A month later, in London, King's Cross Station.
"Alright, let's part ways here. I don't fancy saying goodbye on the train with you."
Elena halted between Platforms 9 and 10, pushing her cart, turning to Benedictus beside her. She tapped her bulging chest, "Provisions, say goodbye to dad."
A movement in her chest, a drowsy-eyed little owl peeked from her shirt collar, hooting as if bidding farewell.
"Hoo~"
Since returning from Hogwarts to the Ras town, Elena had been forbidden from touching anything related to magic until today, her first encounter with her wand on the day school commenced.
Until then, the two black walnut wands Ollivander sent had been under Benedictus's care.
After the failed 819 coup, Elena stopped paying attention to news from the Soviet side.
The wave of this revolution had taken a firm shape. Unless someone could overturn half of human civilization within three months, no one could stop the Soviet Union from disintegrating.
Thus, Elena devoted most of her time and energy to learning cooking skills and training Provisions.
After a few rewarding warm baths, Provisions rapidly learned crucial survival rules: not to kill mice and bring them home, to snuggle quietly in her arms at night, and assist in dispatching prey (currently limited to lake fish) when struggling.
"You, well..."
Benedictus shook his head helplessly, lifting Provisions from Elena's collar, placing the sleepy owl on top of the black suitcase on the cart, tidying the girl's slightly messy silver hair, indulgently saying,
"In school, don't be as casual as you are at home, letting Provisions sleep on your chest."
Though prepared, Benedictus couldn't help feeling a bit anxious at this parting moment. Squatting, he patted Elena's head earnestly once again.
"Two big suitcases, one for clothes and bedding, the other for books and snacks. Once at school, remember to hang the clothes to avoid wrinkles. If it gets cold later, add an extra blanket on your bed."
"There are plenty of snacks in these suitcases for you to share with classmates. If it's not enough, let Provisions send a letter to me, and I'll mail more to you."
"And that set of imported German Zwilling knives in the suitcase, be very careful using them. They're heavier than what you usually use, don't hurt yourself."
"Be safe at school. If you have conflicts with classmates or if anyone bullies you..."
"Ah, I know, I know... I'll try to get along with classmates and seek help from professors if needed."
Elena sighed helplessly. Benedictus had repeated similar words countless times on this journey, her ears almost calloused from it.
"Alright, relax... Dad."
The silver-haired girl grabbed the big hand atop her head, gently patting it. Through her azure eyes, she saw the scruffy face of the man. Her voice slightly rose.
"Hogwarts is in the Scottish Highlands, not in Africa, and certainly not in Antarctica. Besides, it's not my first time going to school. When the orphanage was just built, conditions were much harsher."
Glancing at the clock on the platform, Elena bit her lip, passed Benedictus, and took the cart towards Platform 9.
She felt most uncomfortable facing such farewells; it was better to leave silently at this moment.
"Elena!"
Seeing the girl about to pass through the ticket barrier between Platforms 9 and 10, Benedictus suddenly shouted.
"Hmm?"
The silver-haired girl turned, looking at the man with a puzzled tilt of her head.
"I just thought, don't hold back."
Benedictus' posture sank; he clenched his fists in front of him, demonstrating a standard boxing move, swinging his pot-sized fists in the air.
"Remember how I taught you to throw a punch? If someone bullies you, give them a good beating!"
Indeed, resorting to force first, teaching a lesson to the troublemakers, and then reasoning?
That was the stormy man she remembered. Elena's mood brightened a bit instantly. She flashed a cute canine tooth, turned her back, waggling her tender little fist.
"Don't worry, I won't embarrass you in front of Dad. Even if it's a boy, I'll still give them a good punch."
Elena finished speaking, not turning back, walking briskly with the cart toward the ticket barrier.
Behind her, Benedictus raised a hand, seemingly wanting to say more but eventually remained silent, watching the girl's swaying silver locks vanish into the air.
Benedictus rubbed his eyes. The ticket barrier Elena passed through seemed sturdy, and the passing pedestrians seemed oblivious to the sudden disappearance of a young girl in the train station.
"Your daughter? A sensible child, and her first year at Hogwarts, right?"
At that moment, a gentle woman's voice sounded beside Benedictus. He turned to see a plump woman with fiery red-haired boys standing beside her. Each boy pushed a suitcase similar to Elena's - each with an owl on top.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation."
Seeing Benedictus turn, the woman blinked apologetically. "I just thought, if possible, you should accompany her inside the station, especially being such a young girl."
"Maybe not. It might look bad, and besides..."
After careful consideration, Benedictus shook his head, his gaze dimming slightly. "...I can't teach her anything, whether it's magic or any other knowledge. She belongs in a broader world."
In just a month, although Benedictus couldn't fully grasp the entire wizarding world's situation, he understood the vastness of the plans Elena had orchestrated.
Whether it was Dumbledore's magical prowess, immense wealth, or the global games being played, any of these could overturn all his decades of experience and knowledge.
For the first time in his life, Benedictus felt powerless and discouraged. He could keenly sense that what used to be his pride - sheltering the girl from storms at the orphanage - had become a hindrance to Elena's path toward a broader world.
Sigh, men... they were just like the one in her family, or even worse.
The woman, Mrs. Weasley, shook her head helplessly, patting Benedictus's shoulder lightly.
"Children will eventually grow up, leave us, and find their own paths. But that doesn't mean the meaning of family disappears. Children may choose to escape, but as parents, we must accompany them to the very end."
Pausing, Mrs. Weasley added softly, "Moreover, I saw that child crying at the end. Don't you think you should catch up and comfort her?"
"Elena cried?!"
Benedictus' expression changed, lifting his head to look ahead, only then realizing the girl had disappeared.
"Of course, it's a mother who's raised seven children observing that."
Mrs. Weasley smiled proudly, patting Benedictus's back. "Go quickly, you might still make it. Just head straight through the ticket barrier between Platforms 9 and 10."
"Thank you, ma'am."
Benedictus nodded and hurriedly rushed forward, a look of urgency on his face.
"Mom, why did you say that girl was crying? She seemed
pretty happy to me?"
On Mrs. Weasley's right side, the girl with fiery red hair tilted her head curiously.
"Oh, Ginny, maybe I misread it. Now, let's not talk anymore."
Mrs. Weasley smiled faintly, patting her daughter's head, then turned, clapping her hands. "Children, let's get going. Percy, you lead the way..."
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