Hogwarts: I Am Such a Model Wizard

Chapter 804: School Begins, Dumbledore’s Letter

Ron swore this had been the most unforgettable holiday of his life.

The first month had been tense—every day, he lived in fear. But after the incident in Godricʼs Hollow, the Death Eaters had somehow gone quiet.

He thought he could finally relax. Yet just a few days later, he was sent off to the Ministry of Magic and began a routine where every waking moment was filled with work... Even house-elves got breaks, but not him.

But at last, he had made it through.

Sure, he still had homework left to do, and there were only three days until school started, but compared to working at the Ministry, homework felt like nothing.

For the first time ever, Ron actually found homework easy. Not only did he finish it on time, he even found the energy to help Harry draw a complete diagram of planetary orbits.

Honestly, Harry had been stunned. For a moment, he even suspected a Death Eater had used Polyjuice Potion to disguise themselves as Ron and sneak into 12 Grimmauld Place.

...

“Hurry up, move it!”

On the morning of the first day of school, Mrs. Weasley got everyone up early and urged them to come downstairs for breakfast.

“Mum, aren’t we going to school using Floo Powder? Why the rush?” Ginny asked sleepily as she came down, yawning.

“Change of plans,” Mrs. Weasley said, placing two sandwiches on her plate. “Using the Floo Network might interfere with some of Hogwarts’ protective enchantments, so you’ll be taking the train instead.”

“Taking the train?” Ron suddenly perked up. “What if the Death Eaters attack? At the very least, we should send Harry over separately.”

“No, no need,” Harry quickly shook his head. “Taking the train is fine.”

He hated the idea of being treated differently. If everyone else took the train but he got sent over alone, it would feel like he was some fragile thing that needed special care. Just thinking about it made him uncomfortable.

Besides, he really did want to take the train—especially this year.

Just like how no one ever explained the Sorting Ceremony to first-years in advance, almost all seventh-years chose to take the train for their final return to Hogwarts, just like they had six years ago when they went for the first time.

Harry had felt the same way. Ever since the end of the break, he’d been hoping to take the train. Even last night, he’d lain in bed tossing and turning, debating whether or not to tell everyone how he felt.

He just hadn’t been sure if Sirius would agree. This outcome was a pleasant surprise.

Harry had genuinely worried that Mrs. Weasley would take Ron’s advice and Apparate him straight to Hogsmeade.

Thankfully, that didn’t happen.

“No need to worry,” she said. “This year, Minerva, Filius, and Pomona will be on the train with the students, and three senior Aurors from the Ministry of Magic will be riding along as escorts. It’s perfectly safe.”

“The professors are taking the Hogwarts Express?” Hermione asked, clearly surprised.

She had rarely seen professors ride the train—in the past six years, it had only happened twice.

One time had been Slughorn, but that was only because he wanted to scout for students he found promising.

The other had been Lupin, and his reason was even simpler... it was the cheapest way to travel.

She hadn’t expected that three professors would come this year—and they were all Heads of House. All except Snape; the others would all be there.

“That’s right. It was decided before the holidays,” Mrs. Weasley continued. “Even though the Death Eaters have been quiet lately, the professors decided to stick with the plan, just in case.”

“Hurry up and eat, the carʼs already waiting outside.”

Everyone immediately sped up.

“It’s strange... why isn’t Professor Snape part of the escort?” Hermione asked, biting into her egg sandwich.

“That’s obvious—the professors don’t trust him,” Ron said matter-of-factly. “Maybe they’ve already found out he’s a Death Eater and kicked him out.”

As he said this, Ron suddenly grinned.

“Malfoyʼs gone. If Snape gets fired too, it’ll be perfect. Heh…”

Harry couldn’t help but chuckle too.

Yeah, he could hardly imagine how amazing Hogwarts would be without Malfoy and Snape.

After a hurried breakfast, Mrs. Weasley herded everyone outside again.

“Luggage, wands… you’ve got everything? Didn’t forget anything, did you?”

“Ginny, your robes…”

“Ron, come on!”

“Harry, take your owl—she doesn’t look too good.”

“Yeah,” Harry said, glancing into the cage at Hedwig.

She’d been cooped up for two months. At most, she’d had a few chances to fly around the room—of course she wasn’t in good spirits.

He could already picture her pecking his fingers the moment they got back to Hogwarts.

But right now, there wasn’t time to worry about it.

With a flurry of shouting and scrambling, they finally managed to cram all the luggage into the car.

Mrs. Weasley came to the window.

“Arthur, be careful on the road.”

“Don’t worry, I know,” Mr. Weasley replied. “Besides, Kyle and Sirius are with us, no need to worry.”

Since everyone else had things to do, the task of taking them to the station had fallen to Kyle this time... though honestly, he’d volunteered.

He’d always been the one getting sent off before—now that the roles were reversed, it felt kind of novel.

Once Ron, the last one, climbed into the car, Mr. Weasley started it up with practiced ease and drove off.

For some reason, the Weasleys were always racing against the clock when it came to catching the train—and this time was no different.

They reached the station with just ten minutes to spare.

A large group of them hurriedly pushed their luggage toward the barrier. The hoots and screeches of their owls drew curious glances from Muggles nearby.

But they were long used to that.

With Muggle-Repelling Charms around Platform 9¾, it grew quiet once they reached it...

“Hurry up, Ron, youʼre first,” said Mr. Weasley.

Ron immediately dashed toward the pillar at the entrance.

“Harry, youʼre next. Then Ginny, Hermione…”

As they headed onto the platform, Kyle stayed at the back, keeping a lookout.

He did spot a few suspicious-looking people, but none of them were Death Eaters—they were Aurors from the Ministry, easily recognizable by the work badges on their chests.

He’d designed those badges himself, so of course he recognized them instantly.

There weren’t many students traveling this time. Once Hermione had passed through, Kyle followed Mr. Weasley onto the platform.

On the other side of the pillar, it was a different scene altogether.

No matter how tense things were, the platform at the start of term was as lively as ever.

The deep red Hogwarts Express stood parked, surrounded by students and the families seeing them off.

Watching it all, Kyle couldn’t help feeling a bit sentimental.

“What’s on your mind?” Mr. Weasley walked over and asked.

“Finally made it through,” Kyle grinned.

Mr. Weasley blinked. That wasn’t quite the answer he’d been expecting.

“Don’t you miss your days at Hogwarts?” he asked.

“If I’m ever going to miss them, it’ll be in another ten years,” Kyle said with a chuckle. “Right now, I’m just glad I don’t have to sit on that train for hours, wake up early for class, or do homework… hah.”

The more he thought about it, the more he laughed.

“I’ve decided—I’m sleeping in till eleven tomorrow…”

“Sorry to interrupt.”

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind.

“Oh, Minerva,” said Mr. Weasley. “Great to see you here.”

“You too, Arthur,” said Professor McGonagall. Then she turned to Kyle. “I hate to ruin the mood, but I’m afraid you’ll be coming with us this time.”

“Coming with you?” Kyle blinked. “What do you mean?”

“To Hogwarts. On the train,” Professor McGonagall replied calmly.

“Wait, hang on.” Kyle instinctively stepped back. “Professor, I’ve graduated—and I didn’t fail.”

“I know. But this is Dumbledore’s request,” she said.

“Professor Dumbledore?” Kyle asked. “He’s back... I mean, he’s returned to the school?”

“No,” McGonagall shook her head. “I haven’t seen him in over a month. No one knows where he’s gone.”

“Then how…”

“He left a letter.” Before Kyle could finish, Professor McGonagall handed him an envelope.

Kyle stared at the letter in his hand, a growing sense of dread creeping in. He had the sudden urge to just toss it.

If he ‘accidentally’ dropped it… and then ‘accidentally’ incinerated it with a Fire-Making Charm while picking it up… maybe he wouldn’t have to go.

But Professor McGonagall seemed to read his thoughts.

“Don’t bother. I’ve already read it. If needed, I can recite it for you.”

“I…” Kyle felt a sharp pang in his jaw. “Can I just not go?”

“No. It’s important,” McGonagall said firmly, shaking her head.

“I knew I shouldn’t have come today,” Kyle muttered.

“It’s all right,” she continued. “I was going to come pick you up myself, but Molly said you’d be at the station seeing people off, so I didn’t.”

“…Fine,” Kyle sighed heavily.

“So what exactly is this about—wait a second.” Something clicked, and his expression stiffened. “Dumbledore doesn’t want me to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, does he?”

It wasn’t out of the question.

Every year, Dumbledore struggled to find someone to teach that subject. Who knew if he’d managed to this time?

What if he hadn’t and was just dragging Kyle in to fill the gap?

Besides, what else could a graduate possibly be called back to Hogwarts for, if not to teach?

The more he thought about it, the more panicked he felt. Instinctively, he pulled out his wand.

If McGonagall dared to tell him the envelope held a job offer, he’d torch it right then and there.

“Is that what you think?” McGonagall’s eyes seemed to glint with amusement.

“We’ve already found a suitable professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts, but if you’re interested, I could arrange for you to join too.”

“Honestly, I believe you’d do an excellent job—even if you’d be the youngest professor in Hogwarts history.”

“No thanks, no thanks, I’ll pass…” Kyle quickly waved his hands in refusal, grateful yet deeply relieved.

All right. As long as it wasn’t that, whatever it was couldn’t be that bad.

“So what is it, then—”

“Woo-woo!”

The train whistle cut him off—a final boarding call.

Mr. Weasley had run off to say goodbye to Ron and the others.

“Just read it once you’re on board,” said Professor McGonagall. “For now, we need to hurry.”

Though Kyle was clearly unwilling, under Professor McGonagall’s sharp gaze, he had no choice but to drag his feet toward the train, silently praying it would just depart before he got on.

Professor McGonagall didn’t rush him, merely stood by the carriage and watched.

He didn’t know if she’d given advance notice or what, but the Hogwarts Express seemed especially slow to depart this time. It had already whistled twice… and still hadn’t moved.

“Hey, Kyle, over here!” Ron leaned out of the train window, waving frantically. “No need to see us off—we’ll catch up at Christmas... huh?”

He watched, stunned, as Kyle completely ignored him and calmly boarded the train.

The next moment, all the doors shut at once, and with a third whistle, the train finally began to move.

“Wait a sec—did Kyle just get on?” Ron asked, confused.

“You’re not seeing things,” Hermione replied.

“Maybe he just forgot he already graduated,” Ginny whispered. “Fred told me once that when he came to see us off, he always had this weird urge to get on the train too... Kyle just graduated, so maybe he forgot for a second.”

“Makes sense.”

“Let’s go find him. Ginny, could you grab us a compartment?” Harry quickly pulled his head back inside. “The train hasn’t gone far yet—he’s still got time to get off if we find him fast enough.”

The corridor was packed with people and luggage, and Harry had to squeeze his way through. But by the time he reached the door, Kyle was already gone.

The train was crowded, and no matter how long Harry looked, there was no sign of him.

“Looks like he realized,” Ron said. “Let’s head back.”

Harry paused, then nodded.

Kyle could Apparate—he might’ve already gone back to the platform.

Harry leaned out the nearby window to look, but just then the train rounded a bend, blocking the platform from view.

“Don’t worry—it’s Kyle,” Hermione said calmly. “No chance he’s in trouble. But this corridor is too packed—Ron, we should help get things under control.”

“Why do I have to do something so unnecessary?” Ron muttered.

He really didn’t feel like chasing after first-years. He just wanted to sit down and finally play a proper game of wizard chess with Harry.

“Because you’re a Prefect!” Hermione said firmly, grabbing his arm and dragging him toward the Prefects’ carriage.

For the record, she was Head Girl this year and had to assign duties to the Prefects.

Ron, however, wasn’t Head Boy—some Ravenclaw guy had gotten that title.

After the two of them left, Harry stood there alone for a while.

He had a feeling Kyle was still on the train. He hadn’t seen anyone Disapparate in the corridor.

Maybe it was just too crowded and he missed it?

Harry turned the thought over in his mind, then shook his head and started walking toward the back of the train.

Hermione was right—there was no need to worry. Even if Kyle had come along to Hogwarts, he could return anytime he wanted.

He might as well focus on something more important—like whether Ginny had found them an empty compartment.

Hopefully she had... and hopefully no one else was in it.

For some reason, Harry suddenly had the thought that Ron and Hermione probably wouldn’t be back before noon. And if no one else had joined them, he and Ginny would have plenty of time alone.

That thought made him quicken his pace...

...

Meanwhile, in a quiet, unremarkable compartment, Kyle had just stepped inside and spotted Professor Flitwick reading and Professor Sprout tending to a potted plant.

“Long time no see, Kyle,” said Professor Sprout, looking up. “I’ve always regretted leaving Remus’s wedding early. I’m just glad you two are all right.”

“Please don’t say that, Professor. None of us expected the Death Eaters to attack,” Kyle replied. “But speaking of which, what exactly does Professor Dumbledore want from me?”

“Wait—Minerva didn’t give you the letter?” asked Professor Flitwick.

“She did, but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet,” said Kyle. “I’ve got a bad feeling about it.”

“No need to worry, it’s not that bad,” Professor Sprout said with a smile. “He just wants you to pretend to be him at the opening ceremony.”