Alex chuckled to himself. ‘They're feeling fident now, but I'll show them soon enough,’ he thought, ready t them back to reality with a few well-pced wins.
The few rounds started, and the game picked up in iy.
After a while, there was a knock at the partment door. The three looked over to see the snack trolley had arrived, pushed by a middle-aged woman a variety of magical treats.
At this point, Alex was in a sour mood. He had been losing for the past few rounds despite pnning to teach them a lesson in the game.
"Alright, Alex, you've lost the most, so it's your turn to buy the snacks," Vivian teased, her eyes gleaming with pyful mischief.
"Yeah, yeah," Alex muttered, taking out his wallet. "How is your luck so good?" He begrudgingly bought an assortment of snacks for the three of them.
As they dug into their treats, Charles handed Alex a small dy. "Try this Bertie Bott's Every Fvor Bean. It has all kinds of fvors—some are really good, others... not so much."
Alex popped the dy into his mouth and immediately regretted it. "Ugh!" He grimaced, nearly spitting it out. "Earwax?"
Vivian and Charles burst into ughter, clearly amused by his misfortune.
"Yeah, that happens," Charles chuckled. "Some of the fvors are a bit... unpleasant."
Alex shook his head and quickly switched to a Chocote Frog, which was much more tolerable. As he uned the frog, he found a collectible card inside featuring Hengist of Woodcroft, the founder of Hogsmeade.
As he nibbled on the chocote, Alex gnced out the window, feeling a growing sense of excitement for the magical world that awaited him at Hogwarts.
The three tinued snag and chatting. Vivian rambled on about her family's background and their es, barely pausing to breathe. Her stant chatter had Alex's ears nearly ringing, but he smiled and nodded politely.
From his perspective, someoh a high emotional intelligence might describe Vivian as "full of energy," while others might just call her "overbearing." Either way, she was friendly and engaging, which made the trip more lively.
Charles, oher hand, rexed more as the journey went on. His shyness gave way to enthusiasm as he expined Quidditch to Alex and Vivian, particurly after learning that her of them was well-versed in the magical sport.
He delved into the rules, expining the different positions—Seeker, Chaser, Beater, and Keeper—and even listed some of the most famous Quidditch teams and pyers from around the world. Alex listened with mild curiosity, though he found the sport rather brutal.
He couldn't help but think, ‘How does a world with such advanced magic still have such a savage sport?’
Some of the fouls Charles described, like being knocked unscious by a Bludger, sounded more like dangerous acts than sport.
As the train tis jouroward Hogwarts, Alex leaned back, taking in the lively atmosphere around him. He had started the trip with the iion of quietly reading, but now he was gd to have spent the time bonding with his new panions. Though the magical world had its strange mix of charm and danger, he felt a growing sense of belonging, and that was enough to keep him looking forward to what y ahead.
"In 5 mihe train will arrive at Hogwarts. Please leave ygage orain; someone will take care of delivering it to the school," the voice over the inter announced.
"Finally!" Charles excimed as he stood up, stretg his arms. "I've been sitting so long I barely feel my legs!"
Alex packed up the cards and the leftover snacks.
The train slowed to a halt, and the three of them made their way outside, where the sky had already begun to darken.
At the station, a rge figure holding a ntern called out, "First years! First-year students over here!"
Everyone's attention shifted toward Hagrid's booming voice. Alex, Charles, and Vivian made their way toward him.
"Hagrid! Long time no see," Alex greeted with a smile as they approached.
"Oh, Alex! Good to see ya, d!" Hagrid beamed, but his expression quickly shifted to one of guilt. "I heard about what happened ba Knockturn Alley. I should've been more careful, I shouldn't have let—"
"It's alright, Hagrid," Alex interrupted, trying to keep things light. "It wasn't your fault. I was a bit careless myself, but look, I'm perfectly fine now."
He didn't want to talk about it, especially not with so many first-year students gathering around. He also didn't want to draw attention to ah Eater es or the trouble that could arise from that.
Hagrid, however, seemed uo let it go. "I still feel awful about it, Alex. Headmaster Dumbledore and Professonagall gave me a right scolding. I haven't been allowed to go to Diagon Alley sinot after what happeo you."
Alex, trying to steer the versation away from that night, said with a weak smile, "Don't worry about it, Hagrid. I'm just excited to be starting at Hogwarts. Shouldn't you be gratuting me?"
Hearing this, Hagrid's face brightened. "Aye, gratutions, Alex! Yonna love Hogwarts; just wait!"
As they were talking, Charles and Vivian couldn't help but grow curious. They had caught bits of the versation about a dangerous i but didn't want to pry just yet.
They exged a gnce, silently agreeing to ask Alex about it ter wheiming was better.
Suddenly, a loud, obnoxious voice cut through the crowd. "Oi, big guy! Are you just gonna stand there, or are you gon a move on? My legs are about to give out!"
The voice beloo a smug-looking boy with dark hair and a sneering expression. He didn't care that Hagrid had been mid-versation; he was focused entirely on himself.
Alex felt a fsh of irritation at the boy's rudeness. He turned and gave him a hard stare. The boy, uerred, noticed Alex's look and sneered even more.
"What're you looking at?" the boy snapped. "I'm talking to this oaf over here, not you."
Before Alex could respond, Charles stepped in, his face teh anger. "Back off, Travers! Keep running your mouth, and you'll regret it."
The boy, now identified as Sampur Travers, smirked. "Oh, it's you, Mon. Still letting your family's name drag you around? Tell me, did you cry like a baby when your u hurt? You should have stayed home with the other weaklings."
