Hogwarts

Just then, a smiling woman opened the compartment door. "Anything from the trolley, dears?"

She spotted the lunchbox in front of Will and looked surprised. "Oh, your family must love you very much."

The other three immediately reached for their money. After a moment's thought, Will bought a few Chocolate Frogs too. He planned to save them for Hogwarts. He wasn't an old bee like Dumbledore, but sometimes he needed something sweet to lift his spirits.

Food did lift everyone's spirits. The mood in the compartment brightened at once, and Neville stopped stammering quite so much.

Will soon finished his lunch. He waved his wand and cast Scourgify.

[You have cast spells multiple times. You have grown more proficient with one spell. Charms experience +1]

Oh, nice! Another point of experience.

Though that seemed to put even more pressure on Hermione...

Childhood friendships were simple. The four of them had already warmed to one another and sat together, snacking and chatting. Will decided to rest a while before returning to his book.

"Oh, look what I got." Neville pulled out a card as he chewed his Chocolate Frog. "It's Hengist of Woodcroft. Does that mean I should go to Hufflepuff—ow!"

Halfway through his sentence, a Chocolate Frog leg kicked him hard inside his mouth.

"Come to think of it, I forgot to let Trevor out for some air again." Only then did Neville remember his pet toad. He felt around in his pocket, but his face soon crumpled.

"He's gone again! I've lost him again! He's always trying to get away from me."

Hermione seemed unable to bear seeing Neville like that. "I'll help you look. He should still be on the train."

"Thank you, Hermione." Neville looked close to tears.

"Actually, the Summoning Charm should bring Trevor back," Will pointed out.

Some people claimed the Summoning Charm couldn't summon living creatures. In fact, it could. In Goblet of Fire, Harry had used Trevor as a practice target while preparing for the First Task. And in the seventh book, a wizard had used the Summoning Charm to catch fish.

"So you've already learned the Summoning Charm, Will?" Neville looked at him hopefully, and Will nodded.

"I can try to summon Trevor for you, but it might not work. First, you need to describe exactly what he looks like."

"No problem. Trevor's grayish-black, and his back's covered in bumps..." Neville had described an ordinary warty toad. Will could only do his best.

"Accio Trevor!" Will waved his wand and waited. Nothing happened. The compartment grew awkwardly quiet. He waved his wand again, trying to recall what Trevor had looked like in the films.

He could barely remember those images now. After all, he had seen them in his "previous life."

This time, though, the spell worked. A gray toad flew past the compartment in the corridor. Several young wizards stared openmouthed, as if they had just seen a Magical Creature.

Splat! Everyone in the compartment realized something had hit the door.

"Trevor!" Neville opened it. Poor Trevor lay unconscious in the corridor, belly up. Neville hurried to pick him up. Will noticed that as Neville carried Trevor inside, Sylvia and Hermione both leaned back without a word.

"Thank you, Will. Thank you for finding Trevor." Neville stuffed the unconscious toad into his pocket and thanked Will over and over.

"You should learn the Summoning Charm properly once you get to Hogwarts," Will told him. "It'll help you find Trevor."

"I definitely will!"

After Trevor's return, the four chatted a little longer before Will went back to his book.

He had experience to grind, after all.

[You have gained new knowledge of Curse Studies. Curse Studies experience +1]

[You have gained new knowledge of Curse Studies. Curse Studies experience +1]

Mountains and grasslands slid slowly past the window, and the sun began to sink. Will was absorbed in the joy of learning and gaining experience when a fair-skinned hand appeared in front of his eyes and waved.

Will looked up, puzzled.

"Could Mr. Future Ravenclaw step outside for a moment? The ladies need to change into their robes," Sylvia said, looking him in the eye.

Only then did Will notice how dark it had grown. They must be nearing Hogwarts. He and Neville stepped out into the corridor.

About ten minutes later, they were allowed back in. Sylvia and Hermione had put on their wizard robes, transforming from British girls into young witches. Then it was Will and Neville's turn to change.

Will changed out of his casual clothes and into a black satin outfit before pulling on his wizard robes. Some wizards wore robes without trousers, but Will couldn't stand the idea.

Two minutes later, Will opened the compartment door and let a slightly surprised Sylvia and Hermione back in.

Soon, the driver's voice echoed through the train.

"We will arrive at Hogwarts in five minutes. Please leave your luggage on the train. We will take it to the school for you."

The train slowed and finally stopped. The others had just stood up when Will held them back.

"Let everyone else squeeze off first. We'll go last. Relax—do you think the train's going to take us back?"

So the four watched the passengers push and shove their way to the doors and down onto a small, dark platform. Will thought Hogwarts could have put a little more effort into some things.

The Scottish Highlands were always chilly. Even in September, the temperature here was below ten degrees. Will could see his breath. At least he had dressed warmly enough.

"First Years! First Years over here! Harry, over here—how are you?" Hagrid called, lantern in hand and beard on display. He led the students toward a dark path.

"Come on, follow me. Any more First Years? Watch your step. Right! First Years, follow me!" The young wizards followed Hagrid down a steep, narrow path, slipping and stumbling as they went.

Darkness pressed in on both sides. Will could tell Sylvia and Hermione were edging closer to him. Neville wasn't edging anywhere—he was following so closely behind Will that he nearly stepped on Will's shoes several times.

None of the young wizards spoke in the dark. Then they rounded a bend.

"Whoa...!" At the end of the narrow path, a black lake suddenly spread before them. Across the water, a majestic castle rose from a high hillside, its many towers reaching up while its windows glimmered beneath the stars.

They had arrived at Hogwarts.