The first battle of wits with Dumbledore!

Argus's words successfully shifted everyone's attention to Ron.

Only then did everyone notice that Mr. Weasley, who had been calling someone a thief at every turn, had somehow made his way to the compartment door.

Caught out, Ron's eyes darted about, none of his earlier arrogance remaining.

"I didn't say anything wrong! Why should I apologize?"

"Who knows if Malfoy secretly sent someone to hide Trevor in there!"

"Are you out of your mind? Draco was here the whole time dealing with your accusations! When would he have had time to send someone over?"

Daphne was not about to indulge him and immediately snapped back.

She was Draco's sister-in-law in the original story and a member of the Greengrass family, one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight.

She and Draco had known each other since childhood. If Argus had not been keeping things under control, she would have already come to blows!

Now Ron truly had nothing left to say. He could only turn to his two brothers and Harry Potter for help.

Fred and George were not the sort to blindly defend their own, especially when right and wrong were so obvious.

Even though the Weasley family was at odds with the Malfoys, they would not insist on twisting the truth.

Harry needed even less explaining!

From beginning to end, he had been reluctant to believe Draco would do something like this. He was simply too easily swayed, believing whatever others told him.

Without the backing of the Chosen One and his immense popularity, Ron's face flushed crimson.

He muttered, "Sorry!"

Then he turned and ducked into the compartment.

"All right, everyone, that's settled. Judging by the time, we're almost at Hogwarts. Hurry back and change."

"Provided you don't get the wrong compartment!"

Argus's words drew a ripple of good-natured laughter.

If Argus had seemed elegant and powerful before, he now seemed a little more easygoing as well.

Hermione jabbed Argus hard with her elbow, signaling that he should not pick up bad habits from the Weasley Twins.

"Draco, go back to the compartment with Pansy and the others. I still have a few things to say to Harry."

Seeing Neville beside Harry, Argus suddenly had a bold idea.

Should I try talking Harry Potter into Slytherin?

Since coming to this world, he had discovered more than once that the course of events was not unchangeable.

His father, Grindelwald, was one example.

Today's missing Trevor case was another.

At this rate, getting Harry into Slytherin was not impossible!

Whatever effect it had on the world did not matter. The main thing was that it would make trouble for Dumbledore!

Besides, keeping Harry under his nose would make it easier to engage in a covert battle of wits with Dumbledore.

No sooner thought than done!

After the crowd dispersed, Harry came over to Argus with Neville, looking utterly dejected.

"Argus, am I really useless?"

"Hagrid said I'd definitely be in Gryffindor, but... but I didn't even have the courage to defend my friend."

"I... I..."

"Look at me, Harry!" Argus's tone was as gentle as ever.

"Courage has never come in just one form. Facing yourself honestly is a kind of courage too."

"Besides, Gryffindor isn't the only house at Hogwarts. The other houses might suit you just as well."

"Take Mr. Longbottom, for example."

Hearing Argus mention him, Neville looked up in confusion.

"Mr. Longbottom corrected his mistake once he realized it and could face up to what he'd done wrong. That's Gryffindor courage. But he's also sincere toward his friends and upright in his conduct. That's Hufflepuff loyalty."

"As a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, he's a pure-blood wizard. That's Slytherin blood."

"Do you mean I have the traits of more than one house too?" Harry asked eagerly.

"Of course!"

"But... but Hagrid and Ron both said Gryffindor was the best house."

Argus merely smiled faintly.

"There's no such thing as the best house, only the house that suits you best."

"Gryffindor is brave and fearless, but that doesn't mean it's flawless."

"Like today, when Mr. Weasley bravely stepped forward to accuse Draco in order to help Neville. That was typical Gryffindor courage."

"But there's no denying that he hadn't learned what happened. He decided Draco was the culprit based solely on his personal likes and dislikes."

"The consequences were obvious. Not only was Draco falsely accused, but the corridor was blocked, leaving many people unable to return to their compartments."

Argus was skilled at conversational techniques. Using examples made it easier to reach the other person.

More importantly, this example had just happened right beside Harry. He had experienced it firsthand.

That made it easier to strike a chord with him!

The order in which he presented his words was another of Argus's key considerations.

Ron was Harry's friend. Disparaging him outright could easily provoke Harry's resentment, leaving Argus with twice the results for half the effort.

By contrast, praising him before criticizing him would work much better.

Harry fell silent.

There was no denying that Argus was telling the truth. When Ron had accused Draco, he had already felt something was wrong.

Unfortunately, the inferiority he had developed growing up had kept him from stepping forward to object.

If Argus had not arrived, Draco would certainly have been falsely accused!

And Harry would have lost Draco as a friend for good.

"Argus, which house do you think I should choose?"

Harry looked up at Argus for help.

"If you don't want Gryffindor, Slytherin might be a good choice."

Harry hesitated. "Slytherin...?"

"What about me? What about me?" Hermione asked eagerly.

"You dare to confront what's wrong with the world, and you yearn for and pursue knowledge. Both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw would suit you."

"I don't want to go to Gryffindor!" The mention of Gryffindor brought to Hermione's mind Ron's earlier smug manner.

Any favorable impression vanished at once!

Neville was also rather hesitant. Before Trevor had gone missing, he too had yearned intensely for Gryffindor.

But now he hesitated!

Compared with Gryffindor, which caused trouble everywhere, easygoing Hufflepuff might suit him better.

Toot, toot!

With a blast of its whistle, the Hogwarts Extra-Slow Train arrived at the station.

In the dark of night, the old station looked like something from the previous century.

Looking toward the magnificent castle in the distance by starlight,

even Argus could not help feeling a little excited.

This was Hogwarts! The most iconic building in Harry Potter!

Seeing it in person was far more breathtaking than seeing it in the films.

"First years, over here!"

"Come on, little ones, don't be shy!"

Hagrid's deep voice rang out, his enormous frame standing out among the young wizards.

"Hagrid!"

With Hermione following behind him, Argus approached Hagrid.

The moment he saw Argus, Hagrid broke into a relieved smile.

"Argus, just in time! Come help me gather the first years."

"They won't listen. They keep running around."

"No problem."

Argus drew his wand and pointed it at his throat.

"Sonorus."

He cleared his throat twice, instantly drawing the attention of the students nearby.

"First years, please come over here and form two lines, boys on the left and girls on the right."

"Mr. Hagrid will lead you to Hogwarts Castle."