One Year Ends… and a Trap Begins
"Alright, let's keep this quick. Back when I was a student, the most boring part was always the long welcome and farewell speeches," said Sirius with a half-smile as he stepped forward in front of the professors.
"I'll contact the School Board and do everything I can. Still, expect good news. Tomorrow, you'll return to your homes as planned. The Board will send a notice to your parents, so don't worry about any of that."
Then, with a more relaxed smile, he added:
"Now... have fun!"
Everyone applauded, and although Headmaster Dumbledore looked slightly annoyed for a moment, he eventually joined in, clapping alongside the students.
Families began leaving shortly after, leaving the four friends behind to return the next day on the Hogwarts Express with the rest.
Of course, Wanda would remain nearby… just in case.
That afternoon, the students shared laughter, jokes, and conversations about which school they might attend next year. Some were excited… others not so much, afraid of being separated from their friends.
Harry, meanwhile, stayed quiet for a few minutes, thinking about the plans he had prepared to mess with the Headmaster. After all, they might still be useful. He knew that, for now, there was nothing he could truly use against him.
Dumbledore knew nothing about the basilisk—Salazar Slytherin had hidden it well.
Nor could the Headmaster be blamed for Quirrell's infiltration, since the man had never harmed any student. Not even Fluffy had caused any real damage, despite being hidden in one of the school's rooms. Perhaps they could accuse him of endangering students… but if Dumbledore claimed the Cerberus was his, who would dare challenge the war hero?
Still… planting doubt was a start. Discrediting him little by little, even if it was just one grain of sand at a time.
"Harry, your mum is absolutely terrifying," said Terry bluntly the moment they walked into the common room.
Harry slowly turned to look at him. Around them, everyone nodded silently… then pretended to be doing something else.
"Hahaha! We've told him that a hundred times," added Daphne with a soft laugh.
"Well, now that I think about it… no one's going to insult your mum again. Especially not that idiot Carrow," said Draco with a crooked grin. "Did you see how pale he was? I think he might've peed himself."
"Sorry, I didn't think your aunt would get that angry…" murmured Hermione, sounding a little guilty.
"It's fine. In the end… it actually turned out pretty well, I think," Harry replied with a calm expression, trying to ease her mind.
"What we can't deny is that now everyone's talking about which school we'll be going to next year," said Terry, while Michael Corner and Anthony Goldstein nodded excitedly behind him.
"By the way, seeing your mother in person was… incredible. She's truly beautiful," said Cho Chang as she joined the conversation.
Harry turned to look at her, curious.
"I don't mean that in a weird way," Cho rushed to clarify, a little nervous.
Harry gave her a soft smile.
"Don't worry. She usually causes that reaction in both men and women," he said calmly.
Cho blushed slightly at that smile.
He's still young, she told herself internally. What are you even thinking?
Meanwhile, Daphne and Hermione exchanged a glance… and silently mouthed the same word at the same time:
"Playboy."
They smiled as if they'd just shared a secret.
"It's such a shame… Luna and Astoria were so excited to come to Hogwarts with us next year," Daphne said, changing the topic with a sigh.
"Well, I'm sure our parents won't let them stay behind. They'll send them with us," Hermione said confidently.
"Yeah. We have to look after them," Harry added calmly—just as he noticed a small bump moving beneath one of the rugs on the floor.
He smiled immediately. There was Red, clearly hiding.
"Idiot… mum didn't come because you caused a scene, huh?" said Harry as he gently tugged on his tail, drawing laughter from the nearby students.
"Alright, today's our last day as a club," Harry said, raising his voice. "You all have your golems. I hope you practice a lot. If you need anything, just write to us. It was a really fun year, and even if we're not in the same school next year… we're still part of the same club."
He stood up, acting like an official president.
"We were planning to accept members from other Houses next year, but we'll have to postpone that a bit. Still, the golems go on sale in two days, and the competitions start in a week. Yes, it's soon, but it's the best way to improve quickly. I want everyone to participate."
He paused before smiling again.
"It'll be a little unfair… but we'll be the best kind of advertising. And above all… have fun! When we meet again, we'll have a huge golem war!"
Everyone listened intently, smiling and nodding with excitement.
"We should also meet up outside of school. This year was amazing. You guys are incredible… even if you're a bit nerdy," Daphne said with a friendly grin, earning a round of laughs.
And so, they had a small farewell party with the friends they had made that year. With their House: Ravenclaw.
A House that, beyond intelligence and wit, had given them something far more valuable: friendship, trust, unity.
From that moment on, they were part of something that would last a lifetime.
The next day, they all boarded the Hogwarts Express, heading home to reunite with their families—carrying a new bond in their hearts… and memories they would never forget.
…
Today, Harry and the others were sitting around, working on improvements for the golems they had planned, when the doorbell rang in a hurried, impatient tone.
Harry immediately recognized the way it had been rung and rolled his eyes as he got up to answer it.
The moment he opened the door, his godfather's excited face appeared out of nowhere.
"What's up, pup? Are you all ready for an adventure with the old man?" Sirius asked, overflowing with enthusiasm.
"Pass," Harry replied flatly, and slammed the door in his face without a hint of mercy.
Instantly, the door started rattling again with rapid, noisy knocking. Harry let out a long sigh… and opened it once more.
"What do you want, godfather?" he asked coldly, staring at his overly excited godfather, who now wore a betrayed-looking grimace.
"Come on, pup. It's something really interesting. I already asked your mum for permission. And the others' parents too. I'm sure they'll be into it," Sirius said, refusing to back down.
Daphne, upon hearing those words, lifted her head with interest, clearly listening now. Sirius seized the opportunity immediately—if he couldn't tempt his godson, maybe he could win over the allies.
"It's a strange crypt near Stonehenge," he said loudly enough for everyone to hear.
Hermione and Draco both looked up, but Daphne had already walked closer to the door.
"A strange crypt?" she asked with clear interest, while Harry rubbed his forehead, knowing full well she was already hooked.
"I don't know much. Some curse-breakers opened it, but it was full of traps and riddles," Sirius explained, throwing a quick glance at Hermione. And, as expected, the word "riddles" made her hesitate—clearly tempted.
Draco watched his two friends carefully, noticing how both seemed to be falling for the trap set by a very dangerous man. But he wouldn't be so easily tempted…
"They also found several skeletons with ancient swords and armor. Looked like knights… they even had the emblem of the Round Table," Sirius added.
Draco, who only moments ago had been proudly thinking he wouldn't fall for it, now congratulated himself for not saying anything out loud—because clearly, he already had.
"There were also some strange magical objects with old alchemy. They were defenses, though most of them no longer work due to their age. But if we figure out how they were made… we might find ways to improve your golems. Which, by the way, are trending in sales right now," Sirius said with a triumphant smile, clearly seeing that he had three out of four already hooked.
Luna and Astoria weren't around, as they had gone shopping with Selene and Pandora. Since they would be attending Beauxbatons with Harry and the others next year, they wanted to buy some pretty clothes in advance.
The rest didn't even consider joining them. Going shopping with those two women was… exhausting.
Meanwhile, Wanda and Narcissa were busy at the Wizengamot, trying to have Headmaster Dumbledore removed from his position. Edward was present as the leader of the Neutral Faction, supporting them. Sirius had given his vote to his cousin Andromeda, who was now seated in his place. Even so, removing Dumbledore was still a nearly impossible task—not only because he was Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Supreme Mugwump, but also because Minister Fudge was basically his lapdog. Fudge had only risen to power thanks to Dumbledore's support, and although he was ambitious, he still saw Dumbledore as useful… so he was defending him with everything he had.
Basically, that's why Sirius decided to take the kids with him. First, to escape his own responsibilities. And second, because every other adult would have refused… had they known where he was really taking them.
Because, technically, Sirius hadn't lied. He had told them he was taking them somewhere fun.
He just forgot to mention it was a dangerous crypt full of traps and ancient stuff.
Harry glanced at his friends. All of them looked clearly interested. Even Red had wandered over, wagging his tail in excitement.
"Alright. Let me go pack a few things," said Harry with a sigh before heading to his room.
"Me too!" shouted Draco, Hermione, and Daphne in unison before rushing off to their homes.
Hermione left through the front door, while Draco and Daphne vanished through the fireplace.