ตอน 36: Black Lake
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As the train came to a slow halt, several passengers caught their first glimpse of the station through the window.
"Freshmen! Freshmen, please disembark from the train in an orderly manner. Store your luggage and pets in the compartment, and someone will bring them to your dormitory later," shouted several senior wizards in the carriage corridor to prevent any panic or crowding.
Once the senior wizards had left the train, the freshmen disembarked. The rain had ceased, leaving the sky overcast and the air filled with a damp, earthy scent. The chill in the air made everyone clutch their robes tightly.
"First-year students, this way!" a booming voice called out, drawing everyone's attention away from the quaint station before them. The person approaching was a giant man, towering at least 2.5 meters tall. He was rugged, unshaven, and sported a beaver skin coat with a hunting knife at his waist.
"Oh my goodness, is that a giant?" Hermione exclaimed.
"He's Hagrid, the gamekeeper at Hogwarts," Braun whispered to her. He hadn't revealed to Hermione that Hagrid was a half-giant, considering it disrespectful to do so. He allowed Hermione to discover it on her own.
Hermione nodded, still unaware of Hagrid's unique heritage. "Follow me, first-years. No more gawking around. We've got to move quickly, or we might be late for dinner."
Hagrid led the group of students from Hogsmeade toward Hogwarts. The ground was a bit slippery due to the recent rain and the darkness that obscured their view, causing some young wizards to stumble and get muddy.
"Be careful!" Braun quickly caught Hermione, who was nearly falling.
"Thank you, Braun," Hermione said with surprise. She hadn't come to Hogwarts to look like a wet rat, covered in mud and water.
"LUMOS," Braun chanted, casting a soft light from the tip of his staff to illuminate the ground beneath their feet. It wasn't an extensive illumination, but it was enough for them to see where they were stepping.
"He can use magic." The nearby students were astounded. The admiration in their eyes was evident.
Malfoy, hidden among the crowd, felt a surge of jealousy. Such a spectacle should have been his doing, as he believed he deserved all the attention.
Hagrid also glanced at Braun with a slight surprise and muttered a few words. He then continued to lead the students toward the Black Lake.
"Here we are. Now, everyone can select a boat. Remember, four people to a boat, not more!" Braun didn't share a boat with Ron and Harry. Instead, he casually boarded one with two unfamiliar first-year students. The boat had a small light at the front to allow students to admire the surroundings of Black Lake. Braun controlled the boat as it sailed toward Hogwarts. Some young Merpeople curiously poked their heads out of the water to observe the scene, while the older Merpeople pulled the youngsters away.
All the students were awestruck by the magnificent castle before them, especially the Muggle-born students, who were left almost speechless. They admired the castle, even though they couldn't pinpoint why.
The Merpeople in the Black Lake began to sing, and their enchanting melody carried an ancient essence, transporting people to bygone eras. Braun could feel a magical force entering his mind alongside the song, conjuring images of the distant past. The same as himself in the present, those were four young individuals in a small boat. They wore robes of different colors and arrived at this spot, where they established a school, Hogwarts. As the Merpeople's ancient song gradually grew faint, Braun reached the shore, feeling that his magic had been sealed in some way. He realized that this ceremony was more than just a ritual; it was meant to bestow protective magic on all who passed through it.
Braun mused about how young wizards could easily use magic to their advantage before attending Hogwarts, yet after becoming full-fledged wizards, their magic was channeled primarily through wands. He surmised that the protective magic was responsible for this change.
"Braun, get off the boat!" Hermione's voice snapped him out of his reverie. He was lost in thought and hadn't realized the boat had already docked.
"Sorry, Hermione, I was lost in thought," he apologized.
"Were you also entranced by the castle, Braun? I don't know why, but the moment I saw Hogwarts, I felt a deep respect," Hermione rambled.
As he listened to Hermione, Braun sensed something was amiss. Weren't they both moved by the Merpeople's singing? He asked, "Were you not affected by the Merpeople's song?"
"What song? And where are the Merpeople? In Black Lake? I didn't see them," Hermione replied, genuinely puzzled. She and Braun went to the edge of the Black Lake to look for the Merpeople.
Braun began to have doubts. Could it have been his imagination?
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