Chapter 26: George, Luna, Colin, and Ginny

Chapter 26: George, Luna, Colin, and Ginny

"The history of the basilisk is too ancient. It has long been banned by the Ministry of Magic, so few books mention it. But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Just like the Crumple-Horned Snorkack. Most wizards don't believe this magical creature exists, but my father once had the fortune of seeing one in Sweden."

The girl tilted her head as she answered.

"What's a Crumple-Horned Snorkack?"

Colin's face was full of curiosity.

The girl explained:

"It's a magical creature with a special long horn, but it can't fly."

"Alright, that's probably a Graphorn."

By now, George had figured out the girl's identity—Luna Lovegood.

Her father was Xenophilius Lovegood, the editor of *The Quibbler*, and her mother was Pandora Lovegood, who had died in a spell experiment accident when Luna was nine.

This showed that without a solid foundation in magical theory, creating new spells could be extremely dangerous.

Given her family's deep knowledge, what Luna said about the eagle-owl might be true. However, the Crumple-Horned Snorkack was likely something Xenophilius had made up to entertain his daughter.

The so-called Crumple-Horned Snorkack was actually a Graphorn, whose special horn could even explode.

"There's still room here. Let me help you with your luggage."

Wanting to learn more from Luna about things not found in books, George stood up and offered to help her with her luggage, placing it on the overhead rack.

"Thank you. I'm Luna Lovegood."

Luna, who was also interested in the eagle-owl, didn't refuse. However, she couldn't help but exclaim when she saw how effortlessly George, who looked rather thin, lifted her luggage onto the high rack.

"You're really strong!"

After Luna sat down, the three of them began chatting again.

However, it was mostly Colin, the curious one, asking questions, with Luna answering. George listened quietly, only chiming in with questions when something particularly interested him.

"Choo-choo!"

The long whistle sounded, signaling that the train was about to depart.

At that moment, the sliding door of the compartment was pulled open, and a girl with thick, fiery red hair, bright brown eyes, and a doll-like face walked in.

"Is there room here?"

She pointed to the seat next to Luna.

"Everywhere else is full."

"No, you can sit next to me."

Luna smiled gently.

The girl visibly relaxed. Due to her brothers' forgetfulness (she certainly wouldn't admit that she had almost forgotten her magical notebook), she had been among the last to board the train.

"Little Ginny, we're here to help you."

At that moment, a pair of identical red-haired twin boys walked in.

They laughed and joked as they helped their sister with her luggage, then left after some playful banter and her shooing them away.

"Hi everyone, I'm Ginny, Ginny Weasley."

After getting rid of her annoying brothers, Ginny sat down next to Luna and introduced herself confidently. She wasn't a shy person—except when it came to Harry.

"Luna Lovegood."

"Colin Creevey."

"George."

The three of them also introduced themselves.

"George, you have the same name as one of my brothers—the one who just left. He's also called George, George Weasley.

By the way, what's your last name?"

"Just call me George."

George smiled and didn't elaborate.

Although his name, George, sounded the same as George Weasley's, there was a fundamental difference.

George Weasley's last name was Weasley, and his first name was George. However, George's full name was actually George Zhi, with 'Zhi' meaning 'to govern.' His father had given him this name in the hope that he would one day become an official and govern a region.

So, technically, according to Western naming conventions, he should be called Zhi Qiao.

But he found that too awkward, so he simply told people to call him George.

"Ginny, how many brothers do you have?"

At this point, the kind-hearted Colin suddenly changed the subject. He thought that, as an orphan, George might not want to talk about his last name.

Ginny didn't think much of it and held up her hands, folding down four fingers:

"Six. Bill works as a curse-breaker for Gringotts in Egypt, Charlie is a dragon tamer in Romania, Percy is in his sixth year, George and Fred are in their fourth year—you just saw them—and Ron..."

"That's a lot!"

Hearing Ginny's answer, both Colin and Luna looked surprised. Having so many children was rare, even among Muggle families, let alone wizarding ones.

As George listened to their conversation, his gaze drifted to Ginny's luggage. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

If all wizarding families were as prolific as the Weasleys, wizards might have already ruled the world, leaving no room for Muggles.

As the four of them chatted, the train began to move, leaving King's Cross Station behind and speeding through fields dotted with cows and sheep, heading toward Scotland.

Since it was their first time leaving home for such a long journey, and they were heading to the famous Hogwarts, even the usually quiet Luna was visibly excited.

So, the three of them kept talking nonstop.

Because much of their conversation revolved around their childhood experiences and family situations rather than magic, George gradually withdrew from the discussion and returned to his book.

Around half past twelve, a cheerful witch with dimples pushed open the compartment door and asked:

"Dear children, would you like to buy some snacks from the trolley?

We have Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes, Licorice Wands..."

Faced with the cart full of magical snacks and the witch's inquiry, all three shook their heads.

Colin, coming from a Muggle family, naturally didn't have much money. He had spent all his remaining funds on the magical camera.

Although Ginny was from a pure-blood family, her father had long been disowned by the family for his closeness to Muggles and his love for Muggle items. All the family's expenses came from her father's salary at the Ministry of Magic.

With so many children in school and the particularly expensive Defense Against the Dark Arts textbooks this year, even many of her school supplies were second-hand. She had no spare money for snacks.

As for Luna, she wasn't short on pocket money, but she didn't seem particularly interested in snacks.

"One of each, please!"

Knowing the financial situations of the young wizards, George stood up and spent twelve silver Sickles and five bronze Knuts to buy one of each snack, placing them on the table.

"Ginny, I heard you say you know a hex called the Bat-Bogey Hex. Would you mind teaching me sometime?"

He pushed a quarter of the snacks toward Ginny, who immediately nodded with a sparkle in her eyes:

"Of course! That's my best hex. Even George and Fred have fallen victim to it."

"Luna, I'd like to ask you some questions about magical creatures."

George then pushed another quarter of the snacks toward Luna.

Luna smiled and nodded, not refusing.

Finally, George set aside his own portion and pushed the remaining quarter toward Colin.

"Would you mind taking a magical photo of me sometime? I'd like to keep it as a memento."

(End of Chapter)