The next month or so passed agonizingly slowly for Li Mu.
After deciding to enroll at Hogwarts, Li Mu had come to London early. In his previous life, he had never had the chance to travel abroad. Now that he had an "all-expenses-paid" opportunity, he naturally had to look around and broaden his horizons.
He had come far too early, though. Before going to Diagon Alley, he had already visited every famous and obscure attraction across Greater London. He wanted to cross the English Channel and tour France, Germany, and other places, but he had no money.
Air travel was still extravagantly expensive in this era. The cost of one flight was enough to pay for two weeks at a hotel. Li Mu did not have much cash on him, either. Prices and living costs in the wizarding world were low; one Galleon could only be exchanged for a mere five pounds. The money he had withdrawn from Gringotts was worth quite a bit in the wizarding world, but exchanging it for Muggle currency would have been a terrible loss.
So, over that month, Li Mu transformed into a bookworm. Whenever he had nothing to do, he curiously flipped through the various textbooks he had bought in Diagon Alley.
Like Hermione, he was actually anxious about learning magic. He had studied Taoist arts and mystical techniques deep in the mountains for eight years, so he already had a solid foundation. Yet the more he learned about Western magic during this time, the more he understood...
Eastern Taoist arts and Western magic were broadly two entirely different systems. His little bit of groundwork was completely useless when it came to learning magic.
He got up in the morning, drank coffee while reading textbooks, went out for a stroll at noon and sampled a few plates of London's uniquely unappetizing food, then either wandered through distinctive neighborhoods in the afternoon or returned to his hotel to keep reading. After dinner, until bedtime, he meditated without fail... That was Li Mu's routine for the past month.
Old Li Jianmin had specifically instructed him that even while studying magic in the West, he had to continue practicing Taoist arts and mystical techniques every day. Every summer, Li Jianmin would personally test his progress. Li Mu did not dare slack off.
Finally, when Li Mu woke from another early-morning meditation, he found that the calendar had finally turned to "September 1."
Today was the day school began, and it would also be his first day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
He jolted upright in bed. Excitedly stuffing all kinds of things into his suitcase, Li Mu checked out of his hotel, then hailed a taxi on the street.
"King's Cross Station. Platform 9," he told the cool-looking blond driver.
The "Hogwarts" he had longed for in his previous life, that wondrous and fascinating world of Western magic—the heavy door that had seemed tightly shut since ages ago, as though covered in ancient green vines—was about to open for him.
Even with the composure he had cultivated through eight years of Taoist training, he could not remain entirely calm at this moment.
While Li Mu was still suppressing his excitement and staring blankly ahead, the prosperous high-rises outside sped past in a blur. There were not many vehicles in London at this time, and they soon arrived at King's Cross Station.
Even after the car stopped, he was still somewhat dazed. He stood there for a while before remembering to pay under the driver's impatient urging.
The taxi sped away in a cloud of dust. Carrying his suitcase, Li Mu looked around Platform 9 and quickly spotted his target. A skinny, frail little boy stood beside Platform 9 in bewilderment, dragging a huge suitcase. A birdcage hung from it, and inside was a rare snow-white owl.
It was Harry, looking rather helpless.
"Hey, Harry!" Li Mu hurried over to greet him. Harry saw him too, and it was as if he had found someone to rely on. The anxiety on his face gradually gave way to happiness.
But then...
"You mean... I have to go through the three-quarter point between Platform 9 and Platform 10?!" Harry's voice was full of surprise and hesitation.
"Why else do you think it's called Platform 9 3/4?" Li Mu smiled and confirmed it again.
Harry Potter twisted his head and looked around once more... Platform 10 was next to Platform 9, and Platform 9 was next to Platform 10—but where exactly was Platform 9 3/4?
The space between Platform 9 and Platform 10 was enclosed by thick, sturdy railings. The iron railings connected four stone pillars. Those pillars stood tall, dividing the distance between the two platforms into four equal sections, like markings on a ruler.
Slowly, Harry fixed his gaze on the third stone pillar. According to Li Mu's advice, they should... Staring at the pillar, he cautiously dragged his enormous pile of luggage forward and pressed it against it.
Thud...
The suitcase struck the stone pillar with a perfectly ordinary sound. The force of the impact jolted back through the handle, nearly knocking Harry Potter's suitcase from his grip. Hedwig was clearly startled too, fluttering her wings frantically inside the iron cage.
"That won't work... I think maybe we should ask someone?" Harry backed away and suggested.
"If you mean asking Muggles, forget it. From what I learned before, wizards absolutely do not want Muggles to know about them... not even to know they exist." Li Mu immediately rejected the idea, though his brow furrowed as well.
That made no sense. According to what the book had said, they should have entered through the railing between Platform 9 and Platform 10. Had they gone to the wrong spot?
They did not have time to think further. A security guard strode over. "Hey, kids!..." As he spoke, he looked at the luggage in Harry's hands, which was nearly taller than him. "Where are your parents? Why are you little sprouts here alone... Which train are you taking?"
Clearly, the noise just now had caught the guard's attention. He thought Harry had failed to control the luggage cart, causing the suitcase to hit the pillar.
"Sorry, that was just an accident. Our teacher told us to wait here, and he'll come pick us up. Thank you." Li Mu spoke gently, reassuring the guard.
Otherwise, under English law, the guard might have called the police. After all, two boys around ten years old being left alone at a train station was, strictly speaking, against the law.
The guard was half-convinced by Li Mu's words and repeatedly asked whether the two children needed help. In the end, Harry Potter chatted with him for a few moments and asked about Platform 9 3/4, Hogwarts, and so on...
The guard got angry. Stomping away while muttering curses, he said, "I get it, I get it! You two little brats are pretending to be stupid to fool people! If I were you, I'd stay here quietly and wait for my parents instead of bothering strangers for amusement!"
"All right... I was wrong." Harry watched his angry retreating back and sighed. He thought that perhaps they really needed to find a wizard to ask... but the Leaky Cauldron was obviously far too far away.
The train was leaving at eleven.
"I asked that guard just now whether there was a train leaving at eleven, and he said no." Harry explained to Li Mu. He really was getting anxious.
"Let me try." Li Mu frowned, but still comforted Harry. "Watch!"
The original book had said it was between the railings of Platform 9 and Platform 10, so there had to be no problem. There absolutely could not be a problem... He shouted, stepped forward, and ran toward the stone pillar Harry had just hit.
He was much faster than Harry's cautious attempt just now... far faster. The brick-and-stone wall that formed the pillar drew closer and closer.
With Harry's failed attempt as a warning, even Li Mu felt a little uneasy. He instinctively wanted to close his eyes, but managed to stop himself. Instead, he opened them even wider. He wanted to see exactly what had gone wrong.
He hit it! Li Mu watched as the cart came into intimate contact with the stone pillar, yet there was no sensation of impact. All he felt was his vision blur...
The next second, he saw a scarlet steam locomotive waiting to depart at a crowded platform. Written across the front of the engine were the words: "Hogwarts Express, departing at eleven o'clock."
Farther away, the sky was clear and azure. This was definitely not central London.
The distance of a single stone wall had transported him far away.
Amazing spatial magic!
The New Year is almost here, so let me wish everyone a happy New Year in advance!~~~
These past few days have been swallowed up by visiting relatives and reunion dinners, leaving me with much less time to write. Still, I'll do my best to keep updating once a day.
I hope everyone will continue to support me!
(End of chapter)
Before you continue