Third Year Preparations

Tomorrow is the day to go to King's Cross Station. The Weasley family and Bing Huan, along with Hermione, are staying at the Leaky Cauldron in advance.

"Harry!"

Everyone greeted Harry on the second floor. Mrs. Weasley was the first to give him a big hug. "Darling, I'm so glad you're alright."

Sitting at the dining table, Ron looked strangely at Bing Huan. The Monster Book of Monsters that had almost injured him was still in Bing Huan's hand, unmoving. "Huan, how did you quiet it down?"

Bing Huan blinked. "I didn't quiet it down."

Ron:?

Bing Huan loosened his grip, and the book immediately closed, trying to bite his hand off. He forced it open again, and it was unable to move in Bing Huan's hand. "As long as you're stronger than it."

"Don't move around," Hermione said. For the first time, she couldn't handle a book and had to let Bing Huan hold it down for her so she could preview the contents.

Lunch was served, and Percy came down. He pinned his Prefect silver badge where it could be easily seen. Mrs. Weasley shared her joy and expressed her slightly unrealistic expectations for the Twins.

Bing Huan dared not imagine George or Fred as Prefects or even Head Boy. He feared they would tear the roof off Gryffindor.

"You should set a good example for your younger siblings," Mrs. Weasley said, a little disappointed.

"Are you two not planning to sleep?" Harry stared blankly at the two large stacks of books on the table.

"I just chose a few more electives."

"A few?" Harry turned to Bing Huan. "What about you?"

"She wants to take them, so I'll accompany her."

"But you didn't choose Divination."

"You know I can't touch those until my Master nods."

"Then you'll help me carry things later."

"Okay~"

In the afternoon, the four strolled through Diagon Alley. Hermione planned to buy herself a birthday present.

"So, are you going to the bookstore?" Ron and Harry said in unison while digging into their ice cream, then they looked at each other and smiled.

"Ungrateful child," Hermione muttered. "Not this year. I really want an owl right now. No..."

Old Leng: (・∧・)?

The owl perched on Bing Huan's shoulder tilted its head, its eyes seeming to say, You've used me for two years, and now you're tired of me, right?

As if intimidated by Old Leng's stare, Hermione explained, "Old Leng sometimes has to help contact people outside, and it's inconvenient to ask him to come over to write letters to Mom and Dad at night in the dorm, unlike at home. Oh, right, Hedwig even came out. Ron, where's your owl?"

"No, Errol is the owl for everyone in my family." Ron pulled Scabbers out of his pocket. "I only have Scabbers. I wanted to get him checked out this year anyway; he seems a bit homesick in Egypt."

"That rat is thinner than when I saw him last. There's a magical creatures shop right there." Harry had thoroughly familiarized himself with Diagon Alley these past few days.

Harry accompanied Ron to the counter to queue for professional advice from the staff. Hermione went to look for a suitable owl. Bing Huan frowned, lost in thought, when Hermione suddenly patted his back.

"What's wrong?"

"What are you thinking about? So engrossed."

"The shop assistant just said Scabbers is a normal rat."

"Yes, so what?"

"A normal rat is considered old if it lives three years, but when I chatted with Mrs. Weasley last time, she said Scabbers is already 12 years old. And as far as I can remember, Scabbers has always looked like an adult rat missing a claw."

"Maybe it's a mutation. Magical creatures and Wizards didn't also originate from ordinary species?"

"That's true."

One could say they live up to their reputation as the Savior and his friends. Even buying pet supplies had its twists. Just as the shop assistant was getting a rat-strengthening potion for Ron, a ginger, four-legged creature darted down from a cage above, baring its teeth at Scabbers.

Ron, without even grabbing the potion, frantically went after Scabbers. A moment later, Hermione came out holding the instigator. It was a hybrid of a magical creature, a Kneazle, and a Persian cat.

"Enzi, you forgot to take your potion," Bing Huan placed the item in Ron's hand.

Ron looked at Hermione. "Weren't you going to buy an owl?"

"I thought Old Leng could handle it," Hermione rubbed her face against the cat. "Besides, look how cute Crookshanks is~"

"Why him specifically? He almost scalped me just now!"

"Relax, Ron. Crookshanks didn't mean it. Come apologize to your Uncle Ron." Hermione brought the cat to Ron. Unlike before, there was no hostility. Crookshanks just let out a soft "Meow."

The next moment, Scabbers poked his head out of Ron's chest pocket. Crookshanks' innocent round face instantly filled with murderous intent. "Haa~!!" Startled, Hermione quickly hugged him back. "It seems Crookshanks doesn't really like Scabbers, but it's okay. They won't have to stay together at school."

It was almost time for dinner, and the four returned to the Leaky Cauldron. Arthur Weasley was sitting in the living room. "Are you alright, Harry?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

"I think I need to tell you a few things... Huan, come here too." Mr. Weasley led them to a corner. "Huan, Headmaster Dumbledore must have told you about Harry's family, right?"

"Mm."

"Good. Have you two heard about Sirius Black? It seems neither of you is very scared."

Harry: "Really, it's not that I want to act tough, but he can't be scarier than Voldemort, can he?"

"You're braver than I thought, Harry. I'm glad, but..." Uncle Arthur's expression suddenly turned serious. "Although Sirius Black's target this time is you, you have to promise me, no matter what happens, don't go looking for him."

"Why would I go looking for someone who wants to kill me?"

Uncle Arthur placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, his gaze level with Harry's. "Promise me, no matter what news you hear, okay, kid?"

"Okay."

Bing Huan, holding a newspaper with Sirius Black's picture on it, chimed in. "Uncle Arthur, is there any concrete evidence from back then that it was Sirius who did it?"

"Hmm? Why do you ask?"

"To be honest, looking at his face, I can't see him doing such a disloyal and unjust thing."

"Yeah, none of us could believe it when it happened, but it could only have been him."

"..."

"Arthur, the children are ready for dinner!" Mrs. Weasley called from the dining table.

"Coming, Molly. Alright, let's go. Remember what you promised me."

Harry followed behind, leaning in. "Bing Huan, why did you ask that just now?"

Bing Huan leaned his head back slightly. "Honestly, ever since the incident with Hagrid, I really can't trust the Ministry of Magic, especially Fudge's competence, except for Uncle Arthur."

"But you don't trust the Ministry anyway, do you?"

"...That's true."

That evening, Ron, who wanted to play chess, was dragged back by Percy to pack his things; he wouldn't have much time in the morning. Before getting on the train, Mrs. Weasley hugged everyone, holding Harry a little longer. She really liked the boy.

They searched the entire train; all the compartments were full, or rather, only one seat was left. Except for the very last one at the end of the carriage, where there was only a sleeping man.

"Looks like we'll have to squeeze in here."

"Professor Lupin?" Hermione recognized the man's name.

"How did you know?"

Hermione pointed to a trunk on the luggage rack.

"What do you think he'll teach us?" Ron sat down next to him.

"If there haven't been any changes in the professor's position in the common room, it should be Dark Arts Defense."

Professor Lupin wore a tattered wizard's robe and looked sickly. Ron couldn't help but worry, "Is he really up to it? He looks so frail."

"At least it won't be worse than Lockhart, right?" It's worth mentioning that after Lockhart was rescued from the Chamber of Secrets, he was in a coma for several days. During this time, he kept muttering in his sleep, revealing all the harm he had done to others over the years.

As for what awaited him after he woke up, it was, of course, endless imprisonment. I heard he still hasn't given up writing in Azkaban.