"Goodbye!"
"You really aren't taking the train with us?"
"I have a more convenient way."
"All right, that sounds like you. Keep in touch." Lee Jordan dragged his trunk toward the carriages, preparing to take a Thestral Carriage to the train station with several acquaintances.
"We're not taking the train out of school?"
After seeing off several friends, Katrina followed Albert back into the castle.
By now, most of the students had taken carriages to the train station, and the once-lively castle had fallen completely silent.
"No, Dobby will take us out."
Albert led Katrina to the agreed-upon Empty Classroom, where the House-elf Dobby was already waiting for them.
When Katrina spotted the familiar trunk, she guessed what was going on. Tilting her head toward Albert, she asked in confusion, "You seem to really like having House-elves Apparate with you?"
"Because it's safer. House-elves can Apparate into areas wizards cannot, such as places warded against Apparition. That means other wizards can't track them." Albert stepped into the trunk and explained to Katrina, "Besides, not even the Ministry of Magic pays attention to a House-elf's movements. They—no, wizards—always look down on these hardworking little fellows."
"Just admit you're afraid of dying!" Katrina could understand it, but she still was not used to Albert's excessive caution.
"Yes, I really don't want to die," Albert said solemnly, leaving Katrina speechless.
The two waited briefly at the entrance. The journey was even shorter than expected, though the House-elf had to move through several areas warded against Apparition.
Then they arrived at their temporary new home: Nicolas Flamel's Safe House in Devon.
With their lives nearing their end, the LeMay Couple had given Albert the Safe House they had kept in Britain.
"This..."
Katrina stared at the empty clearing ahead. There was nothing there, so