Chapter 165: School Begins
King's Cross Station, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. The Hogwarts Express waited.
It was September 1991, and a new school year at Hogwarts was about to begin.
This was no ordinary year. Much like eleven years ago, the wizarding world was once again abuzz with excitement and anticipation. Many pure-blood families, in particular, were watching this term with keen interest, for a certain significant figure was returning to the magical world—and entering Hogwarts.
That person was none other than Harry Potter—the so-called Boy Who Lived, last scion of the Potter family, and heir to the Deathly Hallows.
Though the general public still spoke of him as the savior, those more deeply embedded in magical society held more skeptical views. Most of them knew something unusual happened that night eleven years ago, but they believed the defeat of the Dark Lord had more to do with Lily and James Potter than with an infant child. Some even suspected Dumbledore orchestrated it all and was the true reason for Voldemort's fall.
Regardless, once Dumbledore publicly declared Harry the savior, few dared to challenge it. With the Headmaster backing him, Harry Potter was poised to become the next great force in the magical world. The pure-blood families knew this well, and they weren't about to miss the chance to win him over.
Phineas Black understood all of this. Although he had his own complicated place among the pure-blood elite, he recognized the shifting tides. So this year, unlike the last, he didn't return to Hogwarts ahead of the students. Instead, he came to King's Cross to board the train with everyone else—with the specific intent of meeting Harry.
"Be sure to help that boy, will you?"
It was Mrs. Weasley's voice—Molly Weasley, Phineas's distant cousin. She stood near the train, surrounded by her children.
"Okay, Mum, we got it."
"And don't forget our little Ronnie!" one of the twins chimed in.
Ron, clearly irritated, stood beside them and grumbled, "Fred, George! Don't call me Ronnie!"
Mrs. Weasley just chuckled, pulled out a handkerchief, and knelt to wipe Ron's nose.
"Ron, you've got something on your nose."
"Mu-um, stop it!" Ron squirmed as she scrubbed his face.
Fred grinned and teased, "Dusty nose again, Ron?"
"Shut up!" Ron snapped.
"Fred, don't bully your brother again."
Phineas stepped into view, having been watching the Weasleys interact from a short distance. He smiled as he approached.
He definitely wasn't stalling to avoid watching the twins get scolded. Definitely not.
Mrs. Weasley beamed when she saw him. "Oh, Phineas! I thought you'd already gone ahead to Hogwarts."
"Long time no see, Cousin Molly," Phineas replied, returning her warm hug. He turned to the twins. "How was your holiday, George? Fred?"
George shrugged. "Same as always."
Fred added, "Mum banned us from experimenting at home. No magic, no research. She promised, but then changed her mind."
Mrs. Weasley glared at the twins, hands on her hips. "George. Fred!"
The twins instantly raised their hands in surrender.
Mrs. Weasley smiled and glanced around. "Where's Percy?"
Phineas pointed. "There."
Percy was striding toward them in full Hogwarts uniform, a shiny red-and-gold badge with a large "P" pinned to his chest.
"I can't stay long, Mum," Percy said briskly. "The prefects' carriages are at the front."
"Oh, Percy! You're a prefect?"
Fred's voice was full of mock surprise. "Why didn't you say something?"
Phineas knew the twins had been teasing Percy about this all summer.
George chimed in. "Wait, I think he mentioned it once. Maybe twice."
Fred nodded solemnly. "Yeah. Possibly."
Then both said in unison, "He's only been talking about it all summer."
"You two—shut up!" Percy snapped, flushing with either embarrassment or frustration.
Phineas grinned and turned to Mrs. Weasley. "Cousin Molly, Percy's got a new set of robes, hasn't he?"
Mrs. Weasley nodded proudly. "He's a prefect now, after all. Oh, Phineas—do look after my boys at school, will you? Percy can't keep them in line."
Phineas nodded but hesitated. "Actually, Cousin Molly…"
Mrs. Weasley looked at him curiously. "Yes?"