Chapter 4: Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
Chapter 4: Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
Back in Diagon Alley, the atmosphere was just as bustling as it had been in the morning, but without Professor McGonagall's stern presence, the Grey family relaxed and their sightseeing became more enjoyable.
They visited almost every shop with great enthusiasm—that is, except for a particular store that sold animal organs and eyeballs. Upon entering, they were greeted by a gigantic, rolling eyeball that caused Fiona to scream and dash out of the shop.
Ferdinand purchased several intricate magical creations, such as a self-sweeping broom, a tiny golden bird that could fly around, and a set of Wizard Chess that talked. He made sure to confirm multiple times with the shop assistant that these items did not have any 'dangerous' or 'harmful' magic attached to them.
At the bookstore, Ved spent over an hour browsing, as there were too many books he wanted to buy. However, considering that there was only a month left before the start of term, and that Hogwarts would undoubtedly have an extensive library, he finally narrowed down his choices to the ones he wanted the most—'Common Curses and Their Counteractions', 'The Handbook of Healing', and 'A Beginner's Guide to Ancient Runes'.
He also bought two self-writing quills, though the shop assistant warned him that they weren't suitable for homework as they would write down every thought that flitted through the owner's mind, which could lead to embarrassing social situations.
As Ved emerged from the bookstore with his new acquisitions, he spotted his parents sitting by a street vendor, enjoying ice cream. Ferdinand held a golden owl cage, inside which sat a particularly robust-looking little owl, drawing circles with its beak.
"Dad, did you buy another owl?" Ved asked.
"Indeed," Ferdinand laughed. "Considering you'll be taking your owl to school, what if your mother and I want to send you letters? I heard Muggle post offices can't deliver mail to Hogwarts, so we bought one too. By the way, his name is General Bard, a valiant little fellow."
Ved bent down to greet the owl. "Nice to meet you, General Bard."
General Bard yawned, opening his beak wide.
"Look, I got a little friend too," Fiona chimed in, holding out her hand. In her palm sat a tiny white hamster, looking docile and adorable.
"Isn't she cute?" Fiona said excitedly. "I think the pets in the wizarding world must be fed some kind of intelligence potion, because they seem so much smarter than regular animals! She's not afraid of people at all, and it seems like she understands my commands."
"She is cute," Ved agreed, "but Mom, aren't hamsters on the menu for owls?"
It was only after buying his own owl and being introduced to owl food by the shop assistant that Ved realized owls were carnivores, mainly feeding on rodents, birds, fish, or insects. Thinking of the handful of pine nuts he had previously fed to the school owl, Ved silently apologized in his heart.
"Don't worry, your father will keep an eye on his owl! Oh, by the way, this is Miss Millie," Fiona said importantly. "Ved, you should also name your owl!"
"Hmm..." Ved's eyes scanned the street and landed on a stationery shop called 'Event'. The letters 'EVA' at the beginning of the shop name shone brightly in the sunlight, catching his attention.
"How about Eva?" he suggested off the cuff.
………………
The Grey family lingered in Diagon Alley for several days. Ferdinand could now discuss Quidditch matches and various models of Nimbus 2000s with ease, while Fiona had bought a full set of miniature furniture for her hamster, Miss Millie, complete with a cleaning charm.
Adorned in various skirts, wizard robes, hats, and colorful knee-high socks.
Of course, as the parents of a soon-to-be Hogwarts student, they had signed a confidentiality treaty with Professor McGonagall on the first day, promising not to divulge any information about the magical world to Muggles and to diligently safeguard against any magical items falling into Muggle hands.
A month passed by in a flash. On the morning of September 1st, Fiona helped Ved check his luggage one more time, ensuring he had packed everything he needed for the autumn and winter terms, from nail clippers to ear scoops. Ferdinand drove him to King's Cross Station.
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, the starting point of their magical journey, appeared to be just an ordinary partition wall from the outside.
Pushing his trunk, with an owl cage on his cart, Ved walked up to the wall, turned around, and saw his parents waving at him with smiles on their faces.
Ved waved back with a smile, then turned and pushed his cart through the wall in one go.
Fiona covered her mouth, stifling a sob.
Ferdinand put his arm around her shoulders and sighed, "If only we could see him off at the platform—"
"Don't tell him—I don't want Ved to feel sad." Fiona sniffled. "Going to school—he should be happy—"
"Rest assured, I've gathered quite a bit of information these past few days," Ferdinand reassured her. "The wizarding world is very peaceful now, and the greatest wizard of our time, Dumbledore, is their headmaster. Ved will be fine at school."
"R-right... sorry..."
A timid voice interrupted them, and Ferdinand looked down to recognize the boy standing there.
"You are... Harry Potter?!" he exclaimed.
"Yes, it's me," Harry replied, awkwardly pushing his hair over his forehead to hide his scar. He had forgotten that he had met this couple at the Leaky Cauldron before, mainly because there had been too many people shaking his hand that day, and the pub had been dimly lit. Now, he beamed with delight and cautiously asked, "I just overheard you mention Hogwarts... I mean, I'm not quite sure how to get there..."
"Oh," Ferdinand realized. "Do you see that wall over there? Just push your trunk and go straight through it. If you're scared, just close your eyes, you won't bump into anything."
This wasn't something Professor McGonagall had told them; it was something Ferdinand had learned from his parents when he was little, back when he hadn't yet been confirmed as a Squib. His parents used to tell him many stories about the magical world. But later on, they stopped talking about those things altogether.
"Oh, okay..."
Harry looked somewhat incredulous as he warily studied the couple's expressions—they seemed kind, but he wasn't sure if they were pulling his leg...
Seeing the couple continue to offer him words of encouragement, seemingly waiting to see him off through the wall, Harry felt too embarrassed to ask anyone else for directions. He bit his lip, pushed his cart, and walked forward, not too quickly.
If I hit the wall, I'll just stop... It's no big deal if they laugh at me...
The boy's heart was filled with trepidation, but he never encountered the expected obstacle. In one moment, his ears were filled with the buzzing of voices, and before his eyes appeared—
A massive, scarlet-colored train with tracks stretching endlessly into the distance.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
