Not far away, the Weasley family just pushed their luggage over when Arthur's eyes lit up, and he pulled Molly over to join them.
He was already full of curiosity about everything Muggle, and seeing the Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy chatting so naturally with Muggle parents only fueled his curiosity.
Good afternoon, Mr. Malfoy. Mrs. Malfoy!
Arthur laughed heartily, completely unconcerned about Pure-blood prejudice.
"I didn't expect you Mr. and Mrs. Granger. There must be a lot of interesting things in the Muggle world, right?"
Molly gently tugged at her husband's sleeve, then politely nodded, "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Granger, Hermione is such a wonderful girl."
" Weasley." Lucius didn't give a cold look, just responded calmly.
Narcissa maintained an elegant smile, which served as a greeting.
This completely stunned the wizards who were watching the spectacle!
The fact that a Malfoy, Wesley, and Muggle family could coexist peacefully at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters is even more astonishing than the change of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Just then, Ginny ran over and greeted them, " Hermione, Draco, hello!"
" Ginny, are you ready to welcome Hogwarts?" Hermione asked with a gentle smile.
Ginny blushed slightly and nodded vigorously.
"Yes! I've been ready for a long time... Now I can finally go to school with everyone."
A moment later, another group of redheads surged in from behind:
Ron, George, Fred, Percy all rushed over.
" Hermione! Shall we be in the same carriage again this year? Draco, are you coming too?" Ron grinned at Hermione.
As soon as he finished speaking, George put his arm around his shoulder George teased him in an exaggerated tone, " Ron, you should be more sensible. Young couples need some private space."
"Exactly, stop being a third wheel!" Fred chimed in.
"No way! I was just asking! Who wants to be a third wheel?" Ron's face flushed instantly, his tone tinged with embarrassment and annoyance.
As he spoke, he secretly glanced at Draco and Hermione, "Anyway, the carriage is so big, what's wrong with sitting together!"
Hearing the twins' teasing, Ginny's eyes first fell on Draco's arm around Hermione's shoulder, her gaze pausing slightly, a hint of barely perceptible disappointment flashing across her face.
But she quickly composed herself, and a sweet smile returned to her face. However, the look in her eyes as she looked at Draco was less shy and more relieved.
She gently tugged at Ron's sleeve and whispered to his rescue, " Ron, don't argue with George and Fred, they just like to joke around."
After saying that, she looked at Draco and Hermione, " Draco, Hermione, if you want to be alone, that's fine too. We can stay in the next carriage."
In response, Hermione stepped forward, naturally took Ginny's arm, and pulled the little girl to her side to talk to her.
"Don't listen to them. The carriages are so big, it's more lively when everyone's crammed together."
"Watch your words and actions, this is a platform. By the way, I've seen your second-year timetable, Herbology will be more difficult—" Percy said in a serious tone.
Before he could finish speaking, Fred covered his mouth. " Percy, you can recite your Prefect's quotes after school starts!"
The adults couldn't help but laugh as they watched the children making a ruckus.
Finally, the Mr. and Mrs. Granger hugged Hermione and said, "Take care of yourself and write home."
The Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy also gave Draco a few words of advice.
The Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gave each of them specific instructions.
After the farewells, the group, carrying their luggage, chatted and laughed as they boarded the Hogwarts Express.
Draco naturally took Hermione's small suitcase as well and led her towards the carriage.
After the farewells, the group, carrying their luggage, chatted and laughed as they boarded the Hogwarts Express.
Ginny followed Draco and Hermione obediently like a little tail as they headed straight for the second-year carriage.
Ron reached out to stop her, then smiled helplessly, " Ginny, the first-year carriage is on the other side. You've come to the wrong one."
Ginny looked up at him. "I want to sit with you... it's more fun here."
Hermione patted the empty seat next to her and said, "It's okay, come here if you want. There's no rule against sitting here on the train. It's just that everyone is used to hanging out with people their own age."
Ginny's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously. "Exactly! I want to sit with Hermione!"
"Oh-- Hermione, you don't care about rules anymore? Draco has made you quite 'unruly,' not bad." Ron was very surprised.
"I'm just being reasonable, not rigidly adhering to the rules. Stop talking nonsense." Hermione's cheeks flushed.
Draco's smile faded, and he said to Ginny in a relatively gentle tone, "It's best for freshmen to get to know their classmates first. It'll make things easier for them in classes and activities later on. You can't just stick with us sophomores forever."
Ginny pouted, a little disappointed, but still obediently nodded. "Okay... I'll come find you after class."
Hermione smiled and waved at her, Ginny ran towards the first-year carriage, glancing back every few steps.
A moment later, Harry came briskly over carrying his schoolbag, saw them at a glance, and sat down with a smile:
"Finally found you! I was worried you'd been kidnapped by the Geminis and taken to the prank carriage."
The group had barely exchanged a few words when Neville, carrying a toad cage, timidly poked his head in.
Hermione, may I sit here?
Draco glanced around the carriage. " Neville, let's look somewhere else."
Neville suddenly became aggrieved. "W-why...?"
Draco pointed to the seats in the carriage. "Four seats in one carriage is just right, we're already full."
"Indeed, back in first grade, the six of us squeezed into a tiny cubicle. We couldn't even stretch our legs out; it was so uncomfortable," Ron chimed in.
Harry laughed in agreement, "I remember I was huddled in a corner the whole time, and I almost got squeezed out of the Chocolate Frog."
Neville gripped the cage handles tightly, even more terrified. "Then... where should I go?"
He only dares to say a few words when he's with Hermione and Draco; he gets incredibly nervous in unfamiliar environments.
Draco thought for a moment and offered a reliable suggestion, "Go to Goyle and Crabbe's place. They're quite empty there. Besides, what are you, a Gryffindor, afraid of?"
"Nobody dares to sit where they are, and besides, they're Draco's underlings, they won't bully you," Ron said.
Neville hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Then, I'll go now... Thank you."
After saying that, he picked up the toad, slowly turned around, and left.
Not long after Neville left, Lavender and Parvati also came over with smiles, trying to squeeze into the carriage.
Draco repeated the same excuse.
The two girls had also squeezed in with Hermione and the others back then, and they also felt uncomfortable with too many people, so they could only regretfully say "See you when school starts" and then went next door with a smile.