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Chapter 73: Successfully Returning to School
Chapter 73: Successfully Returning to School
Finally, the big clock at the train station struck the departure time. It seemed they had missed their train.
"Great", Ron said dumbly, "the train has left. What if our parents can't come to pick us up? Do you have any Muggle money on you?"
Harry gave a dry laugh, "The Dursleys haven't given me any pocket money for six years."
"I'm fine", Liam said, "I still have over thirty pounds."
Ron relaxed a bit after Liam's response, then pressed his ear to the cold wall partition.
"There's no sound at all", he said nervously, "what are we going to do? We don't know how long it will take for our parents to come back for us."
Harry's owl kept chirping, drawing too much attention. So Harry suggested they wait by the cars for the Weasleys.
At this moment, the word "car" seemed to spark an idea in Ron, who excitedly said to Liam and Harry:
"We can drive a flying car to Hogwarts! We're stuck, right? We have to get back to school, don't we? In real emergencies, young wizards can use magic. The Restriction Statute, Article 19 or something, says..."
"Stop!" Liam waved his hand at Ron. "Don't forget, we're only 12 years old. Do you think it's a good idea for someone who hasn't learned to drive to fly a car across the whole of Britain? If we crash, my Levitation Charm won't save all three of us."
Harry nodded in agreement after hearing Liam's words. He knew Ron's idea was risky. After all, even in the Muggle world, you need to take driving lessons and get a license before you can drive. From his observations at the Weasleys' house, Mrs. Weasley would never allow Ron to fly a car around. Harry didn't want to entrust his life to a novice driver.
"Then what do you suggest? We can't get to Hogwarts now", Ron said, growing anxious as Harry didn't support his idea.
"Let's hurry out. I think my father hasn't left yet. He can take us to the Leaky Cauldron, and from there, we should be able to find someone who can help us", Liam said to Harry and Ron.
"You're a genius, no wonder you always get the highest scores in exams", Ron patted Liam on the shoulder, and the three of them quickly pushed their trolleys towards the parking lot.
When they reached the parking lot, Liam found that his father, Mr. Lambert, was indeed still there. He looked surprised to see his son and the two other students pushing their trolleys towards him.
"Aren't you supposed to be on the train to school? Why are you back so soon?" Mr. Lambert asked, puzzled.
"Well, there's some issue with the entrance, and we can't get through. So we were hoping you could take us to the Leaky Cauldron where we shopped last time. We can get back to school from there."
Mr. Lambert listened and then helped them load their luggage into his car. He then hailed a taxi and had the three of them sit in it, instructing the driver to follow him.
About ten minutes later, they finally arrived at the Leaky Cauldron. After saying goodbye to Mr. Lambert, Liam and the others carried their luggage into the pub. The bar was not very busy that day, with only a few customers drinking inside.
Tom, the bartender, was wiping glasses behind the counter when he saw them enter. He looked surprised, "Kids, today is the start of the school term. Why are you here?"
"The barrier at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters seems to be malfunctioning, and it's blocking us from getting in. So we came here to see if anyone can help us."
"Sit tight, I'll send a message to your professors", Tom said, taking out a quill and parchment. He scribbled something and then sent it through the Floo Network.
Liam walked up to the counter and bought three bottles of Pumpkin Juice. He then joined Harry and the others, each taking a bottle and sitting at a table while they waited for news. Just as they finished their drinks, a green Flame flickered in the fireplace at the Leaky Cauldron, and Professor Mcgonagall emerged, dressed in a dark green robe. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw Liam and the others.
"Thank heavens you're all right. The Ministry of Magic said there was a problem with the barrier. I was worried you might do something foolish and hurt yourselves because you missed the Hogwarts Express. Fortunately, you knew to seek help at the Leaky Cauldron."
"Now that the train has left, how are we going to get to school?" Harry asked Professor Mcgonagall.
"Don't worry, children. We'll use the Floo Network to go directly to Hogsmeade Station. Liam, you haven't used the Floo Network before, have you? Just watch how I do it and follow along."
With that, Professor Mcgonagall tossed a pinch of Floo Powder into the fireplace, turning the Flame green. She stepped into it and said, "Hogsmeade Station", before disappearing.
"You go first. Don't panic, stay still, and make sure you say the location clearly. It's not dangerous", Ron told Liam.
Liam pinched a handful of powder from the basin and threw it into the fire. He then dragged his luggage into the fireplace. It felt as hot as standing next to a bonfire. Liam enunciated his destination: "Hogsmeade Station."
He felt as if he had been tossed into a washing machine, spinning around, and the green Flame vortex made him dizzy. He had no choice but to close his eyes and listen to the wind whistling past his ears.
Finally, with a thud, he and his luggage landed on the marble floor. Dazed and disoriented, Liam propped himself up with his arm. Professor Mcgonagall used her wand to clean the soot off him.
Harry and Ron arrived next, and Professor Mcgonagall did the same for them. She told them to leave their luggage there (don't worry, someone will bring it to your dormitory later) and then led them to the school carriage, which was pulled by Thestrals—visible only to those who have seen death.
The carriage rumbled along a rough dirt road, passing through a grand iron gate flanked by stone pillars topped with winged boars.
Finally, the carriage stopped at the castle's entrance.
At that moment, the System in Liam's mind issued a notification:
—The Harry Potter flying car event has been altered, earning 6 Deviation Points.
The number of points was higher than expected, likely because the change affected a series of subsequent events, thus earning more Deviation Points.
After they got out of the carriage, Professor Mcgonagall said to Liam, Harry, and Ron, "We've arrived at the school. Since your classmates won't arrive until this afternoon, the school isn't fully prepared yet. I want you to stay in the Common Room quietly until the Feast. The password is 'Syrupbird,' and someone will bring lunch up to you."
(End of Chapter)
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