"Let's go over together and have a look," Mrs. Weasley said, "I believe I can persuade your family."
She didn't ask Harry about his parents, because in this era, even Muggles live in imperfect environments, and death was a usual occurrence.
A child not living with his parents, and his aunt deciding which school he attends, speaks volumes.
To avoid bringing up any classmates' sad memories, Mrs. Weasley planned not to talk about it.
However, when they arrived in Surrey, Harry found that Privet Drive was not the same as it used to be.
These houses looked just like the old pictures from history class...
Wait, old pictures from history class?
I won't... be sent back hundreds of years, will I?
"Is it this house?" Mrs. Weasley asked, pointing at one of the houses.
"Uh... something might be not quite right, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, rubbing his forehead, "What year is it?"
"1887, Mr. Potter," Mrs. Weasley replied.
1887?
Harry's mind was hit with a bolt of lightning.
He distinctly remembered yesterday's calendar still marked 1991!
Where have I been sent to?
Is this still the United Kingdom?
"Sorry, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, lowering his head, "I—uh, my situation is a bit unusual."
Mrs. Weasley also sensed something was wrong and lightly asked, "What's the matter?"
Harry didn't know whether he should tell the truth, but he had no other option.
"I come from 1991, ma'am," he finally chose to tell the truth.
"1991?"
Mrs. Weasley paused for a moment, then her expression became serious.
"Are you telling the truth?" she asked.
"I'm sure it's true," Harry told Mrs. Weasley, "I don't know why, but when I woke up, I arrived at... where you found me earlier."
Mrs. Weasley didn't speak, she just looked into Harry's eyes, seemingly trying to determine whether this child was lying.
After a while, she finally spoke.
"I suggest you don't mention this to anyone," Mrs. Weasley said, "Time travel is not common, I hope you bury this in your heart for your safety."
"I understand." Harry nodded repeatedly, not being foolish.
"Given your special situation, I will apply for your school grant," Mrs. Weasley said, "In the meantime, you can stay at my home. I have a nephew named Gareth, also a new student this year, I think you two can become friends."
"Thank you, ma'am." Harry truly didn't expect the vice-principal lady to let him stay at her home.
Harry followed Mrs. Weasley to the Weasley home.
Harry initially thought he could meet Mrs. Weasley's nephew, but was informed that Gareth went on a trip with his father.
Moreover, this was Mrs. Weasley's home, not Gareth's.
Harry stayed at the Weasley home for three days, until Mrs. Weasley finally announced good news to him at night.
"The School Board decided to assist you, Mr. Potter," Mrs. Weasley said with a smile.
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," Harry sincerely expressed gratitude.
"It's nothing, I didn't contribute much," Mrs. Weasley smiled at Harry.
The grant given by the School Board wasn't much, just enough for a magic wand and the set of required school books.
But Harry wasn't greedy, getting some assistance was already very good, there's no way he would ask for more, right?
Harry accompanied Mrs. Weasley on a trip to Hogwarts, where he met the headmaster—Phineas Black.
To say, Principal Black left a very poor impression on him.
After buying the magic wand on Diagon Alley, he stayed at Mrs. Weasley's house until the school start, then left home for school.
"Platform 9 3/4," Mrs. Weasley taught Harry how to enter the platform, "See here? Just walk right in like I do, there you'll find the Hogwarts Express."
After sending Harry onto the train, Mrs. Weasley hurriedly left.
Harry dragged his suitcase, walking through the carriage looking for a seat.
However, he had barely walked a few steps when a door suddenly opened, and a red-haired boy popped out.
"Quickly, sit down," the boy said, "No need to be shy—my aunt asked me to look after you. Come, place the luggage here first."
Harry walked in, allowing the boy to help place his suitcase aside.
It was Mrs. Weasley's nephew, instinctively giving Harry a sense that this boy could be trusted.
"By the way, I'm Gareth," the boy said, "Gareth Weasley, I hope we both get sorted into Gryffindor."
"Why not Slytherin?" Harry curiously asked, having learned about the four houses over the days.
Gareth cheerfully explained, "I think you wouldn't want to be sorted into Slytherin either, that house is full of students from Pure-blood or Mixed-blood families, someone with a Muggle background, like you, rarely ends up in Slytherin."
"Oh, I see." Harry nodded and added to Gareth, "I don't want to go to Slytherin, especially as I quite dislike that headmaster named Black..."
Upon hearing this phrase, Gareth showed an expression as if seeing a kindred spirit.
He reached out, clasping Harry's hand and shaking it vigorously.
"You're my brother now, Harry!" he declared.
Speaking of which, a woman pushing a trolley full of snacks opened their compartment door.
"Would you like some snacks, kids?"
Harry shrugged.
Pay money?
The only Golden Galleon he had left was the remaining grant after buying clothes and books, he needed to save it.
"A bit of everything please," Gareth said, pulling out several Sickles from his pocket and handing them to the saleswoman, "Let me think... I'll have two Chocolate Frogs, I really like them, ma'am."
After the salesperson left, Gareth spread the snacks he bought on the seat.
"Try these, Harry," Gareth said with a smile, "Hey, I quite like snacking, can't help but buy them and eat—these I can't finish, it would be a pity if wasted, help me eat them, will you?"
"Thank you."
Harry nodded somewhat shyly, accepting Gareth's kindness.
"Blow-Me-Up Super Bubblegum?"
He picked up a piece of bubblegum, glancing at Gareth busy unwrapping packages.
"Oh, it's a rather magical candy," Gareth said, putting down his Licorice Wand, "it allows you to blow bubbles in Bluebell flower colors, floating for days without popping—you'll see when you try."
Harry unwrapped it, placing the gum in his mouth.
Indeed quite amusing, thanks to Gareth's guidance he soon blew Bluebell-colored bubbles, floating in the carriage, much like the helium balloons Dudley once bought.
"What are these?" He picked up a pack of Chocolate Frogs and asked Gareth, "They're not real frogs, are they?"
"What?"
Gareth raised his head, seeing Harry holding the Chocolate Frogs, continued, "Oh, of course, you wouldn't know, every Chocolate Frog comes with a card, you know, collectible of famous witches and wizards, I have about five hundred cards altogether, just missing Agrippa and Ptolemy."
Harry opened the Chocolate Frog, removing the card, showing a man's face under a tall Magic Hat, holding a long wand in hand, looking quite benevolent.
Under the Chocolate Frog card, it read: Merlin.
The most famous wizard of all time. Sometimes referred to as the Magic Prince, a member of King Arthur's court.
"Oh, it's Merlin," Harry said.
"Don't say you've never heard of Merlin! Merlin's beard..." Gareth showed a surprised expression, then suddenly understood, "I wouldn't be surprised though, as you're from a Muggle background, not knowing Merlin is quite normal..."
Just as Harry wanted to say something, he noticed the compartment door was pushed open.
Standing at the doorway was an extremely beautiful little girl.
With long pale golden hair, her eyes gazed arrogantly at the two in the compartment, finally settling her gaze on Harry's forehead.
(Stuck in writing, maybe an extra chapter for the Hogwarts Legacy... if you're interested in the Hogwarts Legacy story, this unstuck writing might be a blast update.)