Draco practically leapt out of the car and sprinted toward Harry Potter.
"Harry! You got here early?"
Harry shook his head. "No, I only just arrived. Hagrid had something to do, so he left first. I figured I'd wait for you."
Draco nodded. After spending the past few days together, he had heard quite a lot about Hagrid.
Though he didn't think much of a half-giant… well, because Harry liked him, he reluctantly tolerated the man.
Karmit stepped out of the car.
Draco dragged Harry over excitedly.
"Harry, this is my cousin—Karmit Black of the Black family!"
Harry straightened nervously. "H-Hello, Mr. Black."
In the past few days, Draco had explained countless things about the wizarding world, including the impressive truth:
The calm, handsome boy standing before him was already the head of a major pure-blood family.
Karmit inclined his head. "Harry, you are quite famous in the wizarding world. In fact, most wizards today owe you their thanks."
Harry scratched his hair, embarrassed.
"You're flattering me… I haven't done anything. I don't even understand what happened. Draco says I defeated Vol—him… the one we're not supposed to name."
Karmit chuckled. "Voldemort. It's fine, you can say it.
There's a rumor he placed a spell on his own name so that anyone who spoke it would alert him. True or not, it makes no difference now—he's gone.
Those still afraid to say his name fall into two groups: children taught superstition from birth… like Draco. Or those who still fear him."
Harry nodded slowly.
"Oh—and thank you," he added shyly. "About my uncle… if not for you—"
Karmit waved it off. "Nothing worth mentioning. You're Draco's friend."
Then he turned. "Draco, get your luggage. Your parents should already be inside."
Draco nodded.
The driver unloaded his trunk, and he pushed a trolley identical to Harry's. Karmit, however, walked empty-handed—aside from Vannie curled on his arm.
Draco blinked. "Cousin… why don't you have any luggage?"
"Last night," Karmit replied casually, "I had Kreacher use every family owl to send my belongings to Hogwarts."
"What?! That's allowed?"
"No one said it isn't."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"You didn't ask. Oh, and I packed a spare set of robes in your trunk—bring them to me when we're near the station."
Draco's expression twisted.
He suddenly felt like a fool. He could have done that… why hadn't he thought of it?!
[Karmit, of course, would never give up the privilege of letting Draco haul his extra robes. Some advantages must remain unshared.]
The three walked inside—Karmit leading with perfect composure, Draco and Harry pushing trolleys behind him like attendants following a young lord.
The sight was… attention-grabbing.
At the platform area, he immediately spotted Lucius and Narcissa waiting by the pillar between Platforms Nine and Ten.
Draco burst forward. "Father! Mother!"
Narcissa fondly smoothed his hair.
Karmit approached. "Aunt, Uncle."
Draco pulled Narcissa closer. "Mother, this is Harry. Harry, this is my mother!"
Harry bowed slightly. "Hello, Mrs. Malfoy."
She smiled warmly. "Harry, Draco speaks of you constantly. I hope the two of you will enjoy your time at Hogwarts together."
Harry nodded eagerly. "We will! Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy."
"And," she added, "I prepared a gift for you. There's a set of clothes inside Draco's trunk—your cousin gave me your measurements. I hope you won't mind."
Harry froze.
Then his eyes instantly reddened. "N-No—of course not. Thank you… thank you very much, Mrs. Malfoy!"
She gently touched his head.
"Oh dear… why the tears?"
He whispered, "Sorry… no one has ever given me a present before."
Her eyes softened.
"Poor child… don't worry. There will be many gifts from now on. Hogwarts will be the beginning of your new life."
Harry nodded hard, staring at her with a depth of feeling that made even Karmit raise a brow.
Narcissa clapped her hands lightly. "All right, children—it's time. See that pillar ahead? Summon your courage and run straight at it. You'll step into a brand-new world."
Harry stared at the wall, stunned.
Draco came to his side. "Harry, let's go together. Let's enter the new world side by side."
He looked at Draco—then straightened with determination.
Together, they ran. The pillar swallowed them whole.
Karmit gave Narcissa a thumbs-up. "Aunt, that was beautifully done."
She smiled proudly. "Watching you and your uncle manipulate situations all the time—I had to learn something. And don't forget, before I married into the Malfoys… I was a Black."
He laughed. "Indeed. You're the only Black not named after a star—yet the one with the greatest wisdom."
She flicked his forehead playfully.
"You're far too good with words. Now go on—take care of your cousin. I'm trusting him to you."
"I will, Aunt. Until the holidays."
Lucius and Narcissa nodded.
Karmit adjusted Vannie in his arms and walked calmly toward the pillar.
Compared to other young wizards, he was the picture of serenity—composed, elegant, and entirely in control of his destiny.
__________
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