Blood and magic wand

Victor sat in Hermione's living room, his gaze constantly flicking to the wall clock. Each tick of the second hand seemed deafening. Hermione's father, Wendell Granger, noticed his impatience and smiled, "Don't worry, Victor, she's just really excited, that's why it's taking her so long to get ready. It's her first trip to Hogwarts, after all."

Victor just grunted, not taking his eyes off the clock face. "Excitement is one thing, but time waits for no one. We don't want to miss the Hogwarts Express, do we?"

Finally, a soft rustle of a dress was heard, and Hermione began descending the stairs with her mother. Hermione looked a little pale with nerves. She clutched her small handbag tightly to her chest, as if it were the most precious treasure.

"Mom, are you sure I haven't forgotten anything?" Hermione asked nervously, looking around as if trying to survey the entire house. "I feel like I forgot something!"

Her mother gently patted her shoulder. "Calm down, dear. We checked everything twice. You have everything."

Victor immediately stood up, his movement quick and energetic. "Hermione, stop fussing! We'll be late for the train!"

Hermione took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "Alright, let's go."

"Finally!" Victor walked out energetically, almost pushing her in the back.

Hermione's father was already helping load her luggage into the waiting taxi at the curb. He looked up and asked, "Maybe I should drive you two myself?"

Victor immediately shook his head, his smile wide and a little mischievous. "No, it's not necessary, Uncle Wendell, especially since the taxi is already here. We wouldn't want to leave the taxi driver without money, right? He probably has kids. Imagine him coming home, and his kids ask, 'Daddy, what did you bring us?' And he says, 'Nothing, my fare was canceled today.'" Victor made a sad face, sighed, and added, "That would be sad."

Hermione's father looked at him strangely, his eyebrows raised in slight bewilderment, and then he smiled. "Where do you get these ideas, Victor?"

Victor grinned playfully, "I just have some issues in my head, Uncle Wendell." He lowered his voice and added, "And I have a doctor's note." Then he started laughing, his laughter genuine and infectious.

Hermione's father also laughed, though he didn't quite understand if Victor was joking or not, and a slight bewilderment still lingered in his eyes.

Finally, the luggage was loaded, and they got into the taxi. All the way, Victor entertained Hermione and the driver with his strange but amusing stories, which Hermione, of course, didn't understand, but they still brought a smile to her face.

At last, they arrived at King's Cross Station. The station hummed with a crowd of people rushing about their business, like a huge beehive. Victor and Hermione got out of the taxi. The taxi driver unloaded their luggage, and they put it onto trolleys.

"Well, Hermione, ready for the journey?" Victor winked at her, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Uh-huh," Hermione nervously pressed her lips together, her gaze darting through the surrounding crowd. "So, where is this platform? Platform 9 and 3/4... There's nothing here but a wall."

Victor pointed a finger towards the barrier between platforms 9 and 10. "Look! Everyone walks through the wall there. Alright, follow me!" He took a running start and, to Hermione's amazement, disappeared into the wall as if dissolving into thin air.

Hermione took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. She gripped the handles of her trolley tightly and followed him. She passed through the wall without a hitch, finding herself on Platform 9 and 3/4. Her eyes immediately widened. Before her stood an enormous scarlet steam engine, puffing out thick clouds of steam that enveloped the platform, and hundreds of wizards and witches bustled around, saying goodbye to their parents, laughing, and hugging. The scent of magic hung in the air, mixing with the aromas of coal and fresh pastries.

"Wow!" was all Hermione could utter, her mouth slightly agape in wonder.

"Wow-wow!" Victor stood next to her, enjoying her reaction, his smile wide and satisfied.

After handing their luggage to the conductor, they boarded the train. Inside, it was no less noisy. Students had already settled into their compartments, laughing, chatting, and eating sweets.

"We need to find an empty compartment," Hermione said, looking around, her gaze focused.

"Excellent deduction, Miss Granger!" Victor smiled. "Alright, let's go look."

After searching for a while, they found a compartment where only one plump, frightened-looking boy sat, appearing quite lonely.

Victor opened the door and asked amiably, "Hey, buddy, is this seat taken?"

The boy flinched, blushed, and, embarrassed, replied, "no"

"Great, thanks!" Victor looked at Hermione. "Hermione, let's settle in!"

Once seated, Victor immediately struck up a conversation. "I'm Victor, this is Hermione, and what's your name?"

The boy, still a bit nervous, mumbled, "I... I'm Neville."

"Hi, Neville!" Victor smiled. "What year are you?"

Neville blinked, his plump cheeks slightly pink. "Year?"

Victor chuckled. "What year are you in, Neville? First, second, tenth?"

"First," Neville replied, his voice a little more confident.

"Oh, cool! So are we!" Victor clapped his knee excitedly. "That means we'll be studying together!"

The train finally began to move, and the Hogwarts Express slowly picked up speed. Hermione grew nervous again, her eyes darting around the compartment as if she were searching for something.

"Victor, I think I forgot something," she mumbled, her voice full of anxiety.

Victor leaned towards her and whispered seriously, "What, to put on your knickers?"

Hermione immediately blushed to the roots of her hair and shoved him in the shoulder.

"Come on, relax! I'm sure we brought everything," Victor laughed, leaning back in his seat, his laughter light and carefree.

Trevor the Toad

Then he noticed Neville nervously looking around, his lips trembling, and tears welling in his eyes.

Victor leaned forward. "Something wrong, Neville?"

Neville looked at him with wet eyes. "I... I lost my toad."

Hermione was surprised. "A toad?"

Neville nodded, his chin trembling.

Victor sighed. "What's the toad's name?"

"Trevor," Neville whispered.

Victor stood up, opened the compartment door, and took out his wand. "Don't worry, Neville. We'll find him now!" He clearly pronounced, "Accio Trevor!"

The next second, there was a soft splat, and something wet and cold slapped right into his hand. Victor raised his hand, and Hermione and Neville saw a large, wet toad that croaked discontentedly, its bulging eyes blinking unhappily.

"Here you go, Neville!" Victor handed the toad to the boy.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Neville snatched Trevor, hugging him tightly as if he were the most precious treasure. His face brightened, and he exhaled in relief, a happy smile appearing on his face.

Victor smiled, looking at the content Neville. Victor settled back again, and the familiar Harry Potter melody gently sounded on his lips. Neville, with stars in his eyes, watched him, while Hermione just rolled her eyes, long accustomed to his strange behavior.