September 1st had finally arrived.
For countless young witches and wizards across Britain, today marked the beginning of a brand-new school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
And for Adam Ambrosius, it marked the start of an entirely new chapter of life.
The usually quiet Garden Spire estate was far livelier than normal that morning.
To celebrate Adam’s departure for Hogwarts, Ecter had prepared an extraordinarily lavish breakfast.
The long dining table was covered with dishes from one end to the other.
Freshly baked bread still steamed in woven baskets.
Golden butter glistened beneath the morning sunlight.
There were eggs, roasted sausages, fruit tarts, pumpkin pastries, honey cakes, and even a large pot of rich hot chocolate prepared specially for Adam.
Fou sat proudly on the table beside Adam’s plate, happily nibbling on fish-shaped cat treats prepared by Ecter.
Although Fou was technically a magical beast, it behaved more like an overly pampered pet most of the time.
Ecter stood nearby with a satisfied expression.
“Young Master must eat more today,” he said seriously.
“The food on the train cannot possibly compare to home cooking.” Lance nodded vigorously in agreement.
“That’s right!
Hogwarts is full of reckless young wizards.
Young Master must maintain his health properly.” Adam nearly laughed at their solemn expressions.
To anyone unfamiliar with the situation, it would seem as though he were departing for war rather than attending school.
Still, he understood their feelings.
The Garden Spire had always been quiet.
For years, the three of them had lived there together like a strange little family.
Now, for the first time, Adam would be gone for most of the year.
Even Fou seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere.
The small creature climbed onto Adam’s shoulder and rubbed its head against his cheek affectionately.
Adam smiled softly and scratched beneath its chin.
“Don’t worry,” he said calmly.
“I’m only going to Hogwarts, not disappearing forever.” Lance and Ecter exchanged subtle looks at those words.
Unfortunately, that sentence carried very unfortunate implications within the Ambrosius Family.
After all, Adam’s ancestors had an alarming habit of “going out for a while” and then vanishing from the world entirely.
Some disappeared while researching magic.
Some vanished during expeditions.
Others simply left one day and were never seen again.
Even Adam’s own parents had disappeared in exactly the same manner.
Because of this, Lance and Ecter were both extremely sensitive whenever Adam talked about leaving home.
Adam naturally noticed their worried expressions and sighed helplessly.
“I’ll write regularly,” he promised.
Only then did the two relax slightly.
After breakfast ended, the group finally prepared to leave.
Adam carried two suitcases containing his belongings, while Fou sat comfortably inside a specially prepared travel cage.
Soon afterward, the four of them Apparated to London.
King’s Cross Station was as crowded and noisy as ever.
Countless ordinary Muggles hurried across the station carrying luggage and newspapers while trains arrived and departed endlessly.
Because there were so many ordinary people around, Lance and Ecter immediately cast Disillusionment Charms upon themselves after arriving.
To Muggles, they became almost invisible distortions in the air.
Otherwise, the sight of a house-elf walking openly through King’s Cross Station would undoubtedly cause absolute chaos.
Adam calmly walked through the crowd while pulling his luggage behind him.
His silver-white hair and refined appearance attracted plenty of curious glances from passing people, but no one paid him too much attention.
Eventually, they arrived between Platforms Nine and Ten.
At first glance, there was nothing unusual there at all.
Just an ordinary barrier separating the two platforms.
No sign of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters existed anywhere.
For first-year students unfamiliar with wizarding transportation, the hidden platform was intentionally confusing.
Without guidance, most newcomers would likely spend hours searching unsuccessfully.
As Adam looked around, he quickly noticed a black-haired boy nervously pacing nearby while pushing an overloaded trolley.
The boy’s expression was full of anxiety and uncertainty.
Adam immediately understood the situation.
Since they were both first-year students, he decided it wouldn’t hurt to help.
He walked over quietly.
“Hello,” Adam said politely.
“Are you looking for Platform Nine and Three-Quarters?” The boy instantly spun around.
“You know about it too?!” His face immediately brightened with relief.
The moment Adam saw him clearly, recognition flashed through his mind.
Bright emerald-green eyes.
Messy black hair sticking out in every direction.
Round glasses.
And when a slight breeze shifted the boy’s bangs, a lightning-shaped scar became visible on his forehead.
Harry Potter.
The Boy Who Lived.
Adam had expected to meet him eventually at Hogwarts, but he hadn’t anticipated running into him here at King’s Cross Station.
Harry looked genuinely distressed.
“The letter said the train leaves from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters,” he explained helplessly.
“But there’s only Platform Nine and Platform Ten here.
I’ve been searching everywhere and can’t find anything.” Adam smiled faintly.
“Actually, you already found it.” Harry blinked in confusion.
“I did?” “Yes,” Adam replied.
“You just don’t know how to enter yet.” Harry stared at him blankly.
Meanwhile, behind Adam, Lance and Ecter silently observed Harry Potter with complicated expressions.
Even they recognized the famous scar.
After all, the story of Harry Potter’s survival against the Dark Lord was known throughout the wizarding world.
Adam turned toward Lance and Ecter.
“This is far enough,” he said gently.
“You two should head back now.” The moment those words left his mouth, Lance’s expression immediately changed.
“Young Master…” His large eyes filled with worry.
Ecter looked equally reluctant.
To them, sending Adam away to Hogwarts felt strangely similar to watching previous members of the Ambrosius Family leave on dangerous journeys.
And many of those people had never returned.
Adam sighed inwardly.
“I’ll be fine,” he reassured them patiently.
“I’ll write whenever I have time.
While I’m away, please take care of the Garden Spire.” Lance lowered his head reluctantly.
“As you wish, Young Master.” Ecter also nodded slowly.
“Please take care of yourself.” Even Fou poked its little head out of the cage and let out a soft cry as though expressing concern.
Adam smiled gently.
Then he turned back toward Harry.
From Adam’s perspective, he had simply been speaking with Lance and Ecter.
But because of the Disillusionment Charms, Harry had only seen Adam apparently talking to empty air.
Harry’s expression became increasingly strange.
For a brief moment, he genuinely wondered whether this mysterious silver-haired boy might be slightly insane.
Adam naturally noticed Harry’s awkward look but pretended not to.
“Alright,” he said calmly.
“Just follow me.” Harry immediately straightened.
“What do I do?” “Don’t think about anything,” Adam instructed.
“Close your eyes and run straight toward the barrier between Platforms Nine and Ten.” Harry looked horrified.
“Run into the wall?!” “Yes.” “That sounds incredibly dangerous.” “It’s perfectly safe.” Harry still looked uncertain.
Before he could say anything else, Adam grabbed his luggage and calmly walked toward the barrier.
Then, without slowing down in the slightest— He passed straight through it.
Harry froze completely.
The silver-haired boy vanished right before his eyes.
“What—?!” For several seconds, Harry simply stared at the barrier in absolute shock.
Then he remembered Adam’s instructions.
Close your eyes.
Don’t think about anything.
Run straight ahead.
Harry swallowed nervously.
“Well… here goes nothing.” Gripping his trolley tightly, Harry pushed forward and broke into a run.
The closer he got to the barrier, the more terrified he became.
Right before impact, he squeezed his eyes shut.
Then— Nothing happened.
Instead of crashing painfully into solid brick, Harry felt himself pass through something strangely cool and weightless.
A familiar voice spoke nearby.
“You can open your eyes now.” Harry slowly opened them.
The world before him had completely changed.
A scarlet steam engine stood beside a crowded platform, releasing massive clouds of white steam into the air.
An enormous sign overhead read: Hogwarts Express — 11 O’Clock Dozens of families filled the platform.
Owls hooted loudly from cages.
Cats wandered between students’ legs.
Trunks scraped noisily against the ground.
Excited children laughed and shouted while parents gave endless last-minute advice.
Harry turned around in astonishment.
The barrier behind him had transformed into a wrought-iron gateway labeled: Platform 9¾ “It’s real…” Harry whispered.
Everything felt magical beyond imagination.
For someone raised entirely in the Muggle world, the sight before him seemed almost unbelievable.
Adam watched Harry’s stunned reaction with faint amusement.
The first visit to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters always left a strong impression.
“Alright,” Adam said casually.
“I’m going to find a compartment now.
See you at Hogwarts.” Harry finally snapped out of his daze.
“Wait—!” But Adam had already begun boarding the train.
Harry suddenly realized something important.
He didn’t even know the other boy’s name.
“He helped me and I didn’t even thank him properly…” Harry scratched his head awkwardly.
Still, since they were both first-year students, they would undoubtedly meet again at Hogwarts.
Thinking this, Harry finally boarded the train as well.
Meanwhile, Adam had already found an empty compartment near the middle of the Hogwarts Express.
After placing his luggage away neatly, he sat down beside the window.
Outside, students and parents still crowded the platform noisily.
Inside the compartment, however, things were peaceful.
Adam pulled a thick magical book from his bag and calmly began reading.
On the small table beside him sat several snacks Ecter had prepared specially for the journey.
There were pastries, fruit slices, sandwiches, and small desserts carefully arranged in containers.
Fou had already escaped from its cage and now sat proudly on the table while devouring its favorite treats.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Crunch.
The tiny creature looked absurdly satisfied with itself.
Adam watched Fou eating enthusiastically and couldn’t help smiling slightly.
For the first time in many years, he was finally leaving the Garden Spire behind and stepping into the wider wizarding world.
And somehow… He felt that Hogwarts was going to become far more interesting than he originally expected.
Give me more motivation!