Chapter 531: The Missing Savior
Chapter 531: The Missing Savior
Li Jordan was not familiar with Professor Gilderoy Lockhart; he only knew from the book signing event at Flourish and Blotts that Lockhart would be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts.
"Do you think Lockhart is really as great as he's portrayed in his books?"
Li Jordan opened the box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and shared them with Albert. "To be honest, I doubt he's qualified to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"I haven't met Gilderoy Lockhart in person, nor do I know much about him, so I can't judge," Albert replied.
"You should have come with us to Diagon Alley for shopping." Li Jordan sounded regretful. "Mr. Weasley and Malfoy got into a fight at the bookstore that day."
"A fight? What caused it?" Albert asked.
"I don't know," Li Jordan shook his head. "Their relationship has always been tense. I guess there must be some reason. My dad mentioned that Mr. Weasley had several ancient wizarding families raided."
"Oh." Albert murmured a response.
In a way, he was somewhat connected to this incident, as the authority Mr. Weasley wielded was granted by Bard and his group.
"Whether Lockhart is qualified or not, we'll find out after attending his classes," Albert said with a smile as he steered the conversation in a different direction. "But his books are indeed well-written. If you enjoy reading, buying those books won't be a waste."
As they chatted, time ticked by, and the crowd outside the compartment changed in shifts, with countless curious onlookers peering in.
Li Jordan was happy to act as a shield for Albert, who was offering the onlookers beans and jokingly boasting that he could sell photos of himself while promoting the Wizarding Card Club.
As expected, this piqued the curiosity and interest of many female students.
However, what puzzled the two of them was that Fred and George had not shown up yet.
"They're almost late. It's 10:50 already," Albert remarked as he glanced at his pocket watch.
"What if they don't make it onto the train in time?" Li Jordan kept his eyes fixed on the platform outside the window, searching for the Weasley family.
"It shouldn't be a big problem if they miss the train. They'll probably have to go directly to Hogsmeade and then to Hogwarts, which might be a bit inconvenient," Albert thought about it and said. "You don't think that missing the train means they don't have to go to school, do you?"
Judging from Li Jordan's expression, he might have thought exactly that.
"Don't be silly. Taking the train to school is just a Ministry of Magic regulation. If there are special circumstances, there are other ways to handle it," Albert gave him a look that said, "I give up on you."
"They're here."
Li Jordan pointed to a few hurried figures outside the window and said to Albert, "They really cut it close. I wonder why they always arrive at the station just in time."
"Don't worry, we still have time. Here, take this. I don't like this flavor."
Albert secretly slipped a red Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean into Li Jordan's hand.
"Thanks," Li Jordan mumbled.
After popping the bean into his mouth, a pungent chili flavor spread in his mouth, almost making him spit it out.
"Red pepper flavor. You're really up to no good," Li Jordan said as he threw the bean out of the window.
"Don't be angry. Let me make it up to you with this."
Albert took out a bottle of Coca-Cola from his trunk and handed it to Li Jordan. With a smile, he asked, "Have you ever tried Muggle drinks before?"
"Coca-Cola?" Li Jordan gave Albert a suspicious look before taking a sip. He puckered his lips and commented, "The taste is a bit strange. I really don't understand why Muggles like this stuff."
"You're just not used to it. Take a few more sips, and you'll grow to like it," Albert explained with a smile. "For it to be popular worldwide and loved by billions of people, there must be something captivating about Coke."
As they spoke, the compartment door was knocked on again, and Fred and George walked in, followed by their sister, Ginny.
"We need to take Ginny to find Ron first." Fred stuffed the twins' luggage into the carriage and said to Albert and Li Jordan.
Just then, the train shook slightly and began to move forward.
"You two almost missed the train." Li Jordan took another sip of Coke, and he had to admit that it tasted quite good once you got used to it.
"See you later." George casually pulled the compartment door shut as he spoke.
When Fred and George returned, their brows were furrowed in concern.
"What's wrong?"
"We couldn't find Harry and Ron." Fred said.
"What about your sister?" Albert asked.
"She's with Hermione Granger." George replied.
"This year's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is Lockhart." Li Jordan suddenly changed the subject. "It seems like quite a few people idolize him. I wonder what kind of person he is."
Just as Fred and George began to discuss Lockhart, they saw Hermione and Percy appear outside their carriage window.
"What's wrong?" They noticed Percy's unusually gloomy expression.
"Harry and Ron are missing!" Hermione exclaimed. "I thought they were in another compartment earlier, but after searching, I couldn't find them anywhere on the train."
"They probably just missed the train." Albert remarked nonchalantly.
"Wow!"
Fred and George stared at Albert, their eyes wide.
"What?" Percy was taken aback by their exaggerated reaction.
"I think Albert's probably right." Fred said.
"They missed the train?" Percy frowned.
"Don't worry." Albert casually tried to reassure him. "If Mr. Weasley realizes they didn't make it, he'll probably send them directly to Hogsmeade, and from there, they can go straight to school. It's much faster than taking the train."
"How could they have missed the train?" Hermione couldn't comprehend it.
"Maybe something unexpected happened." Albert said without hesitation.
"What kind of unexpected event?" Hermione asked warily, remembering Albert's warning.
"How should I know?"
After the two left, Albert suddenly thought of something and looked at the remaining three, asking, "If you found yourself running late for the train, what would you do?"
"What would we do?"
The three of them paused, considering the question briefly.
"Nothing." Li Jordan was the first to answer. "After all, parents send their children off to school to prevent situations like this from happening."
"What if your family isn't around?" Albert continued, "Or what if your family is Muggle?"
"Ask for help!" Fred replied without hesitation.
"Yeah, find one of the station guards." George added.
At that moment, all three of them turned to look at Albert.
"You'd find a station guard, and if that didn't work, you'd send an owl to Professor McGonagall. The school would definitely send someone to pick you up." Albert noticed their gazes and said, "That's what you think they would do, right?"
"Ron's an idiot!"
Fred and George spoke in unison, "But I guess he'd do what Li Jordan said."
Albert thought about it carefully and felt that the twins' train of thought was quite unique. If anyone suspected that they had intentionally missed the train to seek excitement and attention, they would probably assume the boys had driven themselves to school, and that wouldn't be too much of a problem, would it?
After all, who among the normal wizarding folk would do such a thing? Perhaps it wasn't that others had a hard time understanding why Harry Potter and Ron Weasley would drive themselves to school, but rather that their way of thinking was unusual, or perhaps they had a death wish?
If Albert were an ordinary wizard, he probably would have thought the same as everyone else.
"What if Harry and Ron missed the train on purpose?" Li Jordan posed a hypothetical question.
"You mean..." Fred and George immediately caught on, exchanging a glance before speaking in unison again, "You don't think they're planning to take a Ford Anglia to school, do you?"
(End of Chapter)
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