"Has anyone seen a toad? " Hermione Granger's voice, bright and earnest, cut through the train's gentle rumble. Her gaze swept our compartment, a desperate glint in her eyes.
I leaned forward slightly, a faint smile playing on my lips. "A toad, Miss Granger?" My senses, sharpened by recent upgrades, confirmed no amphibians were in residence. "I'm afraid not. No croakers here." I gave a casual shrug, earning a quick, dry glance from Daphne.
Hermione's shoulders slumped. "Oh. Lucian, fancy to meet you again and sorry to bother you" She looked poised to close the door and efficiently continue her search.
An idea formed. Keeping them here meant more data, more observation. And what better way to get a group of hungry first-years to stay than with food? I gestured to the sweets. "Do you want some candy?"
Ron's eyes, previously fixed on his dwindling sandwich, immediately lit up. "You've got sweets?" He practically materialized beside Harry, his current meal forgotten.
"Ronald!" Hermione chastised, but she too accepted a Pumpkin Pasty, her earlier urgency for the toad momentarily sidetracked.
Harry took one. "Thanks," he said, offering a faint smile. "Harry Potter, by the way. We met in Diagon Alley. You're... Lucian and Daphne, right?"
"Indeed you did, Mr. Potter," Daphne replied smoothly, taking a dainty bite of her own pasty. Her expression was perfectly neutral, betraying nothing. "We remembered."
"Pleasure to see you again. How was your trip with Hagrid? And how are you settling into the magical world? I heard you didn't grow up in it," I said with a polite nod.
Harry gave a small, sheepish chuckle. "Yeah, Hagrid's brilliant. Just... a lot to take in, you know." His eyes wandered around the compartment, still wide with wonder despite everything that had already happened. "It's all kind of overwhelming... but amazing."
"It really is," Hermione agreed, perching on the edge of the seat by the door. "There's just so much to learn. I've already finished all the textbooks, and a few extra but I still feel like I might be missing something." She fidgeted with her hands, her nerves showing through.
Ron, mouth full of sweets, gave a loud snort. "Blimey, Hermione, you've read the lot! You're mental!"
Daphne's eyes, sharp and assessing, swept over Hermione. "Remarkable diligence for a Muggle born, Miss Granger. Most of us don't bother until lessons begin." Her tone was polite, but I sensed the subtle pure-blood judgment radiating from her, a faint chill in the air, barely discernible without my enhanced perception.
"Well, you must understand, it's quite a different world for us," Hermione replied, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her voice. "We don't grow up with magic."
"Indeed," I interjected smoothly, leaning forward. "Which makes your dedication all the more commendable. It's akin to mastering advanced quantum physics without a basic understanding of arithmetic. Impressive." My analytical ability confirmed this compliment effectively diffused the rising tension, while also being largely accurate.
Hermione's cheeks flushed, pleased. "Oh! Well, thank you. I just think it's important to be prepared."
"Preparation is key," I agreed, sharing a knowing glance with Hermione.
The conversation meandered from Hogwarts classes to professors and expectations. Ron raved about Quidditch. Harry mumbled something about not knowing a single spell. Hermione, ever eager, launched into her hopes for Charms. Daphne, as expected, offered concise, piercing observations—aloof but gradually thawing toward Harry's quiet earnestness and Hermione's academic zeal.
"So," Ron piped up suddenly, glancing between Daphne and me, "what house do you think you'll be in?"
Daphne straightened. "Slytherin, of course. It's a family tradition. All Greengrasses are in Slytherin." Her tone was crisp, a final unshakable truth.
Ron grimaced. "My whole family's in Gryffindor. Imagine being in Slytherin! Dumbledore says it's full of dark wizards!"
Daphne's eyes narrowed slightly, the corners of her mouth tightening. "Is that what you believe, or just what you've been told?"
Ron bristled. "It's common knowledge, isn't it? You-Know-Who was in Slytherin. Loads of Death Eaters too."
"Yes, and quite a few cowards have come from Gryffindor," she shot back, voice cool and precise. "But I don't judge you by your house, do I?"
Ron turned a bit red. "Cowards?! Gryffindor's about bravery!"
"Bravery without thought is recklessness," Daphne replied smoothly. "Slytherins plan. We survive. We win."
Ron scowled. "Yeah, well, Gryffindors fight for what's right."
Daphne arched a brow. "And Slytherins fight smart. I suppose that's the difference."
Before Ron could retort, I stepped in with a mild, diplomatic tone. "Both houses have their merits. That's what makes Hogwarts interesting, isn't it?"
Daphne gave a faint huff but said nothing more. Ron crossed his arms, still glaring.
Hermione muttered, "Honestly," under her breath and returned to reorganizing her robe buttons.
"That's just a stereotype, Ron," Hermione interjected primly. "Not all Slytherins are dark."
I chuckled lightly. "Stereotypes often have roots in historical trends," I said with a shrug. "But personally? I haven't decided. Ravenclaw has its appeal, they are intellectual tradition, scholarly refinement. Or perhaps Gryffindor... if I'm feeling especially reckless." I winked at Harry, just for the cheek of it.
Daphne shot me a glare. "You'll be in Slytherin, Lucian. That's non-negotiable."
"Hey, I think I'm allowed a vote in this," I replied airily. "Maybe I'll go Hufflepuff. Their dorms sound cozy."
Daphne looked moments from combusting, but to her credit, she bit her tongue. The trio laughed, chiming in with their own predictions.
Time passed. The sky outside darkened, the hills growing wilder. Then came the voice from outside booming down the corridor.
"First years! Change into your robes! We'll be arriving' soon!"
"Oh goodness, we have to get ready!" Hermione gasped, leaping to her feet. "Harry, Ron—come on!"
"Wait—oh no!" I blurted, the realization hitting me. "Neville!"
The earlier toad hunt snapped into place just as I stood, scanning the corridor. I reached out gently with my Observation Haki and Great Sage. Faint, anxious energy flickered nearby, found him.
Target: Neville Longbottom. Location: Two compartments down.
Emotional State: Distressed.
Missing Item: Toad (Trevor).
Location: Under seat, window side.
Certainty: 78%.
Harry and Ron exchanged a glance. "Neville?" Harry asked.
"Still looking for Trevor?" Ron said through a mouthful of Pumpkin Pasty.
Right on cue, a red-faced, round boy shuffled past the door, his eyes darting wildly. Neville Longbottom: the picture of mild panic.
"Neville!" Hermione called, sharp with concern. "Still no luck?"
Neville jumped. "Y-yeah. He's gone, I looked everywhere!" His voice cracked from worry.
Hermione's face fell. "Oh no, Neville, I'm so sorry, we completely forgot you were still looking!"
"Yeah, same here," Harry added, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry, mate."
Ron nodded sheepishly. "Didn't mean to leave you hangin'. We got a bit caught up."
Neville offered a faint, tired smile. "It's alright. I'm just... really worried about him."
"It's alright," I said gently. "I've got a hunch. Try checking under the window seat in your compartment."
Neville blinked, hopeful but skeptical. "I—I looked there!"
"Sometimes things hide in plain sight," Daphne said unexpectedly, her voice softer, eyes flicking curiously toward me.
Harry and Ron stared at me like I'd just conjured the answer from thin air.
But Neville, desperate, ran off. Moments later, a muffled shout echoed from down the corridor.
"Trevor! Oh, Trevor, there you are!"
A faint ribbit confirmed it.
"Told you," I said with a wink. "Just needed a fresh perspective."
Harry laughed, shaking his head. "Thanks. That was... weirdly fast."
"You're welcome," I replied. "Now, unless you want to be sorted in your pajamas..."
Harry and Ron bolted for their robes. Daphne, of course, simply produced hers with a flick of her wand and stepped behind her trunk to change. I followed suit, slipping into mine. Surprisingly comfortable. Surprisingly real.
The train began to slow. The rhythmic clack of the tracks gave way to a deep rumble. We crowded around the window.
Beyond the trees and twilight mist, it stood, the legendary Hogwarts Castle. Towering. Timeless. Bathed in warm, flickering light, like a beacon drawn from myth. It was more than I'd imagined. More than any book, any film, any bedtime story could've prepared me for.
This was it.
The real journey had begun.
*Bribes accepted—💎 Power Stones preferred. The Sorting Hat's already whispering 🐍 Slytherin, so speak now in the comment or forever hold your pumpkin pasties." 🎃😉*