Two figures suddenly appeared in a secluded corner of King's Cross Station.
The boy in front had short, tousled hair and a cool, handsome air. Behind him followed a House-elf carrying a birdcage.
They were Shawn and Kreacher.
Shawn wore a fitted black suit and a gentleman's hat that day. Delicate patterns were embroidered in gold thread on his lapels, and a brooch bearing the Black family crest was pinned to his chest, lending him an indescribably aristocratic air.
Kreacher was also dressed in a butler's uniform, looking exceptionally smart and presentable.
"Kreacher, give me the birdcage. You can go home or head straight to Hogwarts."
"Young master, how could I let you carry anything? Why don't I..."
"Give me the birdcage and get lost."
Muttering under his breath, Kreacher hesitated for a few seconds before handing Shawn the birdcage. Then he Disapparated, full of self-reproach.
Shawn was speechless. He had tried to be polite, but with a creature as servile as a House-elf, he simply couldn't be too kind.
Carrying the birdcage, he strolled along the platforms, looking for platforms nine and ten.
Along the way, quite a few people turned to look at the elegantly dressed boy taking his bird out.
Some even recognized Shawn as the genius magician, but by the time they approached him for an autograph, they lost sight of him at platform nine.
They could only marvel that Shawn truly lived up to his reputation as a magician, putting on another "disappearing person act."
Shawn passed through a stretch of darkness, feeling as though he were walking through rippling water. When his vision cleared, he found himself in a station that looked as though it belonged to the previous century.
He glanced around. All around him, parents were giving their children last-minute instructions and saying goodbye, filling the platform with lively chatter.
Of course, the most eye-catching sight was the steam train sitting on the tracks-the Hogwarts Express.
Shawn was just about to board when an excited shriek reached his ears.
"Shawn!"
Shawn turned and saw a family of three, all blond-haired. It was Draco and his parents.
Shawn was a little puzzled. Narcissa was clearly a member of the Black family, so why wasn't her hair black?
Before he could dwell on that, Draco came running over on his short little legs.
"Shawn, you're here too! Oh, these are my dad and mum-your uncle and aunt. We're really close relatives!"
Leaning on his dress cane, Lucius remained as haughty as ever and spoke in an indifferent tone.
"Shawn, a fine young fellow. Make sure you study hard once you're at school."
Shawn was speechless. Who did he think he was, putting on airs in front of me?
With a complicated expression, Narcissa gently nudged her husband before speaking softly to Shawn.
"My child, you've had a hard time all these years."
As she spoke, she handed him a bag.
"I've packed some clothes and pastries for you. If you get hungry on the train, you can have some pastries. Hogwarts is in the Highlands, and it's cold there all year round. Remember to wear these jumpers."
Shawn's expression stiffened. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond. If they had all been arrogant and unreasonable, he could naturally have repaid their "courtesy" in kind.
But this aunt of his, Narcissa, was approaching him with warmth, and it didn't seem false. That left Shawn at a loss.
The atmosphere immediately turned awkward.
In the end, Draco, ever the one to liven things up, came to the rescue.
"Shawn, take it! The jumpers Mum knits are really warm. You don't need them now, but once winter comes, you'll see how good they are."
Shawn took the bag from Narcissa and managed a strained smile.
"Thank you."
Narcissa reached out to pat Shawn's head, then hesitated and withdrew her hand.
Lucius was about to ask Shawn about Regulus when Narcissa tugged at him again and continued.
"You cousins must look after each other at school. Draco, that goes especially for you. Learn more from Shawn, and remember to write to me if you run into trouble."
Draco patted his chest.
"I know, Mum. You can go home now. Shawn and I are getting on the train."
Shawn didn't want to linger either. He gave Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy a slight nod, then headed toward the train.
Draco still had to move his trunk, however, and called out loudly.
"Shawn, wait for me!"
Helplessly, Shawn took out his wand and gave it a casual flick. The trunk floated into the air, faint arcs of electricity flickering beneath it.
Draco jumped with excitement, then ran to Shawn's side and exclaimed admiringly.
"Ha! Shawn, you're amazing! I can cast a little jinx now too."
Behind them, both Lucius's and Narcissa's gazes sharpened.
"That was Nonverbal Spellcasting. It was only a Levitation Charm, but he made it look so effortless. Draco really wasn't lying. Shawn truly is an extraordinary genius."
Narcissa felt immensely proud. She might have married into another family, but Black blood still ran in her veins.
Although Lucius had acknowledged Shawn's talent inwardly, he remained stubborn.
"Hmph. He's only a genius if he lives long enough to fulfill his potential."
Aboard the Hogwarts Express.
Draco called to him.
"Shawn, let's go to the School Governors' carriage. Your family are School Governors too, aren't they?"
Shawn narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke with self-mockery.
"The Black family no longer has a seat on the board. Go by yourself."
With that, he picked an empty compartment at random and went inside.
Naturally, Draco wouldn't go to the School Governors' carriage alone. Carrying his trunk, whose bottom covering was a little damaged, he followed Shawn into the ordinary carriage.
Shawn wasn't surprised. He casually waved his wand, using a Levitation Charm to stow Draco's trunk for him.
In fact, Draco's trunk wasn't an ordinary one either. An Undetectable Extension Charm had been cast inside it as well.
Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy doted on Draco, and there was no telling how much they had packed into it.
The two sat down by the window. Draco kept chattering about various interesting things, slipping in little boasts along the way.
"Dad still wouldn't buy me a broomstick, but he promised that if I make the House team next year, he'll buy me the latest model."
"We won't have to be afraid of anyone at school. The Slytherin Head of House is really close to my family..."
"Mum was worried I wouldn't get used to living at school..."
Shawn was utterly speechless. He was beginning to regret not spending time learning spells he had dismissed, such as Muffliato or the Tongue-Tying Curse.
With no other choice, he took out a Potions textbook and began reading.
At the sight of it, Draco exclaimed again.
"Wow, Shawn, that's a third-year textbook, isn't it? Have you already taught yourself everything in the first- and second-year books? That's amazing!"
Shawn finally ran out of patience and said coldly.
"Can you shut up?"
Draco froze. Suddenly recalling their first meeting, he remembered that Shawn wasn't exactly good-tempered.
He didn't dare say anything else. After a moment's hesitation, he took The Standard Book of Spells out of his trunk and began reading too.
Before long, two dull-looking, chubby boys came looking for them. They were Goyle and Crabbe, Draco's followers since childhood.
Draco eagerly started to introduce them to Shawn, but under Shawn's cool gaze, he could only give up.
The two chubby boys didn't dare make a sound either. Even their leader had backed down, after all. And so a strange scene unfolded in the compartment.
Half an hour later, the train slowly began to move.
Draco, who had only been quiet for a short while, suddenly seemed to remember something. He put down his book, stood up, and spoke excitedly.
"Shawn, how did we forget Harry? Want to come find him with me?"
Shawn replied indifferently.
"No. And I don't think Harry is short of friends like you right now."
Draco didn't understand, but he knew Shawn didn't want to go. He could only leave with his two followers.
Shawn shook his head with an amused smile.
The love-hate drama between Draco and Harry was about to begin again.