Chapter 13: 13
Dana flew to the office building across from King's Cross Station. Taking an empty box out of his necklace to create an appearance, he walked down from the rooftop.
Across the street, King's Cross Station was particularly lively today. In front of a coffee shop at the foot of the office building, an elderly couple sat under a parasol, leisurely sipping their drinks. Their conversation made Dana smile.
"It's back-to-school season again!"
"Yes, there are always some children from boarding schools outside of London coming to King's Cross Station."
"Hehehe, there are so many schools in London, they almost fight to recruit students, and the teachers they hire are the best. But even so, there are still so many foolish parents sending their children away."
"Indeed, they are fools. Look at the clothes they wear, what a mess! Even old Jones next door, who has cerebral palsy, wouldn't dress like that."
"That's right, they look like... like clowns from a 1930s circus after they've taken off their makeup?"
"Oh, darling, you're as imaginative as ever."
"Just tell me if they look like it or not?"
"They do."
Dana, carrying the box, crossed the street and arrived in front of the station.
Suddenly, a tabby cat jumped out of nowhere and landed in front of him. The tabby cat glanced at him and walked towards a corner, looking back every two steps as if telling Dana to follow.
Having read the original work thoroughly, Dana immediately recognized the cat. He followed it into a quiet corner where no one was paying attention.
The tabby cat shook its body, quickly grew larger, and returned to its human form.
"Hello, Professor McGonagall."
Dana greeted her, but Professor McGonagall asked,
"I went to the Leaky Cauldron to find you, but you weren't there! Do you know that you don't have a single knut or penny on you? What if you miss the train to Hogwarts?"
Her tone was scolding, but Dana heard the deep concern behind it.
"I'm sorry, Professor, but I can take care of myself. You gave me the ticket before. According to the information on the ticket, I won't miss the train—actually, the distance from the Leaky Cauldron to King's Cross Station isn't far. It's just two blocks, and it only takes an hour and a half to walk."
Professor McGonagall looked at the boy in front of her with pity and gently put her arm around his shoulders.
"Child, once you get to Hogwarts, we professors will take care of you. You are not alone."
Her hand was warm, and Dana's heart warmed up with it.
"Are you tired from walking? Hurry into the station, find Platform 9 and 3/4, and you can rest well once you get on the train."
Dana nodded and bowed slightly.
"Then I'll go in first, Professor McGonagall."
"Go on!"
Compared to his footsteps when he came, Dana felt much lighter at this moment. He almost jogged all the way into the station.
So Professor McGonagall hadn't forgotten about him. That was enough.
Harry stood at the door of the train carriage, anxiously looking toward the magical platform entrance.
Why hasn't Dana arrived yet? Could it be that he won't make it?
He really should have asked Hagrid to go back and pick up Dana again.
The station was bustling with wizarding families, the cries of owls and the laughter of young wizards mixing together.
"Need any help?"
A voice sounded in Harry's ear. He turned his head and saw a pair of red-haired twins.
Of course, he recognized them. These two were the sons of the amiable woman who had helped him find Platform 9 and 3/4.
"Oh, I'm waiting for a friend. He hasn't arrived yet."
"Not here yet? The train is about to leave. If he doesn't come soon, he'll be too late."
Suddenly, a white-haired boy rushed out of the wall, carrying a seemingly light wicker suitcase in his hand.
"Dana!"
Harry waved vigorously.
"Over here! Over here!"
One of the twins laughed,
"Oh, it seems your friend has arrived... Wait a minute, that scar on your forehead... Could it be that you are...?"
The other twin looked surprised,
"Could it be that he is...?"
Harry looked puzzled.
"Is what?"
The twins said in unison,
"Harry Potter."
"Oh, him..."
Harry said,
"I mean, yes, that's me."
The brothers stared blankly at Harry, making his face turn red. Fortunately, Dana came to his side.
"Harry, let's get on the train quickly!"
The twins laughed.
"Harry Potter, it's a pleasure to meet you. Since your friend has arrived, hurry inside!"
They helped Harry carry his heavy luggage onto the train, then waved to him with a smile.
"Thank you."
Harry thanked them sincerely.
The twins waved their hands.
"You're welcome. We really hope you can enter our house when you get to Hogwarts!"
Once on the train, Dana carried his suitcase in his left hand and helped Harry carry Hedwig's cage with his right.
Harry couldn't help but ask curiously,
"Dana, why does your suitcase look so light?"
Dana smiled,
"I'm just stronger."
The carriages in front were full, so the two found an empty compartment in the back and sat down.
"Ah, we finally made it."
"Yeah."
Dana looked out the window. Some parents were still anxiously helping their children get their luggage onto the train, while others were waving at the windows. Some more sentimental parents were hugging and crying, saddened by the separation from their children.
Dana thought, if his mother were still alive, she would probably be waving goodbye with tears in her eyes.
He watched Mrs. Weasley try to wipe the dirt off Ron Weasley's nose, saw the twins telling their mother that they had just met Harry Potter, and also saw their little sister Ginny pestering her brother to take her to see Harry.
He withdrew his gaze. The Weasley family's strong family bond was enviable...
The train started moving, and Dana looked out the window again, watching as Ginny ran after the train for a long time, crying and shouting.
Dana couldn't help but think—now that he was here, would Ron Weasley still enter this compartment?
The next moment, the sliding door of the compartment opened.
A little boy with red hair and freckles stood there—it was Ron Weasley.
"Is anyone sitting here?"
He asked,
"Everywhere else is full."
Harry looked at Dana, unsure if he would be willing to let a stranger sit with them.
Dana smiled,
"There's no one here, please sit wherever you like."
Ron cheered and sat down.
Dana asked,
"Where's your luggage?"
Ron replied carelessly,
"It's with my brothers."
Dana suddenly felt envious. He might never experience the kind of silent care that Ron received from his family in this lifetime.
"Hey, Ron,"
The twins pulled open the sliding door,
"Listen, we're going to walk through the middle carriage. I heard Lee Jordan got a big spider!"
Ron's face visibly worsened, and he muttered,
"Oh."
The twins revealed triumphant smiles, then looked at Harry.
"Harry, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. We are Fred and George Weasley, and this is our youngest brother, Ron Weasley. Okay, see you later!"
"Goodbye."
The twins left and closed the door behind them.
Ron turned to Harry, eyes wide with curiosity.
"So, you're really Harry Potter?"
End of the Chapter.
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