Chapter 16

Future chapters (15+) at patreon.com/FFAddict.

Additionally, I have many new works readers may be interested in. Go look, if you wish! 

In 1785, Watt improved the steam engine, and industrial production entered a new era. In 1814, Englishman Stephenson invented the first train and named it the Traveler. Since then, trains have become an indispensable means of transportation for people in England. Many people take trains to London to commute to and from work, and then transfer to other buses or subways to reach their offices.

From this perspective, the Ministry of Magic is actually quite in line with the trend. Since the 1950s, the Hogwarts Express has taken on the task of transporting young wizards between the school and London. Before then, students could choose any way to get to school that they found interesting, and many jokes resulted. There were even casualties.

It wasn't until the then Minister of Magic, Ottlin Gamble, defied all odds and launched the largest secret operation in the history of the British Ministry of Magic to build the railway. A total of one hundred and seventy-six memory charms were involved, as well as a large number of hidden spell-casting records. Most of the Muggles responsible for building the railway felt they had forgotten something important, but they could not remember it. This trouble lasted for a full year before it ended. So, when you find that you can't remember something, don't doubt it—someone must have cast a memory charm on you.

September 1st is a special day for students in England. It means that the more than two-month summer vacation has come to an end. Countless students are either happy or disappointed as they embark on the journey back to school. If it is a boarding school, it means that the next time they go home will not be until Christmas at the earliest.

King's Cross Station is the terminal station of London Railways. On this day, the station also reaches its peak. Students and parents carrying large and small bags can be seen everywhere, rushing to their trains. Wayne traveled lightly, carrying only a medium-sized suitcase. Apparently, the suitcase had been enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm, although it wasn't Wayne's own work.

The Undetectable Extension Charm is an extremely advanced spell. It is recorded in the book "Standard Book of Spells: Grade 7," which means only seventh-year students are eligible to access it. After spending a morning, Wayne learned this spell and cast it twice on his pants pockets. As for the suitcase, he acquired it through his connections at Tuofan Clothiers, and it cost him one hundred and twenty galleons.

The use of the Undetectable Extension Charm is strictly regulated by the Ministry of Magic and cannot be used for private purposes. It must be registered to be legal. Wayne strongly suspected that this law was introduced due to some hidden interests between the Ministry of Magic and manufacturers of tents and suitcases. But as a newbie, he is not qualified to compete with the Ministry of Magic. It is better to do less than to do more. Any problem that can be solved with money is not a problem.

Walking towards platform nine and three-quarters, Wayne observed the crowd around him. He saw several men wearing black trench coats and dome hats, patrolling the area casually. He guessed that these people were staff sent by the Ministry of Magic to maintain order and deal with accidents.

After all, ordinary people are Muggles, not fools. People will always notice if a group of people disappears after hitting a pillar. At that time, staff need to come out and clean the floor.

Wayne looked around first and found that no one noticed the situation on his side. He pretended to be nonchalant and walked into the third pillar between Platforms Nine and Ten.

It's like piercing a membrane. It's very narrow at first, but after taking several steps, it suddenly becomes clear.

When the light returned to his eyes, Wayne had arrived in a new world.

The old-fashioned steam train whistles and buzzes, and the excitement is no less thrilling than outside. After a brief glance, Wayne cursed inwardly.

"Rowling knows nothing about Harry Potter," he thought. She said there are only three thousand wizards in the UK, yet there are one or two thousand here alone. Could it be that all the wizards came to the fair?

The young wizards took time to say goodbye to their families, and the parents gave them endless instructions. It looked messy but a little warm. But few had sad looks on their faces.

For the wizarding world with the "Regulations Prohibiting the Use of Magic by Underage Wizards," the two months of summer vacation have not been very pleasant.

Even though there are classes at school, you can use magic and have a group of like-minded friends. It's much better than being at home where everyone hates dogs every day. Of course, there are those who wear masks of pain on their faces. They probably remembered the homework they forgot during summer vacation.

Wayne didn't stay too long on the platform. He searched casually and boarded the Hogwarts Express without noticing Hermione, the only young wizard he knew.

With only ten minutes before departure, Wayne walked through the front carriages, which were almost full. Carrying his suitcase, he didn't find a compartment with only one person until he reached the second half of the carriage.

The door was open, but he knocked politely.

"Excuse me, can I sit here?"

The young wizard in the compartment looked up from his book, revealing a handsome face. Both of them were shocked at the same time.

"Damn it, this guy is as handsome as me," Wayne thought.

"Merlin, there's a young wizard more handsome than me," thought the boy in the room.

"Of course, sit wherever you want," the boy responded quickly. While sighing inwardly, he stood up enthusiastically and helped Wayne put his luggage on the shelf.

After everything was done, the two sat opposite each other. The young wizard extended his hand and put a gentle smile on his face.

"Hello, I'm Cedric Diggory, a third-year student at Hufflepuff. You must be the new student who enrolled this year, right?"

He said this with great certainty. Even if he didn't remember all the students at the school, the appearance of the young wizard opposite him would definitely become famous at Hogwarts. It was hard not to notice him.

Wayne was also stunned. He didn't expect this person to be the 'Hogwarts version of someone else's kid.' Cedric only appeared in two books but is extremely popular.

Wayne extended his hand and the two shook hands.

"Hello, my name is Wayne Lawrence, and I am indeed a freshman this year."