Today was a special day—Adelaide was going to report to school on the Hogwarts Express!
As the morning sun just began to grace the ground, Edward arrived early, driving his meticulously modified, cool dark-green sports car. He pulled up in front of Dumbledores Old House in Godrics Hollow with lightning speed.
Albus Dumbledore was busy with numerous pre-term matters and hadn't been home for several days, so the heavy responsibility of taking Adelaide to King's Cross Station naturally fell on Edward's shoulders.
From the moment they set off, Edward's mouth was like a rapid-fire cannon, non-stop imparting all sorts of information and experiential wisdom about the Sorting to Adelaide:
"It would be best if you could get into Slytherin House; being sorted into Ravenclaw House is also a good choice. If you are unfortunately sorted into Gryffindor, it must be Dumbledore pulling strings in the shadows... Anyway, in my opinion, it's absolutely impossible for you to be assigned to Hufflepuff!"
Regarding Edward's non-stop lecture, Adelaide seemed somewhat indifferent. She shrugged and said:
"Isn't the knowledge taught in the four houses the same? I really don't think there's much of a difference between them."
Hearing this, Edward quickly countered, "The differences are huge; it's not as simple as you imagine!"
He spoke solemnly, "You should know, the students of Slytherin House almost all come from the most influential Pure-blood family in the British Wizarding World, and the current Dean is the youngest Potions Master in the Wizarding World!"
"If you can get to know them in advance and build good relationships, it will undoubtedly bring a massive and immeasurable boost to your future career!"
He paused, then continued, "Of course, being assigned to Ravenclaw House is also a good start. Ravenclaw gathers many exceptionally brilliant people, and the current Dean, Filius Flitwick, won the Dueling Competition championship three times in a row when he was young."
"With their superior intelligence and strategy, I believe you will surely gain much valuable experience and inspiration from them, and use it to achieve extraordinary success."
At this point, Edward frowned slightly, showing a hint of disdain, and continued, "As for Gryffindor... hmph, that lot are just simple-minded people with more brawn than brains, reckless fools who only know how to charge forward all day. It's hard to imagine what other use those so-called 'Lions' have other than serving as cannon fodder on the battlefield."
"And the rabble of Hufflepuff are all mediocre descendants of ordinary Muggles and low-status half-blood clerks. What great things can you expect these people to achieve?"
After listening to Edward's long-winded speech, Adelaide couldn't help but feel speechless.
Did she have to achieve some great career?
Please, who decreed that she must inherit the 'legacy' left by her Great-Granduncle?!
In fact, she had no ambition at all.
Her mission in crossing over was merely to assist the savior in successfully defeating Lord Voldemort.
Well, plus one more thing: to clear the name of the Grindelwald Family.
Adelaide had it all figured out; once these two arduous tasks were completed, she could live out the rest of her life leisurely as a hero of the Wizarding World, enjoying life to the fullest.
When the clock hands pointed to a quarter to eleven, Adelaide, carrying an exquisite small leather suitcase, followed Edward through Platform Nine and Three-Quarters with light steps.
The small leather suitcase in her hand was an enrollment gift from Edward. It had an Undetectable Extension Charm cast on it, with about 100 cubic meters of space inside. It was intended for Adelaide to use as a schoolbag, allowing her to carry all her textbooks and necessities with her, ready for use at any time.
Passing through Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, a train billowing steam appeared before Adelaide's eyes.
The locomotive puffed out white smoke, like a giant dragon perched there, waiting for passengers to board its body and begin a wonderful journey.
"Please enjoy your school life. If you encounter any difficult problems that aren't convenient to tell Dumbledore, like wanting to make someone disappear, you can have Haskui send me a letter!"
"No matter what, I am on your side."
After Edward hurriedly gave a few instructions, he gently pushed Adelaide onto the train.
Accompanied by a sharp whistle, the steam-billowing behemoth began to move slowly. The wheels ground against the tracks, making a "clatter-clatter" sound that broke the already noisy atmosphere.
Standing behind the carriage door, Adelaide didn't even have time to complain that student conflicts shouldn't be handled like Mafia vendettas before the train pulled away.
She only had time to lean out and wave her arm vigorously at the receding Edward until he finally disappeared completely from view.
With the jolting of the train, Adelaide gently closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to immerse herself in this sense of reality. She was truly on the train to Hogwarts!
The joy surging deep within her heart was like a tide, hitting her heart wave after wave; she was about to step into that place of obsession she had dreamed of countless times in her past life—Hogwarts—to begin a brand-new magical journey!
Adelaide slowly opened her eyes. The scenery on both sides of the tracks was like a flowing scroll, rapidly receding; rows of neat houses flashed past the window as if by magic, so fast that one could hardly see their shapes.
With a heart full of anticipation and excitement, she moved her feet and walked slowly along the narrow corridor, her gaze occasionally scanning the windows of the compartment doors beside her, looking for an empty seat.
Finally, as she was nearly at the end of the train, a compartment caught her attention.
She reached out and gently pushed open the door. What met her eyes was a Chinese girl who looked to be about the same age as her.
The Chinese girl was sitting quietly by the window, holding a thick book and reading intently.
She had long, shiny black hair that draped softly over her shoulders; those eyes, clear as water, sparkled with an agile light, like bright stars in the night sky; her fair skin was as delicate and smooth as mutton-fat jade, making one want to touch it gently.
Hearing the door open, she looked up, a hint of surprise appearing on her face, though it quickly transformed into a gentle smile.
Adelaide asked somewhat nervously, "Hello, may I sit here?"
The Chinese girl nodded with a smile and said softly, "Of course, I'm the only one here. Please come in."
Adelaide entered the compartment and sat opposite the Chinese girl, introducing herself politely:
"My name is Adelaide Grindelwald, and I'm a freshman this year. May I ask how to address you?"
The Chinese girl responded with some pleasant surprise, "What a coincidence! My name is Cho Chang, and like you, I'm also a freshman just starting school this year."
"We're both freshmen, what a coincidence! I really hope we get sorted into the same house!"
With a look of surprise and joy on her face, Adelaide used her status as a freshman to close the distance with Cho Chang, while simultaneously opening a conversation and chatting with her.
Of course, she wouldn't tell Cho Chang—the coincidence she believed in was actually the result of another person's careful effort.
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