The next day marked the end of the first school year, and students began their journey home.
Charlie dragged his suitcase toward the Hogwarts Express.
The platform buzzed with noise and excitement, just like the day they had first arrived.
Even before the train departed, Harry was already looking reluctant to leave.
"Charlie, I'm going to miss you."
That's unnecessary, your affection makes my skin crawl.
Charlie instinctively edged away from Harry, keeping some distance.
Ron let out a sigh.
"Don't mind him. Harry's been like this all morning."
"He really doesn't want to go home."
Harry stared at Ron as if he'd just said something absurd.
"Home? Oh, Ron, if that place qualifies as a home, then Snape's office might as well count as a cozy bedroom."
"I swear, if I could, I'd stay at Hogwarts until graduation."
Harry kept muttering nonstop.
Charlie didn't bother responding to his strange metaphors. Instead, he pulled out a parchment sheet, the school's official summer break notice.
It was packed with rules, but the most important one read:
"Underage students are strictly forbidden from using magic outside school to avoid exposing the wizarding world to Muggles."
Charlie spoke silently in his mind.
Little Assistant.
[What are your orders, Your Majesty?]
"This Trace that restricts magic, can you handle it?"
[How could I allow Your Majesty's whereabouts to be monitored? I've already removed the Trace from your wand.]
Charlie nodded in satisfaction.
No wonder the Ministry hadn't caught on when he used magic outside school before.
The train slowly began to move. The grand silhouette of Hogwarts Castle gradually faded from view, vanishing behind the mountains.
A few hours later, the train arrived at King's Cross Station.
Charlie said goodbye to the others, then wheeled his luggage through the barrier at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and stepped back into the Muggle world.
Hermione had already found her father. After a brief greeting, she turned to glance at Charlie's retreating figure, her expression unreadable.
This term, Hermione had come first in their year. Charlie was second.
The only subject that had dragged Charlie down was History of Magic. In all other classes, they had both earned perfect scores.
But Hermione knew one thing all too well, there's a difference between scoring full marks because you're that good, and scoring full marks because that's all the test could offer.
Despite all her tireless effort throughout the term, Charlie had still outpaced her, and it left her feeling a little defeated.
Mr. Granger, ever the gentle man, noticed his daughter's mood at once.
He gently patted her head.
"What's wrong, my little witch?"
Hermione let her thoughts slip out.
"Dad, what if someone's so far ahead that you can never catch up?"
Mr. Granger understood immediately, his daughter was feeling discouraged.
But he thought that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, no one's life is smooth sailing forever.
Better to face hardship early than late.
He spoke with warmth and wisdom.
"Why force yourself to catch up with someone else? As long as you keep improving while trying, that's what truly matters."
"Trust me, when you have a goal, that's when you grow the fastest."
Hermione's gloomy haze lifted.
Only she knew how much progress she had made this term, even Professor McGonagall often praised her.
It's just that, compared to Charlie, her achievements felt small.
But really, why compare with him? That guy wasn't even human. He was a total monster.
With that thought, Hermione smiled and made up her mind to keep chasing him.
She would use this summer break to pre-study all the second-year textbooks.
Charlie had changed into Muggle clothes on the train, so no one noticed when he walked out from the magical barrier.
He flagged down a cab and, along the way, stopped by a gold shop.
There, he exchanged a few golden galleons for a thick stack of British pounds.
To avoid complications, Charlie quietly used a Confundus Charm, making the shop owner think he was doing business with a tattoo-covered gangster.
Half an hour later, in London's East End, Bethnal Green Road, at the orphanage.
Charlie paid the fare and walked up to the gates, suitcase in tow.
Granny White stood at the door, her white hair neatly combed, her apron still dusted with flour.
The moment she saw Charlie, a bright smile bloomed across her face.
"Charlie, you're back."
She opened her arms and pulled him into a tight hug.
Charlie had gotten smarter this semester, he'd sent several letters home.
Otherwise, Granny White's reaction today might not have been so warm.
"Let me have a look at you, have you lost weight?" she fussed, inspecting him from all angles, her eyes full of concern.
"You've grown taller. That's good."
"I'm doing great, Grandma," Charlie said with a smile.
"That's all I need to hear," she said with relief, ushering him inside.
She brought him to the sitting room and poured him a cup of hot tea.
"You rest a bit. I'll go start on dinner."
"You're getting extra portions tonight."
"Wait, Grandma." Charlie stopped her and pulled a thick envelope from his pocket.
"This is for you."
Granny White took the envelope curiously, opened it, and found a thick stack of cash inside.
Her face changed instantly.
"Charlie, where did this money come from?" Her voice trembled slightly.
"You didn't do anything dangerous, did you?"
Charlie immediately tried to ease her fears.
"Don't worry, Grandma. This is scholarship money from school. I got top marks, so the headmaster gave me a special award."
"Really?" Granny White's tone was still skeptical.
"Of course it's true!" Charlie patted his chest.
"Have I ever lied to you? If you don't believe me, I'll ask the headmaster to write you a letter."
She studied his face for a long moment. Seeing no sign of dishonesty, she finally let out a breath of relief.
"My Charlie's grown so capable." Her eyes brimmed with pride.
"Thank you, Grandma, for always thinking of the orphanage."
But then, to his surprise, she pushed the envelope back toward him.
"But I can't take this money."
Charlie was momentarily stunned.
"Why not?"
Granny White sighed softly.
"You must have it hard out there. I may not be able to help, but I won't become a burden to you."
She held the money out to him again, her gaze heavy with emotion.
"Sure, this money would really help the orphanage. But it's your first earnings, and that makes it special. You're still young, you'll need it later."
Charlie's heart warmed.
Granny was still Granny, always thinking of others first.
But to him, this money was barely a drop in the ocean.
He stuffed the envelope back into her hands.
"Don't get the wrong idea, Grandma. I just wanted us to eat a bit better over the summer."
"I want meat. Not that I'm saying your stuffed bread buns aren't good or anything…"
Granny White froze, then laughed and scolded him playfully.
"Are you complaining about my cooking now? If you don't like it, don't eat!"
She raised a hand like she was about to smack him.
Charlie quickly darted back.
"I was just kidding! Your food is the best, Grandma!"
And with that, he dashed up the stairs.
Granny White watched him go, unable to suppress her smile.
She looked down at the money in her hands, heart glowing with warmth.
This wasn't just enough for the summer, this would keep the orphanage well-fed for more than half a year.
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