Final Preparations Before School

After buying their wands, the group ran into Molly, who had brought her child to buy textbooks and other supplies.

"Good afternoon, it's lovely to see you, dear Lily, Evita, James, and Sirius," Molly said warmly. "You're here to buy books too, aren't you?"

She was plump and kind-faced, and she hugged each of them in turn. "Bill received his Hogwarts acceptance letter a little while ago too."

The tall boy beside her, who had the Weasley family's characteristic red hair, also greeted them. He stood beside his mother and looked very gentle.

The two groups soon parted ways. Evita headed out of Diagon Alley, kicking pebbles along the ground. Suddenly, she said unhappily, "Why are students only allowed to bring owls or Kneazles? It's such a shame they won't let me bring anything else to school."

"Obviously, parents wouldn't want to see a dragon or other dangerous creatures at school," James replied, "even if that would be cool."

"And you should be careful, too. Don't let anyone catch you experimenting on Fantastic Beasts. A student was expelled for that once. You can't let anyone find out you're keeping particularly dangerous animals either, or the parents will join forces to have you expelled," he added.

Evita cupped her face, growing even more forlorn. "If I had a manor... I could keep them all outside."

"It's just," she murmured, "how much land and how many Galleons would that take?"

"There's an Owlery at school, so you could choose a Kneazle or a toad," Lily suggested. "James and I had a cat once, until that happened," she said vaguely. "I really hope it ran away."

"Looks like I can only bring my Kneazle," Evita said regretfully. "I wish I could have a room to myself."

"I sincerely hope your wish comes true," Sirius said solemnly.

"If it does, I'll write to thank you, Sirius."

Harry waved his hand, and Evita crouched down to look at him. "What is it, Harry?"

"It will come true," the little boy said with a serious face. "Mum says children's wishes won't be disappointed, so my wish is for Evita to have a room to herself."

"Harry!" Evita was deeply touched. "I'll make sure you eat all the best things from now on!"

"Don't we get to eat sweet things?" Harry, who was very fond of treacle tart, asked gloomily.

"It's actually just an expression."

Lily picked Harry up, planted a big kiss on him, and announced cheerfully, "How about we have your favourite tart today?"

Harry instantly stopped being gloomy and clapped happily. He was still so little that he rarely got to eat sweets; even with the ice cream earlier, he had only eaten a little fruit.

Time flew, and September 1, 1982 arrived. At ten in the morning, the group reached King's Cross Station.

Bustling crowds filled the station as far as the eye could see. Quite a few people greeted Lily and the others, but no one came over.

"Yes, this is it," Lily said. "Between platforms nine and ten. We have to slip through without being noticed."

"Don't be afraid," Newt reassured her. He had arrived by Apparition with Tina. "We'll go through with you and see you onto the train. It's just like passing through a giant bubble."

Tina bent down and hugged Evita. "Queenie wanted to see you off too, but she's simply too far away, so I wouldn't agree to let her come. Oh, and Weiwei, listening to people's thoughts is still too advanced for you. Queenie has decided to wait until you're a little older to teach you."

"I know." Evita smiled and went through first, where she saw the Hogwarts Express.

Then she turned around and said goodbye to everyone.

"I hope you're sorted into Gryffindor," Sirius said. "Trust me, that old Sorting Hat listens to what students want."

The Sorting Hat... Evita remembered the history of Hogwarts she had once read. It mentioned four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.

"There are two very cool things inside, and instructions came with the package," James said, patting Evita on the shoulder and waggling his eyebrows. "Have a good look when you get to your dormitory."

Lupin, who looked more energetic than he once had, smiled gently. "Most of the preparations for the shop are finished. I'll write to you when the time comes."

Reluctant to part with her, Tina kissed Evita on the cheek. "Weiwei, although Adele never attended this school, she'll be proud of you no matter which house you're in."

Newt hugged her too. "Weiwei, you're more than welcome to keep writing to me..."

"Whatever happens, you can write and tell us." The increasingly elderly man spoke gently, still a little shy and awkward as he had been in his youth.

Finally, Lily kissed Evita on the forehead and, holding Harry's hand, said goodbye to their young friend.

Evita waved both hands, then boarded the train. She easily lifted her trunk into a compartment and carefully set her suitcase, which had been switched to right-hand storeroom mode, on the table before sitting down.

The system's functions really are powerful... Evita thought. The suitcase was light and portable, yet had an enormous amount of space. It didn't even matter if she lost it, because the suitcase was essentially connected to the system and could be recalled at any time.

She breathed gently on the window and drew on it with her finger, first a rabbit, then a long snake.

The train soon set off, speeding past fields full of cattle and sheep. No one entered the compartment, though, and it seemed there weren't many new students starting this year.

At half past twelve, a pleasant-faced witch knocked on the door. "Would you like to buy anything?"

The trolley she was pushing was laden with food such as Chocolate Frogs and Cauldron Cakes, some of which Evita hadn't even seen in Diagon Alley.

Interested, Evita bought a little of everything and ate in her seat. Then she hugged her Kneazle and fell straight asleep.

After some time, the train slowly came to a stop, and a rough voice shouted at the top of its lungs, "First years! All first years over here!"

He was a very tall man, and none of the students present came up to his waist. The first years followed him along a path, and as the view opened up, they saw an enormous black lake, with a castle towering on the hillside opposite.

They crossed the Black Lake in boats of four, then headed toward the Great Hall under the tall man's lead. The man, Hagrid, greeted an older witch in green robes, saying, "Professor McGonagall, the first years are all here."