"I feel like today's fried fish is also pretty good," Gary added some stew to his plate, then pushed the fried fish in front of him over.
"What's going on with you two?" Kona took a chicken leg and stuffed it into her mouth, "This isn't normal."
Her eyes darted between Alfrina and Gary.
Gary and Alfrina exchanged glances, their lips curving into smiles, their eyes bright.
Kona sensitively detected a sour smell fermenting in the air.
"Oh!" Howard sighed heavily, understanding that his good brother and roommate no longer belonged to him alone.
Kona's cheeks were puffed out with chicken meat, and with her round face and brown hair, she looked like a squirrel.
She looked at the three of them blankly, no one had answered her question earlier, and she blinked innocently, not understanding.
Howard patted her head, "If you don't understand, then don't. Don't ask people such questions directly. Observe more, understand?"
This string of "understands" hit Kona, "I think I understand."
"Are you two… hmm…" Kona's words were cut off as Howard stuffed another chicken leg into her mouth.
"Shh, see through but don't speak through," Howard said conspiratorially.
"Why?" Kona didn't understand, why couldn't she even say this?
Howard said earnestly, "Kona, have you heard of an auspicious beast from the East?"
"What auspicious beast? Is it that kind of iron-eating beast that knows Chinese kung fu?" Kona swallowed the meat in her mouth.
"No… it's that kind of auspicious beast with pincers that walks sideways! It specializes in people who talk too much like you," Howard gesticulated wildly.
"Isn't that a crab…" Kona covered her mouth and fell silent.
After the final exam results were released, they boarded the Hogwarts Express. By the station, another group of graduating couples were comforting and hugging each other; goodbyes were always filled with tears and sadness.
The third-year students cleared out their dorms; in September, they would move to the upper-year student dorms. Gary and the other three carried their large bags onto the train, found a compartment to sit in, and watched as the train slowly started, Hogwarts Castle gradually receding into the distance.
Another school year had ended.
"Okay, on July 9th we'll go to Gary's house first, then on July 16th, we'll go to Alfrina's house, July 23rd to Lily's house, and July 30th to my house." As soon as Howard got on the train, he took out the plan he had written earlier to show everyone.
Given that the plan involved Lily, who was not present, Alfrina decided to ask for her opinion. After wandering around the corridor for a long time, she finally saw Lily sitting in a compartment at the rear of the Hogwarts Express, chatting with a group of Gryffindor classmates.
She knocked on the door, and after a chorus of "Come in" from inside, she pulled open the compartment door. Five girls were crammed inside, chirping like a flock of sparrows.
Seeing her enter, the Gryffindor girls' attention turned to her. They extended their hands and pulled Alfrina to a seat.
So enthusiastic. Alfrina thought to herself. She was now sitting with Lily on her left and Bertha Jorkins, a fifth-year and also a eloquent girl, on her right.
Alfrina was dragged into a conversation about skincare products, which she wasn't interested in, for over ten minutes before she finally escaped their clutches.
She found an opportunity to pull Lily out of the compartment. Before leaving, she heard the girls' topic had already shifted from skincare products to the question of "Who can become Sirius Black's girlfriend."
"I'm sorry to make you see a joke," Lily closed the compartment door, finally cutting off the noise inside that sounded like a squabble among hags.
"It's fine. Are you Gryffindors always this enthusiastic?" Alfrina told her about Howard's plan.
"They do talk a lot," Lily smiled shyly, tucking her red hair behind her ear, "I have time all summer, and you can also stay at my house for two days. My parents are very kind."
"Alright, then I'll just mooch off your family and not leave," Alfrina joked.
"Alright, I've been wanting a sister, why don't you just stay," Lily said happily, pulling her.
"Hey, how are things between you and Severus lately?" Alfrina's bright eyes sparkled.
Lily sighed, "What else can it be? We can only maintain a friendship. Every time we talk about Pure-blood and half-blood issues, we end up arguing."
"Then you can just not talk about those kinds of issues," Alfrina said.
"If we don't talk about any deep topics, and just chat about what we ate today, what classes we took today… can that even be considered friends?" Lily sighed mournfully. It was the first time Alfrina had seen such an expression on the usually cheerful and lively Lily's face.
"…I have good news for you," Alfrina leaned close to Lily's ear, "Gary and I…"
"Really?" Lily was very surprised; in her impression, Gary wouldn't do such a thing.
"Really!" Alfrina's eyes narrowed with a smile, and she frantically shook Lily's arm.
Lily also started to laugh, and the two girls hugged each other.
After Gary got off the train, he left the platform and looked around the crowded King's Cross Station, but he didn't see his parents.
This was also within his expectations; his father had sent him a letter a week ago, saying that there had been a series of murders in France, and the suspect was a British Wizard. The French Ministry of Magic had requested the British Ministry of Magic to send Aurors to assist in the pursuit. Mr. Shafiq was also on the deployment list, so he probably hadn't returned yet.
Mrs. Shafiq was working on a manuscript today and still had to go home to make dinner, so no one was picking him up today.
The Floo network at home had been shut down by Mr. Shafiq due to safety concerns, so there was no way to get back from the Leaky Cauldron.
He had just broken up with James, so it was naturally impossible to use his family's Floo network.
He thought for a moment, then left the station and took the subway to the last stop. This place was sparsely populated and not easily discovered. He stretched out his wand directly, his arm parallel to the ground, like a Muggle hailing a taxi.
Then with a deafening bang, a three-story high, bright purple bus appeared in front of him. On its windshield, the words "Knight Bus" were written in large golden letters.
"Welcome aboard the Knight Bus! I'm the conductor, Pool Granger," The door opened, and a young man with a freckled face wearing a purple uniform said enthusiastically.
Gary boarded the bus with his suitcase, "We can take you anywhere within Britain!"
The door closed, and Pool continued to smile at Gary, "For an extra three Sickles, you can also get a hot chocolate!"