The Train to Hogwarts
The air was thick with anticipation as Toji—now fully settled into his life as Harry Potter—stood before King's Cross Station, holding his ticket to Platform 9 ¾. Dressed in simple, yet well-fitted attire, he stood out from the crowd of hurried muggles. His mind, however, was not on the station's mundanity but on the projects that had consumed his thoughts.
He had spent months planning. The staff that Ollivander was crafting for him would be a powerful tool, and his new wand was unlike any other. But beyond the tools, he had ideas—projects to refine his connection with magic, with nature, and to push the limits of both his magical and physical abilities. He had already performed several rituals to enhance his body and magic, but there was still so much to do. He aimed to explore ancient and forbidden branches of magic and planned to find ways to fuse magic with his own combat expertise, something the magical world had yet to see.
But that was for the future. Now, it was time for the next phase of his journey.
He pushed his cart toward Platforms 9 and 10, scanning the area. His sharp eyes quickly caught sight of the gateway between the two platforms—a barrier that led to the magical world. With a quick look to make sure no one was watching too closely, he strode toward the brick wall and, without hesitation, disappeared through it.
On the other side, Platform 9 ¾ stretched before him in all its magical glory. Steam billowed from the scarlet Hogwarts Express, and witches and wizards in robes hurried about, seeing their children off. The atmosphere was electric with excitement, but Toji remained calm and composed, his keen senses taking everything in.
As he moved toward the train, his eyes swept the windows. He was looking for a certain girl: Hermione Granger. He hadn't forgotten the impression he left on her in Diagon Alley, and he fully intended to deepen it.
A flash of bushy brown hair caught his attention. There she was, waving from one of the windows, a bright smile on her face. She had spotted him first. Toji grinned to himself; even after just one meeting, he could tell she had taken a liking to him.
He wasted no time and boarded the train swiftly, making his way toward her compartment. When he reached her, he greeted her with the kind of charm that always left a mark. He took her hand gently, his touch light but firm, and pressed his lips to her knuckle, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Miss Granger," he said in a smooth, rich voice. "A pleasure to see you again."
Hermione's eyes widened, and she turned a shade of pink as he released her hand. "H-Harry!" she stammered, her heart racing at the unexpected gesture. "It's... lovely to see you too."
Toji settled into the seat across from her, giving her a warm smile. "I hope the summer has treated you well," he said, his tone casual but thoughtful. "Are you ready for Hogwarts?"
Hermione nodded, still flustered. "Yes! I've read all the books, and I can't wait to start learning magic. I'm a bit nervous though... it's all so new."
Toji nodded. "You'll do great. Just remember, it's not about how much you know, but how you apply it." He gave her a reassuring smile, and Hermione, for once, found herself at a loss for words.
A few moments later, the compartment door slid open, and Daphne Greengrass stepped in. She froze for a moment, her eyes flicking between Toji and Hermione before she gave a small smile. "Looks like I'm not the only one who thought this compartment would be quiet."
Toji smirked, giving her a nod of acknowledgment. "Daphne," he greeted, his voice smooth. "Glad to see you."
Daphne gracefully took a seat beside Hermione, her demeanor cool but polite. "It seems we're all heading to Hogwarts together."
The trio quickly settled into conversation, and the girls were fascinated by Toji's story of his childhood—how he grew up with the Dursleys and endured their cruelty. Both Hermione and Daphne listened intently, and Toji could sense their growing anger at the way he had been treated.
"I never knew Dumbledore left you there," Hermione said quietly, a hint of outrage in her voice.
Toji leaned back in his seat, shrugging. "It is what it is. But I'm not the type to stay down for long."
Daphne frowned, her voice cold. "He should've taken better care of you. He's supposed to be a protector, not an enabler of suffering."
Toji smiled inwardly, pleased by their reactions. Both girls now shared a deep distrust of Dumbledore, something he could use in the future. But for now, he kept the conversation light, turning it back to more pleasant topics. As they spoke, he subtly worked to soften Hermione's bossy tendencies, encouraging her to listen before offering her opinion. It was a slow process, but progress was progress.
It wasn't long before their conversation was interrupted by the door sliding open again. Draco Malfoy stood in the doorway, flanked by his two cronies, Crabbe and Goyle. His pale, pointed face twisted into a sneer as he looked at them.
"So, this is where Potter's been hiding," Malfoy drawled. "Slumming it with a couple of Mudbloods, I see."
Toji's eyes darkened instantly. Without a word, he raised his hand, his magic flaring. Before Malfoy could react, he and his goons were teleported out of the compartment with a loud pop, vanishing from sight.
Daphne raised an eyebrow. "That was... efficient."
Toji smirked, leaning back in his seat. "I don't have time for idiots like him."
With a flick of his wrist, he erected a subtle barrier around the compartment, ensuring that no one else would disturb them for the rest of the journey. Hermione looked impressed, but there was also a spark of admiration in her eyes.
Soon after, the sweets trolley rolled by, and Toji bought an assortment of treats for all three of them. Hermione and Daphne thanked him, the atmosphere lightening as they laughed and talked, enjoying the sweets. Toji kept things balanced, charming both girls without giving away too much of himself. They were fascinated by him—his confidence, his mystery, and the fact that he didn't bow to anyone, not even the famous Draco Malfoy.
As the Hogwarts Express neared its destination, they all changed into their uniforms. Toji's was slightly different from the standard school robes. He had modified it himself, drawing inspiration from his old life's tokyo jujutsu uniform. It had the look of a combat-ready outfit—sleek and form-fitting, with black fabric accented by golden rims. It gave him an air of both nobility and danger, a combination that suited him perfectly.
Hermione and Daphne both stared at him as he stepped out of the compartment, their eyes lingering on his unique attire.
"That's… not standard Hogwarts robes," Daphne noted, her voice tinged with amusement.
Toji shrugged, giving her a half-smile. "I like to be prepared."
When the train finally pulled into Hogsmeade Station, Toji stood and, ever the gentleman, offered his hand to help Hermione and Daphne out of the train. Both girls accepted, blushing slightly as they took his hand.
The cool evening air greeted them as they stepped onto the platform, the towering silhouette of Hogwarts Castle looming in the distance. Toji felt a surge of excitement as he looked at the ancient fortress. This was where the next phase of his plan would begin. He was stronger, smarter, and more prepared than any first-year student.
He had four years of power and experience behind him, and now, with both Hermione and Daphne by his side, he was ready to make his mark on the magical world. The future was his to shape.
And Hogwarts had no idea what was coming.