Chapter 9: Know-It-All

The Hogwarts Express was about to take off. Hogwarts new and old students kept coming in through Platform 9 ¾ . The whole area was hectic. Whistles were blown every ten minutes. Steam emitted from the side of the train. Student's belongings were heaved into the luggage compartment of the train. Young witches and wizards bidding their parents goodbye. Unlike the others, Justin, Alex, Max and Harper stood at the corner with Dumbeldore. They were not with their parents. Actually, their parents don't have any slightest idea where they've been.

"I think it's best for you all to get inside now," Dumbeldore began as he looked at his pocket watch. "Don't want the best seats taken now."

"You're not coming with us Professor?" Harper asked, looking a bit disappointed along with Justin.

"No, Miss Finkle…" The Hogwarts Headmaster sweetly replied. He peered through his half-moon glasses and continued, "But we will meet at Hogwarts. I am the Headmaster by the way."

Another whistle was blown and this time it was it followed by an announcement from a man in red and black uniform, "All aboard the express! All Aboard!"

"Come on now, get in, time to go..." said Dumbeldore as he ushered them to one of the train's entrance. "Remember stick together."

"I will make sure of it Professor." Justin promised him. He nodded to the headmaster before he and the rest get inside the train. Dumbeldore stepped back from the door and watched them walking through the train searching for an empty compartment.

Another whistle was blown and steams started to fill up the train station. Parents stepped back from the yellow lines and waved at their sons and daughters. Moments later, the train was now travelling across the countryside.

Trailing behind were hills and fields, the red and black train moved forwards following the train rails over to the furthest distance. The journey had already taken up mostly for three hours now and it still halfway across the country before it could reach Hogsmeade.

Sitting inside a compartment all to their selves, Justin was the only one who was still awake. The rest had fast asleep. For most of the time of the journey, Justin spent the past few hours reading up all his textbooks and practices his new wand. No surprise, he mastered them immediately.

"Petrificus Totalus," he said under his breath. "Hm, interesting." He read one paragraph from the books of Defensive Spells. Waving his wand side to side, he hummed to himself all the spells that he has learned. "Really interesting…"

Then the door slid open and a tall boy stood there looking into the compartment. "Uh, sorry to disturb you…"

Justin looked up at him and replied, "Yes?"

"Um, have you seen a toad around? I've lost one… again." The boy stated.

"Uh, no, I haven't but I will tell you if I see it," Justin said.

"Oh, that'll be great. Thanks," said the boy happily. He left.

"Woah, Neville Longbottom lost his toad again," Justin said to himself. "Didn't see that one coming."

He turned back to his book and read the same paragraph again. Suddenly, the door slid open for the second time. "I'm sorry but I didn't see your-"

Justin stopped there. He quickly put his book down and stood up. "Oh,I'm sorry, I thought you were the guy from before…"

A girl with long bushy brown wearing casual clothes stood there by the door looking at Justin. She curiously looked at him and said, "Weren't you with Professor Dumbeldore earlier?"

"Uh, yeah, I was.." Justin immediately replied. He can't believe he's meeting Hermione Granger. The real Hermione Granger right there in front of him. Woah, she's much cuter in person he thought.

"I'm Justin Russo," Justin told her, quickly take out his hand in front of her.

"Hermione Granger.." she replied slowly as she shook his hand.

Justin couldn't stop smiling. Oh my God! Oh my God! Hermione just shook my hand! Oh my God! What should I do? What should I do?

"Are you okay, Justin?" came Hermione's voice. "You seem very dazed…"

"No… I'm all good," Justin excitedly replied. "All good."

"Okay, then, it's very nice to meet you by the way…" Hermione smiled at him. She turned around and leaved.

Justin, who was still smiling cheek to cheek, watched her walking down the train. Then something was hopping by his feet. He looked down and it's Neville's frog.

"There you are…"