Platform 9 3/4

Platform 9 3/4

Passing through the wall at King's Cross Station, the Bell Family arrived at Platform 9 3/4.

It was almost time for the train to depart, and the station was packed with parents seeing their children off.

Looking at the luggage of the other Little Wizards, Elena asked Bell, "Sweetheart, are you really not planning to get a pet? It might be able to keep you company at Hogwarts in our place."

"No, Mom. I don't really want to keep an ordinary owl or anything," Bell refused.

Ordinary animals were dumb and weak, and Bell had no interest in keeping one. He was no longer a child now. Should he say that he had become more accustomed to his identity? Or that he pursued strength even more? In any case, although he still liked cute little animals, he no longer had much desire to raise one.

"What kind of pet do you want? I'll have your Dad help you look for one."

Elena looked at Bell with concern. Even though she knew he was very capable of taking care of himself, she still could not help worrying.

Why was I always the one getting hurt?

William, who had been listening to the conversation between mother and son, had been innocently caught in the crossfire. He was really busy every day, okay? Could they stop piling more burdens onto him...

"I don't know either. Let's talk about it later. Maybe I'll run into one someday," Bell answered casually, then fell silent again.

Elena looked worriedly at her Son and Daughter, who had been unusually quiet since morning. All she could do was keep comforting them and reminding them of things, while a gloomy atmosphere hung around the three of them.

Meanwhile, Bell's Dad William looked around as if nothing were wrong, seeming to search for something.

"Hey, look! Isn't that kid the 'Savior,' Harry Potter? I'd heard Potter would be enrolling this year, but I didn't expect to actually see him," William suddenly said excitedly, pointing into the distance.

In that direction, a thin Little Wizard with messy black hair, large glasses, and an oversized coat was pushing a trolley toward the train while looking around everywhere.

"Bell, hurry over and say hello to Potter. You could even sit in the same compartment as him!" William urged eagerly, giving Bell a push on the back, looking as though he wished he were going to Hogwarts himself.

"No interest."

Bell gave his old man a speechless look. How had he never noticed his eyesight was so good before? From this far away, he could even see that tiny scar on Harry's forehead?

Just as William was about to say more, the train suddenly blew its whistle, and the parents began hurriedly urging the Little Wizards aboard.

"Hurry, Bell, get on the train," Elena urged as well.

Ever since she woke up that morning, Little Shanna had remained silent, afraid that the moment she opened her mouth, she would ask him to stay.

She knew that if she asked him to stay, Gege would definitely remain. Ever since they were little, Gege had never refused any of her requests.

But she also knew she could not do that. Gege should attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry like the other Little Wizards his age. That way, perhaps he could make a few good friends.

Watching Gege get into the Flying Car, watching Mom say goodbye to him, then watching him board the train, Shanna hated herself more than ever at that moment. She hated that she could not even force out a single word of farewell.

As she watched the train doors slowly close and the train gradually leave the platform, Shanna finally could not hold back any longer and burst into tears. She cried loudly, shouting "Gege!", trying to chase after the departing train, before Mom pulled her tightly into her arms.

Ever since he woke up that morning, Bell had not dared look at Shanna, because he was afraid of seeing the reluctance in her eyes, afraid that his resolve would waver.

He knew that if he saw even the slightest sign that Shanna wanted him to stay, he would no longer be able to deceive himself. He would definitely stay, no matter what.

But he also knew he could not be so selfish. That would only hurt the family who loved him so deeply.

From getting into the Flying Car that morning, to listening to Mom's reminders on the platform, to boarding the train, watching the door before him slowly close, watching Shanna gradually disappear from sight—at that moment, Bell hated himself more than ever. He hated his own weakness. Even at the very end, he had not been able to smile and say goodbye to Shanna.

The train doors finally shut completely. Shanna vanished from Bell's view, and the train began to move.

He rushed as fast as he could into the compartment closest to the door and looked through the window at Shanna crying loudly, shouting "Gege!", desperately trying to catch up with the train.

At that moment, Bell felt as if his heart had been torn apart. Half remained inside him, while the other half flew back to Shanna's side.

Bell yanked open the window and kept waving toward the platform. He truly wanted nothing more than to jump out of the train and return to his little sister's side, but he could not do that. Shanna's life should not consist of him alone. She should have a life of her own. She should meet more people and see more of the world. She should learn to think independently.

So it was absolutely not because the window was too small for Bell to squeeze through!!!

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As the train gradually disappeared from view, Elena held her little Daughter and silently wept. Thinking of how she would not see her Son for the next several months, she was heartbroken too—certainly no less than her little Daughter.

At this point, it was necessary to mention Bell's family situation.

Without question, Bell had a happy family, one happier than the vast majority of families. But that happiness was not flawless. Beneath its happy surface, the Bell Family actually hid two small cracks.

First, William and Bell did not see eye to eye. That rotten old man (brat) actually dared to compete with me for my little sister (Daughter).

Second, Elena and Shanna often clashed. Mom (Shanna) is so annoying. She's always competing with me for Gege (Bell).

Of course, those two little cracks did not damage the family's overall harmony. Instead, they made that happiness feel more real and more precious.

"All right, stop crying, both of you," William said helplessly. "It's not like Bell isn't coming back. Besides, today wasn't without good news. At least we got to see The Boy Who Lived—Harry Potter. Cheer up."

At least William was in quite a good mood right now. It was not just because he had seen Potter. William only enjoyed the spectacle and did not really think it was a big deal. More importantly, Bell had left home for school, which meant William had moved up one rank in the family hierarchy! He was still at the bottom, but there was a difference between being third out of three and fourth out of four!