Chapter 34 – Returning Shadows at the Gate
The morning sun stretched golden fingers through the canopy of King's Cross Station. Platform 9¾ buzzed with life as Hogwarts students bustled toward the scarlet steam engine, laughter and owl calls filling the air. The warm scent of polished brass, fresh ink, and a hint of cinnamon buns hung lazily over the crowd.
Luna stood calmly near the platform entrance, her trunk beside her and a satchel slung over one shoulder. Pandora knelt to adjust her collar with a gentle smile, brushing a silver-blonde strand behind her daughter's ear.
"Write often. And don't forget the powdered valerian if your dreams act up," Pandora said softly, pressing a warm tin of dream tonic into Luna's hand.
"I won't." Luna's voice was serene, but her silver-blue eyes shimmered. "Mum, you'll keep studying Juggle science while I'm gone?"
"I'll do my best," Pandora winked. "Your father and I have agreed on a paper about magical theory versus quantum interstice. Just light reading."
Xenophilius appeared beside them, one arm draped in ink-stained parchment. "Your books are tucked in, your wand polished, and a fresh notebook for theories. You're ready."
A puff of smoke from the engine marked the train's final call. With a final embrace, Luna boarded, slipping into a half-full compartment near the middle of the train.
🎒 System Log: Journey Begins
🧠 Memory Recall Module Active
Date: September 1, 1992
Timeline Alignment: Chamber of Secrets – Canon Layer Active
Dobby Signature: Detected (Post-Meddling Residue Present at Platform)
Magical Interference Type: Time Delay / Dimensional Tug
Harry Potter: Absent from Train Manifest
Ron Weasley: Absent
Luna blinked, feeling a strange shift in the surrounding energy. Her fingers traced a soft glyph along the seat's wood grain, activating her internal detection log.
⚠️ Alert: Magical Interference on Schedule Path
Probability Spike: 86% – Magical Transit Anomaly
Suspected Source: House-Elf Level Magic + Emotional Influence
Course Correction Likely – External Re-entry Expected via Non-Standard Path
Luna looked out the window in time to see Molly Weasley fussing at the barrier, then slowly walking away with Ginny. The red-haired twins, Fred and George, stood whispering to each other with amused expressions.
As the train began to move, Luna read quietly while observing students pass through the corridor. Hermione Granger glanced inside and gave her a polite wave, choosing a seat across the aisle. Luna didn't speak but nodded thoughtfully.
Later, Luna noticed Professors Snape and McGonagall emerge from the front carriage, whispering to one another with serious expressions. A few minutes later, Professor Sprout hurried down the aisle with her hat crooked and left the train through the conductor's exit at a stop near Hogsmeade.
📄 System Note:
Professors Enacting Emergency Protocol
Staff Floo Gateway Use Confirmed (Hogsmeade Checkpoint)
Reason: "Flying Car" Incident Logged via Environmental Disruption
Far above them, unknown to most of the train's occupants, a bewitched Ford Anglia was soaring awkwardly through the clouds—Harry Potter and Ron Weasley inside. Luna, seated with her legs tucked beneath her, felt the breeze shift unnaturally through the window crack.
A small warning pulsed.
⚡ Magical Pulse Detected – Non-Regulated Travel Source
Object: Enchanted Muggle Automobile
Operators: Unknown (ID Suggestion – Confirmed: Potter, R. Weasley)
Risk Rating: Moderate
Whomping Willow Defensive Reaction Likely
The train slowed with a screech of iron against iron, and carriages awaited to ferry second-years across the darkening path. Unlike first-years, they did not travel by boat—an honor reserved for introductions. The carriages rumbled quietly, pulled by invisible thestrals only seen by those who had known death.
Luna tilted her head. She still could not see them. One day, she thought.
Upon entering the castle, the soft glow of enchanted torches welcomed them. Hushed conversations swirled through the Entrance Hall. Just as Luna reached the Great Hall, a gust of wind and a roar echoed through the walls.
Fred and George leaned toward a nearby group. "That was Ron and Harry," Fred whispered. "Flew Dad's car. Smashed it into the Whomping Willow."
"Bet McGonagall's going to roast them," George added.
As Luna slipped into the Ravenclaw section, the Great Hall settled. The enchanted ceiling swirled with twilight clouds. Professor McGonagall stepped forward with the Sorting Hat, placing it on its pedestal.
The old, patched hat twisted once and burst into song:
In days of old when I was new,
Four founders came, with hearts so true.
To Gryffindor, the brave were drawn,
To Slytherin, the cunning pawn.
To Hufflepuff, the just and kind,
To Ravenclaw, the sharp of mind.
But danger stirs and old threads fray—
So heed this Sorting well today.
Applause followed as new first-years approached one by one. Luna watched quietly, noting subtle energy shifts as the hat made its choices.
"Let us also welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor," Dumbledore said with a smile, gesturing flamboyantly.
Gilderoy Lockhart rose with a self-satisfied smirk. "Thank you, thank you. Fame is a fickle friend!"
Groans echoed from various houses.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, but his tone shifted.
"While the castle is open to exploration, the Forbidden Forest remains just that—forbidden. And all students are reminded that the third-floor corridor remains sealed under protective enchantment."
Luna felt a familiar chill at the words.
System Alert:
Third-Floor Protection Charm: Reinforced (Magical Guardian Active)
User Caution: Do Not Investigate Yet
Possibility : Creature inside doesn't moved out yet.
Memory Sync: Philosopher's Stone Event (Previously Altered Timeline Possibility)
Dinner arrived with claps of golden plates and warming charms. Roast potatoes, buttery rolls, steaming vegetables, and pumpkin juice flowed freely.
Luna picked at her food thoughtfully, eyes distant.
System Projection – Academic Year Plan
Magical Subjects: Full Schedule Confirmed
Charms, DADA, Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration
Optional: Dream Analysis (Self-Regulated)
Physical Training: Morning Routine Logged
Combat Enhancement: Room of Requirement Practice Simulations (Unlocked)
Voldemort Awakening Timeline: Undetermined – 60% Trigger by Year-End
Suggested Response: Advance Defensive Spells / Dream Recall Stability
As the stars gleamed outside the Ravenclaw Tower, Luna sat at her desk beside the window, writing quietly in her enchanted journal.
The castle pulsed softly beneath her feet—alive, ancient, and waiting.
Year Two had just begun.