Looking at Ron, who was completely oblivious and planning to "screw over his dad," Dudley continued speaking.
"Where does your dad work?"
"Ministry of Magic, Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office," Ron answered blankly.
"How did you get that flying car you mentioned?"
"My dad bought it from Muggles."
"Do Muggle cars fly?"
"Of course not." After Ron finished speaking, he looked at Dudley with confusion, as if to say, isn't this common sense?
"So if you drive the car and Muggles see it, and they discover it was modified by Mr. Weasley, what do you think the Ministry would do?"
Ron reflexively said, "My dad would be fired."
After saying this, his face turned the color of liver as he finally realized what was happening.
"Exactly." Dudley patted his shoulder. "Not completely stupid. If discovered, he might not even be able to keep his job."
Being unable to board the Hogwarts Express was the smallest possible problem for Dudley.
"There are so many people here, what's there to worry about..." It wasn't just the few of them who hadn't boarded the train. There were young wizards everywhere, including many first-years.
"So we just wait around?"
Dudley shook his head. "No, we can file a complaint."
"Complaint?" Ron was confused, and Dudley didn't explain further.
Please, parents, if I may have your attention.
Dudley projected his voice clearly across the gathering. As the adults accompanying their young wizards turned toward him with expectant faces, he pressed on with gravity, "We're facing a critical situation here. As you can observe for yourselves, the barrier to Platform 9¾ has become impassable for reasons unknown. With approximately ten minutes remaining until the Hogwarts Express departs, I'm afraid we're looking at the very real possibility of missing our departure entirely."
Dudley knocked on the tightly sealed barrier. Bang bang. It was still blocked.
The express train from King's Cross to Hogwarts only ran a few times a year—it was a dedicated line. There were other ways to get there, like going to Hogsmeade first and then transferring to Hogwarts. But that would waste a lot of unnecessary time. Being late was a small matter, but for first-year students, this could become a lifelong regret.
The Hogwarts entrance ceremony only happens once in a lifetime.
"I believe someone should be responsible for this, someone should handle this matter. The fault is not ours. I suggest everyone contact the Ministry of Magic first. The Hogwarts Express has always been operated by them—they should come forward and give an explanation."
The wizards present suddenly understood and began contacting the Ministry of Magic using their own methods, naturally with unfriendly attitudes.
Ron wisely kept quiet about his father working at the Ministry. Otherwise, this matter would be handed over to his father to handle. That definitely wouldn't be a good thing.
"Mr. Dursley." Dudley heard someone calling him.
Someone who would address Dudley with such respectful tone could currently only be a Slytherin. Indeed it was a Slytherin, and a pretty girl at that. If Dudley's memory wasn't wrong, she was close to Pansy and was a member of their little group. His favorite little cookies had come from her hands.
Crispy, hard, chewy—quite delicious. What was her name again?
Dudley recalled briefly. Right, it was Daphne—Daphne Greengrass.
"Hello, Miss Greengrass." Dudley responded very politely.
"You remember me! You remember me!"
Just a simple polite response seemed to hit some nerve in her. Daphne suddenly became emotionally excited and screamed loudly, startling Ron, who was standing next to Dudley and nearly making him fling Scabbers away.
"Of course, we're classmates and in the same House."
Dudley gently calmed her down—the screaming made his ears uncomfortable. In her eyes, there was always something indescribable, like a fan meeting their celebrity idol in person.
"Ahem."
Hermione, standing beside Dudley, cleared her throat, trying to get the other girl's attention. She didn't like how this girl was looking at Dudley, and she was standing too close—her body was almost pressed against Dudley.
"Miss Granger! The living Miss Granger!"
The other girl let out another shriek, even more excited than before, which startled Hermione, and of course Ron shuddered again.
If before it was a fan meeting a celebrity, now it was a fanatic fan meeting a celebrity. She grabbed Hermione's hand and started asking all sorts of questions. That worshipful look was completely genuine.
"H-hello!"
If the visitor had ill intentions, it would be easier to handle, but this reaction left her somewhat at a loss. She had no idea she was so popular in Slytherin.
Wait, doesn't Slytherin advocate pureblood supremacy? I'm a 100% pure Muggle-born witch!
After some slightly awkward conversation, Daphne seemed to remember something and pulled over a shy little girl, introducing her: "Mr. Dursley, Miss Granger, this is my sister, Astoria Greengrass. She's this year's new student—she'll definitely be in Slytherin too."
When mentioning Slytherin, Daphne was very proud.
Astoria had long golden hair and water-blue eyes, looking seventy to eighty percent similar to Daphne—a very cute little sister. It's just that when Dudley spoke to her, she kept hiding behind her sister, seeming overly shy.
Dudley smiled at her, and Astoria immediately pouted, her eyes instantly covered with a layer of mist.
This time Dudley finally realized—this wasn't shyness at all, she was clearly afraid of him.
"Oh! Potter—Mr. Potter! What an honor to meet you here."
Don't ask—it was Daphne's voice again. Obviously, she had discovered Harry this time. Fortunately, Ron finally didn't shudder again, or Scabbers would have been scared senseless.
Ron looked at his companions and felt he also needed to show some presence, so...
"Ahem."
He did successfully attract Daphne's attention. Just not quite the result he expected...
"Oh, Ronald from the Weasley family—when did you get here?" Daphne's chin lifted slightly, her tone carrying three parts contempt and seven parts arrogance, as if looking at something dirty, her eyes showing undisguised disdain and disgust.
Her attitude did a complete 180-degree turn.
Ron: ???
The personnel arranged by the Ministry finally arrived fashionably late—a young-looking wizard who was now surrounded by a group of wizard parents, sweating profusely as he explained.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please listen to me—this is just a small accident."
(TL NOTE: The Author made a mistake and made Astoria One Year Older~)