章 15: Chapter 15: Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
Exiting Gringotts with a hefty pouch of 500 Galleons, Ino couldn't help but feel a bit floaty. Though essential soul needs couldn't be bought with money, wealth often brought a certain spiritual satisfaction.
To be honest, since entering the fantasy world, this was the first time he had amassed such a considerable sum of coins. He couldn't contain his excitement.
In the past two years, his luck had been at its peak when he brought back a few pitiful silver coins within the confines of the rules.
"I want to buy custom-made high-level robes, a whole bottle of ink, a pet, and more..."
At this moment, Ino's mind was fixed on one thing: indulging in a lavish shopping spree.
To earn money and to spend it was the secret to double happiness.
...
Two hours later.
Outside the Leaky Cauldron, stood a young man with a vintage brown suitcase in hand.
"It feels good to have money..."
Strolling through the streets of London, Ino reminisced about the exhilarating shopping spree just moments ago.
After spending nearly 200 Galleons, he not only purchased all the new items listed on the school supplies list but also spent 10 Galleons on a musical instrument he had long desired—an accordion enchanted to learn and play scores on its own.
As a troubadour, not having the appropriate instrument could undermine his professionalism and make him susceptible to being looked down upon.
Of course, all these items combined amounted to less than 50 Galleons. The truly valuable possession was the vintage leather suitcase he carried.
This was a Traceless Extension Case certified by the Ministry of Magic, though it only doubled its own space, its price was still as high as 150 Galleons.
"It seems that no matter where you go, the value of official procedures often exceeds that of the items themselves..."
Ino glanced down at the suitcase in his hand. Despite feeling like a bit of a sucker, it was his only option now.
For a wandering traveler like him, such spatial equipment was indispensable. It not only facilitated daily use but also provided an extra layer of security for future trips into the magical world.
Evening.
Ino returned once again to the pillar under the bridge.
If it weren't for the books he had bought earlier, he wouldn't have bothered to make the trip. After all, besides a new aluminum kettle he purchased, everything else in his original residence was generously 'donated' from the affluent district.
Upon returning home, after tidying up some daily necessities, he finally managed to return to the Leaky Cauldron before nightfall.
The first thing Ino did upon returning to the Leaky Cauldron was to rent a room from Tom the innkeeper for two months. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he didn't plan on moving elsewhere before the start of the school year.
Now that he was no longer troubled by money, there was no need to suffer in a bridge cave. After all, he wasn't stupid.
...
Time seemed to wind like a wound-up clock, sometimes spinning fast, sometimes crawling slow, urgency and leisure always intertwined.
Two months passed in the blink of an eye.
September 1st, 1991.
In the early morning, Ino packed all his belongings into the Traceless Extension Case, took one last look at the room he had occupied for two months, silently bid farewell after closing the door, said goodbye to Tom downstairs, and set off for King's Cross Station.
Paying the taxi driver 7 pounds, he smoothly arrived at his destination.
King's Cross Station, established in 1852, served as a large railway terminus in central London, bustling with a significant daily flow of people.
Ino didn't care about the hustle and bustle; his main concern was finding the entrance to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
To be honest, as a major international transportation hub in the city, it wasn't as simple as depicted in movies—a few pillars glaringly obvious to anyone with eyesight.
In reality, King's Cross Station occupied a considerable area.
Wandering around for nearly fifteen minutes just to find Platform Nine, Ino finally arrived at Platform Nine and, after witnessing several young wizards disappear behind the pillars, he didn't hesitate to charge forward.
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
With its medieval architectural style and aged steam locomotives, the platform's red-and-black mottled train cars exuded a profound historical atmosphere.
"This feeling... so familiar."
The moment he crossed the platform, the sensation of weightlessness reminded him of entering the fantasy world, that same ambiguous sense of weightlessness.
But he had no time to ponder; the cacophony instantly buzzed in his ears.
The burning sound of steam engines, the farewell instructions from parents, the playful banter among young wizards, and even the various pets emitting inexplicable cries—all these sounds combined made Ino want to turn around and leave immediately.
Speaking of noise, if it came from afar, one could adapt gradually, but this sudden clamor was truly hard to accept.
"I must learn a Silencing Charm in the future. I didn't expect London to have such a bustling early market..."
Without delay, Ino picked up his suitcase and headed towards the train. He recalled that this train had compartments, so entering one early and closing the door might provide some peace.
...
Boarding the train.
Ignoring many senior girls who wanted to strike up a conversation, Ino knew well enough that this wasn't the Muggle world where lovelorn girls would merely sit there pining.
At Hogwarts, senior girls were always intimidating figures, including but not limited to Love Potions, Confundus Charms, and even Imperius Curse...
Most importantly, the way these girls looked at him made Ino somewhat afraid. It wasn't just simple liking or admiration; it was a mixture of awe and possessiveness akin to when girls saw fluffy pets...
Faced with this situation, he didn't want to linger on the train. He casually found an empty compartment and swiftly entered.
*Bang!* The compartment door closed.
Perhaps due to magic, though it was just a not-so-thick wooden door, once closed, it plunged this tiny compartment into extreme tranquility.
Confined spaces often gave people a corresponding sense of security, just like how children always liked to crawl into cardboard boxes.
Except for those with claustrophobia.
"Thank you, England, thank you for your strict and vintage traditions..."
In the compartment, Ino couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, feeling somewhat fortunate.
Thank goodness this was Hogwarts. If it were Beauxbatons in France, his pockets would probably already be stuffed with pink notes.
After all, across all of Europe, it was only in England, renowned for its gentlemen and ladies, that girls showed some restraint, even if it was just superficial.
...
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