Billowing steam poured from the scarlet engine, hanging thick over the platform. Crowds surged and shouted, owls hooted from wicker cages, and cats of every colour darted between people's feet.
Guoguo Tea sat calmly atop Vaughn's luggage, surveying the chaos with dignified disinterest. Other cats slipped past her like ripples in a stream, but she remained perfectly composed.
Harry was nowhere to be seen.
With so many people jostling about, the reckless boy had vanished the moment they stepped onto the platform. Vaughn didn't bother searching. Standing on tiptoe, he scanned the crowd until he spotted Fred and George, then squeezed his way over.
"Why are only you two here? Where's Percy?"
"Haven't seen him," Fred replied solemnly. "Our noble Prefect Percy is far too busy."
"Blink once—gone," George added.
"Wait," Vaughn said. "When did Percy become a Prefect?"
"You couldn't have missed it," Fred said.
"No, truly impossible," George agreed.
Together, they chorused, "He said it all summer!"
They burst into laughter.
At that precise moment, Percy appeared, wearing freshly adjusted robes. He straightened his posture and spoke stiffly:
"If I were you two—Fred, George—I'd behave yourselves now that your brother is a Prefect."
"Oh Merlin," Fred said. "I'm terrified."
"Yes," George nodded gravely. "He sounds like he's just been made Headmaster."
"You two—!" Percy inhaled deeply, clearly deciding it wasn't worth it. He turned to Vaughn instead and patted his shoulder—lingering just long enough for the newly polished silver P on his badge to catch the light.
"Vaughn, dear brother, if you need anything at school, come find me."
Vaughn smiled politely. "Of course, Percy."
At that moment, Arthur and Molly Weasley arrived with Ginny and Ron in tow. It was nearly eleven; steam thickened as the train prepared to depart. Molly had no choice but to begin her goodbyes.
When she reached Vaughn and Ron, her eyes immediately filled.
"You two have grown so much… you've never been this far from home."
"Don't worry, Mum," Vaughn said smoothly. "We're going to school. And Hogwarts is the safest place in the world."
A lie, he thought calmly.
But a convenient one.
"We'll write to you and Dad—and to Ginny—once we arrive."
He hugged Ginny next. She clung to his robes, sobbing so hard her face was blotchy.
"I don't want you to go…"
"But I have to," Vaughn said gently. "If I don't, I won't learn magic. And next year, you'll come to Hogwarts too. Then we won't be apart."
It took a while to soothe her.
Ron said nothing at all—he was too busy crying into his sleeves.
At last, with Arthur, Molly, and Ginny waving tearfully from the platform, Vaughn and Ron hauled their trunks aboard and began searching for an empty compartment.
The front carriages were reserved for older students. Percy had already bragged about the Prefects' carriage.
So they worked their way toward the back.
After some searching, they finally found an empty compartment. The train gave a long whistle and jerked forward. Ron dropped his trunk and lunged to the window, face pressed flat as he strained for one last look at his parents.
All he saw was smoke.
Steam swallowed the platform whole; waving arms flickered briefly before vanishing.
Disappointed, Ron slumped into his seat.
Vaughn drew his wand and used a Levitation Charm to stow both trunks overhead.
Seeing Ron's expression, he hesitated—then fished in his pocket and tossed him a sweet.
"Here."
Ron unwrapped it slowly. "Th-thanks… Vaughn…"
"Say brother."
Vaughn ruffled his hair mercilessly, destroying the fragile moment. Ron flushed scarlet and flailed.
"You—you—you stop that!"
At that moment, the compartment door slid open.
A thin boy dragging an oversized trunk stood timidly in the doorway.
"Um… e-excuse me… c-could I sit here?"
Harry Potter had endured a truly dreadful morning.
Left behind at the station by Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia.
Unable to find Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Saved only by the kindness of a red-haired woman.
After finally boarding the train, he'd wandered from carriage to carriage—each one full. When he reached the front, an older student wearing a silver snake badge had told him to clear off.
Eventually, he reached the very end.
And there they were.
Two red-haired boys.
He recognised them instantly—the family who had helped him. Especially the tall one with warm, reddish-brown eyes.
Vaughn.
Harry thought, with sudden certainty, that Vaughn was the most handsome boy he had ever seen—handsomer than any actor Aunt Petunia ever praised.
But more than that—
Harry had seen him lift trunks with magic.
That was what pushed him forward.
Now, standing there, he immediately regretted it.
What if they don't want me here?
What if I'm bothering them?
The Dursleys had taught him well—to apologise before trouble began.
Inside, Vaughn blinked in surprise. He had assumed Harry already found a seat.
He looked from Harry to Ron.
Fate, he thought calmly.
Perhaps this meeting—this trio—was meant to be.
After a moment, Vaughn smiled.
"Of course. Come in."
Harry whispered his thanks and reached for his trunk—
"Wingardium Leviosa."
The luggage lifted smoothly into the air.
Harry spun around.
Vaughn stood there holding a pale, knotted wand—elegant and unusual—guiding the trunk effortlessly. Hedwig flapped wildly inside her cage, startled as it floated too.
The trunk settled onto the rack. Hedwig's cage landed gently by the window.
Beside it lay a massive orange-and-gold cat.
The cat glanced at Hedwig… then returned to glaring at the rat in Ron's cage.
Harry stared.
"T-thank you," he managed. "Really—thank you."
"You're welcome," Vaughn said warmly. "Have a seat.
I'm Vaughn Weasley. This is my brother, Ron Weasley.
Hello, Harry Potter."
Harry froze.
"How did you—?"
Vaughn tapped his own forehead. "I saw your scar outside the station."
Relief washed over Harry.
Not magic.
Then Ron shot to his feet, freckles blazing, eyes wide with awe.
"Harry Potter?!
THE Harry Potter?!"
(End of Chapter 10)
PS :
Levitation Charm (Wingardium Leviosa) – Spell used to make objects float
Hedwig – Harry Potter's snowy owl