While the three of them talked, time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, the sky darkened, and the train's speed gradually decreased as they approached the station.
The three quickly removed their Muggle clothes and pulled on their Hogwarts robes.
Looking at the light rain falling outside the window and feeling the wet, cold weather beyond the glass, Erwin couldn't help but shiver.
A thought occurred to him.
Erwin opened his suitcase, withdrew a scarf, and helped Cho wrap it around her neck.
"Put this on, it's raining and very cold outside."
Cho's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't reject his kindness.
The train arrived at the station, and Erwin walked out with Cho and the crowd streaming from the carriages.
"First years! First years, over here."
A booming voice echoed from nearby.
A man who stood more than three meters tall beckoned for new students to gather around him.
"Cho, I have to go." Nodding to her, Erwin prepared to join the line forming near Hagrid.
"Good luck, Erwin. I look forward to your assignment to Ravenclaw." Cho looked at him tenderly, her voice filled with anticipation.
Looking at her expectant eyes, Erwin felt somewhat conflicted.
With his surname alone, Gaunt, he was basically guaranteed Slytherin placement.
But for Cho's sake, he had to at least try convincing the Sorting Hat.
Besides, he didn't particularly like Slytherin himself.
Entering that house as a half-blood wizard would definitely attract troublesome attention.
Soon, all the first years had gathered around Hagrid.
After counting heads, the groundskeeper took an oil lamp and led the group of young wizards into the distance, calling back as they walked.
"Watch your feet! Be careful, this part of the road is rough!"
The group of first years followed Hagrid with difficulty.
He strode far ahead, and the old oil lamp cast only dim light.
Erwin pulled out his wand.
"[Lumos]."
Immediately, his wand emitted a sphere of white light.
The young wizards behind him breathed sighs of relief.
"Wow, Ron, look at him, He's brilliant."
Hearing the voice, Erwin couldn't help glancing back. Unexpectedly, Ron and Harry were directly behind him.
Seeing Erwin turn around, Harry looked embarrassed.
Being overheard mid-compliment was always awkward, even when the words had been praising.
"Hi, my name is Harry Potter, and this is Ron Weasley."
Erwin nodded at them and introduced himself.
"Hello. I'm Erwin Gaunt."
Harry noticed that Erwin showed no particular excitement at hearing his name, and instantly guessed that he probably came from the Muggle world.
"Are you from an ordinary family? I mean, a Muggle family?"
"You're really good at magic. I still can't cast spells yet. But I met a girl on the train, Hermione Granger. She's Muggle-born too, but she already used a spell to fix my glasses."
Harry was genuinely pleased.
Although people in the wizarding world treated him well, everyone regarded him as the Savior, but he had no idea what he'd done or how he'd done it.
So, encountering another child from a Muggle family, someone who didn't make a fuss just because they heard his name, made him very happy.
"It's nothing. I just practiced after I got my textbooks. Lucky enough to learn a spell or two."
Erwin didn't deliberately distance himself from Harry.
He wouldn't refuse a normal conversation.
As for whether Old Dumbledore would arrange traps for him to stumble into? That remained to be seen; it depended on who was cleverer.
Harry smiled sheepishly.
He'd read through his textbooks too, but after reciting spells aloud with no response, he'd given up trying.
"Which house do you want to be sorted into? Ron says Gryffindor is the best house. I hope I won't be assigned to Slytherin."
Ron nodded in agreement.
For the Weasley family, only Gryffindor was acceptable.
Being sorted into Slytherin would make him the family shame.
Erwin smiled.
Thinking of the beautiful girl he knew, he said without thinking.
"I'd rather go to Ravenclaw. It would be... awesome."
"What?"
Harry hadn't quite caught that.
"Nothing. I think Ravenclaw suits me well. I prefer it there."
"Oh, alright."
Harry felt slightly disappointed that his new friend didn't want Gryffindor, but he didn't interfere with other people's preferences.
Under Hagrid's leadership, the young wizards boarded boats in groups of four.
The boats gradually approached the cliff face. Following Hagrid's command, the students ducked their heads and passed beneath an overhang.
Erwin couldn't help wanting to laugh.
Hagrid was obviously twice as tall as any of the young wizards, even when he ducked, yet everyone still lowered their heads.
Finally, the boats approached the dock.
Hagrid led them through a tunnel, across wet grass, and brought them to the main entrance of the magnificent castle.
After a deep, echoing sound, the castle gates slowly opened.
A witch with a stern expression and sharp features emerged, wearing an emerald green pointed hat.
Her serious demeanor made the chattering students fall immediately silent.
"Professor McGonagall, the first years are here." Hagrid gestured behind him.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take them from here."
Professor McGonagall's expression softened slightly.
With a wave of her wand, the young wizards' robes, messy from rain and travel, became crisp and neat once more.
Immediately, the first years impression of Professor McGonagall improved.
McGonagall took the lead, guiding the group of freshmen into the entrance hall.
The space was simple yet elegant, with countless burning torches mounted on the walls and a ceiling that appeared to show the starry sky above.
Beyond the entrance hall, they glimpsed the Great Hall.
At the far end sat the High Table, positioned horizontally, with a silver-haired old man in the center talking to Snape on his left.
Four long tables below were arranged vertically, and countless candles floated above them.
Golden goblets and plates covered the tables, with older students seated along the benches.
A raised platform stood in the center, and a patched, worn hat rested there quietly.
Professor McGonagall didn't lead them directly through the hall.
Instead, she turned right, bringing them to an antechamber where she instructed the young wizards to form a line.
Some students in the Great Hall talked amongst themselves, while many others looked toward the waiting first years.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. Before you can officially enter, we must determine which house you belong to."
"I will call your names. When called, please step onto the platform in the center, put on the Sorting Hat, and it will decide your placement."
Erwin stood in line with the other young wizards, looking at the scene before him. It felt like a dream. His heart raced with excitement.
'Hogwarts, here I come!'