Chapter 9: Warm Family Life
Seeing their daughter's pale face, the Grangers quickly went to check on Hermione.
Seeing Ethan smirking to himself, Hermione stubbornly declared, "I'm fine, I'm just a little carsick."
Ethan quietly slipped away from the three of them and secretly handed his mother a small packet of potion he had purchased.
He tiptoed and whispered in Sofia's ear, "Mom, I bought a few extra. You can give some to Professor McGonagall and Mrs. Granger to try."
Sofia gave him an approving look, then discreetly put away the potion and divided it into two portions.
Professor McGonagall asked, "How is Hermione feeling? If everything is alright, let's leave Diagon Alley."
"I'm fine, Professor," the strong-willed young girl answered bravely, though her face was still a little pale.
"Then let's go."
Several adults walked ahead, while Ethan lingered behind to ask the clerk when the books would be delivered.
"Don't worry, sir, we'll send an owl to deliver them to your door tomorrow!" the shop assistant assured the wealthy young man who had spent hundreds of Galleons.
Ethan was satisfied and followed his parents, carrying a few textbooks that were easy to take with him.
Passing through the archway he had entered from and stepping into the dim lobby of the Leaky Cauldron, Ethan did not see the old hag who had disgusted him earlier.
"Alright, my task is complete. Here are your tickets, students. See you at Hogwarts on September 1st."
McGonagall took out two letters containing Hogwarts Express tickets and handed them to the two children.
"King's Cross Station, Platform 9¾. I'll be waiting for you at Hogwarts."
"Huh? Nine and three-quarters? Professor, you're not mistaken, are you?" The two of them looked up at Professor McGonagall in unison.
McGonagall smiled and said, "That's right, it is indeed that platform. It's the one reserved for the Hogwarts Express, between platforms nine and ten."
"Don't worry, if you really can't find it, you can ask the Ministry of Magic representatives on the platform for help. They wear Hogwarts badges on their coat pockets."
"Yes, Professor, see you at Hogwarts," the two answered in unison, then exchanged a glance, and Hermione quickly turned her head away, blushing furiously.
After dropping the six of them off on the street, McGonagall turned and went back into the Leaky Cauldron, unsure whether she was picking up other students or simply planning to have a drink.
Hermione silently hugged her books and walked toward her car.
Ethan followed behind, carrying the birdcage in one hand and books in the other.
The adults chatted and laughed, while the two little ones remained silent, creating a stark contrast.
When it was time to part, Sofia handed several bottles of potion to Mrs. Granger, whose eyes lit up as she happily accepted the gift.
"See you Monday," Ethan poked Hermione's shoulder with the book he was holding.
Her face flushed red again, and she bit her lower lip, whispering, "Yeah, see you Monday."
Hermione rushed forward with her head down and quickly disappeared from Ethan's sight.
Once in the car, Ethan and Sofia both sat in the back.
"Son, do you like this girl?"
The question was so direct that Ethan was caught off guard. "Oh, Mom, no. I didn't. Don't talk nonsense."
He denied it three times in a row, shaking his head and waving his hands repeatedly.
Sofia remained noncommittal. "Really? I thought you liked this girl. What a waste. I've been putting in a good word for you with her parents."
Ethan glanced at her speechlessly. He was only eleven years old, so why was his mother already asking him about girlfriends?
Although he didn't deny that he found the grown-up Hermione attractive, the current Hermione was still too young, and he wasn't a pervert, so he couldn't bring himself to feel that way about an eleven-year-old.
To prevent Sofia from delving deeper into the topic, he quickly changed the subject, starting a conversation with Albert to keep him from becoming too nervous and causing problems.
After nearly crashing, a shaken Ethan said, "Dad, I think you're tired from driving. Why don't you call the driver and have him take over?"
His mother wholeheartedly approved of the proposal.
So the three of them parked on the side of the road, found a small restaurant, called the driver, and ate a quick meal to soothe their stomachs, which hadn't had anything substantial besides ice cream all day.
The driver arrived quickly, and the three of them got home safely.
"What a dreamy day!" Sofia exclaimed, and Albert put his arm around her waist and nodded in agreement.
Ignoring his parents' public display of affection, Ethan let out a burp and said, "I'm going upstairs now."
Carrying books in one hand and the cage in the other, he trudged up to his room.
Once there, Ethan first opened the cage to let the giant Eagle Owl out to stretch its wings.
He had named the owl Edward, after the long line of British monarchs who bore that name. There was no actual connection between British royalty and eagles, of course, but he still found it amusing.
Ethan filled the small bowl he normally used for stray cats with owl treats and set it before Edward. Then he tore open the oiled paper wrapping the books and pulled out the one that interested him most, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
This magical tome, written by Newt Scamander, was one Ethan had longed to read in his previous life. He'd harbored a deep fascination for the various magical creatures from the films, and what he'd always coveted most was that briefcase that functioned as its own little world.
He devoured the pages, drinking in the animated, colorful illustrations.
He was so absorbed in reading that he didn't even hear Sofia calling him for dinner.
He only snapped out of his trance when she appeared beside him.
"I'm sorry, Mum. This book is so captivating that I lost track of time."
He placed the book face down on the table, walked down the spiral staircase to the dining table, and ate his meal absentmindedly, his mind still wandering among those fascinating magical creatures.
Sofia was far from pleased with his behavior.
She had taken a beauty potion that afternoon and was waiting expectantly for her son's praise. She stood up, walked around the dining table, and gently tapped Ethan on the head.
"What's wrong, Mum?" Ethan hadn't even swallowed his food, and his blank stare and mumbled words only irritated Sofia further.
She simply scoffed. "Eat your food properly!"
Noticing his father sitting beside his mother, winking and gesturing at his own face, Ethan finally caught on and began to shower her with compliments.
"Oh dear, Mum! I was so distracted I didn't notice, but you look absolutely stunning! You don't look like Mum at all, you look more like my older sister!"
Overjoyed, Sofia asked with a beaming smile, "Is the effect really that obvious?"
He swallowed his food and replied seriously, "How can you give all the credit to the potion? Mum didn't look old to begin with. The potion just made it a little more noticeable."
Sofia smiled and stroked her smooth face, satisfied at last. Albert, meanwhile, gave him a discreet thumbs-up.
Ethan smiled to himself, quickly finished his meal, said goodbye to them, and ran upstairs to continue reading the book.
"I will not sleep tonight."
//=================//