The Hogwarts Express

"Molly! Sending your youngest son off to school this year?" asked Mrs. Trelawney, a smile gracing her face, particularly as she looked at Ginny. It appeared she hadn't given up on the ''Rowle Family Population Revitalization Plan.''

"My youngest, Ron—the last time you saw him."

The two women, with a significant age gap, began chatting as if no one else were present. It seemed like there were endless things to say.

But, naturally, the Weasley brothers didn't want to linger here and listen to their mother gossip about life's trivialities.

"Mom, I need to board the train!"

"Yes, Mom, otherwise Fred and I won't find a good compartment."

The twin brothers' words halted Mrs. Weasley's chattering. She had no choice but to bid a reluctant farewell to her two children. Braun also seized the opportunity to bid farewell to his grandmother, tugging Hermione onto the train.

Standing in the carriage, waiting for Cassatt to bring the luggage up, he found an empty compartment and settled into it.

It must be said that this wasn't Braun's first time aboard a train. Compared to the crowded trains in his previous life, the Hogwarts Express was much more comfortable. The carriage was divided into compartments, and the space inside was ample, enough for young wizards to play around in.

The specially designed luggage rack in the compartment wasn't very high, considering the height of these new students. There was also a small toilet on the opposite side of the luggage rack. It could be said that the preparations were extremely thoughtful.

"Woo..."

A rather sharp whistle suddenly sounded, causing the young wizards, who were still lingering, to ignore their parents' instructions. They grabbed their luggage and boarded the train. The footsteps of everyone on the platform also quickened. Some parents stood on the platform, bidding reluctant goodbyes to their children, especially the new Muggle-born parents, filled with reluctance and worry about their child stepping into the magical world.

"Wave to your parents, Hermione!"

Seeing Hermione lost in thought, Braun couldn't help but remind her aloud. Only then did the girl snap out of her daze, leaning against the window and waving to her parents. Braun refrained from doing so; his grandmother didn't appreciate such displays.

Compared to Hermione, if parents from the wizarding world missed their children, they could easily visit Hogwarts. The school didn't prohibit parents from visiting. Most of the time, though, wizarding parents couldn't wait for their children to go to school, preferring it to their mischief at home.

The train gradually accelerated, and the platform shrank as steam billowed from the chimney at the top of the train with the whistle's sound. As the train moved farther away, the platform turned into a tiny dot and vanished. Only then did Hermione sit back in her seat, feeling somewhat disappointed. Braun knew that the young girl was saddened by their parting. After all, she was just an eleven-year-old girl.

"Would you like some chocolate?" Braun asked Hermione before adding, "A specialty of the wizarding world! Quite different from Muggle chocolate." Hermione nodded reluctantly, her curiosity piqued. As if by magic, Braun produced a dozen colorful boxes from a small suitcase and placed them on the table.

"Pick one and give it a try; it's quite fascinating!" Hermione hesitantly picked one up. "Chocolate frog... ah..." Before she could finish reading the name on the box, she was startled by the frog that suddenly jumped. "Is there something alive in here?" Hermione looked at the hopping boxes on the table with a lingering fear in her eyes. Seeing this, Braun didn't intend to continue teasing her. He grabbed a box and opened it. With his right hand, he swiftly caught a chocolate frog that leaped out and stuffed it into his mouth. All that remained was a quivering frog leg twitching outside Braun's mouth. Hermione leaned back, still a little scared. It seemed this gave her some sense of security.

"Don't be frightened; it's just enchanted chocolate." Braun picked up the frog's leg and displayed it carefully in front of Hermione. Even though it was just regular chocolate, it still made Hermione a bit resistant.

"Well, it seems you don't particularly like these frogs; it's Dumbledore again! I think this old guy must be the Chocolate Frog's spokesperson; otherwise, there wouldn't be so many duplicate cards all about him." Braun retrieved an exquisite card from the box. Just about to discard it, Hermione asked for it.

"I know him! Dumbledore, our headmaster; I've read about him in 'Hogwarts: A History.' It's said he graduated from Gryffindor. I wish I could go there too!" Hermione said it eagerly. It was the first time Braun realized the other party had a penchant for chatter.

"Ah... ah..." On the luggage rack, Tom patted the cage, dissatisfied. It seemed to be urging them to let him out.

"Braun, your pet seems eager to come out," Hermione said, pointing to the crow on the luggage rack. Braun waved his hand.