Chapter 33 – Other People's Children Are Always So Good
The Dursley family of four enjoyed a happy month together. During this time, they spent their days pleasantly; apart from daily studying and exercise, most of their time was spent going out as a family, enjoying the last moments before parting.
Although Hogwarts also had holidays, this was after all their first long trip.
During this period, Dudley often went to Hermione's house to study with her, and of course he would bring Harry along. Because of this, Harry was forced to preview many lessons ahead of time. Occasionally Hermione also visited the Dursleys to find Dudley, which delighted Petunia.
The two families would sometimes arrange to go fishing together. Since their children were attending the same school, their relationship became even closer.
Of course, the news that Dudley had started his own company shocked the Dursleys.
Especially when they learned that the famous "Jerry" was actually their own son, they had no idea what expression to show.
They had thought their child was already excellent, but it turned out he was even more outstanding than expected.
Still, their ability to accept things was strong. After all, their son and nephew were about to become wizards, so opening a company didn't seem like much in comparison.
And so September first arrived.
It was the day Dudley and Harry were to leave.
"Dudley, Harry, have you packed enough changes of clothes?"
"Dudley, are you sure you want to bring all those things?"
"Harry, remember Hedwig's feed. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays she eats from the white bag; on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from the green bag; and on Sundays from the yellow bag. Don't overfeed her. Once it's finished, remember to send me a letter."
Vernon busied himself loading the boys' luggage into the car, while Petunia tirelessly reminded them of countless details, always ending with one last note.
"Lily was the same when she went to school."
Hedwig was the name of Harry's owl.
"Got it, Mum."
"Got it, Aunt Petunia."
Dudley and Harry nodded repeatedly like pecking chicks.
It had to be said, the owl feed Petunia made was perfectly suited to Hedwig's taste. According to her memories, Lily's owl had also loved the food she made.
The result was that in just over a month, Hedwig had grown noticeably plump. If you asked who in the household she was closest to, Harry, her master, would only come second.
"How strange — wizards actually travel to school by train? I thought they'd use something more magical, like a giant pumpkin carriage drawn by flying horses, or maybe a pirate ship floating in the air."
Vernon muttered as he came in. Over the past month, both he and Harry had been dragged into Dudley's daily exercise routine, and his belly had shrunk quite a bit.
"It's about time, we should head out. By the way, which platform is it?"
Harry thought for a moment before answering, "The train leaves from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters at King's Cross Station at eleven o'clock."
"..." Vernon was slightly stunned. "Never heard of that platform. Well, at least it finally feels a bit mysterious."
King's Cross Station was about an hour's drive from the Dursleys' home.
At the entrance, they found the Grangers as expected, and the two families entered the station together.
"This is Platform Nine, and that's Platform Ten. So where is Platform Nine and Three-Quarters?"
Vernon pointed at the plastic sign for Platform Nine, then at the one for Platform Ten.
"Could it be enchanted like the Leaky Cauldron?" Mr. Granger asked.
Just as everyone was puzzled, Hermione spoke.
"I read in Hogwarts: A History that the entrance is at the boundary between Platforms Nine and Ten."
As she spoke, she pointed toward the second-to-last pillar beside Platform Ten.
"No surprise there, Hermione — so clever, she knows everything." Petunia looked at Hermione with a fond gaze, growing ever more pleased with her, then turned to glare at Dudley and Harry. "Look at our two boys. All they do is play instead of studying properly."
Hermione's love of learning reminded her of her sister Lily. Lily too had loved to study, excelled in her lessons, and shone brightly. Even after she went to Hogwarts, the two sisters' relationship had not been bad at first. If not for one unpleasant encounter, their families might have been much closer.
All the blame lay with James, that good-for-nothing who had led Lily astray.
Dudley felt unjustly accused. He clearly studied no less than Hermione and often outperformed her.
But perhaps that was just the way with other people's children. Everything about them seemed good.
"Dudley, you're a strong young man. Can't you help Hermione with some of her luggage? Show some gentlemanly manners."
Petunia, exasperated, scolded Dudley as she piled Hermione's bags from her trolley onto his. At the end she added, "Take good care of Hermione at school. Don't bully her, and don't let anyone else bully her."
Hermione blushed deeply. After softly saying goodbye to the parents, she pushed her trolley toward the barrier to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and vanished into it. Dudley and Harry each pushed their trolleys after her.
Watching the three children disappear, Petunia sighed, "Hermione really is such a quiet child."
If Dudley had heard that, he would have loudly objected. Hermione did love reading, but she was anything but quiet.
"Ho ho ho, Dudley is the same — outstanding in both studies and sports."
"Ho ho ho."
The two mothers praised each other's children; after all, other people's children always seemed better.
The fathers were more straightforward.
"Wendell, old chap, fancy a drink? How about the Leaky Cauldron?"
"The drinks there are unique, but too mild. I know a new pub with stronger flavor."
"What are we waiting for then?"
The two families left the station together.
Meanwhile, after passing through the barrier, Dudley felt the surroundings suddenly open up. The cramped station widened, and a deep-red steam engine, entirely unlike an ordinary train, stood at the platform. Its signboard read "Hogwarts Express" in large letters.
Whereas Platforms Nine and Ten had been sparsely populated, this hidden platform was packed with people. They wore robes like those in Diagon Alley, while the steam from the engine drifted over the bustling crowd. Cats darted between legs, and the occasional screech of owls pierced the air.
It was clear these were all students bound for Hogwarts.
Dudley's journey to Hogwarts was about to begin.
(End of Chapter)
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