Hogwarts: Wind and Eagle Wings

September 1, 1992. King's Cross Station, London. Platform 9 ¾.

This day marked the annual admission for new students at the only magic school in Britain—Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

For young witches and wizards, whether they were attending Hogwarts or about to embark on their journey there, taking the train from King's Cross Station was the only way to reach the magical school. As a result, the entire platform was crowded with people, creating a lively atmosphere.

Students of various ages and their parents were bustling around, pushing carts loaded with large bags and suitcases. Owls flew overhead, dropping a few feathers, while several cats weaved agilely between people's feet.

Next to the platform stood a deep crimson steam engine, its side emblazoned with a sign that read Hogwarts Express, Departure: 11 AM.

In a quiet carriage near the end of the train, a boy sat alone in a compartment, resting his chin on his hand as he gazed out at the bustling crowd beyond the window. He had a head of slightly curly, neatly kept black hair, and his clothing matched this first impression—fresh and tidy.

He wore a simple wizard's robe with a blue crest embroidered on his chest. The crest depicted a bronze eagle alongside the words "Ravenclaw." Although he was looking out the window, the commotion outside didn't reflect in his clear blue eyes; his thoughts were wandering instead.

Scott Trollope, born in Hastings, a modest port town in southeastern England, was 14 years old and a fourth-year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, specifically in Ravenclaw House.

In addition to this, he held an extraordinary secret—he was a transmigrator. It had been 14 years since he had reincarnated into this world, carrying the memories of his past life. He had no idea why he was reincarnated after dying unexpectedly in his past life, nor could he understand why he retained his memories. The only thing he could do was sigh and accept that the past was beyond reach.

As for his current life, his growth before the age of eleven had been, for lack of a better term, unremarkable.

He was neither a world-famous child prodigy nor the wealthiest person on the planet. He hadn't rushed to publish the Harry Potter series, hadn't invested in Apple stocks, nor had he taught himself hacking skills to empty the English banks… He didn't even have a system, like the typical protagonist of transmigrator/isekai stories.

He had simply embraced his new identity as soon as his infant brain was developed enough to think independently. Then, he grew up in a reasonably ordinary manner. His first indication that something was different came with the unexpected surge of magical power.

There's no need to elaborate on that chaotic moment, but after it happened, Scott quickly accepted his second new identity—he was likely a young wizard.

He didn't consider himself a mutant or someone with awakened abilities—the surge of magic felt distinctly clear, and being in England, he naturally gravitated toward the most plausible explanation. Upon receiving his acceptance letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at the age of eleven, his parents, Michael and Amelia, also easily accepted this fact. They didn't freak out or treat their wizard son like some kind of oddity.

It's important to note that the Trollope family was a completely Muggle household—Michael and Amelia co-owned an antique shop. Neither wizards nor Squibs existed among their relatives or friends, and no hidden chambers or magical portraits existed in their home.

After confirming his suspicions about this world, Scott regretted that his memory of the Harry Potter story was limited to a rough outline, yet he felt no anxiety about it. He wasn't a fan of the Harry Potter series, having read the entire collection only during his student years due to peer influence. And even though the films had taken the world by storm, he'd only seen the first two when he was young.

Still, he considered himself fortunate to remember the outline, feeling proud of his relatively sharp memory—after all, recalling the general storyline after many years of reincarnation was quite impressive.

In summary, Scott first boarded the Hogwarts Express at the age of eleven in 1989 and was sorted into Ravenclaw House during the Sorting Hat ceremony. He initially thought his easy-going personality would lead him to being placed in Hufflepuff. However, he was surprised that the Sorting Hat recognized his intelligence and talents as more prominent than his laid-back demeanor.

It's worth emphasizing that Hogwarts did not use any mind-reading spells on young witches and wizards. Whether it was the Sorting Hat or Professor Dumbledore, they clearly showed no interest in the scant memories in the young wizard's mind.

Scott figured that as long as he kept a low profile and behaved like an ordinary student, no one would pay him any special attention. On the contrary, acting overly suspicious or paranoid would only raise more attention. Everything went as planned. Scott had successfully made it through three years of wizarding life without drawing any attention.

*Hoooot…*

The train's whistle cut through his thoughts, and the Hogwarts Express began to move.

Scott blinked, turning his attention to the passing scenery outside the window. After a moment, he reached into his bag and pulled out a book with a garish cover.

Holidays with Hags, by Gilderoy Lockhart.

Lockhart was someone Scott still had some recollection of, as he would be teaching them Defense Against the Dark Arts this school year.

Scott remembered him as a notorious fraud; the events in his books were stolen through memory charms from those who had genuinely experienced those adventures. However, despite Lockhart being a fraud, Scott felt the book was still worth a read.

After all, except for the protagonist's name being fake, the adventures themselves were real. Otherwise, Lockhart wouldn't have gained such fame and merit through his novels.

As the train sped across the countryside, Scott occasionally flipped through the pages of his book. He didn't read in detail; instead, he skimmed through it quickly, marking useful knowledge with a pen. Naturally, he skipped over the passages where Lockhart bragged about himself. Halfway through the book, he suddenly set down his pen and turned to look at the compartment door.

Five seconds later, the door swung open.

"Excuse me…" A small witch with bushy brown hair and prominent front teeth peered into the compartment, asking hurriedly, "Have you seen Harry Potter and Ron Weasley?"

Scott recognized her instantly. The girl with the bushy hair was Hermione Granger—one of Harry Potter's close friends.