The girl's repeated apologies actually made Jon feel a bit better about her.
When he first saw the little snake on her suitcase, he assumed she was one of those Slytherin pure-blood supremacists, so he hadn't been very friendly.
It's probably only in places like Europe—small in territory, rife with intermarriage, and burdened with religious oppression—where the foolish belief that bloodline determines everything and pure-bloods are inherently noble could arise...
On either side of the Pacific, a single line like "Are kings and nobles born special?" or "All men are created equal" would be enough to shut those pure-blood elitists up.
"So… you're Muggle-born?" the girl asked softly, noticing that Jon's expression had softened.
"Yeah!" Jon frowned slightly at the word "Muggle," but still nodded. "My father's a lawyer, and my mother's a fashion designer."
"Wow!" Miss Greengrass looked intrigued. "So Mugg—ordinary people have jobs like lawyer and fashion designer too! I've never met any before, so I really don't know anything about their world..."
"Of course. I think Muggles probably do those things even better than wizards."
"My parents both work at the Ministry of Magic," Miss Greengrass said casually. "I have a sister named Daphne—she's in second year. We got separated when we boarded the train. And… I have a younger brother too."
Daphne Greengrass?
That name sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite recall why… She probably appeared in the original Harry Potter books, but with such a minor role that it didn't leave an impression. Otherwise, with his memory, he'd definitely remember.
"I don't have any siblings!" Jon said, flipping open the book in his hands. "But I really wish I did!"
That part was true—he had been an only child in both his lives.
"What are you reading, Mr. Hart?"
"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them!" Jon showed her the book. "You can just call me Jon, Miss Greengrass!"
"Then you should call me Astoria." The girl winked mischievously. "Do you like magical creatures too, Jon?"
...
They quickly grew familiar with each other and dove into a lively conversation.
They debated whether Leprechauns or Doxies were smarter, which made better pets—Kneazles or Crups—and how to earn the trust of a Bowtruckle...
It was clear Astoria really knew her stuff when it came to magical creatures.
"You know so much!" Astoria said, a little envious.
Her mother was the Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures at the Ministry, which explained her knowledge. Still, she hadn't expected to be outdone by a Muggle-born like Jon Hart.
Jon simply smiled. His exceptional memory was one of the few perks he'd gained from his transmigration.
"Oh right, Jon!" Astoria suddenly asked, "Which house do you want to be sorted into?"
That question caught Jon off guard.
"What about you?" he asked instead.
"Slytherin!" she said proudly. "Everyone in my family went to Slytherin! What about you?"
"I think… I'll go with Hufflepuff," Jon said after thinking for a moment.
Of the four houses, Slytherin was out of the question—he was a "lowly" Muggle-born and wouldn't be welcome in the noble pure-blood house. Gryffindor was next to go—being in the same house as the trio and Ginny Weasley meant too much proximity to the main story.
That left Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Either was fine with him, but Ravenclaw's endless door riddles sounded annoying. Hufflepuff was more convenient...
"Hufflepuff?" Astoria raised her voice instinctively, stumbling a bit: "How can that be… I mean… my sister said Hufflepuff is full of..."
"Slackers?" Jon chuckled. So Hufflepuff really was at the bottom of the Hogwarts social ladder. "That's probably because it's closest to the kitchen. Honestly, I wouldn't mind being a slacker."
"I still hope you won't go to Hufflepuff..." Astoria lowered her head.
"I hope you'll come to Slytherin…"
Her last words were barely louder than a whisper.
Jon didn't seem to hear—he was rummaging through his suitcase.
Soon, he pulled out a large bag packed full of snacks.
Snacks on the train were notoriously expensive, and the wizarding world was no exception… A year ago, Potter and Weasley had blown nearly two-thirds of a Galleon just on sweets.
Given Jon's "poor background," he wasn't about to waste that kind of money.
Two days before the trip, he'd gone to the ASDA on Eastleigh Road and bought a huge stash—enough to last him a week at Hogwarts.
"Are these Mugg—ordinary people's snacks?" Astoria asked curiously.
"Of course. Want some?" Jon tossed her a bottle of Coca-Cola as he spoke.
"Thank you..." Astoria caught it clumsily.
"But you probably shouldn't open it right away…"
"Why not?"
"Pshhhh..."
Astoria twisted the cap off, and foam exploded everywhere, splashing all over her!
"Ah… What kind of magic is this?" she giggled. "It's amazing!"
"Uh, you'd better wipe it off. It gets all sticky once it dries." Jon quickly handed her a tissue and started piling snacks onto her seat—baked fries, unflavored chips, fried fries; baked cod, trout, salmon, and flounder...
Just then, a loud clattering sound echoed from the hallway.
"Sweetheart, care for something from the trolley?"
A cheerful woman with dimples opened the compartment door. Seeing Astoria covered in foam but smiling, and Jon holding out a tissue beside her, she blinked in surprise.
"I do!" Astoria blushed, pushed Jon aside, and darted into the hallway.
She returned moments later, her arms full of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes, Licorice Wands, and several other strange and wonderful treats Jon had never seen before.
"Here, share with me!" She pushed half the pile over to him.
"Thanks!"
Just as they were digging in, the compartment door slid open again.
"Astoria, there you are!" came a sharp voice from outside.