Chapter 33. The Weasley Family
They put the luggage in the car boot. Adrian Wesson opened the rear door for Harry to get in, then took the passenger seat himself.
Remus Lupin sat in the driver's seat, peering at the steering wheel as he muttered under his breath: "So how does this thing start again?"
Watching Lupin fluster about, Wesson kindly reminded him: "Don't forget to turn the key."
Lupin froze, then quickly did as Wesson said. The engine buzzed to life, the car shuddered, and it started successfully.
"Oh—right, that was simpler than I thought." Lupin nodded in satisfaction, gripping the wheel with both hands, looking rather eager to try.
Harry watched Lupin curiously. "Mr Lupin, have you driven a car before?"
"Of course," Lupin thumped his chest. "Just yesterday, I tried it once."
"..."
Harry glanced cautiously at Wesson, as if asking whether it was reliable to let Lupin drive.
Wesson smiled and spread his hands. "Don't worry, Harry. I've been watching the whole time. He at least didn't drive the car into a river."
"That's truly reassuring," Harry muttered, checking his seat belt several times over.
…
They did bump into a few rubbish bins and a squirrel that darted out of nowhere along the way.
Fortunately, Lupin reacted quickly, so all they lost was one headlamp on their little car.
In the end, the three of them arrived at King's Cross Station in one piece.
Inside, it was crowded with people. Lupin left first—a batch of herbs in the plantation was about to mature at this hour, and he needed to harvest them in time.
Wesson cast a Levitation Charm on Harry's luggage trolley to make it lighter, so now Harry only needed to pull it along with a gentle tug.
"Where should we go?" Harry asked, looking at the people streaming past them.
"Between platforms Nine and Ten."
It had been a long time since Wesson returned to this familiar station.
King's Cross Station had scarcely changed in more than ten years.
Aside from the brick wall being a bit darker, a few obvious water stains on the red bricks, and some of the noticeboards looking a little worn, the basic layout was exactly the same.
Wesson led Harry to the pillar between Platform Nine and Platform Ten.
Ahead of them, a family had already clustered around the entrance to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Judging from their signature red hair, it was the Weasley family.
Wesson stood behind them, watching Mr and Mrs Weasley bustling to send their children through.
"All right, all right, Fred, George, you must listen to your older brother," Molly Weasley said, straightening Ginny's collar while still finding time to warn the twins.
The twins immediately rolled their eyes skyward in unison.
Just then, Arthur Weasley, who was at the back, noticed Wesson and Harry arriving.
"Children, hurry up, there are people behind us," he urged the dawdling twins, then shot Wesson an apologetic look.
Wesson waved a hand and checked the silver pocket watch from his pocket. "It's all right—no rush, sir. We've still got time before the train departs."
Mr Weasley finally breathed a little easier.
Wesson glanced at him with a touch of understanding in his eyes. "It must be hard work with so many children."
Unexpectedly, Mr Weasley smiled.
"Not at all," he said.
By then, the twins had already gone through, one after the other.
"Ah, you're here to see a child off as well?" Mr Weasley looked down and noticed Harry beside Wesson. "A first-year?"
"Of course," Wesson said. "It's his first day of school."
Harry stood a little awkwardly at Wesson's side. Hearing Mr Weasley's words, he gave a small nod.
Mr Weasley smiled, curiosity in his eyes. "Oh, then you must be the boy's father."
He squinted at Wesson, then at Harry, as if feeling something didn't quite add up.
"You look very young!" he exclaimed, rubbing his slightly balding head.
Harry flushed with embarrassment and coughed lightly, while Wesson chuckled and explained with ease, "Well, in fact, he's a friend's child."
Hearing this, Mr Weasley realised it wasn't a good topic to press.
Once Mrs Weasley had sent Ron through, she beckoned to her husband. "Dear, we should go."
"Coming."
Mr Weasley answered, then gave Wesson and Harry a small nod. "We'll be off, then. Best of luck to you."
When the Weasleys had gone through, only Wesson and Harry remained at the barrier.
Harry looked around and noticed that the passers-by seemed not to see the two of them at all, hurrying past without a glance.
It was probably some kind of magic.
"All right," Wesson tugged lightly at Harry's hand, bringing him back to himself. "Let's head in too."
Harry nodded, took a deep breath, pushed his trolley, and—copying the Weasley children—charged at the pillar.
Even though he knew he wouldn't crash into it, Harry still couldn't help squeezing his eyes shut at the instant of contact.
When he opened them again, he was in a completely different place.
A red, old-fashioned steam engine stood before him.
Children about his age were filing into the carriages, their chatter bubbling in his ears.
He looked around. He was standing on a platform, and next to him was a sign that read: Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Clearly, this was the real departure point of the Hogwarts Express.
Amid the dense crowd, Harry noticed many people wearing robes like Wesson's, and he couldn't help feeling a touch of warmth.
As Wesson came through and saw Harry still staring, he patted his shoulder lightly and reminded him: "All right, Harry, time to get on. You can still pick a good seat if you're quick."
Harry came back to himself. He looked at the steam train, then at Wesson, a trace of reluctance on his face.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end only scratched his head and said, "Thank you, teacher. See you at Christmas. I'll write to you."
Having looked over the Hogwarts timetable in advance, Harry knew he wouldn't be able to come home until the holiday in December.
Wesson's mouth quirked in a small smile. "See you then, Harry."
He wondered what expression Harry would make when he spotted him at the Welcoming Feast at Hogwarts.
Wesson found himself looking forward to it a little.
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