Finally Back to School

January 7, 1974, the first Monday of the year, was the first day of school at Hogwarts.

At 10 a. m., under a cloudy sky, two people stood at the entrance of 12 Grimmauld Place.

Regulus stood on the steps in front of the door, wearing a dark gray winter robe with a thick layer of cashmere lining. The collar and cuffs had dark silver patterns, and the Black Family Crest was embroidered on the left breast.

He wore a thick black cloak over his shoulders, the hood undone, his hands in his pockets, and Baruk curled up in a small, dark red ball on his shoulder, half of his body peeking out from the folds of the cloak's collar.

Sirius stood beside him, also wearing a new, dark robe, similar in style to Regulus's, except for slightly different patterns on the cuffs, and the Black Family Crest embroidered on his left breast.

He didn't resist wearing the robe; he put it on and came out.

Maybe it's because I've figured things out, or maybe it's because I've made up my mind, but I probably won't be going back to this place next holiday. This is the last time. My family gave me a new robe, so I'll wear it.

Regulus glanced at him but said nothing.

The two of them standing together do look alike; the curve of their noses, the angle of their jawlines, the depth of their eye sockets—they all resemble the Black family. But their overall demeanor is completely different.

Regulus stood quietly, his posture upright, shoulders open, his face devoid of any superfluous expression. The dim light of the overcast sky accentuated his clean features, and he appeared composed and unhurried.

Sirius stood with a slouching posture, his chin slightly raised. His hair had grown a little longer than when he returned from the holidays, and although he tried to tuck it behind his ears, a few strands fell across his face.

He was all outward-facing, his eyes were bright, he had no posture, his weight was on one leg, and his other foot was tapping around on the edge of the step. With a snap, Kreacher squeezed out of the air and stood between the two of them.

Wrapped in an old Tea Towel, it twitched its ears twice, looked up at the young master, then at the Eldest Young Master, and stretched out its finger, ready to touch their trouser legs. Sirius took a step to the side.

Kreacher's finger hovered in mid-air, then turned to Regulus, his ears drooping.

Regulus glanced at Sirius, said nothing, and just stared.

Sirius raised an eyebrow at him, a grin spreading across his face, his tone brimming with barely concealed smugness. "Want to try?"

Regulus, observing his expression, knew what he was planning.

Having just learned Apparition, I want to show off, or maybe I want to take this opportunity to mess with him?

But after thinking about it, he figured this guy probably didn't have the skill; deliberately adjusting the Spatial Channel would only make people uncomfortable.

Knowing his personality, once he learns something new, he gets itchy hands and wants to show it off.

Go ahead and show off.

Regulus's lips twitched slightly as he gently tucked the Baruk slung over his shoulder into his inner pocket. "Are you sure you can handle it?"

Sirius scoffed, ignored him, and placed his hand directly on Regulus's shoulder.

Regulus did not resist; in fact, he actively suppressed his Magic Fluctuation.

Apparition isn't some advanced Magic; spatial travel is a basic application, and Hogwarts offers it in sixth year, so it's not difficult to learn. However, its skill ceiling is very high; Sirius has only just begun to grasp it, Regulus isn't entirely confident in his ability to perform it consistently.

His Magic Power was too heavy for Sirius; if it wasn't suppressed, it would interfere with him.

He turned to Kreacher and said, "Kreacher, you should go back."

Kreacher glanced at Sirius, looking displeased, but still bowed and disappeared with a snap.

Sirius grinned, and the next moment, space contracted, and with a snap, the two disappeared from the front of 12 Grimmauld Place.

At King's Cross Station, on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, behind a pillar, two figures appeared out of thin air, their feet touching the stone slabs of the platform. Regulus steadied himself, feeling no discomfort.

To be honest, it's alright.

It wasn't as shaky as I'd imagined. The tunnel was a bit rough, and the folds in the space weren't completely smoothed out, so there was a noticeable feeling of being squeezed. But the bumps were much lighter than when he took Sirius last time.

It's certainly far from his level, but at this stage, it's considered a mature Apparition.

Baruk moved something in his inner pocket, making a very soft click, but didn't get angry.

The platform was already bustling with activity.

Steam billowed from the red locomotive, spreading through the air and blurring the lights on the platform.

Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was packed with people.

The young Wizards dragged their suitcases through the crowd, owls fluttered in their cages, parents held their children's hands and walked towards the carriages, some people were laughing, some were shouting.

A little girl carrying an owl cage ran past them, nearly bumping into a pillar. Her father called after her, telling her not to run so fast. Steam billowed from the locomotive past them, carrying the smell of coal smoke and engine oil.

Sirius stood beside Regulus, watching the lively scene before him, and remained silent for a moment.

He studied here for almost three years. Every time he came, he would Apparition down, pass through the crowd, and board the train.

He used to think this place was where he started his escape from Grimmauld Place, and every time he stood here, he wished the train would start moving immediately.

The train is still parked there today, just like before, and he's still standing here.

It wasn't long before Sirius came to his senses.

He turned to look at Regulus, grinned, raised an eyebrow, and his expression instantly brightened, his smugness returning. "How was it?" Regulus looked at him, a slight smile playing on his lips, "Not bad."

Sirius stared at him for a while, then called out and turned his face away.

A while later, a train whistle sounded on the platform, and people began to gather towards the train carriages.

Sirius looked at Regulus, his tone a mix of complex emotions and excitement. "Then I'm off."

Regulus hummed in agreement and nodded.

Sirius didn't move. He kept looking at Regulus, his lips moved slightly, his expression a little strange, as if he wanted to say something but didn't know where to start. His tongue swirled in his mouth.

Finally, he simply asked, "Don't you have anything to say to me?"

Regulus looked at his awkward face and couldn't help but want to laugh.

He could roughly guess what Sirius was thinking; the guy was adding his own drama again.

Perhaps he had been planning this scene since he woke up this morning. Leaving home, leaving Grimmauld Place, never to return, he had finally come to this point. But having come this far, he found it wasn't as pleasant as he had imagined.

He imagined escaping would mean slamming the door shut, leaving without looking back, with his uncomprehending family and everything he never wanted to touch again. But that wasn't the case.

His family didn't stop him, Walburga didn't stop him, Orion didn't stop him, and Regulus certainly didn't stop him.

He tried his best to make things difficult, only to find that his family was just going along with it.

He had truly figured it out: his path lay not in Grimmauld Place, not in the Pure-blood Circle, and not in the Black family tradition.

Of course he wouldn't feel reluctant.

It was probably because he finally realized that the door to his house had always been open and no one had ever locked it.

All his anger, resistance, and table-flipping ultimately hit nothing but cotton.

Leaving was my own choice; no one forced me, and no one tried to stop me.

It could also be because this way of walking wasn't tragic or intense enough, and didn't quite match the scene he imagined.

Regulus ignored all of that.

He took a step forward, raised his hand, and placed his palm lightly on Sirius's head to compare the height difference between the two.

Half an inch, less than a finger joint.

Regulus withdrew his hand, turned and walked towards the carriage, leaving only the words, "Eat well."

Sirius stood there, stunned, for a long while.

He watched Regulus's back disappear into the crowd, his dark gray robes appearing and disappearing in the steam, and a small, dark red spider on his shoulder peeking out at him.

He suddenly laughed, made a funny face, shook his head, tugged at the collar of his robe, and then turned and strode in another direction. In the distance, James Potter family of three stood at the carriage door; Fleamont was taking something out of his suitcase, Euphemia was adjusting James's scarf.

James struggled twice but couldn't break free, muttering something under his breath.

Remus Lupin stood beside them, looking rather grim, carrying a small box. He saw Sirius and waved at him. James saw him too, shoved his mother's hand aside, and waved and shouted at Sirius.

Sirius grinned and laughed as he walked over, his steps getting bigger and bigger until he was almost running for the last few steps.

That's where he belongs.

Regulus emerged from behind the pillar. After a few steps, he raised his hand and cast Disillusionment Charm. His figure faded briefly in the steam before disappearing completely. He had noticed it the moment he landed Apparition, as several gazes had fallen upon him.

From the platform benches, from the carriage doors, and from the pillars, there were mostly adult wizards, and a few dressed in respectable robes, accompanied by children, presumably their parents.

They saw him talking to Sirius, but didn't come closer.

Now that he's come out, the people are starting to look this way, and two of them have already taken a step.

News of the Christmas Banquet spread.

Regulus had no interest in dealing with these people at the station, so he stayed close to the edge of the crowd and walked towards the back of the carriage.

Avery stood at the door of the third carriage, tiptoeing and peering into the center of the platform. He wore a new dark green robe with a silver brooch at the collar, and his hair was neatly combed.

Regulus walked to his side and patted him on the shoulder. "I'm going up first."

Avery turned around abruptly, not seeing anyone, but recognizing Regulus's voice.

Before he could react, Regulus had already stepped onto the running board and entered the carriage.

Avery paused for a moment, then realized what was happening, grinned, and became visibly excited, but didn't rush to follow.

He looked around the crowd and found Hermes and Alex. He waved to them, and the three of them entered the carriage together. At 11:00 a. m. sharp, the train started moving, heading north through the England winter under the gray sky.

The view outside the window changed from the grey rooftops of London to the yellow pastures, then to the brown hills and light snow of the Scottish Highlands. At four o'clock in the afternoon, the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station. It was already dark, and the lights on the platform were on.

Regulus got out of the carriage, followed by Avery and Alex, with Hermes bringing up the rear.

The carriages lined up outside the station, the Thestral bowing their heads in front of the shafts. The students, unable to see them, walked past them, only feeling the carriages moving on their own. The four boarded the carriages and walked up the long road, the trees on both sides swaying in the night wind.

The outline of Castle appeared in the distance, its windows glowing with a warm yellow light, growing higher and denser.

The carriage stopped in front of the Castle, and the students filed out, walked up the stone steps, passed through the oak gate, and poured into the brightly lit hall.

Four long tables from the entrance to the far end of the hall were already piled high with food: roast beef, pork chops, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, and bread baskets overflowing.

Candles floated in mid-air, golden plates and goblets shimmered in the candlelight, the ceiling transformed into the night sky, stars moved slowly, and occasionally one would streak across the zenith.

It was noisy and lively, filled with greetings and laughter.

Regulus sat down near the center of the Slytherin table.

Avery sat to his right, Alex and Hermes sat opposite him, and Lina and Samuel sat next to Alex.

People around were talking in hushed tones, and the clinking of Tableware against the Porcelain Plates created a soft, tinkling sound.

Dumbledore rose from the center of the Staff Table' table, wearing a Deep Purple Robe embroidered with gold Star Chart.

His long, silvery-white beard gleamed slightly in the candlelight, and his gaze, behind his Half-moon Spectacles, swept across the four long tables.

He opened his arms, and the sounds in the hall gradually subsided.

"Welcome back," his gentle voice echoed throughout the Great Hall. "I hope everyone had a fulfilling holiday, and that you bring back more than just new robes and textbooks."

A few scattered laughs rang out.

As Dumbledore's laughter subsided, a smile remained on his lips, but behind his half-moon spectacles, his blue eyes became more serious.

"Holidays are always enjoyable, and I've heard that some people had particularly wonderful holidays this year."

Several upperclassmen of Slytherin chuckled softly.

"But the new semester has already begun, and I think we're all ready to face whatever comes next."

"The world outside is changing, and some of you have already felt it. Your parents may have mentioned some things at the dinner table, or they may have deliberately avoided mentioning them."

The Wizards quieted down.

"In the days to come, you will hear more voices, some loud and some very persuasive."

Some will tell you what is right, what is necessary, and what is unavoidable.

His gaze did not linger on any of the long tables.

"I won't tell you what to believe, but I hope that when you hear those voices, you'll ask yourself one question first—" He paused, then continued, "If no one tells me what to think, what will I think on my own?"

Dumbledore raised his glass. "Happy new school term!"

A chorus of responses erupted in the hall, the clinking of glasses blending together, and the lively atmosphere returned.

Regulus raised the Pumpkin Juice and took a sip.

Dumbledore's words weren't cryptic; the meaning was quite clear.

The situation outside is tightening. Voldemort's infiltration has not yet become public, but it is accelerating.

Dumbledore couldn't tell his students that someone was trying to win over their parents, but he was planting a seed beforehand: to find their own voice before being drowned out by others' voices.

Last year it was about reasoning, kindness, justice, and responsibility; this year it's about reminding people to use their own brains.

The situation was moving forward, Dumbledore's words were moving forward as well.

The dinner ended amidst a great deal of noise.

The students left the hall one after another, and Regulus followed the Slytherin group down into the underground.

He walked through the cold, damp Corridor, down the stone steps, and uttered the password. The stone wall cracked open, revealing the entrance to the Common Room, from which green flames shone. He had barely stepped inside, not even two steps in, when...

A group of people gathered around.