"Has anyone seen a toad?"
Before anyone could answer, the brown-haired girl's gaze landed on the textbook Harriet hadn't managed to close in time.
[Remember this site's domain: Taiwan Novel Network. Accompanying you in leisure, super caring]
Her eyes immediately lit up, and her voice grew even more urgent.
"Oh! Are you practicing spells on the train? I've already tried a few simple ones, and they all worked. For example, this one…"
She pulled out her wand and pointed it straight at a stain on Ron's robes.
"Scourgify!"
A faint flash of light appeared, and the stain vanished as if it had never existed.
The girl looked visibly pleased with herself and continued speaking at breakneck speed.
"I'm Hermione Granger. And who are you? Oh—right—has anyone seen a toad?"
Harriet quietly observed the uninvited "Miss Otter."
Talkative. Proud. A natural show-off.
Not exactly a cute child.
But… interesting.
"No idea. Haven't seen one," Ron muttered with a pout. He looked distinctly unhappy, likely because his pride had taken a hit. How could there have been a stain on his robes in the first place?
Meanwhile, Harriet prepared to answer the girl's first question.
"Miss Granger, I am Hali Potter. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Hali Potter?"
Hermione repeated the name slowly. In the next second, she leaned in close.
"Wow… you really are a girl. Several books mention you—I've read all of them! You're famous!"
Just as expected.
The Demoness smiled faintly to herself. In this world, she had no shortage of so-called "anchors."
Since the girl was clearly interested, it was only proper to show some courtesy.
Harriet shifted slightly and pushed the snacks toward Hermione, her tone calm and unhurried.
"Would you like to join us for a meal?"
Emperor Russell once said: One more friend means one more path upward.
It was only a few Sickles' worth of snacks. If that could buy goodwill, it was an excellent deal.
"My name's Ronald, but you can call me Ron," the red-haired boy added at just the right moment, his mouth already full.
He had completely forgotten the awkward moment from earlier.
Hermione finally snapped out of her excitement, her cheeks flushing.
"Oh—no, thank you. I still need to help Neville find his toad."
"What kind of toad is it?" Harriet asked lightly. With a playful glint in her eyes, she pulled a vanity mirror from her robes. "Would you like to ask the magical mirror?"
The word magic seemed to flip a switch.
Hermione and Ron turned toward the mirror at the same time.
The oval surface was clear as still water, its edges shimmering faintly with silver light. The frame was intricately carved with vines and roses, every vein of every leaf exquisitely detailed.
"A magical item?"
"You actually have something like that?"
Hermione looked even more excited than Ron. Her rationality barely restrained her from leaning her entire body over to inspect it.
This world possessed all manner of wondrous magical items, each with unique traits—like brooms that could clean on their own.
Harriet chuckled softly.
"This mirror can tell me where Neville's toad is…"
In truth, it was nothing more than an ordinary mirror. Harriet hadn't yet had the opportunity to turn it into a proper Mirror Substitute.
What she intended to use now was something else entirely.
Divination.
Since returning to this world, she had avoided divination as much as possible. Not because she lacked skill—but because she didn't dare to use it.
Now, however, as her understanding of the wizarding world deepened, the Demoness felt her courage slowly returning.
Perhaps it was time to try again.
"Does it really work? What's the principle behind it?" Hermione fired off questions rapidly. "I think I've read about similar items, but they aren't something a first-year should have…"
Ron, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.
The moment Harriet produced the mirror, he believed her without question, eyes wide with anticipation.
"Shh," Harriet said softly. "Be quiet. You'll see in a moment."
She held the mirror in both hands and prayed inwardly, guiding her spirituality into the glass.
A moment later, something seemed to shift.
Harriet's expression changed.
She stood and looked toward the luggage rack above, where a worn cardboard box sat half-hidden beneath an old cloak.
Standing on her toes, she reached into the shadows of the box.
"It seems this little fellow prefers dark places."
"Oh my god!"
"That's incredible, Harriet!"
Hermione and Ron exclaimed in unison, clearly masters of atmosphere.
They watched as Harriet withdrew her hand, a plump toad resting calmly in her palm.
"Th-thank you… c-can I have it back, please?"
A timid voice spoke up.
From another compartment, a chubby boy poked his head out. His eyes were slightly red, as though he'd been close to tears.
"You must be Neville," Harriet said gently. "Don't mention it. Just keep a better eye on it next time."
She had originally planned to tease him a little, but seeing how close he was to crying, she abandoned the idea.
"Thank you," Neville said, hurrying over and carefully taking his pet.
Hermione stared, mouth hanging open.
"How did you do that? Was it a spell? A tracking charm? That's not something first-years can—"
"Just a little trick," Harriet replied casually as she sat back down, an unreadable smile on her lips.
"It's the effect of the magical mirror."
Before any more questions could follow, she slipped the mirror back into her robes.
Maintaining a bit of mystery was often the best way to earn goodwill.
Hermione reluctantly swallowed her curiosity.
"Well… since the toad's been found, we should probably change into our school robes soon. We'll be arriving shortly…"
The compartment door was suddenly yanked open for the third time.
A pale boy stood there, his chin pointed and his blond hair slicked back—though his receding hairline was already a little concerning.
Behind him loomed two large boys with dull, vacant expressions.
"So the rumors are true," the boy drawled. "The whole train's buzzing. The famous Hali Potter is here."
He gestured lazily behind him.
"This is Crabbe. And this is Goyle. I'm Draco Malfoy."
Out of basic politeness, Harriet acknowledged him, though she didn't bother standing.
Malfoy seemed pleased and extended his hand toward her.
"You'll soon learn that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to make friends with the wrong sort. I can help you with that."
Arrogant. Rude. A child desperate for validation.
And he hadn't even shown basic respect.
Good heavens, Harriet thought. What did I do to deserve this?
Why was it that every time she was in a good mood, someone appeared just to ruin it?
Before Harriet could respond, Malfoy turned his nose up at Ron.
"Tsk. A red-headed Weasley in rags. My father says your family has more children than you can afford to raise."
After insulting someone right in front of her, he still expected her friendship.
So when their hands met, Harriet calmly removed one of his cufflinks.
"I am a true aristocrat, Potter. You should—"
"Ugh! Wh-what are you doing?!"
Malfoy froze, fear crawling up his spine.
His throat tightened as if an invisible hand were squeezing it. Breathing became impossible.
An icy voice reached his ears.
"Manners, Malfoy. Manners."
Harriet had lost her patience.
A closer look would reveal her fingertips faintly stained black, pointing toward the ill-mannered child from a distance.
A curse.
A Witch could do more than manipulate frost and black flame.
She could curse through personal belongings, inflicting all manner of negative effects.
"Someone as rude as you," Harriet said softly, "makes me nauseous just to look at."