Looking at the Platform 9 three-quarter, Aurelius sighed to calm down his excitement. Beyond this existed the world he was already acquitted with. However, the significance of this platform didn't diminish. Aurelius slowly pushed his trolley towards the platform while closing his eyes. He could hear his heart pounding fiercely. A sense of excitement surged within him.
He felt a warm sensation enveloping his whole body as soon as he stepped inside the platform. The feeling was quite different from Side-Apparition, Portkey and Floo travel. It was like passing through a water membrane. Platform 9 three-quarter existed inside a sub-dimension created using heavy investment, time and professional wizards.
As a place filled with apprentice wizards and their families during the time to go to Hogwarts, concealing the Platform 9 three-quarter from the muggles was a hard task for British Ministry. So, the Minister Orpington had constructed a sub-dimension, a controlled and safe environment void of the muggle, ignoring the fierce opposition of pure-blood families. His actions were proven to be correct as the transportation to Hogwarts became smooth like never before. Prior to this project, Hogwarts students had to come through various means to the school directly. This caused problems such as being late for a whole month or two for some students while some were early.
Aurelius looked around in awed of the changes in background. Here, stalls for necessities of Hogwarts students were seen. The crowd of wizards with their ancient and eccentric style of robes and trinkets walked around as if everything was normal. Aurelius realized why he was being excited. This is exactly the cross of world between muggle and wizards. Now, he is officially a wizard, too. A member of this magical community. This realization brought a smile to him. "I guess the dream and fantasy I had while reading this novel, whatever the name, is being fulfilled." muttered Aurelius to himself.
"Hey Rius, what are you there standing blankly for?" said a boy loudly. He had blonde hair and blue eyes. He already seems like a lady killer at eleven. How handsome he is can be imagined. Damon Prewett. His only friend after seven years of living in this world. Aurelius was too mature that he looked down on most children for their naivety. And children did not associate themself with Aurelius. That's when Damon came in. Damon is a perfect guy except for a small problem. He is a chatterbox who stop at nothing to speak a line or two. Most people couldn't handle his noisy behavior. Only Bramble listened to his every word.
Damon started talking with his usual opening lines. "Hey, guess who I have met at Diagon Alley? I told you that day to come with us. Instead, you dare chose to stay at that smelly pub and sent me and Bramble to buy things. I met the boy who lived near Madom Melkin's shop. Yeah, I am talking about that famous one. Its your regret that you didn't get to see him. Man, I'm so sorry for you. You poor soul. If only you had listened this great Damon. Oh, speaking of which I suddenly remembered that aggressive girl with bunny face. She seems like a good kid at first….. and then that fat owner said... Boom Bam you know what I mean right?... to the poor owl. So, I….."
The past few years, Aurelius had gathered quite a bit of wealth through official means. It is enough for him to live comfortably for his whole life. But he didn't just stop there. He gradually entered high society circle of wizarding world as a child entrepreneur. He was looked down upon and people approached him to scammed him off his money. For the first few years, he had to struggle so much just to get recognition. He had to painstakingly build his prestige in high society using his money, officially recognized influence, political maneuvers, cheap tricks and intimidations. He gained a not so bad place.
And he met Damon and his parents two years ago. He was still struggling at that time. They got along very well. They were not particularly kind or anything. Just average middle-aged couple. But they treated Aurelius as their son when he and Damon became so close. They worked as Magizoologist in Asia region. In Asia, magical schools are not popular except for Japan. They were well-known individuals due to their skills and prestige although they didn't belong to any Aurelius and Damon first started the relationship through mutual benefits. Damon didn't want to go to Asia and get homeschooled. Aurelius needed to enter some circles as a breakthrough. Damon will help Aurelius entered some gatherings and Aurelius will provide him with a space to live. Their little scheme went unnoticed by Mister and Miss Prewett.
Damon lived with Aurelius while his parents were away. And Aurelius took care of him very well. Naturally, Aurelius took Damon under his wings not just because of some connections. Damon was someone very good at Alchemy and Ancient Runes. When he graduated from Mahoutokoro, he will go on and intern with the second most skillful Alchemist. His achievements were quite bewildering. However, time had made both of them became best friends.
As the boy chattered incessantly while pulling Aurelius along, he jumped from discussing 'the boy who lived' to recounting an encounter with a girl at a ball. The connection between the two topics eluded Aurelius, but his fatigue prevented him from inquiring or commenting. His companion's relentless monologue could make rappers green with envy. Meanwhile, Aurelius, giving occasional nods and responses, surveyed his surroundings, his attention elsewhere.
They occupied a compartment where most first-year stayed. It was a sort of unwritten rule. When they were talking about magic fiercely, almost brawling with each other, they were interrupted by the sudden opening of their compartment door. The intruder was a boy with white, blonde hair and haughty expression.
The haughty boy looked around the compartment without any restraint or shyness. "Hey, I'm Draco MALFOY. You know me right." With a practiced smile, he motioned his hand to handshake. Aurelius and Draco had some encounter during some gathering. Their relationship wasn't bad to say the least. "You are Voyantil, right? Aurleius Voyantil."
Aurelius didn't hesitate and shake his hand. "So, I guess we will be attending Hogwarts at the same year? Good to see you." said Aurelius.
"Nice to meet you." said Damon shaking hand with Draco. "I'm Damon Prewett."
"Wait, not to be rude. Prewett are still around?" Draco's expression was subtle. He didn't seem to like Damon. But he could still politely smile while shaking hands thanks to his pure-blood families' etiquette training. "These two are Crabbe and Goryle. I was originally looking for the boy who lived. I heard he also is a first-year."
"Of course, Prewetts are still around. And I know the boy who lived. Harry Potter. I once met him at Madam Melkin's shop." said Damon. He looked excited and looked at Draco with a knowing smile. His expression seemed to say 'So, you are a fanboy, too. Don't worry. No need to hide."
"Oh, really? How is he like?" said Draco with stars in his eyes. His two followers listening attentively. Aurelius imagined a mechanical voice announcing [Fanboy mode Activated]
"Yeah, I think he is somewhat small and thin, you know? I expected him to be as tall as my father. He defeated the dark lord after all." said Damon enthusiastically.
"Small? How could that be?" said Draco.
"It's true. I dare to swear on my father's honour. Harry Potter seems even a bit malnourished. But maybe his magic is powerful? Though he had a good personality. He even bought me some candy. I had a theory. Maybe he had a dragon sleeping inside him.... and the lady was so funny. I mean...…and then Bramble said..." said Damon enthusiastically.
"Ha ha ha. That was a pleasant talk guys. But you see I might need to go to some place." said Draco blankly. The boy tried to be polite and hastily walked away. After all, both Voyantil and Prewett are ancient houses. He still needed to maintain a certain level of politeness. Although he didn't know what Voyantil do and their history is, he believed his father had a reason to make deals with the boy. His two followers marched with Draco as the three boys exited the compartment.
After sending off the three boys, Aurelius looked at his friend with a raised eyebrow. He said "You did that on purpose." Seeing his friend lazy posture, which was too different from the previous enthusiastic aura, Aurelius can't help a laugh escaping.
"What? I did that on purpose. True." said Damon.
"So, how did he get on you nerve again? You know you are making me confused. Are you a goofy guy or a pretentious guy?" said Aurelius indifferently. He pulled out a pillow and a book on psychology from his bag enchanted with undetectable expansion charm. Lying down and reading the book, he listened his friend's indignant rant.
".…..He dared say that 'Prewetts are still around?'. Merlin's saggy balls. I so want to punch his pale f**k face until he cried out for mama." Damon seemed really angry.
"He will cry calling his father though." interrupted Aurelius. His attention was still on the book.
"Huh.. really?" Damon replied blankly. He muttered "I can't believe that if it's true"
Bang!!
"Hello guys. Have you seen a toad around here? A boy lost it." said the sudden intruder. The girl had bushy brown hair and a rather large front tooth.
"I believe it is near the area around third-year students" said Aurelius still reading the book. He didn't look startled by the sudden intrusion one bit. "You should go find it there."
"What book are you reading?" said the bushy brown girl, still not leaving.
Aurelius glanced up briefly from his book, noting the girl's curious expression. "It's a Muggle book," he replied calmly, "on psychology. Fascinating stuff about the mind, how we think and why."
The girl's eyes lit up with interest. "Psychology? I've read a bit about it myself! It's remarkable how they study the human brain without magic. Although I don't know much about it."
Aurelius raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. Most wizarding children didn't know much about Muggle subjects. "It is," he agreed, "Though they have their limitations, they've made interesting progress." Looking at the girl, he recalled some visions depicting the girl and nodded to himself in affirmation. Apparently, the girl was a muggle-born.
Damon rolled his eyes dramatically. "Oh great, another bookworm," he muttered under his breath, but loud enough for the girl to hear.
She shot him a glare. "Books are important, you know. Knowledge is power."
Aurelius couldn't help but smile at her defiance. "I'm Aurelius Voyantil, and this ignorant one is Damon Prewett," he introduced, gesturing towards his friend. "You are?"
The girl straightened up, a little surprised but pleased at the polite introduction. "Hermione Granger," she replied, looking a bit more at ease. "I'm a first-year too."
"Nice to meet you, Hermione," Aurelius said, his tone friendly. "And you can reassure, most magical pet can return to their owner through various means."
"Oh, I didn't know that! Thanks," she replied brightly. "Near third-year students, right?"
Aurelius nodded. "Yes, exactly. Good luck with that."
She nodded back and turned to leave, but then paused. "You should really come by the library when we get to Hogwarts," she said over her shoulder. "It seems like we could have a lot to talk about."
Damon snorted. "Library nerds," he muttered again, but Aurelius just smiled. "Perhaps," he said, with a slight wave as Hermione disappeared down the corridor.
As soon as she was gone, Damon turned to Aurelius. "Are you seriously going to date a girl in the library now, too? And why didn't anyone knock the door?"
Aurelius chuckled. "Date a girl? No. And yes, at Hogwarts people usually flung open the door."
Damon shrugged. "How am I to live like that? I have a feeling my childhood is ruined now. Can I even have a private time? You know what I mean."
Aurelius laughed, his eyes returning to his book. "No promises. You better learn some spells."
Damon groaned theatrically but soon enough was back to his usual chatter, and the train ride continued on its merry, chaotic way.