Boarding the Train

Early on September 1st, Tom walked obediently behind Mrs. Cole. He was a bit curious why she was being so kind, finding him just as he was preparing to leave alone and accompanying him to King's Cross Station. This made Tom feel quite puzzled, as it was completely different from her usual harsh demeanor.

"Tsk, we're here," Mrs. Cole glanced at the bustling station, then turned to stare at the boy before her, frowning. She gritted her teeth and pulled two crumpled pounds from her pocket. "Take it! This is a one-time thing, I won't give you money again in the future..."

Forcefully pressing the bills into Tom's embrace, Mrs. Cole paused. Her peripheral vision caught some people sizing up the slender boy, and she irritably shoved Tom. "Your face is just a nuisance! Hurry up and get to the platform! If you get expelled from that school, I'll punish you severely!"

"Yes, Madam," Tom nodded, bid farewell, and quickly left. He had also noticed the stares falling upon him, that feeling of being appraised like merchandise made him feel sick. Speeding up, Tom finally found Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and, head down, rushed directly towards the pillar in the middle.

After the sensation of passing through a membrane, the corners of Tom's mouth couldn't help but curve upwards. It was so magical. Just moments ago, he had been in the Muggle world he had always lived in, but now the crowd before him had transformed into wizards, wizards who possessed magic just like him!

Taking a deep breath, Tom felt this was where he truly belonged, not in the dilapidated, cramped orphanage, but in the magical world! Suppressing his joyful emotions, Tom hoisted his trunk onto the steam train, carefully dodging the little wizards running around the carriage.

He paused as he passed a compartment, Tom twitched his nose. He seemed to have smelled this fragrance somewhere before; it was very much like the intoxicating floral scent from his dreams.

"Get lost, this isn't a place for people like you!"

An arrogant voice filled with intense malice rang out. Tom turned his head, his slender frame still held straight. Seeing the other person's new, luxurious robes, he lowered his eyes and prepared to walk away. Being looked at with such disdainful disgust was normal, wasn't it? Just like how those rich people tossed coins at his feet.

Pride can't fill your stomach, you need to eat first before you can talk about ideals...

"Brent... when will you stop embarrassing the Flint family?" A clear, haughty female voice sounded from inside the compartment. Volga tucked a strand of her hair, glaring fiercely at Brent. What an annoying fellow, must he cause trouble outside their compartment?

Tom turned his head and shyly nodded at the girl, who wasn't much older than him. Regardless of her reasons, she had stood up for him. His gaze followed the gap in the opened door, and a dazzling platinum blonde color imprinted itself on Tom's eyes.

What a beautiful color...

He mused inwardly, wanting to see clearly what kind of person could possess such captivating hair. Unfortunately, the girl from before blocked his view. No longer lingering, Tom dragged his suitcase and continued forward, only finding an empty compartment near the very end.

Taking out his wand, he skillfully cast the Levitation Charm. Ever since he received his wand and textbooks, he had spent the entire month practicing these magical spells. He wasn't sure if others were like him, able to grasp the contents of the books so quickly.

"Wow... you're really good, you don't seem like a first-year at all!"