King of Lightning [HP FANFIC]

The three of them chatted and ate snacks while playing cards, and time passed without them noticing.

"In five minutes, the train will arrive at Hogwarts. Please leave your luggage on the train; someone will take care of delivering it to the school for you." A voice came over the train's loudspeaker, indicating that Hogwarts was just around the corner.

"My goodness, we've finally arrived. My back is numb from sitting for so long," complained Charles, stretching as he stood up.

Meanwhile, Anduin was packing his luggage, clearing the mahjong tiles from the table and putting away the leftover snacks.

The train gradually slowed down until it came to a stop, and the three of them stepped out of the carriage. Outside, the sky was already starting to darken.

At the station, Hagrid waited holding an oil lamp, shouting to the passengers, "First-year students! First-year students over here!" Everyone was drawn by his voice, and Anduin and his group slowly moved closer.

"Hagrid, long time no see. It's been a while since I last saw you," Anduin greeted as he approached.

"Oh, Anduin, it's good to see you. I heard about that terrible incident. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have . . . " Hagrid lowered his gaze when he recognized Anduin.

He had heard through the Order of the Phoenix about what happened in Knockturn Alley that night when he was with Anduin, and he began to apologize in a rushed, jumbled way.

Hagrid felt it was all his fault that Anduin, an underage wizard, had almost suffered a serious accident.

"It's not your fault, Hagrid. It was my carelessness. Am I not fine now?" Anduin interrupted, unwilling to continue the topic.

He didn't want to cause trouble before school had even started; the scene at the station made him realize that many Death Eater children also attended Hogwarts.

He didn't know if the Death Eaters he had taken down that day had any relatives or children at the school who might cause him trouble.

Although he wasn't afraid of trouble, he didn't seek it out either.

"That's good, Anduin. Thank goodness you're alright. Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall also heard about that night, and I got a proper scolding. Since then, I haven't been allowed to go to Diagon Alley. Oh, you have no idea how guilty I feel."

Hagrid clearly didn't grasp the full meaning behind Anduin's words and kept talking to himself.

"Can you relax now, Hagrid? I'm about to start school. Aren't you going to congratulate me?" Anduin said, soothing the giant resignedly and changing the subject once more.

"That night?" Charles and Vivian overheard the conversation and grew curious.

As more and more first-year students gathered around, it didn't seem appropriate to ask directly, so they kept their questions for later, planning to ask Anduin what kind of shocking event could have affected even this big man so deeply.

"Hey, big guy over there, what are you standing around for? Hurry up and lead the way. I'm practically dead tired. You're a strong and burly fellow, don't tell me you're stupid and just going to leave us standing here."

At that moment, a boy among the first-year students ignored those who were talking and rudely shouted at Hagrid.

Anduin felt a surge of displeasure at the impolite tone and turned to look at the speaker.

The underage wizard was short, with a well-proportioned build and short, dark, neatly kept hair.

He had an arrogant air despite his youth, with deep-set, gloomy eyes.

"What are you looking at? You and that big oaf are wasting time talking, and you dare glare at me?"

"Get lost, Sampel Travers! This is none of your business. If you want to die, I can help you." Charles quickly stepped out from behind Anduin, pushed Travers aside, and stood in front of him.

"I was wondering who it was. So he's a friend of that coward McKinnon. Why isn't McKinnon like he was at the station, obediently staying behind the adults and crying?" Travers made an exaggerated mocking face as he looked at Charles.

Just as Charles was about to flare up and teach the fellow a lesson, Anduin held him back.

"Don't get provoked so easily, Charles. He's doing it on purpose. Don't stoop to his level," Anduin said, looking coldly at Sampel.

From the start, he had felt something was off; this person was provoking him without reason and speaking rudely, probably because he saw him with Charles and wanted to cause trouble.

At that moment, a burly figure suddenly stepped in between them: it was Hagrid.

"Don't fight outside of school, or I have the right to send you all home right now. In that case, you'll only be able to attend Hogwarts next year." Hagrid spoke firmly, scaring the two opponents, his words mainly aimed at Sampel Travers.

"Hmph, the McKinnon family is very stubborn. Just a little provocation and they jump right away. So long as he dares to strike first in public, I can make him look bad immediately. Too bad that kid and this big oaf are in the way," Sampel Travers thought angrily, glaring fiercely at Charles and Anduin before stepping aside.

"That guy's name is Sampel Travers, from the Travers family. If you ask me, Hogwarts shouldn't even let him attend. His whole family supports the Dark Lord, and they definitely have Death Eaters among them. This morning, our two families ran into each other at the station, and they even dared to mock my injured uncle — how despicable!" Charles said, looking at Sampel who had stepped aside, then whispered to Anduin.

Anduin silently cursed his bad luck. That guy didn't seem like a good person, and he was running into trouble on his very first day of school.

But he immediately shook his head, not wanting to think too much. If the guy wasn't looking for trouble, so be it.

If he dared provoke him, Anduin wouldn't make it easy.

At the same time, Anduin also noticed that even during wartime, there were undercurrents flowing inside the school; his earlier idea of staying out of it was far too naive.

"Don't pay attention to that guy. If you had rushed and attacked just now, people would probably talk about it publicly. Even if you weren't expelled, the school would likely punish you. He just wants to provoke your anger. You need to be more careful from now on." Anduin comforted Charles and also warned him.

"I was too impulsive. Thank you, Anduin." Charles quietly breathed a sigh of relief and thanked him.

With Anduin's and Vivian's comfort, Charles gradually calmed down.

The three followed Hagrid's steps along a small path, and little by little, the group arrived at a lake.

Across the lake, they could clearly see a magnificent castle: Hogwarts.

------

you can read more + 30 chapters in my patreon

pat reon.com/Nasu954