Sean caught his first glimpse of a Chocolate Frog card, and naturally, the other young witches and wizards in Compartment Two were seeing them for the first time as well.
As expected, the conversation quickly turned to the cards.
"Wow! Dilys Derwent!"
"Do you know her?"
"Not personally, but I'm dead impressed by what she did."
Hermione's eyebrows shot up as she took the card from Justin's hand.
"Dilys Derwent," she read. "Famous for surviving after eating an entire Venomous Tentacula as part of a bet, though her skin remains purple."
Hermione tilted her head and shot Justin a look.
"Idiot," she muttered.
"Alright, fair enough," Justin said, not arguing at all. Their eyes fell back to Hermione's card.
"Godric Gryffindor," Hermione said, lifting her chin with a wide grin. "One of the founders of Hogwarts, with a house named after him."
"That's brilliant! I read about him in Hogwarts: A History. They say he left a sword hidden somewhere in the castle," Justin said, genuinely awestruck.
Hermione's eyes sparkled, clearly pleased.
By now, the train had long since left London behind, speeding through fields dotted with cows and sheep. The two fell quiet for a moment, gazing out at the rolling meadows and gentle hills passing by. Every now and then, they spotted riders on horseback, dressed in white, looking like figures from a painting.
"He's really quiet, isn't he?" Hermione said, not naming names, but Justin knew exactly who she meant.
"Not always," Justin replied with a grin, his dimples making his face look warm and friendly. "Sean, mate, help me out with this pumpkin pasty, will you?"
A slender hand darted out and grabbed it.
"Thanks," came a muffled voice a few seconds later, from behind a thick, brown book.
Justin's dimples deepened.
"My mum always said the truly talented ones are often the quiet ones," he said. "You could drop a mountain in front of them, and they wouldn't flinch. But… they're not always the luckiest."
His gaze lingered on Sean's frayed jacket and focused expression, his meaning clear.
"She told me I'd always need friends like that. Her advice helped me find my mates at Samfield School, and she was right. I reckon we'll be friends for life. We made a pact to stay in touch, even if we end up at different schools. Oh, if you're curious, I'd love to share some of our letters."
Justin opened his suitcase, revealing neatly stacked letters alongside the required school supplies. Scattered beside them were photos—snapshots of Justin with his friends.
As Hermione looked on in surprise, a tearful voice suddenly broke the moment.
"Trevor! Where are you?"
A round-faced boy squeezed into the compartment, looking nervous as he asked, "Sorry, have any of you seen my toad?"
By now, the train was two-thirds of the way to Hogwarts.
Sean's focus was broken by the warm, golden light of the compartment. He rubbed his eyes and realized he was alone. Noticing the darkening sky outside, he started to change into his wizard robes. As he closed A Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, he found a note tucked inside:
Sean, we've gone to help a boy named Neville find his toad. If you want to join us, we'll be in the corridor.
After a moment's thought, Sean scribbled a reply on the back:
Train's almost at the station. Don't forget to change.
With that, he grabbed his school robes and stepped out.
The corridor was a chaotic buzz, far noisier than before. The young witches and wizards in the compartments must have gotten to know each other, their chatter growing louder.
As Sean passed one compartment, he overheard an argument.
"Daisies, butter, and sunlight, turn this silly fat rat yellow."
It was a young boy's voice.
"Are you sure that's a real spell?" a girl asked skeptically.
"It doesn't seem like much, does it? I've tried a few simple spells at home for practice, and they all worked. Like this one—Reparo."
Sean could guess what was happening. He was about to move on when a platinum-blond boy strode out of a compartment, flanked by two others who looked like bodyguards.
Sean didn't need to think twice to know what was coming.
Sure enough, a mocking voice soon rang out:
"If I were you, Potter, I'd be careful. You'd better watch your manners, or you'll end up like your parents. They didn't know their place either. Hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys or Hagrid, and it'll rub off on you."
Merlin, what a sharp tongue, Sean thought, making his way to the changing area without looking back.
Soon after, a shout came from the tense compartment. Sean could guess—Scabbers must have bitten Goyle, helping Harry out of a tight spot.
If he remembered right, this was the only time Peter Pettigrew ever helped Harry.
When Compartment Two filled up again, the train's rumble was at its loudest. The scarlet steam engine began to slow, and outside, the dark purple sky framed rolling hills and dense forests.
Hermione and Justin could barely contain their excitement.
The three stepped off the Hogwarts Express onto a dark, tiny platform. In the distance, a giant holding a lantern loomed, looking like a creature from a fairy tale that might gobble you up.
The night air was chilly, but Sean didn't shiver. Gone were the donated, hole-ridden clothes. Now, he wore Hogwarts' plain robes and lining, warm and snug.
Following Hagrid through the woods, the first-years gasped as Hogwarts Castle came into view.
"Wow!"
Justin's voice was the loudest, earning him repeated glares from Hermione.
"Sorry, Hermione. Eton wasn't easy to give up, but I made the right choice. Look at this castle—the floating lanterns, the moving statues… If my mum could see this, she'd be proud of me."
They crossed the Black Lake in small boats, passed through the boathouse, and climbed the cliffside stairs. At the entrance to the Great Hall, the first-years paused as Professor McGonagall explained the Sorting Ceremony.