The school year ended.
Everyone headed home.
With the rhythmic clatter of wheels on rails, the seemingly steady carriage swayed like a rocking cradle, traveling the dream-paved tracks.
Outside the window, scenery flew past—vast fields and hills like flowing paintings.
Inside, sunlight slanted across Hermione's face, bringing gentle warmth. The chipmunk curled beside Tiger nuzzled his shoulder, making comfortable sleepy sounds.
Tiger played wizard chess with Theodore. Seeing Hermione asleep, they silently stopped the pieces from smashing each other.
On the board, the Queen raised her chair in protest. But after Tiger ground a knight to powder, all complaints and noise fell silent.
The carriage was quiet and cozy...
Until sunset.
Hermione woke from the stifling heat.
Fine sweat beaded her pale forehead. She struggled up, escaping the suffocating warmth.
Then she realized—Tiger had fallen asleep too. She'd been held tight like a soft pillow in his arms.
Gunpowder sat on the luggage, tail swishing irritably. Her bright blue eyes stared at Hermione, as if deciding where to bite.
Heaven knows, when the cat woke up, she'd been squeezed out seven or eight times by the two of them, scattered on the floor...
Sensing Gunpowder's displeasure, Hermione blushed. She quickly dug dried fish from her pocket and arranged them neatly before Gunpowder like offerings.
Just as she secretly planned to slip back into Tiger's embrace for another moment of comfort—
Theodore suddenly opened his eyes. "We're almost there," he said flatly.
"Ahem!"
The sudden voice made Hermione jump. She straightened quickly, casually smoothing her hair, eyes darting around.
"Ah... yes..."
"Of course..."
Theodore said nothing. His cold lips rose by one imperceptible pixel.
With a long, deep whistle, the train slowly pulled into the platform. Dense steam spread everywhere. People getting off quickened their pace...
"Grandmother!"
The moment Neville stepped off the carriage, he spotted a familiar figure in the bustling crowd. That hat with the vulture specimen was unmistakable.
The old lady, usually stern, now showed a rare faint smile.
As if all her waiting and hope received the best response in this moment.
"Neville?"
The old woman gently touched Neville's head. When she noticed his unusually robust build, her deep, sharp eyes flashed with brief confusion.
Though Augusta Longbottom always followed Dumbledore's words and supported the Order of the Phoenix, as an old-school pureblood noble, she privately held reservations about Gryffindor's reckless style.
Neville was the Longbottom heir.
She wanted her grandson to have courage to face difficulties. But in the real wizarding world, courage alone wasn't enough.
After a year apart, Neville's eyes still held that honest kindness.
But the aura he radiated faintly revealed Slytherin's characteristic dignity and restraint. This surprised Augusta Longbottom.
"You've gotten thinner, but much stronger. Frank and Alice would be proud of you."
Looking at Neville's slightly gaunt face, her gratified tone carried imperceptible trembling. "You must have had a hard year."
"No, not at all!"
Seeing his grandmother's worry, Neville set down his trunk in a panic and explained:
"Don't worry, Grandmother. I've been fulfilled, not hard at all. You can't imagine how my school life has been..."
Augusta Longbottom shook her head slightly.
She'd once been part of Hogwarts too. Her rebellious nature gave professors plenty of headaches. She knew exactly what Hogwarts life was like.
Seeing his grandmother didn't believe him, Neville anxiously looked back. When Adrian came into view, he quickly waved.
"Adrian, I need you..."
Hearing the call, Adrian didn't walk toward Neville. Instead, he raised his middle finger from afar and interrupted harshly:
"Fuck off, Longbottom!"
"If you dare forget your daily training, when we're back at Hogwarts, I'll pull out your intestines and strangle you with them!"
Neville: "..."
Augusta Longbottom: "..."
This is Slytherin?
The old woman blinked in disbelief, trying to see Adrian's robe color clearly.
"Uh..."
"Adrian might have something..."
"Please wait, Grandmother."
Neville looked around awkwardly.
Marcus happened to pass behind him. Neville quickly grabbed Marcus. Just as he was about to say something, Marcus seized his collar.
"Hah? What do you want, loser!"
"Begging for mercy?"
"Stop dreaming!"
"Training doubled!"
"I'll send owls to watch you every day. Don't think you'll have it easy, Longbottom!"
"Unless you want to feel how warm my family's dying old dog is!"
Marcus roared almost maniacally, spraying spit all over Neville's face. Then he shoved him away roughly and strode off.
Neville: "(?_?)..."
I'm such a fool. I should've known.
Neville was used to the Slytherin Quidditch team's aggressive mental state. He could even banter with them occasionally.
However, this scene left Augusta Longbottom shocked and furious. Her aged eyes filled with incredulous dismay.
Her chest heaved violently. Her dark green scarf trembled.
Clearly she was enraged by such disrespect.
Even pureblood family heads wouldn't dare speak to the Longbottoms so rudely, much less with such filthy abuse!
She couldn't believe what abuse her grandson suffered at Hogwarts!
And!
Gryffindor... no...
When did Slytherin become like this!
What was going on?!
Had those pureblood nobles sent their children into a troll's nest?!
"I'm going to see Dumbledore... I'm going to see old Flint... these mutant Slytherin bugs..."
Augusta Longbottom muttered, trembling with rage. Her handbag nearly flew from her grip.
"Grandmother, Grandmother!"
"Listen to me!"
Neville's face went white.
Honestly, his relationship with Marcus and the others had long surpassed ordinary classmates.
Though not in the same House, throughout this journey, every Quidditch team member had given him tremendous help and support.
Though exaggerated and brutal, Neville clearly felt their eyes change from initial disgust and disdain to respect and encouragement.
Fortunately, Tiger and the others walked over.
Seeing Neville's helpless panic, Hermione asked curiously:
"Neville, what's wrong?"
"Oh, thank God!"
"I'm so glad to see you!"
Neville grabbed Hermione and Tiger like they were saviors. Tears nearly fell.
Tiger raised an eyebrow, looking at Neville's grandmother. "Madam, is there anything we can help with?"
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