Chapter 52: 52 Why...
Harry pushed the cart, navigating through the bustling station, his mind a labyrinth of thoughts.
Beside him, Dudley strolled casually, hands empty, clad in a simple short-sleeved T-shirt.
Despite being heir to his parents' considerable fortune, Harry's attire paled in comparison. Converting Galleons to pounds proved a daunting task, leaving Harry with a wealth of knowledge but little practical means.
Pausing by a cage, Dudley peered inside, his expression a mix of confusion and skepticism.
"Harry, isn't this all rather... unorthodox?" Dudley remarked, eyeing the chinchilla within.
Curiously, ever since Totoro had startled Hedwig, the Totoro had forsaken its usual perch atop Dudley's head. Instead, it exhibited a newfound energy, often darting into Hedwig's cage.
With a sigh, Dudley reached in, gently retrieving the chinchilla despite its protests, returning it to the safety of his pocket.
Noticing Harry's concern, Dudley sympathetically observed, "Harry, it seems Mr Weasley is as unreliable as Mr Hagrid!"
Harry's voice echoed, tinged with frustration. "Indeed, Dudley. Mr Weasley promised to escort us to King's Cross Station and see us off to Hogwarts. Yet, midway through, he abandoned us without explanation."
He frowned, voicing a valid concern. "Is it safe to leave minors unattended at the station?"
"Is this sketchy spot really safe?" Dudley grumbled, his tone hesitant. More preoccupied with locating platform nine and three-quarters than deciphering Weasley's perplexing actions, Dudley's thoughts were fixated on their express train tickets.
[LONDON-HOGWARTS]
[Platform 9 (3/4)]
Could a platform like this actually exist? Dudley pondered, skepticism evident in his expression. As he glanced around, he noticed the chinchilla that had previously nestled in his pocket now perched atop his head, its tiny paws gesturing towards a nearby wall.
Dudley observed that they were standing in a position between platforms 9 and 10, a realization that struck him as odd. Despite traversing King's Cross station multiple times since their arrival, he and Harry had somehow overlooked this particular spot, almost as if it had been consciously ignored.
It was Totoro's subtle guidance that drew Dudley's attention to this hidden locale. Leading Harry towards the imposing stone archway, Dudley found himself at the forefront of an uncertain adventure.
"Dudley, what's the plan?" Harry inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Frowning, Dudley mulled over the strange sights he'd witnessed earlier, carefully choosing his words. "We walk in," he declared.
Harry's expression registered shock. "Walk in? But, Dudley that might hurt if we colleded head first. And Hedwig might be endangered too."
Dudley remained silent, his resolve evident as he took the lead. As he approached the stone archway, his figure vanished from Harry's sight, leaving behind an air of mystery and anticipation.
Observing the sleek design of the new express train before him, Dudley recognized it as the one destined for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, an exciting journey lying ahead.
However, Dudley's confusion mounted as Harry failed to appear promptly. Just as Dudley contemplated retracing his steps to find Harry, a duo hurriedly emerged from the bustling surroundings.
Without delay, Harry regained his composure, locking eyes with Dudley and beckoning.
"Hey, Dudley!" But before Dudley could respond, a voice interjected from the side.
"Harry?" The red-haired boy, Ron Weasley, realizing the oddity of the situation, greeted Dudley with a wide grin. "Nice to meet you."
Dudley, unfazed by Ron's somewhat foolish appearance, brushed him off, moving to Harry's side with a stern expression.
"Harry, remember our agreement at the train station?" Dudley queried, his demeanor serious.
Harry, his slender frame slightly retreating, bowed his head like a repentant child.
"Dudley, I messed up. We discussed not talking to strangers casually when we're out!"
Dudley's composed expression masked a hint of frustration.
"Why.... are you revealing our agreement in front of others so openly?" Dudley whispered in a voice devoid of all emotions.
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