black horses pulling them actually had bat-like wings, which, when spread, resembled huge black curtains, appearing especially eerie in the darkness.
Alice had experienced the tragic MacFusty massacre, and Adelaide had personally witnessed her own death. Both of them had unimaginable experiences and could see the Thestrals pulling the carriages, while Cho Chang asked with a bewildered expression, "What is pulling the carriages?"
Adelaide patiently explained, "Those are Thestrals. They have an astonishing sense of direction, making them perfectly suited for pulling carriages."
With that, she walked to a carriage on the outer edge, opened the door, and gestured for Cho Chang and Alice to get in.
Cho Chang's face turned exceptionally pale. She whispered, "I remember Thestrals are very unlucky creatures. Why does Hogwarts use them to pull carriages…"
Her voice revealed a trace of fear and unease.
Adelaide quickly comforted her, "Thestrals are rumored to be unlucky creatures mainly because only those who have seen death can see them—but in reality, they don't bring disaster."
Her tone was firm yet gentle, seemingly trying to ease Cho Chang's doubts.
Cho Chang was silent for a few seconds, seemingly considering her words, then slowly asked, "So you two have both seen death?"
This question was like a heavy stone, making it hard to breathe.
There was no need to elaborate on Alice, whose family had been exterminated; it was an unspeakable painful experience.
While Adelaide's situation was slightly different, her death was equally lamentable—she was indirectly killed by a Giant Cockroach!
Even if Merlin hadn't warned her not to mention things from her previous life, she would never reveal such an embarrassing way to die to those around her.
Silence was the Cambridge of this night.
Before long, carriages arrived at the main gate of Hogwarts Castle one after another.
The carriages passed through the winged boar sculpture gates on either side, their wheels making crisp sounds on the flagstone path, as if announcing the start of the new semester.
As the carriages slowly stopped at the stone steps in front of the two oak doors, students disembarked and walked cheerfully towards the Great Hall.
Adelaide opened the carriage door and jumped out, gazing somewhat distractedly at the magnificent Hogwarts Castle before her.
After two months, she had finally returned to the place where her dream began.
They hurried through the narrow entrance hall, then through a double door on the right, entering the Great Hall.
Alice bid them farewell at the Great Hall entrance and headed straight for the Slytherin table, while Adelaide took Cho Chang and found a random spot at the Ravenclaw table.
The Great Hall was as magnificent and grand as ever; it had been meticulously decorated for the new term's feast.
Hundreds of candles floated in mid-air above the tables, like tiny stars, illuminating the entire Great Hall as brightly as day.
The light from these candles scattered across the golden plates and goblets, reflecting dazzling gleams, making the entire scene exceptionally splendid.
The four long tables in the Great Hall were already filled with chattering students, excitedly conversing and sharing their summer adventures and expectations for the new school year.
At the faculty table at the front of the Great Hall, the Professors also arrived one after another, smiling as they took their seats facing their students.
Armandina, dressed in an expensive-looking light grey Wizard robe, mischievously winked at Adelaide when their eyes met.
The power of that wink was considerable; a fifth-year senior sitting opposite Adelaide was completely captivated, his eyes fixed on Armandina, as if he had forgotten everything around him.
Adelaide wondered what he was thinking, as the senior's face instantly turned as red as a Weasley's hair. Adelaide suspected that in that moment, he might have even decided on names for their children.
Seeing this, Adelaide silently averted her gaze, secretly sighing that Armandina seemed to have learned many irresistible tricks after returning to the Acolytes headquarters for the summer. She would have to be careful when dealing with her in the future.
Adelaide then shifted her gaze to Severus Snape, who was sitting next to Armandina. The Professor's face was not looking good; it seemed that the enrollment of Harry, the son of his old lover and old enemy, made him very displeased.
Next to Severus Snape sat the cowering Professor Quirrell, who was wearing a thick turban, a purple robe, and a string of garlic around his neck—Adelaide suspected that Quirrell was using the smell of garlic to cover up the stench of Lord Voldemort on the back of his head.
Albus Dumbledore, as usual, sat in the center of the long table, smiling and greeting the other Professors, appearing to be in a good mood.
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