King of Lightning [HP FANFIC]

"I heard that wizards used to go to school in different ways. Some rode flying broomsticks, others used Floo Powder to go straight to Hogsmeade. But ever since the International Statute of Secrecy was implemented in 1692, they were forced to stop, because too many wizards were being exposed to Muggles, which increased the burden on the Ministry of Magic." Charles McKinnon seemed very knowledgeable on the subject and began speaking non-stop.

'So that's how it was. But how do you pass the time when you're wasting several hours on the road? Reading? '.Anduin looked at his two companions and felt it would be impolite to keep his head down and ignore them for the entire trip.

"Hey, since we're going to spend so much time on the road anyway, how about I teach you a game?" Anduin said to the other two.

"Sure, I'm bored anyway. What do you want to play? Wizard's Chess or Gobstones?" Although Charles sounded cynical at first, his childish side came out the moment games were mentioned.

"This is a mysterious game from a great Eastern country. It's originally meant for four players, but it can actually be played with three. I'll show you." Anduin pulled some mahjong tiles from his luggage and started promoting them to the two of them.

Anduin believed they wouldn't be able to resist the charm of mahjong.

But there was no table . . . what could be done? His Transfiguration skills were quite average, and he still couldn't conjure a table.

"I've got it." Anduin looked at a display table in front of the neighboring compartment window and cast an Engorgement Charm after drawing his wand.

The small table at the edge of the compartment immediately extended in size.

"Alright, this'll do." The mahjong set Anduin carried was a small one, about the size of Japanese mahjong. The table was a bit cramped, but it could be used with some effort.

The three of them gathered around the table, and Anduin began to teach. Since he had already taught his fellow orphans how to play mahjong, he was very experienced and explained the rules clearly and efficiently. These mahjong tiles had been bought to play with foreigners, and he was afraid they wouldn't understand Chinese, so he had chosen an international version. Even the edges of the "Wan" tiles had Arabic numerals, so there would be no confusion.

"The rules are roughly like this. Don't worry, let's just play a few rounds first, and I'll teach you as we go."

"It sounds so complicated. Is it really fun to play with these little squares?" Vivian felt like her head was about to explode after listening to Anduin's explanation and couldn't help complaining.

"Anyway, we've got a lot of time — let's just give it a try." Charles thought it sounded interesting and encouraged Vivian.

Charles found a suitcase that matched the height of the chair and sat on it in the middle of the aisle, facing the table. Anduin and Vivian sat on the seats on either side, and the three of them began playing mahjong under Anduin's guidance.

Thanks to him, the two basically grasped how the game worked. Within half an hour, Vivian had won two rounds, and Charles had won one. Anduin, on purpose, was letting them win to help them learn faster.

"Ha ha, I won again, this game is so much fun." Vivian pushed her tiles forward and said it cheerfully, with no sign of the earlier confusion on her face.

"How about we turn it into a competition? When someone comes around selling snacks, the one with the lowest score has to treat the others." Charles was also enjoying himself and cheered them on from the side.

Kids are like that — slowly trusting and warming up to each other through play.

"Alright, alright, I feel like I'm on a winning streak now." Vivian replied.

Anduin chuckled to himself. Just a while ago I was letting you win, and now you're acting all smug. I guess it's time to teach you what life really feels like.

The three of them re-stacked the tiles and started a new round.

Some time later . . .

'Knock knock'.

There was a knock on the door, and all three turned to see a middle-aged woman selling snacks, asking if they wanted anything.

At that moment, Anduin's expression darkened slightly — he had been losing almost every round in the past few games.

'This is really strange. Are these two seriously playing mahjong for the first time? How are they so good? Am I just that bad?'. Anduin couldn't help but grumble to himself.

Especially Vivian — it was as if she had opened a door to a brand-new world, frantically winning hand after hand, constantly catching Anduin's discards. He was starting to regret ever teaching them.

"Ha ha, Anduin, come on! You lost the most, you've got to treat us to snacks." Vivian squinted her eyes into two cheerful crescents and called out to Anduin with a grin.

"I know, damn it. How can your luck be so good?" Anduin sighed and reluctantly pulled out his wallet, buying a little of every snack available.

Then the three of them began feasting in the compartment.

"Try these Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans — they've got all kinds of flavors." Charles was chewing on a licorice wand as he reached out to hand Anduin a handful of candies.

'Ugh'.

Anduin nearly spat it out after taking a bite. He had gotten one that tasted like earwax.

As for how he knew it was earwax flavor . . . don't ask, just guess.

Vivian and Charles burst into heartless laughter at the sight.

Anduin had no more courage to try that type of candy again and instead began eating some Chocolate Frogs.

Out of all the snacks, the Chocolate Frog was the only one he could actually tolerate. The rest were either too sweet or had bizarre flavors — just like those infamous Every Flavor Beans.

Inside the frog, there was also a card, which introduced a famous wizard and their achievements. The one in Anduin's hand showed "Hengist of Woodcroft," said to be the founder of Hogsmeade, the only all-wizarding village in Britain.

Anduin looked at the card, then out the train window, and couldn't help but grow even more eager about the magical world.

The three of them kept snacking and chatting.

Vivian continued rambling, unable to go a sentence without mentioning her family — how her family was doing, what the people in her family were like. Anduin's ears were nearly calloused from hearing it so much, but he still had to smile.

Honestly, for a girl like Vivian, in Anduin's opinion, someone with high emotional intelligence would call her "full of energy." Someone with lower EQ would probably just say she was a chatterbox.

Charles, now more comfortable with the group, opened up as well. Aside from his visible resentment toward the Death Eaters, he mostly talked about Quidditch. Upon learning that Anduin and Vivian weren't very familiar with the magical sport, he frequently explained the rules to them. He knew the teams and players of various countries like the back of his hand.

Anduin could never really understand how such a barbaric sport like Quidditch could exist in the magical world. Hearing Charles describe all the different fouls, who had been killed or crippled by a Bludger in which match, made him feel like the magical world held a strange contradiction — on one hand, it offered the convenience and wonder of magic . . . but on the other, it contained primitive and violent customs.

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