Chapter 9: Hogwarts Express
In the British Wizarding World, September 1st is a very important day, especially for wizards who are eleven years old.
School starts at Hogwarts on this day.
The little wizard who just turned eleven has been looking forward to it day and night, hoping that this day will come soon.
However, wizards aged twelve to seventeen may not necessarily think so because the start of school means that the happy summer vacation life has officially come to an end. They must also face the homework that has been forgotten for the summer vacation.
This is not good news.
This is particularly evident in the case of Kyle and the Weasley twins.
In the open space in front of the Burrow, Kyle, who was standing at the front, was very excited. At the same time, Fred and George behind him had nervous faces, and from time to time, they would gather together and whisper as if they were the ones who were going to Hogwarts for the first time.
Yes, Kyle is here too.
Initially, Chris planned to take him directly using Apparation there. Still, before setting off, he happened to meet Mrs. Weasley, who came to knock on the door.
Mrs. Weasley seemed to have guessed that he was going to do this. The first thing she said when she saw Chris was that there were too many Muggles at King's Cross Station, and it would be easy to be seen by using Apparition. It was too unsafe. Let Kyle go with them no matter what.
Chris wanted to say something more, but seeing Mrs. Weasley's resolute attitude, he could only swallow those words again and nodded in agreement.
On the other hand, Kyle on the side rubbed his forehead helplessly.
He really wanted to tell Mrs. Weasley that in Muggle's eyes, nine people getting out of a Ford was much scarier than two people suddenly appearing in front of them.
After all, there are no Ganges, and Ford is not a good car with a rhombus logo. You can sit in it as much as you want.
But it was a pity that he was only eleven years old, so he was ignored.
Just as he was thinking about it, Mrs. Weasley suddenly approached Kyle and asked with concern. "Dear, have everything been packed?"
"Of course." Kyle returned to his senses, kicked a Suitcase at his feet, and said. "I checked it three times before going out. Everything is missing."
"That's good." Mrs. Weasley smiled and nodded.
While talking, Mr. Weasley also drove a vintage car that looked very old and parked in front of everyone.
This was their transportation for this trip, a second-hand Ford that they found somewhere, but Mr. Weasley liked it so much that it was a treasure.
"What are you waiting for? Get in the car."
At Mr. Weasley's urging, Chris got into the car first.
After seeing this scene, Kyle knew it was too late to say anything, so he had no choice but to follow, followed by the Weasley family.
The car has been cast with an Extension Charm, so even if nine people are sitting in it, plus a lot of luggage, it doesn't feel crowded at all.
Mr. Weasley's driving skills were very good. Kyle did not feel any obvious bumps along the way, nor did he brake suddenly or nod at the start. It was much better than a certain bus.
They arrived at King's Cross Station on time at around ten o'clock.
Fortunately, what Kyle expected did not happen, or the people around him didn't care about a broken and old Ford car at all. The group arrived at the middle of the ninth and tenth platforms smoothly in front of a pillar.
Once you get here, you basically don't have to worry about being discovered by Muggles anymore.
There is a Muggle-Repelling Charm nearby, and ordinary people will subconsciously ignore everything that happens here. Even if there are special circumstances, nearby Ministry of Magic members will handle it as soon as possible, and it is very safe.
Everyone lined up skillfully, and under the command of Mrs. Weasley, they passed through the pillars in front of them and arrived at the famous Platform 9.
It's much livelier here than outside.
There was a dark red steam train parked next to the platform, with a sign hanging on it that read: Hogwarts Express.
"It seems I'm not late." A gentle voice came from behind Kyle.
Hearing this familiar voice, Kyle turned around suddenly and saw Diana smiling at him.
"Mom?" Kyle said in surprise. "Didn't you still have a mission before..."
"Of course, it's done." Diana knelt and straightened Kyle's clothes. "Today is your first time going to school. I don't want to miss such an important day."
"That's good." Kyle was also delighted.
It would be a shame if Chris were the only one to send him to Hogwarts.
Diana spoke to Kyle for a few more words, then put him on the train just before departure and finally gave him instructions. "I think Chris should have told you about the general situation of Hogwarts. Well, I won't repeat it, but there is one thing I think he didn't say."
Diana looked at Kyle with her deep blue eyes and said seriously. "Dear, your father and I have graduated a long time ago, and we don't want to recall our original School life, so please don't let us accept the letters to any professor, including Dumbledore?"
"Don't worry, Mom." Kyle smiled and said, "I won't violate school rules. There is no reason for them to send letters home."
"Of course, dear." Diana kissed Kyle gently on the cheek and watched him get on the train. "Also, don't forget to tell us the results of the sorting."
"I will." Kyle nodded, then turned around and got on the train.
A few minutes later, Diana withdrew her gaze as the train slowly pulled away from the platform.
Not far behind her, Chris had just finished talking with a middle-aged man and walked to Diana.
"Mr. Diggory is showing off his son again?" Diana laughed.
She also knew the person who was talking to Chris.
Amos Diggory, like Chris, worked in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures in the Ministry of Magic and had a child who went to school at Hogwarts. But he was one year older than Kyle and was in the same grade as the Weasley twins.
But unlike the naughty twins, the child was very good in all aspects, just like Percy at the beginning.
Therefore, Diggory praised his son almost every time he talked to people this year.
Once or twice would be fine, and people would also echo and praise a few words, but he kept saying it. Who could stand it?
So Diggory gradually became one of the most unpopular people in the Ministry of Magic, especially those parents whose children went to school at Hogwarts but had average grades and would never meet him unless necessary.
Even if they occasionally met, they would just lower their heads, hurried past, and would not talk to each other if they could.
If they really couldn't avoid it, such as meeting in the elevator or with colleagues like Chris who were in the same department, they would immediately find an excuse to leave after a few pleasantries and never give him a chance to change the subject.
And this time, Chris obviously couldn't avoid it.
"Cedric is really excellent."
Chris smiled bitterly and said, "Forget it, let's not talk about this. Have you really completed your mission?"
Although he didn't know the specific situation of the Department of Mysteries, he also knew that the missions that could appear there were at least in months, and it was almost impossible for such a situation to be completed in two days.
"Of course not." Diana squinted her eyes and said, "But my colleagues are all easy to talk to. It's just a little leave, they won't say anything."