Crafted personally by Albus Dumbledore.
The internal space wasn't vast, but sufficient for storing the more dangerous artefacts Ian possessed, like his domesticated Dementor or the cursed skull that was far too large for a coin pouch.
"You've got a magical creature instead of an owl? And a powerful one at that!" George exclaimed as he exchanged wide-eyed glances with Fred.
The two immediately launched into their usual pity act.
"Mum and Dad've got to support us and our younger brother and sister so we're always skint. No chance we could afford an owl," George sighed dramatically. "That's why we're obsessed with making money."
"Yeah, we just want to lift a bit of weight off our parents' shoulders." Fred added with perfect solemnity.
But—
"I'm an orphan. No mum. No dad. Grew up scrounging food from alley bins." When it came to pity battles, Ian was king. One sentence, and the twins were utterly defeated.
Silence swept through the compartment.
"Want some snacks?"
Right then, a familiar presence wheeled into their carriage. The Hogwarts Express trolley-witch had arrived, her voice cheerful and practiced as she began her sales pitch.
The trolley itself was an elegant wooden cart, finished with waterproof charm-gloss and organised into neat tiers of magical sweets. Each snack shimmered faintly, enchanted to offer delight beyond simple taste.
"No, thank you."
As usual, the twins waved her off. Most of the pocket money they'd earned at school had gone straight into their invention fund.
"I'll have a few pumpkin pasties and a handful of sour sticks."
Ian made a purchase and casually shared the haul with the twins. He was never tight-fisted with food, and the sweets on the Hogwarts Express weren't too extortionate.
"Oy, you're generous! We've got to team up next year, no more competition!"
Perhaps the twins' earlier sob story had just been a prelude to bringing up this subject. Ian hadn't bought much; just a pasty for each of them and a few sweets to pass around.
Maybe having food in their hands mellowed them, because the twins quickly switched to a more relaxed tone.
"Truthfully, your Merlin Class Medal next term will turn heads. But don't be surprised if another young wizard steals some of your thunder," George said in a low, teasing voice.
"You mean that one?" Fred clearly caught on at once.
"Who?" Ian asked, feigning innocence while keeping a glint of curiosity in his eye.
He had long learned the value of making others feel important through simple gestures like curiosity.
"Of course, the famous Harry… Potter!! You might not know, but Harry Potter defeated that terrifying You-Know-Who when he was just a little boy!"
"He saved the entire wizarding world. All witches and wizards call him the Boy-Who-Lived. He was barely a babe then. It's hard to imagine the glory he'll carry when he arrives at Hogwarts!" Fred said with genuine admiration. It was clear he held Harry Potter in very high esteem.
"His magical talent must be extraordinary as well, and he'll probably be your chief rival in skill!" George declared, fully convinced of Harry's potential.
However, after exchanging a glance, George and Fred stood and gently placed their hands on Ian's shoulders, as if to reassure the young wizard who might feel somewhat 'threatened.'
"But even though Harry Potter is brilliant and we like him, we're definitely on your side, since you're the first friend we made here."
"That's right, we're mates with similar tastes. Not even Harry Potter can change that." The twins' expressions softened, showing real respect toward Ian.
Perhaps it was the pumpkin pasties Ian shared. Or maybe last night's adventures truly convinced them Ian was destined to become the future master of mischief.
"I appreciate your loyalty, but I have no wish to compete with Harry Potter… You might not realise, but I'm not the sort to show off," Ian replied quietly.
His earnestness was met with a chorus of disbelieving tut-tuts from the twins.
They clearly doubted his modesty.
"Anyway, next term will definitely be something to watch," George said, as if wishing the Hogwarts Express could spin around and start the new semester immediately.
"Yeah, it will be exciting… I'm looking forward to it too." Ian gazed out the window again. As they neared London, the drizzle blurred the view into a watery haze.
The misty landscape felt like a future Ian could no longer see clearly.
It was as if destiny had decided he must begin his magical journey a term before the famous trio. So many things were quietly shifting.
They were destined to set off unpredictable ripples.
But,
"Maybe that's not a bad thing."
Ian lifted his hand and gently wiped the windowpane.
The foggy scene beyond seemed to brighten slightly beneath his touch. As the train pulled into London station, he began gathering his things with the twins and moved toward the carriage door.
"Fancy coming round ours sometime to hang out?"
George and Fred spotted their parents waiting on the platform.
They turned back to Ian and offered the invitation.
"Maybe another time." Ian waved farewell.
After the twins trotted off to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Ian carefully tucked his black phoenix back into the small enchanted case and shouldered his luggage toward the stone wall linking to the Muggle station.
One step beyond, and he crossed into a very different world.
The bustling Muggle train station was thronged with ordinary folk waiting for their trains. None noticed Ian's arrival, nor did the station seem in any way unusual.
"See you next term."
Ian glanced back once at the ancient stone archway that separated the magical and mundane worlds. Leaving the station, he strode toward a battered old car waiting nearby.
An elderly white-haired lady looked about anxiously beside it.
"Long time no see, dear Ian." Ian stepped forward and embraced Helena, the director of the orphanage. A long-lost warmth stirred within him.
"You've grown so much, little one." Helena helped stow Ian's luggage in the boot.
"The food at Hogwarts is quite good." Ian smiled, handing her a hefty bag of small cakes.
"You even brought treats for the other children, ha!" Helena carefully set the cakes on the front seat, clearly touched.
"These are for you. I also prepared gifts for the others." Ian recalled how Helena loved cakes but seldom indulged. Generous donors supplied the orphanage, but the kind, frail lady always gave her share to the children.
"Where's your professor? Didn't he say he'd see you safely back to London?" Helena patted Ian's head, showing mild disapproval of Hogwarts' habit of sending its talented students off alone.
"He left as soon as he saw you. There were other students to escort," Ian told a gentle untruth, wishing to spare her worry.
"I still can't believe our little Ian is really at such a fine school. Those posh children haven't bullied you, have they?"
Helena ushered Ian into the back seat of the car.
She slid behind the wheel and started the engine.
"The classmates are decent, and Hogwarts has no bullying. At least, I haven't seen any," Ian said brightly, blinking.
"That's good! Shows the school is well run." Helena sighed with relief.
The old car rolled steadily toward home beneath her careful guidance.
"Don't worry about my studies. Now I just want to know if my younger siblings miss me." Ian temporarily set aside all matters of the magical world. No matter where the future might lead, what should or shouldn't happen has already happened.
Life must go on.
(End of chapter)
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