Clarence quickly imitated the boy from earlier, ramming himself into the pillar.
He didn't encounter much resistance, it felt like passing through a layer of water.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a new environment, though still within a station.
But the trains and people had become completely different; at the very least, the number of children had increased, and the clothes people wore were very… err, peculiar!
Yes, peculiar. For example, there was a middle-aged man wearing vintage clothes on his upper body, but a completely mismatched fashionable long skirt—a woman's kind—on his lower half.
There were many such instances, which is why the word 'peculiar' was used to describe them.
And not far in front of him was the scrawny boy he had just met.
Clarence, pulling his large suitcase, quickly walked over and smiled at the scrawny boy, saying, "Thanks. By the way, I'm Clarence Stuart, just call me Clarence. And you are?"
The boy replied coolly, "Severus Snape."
Because of that name, he looked the boy up and down again carefully.
What a coincidence, it was the future Dean of Slytherin and Potion Class Professor, also the youngest Potion Master, and students even affectionately called him a greasy old bat.
Clarence didn't pay much attention to the future Potion Professor's cold remarks, thinking perhaps it was just his natural personality, so he immediately seized the opportunity and said, "Severus, let's get on the train too, otherwise, with so many people, we might not find a seat!"
Snape didn't speak, but his actions showed his agreement with Clarence.
Seeing him struggling to lift his suitcase onto the train, Clarence took out his wand and cast a Levitation Charm on Snape's suitcase.
This allowed Snape to lift the box with great ease, even trying it with one hand without effort. He turned and gave him a deep look, then, without a word, carried the box onto the train.
Snape was not unfamiliar with such a basic spell as the Levitation Charm; he had practiced it while reading books before, and even mastered quite a few spells and magic, especially in the area of Potion.
However, the Levitation Charm he mastered couldn't levitate very heavy objects, unlike the spell cast by this new acquaintance of his age.
It seemed the other party must have thoroughly researched and completely mastered the Levitation Charm, otherwise, he would be like himself, able to cast the spell successfully but unable to levitate heavy objects.
Clarence and Snape did not go directly to the end of the train to find an empty compartment; instead, they walked past each one, checking if it was full or, more accurately, if the luggage racks were filled with suitcases.
They hadn't walked far when the two found an empty compartment. Without any hesitation, they directly pulled open the door and walked in, easily placing their luggage on the rack above the seats.
After sitting down, Clarence took out drinks, biscuits, and candies from his backpack and placed them on the small table, saying, "Want to try some? I made these myself, and they taste great!"
Perhaps it was because he knew that at Hogwarts School, he couldn't be like before, where he didn't have to consider social interactions.
Of course, there was another possibility: almost no one could cruelly refuse Clarence's delicate and beautiful little face, especially when his eyes were filled with anticipation.
So Snape, with a cold face, took a biscuit and slowly began to eat it.
Clarence thoughtfully poured Snape a glass of milk and handed it to him, saying, "Severus, do you know what the situation at Hogwarts School is like?"
Snape was of mixed blood; his father was an ordinary person, what Wizards called a Muggle, but his mother was a Witch.
Even though his parents and family had severe problems, Snape had already been accepted into Hogwarts. Even if his mother seemed unwilling to discuss anything related to magic, it was impossible for her not to tell him at least some common knowledge and conditions of the Magic World and Hogwarts School.
Moreover, not all young Wizards entering Hogwarts this year were like Clarence, staying at home to read books and practice spells and magic. For example, Snape had frequently visited Diagon Alley before.
So, even without his mother's guidance, he was able to inquire about the Magic World and the general situation of his upcoming enrollment at Hogwarts while in Diagon Alley.
At this moment, Snape recounted everything he knew to Clarence, and simultaneously, the train had already started moving…
Just as the two were eating, drinking, and chatting about Hogwarts, there was a sudden knock on the door. They turned to look and saw a girl standing outside, looking at the two in the compartment, or rather, looking at Snape, occasionally glancing at Clarence with sparkling eyes.
The girl had smooth red hair, and her green eyes looked very beautiful.
Upon seeing the girl, Snape's usually expressionless face showed a ripple of emotion. Without a word to Clarence, he actively opened the compartment door and brought the girl inside.
"Hello, I'm Lily Evans, you can just call me Lily. Are you Severus's new friend?" The girl was very warm, introducing herself to the other stranger in the compartment.
"Oh, hello, I'm Clarence Stuart, you can also call me Clarence. Lily, did you and Severus know each other before?" Clarence politely introduced himself, then casually asked about their relationship.
"Yes, our homes are quite close, so we already knew each other before receiving the notice. Clarence, did you meet Severus in Diagon Alley?"
"Not in Diagon Alley, but he helped me get into the station. After all, you know, if you can't confirm whether that pillar is the correct passage, someone completely unfamiliar would definitely consider whether to ram into it first!"
Perhaps Clarence's way of speaking was amusing, making the little girl giggle and nod in agreement, "Yes, when I came in earlier, I was also very hesitant, mainly because I was afraid of pain… Hahahaha!"
After laughing, Clarence proactively offered Lily his homemade biscuits and candies, and then took out a new cup from his backpack, poured milk into it, and placed it on the small table, saying, "Severus was just telling me about Hogwarts. Since you already know him, Lily, you must also understand our school!"
"Yes, Severus told me about it before. Later, he went to Diagon Alley a few more times himself and found out a lot of information, which he would then come back and share with me. It's a pity that Mom and Dad don't let me go to Diagon Alley by myself…"
Although it was strange that Lily didn't sit next to Snape, whom she already knew, but instead sat right next to him, Clarence didn't say much. After all, where someone liked to sit was none of his business.
After sitting down next to Clarence, Lily talked while nibbling on a biscuit. But after one bite, her eyes lit up, clearly indicating the biscuit was delicious.
"Ah, so he went to Diagon Alley by himself again. I've been reading and practicing spells and magic all this time, so I haven't had time to go."
The three chatted and laughed, quickly finishing most of the biscuits and candies, and even the milk.
Just as the three were chatting happily, especially Lily, who kept touching Clarence—don't misunderstand, it was just hugging and holding his small hand, like a beloved doll—the compartment door was suddenly pulled open, and the loud noise startled them.
"Hi, hello, have you seen my friend? He's chubby and looks very timid. He just said he was going to the restroom and hasn't come back, so we had to come look…" The newcomer was completely unaware that he had entered without knocking. Instead, he anxiously asked the three in the compartment if they had seen his friend.
But as he spoke, he stopped short upon seeing Clarence, his mouth agape as if he had forgotten what he wanted to say.
Actually, this was a normal reaction, because when Lily came over earlier, she also paused for a while after seeing Clarence through the door and window before knocking.
At this moment, this boy of the same age, upon seeing Clarence's beautiful face, was naturally amazed, forgetting even what he wanted to say, and just stood there staring intently at Clarence.
The three ignored the stunned boy of the same age, and even guessed what he hadn't finished saying, so they all shook their heads, indicating they hadn't seen him.
Clarence saw that the other person was still standing there dumbfounded, so he could only speak up, also as a reminder, "We haven't seen the friend you're talking about, but since he went to the restroom, haven't you looked for him there?"
"I've already looked, but there wasn't even a trace of him." The newcomer, having come back to his senses, remembered that he was looking for someone, and the expression on his face returned to its previous worry and anxiety, though his eyes were still fixed intently on Clarence.
"…Or perhaps your friend got lost after coming out of the restroom? You should try looking in the opposite direction!" Feeling uncomfortable under the other's gaze, Clarence could only continue to suggest that his friend might have gone the wrong way, wanting to make this person leave as soon as possible, at least to stop staring at him with such a devouring gaze.
"Okay, thank you for the reminder, and I'm James Potter." James Potter was clearly very fond of Clarence for specifically reminding him, and it might also be due to his appearance, which is why he stated his name.
"Hello Potter, I'm Clarence Stuart, just call me Clarence."
"Okay Clarence, I have to continue looking for my lost friend. Oh, and a reminder to you all, we're almost at the station, so hurry and change into your robes!" James Potter gave a final reminder, and also gave Clarence a deep look, as if to engrave him in his mind, then hurried away.
After James Potter's reminder, Clarence also turned to look out the train window. Indeed, it was already dusk, and he hadn't realized they had been chatting so happily that they had lost track of time.
"Lily, you should also go back and change your clothes quickly!"
Lily nodded and bid farewell to the two, returning to her own compartment. Although she touched Clarence's small hand again before leaving, after she departed, Clarence and Snape took out their school robes from their suitcases, preparing to change.
Snape was very fast, or rather, he just put on his school robes and was done.
It seemed his school robes must have been intentionally bought in a larger size so he could still wear them in his second and third years.
However, after Snape changed, upon seeing Clarence taking off his outer coat, he immediately blushed and exited the compartment, even deliberately blocking the glass on the door.
After putting on his school robes, Clarence called Snape back in, saying helplessly, "I told you, Severus, I'm a boy too. Why did you have to go out?"
“…” Snape remained silent, clearly not wanting to discuss the topic.
After sitting for a little while longer, they distinctly felt the train come to a stop.
Snape stood up and said, “Let’s go. Don’t worry about the luggage; just leave it in the compartment. Someone from the School will deliver our luggage.”
“Mm, right, Severus, which House do you think you’ll be sorted into?” Clarence asked as he followed behind him, curious about which House Severus believed he would be placed in.
“Slytherin or Ravenclaw. Absolutely not Gryffindor or Hufflepuff.” Snape answered without hesitation, immediately stating the Houses he might be sorted into.
“Slytherin, huh… I’d rather be sorted into Ravenclaw. I really love learning knowledge!” Clarence exclaimed.
Hearing this, Snape, unusually, turned to glance at him, then nodded in approval, “Indeed, judging by your personality, there’s a high chance you’ll be sorted into Ravenclaw!”
As he said this, Snape also recalled their previous conversations, when the three of them were chatting, and this guy demonstrated various spells and magic, even wanting to teach him and Lily.
And he had indeed benefited. At the very least, his understanding of some of the magic he had mastered had deepened after Clarence’s guidance and instruction.
It had to be admitted that this guy’s talent and intelligence were truly exceptional, even astonishing.
Snape also learned through their conversations that Clarence was an Orphan, having lived in an Orphanage since childhood, which meant he didn’t even have parents, or rather, didn’t know who his parents were.
Naturally, no one would have taught him magic, yet this guy managed to master so much magic just by reading books on his own, and they hadn’t even started School yet.
A young Wizard who hadn’t even started School had managed to master so much magic simply by reading books on his own, which showed just how exceptional his talent and intelligence were.
Just as he said himself, if he weren’t sorted into Ravenclaw, that would truly be strange!
The two disembarked with the other students. New Wizards, like them, were called to gather separately on one side, instead of going with the older students along a different path to the Castle.
“First-year students, gather here! Did you all hear me? First-year new students, come over here!”
“Oh, he’s so tall!” When Clarence and Snape approached and saw the Giant-like Hagrid, they couldn’t help but exclaim.
“…It seems this person shouldn’t be a pure-blood human. If I’m not mistaken, he should be a half-Giant.” Snape also saw the Giant-like Hagrid, but unlike Clarence, he wasn’t surprised. Instead, he analyzed that there was likely Giant blood in his lineage.
“Half-blood… so this big guy isn’t even as tall as a true Giant?”
“That’s right, true Giants are taller and stronger than him!” Snape explained.
While the two were discussing Hagrid, he continued to call out, “New Wizards, gather here! We’re taking a different path to the Castle. Hurry up, everyone, once everyone’s here, we’ll set off.”
“His voice is pretty loud…” Before Clarence could finish his sentence, Lily came over with an unfamiliar little girl.
“Severus, Clarence, you’re here.” Lily pulled the other little girl along and introduced her to them.
This little girl was Mia Thorndyke, a new friend Lily had met in her compartment.
However, this little girl might have been a bit shy. After only greeting Clarence and Snape, she remained silent, occasionally looking up at Clarence. When she noticed his gaze shift towards her, she would blush and lower her head, quietly listening to her newly made friends converse.
Once all the new Wizards had gathered, Hagrid took out a large lantern and led them away.
Perhaps it was because it was already dark, and the only light source was the lantern Hagrid carried, but the lantern’s light was completely blocked by his enormous body.
This made it impossible for the young Wizards following behind to see the path they were walking on. They only knew they were on a steep, narrow path, stumbling and fumbling as they followed the group forward.
Some young Wizards who fell didn’t even bother with the pain, perhaps afraid of being left behind, and quickly got up to catch up with the group.
Seeing this scene, or rather, if Clarence himself hadn’t pulled Snape at the last moment, he too would have tripped on the steep path. He couldn’t help but pull out his wand, point it upwards, and cast the Lumos Charm.
“Lumos!”
As the spell was cast, a brilliantly bright ball of light immediately formed at the tip of his raised wand. The light emanating from this ball was dazzling, not only illuminating the path the young Wizards were walking on but also lighting up a section of the surrounding area as if it were daytime.
With such bright light, the young Wizards could naturally see the path beneath their feet. Of course, many also began to search around with wide eyes, trying to find out who had cast this spell.
Unfortunately, the young Wizards were huddled very close together, so those further away naturally couldn’t see Clarence. However, those a bit closer, especially the ones right beside him, seeing that it was Clarence who had cast the spell, and especially his even more delicate and beautiful face illuminated by the light, were all stunned.
Hagrid, who was leading the way, was also very curious about this sudden new light source and turned around to look. He naturally saw Clarence holding his wand.
However, perhaps because he was holding his wand, his arm blocked Hagrid’s view, preventing him from seeing Clarence’s face clearly. He only saw which young Wizard had cast the spell, complimented him, and then turned back to continue leading the way.
Around Clarence, the few stunned young Wizards also came to their senses due to being pushed by those behind them. They quickly walked forward, but occasionally turned their heads to glance back.
These guys, for some unknown reason, all very tacitly surrounded Clarence, Snape, Lily, and Mia, trying their best not to let other young Wizards get close.
Mia and Lily somewhat guessed the thoughts of the young Wizards around them. While silently rolling their eyes inwardly, they also squeezed closer to Clarence.
Because Clarence was casting the Lumos Charm, he had to divide his attention to control the light source, so he wasn’t focused on the people around him. Instead, he quietly followed the group, moving forward little by little.
When the group reached the end of the narrow path, what greeted their eyes was a black, mirror-like calm lake. On the high ground across the lake stood a majestic Castle, with numerous spires on its towers and windows sparkling under the starry sky.
They stopped when they reached the edge of the lake, and then Hagrid told the young Wizards to group themselves, with no more than four people per small boat.
Once all the young Wizards were in, and Hagrid had settled into his own boat, a fleet of small boats immediately glided across the mirror-smooth lake.
Clarence extinguished the ball of light and put away his wand after all the young Wizards had boarded the wooden boats.
He was in a boat with Snape, Lily, and the newly met Mia, making four people in total. Although other young Wizards had wanted to join them, Snape and Lily had been quicker.
When the foremost boat, the one Hagrid was on, approached the cliff, Hagrid reminded the young Wizards to duck their heads.
Clarence and the other three completely ignored Hagrid’s warning because, at their current height, they naturally didn’t need to duck like Hagrid, who, even when sitting, was still several heads taller than an adult standing up.
The boats carried them through a curtain of ivy covering the face of the cliff, arriving at a hidden, open entrance.
They followed a dark tunnel that seemed to lead beneath the Castle, finally reaching a place resembling an underground dock, and then climbed onto an area of gravel and pebbles.
The young Wizards disembarked one by one. After Hagrid checked the empty boats and saw that no one was left behind, he led them up a dark tunnel, finally arriving at a flat, damp patch of grass in the shadow of the Castle.
The young Wizards followed closely behind Hagrid up a stone staircase and gathered in front of a Giant oak door.
Hagrid first turned to ask if all the young Wizards behind him had arrived, then held up his large lantern with one hand and knocked on the Castle door with the other.
The door opened, and a Witch in dark green robes stood there, her face stern.
“The new students are all here, Professor McGonagall.” Hagrid immediately handed over his task of guiding the new students upon seeing the stern Witch.
Professor McGonagall first looked at the young Wizards standing on the steps. When she saw Clarence, who was the most special and beautiful among the crowd, her gaze paused for a moment before she said to Hagrid, “Thank you for your hard work, Hagrid.”
She then fully opened the Castle door, allowing all the young Wizards to enter.
Professor McGonagall led the young Wizards along the stone floor, eventually arriving in an empty room.
“Welcome to Hogwarts.” McGonagall then sternly continued, “The Welcome Feast will be held shortly, but before that, you will be sorted into your Houses in the Great Hall.
The Sorting Ceremony is very important, as it determines the House to which you will belong during your seven years at School.
And during your time at School, Hogwarts will be like your home. You will attend classes with other students in your House, reside together in the House dormitories, and also spend your free time together in your House’s common room.
There are four Houses at Hogwarts: Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor.
Each House has its own glorious history and has produced outstanding Wizards. So, during your time at School, you will continue to earn points and honor for your respective Houses. Of course, any rule-breaking behavior will result in a deduction of corresponding points.
At the end of the year, the House with the most points will win the House Cup, which is a great honor. So, I hope that no matter which House you are sorted into, you will bring glory to your respective House!”
After Professor McGonagall finished speaking, she reminded the young Wizards to tidy their clothes and appearance. Once she was satisfied, she turned, pushed open the doors of the Great Hall, and led the young Wizards inside.