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Chapter 275: The Moving Black Dot
Chapter 275: The Moving Black Dot
The Hogwarts Express finally departed the station with a long whistle.
Harry was on board, troubled by the fact that he had to return to the Dursleys. Ron and Hermione tried to cheer him up.
However, there wasn't much that underage children could do in such situations.
Voldemort and his group successfully secured an empty compartment, and not long after boarding, they received an unexpected visitor.
"Hey!"
Cedric knocked on the compartment door, standing at the entrance with a bright smile directed at Voldemort and his companions.
"Cedric!" Theo and Ryan waved happily.
"Hello!" Cedric said with a smile, "I wanted to say—Ved, thank you for your History of Magic notes."
"Hmm?" Voldemort was taken aback for a moment before saying, "Oh... you're welcome. Were they helpful to you?"
He had almost forgotten about that matter.
"Of course," Cedric replied. "I must say, your notes are very well organized, and they helped me achieve a high score in this year's end-of-year exam... and they'll be useful for my O.W.L.s next year as well."
"That's good," Voldemort said with a smile.
"If you ever need help... I mean, if there's anything I can do to help, just let me know."
Cedric spoke with some embarrassment, "Actually, I've been wanting to talk to you for a while, but you always seem so busy, and I never got the chance."
"Don't be so polite," Voldemort said. "You've helped us a lot too, haven't you?"
...
After Cedric left, several more people entered their compartment, most of them from pure-blood noble families.
Some invited Voldemort to visit their homes during the holidays, to which Voldemort replied, "I'm sorry, but Professor Morrow has already made plans for my vacation."
Others, on behalf of their parents or families, expressed their desire to collaborate with Voldemort in manufacturing and selling FlowMirrors, to which Voldemort responded, "I've entrusted this matter entirely to Mr. Machione. You can contact him."
There were also those who wanted to give him money, even though he didn't need it at all.
After sending away the Nth visitor, Michael heavily closed the door and turned around with a sigh.
"I finally understand why you're always in and out of sight at school, Ved," Theo remarked with a sigh. "It seems like countless people want to find you as long as you give them a little opportunity."
"That's why you can't even find him in the common room most of the time," Michael said, looking exhausted.
"So people always ask me—Michael, where's Ved? Michael, can you pass on a message to Ved for me? Michael, can you give my photo to Ved? I really want to get to know him."
Michael mimicked the various ways people asked him, entertaining everyone with his impressions.
Before he could finish speaking, there was a knock on the compartment door again.
Michael's expression immediately soured.
"Let's see who it is this time."
He opened the door with a scowl, and his expression instantly changed from gloomy to bright.
It was the trolley witch with her cart.
Each of them bought some cakes, chocolates, candies, and drinks, piling them on the table. This would be their lunch and even dinner.
The Hogwarts Express wouldn't arrive back at the London station until the evening.
Guessing the flavors of Bertie Bott's Every-Flavor Beans was a timeless game, and in two years, Voldemort had never eaten two beans of the same flavor.
"Try this!"
Ryan tossed him a pinkish-red bean. Voldemort examined it closely, about to guess its flavor, when his expression suddenly changed.
"What's wrong?"
Ryan was taken aback, tilting his head to look at the beans in his hand.
Vold shook his head, put down the Bertie Bott's Every-Flavor Beans, and took out the Friendship Ledger from his bag. He then enlarged a small rectangular piece of parchment that was tucked inside.
On the blank paper, a small black dot was moving, like a tadpole in water.
Vold studied it with a serious expression for a while, confirming that its direction of movement remained unchanged. He then put away the ledger and turned to the other three.
"Everyone, I'm going to leave for a while... Before I return, don't let anyone find out that I left," said Vold.
"The train is moving. How are you going to leave?" Ryan asked in confusion. "Are you going to ride a broom? But..."
Theo interrupted him and looked at Vold. "Where are you going?"
"Sorry, it's confidential," Vold replied.
"Is it dangerous?" Theo asked.
"Not necessarily... If I encounter danger, I'll find a way to get out immediately," Vold assured them.
Michael nodded. "I understand... If anyone else comes looking for you, I'll tell them you're thinking about an alchemical problem and don't want to be disturbed."
"Okay, then I'll leave it to you."
Vold put his wand back in his bag and transformed his backpack into a pen case. He opened the window, took a deep breath, and the noontime breeze immediately ruffled his hair.
The next moment, Vold disappeared from his spot, and a peregrine falcon appeared in the compartment.
Ryan's body jerked back, and he stared at the falcon in surprise.
He watched as the falcon picked up the pen case, holding the parchment in its beak, and flew out the window with a whoosh.
Ryan immediately rushed to the window and saw the falcon soaring higher and higher. Before long, it disappeared into the clouds, leaving no trace.
Students in the adjacent compartment also noticed the bird flying by and pointed out the window, shouting, "Look, there's an eagle outside!"
Ryan sat back in his seat, stunned, and after a while, he asked the two beside him in disbelief, "An Animagus?"
Michael nodded and added, "Remember to keep it a secret! Vold hasn't registered with the Ministry of Magic yet."
Ryan nodded randomly, still stunned for a moment, before asking, "You all knew?"
Theo shook his head. "He didn't tell me... But for a while, Vold hardly spoke, right? I noticed that he had a leaf in his mouth, so I guessed."
However, seeing Vold actually succeed in transforming into an animal, Theo was still quite shocked, even though he didn't show it.
Ryan still looked incredulous. "Vold... How many types of magic has that guy learned?"
"Who knows!" Michael shrugged. "Even I don't know how far he's progressed if he doesn't tell me himself."
"But his level is definitely not much lower than the school's professors... It's just that he lacks experience..."
Theo gazed at the blue sky and white clouds outside the window, a hint of concern in his voice. "I wonder what's going on... I hope he's not being too impulsive."
"I just hope that if Vold encounters an enemy, he'll be decisive in his actions," said Michael. "Vold can be a bit too soft-hearted."
"He has Dumbledore's Friendship Ledger," Ryan said, trying to reassure everyone. "If he encounters a dangerous situation, the Headmaster can rush over immediately, right?"
"I hope so," Michael replied.
(End of Chapter)
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