Having escaped famine, I was accepted into Hogwarts

"So... if there's a suitable business opportunity next time, could you recommend me? I'm not afraid of losing face," Ron said, looking at the bulging bag in Kane's arms with some envy.

“Of course, everyone who sees this gets a share.” Kane said, taking out the money bag and letting each person grab a handful, as many as they could.

Ron originally didn't want to do something that was no different from begging, but when he saw Harry grabbing some, and then Hermione grabbing some, he thought grabbing a handful of Galleons wouldn't be a problem.

"Um? Kane, could you come over here for a second? It's just you." Lockhart's voice came from the kitchen.

“I’ll go check on her. Hermione, could you please put your hammer away?” Kane reminded Hermione after he finished speaking.

"Don't worry, no problem," Kane said as he walked toward the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Lockhart had already placed the snacks and drinks on a tray and was looking at Kane with a conflicted expression: "It's like this."

“Go ahead, I’m listening,” Kane nodded.

"You know, these three friends of yours, do you have any way to get them to keep a secret for me? Like, the secret about what I just did, and my magic, too?" Lockhart asked awkwardly.

“Hmm…why not?” Kane raised an eyebrow. “They are all very nice people. If you talk to them properly, they will agree. But don’t just make empty promises.”

After Kane finished speaking, Lockhart looked puzzled: "You mean...?"

“Your books are very expensive.” Kane only said this much before Lockhart realized what was going on: “No problem, no problem. I’ll take you to my study in a bit. Take whatever books you want.”

Kane nodded: "Thanks a lot then."

After he finished speaking, he left the kitchen. Lockhart followed him out with a tray, placed the snacks on the coffee table, and then began to speak to Harry and the other two in a friendly manner.

Kane was absolutely right. Harry and the other two were all very easy to talk to. They readily agreed when they heard that it was just a matter of keeping a secret. They were even happier when they heard that Lockhart would give away books for free.

Aside from Hermione, although Professor Quirrell last semester had already lowered Hermione's expectations for the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor to a very low level.

However, this magic is not as powerful as Fluorescent Blink; its only highlight is that this professor is adept at currying favor with the Celestial Dragons...

Although Professor Quirrell didn't teach well last semester, at least the textbook was a proper Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook, which the young wizards could learn on their own. But Lockhart's textbook...

Good heavens, it's hard to explain in a few words.

It seems this semester will be another long period of self-study. Hermione sighed, looking helplessly at the bleak new semester.

After Harry and Ron followed Lockhart to the study to get their textbooks and those of the Weasley family, Hermione gave Kane a long, thoughtful look.

She wanted to ask, but she was also a little reluctant, afraid that the answer would make her want to hang Kane on a street lamp.

Kane noticed Hermione's confusion: "Just ask whatever you want to ask."

"Why was Lockhart able to become a professor at Hogwarts? Could it be because of you?"

Hermione didn't finish her sentence; what she really wanted to ask was, "Could it be that Lockhart became a professor at Hogwarts because he flattered you?"

Kane, of course, had no idea what Hermione really meant; if he had, he would have laughed out loud.

What do you mean Lockhart is currying favor with him? It's clearly the whole of Hogwarts plus Dumbledore plus him currying favor with Lockhart. Otherwise, how could they possibly sacrifice a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for the unspeakable Hogwarts every year?

However, the problem was that Hermione didn't finish her sentence, so Kane nodded.

"If you insist on saying that, it's not entirely wrong. It's true that Lockhart came to Hogwarts as a professor because of me." Kane nodded quietly. After all, Lockhart specifically asked him to be his adventure partner. What could he do? He was powerless to do anything about it.

Although Lockhart's social experience was no match for that of the over 100-year-old Dumbledore, he was nearly tricked by Dumbledore, and his so-called adventure was just a formality with Lockhart, playing around with some bizarre little plots.

But if we have to say something, Lockhart did become a Hogwarts professor because of Kane himself.

Hermione heard the answer she least wanted to hear and sighed helplessly.

She wanted to say that the sky in the magical world was dark, but upon closer reflection, perhaps the sky in the magical world had never been bright.

After all, Hogwarts, the heart of the English wizarding world, has been turned into a playground for the Celestial Dragons' Game of Thrones. If they've resorted to such outlandish schemes as selling official positions and titles, what hope is left for England?

Is there any future for a Muggle wizard like myself?

I don't know if other Muggle wizards have any, but Hermione certainly does, since she's been a good friend of this Celestial Dragon since her first year, and in a sense, she's practically a Celestial Dragon herself.

But I don't want to live that kind of life...

Rather than accepting Kane's help and potentially rising to great heights, I still prefer to make my own way in the world through my own efforts. Kane is a good person, but I don't intend to stay in this filthy English magical world. When I graduate from Hogwarts, that will be the day I, Hermione Granger, officially leave.

Soon Harry and Hermione followed Lockhart out of the study carrying a huge pile of books. Only after stuffing all the books into the little pumpkin's mouth could they stretch their tingling arms.

They sat there for a few more minutes until they finished all the snacks in front of them before getting up and leaving.

However, Lockhart awkwardly pulled Kane back at that moment.

"Can we talk to Kane alone for a bit?"

Kane shrugged. "Of course, why not?" With that, he stayed behind, while Harry and Ron didn't think much of it and went straight out.

As for Hermione...

She already knew.

Hermione, after thinking for a long time, also went outside.

Only Kane and Lockhart remained in the room.

"What's wrong?" Kane asked.

“That’s how it is.” Lockhart rubbed his hands together awkwardly.

"You know my magic has never been very strong, but I'm going to Hogwarts as a professor in a few days, and to be honest, I don't want to give myself away."

Kane nodded: "Ah, so you're planning to cram for this?"

Lohart nodded: "That's right, Kane. Can you help me?"

Kane raised an eyebrow, crossed his arms, and looked at Lockhart, who looked unlucky. "We've got a pretty good relationship, so of course I want to help you. But I'll only be a second-year student when school starts, so I can only help you catch up on your first-year knowledge at most."

"However, that's not entirely true. Hogwarts' Defense Against the Dark Arts textbooks mostly teach how to fight against dark magical creatures, and the application of offensive spells is not very common in lower grades."

"Perhaps I can ask Dumbledore for you. He might be willing to give you a reading list or outline for those who have turned back from their ways. That way, your progress in learning magic might be faster. And even if you embarrass yourself, it'll probably only happen in sixth or seventh year. As for them..."

“After all, they’re all so old, they probably already know what kind of person you are,” Kane said, raising an eyebrow.

“Thank you, thank you Kane.” Lockhart breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hmm, I'll head out now." Kane said as he left Lockhart's house. After wandering around Diagon Alley for a while, he found the Weasleys and Harry sitting in an ice cream shop. They were all fussing over Mr. Weasley.

"What happened? Mr. Weasley looks injured," Kane asked, jogging over quickly.

"Oh, Kane! It's nothing, I just had a fight with that Malfoy guy, and of course, I won in the end!" Mr. Weasley said excitedly.

"Wow, you're really amazing," Kane quickly flattered, then asked quietly, "So why were you in such a sorry state even when you had two extra men?"

“It is not something a knight should do to outnumber the enemy, so our duel must be a sacred wizard duel, one-on-one.”

Mr. Weasley explained.

"Ah... alright." Kane still didn't understand why they wouldn't take advantage of the numerical superiority, even though the Weasleys had a lot of men...

Well, maybe it really is what they call chivalry.

Kane didn't figure this out until he returned to the Weasleys' house. Well... everything was fine. The Weasley twins were upstairs making inventions, Mr. Weasley had gone back to work at the Ministry of Magic, Harry and Ron were playing wizard chess, and Percy Weasley was still fiercely competing.

And then there was Ginny, who was sitting opposite him, using a leather notebook to cover herself, seemingly writing and drawing something. Finally, she flipped the notebook over completely.

"Kane, look, this is a drawing of you too, isn't it beautiful?" Ginny showed off her artwork with a smile.

"Of course it looks good," Kane complimented with a smile.

After saying that, Ginny put the notebook on the table and went out to play with Luna. No one noticed that the ink on the notebook was Kane's face, which slowly faded and eventually disappeared.

After a long time, Hogwarts finally reopened.

Chapter Ninety-Six: What a fantastic start to the school year! Even getting scolded by Hermione would have been worth the price of admission!

"Wake up, little wizards! I'm taking you to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters!" Mrs. Weasley was frantically banging on an iron plate with a wooden stick, the noise more deafening than any other noise, giving Kane and Harry a considerable shock.

After all, having lived in the Weasley household for so long, they had never experienced Mrs. Weasley's unique wake-up service before.

They quickly got dressed, cast cleansing spells on each other, and carried their luggage downstairs.

Of course, since getting to Platform 9¾ required going to King's Cross Station, to avoid scaring the Muggles, Kane simply had the little pumpkin cling firmly to his back, with its two little pumpkin feet gripping the eye bone like a crossbody backpack.

“Okay, good. Let’s go. I recently added an autopilot function to my car. That way, after we drop you off at King’s Cross Station, we can Apparate away, and the car will come back on its own.” After Mr. Weasley finished speaking, he helped the young wizards put their luggage into the trunk of the car. When it was Kane’s turn…

Mr. Weasley gently patted Little Pumpkin, trying to get him off Kane's back; the trunk was his home. Unfortunately, Little Pumpkin didn't seem to cooperate, remaining firmly clung to Kane's back.

"Ah, okay, anyway, this car is definitely big enough, there's plenty of room for you too."

Mr. Weasley ultimately failed to pull the little pumpkin off Kane's back, so he got into the car and slowly activated its stealth function, causing it to take flight.

Flying cars may not be as fast as flying brooms, but since they don't need to avoid any obstacles along the way, they are still much faster than ordinary cars.

Soon, Mr. Weasley parked the car in a secluded alley, turned off the invisibility function, and then walked with Mrs. Weasley and the children toward King's Cross Station.

Not far from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, everyone was gathered around Ginny.

Today is Ginny's first day at Hogwarts, and for such a memorable day, her family members must have plenty of screen time.

After a group of people surrounded her and offered various words of encouragement, most of them eventually decided to give the honor of being the first to cross Platform Nine and Three-Quarters to Ginny.

“No.” Percy quickly shook his head.

"What's wrong?" Ginny asked, puzzled.

“I think I should go first and wait for you on the other side of the platform. There are a lot of other wizards on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, and there might be some bad seeds... I mean... I’m not comfortable letting Ginny out of my sight.” Percy said somewhat awkwardly.

Kane raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, Percy didn't realize it before, but now he seems like the type to be a good older brother."

“But you can’t watch Ginny forever, Percy. Of course, you’re a good brother, that’s for sure.” Mr. Weasley was much more nonchalant.

“Just this once, after I bring Ginny to find Luna, at least they’ll have company,” Percy said firmly.

“Alright then. You go in first.” Mrs. Weasley glanced at Ginny, and only after Ginny agreed did she let Percy walk onto the platform.

“Hmm, this is the first time I’ve ever thought Percy was pretty cool,” Ron said quietly, raising an eyebrow.

"Indeed, to encourage Percy to maintain this older brother image."

"We've decided not to play any more pranks on Percy this month."

"No, no, no, you can't be so impulsive."

"It will be fine in a week."

The Weasley twins nodded and stood behind Ginny.

"Well, what a good bunch of kids. We'll be going now." After saying that, the Weasleys walked to a corner and watched Ginny pass through Platform Nine and Three-Quarters before Apparating away.