Beside the Hogwarts Express, the platform was bustling with the atmosphere of farewells and the anticipation of summer vacation.
With his trunk floating beside him, Lynn looked at Edgar, William, and Ollie standing before him, deliberately putting on a deeply emotional expression as if they were parting forever:
"In case I don't see ya, good morning, good afternoon, and good night."
Edgar made a gagging face, while William gave him a direct shove from behind, pushing him toward the carriage door.
"Alright, alright, stop being so dramatic.
Save that for the day you actually leave this world; it's not like we won't see each other next semester."
Lynn stumbled and took the opportunity to duck into the carriage, turning back to complain: "Hey! William! Don't be so violent~ You've ruined the warm atmosphere of our farewell!"
"Gag~" × 3
His three roommates made sounds of disgust in unison.
The train whistle blew long and loud. The rhythmic chugging gradually quickened, and the steam whistle announced the start of the journey.
Spewing white steam, the train slowly pulled out of the station, crossing the vast Scottish Highlands and rushing rivers, heading toward King's Cross Station in London...
When the train arrived, the familiar Platform Nine and Three-Quarters became lively once again.
Promises of "See you next term!", "Remember to write!", and "Contact me by owl!" were heard everywhere.
Carrying his trunk, Lynn walked out of the station with the crowd, thinking to himself: Should I consider getting a home in the wizarding world? It would make buying magic materials more convenient.
Living alone all the time is quite boring... Maybe I should move next door to Edgar's house?
That should be fine, right? The idea seems quite feasible.
"Hey! Lynn!"
A familiar female voice came from nearby.
Lynn turned and saw Hermione dragging her trunk, waving at him from not far away.
"Oh, Hermione, haven't your parents arrived yet?" Lynn walked over and asked.
"Not yet, but they should be here soon."
Hermione checked her watch and then said enthusiastically, "By the way, where do you live? When my parents arrive, we can give you a lift."
"How could I impose like that?" Lynn said politely, but his body was very honest as he immediately gave his address. "I live at Hampstead Manor in North London."
"Hampstead? That's great! It's not far from my house!" Hermione's eyes lit up. "Then... can I come find you during the holidays... to discuss schoolwork or... um... hang out?"
She seemed to feel that simply saying "hang out" didn't fit her studious persona, so she added the bit about schoolwork at the last second.
"You're welcome anytime~" Lynn agreed readily, but then added a condition, "But preferably not in the morning."
"Why?" Hermione asked, puzzled.
Lynn grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. "Hehe~ I can't get out of bed. Holidays are for sleeping; studying and all that can wait."
Hermione: "..."
She was speechless at such a "degenerate" holiday plan, but thinking of Lynn's straight "O" grades, she didn't seem to have any grounds to argue.
The two waited at the station entrance for a while until a car pulled into a parking space. A well-dressed, kind-looking couple stepped out.
"Are those your parents?" Lynn, sharp-eyed, pointed at the couple.
"Where? Let me see."
Hermione looked in the direction Lynn was pointing and immediately jumped up in excitement, waving her arms. "Dad! Mum! Over here, I'm over here!"
Hearing their daughter's voice, Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked over and immediately saw their darling daughter running toward them, and... a young boy dragging a trunk behind her?!
In an instant, alarm bells rang in Mr. Granger's head as a terrifying thought emerged: Merlin... oh no, God! Hermione! She's only been at school for a year! Has she already been... snatched up?!
"Dad, Mum, let me introduce you. This is my classmate, Lynn." Hermione ran to her parents and introduced him happily.
"Hello, Mr. Granger, Mrs. Granger." Lynn stepped forward and greeted them politely with proper manners.
However, to Mr. Granger, who was currently in a state of high alert, his daughter's words were automatically translated as: Dad, this is the boyfriend I found at school.
And Lynn's polite greeting became: Old man! My car—no, my broom—is parked downstairs. I've come to take your daughter home!
Mrs. Granger noticed her husband's lapse in composure and quietly nudged him with her elbow, then gave Lynn a warm smile. "Hello, Lynn. We're very happy that Hermione has made friends at school."
"Oh, right, well, it's nice to meet you," Mr. Granger finally reacted and said quickly.
In the car, the atmosphere became much more harmonious.
Mrs. Granger sat in the passenger seat and chatted with Lynn, who was in the back.
"Lynn, how are your grades at Hogwarts?" She picked a safe topic that all parents care about.
Lynn was looking at the scenery outside the window; hearing this, he turned his head and replied in a very "modest" tone: "They're alright, I suppose. Just 'O's in every subject."
Hearing this, Mrs. Granger looked at her daughter in the back seat with a questioning gaze: What does all 'O's mean?
Hermione received her mother's signal and explained, "Mum, what he calls 'alright' means he's first in the year! All 'O's means the highest possible score in everything!"
Mrs. Granger: "..."
She was momentarily at a loss for words, her gaze toward Lynn filled with a bit more surprise.
This child is quite... low-key.
She thought for a moment and then asked a slightly deeper question. "Then in your family... how many people are there? Are your parents wizards too?" She thought she might learn a bit about his background.
Lynn's expression didn't change, and he still replied calmly: "Just me."
Mrs. Granger:!!!
Realizing she might have asked something she shouldn't have, an apologetic look immediately appeared on her face. "Oh! Sorry, Lynn, I..."
"It's alright, Ma'am," Lynn interrupted her, a hint of indifference even showing on his face. "I've long since gotten used to it."
This scene is so familiar, Lynn thought to himself. It seemed that not long after school started, Hermione had asked a similar question in the library.
Like mother, like daughter?
...
The car pulled up smoothly in front of a beautiful detached house near Hampstead Manor.
Lynn got out of the car with his trunk.
"Thank you for driving me back."
"You're welcome, Lynn."
Mrs. Granger said with a smile. After talking throughout the journey, her impression of this boy—who had excellent grades, proper manners, a bit of a penchant for sleeping in, and an independence that made one's heart ache—had greatly improved.
"When you have time, come over with Hermione. You're welcome anytime."
"I will." Lynn nodded with a smile, then waved at Hermione, who was leaning against the car window, watching the car slowly drive away.
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