King’s Cross Station was filled with the bustle characteristic of travel, and everything was no different from usual except for the relatively low-key yet impossible-to-ignore group seeing someone off between Platforms Nine and Ten.
There were no media cameras or reporters, but several plainclothes security personnel were cleverly dispersed throughout the area.
Attendant Paul stood in a position that allowed him to keep an eye on the entire situation without appearing conspicuous, his gaze alert as he watched his surroundings.
Charles and Diana had chosen simple dark overcoats and sunglasses, trying to blend into the background, but their innate presence still attracted a few fleeting glances.
William and Harry, meanwhile, made no attempt to hide their excitement as they kept circling around Henry and his luggage.
Grandpa and Grandma had not come.
The two of them were simply too conspicuous, and their presence would inevitably attract media attention.
In fact, if not for the effectiveness of the security arrangements, the entire family would probably have been surrounded by reporters by now.
Henry did not have much luggage.
It included a dark leather suitcase enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm and a sturdy owl cage containing his snowy owl, “Mercury,” whose expression always made him look as though he were contemplating philosophy.
He wore ordinary jeans and an Oxford shirt with a casual jacket over them, looking like any well-off boy on his way to preparatory school.
“Did you bring everything? Did you check it against the list?” Princess Diana asked for the tenth time, her fingers unconsciously smoothing out a wrinkle on Henry’s jacket.
“Everything’s here, Mum. Textbooks, robes, cauldron, scales, and Mercury.” Henry answered patiently, squeezing his mother’s slightly cold hand.
Charles glanced toward the outskirts of the station and quietly reminded Henry to stay safe at school.
“I’ll write on time, Father.” Henry smiled at Charles.
William tugged at Henry’s sleeve and lowered his voice, his eyes shining.
“Henry, if you really see flying broomsticks, could… could you somehow get me a model? Just the ordinary kind will do!”
Harry looked up, somewhat reluctant to let him go.
“You’ll come back for Christmas, right? Will you really know magic by then?”
“I’ll try to get you a model, and I promise I’ll be back for Christmas.” Henry smiled as he promised, vigorously ruffling both his younger brothers’ hair.
He glanced at the enormous clock in the center of the station.
Its hands were approaching 10:50.
It was time.
“Well, I suppose I’d better go.” Henry took a deep breath and gave his family a reassuring smile.
He picked up his suitcase and lifted the owl cage.
Following Dumbledore’s instructions, he found the entrance to the platform.
Quite a few witches and wizards were already lining up to hurry through.
It felt like passing through a warm soap bubble, followed by a brief sensation of weightlessness.
Then everything before him suddenly became bright.
A wide stone platform stretched before him, its vaulted ceiling displaying a bright autumn sky created by magic.
A gleaming deep-red steam locomotive stood there, billowing clouds of white steam.
A prominent sign on its front read: Hogwarts Express, departing at 11:00 sharp.
The platform was packed with people: young witches and wizards in black robes excitedly chatting; parents busy giving last-minute instructions, embracing their children, and waving goodbye; owls fluttering and hooting inside their cages; cats nimbly weaving between people’s legs; and, every so often, a toad jumping out of a basket and causing a small commotion and bursts of laughter.
The air was filled with the smell of coal smoke and sweet pumpkin pasties, along with a peculiar scent that was difficult to describe.
Henry crossed the bustling platform with his luggage, following the flow of people toward the open train doors.
He deliberately avoided the noisy compartments already filled with excited older students and walked toward the rear of the train, hoping to find a relatively quiet compartment.
He was lucky.
In one of the carriages near the very back, he found an empty compartment.
He safely placed his suitcase on the luggage rack and set Mercury’s cage in the empty space beside the window.
The snowy owl shifted unhappily, but soon returned to its philosopher-like stare.
Henry sat down by the window and turned his gaze outside, watching the farewells that were still taking place.
Before long, the sliding door of the compartment was gently pulled open.
A girl with a round face and two golden braids poked her head inside.
She looked somewhat nervous, but her eyes were friendly.
“Ex-excuse me, is there still a seat here? It looks like everywhere else is full.” Her voice was soft.
“Of course. Come in.” Henry smiled and nodded, getting up to help her place her small trunk on the luggage rack.
“Thank you! I’m Hannah Abbott.” The girl sat down opposite Henry, visibly relieved, and introduced herself.
Oh?
Although Henry had never read fanfiction, he knew her nickname.
Oh, the Iron-Cap Prince is here.
“Henry Wales. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Abbott.” Henry used an alias, his tone perfectly natural.
“Just call me Hannah.” Hannah seemed to relax somewhat and curiously studied Henry.
Perhaps feeling that it sounded a little rude, Hannah quickly added an explanation.
“Most first-years are either excitedly chattering away right now or feeling a little uneasy about leaving home…”
“I’m just trying to stay calm. I’m actually looking forward to it too.” Henry gave a deliberately vague answer.
At that moment, the compartment door opened again, and another brown-haired girl stepped inside.
She looked somewhat more composed than Hannah.
“Hannah! Oh, you’re here too. Is there still room in this compartment?” the brown-haired girl asked.
“Susan! Yes, come in!” Hannah happily called her over before introducing her to Henry.
“This is Susan Bones. Our families live next door to each other. Susan, this is Henry Wales.”
Susan Bones politely nodded at Henry, put away her luggage, and sat beside Hannah.
“Hello, Mr. Wales. I hope we aren’t disturbing you.”
“Not at all, Miss Bones. The more people, the livelier.” Henry spoke warmly.
He could tell that both girls came from wizarding families.
Their manners were polite, and they were slightly reserved, but there was no hostility in them.
Definitely not Slytherin material.
At that moment, the train sounded its whistle.
The carriage trembled slightly before slowly pulling away from the platform.
The scenery outside began moving backward.
The crowd of people seeing their loved ones off and the magical archway gradually receded into the distance.
All three children instinctively looked out the window, watching London’s streets fall behind them.
A shared excitement and nervousness about stepping into the unknown gradually filled the small compartment.
They began chatting.
Hannah and Susan did most of the talking, discussing their expectations of Hogwarts and guessing which house they would be sorted into.
Henry listened most of the time, occasionally adding one or two harmless comments.
He was neither overly enthusiastic and suspiciously conspicuous nor so cold and aloof that he seemed antisocial.