After the discussion about wands, the carriage grew surprisingly quiet. This was mainly because Hermione was a little hesitant to keep talking to Robert, worried that he might provoke Neville again.
Robert, for his part, was happy to enjoy some peace and quiet. Once the train stopped jostling so much, he opened the book in his hands once more.
Compared to chatting with Miss Know-It-All, reading about wands was far more interesting.
This book had been given to him by Ollivander before he left, and much of its content was eye-opening for Robert.
How to put it? Ollivander's Wand Shop had existed for over two thousand years—longer even than Hogwarts itself. What had been passed down through the years wasn't just the small, dusty shop in Diagon Alley.
Though the book Robert held wasn't from the oldest section of the collection—just a "new" book from over five hundred years ago—it was more than enough to satisfy his curiosity.
From morning to afternoon, the sky gradually darkened. When Robert looked up again, Hermione and Neville were gone, and he was alone in the compartment.
"Are we there yet?" Robert asked himself, glancing out the window.
The sky outside was low and gray, giving off an oppressive feeling.
Just then, the lights in the compartment came on. Under the dim yellow glow, the world outside the window became pitch black, making it impossible to see anything clearly.
At that moment, Hermione returned.
"Robert, you..." She opened the door and paused slightly.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing," Hermione shook her head and explained, "I thought you'd still be reading, so I came back to remind you to put on your robes. We're almost there."
"Thank you," Robert nodded.
"You're welcome," Hermione replied.
She had returned to grab her luggage and also to remind Robert.
But before she could even reach her trunk, Robert stopped her.
"No need, someone will help us with our luggage."
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked, skeptical.
"Of course," Robert replied with a smile. "If everyone had to carry multiple large trunks, the school's transportation wouldn't be able to handle it."
Hermione was even more confused.
She really wanted to ask what kind of transportation the school used, but just then, the train came to a complete stop.
"Please leave your luggage on the train. It will be delivered to the school," a voice echoed through the train, confirming Robert's words.
They really didn't need to touch their luggage.
"First-year students, first-year students, this way!" another unfamiliar voice called out from outside.
"Let's hurry out too," Hermione said, her eyes fixed curiously on Robert, who was retrieving a small leather bag from the luggage rack.
"It's safer to keep some valuables on me," Robert said, slinging the bag over his back and covering it with his wide robes.
During this process, the bag made the occasional clinking sound.
Hermione suddenly guessed what was inside.
It had to be Galleons and Sickles. If that were the case, it made sense to carry them. Her own money was in her pocket, but it wasn't as neatly stored, nor as much, she assumed.
That wasn't surprising. A wandmaking family was like an arms dealer in the magical world—naturally, they weren't short on wealth.
Speaking of money, she had just met another boy who was said to be very rich, but he had no manners whatsoever. He had two lackeys following him and an air of arrogance.
In contrast, Robert's personality was much better. He had always been patient when talking to her and Neville.
He was just a bit too diligent—constantly reading during the train ride.
Even though he was reading "leisure" books rather than textbooks, she couldn't help but feel a slight sense of competition.
But Robert had no idea what Hermione was thinking. After changing into his robes, he followed the crowd off the train.
Outside, a tall giant was holding a lamp and shouting loudly:
"...Sorry, Harry, I don't have time to chat. First-year students, this way!"
Neville, who had gotten off earlier, was already waving energetically at them.
"Over here, hurry up!"
"Neville..." Hermione called as she walked over quickly. "Did you find your toad?"
"No," Neville's face fell instantly. "I asked in every compartment, but no one saw Trevor..."
"Maybe he's hiding in a corner," Hermione said encouragingly. "It's okay. I'll go ask the driver to check when they move the luggage. The train's not that big—we'll definitely find him."
"Thank you, Hermione," Neville said, deeply touched. He was almost in tears.
Hermione was the first stranger who had ever been so willing to help him.
But before they could do anything, a loud, sharp cat's meow drew everyone's attention.
On the other side of the crowd, Robert was holding his pet by the scruff of its neck with one hand, pulling something from its mouth...
A toad?
Just then, a lamp swung overhead, casting light at the perfect moment.
Under the lamp's glow, Neville saw it clearly.
"Trevor!" he cried, rushing over and taking the toad from Robert's hands. "Thank you!"
"Don't mention it," Robert replied, shaking his head. He was about to say more, but Hagrid had already arrived.
The sight of the eleven-foot giant had a massive impact on the first-years, who immediately turned their attention toward him—Neville included.
So Robert said nothing more.
Led by Hagrid, the group stumbled forward.
Robert walked at the back, holding Tom in his arms. The cat's face was full of defiance.
"I wasn't trying to steal your prey," Robert said, not caring whether Tom could understand or not.
"But Trevor is also a pet. Strictly speaking, you're colleagues. Personally, I think eating your colleagues is very rude."
"Ow!" Tom howled.
"You agree, right?" Robert asked himself, stroking Tom's head.
Tom was stunned. When did I agree? It had been cursing him a moment ago!
That was its prey!
It caught it in the grass beside the road—how could it be a colleague?
Besides, even if it was a colleague, it had eaten plenty when it was still in the pet shop. By market value, it was worth at least fifteen Galleons.
Sadly, Robert couldn't understand any of this and kept talking to himself.
"Before we get to the castle, let's make an agreement. No eating colleagues, okay?"
"Ow!"
"If you eat them, I'll have to pay for it. And you know I don't have that many Galleons. They all have other uses..."
"Woof... Ow!" Tom struggled more.
"Of course," Robert said, narrowing his eyes, "if you insist on being stubborn, I'll have to cut costs somewhere else... Maybe I'll try experimenting—see if a half-breed magical creature can replace a wand core."
He stared at Tom. "I remember the cats at Eeylops Owl Emporium have Kneazle blood. That's why they're so smart. You probably do too, right?"
"Meow~"
The pressure on his wrist suddenly lightened, and something soft and wet brushed against his hand.
Looking down, Robert saw Tom—who had been furiously struggling moments ago—now completely docile, gently licking his hand. Its meow was soft now, almost like purring, though still slightly rough.
But that didn't matter.
"Good Tom," Robert said with a smile, stroking the cat's head. "I knew you could understand me."