Hogwarts: Not Even Voldemort Can Stop Me From Learning Chapter 5: On the Train - Novel Cool

Chapter 5: On the Train

Chapter 5: On the Train

As Harry struggled through the crowded platform with his heavy luggage, Ron had already found an empty compartment and settled in. Taking the opportunity to change into his school robes early, he took out Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and began to read.

In the month that had passed, Ron had already flipped through all the books he bought, and in terms of content, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (also known as Where to Find Them) was his favorite. Of course, this preference might also have had something to do with the author—the book's author, Newt Scamander, was the protagonist of another Harry Potter series of films, and he had a deep love for all sorts of magical creatures and a magical case that Ron admired immensely.

After a while, the compartment door suddenly opened, and a little girl with brown hair stood at the door, looking in and asking with her chin up, "Excuse me, are there any other people coming here?"

Ron's eyes swept over her rather prominent pair of front teeth as he replied, "No."

"Oh."

The little girl dragged her trunk into the compartment and, after sitting down, looked up and introduced herself. "Hi, I'm Hermione Granger."

Ron put down his book and extended his hand. "Ron Weasley."

"You're reading Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them? So, you must be a first-year? I am too! By the way, I've memorized the entire content of this book, and the other textbooks as well," Hermione said in a rapid-fire manner, with a hint of pride. "Oh, and I've also practiced a few simple spells, and they all worked. Like this—Lumos!"

The tip of her wand lit up with a soft glow.

"Even though I haven't memorized the textbooks—" Ron also pulled out his wand: "Lumos!"

The two little glowing orbs shone in unison, as if in acknowledgment of their shared experience. Hermione grinned, her eyes sparkling with a hint of admiration. "It's amazing, isn't it?"

Ron nodded silently.

Hermione suddenly remembered something and quickly explained, "Oh, I'm a Muggle-born... I mean, my family doesn't know anything about magic. This must be old hat to you, though?"

"No, my parents can't do magic either," Ron said.

"Then we can help each other out at school," Hermione said happily. "I mean, those kids from wizarding families must have been learning from their parents since they were young, right? I don't want to be the worst student in class."

"You don't have to worry about that," Ron couldn't help but laugh as he said, "I'm sure very few people have memorized the textbooks, and you might be the only one. That's really impressive, Miss Granger."

"Well, actually... it's not that... um... I mean, some of the content is quite difficult, and there are some spells I didn't dare to try at home because the book says that there can be terrible consequences if you get the spell wrong," Hermione stammered, her face reddening.

Just as she was feeling embarrassed, the compartment door opened again, and Hermione heaved a sigh of relief and immediately turned to look at the newcomer.

A round-faced boy stood hesitantly at the door, asking timidly, "Sorry, can I sit here?"

"Of course, come in!" Hermione said warmly.

The boy awkwardly placed his trunk and sat down, fidgeting with his fingers nervously as if he wasn't used to interacting with others.

Hermione took the initiative to introduce herself. "Hi, I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Ron Weasley. We're both first-years—what about you?"

"Neville," he said. "I'm Neville Longbottom. Er, also a first-year."

"Oh, are you also from a non-magical family?" Hermione asked curiously.

Neville lowered his head. "No... My parents are both wizards."

"Then you must know a lot of magic?" Hermione said. "I've only mastered a few simple spells like Lumos and Reparo, but I'm still not confident with the Petrification Curse. Is it Petri-ficus To-ta-lus, or Petrifi-cus Tota--lus?"

Neville looked blank. "Pe...Petri what?"

Hermione blinked, as if unsure what he was asking.

Neville's face fell. "I... I haven't even mastered Lumos yet!"

"Oh," Hermione said, a little disappointed but also a little pleased. She straightened up and said, "Well, never mind, I can teach you—I mean, we can learn from each other..."

Neville looked like he was about to cry.

"Neville," Dean said suddenly. "Something in your pocket is moving."

Neville looked down. "Oh, it's my pet. He always likes to wander off."

He took out a dark gray toad from his pocket and happily introduced it to the two, "Look, his name is Trevor."

Vic and Hermione leaned back in unison, trying to discreetly put some distance between themselves and the ugly creature.

The short and stout toad stretched its legs and, with a sudden leap, jumped out of Neville's hand. Fortunately, the compartment door was still open from when Neville had entered, so Mr. Trevor made a beeline for freedom, disappearing with a couple of bounces.

Neville stared at his empty palm for two seconds, then let out a cry. "Trevor!"

He chased after his pet, and Vic heard the boy bump into the carriage in his haste.

The two remaining in the compartment shared a glance.

Hermione spoke softly, "Even though it was mentioned in the letter... I didn't expect anyone to have a toad as a pet!"

Vic nodded in agreement. He knew that some golden, pink, or emerald green toads could be quite beautiful, but the dull gray, warty kind wasn't exactly endearing.

Yet, Neville genuinely loved his toad.

After a while, the boy returned, tears streaming down his face as he sobbed, "I couldn't find him—everyone said they hadn't seen him—"

Vic tried to comfort him. "The train is enclosed. We'll find him when we get off, don't worry." Surely no one would steal a toad.

Neville's tears continued to fall unabated.

Seeing his distress, Hermione sighed helplessly and stood up. "I'll help you look for him."

She glanced at Vic, who shook his head.

With Hermione and Neville gone, the once noisy compartment fell silent. Vic turned his gaze to the window, where the rolling hills slowly moved past.

He knew that if he went with Hermione to look for the toad, he would inevitably meet up with Harry and Ron, and it would be easy for the three of them to become friends. Thus, the trio would become a foursome.

However, after much thought, Vic decided he didn't need to latch onto the protagonist's coattails. What intrigued him wasn't the year's worth of childish adventures against a dark lord but the magic itself.

(End of Chapter)

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