On the train

The sound of steam gushing emanated from the front of the crimson Hogwarts Express, while white smoke billowed, and the voices of the crowd buzzed around.

Children bid their final farewells to their families, or they had already reunited with their friends, recounting interesting holiday stories.

"Oh, Neville!! You left Trevor here!" An elderly woman hurried toward the train with a bag on her shoulder and a plump toad in her hand.

A portly man with a round face leaned out of the window: "Oh, grandma, you scared me to death. I thought it had escaped again."

"You lost it, it didn't run away!" the old woman corrected. Then she added, "When you get to school, remember to take care of yourself."

"I will!" Neville nodded.

"You won't! What I mean is, remember to talk to the teacher when something happens. Don't be as clueless as a headless fly."

"Fine…"

As the train gradually started moving, mothers waved goodbye while younger siblings cried and laughed, running alongside the train until it picked up speed, leaving them behind, still waving.

"Okay, don't worry." Felix looked at Chris as he lowered his arm.

"There's nothing I can do about it. I always feel empty when I think about not seeing my children until Christmas," Chris said with a smile, his eyes lingering on the spot where the train disappeared.

Then his expression turned slightly somber, and he waved his hand. "She has never been to such a faraway place."

After speaking, he shook his head. "Forget it, let's go. Want to grab a drink?"

"Wine or coffee?" Felix asked. "I'm leaning towards wine."

"I still have to drive," Chris said, turning around. "Aren't you worried? It's true, it was a neighbor who sent Peter, not his relatives."

"I'm not worried," Felix shook her head. "I'm heading to Hogwarts soon."

"What?"

"That's right, the Hogwarts principal said he would offer me a temporary position, and I agreed," Felix nodded, walking out of King's Cross Station with Chris. "So, I said you shouldn't worry too much."

A weight lifted from Chris's heart. "Well, I'm relieved you'll be there too."

"The teachers at Hogwarts are still very competent. Even if I'm not around, you can rest assured."

"It feels different when there's an acquaintance nearby."

...

On the train, Harry and Hermione found a secluded compartment. Upon entering, Harry placed his suitcase on the rack and helped Hermione with her luggage.

"Harry, is this all your luggage?" Hermione asked, eyeing Harry's suitcase curiously. It looked like an ordinary tan leather case with brass locks.

"It was a gift I received last Christmas from a friend of Uncle Felix," Harry explained. "Some spells have been cast inside, so it can hold more things."

"Oh, I see. I thought all your clothes were in that small cloth bag," Hermione said.

"No, I just keep some essentials in it for now."

Harry didn't want to dwell on it too much; it might seem like he was bragging. As for items given by others, unrelated to his own abilities, he felt there was no need to boast.

If he were to boast, it should be about what he had achieved through his own efforts.

The two sat facing each other in the compartment, occasionally chatting. Both felt nervous about the upcoming journey to Hogwarts.

Although books claimed that the gap between young wizards from non-magical families and those from wizarding families wouldn't be significant, neither believed it.

Small differences? Unless these peers in the wizarding world had learned nothing from birth until now!

Was that even possible?!

"By the way, Hermione, I suggest you avoid using the word 'Muggle,'" Harry suddenly said seriously. "Uncle Felix told me that 'Muggle' is actually a derogatory term wizards use for non-magical folk, though it's become normalized now."

Hermione bit her lip. She had just used the term 'Muggle.'

Following Harry's reminder, she immediately recalled what the boy she met at Mrs. Grinding's Robe Shop had called her father that day.

"Okay, Harry, you're right," Hermione said, feeling a tad embarrassed. "I noticed that those books all referred to non-magical people as Muggles...so I thought..."

"It's okay. Uncle Felix usually refers to use non-magical people," Harry said, remembering when Felix had told him this for the first time.

"Don't use the word 'Muggle'" was the first thing Uncle Felix had said to him in a rare and serious tone.

Clang—

The compartment door was flung open, revealing a familiar, disdainful face.

He had angular features, his blond hair slicked back, and that same irritatingly arrogant expression.

"Harry Potter, there you are." Draco strolled into the compartment. Behind him stood two burly men, one on each side, their visages particularly unpleasant. They flanked Draco like bodyguards.

"Oh, this is Crabbe, and this is Goyle," Draco introduced casually.

"I've been searching for you since I boarded."

Harry rose to his feet, blocking the compartment entrance. "Here to offer a gift? No need, I've already accepted your apology."

Malfoy's pallid face flushed crimson, and he nodded through clenched teeth. "Fine, fine!! Ah Yes, I'm here to give you a gift. I'm going to teach you a lesson!"

With those words, Crabbe and Goyle lunged forward from either side.

"Harry!" Hermione gasped.

Draco spoke haughtily, "I want to make it clear, Potter, don't assume you can defy the Malfoy family just because you're the famous Harry Potter."

Bang—

In the next moment, scarlet blood splattered across Draco's pale face.

Harry landed a punch on Crabbe's nose, causing him to stagger back in agony, blood spurting.

Harry wasn't exceptionally strong, but likewise, these two hefty fellows didn't possess particularly vicious tempers either.

Yet, Goyle's fist also came swinging. Harry shielded himself with his arms, feeling a twinge of pain as a blow landed in his midsection.

However, in the blink of an eye, the two hefty boys were writhing on the ground, howling in pain.

Malfoy wiped blood from his face, his complexion paling once more. He stumbled backward and quickly bent down to assist the two boys.

The trio nearly tumbled out of the compartment.

Hermione barely had time to react. She witnessed the two boys charging at Harry, then saw them fall to the ground.

"Harry, are you alright?" Hermione asked, her concern evident.

"I'm fine." Harry rubbed his forearms, relieved, then settled back onto the compartment sofa.

Seeing Harry unharmed didn't alleviate the worry on Hermione's face. "Oh my, you made them bleed. That's against school rules. This... they might send you back."

"No, it's alright," Harry reassured her. "Don't fret. Even if I might have broken a few rules, they won't expel a young wizard for it."