On the Train

When Wentworth learned that the person before him was the true top student of Hogwarts for the next several years, his heart was filled with boundless ecstasy!

After all, Cedric was the champion truly recognized by the Triwizard Cup who could represent Hogwarts; Harry Potter merely possessed the protagonist's halo!

In his past life, having experienced the education system of the Celestial Empire, Wentworth knew deeply how important it was for a student to have a top-student friend, especially when that student hailed from Hufflepuff.

One had to know that Harry Potter and his friends would be entering Hogwarts next year. Having made up his mind to stay far away from the "Big Three" of Hogwarts point-deductions, Wentworth had already excluded Gryffindor and Slytherin from his list of potential houses.

He certainly yearned for the various wonders of the magical world, but he did not like trouble or danger. As for Gryffindor and Slytherin—those two houses where trouble would be constant over the next few years—Wentworth had long since decided to steer clear of them.

Subsequently, under Wentworth's deliberate flattery and sycophancy, Amos viewed Wentworth as an incredibly motivated and good student before he departed, to the point that he repeatedly instructed Cedric to take good care of Wentworth before leaving.

As long as you praise my son, you are a good child!

Although Cedric felt a bit embarrassed by Wentworth's flattery, he was, after all, only a twelve-year-old boy; how could he possibly be a match for Wentworth, whose mental age was already incredibly mature?

Soon, Cedric had come to regard Wentworth as his close friend. Coupled with his father's parting instructions, Cedric took Wentworth onto the Hogwarts Express, turned down many invitations along the way, and found an empty compartment to sit in with him.

Before long, as the Hogwarts Express began to move, Wentworth and Cedric had become inseparable friends, though for the most part, it was Cedric explaining the various interesting happenings at Hogwarts to Wentworth.

Suddenly, the door to the compartment was pushed open from the outside. Wentworth watched as a pair of slender, fair hands pushed the door open, and a young girl wearing a gothic dress walked in. Most eye-catching of all were the girl's dark green eyes.

"It's you?"

"It's you!"

The two spoke in unison.

"Do you two know each other?"

Cedric, who was sitting to the side, asked curiously upon seeing the reactions of Wentworth and the girl.

"We met once while shopping in Diagon Alley before school started. Her name is Cassandra, and like me, she is a first-year student at Hogwarts this year."

"The person beside me is Cedric, who is one year ahead of us."

Wentworth hurriedly explained, taking the opportunity to introduce them to each other.

"Hello, my name is Cedric, second-year Hufflepuff."

Cedric quickly reached out his hand while introducing himself.

However, Cassandra had no intention of shaking his hand; she merely nodded slightly and sat down right next to Wentworth.

Although Cedric felt a bit awkward, he just shrugged and didn't say anything more. The atmosphere in the compartment instantly turned somewhat stagnant.

After a moment, it was Cassandra who broke the silence:

"Everywhere else is full. My father had originally notified Hogwarts to reserve a compartment for me, but for some reason, Hogwarts didn't follow through. This matter won't just end here!"

Cassandra said somewhat viciously.

Cedric and Wentworth exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of amusement in the other's eyes, but neither said anything. Cedric was just that kind of person, while Wentworth found it funny purely because his mental age was more mature.

Seeing that neither of them echoed her sentiments after she finished speaking, Cassandra couldn't help but pout and said:

"Hey, do you know who my father is? My father is the Head of the Auror Office at the British Ministry of Magic! All the Aurors in Britain report to him!"

Hearing Cassandra say this, Cedric quickly chimed in from the side:

"Is that so? In that case, your father and my father are colleagues!"

"Your father is an Auror too?"

Cassandra's expression softened slightly.

"No, my father works in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures at the British Ministry of Magic!"

"Oh..."

Cassandra returned to her initial arrogant demeanor.

Just then, the door to their compartment was opened again. A woman wearing a hat, a long ponytail, and a trench coat walked in.

"I'm very sorry to disturb you, but there are no seats left in the other compartments. Do you mind if I sit here?"

Although the woman said this, she had already sat down.

Among a carriage full of children, the sudden appearance of an adult woman left the three of them feeling somewhat surprised.

Seeming to notice their gazes, the woman smiled and explained:

"My name is Ilona. If nothing goes wrong, I will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for the new semester!"

The three of them instantly stared at each other, dumbfounded.

The atmosphere in the compartment had dropped to freezing point. There wasn't a sound; all three sat obediently in their seats. Even Cassandra, who had been full of haughty pride earlier, was now incredibly well-behaved.

Wentworth looked at this new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and felt she seemed somewhat familiar, but he truly didn't know who the teacher for this semester was, as the original work hadn't mentioned it, so he didn't dwell on it.

After a moment, seemingly wanting to leave a good impression on the new teacher, Cassandra broke the silence and said:

"Professor Ilona, there seems to be some dirt on the hem of your coat. Let me clean it for you!"

"Scourgify!"

Cassandra took out her wand and gave it a light flick, and the hem of Ilona's coat became as clean as new.

"Thank you very much!"

Ilona nodded gently, smiling to express her thanks, while picking up the water glass at her side to take a few elegant sips.

Cassandra was clearly delighted to have received praise from a teacher before school had even begun, and Cedric, watching this scene from the side, seemed to want to show off in front of the new teacher as well, immediately drawing his wand.

"Professor Ilona, let me top off your water!"

After receiving Ilona's permission, Cedric pointed his wand at Ilona's water glass.

"Aguamenti!"

Afterward, Ilona expressed her thanks to Cedric as well.

Finally, everyone's gaze turned toward Wentworth, staring at him intently.

This caused the expression on Wentworth, who had been watching the fun from the side, to stiffen.

Why are you all looking at me? Do you want me to perform Occlumency for you? Neither of you two noobs even knows Legilimency!

Just as Wentworth was feeling awkward, the compartment door opened once again.

"Anything off the trolley, dears?"

The vendor asked politely.

This made Wentworth heave a sigh of relief, and he then spoke up:

"In that case, I shall perform a spell for everyone as well!"

"Galleon-Plenty!"

Following this, Wentworth pulled a handful of Gold Galleons from his pocket, pointed at the snack trolley, and said:

"I'll take everything!"