Translated Chapter
323. Crimson Train
The next day was the start of term. When Wade descended the stairs, fully dressed, he found their neighbors already seated in the living room.
Alastor Moody, the one-eyed wizard, was poking a sausage with a fork, scrutinizing it closely. As soon as he heard footsteps, his blue magical eye spun sharply—rolling right through the back of his skull—to lock onto Wade.
“No need to rise so early, boy,” Moody grunted. “No need to worry about traffic—because I’ll be taking you to the station.”
Wade blinked in surprise. “Mr. Moody?”
“Hmm.” Moody grunted again. “Dumbledore told me about his plans. He’s thinking ahead, but not quite enough—stations are the perfect places for observing people.”
“So thanks to Albus, he’s really thoughtful,” Fiona said cheerfully, placing a crisp, golden-brown slice of bread onto Moody’s plate. “Butterbread, perfectly toasted.”
Moody snorted, sniffing the air. After a careful glance, he grunted, “Smells good. Your cooking’s excellent, Mrs. Gray.”
“Honestly, it’s mostly Coco and the others’ doing!” Fiona laughed. “How about a chicken egg custard, Albus?”
“Sure. Thank you.” Moody remained courteous toward Fiona—whether from gratitude for a full belly or sheer gentlemanly habit, no one could say.
Ferdinand turned to Wade. “Your things packed?”
“Yeah. Just… Eva refuses to go into her cage. You can let her fly over to me tonight.”
“Good idea. Saves trouble on the train,” Ferdinand said.
As they said their goodbyes, Wade hugged his parents. When Fiona’s eyes welled up, he smiled and winked. “Don’t worry, Mom. If you miss me too much, I can come back tonight.”
Fiona knew what he meant—fly back. Her tears vanished instantly, replaced by a laugh. She shook her head. “You must follow school rules, Wade. Don’t want a teacher catching you and expelling you!”
She held on tightly for a long moment before finally letting go.
Lately, the air had been thick with unspoken tension. Even Fiona, usually so carefree, felt the weight. The farewell was more poignant than ever.
Ferdinand, as ever, gave his final instruction: “Stay safe, Wade.”
Wade nodded, gripped Moody’s arm, and with a sharp crack, they vanished from the spot.
No matter how many times he experienced it, the sensation of Apparition—like his stomach was being twisted inside out—never changed.
Wade leaned against the wall, steadying himself, before finally feeling his balance return.
He looked up. They were already on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
A deep crimson steam train sat idling on the platform, belching thick smoke from its chimney. The air was thick with the sounds of farewells—students, parents, and a chorus of animal cries from cages. The platform was chaos: children, owls, cats, and even a few suspicious-looking ferrets darting between legs.
Moody scanned the scene for a moment, then let out a cold snort. “More people keeping rats now… Dumbledore should add another school rule—no rodent creatures allowed on campus!”
Wade glanced around. Several girls and first-years were carrying small hamster cages, each housing plump, sleepy pets. Some even looked like they were dreaming.
It was as if everyone had forgotten the trauma Peter Pettigrew had caused.
Yet the sight reminded Wade of Fiona’s old pet, Miss Mileyen.
He didn’t particularly like such pets—but he had to admit, she’d brought Fiona so much joy.
“It’s probably a magical puppet pet,” Wade observed after a moment. “I’ve seen at least three identical white hamsters already.”
“A magical puppet pet?” Moody paused, his expression oddly curious. “Why does it need a cage?”
Wade shrugged. “Personal preference, I guess?”
Moody just shook his head. “…Go find an interior.”
This time, Wade arrived early—Michael and the others hadn’t shown up yet. He picked an empty compartment, and Moody stepped in, circled it once, checking for safety, before nodding for Wade to enter.
“Stay alert, boy!”
With that final warning from the retired Auror, Moody vanished with another crack.
Wade pulled out his books, placing them neatly on the table. He had barely started reading when he felt an intense, unwavering gaze pierce through the air.
He turned.
Through the window, Harry’s face—pressed flat against the glass—was twisted in silent despair, staring at him.
“…” Wade stared back, then reached over and slid the window open. “…Harry? What are you doing?”
“Waiting!” Harry darted around the door, leapt inside, slammed a crumpled piece of paper onto the table, then yanked it open with a dramatic tug, flattening it out.
The paper remained wrinkled. A distorted, round face stared back.
Harry’s voice came out soft, almost mournful. “Wade… this is her? The noble, elegant, kind… Umbridge?”
By Merlin’s beard—when he first saw the paper, the shock had hit him like a curse!
He couldn’t fathom what kind of logic could lead Wade to praise someone like that.
Wade cleared his throat, frowning. “Harry, how can you judge someone by their appearance? Just because someone’s not conventionally beautiful doesn’t mean they can’t be refined.”
Harry froze. His stern expression faltered. For a moment, he actually looked uncertain—like he’d been caught in a lie.
He sat there, mind racing, but came up with nothing to counter.
Wade smirked, flipped open his book, and resumed reading The Manual of Magical Creature Studies.
Clare’s blood and wolf hair couldn’t be wasted. But to analyze them properly, he first needed a solid theoretical framework.
The silence in the compartment lasted until the train’s long whistle echoed through the platform. Then, from outside, came the familiar, boisterous voices of the Weasley family.
Harry shot up like a rocket and bolted out, returning moments later with cheerful greetings.
The boy who had once seemed shy and awkward in the original story now seemed vibrant, confident—no longer the boy desperately craving love, nor the one who always flinched from it.
A little later, Michael, Theo, and Liam arrived, exchanged greetings, and quickly stuffed the overhead racks with their trunks.
The train conductor began closing the doors one by one.
Hermione arrived then, bearing gifts from her trip to France—a small iron tower that could breathe fire, its flame warm but not scorching.
“France has some fascinating magic,” she said excitedly. “I bought several magical books and even rewrote my History of Magic essay. If I get the chance, I’d love to visit Beauxbatons someday!”
She paused, then added, “Did you all get The Strange Beasts of the Strange yet? I wanted to start reading ahead, but I couldn’t get it to open properly.”
“Just run your fingers along the spine,” Wade said. “Like stroking a cat.”
Hermione blinked. “That’s… all?”
“Of course. This book’s like a small creature—needs a little kindness to wake up.”
“I’ll try it! If it works, I’ll be halfway through by the time we get to school!”
Just as she’d arrived in a flurry, she left the same way—rushing out, full of energy.
Wade smiled, watching the train sway gently as it began to move. His heart pounded.
By tonight… he’d finally get his hands on the Time-Turner he’d dreamed of.
(End of Chapter)
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