The End of Summer

Throughout August, Roy spent most of his time shut away in his room studying magic.

The books he had bought from Flourish and Blotts the first time were quickly finished. Later, Roy went to Gringotts to exchange some pounds for Galleons, then used the money to buy more books for his research.

Using the Alchemy he had taught himself, Roy enchanted several small accessories and mailed them to Cedric and the Weasley twins. From their replies, it was clear that everyone liked Roy's gifts. The Weasley twins even sent back a set of fireworks they had made themselves, supposedly an improved version of the ones they had set off in Knockturn Alley last time.

Roy could be said to have gained a great deal over the summer. After a month of dedicated research, both his grasp of basic magical principles and his practical spellcasting had improved tremendously.

Roy sat at his desk, rubbed his eyes, and closed the book in his hands, its pages filled with forbidden Dark Magic knowledge.

He had nearly finished the few books on Dark Magic this month as well, but he did not dare casually try any of that stuff.

The day after tomorrow would be September 1st. Even though he was about to leave this place, Roy actually felt a little anticipation in his heart.

He had learned so much just by studying magic alone. At the best magic school in all of Europe, he would surely be able to improve even more.

"Forget it. I'm leaving the day after tomorrow. I should give myself a break."

Roy felt a little reluctant to leave the orphanage where he had lived for so many years.

He took all his savings from the tin box hidden in the false compartment of his desk and counted the stack of banknotes. He had earned every bit of it by painstakingly collecting things over the years: 1,145 pounds in total.

Roy planned to use 200 pounds to buy every child a gift, then distribute the rest among them as pocket money.

Early the next morning, Roy took the money to the city center. He haggled with the owner of a stationery shop for a long time before finally paying for a set of school supplies for every child.

Roy secretly carried a large bag of things back to the orphanage. After dinner, he took out the gifts he had prepared and handed them out to each child.

At the same time, every child received an envelope containing a letter Roy had written for them and several banknotes.

Seeing how excited the children were upon receiving their gifts, Roy could not help but smile with satisfaction.

Under his influence, all these children had persisted in staying in school rather than joining gangs or committing crimes. Sometimes Roy thought that this might have been the most correct thing he had done in both his lives.

"Alright, stop crying. I may be leaving tomorrow, but it's not like I'll never come back. I'll be back for Christmas, so remember to clean my room."

After receiving their gifts and seeing Roy's ever-confident, fearless expression, the children's initial excitement gradually turned into emotion. Several of the younger girls even began to cry.

Mia rushed forward and threw her arms around Roy, burying her face in his clothes. Roy could hear her sobbing, and he placed a hand on her head to comfort her gently.

"For now, this is all I can do..."

Looking at the sappy scene before him, Roy thought silently.

The next day, Roy bid farewell to the children at the orphanage and prepared to head to London King's Cross Station.

All the children got up early. Before he left, every one of them stuffed his trunk full of snacks they had usually kept as treasures.

They stuffed in so much that Roy had no choice but to rearrange his luggage to make it all fit.

Roy took out the books he had packed in his trunk. After thinking about it, he decided not to bring any books other than textbooks to school.

"It's best not to take out books on Dark Magic like these at school."

Roy stuffed all the books he had bought during the holidays back under his bed, said goodbye to the children once more, hailed a taxi, and left the orphanage.

When he arrived at London King's Cross Station, Roy took the piles of luggage out of the taxi and carried them toward the station.

The bustling station was packed with people coming and going. Between Platforms Nine and Ten, Roy spotted familiar figures in the dense crowd.

"Alright, Percy, it's your turn. Keep your two younger brothers in line at school."

Tall and thin with red hair, Percy always looked serious. After saying goodbye to his mother, he pushed his luggage through the wall leading to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

Fred and George grinned, their faces full of mischief.

"When do you think he'll find out that the trunk he packed his books in is actually full of Dungbombs?"

"I bet it'll be as soon as he gets on the train. Our model student Percy will definitely read on the train, because he doesn't have a single friend who can stand his personality."

Seeing the twins' malicious expressions, Mrs Weasley sternly warned them not to pull pranks at Hogwarts. After receiving their solemn promises, she immediately put on a loving expression and gave them both a huge hug.

"Hey! You two!"

Roy called loudly to Fred and George from afar. Seeing Roy approach, the twins excitedly came over and draped an arm around each of his shoulders.

"Look who it is! Isn't this our Little Roy who loves getting lost?"

Roy glared at them, then politely stepped forward to greet Mrs Weasley. With an arm around Roy, Fred introduced Ron and Ginny, who were standing nearby, to him.

At Mrs Weasley's urging, Roy greeted the somewhat blank-looking Ron and the shy Ginny, who was hiding behind Mrs Weasley. Then Fred and George hauled him through the wall with them.

After passing through the brick wall without feeling anything at all, the Hogwarts Express appeared before Roy's eyes. The scarlet steam locomotive numbered 5972 billowed steam, while many young witches and wizards in the crowded station said goodbye to their parents.

The three boarded the train and found an empty compartment. After putting away their luggage, they sat down and talked about the interesting things that had happened over the summer.

Roy took out the fireworks the twins had mailed him and asked how powerful they were.

George patted Roy on the shoulder and solemnly told him.

"These fireworks used up every bit of our research budget. One little firework like this is equivalent to an entire grand fireworks display."

"Then I'd better put it away. I don't want to set it off on the train." After hearing the twins' explanation, Roy stuffed the explosive into the bottom of his trunk. If he set off fireworks on the train, the school would definitely expel him.

The three were chatting when someone knocked on the compartment door. Through the glass, they saw a handsome young man standing outside.

"Long time no see, Roy."

Cedric entered carrying several pieces of luggage. He greeted Roy and the Weasley twins, put away his luggage, and sat down.

Fred looked a little puzzled and asked Cedric how he knew Roy.

Cedric honestly told them everything about meeting Dumbledore and Roy at the wand shop.

After listening to Cedric, the twins both turned scrutinizing gazes on Roy.

Under their stares, Roy helplessly spread his hands.

"What?"

"So you really did go to Diagon Alley with Dumbledore. What exactly is your relationship with Dumbledore?"

At that question, Cedric also looked at Roy curiously.

Facing everyone's scrutiny in the compartment, Roy helplessly explained.

"Sigh, it's actually nothing. It seems a very bad wizard once came from our orphanage. Old Dumbledore got sentimental when he remembered it, so he came by to take a look. What was his name again—"

The three exchanged glances. Cedric tentatively said.

"Was it... that person?"

"Right, I think his name was Voldemort."

The three were all startled by Roy's words.

Fred hurriedly stopped Roy.

"You can't say that person's name."

But Roy still looked unconcerned. How many people had Voldemort even killed? In his previous life, Roy had killed more people in a single day on the battlefield than Voldemort had killed in his entire life. He was nothing more than a terrorist.

Seeing Roy's calm expression, George's face grew grave.

"Looks like Dumbledore thinks you're the next Dark Lord."

"Do I look like one?"

The three examined Roy's face for a moment, then all burst out laughing.

"I don't think so. You're not scary at all. Looking at you just makes me want to laugh."

For some reason, Roy was not very happy with that answer.

With a dull rumble, the train slowly pulled out of the station.

Someone knocked on the compartment door. The four stopped talking and looked toward it at the same time. A young blonde witch stood there, dressed elegantly and exquisitely beautiful.

Facing the four who had been laughing and chatting moments ago, she spoke to them in a gentle voice without any expression on her face.

"Excuse me, my name is Aisling. May I sit here?"