Chapter 1813: A New Friend
Chapter 1813: A New Friend
Alice's father, Albert, was renowned across Europe for defeating the second Dark Lord, but Alice knew he would rather be remembered for his kindness and empathy.
The blonde girl across from her continued her enthusiastic chatter, and Alice could tell she was eager to befriend her. Alice didn't mind; in fact, she was open to getting to know this talkative young lady.
According to Albert's 'Hogwarts Memoirs,' friends made on the train often became close companions during their school years.
"You don't have to worry about your magical abilities," Alice reassured Daphne in a gentle tone, as if soothing a child. "It's perfectly normal to struggle with magic when you're new to it."
"Really?" Daphne asked, her eyes narrowing with skepticism. Alice's words sounded like comfort for a child.
"Yes, it's true," Alice continued softly, as if reading Daphne's concerns. "While a small number of witches and wizards are exceptionally gifted, most of us fall within a similar range of potential. It takes time and training to become truly proficient in magic."
Daphne silently breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried about her lack of talent, fearing that she might struggle at Hogwarts. Now, she felt reassured, knowing that even students from magical families needed time to master their abilities.
"What about you?" Daphne asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You must know a lot of magic already!"
"Me? I know a little," Alice replied, mimicking her father's gesture of pinching her thumb and index finger together. In truth, with her abilities and natural talent, she could self-study most of the first to third-year courses. Albert had never specifically taught her, preferring to let her enjoy her childhood without the pressures of advanced learning.
"I've heard that Gryffindor is the best of the four Hogwarts houses," Daphne commented as their conversation flowed more easily.
"Do you think you'll be sorted into Gryffindor too?" Alice asked.
"Me? I think I'd fit better in Ravenclaw. My mother was a Ravenclaw student," Alice replied, preferring the quiet and intellectual atmosphere of Ravenclaw to the more boisterous Gryffindor.
"But I thought Albert Anderson was in Gryffindor," Daphne countered, recalling some of the extra books she had read about the British magical world.
"That's true, but the Sorting Hat takes your preferences into account during the Sorting Ceremony," Alice explained with a meaningful tone. "I believe Ravenclaw would be a better fit for me. They value wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, foresight, and curiosity."
In truth, Alice had long known she would be sorted into Ravenclaw. She had read the 'Bronze Door Knocker's Comprehensive Question and Answer Collection' from her family's bookshelf and could answer most of the peculiar questions within.
Hearing Alice's words, Daphne also felt that Gryffindor might not be the best fit for her. Alice's description of Ravenclaw's values resonated with her, and she, too, desired a friend to rely on in a new and unfamiliar environment.
Alice was pleased with this new friend in every way.
Unknowingly, they had covered a wide range of topics. Daphne was not only talkative but also adept at social interactions, a testament to her noble upbringing. Even as she casually tried to extract information from Alice, Alice didn't mind sharing her knowledge of the magical world.
As the two women conversed, a pleasant friendship began to form, interrupted by a charming woman with dimples and a wine dimple who knocked on the compartment door around half past twelve.
"Darling, would you like to buy some food from the trolley?"
"I'll have two of everything, please."
Daphne immediately pulled out a handful of Galleons from her robe pocket and purchased a large assortment of intriguing snacks.
"Would you like some?"
Daphne, not wanting to assume Alice was short on money, was curious about her disinterest in the snacks. Nonetheless, she offered a box of Chocolate Frogs to her new friend.
"No, thank you. I'd rather have a proper meal!"
Alice didn't touch the offered Chocolate Frogs. Instead, she took out a peculiar square wooden box from her trunk, and to Daphne's surprise, steam rose from it, immediately attracting her attention away from the unwrapped Cauldron Cake.
"What a lavish lunch!"
Daphne stared at the steaming lunch, astonished. Despite having sampled numerous delicacies, she couldn't identify the cuisine's origin.
It certainly wasn't British.
"Our house-elf, Carla, helped prepare it," Alice explained, taking the still-steaming food from the box.
"A house-elf?"
"They're magical creatures similar to fairies, taking humanoid form and serving wizarding families as integral members." With a wave of her wand, Alice conjured cutlery and offered a portion to Daphne.
"Do all wizards have house-elves?"
Daphne was speechless, gazing at Alice with envy as she effortlessly performed magic.
"I don't think so. Many wizards live no better than Muggles... I mean, regular people!" Alice, aware that her family was an exception, added, "This is just a simple summoning spell."
Daphne nodded stiffly, her disbelief evident. However, remembering that Alice was Anderson's daughter, she felt somewhat reassured.
After sharing Alice's lunch, Daphne, still only half-full, offered her snacks to Alice, who symbolically ate a few Every-Flavour Beans before leaving the rest untouched.
"You're not having any?"
"No, thank you."
Upon learning that eating less sugar and adopting a scientifically sound diet could delay aging and maintain youth, improving skin health, Daphne quietly put down her half-eaten Cauldron Cake. She rummaged through her trunk and pulled out a book she had purchased from a witch's beauty shop, flipping through its pages.
Soon, she put the book away and resumed eating the remaining Cauldron Cake, reassured by the presence of beauty potions and the option of drinking beauty-enhancing tea.
To Daphne's surprise, Alice indeed took out afternoon tea and snacks from her wooden box to share.
The two chatted throughout the journey, and as they neared Hogwarts, the sky outside gradually darkened, hinting at an impending rainstorm.
Before long, a torrential downpour pounded against the windows. Daphne noticed that Alice, who had been gazing out the window, seemed to be in a better mood.
"Do you like rainy days?" Daphne couldn't help but ask.
"Not particularly," Alice replied enigmatically. "It usually rains on the first day of school."
Before Daphne could inquire further, Alice reminded her to change into her robes.
Soon, the train began to slow down.
They had arrived at Hogwarts.
(End of Chapter)
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