The next day, the first school year ended, and students embarked on their journeys home.
Charlie dragged his suitcase towards the Hogwarts Express.
The station was bustling with people, just as it had been at the start of the school year.
Even before the train departed, Harry looked reluctant to leave.
"Charlie, I'll miss you."
Charlie:??
No need, your longing disgusts me.
Charlie squeezed himself further away from Harry.
Ron sighed.
"Don't mind Charlie, Harry's been like this all morning."
"He really doesn't want to go home."
Harry's eyes widened as if he'd heard something unbelievable.
"Home? Oh, Ron, if that place can be called home, then Snape's office can certainly be a bedroom."
"I swear if I could, I'd rather stay at Hogwarts until graduation."
Harry continued to ramble on.
Charlie ignored his peculiar analogy and instead pulled out a parchment, which was the school's summer holiday notice.
It was densely written with various rules, the most important of which was: It is forbidden to use magic outside of school to avoid exposing the magical world to Muggles.
"little system."
Charlie called out to the system in his mind.
"What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
"Can you deal with this Trace that restricts magic?"
"How could Your Majesty's whereabouts be discovered? Your servant has long since removed the Trace from Your Majesty's wand."
Charlie nodded in satisfaction.
No wonder the Ministry of Magic hadn't discovered him using magic outside of school before.
The train slowly started, and Hogwarts Castle became smaller and smaller in view, eventually disappearing behind the mountains.
A few hours later, the train arrived at King's Cross Station.
Charlie said goodbye to everyone, dragging his luggage through the barrier of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and returning to the Muggle world.
Hermione greeted her father and looked at Charlie's retreating back with a complex expression.
This semester, Hermione was first in her year, and Charlie was second.
History of Magic had dragged Charlie down, but in all other subjects, both of them had perfect scores.
But Hermione deeply understood one thing: some people get full marks because their ability is full marks, while others get full marks because the test only has so many points.
She thought about how diligently she had worked all semester yet was still left behind by Charlie, feeling a bit discouraged.
Mr. Granger was a gentle man, and he keenly noticed Hermione's unusual mood.
So he stroked his daughter's head:
"What's wrong, my little Witch?"
Hermione confided in her father.
"Dad, what if someone is so strong that you can never catch up?"
Mr. Granger immediately understood that his daughter was feeling disheartened.
However, he thought this was a good thing; no one's life is always smooth sailing.
It's better to experience the storms earlier than later.
He offered comfort:
"Why must you insist on catching up to that person? As long as you keep improving in the process of chasing, that's good enough."
"Believe me, when you have a goal, progress is always the fastest."
Hermione felt as if a cloud had lifted and she saw the light. Only she knew how much she had improved this semester; even Professor McGonagall often praised her.
It only seemed insignificant when compared to Charlie.
But why compare herself to him? He wasn't even human, a pure monster.
Thinking of this, Hermione's mood brightened, and she decided to continue following Charlie's footsteps.
This summer, she would pre-study all the second-year textbooks.
Charlie had changed back into Muggle clothes on the train, so no one noticed him walk out of the wall.
He hailed a taxi, found a nearby gold shop, and exchanged a few gold pieces for a large stack of pounds.
To avoid trouble, Charlie used a Confundo to make the owner believe he was doing business with a tattooed gangster.
Half an hour later, Bethnal Green Road Orphanage in East London.
Charlie paid the fare and dragged his luggage towards the main door.
He knocked on the door.
Grandma White stood at the doorway, her grey hair neatly combed, and her apron still stained with flour.
When she saw Charlie, a smile instantly bloomed on her face.
"Charlie, you're back."
She opened her arms and hugged Charlie tightly.
This semester, Charlie had gotten smarter and sent several letters back.
Otherwise, Grandma's attitude wouldn't be like this now.
"Let Grandma see, have you lost weight?" Grandma White pulled Charlie from side to side, her eyes full of concern.
"You look decent this semester; you've grown taller."
"Grandma, I'm fine," Charlie said with a smile.
"That's good, that's good," Grandma White sighed in relief.
Charlie followed Grandma into the Orphanage.
Grandma White motioned for Charlie to sit down and poured him a cup of hot tea.
"You rest for a bit; I'll go to the kitchen to prepare dinner."
"Tonight I'll give you an extra meal."
"Grandma, wait." Charlie called out to her, pulling a thick envelope from his pocket.
"This is for you."
Grandma White took the envelope in confusion, opened it, and found a wad of pounds inside.
Her expression instantly changed.
"Charlie, where did this money come from?" Grandma White's voice trembled slightly.
"You didn't do anything dangerous, did you?"
Charlie saw Grandma's worry and quickly explained.
"Don't worry, Grandma, this is a scholarship from the school. I did exceptionally well, and the Principal gave it to me as a special reward."
"Really?" Grandma White was half-convinced.
"Of course, it's real." Charlie patted his chest.
"When have I ever lied to you? If you don't believe me, I'll have the Principal write you a letter."
Grandma White carefully observed Charlie's expression, confirmed he wasn't lying, and then sighed in relief.
"Little Charlie has grown capable." Her eyes were full of pride.
"Thank you, Grandma, for thinking of the Orphanage."
But then she pushed the envelope back.
"But I can't take this money."
Charlie was stunned for a moment.
"Why?"
Grandma White sighed.
"Charlie, it must be difficult for you out there. Grandma can't help you much, so I can only try not to cause you trouble."
She handed the money to Charlie, her eyes complex.
"Taking this money today would indeed make the Orphanage much more comfortable. But this is the first money you've earned, and it's very important to you. You're still young, and you'll need money for many things in the future."
Charlie felt a warmth in his heart.
Grandma was still the same Grandma, always thinking of others, but this money was just a drop in the ocean for him.
He tucked the envelope back into Grandma White's hand.
"Grandma, please don't misunderstand. I just want to eat well at the Orphanage this summer."
"I want to eat meat. Of course, I don't mean that the bread with bread filling you make isn't good."
Grandma White froze, then she laughed and scolded:
"You're complaining about my cooking now? If you don't like it, don't eat it!"
She made a gesture as if to hit Charlie.
Charlie quickly dodged backward.
"I'm just kidding, Grandma's cooking is the most delicious."
After saying that, he darted upstairs.
Grandma White watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but smile.
She looked down at the pounds in her hand, feeling warm inside.
This money was more than enough for one summer; it was enough to improve the Orphanage's meals for more than half a year.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"