blueteamnovel Chapter 241 Cars and Stations
Chapter 241 Cars and Stations
Chapter 241 Cars and Stations (5K)
The next morning, Diagon Alley was not yet fully awake in the thin mist.
Harry had already packed his luggage and Hedwig's cage in the room.
He clearly hadn't forgotten his new broom—the long, thin parchment package containing the "Whirlwind" broom, which he had carefully tied vertically to the side of his suitcase handle with rope. The broom itself was much taller than the suitcase, even taller than Harry standing upright, making the whole bundle look extremely odd, like a small, movable box with an overly conspicuous flagpole stuck in it—a truly comical sight.
When Lin Qi came out of the inner room, his eyes were immediately drawn to this unusual "luggage combination". Upon closer inspection, he couldn't help but smile.
"Looks like you've found it a—high-profile spot, Harry."
Harry himself found the look a bit funny. He scratched his head and explained, "I figured I could carry it around like this—it just looks a little weird, and I might have to be careful when going through doorways."
Lynch approached, pointed to the broom's excessively high tip, and said, "I understand your point. But it's too tall. It's easy to get scratched going through the low doorway of the Leaky Cauldron, the archway of King's Cross Station, or even just turning around in a crowd. It's just too inconvenient."
His fingers gently traced the surface of the parchment wrapping: "This is a meticulously crafted prototype by the alchemy department. Its internal structure is quite intricate, requiring a stable environment and proper protection. The luggage racks on the Hogwarts Express probably don't meet the requirements for its proper transport. Any internal damage caused by the bumpy ride would be counterproductive."
Harry looked at the rather incongruous "flagpole" and realized that his arrangement was indeed ill-considered.
They only thought about taking it with them, without considering the safety of the broom during the process.
"Then what should we do?" he asked.
"Leave it here. I'll deliver it to Hogwarts intact," Lynch said. "You can pick it up from my stone house later."
Upon hearing that he could not only get a broom but also visit Lynch's residence at Hogwarts, Harry's eyes lit up, and his slight regret was immediately replaced by anticipation.
"Okay, Uncle Lynch! I'll come find you when I get to school!"
He immediately untied the ropes and took the broom down, leaning it against the sofa.
"Okay, let's go."
Without further delay, Lynch turned around first, and Harry took one last look at the standing broom before pushing his luggage and following behind.
After Lynch and Harry left, they walked through the sparsely populated Diagon Alley in the morning. The morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, the air was slightly cool, and only a few shopkeepers were taking down their partitions in preparation for the day's business.
Their footsteps sounded particularly clear on the empty stone path.
Soon, they arrived at the familiar wall. Lynch stretched out his finger and gently touched a specific brick. The wall immediately and silently rotated open, revealing the backyard of the Leaky Cauldron.
They walked through the backyard and into the bar.
As soon as they entered the bar, before they could even take in the dimly lit furnishings, a loud and energetic voice shattered the morning tranquility.
"Harry!"
Harry immediately turned around at the sound and saw Ron jumping up from beside a long wooden table, waving excitedly at him.
His fiery red hair looked like a warm flame in the dimly lit bar.
Not only him, but Harry was surprised to find that almost the entire Weasley family was there. Mr. Weasley was standing by the fireplace, smiling and looking over; Mrs. Weasley was sitting at the table with several empty milk glasses in front of her; Fred and George were squeezed into another chair, winking at Harry; and even Ginny, who immediately lowered her head shyly when she saw Harry looking over, her ears turning red.
Right next to Ron, Hermione also stood up from her seat, her thick brown hair looking particularly voluminous today.
She was holding a ginger cat in her arms; it had a slightly odd appearance and a face that looked like it had been flattened. The cat had a pair of strange yellow eyes that seemed to see through everything. It was now lazily lying in Hermione's arms, while Hermione had a bright smile on her face and was waving vigorously at Harry.
"Ron! Hermione!" Harry exclaimed in surprise, his face instantly lighting up with a smile. He quickly pushed his luggage over and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Ron rushed up to Harry, patted him on the shoulder, and grinned, "I've been waiting for you! Mum said we should go to King's Cross Station together, it'll be more fun with more people!"
At this moment, the Weasley children all noticed Lynch following behind Harry.
Surprisingly, it was Fred and George who were the first to stand up and greet him formally.
They stopped laughing and their expressions became serious and respectful.
"Good morning, Professor Lynch," Fred said first, his voice unusually formal.
George then nodded in greeting, his tone sincere: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Professor."
George and Fred deeply respected Lynch, the professor who always wore a warm smile, never used a wand, yet possessed unfathomable strength. This was not only because of his powerful personal abilities or the cruel and interesting content of his courses, but also because Lynch had saved Ginny, the family's most beloved little sister whom they had failed to take good care of, during the Chamber of Secrets incident last year.
Ron quickly toned down his playful demeanor and greeted him respectfully, "Hello, Professor."
Ginny also stood up solemnly and greeted him: "Professor Lynch, hello."
Her gratitude towards Lynch goes without saying.
"Good morning, Professor Lynch," Hermione greeted him politely, her voice clear. Crookshank, whom she held in her arms, seemed to have taken an interest in Lynch as well, his yellow eyes fixed intently on him.
Finally, Percy Weasley strode over. His upright posture stood out sharply in his robes, and the student council president badge he was wearing gleamed in the bar lights.
When he faced Lynch, his serious face revealed genuine respect.
"Good morning, Professor Lynch." Percy's voice was less rigid and warmer than usual. "It's a pleasure to see you on the first day of school."
Lynch's warm smile remained unchanged as he nodded gently to the Weasley children.
"Good morning, Percy, Fred, George," he called them by name in turn, his tone friendly, then turned to the other children, "Ron, Ginny, Hermione."
Lynch's gaze lingered on Crookshank in Hermione's arms with a hint of interest; such a uniquely ugly little creature was a rare sight.
At that moment, Mr. Weasley also came over. He first nodded gently to Harry, then turned his gaze to Lynch, a genuine joy on his face, and extended his hand: "Mr. Lynch, it's nice to see you again."
Lynch calmly extended his hand to shake Arthur's. His well-tailored grey suit stood out against the somewhat rustic setting of the Leaky Cauldron, yet he himself appeared remarkably composed. "Arthur, it's good to see you again so soon." His gaze swept gently over the Weasleys present, finally settling on Arthur with a hint of understanding. "So, Ron said he's waiting for Harry—you're the Ministry of Magic officials who were supposed to accompany him to the station today?"
Upon hearing this, Arthur's face showed a slightly embarrassed expression. He scratched the back of his head and frankly admitted, "Ah, yes, you saw right through me. The ministry did send us here to ensure Harry's safe passage..."
We arrived at the station quietly. Of course, we were accompanied by a dedicated Auror. He quickly added, his tone becoming more relaxed, "That's why my whole family was happy to take on this mission. We're not good at fighting; these things should be left to the professionals."
Lin Qi nodded understandingly, his gaze sweeping over the slightly crowded bar and the excited children, and smiled, "So, if everyone is ready, may we set off?"
These words were like a signal, and the once orderly corner of the Leaky Cauldron bar instantly descended into chaos.
"Kids! Get moving!" Mrs. Weasley immediately went into command mode, her voice booming. "Fred, George! Don't just stand there, help Ron right his trunk! Ginny, honey, is your bag ready? Percy—oh, Percy's all set."
"I'm holding it, Mom!" Fred replied, as he and George frantically tried to grab Ron's old, nearly falling-apart suitcase, the clasps on it rattling in protest.
Hedwig cried out in dissatisfaction from inside the cage because someone had accidentally bumped into it.
"Watch out! That's Harry's owl!" Ron shouted, trying to steady his box with the twins' "help".
"Crooked Hill, don't move!" Hermione whispered, because her cat seemed to have its hunting instincts triggered by the sudden noise, wriggling restlessly in her arms, trying to jump down and explore its surroundings.
"My Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans!" Ginny exclaimed softly, bending down to pick up a candy box that had rolled out of her pocket.
Arthur was busy comforting Tom, the somewhat frightened bar owner, while his eyes kept glancing curiously towards the door, as if he was full of anticipation for something outside.
Amidst the chaos, only Lynch remained calmly standing his ground, his warm smile unchanged. His gaze gently swept over Mrs. Weasley's flushed cheeks from her busy work, Arthur's curious and bright eyes, and the children's uninhibited playfulness, as if he were admiring a warm and vibrant scene. He even casually straightened an empty wine glass that had been knocked askew by George's elbow, his movement fluid and natural.
After some effort, Mrs. Weasley finally managed to gather everyone and their luggage together, much like chasing away a group of mischievous kittens.
The group walked out of the Broken Cauldron's gate in a grand procession and arrived at Charing Crossroads.
Three gleaming black Muggle cars with sharp lines were parked prominently on the side of the street.
Beside each vehicle stood a wary wizard, dressed in a well-tailored but somewhat rigid Muggle suit, his hands clasped in front of him, his sharp eyes scanning every corner—undoubtedly, these were the professional Aurors Arthur had mentioned.
"Wow!" Arthur Weasley's eyes lit up immediately. Almost instinctively, he leaned closer, examining the car with barely suppressed curiosity. "Look at that streamlined shape! A modified Muggle design, isn't it? I bet there's been some interesting work done under the hood—"
"Arthur!" Mrs. Weasley whispered, a hint of helplessness in her voice.
The lead Auror—a man with short, stiff stubble and resolute eyes—stepped forward and gave Lynch and Arthur a slight nod: "Mr. Lynch, Mr. Weasley. The vehicle is ready. We will provide escort from the front and rear; please board as soon as possible."
Under the efficient command of the Aurors, the luggage was quickly and safely loaded into the trunk.
The Weasleys and Lynch were also put into separate vehicles.
Lynch, Harry, Ron, and Hermione got into the middle car. Lynch sat in the passenger seat, while the three children squeezed into the back.
Mrs. Weasley, along with Ginny and Percy, rode in the first car, while Mr. Weasley and the twins squeezed into the last car.
The convoy smoothly entered the London morning traffic. Lynch gazed out the window as his three children whispered among themselves in the back.
The car windows were transparent from the inside, but Harry noticed that pedestrians outside didn't seem to pay much attention to the overly formal convoy of three cars, which Hermione thought was due to some kind of ignore or confusion spell.
Ron curiously touched the smooth leather seats, his eyes constantly scanning the car's minimalist, almost cold, interior, as if comparing the car to the one his father had modified without his consent.
Perhaps tired of carrying her, Hermione put Crookshanks down.
As soon as he was free, Crookshanks jumped off Hermione's lap and sniffed around the chair curiously.
Ron stared at it nervously, his hand instinctively protecting the pocket containing Scabbers, deeply displeased with Hermione's decision to buy the cat as a pet.
Because of this cat, Banban has been hiding in his pocket and refusing to come out. He can still feel the poor little guy trembling through his clothes.
The trip went exceptionally smoothly, without any unexpected incidents.
When the convoy silently glided into the drop-off area in front of King's Cross Station, it looked just like another unremarkable convoy of government vehicles.
Once the vehicle came to a stop, the Aurors were the first to disembark, their seemingly random positioning actually blocking all possible paths of approach.
The Auror leading the group opened the car door for Lynch and Arthur.
"We'll escort you here," the short-bearded Auror whispered to Lynch. "Other colleagues will be waiting for you on the platform."
Lin Qi nodded slightly: "Thank you for your trouble."
The relatively peaceful atmosphere was shattered the next second by the Weasleys' characteristic energy.
"Quick! Quick! Everyone, grab your luggage!" Mrs. Weasley immediately sprang into action, bustling about like a mother hen protecting her chicks. "Percy, you keep an eye on Ginny! Fred, George! Don't touch that button!"
That's not a toy! Ron, get your trunk down! Harry, stick close to me—"
"Crooked Hill, come back!" Hermione called out. Her cat darted out the instant the car door opened and was now crouching a short distance away, swishing its fluffy, lion-like tail and observing the hurried flow of people with keen interest, seemingly selecting potential prey. Hermione quickly chased after it and carefully scooped it into her arms.
The twins tried to examine a button on the car door that was flashing a faint light, but were stopped by Mrs. Weasley's stern rebuke.
Ron frantically unloaded his suitcase from the trunk of the car; Ginny struggled to drag her own small suitcase; Percy, on the other hand, had already straightened his back, ready to step into the station with the air of a Hogwarts student council president.
The Aurors remained vigilant, watching as the large group, urged on by Mrs. Weasley and assisted by Lynch and Arthur, carrying luggage of various sizes and owl cages, hurriedly but purposefully made their way towards the familiar partition between Platforms Ninth and Tenth.
Lynch walked slightly behind, glancing around to make sure there was nothing amiss, before calmly following the group. His elegant gray suit still seemed out of place in the bustling crowd, yet strangely blended into the lively, everyday atmosphere created by the Weasley family.
Passing through the wall, I entered Platform 9¾, where parents were already dropping off their children for school.
The platform was still enveloped in the familiar and warm hustle and bustle.
The crimson Hogwarts Express, like a slumbering beast, silently puffed out white steam, casting a hazy glow on the cool September morning air. Amidst the swirling steam, figures moved about, and the hooting of owls, the meowing of cats, and the incessant nagging of parents mingled together, creating a unique back-to-school symphony for this magical world.
"Oh, thank goodness, finally we've arrived ahead of schedule!" Mrs. Weasley breathed a sigh of relief, as if she had accomplished an incredibly difficult task.
She immediately began looking around, checking to make sure her "little chicks" were all safe and sound: "Percy, take your sister! Ginny, stick close to Percy, don't get lost—good heavens, Fred, George, can't you guys just behave yourselves!"
The twins have regained their energy and are giggling, trying to give each other a "cool" hairstyle.
Ron immediately looked around warily, making sure that the ginger cat Crookshanks, whose face looked flattened, was being held tightly in Hermione's arms and was far enough away from his pocket containing Scabbers, before he breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Harry took a deep breath of the air, which was a mixture of soot and the sweet smell of candy, and a strong sense of belonging welled up inside him.
He was going back to Hogwarts.
Just then, Mr. Weasley and Lynch also came through the wall. Arthur was still thinking about the Muggle car they had just ridden in, and leaned close to Lynch, whispering his guesses about the engine improvements.
Lynch still wore that warm smile, his gaze sweeping across the vibrant platform before finally settling on Harry.
"Alright, children, get on the train, find a good compartment!" Mrs. Weasley urged, straightening Ginny's collar as she did so. "Remember to write letters! Be good! Percy, keep an eye on them—"
Amid a chorus of "Okay, Mom," the children began dragging their luggage toward the train doors.
Harry turned to Lynch and said solemnly, "See you at Hogwarts, Uncle Lynch. Thank you—for everything this summer." He paused, his voice softening, "—and don't forget my broom."
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