On the day the new term began, King's Cross Station was packed like an overturned tin of sardines.
September in London still carried the lingering heat of late summer. Steam billowed from the Hogwarts Express's engine, spreading into a white mist beneath the arched roof. When Su Yu came through the brick wall, Kurama lay on his shoulder, covering her nose with her tail before sneezing.
Cassandra walked beside him in a dark emerald robe, her hair pinned up to reveal a stretch of fair neck. Apart from the half month she had spent at home, she had stayed at Foley Manor all summer. She had a room of her own there, right beside Su Yu's, though she had never used it. Su Yu had already grown used to waking up in the morning to the faint scent of cedar perfume Cassandra left on his pillow.
"Hermione's over there." Cassandra pointed toward the third-year carriages not far away.
Hermione stood at the carriage door, standing on tiptoe as she looked this way. She wore brand-new school robes, and her curls were even fluffier than last year. Holding a copy of the Daily Prophet, she immediately ran over when she saw Su Yu, her hair bouncing behind her.
"Su Yu!" Hermione ran up to him, caught her breath, then turned to greet Cassandra. "Cassandra, long time no see."
"Where's Daphne?" Su Yu asked, gently pulling Hermione into his arms.
"Saving seats in the compartment," Hermione said. "Ginny's here too. She said Harry and Ron wanted to talk privately, so they kicked her out."
Su Yu raised an eyebrow. "What, are those two acting up again? What private talk?"
"Who knows?" Hermione shrugged. "Anyway, Ginny seemed pretty happy about it. She said as if she cared about sitting with them, and that