Harry Potter: I started checking in from Diagon Alley

Most of these students come from families with Auror or Ministry of Magic backgrounds.

The Slytherin prefect in the carriage was clearly one of those who wouldn't do that.

“Professor Lupin! Do you have any chocolate? Could you take some out and distribute it to those who need it?” Professor Flitwick turned to Lupin and said.

Lupin, of course, would not refuse Flitwick's request at this critical juncture. He nodded and, as Flitwick had instructed, took out the chocolates and gave a small piece to everyone in the carriage.

Without Flitwick giving any instructions, the professors who had come with him spontaneously began to take action.

Some students were so frightened by the Dementors' attack that they needed to be taken to the train's emergency room for examination.

Some professors also went to other carriages to inform others about what was happening on the Hogwarts train and to prepare them.

Not only the people, but also the structure of the carriages was somewhat loosened after Eric's giant eagle's antics. The professors need to take care of these issues before reaching their destination.

Under Flitwick's leadership, the Hogwarts teachers swiftly and decisively regained control of the situation.

After doing all this, Flitwick pulled Eric and Lupin aside and said to Eric, "Eric, don't worry, you did the right thing. Nobody would have thought that those Dementors would be so bold as to board the train directly."

"You must have your own secrets to be able to use the Guardian Charm at this age, so I won't ask any more questions."

Flitwick gave Eric a meaningful smile, and Eric, understanding the implication, laughed along.

After laughing, Flitwick immediately became serious and said, "However, we still need to communicate with the Ministry of Magic through official channels about how to handle this matter. I will also tell the headmaster and the board of directors about your situation. It will only be to inform them. You will not be punished for this, I guarantee."

"Hogwarts has no precedent of punishing a student for needing to protect himself from harm."

“We have always believed that if one day students are required to step forward first when faced with danger, it will be because we have not done enough.”

Eric nodded in agreement; on this point, he shared Flitwick's view.

Fortunately, it was Flitwick who was in charge of the train operation this year.

If Professor McGonagall, the Headmaster of Gryffindor, were on this train, she would likely not criticize Eric, but she certainly wouldn't condone his behavior.

This is not to say that Professor McGonagall is more demanding; it's just the rule.

The Guardian Charm is, after all, a highly difficult spell that requires concentration.

Even Ministry of Magic staff, when facing Dementors, must act in groups of two or three, and keep their positions as far apart as possible.

This is to be on the safe side, ensuring that if any wizard encounters an accident, someone will be present to maintain the Guardian Charm and prevent them from being threatened by Dementors.

Eric's act of going out alone to face the Dementors is, from an ordinary person's perspective, practically suicidal.

Even if you manage to repel one or two Dementors, it will undoubtedly enrage them.

Dementors don't have much reason to speak of.

If even one Dementor can get close to Erik, there is a chance to disrupt his spellcasting.

What happens next is not hard to predict.

Of course, it's also true that Eric single-handedly defeated the Dementors.

Given Professor Flitwick's unconventional personality, even if he hesitated at first, he would ultimately only approve of such behavior.

How could I possibly blame Eric?

Chapter 44 Heading to Hogwarts

After chatting with Eric for a few more minutes, Flitwick had to deal with the trouble Eric had caused earlier.

More and more professors arrived at this carriage, and Flitwick was the highest-ranking person in charge of the train.

Before leaving, Flitwick smiled meaningfully at Eric and said, "I hope you can come to Ravenclaw, Eric."

“You are undoubtedly a genius. I know many talented wizards, and they all have one thing in common: they are always curious about knowledge.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re the wizard Ravenclaw admires.”

Faced with such a direct invitation, what could Eric say?

I definitely won't refuse, but agreeing directly seems a bit inappropriate, as if there's some inside story.

The Sorting Ceremony at Hogwarts is determined by the Sorting Hat, and strictly speaking, even Eric doesn't know which house he will be sorted into.

When a student puts on the sorting cap, the cap calls out which college the student belongs to.

Some tabloids have revealed the Hogwarts Sorting House standards.

At Hogwarts, each house has its own admirable qualities.

This is mainly related to the founders of the four colleges.

Ravenclaws crave knowledge, Gryffindors admire courage, Slytherins are ambitious, and Hufflepuffs are forever loyal.

In theory, the Sorting Hat would also assign each student to a college according to this standard.

But Eric knew that the Sorting Hat actually respected the wizard's personal wishes.

As a sentient magical artifact, the Sorting Hat cannot forcibly distort a wizard's will.

It can only understand the wizard's inner thoughts, analyze them, and then make a decision.

If Eric insisted on being sorted into a particular house, the Sorting Hat probably wouldn't refuse.

Even if it weren't Eric who knew this rule, any student would have done the same thing; it's just that most of the time the Sorting Hat makes the choice for them.

Because humans are a collection of contradictions, not composed of a single trait such as courage or curiosity.

Everyone has a thirst for knowledge, just to varying degrees. Naturally, if judged by this standard, everyone could enter Ravenclaw.

After all, a forced explanation can always be made to make sense.

Eric could only smile at Professor Flitwick and say, "I'll try my best, Professor."

Flitwick nodded in satisfaction upon receiving the answer and turned to leave.

Lupin was conscripted by Flitwick, and Eric, who returned alone to his cell, once again encountered the pale-faced trio.

Harry had fainted because of the Dementors and had just slowly woken up, while Hermione and Ron were simply frightened by Harry.

Hermione and Ron both seemed a bit nervous because of Harry's situation, and they didn't talk much with Eric in front of the exhausted Harry.

Speechless all the way.

……

It was already evening when the Hogwarts Express arrived at Hogsmeade Station.

They hadn't arrived at the school yet; all the passengers had to disembark here and take a carriage to Hogwarts.

Hogsmeade is a village located next to Hogwarts, inhabited entirely by wizards, and is the only remaining wizard-dominated village in the UK.

Therefore, the train's terminus was also set here.

At this time in previous years, the college selection ceremony would have already ended, and the opening banquet would have begun.

But because of the Dementors' incident today, the train was stopped for a long time and only just arrived at the station.

So now almost everyone is starving and in a hurry, eager to get into the castle for a meal.

Harry, in particular, was extremely exhausted today.

Eric and the trio got off the car and walked out with the crowd. Countless carriages were already waiting for them outside the platform.

"Then, see you at our school."

Once they were off the platform, Eric immediately spoke to the trio.

Harry was stunned. "What? You're not coming with us, Eric?"

Hermione whispered a reminder: "The first-year students will be crossing the Black Lake together in a small boat. Eric can't ride in the carriage with us."

Harry suddenly realized that Eric was different from them.

Judging from Ron's expression, he had clearly just remembered this as well.

Recalling the scene he had just witnessed in the cubicle—Eric commanding the giant eagle to hunt down the Dementors—Ron's expression was somewhat unreal.

Eric has such strength, how can he really only be a first-year student?

Sure enough, no sooner had Hermione finished speaking than a loud voice shouted from the side, "First-year students, come with me! First-year students! Come here!"

The voice sounded a bit rough and carried throughout the entire platform.

Upon hearing this, bewildered first-year students kept walking towards the voice.

“That’s Hagrid!” Harry said, his expression brightening slightly upon hearing the voice. “Hagrid was our mentor when we enrolled. I heard he’s going to teach us how to protect magical creatures this year. Go on, Eric, see you at school.”

“I’m afraid that’s not the case. Eric has to come with us.” Harry had just finished speaking when a somewhat familiar voice rang in their ears.

Lupin emerged from around the corner, looking exhausted, and said, "Eric, Professor Dumbledore just informed me that he wants me to take you directly to the Headmaster's office now, along with Harry."

"The Dementor issue is still unresolved, and there are many details to be discussed. Of course, more importantly, Professor Dumbledore believes he needs to see you."

"Don't worry, it's just a short meeting, but hopefully you won't mind missing the boat trip across the Black Lake and the last Sorting."

"If you wish, you can of course choose to take the boat and then go to see Professor Dumbledore after the banquet."

Eric was not surprised by Dumbledore's summons.

After such a big thing happened, it would be strange if Dumbledore didn't want to see him.

The process of new students taking a boat across the Black Lake is a long-standing Hogwarts ceremony, as this is how the first batch of students entered Hogwarts.

However, Eric preferred a more efficient mode of transportation.

Eric readily agreed: "Professor, I'll go with you."

Hearing Eric say this, not only Harry, but also Hermione and Ron showed joy on their faces.

This means they can go into the castle with Eric and spend more time together.

"Then let's go, let's take a carriage together."

After Lupin finished speaking, he took the lead and walked out first, leading the others to board the carriage pulled by the Thestrals.

Outside the platform, they saw Dementors guarding the key entrances and exits of Hogsmeade, carefully checking everyone.

Apart from Eric and Lupin, the other two Harry and his companions were all slightly nervous upon witnessing this scene.

Fortunately, after being warned, the Dementors did not try to get too close to the students again.

The group of five slowly drove towards Hogwarts.