Chapter 271: School Starts
"It's just that I didn't have the authority to know about this before. When I was eighty-seven years old, Perenelle and I chose to fake our deaths and retreat from the world, devoting ourselves entirely to the study of alchemy."
"Although my life may not have been spectacular, it has been fulfilling. So, there's no need to feel sad. This was my own choice, and this is the right time. My departure will also reduce the weaknesses and burdens you carry."
Nicolas Flamel spoke of his death with simple words and calm composure, as if it wasn't himself, but someone else, who was about to die. Perhaps this was the kind of courage shared by Nicolas and other legendary, righteous wizards—those who moved forward even in the face of death.
Not only Nicolas, but Dumbledore, too, had shown this courage. In the original timeline, he was dying from the curse of the Resurrection Stone ring. He used his final year to guide Harry, protect Draco, and preserve Snape's role within Voldemort's ranks—dying willingly at the Astronomy Tower.
It's here that Voldemort reveals his fatal flaw. A man who fears death will never defeat one who faces it willingly.
At that moment, Phineas felt as though he understood something—and yet, perhaps not fully. His spiritual core surged, resolving many of his past doubts. It was as though some hidden voice whispered: Continue learning, continue accumulating magic, and the realm of legend will open to you. The threshold that separated so many great wizards from legend seemed to vanish in that instant.
Phineas buried Nicolas's body alone. A few days earlier, Dumbledore, Sirius, and the others had left to help Harry prepare for the new school year at Diagon Alley. Phineas didn't need to join them; his portable library already contained all the fourth-year textbooks—most in unabridged form, and some signed by their authors, gifts from various wizarding families.
He did not hold a funeral—not only because Nicolas had requested it, but also because Phineas was the only one who knew the manor's location. Not even Dumbledore could find it.
Only now did Phineas realize that the manor's protective enchantment wasn't the Fidelius Charm or any common secrecy spell, but a much older territorial magic.
This ancient magic permanently binds a location to its lord. Only the lord can know its location—and only with their consent can others learn of it. If the lord dies without naming an heir, the territory remains hidden for a century before reappearing.
Nicolas had named Phineas as his heir, and so the land now truly belonged to him. No recognition from the Ministry of Magic was required. This place was now forgotten by the world, and entirely his.
---
September arrived.
Because of certain matters related to Phineas, Dumbledore invited Sirius Black to serve as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Thus, Gilderoy Lockhart—the fraud from the original timeline—never came to Hogwarts selling books filled with lies.
The Malfoys had joined the Black family's camp and were no longer in opposition to the Weasleys. The diary had been destroyed. The only danger left was the basilisk hidden in the Chamber of Secrets.
In short, most of the events that should have defined this school year had already been disrupted by Phineas. By all appearances, this year should proceed more smoothly than before.
---
On September 1st, Phineas traveled from his estate in a small French village to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters at King's Cross Station in London. There, he reunited with the Weasley twins, Lee Jordan, Harry, and Ron.
He also saw Mad-Eye Moody, Tonks, and the Weasleys.
Sirius was boarding the train with the students, so he wasn't on the platform.
Several young wizards Phineas already knew were enrolling this year—Ginny Weasley, Astoria Greengrass, and the eccentric Luna Lovegood, who had made a strong impression on him.
"Mr. Black."
Astoria was waiting on the platform rather than boarding with her sister. When Phineas appeared, she hurried over.
Phineas smiled and said,
"I thought we were already well acquainted. Just call me Phineas."
Astoria blushed slightly. Perhaps she was remembering when Phineas had cured her blood curse more than a month ago. Even in a modern, open society, an eleven-year-old girl might feel shy about undressing in front of a handsome, strong-willed older boy. At the time, pain and survival were her only focus, but now—things were different.
At least, that's what Phineas assumed. Whether there was another reason behind her blushing, he didn't know.
"F…Phineas. Just call me Leah," she said softly.
Phineas nodded. Unlike the nervous little girl twisting her fingers, he was quite at ease.
"Leah, why didn't you get on the train with your sister?"
Astoria's sister, Daphne, led a clique of Slytherin girls who bullied others outside their House. They were careful enough to avoid punishment, but their behavior still left a bad taste.
Astoria frowned. "Their behavior is disgusting…"
Phineas chuckled and patted her head absentmindedly.
"If you don't like them, don't go with them. Come along with me. I'll introduce you to some friends."
He hadn't meant to pat her head. It wasn't a habit of his. It just… happened. And he realized the sensation was oddly comforting—like petting a cat. Of course, the girl didn't purr, but still.
Seeing him board the train, Astoria followed quickly.
Phineas made a beeline for George's compartment. Ginny was already there, sitting with a sullen look. She clearly wanted to sit with Harry but had been dragged away by her brothers.
"How was your summer?" Phineas asked George, Fred, and Lee Jordan as he entered. "Hello, Ginny."
He sat opposite the others but left the window seat for Astoria—he remembered she preferred it.
"This is Astoria Greengrass. She'll likely be sorted into Slytherin."
Turning to Astoria, he introduced, "These are George and Fred Weasley, Lee Jordan—my good friends—and their sister, Ginny."
Then he asked the twins, "What did you do to upset Ginny?"
Fred rolled his eyes. "She wanted to sit with Harry. We dragged her off so she wouldn't be led astray by little Ronnie."
George nodded in agreement, and when Ginny heard that, her scowl deepened.
Phineas, however, smiled knowingly. Ron and Ginny were siblings who had grown up together—there was no real danger of her being "led astray." The twins simply didn't want Ginny sitting in the same carriage as Harry.
The Weasley brothers had their differences—especially with Percy—but they were united when it came to Ginny. Phineas remembered that in the original timeline, when Ginny had started dating, Fred, George, and Ron had all been furious.
Naturally, Phineas wouldn't call them out on their excuses. Instead, he shifted the conversation to other topics.
Astoria's arrival gave Ginny someone her own age to talk to, and before long, a smile returned to the youngest Weasley's face. The two girls quickly immersed themselves in lively chatter about things only eleven-year-olds could find endlessly fascinating.
"Phineas, I saw in the Daily Prophet that you were attacked near Knockturn Alley. Are you alright?"
It was Jordan who asked first.
Astoria froze mid-sentence and turned her full attention to Phineas, her expression filled with concern. She hadn't known—over the summer, she'd been recovering from the aftereffects of the blood curse that had nearly destroyed her body. Between rest and restricted magical contact, she'd missed the news entirely.
Ginny also looked at him, clearly waiting for an answer.
Phineas gave a small shrug.
"I'm here chatting with you lot, aren't I? So yes—I'm fine. But now that you've brought it up, there's something important I do need to tell you."
He turned to Ginny and Astoria.
"Ginny, go find Luna Lovegood—the girl from the Lovegood family. You live near each other, so I'm sure you know her."
Ginny nodded, got up, and left the compartment.
Phineas then turned to Astoria.
"Leah, could you find Harry and the others?"
Astoria had spent enough time at Hogwarts the previous year to know the school's famous "Boy Who Lived." Without question, she got up and left as well.
George raised a brow.
"What are you going to say?"
Phineas waved him off.
"Wait until they're back."
Fred looked surprised.
"Don't you want to talk without them?"
Phineas shook his head.
"Of course not. They need to hear this too. I just don't fancy repeating myself."
The three boys exchanged glances, realizing they'd jumped to the wrong conclusion.
Before long, Ginny returned with Luna, and Astoria brought back Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco, and Neville.
The once-roomy compartment was now completely packed.
It was a standard-sized Hogwarts train compartment, with two rows of seats that could comfortably fit four students each. A small foldable table sat under the window between them—enough space for eight people at most.
Now, with twelve crammed inside, it was more than a little tight.
"Squeeze in, everyone. You'll want to hear this."
They huddled together. George sat on Fred's lap. Harry and Ron squeezed side by side. Phineas had a bit more space—he was the speaker, after all.
"I think you all know about the attack at the Silver Moon Potion Shop," he began.
Heads nodded. Harry looked particularly attentive.
"That shop was mine. The attack was premeditated, not a random ambush like the Prophet claimed. And although the Ministry fired several department heads over the affair, none of those people were the actual culprits."
"The person who attacked me… was He-who-must-not-be-named."
The group gasped. Phineas gave them a moment to absorb it.
"I want you to understand that you-know-who has returned. And there's a very high chance he's regained his full strength."
He glanced at Harry.
"Harry knows this already."
Hermione asked, "Have you told Professor Dumbledore?"
Phineas nodded. "We came to this conclusion together. We investigated, and we're sure it's true."
Draco rubbed his chin. "No wonder my father warned me to be careful and gave me another magical item for protection."
Phineas nodded. "And I'm sure Mr. and Mrs. Weasley did the same for you, George. Members of the Order of the Phoenix were also on the platform today, ready for anything."