The inside of the carriage looked far larger than it did from the outside.
From the exterior, the carriage appeared capable of seating only two or three people at most. But once inside, it was unbelievably spacious—
Rather than a carriage, it was more like a small mobile palace. Exquisite carved decorations and luxurious fabrics covered the entire interior.
Soft light poured down from ornate chandeliers, illuminating the whole space and filling it with a warm yet mysterious atmosphere.
The carriage had also been divided into several small compartments, like a miniature train. Each compartment was separated by intricately carved wooden screens.
"Please, everyone, come in." Tierra stood beside the carriage door, holding it with his left hand while making an exaggerated circle over his head with his right. Then he bent at the waist like a comical attendant and gestured invitingly.
"Oh, right, Hermione. You'll share a compartment with me later," Tierra suddenly said. "There are some things I want to talk to you about."
"Huh?" Hermione was startled at first, then agreed somewhat excitedly. "All right."
"Please." Tierra smiled and pulled aside the screen of one compartment.
"Oh, oh, all right, all right." Hermione accepted Tierra's invitation and entered the compartment with him.
"Sorry, Hermione, but the plan has changed." The moment Tierra entered the compartment, his smile vanished. He held out his hand to Hermione and said, "I may need you to return the Philosopher's Stone to me. An urgent experiment requires it for the moment. Then I'll personally take Professor Slughorn to visit Mr. Flamel and return the Philosopher's Stone."
"Oh, all right," Hermione said, somewhat disappointed. She laid her suitcase flat on the small table between herself and Tierra, opened it, stepped onto a stool, and climbed inside—
The suitcase had been transformed by the