The moment Marius Cloud uttered those words, everyone present held their breath and turned toward him.
What was he going to do?
Draco Malfoy, especially, stared straight at him. Although he'd been beaten by Marius more times than he could count, he was absolutely sure of one thing: he had never fainted before.
That "fact" gave Draco all the confidence in the world. He boldly locked eyes with Marius—only to see his lips move ever so slightly.
"Mental Pulse."
No one heard what he said.
Draco certainly didn't.
Because he never got the chance.
In the very next instant, it felt as if an invisible sledgehammer had slammed down on Draco's skull. His world went black, and with a dull thud, he collapsed to the floor—completely unconscious.
"No way!" Ron yelped. "He seriously fainted?!"
"Was that even… magic?" Harry blinked in surprise, turning to Ron.
Ron looked just as dumbfounded. "But he didn't even take out his wand!"
"He really did pass out!" Crabbe and Goyle were frozen in place, eyes bulging as they stared at Draco's fallen body. They didn't even move to help him, letting his head knock hard against the wooden floor. Not that Marius intended to warn them.
'Let's just hope poor Draco doesn't get more brain damage from that,' Marius thought with zero sincerity.
He took Hermione's hand and casually walked past Draco's unconscious body, giving it no more than a sideways glance.
"Oh, right."
Marius suddenly paused and reached back to give Crabbe and Goyle each a light slap on their pudgy cheeks.
"Make sure to remind Draco when he wakes up—he swore on the honor of the Malfoy family. If he chickens out now, that'd be truly disgraceful."
And with that, Marius strolled off without another glance.
Halfway down the corridor, Hermione looked back uncertainly. "Did he really faint?"
"Yep."
"That wasn't… wandless magic, was it?"
Marius sighed. "What kind of books have you been reading? Wandless magic is extremely advanced. Do I look like someone who can pull that off?"
"You really didn't use magic to attack him?"
"I really didn't use magic to attack him." Marius shrugged. "A scholar's mental strike—can you really call that an 'attack'?"
But Hermione, her curiosity still burning bright, refused to let the matter drop. "Then why did he faint?"
"Who knows? Maybe he really was scared out of his wits."
Time passed quickly as the two chatted away, and before long, the whistle of the Hogwarts Express signaled their arrival.
"We're already at school?" Hermione was still engrossed in the conversation.
"We are." Marius smiled and glanced at her. "And I think it's about time you changed into your robes."
"Oh no! I've been so caught up talking to you, I totally forgot!" Hermione gasped, finally realizing.
Marius had already changed into his Hogwarts uniform back when they'd gone to Gringotts—something Hermione noticed just then.
"You already changed earlier, didn't you? Why didn't you remind me?"
To her surprise, Marius replied in the most deadpan tone possible, "Because I wanted to see you change, obviously."
"You… what did you just say!?" Hermione's brows shot up as color rapidly bloomed in her cheeks. She glared at him. "If we weren't already friends, that sentence alone would be enough for me to label you a complete pervert! Now get out! I'm changing!"
Marius simply shrugged. "What's there to be embarrassed about? Back when I stayed at your place, didn't you come out of the bathroom a few times and—"
"Don't bring that up again!"
Hermione's cheeks flushed even redder, and she practically shoved Marius out of the compartment before slamming the door shut. Inside, her mind was still filled with those mortifying memories he'd mentioned.
Outside, Marius grinned mischievously.
Truth be told, Hermione's figure hadn't developed enough to interest him in that way yet—but teasing the future Miss Know-It-All? Now that was entertaining.
A moment later, the door creaked open again, and Hermione stepped out—her cheeks still rosy, but her expression composed.
"Alright, most of the students are getting off. We should go too."
Marius reached out and tousled her hair affectionately. It was curly and springy to the touch—oddly pleasant.
"You always do that," Hermione muttered. "We're the same age, but you keep treating me like a little kid!"
She paused, thinking back to just earlier. "That whole thing was just to mess with me, wasn't it?"
Marius chuckled gently. "You're too cute not to tease sometimes… Besides, doesn't it feel nice to be looked after?"
Hermione pouted. "That's not the point. The problem is, I really do feel like a child when I'm with you. Even though we're both first-years, it's like you already know everything. You can do everything."
The more time she spent around Marius, the more painfully aware she became of the massive gap between them.
"That's because we grew up in different environments," Marius said softly. "I've been around magic since I was little. Once you start learning at Hogwarts, you'll become an incredible witch too."
"There it is again! Talking to me like I'm a little kid!" Hermione puffed up her cheeks. But then, just as quickly, her irritation melted away. She smiled warmly. "Still… I don't hate it. I feel a lot better now. Thanks, Marius."
At that moment, a deep voice echoed from outside the train.
"All right, first-years over here! With me, we'll be takin' the boats!"
It was Hagrid's unmistakable bellow.
"Oh no! They're leaving! We need to hurry!" Hermione said, flustered.
"Don't worry," Marius said as he leisurely walked toward the exit. "Even if they leave, it's no big deal."
Hermione looked panicked, but Marius was as relaxed as ever.
Outside the train, Hagrid was doing his final check.
"Any first-years still on board?"
Harry, who had just finished happily greeting Hagrid again, suddenly paused and looked around.
Wait a second—where was Marius?
"Someone's still on the train, Hagrid!" he called out. "Marius Cloud hasn't come off yet!"
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T/N:
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