Early on the morning of September 1st, Tom obediently followed behind Mrs. Cole. He was rather curious about why she was being so kind—she had actually found him when he was about to leave alone and accompanied him to King's Cross Station. Tom found it deeply puzzling; she was completely unlike her usual fierce self.
"Tch, we're here." Mrs. Cole glanced at the bustling station, then turned to glare at the boy before her, her brows tightly furrowed. Gritting her teeth, she pulled two crumpled pounds from her pocket. "Take them! Just this once. I won't give you money again in the future..."
Forcing the bills into Tom's arms, Mrs. Cole paused. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed several people sizing up the slender boy. Irritably, she shoved Tom. "That face of yours is nothing but trouble! Get to the platform already! If you get expelled from that school, I'll punish you severely!"
"Yes, ma'am." Tom nodded, said goodbye, and quickly left. He had noticed the gazes fixed on him as well. Being looked over like merchandise made him sick. Picking up his pace again and again, Tom finally found Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. With his head lowered, he charged straight at the pillar between them.
After the sensation of passing through a membrane, the corners of Tom's lips rose involuntarily. This was incredible. Just moments ago, he had still been in the Muggle world where he had always lived... but now, the crowd before him had become wizards—wizards with magic, just like him!
Taking a deep breath, Tom felt that this was where he belonged—not in that dilapidated, cramped orphanage, but in the magical world! Suppressing his joyful feelings, Tom carried his suitcase onto the steam train, carefully avoiding the young wizards running through the carriage.
As he passed a compartment, Tom paused and sniffed. He seemed to have smelled this fragrance somewhere before. It was much like the intoxicating floral scent from his dreams.
"Get lost. This isn't a place for the likes of you!"
The haughty voice was filled with intense malice. Tom turned his head, his frail body still standing straight. Seeing the other boy's luxurious new robes, he lowered his eyes and raised his foot to leave. Being looked at with such disdain and disgust was perfectly normal, wasn't it? Just like those rich people who tossed coins at his feet.
How could pride feed him? He had to fill his stomach before he could talk about ideals...
"Brent... when will you stop disgracing the Flint family?" A crisp, arrogant female voice rang out from inside the compartment. Volga smoothed her hair and shot Brent a fierce glare. What an annoying fellow. Did he really have to cause trouble outside their compartment?
Tom tilted his head and shyly nodded at the girl, who was only a little older than him. Whatever her reason, she had still spoken up for him. His gaze followed the gap in the open door, and a dazzling streak of platinum blond entered Tom's eyes.
What a beautiful color...
Tom marveled inwardly and wanted to see what sort of person could possess such captivating hair, but unfortunately, the girl from before blocked his view. No longer lingering, Tom dragged his suitcase onward and only found an empty compartment near the end of the train.
Taking out his wand, he skillfully cast the Levitation Charm. Ever since receiving his wand and textbooks, he had spent the entire month practicing these marvelous spells. He did not know whether others, like him, could master the contents of the books so quickly.
"Wow... you're really amazing. You don't seem like a first-year at all!"
Before you continue