Let Go of the Urge to Help and Respect Others' Fates

After Hermione left, Chu Yao stood up.

Harry and Ron saw only a blur. Before they could even make out what she had done, her exquisite Eastern clothes vanished, replaced by a neatly fitted set of black Hogwarts robes. Even her tie was impeccably knotted.

(Harry's inner monologue: Wow! She changed clothes so fast! Faster than magic!)

(Ron's inner monologue: Here we go again! More magic without an incantation! Just how much of this stuff can she do?)

Chu Yao straightened the hem of her robe and turned to the two boys, who were still staring blankly. "I'm going out for some air. Remember to get changed."

Her gaze settled on Ron's face. She paused, then added with a kindly teasing note in her voice, "Oh, and... Ron."

Hearing Chu Yao call his name, Ron looked a little confused. "Huh? What is it?"

Chu Yao pointed at her own nose and said with a smile, "You've got a bit of dirt on your nose. You'd better wipe it off so you won't be embarrassed when we get off the train later~"

Ron instinctively touched the tip of his nose and, sure enough, rubbed off a little dust. The tips of his ears instantly turned as red as his hair.

Merlin! She actually noticed! How embarrassing!

Chu Yao looked at his awkward expression and chuckled. She slid open the compartment door and walked out, leaving Harry and Ron to rummage frantically for their robes.

She stood in the corridor, watching the scenery of the Scottish Highlands fly past the window, her fingertips tapping lightly against the window frame without her noticing.

Of course she had seen him.

When Ron had opened his trunk to look for his robes, the gray rat with a missing toe had been curled up among a pile of sweaters, dozing.

Peter Pettigrew.

Or rather, a rat who had been in disguise for eleven years.

An amused smile curved Chu Yao's lips.

If she were still the ruthless and decisive demonic path supreme of her previous life, she would already have crushed this gutter rat to death and claimed the credit for herself while she was at it.

But the Chu Yao of the present did not care.

What's the rush?

Let the bullet fly a little longer.

What fun would it be to expose him now? It would also throw all the plotlines into disarray.

After all...

She gazed at the scenery rushing past, a sly glint flashing in her eyes.

Knowing how the story unfolds is the greatest golden finger of all.

I'll let this rat run around for a few more years, then wait until a crucial moment to... decide.

And there was what her master often said: "Let go of the urge to help, respect others' fates, and avoid becoming entangled in unnecessary karma."

Ron's voice came from the compartment, complaining, "Scabbers! Stop biting my socks!"

Chu Yao chuckled aloud.

The Chosen One had to endure hardships to grow.

If I cleared away all the obstacles, wouldn't I be depriving him of the precious... opportunities for growth that someone specially designed for him?

She adjusted the cuffs of her freshly changed wizard's robes, then turned and walked toward the front of the train.

As they got off the train, the cold night wind swept over them, carrying the dampness peculiar to the Scottish Highlands.

Guided by Hagrid's enormous lantern, the first-years followed a steep, narrow path downhill, finally arriving at a black lake.

On a high hillside across the lake stood a magnificent castle, its many towers rising into the sky and its windows glowing warmly beneath the stars.

That was Hogwarts.

Honestly, if this hadn't been her first time starting school, with every part of the process filtered through the novelty of a new experience, Chu Yao would definitely have stepped onto her flying sword and zipped straight to the castle gates. Why else would she be standing here in line for a boat?

And besides, the boats looked a little small. It was pitch-dark, too. How could this compare to the carefree freedom of flying on a sword?

Oh well. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I'll experience the Wizarding World's "welcome routine."

Author's note: Thank you, my dear readers, for the bookmarks, likes, check-ins, comments, flowers, gold coins, and memberships. Love you all! ♥