This is a small loophole in the rules.
Young wizards are not allowed to use magic during school holidays, but the period before first year enrollment is not considered a holiday, so they are allowed to cast spells.
The Ministry of Magic probably believes that first year children who have not yet enrolled cannot cause too much trouble.
In reality, that is true, and most young wizards cannot even cast spells.
Before enrollment, their wands are just like their brains, completely unused and brand new.
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 records the Levitation Charm, Fire Making Spell, Softening Charm, Severing Charm, Unlocking Charm, Locking Spell, and Repairing Charm.
In the movies, Hermione had already learned several simple spells such as the Repairing Charm before school started, and even showed it off on the train by repairing Harry’s glasses.
Fel decided to set aside the Fire Making Spell and the Severing Charm for the time being.
Both spells could be dangerous, and if an accident happened, there was no wizard around him to deal with it.
The Unlocking Charm became Fel’s first choice for practice because it was simple and safe.
Fel closed the bedroom door, locked it, pointed his wand at the keyhole, cleared his throat, and recalled the correct pronunciation described in the book.
Hermione, who appeared to be reading a book on the bed, was actually watching Fel’s every move from the corner of her eyes.
“Alohomora!”
The moment the words left Fel’s mouth, he knew he had made a mistake.
He was a little nervous, and his pronunciation had trembled.
Sure enough, the lock shook slightly, but nothing happened.
Fel calmed himself and took a moment to compose himself.
He stared at the lock, firmly imagining it opening.
“Alohomora!”
Fel felt a strange power flowing through his body.
It gathered into the wand in his hand before erupting dozens of times stronger.
In reality, however, there was no dramatic magical surge.
There was only a click as the locked door unlocked by itself.
Fel was overjoyed.
It seemed that his talent for magic was quite high.
Now he finally had the basic qualifications to stand against Voldemort.
Hermione could not hold herself back anymore.
She put down her book and came over, wanting to give it a try herself.
Reading?
Could someone who could not use magic still be called a wizard?
How irresistible!
…
In the blink of an eye, it was finally enrollment day.
During this period, Fel and Hermione had learned every spell except the Fire Making Spell and the Severing Charm.
Fel practiced obsessively every day.
From succeeding only occasionally at first, he had now reached a one hundred percent success rate, casting every spell quickly and accurately.
The whole family set out early that morning.
Thanks to their two suitcases with the Undetectable Extension Charm, Fel and Hermione did not have to carry piles of luggage.
Fel guessed that in the original story, Hagrid had probably forgotten to tell Harry to buy a magical suitcase.
After all, such things were as light as feathers to Hagrid.
The Weasley family was probably just too poor.
Magical suitcases were not cheap.
After arriving at King’s Cross Station, the two of them pulled their suitcases toward the space between Platforms Nine and Ten.
Along the way, they saw many young witches, wizards, and parents, but Fel did not recognize any of them, so he paid them no further attention.
At last, they reached a brick pillar with signs marked “9” and “10” hanging on either side.
Because of the Muggle Repelling Charm, Mr.
and Mrs.
Granger did not notice the other young wizards running straight into the pillar.
They simply hugged Fel and Hermione tightly.
“Children, take good care of yourselves, don’t run around, write to us when you arrive at school, and be sure to come home for Christmas. We’ll come pick you up…”
Hermione’s eyes were slightly red.
It was her first time leaving home, and she was heading to the unknown world of magic.
Could she really learn everything well?
Would the other wizards bully her and Fel?
Anticipation, excitement, anxiety, and uncertainty filled Hermione’s flat chest.
Fel also felt a little emotional.
However, because of those memories, he was far more mature than ordinary children.
After saying their goodbyes to the Grangers, Fel walked with Hermione toward the platform.
“I’ll go first. Run right behind me.”
After saying that, Fel stretched out one hand to feel the way ahead and ran toward the pillar.
He barely felt anything.
His vision suddenly went dark before becoming bright again.
A completely different scene unfolded before his eyes, and behind him came Hermione’s amazed gasp.
Suspended above the platform was a bright red sign that read Platform Nine and Three Quarters.
A bright red steam locomotive stood on the tracks to the left.
The front of the engine was round, with a plaque that read Hogwarts Express, 5972.
Above the plaque was Hogwarts’ colorful school crest.
Although they had arrived early, many students were already there.
Fel saw some carrying suitcases, others pushing luggage carts, gathered together in small groups.
The platform was filled with noisy chatter and lively voices.
Fel smiled at Hermione.
“Come on, let’s find a good seat.”
The two excitedly ran onto the train and picked a clean, bright compartment.
“Let’s change into our school robes first.”
Fel suggested that wearing wizard robes in the Muggle world would attract too much attention, and since they had arrived early, all the nearby compartments were empty.
Hermione obediently stood outside the compartment to keep watch while Fel quickly changed clothes before calling her inside.
“Fel, no peeking!”
“Oh, come on. You’re not getting completely undressed. You’re still wearing clothes underneath, so I wouldn’t see anything anyway.”
Fel rubbed his forehead before stepping outside to stand guard.
That was what he said.
Still, as he listened to the rustling sounds of Hermione changing inside, he could not help feeling a strange emotion in his heart.
After spending several years together as childhood sweethearts, along with those memories, it somehow felt as though they had already grown up.
[Author: All characters in this book are already eighteen years old. In this magical world, people simply live longer and develop more slowly. What, not convinced?]
[Translator: Not convinced.]
Hearing Hermione call him, Fel walked back inside, and the two looked each other over.
They both nodded with satisfaction.
Very handsome.
Very cute.
Hermione wore a black robe and long skirt on the outside, a gray sweater underneath, and a white shirt beneath that with a black tie.
Her little feet were wrapped in dark gray over the knee socks and black leather shoes.
She had carefully tidied her hair today.
Although it was still curly, it was no longer messy.
Her delicate little face still carried a hint of baby fat, making her look like a fluffy little kitten.
The two sat close together on one side of the compartment and chatted for a while as the noise from the other young wizards outside grew louder and louder.
“Excuse… excuse me, is anyone sitting here? There… there aren’t any seats left.”
A timid voice came from outside.
Fel looked up.
The Gryffindor Sword Saint, Neville!
Neville was chubby and quite tall, about the same height as Fel, but he spoke very timidly, with his shoulders hunched and little confidence.
“Of course. Come in, have a seat. The train is about to leave.”
Hermione warmly welcomed him.
She truly wanted to make more friends at Hogwarts.
Fel helped carry the luggage.
Neville thanked him repeatedly before putting it away and sitting opposite Fel and Hermione.
The three of them soon began chatting.
When Hermione learned that Neville came from a wizarding family, she was delighted.
She had so many questions she wanted to ask.
Fel felt the same way.
Those memories in his mind were far too vague.
There were far too many details about the real magical world that he did not know, and this was the perfect chance to learn more about it.
Seeing how friendly the two of them were, Neville finally relaxed, and a smile gradually appeared on his face.
When Hermione heard that Neville did not know a single spell, her proud little heart finally relaxed, and she even felt a little smug.
So children from wizarding families were not as amazing as she had imagined!
After some time passed, Neville suddenly seemed to remember something.
He hurriedly stood up and began searching everywhere.
Fel guessed that this was the same scene from the original story where Neville had lost his pet toad, Trevor.
Sure enough, Neville said with tears in his eyes, “Trevor… Trevor is gone.”