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His questions came in rapid succession, and Fred and George immediately gathered around, focusing their attention on Morris.
"Uh…" Morris hadn't expected the three to be so surprised, and explained, "It's a strange spell I saw in an old book. I just wanted to test its effects. It seems to be working well."
He paused, then changed the subject, "By the way, is it strange not to use a wand?"
The three were speechless at Morris's lack of common sense.
"Let me tell you, Maurice," George said earnestly, "only the most powerful and experienced wizards can use spells without the aid of a wand."
"Probably just a lucky break?" Morris shrugged.
"I like that analogy," Fred chuckled. "But Morris, can you try again? Let's see what you're capable of."
Morris looked at the poor toad on the floor, which had just stopped twitching and still looked somewhat listless.
"Oh, of course."
He stretched out his palm again, aimed it at the toad, and pretended to be trying to concentrate, making up random incantations.
It's probably best not to stand out too much...
"Ushdi Shima Kapakka!"
Morris somehow found this nonsensical phrase in his mind and read it aloud.
The toad on the ground naturally didn't react, remaining lying there blankly, and even let out a weak croak.
"Hmm…" Morris feigned a regretful look, "It doesn't seem like it will work."
This result seems to have made it easier for the twins and Lee Jordan to accept.
"As expected, casting spells without a staff isn't that simple," George said matter-of-factly.
A first-year student who can reliably cast spells without a staff is truly astonishing.
Morris timely ended the discussion about his spellcasting abilities and turned his attention back to the toad on the ground. "So, whose toad is this? Wild?"
Chapter 19 Misunderstanding
There are obviously no wild toads on the train.
"It was probably lost by some careless student," Fred said casually. "Just leave it in the hallway; its owner will surely find it."
This suggestion was rather casual, clearly showing a lack of concern for the toad's fate.
However, they really don't need to worry.
This is the Hogwarts Express; unless it decides to jump out of the window, there's absolutely no way it could be in any danger.
Lee Jordan immediately bent down to pick up the toad, preparing to dispose of it.
Just then, the sliding door of the carriage was suddenly pulled open.
A round-faced boy timidly peeked in.
His eyes and the tip of his nose were red, and his face was full of anxiety, as if he had just cried.
"Excuse me, have you seen a toad? Its name is Leif, and I've lost it again..."
The boy immediately revealed his purpose for coming.
Lee Jordan's hand froze in mid-air, because at that moment he was holding a toad upside down in his hand.
Neville's gaze immediately locked onto his pet.
"Lee Frye!" he exclaimed, his gaze falling on Lee Jordan.
When Neville saw Lee Jordan roughly carrying his Rafer, who looked weak, tears welled up in his eyes again.
"What...what did you do?!" Neville's voice was trembling with sobs and a rare hint of anger.
However, he dared not step forward, because in front of him was a senior student who was much taller than him.
Lee Jordan's dreadlocks and slightly tall stature added an invisible sense of oppression to the timid Neville's eyes.
For a moment, he could only stand there, tears welling up in his eyes.
The scene was clear at a glance.
It was a scene straight out of a school bullying incident.
Lee Jordan was speechless for a moment. How did he suddenly become the villain who bullies the weak?
"Hey, don't cry!" Lee Jordan was a little flustered and quickly shoved Rafer into Neville's arms. "I really didn't do anything to it! It just... uh... maybe it got carsick?"
He racked his brains to come up with a lame reason—though the toad's listless appearance was hardly convincing.
Fred wanted to laugh, but he felt it would be too unkind to laugh now, so he could only purse his lips tightly, his shoulders shaking slightly.
George then nudged him with his elbow, signaling him to tone it down.
"You're a real scoundrel, Lee," Morris whistled, acting as if it were none of his business.
"Shut up, Morris. Who do you think did this?" Lee Jordan said angrily, then turned to Neville, who was still sobbing, trying to sound as sincere as possible. "Don't cry, kid. Your toad is really okay, I promise you."
Neville raised his teary eyes, looked at Lee Jordan, who looked helpless and even a little aggrieved, then at the LeFoe in his hand, and slowly nodded.
"Nawi, have you found your toad?"
Just then, another voice rang out at the door.
A girl with long, thick, fluffy brown hair appeared there.
The exceptionally intelligent girl scanned the carriage and instantly grasped the situation: Neville, with red eyes and holding a toad; Lee Jordan, looking embarrassed; the two red-haired twins behind him who were mocking Neville; and Morris, holding a black cat and seemingly unconcerned.
Her brows furrowed immediately, and she blurted out, "You're just bullying a first-year student like this?!"
Lee Jordan raised his hand to his forehead.
Well, now I'll have to explain again.
He didn't want any unfounded rumors to circulate among the new students.
Bullying the weak?
He doesn't need that kind of fame.
...
After a slightly chaotic two-and-a-half-minute explanation (mainly because Fred and George were causing trouble), the misunderstanding was finally cleared up.
Although Hermione still felt that these people were a bit unreliable, especially Lee Jordan who was carrying the toad, she at least believed that they were not deliberately bullying Neville.
"Okay," her tone softened, with a hint of apology, "it seems I misunderstood. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have accused you before I understood the situation."
Neville peeked out timidly from behind Hermione and whispered, "Thank... thank you for helping me find Rafer."
"It's alright." Lee Jordan waved his hand, trying to show his senior's demeanor.
A few drops of cold sweat remained on his forehead.
"I'm Hermione Granger," the brown-haired girl formally introduced herself, then stepped aside to let the round-faced boy hiding behind her out. "This is Neville Longbottom. We're both first-year students."
"Fred Weasley."
"George Weasley."
"Lee Jordan, we're both third-year students, and then this is…"
"Maurice Black," Maurice said simply, "is a newcomer, just like you."
A freshman among a group of third-year students is clearly an odd combination.
Did they know each other beforehand?
A hint of surprise flashed in Hermione's eyes as she looked Maurice up and down.
"Hey!" she suddenly remembered something and exclaimed, "I recognize you!"
Morris paused for a moment, "Huh? Have we met before?"
He looked closely at Hermione and made sure he had no recollection of the girl with thick brown hair and bright eyes.
should...
"At the pet store in Diagon Alley," Hermione said angrily. "You ignored me then, which was very rude of you."
Morris then realized that the girl's last name was "Granger," and she must be the Granger couple's daughter or a relative.
"Oh, it's you." He feigned an expression of sudden realization.
To be honest, he didn't remember the face of the person who had spoken to him.
No one would specifically remember what a stranger looks like, let alone a child who doesn't have any particular features.
Hermione gave a soft hum.
She realized that Maurice didn't remember her at all and was only answering that way to avoid embarrassing her.
Annoying guy.
Just then, a clear bell rang out from the corridor, accompanied by a cheerful female voice, "Kids, would you like some snacks? Chocolate frog! Pumpkin pie! Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans!"
The witch pushing her snack cart stopped right in front of their cubicle, only to be blocked by Hermione and Neville in the aisle.
Hermione noticed this as well and said to Neville, "Let's go, Neville, now that you've found your pet toad."
"Oh, wait a minute."
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