Third of January, Morning, London, Station, Platform nine and three quarters.
Waving my hand at my parent, I stepped into the column that led to the magical platform, noticing out of the corner of my eye that my mother was crying again.
So the holidays are over, two weeks flew by unnoticed in the family circle, and the preparation and conduct of holiday rituals took up almost the entire remainder of this time. Hmm... But Christmas and New Year were a great success. This was the first time I felt such concentration of love from my parents.
We celebrated this holiday, Yule, with my parents, as in previous years, in the backyard, in our small garden. Over the years of rituals, as well as my magical training, the garden has managed to change dramatically. I remember I already talked about it earlier, but after a short, so far short, training at Hoga, I learned exactly where to pay attention. Having examined the garden, I became convinced that it was gradually turning into a magical grove. There was no longer an ornamental garden with small trees. No, now this is the beginning of a full-fledged magical forest, if, of course, you give it time to mature.
Yes, He will not become the forbidden forest, and we do not have a magical source, but the annual rituals that my parents performed without me, as well as my early training in this garden, could not but affect him. The mana of life that the Forbidden Forest exudes is confidently registered in the plants of our garden. Every tree, every blade of grass accumulated free mana in itself, and also used it to grow the grove itself. It was incredibly exciting and exciting to watch. Now the plants themselves can produce a decent amount of mana, and this is very good. True, the speed of this process is small, but this is only the beginning.
After being at home, I realized what exactly I would do before the summer holidays; alas, I won't come to my parents for Easter. They will be very busy, and the Easter ritual is not as strict about finding seven as the same Yule. They will be able to carry it out themselves, without my participation.
I need to read all the available and accessible literature regarding the protection of houses, manors and the like. My parents are not magicians, and besides, my mother is pregnant, they cannot stand up for themselves, even though in recent years their shells have begun to develop at an amazing speed. Somehow I don't want anyone from the magical world to harm them. Therefore, this is one of the priority tasks above others. If I create a decent defense, I'll be calm; if not, then I'll have to come up with something else.
Having found a compartment in the carriage, I settled in there. A couple of hours on the train and we arrive at Hogwarts, it's just wonderful. On the way to my compartment, in the carriage, I met Hermione. Having greeted her, I did not hear a return greeting. Only a disapproving look in response. Well, since she's ignoring me, and that's what she does, then so be it. I was not hired to be a personal adviser and assistant in these matters. Believe me or not, that is entirely their right. If they don't believe it, well, I hope they won't suffer too much from their "myopia." Otherwise, they will have science for the future. Although, judging by the canon, this did not enlighten them much.
The road to Hog flew by quickly. All the time on the road I devoted myself to magical training, as well as mentalism. I don't want to waste time, it is the most important resource. We need to seize the moment, otherwise I'll bite my elbows later.
Arriving at Hogsmeade, we children headed out in a friendly crowd. Professor McGonagall met us on the platform, as always with a serious expression on her face that seemed stuck to him. Apparently it was she who had this honorable fate this year - to accompany us to the castle. Every year it's someone new.
Having gathered everyone, she led us to the carriages, which were located a little further away. Last time I didn't pay attention, but this time I didn't miss the opportunity to examine them, as well as those who pulled these carriages. I was lucky enough to see the Thestralls in their full splendor. What can I say - they are something with something, a walking paradox. And I'm not talking about the appearance, although it is just as memorable. A sort of cross between Pegasus and a dragon, painted black and suffering from partial malnutrition, at least this is the initial opinion formed about them after a visual inspection, and I'm not talking about the various growths that were located throughout the body. But now I'm talking about something else, namely about their Mana, it's a pity that I don't fully see their magical shell. Oooh, everything is much more interesting here.
The most important thing that we managed to understand is that thestrals are ideal representatives of the concept of paradox. By all indications, they shouldn't be living, but no, they are, and not at all bad. Earlier, when I was reading about them, I came across a paragraph that said that these horses live off death mana. I laughed a lot then. Well, where has it been seen that a living, I repeat - a living, creature lives at the expense of the mana of death. Even vampires live off the vital energy of others, and if someone mentions zombies, I'll send him to teach materiel. However, how deeply I was mistaken.
I don't know how, I don't know why, but these creatures consume and produce the Mana of death and already live on it, and their body is felt and seen as alive. Cells live and are not going to die, they divide, die, everything is like in a normal body. This picture is stunning. At least she threw me into a stupor. I already know who I will use next to develop metamorphism and I don't care that thestrals live in the forbidden forest. It's okay and we'll find our way to them. I have not yet mentioned their magical power, and it is not small. I'm telling you, it's a walking paradox.
So I would have stood, looking at this miracle of someone's crazy thought, and I have no doubt that they were created by a magician, otherwise they would not have existed if a familiar voice had not called out to me, giving off notes of impatience.
"Mr. Wilson," the deputy director's stern voice brought me out of the prostration in which I had been for a good ten minutes. - I'll ask you to go into the carriage. We are just waiting for you - and a condemning look at the end. So she seemed to be trying to shame me, but alas.
"Thank you, professor," nodding my head to her as a sign of gratitude, I headed towards the only carriage in which there was still room. Still, everyone was really waiting for me.
Looking into the carriage, I saw my old friend, along with his friends. Draco Malfoy himself, along with two familiar girls, a blonde and a brunette. I nodded to them and said:
"Good morning, Draco, ladies," he continued, receiving nods in response. — Do you mind if I join you?
"No, Calder, I don't mind," Draco replied. The brunette, who just wanted to say something, immediately deflated under the gaze of two pairs of eyes that looked at her synchronously.
"Thanks," I said and climbed into the carriage. As soon as I got settled, we drove off slowly, and in about twenty minutes we would be at the castle.
Watching the snowy landscape through the window, I, from the corner of my eye, as well as my magical instinct, watched my companions. And here everything was quite interesting. Draco and the blonde, Daphne Greengrass, and it was she, looked at each other strangely every now and then, throwing fleeting glances at me. The brunette, Pansy Parkinson, sat there offended, like some sparrow who was not happy with something. Apparently she doesn't really like my person, unlike her friends. Well, this might be interesting.
We sat like that for about 5 minutes until, finally, Draco broke the silence, to the barely "visible" nod of Daphne. If it weren't for my instincts, I wouldn't have "seen" this. Interesting.
"Calder," he began somehow excitedly. "Let me introduce my fellow travelers and friends," nod towards the girls. "Pansy Parkinson," he pointed with his hand at this person, who proudly raised her chin. "And also Daphne Greengrass," the designated person nodded affably to me.
"Nice to meet you, ladies," I said in response. - My name is Calder Wilson, let's meet each other.
"Hmm," Pansy said with an incomprehensible intonation.
"Oh," a grin slowly appeared on my face. "I'm glad to be with you too, Miss Parkinson," I drawled. I'm sure my face was begging for a brick
Looking at me with a disapproving glance, she decided something for herself and said:
"Ham," that's all her answer.
"I'll take it as a compliment," I slightly bowed my body forward in a slight bow.
"It will be for you," said Draco, after our petty squabble. — Better tell Wilson, how did you spend your holidays? - and why does he need this?
"Don't worry, Draco," I waved my hand. - Everything was just wonderful. For what purpose are you interested? — I raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Just idle curiosity," Daphne said for Draco. And she really has a beautiful voice, although she doesn't have enough emotions. - We are classmates. That's interesting. How do you like Hogwarts? - she changed the topic.
"The castle is incredible, and the school is not bad," he shrugged, but what else will he answer me?
- Yes? - she drawled. - Why?
- Well, the castle itself is beautiful and grand. The mana in the air is so thick that all the places I've been before can't be compared to Hog," I answered after thinking a little. - And school, well. It's a little different here. Not all professors are qualified to teach at England's first school of magic. Well, that's my opinion," I shrugged again.
"Hm, interesting point of view," Draco muttered. - How do you like the magical world?
"He's multifaceted," I answered. "I have nothing more to say, and there's not much time left." We're already approaching.
And as if to confirm my words, from behind the trees that surrounded the road along which we were driving, a castle looked out, which was wrapped in a White Cap. Literally three minutes later we arrived at the castle. The carriages stopped and students began to get out of them. Draco and I helped the girls out, and then we all went together to the doors that led inside Hogue.
"It was nice chatting with you," I began. "But before the dinner starts, I would like to get to my room." So, have a good day," he said goodbye and went to his room.
I still have plenty of days. I guess I'll keep the moment of Leglimency being used on me by Daphne to myself. There will be an extra trump card.
So I walked towards the living room, while humming a simple tune.
*****
Third of January, midday, Hogwarts, Great Hall.
As soon as I sat down at my favorite place, Neville appeared next to me. As if these two weeks never happened, we still promise at the same table.
"Hi Nev," I nodded, although I didn't turn my head. I feel it so well. — How was your vacation? I hope it's fruitful? - I asked.
"Hi Kol," he answered without looking up from his food. - Nothing special. We performed the ritual, celebrated, and at the end we visited our parents," Nev said, frowning slightly. "However, everything is as usual, routine," he waved his hand listlessly.
- Well, it's a routine, but that doesn't reduce its usefulness.
"Yes, I understand," he nodded tiredly. "But this has been happening for years now, I'm tired of it," he added a little angrily.
"Well, well," I patted him on the shoulder. - Everything is fine. Better tell me, did everything work out for you?
"Oh yes," he hit his forehead with his palm. - Exactly, I didn't tell you. Everything worked out for me, now I don't have to keep an eye on Trevor. "He is in the care of his grandmother," he finished with a smile.
"That's great," I was happy for my friend, otherwise this toad had already completely finished him off. - However, I have the same news.
- Yes? - Neville was surprised. - And what?
"Oh my friend, this is a long story," I began with a grin. "It all started on the day the Hogwarts Express departed from Hogsmeade station...
Retelling the events of that day took a decent amount of time, but I still managed to do it. It's a good idea to think about your and her actions in this way. And from this I drew some conclusions.
While the story continued, I looked around the large hall. Not all the children were at Hogue yet, because not all went home by train. Some, like Neville, were taken by relatives in Hogsmeade itself. That's why not everyone was here; some of those absent will arrive only in the evening. After all, the main thing is that all the children are at dinner, and the rest will fly by and no one will pay attention.
"Get to work," Neville expressed his succinct and well-founded opinion. "I didn't expect this from Hermione." Not at all like that.
- Why be surprised? - I didn't understand. "She got too caught up in the world of fairies and fairy tales." Her rose-colored glasses prevent her from looking at the situation in a healthy light. In her head, at the moment, there are only two gradations - friend and enemy. There are no neutrals," I shrugged. - I hope this will pass soon, because the world can punish her cruelly.
"Well, that's true, but I still didn't expect this from her." Does not look like
"Well, as it is," I spread my hands. "Perhaps there is still a lot we don't know about her."
"It seems so," he agreed.
We didn't talk anymore while eating; we finished our lunch in silence. Each of us went in our own way. Nev is off to do his homework, and I'm off to the rescue room. There's still plenty of time before dinner.