Thick of it : reboot

The rhythmic chugging of the Hogwarts Express filled the air as James, Ron, and Harry wandered down the corridor, peering into compartments. Most were already occupied—students chatting excitedly, trading sweets, or poring over spellbooks with wide-eyed wonder. Eventually, they found an empty compartment and slipped inside, setting their trunks aside before settling into the cushioned seats.

James leaned back, stretching slightly. "Hello, my name's James."

Ron grinned. "Nice to meet you, I'm Ron Weasley."

Harry, adjusting his glasses, added, "I'm Harry. Harry Potter."

Ron's eyes went as wide as saucers. He stared at Harry as if he had just announced he was Merlin reincarnated. "Wait—really? You're the Harry Potter? Do you have the scar?"

Harry hesitated for a moment before brushing his fringe aside, revealing the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.

Ron gaped. "Wicked."

James raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly does the scar mean?"

Ron turned to him, now equally shocked. "You don't know?"

James blinked. "Know what?"

Ron threw his hands up in disbelief. "Harry was the one who defeated You-Know-Who!"

James tilted his head thoughtfully. "Ah, I did read about that in a book somewhere. So, you're that Harry Potter? Well, nice to meet you, mate."

Harry offered a small, slightly embarrassed smile. "Thanks."

Just then, the compartment door slid open, revealing a kindly woman pushing a trolley filled with all sorts of sweets and chocolates. The sight was enough to make anyone's mouth water—rows of Pumpkin Pasties, Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, and more, all neatly arranged.

"Anything from the trolley, dears?" she asked with a warm smile.

James shook his head politely. "No, madam, I'm alright."

Ron hesitated before sighing, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a rather sad-looking wrapped sandwich. "I'm all sorted too."

Harry, meanwhile, dug into his pocket and pulled out some gold coins, his fingers closing around a few Galleons. He looked at the trolley, then back at Ron's sandwich before turning to the woman. "I'll take the lot," he said with a grin.

Ron's jaw practically hit the floor. "Wooah!"

Harry, smiling, started handing out sweets. "Let's try everything together."

James observed the moment, amused. First rule of making friends among boys—always feed them. Harry's either really generous or just has a natural knack for bonding. Probably both. Well, I don't fancy getting a sugar rush, but a few can't hurt.

"I'll take a few, then," James said, picking out a Chocolate Frog and some Bertie Bott's Beans.

The boys eagerly tore into their treats, laughing at the bizarre flavors of the beans—Ron nearly gagged on a bogey-flavored one, while James barely managed to avoid a soap-flavored horror. As they ate, their attention shifted to a rather scruffy-looking rat sitting on Ron's lap.

Ron sighed, scratching the rat's head. "This is Scabbers. Pathetic, isn't he?"

Harry eyed the rodent. "A little."

James . "So… you have a rat as a pet?"

Ron shrugged. "He used to be my brother Percy's, but now he's mine. Percy gave me a spell to turn him yellow. Want to see?"

James, curious, leaned forward. "Sure, why not?"

Ron cleared his throat and pulled out his wand, but before he could wave it—

The compartment door slid open again, revealing a bushy-haired girl who looked like she had already read half her schoolbooks before term had even started.

"Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville lost one."

Ron, wand still raised, muttered, "Nope."

The girl's sharp eyes zeroed in on Ron's wand. "Were you about to do a spell? Let's see it, then."

Ron, now under pressure, cleared his throat and waved his wand with exaggerated confidence. "Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow… turn this stupid fat rat yellow!" He flicked his wand dramatically.

Nothing happened.

Scabbers remained a thoroughly unimpressed shade of grey.

James. "Well, points for effort."

The girl crossed her arms. "I don't think that's a real spell. I've tried a few myself, and they've all worked for me."

She then pulled out her own wand, waved it precisely, and declared, "Oculus Reparo."

Harry flinched as his glasses, which had been slightly askew, suddenly mended themselves before his eyes.

"See?" she said proudly. "Proper magic."

She sat down beside Harry and scrutinized him more closely. "I'm Hermione Granger. And you are…?"

Harry hesitated. "Harry Potter."

Hermione's eyes went wide. "Holy cricket! You're Harry Potter?" She turned to the other two. "And you are…?"

Ron, looking less than impressed, muttered, "Ron Weasley."

James smirked. "James Dawson."

Hermione nodded, her expression thoughtful. "You should all change into your robes. We'll be arriving soon."

And with that, she stood, straightened her uniform, and marched off, leaving the boys staring after her.

There was a moment of silence.

James finally broke it. "Well… that was something."

Ron exhaled. "Yeah."

Harry just nodded, still processing the encounter.