Ron-Weasly book 1. V2 part 4-1

Chapter 4 A trip to school.

August flew by unnoticed. I read textbooks, and in the afternoon I flew on an old broom with my brothers. Bill also advised me to do physical exercises, saying that I walk and run a lot if I want to fulfill my dream of exploring the magical world. And it's worth getting a weapon besides a magic wand. He goes to work himself with a long silver-plated knife, almost a sword. Can I buy one too? If they accept me anyway... And his clothes are made of dragon skin.

In the meantime, it's worth going to the hills and foothills to walk with Hanna.

* * *

"Dad, what have you been doing for a week?" My father has been coming home early for six days now and going to his garage, where he has a warehouse of Muggle things.

"Harry asked me to enchant a Muggle cassette player. We need to finish it and send it back to him. I enchant it to run on magic instead of batteries. He paid me five galleons for the job, so I put my Muggle studies aside until I was done with his record player."

* * *

On the first morning of September, I woke up at seven o'clock and couldn't sleep anymore, I was too excited. I got up and put on thin gray trousers and a gray shirt — I probably shouldn't have gone to the train station in a wizard's robe, it was easier to change clothes on the train. Unfortunately, for security reasons, there was only one passage leading to the station and it was on the Muggle side. It's also enchanted to allow only wizards and squibs to pass. Although they do not possess magic in the full sense of the word, they have some abilities. They are very good arithmancers and predictors. But of course they are not accepted at Hogwarts. The platform is universal, so trains depart from it to simpler magic schools. Hogwarts is, in a sense, a school for the elite of the magical world. If you get there, you have high potential and they will try to get their hands on you after graduation. There are too few of us to waste magicians. Even Muggleborns, although they are usually weaker than purebloods and have no clue about our traditions. Therefore, they are accepted into schools in a simpler way. Where they explain everything about the magical world. They say that even Hogwarts used to have a preparatory course on the traditions of the magical world. Both Muggleborns and half-bloods were accepted at ten, for preparatory courses.

I carefully studied the list of necessary books and things sent to me to make sure that I hadn't forgotten anything. I took Bill's light leather jacket out of the closet. I hung it on the back of a chair. After pressing up and shaking my abs, I picked up the Brat on my shoulder and started walking back and forth around the room, waiting for the rest of the inhabitants of the Fox Hole to wake up. Two hours later, my father stuffed huge suitcases into the trunk of our Ford, we all got inside and drove off.

We were at King's Cross station at ten-thirty sharp.

After unloading the suitcases and putting them on the trolleys, we headed to the train station.

There was a large plastic sign with the number nine above one platform, and a similar sign with the number ten above the other. There was nothing in the middle. How many people are here. I've never been in such a crowded place before. Mom put a Muggle distraction charm on us. And we took the trolleys at the station and rolled the suitcases forward, and Dad went to work.

"I thought there'd be a whole bunch of Muggles here..."

A boy with black hair sticking out in all directions and wearing round glasses turned sharply. Did he hear us? Muggleborn or something? He's kind of scared and dressed in nice clothes, but it's clearly not his size. Everything is bought for growth and it is clear that things are already worn. Apparently, he's also after someone, or he bought like us at a second-hand store.

"So, what's your platform number?" Mom asked. Yes, there are quite a lot of platforms at King's Cross. And not all lead to schools.

"Nine and three quarters," Jeannie squeaked, tugging at her mother's arm. "Mom, can I go too?.."

"You're too young, Ginny, so calm down." Mom took her sister with her so as not to leave her alone at home. Grandma Lucretia got sick, and her mom just didn't want to leave Ginny with her grumpy old aunt Muriel. And Ginny wanted to say goodbye to us.

"Well, Percy, you go first." My brother walked towards platforms nine and ten. A crowd of tourists passed between us, and when they finally passed, Percy had already disappeared.

"Fred, you're next," Mom commanded.

"I'm not Fred, I'm George," replied the twin she was addressing. "Tell me honestly, woman, how can you call yourself our mother? Can't you see that I'm George?"

They've changed icons again. He's wearing Fred's red badge.

"George, dear, I'm sorry," Mom said apologetically.

"I was joking, I'm actually Fred", said the brother and moved forward. That brute. By the way, Fred said yesterday that they will take off their badges at school.

The other twin shouted after him to hurry up. And after a moment, Fred disappeared from sight, and Ginny and I were left. Now it was George's turn. He also went forward and disappeared into the barrier wall between the platforms as suddenly as the first brothers.

A black-haired boy with green eyes came up to us. Damn, they're almost glowing. Their glasses hide them well, their greenery doesn't catch the eye so much. Although my eyes are bright too. Only blue ones. With a trolley on which stood a suitcase, a cage with a white owl.

"Excuse me," he said timidly.

"Hello, dear." Mom smiled at him "Is this your first time going to Hogwarts? Ron, my youngest, is also a rookie."

She pointed at me.

"Yes," the boy confirmed. "But the thing is... The thing is, I do not know how..."

"...how to get on the platform," his mother finished understandingly for him, and the boy nodded.

"Don't worry." She winked at him cheerfully. "All you have to do is go straight through the dividing barrier between platforms nine and ten."

The most important thing is that you can't stop and you can't be afraid that you'll crash into a barrier. If you're nervous, it's better to walk fast or run. You know, you better go right now, in front of Ron.

"Uh-uh... Okay," the boy agreed. He was obviously scared and was going to take the wall with a battering ram. Definitely Muggleborn.

He pushed his cart forward and looked at the barrier. Then he moved towards the barrier. He was constantly being pushed by people scurrying past, besides, the cart was very heavy for him. The boy leaned on the handrail of the cart and ran heavily. approaching the barrier, he entered it and disappeared from sight.

Damn, it's time. I ran after him, pushing a heavy cart. In front of the barrier, I couldn't stand it and squeezed my eyes shut. Phew, it's gone. So, now I wouldn't hurt anyone. I stopped and walked away. Jeanie ran out after me, then my mom came out.

I was on a crowded platform with a scarlet steam locomotive. I know Muggles haven't had them for a long time, but it suits us fine. The sign on the board read:

"School in Birmingham 9.30",

"Hogwarts Express. 11.00",

"School in Wales 12.00".

I looked back and saw that the ticket booth had disappeared, and in its place is an arch with wrought iron gates and a sign: "Platform number nine and three quarters."

Clouds of smoke spewed by the steam locomotive floated over the heads of the people gathered on the platform, and colorful cats scurried under their feet. I immediately hid the Brat in my bosom. By the way, I asked Percy why such a strange name. And he said that the Brat used to be very thin and covered with scabs when his dad found him on the lawn next to the menagerie. I should have removed my rat earlier, but I was already so used to carrying it on my shoulder that I just didn't think about it. The smartest rat understands everything. But lazy... I could hear voices, the creaking of heavy trunks, and the disgruntled hoots of owls talking to each other.

The first few carriages were already packed with schoolchildren. We arrived late because of the traffic jam. Schoolchildren leaned out of the windows to have a last word with their parents, or fought for free places. The boy with the black hair had already moved further along the train, peering into the windows of the carriages in search of a place. We continued to push through the crowd and finally stopped near the carriage, which was located almost at the very back of the train. The twins had already disappeared on the train.

The mother, standing at the last carriage, called them.

"Fred? George? Are you here?"

"We're going, Mom."

The mother suddenly pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket. I don't like it so much.

"Ron, there's something on your nose."

I tried to dodge, but she grabbed me and started rubbing the tip of my nose with a handkerchief soaked from a stick.

"Mom, leave me alone!" I protested, but I only managed to free myself when my mother let me go.

"Oh, oh, oh, little Ronnie has a dirty nose," one of the twins sang mockingly.

"Shut up, George," I said.

"Where's Percy?" Mother asked.

"There he goes."

The elder brother came over to the others. He had already changed his clothes, and he was wearing a black school uniform, and on his chest was a shiny silver badge with the letter "P".

"I'll just be a second, Mom," he said.

"I'm there, at the very beginning of the train, where they've allocated a carriage for the prefect"s..."

It's starting again. How long can we talk about this? He hasn't shut up all August.

"So you're the prefect now, Percy?" One of the twins was terribly surprised. "Why didn't you tell us, we didn't know."

"Come on, he seemed to be telling us something," the second twin chimed in. "Once..."

"Or two," said the first.

"Or three," the second one continued.

"Or the whole of August..."

"Shut up." Percy waved his hand. He had not resented the twins for a long time, like the rest of the brothers. But I argued with them regularly.

"Why is it that Percy has a new uniform and we have an old one?" George caught himself indignantly pointing at the brand-new robe.

"Because he's a prefect now." It was clear from the mother's voice that she was proud of her son. "Well, dear, I wish you a good study, and send Hermes when you get there."

She kissed Percy on the cheek and he left. And then she turned to the twins.

"Okay, now you two. You have to behave yourself this year. If I get an owl telling me again that you've done something wrong— blown up the toilet or..."

"Blew up the toilet?" Fred was amazed. "We have never blown up toilets."

"Why don't we try?" George chuckled. "Great idea, thanks Mom."

"It's not funny," the mother snapped. "And keep an eye on Ron."

"Don't worry, we won't let little Roland get hurt..."

It's better to be unattended than with them. They're constantly testing their jokes on everyone. The potion makers are unfinished. It is worth eating only in the great hall and away from this couple. Although Charlie said once that he ran to have a snack in the kitchen of Hogwarts next to the Halfpalf living room.

"Shut up, you assholes," I muttered again. Although I was younger than the twins, we were all about the same height. I had stretched out quite a lot in the last year, so my brothers' clothes were a little too short for me. It's a good thing my mom bought me used clothes to grow up for this year.

"Yes, Mom, you can't imagine," George began. "Guess who we just met on the train?"

"Do you remember the black-haired boy who stood next to us at the train station?" Fred asked our mom. "Do you know who he is?"

"Who is it?"

"Harry Potter!" George seemed to exclaim.

Oh, what's going to happen now. I looked at my sister.

"Oh, Mom, can I get on the train and look at him? Mom, please..."

Who would doubt it. My sister can't wait to meet the legendary Harry Potter. She had read so many fairy tales about him. Although the Moon proved to her that wrinkled-horned dogwood is much more interesting.

"You've seen him before, Ginny. And don't stare at the poor boy like he's an animal in a zoo. Is it really him, Fred? How do you know that?"

I didn't guess right.

"I asked him," Fred explained. "I saw his scar and asked. But the scar is actually what they say, it looks like a zipper."

"Oh, poor thing, no wonder he was alone!" Mom exclaimed. "I was still thinking: why isn't anyone seeing him off? He's so polite, so well-mannered."

Alone?! He's a hero, but he looks like there's just no one to take care of him?! strange. It says in the books that Director Dumbledore hid him with his relatives in a safe place. I didn't know the Potters were poor either. Although they went to America back in the 70s. And we have a very strained relationship with American magicians. Most of them are Muggleborns and half-breeds. Even the Salem coven of witches has been run by a renegade from the Black family for a hundred years.

"Come on, that's not the point," one of the twins interrupted her. "Do you think he remembers what You-Know-Who looks like?"

The mother suddenly became stern.

"I forbid you to ask him about it, Fred. Don't even think about it. Does he really need to be reminded of this today?"

Come on, come on, I won't. The train driver's whistle sounded loudly.

"Come on, hurry up!" the woman said, and the three of us climbed into the car and, remaining in the vestibule, blew kisses to my sister and mother. My sister suddenly burst into tears. Apparently she was upset that she was staying alone in the Hole. At least I used to play chess with her. My sister is a weak player, but I transformed the board into a forest and we had fun for two hours with an extended set.

"Come on, Ginny, we'll fill you up with owls as soon as we get to school," one of the twins comforted her.

"We'll send you a toilet lid from the school bathroom," The second one promised, unhooking a green badge from his hoodie.

"George!" Mom exclaimed indignantly.

"I'm just kidding, Mom."

The train started moving. I saw my mother waving at us, and Jeanie, either laughing or crying, running after the car. But soon she fell behind because the train was picking up speed. The train swerved slightly to the right, and the platform disappeared from view. Houses flashed by outside the window. We walked down the train carriage.

But this is my chance to meet a national hero. I've been wanting to ask him about that Halloween for a long time. Maybe you can even become his friend?

"And where is the compartment where Harry is sitting?"

"We'll show you now." Said one of the brothers. I still haven't figured out who, like Fred.