Bab 9: Chapter 9
In the British wizarding world, September 1st is a very important day, especially for wizards aged eleven and older who have not yet graduated.
This is the day Hogwarts begins.
Young wizards who have just turned eleven eagerly await this day, hoping it arrives soon.
However, wizards aged twelve to seventeen might not feel the same, as the start of school means the end of a pleasant summer vacation, and they must face the homework they've neglected all summer.
This is not good news.
This is particularly evident in Kain and the Weasley twins.
In the front yard of the Burrow, Kain stands at the forefront, excited, while Fred and George behind him are visibly nervous, whispering to each other as if it was their first time at Hogwarts too.
Yes, Kain is here too.
Initially, Chris planned to take him to Hogwarts by Apparition, but just before they were about to leave, Mrs. Weasley, who seemed to have anticipated this, knocked on their door.
Her first words to Chris were about the crowds at King's Cross Station being too risky for Apparition, insisting that Kain must go with them.
Chris wanted to argue, but seeing Mrs. Weasley's firm stance, he could only swallow his words and nod in agreement.
Kain, somewhat helplessly, rubbed his forehead.
He wanted to tell Mrs. Weasley that to Muggles, nine people emerging from a Ford was far more shocking than suddenly seeing two additional people.
After all, the Ford is no mystical car that can hold however many you wish.
Unfortunately, at only eleven, his words carried little weight, and he was promptly ignored.
As he was pondering this, Mrs. Weasley suddenly approached Kain with concern, asking, "Dear, have you packed everything properly?"
"Of course." Kain kicked the large trunk at his feet, "I checked it three times before leaving. Nothing's missing."
"That's good," Mrs. Weasley smiled, nodding.
At that moment, Mr. Weasley pulled up in a very dated car.
This was their transport, a ninth-hand Ford that Mr. Weasley was extremely fond of and treated like a treasure.
"What are we waiting for? Let's get in the car," urged Mr. Weasley.
Chris was the first to get in the car, followed reluctantly by Kain, and then the rest of the Weasley family.
The car was enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm, making it spacious enough for nine people plus all their luggage without feeling cramped.
Mr. Weasley was a skilled driver; the ride was smooth without any sudden stops or jolts, much better than some public buses.
Around ten o'clock, they arrived on time at King's Cross Station.
Fortunately, the scenario Kain had imagined did not occur; it seemed no one paid any attention to an old, beat-up Ford. The group easily reached the barrier between platforms nine and ten.
Once there, they didn't need to worry about being seen by Muggles anymore.
A Muggle-Repelling Charm in the area caused passersby to unconsciously ignore everything happening there. Even in the rare event of a mishap, members of the Ministry of Magic nearby would handle it swiftly and securely.
The group lined up and, under Mrs. Weasley's direction, passed through the barrier to the famous Platform 9¾.
The platform was much livelier than outside.
A deep red steam train was parked at the platform, the sign hanging on it reading: Hogwarts Express.
"It looks like I'm not late," a gentle voice came from behind Kain.
Turning sharply, Kain saw Diana smiling at him.
"Mom?" Kain exclaimed happily: "Weren't you on a mission before?"
"It's already completed." Diana crouched down, straightening Kain's clothes, "Today is your first day of school. I wouldn't miss this important day for anything."
"That's good," Kain was also pleased.
It would have been a regret if only Chris had been there to send him to Hogwarts.
Diana spoke with Kain a little more until it was nearly time for the train to leave. She then saw him onto the train, advising, "Chris must have told you about Hogwarts already, so I won't repeat that, but there's something I think he might not have mentioned."
Diana looked into Kain's eyes seriously, "Dear, your father and I graduated a long time ago, and we don't want to revisit our school days, so please, let's not receive any letters from any professor, including Dumbledore, okay?"
"Don't worry, Mom." Kain smiled, "I won't break any rules, so there's no reason for them to send letters home."
"Of course, dear." Diana kissed Kain on the cheek, watching him board the train: "And don't forget to tell us your house."
"I will," Kain nodded, then turned and boarded the train.
A few minutes later, the train slowly left the platform, and Diana finally turned away.
Not far behind her, Chris was also finishing a conversation with a middle-aged man, quickly joining Diana.
"Mr. Diggory bragging about his son again?" Diana laughed.
Clearly, she knew the person Chris had been talking to.
Amos Diggory, like Chris, worked in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures at the Ministry of Magic and also had a child at Hogwarts, a year older than Kain and in the same year as the Weasley twins.
Unlike the mischievous twins, this child was exceptionally well-rounded, much like Percy had been.
Therefore, Diggory, proud as ever, almost always boasted about his son in conversations throughout the year.
Once or twice was fine, people would compliment in kind, but it was unbearable how he kept on.
Thus, Diggory gradually became one of the least popular people in the Ministry, especially among parents with children at Hogwarts who performed averagely, avoiding him unless necessary.
If they did encounter him, they would pass by with their heads down, speaking as little as possible.
In unavoidable situations like in an elevator, or colleagues like Chris from the same department, they would make polite conversation briefly before finding an excuse to leave, giving him no chance to shift the topic.
This time, Chris clearly couldn't avoid it.
"Cedric is indeed excellent."
Chris sighed, "Let's not talk about that now. Did you really finish your task?"
He might not be familiar with the specifics of the Department of Mysteries, but he knew that tasks there typically lasted months, and a two-day completion was nearly impossible.
"Of course not," Diana squinted, "But my colleagues are easy to talk to; a little leave of absence won't be a problem."
(End of chapter)
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