In the dungeons of the Castle, at the Black Lake pier.
Karl was once again here to bid farewell to his friends, though this would likely be the last time.
"I heard from Cedric that we won't need to take the boats to and from Hogwarts in the future; we'll be taking a different route instead."
Becky dragged her luggage onto the pier, excitedly sharing the good news with everyone.
Stebbins, out of breath, was suddenly wide awake. "Really? I've had enough of walking such a long way!"
"It's true. When school starts next term, we can take the Thestral carriages after getting off at Hogsmeade Station."
Sharpe looked a bit disappointed. "It's a pity we aren't flying over the Black Lake, but rather taking the long way around to the school's front gate."
Katie couldn't understand his regret at all. "That's actually great! What if we fell off? I don't know how to swim."
Cormac immediately patted his chest, claiming he was an expert swimmer. "Do you want me to teach you during the holidays—ah!"
Audrey and Julia pushed him aside. "No need to trouble yourself! We'll do it!"
Karl ignored the group of rowdy friends and looked at Nina beside him.
"Are you going to Dorset or North America this time? If it's Dorset, I can come visit you."
Nina sat down on the wooden piling of the pier, looking at Karl thoughtfully, unable to resist teasing him.
"Of course it's North America. It's the first time I've been away from Grandma Queenie for so long; she misses me."
"Oh—so what are you planning to do during the holidays? Do you have any plans?"
"Of course, doing homework, and then—maybe preparing for an entrance exam."
"Huh? What entrance exam?"
"The entrance exam for Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, though I might not even need it. After all, I'm the student who got a response from all four house statues; I'm very popular."
Karl frowned involuntarily. "You're transferring? Why?"
"It's not really transferring. Remember at Halloween, when I told you in the Forbidden Forest that I was originally meant to go to Ilvermorny? I only came here to take a look because Druidism originated from Celtic mythology."
"So just for one year?"
At this moment, many chaotic thoughts flashed through Karl's mind:
So in the original story, Nina only stayed at Hogwarts for one year; that explains why she didn't appear.
If I hadn't transmigrated here, how would the events of this school year have unfolded?
Elvis Heller might have lured Dumbledore out of Hogwarts and successfully taken away Moaning Myrtle.
He must have fought with a Professor inside the Castle, which is why that secret passage collapsed.
However, the great battle on the covered bridge shouldn't have happened. Once he succeeded, the Acromantula should have retreated quickly.
Have I changed so many things? But if Nina is still leaving, then doesn't that mean—
"Hey, what are you thinking about?"
A waving hand appeared in Karl's line of sight, successfully snapping him back to reality. "I'm not called 'Hey', I'm called Karl Orolin."
"What? Can't bear to see me go?"
Nina curled her lips, her smile carrying a hint of pride and happiness.
"How could that be! It's not like we're parting forever! How could someone like me be so sentimental!"
Karl laughed, his eyes dodging Nina's gaze as he looked at the water in the distance.
"Oh, is that so—"
Nina took a deep breath, a standard fake smile appearing on her face. "Didn't you say I was your best friend? Don't you have anything to say to me?"
"Well… study hard, improve every day… focus on your studies, don't think about other things. After the holidays, I'll come find you to hang out—"
Just as Karl was speaking, the small boats for the students had arrived, and Hagrid called for everyone to board.
"Humph, I'm leaving."
Nina stood up, picked up her suitcase which had the Levitation Charm cast on it, and boarded a small boat with Becky and the others.
Karl looked at her back, wanting to say something but hesitating. Finally, he shouted, "Nina! I wanted to say—"
Nina looked over from the boat, expectation hidden in her eyes. "What?"
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