The Ceiling and Floor of This Year's Little Wizards

Hermione asked curiously, "What's wrong with Gryffindor? I heard that Dumbledore—the greatest wizard of the twentieth century—graduated from Gryffindor."

"But Ravenclaw is pretty good too," Hermione added at the end.

Neville stared intently at Andy, as if he would charge at him and fight him if Andy couldn't give a reasonable explanation.

"Uh..."

Andy hadn't expected a single remark to provoke such a huge reaction from the two of them.

But thinking about it carefully, Hogwarts' Four Great Houses had existed for a thousand years. Each House had its own traditions and supporters.

Fans of sports teams and idol groups in the Muggle World often tore into each other, so it was hardly surprising that the Four Great Houses of Hogwarts did the same.

"We're going to Hogwarts to study magic. Really, no matter which House we join, the knowledge we learn is the same. What matters most is our own effort."

Leaning back to one side, Andy explained unhurriedly, "Every House at Hogwarts has its own traditions, so the learning atmosphere in each House is different."

"Gryffindor is certainly good too. That House represents courage. It's just that Little Wizards usually can't tell the difference between courage and recklessness, so they're very mischievous."

"And I prefer a quieter learning environment," Andy concluded.

Courage was certainly a fine quality, but Gryffindor? He'd pass!

"So that's how it is!"

Hermione said thoughtfully, "It's really hard to imagine Dumbledore being as mischievous as those naughty children when he was young."

Andy could already picture it.

Maybe Dumbledore had tossed Dungbombs down the corridors in his youth too.

The three continued chatting about amusing things from their lives as the train rolled steadily onward.

Clatter!

The train's snack vendor slid open the compartment door. Pushing a cart piled high with food, she asked with a pleasant smile, "Would you children like to buy some snacks?"

"I'll buy some." Hermione was very interested in snacks from the Wizarding World.

"I... I... I'm not buying any."

Neville stammered, "My gran was afraid I'd lose my change. Well, it's not the first time I've lost my pocket money..."

Andy took out several Silver Sickles. "I'll get some too."

The Wizarding World's snacks were not only interesting, but delicious as well.

When he was at home, Andy had been too embarrassed to fight the little girl for snacks. He often even had to give her some of his own, but he had much more freedom while out and about.

The Little Wizards spent generously, and the saleswitch's smile became even kinder. "Thank you for your purchase."

"Neville, have some with us," Andy invited.

"I... I..." Neville blushed, looking a little embarrassed.

Andy chuckled. "You can treat us next time. We'll be classmates from now on, so don't be so polite."

Hermione said generously as well, "Exactly. We're all classmates, so don't stand on ceremony with us."

"Thank you!"

Neville opened a box of Chocolate Frogs, then suddenly seemed to remember something. He sprang to his feet. "Oh no, I've lost Trevor."

"What's Trevor?" Hermione asked curiously.

Neville anxiously searched all around. "Trevor is my pet. He's a golden-backed toad."

Hermione's eyes widened. She seemed unable to imagine anyone keeping a toad as a pet.

Seeing Neville grow so anxious he was nearly beside himself, Hermione suggested, "He should still be on the train. Let's go out and look for him!"

With that, Hermione turned to Andy. "Are you coming too?"

Andy rubbed his temples. "Please. Trevor may not be a Magical Creature, but he's still a magical pet. Once he's had enough fun, he'll find his way back on his own."

Hermione looked at Neville skeptically. "Is that true?"

Neville thought about it, then said somewhat sheepishly, "I think there have been a few times when Trevor suddenly disappeared, then suddenly came back..."

As Hermione's gaze grew increasingly dangerous, Neville could only explain weakly, "I forgot."

After sharing snacks together, the three of them gradually became more familiar with one another.

Neville also told them about how, in order to prove he wasn't a Squib, his uncle had thrown him out of a window—and he had bounced.

His family had been overjoyed by the incident, because it meant he could attend Hogwarts.

Hermione also spoke of her childhood Magic Outburst. She had gotten into an argument with someone she really disliked, and in her agitation, made all of that person's hair disappear.

"What about you?" Hermione looked at Andy.

From chatting with Neville, Hermione had gained a rough understanding of the magical ability of the Little Wizards in their year.

If Andy represented the absolute ceiling of their year, then Neville represented its floor—he couldn't cast a single spell, and he hadn't even read any textbooks before starting school.

"Me..."

Andy sank into his memories. "I think I was about six. My dad said I'd reached the age for a Magic Outburst, so I used my magic to blow up the chair beneath his butt."

"Just like that?" Hermione asked skeptically. "I read in a book that Little Wizards only experience Magic Outbursts when they're emotionally agitated. It's a sign of unstable magic..."

Before Hermione could finish, Andy used his magic to make her hair float into the air.

"Ah—" Hermione cried out.

"It's getting harder and harder now. That should be because my magic is gradually stabilizing." Andy spread his hands, wearing an insufferably smug expression.

Neville looked utterly envious. "Andy, you're amazing."

"Is that Wandless Magic?"

Hermione first shot Andy a fierce glare, then asked curiously, "I read in a book that only very powerful wizards can perform Wandless Magic."

"It doesn't really count as Wandless Magic."

Andy explained, "This is just the simplest form of magic control. I could only do this after practicing diligently for a long time."

At the mention of diligent practice, Hermione's gaze returned to her book.

"I'm going back to reading."

"And you two..."

Hermione glanced at Andy and Neville. "If there's nothing important, don't disturb me."

Neville looked somewhat at a loss.

Andy shrugged and leaned sideways against his seat for a nap.

Whooo—

The train continued onward. The sky beyond the windows gradually darkened, and Andy and the others drew ever closer to Hogwarts.

After some time, Andy suddenly felt someone nudging him.

"Andy, Hogwarts is almost here. We'd better change into our Wizard Robes quickly," Neville said quietly.

"Thanks!"

Andy rubbed his eyes and slowly rose from his seat. Spreading his arms, he drew his wand and gave it a light flick.

A gap opened in the suitcase on the rack, and a set of Wizard Robes flew out.

Andy's casual clothes slipped off on their own, neatly folded themselves, and returned to the suitcase.

The Wizard Robes unfurled in midair, then slipped onto Andy.

Change complete!