Nine and Three Quarters' Promise

The remaining days of August passed by in a blur, with a surface calm masking an inner turmoil. For Tom, each day felt like chewing on grit mixed with longing and impatience. He spent almost all his waking hours studying new textbooks and repeatedly stroking his yew wand. No longer content with the basic magic power stabilization taught by Ares, he began to try and understand the principles behind the introductory spells in the textbooks. In private, he would silently practice guiding the smallest amounts of magic power with his wand towards walls or fallen leaves. His progress was astonishingly fast, and the flames burning in his dark eyes grew more intense with each passing day.

Ares, on the other hand, appeared more serene. He also previewed the textbooks, but spent more time studying the ancient scrolls brought from the vault and repeatedly trying to open the black box. When he practiced magic power control with his "Eternal Cycle" wand, he displayed a sense of smooth harmony. Light and dark magic flowed like docile streams under his will, a stark contrast to Tom's style, which pursued precision with a hint of sharp aggression.

The tension between the two from that night seemed to be temporarily set aside, but an invisible rift had already formed. Tom no longer readily shared every new discovery he made about magic. His gaze often fell on Ares's wand by his pillow and the unopened box, filled with contemplation and assessment.

Finally, September first arrived.

A light drizzle fell, adding a touch of chill and haste to the London morning. At the entrance of Wood Orphanage, Mrs. Cole watched the two boys about to leave with a complex expression. In the end, she simply said dryly, "Behave yourselves at school," before turning back into the house, as if shedding a heavy burden.

Dumbledore did not appear. Only a letter arrived via owl, concisely informing them of the method to get to King's Cross Station. At the end of the letter, a single sentence was added: "Remain vigilant, and remember your choices."

This sentence rippled through Ares's heart like a small stone dropped into water.

They carried the old suitcase containing all their magical items (Ares had slightly expanded its interior using a rudimentary Extension Charm, a small trick he learned from the ancient scrolls). Tom also held his silent black owl. They blended into the bustling London morning crowd and took the subway to King's Cross Station.

The station was a cacophony of sounds, the roar of steam engines mingling with the clamor of travelers. Muggles hurried along with their luggage, oblivious to the miracle about to unfold between platforms nine and ten.

Tom stood before the dividing wall between platforms nine and ten, staring at the solid wall in front of him, his brow furrowed. For the first time, his face showed clear uncertainty and a hint of indignant annoyance at being tricked. "There's nothing behind this," he said coldly, his gaze sweeping over the ceaseless flow of Muggles around them, with undisguised disdain.

"The letter said to walk straight towards the dividing wall," Ares reminded him. He could feel faint magical fluctuations emanating from behind the wall, a sensation similar to the entrance of The Leaky Cauldron, but more active and... younger.

"What if we crash into it?" Tom's tone was full of doubt.

"I don't think that will happen," Ares said calmly, adjusting the position of the suitcase in his hand. "Ready to run?"

Tom glanced at him, pursed his lips, and finally nodded. He hated this feeling of placing himself in the unknown, but the allure of Hogwarts outweighed everything.

Ares took a deep breath, pushed the luggage cart, and without further hesitation, accelerated directly towards the seemingly solid dividing wall. He kept his eyes fixed on the wall, silently chanting "Hogwarts" in his mind. Just as the front of the cart was about to collide with the bricks--

A strange, cool sensation swept over his entire body, as if passing through a water curtain. The scene before his eyes blurred and then instantly cleared!

The noisy Muggle station disappeared, replaced by a completely different scene!

He stood on a crowded, retro-style platform. A deep red steam engine was parked beside it, with a prominent sign on the front: Hogwarts Express. Thick, milky-white steam billowed from the engine, filling the air with a pleasant scent of coal and oil. The platform was crowded with male and female wizards and their children dressed in black robes. Owls hooted in cages, cats weaved between people's feet, and toads of various colors hopped on suitcases. It was lively, vibrant, and full of the unique vitality of magic.

He had succeeded.

Immediately after, Tom also passed through the wall and appeared beside him. All uncertainty and annoyance vanished from Tom's face, replaced by an almost greedy scrutiny. He looked around this wizarding world, watching the families chatting and laughing, watching the train that would soon take him to the halls of power and knowledge. The light in his dark eyes blazed. He subconsciously straightened his back, as if to better integrate himself into this new world.

"We're here," Ares said softly, an indescribable excitement surging within him as well.

They pushed their luggage and walked forward along the platform, looking for an empty carriage. The young wizards around them curiously observed the two exceptionally poised boys who had come alone, their gazes lingering particularly on Ares's heterochromatic eyes and face.

Just then, an enthusiastic voice with a slightly exaggerated tone sounded nearby:

"Merlin's beard! Look who it is! Two new faces! Warriors venturing alone onto platform nine and three-quarters?"

Ares and Tom turned their heads simultaneously. They saw a boy with golden curly hair, blue eyes, and a knight's outfit with gold trim grinning at them. Standing beside him was a boy with short, pale blonde hair, a handsome, pale face, and cold grey eyes that held a scrutinizing gaze. The latter was dressed exquisitely, and his demeanor exuded a natural elegance and arrogance.

The boy with golden curly hair extended his hand, his smile brilliant. "Billius, Billius Blanco! This is Abraxas Malfoy. Judging by your appearance, you're first-year students, right?"

Tom's gaze quickly swept over the two, lingering particularly on Abraxas Malfoy. He keenly detected the aura of a pure-blood family and... exploitable value emanating from the other boy. A practiced, polite yet slightly distant smile immediately appeared on his face.

"Tom Riddle," he said, extending his hand for a brief shake with Billius, then nodding slightly at Abraxas.

Abraxas's cold grey eyes lingered on Tom's handsome face for a moment, then shifted to Ares. Upon seeing his heterochromatic eyes and the golden markings on his face, a flicker of obvious surprise flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly masked by perfect etiquette. "Abraxas Malfoy," his voice was steady, with a hint of imperceptible assessment.

"Ares Phoenix," Ares also stated his name. He could feel the probing in Abraxas's gaze, which was much deeper than Billius's pure curiosity.

"Phoenix?" Abraxas repeated, a hint of thought flashing in his grey eyes. "An ancient and rare surname."

"We have space in our compartment," Billius invited enthusiastically. He was clearly very interested in these two uniquely poised new students. "Want to join us? We can get to know each other on the way!"

Tom hesitated for barely a moment. He needed to understand the rules of this world and potential allies. "It would be my honor," he replied with a smile, his posture composed, as if he was naturally meant to fit into such circles.

Ares glanced at Tom and nodded as well. He knew that from the moment they stepped onto this train, they were no longer just "accomplices" from the orphanage, but actors about to step onto the grand stage of Hogwarts. And Billius Blanco and Abraxas Malfoy standing before them were the first important characters they encountered.

The four walked together towards an empty compartment. Tom and Abraxas walked ahead, talking in low voices about something, Tom's profile appearing exceptionally calm and charming amidst the swirling steam. Billius, meanwhile, leaned close to Ares, asking questions curiously, particularly interested in his eyes and wand.

The whistle blew, the Hogwarts Express exhaled even thicker steam, and slowly began to move, leaving King's Cross Station. It carried a carriage full of hope, ambition, and secrets towards the magical castle hidden between mountains and lakes.

The Hogwarts careers of Tom Riddle and Ares Phoenix officially began. And the "ark" they had built on the deserted island was about to sail into a vaster, and more storm-tossed sea.