Chapter 6: Arriving at Hogwarts

This was the first time Sean had seen a so-called Chocolate Frog card, and naturally, it was the first time for the young wizards in compartment two as well.

Naturally, the conversation revolved around the cards once again.

"Whoa! Derwent Shimpling!"

"Do you know him?"

"I don't, but I have deep admiration for what he did."

Hermione raised an eyebrow and took the card from Justin's hand.

"Derwent Shimpling,

Ate an entire Venomous Tentacula for a bet and survived, though he remains purple."

As Hermione finished reading, she tilted her head and glared at Justin.

"Idiot."

"Alright, you're right."

Justin didn't argue at all, and both of their gazes fell onto Hermione's card.

"Godric Gryffindor,"

Hermione lifted her chin, a wide arc forming at the corners of her mouth.

"One of the founders of Hogwarts; one of the houses is named after him."

"That's great. I read about him in *Hogwarts: A History*. The book says he even left a sword behind in Hogwarts."

Justin sighed in genuine admiration, and Hermione squinted, clearly very pleased.

While they were talking, the train had already traveled out of London, and they were speeding along pastures filled with cattle and sheep.

The two were silent for a moment, watching the vast pastures and rolling hills flash by. Occasionally, they could see people riding fine horses, wearing white riding gear, looking like white flowers in an oil painting.

"I say, he really is quiet."

Hermione didn't mention a name, but Justin knew exactly who she was talking about.

"Not necessarily."

Justin laughed. He had dimples on his cheeks, which looked exceptionally healing.

"Sean, please, deal with this pumpkin pasty. Help a guy out."

Following that, a slightly slender hand flashed by.

"Thanks."

A few seconds later, the voice came from behind the impossibly thick, tan-colored book.

The dimples on Justin's face deepened.

"My mother told me that those who are truly capable are often very quiet.

Even if a mountain were to fall in front of them, they wouldn't be startled. However, they are often not very lucky..."

Justin's gaze fell on Sean's pilled coat and his focused face, implying something.

"Mother said I always need friends like that.

Her teachings helped me find my friends at Summerfield School.

As it turns out, she was right. I think we will be good friends for a lifetime.

We promised each other that even if we were at different schools, we wouldn't lose touch.

Oh, if you're interested, I'd be happy to share our letters with you."

As Justin spoke, he opened his trunk.

Aside from the items on the school supply list, the most eye-catching things were the neatly stacked letters.

Scattered beside the letters were loose photographs, which appeared to be snapshots of Justin and his friends.

Just as Hermione was looking on with some surprise, a voice filled with tears suddenly rang out

"Trevor! Where are you!"

A round-faced boy squeezed into the compartment, asking timidly,

"Sorry, have you seen my toad?"

By this time, two-thirds of the train ride had passed.

Sean was shaken from his focus by the warm, dim light of the train.

He rubbed his eyes; he was the only one left in the compartment.

Observing the darkening sky, he prepared to change into his wizarding robes, but when he closed *One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi*, he found a note.

It read

【Sean, we went to help a young wizard named Neville find his toad. If you want to come, you can find us in the corridor.】

Sean thought for a moment and wrote a few words on the back of the note

【The train is arriving soon, remember to change your clothes.】

After writing it, Sean picked up his school robes and opened the compartment door.

The corridor was very noisy, much louder than before. Perhaps the young wizards in the compartments had become familiar with one another, so their discussions had grown much louder.

As Sean walked past a compartment, he happened to hear an argument inside.

"Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid, fat rat yellow."

It was a young boy's voice.

"Are you sure that's a real spell?"

A young girl was asking.

"Doesn't seem to be much, does it?

I've tried a few simple spells at home just for practice, and they all worked.

So, what I mean is,

Look at this,

Reparo."

Sean roughly understood what was happening. He was just about to walk past when he saw a boy with platinum-blonde hair stride over and open the compartment, followed by two bodyguards-like young wizards.

Sean knew what was going to happen without even thinking.

Sure enough, a moment later, a mocking voice rang out

"If I were you, Potter, I'd be a bit more careful.

You should be a bit more polite, or you'll end up the same way your parents did.

They didn't know what was good for them either. If you hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys or Hagrid, you'll be influenced."

What a sharp tongue.

Sean silently evaluated, then headed to the changing room without looking back.

In that tense compartment, a shout soon rang out.

Sean could guess just by hearing it that it must have been Scabbers biting Goyle, helping Harry out of a tight spot.

If he remembered correctly, was this the only time Peter Pettigrew helped Harry?

When compartment two was filled with young wizards again, the rumbling of the train had reached its peak, and the scarlet steam engine slowly began to slow down.

Outside the window,

Under the dark purple sky, one could only see a stretch of rolling mountains and forests.

Hermione and Justin couldn't suppress the excitement in their eyes.

The three of them got off the Hogwarts Express one after another and arrived at a dark, small platform.

In the distance, they saw a giant holding a lantern; at a glance, he looked like one of the man-eating monsters from fairy tales.

The night air was chilly,

But this time, Sean didn't shiver. The clothes on his body were no longer those donated, holey, pilled garments,

But Hogwarts' plain robes and underlayers.

They were very warm.

Following Hagrid through the forest and seeing Hogwarts Castle, all the young wizards let out a loud

"Whoa—"

Justin's shout was the loudest, causing Hermione to glare at him repeatedly.

"Forgive me, Hermione, Eton College isn't that easy to give up.

My decision wasn't wrong. Look at this castle, and those floating lights, and the moving statues...

If my mother could see this scene—I mean, she would be proud of me."

Riding the small boats across the Black Lake, entering the boathouse, and climbing the cliffside stairs,

The young wizards stood at the entrance of the Great Hall, then listened to Professor McGonagall's explanation about the Sorting.