Getting Off the Train

Cedric and Cassandra stared at Wentworth's fistful of Gold Galleons, dumbfounded. They had never expected him to pull a trick like that.

When he came to his senses, Cedric hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

"Underage wizards aren't allowed to use magic freely outside school, so most first-years can't do magic."

Cedric was afraid that Ilona, the new teacher at Hogwarts, might look down on the good friend he had just made, so he quickly spoke up for Wentworth.

Wentworth naturally understood what Cedric meant. As he took all kinds of snacks from the trolley, he shot Cedric a grateful look.

On the other side, Ilona merely smiled and said, "Sometimes, wealth is more powerful than magic! That was very good magic. You're all very talented students. The future of the Wizarding World lies in your hands."

Praised by their teacher, Cedric and Cassandra were both clearly delighted. Wentworth, meanwhile, was busy handing out snacks to everyone. If he had looked up at Ilona just then, he would have found her gaze strangely familiar.

The Ilona aboard the train was, of course, Rosier, who had taken Polyjuice Potion. She had already sent her résumé to Hogwarts and received a reply.

Dumbledore had invited her to travel to Hogwarts aboard the Hogwarts Express and discuss the position. If all went well, Ilona would become Hogwarts' new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher that term.

Rosier's words just now hadn't been mere politeness. After all, for two young wizards of only eleven or twelve to cast spells so skillfully really did show talent.

As Rosier watched the three of them in the compartment, she couldn't help thinking that Wentworth truly was a descendant of the Grindelwald Family. Just like Gellert in his day, he always seemed to draw many outstanding wizards to his side.

Perhaps they had all gathered around him for different reasons at first, but in the end, they would all be won over by his personal charm and hail him as their king!

"Professor Ilona, would you like a Chocolate Frog?"

Wentworth's voice interrupted Rosier's memories. Looking at the boy before her, Rosier, now Ilona, smiled.

"Of course. Why not? I have to say, that spell called Galleon-Plenty is very useful, isn't it?"

Ilona smiled as she took the Chocolate Frog from Wentworth, joking as she did. Cedric, who was eating Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans nearby, laughed.

But as he laughed, tears suddenly streamed down his face.

"How awful! It's mustard-flavored!"

Meanwhile, Cassandra was delicately nibbling at a Chocolate Cauldron Cake. Compared to Cedric, she was clearly much more refined.

Wentworth also curiously picked up a Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Bean and tried it. Not bad. He couldn't tell exactly what flavor it was, but it certainly wasn't earwax.

Leaning back in his seat, Wentworth admired the scenery rushing past the window and sampled all sorts of snacks found only in the Wizarding World. He thought this life was just wonderful.

By the time the Hogwarts Express reached Hogsmeade Station, it was completely dark.

Before he had even gotten off the train, Wentworth spotted a towering figure outside through the narrow window beside the corridor, holding up a torch. The giant had a thick beard and wild, untidy hair.

Without a doubt, the one waiting for them below was Hagrid, Hogwarts' Keeper of Keys and Keeper of the Forbidden Forest.

Another person worth keeping an eye on and staying away from, Wentworth thought as he followed the crowd off the Hogwarts Express.

But once Wentworth and the others had gotten off, it wasn't Hagrid who spoke first. A bespectacled witch stepped out from behind him.

"Excuse me, is Miss Ilona here?"

Rosier, disguised as Ilona, slowly stepped down from the train and went over to the witch, smiling warmly.

"I am. Hello, I'm Ilona."

The witch smiled in return. "Hello, Miss Ilona. I'm Professor McGonagall, deputy headmistress of Hogwarts. Headmaster Dumbledore asked me to meet you here. I'm sorry he couldn't come in person, but as you know, it's the first day of term, and he has a great deal to attend to."

Ilona waved it off. "That's quite all right, Professor McGonagall. Hogwarts has been considered the best school of magic in the world for so many years because of the hard work of Headmaster Dumbledore and the other professors. It's only right that Dumbledore, as headmaster, should be busy, isn't it?"

At Ilona's words, McGonagall began to smile, but quickly stifled it.

"Fred and George! Put down whatever you're holding! What do you two think you're doing?!"

McGonagall marched over to two identical-looking twins and snapped at them furiously.

"Hello, Professor. Don't worry, they're just fireworks!"

"That's right, Professor. We prepared them for the first-years! You know, it was terribly dark on the way here. I was afraid they wouldn't be able to see where they were going."

The twins grinned.

McGonagall was having none of it. "Put those things away! You should be grateful the new term hasn't officially started yet, or I'd already have taken points from you!"

After speaking, McGonagall turned back to Ilona and said apologetically, "Let's go this way, Miss Ilona. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. You know what these children are like..."

For some reason, Wentworth had the feeling that as Professor McGonagall walked away with Ilona, she glanced at him from a distance.

As McGonagall and Ilona disappeared farther into the distance, the students around them gradually grew noisy again.

"First-years! All first-years, over here!"

Hagrid rang a bell in his hand and called out loudly.

"Wentworth, I suppose we'll have to part for a little while. Remember what I told you? First-years get into Hogwarts differently from the rest of us. But don't worry, I'll wait for you in the castle."

Cedric's voice came from behind Wentworth. He sounded a little apologetic.

"Sure, Cedric. I can hardly bear to be apart from you for even a minute, but if that's Hogwarts tradition, there's nothing we can do. I'll come find you at Hogwarts as soon as I can!"

Cedric seemed moved by Wentworth's words. As he left, he even took the initiative to hug him.

Wentworth watched Cedric leave, then turned around and saw Cassandra regarding him with a strange look.