area51novel Chapter 172, page 171: The Extra Slow Express! And proof of love!
Chapter 172, page 171: The Extra Slow Express! And proof of love!
Chapter 172, page 171: The Extra Slow Express! And proof of love!
After passing through the barrier of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, a new and vast world unfolded before the three of them, with a deep red Victorian-era steam locomotive quietly parked on the tracks.
"This is truly amazing!"
Hermione turned back in amazement to look at the wall behind her, while Harry tried to gently touch it with one hand. The opening of the magical world was a novel and indescribably wonderful experience for both children.
"Is this train also powered by magic?" Harry was noticeably more cheerful after paying his "friendship fee," staring in awe at the Hogwarts Express in the distance.
Although the train looked no different from those of Muggles, the diverse people coming and going around it added a unique touch to this platform that belonged exclusively to wizards.
This is a view you absolutely won't see at a Muggle station.
Steam billows from the locomotives gathered above the heads of the chatting crowd, while colorful cats circled around their feet and shoes. Owls hooted at each other in an unpleasant manner, their calls drowning out the noise of people dragging, pulling, patting, and banging their heavy suitcases.
The first few carriages were already packed with students. Some students leaned out of the windows to chat with their families, while others were still fighting over seats.
What a lively scene!
This made Harry's owl try to stick its head out of the cage.
"It's just a train that's been partially magically modified. Nobody understands why the Ministry of Magic hasn't updated or replaced it in all these years. Commissioner Smith could have easily made a lot of money off this project." Ian weighed the money pouch in his hand with a hint of emotion. He had no intention of accepting any "tribute" from Harry Potter.
It's as if he never intended to get a red envelope from Hermione's father at all.
Although he knew that Harry Potter's Galleons would probably last a lifetime, Ian still had some self-respect and wouldn't normally even consider extorting a normal young wizard.
"Commissioner Smith?"
Harry Potter muttered unfamiliar names.
"He must be the head of some department within the Ministry of Magic. I learned about the Ministry of Magic in 'The Wizarding World,' which is essentially a wizarding government formed by wizards."
Hermione began to show off the knowledge she had been cramming for during this time.
only.
She clearly doesn't understand the adult world very well.
"There's plenty of time to chat on this slow journey to Hogwarts. Our immediate priority is to find a carriage; the larger carriages are always first-come, first-served."
Ian eventually put the money bag that Harry Potter had "gifted" back into his pocket. He had already figured out how to perfectly handle this batch of Galleons from Harry Potter.
Very simple.
All he had to do was buy all those Galleons to make shampoo for the Potter family and then give it to his good uncle. In this way, not only would the Galleons flow back into the Potter family's coffers, but he would also regain his conscience.
Most importantly, if Harry Potter's parents knew this in the afterlife, even if they wanted to become vengeful ghosts to avenge their son, they should only seek out Snape, the beneficiary.
It seems that Uncle wouldn't mind using this method to get a chance to see his first love again... This is simply a perfect win-win-win situation!
While pondering this, Ian led the two little brats through the train's entrance and entered the train. The carriage, which showed obvious signs of expansion by the Expansion Charm, once again elicited gasps from Harry and Hermione.
"This space is huge!" Harry looked around in disbelief at the wide passageway, which seemed much wider than the train outside.
"I know, I know, the Unseen Stretch Charm must have been used here." Hermione once again demonstrated her knowledge; she had been quite interested in this magic ever since she saw Ian's money pouch.
"You know so much, unlike me... I'm not even proficient at using my wand." Harry's praise came from the heart, and Hermione immediately puffed out her chest like a proud peacock.
"Die, my enemy!"
Just at this time.
Suddenly.
A loud noise broke into the ears of the three of them. Harry didn't react yet, but Hermione, who had been looking proud, was so frightened that she turned pale and almost fell to the ground.
"How could someone use a killing curse on a school bus?!"
She let out a terrified explosion.
A green light flew past her cheek.
This almost scared her to death on the spot.
"Don't worry, Hermione, it's just a modified version of the Illumination Charm... These little ones have picked up some bad habits." Ian chuckled as he glanced at the young wizards chasing and playing in the train aisle.
"Young professor..."
"We apologize, we did not mean to intimidate this student."
……
The young wizards, who had been chasing each other and playing house, immediately put away their wands and bowed slightly to Ian as if he were their school professor.
"Let's go play in the Slytherin carriage. Their freshmen really like to hang out with their upperclassmen," Ian pointed out a good road for the group of playful young wizards.
In a short time.
Seeing Hermione's "quail-like" reaction, the young wizards' eyes lit up immediately. As if they had accepted some NPC quest, they rushed noisily towards the carriage where there were more Slytherin students.
"That young professor really knows how to have fun!"
"Of course! We used the improved spell invented by the little professor!"
"Guys! It's time for a prank!"
……
The words left behind by a few young wizards.
This seemed to make Harry realize where the "bad habit" Ian had mentioned came from. He wasn't lacking in emotional intelligence, so even after understanding the situation, he chose not to voice his guess.
"Isn't that a killing curse?"
After the young wizards left, Hermione wiped her face to calm herself down. She recalled the colors of the lights she had just seen, which were clearly the same as the colors of the Killing Curse she had learned about from books.
"We haven't learned that part yet."
Harry found Ian's answer quite meaningful.
Hermione, filled with suspicion and uncertainty, found the thought terrifying.
"Doesn't Hogwarts not teach its students such dangerous spells?" She genuinely felt that the wonder of magic shouldn't include something as heinous and terrifying as the Unforgivable Curse.
"If needed, someone will definitely teach you; that's called on-demand teaching." Ian opened the doors of several carriages along the way, but didn't find any empty compartments.
He led his two junior classmates forward.
immediately.
Ian then saw the twin brothers shouting in the aisle of the train car.
"What are they selling?"
Harry was already itching to reach into his pocket and do what he'd never even dreamed of—inviting his friends to spend money with him—he clearly had more than just the bag of Galleons he'd given to Ian.
"Go and see for yourself."
Ian was also curious about what kind of mischief these two business geniuses were up to now. When he walked up to the two brothers, the few young wizards surrounding them immediately made way for them.
"Oh! Look who's here! Our Hogwarts Star! The Legend of Tomorrow! The Invincible Ian!" George exclaimed dramatically upon seeing Ian.
"And he brought along his two newly recruited lackeys!"
Fred chimed in, not to be outdone. Neither they nor the other young wizards recognized Harry Potter, because the savior, still not quite used to his newfound fame, had deliberately covered his scars with his overly long hair.
Harry felt very relaxed by Ian's side, because this outstanding senior always attracted the attention of others, so he didn't feel awkward about being called the "savior".
What are you selling?
Ian ignored their flattery and picked up a yellow candy with interest. He realized that the two brothers had stolen his idea again.
"You have a sharp eye! This is our latest creation, the Fart Candy. Once you eat this candy, you'll have the privilege of having an entire train compartment to yourself!"
Fred immediately began introducing the product.
"A silver dollar won't make you lose out or be cheated."
George then launched into a sales pitch—it has to be said they were truly business geniuses, managing to come up with such a ridiculous way of having a private room all to themselves.
"You're trying to release biochemical gas! How shameful!" Hermione, whose personality was still a bit impulsive, seemed to transform into a Hogwarts environmentalist on the spot.
"Hey little junior, you can't just say things like that. Our products are always meticulously crafted. The farts you produce after eating this candy will only smell a bit, absolutely no harmful gases!"
"That's right! That's right! Hogwarts' environmental protection always starts with us!" The two lively twins had seen it all, so dealing with a little girl like Hermione was a piece of cake.
"..."
Miss Beaver couldn't find a rebuttal at the moment.
She felt embarrassed.
Harry Potter remained silent, relentlessly inquiring about the prices of various items from George, before embarking on a low-key yet extravagant spending spree, as if making up for lost time in his childhood.
Ian even saw Harry Potter buy three fart candies, and he wondered if Harry was planning to have a fart contest with Ian and Hermione after they found a private room.
"You want to hurt each other, huh...?"
Ian's eye twitched.
He quickly pulled Hermione, who was still somewhat unsatisfied and deep in thought about her debate strategy, away from this "dangerous" place, as the twin brothers' shouts rang out behind her.
"Hey! Ian, don't go! Don't you know how much our little brother is worth in monthly lab fees?"
"George! Quickly, bring Ron out so Ian can see him!"
"Damn it! Fred, didn't Mom tell you to take care of Ron? Where did you lose him? He still has our lunch sandwiches on him!"
……
Having said goodbye to his twin brother, who was less important than a sandwich, Ian continued on his way, believing that the bond of friendship between Harry Potter and Ron Weasley might lead them to an unexpected encounter with Ron.
however.
"Click~"
As Ian opened the door to another private room, a little boy was indeed sitting in the empty room, but instead of red hair, he had a full head of familiar blond hair.
"Hello, Ian, Hermione, and Mr. Savior." The blond boy, who had been reading a book, looked up at the entrance of the private room and smiled when he saw the door being pushed open.
Rirem Ollivander.
This was the boy Ian and his two companions had all encountered in the wand shop in Diagon Alley. His golden eyes, identical to his hair, were a unique feature that Ian found hard to forget.
Perhaps this is proof of some kind of magical bloodline?
"Hello, Mr. Ollivander."
Harry Potter became reserved again.
"I never expected to run into you here."
Hermione looked at the wand shop owner in front of her with a rather surprised expression.
"I think this is fate."
Lirim's smile was quite gentle and refined. He put down the book in his hand and stood up to help the two young wizards carry their luggage, but the enthusiastic boy seemed to be walking around the young wizards' suitcases.
"Your eyes are so beautiful."
After receiving help, Harry Potter said some auspicious words to Ririm, a heartfelt sentiment, as every teenager who has gone through a phase of teenage angst has longed for golden eyes.
"I think so too."
Ririm laughed even more heartily.
"So, all the other colored parts of your body... are they all the same gold?" However, the curious little cat Hermione clearly didn't realize that her inappropriate question had frozen his smile on his face.
"Hiss~"
Ian once again felt the power of the Hogwarts mouth-switch.
This was something even he dared not ask.
no way.
This is Britain, after all. Asking such a question might not embarrass others, but it will definitely make them think you're flirting or revealing your interest.
"Perhaps..."
Lirem gave an ambiguous response with an unnatural expression.
Hermione exclaimed in surprise.
This made the blond boy's expression even more unnatural.
The atmosphere in the private room was a bit off.
"Is the book you're reading, 'The Fallen Witch Fell in Love with Me,' really that good?" Fortunately, Ian prided himself on being good at easing tensions and stepped in to ease the slightly awkward atmosphere.
"If you don't mind the melodramatic plot, then it's a great book for entertainment." Ririm immediately chimed in, bringing the atmosphere in the private room back to normal.
When he sat down in the private room again, he didn't go back to his original seat, but instead sat in the seat furthest away from Ian and Ian's small suitcase.
He even pulled Harry next to his seat as if he were a shield.
"Um?"
Ian was slightly confused.
He glanced thoughtfully at Rym's eyes a few more times.
Have you thought about which college you'll be assigned to?
He casually brought up a new topic.
"I...don't know much about it. Hagrid said Gryffindor is the best house."
"Indeed, I've read about it in books. The greatest wizard of this century, our headmaster Albus Dumbledore, was a student from Gryffindor."
"Gryffindor is nice, but I think I'll become a Ravenclaw. I've heard that life in Ravenclaw is very interesting, and the thing I can't resist the most is an interesting life."
"Great! A wise choice!"
……
As they gradually became more familiar with each other through conversation.
The train departs.
I'm currently reading the error-free version! This is my first novel. (Reading)
We slowly drove out of London.
The train was traveling along the railway through fields of cattle and sheep. Around 12:30, footsteps came from the corridor outside, and a saleswoman with dimples when she smiled pushed open the door of the private room.
"Kids, what kind of delicious food would you like to buy?"
The saleswoman from Hufflepuff warmly inquired.
Before anyone else could speak...
Before even having breakfast, Harry Potter, eager to show off his "money power," immediately jumped up with joy—he had enough Galleons in his pocket to fill an entire private room.
"They don't have Mars brand lollipops."
Harry Potter rummaged through the saleswoman's cart, but couldn't find any familiar brands. The cart was full of unfamiliar snacks like multi-flavored beans, bubble gum, chocolate frog candy, pumpkin pie, giant pancakes, and popsicles. He simply paid with a Galleon and bought a little of everything.
"His family must be very rich."
Hermione quietly spoke to Ian.
"Yes, that's not just ordinary wealth."
Ian nodded in deep agreement.
Let's all eat together!
Harry Potter dumped a bunch of snacks on the table and offered to share. Ririm grabbed a color-changing popsicle without hesitation and stuffed it into his mouth.
"You guys eat too."
Harry Potter generously stuffed several bags of snacks into Hermione's and Ian's hands. Hermione received pumpkin pie and honey cake, while Ian received a whopping three bags of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.
"..."
Ian quickly swapped the snacks in his hand for a box of chocolate frogs.
His actions also caught Harry Potter's attention.
"This must be chocolate, right?" Harry Potter also picked up a box of Chocolate Frogs, and he carefully bought a box of these candies for everyone.
"Croak~"
Harry Potter, who was the first to open the box, was astonished to find that the chocolate inside had jumped out and stuck to the train window.
"Could it really be a frog?!"
He felt that nothing in the world could surprise him more.
"Of course not, it must be some kind of magic..." Hermione also raised her hand in astonishment and carefully poked the chocolate frog stuck to the car window.
"They only jump once."
Ian grabbed his candy the moment he opened the box.
Such keen foresight comes only from practice.
In his little classroom, there was always a little wizard whose parents worked at the Chocolate Frog factory.
"There's a card inside each chocolate frog candy, with the name of a famous magician printed on it for children to collect. I've already collected over two thousand cards in a complete set." Ian opened a chocolate frog candy and took out a card with a portrait of an incredibly imposing man on it.
A full head of white hair.
This cannot conceal the extraordinary demeanor of this person.
"Look, I drew Merlin Ambrose. I only have four of these cards; they're very rare." Ian showed the other three young wizards the cards in his box.
"Huh? Is it that rare?"
Harry Potter raised his hand in surprise, only to find that his bag of Chocolate Frogs also contained a card identical to Ian's, featuring a man of extraordinary bearing and unparalleled beauty.
"..."
Ian was speechless.
He finally managed to put on a show, only to be immediately proven wrong. How could two of these rare cards, with a probability of less than 0.05, possibly appear in the same batch of Chocolate Frogs by sheer coincidence?!
Before the little wizard could even feel the frustration in his heart...
"What a coincidence."
Rirem laughed heartily and showed off his bag of Chocolate Frog cards.
Ok.
He's still that incredibly difficult man to smoke.
"Ian, I suspect you're lying to us. There's definitely no other card in these snacks." Hermione looked doubtful, holding up the card that looked like it had been cursed.
"..."
Ian suspects that the person putting cards in the Chocolate Frog factory must have drunk fake alcohol one day.
"This is unbelievable!"
His joy at acquiring the rare card vanished completely.
Just as the young wizard was feeling a bit down, the door to the private room opened again. There was no knocking or questioning; it was simply pulled open from the outside without any politeness.
All I saw was...
Three boys walked in.
"Everyone on the train says Harry Potter is in this compartment, is that true? So, you must be Harry?" The little boy leading the group was a pale-faced fellow with a pointed chin, light blond hair, and gray eyes. He strode into the compartment with an air of superiority.
Upon entering.
His eyes automatically locked onto Harry Potter.
"This is truly... true love." Ian was slightly stunned before recovering, not expecting that Ron, who hadn't waited for him, would still be able to wait for Draco Malfoy.
He was quite certain that no one had recognized Harry Potter when he was in the train corridor, as he was deliberately hiding his scars, so he had good reason to suspect that Harry had been searching the world for Mr. Savior ever since he boarded the train.
As for what other people said... that's just a convenient excuse!
"Yes, I am Harry Potter. Who are you?" Harry Potter sized up Draco Malfoy, his gaze lingering more on the other two "henchmen."
The two guys following the boy who was leading the group were short and stocky and looked very rude.
"Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle, they are my friends, and you can be friends with us if you wish."
Draco Malfoy tilted his head slightly and spoke seemingly casually, but his inner emotions carried a hint of anticipation. Ian clearly captured his undisguised thoughts.
"If this isn't love."
The young wizard sighed silently to himself.
He had put down his snacks, ready to enjoy the scene.
"Tsk tsk."
Ririm, on the other hand, looked out the window with great interest.
"Sorry, I think I already have suitable friends." Harry Potter actually chose to refuse outright. In his opinion, the arrogant attitude of Draco Malfoy and others reminded him of his own cousin.
"Um?"
Draco Malfoy clearly hadn't expected to be rejected.
He immediately felt embarrassed and annoyed.
"Ha, Potter, you really don't know what's good for you. You can't tell who your true friends are." Draco Malfoy's tone revealed a hint of exasperation after his "confession" was rejected.
In this state, people can say all sorts of bad things.
"If I were you, I would be much more careful. Don't think you're so great just because you're famous! If you don't treat me politely, you'll definitely repeat your parents' mistakes!"
Draco Malfoy's behavior after losing face was indeed very poor.
"Are you out of your mind?! Just because someone doesn't want to play with you, you start cursing them?" Hermione knew about Harry Potter's background, so she thought Draco Malfoy was really going too far.
"Your current state proves that my opinion may indeed be correct." Harry Potter's brows furrowed slightly; he didn't quite understand why Draco Malfoy would suddenly speak so harshly.
"This is no place for you to speak, Miss, who came out of nowhere..." Draco Malfoy didn't even glance at Hermione, his eyes fixed on Harry Potter.
"You know what! Everyone says you're the boy who survived a great calamity! How amazing! But in my eyes, your empty fame is nothing compared to our family's loyal friend, Daphne Greengrass, a descendant of the Greengrass family, who is also a hero known as the girl who survived a great calamity!"
Draco Malfoy looked indignant, as if trying to save face.
"The Mysterious Man is from many years ago. Now, the new Dark Lord is at Hogwarts, and Daphne Greengrass has saved her life from him more than once!"
"Ha, I suppose you don't know that, because you have no family, no one to give you such a reminder, and no loyal friends to teach you how to survive at Hogwarts!"
Good guy.
Draco Malfoy's indignant and impassioned words failed to intimidate the somewhat bewildered and confused Harry and Hermione, but instead caused Ian's smile to shift to Rirem's face.
"??????"
Ian's face looked like he'd swallowed a fly.
"Who is the new Great Demon King?"
Lirim turned around, as if he was enjoying the spectacle.
"The Ollivander brat..."
Draco Malfoy, with an air of superiority, glanced sideways at Lyrim and said, "I doubt your family hadn't warned you."
"That Ravenclaw boy, he's the new unnamed man! Have your two lowly Muggle friends completely corrupted you into a fool too?"
Draco Malfoy glanced sideways at Ian and Hermione.
Are you insulting us?
Hermione's face was flushed with anger.
Draco Malfoy simply scoffed.
"Heh, believe me, if it weren't for the curse our families put on us, preventing us from mentioning that name, you two would definitely have heard my real insults."
He became increasingly arrogant as he spoke.
Ian couldn't stand that arrogant attitude.
It's one thing to have a love-hate relationship with Harry.
This dragged the innocent Hermione and, most importantly, him into the mess.
What are they trying to do?
"Draco Malfoy, right?"
The little wizard stood up abruptly.
"Who gave you the courage to come right up to my face and unleash your fury?" Ian's somewhat displeased words enraged Draco Malfoy and his henchmen.
however.
Before the three of them could even pull out their wands to threaten or intimidate,
"Maybe your dad can't even afford a single photograph, or maybe your family has always been this eccentric. So, perhaps I should introduce myself."
Ian spoke softly.
He simply waved his wand lightly.
Three little wizards, who were trying to reach for their wands, stuck themselves right up to the carriage door.
Under the horrified gazes of Malfoy and the others.
"My name is Ian Prince."
He spoke in a slightly low voice.
"Now tell me, who are you saying is the new generation of great demon king whose name cannot be mentioned?" The little wizard's tone carried a hint of annoyance at being slandered.
(End of this chapter)