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On King's Cross platform, students were greeted by happy parents. Even though last year's meeting had been more lively, as news of the attacks had trickled in - even now, parents were enthusiastically embracing their children, regardless of age, smiling and asking about their studies, news, and so forth. It was easy to see these same parents clustering together in groups based on their interests or whatever. Many former Hufflepuffs stuck together, and as a result, the kids continued to socialize after school as well. There's Madam Bones greeting her niece, for example, and Mr. Diggory fussing around, judging by Cedric coming up to him. There are many such instances.
The ex-Slytherins look more interesting - they're sort of together, but they keep a distance that doesn't oblige them to talk to each other. Ravenclaws and ours scatter to wherever they go, and not necessarily to their parents - those who live in houses connected to the Floo network are quite capable of leaving on their own through the fireplace of a special guarded platform. Apparation is forbidden here.
"And why are you dragging it around?" Hermione nodded at my trunk. "You have all your stuff in your bag anyway."
"I have no idea," I shrugged. "I'm a simple guy - it says carry a trunk. Well, I'm carrying a trunk. You yourself are no better. When will you conjure up a bag with an invisible extension for yourself? I thought you wanted one."
"I will do it — this summer. I've almost got the right rune chain figured out. In my spare time."
"You have free time?" I was surprised, letting Hermione go ahead through the hidden passageway to the regular part of the station, and followed her.
"I pay somewhat less attention to physical training, so, yes, I do have a free hour a day."
We moved measuredly along the platform, maneuvering among the crowds of people rushing somewhere. When we got out of the station and into the parking lot, Hermione immediately spotted her parents' car, as well as Mrs. and Mr. Granger themselves. She waved her hand and almost jumped up and headed toward them, dragging her school trunk, which was tapping its wheels on the pavement merrily. Self-made, by the way, because of the exhausted charms that replaced those very wheels.
John was standing next to the Granger couple, but his BMW was parked a little farther away. While Hermione happily hugged her equally joyful mother, to whom, incidentally, she was already almost equal in height, I calmly walked over to the company.
"Mr. Granger," I greeted the girl's father and nodded to her mom, "Mrs. Granger, good afternoon."
"Hello, young man. What are they feeding you over there that you're growing so fast?"
"Copious three meals a day, ma'am. Hi," I smiled at John, who ruffled my hair with a smile.
"You really have grown."
"Oh, hello," a blushing Hermione did notice the presence of another person and modestly looked down, blushing a little.
"Good day to you too, young miss."
After talking about this and that for about ten minutes, we started to pack for the road, and I helped Hermione throw her heavy suitcase into the trunk of their Range, getting a bone-crushing hug afterward.
"Call, write, don't get lost," Hermione said parting words. "Be sure to let me know when you've arranged an escort to the match."
"Agreed! Fluffy."
"Nope, not anymore," Hermione shook her head with a smile. "You'll have to come up with something new to throw me off balance."
"Yeah? Then I'll go hunt a manticore because the basilisk wasn't enough."
Before I could take a couple of steps, I heard the sound of a small heel on the sidewalk behind me.
"Maximilian Knight! R-r-r..."
Turning around, I can't help but smiled when I saw an outraged Hermione with the tips of her ears slightly flushed, and strands of her hair pulled out from the back of her head.
"No manticores, basilisks, dragons, and Merlin forbid, nundu!" she said quietly, glancing around a couple of times.
"Can I at least get a Dementor? A small, pocket-sized... No? Oh, please, ma'am..."
The scene amused her relatives, and Hermione quickly pulled herself together.
"Okay," she exhaled. "I get it. It's no use. Boys."
"See you soon," I waved goodbye, and John and I walked to his car.
As we drove away from the station, John spoke:
"So, tell me about your studies."
"I'm doing great, no gaps in my knowledge, excellent progress, but I don't stand out too much. The next year Professor Flitwick, a master of several branches of magic, offered to work on another one of his projects. It's a good offer, and working with a wizard like that will reflect very positively on my portfolio."
"I'm glad you're making progress. Home or do you want to stop by the Grimmauld Place?"
"Actually, I could go home, but I would like to please my great-aunt's portrait with my accomplishments," I had already told Knights about living portraits, so the phrase needed no explanation.
"For a long time?"
"No, about ten minutes. I'll talk briefly about my academic and other achievements, show off, so to speak, and then I'll go home."
"All right. Then I'll stop at the coffee shop on the corner, you know where?"
"Sure."
After twenty minutes of driving, John stopped at 11 Grimmauld Place - he couldn't see the twelfth house after all.
"I'm quick," I said to John and closed the car door.
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