"I heard that wizards used to travel to school in their own ways," Charles McKinnon said, launching into a history lesson. "Some rode Flying Broomsticks, while others used Floo Powder to reach Hogsmeade directly. But since the International Statute of Secrecy was enacted in 1692, they've been forced to stop. Too many wizards were being exposed to Muggles, which put a huge strain on the Ministry of Magic."
So that's how it was. But how would they pass the hours on the journey? Reading? Anduin glanced at his companions. It would be rude to bury himself in a book and ignore them.
"Hey, since we've got a long trip ahead, want me to teach you a game?" Anduin suggested.
"Sure, nothing else to do. Wizard's Chess or Gobstones?" Charles, who had initially seemed cynical, couldn't hide his childish enthusiasm at the mention of a game.
"It's a mysterious game from a distant eastern land," Anduin explained, pulling a set of mahjong tiles from his luggage. "Originally for four players, but three works too. I'll teach you."
Anduin was confident that the allure of mahjong would be irresistible.
But now they were missing a table. His Transfiguration skills were still quite basic, and he couldn't conjure one out of thin air.
"Got it," Anduin said, eyeing the small side table by the window. He pulled out his wand and cast a Lengthening Charm.
The table instantly extended outward, adding an extra section to its edge.
"Perfect. This will do," Anduin said. The mahjong set he carried was a compact version, roughly the size of Japanese mahjong tiles. Though the table was a bit small, it would suffice.
The three of them gathered around the table, and Anduin began teaching. Having personally taught his orphanage friends how to play, he was experienced in explaining the rules. He quickly and clearly outlined the basics in just a few sentences. The mahjong set itself was internationally standardized, designed for foreign players. Even the corners of the wan tiles were marked with Arabic numerals to avoid any language barriers.
"That's the gist of the rules. Let's play a couple of rounds, and I'll explain as we go."
"This sounds so complicated! Are these little tiles even fun to play with?" Vivian grumbled, her head spinning after Anduin's explanation.
"We've got plenty of time. Let's give it a try and see," Charles said, finding the game intriguing and encouraging Vivian.
Charles found a suitcase about the same height as a chair, placed it on the floor in the aisle, and sat facing the table. Anduin and Vivian sat on chairs on either side, and the three began playing mahjong under Anduin's guidance.
With Anduin's help, they quickly grasped the basics. Within half an hour, Vivian had won two hands, Charles one, and Anduin had deliberately let them win to deepen their understanding of the game.
"Haha, I won again! This game is so much fun!" Vivian exclaimed cheerfully, pushing her tiles forward, her earlier frustration completely forgotten.
"Let's make it a competition," Charles suggested, thoroughly enjoying himself. "When the snack vendor comes by later, whoever has the lowest score buys everyone treats!"
That's how kids are—playing together gradually builds trust and familiarity.
"Great! Great! I feel like my luck is on a roll," Vivian chimed in enthusiastically.
Anduin chuckled inwardly. I let them win a few rounds, and now they're getting cocky. Time to teach them a lesson and show them how cruel the world can be.
The three of them quickly rearranged their tiles and started a new round.
After a while...
Knock, knock. A knock sounded at the door. They turned to see a middle-aged woman selling snacks standing outside, asking if they wanted anything.
Anduin's expression darkened. He had been losing almost every hand for the past two rounds.
What the hell? he thought. Are these two really playing mahjong for the first time? How are they so good? Am I just terrible at this?
Vivian, in particular, was a force to be reckoned with. It was as if a whole new world had opened up to her. She was winning hand after hand, and she kept catching Anduin's discards, making him regret ever teaching them the game.
"Haha, Anduin, hurry up! You've lost the most. You're buying us snacks!" Vivian's eyes narrowed into crescent moons as she called out to him with a mischievous grin.
"Fine, damn your luck," Anduin grumbled, reluctantly pulling out his wallet and buying one of each snack.
Soon, the trio was feasting in their compartment.
"Try these Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans—they come in all sorts of flavors," Charles said, a licorice stick dangling from his mouth as he offered Anduin a handful of the candies.
"Ugh," Anduin gagged after tasting one. He'd gotten an earwax-flavored bean.
How could he tell it was earwax? Don't ask. Let's just say it was a guess.
Vivian and Charles burst into heartless laughter at his reaction.
Anduin lost all courage to try another bean and retreated to a Chocolate Frog.
Among all the snacks, the Chocolate Frog was the most palatable. The others were either too sweet or had bizarre flavors, like those Bertie Bott's beans.
Inside the frog's wrapper was a card featuring famous wizards and their achievements. Anduin's card depicted Hengist of Woodcroft, the supposed founder of Hogsmeade, Britain's only all-wizarding village.
As Anduin studied the card and gazed out the window, his anticipation for the Magical World grew stronger.
The three of them continued to chat and joke around while snacking.
Vivian's chatter remained as relentless as ever, her conversation still revolving around her family and its members. Anduin's ears were practically calloused from hearing about it, but he forced a smile.
Honestly, Anduin thought, someone with high emotional intelligence might describe Vivian as "spirited," while someone less tactful would probably just call her a gossip.
Charles, having grown more comfortable with the group, gradually opened up. Aside from his ever-present resentment toward the Death Eaters, Quidditch dominated his conversation. Upon learning that Anduin and Vivian were unfamiliar with the wizarding sport, he eagerly began explaining its rules, rattling off details about international teams and players as if they were old friends.
Anduin struggled to understand why the Magical World still embraced such a brutal sport like Quidditch. Listening to Charles describe various fouls and gruesome injuries—"So-and-so was killed by a Bludger in that match, while someone else was crippled"—he felt a strange disconnect. On one hand, there was the convenience of magic; on the other, the persistence of primitive and barbaric practices
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T/N— You can read upto Chapter 50 and get two chapters a day at— Patreon.com/EtherealTL
Details about bonus chapters mentioned in Auxiliary, Chapter 0.