After Dobby delivered Harry to a secluded corner of King's Cross Station, he went straight back, as Douglas had instructed.
Just as Harry was about to enter the station, he noticed Mr. Weasley standing by a pillar on platform nine, looking around.
When he saw Harry approaching alone with his luggage trolley, he hurried over.
Then he glanced around and said with some anger in his voice:
"Where's Douglas? Didn't I tell that House-elf to tell Douglas he had to bring you here himself?"
It was the first time Harry had seen Mr. Weasley behave like this, but he understood something of it, so he explained:
"Perhaps he's upset because he can't teach at Hogwarts anymore. Dobby left after bringing me here."
Only then did Mr. Weasley come to his senses and remember Douglas's stint teaching Defense Against Dark Magic. His expression immediately softened.
"Sorry, I nearly forgot about that. It's been so busy at the Ministry lately. I'd meant to have a good chat with him while we were seeing the children off.
"Ah, it's getting late. Ron and the others have already gone in. Let's talk once we're inside."
As he spoke, he pretended to be very interested in the intercity train on platform nine, then quickly led Harry through the barrier between the platforms.
In the blink of an eye, they passed through the solid metal wall and arrived at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Looking up, they saw the Hogwarts Express-a scarlet steam engine, puffing out
smoke there. The platform was packed with witches and wizards seeing their children onto the train.
Harry spotted the Weasley family standing nearby at once, and Mr. Weasley led him briskly toward his wife.
When Mrs. Weasley saw her husband arriving with Harry alone, she couldn't help frowning.
Mr. Weasley hurriedly