In 1785, Watt improved the steam engine, ushering in an entirely new era of industrial production.
In 1814, the Englishman Stephenson invented the first locomotive, naming it The Traveller.
In the century that followed, trains became an indispensable mode of transport for the English.
Many even commuted to London by train before switching to buses or the Underground to reach their workplaces.
From this perspective, the Ministry of Magic was quite progressive.
Since the 1850s, the Hogwarts Express had been responsible for ferrying young witches and wizards between the school and London.
Before that, students could choose any method they found amusing to reach the school, resulting in no shortage of absurd incidents.
There had even been casualties.
It wasn't until then-Minister for Magic Ottaline Gambol overrode all opposition and launched the largest covert operation in the history of the British Ministry of Magic, that the railway was constructed.
The effort involved a staggering one hundred and seventy-six Memory Charms and an extensive record of Concealment Charms.
Most of the Muggles tasked with building the railway felt they had forgotten something important, yet could never recall what—a lingering unease that lasted a full year before fading.
So, if you ever find yourself unable to remember something, don't doubt it—your mind has been hit with a Memory Charm.
...
September 1st.
A special day for students across England.
It marked the end of a summer holiday spanning over two months, as countless students—some delighted, others reluctant—embarked on their journeys back to school. For those in boarding schools, it meant the earliest they could return home would be Christmas.
King's Cross Station, the terminus of London's railway network, reached its peak—no, its zenith—on this day.
The station was bustling with students and parents lugging large and small bags, hurrying towards their respective platforms.
Wayne travelled light, pulling only a modest-sized leather trunk.
The trunk had been enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm, though not by Wayne himself.
The Undetectable Extension Charm was an extremely advanced spell, recorded in Standard Book of Spells, Grade 7, meaning only seventh-year students were qualified to learn it.
After spending an entire morning, Wayne mastered the spell and cast it on two of his trouser pockets.
As for the trunk, he'd acquired it through connections at Twilfitt and Tattings for 120 Galleons.
The use of Undetectable Extension Charms was strictly regulated by the Ministry of Magic, prohibited for private use without proper registration and approval.
Though Wayne strongly suspected this legislation resulted from some shady dealings between the Ministry and tent/trunk manufacturers.
But he was just a novice now, hardly in a position to challenge the Ministry. Better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Problems solvable with money weren't real problems.
Approaching Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, Wayne observed the surrounding crowd.
He noticed several men in black trench coats and bowler hats patrolling nearby with feigned nonchalance, guessing they must be Ministry staff maintaining order and handling incidents.
After all, Muggles were ordinary, not stupid—groups of people vanishing after colliding with a pillar would inevitably draw attention.
Hence, the need for clean-up crews.
After ensuring no one was watching, Wayne casually walked into the third pillar between Platforms Nine and Ten.
Like piercing through a membrane—first narrowly confined, then opening up after a few steps. When light returned, Wayne found himself in an entirely new world.
The old steam train whistled, its bustle rivalling the outside.
After a quick scan, Wayne cursed inwardly.
What did Rowling know about Harry Potter? Claiming only 3,000 wizards in all of Britain, there were easily a thousand or two here alone.
Had every wizard in Britain come to this bloody market?
Young wizards seized the final moments with family, parents fussing over them, chaotic yet heartwarming.
Few wore expressions of sorrow, though.
For the magical community bound by the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, these two summer months were hardly enjoyable.
School meant classes, but at least magic was permitted, alongside like-minded peers, far better than being treated like a nuisance at home.
Of course, some wore masks of agony, likely recalling forgotten summer homework.
Wayne didn't linger on the platform. After a perfunctory search failed to spot Hermione—the only young witch he knew—he boarded the Hogwarts Express.
With only ten minutes until departure, the front compartments were already full.
Trunk in hand, he finally found an empty one near the rear, occupied by just one person. The door was open, but he politely knocked anyway. "Excuse me, may I sit here?"
The young wizard reading inside the compartment looked up, revealing a handsome face.
Both were inwardly startled.
'Damn, this guy's only slightly less handsome than me,' thought Wayne.
'Merlin's beard, there's actually a wizard more handsome than me,' thought the young man inside.
"Of course, make yourself at home," the other responded swiftly, standing up enthusiastically to help Wayne stow his luggage while mentally marvelling.
Once settled, they sat facing each other. The young wizard extended his hand with a warm smile:
"Hello, I'm Cedric Diggory, a third-year Hufflepuff. You must be a new first-year, right?"
He spoke with absolute certainty. Even without remembering every student, someone with Wayne's striking looks would undoubtedly be famous throughout Hogwarts—impossible not to know.
Wayne blinked in surprise. So this was the "Hogwarts version of that perfect child next door"—Cedric, who appeared in only two books yet gained immense popularity.
Wayne extended his hand for a shake.
"Hello, I'm Wayne Lawrence, indeed this year's new student."