Chapter 13: Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

On September 1st, Albert woke up early, got out of bed, got dressed, and moved around a bit to fully wake himself up. Today, he was finally going to Hogwarts, and he couldn't help but feel a little excited.

After finishing his morning routine, Albert started checking his luggage.

"Are you awake? Then come downstairs for breakfast," Daisy, wearing an apron, pushed open the door and said to Albert, who was inspecting his luggage. "Oh, and put your robes and pointed hat on top of your belongings. It will be easier to find them when you change clothes on the train."

"Albert, are you really not taking Tom to school?" Nia, wearing pajamas, hurriedly walked into the room while holding the short-haired cat.

"Let Tom stay and keep you company," Albert said.

"What about Sirius?" Nia asked.

"He will fly to Hogwarts on his own to find me. I've asked about it. There's an owlery at the school where he can stay," Albert didn't want to bring an owl to King's Cross Station as it would attract a lot of attention.

Breakfast was as simple as usual, and Daisy also prepared a ham sandwich and a can of drink for him to eat when he got hungry.

There would naturally be food available on the train, so Daisy wasn't worried about Albert going hungry. Herbert gave him the remaining galleons, which amounted to a considerable sum. They weren't concerned about Albert spending the money recklessly because there had been no such precedent.

Albert levitated the heavy trunk and easily lifted it into the car.

"Did you bring the camera?" Herbert asked. "The one your grandfather Luke bought for you?"

"Yes, I'll write home every week and send back some photos," Albert assured them that he hadn't forgotten about that. He wanted to capture some moments at Hogwarts and share them with his family.

"That's good," Herbert nodded. "Off you go."

The family arrived at King's Cross Station before ten o'clock, and Herbert helped Albert put the trunk onto a trolley.

Albert pushed his luggage to the wall between Platforms Nine and Ten. He made a quiet gesture and casually reached out to touch the wall. Sure enough, he was able to pass through.

Albert breathed a sigh of relief and returned to Herbert's side. "Okay, I'm going in by myself."

"Remember to write letters," Herbert said. "And send photos."

"I know," Albert looked at his sister. "Nia?"

"You sneaky little thing, I want to go too," Nia reached out and gave Albert a hug.

"In the house, don't cause trouble or trouble anyone," Albert instructed.

"I won't," Nia turned her head away, pretending to be angry.

"Son, see you during the Christmas break," Daisy gave Albert a farewell hug and kissed his cheek. "By then, I'll take you skiing."

"Got it, see you during the Christmas break," Albert pushed the cart and looked around to make sure no one was there. Then he ran towards the wall.

"Disappeared," Nia pointed to where Albert had disappeared.

"Magic is always so amazing. Let's go back," Herbert reached out and embraced his wife and daughter. "Don't worry, Albert will take care of himself."

On the other side of the brick wall, Albert found himself at another station. A dark red steam engine was parked beside the platform, with a sign on the train saying: Hogwarts Express.

There weren't many passengers on the platform. The train was scheduled to depart at eleven o'clock, and Albert arrived one hour early.

Upon entering the platform, new prompts appeared on the boards, indicating the discovery of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and rewarding him with 100 experience points.

Exploring the map also earned experience points, although not much. Albert didn't pay too much attention to it. It seemed like he remembered something and quickly stepped aside from the entrance to avoid being bumped into by people behind him.

The ticket barrier had been transformed into an archway, with a sign hanging above that read: Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

Indeed, it was similar to the description in the book.

By the way, this was Albert's first time riding such an old-fashioned train. It was truly an antique.

Strolling through the station, pushing his luggage, Albert casually found an empty compartment, levitated his trunk inside, found a place for it, and conveniently closed the door. Then, he started changing into his wizard robes.

Shortly after Albert opened the window, Hedwig flew over and landed on the table. It seemed that she wasn't planning to fly to Hogwarts on her own but was hitching a ride.

"Such a clever little creature," Albert patted Hedwig's head and took out some owl treats from his trunk, pouring some for her.

"Oh, right, photography. Almost forgot about that," Albert grabbed his camera and returned to the platform to take some close-up shots of the Hogwarts Express.

Unfortunately, his photography skills weren't great, and the pictures he took turned out to be just average.

Luckily, Luke probably anticipated this situation and prepared plenty of film for him.

"This one looks good." Albert picked a photo with the train engine in it, nodded in satisfaction, and returned to his compartment.

He sat by the window, partially obscured, and looked out at the platform. After some time, more passengers started appearing on the platform, and to his surprise, it began to drizzle.

"I always feel like it rains every time I go to Hogwarts," Albert couldn't help but comment, feeling that he was right to come early.

The wizards on the platform were all holding umbrellas, hastily bidding farewell to their families in the rain, looking a bit disheveled.

I wonder if I'll see any familiar faces?

Albert didn't expect to encounter the main characters right now. He entered Hogwarts earlier than Harry Potter, so he should be in the same year as the Weasley twins, Fred and George, and Cedric Diggory.

It's a good thing he's not in the same year as the chosen one. Albert didn't want to be too involved with Potter.

After all, he was the chosen one, naturally encompassing both the protagonist halo and the death-defying halo. If an ordinary person got involved without the protection of a lucky halo, they would likely be in trouble. Cedric Diggory was a prime example.

The rain outside grew heavier, and Albert narrowed the gap of the window. After Hedwig had eaten her fill, she began to doze off. Owls were nocturnal creatures, after all.

He took out a chocolate candy from his pocket, opened the wrapper, and put it in his mouth, savoring it while listening to the sound of the rain outside. Albert was in a good mood.

As long as he wasn't getting drenched in the rain, he didn't mind it raining.

The corridor outside the compartment gradually became lively, but Albert closed the compartment door, so the noise in the corridor didn't bother him much.

He opened "The Dark Arts: A Guide to Self-Protection" and slowly flipped through it, using reading as a way to pass the time. Albert had read this book more than once, and he had tried all the spells mentioned in it.

In fact, throughout the entire summer vacation, Albert had tried all the magic he knew, except for the Unforgivable Curses. He even attempted the Patronus Charm, but naturally, it didn't succeed.

"Hurry, the train is about to depart!"

A group of people on the platform caught Albert's attention. They were a family hurriedly saying their goodbyes, and among them were a pair of red-haired twin brothers.

"Is this the Weasley family?" Albert observed these celebrities and found it quite amusing. Especially Ron Weasley, who still looked a bit foolish. Next to Ron was a girl, who should be Ginny. She stuck close to Mrs. Weasley and seemed sad about not being able to go to Hogwarts.

Albert compared Ginny to his own sister and concluded that his sister was indeed cuter.

The Weasley family seemed a bit rushed, probably delayed by something before coming to the station.

Albert shifted his gaze away because someone was knocking on the door.

Outside the compartment stood a young black man.

(End of this chapter)