Neither of them objected.
Then came the natural sequence of Harry showing his scar.
Ron gasped in amazement.
After that, they chatted about some things in the wizarding world.
Harry expressed his worries about his own magical proficiency.
Ron’s comforting words were clearly much more effective than those of Devereux, the straight-A student.
That put Harry’s mind somewhat at ease.
By this time, Devereux had already checked Ron's stat traits.
Uh.
Indeed, just like in the original book.
Apart from a basic trait for magical ability (blue).
Ron didn't have any other valuable traits.
As a secondary male lead in the original story.
Coupled with Harry's collection of high-tier traits.
Comparing the two, Ron certainly looked a bit shabby.
Just then, the snack trolley was pushed in.
Harry, acting like a little lord, made a grand gesture.
Devereux and Ron, two children from poor families, happily feasted along with him.
As for Ron, his family was usually poor, so he truly wasn't used to eating these kinds of snacks.
As for Devereux, Snape was usually so harsh that he wouldn't dare show the slightest hint of wanting to snack!
If he were to do that, he would have to prepare himself for double the amount of potion homework.
Just as Harry accidentally bit into a pepper-flavored Every Flavor Bean and was choking terribly.
The compartment door was suddenly pushed open.
A bushy-haired girl walked in.
Behind her followed a tearful, round-faced boy.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Neville Longbottom. We're looking for his lost toad. Has anyone seen Neville's toad?"
As soon as she said this.
Both Harry and Ron cast their gazes at Eld, who was currently fast asleep on Devereux's shoulder.
Neville looked over as well.
But obviously.
Devereux's Eld and Neville's toad looked completely different.
Eld was much larger.
Devereux spread his hands.
Indicating that this toad was definitely not the one belonging to Neville.
Inwardly, however, he was thinking.
How on earth did Hermione end up coming along with Neville?
Could it be that he had changed some of the events?
He immediately checked Hermione's traits.
...
[Name: Hermione Granger]
[Age: 11 years old]
....
[Traits: Test-Taking Expert (Purple), Magical Aptitude (Purple), Potion Perception (Blue)]
...
[Test-Taking Expert (Purple): Exceptionally skilled at reading textbooks, possesses memory beyond the average person, and can effortlessly handle all kinds of exams!]
...
Oh my goodness.
To be fair.
Hermione's talent was indeed impressive.
At least from what Devereux had seen after arriving at the station.
Aside from Harry the protagonist, she had the best trait configuration he had encountered.
Moreover, Devereux hadn't expected Hermione to have a trait related to potions.
Though, looking back, being able to independently brew the Polyjuice Potion by her second year definitely required a bit of talent.
Naturally, the trait Devereux coveted the most was [Test-Taking Genius].
Even though Devereux was a Magic Prodigy.
He was only a prodigy when it came to magic.
When faced with subjects like History of Magic that heavily emphasized knowledge accumulation over practical application.
Devereux guessed he would suffer just as much as Harry and the others.
With this trait.
His future life at Hogwarts would likely be much smoother.
So Devereux added this trait to his shopping cart.
"I'm sorry, I don't think we've seen it, but..."
Devereux, snapping back to reality, rubbed his chin.
An idea suddenly occurred to him.
He asked Hermione,
"What's the toad's name? I might have a way to find it."
"Really? His name is Trevor!"
Hearing this, Hermione immediately perked up.
Her eyes shone brightly as she looked at Devereux.
Eager to see what method he would use.
Devereux nodded in response.
He drew his wand and murmured softly.
"Accio Trevor!"
Whoosh!
A heavy rushing sound swept through the air.
In less than a second.
A toad flew out from a distant compartment straight into Devereux's hand.
Devereux caught it effortlessly.
And handed it to Neville.
Neville took it with great delight.
Instantly turning his sorrow into joy.
"Wow! What kind of spell is that? How come I've never seen it in the books?!"
Hermione rushed right over.
Staring in awe at Devereux's wand.
"It's the Summoning Charm. It's supposed to be fourth-year standard spell material, but since it's quite practical, I learned it ahead of time."
Devereux smiled casually.
"Ah! And here I've only just managed to memorize the standard beginner spells. I've fallen so far behind in my progress—what am I going to do when school starts?!"
Hearing Devereux's words.
Hermione's face immediately dropped.
She muttered with a mixture of sorrow and anxiety.
The others were dumbfounded that Devereux had already begun studying fourth-year material at this stage.
Neville almost dropped his toad as a result.
Nearly letting it run away again.
Harry, whose expression had previously been comforted by Ron, grew even more nervous.
Seeing their reaction.
While marveling at how Hermione truly lived up to being a test-taking genius since she had already memorized the first-year textbooks,
Devereux couldn't help but offer a wry smile.
He remarked that Hermione had already gotten far ahead of most of her classmates just by memorizing the first-year materials.
Yet such comforting words clearly didn't make Hermione feel any better.
She was still visibly anxious.
However, when she looked up and saw Harry,
Her eyes lit up.
She immediately hurried over to sit opposite Harry.
And drew her wand.
"Hehe, although I don't know many spells, just a few beginner ones, like this one."
With that, she pointed her wand at the bridge of Harry's glasses and flicked it!
"Avada Kedavra!"
A flash of green light crossed the room.
The famous Chosen One failed to escape the Killing Curse a second time.
And was slain on September 1, 1991, by the Death Eater Hermione Granger.
Beep—
(The above is purely Devereux's wild imagination!)
"Reparo!"
Hermione's voice was firm and clear.
The tip of her wand released a gentle glow.
In an instant.
The crack on the bridge of Harry's glasses was perfectly repaired.
The first-year students instantly wore looks of wonder.
Neville even cheered for it.
He excitedly lifted the newly found toad Trevor high above his head.
His face beaming with unconcealed joy.
It was impossible to tell whether he was admiring Hermione's magical skill
or simply overjoyed at finding his toad.
Harry was very happy as well.
He thanked Hermione gratefully.
"Thank you, Hermione! That was amazing!"
Ron looked somewhat eager to try.
He gripped his own wand tightly.
Seeming to want to show off a spell of his own.
"Hey, actually I know one too, it's just a bit unreliable...!"
He said confidently.
Though a hint of uncertainty laced his tone.
Hermione looked at Devereux with a beaming smile.
Pride sparkling in her eyes.
As if saying,
"See, I'm not that bad, am I?"
Devereux smiled and applauded for her,
nodding in appreciation.
At that very moment.
A pale-faced boy with platinum-blonde hair walked in, accompanied by two stocky boys.
A look of arrogance and disdain hung in the boy's eyes.
As if he were quite displeased with the commotion they had just made.
He swept his gaze across the students inside the compartment.
And finally, his eyes landed on Harry.