Choo-choo!
Shortly after Wayne sat down, the train whistle sounded again, departing precisely at eleven o'clock.
Having exchanged names, they fell into easy conversation.
Cedric embodied the quintessential Hufflepuff — kind and enthusiastic. Learning that Wayne came from a Muggle family, he shared many essential tips for new Hogwarts students.
"No need to be too nervous. The professors are all quite decent people — well, most of them."
Cedric hastily amended after recalling a certain greasy-haired Potions professor. Best not risk future retaliation from Wayne.
He then introduced Hogwarts' four houses.
"Professor McGonagall may seem strict," Cedric explained, "but she's quite approachable if you pay attention in class and don't disrupt lessons. She mainly directs her wrath at Gryffindors."
"Professor Flitwick's even more interesting. Legend says he has Goblin ancestry — just don't mention his height."
"As for our Head of House, Professor Sprout's very gentle. Her only taboo involves the greenhouse plants. She doesn't even care about house points deductions."
"Professor Snape... let's skip that. Just stay away from him." Turning to Wayne, he asked, "Any house preferences?"
"Hufflepuff, I think. I've read Hogwarts: A History — Muggle-borns usually get sorted there." Wayne stated his choice openly.
Between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, he'd ultimately chosen the latter. While wit beyond measure was man's greatest treasure...
...Hufflepuff's common room was right next to the kitchens!
Knowledge would find you in any house if you sought it earnestly. But the kitchens? That was location-specific. Gryffindor and Ravenclaw were both located in the towers at the top of the castle. If Wayne got hungry one day, he'd have to trek all the way down to the dungeons for food — terribly inconvenient.
Hearing his words, Cedric visibly brightened.
"A wise choice indeed! I guarantee your school life will be blissful because Hufflepuff is the best house!"
"We can't just let that slide!"
A teasing voice came from the doorway as the compartment door swung open, and two young wizards stepped in one after the other.
They looked as if they had been carved from the same mould — both with fiery red hair and identical expressions on their faces.
"Fred, George," Cedric greeted awkwardly. "Long time no see."
Though he hadn't spoken ill of the other houses, being overheard praising his own still made him a little embarrassed.
"Ah!"
One of the twins threw his arms open dramatically. "Let's see who we have here!"
The other immediately chimed in, "Idiot! How can you not recognise him?"
"This is the top student for two years running, the model pupil praised by every teacher and parent — Mr Diggory!"
They bounced off each other like a comedy duo, and Wayne watched with great amusement while Cedric, the subject of their antics, turned red to the tips of his ears, wishing he could vanish into thin air.
He quickly grabbed the two before they could continue, hissing through gritted teeth, "What do you two want? At least spare me some dignity in front of a junior!"
Indeed, Cedric had already concluded that Wayne would most likely end up in Hufflepuff — of course, he had to maintain his image.
"Tch." Fred scoffed. "Now you care about dignity? Because your dad bragged about your grades to our mum, do you have any idea how miserable our summer's been?"
Cedric sighed and released Fred's sleeve — he was in the wrong here.
His father couldn't resist boasting about his son's achievements to anyone who'd listen, and now the entire Ministry of Magic knew the Diggorys had produced a prodigy.
"Fine. What do I have to do for you to drop this?" Cedric asked resignedly.
The twins exchanged a glance and high-fived in excitement. Mission accomplished.
"Hand over all your summer homework. We'll return it before class tomorrow."
"We've been looking for you for two weeks, but you were never home. Mum said you went to America to become a Vampire — true or false?"
"False, obviously," Cedric snapped irritably, pulling his bag down from the luggage rack and handing over his assignments.
Once they'd stashed the goods, the twins showed no sign of leaving.
The Diggorys and the Weasleys lived in the same village, separated only by a hill, making them neighbours of sorts.
So even though they weren't in the same house, they were quite familiar with each other.
Only then did they finally take notice of Wayne.
"Hello there, I'm Fred Weasley, and this is George Weasley," Fred introduced himself, then gave a thumbs-up. "You're really good-looking — way better than our little brother. He's a first-year, too."
George added, "Red hair, freckles all over — that's our brother Ron. Hope you get sorted into Gryffindor — that's the best house."
Wayne neither agreed nor disagreed. "Everyone praises their own house like that, but I don't think there's much difference."
With the twins present, the compartment instantly became livelier.
These two possessed a unique charm — even when being boisterous, they never came across as annoying.
Except to their prank victims, of course.
However, they wouldn't play tricks on Wayne without a reason. Firstly, they'd just met and weren't that familiar yet. Secondly, Wayne hadn't even started school — bullying a child wasn't satisfying.
As the train picked up speed, the snack trolley arrived after a while.
Wayne bought Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frogs, and several pumpkin pasties.
The whole lot cost just ten Sickles and six Knuts.
The train had departed at eleven and wouldn't reach Hogwarts until evening, so these snacks doubled as his lunch.
The trolley witch placed the items on the table, and Wayne invited everyone to share, insisting they shouldn't stand on ceremony.
Cedric and the twins eventually gave in and joined him. This quickly helped Wayne bond with the trio. The twins, sharing a mental connection, decided to turn up the intensity for Wayne.
Cedric noticed something amiss and tried to stop them. But hearing George's question, his expression turned peculiar.
"Wayne, did you know? Right now, you're not technically a proper Hogwarts student yet."
"Only after passing rigorous trials do you truly get admitted."