Chapter 182
Harry heard Mr. Weasley saying goodbye to Bill, Charlie, Percy, and the girls, and within five minutes he returned to the kitchen, fully dressed, and said to Harry and Ron, "I'd better hurry… have a great school year, boys. Molly, will you be all right taking the kids to King's Cross Station?"
Molly replied, "Of course… take care of Moody, Arthur. You'll be fine!"
As soon as Mr. Weasley Disapparated, Bill and Charlie entered the kitchen. "Did someone mention Moody's name?" Bill asked. "What happened to him?"
Mrs. Weasley answered, "He says someone tried to break into his house last night!"
George, grabbing a piece of toast, asked in disbelief, "Moody? That lunatic "
But Mrs. Weasley cut him off. "Your father cares deeply about Moody."
Fred smirked. "Yes… Dad's very fond of the unimportant ones."
Bill said firmly, "He was a great wizard in his time."
Charlie added, "He's an old friend of Dumbledore's, right?" Then Harry asked, "Who exactly is Moody?"
Charlie replied, "He's a retired Ministry of Magic employee. I met him once when Dad took me to work. He used to be one of the top Dark wizard catchers he's the reason half the cells in Azkaban are full. He's made a lot of enemies, though, since many families see him as the man who destroyed their own. I heard he's grown a bit paranoid these days doesn't trust anyone anymore."
Bill and Charlie decided to accompany them to King's Cross Station, but Percy declined, saying he needed to get back to work. "I can't ask for any leave," he said proudly. "Mr. Crouch depends on me completely!"
George said mockingly, "Yeah, you know, Percy? I think he might even remember your name soon!"
Mrs. Weasley used the Floo network to call the local Muggle taxi service, ordering three cars to take them to London. While they waited for the drivers to load the Hogwarts trunks, she whispered, "Arthur tried to borrow one of the Ministry cars for us, but none were available… Oh dear, why do they all look so unhappy?"
Harry didn't want to tell her the truth that the Muggle drivers were not used to transporting owl cages and exploding trunks.
Indeed, one of the trunks Fred carried contained some fireworks, which promptly exploded, singeing the driver's sleeve and startling Crookshanks, who leapt straight onto the poor man's leg.
The ride wasn't comfortable at all they were all squashed into the back seats with their luggage, and Crookshanks spent most of the journey sulking after the explosion. By the time they reached London, each of them bore a few scratches from Crookshanks's claws. The moment they arrived at King's Cross, the heavy rain pelting the streets felt almost refreshing compared to the chaos inside the cars.
Harry had long since gotten used to entering Platform Nine and Three-Quarters; it was easy for him now to slip through the barrier between platforms nine and ten. The real trick was doing so without attracting the attention of Muggles which was difficult with their large group, especially with Ron's owl Pigwidgeon screeching and Crookshanks hissing.
They passed through the barrier and emerged onto Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. The scarlet Hogwarts Express stood ready, puffing clouds of steam, while students and parents hurried about. Pigwidgeon was more excitable than ever, reacting to the many other owls on the platform.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione boarded the train to find a compartment midway down, stored their trunks, and then stepped back out to say their goodbyes to Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie.
Mrs. Weasley suddenly frowned, glancing around the platform. "I don't see Albert! Did anyone spot him on the train?"
The trio blinked none of them had thought of that until now. "No," said Ron. "We haven't seen him at all!"
But, as if summoned by their worry, Albert finally appeared stepping aboard the train, carrying a large trunk, not even noticing the Weasleys on the platform.
Everyone relaxed when they saw him. Charlie hugged Ginny and said, "Maybe I'll see you in Hogsmeade sooner than you think!"
Fred asked, "What do you mean?"
Charlie grinned. "You'll see… but don't tell Percy I told you. It's classified until the Ministry makes an official announcement."
Bill said with a wistful smile, "I almost wish I could go back to Hogwarts this year."
George asked, "Why?"
Bill looked toward the train. "You're going to have an incredible year. Maybe I'll take some time off to see part of it myself."
"See part of what?" Ron asked, confused.
But the train whistle blew, cutting him off. Mrs. Weasley hurried to the door with them. Hermione said, "Thank you so much for having us, Mrs. Weasley!"
Harry added, "Yes thank you for everything!"
Mrs. Weasley smiled warmly. "It was a pleasure, dears. I wanted to invite you back for Christmas, but… well, I imagine you'll want to stay at Hogwarts this year once you find out what's going on!"
Ron frowned. "Mum, what is it that you three know and I don't?"
She chuckled. "You'll find out tonight, I expect. It's very exciting and I'm so glad they changed the rules. It means you and Albert can't enter!"
Harry, Ron, and the twins shouted in unison, "What rules? And Albert?!"
Mrs. Weasley simply smiled. "I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will explain everything. Now behave yourselves, Fred and George! See you soon!"
The train began to move, steam swirling around the platform as Mrs. Weasley waved until she vanished from sight.
Back in their compartment, rain lashed the windows, making it hard to see outside.
To their surprise, Albert was already sitting there calm and composed, reading The Daily Prophet.
Harry was the first to speak. "Where have you been, Albert? We thought you weren't coming!"
Albert folded the newspaper and smiled. "Nowhere special. I just took too long packing my things, that's all."
Ron dropped into his seat, scowling. "Why does everyone know about this except me? My head's going to explode from curiosity!"
Harry laughed, munching on a handful of Bertie Bott's Beans. "Yeah, I'm dying to know what's going on. What did Mrs. Weasley mean about changing the rules?"
Ron turned to Albert eagerly. "You probably know, right? What's going to happen this year? And what rule change was she talking about?"
Albert smiled slyly. "You'll find out tonight. I'm sure the Headmaster will explain everything."
Ron groaned. "Not you too!"
Harry laughed harder, but Albert, seeing Ron's frustration, decided to ease his curiosity.
"What your mum meant," Albert began, "is that the Ministry's hosting a grand international tournament here at Hogwarts. There are two other wizarding schools besides ours, and they'll both be joining for the competition."
Harry's eyes widened. He had never imagined other wizarding schools existed outside Britain.
Ron asked, stunned, "Where did you hear that? Charlie said the info was top secret!"
Albert chuckled. "Exactly and I heard it from your brother Charlie himself, back at your house."
"What?! He told you and not me? I'm his real brother!" Ron exclaimed.
Albert teased, "That's because he knows you can't keep a secret. If he told you, the whole Burrow and maybe half of the Ministry would know by morning."
Ron grumbled, glaring at the floor, while Harry and Hermione laughed so hard they nearly fell off their seats.
Trying to change the subject, Ron grabbed his formal dress robes from his trunk and threw them over Pigwidgeon's cage to muffle the owl's hooting. "Bagman wanted to tell us something at the World Cup, remember? But Mum wouldn't let me hear it…"
Hermione suddenly hushed him. "Shh!" she whispered, pressing a finger to her lips and pointing toward the compartment next door.
The three of them fell silent and listened closely to a very familiar voice coming through the open door...
To be continued...