The steady rhythm of the train filled the compartment as the Hogwarts Express sped northward. Every so often the carriage gave a small shake as the wheels rolled across the rails, the motion almost hypnotic.
Outside the window, the last parts of the station faded away, replaced by wide green fields and distant hills that stretched endlessly beneath a pale sky.
Kathey sat opposite me, her trunk open as she carefully checked through her belongings. Typical.
Her pale blonde hair shifted softly across her shoulders as she moved. She inspected each item methodicaly like her wand cleaning kit, potion equipments,parchments, and finally the small case containing her bow and a set of enchanted arrows by taking them out and etc.
I had got her a wand holster too for her birthday.
The subtle flex of her shoulders as she lifted the equipment made it obvious how much training she had gone through over the past years.
I leaned back slightly in my seat, one hand resting absentmindedly on Anubis, who was sprawled across my lap like he owned the entire train.
Kathey finally closed the trunk with a quiet click."We should plan things properly once we reach Hogwarts," she said thoughtfully.
She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice like we were already discussing something dangerous.
"First thing we do," she began, "is find the Room of Requirement."
I raised an eyebrow. "And then?"
"Then we see what's hidden in there." Her eyes gleamed with quiet excitement."There are supposed to be countless abandoned artifacts. Some forgotten books too—things that were never catalogued in the library."
She tilted her head slightly. "And if something turns out to be useful… or valuable… well…"
I smirked. "Selling rare artifacts from Hogwarts. Ambitious."
She shrugged lightly."I prefer the term resourceful."
"That works," I admitted.
I scratched Anubis behind the ears. "From the tracking charm on this little menace," I continued, "I've been thinking of something bigger."
Kathey raised a curious eyebrow."Bigger?" "I'm designing a map."She blinked."A map?"
"Not just any map," I said calmly. " Something that shows everyone of literally anywhere. With a modified scanning spell layered into it, it could also display layouts of other buildings."
Kathey's eyes widened slightly. "That sounds impossible."
"Difficult," I corrected. Anubis opened one glowing white eye as his name was mentioned, then lazily closed it again.
"But to finish the enchantment," I added, "I'll need to study the Marauders' Map." Kathey let out a quiet whistle."You're aiming high this year. I kinda figured that my soulmate would be as smart as me heh."
I shrugged. "I prefer to stay busy." She leaned back again."I'll be busy too," she said. "The flying shoes project is nearly finished. After that I'll adapt the enchantment for brooms."
Her expression turned determined. "And I'm trying out for the Quidditch team."
"Beater?"
"Obviously."
I nodded approvingly. My own final project for the year was… slightly more ambitious."I'm also building something else," I said. Kathey looked curious again.
"A communication device." She frowned slightly. "Like… a two-way mirror? Don't they already have those?"
"Better." I tapped lightly on the armrest as I explained. "A folding piece of enchanted wood. Small enough to carry. It'll use a modified Protean Charm to connect every unit I create."
Kathey leaned forward with growing interest.
"So it's like… a network? Specifically, Texting."
"Exactly."
"Two-way mirrors integrated into it," I continued. "But instead of connecting two, it can connect all of them."
Her eyes widened slowly.
"Are you going to make magical Smartphones- now that I think, being reborn into this world from a future muggle world, is quite a cheat code-"
I completed her "Too many million dollars ideas"
She responded with a smirk and an eyebrow raise. A knock sounded at the compartment door.
We both looked up.Two students stood outside.
A boy with dark brown hair and thoughtful brown eyes stood slightly forward, while beside him was a girl with light blonde hair, bright green eyes, and faint freckles across her nose.
"Uh… sorry to bother you," the boy said politely. "Most compartments are full. Would it be alright if we sat here?" Kathey smiled warmly. "Of course. Come in."
They stepped inside. The boy sat beside me while the girl took the seat next to Kathey.
"I'm Victor Hugo," the boy said. "I'm Elara Loraine," the girl added.
I nodded. "Taylen Ethan Peverell."
I gestured toward Kathey."Katherine Lovegood."
Conversation started easily after that.
Victor explained that he was half-blood.
His father worked at Gringotts, while his mother was a Squib who handled financial management for the bank. "So you understand wizarding finance?" I asked. "Pretty well," he said.
We immediately slipped into a conversation about vault security, enchantment layers, and goblins accounting systems. Meanwhile Kathey and Elara seemed to be getting along just as quickly. Elara revealed that both of her parents were Muggles.
Kathey's eyes lit up immediately. "That must be incredible!" Elara blinked in confusion.
"Really?" "Yes!" Kathey said enthusiastically. "You discovered magic for the first time yourself. That must feel amazing." Elara laughed nervously. "It's definitely… overwhelming." At that moment Anubis stretched lazily and climbed onto my shoulder.
Victor leaned closer.
"…Is that a cat?"
"Technically."
Elara stared.
"It has wings...and a beak-"
"Minor detail," I replied.
After a moment both of them cautiously reached out to pet him. Anubis allowed it, which was rare. Eventually the train began slowing slightly. I stood up.
"Alright everyone," I said. "Time to change."
Instead of using the cramped changing rooms further down the carriage, I simply raised my wand. A soft shimmer spread across the compartment. A privacy barrier divided the room into two halves.
"Ladies on one side," I said casually. Victor blinked. "That's… actually pretty awesome."
We changed quickly.
At one point Victor glanced over while I was pulling on my shirt. "…You're quite muscular."
"Quite a bit," I replied.
"Heh. A bit?"
A few minutes later we were all in our Hogwarts uniforms. Outside the window the train finally slowed to a stop. I looked out.
Through the evening mist, illuminated by the glow of a lantern, a massive familiar silhouette approached the platform.
A towering figure with wild hair and a beard.
Carrying a lantern in one huge hand.
I smiled slightly. "Well," I murmured. "Looks like our welcome party is here."
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