Hogwarts Express

On the evening before school began, Edward called Allen into his study and went over his instructions again and again.

Harry was already used to it. Every evening, father and son reviewed the events of the day, and he saw nothing unusual about it.

Edward stroked Allen's head.

"I won't be able to see you off tomorrow. King's Cross Station will be closed off for an hour, from eight to nine in the morning. The driver will take you there."

Allen nodded obediently.

Edward's eyes held a complicated mix of emotions. "You..."

Allen smiled. "You've practically packed everything I own into the Suitcase. What else is there to worry about?"

Edward tapped his forehead. "Oh, you!"

"Don't worry."

A hint of mischief crept into Allen's smile.

"If there's anything I need, I'll go to Headmaster Dumbledore. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to help one of his students."

The following morning, after breakfast, the car was already waiting at the castle's back entrance.

An agent stood beside the car door, ready at any moment to attend to the Crown Prince.

Today, Allen wore a long white shirt, black dress trousers, and matching little leather shoes, with the black blazer required at public schools over it all. A mechanical watch sat on his left wrist.

His brilliant blond hair was combed back, revealing his fair forehead and famously striking eyes-

He looked every inch a student, apart from the School Governor's ring on his right ring finger.

Under Triss's insistent instructions, Harry had dressed in public-school attire as well.

Edward looked at Allen standing before him, reluctance to part filling his eyes.

"If your phone doesn't work at school, remember to send me a letter every evening. Just have Tita bring it back. If I have anything to send you, I'll have Selene bring it to you."

Allen smiled, his expression gentle in the cool air. "Yes, Your Majesty! Take care of yourself too, until I come home for the Christmas holidays."

Edward turned to Harry. "The same goes for you, Harry. If you run into any trouble, you can write to me too. Or ask Allen for help. Don't hesitate."

Harry nodded firmly. "I will, Your Majesty!"

Allen's cheek puffed out almost imperceptibly as he looked behind Edward. "Grandpa Butler, Triss, please look after His Majesty for me."

The butler and Triss solemnly agreed.

At those words, Edward gave a warm, helpless smile. He saw Allen into the car and watched it disappear from sight.

After a while, he suddenly said, "Will Allen be all right on his own? He's never been away from me."

The butler replied respectfully, "His Highness is very clever. He can handle a great many things."

Edward said nothing more. He glanced once more at the spot where the car had disappeared, then turned and went back into the palace.

The butler sighed silently.

Tita was the goddess of fate in Greek religion. She wore a crown and protected every person and family. His Majesty wanted His Highness to be someone beloved by the goddess of fate!

And Selene was the moon goddess of Greek mythology. His Majesty was looking forward to letters from his son every evening...

The butler watched the man walking ahead with steady steps.

He had watched His Majesty grow up, watched him remain alone until he happened to meet the queen, until the little prince came along...

Now His Highness had to go to somewhere as unfamiliar and out of reach as the Wizarding World. His Majesty must have been terribly worried.

In truth, with Prince Allen's abilities, His Majesty had no need to worry at all.

But this was not something an outsider could easily talk him out of. The butler could only hope that the little prince remembered his nightly letters!

As the car drove out of Buckingham Palace, Allen activated the invisibility function on his School Governor's ring and sat perfectly still.

Harry pressed himself excitedly against the window, as though his seat were studded with nails. If not for Allen's presence, he might have rolled around on it.

Before long, the car pulled smoothly into the station.

Allen got out under the agent's protection, accepted the Suitcase from the driver, and nodded politely in thanks before entering King's Cross Station with Harry.

For the sake of secrecy, there were no staff in the station.

Allen and Harry slowly found their way to the platforms, only to stand stumped between platforms nine and ten.

They checked their tickets again. Yes, that was right: platform nine and three-quarters.

Neither of them knew what to do.

Allen was usually composed, but even he was growing anxious now, circling the pillar again and again.

The minute hand was already pointing to nine. There were only fifteen minutes left before the station reopened.

Frowning, Allen raised a hand and pressed it against the wall.

To his surprise, he felt no cold wall. His hand passed straight through, as though nothing were blocking it.

And all he seemed to feel was air?

He hesitated for two seconds, then leaned sideways and slipped half his body through. He saw a gleaming new steam train-the Hogwarts Express.

"Magic!" Allen exclaimed in wonder.

"Your Highness!"

Harry's eyes widened as he stared in shock at Allen's body half-disappearing into the wall. He tentatively touched it and soon discovered the little trick himself, then leaped excitedly through.

His vision went dark, then brightened again, and he ran into his own world.

Allen ignored him and immediately took out his phone, ready to send Edward a message.

But the signal indicator showed no reception at all, leaving him no choice but to lean back into King's Cross Station first and send His Majesty the King a message.

At last, he passed through the wall and stepped into the magical world.