The next day.
King's Cross Station, before Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Escorted by Rand, Kate passed through the stone wall, which had been enchanted with a Confundus Charm, and immediately saw a deep red steam train parked beside the tracks.
The surroundings were filled with young wizards coming to school and the families sending them off, all intermingled with the cries of owls and cats.
The entire platform was immersed in the atmosphere of the impending start of the school term.
Kate looked at the excited faces, as tender and young as her own, and then at the parents guarding those faces.
When the 'mythical beasts' return to school, the parents are probably the happiest of all, though they happen to be unable to show it before the children leave.
She lamented silently, her ears catching some noisy clamor.
Turning her head, she saw several boys with red hair pushing their trolleys, surrounding a skinny, black-haired little boy as they walked forward.
Kate's brow twitched. Upon seeing the boy's broken glasses and the red hair surrounding him, she recognized his identity.
The Savior designated by Dumbledore...
Who cares if he's designated or not? In any case, as long as this person is around, she can continue to lay low and survive.
"Grandpa Rand!" She raised her head and extended her hands toward Rand.
Rand immediately bent down and gave her a warm hug: "Do not be nervous. They are all your peers."
He believed that after studying with Newt for a year, his Young Lady would surely no longer fear strangers as she had before.
But the thought of this child, whom he had watched grow up—who was like a granddaughter to him—going off to school caused a wave of complex emotions in Rand's heart.
"Mn, I won't be afraid!"
Kate nodded obediently, tugging at his hand as she softly instructed, "Grandpa Rand, you must take care of your health. Wait for me to come back healthy and strong!"
Rand smiled at her words. "Alright, we must both take care of ourselves."
Truth be told, although Rand had always been physically robust, he was, after all, over seventy years old; some aches and pains were inevitable.
Now having his assurance, even though Kate was still concerned in her heart, she could only let go of him. Carrying the cage containing Fluffball alone, she flowed with the crowd into the train.
The first few carriages were already packed with students, so Kate could only move toward the back along with the influx of students.
Just as she reached the door of a compartment, she saw someone actively step out from inside and greet her with surprise: "Kate! You really came to school!"
Kate paused for a moment before realizing that this smiling girl was Cho Chang.
Cho Chang had already changed into her school robes. The blue of Ravenclaw embellished her tie, making her appear increasingly elegant and serene.
It was just that this serenity, set off by her delighted expression, gained a few degrees of liveliness.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Kate smiled politely. "I thought I would have to wait until the Sorting Ceremony."
She glanced inside and saw three girls already seated there. Judging by their age, they should also be second-year students.
"That's right," Cho Chang took her arm. "Do you want to come in and sit? There happens to be a seat here!"
Kate hesitated.
Before the summer vacation ended, she had made an agreement with Hermione to sit in the same compartment.
"I'm sorry, I made plans with someone else. Look." She smiled apologetically and pointed to a compartment not far ahead.
Hermione was already waiting at the door, her eyes bright as she waved at her.
Only then did Cho Chang withdraw her hand, her words carrying a hint of regret: "Right, you should sit with your sister."
"We'll all be in the same school from now on; seeing each other won't be difficult," Kate said, nodding slightly to her, before carrying the cage toward Hermione.
Regarding this character, who was Harry Potter's first love interest in the original work, Kate didn't have any particular thoughts. She just felt that the girl looked better than in the movies and was exceptionally friendly to her.
Making a friend wouldn't be a bad thing.
Seeing Hermione waving at her from a distance, Kate felt helpless in her heart, yet her feet moved two steps at a time toward her.
"Have you been waiting long?"
She raised her hand wanting to ruffle Hermione's hair, but remembering what the little friend had told her, she had to settle for tweaking her nose instead.
Hermione held her head high and asked curiously, "Who was that person talking to you just now?"
"That was Cho Chang. We just exchanged greetings when we met."
Kate answered generously. She reached out and placed the cage containing Fluffball on the compartment table, then looked at Hermione, who was still blocking her way.
"What? Just because I greeted someone else, you won't let me in?"
For some reason, even though it was a very ordinary tease, it made the usually bold little lion blush instantly.
"That's not it! Come in if you want!" As she spoke, Hermione finally stepped aside.
This provoked another burst of laughter from Kate. Just as she was about to enter, she heard a young male voice from behind: "Are you that Kate from the Shafiq family?"
This slightly impolite tone made Kate frown. She turned around to look, and sure enough, it was a certain little entitled aristocrat.
Sigh, standing in the aisle for too long just makes it easy to run into acquaintances.
Kate glanced at the other party's rather arrogant little face, then looked at the hand he was extending.
"I am Draco Malfoy. We met in Diagon Alley before."
Tsk, although his attitude is a bit annoying...
She calmly extended her hand and shook his briefly, saying coolly, "I know. Uncle Lucius's son."
Hearing this, Malfoy smiled smugly: "My father said you are also a member of a pure-blood family. Do you want to come sit in the compartment over there with me?"
"Is that so?" Kate glanced thoughtfully at the people behind him.
The one with short hair and an especially huge build should be Gregory Goyle; the other short and chubby one should be Vincent Crabbe.
Both were Malfoy's little lackeys.
As for the girl standing at the very back, almost completely blocked from view by the two big hulks in front, that was probably Pansy Parkinson, who had always adored Malfoy.
"It seems Young Master Malfoy's compartment can't fit anymore people, right?" She spread her hands, putting on a look of helplessness.
Malfoy's face stiffened upon hearing this. He looked at his followers with some annoyance. "Then forget it this time! Next time we can..."
"Then let's talk next time." Kate didn't give him a chance to finish and slammed the compartment door shut with a snap.
Leaving a livid Malfoy standing in the aisle. To make matters worse, the anger that had been provoked couldn't be unleashed on Kate inside the compartment.
"What are you still standing there for? The train is about to leave, find a compartment quickly!" He roared at his followers in humiliation and annoyance, then hurriedly left the area.
As for Kate, she looked innocently at Hermione, whom she had been blocking inside the whole time.
"You saw it too. They were the ones looking for trouble first."
Interpreting Malfoy's obvious attempt to recruit her as 'looking for trouble'—perhaps only Kate could tell such a bare-faced lie with her eyes wide open.
____
________________________________________
🌸 Help Love Bloom!
Our girls need a little push... and you can help!
💖 Gift for Everyone: Once we hit 100 Powerstones, I'll release +1 bonus chapter to warm your hearts.
🚀 Community Reward: If we reach 20 supporting members, we'll have a +5 chapter marathon across all stories! The romance won't stop.
👻 Come to our secret corner: Search for GirlsLove on (P). You know that's where the magic happens... 😉