Chapter 61: The Train, the Hyena
A sharp whistle pierced the air, and all the train doors slid shut with a metallic clang. The engine puffed steam, and the train began to move forward with a rhythmic clatter. Wade waved from the window, watching his father’s figure grow smaller and smaller in the distance.
He turned and sat down, a weight settling in his chest. The Book of Friends glowed faintly warm in his hands. When he opened it, he found several new messages on the first page:
【Fiona: Did your journey go smoothly? The train should’ve already left by now.】
【Fiona: Miss Eva seems a bit upset. I think it might be because you didn’t bring her along.】
【Fiona: Is it cold on the train?】
Wade smiled, pulled out his quill, and replied line by line:
【Wade: Everything went smoothly. The train just departed, and Dad should already be on his way back home. If Miss Eva’s in a bad mood, maybe you could offer her a few Fish Snacks? She loves them—remember, they’re in the second drawer of the cabinet. Or how about some Golden Beetles or Dried Grasshoppers? She’d be thrilled. Just don’t let her eat too many—could cause digestive issues. Of course, you already know that.
Also, the train’s kept warm by a Warmth Charm, so it’s not cold at all. My scarf’s plenty cozy. I’ll make sure to take plenty of photos.】
Just as he finished writing, Michael popped his head through the door, grinning.
“Hey, Wade!” he said excitedly. “I knew you’d be in this direction—guys, over here!”
He waved toward the other end of the corridor, then dragged his trunk inside, chattering with energy. “Big news, right, Wade?”
“—What?” Wade blinked, caught off guard.
“The Book of Friends, of course!” Michael pulled out his wand, levitating the trunk to the overhead rack. “Before school started, my parents were scrambling to rush-purchase one! When they found out I already had the whole thing, they were completely stunned! I thought it was just some secret among the SSC Members, but then I heard it was already being sold in Diagon Alley—so the rumor’s true, right?”
“—What rumor?” Wade frowned. It had been three weeks since he’d last seen Michael, and he was already lost.
“Oh, everyone’s heard it,” Michael said. “Some even came asking me—since we’re in the same year.” At that moment, Theo Mancini stepped through the door, finishing the sentence: “—But we all thought they were lying. They just didn’t seem like the real thing.”
“Hi, Wade,” Liam Caro followed in, greeting him. “I bet you don’t check the SSC chat page much, do you?”
“Hmm—mostly because I’m busy reading books,” Wade admitted.
“Exactly,” Liam shrugged. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have stayed silent like that. Let Theo explain—he’s the one who knows.”
Theo Mancini wasn’t from one of the legendary Twenty-Eight Noble Houses, but he was pure-blood and well-connected. He looked at Wade and said:
“It started even before the Book of Friends was officially released. Rumors spread that a new, affordable, and far more convenient way of communication was coming—one that could reshape the loose structure of the wizarding world, bringing people closer together than ever before.”
Michael chimed in: “I figured it had to be the Book of Friends.”
So even though he owned one, Michael hadn’t dared show it to his parents or friends. He kept it hidden at the bottom of his trunk, claiming he needed to study, and secretly used it every day to chat with friends—while strictly instructing them not to reveal its existence.
But back then, while Michael had the whole book to himself, everyone else had already given at least one page to their parents. So the group had to scramble to cover it up and warn their families to keep quiet.
And then—within just a few days—the news spread like wildfire. Everyone knew.
“Those were the days,” Liam said, “our Floo powder ran out three times faster than usual. Everyone wanted in. My dad said he knew a pure-blood noble who was desperate to get the North American agency rights—”
“But the owner of Aslan Magical Workshop,” Theo continued, “Machionni, is a cunning and elusive man. That’s what my grandfather said. He’s like a hyena—if you provoke him, he’ll rip out your intestines through your own backside.”
West Mor’s grandfather’s version was even more vulgar, so Theo wisely left it unsaid.
“No one dares cross Machionni. No one’s ever gotten the better of him. But some say he only acquired the patent for the Book of Friends from someone else—some Hogwarts first-year student.”
Theo turned to look directly at Wade.
“People were desperate to find you. I was scared every time I heard your name, Wade.”
Liam added, voice low: “Then Professor Terence Mor made a public statement at a banquet. He said the inventor was his student, and he’d tolerate no trouble for him. Anyone who bypassed him to contact the student would be seen as an insult—and a challenge—to Mor himself.”
Liam nodded. “That’s when I realized—Professor Mor has serious influence. And there’s Dumbledore, too.”
Just then, a witch pushed a miniature snack cart past the door. They paused their conversation to buy some treats.
And then, the talk resumed.
“Professor Dumbledore also said he’d defend his student’s rights if anyone dared disrespect him. Suddenly, peace fell over everything,” Theo said, peeling open a chocolate frog wrapper. “Now, I hear people are going back to Machionni—figuring it’s a safer bet than crossing either Mor or Dumbledore.”
“Oh—my chocolate frog!” Theo cried as the frog leapt out of the wrapper, bouncing wildly across the floor. He lunged for it, but missed—until Wade swiftly caught it mid-air just before it shot out the window.
“Thanks, Wade,” Theo said, relieved, taking the frog back.
“—So… my name hasn’t gotten out?” Wade asked, glancing between them.
“Not really,” Liam said. “Most people still think it’s a seventh-year student. But I doubt it’ll stay secret for long. The pure-blood nobles already know. Even with Dumbledore and Professor Mor speaking up, Wade—you should avoid being alone at school.”
Michael slung an arm around Wade’s shoulders, grinning. “Don’t worry. We’ll stick together like Siamese twins. Hey, brother—rumor says Machionni paid a fortune for the rights. I heard you’re now beyond wealthy. Is that true?”
While the others hesitated, Michael asked it outright.
Wade kept his tone calm, casual—nothing like bragging. “Not that extreme. Just fifty thousand Galleons.”
Michael grimaced like he’d just bitten into a lemon. “Fifty thousand Galleons?! I’ve never even seen that much in my life!”
Theo relaxed and laughed. “Some say it was a million. Ridiculous.”
Liam suddenly pressed a hand on Theo’s shoulder. Theo fell silent.
Outside, a knock echoed from the corridor.
(End of Chapter)
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