When Dobby dropped Harry off at a secluded corner of King's Cross Station, he followed Douglas's instructions and returned home without delay.
Just as Harry was about to head inside, he spotted Mr. Weasley standing by the pillar for Platform Nine, scanning the crowd anxiously. The moment he saw Harry pushing his trolley alone, he hurried over.
After a quick look around, Mr. Weasley spoke in a slightly irritated tone,
"Where's Douglas? Didn't I tell that house-elf to make sure Douglas brought you here himself?"
It was the first time Harry had seen Mr. Weasley so stern, but he understood. He explained,
"He probably feels a bit down about not being able to teach at Hogwarts anymore. Dobby brought me and then left."
Mr. Weasley seemed to remember Douglas's situation as Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, and his expression softened at once.
"Sorry, I nearly forgot. The Ministry's been so busy lately. I was hoping to catch up with him while dropping off the kids.
But, ah, it's getting late—Ron and the others have already gone in. Let's talk more once we're inside."
Feigning interest in the intercity train at Platform Nine, Mr. Weasley quickly steered Harry through the barrier.
In a blink, they passed through the solid metal wall and stepped onto Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
There, the Hogwarts Express—a brilliant scarlet steam engine—was puffing clouds of smoke as the platform bustled with witches and wizards seeing off their children.
Harry immediately spotted the rest of the Weasley family in the crowd. Mr. Weasley led him over at a brisk pace.
When Mrs. Weasley saw her husband arriving with only Harry, she couldn't help but frown. Mr. Weasley quickly leaned in to whisper an explanation, and Mrs. Weasley's face shifted to a look tinged with guilt.
To them, losing his teaching post at Hogwarts must have been a huge blow for Douglas—especially after all his dedication last term.
Harry, meanwhile, greeted everyone cheerfully.
Percy glanced over, looking a bit disappointed when he didn't spot someone, but then noticed the new Head Girl smiling at him through the window. Instantly, Percy smoothed his hair, his cheeks turning a little pink.
Soon, Hermione arrived as well.
Mr. Weasley led the children onto the train, guiding them through a sea of crowded compartments until they finally found an empty one.
As everyone was stowing their trunks, Mr. Weasley pulled Harry aside.
"Before you go, there's something I have to tell you..."
Harry smiled,
"No need, sir. I already know...
Actually, after we got back from Diagon Alley that day, my uncle—Professor Holmes—told me everything... including that Black was once my godfather."
Mr. Weasley stared at Harry in utter astonishment, taken aback by how calm he seemed.
Just then, Mrs. Weasley approached, shot her husband a glare, then smiled at Harry,
"Harry, go on and put your luggage away."
Once Harry was out of earshot, Mrs. Weasley rounded on her husband, fuming,
"I told you—the truth would terrify him! That danger is always there. Do you really want Harry going back to school with that shadow hanging over him? For heaven's sake, he'd be happier not knowing."
Mr. Weasley sighed, giving her a helpless smile,
"Does he look traumatized to you, Molly? I didn't say a word. Douglas already told him everything—including that Sirius was his godfather..."
Mrs. Weasley gasped, covering her mouth as she glanced at Harry, who was busy playing with a cat.
She muttered under her breath,
"Honestly, does Douglas have any idea what Harry and Ron are like...?"
Mr. Weasley slipped an arm around her shoulders, trying to reassure her,
"Maybe Douglas gave Harry some instructions. After all, he was his professor, and now he's his uncle. Let's just hope Harry keeps his head down this term."
At the guard's urging, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley said their goodbyes and left the train.
As the train slowly pulled away, the children who'd just parted from their parents began swapping stories about their holidays.
Harry leaned in and whispered to Ron and Hermione,
"I need to talk to you two—alone."
Ginny tried to join, but Ron snapped irritably,
"Ginny, go away!"
Ginny huffed, "Fine, whatever," and stalked off.
The three of them searched for an empty compartment, but every one was packed—except for the last one at the rear of the train.
Inside sat a single adult man, fast asleep by the window. The three exchanged glances, wondering if this could be the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.
After all, the Hogwarts Express was a student train—apart from the trolley witch, you almost never saw adults aboard.
But this wizard's robes were shabby and patched in several places. He was curled up, pale and frail, looking younger than he probably was, though his light brown hair was already streaked with grey.
Ron quietly slid the compartment door shut and found a seat far from the window. He lowered his voice,
"That can't be our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, can it? He looks nothing like Professor Holmes—he's not even close.
You two spent ages at the Professor's house—didn't you hear anything?"
Harry replied in a whisper,
"My uncle just said he knew the new professor, but didn't say much else."
Hermione piped up quietly,
"Professor R.J. Lupin."
Ron and Harry turned to her in surprise,
"How do you know?"
Hermione pointed helplessly to the luggage rack above the man's head.
There, a battered little case was tied up with neat, knotted ropes. In one corner, barely visible through the peeling letters, was the name: Professor R.J. Lupin.
Ron sighed,
"Well, at least you two had extra lessons at Professor Holmes's over the summer. Even if this guy can't handle the job, your grades should be fine.
But look at him—a strong witch could probably knock him out cold. What am I supposed to do this term?
Mum's suddenly decided I have to get 'Acceptable' or better on all my exams. If she hears about me breaking any rules, she'll drag me home... Anyway, Harry, what did you want to tell us?"
Harry recounted everything Douglas had shared with him.
When he finished, Ron was dumbstruck, and Hermione pressed a hand to her mouth, glancing warily at Professor Lupin by the window—she could have sworn he'd just moved.
Finally, Hermione lowered her hand and said,
"Sirius Black escaped to find you? Why didn't the Professor ever mention this, even though he must have known for ages? He never seemed the least bit worried."
Ron cut in,
"That's just Professor Holmes's confidence. He's amazing—don't forget, he once flattened Snape...
But what really shocks me is that Sirius Black is your godfather..."
Harry scoffed,
"Not my idea of a godfather. Right now, the important thing is finishing the mission my uncle gave me. Do you guys have any suggestions?"
Though he said 'you guys,' Harry was clearly looking mostly at Hermione.
Hermione raked her fingers through her hair, frustrated,
"Give me a minute to think...
I don't get why the Professor wants us to organize students to investigate the truth about Sirius Black.
Remember what happened to Hagrid? Could Sirius Black really be innocent?"
Harry reminded them,
"My uncle said Black never got a trial—he was just thrown straight into Azkaban.
He doesn't care what our investigation turns up, as long as we uncover the details behind it.
But that's not the main point—the real challenge is getting the students organized. That's my mission."
Ron suddenly asked,
"What do you reckon he'll give you as a reward in the end?"
Harry hesitated,
"I hope it's not another set of practice papers—he already gave me those for my birthday this year..."
Ron slumped, sighing,
"I got those too, but we've still got three whole years until our OWLs..."
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