Accompanied by a long whistle, the Hogwarts Express train finally left the station.
Harry was also on the train, and the fact that he had to return to the Dursley family bothered him a lot, while Ron and Hermione tried to think of ways to cheer him up.
But there's not much underage kids can do about such things.
Vid and the others also managed to occupy an empty compartment. Not long after boarding, they received an unexpected visitor.
"Hi!"
Cedric knocked on the door, standing at the compartment's entrance, and greeted Vid and the others with a bright smile.
"Cedric!" Theo and Leian waved happily.
"Hello!" Cedric said with a smile, "I'm here to say—Gray, thank you for your Magic History notes."
"Hmm?" Vid was taken aback, then said, "Oh... you're welcome, did they help you?"
In fact, he had almost forgotten about it.
"Of course." Cedric said, "I have to say, your notes were very clearly organized and helped me score very high in this term's exams... and they'll be useful for my OWLs next year too."
"That's good." Vid said with a smile.
"If you need help with anything... I mean, if there's anything I can help with, just let me know."
Cedric said a little shyly, "Actually, I wanted to find you earlier, but you always seemed busy, and I couldn't find the chance to speak."
"No need to be so formal, you've helped us plenty, haven't you?" Vid said.
...
After Cedric left, a few more people came to their compartment, mostly from Pure-Blood families.
Some invited Vid over during the holidays, to which Vid replied, "Sorry, Professor Morry has already made plans for my holidays."
There were also those representing their fathers or families, who conveyed a desire to collaborate on the production and sale of Flow Mirrors, to which Vid responded, "This matter has been fully entrusted to Mr. Machioni, you can contact him."
Some even wanted to offer him money—though he didn't need it at all.
After sending off the Nth visitor, Michael slammed the door shut and sighed as he turned around.
"I finally understand why you're always so elusive at school, Vid." Theo also commented, "It seems like as soon as you give a little opening, countless people want to find you."
"That's why you can't find him even in the common room." Michael replied, looking very tired:
"That's why people always ask me—Michael, where is Vid? Michael, can you pass a message to Vid for me? Michael, can you give my photo to Vid? I'd really like to meet him."
Michael mimicked different people's tones of voice, making everyone laugh.
Even before the laughter died down, they heard another knock on the compartment door.
Michael's face instantly fell.
"I wonder who it is now."
He said irritably, yanking the door open, his expression quickly changing to one of delight.
It was the trolley witch pushing her cart over.
Each bought some cakes, chocolates, candies, and drinks, piling them on the table—this was their lunch and even dinner.
The Hogwarts Express wouldn't return to London Station until evening.
Guessing the flavours of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans is an unfailing game. For two years, Vid had never eaten two beans that tasted the same.
"Try this one!"
Leian tossed a rose-colored bean, Vid examined it closely, just about to make a guess when his expression suddenly changed.
"What's wrong?"
Leian was startled and tilted his head to look at the bean in Vid's hand.
Vid shook his head, put down the Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Bean, took out the Friendship Book from his bag, and then enlarged a small strip of rectangular parchment from between its pages.
On the blank paper, a tiny black dot was moving, resembling a tadpole in water.
Vid watched it intently for a while, and upon confirming that its direction remained unchanged, he put away the Friendship Book and looked at the other three.
"Everyone, I need to leave for a while... until I return, don't let anyone know I left." Vid said.
"The train is moving, how are you going to leave?" Leian asked, puzzled, "On a broom? But..."
Michael interrupted, looking at Vid, "Where are you going?"
"Sorry, that's confidential." Vid said.
"Is it dangerous?" Theo inquired.
"Not necessarily... if I encounter danger, I'll find a way to escape immediately." Vid replied.
Michael nodded, "Got it... if someone else comes looking for you, I'll tell them you're contemplating an Alchemy issue and don't want to be disturbed."
"Alright, I'll leave it to you then."
Vid stuffed the Magic Wand into his bag, then transformed the backpack into a pencil case. He opened the window, took a deep breath, and the noon wind instantly tousled his hair.
The next moment, Vid disappeared from where he stood, and a Peregrine Falcon appeared in the compartment.
Leian leaned back sharply, his mouth wide open in surprise.
He saw the Peregrine Falcon grab the pencil case, hold the parchment in its beak, and swiftly flew out the window.
He rushed to the window immediately, just in time to see the Peregrine Falcon fly higher and higher, and before long, it vanished into the clouds.
In the adjacent compartment, some students noticed the bird flying past and shouted pointing outside, "Look, there's a hawk outside!"
Leian sat back in his seat, dumbfounded for quite a while before he asked the two beside him in disbelief, "—Animagus?"
Michael nodded and added, "Remember, it's a secret! Vid hasn't registered with the Ministry of Magic yet."
Leian nodded haphazardly, pondering for a while before asking, "You all knew?"
Theo shook his head, "He didn't tell me... but for a while, didn't Vid basically stop talking? I noticed him having a leaf in his mouth... and guessed it."
But seeing Vid actually manage to transform into an animal, Theo was still greatly shocked, though he didn't show it.
Leian still looked incredulous, "Vid... how many kinds of magic has that guy actually learned?"
"Who knows!" Michael shrugged, "Even with me... if he doesn't say, I don't know how advanced he is."
"But his level is certainly not much inferior to the school's professors... just lacking in experience..."
Theo, looking at the blue sky and white clouds outside, said with a hint of worry, "I don't know what's happened... Hope he doesn't act recklessly."
"I just hope Vid acts decisively if he encounters enemies," Michael said, "Vid's a bit too soft-hearted."
"He's got Dumbledore's Friendship Book." Leian tried to reassure everyone, "In case he meets a dangerous guy, the headmaster can rush over immediately, right?"
"Hope so." Michael said.