Gryffindor Sword Saint

Silan opened his eyes and saw a round-faced boy sitting across from him. He looked vaguely familiar.

"Hello, I'm Silan Prewett. What's your name?"

Hearing Silan take the initiative to speak to him, Neville let out a sigh of relief.

Silan had been asleep earlier, and Neville had been afraid of waking him, so he had not dared say anything. He had been holding it in for quite a while and finally had a chance to breathe.

"Hello, I'm Neville Longbottom. I've always lived with my grandmother. I hope I didn't disturb you."

As Neville spoke, he wiped his palm on his clothes and held it out toward Silan, seemingly wanting to shake hands.

Silan sat up straight and shook his hand, feeling somewhat surprised.

He had not expected the Gryffindor Sword Saint to appear right in front of him after one nap.

"And this is?"

"Hermione. Hermione Granger."

After the three exchanged greetings, they fell silent.

The atmosphere in the compartment became somewhat stifling.

Fortunately, a smiling woman with dimples pushed open the compartment door and asked, "Dear, would you like to buy anything from the trolley?"

"Please give us some Chocolate Frogs."

As if granted a pardon, Neville hurriedly took out some money and bought a few things to ease his embarrassment.

"Please, have some." Neville held out a handful of Chocolate Frogs to Silan and Hermione.

"Thank you, Neville."

After thanking him, the two each took some and bought a few things themselves. Hermione bought some Licorice Wands, while Silan bought three pumpkin pasties.

He bought the pumpkin pasties simply because they looked filling.

After all, this old-fashioned train would not reach Hogwarts until evening.

The steam train rattled through fields dotted with cattle and sheep. It quickly passed a vast stretch of farmland and pasture before plunging into a cedar forest. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, flickering across the windows and casting the compartment into shifting light and shadow.

The three pooled their food and shared it.

As they ate and chatted, the atmosphere soon grew much friendlier.

Silan glanced at the toad tucked in Neville's pocket and reminded him, "Mr. Longbottom, you'd better keep an eye on your toad."

In his memory, Neville's toad Trevor was a freedom-loving toad that always wanted to escape its owner and explore the world.

Silan even wondered whether Trevor represented Neville's courage on some level.

Had it been hinting from the very beginning that Neville's courage was extraordinary?

After all, for a toad, it was simply far too brave.

"You mean Trevor? Oh, my Great Uncle Algie gave him to me."

"When I received my Hogwarts letter, he was so happy that he bought me one. They'd always thought my magical ability wasn't good enough and that I wouldn't be able to get into Hogwarts."

"Actually, before my magic burst out, they'd always thought I was a Muggle."

"But it's almost the same, really, because I still haven't learned a single spell..."

Neville shut the compartment door tightly before taking Trevor out of his pocket to let him get some air.

"What about you two? Are you from wizarding families too?"

"No." Hermione shook her head. "Neither of my parents is a wizard. When I got my Hogwarts letter, they were terrified."

As she said this, Hermione looked back at Silan, remembering that she had invited him over for dinner that day.

Silan examined the Dumbledore card he had drawn. "My mother is a Muggle, while my father is a wizard."

Just as the three were talking, a burst of noise suddenly came from outside. Several students arrogantly shoved aside the people blocking their way.

"Move, you mongrel!"

"How can you..."

"You move too, you filthy Mudblood!"

The Hogwarts Express compartments were not particularly soundproof, and their voices carried in clearly.

Hermione frowned at what she heard outside. "What's a Mudblood?"

"It means both parents are..."

Neville was about to explain when Silan interrupted him. "It's a derogatory term for wizarding bloodlines, as well as a bad habit. Polite people would never say such things. But don't worry. I don't think Hogwarts judges whether a student is outstanding based on bloodline."

"Wizards like them will probably be sorted into Slytherin."

Neville tactfully did not continue the previous topic.

"My grandmother says almost all bad wizards were Slytherin students. I might go to Hufflepuff. Though both my parents were Gryffindors, Gran always says I don't measure up to them. I'm too timid. Hufflepuff students are all cheerful and friendly, so maybe they'll be more accepting of me."

Once the three became more familiar, Neville began talking much more.

At the end, he added listlessly, "But some people say Hufflepuff students are all good-for-nothings..."

"Actually, there's nothing bad about Hufflepuff. The students there are hardworking, friendly, loyal, and fair. As for being good-for-nothings, that must be a rumor. They're probably just jealous that the Hufflepuff common room is close to the kitchen."

Silan made a joke to lighten the mood.

"Thank you, Silan. I feel much better hearing you say that," Neville said earnestly.

Hermione turned to look at Silan in surprise. He actually knows so much. I need to study even harder. I can't let him leave me behind.

Silan composed himself and put on a gentle, professional smile.

"If you're nervous about this, I can divine it for you. The fee is only three Sickles."

"Huh?"

Neville was dumbfounded by how Silan had suddenly started doing business. After hesitating for a moment, he still agreed.

"Hmm... let me see..."

Silan moved to sit beside Neville, stared intently into his eyes, and put on an act for a while.

"According to the divination, you should enter Gryffindor House. Neville, your courage is no less than your parents'."

"How is that possible!"

Neville cried out in disbelief. "That's impossible! Silan, you don't understand. I'm too stupid, and I'm cowardly too."

"My grandmother often says I'm not worthy of being my parents' child. I didn't show any magical talent until I was eight."

"Before that, they all thought my magical ability wasn't good enough and worried I wouldn't be able to get into Hogwarts."

Silan merely smiled without a word.

"No need to rush. If my divination is wrong, you don't pay. You can pay the fee after the sorting, and then we'll know."

"Then you're probably going to be disappointed, Silan." Neville slumped dejectedly against the seatback.

Hermione shifted aside, signaling for Silan to sit back down.

"Then which House will I be sorted into?"

Silan did not stand on ceremony and returned to sit beside Hermione. After repeating his little performance, he said with great certainty, "You'll be in Gryffindor House too."

"Oh? I thought I would go to Ravenclaw House."

Hermione was somewhat surprised. "I've already memorized all the textbooks in advance. I heard Ravenclaw House is full of students like me."

Upon hearing Hermione say she had memorized all the textbooks, Neville could not help showing a shocked expression.

He muttered quietly, "I really wish I had a memory as good as yours. Gran always says I forget things."

Silan had long known their sorting results.

He was just drawing the target after shooting the arrow, so of course he would be accurate.

"Your wisdom is indeed dazzling. But even so, it cannot conceal the brilliance of your courage," Silan explained.

Hermione believed him.

A small screen popped up before Silan's eyes.

[Silver Tongue: Proficiency +1]

[Silver Tongue: Proficiency +1]

[Silver Tongue: Level 1 (36/100)]

What he had said just now was not exactly false; it simply was not entirely true.

The result was correct, but the whole divination process had been nothing but an act.

However, Silver Tongue made others believe his lies. Since they believed the result had been obtained through Silan's divination, it counted as a success.

Neville asked from beside him, "Have you ever calculated which House you'll go to?"

Author's note: Some readers have raised objections about Neville saying he was a Muggle. Please see the author's note for an explanation.

I won't pad the main text with word count.