Hogwarts platform.
Lucien had barely stepped off the train when that familiar booming voice hit his ears:
"Alright, first-years! Firsties over here!"
Hagrid was waving a lantern, corralling the newbies. He spotted Lucien right away and stomped over with a grin.
"Roar, roar—another year already! Time flies, eh?"
Lucien smiled back. "Yeah. This one's gonna be fun."
"Have a good term, then. Oh—Harry and the others not with you?"
Lucien glanced up at the night sky. "They're… almost here."
Hagrid had to herd the first-years the old-fashioned way—four House-founder style. He waved goodbye and lumbered off.
Second-years and up got the thestral carriages.
Riding through the dark, Lucien rolled back into Hogwarts after two months away. The castle's gates loomed, and yeah—Hogwarts had that magic. The kind that made you feel like you belonged.
He headed straight into the Great Hall. It was still pretty empty—just clusters of older students at the long tables.
Lucien aimed for the Ravenclaw bench, ready to enjoy the Sorting show.
But out of the corner of his eye, he caught two faces at the Gryffindor table who shouldn't be there yet.
He walked over. Yup. Definitely not supposed to be chilling in the Hall this early.
"Harry. Ron. When did you guys get here?"
The duo looked like they'd been dragged through a chimney backward—grayish, hollow-eyed, done.
According to the books, these two clowns were supposed to roll up in the flying car, make a grand entrance, and miss the feast entirely.
But… here they were. Early.
Lucien had helped Mr. Weasley mod the car: auto-invisibility on takeoff, reinforced frame, optimized magic fuel, even auto-pilot home. It was supposed to give them a safe little adventure.
Nothing in his tweaks should've gotten them here faster.
Harry managed a weak lift of his head. Ron just looked like he'd seen his own ghost.
Ron mumbled, "Lucien… I'm toast. One last favor? Potato-beef stew, mapo tofu, white-cut chicken… let me die happy…"
Lucien blinked at the last-meal request but kept his voice calm. "What… happened?"
Harry rubbed his glasses, exhausted. "I'll tell it…"
Flashback—hours earlier…
Harry and Ron crammed their trunks and pets into the old Ford Anglia. Harry still looked nervous.
"Ron, you sure you can drive this thing?"
Ron yanked the door open, puffing his chest. "Piece of cake! Dad and Lucien souped it up over the summer—I helped! I've got this."
Engine on. Tires lifted. Poof—the whole car went invisible. Muggles below didn't even blink.
Ron grinned. "See? Lucien's auto-cloak switch. Dad can't stop raving about him—'Kid who gets Muggle engines and magic? Rare!'"
"Thanks to Lucien, Dad says he can do even more upgrades."
Ron gripped the wheel, cruising through the clouds like a pro, chatting away.
"Lucien only stayed a few days, so Dad finished the rest solo."
Harry was white-knuckling the door handle. Ron noticed.
"Relax! Captain Ron's got the great Harry Potter covered!"
Harry forced a laugh. Train has a conductor. Car has a driver. Whatever.
They munched toffees, drifting through fluffy clouds, totally chill.
"Fred and George are gonna be jealous," Ron said, chewing. "Imagine us swooping in from the sky—boom—legendary."
Harry nodded, admiring the tiny, beautiful world below.
But after a few hours? Boredom hit.
Even adults get tired driving that long. Two kids? No chance.
"No games, no music… just clouds," Harry groaned, face-planting the window.
Ron snapped his fingers. "OH! I forgot!"
One hand on the wheel, he tapped the dash. A hidden panel slid open—complicated Muggle-tech mixed with glowing runes. Harry's eyes spun.
Ron poked and swiped until a big red button popped out.
Harry perked up. "What's that?"
Ron beamed. "Dad's turbo boost—I helped build it!"
He slammed it.
WHOOSH.
Twin jets of flame shot from the back. The car rocketed forward—G-force slammed them into their seats.
"WOO-HOO!" Ron whooped. "We'll beat the train! Surprise landing!"
Harry grinned—this was fun.
They blew past the Hogwarts Express, following the tracks.
Sun still up, Hogwarts in sight. Harry pointed.
"We're close—kill the boost?"
Ron nodded, hit the button twice.
Nothing.
Harry's stomach dropped. "Uh… Ron?"
"I turned it off! It's… not working?"
Ron stomped the brake. No response.
"We can circle—"
The car lurched. Controls gone. It zig-zagged wildly.
"AAAAHHH—"
They screamed as the car barreled toward a massive tree.
Harry braced for impact—we're dead—
A soft, sturdy glow flickered over the car.
CRASH!
The tree exploded—trunk splintered, branches whipped like crazy.
The boys didn't even feel it. The car punched through, wobbling, and kept going—straight at one of Hogwarts' towers.