The Weasley Family and Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

"How am I supposed to explain this to Ron when I get back? I promised him I'd give Scabbers to him to raise after he started school, but now it's lost. Our family is so poor, there's no way we can afford a new pet for him..."

Percy looked dejected, but he wasn't very good with words.

Mrs. Weasley's expression darkened slightly, but she still comforted her third son.

"Alright, Scabbers ran off, so he ran off. He's just a rat, he'll be fine without us. It's getting late, the train is about to leave, we have to go."

"Excuse me for the intrusion..." Linley took a couple of steps towards the Weasley family, poked his head out, and spoke up to get their attention.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but... is this rat yours?"

He held Scabbers by the tail and presented the lethargic rat, which looked like it had been on drugs, to Mrs. Weasley.

Immediately, the four Weasley brothers gathered around in surprise.

"That's great, Scabbers isn't lost after all." Percy excitedly took Scabbers from Linley's hand, looking at him gratefully.

"Thank you."

George and Fred, being naturally gregarious, slung their arms around Linley's shoulders as if they'd known him forever.

"I'm Fred, this is George. These are Percy and Charlie. We're all Weasleys. That's our mum. Thank you so much for finding Scabbers. I don't think I've seen you at school before. Are you a new student at Hogwarts? What's your name?"

Although Linley had a thick skin, he was still a bit unaccustomed to being treated so intimately upon their first meeting. Mrs. Weasley, however, noticed Linley's awkwardness. She impatiently slapped away the twins' arms from his shoulders and reprimanded them angrily.

"Manners! I've told you to have good manners when you're out, otherwise people will say we Weasleys have no upbringing!"

Then, her expression instantly softened.

"Thank you, child. Are you heading into the station? Aren't your parents here to see you off?"

"It's alright, Madam. My parents are ordinary people, so they didn't come." Linley wasn't lying intentionally; he had simply seen too many of those pitying looks. While they held no malice, he found them tiresome.

Mrs. Weasley smiled and patted his shoulder.

"It's getting late now. If you don't mind, you can come in with us."

"Of course, I don't mind, Madam. I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Linley Belloc, and I'm a first-year student at Hogwarts this year."

Upon receiving an affirmative reply, Mrs. Weasley immediately urged her sons.

"Hurry up, the train is about to depart. Charlie, you go first through the wall, then have Linley follow behind. Don't be nervous, child, just close your eyes and walk straight through. Then Percy, George, and Fred. I'll be the last one."

Charlie followed Mrs. Weasley's instructions and was the first to pass through the wall. George and Fred, the twins, winked and chuckled from the side.

"See, Mum always treats other people's children like her own. We're adopted."

"Of course. Mum's maternal love is vast; she can love all the children in the world, but she's strict only with us. Hiss! Ouch, ouch, ouch... Mum, we were wrong!"

Mrs. Weasley grabbed each twin by an ear and said exasperatedly, "What nonsense are you spouting here? You're already showing your true colors before we've even reached Hogwarts. If you act like this at school, you'll turn the place upside down."

These twins certainly had lively personalities.

Linley thought to himself, then followed Charlie towards the wall, breaking into a small run.

He had originally intended to force himself to keep his eyes open, but when he was less than half a meter from the wall, his brain's reflex nerves kicked in.

He instinctively closed his eyes, and his vision went black.

The next moment, it felt as if he had passed through something, or perhaps nothing at all.

"Alright, Linley, you can stop now."

Charlie's voice reached his ears. Linley then halted his steps and opened his eyes again.

A bright red steam train came into view.

In the center of the train's front was a prominent sign that read:

Hogwarts Express, Departs at Eleven O'Clock.

The surrounding clamor reached his ears: the sound of luggage being dragged, the calls of owls, and the chatter of students and their families mingled together, yet Linley didn't feel the slightest annoyance.

This place was like Diagon Alley, a world exclusively for wizards.

Soon, after him, Percy, the Weasley twins, and Mrs. Weasley also passed through the wall and arrived at the station.

Without further ado, Mrs. Weasley clapped her hands.

"Alright, children, you're about to start a new term. As I always say, safety first in everything.

Also, George and Fred, you two cut back on the pranks. You've only been here a year and you've already caused the castle caretaker to write me quite a few complaining letters. Truly talented. Percy, you're in charge of supervising them. You must report to me any trouble they cause, don't force me to write you Howlers.

Remember to look after your new friend Linley and don't lead him astray with your silly pranks."

George and Fred exchanged knowing glances, winked, and said in unison.

"We'll be good, Mum."

Mrs. Weasley didn't believe her mischievous sons' promises at all. Lastly, she gave Linley a homemade sandwich as a thank-you gift, asking him not to mind it.

Linley gladly accepted. After saying goodbye to Mrs. Weasley, he followed the four Weasley brothers onto the Hogwarts Express.

After they had stowed their luggage, Charlie and Percy left to find their friends.

George and Fred, who were a year ahead of Linley, invited him.

"Want to ride in the same carriage as us? We can introduce you to our friends. Gryffindors are all talented and have pleasant voices."

After a moment's hesitation, Linley ultimately refused them.

"No, I'll find a compartment for first-years. Since everyone is new, it'll be easier to get along if we interact beforehand. However, I'll need your help getting familiar with the school once we arrive at Hogwarts."

Upon hearing this, George and Fred immediately puffed out their chests.

"You've come to the right people for that. When it comes to knowing Hogwarts, even the professors might not know it as well as we do.

Then we'll see you at school. We hope you get sorted into Gryffindor."

After parting ways with the Weasley twins, Linley leisurely wandered through the train carriages.

He eventually found a compartment that wasn't full yet.

He sat down and introduced himself with a smile.

"Hello, I'm Linley Belloc."

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