Harry had never liked being the centre of attention—especially not the kind where people stared openly at the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, as though he were some curious exhibit behind glass.
It made his skin crawl.
But he didn't have the courage to refuse.
And besides… maybe being looked at meant he could make friends more easily.
So when he noticed Ron sneaking glances at his fringe, Harry hesitated for a moment—then pushed his hair aside.
"Merlin's socks…"
Ron breathed the words in awe, eyes fixed on the scar as though it were a rare jewel. He stared so intently that Harry felt his cheeks heat.
Tap.
Vaughn flicked Ron lightly on the head with his wand.
"OW! What was that for?" Ron yelped, clutching his scalp.
"For being rude."
"I—I was just curious…"
Ron turned away, ears burning red.
The moment stretched awkwardly.
Harry shifted beside him, unsure where to look—until his gaze settled on Vaughn's wand.
After being helped twice in one morning by the Weasleys, his nerves had eased considerably. Gratitude outweighed his shyness. After watching Vaughn's wand for a while, he gathered the courage to speak.
"Um… Vaughn. Is it all right if I call you Vaughn?"
Vaughn, brushing Guoguo Tea's thick fur, nodded easily.
"Of course, Harry."
"The spell you used earlier… was that…?"
"The Levitation Charm," Vaughn replied. "It's basic—just makes things float. It's in our first-year textbook."
"That's amazing…" Harry's green eyes shone—then dimmed slightly. "I tried for a whole month… and I still can't do anything."
Vaughn shrugged.
"I started practising spells at home when I was eight. You grew up with Muggles, with no magic at all. Don't compare yourself to me. Lots of Muggle-born kids start out exactly like you."
He didn't mention learning the charm in two tries.
No need to show off in front of children.
Harry visibly relaxed. The thought of entering an entirely new world terrified him; he feared falling behind on the very first day.
Wanting to include Ron—and to bond properly with both brothers—he turned eagerly.
"Ron, you probably know loads of spells, right?"
Ron: "..."
Harry watched in horror as Ron's entire face turned scarlet.
Vaughn burst out laughing.
Too awkward—far too awkward.
Thankfully, at that moment, the compartment door slid open again.
A cheerful witch with smiling eyes and deep dimples leaned inside.
"Anything from the trolley, dears?"
Her cart brimmed with sweets.
Harry jumped to his feet. He didn't know how friendships worked—but sharing food had always worked for Dudley.
And this time… he actually had money.
When he returned, his arms were piled high with treats. Ron stared in open disbelief as Harry dumped everything onto the seat.
"Go on! Help yourselves. I bought loads—I can't finish it alone!"
Ron tried to sound polite.
"Mum packed sandwiches…"
But Vaughn had already unwrapped a pumpkin pasty without hesitation.
Seeing that, Ron relaxed and followed suit. Harry beamed.
In eleven years, he'd never shared food with anyone.
And no one had ever shared with him.
This—this felt wonderful.
Soon, Harry and Ron were laughing together as they dared each other with Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans, compared Chocolate Frog cards, and talked excitedly.
Vaughn joined in now and then, but mostly sat quietly, smiling, his thoughts drifting.
In his previous life, he'd often imagined different paths for Harry.
What if Harry never met Ron?
Never met Hermione?
The outcome was obvious.
Either Harry would drown in fame and wither into uselessness…
Or he would walk a path disturbingly close to Voldemort's.
But now, reality was unfolding as it should.
On this train, Harry had met the two people who would walk beside him for life—friends who would refill a heart that had been cracked and dried out for years.
Dumbledore always said love was the greatest power.
But to Vaughn—
Fate was far more terrifying.
And far more irresistible.
He wanted to seize it.
His fingers brushed his wand as he gazed out the window. The tidy fields had given way to wild land—shadowy hills, tangled forests, rivers glinting beneath the sky.
Some time later, the compartment door opened again.
A round-faced boy peeked in, sniffling loudly.
"E-excuse me… have you seen a toad? Mine's called Trevor… I lost him…"
Harry and Ron shook their heads.
"I'll help you look," Vaughn said, standing. "Come on, Guoguo Tea—give him a sniff."
The massive cat hopped down and padded after him.
"Th-thank you," the boy sniffed. "I'm Neville—Neville Longbottom."
"No need to thank me," Vaughn replied with a smile. "Just call me Vaughn."
Of course, he wasn't being purely charitable.
He wanted an excuse to roam the train—and to give Harry and Ron time alone to bond properly.
Watching Vaughn leave, Harry sighed.
"Your brother's really kind, Ron."
Ron pulled a face like he'd bitten a lemon.
"He is not! You've no idea how many times he's scared me half to death! Fred and George are just as bad!"
Harry shook his head gently.
"He's your brother. Of course he teases you. But look at how he treats others—me, Neville… Before today, I thought all big brothers were like Dudley."
They'd talked about Dudley earlier—Harry had practically described him as a monster.
Compared to that, Ron suddenly realised Vaughn was… an angel.
Swelling with pride, he began to brag.
"Well… he's not that bad. Actually, except for scaring me, Vaughn's great. He could brew potions when he was eight. Everyone's heard of him—he's famous. A genius."
"And he earned the money for my new wand! He bought it for me!"
Harry watched Ron cradle the wand like a treasure, eyes glowing with admiration.
No one had ever given Harry a gift like that.
Meanwhile, Vaughn—unaware of Ron's praises—found Trevor quickly with Guoguo Tea's help. After sending off a tearfully grateful Neville, he turned to leave—
"Vaughn… Weasley?"
He looked back.
Standing a short distance away was Hermione Granger—hair bushy, eyes bright, staring at him with fierce curiosity.
(End of Chapter 11)
PS :
Chocolate Frog – Wizarding confection with collectible cards.
Neville Longbottom – First-year Hogwarts student; owner of the toad Trevor.
Trevor – Neville's pet toad.