After the topic of wands, the compartment became unusually quiet, mainly because Hermione was a bit afraid to continue talking to Xilun, fearing he would upset Neville again.
Xilun was also happy to have some peace and quiet. When the train wasn't as bumpy, he once again picked up the book in his hand.
Compared to chatting with Miss Know-It-All, wands were much more interesting.
This book was given to him by Ollivander before departure, and much of its content opened Xilun's eyes.
How to put it, Ollivander's Wand Shop has been around for over two thousand years, longer than the history of Hogwarts, and what remains is not just that small, dilapidated shop in Diagon Alley.
Although the book in Xilun's hand was not among the oldest, but merely a “new book” from over five hundred years ago, it was more than enough for him.
...
From morning to afternoon, the sky gradually darkened. When Xilun looked up again, Hermione and Neville were gone, and he was the only one left in the compartment.
"Are we here?" Xilun instinctively looked out the window.
The sky was very low and a dreary gray, feeling a bit oppressive.
However, at this moment, the lights in the compartment also came on. Under the dim yellow light, the view outside the window immediately turned pitch black, and nothing could be seen clearly.
Additionally, Hermione returned.
"Xilun, you..." She opened the compartment door, pausing slightly.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing." Hermione shook her head and explained, "I thought you were still reading, so I specifically came to remind you to quickly change into your robes. We're almost there."
"Thank you." Xilun nodded.
"You're welcome." Hermione said.
She had come back to get her luggage and could remind Xilun at the same time.
However, before she could even take her trunk down, Xilun stopped her.
"No need, someone will help us with the luggage."
"Are you sure?" Hermione was a bit skeptical.
"Of course." Xilun said with a smile, "If everyone drags several large trunks, the transportation provided by the school might not be enough."
Hermione grew even more puzzled.
She really wanted to ask what kind of transportation it was, but at that moment, the train had completely stopped.
"Please leave your luggage on the train, we will send it to the school for you." This voice echoed through the train, confirming Xilun's words.
They really didn't need to carry their luggage.
"First-year students, first-year students over here!" Another unfamiliar voice came from outside.
"Let's go out quickly too." Hermione said, while watching Xilun suspiciously as he took a small leather bag from the luggage rack.
"It's safer to keep valuable items with you." Xilun put the bag on his back and covered it with his wide robe.
During this process, occasional clinking sounds came from the bag.
Hermione suddenly guessed something.
It must be gold and silver coins. If so, he really should keep them with him. All her money was in her pocket, but she didn't have as much as Xilun, nor did she need to put it in a separate bag.
This was not surprising. A wand family, equivalent to an arms dealer in the magic world, certainly wouldn't lack money.
Speaking of money, she had just met a boy who was said to be very rich, but he had no manners at all, with two hangers-on, acting as if he wanted to stick his nose up to the sky.
In contrast, Xilun's personality was much better; he was always patient with her and Neville.
He was just a bit too diligent, constantly reading on the train.
Although he was reading a "leisure book" and not a textbook, she couldn't help but feel a slight sense of crisis.
However, Xilun didn't know what Hermione was thinking. After changing into his robes, he followed the crowd off the train.
Outside, a tall Giant was holding a lamp, shouting loudly:
...Sorry, Harry, I don't have time to talk more now, first-year students, come over here quickly.
Neville, who had gotten off first, was already beside him, vigorously waving to Xilun and Hermione.
"Over here, hurry up!"
"Neville..." Hermione quickly walked over and asked, "Did you find your toad?"
"No." Neville's face instantly turned dejected. "I've asked in all the compartments, and everyone said they haven't seen Lefu..."
"Perhaps it's hiding in some secluded corner." Hermione said, "It's okay, I'll go find the driver now and ask him to help you look for it when they move the luggage. The train is only so big, we're sure to find it."
"Thank you, Hermione." Neville was so moved he was almost in tears.
He was truly touched. In all his life, Hermione was the first stranger willing to help him so much.
However, before they could act, a shrill meow attracted everyone's attention.
On the other side of the crowd, Xilun held his pet by the scruff of its neck with one hand, forcibly pulling something from its mouth...
A toad?
At this moment, a lamp appeared above their heads at just the right time.
Illuminated by the light, Neville also saw what the toad looked like.
"Lefu!" he cried out joyfully, running over quickly and taking the toad from Xilun's hand.
"Thank you!"
"Don't mention it." Xilun shook his head. He wanted to say something else, but Hagrid had already arrived.
The eleven-foot Giant brought an unparalleled impact to the new students. Everyone's gaze was drawn to him, and Neville was no exception.
So Xilun didn't say anything more.
Led by Hagrid, everyone began to stumble forward.
Xilun walked at the very back, looking at Tom, who had a look of defiance written all over his face.
"I wasn't trying to steal your prey." Xilun said, not caring if Tom could understand.
...But Lefu is also a pet. Strictly speaking, you two are half-colleagues, and I personally think eating a colleague is very impolite.
"Ow!" Tom howled.
"You think so too, right?" Xilun said to himself, stroking Tom's head at the same time.
Tom was completely stunned. When did he agree? He was clearly cursing just now.
That was his prey!
Caught from the grass by the roadside, how did it become a colleague?
Besides, even if it really was a colleague, he ate plenty when he was at the pet shop. If it came down to his worth, he was worth at least fifteen Galleons.
Unfortunately, Xilun didn't understand what he was saying and continued to talk to himself.
"Before we get to the Castle, we need to make a pact, okay? Don't eat colleagues."
"Ow!"
"If you eat them, I'll have to pay. You know I don't have many Galleons, and they all have other uses..."
"Woof... Ow!" He continued to struggle.
"Of course, if you insist on not changing, I can only save money from other places... like trying to see if crossbred magical creatures can replace existing wand cores or something."
Xilun suddenly narrowed his eyes, "I remember that the cats at Eeylops Owl Emporium all have a bit of Kneazle blood, which is why they're especially smart. You should be too, right?"
"Meow~"
The pressure on his wrist suddenly lightened, followed by a soft, damp feeling on his hand.
Looking again, Tom, who had been struggling violently, suddenly became docile. He was now obediently licking Xilun's hand, and his voice had even become similar to a normal cat's meow.
It was still a bit rough, with a feeling of trying to be cute but not quite getting it right.
But none of that mattered.
"Good Tom..." Xilun said with a smile, stroking the cat's head, "I knew you could understand me."