Chapter 32. Going to the Station
August was about to end.
During this time, besides learning Potions with Adrian Wesson, Harry also had an extra class—Charms.
And under someone's strong insistence, the time for Potions was cut a bit, while the time for Charms increased a bit.
After a month, with Wesson and Lupin's help, Harry had gone over almost all the spells he would need to learn in his first year.
Although Harry's talent in Potions was rather unremarkable, when it came to spells, he wasn't slow.
He was, in fact, very adept.
Wesson felt that as long as Harry studied Charms seriously, becoming a master of spells in the future would not be a problem.
However, the prerequisite was to study seriously.
According to Wesson's understanding of Harry, the phrase "study seriously" wasn't exactly part of Harry's nature.
.....
At the end of August.
Today was Harry's last day coming to Wesson's shop; tomorrow he would be going to Hogwarts.
Harry felt excited, but also a little reluctant—after all, Hogwarts was a boarding school. That meant he would no longer have the chance to come to Wesson's to study during term.
He had already prepared all his luggage.
The only problem was, he knew his aunt and uncle would absolutely not take the initiative to send him to King's Cross Station.
He didn't want to ask them either; just thinking of their mean faces made Harry feel prickly all over.
However, he was not worried.
He knew Wesson would definitely help him.
After finishing the daily Charms practice—
"Professor," Harry asked Wesson nervously, "can you take me to King's Cross Station tomorrow? My aunt and uncle definitely won't take me."
Wesson had anticipated that Harry would say this.
He waved it off. "Of course—no problem. In fact, I was just planning to do that."
As he spoke, he took an ID card out of his pocket.
Harry leaned in for a closer look and discovered it was a driving licence.
The photo on the licence was Wesson.
Wesson cherished the memory of the first time his parents had sent him off to school.
Sitting in the back seat, impatiently waiting to arrive at the station—that was a rite of passage every first-year had to go through.
"I've even prepared a Muggle car," Wesson said with a smile. "Relax, Harry. I'll come to pick you up around nine o'clock tomorrow."
After getting Wesson's answer, Harry nodded vigorously. A weight lifted from his heart, and even his steps on the way home felt much lighter.
Just then, Lupin came out through the door to the plantation.
"Has Harry left?" he asked.
Wesson nodded, and then, as if something had just occurred to him, said, "Lupin, I'm taking Harry to King's Cross Station tomorrow."
Lupin glanced at the calendar on the table and only then realised today was already the last day of August.
"And," Wesson added, "you're coming with us tomorrow."
Lupin was a bit surprised. "Me as well?"
"Of course," Wesson spread his hands. "Otherwise, who's going to drive the car back?"
He and Harry would board the Hogwarts Express together, so naturally someone had to drive the car away.
"Er…" Lupin looked at Wesson, a little puzzled. "What about you then, Wesson? Aren't you coming back with me?"
Only then did Wesson realise he hadn't told Lupin that he was already a Hogwarts professor.
He showed a slight smile and explained to Lupin, "In fact, starting tomorrow, I'll be teaching Care of Magical Creatures at Hogwarts."
"I see… er, wait!"
Lupin shot up from the sofa. "Since when? Why am I only hearing about this now? And what about your plantation?"
The astonished Lupin fired off three questions in one breath.
"This summer. Professor Kettleburn retired, and he suggested I take his place," Wesson spread his hands, as if speaking of something minor. "As for the plantation, don't worry, Lupin—you won't be out of a job. The plantation needs someone to look after it. I have no intention of closing it."
Lupin sat back down on the sofa, looking at Wesson with a complicated expression. "That really is surprising, Wesson. Being a Hogwarts professor isn't easy."
Wesson shrugged, his tone relaxed. "Thanks to Professor Kettleburn for giving me the opportunity. Besides, teaching is very pleasant."
"Then congratulations," Lupin said.
For Lupin, Wesson going to teach at Hogwarts was not a bad thing.
Judging by the past few months working here, Wesson was indeed a competent teacher.
As Harry's teacher, Wesson would certainly help Harry.
And while Harry was at school, there would also be someone to look out for him.
Wesson nodded, took the car keys from his pocket, and tossed them to Lupin.
Seeing Lupin's puzzled look, Wesson pointed at the door and said, "I think you'd better practise how to use Muggle transport. It would be terrible if you ran into someone at the time."
"On it, boss."
Lupin took the keys and headed out. To tell the truth, he was very interested in the Muggle conveyance called a "car."
.....
Early the next morning, Wesson and Lupin pulled up in the car outside Number Four, Privet Drive.
"So this is where Harry lives?" Lupin stuck his head out of the car window to look carefully.
"This family is not easy to talk to," Wesson said as he got out of the car and walked towards the door. "I'll be right back."
He pressed the doorbell, and soon there were footsteps inside.
The door was opened by Vernon Dursley, Harry's uncle.
And Harry was standing in the entryway, carrying a great pile of packages.
Vernon had never seen Wesson; the last time Wesson had disguised himself as a community worker, he had met Harry's aunt.
"Good morning, sir." Wesson adjusted his hat and said politely, "I'm a professor from Hogwarts. I've come to fetch Harry. I think Harry should have told you…"
Vernon Dursley's already impatient expression grew even darker at the words "Hogwarts." The corner of his mouth twitched; he obviously loathed the topic.
"Oh, you lot again—" he muttered, glaring at Wesson with a surly face, but in the end he still restrained his anger.
That great oaf had conjured a pig's tail on his precious son, and it was still there to this day.
Vernon Dursley gave Wesson a fierce glare, his face flushing red as he said furiously, "Hurry up and take this stinking brat away—send him to your freak school! I don't want to see you—any of you… abnormal people again!"
With that, he whirled round and stomped towards the sitting room, then halfway there turned his head again: "Get out, now!"
Harry had long since got used to this, and had expected it.
Wesson only smiled at Harry; he paid no heed to Vernon Dursley's rudeness.
Or rather, he ignored it entirely.
After that, Wesson picked up Harry's luggage and said lightly, "All right then, Harry—let's be off."
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