Chapter 155: A Very Busy Niffler
Platform Nine and Three‑Quarters.
"Do not push, and do not rush. Slowly now, slowly."
A scrawny old guard stood by the pillar, letting only two or three people through at a time.
Supposedly, it was to avoid arousing Muggle suspicion if a crowd all came out at once.
Leonardo waited patiently in the queue with his suitcase.
There was a Forgetfulness‑type charm woven around the pillar, enough to make passing Muggles overlook the odd witch or wizard slipping in or out. But if too many poured through at once, the charm would be overtaxed.
He glanced round at the students. Everyone had shed their robes and changed into Muggle clothes.
The owls in cages were still far too conspicuous.
One or two could be written off as an odd fondness for unusual pets. But owls had become the most popular wizarding pet in recent years. Nearly half the students at Hogwarts had one.
So when a swarm of children suddenly spilled out, pushing luggage and carrying owls—a rare sight in the Muggle world—it was not hard to imagine how Muggles might react.
Hiding the Hogwarts Express in a Muggle station and tucking Platform Nine and Three‑Quarters between platforms was wonderfully whimsical. It was far less convenient for large‑scale comings and goings.
Suddenly, Leonardo felt movement in his pocket. A small platinum paw was poking its way out.
He quickly clapped a hand over it and murmured, "Wait a bit longer. When we get home, you can have more toys."
It had to be the Niffler's inborn gift. It could slip through gaps and spaces with ease. As it grew, Ginger had become ever more energetic. This was hardly its first "escape".
Leonardo had noticed that a few shiny trinkets—coins, jewellery—would keep Ginger quiet for a while. It would redecorate its hoard first before going off on its next adventure.
Once they were home, treasures would be easier to come by. No need to trouble Aunt Penelope for more.
Thanks to the unicorn blessing that let him talk with animals, Ginger understood him and obediently tucked its paw back inside.
"Hey, Leonardo, you have a pet now?" Hermione asked. She had just caught sight of the little furry paw peeking from his pocket.
"Heh. A friend gave it to me. Still a baby," Leonardo said.
Before he could elaborate, it was their turn to go through.
Harry and Ron, who had gone ahead, were waiting on the other side. The Weasley family was easy to spot by the sea of red hair.
"Grafton. Lovely to finally meet you. What a handsome lad," said the kindly woman at Ron's side, smiling warmly at him.
Leonardo smiled back. "Please just call me Leonardo, Mrs Weasley. And thank you for the jumper you sent me. It was very comfortable. And it looks good."
"As long as you like it," she said. "Ron's always mentioning you in his letters. Thank you for looking after him, dear. You must come and visit us this summer."
Her sincerity and warmth were plain. Leonardo had already planned to go.
"Ron studies hard. He did very well in the exams," he said.
"Thank you for the invitation. I will definitely visit in the holidays."
Mrs Weasley had not yet replied when Ron whipped a neatly folded sheet of paper from his pocket.
He unfolded it with great excitement and thrust it under her nose.
"Mum, I only got these marks because of Leonardo," he said. "Fred and George even gave me a toilet seat to celebrate. Said such a thing deserved commemorating…"
The first half of the sentence had Mrs Weasley beaming.
The second half wiped the smile clean off.
She glanced up just in time to see the twins sauntering through the barrier, arms slung over each other's shoulders, grinning like Kneazles.
Watching from the side, Leonardo almost laughed out loud. So Ron had a sly streak after all. He had just set his brothers up.
The twins pranked him all year. He had finally got his own back. Brotherly love indeed.
Then his pocket twitched again. Ginger's little head poked out, eyes locked on a passing woman—more precisely, on the necklace at her throat, the earrings in her ears, and the rings on her fingers.
Leonardo pressed the Niffler gently back down and sighed inwardly. The Muggle world was full of temptations.
At school, everyone was a student, and a witch or wizard at that. Jewellery was rare. Here, in a crowded station, there were pocket watches, necklaces, bracelets everywhere. No wonder Ginger was dazzled.
He also noticed the small girl pressed close to Mrs Weasley. She had wide brown eyes, a mane of vivid red hair, and a dusting of freckles that made her look particularly sweet.
Ginny Weasley.
Leonardo smiled at her and lifted a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture.
Ginny went pink, pressed her lips together, and nodded, as if to say she would keep his secret.
After a little more chatting with the Weasleys, they all said their goodbyes.
As Harry walked away, he could not hold back a quiet sigh. A happy, full school life was over for now. Uncle Vernon's purple‑red face, and Aunt Petunia and Dudley cowering behind him, were waiting.
"Harry, I am off. See you," Leonardo called.
He headed in the other direction, where Lothia was already waiting.
"Yeah. See you," Harry said, waving.
Vernon had been ready to hurry him along. He did not want to waste time on Harry talking to his oddball friends.
Then he remembered that Harry had spent a whole year at that freak school of witches and wizards. His friends would be freaks too.
He held his tongue. One more word to such people was one too many.
Trailing after his aunt and uncle, Harry thought about what Leonardo had said about visiting.
He was happy his friend would come during the holidays. At the same time, he dreaded Leonardo seeing how he really lived.
And he still could not figure out why Leonardo had asked what company his uncle worked for…
"Hurry up! Or do you want us to waste the whole day on you?" Vernon barked.
Harry pulled a face. They did not know he was not allowed to use magic outside school. He might as well give Dudley a scare or two.
"Here is hoping this summer is not completely boring…" he thought.