Chapter 13: Toads and the Chosen One

Affected by Alaric's Disarming Charm, Ron Weasley seemed frightened. Even his speech was stuttering, "I... I unders... understand."

He swallowed hard, finally regaining composure. "I... I don't like cats; I thought she came in to eat Scabbers."

"Himari would never eat such strange things." Alaric shook his head. 

He knew that Scabbers, the rat, was actually the Animagus Peter Pettigrew. However, he didn't intend to expose Peter, as doing so would put himself in a suspicious situation—how does a Muggle who just entered the magical world know so much?

Himari, in response, also mewed and distanced herself from Ron and his rat, apparently sensing something peculiar about Scabbers.

Alaric casually picked up Himari and introduced himself to Harry and Ron. He also introduced the other four.

Finally, he explained, "We came here to help Neville find his toad."

"But Neville was sitting in this compartment originally," Harry Potter pointed out, puzzled.

Neville behind them nodded in agreement.

Now, the girls cast skeptical glances at Alaric.

"Watch, Himari never makes mistakes." Alaric sneered, and Himari cast a disdainful glance at the others, expressing her disdain for their doubts.

She leaped from Alaric's shoulder, gracefully landed on a suitcase, and then used her cat's claws to scratch it.

"This is my luggage," Neville blurted out.

Alaric gestured for him to open the bag. "Himari means to say that your toad is hiding inside."

"Trevor can't be in there. I personally organized the suitcase, and I would have known if Trevor were in there." Neville muttered, but reluctantly opened the suitcase under Alaric's insistence.

As expected, in line with Alaric's expectations, as soon as the suitcase was opened, a toad, as if finally liberated, jumped out.

With the appearance of the toad, the truth was revealed.

Neville had wasted a considerable amount of time going through each compartment, asking about Trevor.

But in reality, Trevor had been left in his suitcase the entire time.

Himari lifted her chin triumphantly, strutting back and forth before the group, looking like a proud rooster.

Watching her adorable and proud demeanor, the girls' hearts melted.

They spared no praise, thinking about how they could personally touch Himari.

However, Himari ran back into her master's arms with an indifferent look, showing no love for the compliments from the girls.

With the matter resolved, the two groups, who had just clashed moments ago, began introducing themselves.

When the black-haired boy wearing glasses said his name: "Harry Potter", there was an exclamation of surprise.

"Is it really you?" Hermione was excited.

"I know everything about you. Of course—I bought a few extra reference books, 'A History of Modern Magic,' 'The Rise and Fall of Dark Arts,' 'Important Magical Events of the Twentieth Century,' all of which mention you."

Hearing this, Harry Potter had a bewildered expression; he never knew he was so famous.

But, as a typical figure who fought against the Dark Lord and escaped death, Harry had long become a celebrity in the wizarding world.

Cho Chang and Marietta couldn't help but take a closer look at him.

Cho Chang had mostly lived in the Muggle world, only entering the wizarding world a year ago, so she had no real feelings about this. 

But Marietta was different; she even wanted to go forward and ask Harry for an autograph.

Compared to them, Alaric was much calmer. He expressed a bit of surprise, then had brief conversations with both Harry and Ron, the latter being somewhat neglected in Harry's shadow.

Harry felt that Alaric wasn't just interested in his fame, while Ron was touched that Alaric didn't only pay attention to the renowned Harry Potter but also acknowledged him.

Now, even the conflict a few minutes ago, where Alaric disarmed Ron's wand, was completely forgotten.

Following that, Alaric bid farewell to them along with the girls and left.

As they left, Ron cast an envious and jealous glance at Alaric's back.

"He's just a bit better looking, isn't he?" Ron complained to Harry.

"He can sit in the same compartment with three girls. Although he's a good guy, I bet anyone who walks with him wouldn't be noticed by any girl."

Harry nodded in agreement. Although both of them thought Alaric was a good guy, boys tend to unite in their resentment against handsome guys.

The so-called handsome guy, holding Himari, returned to the compartment with the three girls in a somewhat helpless manner.

On the way, Hermione kept chatting with Marietta about Harry Potter and Voldemort.

The two, one having read many books about the magical world and the other with parents working in the Ministry of Magic, were well-informed, engaging in gossip topics and occasionally exclaiming in surprise.

Cho Chang, on the other hand, listened attentively to their conversation, occasionally chiming in.

Only Alaric, who wasn't very interested in gossip, had nothing to say and could only read his own book.

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