After a while, Fred and George also arrived, making the compartment feel a bit crowded.
"Why can't Hogwarts get bigger compartments for the train?" Fred couldn't help but complain.
"I heard the Prefects' compartment is big and more comfortable," George said with a laugh. "Too bad none of us are Prefects."
"Speaking of which, Percy can become a Prefect next year, right?" Kael suddenly spoke.
Fred frowned as if Kael had just announced that next year's Quidditch matches were canceled instead.
"Although I don't want to admit it, I suppose so."
George said, "I'll bet if that's true, Percy will wear that Prefect Badge all holiday."
While speaking, he stuck a Chocolate Frog Card to his chest, mimicking Percy, and took a lap around the corridor outside the compartment.
The ridiculous actions along with the exaggerated facial expressions made everyone burst into laughter.
In terms of livening up the atmosphere, the Weasley Brothers have never disappointed.
They played a few more rounds of Exploding Snap, and Cho mentioned that letter, asking if they really couldn't use any magic during the holidays.
"Actually, you can, but you need to ensure there's an adult wizard nearby," Fred explained. "That way, the Ministry of Magic won't know who used the magic."
Cho frowned, "Maybe it's better not to, then."
...
The towns the train passed through increased in number, and Kael and the others removed their wizard robes, exchanging them for jackets and short tops.
Finally, the train stopped at King's Cross Station, Platform 9¾.
To avoid attracting Muggle attention, a shriveled old guard stood by the wall, allowing only two or three people to leave the platform at a time.
Fortunately, not many people took the train this time, so Kael and his group quickly bid farewell to Conna and passed through the wall.
Conna didn't need to leave the station as she was taking the Knight Bus home.
They headed towards the exit leading back to the Muggle World.
Cho's dad came to pick her up, a kind-faced Eastern man. He warmly greeted Kael and the others and invited them to visit during the summer holidays.
However, Kael noticed a hint of cautiousness in his eyes, especially when facing himself and Cedric.
"Kael, run quickly!"
Just then, the Weasley family's little sister, Ginny, came running over. She looked at Kael, speaking urgently, "Did you get into trouble at school? Mom's been angry all the way here; you'd better run or it'll be too late."
"Thanks for the warning, Ginny." Kael ruffled the young girl's hair and said softly, "But it's too late now."
When Ginny shouted his name, Mrs. Weasley was already storming over.
"Brother, just save yourself."
"We'll always remember you."
Fred and George jumped to the side without a hint of loyalty, looking eager to watch the spectacle.
"You actually went with a Dark Wizard to the Forbidden Forest!" Mrs. Weasley approached Kael angrily. "Do you realize how dangerous that was?"
Behind her was a stern-looking Diana.
Kael bowed his head decisively, "I was wrong, and I promise I won't do it again!"
While speaking, he quickly pulled out the report card he had prepared ahead of time from his pocket.
"No matter what you show, this time you're not getting away with it; doing something so dangerous, you…"
Mrs. Weasley couldn't say anything else after glancing at the report card.
Perfect... Perfect...
Nearly all subjects were perfect scores, with only one missing a point—such grades even Bill did not achieve.
"Merlin..." Mrs. Weasley wiped her hands on her clothes and carefully took the report card.
"Kael, you'll definitely become Head Boy!" Mrs. Weasley said with a face full of gratification.
Then she looked up at the Weasley Brothers beside her, "Where's your report card? Show it to me."
Fred and George's smiles froze, wanting desperately to claim they've lost their report cards.
But they knew, if they did that, Mrs. Weasley would definitely write to Hogwarts. If they took them out now… they couldn't guarantee they'd make it out of King's Cross Station alive.
Seeing the two not budging from their spot, Mrs. Weasley's gaze started becoming stern.
"Mom, our report cards are in the trunk," Fred hurriedly said. "It's inconvenient here; we'll take them out once we get home."
"We got newspapers in our trunks too; if Muggles accidentally see them, what then."
Watching the bustling crowd around, Mrs. Weasley thought it made sense, so she didn't insist.
"Then we'll go home now."
At this point, Kael walked up to Diana.
Although Diana's expression was serious, she didn't reprimand him like Mrs. Weasley did.
Her gaze went to Kael's fingers and asked, "How many times used?"
Kael knew she was referring to the number of times Disillusionment was used, raised his hand: "Once."
The ring originally had three crescent decorations, but now it was missing one.
Diana's face softened a lot; if it was used only once, it meant the situation wasn't too dire at that time.
Kael asked nervously, "Can this be restored?"
He remembered Diana mentioning in a previous letter that if he didn't want to take the train, he could use Disillusionment to go straight home.
If it can be used as a transport method so extravagantly, it should be reusable, right?
Just like he thought.
Diana nodded, "Yes, but it's a bit troublesome; it takes a week."
Kael let out a sigh of relief. A week, or even a month is fine; besides, he doesn't need it now.
...
Just like when they came, Mr. Weasley drove that Enchanted Car, taking everyone back to Ottery St Catchpole.
On the way, Fred and George's smiles disappeared, as if the car wasn't taking them home but to the gallows instead.
Back at the Shabby Residence, Percy was the first to pull out his report card. Unsurprisingly, he was the top of fourth year.
Mrs. Weasley happily embraced him, and had she not seen Kael's grades, she might have been even happier now.
Then she turned to Fred and George…
Kael folded his arms, standing by, somewhat anticipating what would happen next, but at this moment, Diana pulled him away.
On the way home, two clear enduring screams suddenly echoed, resonating in the sky above Ottery St Catchpole long before fading away.
...