At noon, a kind woman knocked on the compartment door, asking if they wanted to buy something to eat.
Both Dudley and Harry were very interested in the Black Magic World's food, so they bought a large amount.
This was also the first time Harry bought things to share with others, and it felt very good.
During this time, Ron's twin brothers, Fred and George, came to visit, and Ron enthusiastically introduced Harry and Dudley to them.
The only regret was that he didn't remember Dudley's name, only that he was Harry's cousin, almost causing a joke.
Dudley didn't mind this; after hearing Harry Potter, most people basically wouldn't pay attention to what he was saying, let alone remember his name.
In the afternoon, the compartment door was knocked on again.
This time, a small girl with fluffy hair and a pair of large front teeth entered; she had already changed into her Hogwarts uniform.
"Have you seen a toad? A boy named Neville lost his toad."
The little girl asked.
"No, he's already been here himself," Harry said.
"Oh, okay."
After speaking, the little girl was about to leave.
Just then, she noticed a scar on Harry's forehead.
Because it was a bit warm, Harry had swept the stray hairs from his forehead, which made the lightning-shaped scar look very obvious.
"You're Harry Potter?"
The little girl said in surprise, sitting directly opposite him, next to Ron.
Ron was startled, frowned, and shrank back a bit to the side.
"Uh… yes."
Harry nodded.
Dudley was already used to this and didn't even look up; he was reading a book and petting the cat, looking incredibly content.
"My name is Hermione Granger, and oh my goodness, I know all about you."
"I bought some extra books; your name and deeds are mentioned in several books, such as 'History of Magic' and 'The Rise and Fall of Dark Arts,'" Hermione said excitedly.
Harry was bewildered, unsure what expression to make, so he could only offer an awkward but polite smile.
Hermione then rattled on, talking from History of Magic to the history of Hogwarts, and the differences between the various Hogwarts houses, finally concluding with the house she wanted to go to, before temporarily stopping.
"Alright, I'm leaving now, it's almost time, you'd best change into your uniforms."
Hermione said, standing up and reminding them before leaving.
"Okay."
Harry nodded.
After the compartment door closed, Ron pouted.
"No matter which house I'm sorted into, I don't want to be with her; she's simply terrifying."
Harry didn't say anything, but he had to admit that Hermione's way of speaking made him feel a little uncomfortable too.
Dudley glanced outside; the sky was already getting dark.
"We should be arriving soon. Judging by the distance, we're already in Scotland."
"Let's change."
The three of them said nothing more, stood up, and changed into their Hogwarts uniforms.
Just then, the compartment door was directly pushed open.
A pale-faced boy entered, and behind him were two tall, sturdy boys, one on each side, like two bodyguards.
"The whole carriage is talking about it, saying the famous Harry Potter is coming to Hogwarts. Looks like it's true."
The pale-faced boy looked at Harry, especially noting the scar on Harry's forehead.
"Is there something you want?"
Harry asked with a frown.
These three people were really impolite; not only did they not knock when they came in, but their tone was also very arrogant.
Especially the pale-faced boy, who spoke with a long, drawn-out drawl, putting on airs.
"This is Crabbe, this is Goyle." The pale-faced boy introduced to Harry, "My name is Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Harry frowned, looking at the three boys in front of him, and said nothing.
Dudley watched everything with interest; these three boys clearly had ill intentions, and he wanted to see how his younger brother, Harry, would handle the current situation.
"Pfft."
Ron couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Malfoy's pretentious, drawn-out tone was truly unbearable.
"Do you think my name is funny?" Malfoy looked down at Ron, "I don't even need to ask to know who you are. Red hair, freckles all over your face, and old clothes—you must be from the Weasley family, who have so many children they can barely afford them."
Ron's face darkened, and just as he was about to retort, Malfoy had already turned to Harry.
"You'll soon find out that some Wizard families are much better than others. We are noble, pure, and incomparable to that trash."
"Potter, you wouldn't want to make friends with the wrong sort, would you? I can help you with that."
Malfoy extended his hand.
Dudley raised an eyebrow.
Interesting, this scene was truly interesting.
So, what choice would Harry make?
Dudley had seen similar scenarios many times in that peculiar world.
It was nothing more than self-interest.
Rosell the Great put it well: all the world's comings and goings are for profit.
Malfoy was clearly a child from the upper echelons of Wizard society; the resources he could access were inaccessible to others. If Harry chose him, he would likely gain many benefits in his future life.
Of course, Harry would also have to pay a price.
His reputation was a double-edged sword; if not used well, it would make him a target of public criticism.
Most children in this situation might succumb to authority, but who knows about Harry…
"I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thank you!"
Harry said, looking coldly at Malfoy's outstretched hand.
Draco Malfoy's pale face flushed slightly.
"If I were you, Potter, I'd be very careful, especially careful." Malfoy said slowly, "Otherwise, you might very well end up on the same path as your parents; they were just like you, just as ungrateful."
Harry and Ron stood up abruptly.
Seeing this, Dudley also stood up.
"What? Want to fight?" Malfoy took a step back, positioning himself behind Crabbe and Goyle.
"Three against three, a fair duel. Oh no, there's a mudblood here, he doesn't count as a person." Malfoy's cold gaze swept over Dudley, as if he didn't consider him human at all.
"What did you say?"
Ron's face was extremely grim.
Clearly, this was a very insulting term, and even if Dudley and Harry didn't understand it, they could probably guess what it meant.