Hogwarts always began its school year on September 1.
Even if it happened to fall on a weekend, school still had to start.
This tradition had endured for nearly a thousand years since the school's founding.
At ten in the morning, Platform 9 3/4 opened right on time.
The waiting students passed through the wall one after another and boarded the red Hogwarts Express.
Outside King's Cross Station, the Grangers' car slowly pulled over by the roadside.
Hermione opened the rear door and waved at Daphne in front of the station.
"Dad, Mom, my classmates are here."
"Go on, don't keep them waiting too long."
She dragged her luggage with one hand and picked up Crookshanks with the other.
The Greengrass couple said a few words to their two daughters in front of the station, then headed toward the little alley they had come from.
Hermione jogged over to the two of them. "Why did you get here so early?"
Daphne lightly shook Astoria's little hand in hers. "She woke us up first thing in the morning."
"Big Sister, when did I do that?"
"Then was it Yumi who woke us up?"
Astoria lowered her little head and looked at the small Ragdoll cat lying on the suitcase.
"Yumi is very well-behaved. She wouldn't do something naughty like that."
Daphne laughed. "So you admit you were being naughty?"
"When did I?" Astoria pouted.
Hermione laughed as well.
She let go of her suitcase, bent down beside the little Ragdoll sitting obediently there, and leaned closer.
"Hello, Yumi." She took Crookshanks' front paw.
"This is Crookshanks. I'm sure you'll become friends."
Yumi gave a soft meow, then curiously moved closer to the ginger cat in front of her.
They looked at each other, then sniffed one another.
Crookshanks gave a lazy