Even if things went south, Ginny could serve as scapegoat. Strike at the Weasley family he hated most.
Simply a brilliant three-birds-one-stone scheme!
Of course, aside from minor flaws like "soul fragment gets destroyed," "secret exposed," "investigation starts"...
Ultimately leading to certain consequences—beyond these trivial drawbacks, truly a flawless plan.
Huh?
Hermione suddenly froze.
So Lucius deserves credit!
Secretly apologized to Papa Malfoy. Hermione followed the Weasleys out of the bookshop.
King's Cross Station.
Passing through the barrier, Hermione and Ginny arrived at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Quickly boarded, claimed a compartment.
Waited ages. No sign of Harry or Ron. Ginny vaguely sensed something wrong.
"Hermione, where's Harry?"
Not mentioning your brother at all...
Hermione watched the train already moving. Said flatly, "Probably stuck at the barrier. Don't worry."
Ginny: "?"
Outside the platform.
Harry and Ron weren't stuck in the barrier—just locked outside. Sprawled everywhere.
After discussion, the two finally decided—fly the car to catch the train!
After some aerial pursuit, successfully followed the train from behind.
To dodge the train, Ron yanked the wheel. Accidentally opened one door.
Harry clung to the door. About to fall.
Ron's soul left his body. Shouted, "Hold on!"
Reached toward Harry.
"Grab my hand!"
In the gale, their outstretched hands gradually approached.
Just as they struggled, peripheral vision caught Hermione below in the carriage window. Face full of spectator expression.
Hermione, help!
Why just watching?!
Inside the carriage, Hermione and Ginny looked out the window. Former with interest, latter anxiously.
"Hermione, think of something! Harry, Harry he..."
Ginny was about to cry.
"Don't panic. Have some food." Hermione handed Ginny chocolate.
"Let me ask you something." Thinking of the two chased by the train earlier, Hermione suddenly said, "Just now the train traveled at 80 mph, the car at 60 mph. Given they're going the same direction, initial distance 20 meters, please answer..."
Ginny's attention was indeed diverted. Before Hermione finished, answered eagerly, "When does the train catch the car? I know this! Muggle schools teach it!"
Classic pursuit problem.
Hermione shook her head slightly. "Question: When does Harry die?"
Ginny: "??"
Distracted by Hermione's appearance, Ron failed to pull Harry up... Instead lost balance, fell directly down, hit Harry. Both fell together amid screams.
Ginny shrieked. Covered her eyes. Didn't dare watch.
Swallowing the last bite of snacks, Hermione raised her wand.
"Apparition!"
Hermione vanished from the compartment. Reappeared mid-air.
Left and right hands grabbed Harry and Ron respectively. Casually opened Hedwig's cage. With a crack, the three disappeared from the air. Reappeared in the carriage.
Ginny looked delighted. The two were still dazed. Until she called them repeatedly, finally reacted.
"We're... safe?"
Harry was still shaken.
"This is inside the train?"
Seeing Hermione and Ginny before him, Ron also noticed.
Ginny shouted, "If Hermione hadn't Apparated to save you, you'd be pancakes by now! Hurry and thank her!"
"Th-thank you..."
Both said in unison. Next second realized something. Spoke simultaneously.
"When did you learn Apparition?!"
"Last year."
Both gasped. The compartment suddenly warmed.
Ron suddenly looked out the window. "Oh no, my car!!"
In his despairing gaze, the flying car crashed into the forest. Made a huge noise. Startled countless birds.
"It's over. Dead for sure this time."
He could already imagine how Molly would react.
"Oh no, Scabbers!" Seeing Hedwig flying nearby, Ron cried out.
Hermione shrugged. Indicated helplessness.
Both knew—Hermione saving them was already fortunate. How could she care about cars or rats?
Having lost beloved car and beloved rat, the entire journey Ron seemed under a spell. Eyes lost their light.
Hogwarts Great Hall.
Having successfully boarded the train, they weren't late. Smoothly attended the new year's Sorting Ceremony.
Most names Hermione had no impression of. Only when Professor McGonagall called one person did she suddenly look up.
"Luna Lovegood!"
Called, a pretty girl who seemed dreamy, eyes unfocused, walked forward.
Dark gold hair. Silver eyes. Fair skin.
"Ravenclaw!"
The Sorting Hat quickly gave its answer.
Then Ginny was smoothly sorted into Gryffindor. The Weasley family cheered.
Withdrawing her gaze, Hermione immersed herself in food again.
After the excitement, before dismissal, Dumbledore stood.
"Mr. Harry Potter, Mr. Ron Weasley—visit Professor Snape's office shortly."
Pitying gazes converged.
The scene above the train—not only Hermione and Ginny saw it, most people in other compartments saw it too.
Probably the two would be severely disciplined by Professor Snape.
Thinking they'd lose major points for Gryffindor on the first day, Harry and Ron looked miserable.
After a pause, Dumbledore added, "Miss Granger, come to the Headmaster's office shortly."
"Yes, Headmaster Dumbledore." Hermione stood, nodded in acknowledgment.
She wasn't surprised. Though Harry caused the trouble, she was the one who publicly rescued them.
Plus Apparition required a special license... Strictly speaking, she was operating without proper authorization. Though not major trouble, still needed to explain the situation.
Hearing Dumbledore's words, the first-years erupted in commotion. Discussions everywhere.
"Granger? That Granger?"
"Seems so. Brown curly hair, sitting at the Gryffindor table—that senior with the cool presence."
"Wow, it's really her!"
"She's even more impressive than the rumors!"
First-years were amazed, admiring, excited.
Even Luna, with her dreamy gaze, felt the surrounding commotion. Unconsciously looked at Hermione. Stared for a while. Turned back around. Thinking something unknown.
In the corridor.
Watching Harry and Ron march forward, looking back at her every two steps, Hermione smiled softly.
Ignoring the two, she walked directly to the other end of the corridor. Up the spiral staircase. Entered the Headmaster's office.
───── ⊹ ⊹ ─────
📖 80+ chapters ahead — full story available
🔍 Search "patreon.com/DarkGolds
───── ⊹ ⊹ ─────