Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

After returning the rental car, Allen and his group arrived in front of the Magic Lamp Post. It was Harry's first time using a Magic Lamp Post, and he watched Mr. Harris's every move with great interest. Just like Allen, he found it absolutely magical.

Although it wasn't Allen's first time riding it, he still had his own reflections. While the scientific and technological development of the Muggle world was fierce and changing with each passing day, the wizarding world far surpassed Muggles in its research into both time and space.

If the teleportation technology of this Magic Lamp Post could be popularized in the Muggle world, housing prices from his past life wouldn't have been so absurdly high.

Soon, a small villa with red bricks and white windows appeared in Harry's sight.

The yard was shaded by lush trees, and several massive logs had been sawn into sections and scattered across the garden. They had likely been treated with anti-moisture and anti-pest charms, as the Harris family used them as seats.

There was also a simple swing set fixed between two large trees, with green vines and beautiful flowers wrapped around the frame.

The entire yard was rustic, natural, and full of vitality. Harry fell in love with the place the moment he saw it; there was a sense of freedom and ease here.

Mrs. Harris had specifically taken the day off to welcome Harry.

The youngest daughter, Emily, hid behind her mother, peeking out.

The moment she saw Harry, Mrs. Harris gave him a big hug.

"Harry, welcome!" Lenn, the second eldest brother, stood to the side and extended his hand with a serious expression.

Before the warm welcome could end, the eldest sister, Daisy, brought out steaming hot black tea, while Mrs. Harris directed individual sausages to fly onto their respective plates.

After the meal, Harry followed Allen to the bedroom. The first thing that caught his eye was a bunk bed.

The bed was clearly pieced together from two separate beds. The top bunk was made of smooth wooden planks, still showing the tree's growth rings.

Harry counted them in his mind; the tree was older than he was!

The way the two beds were joined was slightly crooked, yet they looked strangely harmonious.

Facing the window was a huge desk, upon which were placed some books, ink, and a stack of parchment.

Next, Allen helped Harry organize his belongings neatly. Before falling asleep that night, Harry felt incredibly content. "What a warm and friendly family!"

The days that followed were calm and uneventful, but every day was full of fun for Harry.

He liked to wake up early and follow Allen through movements he didn't understand; his awkward posture often made Allen burst into laughter.

He liked watching various magical kitchen utensils fly around, cooking up delicious delicacies.

He liked the gentle Mr. Harris, the meticulous Mrs. Harris, the beauty-loving eldest sister Daisy, the serious Lenn, and the mischievous, adorable Emily who was always pestering him to tell stories—not to mention Mr. Albert, the teacher who had earned his respect early on.

Happy times always fly by, and in the blink of an eye, it was time for school to start.

On this lively yet serious morning, the family packed all the luggage they needed to take with them early on.

Mr. Harris used his position to borrow one of the only two magic cars left at the Ministry of Magic.

Harry stared, dumbfounded, as Mr. Harris stuffed one piece of luggage after another into it.

It was clearly a small sedan, yet the interior space was like a small van!

They arrived at King's Cross Station at half-past ten. Harry looked left and right for a long time while Mr. Harris and the others unloaded the luggage; he truly couldn't find Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

Harry searched carefully for a long time, and it was indeed as he thought: one platform had a large plastic sign with the number 9, and the next had a large plastic sign with the number 10, with nothing but empty space in between.

"You're looking for Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, aren't you?" Allen carried two large suitcases and had a massive backpack on his back.

Even though Allen was very strong, this encumbrance really hindered his movement; the backpack towered two heads above him.

Almost the moment Allen picked up the backpack, he decided that the very first chance he got to use his wand, he would study the Undetectable Extension Charm. He had a Kipling backpack that would be perfect for it.

Harry nodded. "I can't find Platform Nine and Three-Quarters."

"Don't worry," Allen said. "You just need to walk straight toward the ticket barrier between platforms 9 and 10. Don't stop, don't be afraid, just charge straight in—that's important. If you're nervous, just break into a little run. Let's go. I'll go first, you can follow me." Allen had already heard how to get to the platform from Lenn countless times.

Allen pushed his suitcase and charged toward the railing of the ticket barrier. In Harry's eyes, it looked like he was committing suicide.

However, the thing Harry feared didn't happen; in the blink of an eye, Allen vanished.

Harry adjusted his glasses, made up his mind, and ran in the same direction as Allen.

When Allen passed through the wall, a crimson steam engine was parked beside a platform crowded with passengers.

The sign on the train read: Hogwarts Express, eleven o'clock.

Allen looked back and saw that the ticket barrier had now become a wrought-iron archway, with the words "Platform Nine and Three-Quarters" written above it.

A moment later, Harry arrived beside him, his expression one of pure shock.