Chapter 550: Heading to Hogwarts (Edited)

"Tom, our clothes are ready!" Hermione excitedly knocked on Tom's room door.

Tom was packing his things, putting the book "Standard Spells, Level Four," the extra potion ingredients, and the new parchment into his suitcase. Upon hearing Hermione's words, Tom raised his head with some apprehension. He didn't dare to face the evening gown Hermione had made.

But luckily, the gown they brought this time was tailor-made at the clothing store. It closely resembled the style of the school robes, only it fit him better and was a misty blue color, adorned with constellation patterns, giving it a deep starry sky feel.

The gown turned out to be surprisingly beautiful.

"Hurry up and change so I can see the result!" Hermione urged from the door. "I think this color suits your personality."

Tom's attitude disappointed Hermione a bit as he put on the gown directly without undressing.

"Mmm... Mr. Forge has exceptional skills, as always," Hermione praised when she saw Tom in his new attire, looking much more attractive.

"And how is your evening dress?" Tom also showed curiosity about Hermione's gown's style. He was looking forward to seeing how she looked in her evening dress.

Surely it would leave everyone at Hogwarts impressed, and then he would have more work on his hands...?

Although Tom thought no one would be foolish enough to try to steal his girlfriend, he always had to be vigilant about such things.

In response to Tom's question, Hermione refused to answer.

"You'll find out in due time," she replied mysteriously. As for the gown she had made for Tom herself, she simply decided not to mention it as it seemed more like a flour sack to her. At least, she ensured that no one would attempt to take her boyfriend away.

September 1st finally arrived, and the sadness of the end of the holidays overwhelmed all students. Undoubtedly, the most melancholic moment should be the night of August 31st: lying in bed, thinking about having to return to school the next day, was an unbearable agony. If they hadn't finished their homework yet, they didn't even have time to experience that agony.

For Tom and Hermione, it was unthinkable not to have completed their tasks. Hermione would have wished to have finished her homework draft a month earlier. Tom couldn't even imagine what Hermione would be like on the last day before school started if she hadn't finished her assignments. He hoped they never had to face that situation.

It would probably be like being locked in a cage with an angry Maine Coon cat, that's how Tom imagined it.

The weather today was dreadful, raining heavily in London. Fortunately, Mr. Granger was there to drive Tom and Hermione to King's Cross station, which saved them a lot of trouble. However, in those few steps they had to take with their suitcases to enter the station, the rain still caused them some inconvenience.

Now, Tom was used to entering Platform 9 and 3/4, he simply leaned against the wall and vanished. The only thing to keep in mind was not to attract the attention of Muggles.

Tom, Hermione, and Mr. Granger intentionally or unconsciously approached the wall and then leaned to one side to pass through it. The hurried passersby around them didn't even notice how three people disappeared like that.

Once on the platform, they could see the Hogwarts Express parked next to the platform. Smoke was billowing from its chimney, indicating it was ready to depart.

"Ahem, ahem," Mr. Granger choked on the smoke blowing in his direction. He coughed several times before recovering and complained about the train, "Despite it being the magical world, they still use coal as fuel for trains..."

Tom completely agreed. They could even use smokeless coal! It was almost the 20th century, and they were still using that kind of thick smoke coal? What were they thinking?

"Wait a moment." Before boarding the train, Hermione stopped her steps and took her wand out of her pants pocket. She gave her father's clothes a few gentle taps with the tip of her wand, and the clothes that had gotten wet in the rain when they entered the station were dry again.

"Sweetheart," Mr. Granger said, affectionately rubbing Hermione's cheeks and then kissing her on the forehead.

"Take care... Well, get on the train quickly." After giving Hermione a farewell kiss, Mr. Granger urged his daughter to board the train quickly so she wouldn't be late and wouldn't find a seat.

"Goodbye, Dad!" Hermione raised her suitcase with some sadness, hugging Crookshanks as she headed towards the train. Mr. Granger patted Tom on the shoulder, gave him a meaningful look, and didn't say much more.

"Take care as well!"

I will take care of Hermione! Tom didn't say this out loud, but he decided it in his mind.

After bidding farewell to Mr. Granger, Tom hurried to follow Hermione, and together they entered the compartment, finding an empty one to settle into.

The train whistle sounded, and the employees on the platform also blew their whistles, and the train began to move. Mr. Granger's figure on the platform became smaller and smaller until it disappeared.

They were separated. Mr. Granger had to return to work, while Tom and Hermione were going to Hogwarts to study, a new semester was about to begin.

Tom moved both of their luggage to the luggage rack in the compartment. Raindrops hit the window glass, making it difficult to see the outside landscape. A chubby cat jumped from Hermione's arms onto the compartment table, causing it to shake.

"Shouldn't we watch his weight?" Tom thought that if the cat kept eating like this, Hermione would have to add a levitation spell when carrying him.

Meow! Crookshanks tapped the table to express his displeasure.

Seeing Hermione had spoken, Crookshanks had to accept his fate. However, he wasn't worried at all. He knew that once at Hogwarts, the entire castle would be his hunting ground. He could hunt for himself and have plenty of food. He could even leave the leftovers next to his owner's pillow.

What a good cat he was! Crookshanks thought contentedly as he purred comfortably and entered the world of dreams.

Tom and Hermione had no idea about the conspiratorial ideas their cat was plotting. They were busy with their own affairs. Tom was preparing some curse-resistant gloves for the Department of Magic, while Hermione planned to review the book "Standard Charms Level 4."

At that moment, the compartment door opened, and Draco Malfoy appeared in the doorway.

"Hey, is there room available here? Can I...?" Malfoy spoke with his typical drawling and affected tone. However, to everyone's surprise, he wanted to sit in the same compartment as Tom and Hermione.

"No."

Without letting him finish speaking, Tom rejected him.

It would be too annoying to add a Malfoy to the journey.

Malfoy's face immediately fell. Obviously, it had never occurred to him that they could reject him.