On the Train

Hiss—

The sound of gushing steam came from the head of the deep crimson Hogwarts Express, white smoke billowing as the crowd buzzed with noise.

Children were saying their final goodbyes to their families, or had already reunited with friends, recounting the fun things that happened during the holidays.

"Oh, Neville!! You left Trevor here!" an old woman, carrying a bag and a plump toad in her arms, hurried over to the train.

A chubby boy with a round face stuck his head out the train window: "Oh, Grandma, you scared me! I thought he'd run off again."

"You lost him, he didn't run off!" the old woman corrected. She then added, "Take care of yourself when you get to school."

"I will!" Neville nodded.

"You won't! I mean, if something happens, remember to find a teacher, don't be a headless chicken."

"Oh... okay..."

The train gradually started to move. Mothers waved at the train, their younger siblings crying and laughing, running alongside the train until it accelerated and they were left behind, still waving at their brothers and sisters going to Hogwarts.

"Alright, don't worry about it," Mu En said, looking at Chris, who was lowering his arm.

"It can't be helped. Whenever I think I won't see the child again until Christmas, I feel a bit empty," Chris said with a smile, his gaze still fixed on the spot where the train had disappeared.

Then his expression darkened slightly, and he waved his hand, "She hasn't been anywhere this far before."

After speaking, he shook his head, "Never mind, let's go. Fancy a drink?"

"Alcohol or coffee?" Mu En asked. "I think it's alcohol."

"I still have to drive," Chris said, changing the subject. "Aren't you worried? Speaking of which, it was a neighbor who brought Pete here, not his family."

"I'm not worried," Mu En shook his head. "I'm going to Hogwarts myself in a bit."

"What?"

"That's right. The headmaster of Hogwarts said there's a vacant position for me, and I accepted," Mu En nodded, walking out of King's Cross Station with Chris. "So, I'm telling you not to worry too much."

A weight lifted from Chris's heart. "Okay, now that you're going too, I feel relieved."

"The teachers at Hogwarts are all very good. Even if I'm not there, you can rest assured."

"It always feels different when you have someone you know there."

On the train, Harry and Hermione found a private compartment. After entering, Harry first placed his trunk on the shelf, then helped Hermione put her luggage up one by one.

"Harry, is this all your luggage?" Hermione looked curiously at Harry's trunk. It looked just like an ordinary suitcase, brown, made of leather, with brass clasps.

It was identical to the one her father usually used.

"This was a gift I received last Christmas, from a friend of Uncle Mu En's," Harry explained. "It's been enchanted, so it can hold quite a lot of things."

"Oh, okay. I thought your clothes were all in that small cloth bag," Hermione said.

"No, I'm only carrying some personal items in it now."

Harry didn't want to talk much about it, as it might seem like he was showing off. And regarding things given by others, which had nothing to do with his own abilities, he felt there was nothing to brag about.

If he were to brag, it should be about things he obtained through his own efforts.

The two sat opposite each other in the compartment, chatting idly. They were both nervous about the upcoming journey to Hogwarts.

Although the books said that the gap between wizards from Muggle families and wizards from wizarding families wouldn't be too large, neither of them really believed it.

Not a big gap? Unless these peers from the wizarding world had learned nothing from birth until now!

Was that even possible?!

"By the way, Hermione, I suggest it's better not to use the word 'Muggle'," Harry said seriously. "Uncle Mu En told me that 'Muggle' is actually a derogatory term used by wizards for non-spellcasters, it's just become commonplace now."

Hermione immediately shut her mouth. She had just used the word "Muggle."

Following Harry's reminder, she suddenly remembered how that guy she met at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions had addressed her father that day.

"Okay, Harry, you're right," Hermione said, feeling a bit annoyed. "I saw those books calling them 'Muggle, Muggle'... so I did too..."

"It's nothing. Uncle Mu En usually calls them ordinary people or non-spellcasters," Harry said, recalling the first time Mu En had told him this.

"Don't use the word 'Muggle'" was one of the rare things Uncle Mu En had told him so seriously for the first time.

Clang—

The compartment door was roughly pulled open, and a familiar, detestable face appeared in the doorway.

A thin face, blond hair slicked back, and that annoying arrogant expression still on his face.

And his fashion sense was a bit outdated.

"Harry Potter, I finally found you," Draco said slowly as he walked into the compartment. Behind him, two chubby, ugly-looking figures stood on either side, like bodyguards.

"Oh, this is Crabbe, and this is Goyle," Draco introduced casually.

"I've been looking for you since I got on the train."

Harry stood up, blocking the compartment entrance. "Are you here to give me a gift? No need, I've already accepted your apology."

A blush spread across Malfoy's pale face, and he nodded through gritted teeth, "Fine, fine, fine!! Yes, I'm here to give you a gift. A lesson—for you!"

Crabbe and Goyle lunged forward, one on each side, after he finished speaking.

"Harry!" Hermione cried out.

Draco said smugly, "I want to tell you, don't think you can oppose the Malfoy family just because you're the famous Potter."

Bang—

The next moment, scarlet blood splattered across Draco's pale face.

Harry punched Crabbe right on the nose, and he immediately cried out in pain, falling backward with blood flying everywhere.

Harry's strength wasn't that great, but then again, these two little fatties weren't exactly fierce either.

However, Goyle's fist also came swinging. Harry blocked it with his arms in front of him, feeling a dull ache. In return, he landed a hook directly to Goyle's gut.

In the blink of an eye, the two little fatties were rolling on the ground, wailing.

Malfoy wiped the blood from his face, finally snapping back to reality. His expression turned even paler. He stumbled backward, quickly crouching down to help the two up.

The three of them practically scrambled out of the compartment.

Hermione hadn't even processed what happened. She had only seen the two boys rush at Harry and had just stood up to help when those two fell.

"Harry, are you okay?" Hermione asked, flustered.

"Everything's fine," Harry reassured her, rubbing his forearm before sitting back down on the compartment's sofa.

Seeing Harry was alright, Hermione's anxiety didn't fade. "Oh my goodness, you made them bleed. That's against school rules, this... they won't send you back, will they?"

"They won't, it's fine," Harry said casually. "Don't worry, even if it really breaks some school rules, they wouldn't send a young wizard back."