Chapter 34. On the Train
After Harry got on the train, he ran into the Weasley twins he had just bumped into again.
To his surprise, the twins called out his name—"Harry Potter."
And they were very interested in the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.
In fact, just last month, Wesson had already told Harry the absurd tale that he, as a baby, had defeated Lord Voldemort.
Harry still remembered Wesson saying then: "If you find people recognising you, don't be surprised—you're a celebrity."
He had thought it was only a joke at the time; now it seemed it hadn't been a joke—he really was very famous.
However, he utterly rejected, even rather loathed, the title of "Saviour."
He didn't want that kind of attention.
Wesson had told him that the more attention you drew, the more trouble would come looking for you.
…..
After Harry took his seat in a compartment, Wesson got on the train as well.
He made his way all the way to the front of the train.
In front of the Prefects' carriage there was an extra carriage—the staff rest area for the train, where the Hogwarts Express driver and the trolley witch stayed during their breaks.
In truth, for all the years Wesson had taken the train, he had never seen the driver's face.
This time was no exception. When he slid the door open, only a plump witch was inside.
She was the trolley witch on the Hogwarts Express; ever since Wesson had started school, she had never been replaced.
Wesson had heard that ever since the Hogwarts Express began running, she had been selling things on it.
The trolley witch was fiddling with her cart, which was piled high with all kinds of sweets.
Wesson noticed a box that kept jumping—that would be a Chocolate Frog.
By the way, he was very fond of chocolate.
Except for Cockroach Clusters.
When Wesson came in, she jumped in fright.
"Pardon me," Wesson said with an apologetic smile, "is the driver here?"
"He's up front—the train's about to leave," she answered automatically, then gave Wesson a puzzled look. "Are you a student's parent? Parents aren't allowed on board!"
Wesson shook his head. "I'm a Professor."
Hearing this, the trolley witch's expression grew even more doubtful.
She looked him up and down, from top to bottom and back again.
At last, she seemed to remember something and pointed at Wesson. "Adrian Wesson, if I'm not mistaken?"
She shook her head with a touch of regret. "I used to remember every student's face. Ah… that's age for you. Just a few years and I almost couldn't place you."
"You've a marvellous memory, madam."
Wesson was a little surprised. After all this time, the old witch in front of him could still remember his name.
"You spent quite a few Galleons at my cart," she said with a smile. "Big spenders do leave an impression. Not everyone has pocket money enough to buy out an entire cart of treats. I never thought you'd end up a Professor at Hogwarts."
Wesson remembered he often bought sweets from the trolley witch and then shared them with his younger Hufflepuff house-mates.
No special reason; he simply liked the feeling of sharing.
"Then, may I borrow the rest room for a bit?" Wesson asked.
The trolley witch blinked, a little surprised, but nodded readily. "Of course, Professor—if you'll buy something off me."
"I'll have this." Wesson took a Chocolate Frog from the top of the cart.
Just then, a long whistle sounded from outside and the train began to move.
"Ah, I must be off," the trolley witch said as she readied herself to push the cart out. "Have a good rest, Professor Wesson."
After she left, Wesson had the rest room to himself. He leaned back in the seat and unwrapped the Chocolate Frog he'd just bought.
Each Chocolate Frog came with a card.
Sure enough, Wesson got Albus Dumbledore.
For some reason, nearly every time he opened a Chocolate Frog, he was likely to get a Dumbledore, which had once made him suspect the manufacturer had a special fondness for Dumbledore.
Watching the Dumbledore in the picture wink at him, Wesson tucked the card into his robe pocket and gazed blankly at the passing scenery.
By the time the trolley witch came round again, Wesson had closed his eyes and fallen asleep.
…..
Meanwhile, in the last carriage, the three little ones had already met.
Ron was showing Harry and Hermione his magic.
What spell would he cast?
Harry was curious.
The Levitation Charm? The Wand-Lighting Charm? Or the Mending Charm?
Ah, those were all too simple—surely a student from a wizarding family would know something more impressive.
Just as Harry was thinking this, Ron recited an incantation:
"Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid, fat rat yellow."
"..."
What kind of spell was that? Why had he never heard of it?
Also, "daisies, butter, and sunshine" sounded rather like the name of his teacher's shop.
Harry didn't quite know what to make of it.
In any case, Ron hadn't produced a successful spell.
Hermione, on the other hand, said she had practised a few spells at home and they had worked.
That made Harry realise that perhaps new students who could already use magic were actually in the minority.
In that case, maybe he was rather good?
After all, he had spent just one summer previewing all the spells in The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1.
Although there were some spells he still couldn't manage very neatly.
In Wesson's words, "Your spellwork is all for show, Harry—don't get cocky."
Besides that, Hermione told him some bad news: his name appeared in many books.
Modern Magical History, The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century…
That gave Harry an even clearer idea of how famous he really was.
He'd even been written into history books!
As everyone knew, there weren't many living people in those!
…..
When Hermione left the compartment Harry and Ron were in, Ron voiced his displeasure.
"No matter which house I'm sorted into, I hope I'm not in the same one as her," said Ron.
In truth, Harry didn't much like the girl who had just come in either—Hermione Granger.
He thought she was a bit too proud—or rather, conceited? The way she spoke with her chin tipped up made Harry uncomfortable.
Mind you, Harry had learnt so much magic and hadn't bragged to Ron.
Of course, she really was quite brilliant.
Just listen to what she'd said:
"I've learnt all our set books off by heart."
Was that something a person could actually do?
It matched perfectly his stereotype of a "model student."
…..
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