Chu Yang was simply a foodie; compared to the dazzling packaging adorned with magic, he was more interested in what the snacks inside tasted like.
Their conversation quickly turned to their families.
Upon learning that Chu Yang was an orphan, just like him, Harry felt a strange sense of kinship.
Harry looked at Chu Yang with more sympathy and pity, as if seeing his past self.
The unpleasant emotions were quickly suppressed by the anticipation of the future.
Not long after they started eating, a somewhat disheveled boy stood in the aisle outside, his clothes a bit old and his face dirty.
Harry handed the boy a bag of snacks and invited him to sit inside the compartment.
Harry's warmth made the boy very happy, and his embarrassment disappeared.
Holding the snacks Harry gave him, the boy ate and introduced himself, "Hello, my name is Ron Weasley."
Harry smiled and said, "Hello, my name is Harry Potter!"
Ron's eyes widened, and he asked in shock, "You're the famous Harry Potter?"
Harry scratched his head a bit sheepishly and said, "If there isn't a second Potter, then I guess it's me?"
"Then do you have that? I mean, the one from the rumors!" Ron pointed to his forehead, looking at Harry with eager eyes.
Harry gave a shy smile, then lifted his bangs, revealing the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.
"Cool!" Ron exclaimed excitedly!
He then looked at Chu Yang's face and asked in surprise, "Bro, are you from an ancient Eastern country?"
Chu Yang had already guessed his identity, so he simply nodded as a greeting, lowering his head to read "Practical Defense Against the Dark Arts."
This book could be considered an advanced version of "Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Defense," read by older students, and it contained a lot of knowledge about dark creatures, which was exactly what Chu Yang needed.
If the time was right, Chu Yang would definitely take a stroll in the Forbidden Forest.
As for the textbooks for lower grades, Chu Yang already knew them by heart, occasionally taking them out to review.
Chu Yang was enjoying the pleasure of reading, but at this moment, Ron was a bit displeased. He had greeted him so warmly just now, but Chu Yang only gave a casual nod.
Ron didn't know how familiar Chu Yang was with him, so familiar that he subconsciously didn't greet him.
For Ron, who didn't particularly like studying, Chu Yang's unusually fast reading speed didn't seem like studying at all; instead, it looked more like he was showing off…
Ron held up a snack and waved it in front of Chu Yang, smiling, "Hey! Bro, there are no teachers or professors here, no need to pretend. Take a break. When we get to school, you can 'seriously' read your book, so the Headmaster and teachers will know!"
Chu Yang knew he had misunderstood as soon as he heard it.
Most people would misunderstand when they saw this scene.
So, Chu Yang just looked up, smiled, didn't explain, and continued reading the book in his hand.
Brothers, we're at the end of the overall rankings, thank you everyone, we really couldn't have done it without you. The upcoming plot will definitely be satisfying, thank you all! Please support us!
Chapter 26 I Don't Believe It!
Ron felt like he was punching cotton; in frustration, he could only turn to Harry to complain.
"Hey, why is your friend so strange? Is this the time to study?" Ron sat in his seat, shaking his head. "There'll be plenty of time to study when we get to school."
"Yang likes to read, there's nothing wrong with that." Harry grabbed a Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean and popped it into his mouth, his face immediately changing.
Ron curiously took a bean of the same color and put it in his mouth, then said with a bitter face, "It tastes like boogers, how disgusting!"
The two ate snacks while chatting about their future school life.
"I finally found you!" The girl excitedly pointed at Chu Yang, as if she had found a long-sought treasure!
Ron and Harry, on the other hand, looked at Chu Yang in confusion.
The girl's voice was loud, startling Chu Yang from his reading. He pointed to himself, "Me?"
"Yes, you!" The girl plopped down next to Chu Yang and asked impatiently, "What was the magic you used in the wand shop?"
Chu Yang said helplessly, "That wasn't magic, I just waved the wand as Mr. Ollivander instructed!"
The girl showed an incredulous expression, then shook her head and said, "Impossible, how could mere magical power cause such a terrifying effect!"
"I don't know about that. Like you, I'm just a new student." Chu Yang explained casually, then lowered his head and continued reading.
"Hey! Can you tell us what happened!" Ron looked at the two impatiently, like a gossip-loving aunt.
Harry was equally curious.
So the girl told them everything that had happened in the wand shop earlier.
After listening, Ron and Harry showed similar expressions to the girl, looking at Chu Yang in amazement.
"Oh, right! I haven't introduced myself yet, my name is Hermione Granger, you can just call me Hermione." Hermione introduced herself generously.
Ron and Harry also introduced themselves, but when it came to Chu Yang, there was no sound. Hermione turned around and found him reading a book with his head down.
"Here we go again!" Ron rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Bro, I'm serious, there's no point in showing off to us. We're all classmates."
Harry tugged on Ron's sleeve and whispered, "Ron, don't say that…"
Ron laughed in exasperation and retorted, "Look at how he's flipping through that book, does it look like he's actually studying?"
Harry hesitated then.
He really hadn't seen anyone read a book the way Chu Yang did.
Hermione stood next to Chu Yang, tilting her head to examine the book's cover, and casually read, "Practical Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
"This book doesn't seem to be a first-year textbook." Hermione frowned slightly. She clearly remembered that the only textbook related to Dark Arts was called "Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Defense" (Defense Against the Dark Arts).
She had already memorized that book thoroughly, and it was clearly not the same book Chu Yang had!
A thought flashed through Hermione's mind instantly.
This isn't a first-year textbook, it's an upper-year textbook!
Hermione snatched the book from Chu Yang's hand and began to read it carefully.
"Your behavior is really unlikable, Miss Granger!" Chu Yang frowned. "Whether as a wizard or an ordinary person, you should maintain basic courtesy."
Hermione stiffly handed the book back to Chu Yang, saying unconvinced, "This book is much more profound and obscure than "Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Defense." Can you understand it?"
Chu Yang said indifferently, "As long as you finish "Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Defense," reading this book won't be very difficult."
Hermione choked at his words, blushing from her ears to her neck!
As someone who had completely memorized "Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Defense," Chu Yang's words sounded to Hermione as if he was calling her stupid!
Hermione loudly exclaimed, "Being imbalanced in your studies is a very bad thing for a wizard! It's useless to only read about Dark Arts! What's more important is "Magic Theory," that's the foundation!"
Hermione's loud voice made Chu Yang's head ache, so he impatiently recited the content of the first page of "Magic Theory," attempting to shut Hermione up with it.
Indeed, upon hearing Chu Yang's recitation, Hermione's words came to an abrupt halt. She looked at Chu Yang in disbelief, "I don't believe it unless you recite the whole thing."
And then Chu Yang really did recite the entire book!
Seeing Hermione still unconvinced, Chu Yang calmly began the introductions to the other textbooks.
Each time Chu Yang finished reciting a chapter, Hermione's expression would become more excited.
"Your parents must have tutored you in advance, so you could learn this knowledge early and perform well at school." Hermione said indignantly. If she had such a family, she would learn even faster than Chu Yang!
Chu Yang closed the book and slowly said, "I did read these books beforehand, but it was after receiving my admission letter, I self-studied for a month at the Leaky Cauldron, and no one tutored me."
"You can self-study to this extent in just one month?" Hermione shook her head firmly, "I don't believe it, your parents must have taught you!"
Harry couldn't listen anymore, stood up, and loudly reprimanded, "Enough! Yang and I are both orphans, we don't have parents, and no one taught us these things!"
"Orphans?" Hermione stared blankly at Harry, and when she came to her senses, she immediately covered her mouth, her eyes filled with regret!
For those who grew up as orphans, the greatest pain is when their parents are mentioned!
"I'm sorry, I… I didn't mean to, I didn't know you were…" Hermione apologized to Chu Yang in a panic, her voice even tinged with a sob, her apology coming from the heart.
This kind of atmosphere was what Chu Yang least wanted to see!
Couldn't they just sit quietly until they reached Hogwarts?
Chu Yang sighed, forcing out a small smile, "Miss Granger, actually, I don't mind being an orphan. Although the orphanage I grew up in was small and old, the people there were very kind."
"Director Ann would celebrate birthdays for the children in the orphanage every year, telling us that even if our parents weren't around, someone would love us well in their place."
"I grew up in a very good environment, and I'm not ashamed or inferior about my background."
"Yes, yes, yes, I know." Hermione nodded repeatedly, still looking apologetic. She thought Chu Yang was pretending to be calm, and the calmer he looked, the sadder she felt inside.
Even Ron stood up and began to apologize for his attitude towards him. In an instant, the snacks in his hand didn't taste as good.
The two kind-hearted individuals stood in front of Chu Yang, apologizing incessantly, and the atmosphere in the compartment grew increasingly heavy.
Oh, heavens!
What are you doing?
I just want you to quiet down so I can read!
Is it really necessary?
In desperation, Chu Yang grabbed the snacks nearby and shoved them into Hermione and Ron's mouths, saying fiercely, "Eat all of it! Once you've eaten it, I'll forgive you. Consider it your punishment."
The two immediately started eating without a word.
The compartment instantly became quiet, and Chu Yang smiled contentedly, lowering his head to continue reading.
Harry looked bewildered.
Is there really such a way to punish people in the world?
Chapter 27 Crossing the Lake
Several hours later, night fell, and it was pitch black outside the train window, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. Even the usually lively Ron and Hermione began to quiet down.
Chu Yang also closed his book at this time and began to organize his luggage, neatly putting the books he had taken out back in place.