School Opening

"What are you thinking about?" Veratia walked over to his side.

"Thinking back to the past," Harry said. "When I first came here, I didn't know I'd be sorted into Gryffindor. Back then, I was in Strange Era, terrified of being kicked out of Hogwarts for some trivial matter."

Veratia laughed, "Yes, you were completely different back then compared to now."

"What's different?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Back then you were just a little boy who didn't understand anything," Veratia looked into his eyes, "Now—you're a man."

Harry blushed slightly.

Veratia smiled and reached out to pinch his cheek.

In the evening, the four of them returned to Grimmauld Place with large and small bags.

Anne slumped on the sofa, rubbing her aching feet.

"I'm exhausted, but I'm so happy."

Cassandra sat next to her, holding a newly bought book.

Veratia went to the Kitchen to find Ruby and asked her to prepare dinner.

Harry sat down next to Anne and massaged her feet.

"Does it feel good?"

"Mmm—" Anne squinted her eyes, "Comfortable."

Thank goodness Sebastian wasn't here, otherwise Harry would have been subjected to more sarcastic remarks.

During dinner, the four of them ate and chatted about the day's events. Anne talked about the cute little creatures she saw at the Owl Shop, Cassandra mentioned a Rare Ancient Runes Study she found in the Ancient Books Section, Veratia talked about the Clumsy Couple she saw.

Laughter filled the air, creating a warm and beautiful atmosphere.

After dinner, the four of them squeezed onto the sofa again, watching the flames in the fireplace.

"Pabbie will be back tomorrow," Anne said. "I wonder what gifts she'll bring us."

"It's a specialty from Norway," Veratia said. "Maybe it's seafood."

"I want chocolate," Anne said. "I've heard that Norway chocolate is the best."

Cassandra softly hummed in agreement. "I want chocolate too."

Harry laughed, "You two, so easily satisfied?"

"Isn't it good to be easily satisfied?" Anne looked up at him.

"Good." Harry kissed her forehead. "Very good."

"Then what do you want?" Cassandra asked, turning her head to the side.

"Me?" Harry chuckled. "I've heard Norway canned salmon is pretty good—"

As night deepened, the four of them returned to their rooms.

Harry lay there for a while, then the door was gently pushed open, and Anne peeked in.

Can't sleep?

Harry smiled. "Come in."

Anne slipped in and crawled into his bed.

After a while, the door opened again, Cassandra walked in.

She saw the two people on the bed, raised an eyebrow, and then crawled in as well.

A little while later, the door opened again, and Veratia stood in the doorway.

She looked at the three people huddled together on the bed and smiled.

Are there any seats available?

"If you squeeze, there's always some left," Harry said.

Veratia went over and lay down next to Cassandra.

The four of them squeezed together again.

Pabbie returned the next day.

She arrived at noon—she seemed to emerge directly from the fireplace, carrying with her the salty smell of the sea breeze and a faint scent of snowflakes.

She was carrying several bags, a bright smile on her face, and her eyes lit up as soon as she saw everyone in the Living Room.

I'm back!

Anne was the first to rush over, crashing into her arms like a small cannonball.

"Pabbie!"

Pabbie laughed as she caught her, spun her around, and then put her down, reaching out to ruffle her hair.

Did you miss me?

"I want to!" Anne nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling. "I want to every day!"

Cassandra went over and gave her a gentle hug.

"Welcome back. How's it in the North Sea? Is it cold?"

"It's cold!" Pabbie shivered. "It's freezing in Norway, and the sea winds are so strong. I almost thought I was going to turn into an ice sculpture. But—it was all worth it!"

Veratia walked over and kissed her on the cheek with a loud "pop".

"You've worked hard, are you done with the Kraken?"

"That's all for now." Pabbie blinked. "That guy's been behaving well lately; I don't need to keep an eye on him for the time being."

Finally, it was Harry's turn. As soon as he walked over, Pabbie jumped on him, wrapped her legs around his waist, and put her arms around his neck.

Harry! I miss you so much!

Harry smiled and caught her; the familiar weight warmed his heart.

"I miss you as well."

Pabbie kissed him on the cheek, then jumped off him and began handing out gifts, muttering something under her breath.

"Come, come, everyone gets one— Anne, this is for you!"

Anne took a beautifully packaged box, opened it, and found a large box of chocolates with a label printed in Norway.

"Norway chocolate!" Pabbie exclaimed. "Even better than France! I bought it in a little shop in Tromsø. The owner was an old lady, and she said it was her family's secret recipe."

Anne's eyes shone like stars. She immediately tore open a pearl, popped it into her mouth, and squinted her eyes in bliss.

"Tasty!"

"This is for Cass." Pabbie handed Cassandra an old book with ancient, unreadable script on the cover. "I found it in a Second-hand Bookshop in Bergen. It's about the exchange between ancient Ancient Magic and Britain magic."

The shopkeeper said this book is several hundred years old, and I've always wanted to bring you a special copy.

Cassandra took the book, opened it, and her eyes lit up.

"I've been looking for this book for a long time; it's simply unavailable in bookstores."

"I'm glad you like it." Pabbie smiled, then took out a bottle of perfume and handed it to Veratia. "This is for you, a magical perfume from Norway. It will give off Aurora effect when you spray it on—I think it suits you perfectly."

Veratia took the perfume, sprayed it on, and sure enough, tiny, colorful specks of light floated from her body, like miniature versions of the Arctic, swirling around her, breathtakingly beautiful.

"Not bad." She raised an eyebrow. "You have good taste."

Finally, Pabbie took out a scarf and handed it to Harry, a rare hint of embarrassment on her face.

"I knitted this myself," she said, her voice a little softer. "I had nothing to do in Norway at night, so I learned to knit—though it may not be as good as Mrs. Weasley's, but—"

Harry took the scarf; it was in the classic Hufflepuff color scheme and felt soft and warm to the touch.

He wrapped it around his neck, and it fit perfectly.

"It's very beautiful," he said, looking down at her. "Thank you, I like it very much."

Pabbie smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, her cheeks slightly flushed.

In the afternoon, the five of them sat around in the Living Room.

Pabbie recounts her experiences in Norway —she visited Tromsø, Bergen, and the Lofoten Islands, and also describes the awe she felt when she saw the Aurora by the Fjord.

"The Aurora really seemed alive," she said, her eyes shining. "Green bands of light floated in the sky, and they even moved, like the tail of a giant dragon. I was standing on the beach at the time, and I felt incredibly small."

Anne listened intently, even forgetting to eat her chocolate, while Cassandra occasionally chimed in with a few questions about the details;

Veratia leaned back on the sofa, occasionally nudging Harry with her toes.

"Oh, right," Pabbie suddenly remembered something, "I passed by the Ministry of Magic on my way back and ran into Sirius. He said he'd come visit again in a few days. He also asked me to tell you—" She looked at Harry, "Tell that brat to get some rest and not overwork himself."

Harry smiled. "Got it."

In the evening, Mrs. Weasley arrived.

She brought a lot of things, including newly knitted sweaters (one for each person, in a different color), homemade jam, meat pies, Pumpkin Pasty, and many other things—a dazzling array.

"School Opening starts tomorrow," she said, rummaging through her belongings as she did so. "Have you all packed your things? Don't forget anything, the train won't wait for you."

"I'm all packed," Anne replied obediently.

Mrs. Weasley walked up to Harry, looked him over carefully, and her eyes were full of affection.

"Good child, you look much better. You were so thin before, it broke my heart to see you like that."

Harry laughed, "Of course she's healthy after being cared for for so many days. Ruby cooks delicious food every day, it's hard for her not to gain weight."

Mrs. Weasley nodded, then looked at Pabbie, Veratia, Cassandra.

"You all need to take good care of yourselves. Write to me if anything happens, don't try to tough it out on your own."

"Yes, I will," Veratia said, unusually well-behaved.

Cassandra kept pouting, thinking, "What a waste of time, this is just pretending to be young."

Mrs. Weasley did not stay long and soon took her leave.

Before leaving, she hugged Harry and whispered in his ear, "Treat them well."

Harry paused for a moment, then smiled.

"I will."

A flash of green light, Mrs. Weasley vanished into the fireplace.

That evening, Ruby a lavish dinner as a welcome-back feast for Pabbie.

Pabbie also recounted an incident where she was nearly dragged into the sea by the tentacles of Kraken, and another time she had a mead-drinking contest with a drunken Norway wizard in Bergen pub.

"Did you win or lose?" Anne asked.

"It's a tie," Pabbie said, a little embarrassed. "We ended up both lying under the table."

After dinner, they sat on the sofa; it was a bit cramped, but very cozy.

"School Opening starts tomorrow," Anne said, a hint of reluctance in her voice.

"Hmm." Pabbie nodded, leaning back a little more comfortably. "Newt asked me to continue as his teaching assistant this year, and I have to go back to Hogwarts with you guys— Cass, right? I heard you're planning to apply for a professorship?"

Cassandra gave a soft "Mmm": "Anyway, there's nothing else to do."

Veratia looked at them and smiled, "Enjoy your last year. After graduation, you'll be facing the real world."

"What real world?" Anne looked up at her, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Work, life," Veratia said, "But don't worry—we're here for you."

Cassandra glanced at her, her tone detached but teasing. "As if you weren't one of us."

Veratia smiled and reached out to poke her cheek.

"Me too, of course."

The next morning, Harry opened his eyes to find his bed surrounded by people.

Anne, Pabbie, Cassandra, and Veratia stood by the bed, looking down at him.

"Awake?" Veratia said, crossing her arms. "Time to get up, you lazybones, School Opening today."

Harry sat up, rubbed his eyes, his hair a mess.

What are you all doing here?

"I've been waiting for you," Anne said matter-of-factly. "Get up quickly, or you'll miss the train, Hermione will go crazy."

Pabbie nodded. "She's definitely already waiting at the station, checking her watch and stamping her feet."

Anne added, "Then Ron would complain that she was too nervous, and then he would get scolded."

Harry laughed, threw back the covers, and got out of bed.

After washing up, I went downstairs for breakfast.

Ruby a large meal, saying it was a farewell dinner.

Harry ate his fill, then checked his luggage to make sure nothing was left behind.

At 9:00 AM sharp, they arrived at King's Cross Station via the Floo Network.

Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was packed with people.

The steam locomotive puffed out white smoke, and the red carriages Winky in the sunlight.

Students and parents were everywhere, and the sounds of farewells, laughter, and shouts mingled together.

An owl hooted in its cage, a toad jumped in its jar, and a cat tried to escape from its owner's arms.

The Weasley family were already there. Ron saw Harry and waved wildly, almost hitting someone next to him.

"Harry! Over here!"

Hermione stood beside him, smiling, a book in her hand—clearly studying even while waiting for the bus. Ginny, chatting with her friends, waved when she saw them.

Mrs. Weasley came over and hugged each of them, her eyes red-rimmed.

Be careful on the road! Eat well! Sleep well! Write a letter if anything happens! Don't carry everything on your own!

"Okay, Mom," Ron said helplessly.

Arthur walked over and patted Harry on the shoulder, the pressure neither too light nor too heavy.

Take care, and let us know if you need anything.

"Thank you, Arthur," Harry said, feeling a warmth in his heart.

Veratia walked up to Harry and gave him a gentle hug.

"Take care of yourself."

"Yes," Harry said, hugging her back.

She hugged Anne, Pabbie, Cassandra, making sure to hug each of them.

"You guys too, don't overwork yourselves. Contact me if anything happens."

"I understand," Cassandra said, unusually not being stubborn.

Pabbie and Anne nodded vigorously, both somewhat reluctant to part.

The whistle sounded; the train was about to depart.

Everyone boarded the train, found an empty carriage, and put their luggage away: Anne's chocolates, Pabbie's Kraken research materials, Cassandra's books, Harry's broom, and a bunch of other odds and ends.

Outside the window, the Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Veratia stood on the platform, waving to them.

Anne leaned against the window, waving frantically, her eyes red-rimmed. Pabbie beside her waved as hard as she could.

The train slowly started moving, and the platform gradually receded.

The figures of those seeing them off grew farther and farther away, until they finally disappeared from sight.

Harry sat back down and looked at the three girls opposite him.

Anne, Pabbie, Cassandra.

This time, there were only the four of them in the cubicle. Hermione and Ron didn't intend to be third wheels, so they went to another cubicle.

"What are you thinking about?" Pabbie asked, tilting her head to look at him.

Harry smiled, his gaze sweeping across the three people's faces.

I miss you all.

"Smooth talker," Cassandra scoffed, turning her back to him.

The train pulled out of London, and the scenery outside the window changed from city to fields. Sunlight streamed into the carriage, illuminating the four people.

Anne leaned against the window, gazing at the scenery outside; Pabbie took out a bag of biscuits she'd brought back from Norway and shared them with everyone; Cassandra leaned against the window, lost in thought.

Seventh grade is about to begin!