[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hogwarts-john-wick":3,"chapter-hogwarts-john-wick-hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-427":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Hogwarts’ John Wick",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1646211,2109,"Chapter 427 427: 427: The Train Compartment","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-427",427,"\u003Cp>On the first day of term, Watson cleared his entire schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drove the car himself, dark circles under his eyes so heavy that one might question what he'd been up to the previous night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After staying up all night reading an entire book by Gilderoy Lockhart, Watson was yawning nonstop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the drive, John sat in the passenger seat, half-convinced his father would nod off at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Watson's willpower held strong—he managed to stay awake all the way to King's Cross Station, delivering them safely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tom looked utterly relieved to still be alive, wagging her tail gratefully as Mrs. Wick held her leash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Want to take a nap here first?\" John asked, glancing at his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watson took a sip of his life-saving elixir—coffee—and declared with absolute conviction, \"I said I'd send you off to school myself. I don't break my word.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After stepping out of the car, Watson waved toward a line of black vehicles parked behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men in suits who had followed him stopped and waited at his signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John couldn't help but notice how much more impressive his father's presence had become lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watson explained, \"Those hotel people from last time still haven't settled down. The company insisted I bring protection.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Translated into plain language, that meant someone was targeting Watson—and those men in suits were his security detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without any of the bodyguards accompanying them further, Watson walked with John into King's Cross Station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at the entrance to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, Watson couldn't hide the hint of envy in his voice. \"You've made it, John.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John took Tom's leash, nodded to his family, and headed toward the barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crossing through, a different world unfolded before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave the leash a light tug, and it automatically slipped from Tom's neck, retracting into a silver bracelet that he casually tucked into his small satchel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Freed, Tom dashed happily ahead, bounding onto the train in search of a seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's John Wick's dog! Give it way! Give it way!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she trotted down the corridor, students who recognized her eagerly reached out to pet her head, while others watched with curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time John reached his compartment, Tom had already stationed herself by the window, wagging her tail at passersby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That familiar sight quickly caught Daphne's attention. She hurried over, and Tom immediately jumped up to greet her affectionately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, Draco appeared as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crabbe and Goyle followed behind, their faces lighter than they'd been in months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their fathers had been imprisoned in Azkaban—something they'd thought would be for life—but their sentences had been reduced to just two years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astoria boarded together with Pansy, the two having been chatting about something before joining them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the train had been moving for a while, Daphne and Draco, who had stepped out earlier, returned to the compartment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were both prefects and had gone to patrol the train earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they returned, however, Draco didn't look pleased. Sitting down, he sneered, \"You should've seen the 'Savior Potter.' Oh, he was absolutely glowing, wasn't he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was referring to the crowd of girls who had surrounded Harry earlier. The Daily Prophet had been running headline after headline about the Ministry incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Constellation Society's existence had been erased from public record, public attention had shifted entirely to the Order of the Phoenix—and to Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inevitably, Harry had become the center of attention once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even those who had stood with him during the Ministry battle were now forgotten, reduced to nameless background figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't unexpected. After all, he had long been known as \"The Boy Who Lived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one truly knew what Harry had done inside the Ministry that night, but that didn't stop the wizarding world from calling him \"The One Who Defeated Him Twice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger generation especially loved their heroes; students were eager to befriend Harry Potter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Girls, in particular, were drawn to him—many charmed by the idea of being close to fame, with some even boldly inviting him to share their compartment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like a peacock in mating season,\" Draco muttered, never missing a chance to mock Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sounded for all the world like a jealous ex, sulking because he'd been ignored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daphne said nothing—she'd long since gotten used to Draco's habit of turning hatred into petty envy whenever it came to Harry Potter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draco rambled on for a bit longer about Harry before turning to notice Astoria's troubled expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draco immediately tensed. \"Tori—Astoria, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tori?\" Daphne's tone sharpened at once—clearly she'd caught on to the nickname. Her eyes flashed like blades as she glared at Draco before turning to her sister. \"Did you eat something bad?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" Astoria shook her head, frowning slightly. \"It's Pansy… she's got another boyfriend.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we'd better look into that,\" Draco said with a sigh of relief—thankfully it wasn't anything serious about Astoria. He leaned back lazily and added, \"After all, Pansy always manages to attract the worst kind of people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That, in fairness, was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her first \"boyfriend\" had been her pen pal—Tom Riddle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second had been a Slytherin boy who ended up betraying the entire House.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That third-year had never made it to fourth year, having been expelled after Snape received evidence personally submitted by Pansy herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy would likely spend the next few years in Azkaban on charges that could easily amount to attempted murder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when Draco made his remark, everyone in the compartment found themselves nodding in reluctant agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Pansy happened to be walking past at that very moment—and she heard every word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her compartment was right next door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, she stormed in, grabbed Draco by that third row, twelfth split-end of hair, and dragged him out into the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later, Draco came back in with his collar sticking up and a tie wound around his head, grumbling defiantly, \"I just don't hit women.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mhm,\" Daphne said dryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We all know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John responded halfheartedly, his tone the very definition of polite indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astoria, however, felt sorry for Draco. She drew her wand and tapped his nose lightly. \"Tempest Scourgify.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shoe prints on Draco's face vanished, and a small gust of wind swirled through his hair, restoring it to its usual slick perfection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks, Tori,\" Draco said, pulling the tie off his head and looking at her gratefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astoria smiled and nodded, and Draco's grin widened—until he noticed Daphne's murderous stare from across the compartment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that exact moment, someone knocked on their compartment door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third-year boy stood outside, not daring to meet the gaze of the person sitting by the window. His voice trembled as he stammered, \"H-hello, I—I was told to deliver these—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leave your voice at home, did you?\" Draco snapped impatiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The poor boy flinched, clearly having heard of Draco's reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He blurted out his message at lightning speed: \"I—I was asked to deliver these to John Wick, Daphne Greengrass, and Draco Malfoy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thrust three scrolls of parchment tied with purple ribbon into Draco's hands before bolting down the corridor as if chased by a rabid Cerberus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draco handed the parchments over—one to John, one to Daphne, keeping his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John untied his and scanned through the contents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"John,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you would do me the honor of joining me for lunch in Compartment C, I would be most delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yours sincerely,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>H. Slughorn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Slughorn's invitation?\" Draco read his own parchment uncertainly, scanning it twice to make sure he hadn't misread it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then realization struck him, and he stormed out of the compartment, shouting down the corridor at the retreating third-year, \"You missed one! Bring another invitation—now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy only ran faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John looked over at Astoria, who had also seen that her sister had been invited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She forced a small smile and said softly to Daphne, \"It's all right, Sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Astoria,\" Daphne said quietly, taking her sister's hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Draco returned, muttering irritably, \"Can't even count properly. What kind of incompetence is that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he saw Astoria's strained smile, his anger deepened into frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John gave a faint shake of his head. Even Slughorn, it seemed, could misjudge people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daphne's brilliance tended to overshadow everything around her—especially her younger sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning forward slightly, John said gently to the disheartened Astoria, \"Astoria, there's something I've actually been thinking about for a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astoria looked up at him, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John raised his hand, and faint starlight began to gather at his fingertips—shimmering points of light that slowly condensed into a small box tied with a sky-blue ribbon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He handed it to her and said softly, \"Open it. That way you'll know I haven't tampered with anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astoria glanced toward her sister. Daphne gave her a reassuring nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully untying the ribbon, Astoria opened the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside lay a Constellation Society badge, its stars shifting and glimmering as though alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astoria gasped, covering her mouth in surprise, tears welling at the corners of her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of the badge rested a small card with her name written on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John smiled faintly. \"I've been thinking for a while about inviting you to join the Constellation Society. You were too young before—but now, if you're willing… would you like to join us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astoria bit her lip and turned her head slightly, trying to keep her tears from falling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She caught her sister's encouraging gaze—and Draco's enthusiastic thumbs-up from across the compartment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the moment she had been waiting for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, it had come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her trembling with emotion, John stood and said casually, \"Come on. Let's step out for a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing this was the best time for Astoria to let out her emotions, both Draco and Daphne quietly excused themselves from the compartment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they were gone, the sound of Astoria's soft sobbing filled the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wiped at her tears clumsily with the back of her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She remembered the first time she had walked through the Great Hall, surrounded by the members of the Constellation Society. Ever since then, she had wanted to join them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But surrounded by so many extraordinary people, she had always felt invisible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'm not worthy of the Constellation Society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That had been her conclusion long ago. Carrying that thought, she had worked tirelessly to improve herself—just so she could one day stand beside her sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet once the Society appeared, all eyes were drawn only to its brightest stars. No one noticed those standing nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though no one had said anything today, the exclusion still stung. Not even invited… because I'm not good enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, none of that mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was Slughorn's invitation compared to this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Constellation Society had just shown her that Astoria Greengrass was no less brilliant than anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And John's words made it clear—this wasn't pity, nor a gesture born of sympathy. He'd made this decision long before today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No favoritism, no special treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She and her sister were both among the best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was a radiant star—one that shone alongside the rest of the constellation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>o(*￣▽￣*)ブSupport and Read 12 Chapters ahead: Patreon\u002FDragonel\u003C\u002Fp>",1851,"2026-06-06T11:45:53.362Z",1,"novelbin.me","dde50ace5cbb979c2f3733ece47e2bae5077a157e2282bc00531bb1cf3f3280a","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-428","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-426",577,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhogwarts-john-wick-cover.jpg"]