The morning crowd in Diagon Alley was growing thicker.
Students and parents moved between the shops, buying school supplies for the upcoming Hogwarts term. Owls fluttered restlessly in their cages, metal cauldrons clanged as they were moved around, and the smell of freshly baked pastries drifted through the air from a nearby bakery.
Yet amid all the bustle, whispers could still be heard.
"Did you feel that wave of magic earlier?"
"It came from Ollivanders…"
"They say someone very powerful arrived."
"…An Otsutsuki."
Kenzo walked calmly along the cobblestone street. A black wand box rested in his hand—light, yet strangely filled with power.
Beside him, Zetsu walked while constantly writing something in his notebook.
"Alright…" he muttered as he scribbled.
"The wand shop is finished. Next destination… books!"
Kenzo glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "You're not the one attending Hogwarts."
Zetsu shrugged casually. "Knowledge belongs to everyone."
Kenzo simply shook his head slightly, almost smiling.
Not long after, they stopped in front of a large bookstore.
Flourish and Blotts.
As soon as they stepped inside, the noise of the crowd greeted them. Tall shelves were packed with magical textbooks, and students hurried around searching for the books on their school lists.
Zetsu immediately ran toward one of the shelves. "Oh! They have Advanced Theory of Magic! I've never seen this edition before!"
Meanwhile, Kenzo slowly walked down the aisles of books.
As he pulled a book from the shelf, a voice spoke from beside him.
"…Excuse me?"
Kenzo stopped and turned.
A girl stood nearby holding a stack of books that nearly covered her face.
Her brown hair was thick and slightly messy. Her eyes were sharp and full of curiosity.
She looked about eleven years old.
"Have you finished reading Hogwarts: A History?" she asked politely.
Kenzo glanced at the book in his hand.
Then he handed it to her.
"If you're looking for it… go ahead."
The girl's eyes lit up immediately.
"Thank you!"
She held the book carefully, as if it were treasure.
"I've already read most of the standard textbooks," she said quickly. "But I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything about the founding of Hogwarts."
Kenzo tilted his head slightly. "Most of them?"
Hermione nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes! I've finished A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration, Theory of Magic, The Standard Book of Spells, and several additional books."
Kenzo raised an eyebrow. "That's… quite a lot for someone who hasn't even started school yet."
Hermione smiled sheepishly. "Well… I just wanted to be prepared."
She adjusted the books in her arms, then suddenly seemed to remember something.
"Oh! I forgot to introduce myself."
She extended her hand confidently. "My name is Hermione Granger."
Kenzo shook her hand calmly. "Kenzo."
Hermione blinked. "Just Kenzo?"
"For now, yes."
Hermione studied him curiously. "You don't look like a first-year student."
Kenzo gave a faint smile. "Appearances can be deceiving."
Suddenly—
Zetsu appeared from behind a bookshelf like a curious ghost. "Hermione Granger!"
Hermione jumped slightly.
"Oh!"
Zetsu stepped closer and studied her face with interest. "You're the clever one."
Hermione frowned. "…Excuse me?"
Kenzo let out a long sigh.
"Zetsu."
"Yes, Father?"
"Don't appear out of nowhere like that."
Hermione blinked twice. "Father?"
She looked between them. "Wait… are you two related?"
Zetsu grinned. "Not exactly."
Hermione looked even more confused.
Kenzo decided to rescue the situation. "Are you also going to Hogwarts?"
Hermione nodded quickly. "Yes! I received my letter a few months ago!"
She hesitated before continuing. "…My parents are dentists."
Kenzo nodded. "Muggle-born."
Hermione looked slightly surprised. "You know that term?"
Kenzo nodded calmly. "Of course."
Hermione looked relieved. "Some people in the wizarding world seem to think it's… strange."
Kenzo looked at her for a moment. "Magic doesn't really care where someone comes from."
Hermione blinked.
Kenzo continued calmly. "What matters is what you do with it."
Hermione was silent for a moment, thinking about his words.
Then a small smile appeared.
"I like the way you think."
Zetsu suddenly added, "He usually doesn't say things that wise."
Kenzo glanced at him.
Zetsu immediately pretended to read a book.
Hermione chuckled softly.
Then she asked curiously,
"So… Kenzo, are you also a new student at Hogwarts?"
Kenzo thought for a moment.
Then answered casually,
"I suppose… we'll be seeing each other there."
Hermione's eyes sparkled. "Oh! Then we might be in the same year!"
From behind the shelf, Zetsu muttered quietly, "Or perhaps the same legend."
Kenzo ignored him.
But for the first time that morning, his expression seemed slightly warmer.
Yet for some reason, when Hermione looked into Kenzo's eyes, she felt the same strange sensation as before.
Something incredibly powerful.
Something that even the books in this store might not be able to explain.
For the first time that day, Hermione Granger felt—
She might have just met someone far more mysterious than anything she had ever read.
Someone who might one day change the wizarding world forever.
Their daydream was suddenly interrupted by someone calling out.
"Ah, so you must be Young Master Otsutsuki, correct?"
The voice of a mature woman sounded from behind them.
Hermione and Kenzo, who had been browsing the bookshelves, immediately turned toward the voice.
An elderly woman stood there. Her face was slightly wrinkled, but her gaze was sharp. She wore a pointed black hat and a neat dark green robe.
Kenzo nodded politely.
"Yes, my name is Kenzo Otsutsuki. Mm… and you are?"
The elderly woman replied calmly,
"I am Professor Minerva McGonagall. I am acting as Hermione Granger's guardian to help her purchase her magical supplies."
Hermione, standing beside her, immediately gave a small smile.
Kenzo raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Oh, so you are Professor McGonagall. My father and grandfather mention your name quite often—after Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, of course."
Professor McGonagall looked a little surprised, then smiled faintly.
"Is that so? I'm glad the Otsutsuki family remembers my name."
Zetsu, who was standing behind Kenzo, added casually,
"The master also once said that you are extremely skilled at Transfiguration."
Zetsu's words pleased Professor McGonagall even more. It wasn't every day that someone from the ancient Otsutsuki family mentioned her with such respect.
"Hm… I see," she said with a small smile.
"It seems the Otsutsuki family isn't as closed-off as I once thought."
She then turned to Zetsu.
"And who might you be, Mr…?"
Zetsu smiled cheerfully.
"My name is Zetsu."
Professor McGonagall paused for a moment. Her expression shifted to mild surprise.
"Zetsu…?"
The name was not unfamiliar to her. She had heard about that figure from many old stories.
The most efficient information-gathering being that had ever existed during the great war of the past.
Professor McGonagall gave a respectful nod.
"So you are Mr. Zetsu. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Zetsu smiled casually.
"The pleasure is mine, Professor."
Professor McGonagall then turned to Hermione.
"Alright, Hermione. Have you obtained all the books you need?"
Hermione nodded quickly.
"Mmm… yes, Professor."
"Good."
Professor McGonagall then said,
"In that case, we can proceed to the next shop."
She then looked back at Kenzo.
"And what about you, Mr. Kenzo? Have you prepared all your supplies for Hogwarts?"
Kenzo nodded.
"Yes. Some of them already. My wand, the first-year textbooks… and several books from higher years."
Zetsu nodded with satisfaction.
"As expected. He's basically a walking bookworm."
Kenzo immediately turned toward him.
Zetsu pretended to whistle while looking up at the shop ceiling.
Hermione, hearing Kenzo's words, suddenly brightened.
"Wow… you studied all of them?"
Then she looked slightly hesitant.
"But… aren't we only allowed to study first-year books?"
Kenzo smiled lightly at her.
"Knowledge is not limited to anyone. Everyone has the right to try to learn it."
He then turned toward Professor McGonagall.
"Isn't that right, Professor?"
Professor McGonagall nodded.
"Yes, you are correct, Mr. Kenzo. Knowledge truly has no limits for those who wish to learn."
Hermione nodded in agreement.
She began to feel that she and Kenzo shared a similar way of thinking.
However, a few seconds later her expression became slightly gloomy.
"Well… you're right. But unfortunately my galleons aren't enough to buy all the books I want to read."
Kenzo smiled again.
He reached out and gently patted Hermione's head.
"It's alright. Take the books you want. I'll pay for them."
Hermione immediately froze in surprise.
"Eh…?"
Kenzo continued calmly,
"Besides, I think we'll be seeing each other often at Hogwarts anyway."
Hermione immediately blushed.
Meanwhile, Professor McGonagall and Zetsu were both thinking something.
Inside Professor McGonagall's mind:
"Ah… young love."
Meanwhile, Zetsu thought seriously:
"Wow. The beginning of love. This must be recorded."
Hermione, whose face had turned red, said softly,
"Th-thank you…"
After that, they continued buying various supplies.
They visited several other shops in Diagon Alley.
From buying cauldrons and basic potion ingredients to choosing a pet.
At one of the pet shops, Hermione seemed to really like a soft-furred cat.
Without saying much, Kenzo immediately bought it for her.
Hermione blushed even more.
Throughout their walk, Kenzo occasionally patted Hermione's head casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
And strangely, Hermione didn't feel bothered.
Instead, she felt comfortable.
Finally, after every item on the list had been purchased, they reached the end of Diagon Alley.
Professor McGonagall said with a friendly smile,
"At last, all the supplies are complete."
She turned to Kenzo.
"Young Master Kenzo, we will meet again at Hogwarts."
She paused briefly before saying,
"And I hope you are sorted into Gryffindor."
Kenzo nodded lightly.
"Yes, Professor. Hopefully."
Then he turned to Hermione once more.
He gently patted her head while smiling.
"Well then, Lion, I hope we end up in the same house."
"Let's part ways here."
Hermione nodded softly, though she looked a little reluctant.
"Hmm… I hope we're in the same house."
Behind them, Zetsu thought to himself,
"Wow… the beginning of love is already growing."
Hermione and Professor McGonagall finally walked away.
From a distance, Hermione waved her hand in farewell.
Kenzo raised his hand and waved back.
Beside him, Zetsu also waved casually.
That brief meeting in Diagon Alley might have lasted only a single day.
But for Hermione—
That day felt far longer and far more memorable than she had expected.
---
The next morning, King's Cross Station was filled with the sound of footsteps and train announcements echoing from the loudspeakers.
Passengers hurried past with large suitcases, while trolley wheels rattled across the stone floor.
Amid the crowd, Hermione Granger pushed a trolley carrying a large trunk and an owl cage.
Behind her walked her parents.
Her father looked around in confusion.
"So… we're really looking for Platform Nine and Three-Quarters?"
Her mother chuckled softly.
"That's what your school letter says."
Hermione unfolded the Hogwarts letter she had read countless times.
"Platform Nine and Three-Quarters…" she murmured.
Her father pointed at the large sign above them.
"But there are only Platforms Nine and Ten."
Hermione looked toward the brick wall between the two platforms.
She bit her lip slightly.
"Maybe… something is hidden."
Just then, a calm voice spoke beside her.
"Looking for it too?"
Hermione turned.
Her eyes lit up.
"Kenzo!"
Kenzo stood a few steps away, just as calm as when she met him in the bookstore.
But this time he wasn't alone.
Behind him stood two men in dark robes with firm postures and sharp eyes.
Hermione looked at them curiously. "They are…?"
One of the men spoke calmly. "We are Aurors."
Hermione looked intrigued. "From the Ministry of Magic?"
The second man shook his head.
Before he could answer, a casual voice spoke behind Kenzo. "Order of Nishu."
Zetsu appeared, carrying his notebook as usual.
Hermione blinked. "I've never read about that."
Zetsu smiled slightly. "It's not in books."
Hermione's father looked slightly nervous. "So… you're also heading to that wizard school?"
Kenzo answered briefly. "Yes."
Hermione looked again at the brick wall.
"We're trying to find Platform Nine and Three-Quarters."
Zetsu pointed at the wall.
"There."
Hermione frowned slightly.
"There?"
Zetsu nodded casually.
"You just walk straight into it."
Her father raised an eyebrow.
"Run into the wall?"
Zetsu shrugged.
"More or less."
Hermione took a deep breath.
"Alright."
She pushed her trolley forward.
Closer.
Closer.
Then—
Hermione disappeared through the brick wall.
Her parents stared in shock.
"She—!"
But before they could say anything else, Kenzo calmly walked toward the same wall.
He passed through it without hesitation.
The two Aurors followed.
Zetsu walked last, scribbling in his notebook.
"Note: Muggle parent reactions to magical portals remain consistent."
---
On the other side—
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters stretched out before them.
A large red locomotive released clouds of white steam.
Golden letters on its side read:
Hogwarts Express
Hermione stood there with shining eyes.
"This is… incredible."
Kenzo stood beside her.
Hermione turned toward him.
"I guess we're really going to Hogwarts now."
Kenzo looked at the train briefly.
"Yes."
Soon a long whistle sounded.
Students began boarding the train.
Hermione turned to her parents.
Her mother hugged her tightly.
"Study well."
Her father smiled.
"And write letters."
Hermione nodded excitedly and pushed her trolley toward the train.
Before boarding the train, Kenzo handed a letter to two Aurors. "Tell this to my father and grandfather."
The two Aurors nodded and left.
After handing over the letter, Kenzo walked behind Hermione.
A few minutes later, they were inside the Hogwarts Express.
The corridor of the Hogwarts Express was crowded with students carrying trunks, owl cages, and snack boxes.
Hermione walked ahead, peeking into every compartment.
"Most of them are full," she said.
Kenzo walked calmly behind her.
Zetsu continued writing in his notebook.
"Observation," he muttered.
"First-year social distribution: chaotic."
Hermione opened another compartment door.
Inside sat two girls.
One had pale blonde hair and a friendly face.
The other had reddish-brown hair and a calm expression.
Hermione smiled politely.
"Hello! Are these seats taken?"
The blonde girl immediately shook her head.
"Not at all!"
Hermione entered the compartment.
"I'm Hermione Granger."
The blonde girl smiled.
"I'm Hannah Abbott."
The other girl added,
"Susan Bones."
Hermione gestured toward Kenzo.
"This is Kenzo."
Kenzo sat quietly near the window.
Zetsu sat across from him.
Hannah looked curious.
"Are you first-years too?"
Hermione nodded eagerly.
"Yes!"
The train slowly began to move.
Outside the window, the station faded into the distance.
A few minutes passed with light conversation.
Suddenly—
The compartment door opened.
A pale boy stood there looking panicked.
"Has anyone seen a toad?"
Hermione stood up immediately.
"A toad?"
The boy nodded quickly.
"His name is Trevor… he's gone."
Hermione spoke firmly.
"We should help him look."
She stepped toward the door.
"He must still be on the train."
But before anyone could move—
A voice came from the opposite seat.
"If you don't know what it looks like, searching is pointless."
Everyone turned.
Zetsu was still calmly writing.
Neville looked confused.
"What?"
Zetsu lifted his head.
"You said your toad is missing. But we don't know what it looks like."
Hermione blinked.
"Oh… that's true."
Kenzo slowly stood.
He looked calmly at Neville.
"Try to remember."
Neville thought hard.
"He's… a normal toad."
Zetsu sighed dramatically.
"Brilliant description."
Kenzo remained calm.
"Color?"
"G-green."
"Size?"
"Not too big… but not small either."
Zetsu wrote it down.
"Medium-sized green toad."
Hermione looked at Kenzo.
"Do you have an idea?"
Kenzo took out his wand.
Everyone in the compartment watched.
Hermione tilted her head.
"You're going to try a summoning charm?"
Kenzo nodded slightly.
He raised his wand.
"Accio Trevor."
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
BAM!
A compartment door at the far end of the corridor burst open.
Something small hopped rapidly along the floor.
A green toad bounced straight into Kenzo's hand.
Neville stared in amazement.
"Trevor!"
He looked like he might cry with relief.
Kenzo handed the toad back.
Neville hugged Trevor tightly.
"Thank you!"
Hermione stared at Kenzo in awe.
"That's an advanced spell."
Kenzo shrugged.
"Just a simple charm."
Neville smiled shyly.
"Thank you very much."
He left the compartment.
Inside, Hannah looked impressed.
"That was amazing."
Susan nodded in agreement.
Hermione continued staring at Kenzo thoughtfully.
"Most students haven't even learned that spell yet."
Zetsu spoke without looking up from his notebook.
"He doesn't learn like normal people."
Kenzo glanced at him.
Zetsu immediately pretended to read a book.
The train continued racing toward Hogwarts.
Outside the window, green fields replaced the city.
Hermione sat quietly, but her mind was full of questions.
The longer she stayed near Kenzo, the more she felt that something about him was different.
Something powerful.
Something even the books at Hogwarts might not be able to explain.
And their journey to Hogwarts had only just begun.