They placed their luggage into the car's trunk, and Vinson opened the back door for Harry to climb in before taking the passenger seat himself. Mr. Lupin sat in the driver's seat, staring curiously at the steering wheel as he muttered under his breath, "So… how exactly do you start this thing?"
Watching Mr. Lupin fumble around, Vinson kindly reminded him, "Don't forget to turn the key."
Startled, Mr. Lupin quickly did as instructed. The engine hummed to life, the body of the car shivering slightly as it started properly.
"Oh—well, that's much simpler than I expected." Mr. Lupin nodded in satisfaction, gripping the steering wheel with both hands, looking a little too enthusiastic for someone who had barely learned how to drive.
Harry eyed him curiously from the back seat. "Mr. Lupin, have you driven a car before?"
"Of course," Mr. Lupin replied confidently, patting his chest. "I practiced just yesterday."
"..."
Harry slowly shifted his gaze to Vinson, his expression silently asking whether this was truly safe.
Vinson only smiled and spread his hands. "Don't worry, Harry. I watched the whole time. He didn't drive the car into a river—at least."
"That's not as comforting as you think it is," Harry muttered under his breath, adjusting his seatbelt for the fourth time.
For the most part, the journey went fine… although they did knock over several trash cans and narrowly avoid an unfortunate squirrel that darted across the road. Thanks to Mr. Lupin's surprisingly quick reflexes, the small car only lost one headlight in the process.
But in the end, they arrived safely at King's Cross Station.
The station was bustling as usual, filled with crowds of people rushing in all directions. Mr. Lupin departed first, explaining that a batch of herbs in the Plantation was about to ripen and he needed to harvest them immediately.
Vinson cast a light Levitation Charm on the trolley carrying Harry's luggage, significantly reducing its weight so Harry only needed to pull it with minimal effort.
"Where do we go now?" Harry asked, glancing around at the crowds passing by them.
"Between platforms nine and ten," Vinson replied.
It had been many years since Vinson had come to this familiar station. King's Cross hadn't changed much at all—aside from the brick walls being slightly darker, a few streaks of water staining the red-brick surface, and a handful of old signs showing their age, the layout remained almost exactly how he remembered it.
Vinson led Harry toward the pillar between platforms nine and ten.
A family was already gathered by the barrier. Judging from the unmistakable bright red hair, it was the Weasley family.
Vinson stopped behind them, watching as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley busily sent their children through the magical barrier.
"All right, all right—Fred, George, listen to your older brother, will you?" Molly Weasley fussed while straightening Ginny's collar, her voice firm even as her attention bounced between children.
The twins instantly rolled their eyes at the same time, gazing dramatically toward the ceiling.
At that moment, Arthur Weasley—standing at the back—noticed Vinson and Harry waiting behind them.
"Children, hurry along! There are people waiting behind us," he urged the twins, who were still dawdling. Then he gave Vinson an apologetic smile.
Vinson waved a hand dismissively and pulled out a silver pocket watch for a quick glance. "No worries, take your time. We're well ahead of the train's departure."
Mr. Weasley visibly relaxed.
"You must have your hands full raising so many children," Vinson commented with a hint of understanding.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Weasley chuckled warmly. "Not at all," he said. "It's wonderful."
By now the twins had already vanished through the barrier one after another.
"Oh! Are you also here to send your child to school?" Mr. Weasley suddenly noticed Harry standing beside Vinson. "Is he a new student?"
"Of course," Vinson replied. "Today's his very first day."
Harry stood awkwardly, his hands hovering near the trolley handle. Hearing Mr. Weasley's question, he nodded politely.
Mr. Weasley smiled, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Then you must be his father, I suppose?"
He squinted slightly, glancing between Vinson and Harry as though trying to find a resemblance. Something clearly didn't add up in his mind.
"You look incredibly young!" he exclaimed, self-consciously touching his thinning hair.
Harry flushed a bit, coughing lightly in embarrassment, while Vinson merely smiled and explained, "Actually, he's my friend's child."
Realizing he had stepped into a sensitive topic, Mr. Weasley didn't pursue the matter further.
Once Mrs. Weasley had guided the last child—Ron—through the barrier, she waved toward her husband. "Dear, we should be going."
"Coming, coming," Mr. Weasley responded. He nodded politely to Vinson and Harry. "Well then, we'll leave you two to it. Best of luck!"
After the Weasleys disappeared into the barrier, only Vinson and Harry remained at the station entrance.
Harry glanced around, noticing that the Muggle passersby seemed completely unaware of them, walking past without even looking in their direction. It must have been some kind of magic concealing their presence.
"All right," Vinson said, gently pulling Harry back to attention. "Let's go in as well."
Harry nodded, took a deep breath, tightened his grip on the trolley handle, and—following the Weasley children's example—ran straight toward the pillar.
Even though he knew logically that he wouldn't collide with the wall, he couldn't help shutting his eyes tightly just as he reached it.
When he opened them again, everything had changed.
A huge red steam engine stood proudly before him, its whistle echoing through the air. Children around his age rushed about excitedly, climbing into carriages while chatting loudly with friends and family.
He looked up at the sign beside him: Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
This, without a doubt, was the true departure point of the Hogwarts Express.
Wizards and witches crowded the platform, many clad in robes similar to Vinson's. The sight filled Harry with a warm sense of belonging.
Vinson stepped through the barrier a moment later. Seeing Harry still frozen in amazement, he gently patted the boy's shoulder. "All right, Harry. Time to board the train. If you go now, you can still find a good seat."
Harry finally snapped out of his daze. He stared at the magnificent steam train, then turned back to Vinson. A hint of reluctance flickered across his face.
He opened his mouth, hesitating for a moment before saying, "Thank you, Teacher. I… I'll see you during the Christmas holiday. I'll write to you."
Having already seen the Hogwarts timetable, Harry knew he wouldn't be able to return home until December.
Vinson's lips curved into a faint smile. "See you around, Harry."
He couldn't help but wonder what expression Harry would make when he saw him again at the Hogwarts opening feast.
The thought made him look forward to the moment even more.
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