Chapter 804: Back to School, Dumbledore's Letter
Chapter 804: Back to School, Dumbledore's Letter
Ron swore that this had been the most unforgettable summer holiday he had ever experienced. The tense situation a month ago had kept him on edge, and after the incident in the Valley of Godric, the Death Eaters suddenly became uncharacteristically quiet.
Just when he thought he could finally relax, he was sent to the Ministry of Magic to work, not even having a day off unlike the house-elves. But finally, his torture was over.
Although there was still unfinished homework and only three days left before school started, compared to his work at the Ministry, the assignments were a breeze.
For the first time, Ron found doing homework incredibly easy. Not only did he finish everything on time, but he also managed to draw a complete planetary orbit map for Harry.
To be honest, Harry was so shocked that he thought a Death Eater had taken Polyjuice Potion to disguise themselves as Ron and infiltrate Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place.
...
"Hurry up, let's go!"
On the first day of school, Mrs. Weasley woke everyone up early and urged them to hurry downstairs for breakfast.
"Mom, aren't we using Floo Powder to get to school? Why the rush?" Ginny, still sleepy, yawned as she walked downstairs and asked.
"There's been a change of plans," Mrs. Weasley said as she added two more sandwiches to Ginny's plate. "Connecting to the Floo Network might disrupt some of the protective enchantments around Hogwarts, so you'll be taking the train instead."
"The train?" Ron immediately became alert. "What if the Death Eaters attack? At least send Harry separately."
"No, it's fine," Harry quickly shook his head. "Taking the train is good."
He never wanted to be seen as different from the others. If everyone else took the train and he was the only one sent separately, it would feel like he needed special treatment, which was an uncomfortable thought.
Besides, he really wanted to take the train, especially this year.
Just like how adults never tell first-year students about the Sorting Ceremony, almost all seventh-year students choose to take the train to Hogwarts, just as they did when they first arrived at the castle six years ago.
Harry felt the same way. Ever since school was about to start, he had wanted to take the train, and even last night, he had been tossing and turning in bed, unsure if he should share his thoughts with everyone.
He just wasn't sure if Sirius would agree, so the current situation was a pleasant surprise for him.
Harry was genuinely worried that Mrs. Weasley would listen to Ron's suggestion and use Disapparition to send him to Hogsmeade.
Fortunately, that didn't happen.
"You don't have to worry about that," she said. "This year, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Sprout will be on the train with the students, and three senior Aurors from the Ministry will also be escorting you. It's perfectly safe."
"The professors will be taking the Hogwarts Express?" Hermione asked in surprise.
It was rare for professors to take the Hogwarts Express. In the past six years, it had only happened twice.
One of them was Professor Slughorn, but he had his own motives for wanting to meet interesting students on the train.
The other was Professor Lupin, and his reason for taking the train was simpler... it was the cheapest way, as he didn't have to pay for it.
Unexpectedly, three professors were coming this year, and they were all heads of houses, except for Snape.
"Yes, this was decided before the holidays," Mrs. Weasley continued. "Although the Death Eaters have been less active recently, the professors decided to stick to the plan for safety."
"Eat quickly, the car is already waiting outside."
Everyone immediately sped up their breakfast.
"It's strange, though. Why isn't Professor Snape participating in the escort?" Hermione asked curiously as she ate her fried egg sandwich.
"Do you even need to ask?" Ron said matter-of-factly. "The professors obviously don't trust him. Maybe they've discovered he's a Death Eater and kicked him out."
As he spoke, Ron suddenly laughed, "With Malfoy gone, if Snape gets kicked out too, that would be perfect, hehe..."
Harry couldn't help but laugh as well.
Yes, he couldn't even imagine how wonderful Hogwarts would be without Malfoy and Snape.
After a quick breakfast, Mrs. Weasley hurried them outside.
"Luggage, wands... do you have everything? Did anyone forget anything?"
"Ginny, your robe..."
"Ron, hurry up."
"Harry, take your owl. She doesn't look too well."
"Yeah." Harry looked at Hedwig in her cage.
She had been locked up for two months and could only fly around the house at most, so it was no wonder she looked unwell.
He could already imagine his fingers being pecked when they returned to Hogwarts.
But there was no time to worry about that now.
With a lot of hustle and bustle, they finally managed to stuff all the luggage into the car.
"Don't worry, I know." Mr. Weasley said, "Besides, Kyle and Sirius are with us, so there's nothing to worry about."
Since everyone else was busy, the task of escorting them to the station fell to Kyle... it was actually something he wanted to do himself.
In the past, he was always the one being sent off, and now the sudden change in role felt novel.
As soon as Ron climbed into the car, Mr. Weasley expertly stepped on the gas and drove off.
For some unknown reason, the Weasley family always seemed to be in a rush when catching the train, and this time was no exception.
They arrived at the station just ten minutes before the train was scheduled to depart.
The group hurriedly pushed their luggage and rushed towards the platform, their owls hooting and squawking, drawing curious glances from Muggles.
However, they were already accustomed to this.
There was an anti-Muggle spell cast around Platform Nine, so it became quiet as they approached.
"Hurry up, Ron, you go first." Mr. Weasley said.
Ron immediately rushed towards the pillar at the entrance without another word.
"Harry, you're next, then Ginny, Hermione..."
As they entered the platform, Kyle brought up the rear, keeping an eye on their surroundings.
He did spot a few suspicious individuals, but they weren't Death Eaters; they were Aurors from the Ministry, identifiable by the work badges they wore.
After all, he had designed those badges himself, so he recognized them instantly.
There weren't many people traveling to school this time, and after Hermione disappeared, Kyle followed Mr. Weasley onto the platform.
Beyond the pillar, a different scene unfolded.
Despite the tense situation, the platform was bustling with activity as students and their parents gathered to board the Hogwarts Express.
Kyle gazed at the familiar sight and couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.
"What are you thinking about?" Mr. Weasley asked as he walked over.
"I'm just glad to be done with all of this," Kyle replied with a lopsided grin.
Mr. Weasley was taken aback, his response quite different from what he expected.
"Don't you miss your time at Hogwarts?" he asked.
"I'll miss it in a decade or so." Kyle laughed, "For now, I'm just glad I don't have to endure that hard train ride for hours, or wake up early for classes, or do homework..."
As he thought about it, Kyle burst out laughing.
"I've decided to sleep in till noon tomorrow..."
"I'm sorry."
As he was thinking, a familiar voice suddenly spoke from behind him.
"Oh, Minerva." Mr. Weasley said, "It's wonderful to see you here."
"I feel the same, Arthur." Professor McGonagall said, then turned to Kyle, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm afraid you'll be joining us as well."
"Joining you?" Kyle blinked, "What do you mean?"
"You'll be taking the train to Hogwarts." Professor McGonagall stated calmly.
"Wait a minute." Kyle took a step back instinctively, "Professor, I've already graduated, and I didn't fail any years."
"I know, but this is Dumbledore's request." Professor McGonagall said.
"Professor Dumbledore." Kyle asked, "Has he returned... I mean, has he gone back to the school?"
"No, he hasn't." Professor McGonagall shook her head, "I haven't seen him in a month, and no one knows where he's gone."
"Then how can you say..."
"He left a letter." Before Kyle could say anything, Professor McGonagall had already placed a letter in his hand.
Kyle looked at the envelope in his hand, feeling like he had fallen into a pitfall, and he was tempted to just drop the letter and let it be lost.
If he accidentally dropped it and then accidentally cast a fire spell to destroy it, would he still have to go?
But Professor McGonagall seemed to see through his thoughts.
"It's fine, I've already read the content, and if necessary, I can recite it to you."
"I..." Kyle felt a toothache coming on, "Do I have to go?"
"I'm afraid so, it's important." Professor McGonagall shook her head.
"I shouldn't have come today." Kyle sighed.
"It's alright." Professor McGonagall continued, "I was actually planning to come and pick you up, but Molly mentioned that you would be seeing them off at the station, so I didn't go."
"Well..." Kyle sighed again.
"So, what's this all about... Wait a moment." Kyle suddenly realized something, his lips twitching as he asked, "Isn't Professor Dumbledore asking me to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for the year?"
It wasn't an impossibility.
Every year, Dumbledore struggled to find a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and who knew if he had found one this year.
What if he hadn't, and he was planning to drag Kyle into this mess...
Moreover, as a graduate returning to Hogwarts, what else could it be but to become a professor?
With this thought, Kyle's heart raced, and he subconsciously drew his wand.
If Professor McGonagall dared to tell him that the envelope contained a letter of appointment, he would dare to destroy it on the spot.
"Is that what you think?
"To be honest, I believe you would excel in this role, even if you are the youngest professor at Hogwarts."
"No, no, that's quite alright, Professor," Kyle refused Professor McGonagall's offer with a wave of his hand, simultaneously breathing a sigh of relief.
"So, what's this all about, then...?"
"Woo-woo!"
A whistle interrupted Kyle's question, signaling that it was time to board the train.
Mr. Weasley rushed over to bid Ron and the others farewell.
"Alright, you can figure it out once you're on the train. We should get going now," Professor McGonagall said, urging them to hurry.
Although reluctant, under Professor McGonagall's sharp gaze, Kyle could only drag his heavy feet slowly towards the train, praying for it to depart quickly, hoping it would leave before he had to board.
Professor McGonagall didn't rush him, simply watching calmly from the carriage.
Perhaps she had arranged for the Hogwarts Express to depart later, as it remained stationary despite the two whistles that had sounded.
"Hey, Kyle, over here!" Ron called out, sticking his head out of the window and waving frantically. "Don't see us off, we'll see each other at Christmas... Huh?"
He watched, bewildered, as Kyle ignored him and slowly climbed aboard.
The next second, all the doors shut, and with the third whistle, the train finally moved.
"Oh, wait, did Kyle just get on?" Ron asked, puzzled.
"Yes, you're not mistaken," Hermione confirmed.
"Maybe he forgot that he's already graduated," Ginny said softly. "Fred had the same impulse to follow us onto the train when he was seeing us off... Kyle just graduated, so it's possible he forgot for a moment."
"Makes sense."
"Then let's go find him, Ginny. Could you please find us an empty compartment?" Harry immediately withdrew his head from the window and asked. "The train hasn't gone far yet, he has enough time to get off."
The corridor was packed with people and luggage, and it took Harry a long time to squeeze through. But when he finally reached the door, Kyle had vanished.
Harry searched for a long time but couldn't find him.
"Looks like he came to his senses," Ron said. "Let's head back."
Harry thought about it and agreed.
Kyle could use the Disapparition spell, and he might have already returned to the platform.
He poked his head out of the nearby window, looking towards the platform, but just then, the train took a turn, obscuring his view.
"Don't worry about him, it's Kyle we're talking about," Hermione reassured them, unconcerned. "But the corridor is too crowded. Ron, we should help maintain order."
"Why should I do such a pointless task?" Ron grumbled.
He didn't want to chase after those young students; he'd rather play a game of Wizard's Chess with Harry in their compartment, something they hadn't done in a long time.
"Because you're a prefect!" Hermione dragged him towards the prefect's compartment without another word.
By the way, she was this year's girl head student and needed to assign tasks to all the prefects.
However, the boy head student wasn't Ron but a Ravenclaw student.
After the two left, Harry stood alone for a while.
He had a feeling that Kyle was still on the train, as he hadn't seen anyone using Disapparition in the carriages.
Perhaps he was just blocked by the crowd? Harry wondered, but after a while, he shook his head and stopped thinking about it. He turned and walked towards the back of the train.
Hermione was right about one thing—he didn't need to worry about Kyle. Even if he had come to Hogwarts, he could always return whenever he wanted.
He might as well think about whether Ginny had found an empty compartment.
He hoped she had, and that... there was no one else in it.
For some reason, Harry had this thought in mind. Ron and Hermione wouldn't be back until at least lunchtime, so if the compartment was empty, he and Ginny could be alone for a long time.
Harry quickened his pace...
Meanwhile, in an ordinary compartment, Kyle had just entered and found Professor Flitwick reading a book and Professor Sprout tending to her plants.
"Long time no see, Kyle," Professor Sprout looked up and said. "I always regretted leaving early at Bill's wedding. I'm glad you're all safe."
"Please don't say that, Professor. After all, none of us expected the Death Eaters to attack suddenly," Kyle said. "But speaking of which, what did Professor Dumbledore want with me?"
"Well, did Minerva give you the letter?" Professor Flitwick asked.
"Yes, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet," Kyle said. "I have a feeling it's not good news."
"Don't be nervous, it's not that bad," Professor Sprout said with a smile. "He just wants you to pretend to be him and attend the opening ceremony."
...
(End of Chapter)
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