Ever since Sirius Black escaped from prison, everyone has become busy, including Diana.
She wasn't home today, and the house was empty.
As soon as Chris returned, he headed straight to the study to continue writing reports. By the looks of it, he's likely going to pull an all-nighter.
A "branch" swayed and climbed onto Kael's shoulder...
"Long time no see, Groot."
"And you, Tom... Wait, why do I feel you've gotten fatter than a month ago."
The Kneazle, Tom, originally intended to greet him, but upon hearing these words, he turned around and left, leaving Kael with his tail held high.
Kael didn't mind. After greeting the two animal members of the household, he returned to his room upstairs, opened a suitcase, and poured some items onto the table.
This was one of the reasons for not wanting to stay at the Leaky Cauldron.
The Aurors have too many diverse abilities, just like Mad-Eye Moody, who possesses a Magic Eye that can see through all objects.
Although he has retired long ago, no one knows if there are others with similar abilities among the Aurors.
Just in case, Kael always adjusts the suitcase to Muggle mode after discovering them at the Leaky Cauldron, which is too inconvenient.
It's better this way; at least there's no worry about anyone suddenly barging into his room for a forced suitcase search.
Newt encountered this kind of situation when he was young, although he was in other countries at the time; it's still necessary to be cautious.
After all, he has a Fire Dragon in his suitcase, and if discovered, he might face the same treatment as Sirius Black.
Kael sat down at the table and poured all the Dragon Blood he harvested in Romania into the small bottles he bought in Diagon Alley.
The previous bottles were too large, and this makes it more convenient to use. Along with other materials, herbs, and mementos, Kael organized them separately before placing them back into the suitcase.
Because there were too many things, coupled with Bowtruckle and Niffler constantly causing trouble, by the time Kael finished tidying up, it was already late at night.
Having been away from home for a month, as soon as Kael lay down on his familiar bed, a drowsy sleepiness overwhelmed him.
The next morning, with a head of messy hair, Chris took him to King's Cross Station.
"Are you here to wait for the Weasleys?"
By Platform 9¾, Chris rubbed his eyes and said, "I think we should be quicker than them."
"In fact, Mr. Chris, they entered the platform five minutes ago."
A cheerful voice came from behind them.
The two turned around simultaneously, only to find a strange witch standing behind them.
"You are..." Chris frowned.
"Oh, I almost forgot." The witch hurriedly shook her head.
Her face quickly turned youthful, and her hair changed from chestnut to a very light blue.
"I should have thought of that." Chris rubbed his forehead, "Long time no see, Tonks."
"Not long." Nymphadora Tonks said with a smile, "We just met last night, only you didn't recognize me."
Last night, the old witch drinking honey wine there was her.
"Recognizing a Metamorphmagus in a crowd isn't easy." Chris smiled, patted Kael's shoulder, "This is my son, Kael.
Kael, this is Nymphadora Tonks, the youngest Auror in the Ministry of Magic."
After hearing Chris's words, Tonks's hair quickly turned bubblegum pink and white.
But strangely, the passersby did not notice this at all.
"We know each other," she said, "I watched Kael get sorted; I was in seventh year then."
Kael nodded as well.
He had indeed seen Tonks, but he wasn't familiar with her.
Though both were in Hufflepuff, Tonks became an apprentice Auror by the time she was in seventh grade, rarely staying at school.
Kael had only seen her once during the sorting, that's all.
"I almost forgot, you are only six years older than Kael." Chris rubbed his head.
Seeing his tired look, Tonks curiously asked, "How many reports did you write yesterday?"
"Eight." Chris sighed, "Starting from noon yesterday, I only finished half an hour ago."
"You only went to Romania; is there any need to write so many?"
"I don't know why, but starting last year, the reports I have to write have just kept increasing."
"The same goes for us." Tonks's hair turned gray, "I never thought before that as an Auror, I'd still be dealing with reports every day... I'm in the office more than doing assignments."
Tonks complained a bit more until a tall wizard walked over, making her shut her mouth and pretend nothing happened.
"Kingsley!" Chris greeted.
This was the person reading the newspaper at the Leaky Cauldron yesterday.
However, Kael didn't join their subsequent conversation,
By this time, the train was about to depart, and with Kingsley walking over, he had already passed through the wall, entering Platform 9¾.
The Hogwarts Express was still in the same spot, puffing smoke, and the platform was bustling with people sending off their children.
Fred and George appeared one on each side of Kael.
"Why did you come so late? The train's about to leave." Fred said.
"We thought you were planning to catch a flying car to Hogwarts." George put an arm around his shoulders.
"We just ran into someone outside, took a bit longer." Kael said, "Nymphadora Tonks, you should know her."
"Of course, the Metamorphmagus."
"A notable figure from a few years ago, quite famous."
"But I remember she's already an Auror, right…" Fred thought and said, "Probably because of that Sirius Black, that's why she's at King's Cross Station."
"Afraid he might mix in with the students' parents?"
"It's the only explanation that makes sense."
"Do they really think Black would go to Hogwarts?"
At this time, a loud train whistle sounded, causing Fred and George to stop discussing Tonks, and they quickly headed toward the train with Kael.
The platform guards were closing the train doors, and the three sped up, managing to board before the guards closed the door.
"You have to check out Percy."
In the corridor, Fred revealed a wicked grin, "We altered his badge."
"Until now he hasn't noticed the words on the badge have turned into a giant head."