Simultaneous Transmigration: From Japanese Anime to American Comics

Chapter 29: Arrival

Harry, noticing something amiss ahead, whispered to Hagrid on the nearby boat, "That blond kid doesn't seem to be in any real danger, but it looks like something's toying with him."

Prompted by Harry's observation, Hagrid also felt something was off. Everyone else had climbed back onto their boats, so why was he the only one still being dunked in and out of the water?

Hagrid looked around carefully for a while but couldn't see anyone casting a spell. Scratching his head in confusion, he muttered, "There's no trace of magic anywhere. I reckon the lad must've angered some magical creature in the Black Lake."

After letting Draco Malfoy suffer for a bit, Chu Yang felt his anger subside. He released the power of the Wood Release, allowing Malfoy to escape.

Immediately, Malfoy felt the force gripping his legs vanish, and using all his strength, he swam desperately toward the boat.

Seeing the vines retreat from the boat, Goyle and Crabbe cautiously pulled the exhausted Malfoy back aboard.

"Ugh!"

Malfoy, just as he lay down, began to vomit violently. Who knows what he ingested from the lake, but it was clear he'd swallowed quite a bit, making for a rather grim scene.

"I suppose the first place he'll visit once term starts is the infirmary. Hopefully, the staff there can help him," Hermione remarked with a mixture of sympathy and disgust.

Chu Yang nodded, grinning widely.

Hogwarts stood tall on a cliff, surrounded by water on three sides. Directly beneath the cliffs lay the entrance to the school's waterway, a dark cavern resembling the gaping maw of a monstrous creature.

As the young wizards gazed up at the towering school, they couldn't help but gasp in awe.

Only now did they truly comprehend the majesty of Hogwarts, no longer relying solely on the tales they'd read.

Hogwarts was undoubtedly the most magnificent and awe-inspiring school in magical history!

The boats drifted into the cave, and after a brief moment of darkness, light gradually appeared. It was then that Chu Yang saw a dock nestled deep within the cave beneath the castle.

Following Hagrid's instructions, the new students disembarked in an orderly fashion and gathered together.

Malfoy, who was as limp as a rag, couldn't stand at all and was propped up by Goyle and Crabbe, looking utterly dazed.

"He doesn't seem fit to attend the Sorting Ceremony tonight..."

Hagrid mumbled, leading the students up a winding stone staircase.

The stairs eventually opened onto a flat courtyard, and just ahead stood the grand entrance to Hogwarts.

At that moment, the doors opened, as if a group of people had just been welcomed inside.

"Your upperclassmen should already be here. Follow the stairs, and you'll meet Professor McGonagall. Remember, show her respect," Hagrid reminded the new students before heading straight to Malfoy, lifting him onto his shoulder.

Malfoy, who had just barely stopped vomiting, was overwhelmed once more by Hagrid's strong body odor and the stench of animals. Immediately, he began retching again.

Chu Yang caught a glimpse of the green bile coming from Malfoy and started to wonder if he'd gone too far.

"Poor lad, I'd better get you to the infirmary quickly," Hagrid muttered, shaking his head with pity before striding away.

The remaining young wizards exchanged glances before following Hagrid's instructions and ascending the steps. Soon, they encountered a tall, stern-looking witch with a serious expression.

"Hello, first-years. Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am Minerva McGonagall, your future Transfiguration professor, as well as the head of Gryffindor House and Deputy Headmistress of the school."

Professor McGonagall wore a dark green robe that accentuated her stern demeanor. The new students stood before her, too nervous to make a sound.

"Your upperclassmen, professors, and Headmaster Dumbledore are waiting inside, but before the feast, you must first undergo the Sorting Ceremony."

"You will be placed into one of the four houses, where you will spend your next seven years."

"The names of the four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own rich history and has produced many distinguished witches and wizards."

"While at school, you will attend classes with your housemates, share a dormitory, and spend your free time in the house's common room."

"Outstanding performance will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will result in point deductions. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will win the House Cup, a great honor. I hope that no matter which house you're sorted into, you'll strive to bring glory to it."

As Chu Yang listened to this familiar introduction, a playful smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

He knew that no matter how many points Harry lost for Gryffindor early on, Dumbledore would always find ways to give them back for various reasons.

Although Dumbledore's goal of grooming Harry as the "Savior" was clear, such actions were inherently unfair to the other houses.

Fortunately, Chu Yang had no interest in the House Cup. As long as it didn't interfere with his magical studies, he didn't care which house won.

After finishing her introduction, Professor McGonagall prepared to lead the students into the Great Hall. However, she noticed the water stains on Goyle and Crabbe.

Frowning, she approached the two boys. Goyle and Crabbe, terrified, stood frozen, as if awaiting a scolding.

However, instead of reprimanding them, McGonagall asked in a gentle tone, "What happened to you two? Did you fall into the lake on the way here?"

What had been intended as a joking question took a serious turn when Goyle and Crabbe nodded timidly.

"You actually fell in?" McGonagall asked, incredulous. She had enchanted each boat to not only automatically navigate to the dock but also protect students from falling into the lake.

"We were attacked by a monster!" Goyle, casting a nervous glance at Chu Yang, explained, "A monster kept attacking our boat, forcing us into the lake before finally letting us go."

"A monster?" McGonagall said, astonished. "That's impossible. The route you took doesn't cross into the habitat of any magical creatures in the Black Lake."

"It's true, Professor! Goyle and I managed to stay afloat, but Malfoy couldn't get back on the boat. The monster trapped him in the water, and he swallowed a lot of lake water. He's just been taken to the infirmary!" Crabbe exclaimed, terrified that McGonagall wouldn't believe them.