I am Harry Potter's Cousin, Big D

Not long after, the rhythmic clatter of the train began to slow, and the Hogwarts Express finally reached its destination: Hogsmeade Station.

The newly robed students disembarked, spilling onto a small, dark platform. There was no enchanting scenery to greet them, only the biting cold wind of a late autumn night.

"Put this on, it'll warm you up."

Dudley noticed Hermione constantly blowing on her hands to warm them. Without a word, he untied the soft, knitted scarf from around his own neck and gently wrapped it around hers. Then, he took a large, heavy coat from his luggage and draped it over her shoulders. The coat was far too big, almost engulfing her entirely, but it was incredibly warm.

"Thank you," she whispered, her face slightly flushed in the dim light. She tightened the collar of the coat, wrapping herself more snugly in its comforting warmth.

"First years! First years, over here!"

A kerosene lamp swayed above the students' heads, and a rough yet familiar voice rang out through the darkness. It was Hagrid. When he saw Harry, he started to move towards them, a friendly greeting on his lips, but then his eyes fell on Dudley, and he abruptly stopped.

"First years, follow me!" he called out instead. "And mind yer step!"

Soon, a crowd of young wizards had gathered around him. He held the lamp high and led the way forward. The first-years followed, slipping and sliding, stumbling along a steep, narrow path that wound its way down the rugged hillside. Dudley noticed that the older students had gone in a different direction after leaving the platform; only the first-years were taking this treacherous route.

"I read in Hogwarts: A History that the first-years have to walk the path once taken by the four great founders of the school," Hermione said, her fluffy little head peeking out from the bundled-up coat. "It's to learn their spirit."

Dudley had skimmed that part of the book but hadn't paid it much mind. This was the key difference between them: Hermione indiscriminately absorbed all knowledge, useful or not, while Dudley deliberately chose to remember only what he deemed practical. For example, he had already memorized the entire first-year Potions and Herbology textbooks, while Hermione had only had a general understanding of the content.

For Dudley, the difficult journey was barely a warm-up, but for the other young wizards, the steep, winding path left them breathless and exhausted. Fortunately, they soon reached the end. The narrow path abruptly opened up to a vast, black lake. On the high hillside opposite the water stood a majestic castle, its countless spires and windows twinkling like stars under the night sky.

That had to be Hogwarts. It was a magnificent, breathtaking sight. Just looking at it from afar, Dudley could feel the ancient power and grandeur of the place. The thought of spending the next seven years there sent a thrill of genuine excitement through him. He had never lived in a castle before.

"Right then, kids, get in the boats, quick now!" Hagrid shouted, pointing to a fleet of small boats moored by the shore. "No more than four to a boat!"

For the other young wizards, it was four people per boat. For Dudley, his sheer size meant that he alone lowered the boat to the waterline as much as four others would. So, he rode in a small boat by himself. It was said that many aquatic magical creatures lived at the bottom of the lake, and he stared down at the pitch-black surface, wondering if it was true. For him, Hogwarts was not just a place of learning; it was a treasure trove of new experiences and valuable resources.

"Du… Dudley," a gruff voice sounded from a nearby boat. "Please allow me to call you that." Hagrid looked deeply uncomfortable, his massive frame hunched over in his own small vessel. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the lapping water. "Oh, I mean, I shouldn't have... that day..." He trailed off, unable to find the right words. "Is your... there... better?" The scene of Dudley tearing off his own tail had clearly left a deep and lasting impression on him.

"It's fine now," Dudley said lightly. In truth, a small scar remained where the tail had been, a permanent reminder he had deliberately left as a warning to himself. Essentially, Dudley didn't dislike Hagrid. The conflict had started with the half-giant laying hands on Vernon. And later, Petunia had mentioned that her husband and some of James Potter's other friends had a history of unpleasant encounters. Hagrid's personality was simple, and he wasn't bad at heart. But, as Dudley had learned, sometimes "simple" was not purely a compliment.

"Really… really?" Hagrid said, his voice thick with relief.

"If it's possible," Dudley said, seeing an opportunity, "I hope you can invite me to your home as a guest in the future. I'll bring Harry, of course. After all, you were my aunt and uncle's friend." He admitted to himself that there was a strong utilitarian purpose behind the offer. He had studied the map of Hogwarts; Hagrid's hut was located near the edge of the Forbidden Forest, a place Dudley intended to frequent. Getting along with Hagrid was a strategic necessity.

"Oh, that's… that's wonderful!" Hagrid stammered, his previous gruffness completely gone. "I mean… I certainly don't mind."

The fleet of boats passed through a dark tunnel and arrived at a place resembling an underground dock beneath the castle. Professor McGonagall stood at the main entrance, her expression stern and imposing.

"First years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid announced.

"Thank you, Hagrid," she replied politely, then turned to the assembled students. "Follow me."

She pushed open the large oak doors, and the breathtaking grandeur of a European medieval castle was revealed. The walls were built with a kind of grey stone that Dudley didn't recognize, but he was certain it was much harder than ordinary rock; even with his immense strength, he couldn't pry off a small piece. Torches blazed all around the stone walls, their light flickering high above. The ceiling was so high it was almost out of sight. In front of them, a grand marble staircase led straight up into the upper reaches of the castle.

As they walked across the stone floor, they could hear a buzzing sound of conversation coming from a door on the right. Clearly, the room was full of people. Following Professor McGonagall, they came to a small, empty room at the other end of the hall.

"I know," Hermione whispered, leaning close to Dudley. "I read in Hogwarts: A History that we have to be sorted into our houses before we can officially start learning."

Her voice, though quiet, was heard by Professor McGonagall, who gave her an approving look. "Well said, Miss Granger." She cleared her throat and began her address.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term feast is about to begin, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."

(End of Chapter)

***

(End of Chapter)

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