Early in the morning, Molly Weasley's voice rang through the Burrow.
"Percy. Percy. Where are your robes and your cauldron? And what is with all this rubbish stuffed in your trunk? Get it sorted out right now."
Fred, George, how many times do I have to tell you two? You are not taking those ridiculous sweets to Hogwarts. Get rid of them right this instant.
Ron, what are you still doing in bed? Get up immediately and check your trunk again. If you aren't down here in five minutes, I will throw you in the pond and lock you in the cellar. You can forget about Hogwarts entirely.
Merlin's beard, you children will be the death of me.
Why can't you be more like Warren? He packed his things two days ago without anyone having to tell him. He has to bring all his school supplies, plus his potions and ingredients. He certainly has a lot to do.
Molly dabbed at her eyes. Then she spotted something and brandished her wand angrily. "Scabbers, Accio."
A fat, squeaking rat flew through the door. Molly caught it firmly. It squeaked once and went limp.
Ronald Weasley. What is the matter with you? You can't even keep track of your own rat properly. She softened immediately at the sight of Milo. Oh, Milo, sweetheart. If you hadn't chased him, he would have gotten away again. Come here. Mummy has some treats for you.
Meow.
The chaos continued for over two hours. After Molly had checked and rechecked that everyone had everything they needed, a car horn honked from outside.
Molly led the way, carrying Warren's box of potion ingredients, with her sons trailing behind.
Outside, a car was parked in front of the house. Arthur Weasley stood beside it, patting the roof proudly. "Get in, children. Dad is taking you to the station the Muggle way today."
An ordinary car could never fit this many people, but Arthur, despite working in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, was hardly one to follow the rules to the letter.
The car was kept in a shed next to the Burrow. All summer, Arthur had been tinkering with it, adding magical modifications. Occasionally, Warren, Fred, or George would help him out.
The passenger compartment and the trunk had both been expanded with Undetectable Extension Charms. There was plenty of room inside for everyone.
Arthur had even tried to make it fly, but he had not quite managed it yet.
The family loaded their luggage into the spacious boot and piled into the car, accompanied by Molly's nonstop shouting. Fred and George were roughhousing and got their letters confiscated. Percy was sulking in the corner. Ron was clutching Scabbers, kicking his legs and yelling at Milo to get away from him.
Every few seconds, one of them would yelp as Molly boxed their ears.
Arthur ignored it all completely.
He cheerfully turned the key, studying the owner's manual and a map as he started the engine.
Warren sat in the passenger seat, speechless.
"Dad, do you actually know how to drive this thing?"
Of course, of course I do. I've been practising for three whole days now." Arthur pointed at the manual. "Oh, Warren, what does this mean right here? Clutch? Release it? Gears? How do I shift them properly? Blimey. Incredible, those clever Muggles and their inventions.
Ten minutes later, they had travelled less than fifty metres from the house.
His patience finally snapped. Warren hauled his father out of the driver's seat, cast a Muggle-Repelling Charm on the car, and took the wheel.
Arthur was disappointed his fun was over, but true to his nature, he didn't mind in the slightest.
"That's my boy. A true Weasley genius. Daddy knew you'd take to Muggle things naturally. Don't worry, son. By the time you come home for the holidays, Daddy will have learned to drive properly. Then I'll take you for a... what do Muggles call it? A joyride."
Warren just rolled his eyes.
The car sped along, the Muggle-Repelling Charm keeping the police at bay, but they still didn't reach King's Cross Station until half past ten. More chaos erupted as they piled out and squeezed through the crowds, searching for Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Percy, still sulking after his letter had been confiscated, grumbled, "So many Muggles everywhere."
"Naturally, dear. This is a Muggle station, after all."
"There. The third pillar." Ginny, perched on her father's shoulders, had spotted it.
The family hurried over.
"Percy, you go first. Good. Fred, you're next."
"I'm George, Mum."
Oh, I'm sorry, dear. Mummy just can't tell you two apart sometimes.
The twins shared a mischievous grin. George gave their mother an affectionate peck on the cheek. "Actually, I'm Fred."
Laughing, he pushed his trolley and vanished straight through the pillar.
Warren, following Molly and Arthur, looked around the station.
It was his first time there, and honestly, he felt a bit disappointed.
The place was old and shabby, with many sections in disrepair. Only the grand, arched ceiling hinted at its former glory.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted someone standing behind them. It was a boy pushing a trolley piled high with luggage and an owl cage. He looked small and skinny, clearly malnourished, with broken glasses and a slightly vacant expression on his face.
Compared to him, Ron, the family's usual punching bag, seemed tall, sturdy, and lively.
The boy noticed Warren looking at him. He froze, unsure of what to do. He looked as if he wanted to approach, but he was too nervous to move.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead, revealing the lightning-bolt scar.
The moment Warren saw it, he knew exactly who this clueless boy was. He was Harry Potter, the famous Boy Who Lived.
Hurry along, Warren, you're right behind Ron. Oh. Molly turned to call him, but she had spotted Harry too. His scar was hidden by his hair again, so she didn't recognize him.
Still, the sight of a lonely child instantly triggered her maternal instincts.
She bustled over and beckoned to him. "Are you a first year too, dear?"
"Yes, ma'am." Harry nervously wiped his hands on his trousers. "Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, ma'am. I can't find it anywhere. I don't know how to get in."
"It's alright, dear. Do you see that barrier between platforms nine and ten? There is a ticket booth behind it. Just push your trolley straight at it and don't stop."
Harry looked confused, but he trusted her completely. He squeezed his eyes shut, trembling slightly, before charging at the barrier as if heading to his doom. He vanished straight through it.
Warren followed, stepping through without a hitch. The world dimmed for a moment, then brightened once more. He found himself standing beside a magnificent scarlet steam engine, parked alongside a platform teeming with students and parents.
A sign on the side of the train read clearly.
[Hogwarts Express]
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