The unknown made people uneasy. Although Harry looked forward to the wizarding world with eager anticipation, he was still startled when he saw Hagrid use his umbrella to send the boat speeding along.
Lorne steadied Harry to keep him from being thrown out of the suddenly accelerating boat.
As he touched Harry, Lorne could not help frowning. Harry's little frame was like a stalk of straw; his hand could clearly feel the shape of Harry's bones.
"Good heavens, you're far too thin, Harry," Lorne said, patting his shoulder. "Make sure you eat more once you get to Hogwarts."
Afraid of making Harry feel inferior, Lorne did not mention Vernon and Petunia's abuse of him.
"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Myles." Harry's eyes shone.
"Just call me Lorne in private, but at school, you need to call me Director." Lorne paused, then stressed, "Director, not Professor."
But perhaps because of the professional manner Lorne had displayed while speaking with Aunt Petunia earlier, Harry did not dare address him by his first name.
The name "Hagrid," on the other hand, rolled off his tongue quite easily.
"Director Lorne, what were you talking to my aunt about?"
"Just a few little tips and suggestions about choosing Muggle schools." Lorne spread his hands. "You know, because of Dudley, she's always treated that sort of thing as gospel."
As they disembarked, Harry watched Lorne pull a sackful of things out of the boat and could not help asking, "What's that, Director?"
"A few unremarkable little things, but they can be a big help."
Hagrid helped lift the sack as though it were a handbag. He could even tuck it inside his clothes without any effort.
Another shopping trip.
Harry withdrew the Potter Family inheritance from Gringotts and, as he had hoped, bought everything he needed. Hagrid also gave him an owl.
He learned from Ollivander that You-Know-Who had killed his parents. Under his questioning, Hagrid told Harry everything that had happened back then.
Harry could not help sinking into grief.
Lorne stepped in and treated them to ice cream again. This time, Hagrid ate very carefully.
"Never thought I'd get to have ice cream twice on this trip."
"Twice?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"Lorne and I were just here yesterday. He bought loads of books, too," Hagrid said casually.
Afraid that Harry finding out he could not yet do magic would damage his reputation, Lorne hurriedly changed the subject. "Harry, this is for you. September first-don't be late."
It was a train ticket.
"Wait, Director Lorne, is there a mistake? Platform Nine and Three-Quarters? How do I get there?"
"Don't worry, Harry. I'll be waiting for you there." Lorne patted Harry's head.
In the film, only a single scene separated Hagrid's departure from Harry's trip to the platform, so many people thought Harry had gone straight to Hogwarts after finishing his shopping.
But Harry's birthday was actually on July thirty-first, while Hogwarts started on September first. There was still a month in between.
Harry still had another month to wait.
Thinking of what the Dursleys were like, Lorne took some loose change and an envelope out of his pocket and placed them in Harry's hands.
"Galleons aren't accepted in the Muggle world, Harry. I suggest taking some pounds back with you next time. Your aunt might treat you a little better that way."
"Use this change to buy yourself something to eat. I won't have any use for pounds at Hogwarts. Also, give this envelope to your aunt. It contains a recommendation letter I wrote for admission to an advanced class at Smeltings, though it's fake."
"But if telling a little lie can make your life a bit better, why not?"
Harry was deeply moved. He tightly clutched the things Lorne had given him, his heart softening.
Hagrid also stepped forward to say goodbye. "Bye, Harry. I'll be waiting for you at Hogwarts. I'll introduce you to my Fang then."
A month later.
Harry pushed his trolley through the crowd, searching in bewilderment.
This had been the best month he had ever spent at Aunt Petunia's house. He had his own room, could go out whenever he liked, and even Dudley no longer bullied him for no reason.
It was all thanks to Director Lorne's letter.
"They even have a reception desk now? Are there really people who don't even know how to get to Hogwarts?"
"Oh, heavens, why didn't we have anything this nice when we were first-years?"
"Director of the General Affairs Office? How come I never knew Hogwarts had that position?"
Hearing the familiar title, Harry immediately pushed his trolley over. Amid the surrounding crowd stood a table with a distinctly postmodern design.
Lorne sat in a chair, with an enchanted banner behind him reading, "Hogwarts first-year reception desk."
Ever since returning with Hagrid, he had been pondering how to welcome the new students. First, he had reported the event to Dumbledore and secured his wholehearted support on the grounds of "strengthening a sense of belonging at Hogwarts."
On the day he picked up Harry, he had already bought plenty of little things: welcome badges, greeting cards, little pouches, and the like. Although they were all Muggle products with no distinctive Hogwarts features, all they needed was a little magical alteration.
He could not do magic, but people who could were the one thing Hogwarts had no shortage of.
He had Professor McGonagall use Transfiguration to make the badges more delicate and attractive. Professor McGonagall also placed a Constant Temperature Charm and an Anti-Loss Charm on them. What a wonderfully considerate teacher!
Professor Flitwick took the greeting cards away to modify them. Now, opening one would reveal a three-dimensional projection of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Professor Sprout filled the pouches with mild herbs that smelled wonderfully soothing. With Lorne's guidance, she also named the pouches sachets and praised Lorne as an inventor.
As for Professor Snape, he merely left them with the word "pointless" before going off to busy himself brewing his potions.
Finally, Lorne packed everything together in elegant gift boxes, added a few snacks he had filched from Dumbledore, and the new-student welcome packages were ready.
Incidentally, even the banner behind him had been enchanted. People without magic could not see the words on it at all.
Harry was too short. Pushing his trolley, he could not squeeze his way to the front.
"Excuse me," he could only ask the person beside him, "how do I get to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters?"
The tall boy spotted Harry beside him and immediately shouted toward the front, "Make way! There's a new student here!"
The crowd instantly parted to clear a path.
Lorne sat upright in his chair. Once he saw who had arrived, he called out, "Harry, you're finally here."