The next morning, it was time to return to Hogwarts.
The Weasley family moved quickly through King's Cross Station— the train was already preparing to depart.
Instead of each person pushing a heavy trolley piled with trunks, all the luggage had been neatly packed into Kevin's magically expanded backpack.
Each person only had to carry their own owl.
Kevin remembered what might happen in the original timeline—that Dobby would block Harry from reaching the platform—so as they neared the barrier to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, he suddenly scooped Harry into his arms and dashed straight through the pillar.
The people following behind froze in surprise. Hermione puffed out her cheeks in annoyance.
"Why did you take Harry and not me?" she demanded.
Her mind leapt to the wrong conclusion. Could it be that Kevin…
No. No way. Kevin had almost confessed his feelings to her… hadn't he?
Unseen in the crowd, Dobby blinked in confusion. What in Merlin's name just happened?
Since Harry had already entered the platform, the house-elf had no reason to block the others.
One by one, everyone passed through the barrier without incident and reached Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
"Kevin, what was that all about?" Harry asked as Kevin set him down. "Were you worried we'd be late?"
"I'll explain once we're on the train," Kevin said.
Moments later, Hermione stepped through the barrier and gave Kevin a light kick on the shin.
Why is this girl getting more violent? Kevin thought, nursing his leg. We could talk things out instead.
The four friends—Kevin, Hermione, Harry, and Ron—claimed a compartment together. The rest of the group went off to other carriages.
"So, what happened just now?" Harry asked again once the door was shut.
"I saw Dobby lurking nearby," Kevin said smoothly. "He was probably planning to stop you from getting onto the platform. I rushed you through before he had the chance."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked surprised but didn't doubt him. Kevin's explanation was entirely plausible.
Hermione's cheeks flushed as she realised she'd misjudged Kevin earlier. She gave him an awkward little smile and patted his head in apology.
Harry and Ron exchanged a look that said, We can't watch this anymore.
On the train, Hermione cracked open one of Lockhart's books, skimming through the embellished adventures.
The stories might be exaggerated, but Kevin admitted some parts were worth analysing—though he still preferred Snape's recommended reading list.
Harry and Ron wandered off to buy snacks from the trolley, chatting casually.
Kevin read as well, but his mind kept drifting to practical concerns. He had no counter-curse for the Disillusionment Charm, which meant an invisible attacker could be a serious threat.
The year's main dangers, he knew, would be the basilisk and Tom Riddle's memory in the diary.
Destroying the diary was straightforward, but the basilisk… he wasn't sure his physical strength would be enough.
If only the Sword of Gryffindor would recognise him—but he doubted it would.
"What are you thinking about?" Hermione asked softly, noticing his faraway expression.
"Just wondering what sort of adventures await me this year," Kevin replied, giving her hair a gentle pat.
She leaned her head against his shoulder, clearly comfortable. Harry and Ron were silently grateful when the train finally pulled into Hogsmeade Station.
This year, second-years took a different route to the castle—no boats across the lake—and the trip was uneventful.
No flying cars, no near-collisions, no detours into the Forbidden Forest.
As they settled in the Great Hall for the Start-of-Term Feast, Kevin glanced at the Sorting Ceremony.
One boy in particular caught his eye—a small Gryffindor first-year clutching a camera.
The boy was sorted, then made a beeline for Harry, snapping a picture.
"Hi, Harry! I'm Colin Creevey! I'm a Gryffindor too!" he said breathlessly. "Can I get a picture with you? My dad's a milkman—no one in my family does magic except my gran. I didn't even know magic was real before my Hogwarts letter came! Everyone thought I was imagining things!"
Colin's rapid chatter reminded Kevin of Hermione's first year.
"Come here, I'll take it for you," Kevin offered, standing and positioning Colin and Harry together before clicking the shutter.
Then, with a mischievous grin, Kevin said, "Colin, could you take one of me and Hermione? I'll pay you for the print."
Hermione blinked in surprise as Kevin stepped beside her, but she quickly leaned into him with a shy smile. The camera flashed, capturing the moment.
"That's a great shot," Colin said honestly. "You two look perfect together."
Hermione brushed her hair back, pretending to ignore the compliment, though her faint blush gave her away.
Kevin leaned close to whisper, "Our walls are still a bit bare. We should get a camera and start decorating our place with photos."
Hermione's eyes widened at the casual our place, but she only nodded, head down, a small smile playing on her lips.
Later, as the feast ended, Kevin excused himself. "I'm going to see Professor Snape. You three head back to the common room."
He found Snape in his underground workshop, surrounded by jars of strange ingredients.
"Professor, good to see you again. Thank you for recommending those study materials," Kevin said.
"Hmph. At least you haven't drowned yourself in sentimentality yet," Snape replied without looking up.
Kevin simply shrugged and came to watch him work. Even as a skilled potion-maker himself, Kevin still found value in observing Snape's precision.
After a few minutes, he silently began assisting. Snape didn't object; the two worked together in efficient, wordless rhythm until near curfew.
At the door, Kevin asked, "By the way, Professor—over the summer, Harry and I ran into a troublesome house-elf. I couldn't break his invisibility charm. Could you teach me next time?"
Snape waved him off without answering. Kevin knew from experience that meant yes.
He smiled to himself as he headed back upstairs, eager to share the day with Hermione.