The four Dursleys spent a very happy month together. They spent most of their time sightseeing and enjoying their last bit of family time before the boys left. Even though Hogwarts had holidays, this was their first time leaving home for school.
Dudley often went to Hermione's house to study with her, and he'd usually drag Harry along, forcing Harry to get a head start on some of his textbooks. Hermione sometimes came to the Dursleys' house to see Dudley, which made Petunia very happy. The two families even went fishing together. Attending the same school only made their relationship stronger.
Of course, the Dursleys were quite shocked to learn that Dudley had his own company. When they found out their son was the famous "Jerry," they were completely speechless. They'd always thought their son was brilliant, but they had no idea he was this brilliant.
Still, they were pretty good at rolling with the punches. After all, their son and nephew were about to become wizards. Having a company on the side was hardly a surprise anymore.
And so, September 1st arrived. It was the day Dudley and Harry were set to leave.
"Dudley, Harry, have you packed enough clean clothes?"
"Dudley, are you sure you want to take all that stuff?"
"Harry, remember to pack Hedwig's food. White bag on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, green on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and yellow on Sunday. Don't feed her too much, and remember to write me a letter when you run out."
Vernon went to organize their luggage and put it in the car. Petunia gave the boys her long list of instructions. She never failed to add at the end, "This is exactly how Lily was before she left for school."
Hedwig was the name of Harry's owl.
"I know, Mum."
"I know, Aunt Petunia."
Dudley and Harry nodded like two little bobbleheads. Petunia's owl treats were Hedwig's favorite. According to Petunia's memories, her sister Lily's owl loved them too. Because of this, Hedwig had gained a few pounds in just a month. When it came to who she loved the most, Harry, her owner, was a close second.
"It's unbelievable," Vernon grumbled as he came inside. "Wizards take a train to school? I thought they'd use something more magical, like a giant pumpkin carriage pulled by hippogriffs or a pirate ship that could float in the air." This past month, Harry and Vernon had been forced to exercise with Dudley every morning, and their bellies had gotten a lot smaller.
"It's about time to leave. What platform did you say it was?"
Harry thought for a moment. "The Hogwarts Express leaves at eleven o'clock from Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station."
"..." Vernon was a bit taken aback. "Never heard of that platform. Well, I suppose that's the first bit of magical mystery we've had yet."
King's Cross Station was about an hour's drive from the Dursleys' house. They found the Grangers waiting at the station entrance as expected, and the two families walked in together.
"Here's Platform 9, and there's Platform 10. So where is Platform 9¾?" Vernon said, pointing at the plastic signs.
"Is it enchanted, just like the Leaky Cauldron?" Mr. Granger asked.
Just as everyone was wondering, Hermione spoke up. "I read in Hogwarts: A History that the entrance is between Platforms 9 and 10." She pointed to the second-to-last column next to Platform 10.
"That's my Hermione," Petunia said, looking at her with affection. "So smart. She knows everything." Then she glared at Dudley and Harry. "Look at these two boys of ours. They never study and just play all day."
Hermione's love for learning reminded Petunia of her sister Lily. Lily had also been a bookworm with excellent grades. Even after she went to Hogwarts, the two sisters' relationship wasn't terrible at first. If it hadn't been for one unpleasant meeting, their families would have been closer. It was all that good-for-nothing James's fault for leading her astray.
Dudley felt like he'd been hit by a stray Bludger. He worked just as hard as Hermione and had always been able to get better grades than her. But he knew how it went. The other guy's kid is always better.
"Dudley," Petunia said, "you're a big, strong boy. Why don't you help Hermione with her luggage? Show a little chivalry, young man." As she spoke, she took Hermione's bags from her trolley and piled them onto Dudley's. She finished with some last-minute instructions: "Take good care of Hermione at school. Don't you dare bully her, and don't let anyone else bully her either."
Hermione's face turned beet red. After whispering goodbye to her parents, she pushed her trolley toward the stone pillar and disappeared into it. Dudley and Harry followed right behind her.
Watching the three children vanish, Petunia said wistfully, "Hermione is such a quiet child."
If Dudley had heard that, he would have strongly disagreed. Hermione might have loved books, but she was anything but quiet.
"Oh, but Dudley's so wonderful!" Mrs. Granger gushed. "He's so good at school and sports!"
"Hmph!" The two mothers continued to sing their children's praises. After all, the other person's kid is always better.
The fathers were a bit more direct. "Fancy a drink, Wendell?" Vernon asked. "What about the Leaky Cauldron?"
"The Leaky Cauldron's brew is unique, but it's a bit weak for my taste. I know a new pub that just opened up. The drinks there have a real kick to them."
"What are we waiting for?"
The two families left the station together.
On the other side, after passing through the stone pillar, Dudley felt the surroundings suddenly open up. The narrow station platform became much wider. A deep red steam engine, completely unlike an ordinary train, sat at the platform. The sign on the train read "Hogwarts Express."
The previously sparse Platforms 9 and 10 were now packed with people. They were dressed in robes, just like the people in Diagon Alley. Steam billowed from the engine, rising above the chattering crowd. Cats of all kinds wove through the people, and every now and then, an owl hooted shrilly.
It was clear that these were all students heading to Hogwarts. Dudley's journey to Hogwarts was about to begin.