When Char revealed that what he'd given Malfoy and his cronies was nothing more than ordinary watermelon seeds, both Hermione and Neville let out a huge sigh of relief. The tension in the compartment melted away, replaced by peals of laughter. Hermione laughed until her sides hurt.
"Did you see Malfoy's face?" she giggled. "If he ever finds out he was scared of a watermelon seed, he'll want to disappear into the floor!"
The Hogwarts Express whistled, and with a rumble, the train pulled away from King's Cross Station, carrying them out of London and into the rolling green countryside. The landscape outside the window blurred by, fields and woods bathed in the golden light of late afternoon.
Soon, the cheerful voice of the witch with the trolley echoed down the corridor.
"Chocolate Frogs! Licorice Wands! Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans!"
For a moment, Char was reminded of the old green trains from his previous life, the hawkers selling drinks, snacks, and sunflower seeds. The nostalgia made him smile.
Suddenly, Neville let out a cry. He'd finally remembered what he'd forgotten: his pet toad, Trevor, was missing! Neville searched the compartment, then under the seats, his voice growing more desperate.
"Trevor? Where are you, Trevor?" he called, nearly in tears.
Hermione immediately jumped up to help. "Don't worry, Neville. He must still be on the train. A toad on a train—someone's bound to notice. Come on, I'll help you look for him."
She turned to Char. "Char, do you want to come with us?"
Char shook his head. "Some toads can find their way home. What if Trevor comes back while you're gone? And besides, what if Malfoy and his friends come back and find him? I'd better stay here and keep an eye on things."
Hermione and Neville both shivered at the thought of Crabbe and Goyle finding Trevor. "You're right," Hermione said. "We'll go look. You hold down the fort, Char."
With that, Hermione and Neville hurried out, leaving Char alone in the compartment. He smiled to himself, thinking about how the gears of fate kept turning. Hermione and Neville would probably meet Harry and Ron, just like in the original story. If he'd gone with them, maybe he'd have become friends with the famous Harry Potter. But Char had no interest in chasing fame or adventure. He just wanted to plant his magical plants in peace.
So, while the train rattled on, Char took out a few more small pots and carefully planted more Goldfish Vine, tending to each one with the care of an artist. The hours slipped by, the sun arcing across the sky, and before he knew it, the windows were glowing with the deep red of sunset.
Char glanced outside. "How long is this train ride?" he wondered aloud. "Maybe someday they'll build a Hogwarts high-speed rail."
He leaned back, soaking in the last warm rays of the day, and then got back to his planting. Time always seemed to fly when he was working with plants.
Eventually, the voice of the train attendant called out, "Ten minutes to Hogwarts!"
Char quickly packed away his pots. Neville came back, out of breath and empty-handed—no sign of Trevor. Char tried to reassure him. "Don't worry, Neville. I'm sure Trevor will turn up. He always does."
To Char's surprise, Hermione came back with Neville instead of staying with Harry and Ron, as she had in the original story. She was all business. "Quick, you two! Change into your school robes—we only have a few minutes!"
Char and Neville exchanged a look, both feeling a little overwhelmed by Hermione's efficiency. After a flurry of changing clothes, the Hogwarts Express slowed to a stop in the middle of the dark countryside.
Char, Neville, and Hermione followed the crowd of first-years off the train. The scene was just as magical as Char had imagined: the half-giant Hagrid stood waiting, lantern in hand, his booming voice calling the new students to him. The older students disappeared down another path, leaving the first-years to gather nervously together.
But this time, Professor Sprout made her way through the crowd to Char, her eyes shining with pride and excitement.
"Char, go on," she said, her voice warm. "Follow Hagrid and the others. Walk the path the founders once took with their first students. You'll receive the blessing of Hogwarts—it will protect you and help you in your studies."
Char's eyes widened in realization. So that was why the first-years always took the long, winding route by boat and foot to the castle. It was the very path the four founders had walked, and it was imbued with their magic. No wonder Hogwarts was so safe, despite all the dangers. The blessing must be what protected students from harm, year after year.
He thought about the stories: the Basilisk, the Triwizard Tournament, even Cedric Diggory's fate. Maybe the only reason things ever went truly wrong was when that blessing didn't reach far enough.
Char felt a wave of comfort. Hogwarts, for all its mysteries, was a safe haven—especially for someone who just wanted to plant and grow in peace.
He was about to say goodbye to Professor Sprout when Hermione, gathering her courage, spoke up.
"Professor, I read that there's a Sorting Ceremony for new students, but none of the books say what actually happens. They all say it's a Hogwarts secret. Could you tell us what to expect?"
Professor Sprout smiled, her eyes twinkling with mischief and kindness, as the lantern light flickered and the castle loomed in the distance. The adventure was just beginning.