"After all, they're both arthropods," Hermione said with a frown. "But he is just... eww..."
"I heard big scorpions are delicious when fried, and their pincers taste just like crab..." Harry said on the side. "I heard this from Lee Jordan once..."
"If you dare to eat that thing, keep away from me!" Cassandra said without hesitation.
"Alright," Harry shrugged. "Anyway, I don't have pica—"
The train traveled on its way to Hogwarts, the clouds gradually thickened, and the sky became darker.
After what felt like forever, thunder suddenly roared outside, and soon, raindrops began to fall from the sky, pattering against the window and creating a splattering of water droplets.
"Looks like the new students are in for a rough time this year," Ron said gloatingly. "We have carriages, but the newbies are unlucky; they still have to take boats—hope Hagrid has some umbrellas for them."
"He will." Hermione said, but her voice didn't sound so firm.
It wasn't until the sky turned completely gloomy that they arrived at Hogwarts in the downpour.
The car door opened, and the rumble of thunder echoed in the sky. Hermione covered Parrot Jack with her cloak, and Ron also tucked his dress robe around his little owl's cage.
The students rushed off the train, heads bowed, eyes squinting in the pouring rain.
The rain fell fiercely, as if buckets of cold water were being poured over them.
Harry reached out his hand and cast an Iron Armor Spell overhead, shielding them from the falling raindrops above.
"Let's go," he said.
"Magic is really amazing." Ron said with a grin, "At least I couldn't imagine such a use for the Iron Armor Spell."
"If you could, you wouldn't be Ron," Hermione said from behind.
They hadn't walked far when they saw a giant figure at the end of the platform.
"Hey, Hagrid!" Harry waved and shouted, "How are you?"
"Hello, Harry!" Hagrid responded in a rough, booming voice, waving his hand. "If we don't drown, I'll see you at the banquet!"
Even in the pouring rain, it was customary for first-year students to be ferried across the lake by Hagrid to enter Hogwarts Castle and experience the struggles of its founders.
It's a bit of remembering hardships to appreciate the sweetness, and such performances never lack anywhere.
"Oh, I really can't imagine taking the ferry across the lake in this weather." Hermione said, her voice trembling with excitement—being blown by the cold wind made her feel dizzy.
At this time, they moved along with the crowd, slowly stepping across the dark platform.
"How are you?" Harry asked Cassandra with concern.
"I'm fine." Cassandra held her head high although her face appeared pale.
Evidently, the cold weather was making her a little uncomfortable.
Harry took off his robe and draped it over Cassandra's shoulders, saying, "Wear it, you'll feel better."
"Thanks." Cassandra didn't refuse Harry's offer, tightening the robe around her.
Outside the station, more than a hundred horseless carriages awaited them—at least that was how Ron and Hermione saw it.
"They're Nightmares," Cassandra told Harry.
The group quickly climbed into one of them, feeling relieved.
The door closed with a bang, and soon after, with a violent jolt, the long line of carriages set off along the path to Hogwarts Castle, splashing water along the way.
Rain pattered on the carriage's roof, making a rustling sound.
"Sometimes I think," Hermione said with a flip of her hair and a smile, "When I was little, I would imagine being on a ship in the middle of boundless sea during a thunderstorm, listening to the rain falling on the ship's roof, with a fireplace beside me to keep warm, and reading in that kind of environment..."
"Just the thought makes you feel hopeless," Ron said, shaking his red hair and splashing the remaining water droplets on Hermione's exposed thigh.
"Aw, cold!" Hermione punched Ron's arm, "People like you who never learn will never understand how enjoyable reading can be in such an environment."
"Just like you'll never know how joyful I am playing Wizard Chess on a mountain top." Ron retorted, not to be outdone.
Hermione hummed but said nothing more.
The carriage drove through gates flanked with winged boar statues, rocking violently due to the strong wind.
Hogwarts drew closer, many windows glowing faintly through the thick curtain of rain.
Their carriage stopped at the stone steps in front of the two large oak doors, just as a flash of lightning split the sky. People from the front carriage had already hurried up the steps and into the castle.
"Time to get off." Harry stood up and said, "Though it looks like there's some water accumulated, watch your shoes."
"I better be prepared." Ron said cautiously, "If I step in a puddle, it would be a nuisance, water in the shoes is uncomfortable."
"Don't worry, Ron." Hermione patted her chest and said, "Leave it to me, I learned a drying spell, I can dry your shoes if they get wet."
"I'll still try to avoid it."
Ron said as he opened the carriage door.
Luckily, the wind was blowing from the front, and it wouldn't blow into the cabin.
Ron took a leap and jumped onto the steps.
He turned his head, wearing a victor's smile.
"Ignore him." Hermione rolled her eyes and said, "Let me..."
Before finishing speaking, a staircase appeared before them.
"Quickly go over." Cassandra's timely voice rang out. "The Transformation Spell won't last long, this staircase is transformed from water..."
They followed the staircase to the steps, where Ron had already entered the hall.
As soon as he turned his head, he saw a red sphere growing larger in his view.
"Depulso (Three Feet Away from the Enemy)!"
Ron's quick reaction swiftly hit the red sphere with the spell.
The red ball rapidly retreated, hitting Colin Creevey's face.
Colin staggered from the impact, and the ball exploded with a splash, drenching Colin thoroughly.
Ron looked up to see the mischievous Peeves floating not far away.
Short in stature, with a colorful hat tasseled with bells, an orange bow tie, floating through the air holding a water balloon.
"Washidisi!"
Ron's spell hit Peeves, who flipped backward, and the water balloon exploded in his hand.
This was a spell Lupin taught him, specifically for dealing with Peeves.
"Well done, Ron!" Hermione praised.
Peeves screeched angrily, turning and disappearing from view.
"Looks like he knows who's boss, right?" Ron said proudly as he tucked away his wand.
His expression was as if he had won the Quidditch World Cup.
Just then, Professor McGonagall came out from inside the hall.
"Come in with me." Professor McGonagall said sternly, glancing around before her eyes settled on Ron. "Well done, Mr. Weasley, if it weren't for the timing, I'd award Gryffindor five points—"
"It's not too late to add points now." Ron muttered.
"What did you say?" Professor McGonagall didn't catch Ron's words.
"I said you're right." Ron said with his hands spread.