The Hogwarts Express had already begun to slow down after the collision.
Yulian didn't wait for the train to come to a stop. He was the first to dash off.
His robes snapped in the rushing air, and he still gripped his wand, ready to face whatever danger might come.
Next, he saw two figures struggling out of the deformed doors of the Ford Anglia. Their faces were covered in dust and their hair was scorched black, but, miraculously, they were unharmed.
Ginny and Hermione rushed up behind him, their eyes red. "Ron! Harry! You—you—"
"We're all right." Harry's voice was hoarse, but held a trace of barely contained excitement. "Ron was amazing at the wheel—"
"You—you're okay... You two are absolutely unbelievable, honestly, ugh!" After spending ages comforting Ginny in the car, Hermione couldn't hold back her sobs either.
"Oh, my wand!" Ron wailed, holding up the wand broken in two. "It—it's snapped—"
Good. It deserved to break.
Students were now pouring off the train, crowding around Harry and Ron.
Some clapped them on the shoulders, others eagerly asked for details about the flying car, and a few—Lee Jordan, for instance—were already thinking up tomorrow's broadcast.
The Weasley Twins pushed their way over. After looking Ron up and down and seeing he was all right, they clapped him on the shoulder. "I have to say, brother, you've finally impressed us!"
"That was so cool!" a second-year student shrieked. "You escaped a Dark wizard in a flying car!"
"Hey, Harry, look over here. Click!"
"I saw an Auror just now! A real Auror!"
"Look, the professors are here!"
Everyone turned around. Professor McGonagall and a black bat stood behind them.
"Gentlemen, can someone explain what on earth is going on?" Professor McGonagall asked sternly, looking at Harry and Ron.
"Mr.