Luxury Train
July 19th.
King's Cross Station in London was as busy as ever, with Muggle of people rushing by, completely unaware of the special area it was in.
Another hidden entrance next to Platform Three and One-Third leads to a little-known magical platform—the stop for the international luxury train "The Great Wizarding Express".
Yes, contrary to what Skylar had read in his previous life about fan fiction authors, King's Cross Station was not simply a wizarding platform of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, nor was it the only train Hogwarts Express.
Speaking of the Great Wizarding Express Skylar was about to ride, it was the most luxurious direct train in Great Britain. A single one-way ticket cost 100 Galleon, and it was often impossible to buy one even if you wanted to.
(Note: The English name and platform numbers of the Great Wizarding Express are official settings, derived from the tickets designed by MinaLima. The Chinese name is the author's personal translation.)
This wasn't Skylar's first time here.
When they were children, Lucius took his family on a trip abroad. They went to France, and what impressed them most was that Narcissa bought a lot of designer handbags, Lucius bought a high-end men's watch, and Skylar and Draco's greatest enjoyment was French desserts and bread.
Later, as Lucius became busy with his career and he and Draco started school, they never had another family trip together.
Revisiting the familiar place, Skylar strolled leisurely, slowly taking in the changes around him.
Skylar weaved through the bustling crowd and came to an inconspicuous brick wall. He took out a ticket stub engraved with a golden train emblem from his pocket and held it close to the brick wall. Instantly, the brick wall rippled like water, revealing a deep passageway leading to the platform.
Stepping into the passageway, Skylar's vision opened up before him. A smooth marble platform came into view, surrounded by an elegant and luxurious scene. A subtle fragrance filled the air, and the magical lights overhead adorned the space like stars in the night sky.
A steam train with a distinctly modern feel is parked on the platform. Its exterior is decorated with a deep blue and gold pattern, and the words "The Great Wizarding Express" are inlaid in ancient English on its body, making it both elegant and majestic.
The station staff, dressed in uniform, provided guidance and service to every passenger. A magical train conductor in a red uniform approached Skylar, accompanied by a House Elf. He bowed slightly and said, "Welcome aboard the 'Great Wizarding Express,' Mr. Malfoy. Here is your ticket. Please follow me."
Skylar nodded, handed his luggage to the House Elf who was traveling with him, and then followed the train conductor onto the train.
The moment Skylar stepped aboard the Great Wizarding Express, he was captivated by its unique retro-luxury atmosphere.
The first carriage of the train is furnished with deep red leather seats, paired with brass fittings and gold trim. The elegant walnut wood paneling exudes a soft luster, as if time has stood still here, evoking images of the most magnificent magical craftsmanship of the last century.
Skylar's carriage was located in the first-class area, with curtains made of fine velvet that swayed gently with the slight jolt of the train. Soft seats surrounded a brass-trimmed table already set with welcome drinks and snacks. The waiter, a House Elf in a neat uniform, bowed and introduced the train's facilities in a refined tone, "Sir, refreshments will be served before the next stop. Please feel free to ask if you require any service."
One of the most distinctive features of the Great Wizarding Express is its terminal carriage, which connects to the International Floo Network. This carriage has an old, weathered exterior, seemingly out of place with the overall luxury of the train. However, the interior is exquisitely decorated.
In the center is a retro-style small coffee table and six high-end, elegant upholstered chairs. On the small shelves next to it are mainstream newspapers from various Europe countries, with the Britain "Daily Prophet," the France "Le Cri de la Gargouille," and the Germany "Le Silver Bat Daily" being the most prominently displayed.
On the wall of the carriage was an old-fashioned fireplace, its bright flames leaping and connecting to the Floo Network, allowing late-arriving wizards to board at any time. Skylar stood by the fireplace, observing as a wizard used Floo Powder to manifest, and a waiter immediately stepped forward to greet him, guiding him to his seat—the process was incredibly smooth.
After the train starts moving, the gentle rumble of the engine blends with the scenery rushing past the window, creating a unique travel atmosphere.
As time passed, a tea and snack cart passed by the carriage, its contents a tempting array of treats—delicate sandwiches, Winky desserts, and richly aromatic coffee and tea. Skylar ordered a hot coffee and a lemon tart, then leaned back contentedly in his chair, savoring this rare moment of tranquility.
Above the table is a small bell hanging on a shelf. When you ring the bell, House Elf will suddenly appear to serve you.
During his journey, Skylar would sometimes peruse the books he had brought, and sometimes gaze out the window at the scenery.
The train entered a long underwater tunnel, Skylar knew it was probably crossing the English Channel to France. Outside, in the deep darkness, several strange magical lights flashed, adding a touch of mystery to the otherwise monotonous journey.
The trip took a full three days.
During these three days, besides reading and sightseeing, Skylar also used the Two-Way Mirror to keep in touch with Eleanor. Eleanor finally learned that Skylar was coming soon, and her tone was full of barely suppressed excitement.
The Great Wizarding Express stopped twice during its journey: once at the Magic Station in Paris, France, and once in the wizarding Wiesbad Village in the Black Forest on the Germany border.
Finally, the train stopped at Skylar's destination, Friedrichstrasse Station in Berlin, Germany.
Skylar packed his belongings and disembarked here. This train would continue to other Europe wizarding villages, but that would be Skylar's next journey.
Skylar had promised Eleanor that he would visit the Hohenheim Family by mid-July at the latest, but he never expected that his trip to Little Hangleton would delay him for so long.
Fortunately, although it was a little later than the originally planned date, he managed to arrive before the end of July.
After all, his departure from Great Britain this time wasn't limited to Germany alone—his first stop was visiting the Hohenheim Family in Germany, followed by a trip to Denmark, and finally, his journey north to Durmstrang, the most mysterious magic school in the wizarding world, located in the northernmost part of Europe.
Friedrichstrasse Station is full of Germany magical charm. The tall, arched roof is made of intricately carved steel and glass, and sunlight shines through the skylights surrounded by magical runes, refracting into a colorful array of light.
Magical lights floated on both sides of the platform, twinkling like stars between day and night. The wizards around them, dressed in dark robes, walked hurriedly, exuding an air of solemnity and seriousness.
Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, all in one look!
As soon as Skylar stepped off the train, he saw Eleanor at the end of the platform. She was wearing a light blue dress and a black cloak, and her brown hair fluttered slightly in the morning breeze, making her look both noble and beautiful.
Eleanor greeted him with a smile, her tone tinged with pleasure. "Welcome to Germany, Skylar."
Today is July 22nd. The two have only been separated for 20 days, but for some reason, Skylar has a feeling that it has been a long time since they last met.
Eleanor gave Skylar a tight hug, and the two remained silent for a long time. After a while, Skylar gently patted Eleanor's back and said tenderly, "See, here I am."
Eleanor laughed through her tears and said, "You clearly said it would be by mid-July at the latest, I've been waiting for you almost going crazy."
Then, she gently took Skylar's arm and led him across the platform. After leaving the station entrance, the two passed through a wall in an area behind the station marked in German with a sign that read "No Trespassing" and entered a Chamber of Secrets.
Inside was the German Ministry of Magic's cross-border office, essentially a Muggle customs office. It was deserted, with only a young male clerk yawning behind the counter.
Eleanor adopted the air and demeanor of the future head of Germany's first family, and completed Skylar's entry procedures in just a few minutes without encountering any trouble.
There's really nothing to deal with; the main procedure is simply registering Skylar's wand. Even without Eleanor here, given Skylar's current reputation in the international wizarding world, he's unlikely to encounter any difficulties.
This is why Skylar went to great lengths, even asking Fudge for help, to secure the international rights to use the wand; he didn't want to ruin his trip over such trivial matters.
Then, they borrowed the fireplace in the office and used Floo Powder to travel to the Hohenheim Manor.