In the British Magical Realm, September 1st is a very important day, especially for young wizards over eleven but not yet graduated.
This is the day Hogwarts starts school.
Young wizards who have just turned eleven look forward to it day and night, just hoping this day comes sooner.
But for wizards aged twelve to seventeen, it's not necessarily the same—because going back to school means their pleasant summer holiday officially ends, and they have to face the homework they ignored for an entire break.
That's definitely not good news.
This is especially obvious in Kael and the Weasley twins.
On the open ground in front of the Shabby Residence, Kael, who was standing at the very front, was extremely excited, while Fred and George behind him looked nervous, whispering to each other now and then, as if they were the ones going to Hogwarts for the first time.
Yes, Kael was here, too.
Originally Chris had planned to take him by Apparition directly, but just before leaving, Mrs. Weasley happened to knock on their door.
It seemed Mrs. Weasley had already guessed what he'd do. The first thing she said to Chris was that there were too many Muggles at King's Cross Station and that Apparition would easily be spotted. It was too unsafe. No matter what, Kael had to travel with them.
Chris wanted to argue, but seeing how firm Mrs. Weasley's stance was, he could only swallow his words and nod in agreement.
Meanwhile, Kael just rubbed his forehead helplessly.
He really wanted to tell Mrs. Weasley that, to Muggles, seeing nine people step out of a Ford all at once is a lot scarier than two people just appearing out of thin air.
After all, there's no Ganges River nearby, and Ford isn't some magic car with a diamond logo that fits however many you want.
But unfortunately, he was only eleven. His words carried little weight, and he was totally ignored.
Just as he was thinking that, Mrs. Weasley suddenly came over to Kael and asked with concern, "Dear, have you packed everything?"
"Of course." Snapping back to his senses, Kael nudged a big trunk by his feet and said, "I checked three times before leaving. Didn't miss a thing."
"Good, then." Mrs. Weasley smiled and nodded.
While they were talking, Mr. Weasley drove up in a rather vintage-looking old car and parked in front of everyone.
This was their transportation for the day—a beat-up Ford that no one knew where Mr. Weasley had found. But he adored it like treasure.
"What are you waiting for? Hop in."
Under Mr. Weasley's urging, Chris was the first to get in.
Seeing this, Kael knew it was too late to say anything, so he could only follow along helplessly, and then the rest of the Weasley family followed.
The car's interior had been enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm, so even with nine people and a mountain of luggage, it didn't feel crowded at all.
Mr. Weasley's driving was excellent—the whole way, Kael didn't feel any real bumps, no sudden stops or jerky starts, way better than a certain public bus.
Around ten o'clock, they arrived right on time at King's Cross Station.
Fortunately, the situation Kael had imagined didn't happen—or rather, no one around paid any attention to an ancient, battered Ford, so the group made their way smoothly to a pillar between the ninth and tenth platforms.
Once they'd made it here, they didn't have to worry about being discovered by Muggles anymore.
The area was covered by a Muggle Repelling Spell. Ordinary people would subconsciously ignore anything happening here, and if something really unusual occurred, Ministry of Magic members nearby would handle it immediately. It was perfectly safe.
Everyone lined up skillfully, and under Mrs. Weasley's command, they passed through the pillar one after another, arriving at the famous Platform 9¾.
This place was way more lively than outside.
Next to the platform was a deep red steam train, with a sign that read: Hogwarts Express.
"Looks like I'm not late after all." A gentle voice came from behind Kael.
Hearing the familiar voice, Kael spun around and saw Diana standing there, smiling at him.
"Mom?" Kael exclaimed in delight. "Didn't you still have work to do…"
"Of course it's already finished." Diana crouched down, straightened Kael's clothes, and said, "Today's your very first day of school. On such an important day, there's no way I'd miss it."
"That's great." Kael was happy, too.
If only Chris had taken him to Hogwarts, that would've been a real pity.
Diana chatted a bit more with Kael, and only just before the train left did she see him onto the train, reminding him finally, "Chris probably already told you the general situation at Hogwarts, so I won't repeat it. But there's one thing I doubt he mentioned."
Diana gazed at Kael with her deep blue eyes and said seriously, "Dear, your father and I graduated a long time ago, and we're not keen to reminisce about school days. So please, don't let us receive any letters—from Dumbledore or any professor, all right?"
"Don't worry, Mom." Kael smiled. "I'm not going to break any rules, so they won't have any reason to send letters home."
"Of course, sweetie." Diana kissed Kael on the cheek, watching him board the train. "And don't forget to tell us which house you're sorted into."
"I will." Kael nodded, then finally turned and got on the train.
A few minutes later, the train slowly pulled out of the station, and only then did Diana take her eyes off after it.
A short distance away behind her, Chris had just finished a conversation with a middle-aged man and walked over to Diana in a few quick strides.
"Was Mr. Digory bragging about his son again?" Diana laughed.
Obviously, she knew the man Chris had just spoken with.
Amos Digory, like Chris, worked at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, and he also had a child at Hogwarts. But his son was a year older than Kael, the same year as the Weasley twins.
Unlike the mischievous twins, that kid was exceptional in every way, a bit like Percy back in the day.
Which is why Digory, the ultimate parent bragger, found an excuse to compliment his son every single time he talked to someone during the year.
Once or twice would be fine—people would play along and say some nice things. But if it happens nonstop, who can stand it?
So Digory gradually became one of the least popular members of the Ministry of Magic, especially among parents who also had kids at Hogwarts but whose grades were just so-so. Unless absolutely necessary, they'd never voluntarily run into him.
Even if they did, they'd hurry by with heads down, avoiding conversation as much as possible.
If they truly couldn't escape—like bumping into him in the elevator, or if, like Chris, they were colleagues in the same department—they'd exchange a few words and then make an excuse to leave right away, never giving him a chance to change the subject.
This time, Chris clearly had no way out.
"Cedric really is excellent."
Chris gave a wry smile. "Forget it, let's not talk about that. Did you actually finish your assignment?"
Even though he wasn't clear about the specifics of the Department of Mysteries, he knew that any tasks from there would last at least a month—finishing in two days was nearly impossible.
"Of course not." Diana narrowed her eyes. "But my colleagues are all easygoing. I just took a little time off; no one'll mind."