Anton and Ron appeared slightly late, finding every compartment brimming with passengers, forcing them to navigate further down the narrow aisle.
"Thank Merlin, Anton, come see who I've found!" Fred materialized out of thin air, seizing Anton's arm with an air of mystery and excitement that was palpable in his demeanor.
"Fred, don't forget about me!" Ron interjected, his frustration visible as he reminded his older brother.
George swiftly joined the scene, echoing Ron's sentiments. "He's right, Fred, how could you
forget your brother?"
Fred raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, acknowledging Ron as his brother. "You're absolutely right, brother. Hello there," he quipped before turning his attention back to Anton.
Leaning in closer to Anton, Fred whispered eagerly, "We just ran into Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived himself. He even showed us his famous lightning scar on his forehead—it was remarkable!"
"He's in the last compartment, go have a look; he's seated alone," Fred urged Anton eagerly, his anticipation evident as he described the encounter. "Sorry, we can't accompany you to check it out. Lee Jordan has a gigantic tarantula, and we don't want to miss the fun."
George placed a reassuring hand on Fred's shoulder, nodding in agreement. "Indeed, that little furry critter will surely come in handy."
With that, the jubilant twins disappeared in a flash.
Ron gazed after them as they disappeared.
Anton, sensing Ron's lingering thoughts, offered a reassuring smile. "Let's not dwell on it; let's find a seat quickly as the train is about to depart." he suggested, steering Ron's focus towards the imminent journey ahead.
The train buzzed with activity, as the prohibition on performing magic during the journey left the young wizards feeling stifled. They waved their wands, casting an array of spells, while the newcomers observed with a mix of exhilaration and trepidation.
A witch sat in the corner with a cart brimming with snacks, evidently waiting for the train's departure, though the space was already crowded.
A young wizard opened a box of chocolate frogs, causing one to leap out and land on the guardrail of the train amidst gasps of amazement. The frog struggled briefly on the railing, leaving a trail of chocolate before plummeting down.
"Incredible!" Anton's eyes sparkled with genuine fascination, captivated by the magical display before him.
While he was familiar with such snacks, including Dumbledore's favorite Cockroach Clusters, witnessing the magic firsthand highlighted the allure of these treats.
Anton's preferred magic was 'Illusion Magic,' taught by the goblins, requiring his willpower to manifest actions. However, the chocolate frog showcased a different kind of magic—it moved autonomously, without the need for a wizard's intervention or a power source, solely relying on the enchantment's energy to mimic the movements of a real frog.
"There are too many people here; maybe we should grab a spot first," Ron remarked, attempting to maintain a smug expression relishing the moment of being in the company of his handsome cousin, who bore a striking resemblance to him. A sense of triumph washed over him.
However, Anton's focus was elsewhere. "No, I have to buy it now!" Anton's eyes sparkled with determination as he observed a young wizard devouring a chocolate frog in a single bite.
Handing Ron the chicken nuggets and drinks Lupin had prepared, Anton tapped them with his wand, causing them to float behind Ron.
"Ron, I can hardly wait," Anton exclaimed, his anticipation palpable as he rubbed his hands together in excitement. "Can you find a seat by yourself? I'll give you the suitcase to hold onto while I go buy the chocolate."
The aroma of the hot chicken nuggets wafted enticingly, causing Ron to audibly swallow in anticipation before responding, "Alright, you can find me later."
"Very well," Anton responded with a grin, his enthusiasm bubbling over as he walked away.
Alone, Ron ventured deeper into the train.
Struggling to find an unoccupied compartment, he eventually made his way to the rear section, inquiring at the door before entering with anticipation.
"Harry Potter..." Anton pursed his lips, watching Ron's retreating figure.
He harbored little interest in the renowned protagonist, even finding the thought somewhat daunting. Having finally attained stability in his life, Anton had no desire to embark on perilous adventures or confront Voldemort alongside the boy.
Drawing from his eleven years of wizarding experience, he recalled the book's content, recognizing Harry Potter's plot armor as the protagonist and the perilous situations he often faced.
His primary objective was to study and acquire knowledge, not to engage in life-threatening battles.
Distancing himself from Harry Potter, he eagerly squeezed into a spot, his anticipation palpable as he turned to the vendor.
"Please, give me ten chocolate frogs please!" he requested with enthusiastic fervor, his excitement for the enchanted treats shining brightly in his eyes.
As he pondered the potential for research and advancement in goblin magic, particularly the 'Illusion Magic,' Anton brimmed with anticipation.
Excitement surged within him as he secured a spot by the railing, gazing out as the train gradually departed from London, passing by fields dotted with livestock, expansive grasslands, and European-style houses with pointed roofs.
Countless ripples cascaded, as though a magic-infused magnifying glass hovered before Anton, enlarging his pupils to the extreme, with starlight shimmering within.
The 'Oculum Mutatio' charm.
Retrieving the small bottle he carried, Anton took a sip of the 'Oculus' potion.
Through the enchantment, Anton finally discerned the wizard's will imbued within the chocolate frog.
It appeared to be a jovial magical creature that hummed and tapped the chocolate pot, prompting a cascade of chocolate frogs to leap forth.
This magic did not seem to stem from human wizardry or goblin wizardry. Despite its unfamiliarity, Anton boldly speculated that it was a form of natural magic linked to a magical creature, potentially not originally intended for use in chocolate.
While he currently lacked an understanding of spells rooted in diverse magical principles, he made it a habit to commit the runic symbols above to memory.
In a sudden moment of inspiration, the chocolate frogs leaped into his hands, stacking atop one another before swiftly melding and coalescing into an oversized chocolate frog—bearing a resemblance to a toad.
Although he couldn't yet master this magic, Anton instinctively applied his knowledge of magical properties, causing the chocolate frogs to fuse into a singular entity.
Before he could delve further into his chocolate frog indulgence, the arrival of hurried footsteps interrupted his enjoyment.
"Have you seen Neville's... Oh, there it is, in your hands!" a voice exclaimed.
Anton glanced up, meeting the gaze of a young girl with bushy hair and big front teeth, resembling an giant beaver in his eyes.
"No, you're wrong; this is mine." Anton clarified, his voice calm but firm as he protected his sweet delight.
"You-" The girl began to protest, only to be cut off by a sudden, audacious move from Anton.
In a swift and unexpected motion, Anton devoured the entire toad, leaving only a solitary hind leg beside his mouth, which wriggled frantically.
Arching an eyebrow at the girl, he bit down sharply.
The toad's hind leg tumbled to the ground, writhing in its final moments.
Anton's eyes lit up with delight as he chewed vigorously, relishing the rich taste of the chocolate that enveloped his taste buds. A wave of satisfaction washed over him, evident in the twinkle in his eyes, prompting him to offer a gleeful thumbs up in response to the decadent treat.
'Umai!' Anton thought appreciatively, acknowledging the sheer deliciousness of the chocolate frog in a moment of pure pleasure.
The girl's eyes widened in alarm as she recoiled, her expression filled with terror.
While Hermione shrieked and fled in a panic, as if witnessing a horrifying sight, Anton's grin turned mischievous.
After all, regardless of the protagonists identities, they were merely children, and the original book was nothing more than fiction.
Entering Hogwarts brought him immense joy, particularly relishing the delectable taste of the chocolate frog.
Although he had indulged in chocolate in his previous life, the rich chocolate flavor he experienced now surpassed any he had ever tasted before, akin to the culinary delights that radiate from a skilled young baker's kitchen.
Throughout the past year, despite facing various challenges, Anton had always enjoyed good food.
Initially, he followed Fiennes, utilizing wizarding world wheat flour to craft pasta and buns, which exuded a natural, unique, and robust wheat aroma, surprisingly delightful in taste.
Subsequently residing at the Leaky Cauldron, Old Tom diversified his culinary repertoire, preparing an array of delicious dishes to ensure Anton's nutritional needs were met.
During his time in France, he indulged in various culinary delights, never compromising on the quality of his meals.
Upon purchasing a house, they established a long-term food delivery arrangement with an Italian restaurant.
Subsequently, with Miss Lisa's arrival, they embraced a lifestyle alternating between French and Asian cuisine.
Although he had traversed the UK and beyond, Anton had yet to sample traditional British food.
Before long, the train whistle sounded.
"Pleasechange into your school robes.Hogwarts is a mere 10 minutes away. Leave your trunks in the car;they will be delivered to your dorms."