Express Train

The steam locomotive was parked amidst vast mountains, forests, and fields, with thick smoke billowing from its front and swirling into the sky. The area around the train was already crowded with people, mostly students around ten years old, as well as some adults. Cats of various colors weaved through the crowd's feet, and the hooting of owls rose and fell.

After a moment of reflection on the bustling scene before him, Li Mu turned back. Behind him was a thick, gray-brown stone wall... He found it hard to imagine that this very stone wall was connected to the stone pillars of a train platform in the heart of London, at least a hundred miles away, forming a passage that spanned space.

What is the principle behind it? ... This was precisely the power he hoped to master, one of the reasons he had traveled thousands of miles to Britain.

He stood at the exit for a while, and Harry Potter finally appeared, pushing his suitcase.

"How was it?" Li Mu asked with a smile, examining the seemingly ordinary stone wall. He suspected that this stone wall had a special screening function to prevent ordinary people from accidentally stumbling in. "You were probably too nervous..."

Harry smiled as well, but before he could speak, several more people appeared behind him and hurried towards the train. They chatted as they walked, and Li Mu and Harry could clearly hear their voices.

"Fred, George, if you two dare to mess around like that again this year... I will definitely exercise my authority as Prefect..."

Li Mu was taken aback and turned to look. It was a group of four, all with fiery red hair. At the front was a tall, thin boy with a serious expression. Behind him were a pair of indistinguishable twins, followed by an even smaller child.

Without much thought, just by looking at the fiery red hair and the freckles, Li Mu had already guessed the identities of the newcomers. It was the four Weasley brothers. At the front was Percy Weasley, the twins Fred Weasley and George Weasley, and another main character from the books—Ron Weasley.

They were all pushing suitcases, almost identical to the one Harry was pushing.

The current scene was naturally Percy exercising his authority as an older brother and Prefect. They had already passed by Li Mu and Harry, but Percy's lecture continued: "Ron is a new student this year. You should set a good example for him, like Bill and Charlie, like me..."

"Yes, yes, our esteemed Prefect," two voices echoed in a jumbled manner, the tone lacking the "esteem" mentioned in the words, instead filled with mockery.

One of the twins continued, "Ron, to celebrate your admission, perhaps we should give you some small gifts."

"How about a big bag of spiders? Lee Jordan said he'll get a bag of flying gliding spiders from the South American jungle during the summer vacation," the other immediately chimed in with perfect understanding.

"Uh... no!" Ron's face turned pale, as if he was about to throw up.

"You two!" Percy called out with a frown, and the indistinguishable Fred and George ran ahead, laughing loudly.

"Woo—" The train whistle sounded at this moment. It was a reminder to everyone on the platform to board the train quickly, as the departure time was approaching.

"Quick, let's go." Li Mu and Harry didn't have time to say more. They pushed their respective luggage and followed Percy and Ron, quickly rushing towards the train.

Li Mu was a little disappointed that he didn't see Molly Weasley and Ginny Weasley. The plot development seemed to have deviated slightly from the original description; they didn't come into the platform. But none of this mattered. Right now, the first thing to do was to get on the train as soon as possible.

Closer, very quickly, the bright red, retro steam locomotive was close at hand. Most of the students who had been gathered at the platform had already boarded the train. Some adults, clearly parents, were still gathered at the platform, watching their children embark on their journey until they disappeared from sight.

They boarded the train and heard Percy instructing his brother: "Listen, Ron, I'll help you put your luggage on the rack later, and then you have to find a compartment and sit quietly—I have to go to the front, where there are separate compartments specially designated for Prefects."

His tone was full of boasting, and Li Mu saw Ron grimace in displeasure.

The first few carriages were already full, and the overhead racks were packed with luggage. They walked all the way to the back before finally seeing empty racks.

Percy had stopped to help Ron with his luggage. He also noticed Li Mu and Harry: "Are you two new students? Your luggage looks quite heavy, do you need help?"

"Oh, thank you."

Li Mu felt that he was strong enough to carry all the luggage; his training over the years had not been in vain. However, having a free labor force at this time was also a good thing.

The four of them easily got the luggage onto the train. Harry quickly thanked them again, but Percy suddenly exclaimed, "Look! What's this?"

Li Mu looked in the direction he was pointing. Under Harry's messy hair, a lightning-shaped scar was faintly visible. Having finished reading European Modern Magical History during this period, he immediately understood.

That book had a chapter dedicated to Harry Potter and focused on describing the shape of Harry's lightning scar.

Harry asked blankly, "Huh? What?"

He obviously hadn't reacted yet.

"That scar..." Percy pointed the scar to Ron and Li Mu, Li Mu smiled calmly.

Ron also saw it, and suddenly looked surprised: "So, could it be that you are..."

Seeing Harry still looking confused, Li Mu smiled and patted his shoulder: "That's right, he is..."

"Is what...?"

"That Harry Potter?!" Finally, Percy shouted out, he was almost certain, and even his freckles were red with excitement.

"Oh, him... No, I mean... I am." Harry finally reacted, but he still hadn't gotten used to his savior identity. He found it difficult to equate himself with the savior in people's mouths, but he had to admit that he was indeed that Harry Potter.

Hagrid said so, Li Mu said so, and even the scar on his head couldn't be faked...

Percy was even more excited, he tried his best to invite Harry to the front row to enjoy the peace and comfort of the Prefect's compartment.

But Harry Potter politely refused, and almost ran away in embarrassment. Li Mu followed Harry helplessly. Most of the compartments were already full, and most of them obviously knew each other and were already chatting enthusiastically.

But they really found an empty compartment, and then quickly sat in side by side.

Not long after their butts landed, the whistle roared again, and the train was really about to start.

Officially signed the contract. This is the third novel signed with Chuangshi. How should I say... I have a lot of feelings.

The combined income of the first two novels is not very high, not even as much as a month's salary, but I still worked hard to write and persevere. Without your support, I couldn't have done it. Every recommendation ticket, every message, although it doesn't bring actual benefits, but... as long as I confirm that someone is reading my words, I feel relieved.

Please continue to support me!

(End of this chapter)