Chapter 47
At last, the large hand of the station clock pointed to the hour of departure.
It seemed they wouldn't make it in time.
"It's over," said Harry, watching the train pull away. "The Hogwarts Express is gone. What if your mum and dad can't come pick us up? Do you have any Muggle money on you?"
Ron spoke up suddenly. "Harry, do you remember that car parked behind our house?"
"Yes," Harry replied. "I remember it very well."
"Well, that's how we'll get to school on time," Ron said with a determined glint in his eye. "I know Mum would never approve, but we've got to move fast and take it before she sees us."
"Alright then, Ron!" said Harry, now visibly energized.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the journey, Albert sat across from Hermione and Neville as the train finally arrived at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"I'm really worried about Harry and Ron," Neville said, his voice low. "Do you think this year is already ruined for them?"
Albert smiled gently. "Don't worry, Neville. I bet they'll show up soon."
Hermione looked skeptical. "How can you be so sure?"
Albert paused before answering, choosing his words carefully. "You know Ron comes from a proud wizarding family. His father would never allow him to miss an entire year of school. I'm confident they'll make it. Let's just forget about it for now—we've arrived."
Finally, after a long descent, the train screeched to a halt. The students poured out onto the platform.
Ginny Weasley looked frantically left and right, scanning for her brother. But he was nowhere to be seen.
After a while, she spotted Albert, Hermione, and Neville and rushed over to them.
"Albert! Have you seen my brother?"
Albert shook his head. "No, he didn't board the train. But don't worry—he'll be here soon."
Ginny's expression turned tense upon hearing Ron hadn't made it, but before she could respond, everyone turned their eyes skyward.
A car—yes, a flying car—came soaring overhead and crash-landed directly on top of the train.
A Few Moments Earlier
Ron and Harry had taken the enchanted car from the Weasley home, intending to fly it to school.
As they began to take off, a sudden realization hit Harry.
"Ron, wait—do you actually know how to drive this thing?"
"Well," Ron said nervously, "I've watched Dad enough times. I think I know the basics."
Unfortunately, nerves got the better of him. In a panic, Ron pressed the brake instead of the accelerator. The car jerked wildly, spun midair, and went into a dramatic spiral before crashing onto the roof of the train.
"Ow—my back," groaned Harry. "Ron, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Ron replied, dazed but conscious. "What about you?"
"We've got bigger problems now," said Harry, peering out the window. "Look below."
A crowd of students had gathered, pointing and gasping at the scene above. Hagrid quickly rushed over to usher the children into the castle.
"Why are you so late?" Ginny demanded.
Ron replied breathlessly, "We couldn't get through the barrier to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters! Something strange happened—it was blocked. We had no choice!"
Ginny glared. "You do realize what'll happen when Mum finds out you took the flying car? It's magically enchanted! The moment it crashes, it returns home!"
Just then, Harry glanced behind him—the car had vanished.
"Oh, wow," he muttered.
Ginny blushed deeply, realizing she had just scolded her brother in front of her crush, Harry.
Moments later, Hagrid clapped his hands loudly.
"We're right in front of the school now," he boomed. "Professor McGonagall will be here shortly to take you inside. Everyone ready?"
"Yeeees!!" the students chorused.
Ten seconds later, the castle door creaked open, and Professor McGonagall stepped out.
"Come along now," she said crisply. "The school isn't quite ready yet, so I expect you all to remain quiet in the common room until the welcoming feast. The Gryffindor password is 'Honeybird Feast.' I'll have lunch sent to you."
After bidding her farewell, the group made their way up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower. In no time, they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"My, you're early," she said suspiciously, eyeing the trio.
"Honeybird Feast," said Neville.
Once the portrait swung open, they climbed through the hole and collapsed on the nearest couch. Everyone seemed dizzy and silent—everyone except Albert.
Ginny had already been taken by McGonagall for her Sorting Ceremony.
After a few quiet minutes, Albert noticed a table in front of them. On it was a platter holding roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, peas, and a generous helping of gravy. A jug of pumpkin juice and three cups sat nearby.
If this was Hogwarts' idea of a light snack, then even their punishments were lavish.
Harry and Ron devoured the food greedily.
After the meal, the dishes vanished as they did in the Great Hall. Hogwarts' house-elves truly were masters of silent service.
Albert leaned back and asked, "So, you couldn't get through the platform barrier? Do you know why?"
Harry answered, "Not really. The Hogwarts Express has been running for over a century. Maybe the magic just glitched."
"I don't think so," Ron countered. "Things in the magical world don't just break like that. Especially not the barrier to the school—it's inspected every year."
"But what's really worrying me," he added, "is Mum! She's going to scream—and maybe even hex me!"
Ron sank into the couch, thinking of how he would explain this to his mother.
Albert, calmly, said, "Don't worry, Ron. Before the car disappeared, I cast a Reparo charm on it. It should've returned home just as it was."
"Seriously?" Ron's eyes widened.
"Yes," Albert nodded.
Ron jumped up in delight. "Albert, thank you! I'll never forget what you did!"
"No need to thank me," Albert said with a grin. "I just try to look out for others when I can."
He stretched. "I think I'll take a nap. This morning was exhausting."
Albert climbed up to his dorm, took a quick rest, then got up around three, showered, dressed, and headed back down. He found Harry and Ron playing Exploding Snap.
When Albert approached, Harry grinned. "Oh yeah—thanks for the holiday card, Albert!"
Albert joined their game, and with steady hands and the experience of a previous life, built a towering structure of cards before triggering a magnificent explosion. Unfortunately for Ron, he couldn't even win at Wizard Chess and ended up sulking over his lost cards.
Eventually, when the trio started to feel tired, it was time to head down for the opening feast.
They hadn't arrived with the other students, so they waited outside the Great Hall. Soon, chatter echoed from the corridor—the other students had arrived.
Albert followed the crowd and took a seat at the Gryffindor table. The enchanted ceiling above glowed with candlelight, mirroring the night sky. This year, unlike last, Albert wasn't a new student. He now sat among his peers, waiting for the Sorting to begin.
Just as he sat down, he heard footsteps and looked up to see Hermione sitting across from him, her brow furrowed.
"What on earth happened to them?" she whispered. "I never saw them on the train—I thought they were missing!"
"They told me the barrier to the platform malfunctioned," Albert replied.
"But why would they take a flying car?!" Hermione said in disbelief.
Albert shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine."
Their conversation was interrupted as Dumbledore rose and addressed the hall, announcing the beginning of the Sorting Ceremony. The doors creaked open, and the new first-years entered, trembling like lambs before the slaughter.
Albert watched them, remembering last year's ceremony. Now, he thought of all the seventh-years who had graduated. It was clear—Hogwarts was the heart of the British wizarding world. Most Ministry of Magic employees were Hogwarts alumni. Since Dumbledore became headmaster in 1956, nearly every Ministry official had once been his student.
As the Sorting Hat began its song—an eerie, unsettling melody even after hearing it for a second year—Albert drifted into thought.
Ginny Weasley was sorted into Gryffindor, as expected, and so was Colin Creevey, the enthusiastic Harry Potter admirer. Albert wondered if the two would one day form a fan club for Harry.
After Dumbledore's usual brief welcome speech, the feast began. Laughter, clinking cutlery, and the scent of roast meat filled the air.
When the final desserts vanished, Dumbledore stood once more and told the students to head to bed.
Albert bid Hermione goodnight, returned to his dorm, practiced a few spells before his roommates arrived, then washed up and climbed in to bed.
Thus ended the first magical day of the new school year.
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