Harry and Sirius reviewed second-year texts, including Standard Book of Spells and Lockhart's works. Spells like Expelliarmus and Tarantallegra were familiar, boosting Harry's confidence. New spells excited him.
"Hmm… Lockhart's not bad," Sirius remarked, praising the professor.
Encouraged, Harry read Lockhart's books from volume one. Lockhart boasted relentlessly about his greatness and nobility. The adventures captivated Harry, but doubts crept in.
"Sirius, these books are long."
Harry pinpointed the issue. "The content feels thin."
Lockhart's writing was superb—clear even for Sirius, who disliked novels, or kids like Harry. It portrayed ghouls and yetis as cultured beings, not monsters. But it read like fiction. Harry found the tangents and Lockhart's self-aggrandizement excessive.
"Don't be harsh, Harry. Lockhart's books excel at avoiding traps wizards fall into."
"Traps?"
"Using dark magic."
Harry's heart skipped. He and Falcas had secretly studied curses to counter dark magic.
"Relying on curses against powerful creatures is a common pitfall. Lockhart's books advocate appropriate methods, showing the folly of brute force and promoting understanding, even if imperfect. As a moral guide, it's decent. He's commendable."
"As a Defense textbook? No spells or theory…"
Harry pressed. Sirius shrugged.
"For Muggle-born parents, it's reassuring. For first-years, it shows magic isn't just theory."
Sirius knew wizarding magic seemed dangerous to Muggles. Even low-level spells could alarm them. He deemed the books suitable for younger students.
"Incompetent wizards chase grand spells. Mastering basics is wiser than burning out on magic beyond you."
Sirius convinced Harry, who recalled McGonagall's words but grew uneasy.
(Sirius says so, but for first-years… really?)
Harry worried Lockhart's books lacked proper magical theory. Spells like Incendio or Bombarda required solid knowledge, and he doubted Lockhart would teach it.
＊＊＊
Summer ended perfectly for Harry. He dreaded returning to the Dursleys, unsure if he could apply Azrael's advice. Time with Sirius was joyful, Hogwarts awaited, but the Dursleys loomed terrifying.
"Tomorrow's Hogwarts. Do well with your friends, Harry."
"Yeah. Good luck with work, Sirius."
"It's calmed down. I'm freer now."
Sirius's job—cracking down on dark magical items—was quieter, but he lied. He wasn't free; he prioritized Harry.
At the Ministry, Arthur Weasley was cracking down on enchanted Muggle items. He'd learned Lucius Malfoy's manor held dark artifacts and repeatedly searched it. This fell under Sirius's department, but the Ministry avoided targeting Malfoy. Sirius's boss denied reports, prioritizing bureaucracy over justice.
The boss treated Sirius fairly, wary of his Black family name, wealth, and skill. He used Sirius effectively, assigning routine tasks within organizational ethics.
"This is a game. Don't move, Sirius," Jürgen Smirnov advised, exhausted from aiding disadvantaged kids.
"Let Arthur's overreach pressure the Malfoys. Lucius will donate heavily to maintain power, funding policies."
"Policies favoring pure-bloods," Sirius retorted.
Jürgen didn't deny it. "If you dislike it, fulfill your duty as a pure-blood. You have the power—if you choose."
Jürgen's coldness stung Sirius. Even his friend saw him as a Black, not an ally. It was natural but shocking.
"If you act now, it signals the Ministry's serious feud with the Malfoys. Don't move. It helps no one."
Sirius, driven by justice and Harry's future, suppressed his instincts. He couldn't act recklessly.
＊＊＊
On September 1st morning, Harry and Sirius left home. Sirius Apparated them with Asclepius, Harry's snake, to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Families crowded the magical entrance. Harry spotted Luna Lovegood, wearing a lion hat, diving through with her father.
"I'll go first," Harry said, pushing his trunk. But it wouldn't budge.
"…Sirius, what's wrong?"
"Let me see."
Sirius tried, but the entrance didn't respond. Checking with his wand, he found it tampered. A crowd formed—other kids couldn't get to Hogwarts.
"Sirius… could this be Dobby's magic?"
Harry suspected the house-elf, acting in misguided goodwill to keep him from Hogwarts.
"Don't know. But we can't stay here."
Sirius prioritized getting Harry to Hogwarts over investigating. He approached Cedric's father, who was contacting the Ministry.
"There's a glitch. I'll call the Ministry," Amos said.
"Seems it was hexed before Harry tried. A nasty prank. We'll find another way. It might clear up after we leave."
"Really? Alright, Sirius. I'll request staff, but it's an emergency—Dumbledore won't mind."
Amos handled it, confused. Sirius Apparated with Harry, who, under prying eyes, used basic Occlumency to stay composed.
＊＊＊
"Spinning like crazy," Asclepius hissed.
"Sorry, Asc. You okay?"
"I'm fine. Compared to you."
Opening his eyes, Harry heard Asclepius. Speaking Parseltongue, he confirmed the snake's safety, relieved.
They were at Grimmauld Place—Sirius's family home.
"Tell Asclepius I'm sorry for the multiple jumps," Sirius said guiltily. He'd tried speaking Parseltongue to the snake but wasn't adept.
"Asc, Sirius says sorry. Forgive him."
"No need. I'm fine."
The wise snake knew tolerating humans ensured its comfort. Harry decided to reward Asclepius with premium food.
"But Sirius, why here?"
"There's a way to contact and reach Hogwarts."
They hurried through. Harry feared missing the Express, but trusted Sirius. His mother's portrait cursed Sirius again; he silenced and curtained it irritably.
"Kreacher, come."
Kreacher appeared, disheveled.
(Be polite…)
Harry believed house-elves shouldn't be mistreated. If Dobby caused the morning's issue, an elf could easily disrupt wizards. He bowed.
"Morning, Kreacher."
Kreacher glared. Harry suppressed discomfort, matured by summer lessons. Kreacher muttered insults but eyed Asclepius curiously. Harry told the snake to greet him.
"This is my pet, Asclepius. Asc, say hi."
"I'm Asclepius, krait snake, kept by Harry."
Kreacher didn't understand Parseltongue but recognized it. He muttered, "Why does a Potter speak Parseltongue? The Boy Who Lived should have filthy blood… Why wear Slytherin's green?"
"Kreacher! Stop insulting Lily!" Sirius ordered.
"It's fine, Sirius. Kreacher, I think Slytherin's the best house."
Harry restrained anger—arguing wasted time. Kreacher looked surprised, showing something beyond contempt.
"Kreacher, fetch Phineas's portrait."
"Yes, master…" Kreacher grumbled, bringing a portrait of a handsome middle-aged man, feigning sleep.
"Phineas, you're awake. Connect me to Dumbledore. Harry's targeted; he can't board the Express. Request emergency Floo permission."
"Back after so long, and that's how you speak? No respect for your ancestors or house?" Phineas retorted.
"I'm grateful for being born. But this isn't about family. As a former headmaster, help a student."
Phineas groaned at Harry. (What's with this guy…) Harry sensed a Lucius-like arrogance, yet different.
"Working even as a portrait…" Phineas vanished.
"Sirius, who was that?"
"Phineas Nigellus Black, the least popular Hogwarts headmaster. His portrait's in the headmaster's office, so he can reach Dumbledore."
"…He must be impressive," Harry said, thinking someone so disliked yet a headmaster was remarkable.
"Greatness isn't tied to status," Sirius dismissed.
Phineas returned. "Slytherin's Floo is open. Hogwarts has softened, admitting filthy blood and half-bloods to Slytherin… Shameful."
"You ignored half-bloods in Slytherin back then," Sirius shot back.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Harry bowed. Phineas snorted.
"Stay well, Kreacher."
Kreacher ignored him. Harry realized how pure-blood houses viewed him—a filthy half-blood.
(But Draco and Daphne are friends…)
He shook off unease, trusting his Slytherin friends. Sirius hugged him.
"Off to Hogwarts. Nervous?"
"Nope, excited. My adventure's starting."
Sirius choked up, seeing James in Harry. "I worried too much. Promise me one thing."
"What?"
"Value your friends. You're never alone. Don't forget."
"I promise. I swear to you, Sirius."
Pushed by Sirius, Harry and Asclepius leapt into the Floo's flames.
"Hogwarts, Slytherin common room!"
They vanished. Sirius overheard Phineas's mutter.
"Half-bloods don't belong in Slytherin. No matter their talent, pure-bloods will use and discard them…"
"He'll be fine."
"Why?"
"Because he's James and Lily's son."
Phineas watched Sirius leave, his expression mixing scorn and pity.
＊＊＊
This term, Sirius had to write Harry less. Duty called—stopping Dolores Umbridge's anti-werewolf law required every distasteful tactic.
Leaving early caused greater chaos than in canon…
---------------------------------------------------------
🚀 Want more?
📖 Unlock 10+ early chapters on my Patreon!
💖 Support me here: patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ
🔓 Get ahead of the story today!