Volume 24 - The Order Of Black Phoenix - Begins!
Note: This Volume will cover Hogwarts' events related to 3rd and 4th Year in one semester, but heavily diverged, with many surprises at the end. The Volume has 57 Chapters and is already completed.
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Platform Nine and Three-Quarters,
King's Cross Station
London
The Hogwarts Express, a scarlet steam engine, puffed smoke over a platform packed with witches and wizards seeing their children onto the train.
The atmosphere was a strange mix of peace and dread.
It was like the world itself didn't know whether to sigh in relief or prepare for doom.
All over the station, huge posters were pasted on stony pillars, showing a middle-aged man standing regally. He had a long black beard and, even if the poster itself was black and white, one could perceive the blackness in his eyes.
It was none other than Albus Dumbledore — Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
However, the articles on the front page of the Daily Prophet didn't address him by that name anymore.
Under the posters that covered the entire station, Lord Black Phoenix was written in bold letters.
This was not a Wanted Poster, though.
It was the sole reason behind the relief part that lingered in the atmosphere.
The Order of the Black Phoenix, a global effort led by Lord Black Phoenix to stand against the Dark Alliance, had already surpassed geographical, religious, and racial boundaries.
Now, most of Europe had become a haven for the wizarding masses from all across the world, their safety guaranteed by the Order.
And so, when Harry, Black, Ron, and others walked into a jam-packed station, it didn't surprise them in the least.
"Watch it!" a wizard barked at Black.
Mrs. Weasley hurriedly pulled all the children close, her one eye lingering on Harry's forehead.
The matter of Sirius Black had already marked Harry as a target.
Then, news of the Dark Lord breaking off with the Dark Alliance circulated, making the boy's situation even more perilous.
"There really are students of Ilvermorny," Ron said, noticing the different school uniforms.
"They have added three more coaches to the Hogwarts Express," Mr. Weasley told the children as they squeezed through the crowd. "Ilvermorny needed to install security measures from the ground. So, they had to send out all the students with the ministry's help."
"Most of the students have been staying at Hogsmeade and other wizarding communities," Percy added, adjusting his Head Boy badge. "These must be the ones who were living with their relatives."
"I still can't believe it…" Ginny said. "Madam Villanelle really brought an entire school from America?!"
The Daily Prophet had covered the magnificent display of magic in detail, marking it as a great victory against the Dark Alliance.
"She's got style…" Fred began.
"…and the looks, too," George finished.
"You two!" Mrs. Weasley hissed at the two boys. "Behave properly at the school this year, or…"
"But why so far?" Harry asked, remembering what he heard at the Leaky Cauldron. "It's like 150–160 miles north of Hogwarts, isn't it?"
"Hey, you!" another wizard hissed at Black. "…Animals!"
Mrs. Weasley pulled Black closer.
"Ilvermorny is accustomed to isolation and a strong, vast territory-based magic," Percy replied. "They have also created a town like Hogsmeade near the school. Assynt. It's only a three-hour journey from Hogsmeade."
"So, Assynt is the final station of the Hogwarts Express now?" Harry asked.
Percy nodded before his eyes suddenly lit up. "Ah, there's Penelope!"
All the boys, and even Ginny, let out suppressed chuckles as they saw Percy run through the crowd, dearly holding onto his hat with one hand, his other hand pressed hard over his Head Boy badge.
After a few moments, passing the packed compartments, the Weasleys arrived at the end of the train, at a carriage that looked quite empty.
This time, it was Ginny's turn to exclaim. "Hermione! Daphne! Astoria!"
The three girls turned around.
And the moment Hermione, carrying Crookshanks in her arms, looked at the Weasleys, before she could even reply to Ginny, her eyes landed on Black.
"… You've got to be kidding me!" she hissed, her eyes snapping up and down. "Is this — a joke?!"
"Hey!" Black replied, taking offense. "That's going too far now! You dare call Uncle Black a joke?!"
"…"
Daphne put a hand over her mouth, holding back a laugh.
Astoria and Ginny had already sided with Hermione, standing next to her, mimicking her anger.
"You… didn't name a dog — Uncle Black…" Hermione hissed.
Black crouched and patted the large black dog, slapping its stomach three times. "Get used to it," he said, looking at the dog. "They're Slytherins."
"Nice!" Fred and George praised.
"You!" Hermione gnashed her teeth.
"Alright!" Mrs. Weasley stepped between the two third years. "Now, listen to me, all of you. You are not children anymore. Shut it, Fred. I am not talking about Ginny and Astoria. (—I am George—). Well, shut it. You all need to get along this year. Listen to your teachers and do NOT act on your own like last time. Got it?"
Ron, Hermione, and Daphne's eyes faltered.
They had managed to end the Basilisk and Voldemort's memory the last time, but it could have gone so wrong so fast, too.
"And, Harry, dear…" Mrs. Weasley's face suddenly gained a wide smile. "I…"
Suddenly, everything went quiet.
It was not even metaphorical.
It happened slowly, like a single wave running over a calm lake.
Starting from somewhere on the platform, a quietness began washing over the crowd. And that was saying something, given the number of people and with the Hogwarts Express time to leave approaching, marked by loud whistles.
But even those whistles couldn't hide the quietness.
In the current times, it was unnerving, to say the least.
Slowly, as the Weasleys, the boys, and the girls turned around to see what was going on, the crowd began parting.
In only a few moments, a long, narrow corridor appeared, walled by wizards and witches on either side.
And, on this corridor, walked a single person, unbothered by the gazes.
Darcie Malfoy, towering over many people to her left and right, in Slytherin uniform, was walking toward them…
…led by none other than Dobby the house-elf, wearing a black tuxedo.
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AN: Original Image of Darcie and Dobby as they arrive at the station is available
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