On the Train

When Wentworth learned that the person in front of him was the true top student at Hogwarts for the next several years, he was overcome with joy!

After all, Cedric was the one the Triwizard Cup had truly chosen as Hogwarts' Champion. Harry Potter had nothing but the protagonist's halo!

Having experienced the Celestial Empire's education system in his previous life, Wentworth knew all too well how important it was for a student to have a top student as a friend. Especially when that top student was from Hufflepuff.

After all, Harry Potter and the others would be starting at Hogwarts next year. Once Wentworth had made up his mind to stay away from the three troublemakers who'd cost Hogwarts points, he had already ruled Gryffindor and Slytherin out as options for his own house.

He really was fascinated by all the wonders of the Wizarding World, but he didn't like trouble or danger. Gryffindor and Slytherin, the two houses that would be at the center of one incident after another over the next few years, were ones Wentworth had already decided to steer well clear of.

Thanks to Wentworth's deliberate flattery and praise, Amos had come to see him as an exceptionally earnest and promising student before they parted. In fact, he repeatedly reminded Cedric to look after Wentworth.

As long as you praised my son, you were a good kid!

Cedric felt a little embarrassed by Wentworth's compliments, but at the end of the day, he was still only twelve. How could he possibly match Wentworth, whose mental age was far more mature?

Before long, Cedric had come to think of Wentworth as a close friend who understood him. And with his father's parting request in mind, he brought Wentworth aboard the Hogwarts Express. He turned down many invitations along the way and found an empty compartment for the two of them.

By the time the Hogwarts Express pulled away, Wentworth and Cedric had already become fast friends who could talk about anything. Though, for the most part, it was Cedric telling Wentworth all sorts of amusing stories about Hogwarts.

Suddenly, the compartment door swung open from the outside. Wentworth watched as a pair of slender hands pushed it open, then a girl in a long Gothic dress stepped inside. Most striking of all were her dark green eyes.

"You?"

"You!"

They spoke at the same time.

"You two know each other?"

Seeing Wentworth and the girl's reactions, Cedric asked curiously.

"We met once while shopping in Diagon Alley before term started. Her name is Cassandra, and like me, she's a new Hogwarts student this year."

"This is Cedric. He's a year above us."

Wentworth hurriedly explained, introducing them to each other.

"Hello, I'm Cedric, a second-year Hufflepuff."

Cedric quickly held out his hand and introduced himself.

But Cassandra made no move to take it. She simply gave a slight nod, then sat down beside Wentworth.

Cedric looked a little awkward, but merely shrugged and said nothing. The atmosphere in the compartment instantly grew tense.

After a moment, Cassandra was the first to speak:

"Everywhere else is full. My father had already asked Hogwarts to reserve a compartment for me, but for some reason, they didn't. I'm not going to let this go!"

Cassandra spoke with a hint of menace.

Wentworth and Cedric exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of amusement in the other's eyes. Neither said anything, though. That was simply Cedric's nature, while Wentworth found the whole thing amusing because of his more mature mental age.

When neither of them backed her up, Cassandra couldn't help pouting. "Hey, do you know who my father is? He's the head of the Auror Office at the British Ministry of Magic! Every Auror in Britain answers to him!"

Hearing this, Cedric quickly chimed in, "Really? Then your father and mine are colleagues!"

"Your father's an Auror too?"

Cassandra's expression softened a little.

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

"Oh..."

Cassandra's haughty expression returned.

Just then, someone opened the compartment door again. A woman walked in, wearing a fedora and a long ponytail, with a trench coat over her clothes.

"Sorry to interrupt, but all the other compartments are full. Would you mind if I sat here?"

Though she said this, she had already plopped herself down.

The three of them stared in surprise at the adult woman who had suddenly appeared among a train full of children.

Noticing their looks, the woman smiled and explained, "My name is Ilona. If all goes well, I'll be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this term!"

The three of them stared at one another, dumbfounded.

The atmosphere in the compartment had fallen to absolute zero. Not a sound could be heard. All three sat perfectly still, even Cassandra, who had been so haughty before, now on her best behavior.

As Wentworth studied the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, he couldn't shake the feeling that she looked familiar. But he didn't know who would be teaching the class this term, since the original story never said, so he didn't think much more of it.

After a moment, apparently hoping to make a good impression on her new teacher, Cassandra broke the silence. "Professor Ilona, there seems to be some dirt on your hem. Let me clean it for you!"

"Scourgify!"

Cassandra drew her wand and gave it a gentle wave. Ilona's hem was as good as new.

"Thank you very much!"

Ilona nodded with a smile, then picked up the glass beside her and took a few elegant sips.

Cassandra was clearly pleased to have earned a teacher's praise before term had even begun. Watching her, Cedric seemed to want to show off for the new teacher too, so he took out his wand.

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

Once Ilona gave him permission, Cedric pointed his wand at her glass.

"Aguamenti!"

Ilona thanked Cedric as well.

Finally, everyone turned to look at Wentworth, their eyes fixed intently on him.

Wentworth, who had been enjoying the show, froze.

Why are you all looking at me? Do you want me to demonstrate Occlumency? You two amateurs can't even use Legilimency!

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

"Would anyone like some snacks?"

The vendor asked politely.

Wentworth breathed a sigh of relief, then said, "In that case, I'll show you a spell too!"

"Galleon-Plenty!"

Wentworth pulled a handful of Gold Galleons from his pocket and pointed at the trolley.

"I'll take all of these!"