Chapter 4 - Journey to Hogwarts (1/2)
As the summer went by, soon, Autumn started on the first of September. Neal and Edward reached the Kings Cross station with his luggage. They reach a platform of 9 and 10 which was guarded by a ticket collector who is trying his best to divert the passengers' attention who was walking nearby the entrance to the platform 9 3/4.
Edward opened his pocket watch, ”well, it's still 9 A.M. There are still 2 hours left for the train to move. I guess we are a bit early”. Neal waved his hand, ”Nah, it's fine. Later, it'll become rowdy when it's nearing the departure time”.
Edward told him how to enter the platform, ”Goodbye, Neal”. After moving for a few steps, Neal turned back and hugged him lightly, ”Thank you, Edward, for looking after me for the past couple of months”. Edward replied, ”don't. I'm just doing my job Dumbledore ȧssigned me to”. Neal replied, ”your job is just to look after me until I go to Hogwarts.
It doesn't include going to such lengths to bring me back, the wand, giving me my parents' photo frame and helping me to make Hogwarts allow Isle to go with me. I can't thank you enough for that. I'll repay you for it in the future for sure”.
As Neal went inside the platform, Edward sighed, ”I did whatever I can for you. I only hope you will bring back the glory of the purebloods and the Dark Wizards which was tainted by the one who must not be named.
I'll leave the rest to you, Albus”.
Neal aboard the train and sat in an empty cabin. As he found Isle was still asleep, he began to become bored with no one to talk to. If he was the person from 3 months ago, he would have been fine as it isn't much for him to be alone all the time.
But in the past two months, since Edward was constantly in touch with him, Neal suddenly felt being alone is a bit uncomfortable with no one to communicate with. He sighed, ”let's just take a nap”.
An hour later, four girls entered the compartment together. As they were looking for a cabin, they found Neal sleeping with the window's support. ”Pansy, this one is also not empty. let's search for another one”. said a blond-haired and blue-eyed girl who was beside her.
Pansy replied, ”Daphne, why not just drag this twerp out and take this cabin for ourselves. Looks like muggle-born seeing his ugly way of sleeping”. Daphne mumbled, ”really? I find it cute though”.
The other girl, Tracey who was standing behind their backs like a subordinate spoke, ”can't we just share it? The cabin is big enough though”. Pansy snorted, ”hmpf, you sure are compassionate. I wonder whether you'll end up at Slytherin or not”.
As she was talking a bit loud, it disturbed Neal's sleep a bit. He spoke in sleep, ”Isle, make them shut up”. His words attracted their attention. As they looked towards him, a snake came out of his sleeves and made of a motion n a threatening manner to bite them as showing its fangs”.
”Kyaaa....” They screamed in fear and hurriedly moved away from there. As their hearts began to beat too fast in fear, Pansy asked, ”what was that? It's a snake right?”.
The three of them nodded while Daphne asked, ”what's a snake doing on the train? a pet?”. They started to discuss the boy's possible identity after they found an empty cabin. Pansy then said, ”I guess I made a mistake thinking he's a muggle-born. Who knows...he might be even...”.
Tracy replied, ”let's not jump into conclusions, shall we. It is common for muggles to have snakes as pets. Although it isn't common like Dogs or cats, some people like snakes in the muggle world”.
Milicent Bulstrode, the final member of the gang then said, ”well, whether he is muggle-born or pureblood, he's bound to be a Slytherin for sure. Why not just make him, an acquaintance?”. Daphne replied, ”you go and get bitten by the snake, then”.