In 1785, James Watt improved the steam engine, ushering industrial production into an entirely new era.
Then, in 1814, British engineer George Stephenson invented the world's first locomotive and named it the Locomotion.
Over the following century and beyond, the train became an essential mode of transportation for the English. Many people would even commute into London by train after work, then switch to buses or the Underground to reach their offices.
From this perspective, the Ministry of Magic had actually done a fairly good job keeping up with the times.
Since the 1950s, the Hogwarts Express had been tasked with transporting young witches and wizards between Hogwarts and London.
Before that, students could choose any travel method they found "interesting" to reach the school—which led to a fair share of ridiculous stories… and even a few casualties.
It wasn't until Ottaline Gambol, then Minister for Magic, defied all opposition and launched the largest covert operation in the history of the British Ministry of Magic, that the railway was built.
The construction process required a staggering 176 Memory Charms, along with the documentation of a massive number of Concealment Spells.
Most of the Muggles who worked on the railway constantly felt like they'd forgotten something important—but could never remember what. This nagging confusion lasted an entire year before finally subsiding.
So, if you ever find yourself forgetting something for no apparent reason—don't doubt it. Your brain's probably been hit with a Memory Charm.
September 1st.
A special day for students across England.
It marked the end of over two months of summer vacation. Countless students, either excited or dejected, began their journeys back to school. For those attending boarding schools, it meant they wouldn't be home again until at least Christmas.
King's Cross Station, the terminus of London's railway system, also entered its busiest period—no, its absolute peak.
Throughout the station, students and parents could be seen lugging large bags and trunks, rushing toward their platforms in a frenzy.
Wayne, in contrast, traveled light—towing a medium-sized leather suitcase behind him.
Clearly, the suitcase had been enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm—though it wasn't his own work.
That charm was highly advanced, appearing only in Standard Book of Spells, Grade 7, which meant only seventh-year students were even allowed to learn it.
Wayne had spent an afternoon mastering it and had successfully cast two on his trouser pockets.
As for the suitcase, he'd obtained it through connections at The Ordinary Outfitter for 120 Galleons.
The use of Extension Charms was tightly restricted by the Ministry and couldn't legally be used for private purposes without registration and official approval.
Wayne strongly suspected some shady deal between the Ministry and suitcase/tent manufacturers was behind that law.
But right now, he was just a rookie wizard—not yet in a position to challenge the Ministry. Better to avoid trouble where possible.
If money can solve a problem, then it's not really a problem.
As he made his way toward Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, Wayne observed the crowd around him.
He spotted several men in black trench coats and bowler hats casually patrolling the area. He guessed they were Ministry operatives, responsible for maintaining order and handling emergencies.
After all, while Muggles weren't magical, they weren't stupid either. A bunch of people ramming into a pillar and vanishing would definitely raise suspicions.
That's when the Ministry needed to step in and "clean up" the situation.
Wayne first looked around, ensuring no one was paying attention to him. Then, acting perfectly casual, he stepped into the third column between Platforms Nine and Ten.
It felt like breaking through a thin membrane. At first narrow, then after a few steps—it opened up into a wide, bright space.
When his vision cleared, Wayne found himself in an entirely new world.
The old-fashioned steam train shrieked with its whistle, and the platform was every bit as bustling as the outside.
A quick glance made Wayne mutter under his breath.
"Rowling didn't know sh*t about Harry Potter lore. Only three thousand wizards in all of Britain? There are easily one or two thousand people just on this platform."
"What, did every witch and wizard in the UK show up for this thing?"
Young witches and wizards were hurriedly saying their goodbyes, while parents chattered away with last-minute instructions. It all seemed chaotic, but carried a certain warmth.
However, very few people wore sorrowful expressions on their faces.
For the wizarding world, which had the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, the two months of summer vacation weren't exactly pleasant.
While there were classes at school, at least students could use magic there, and they had a group of like-minded companions. That was far better than staying home every day, hated by both people and dogs alike.
Of course, some did wear expressions of pain.
Most likely because they had just remembered the summer homework that had been completely forgotten.
Wayne didn't linger long on the platform. He casually looked around, and when he didn't spot Hermione—the only young witch he knew—he boarded the Hogwarts Express.
There were only ten minutes left before departure, and most of the compartments near the front were already full.
Dragging his suitcase, he finally found a compartment with only one occupant in the rear half of the train.
The door was open, but he still knocked politely.
"Excuse me, may I sit here?"
The young wizard inside looked up from his book, revealing a handsome face.
Both of them were startled in their hearts at the same time.
"Damn, this guy is only slightly less handsome than me." — That was Wayne's internal thought.
"Merlin, there's actually a young wizard more handsome than me." — That was the thought of the boy inside the compartment.
"Of course, feel free to sit." The other reacted quickly. While inwardly sighing, he enthusiastically stood up and helped Wayne place his luggage on the rack.
Once everything was settled, the two sat facing each other. The young wizard extended his hand with a gentle smile on his face:
"Hello, I'm Cedric Diggory, third year Hufflepuff student."
"You must be one of the new first-years, right?"
He spoke with absolute certainty. Although he hadn't memorized every student at Hogwarts, someone with a face like the boy in front of him would definitely become well-known throughout the school. It would be hard not to know him.
Wayne was stunned too—he hadn't expected this person to be the famous "golden boy of Hogwarts."
Only appearing in two books, yet extremely popular: Cedric Diggory.
Wayne also extended his hand, and the two shook.
"Hello, my name is Wayne Lawrence. Yes, I'm a new first-year student this year."