At King's Cross Station, on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, heavy rain pattered against the wizards' trunks and the umbrellas over their heads. Dressed like a Muggle, Harry passed through the wall onto the platform with his godfather, Sirius Black, at his side.
The Hogwarts Express was already waiting there, the deep-red steam engine billowing thick smoke. Compared with the bustle of the platform in previous years, this year it could only be called crowded. From the way some of the parents and children were dressed, Harry could tell at a glance that they were clearly from abroad.
"A fair number of foreign pureblood families are cursing Allen's educational ideals in public this year, but in private they've decided to send their children to the United Kingdom to study Dark Magic... Come on, Harry, I'll see you onto the train." Sirius had only led Harry a few steps forward when they noticed that the wizards ahead seemed to be gathered around some spectacle.
Sirius used his strength to force a path for himself and his godson, shouldering open a gap in the crowd so the two of them could slip inside. Only then did they discover that a group of Armed Aurors and a group of Patrol Aurors were facing off against each other.
"On what grounds are you blocking us?!"
"Arrangements made by Captain Albert. Patrols here aren't your responsibility this year. Get lost."
"Scrimgeour is the head of the Auror Office!"
"He's head of my arse... Want to disobey orders? You lot, who can't even last through combat training?"
"I'll report this!"
"You Patrol Aurors probably won't get to see the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Need me to introduce you?"
In the end, when the Patrol Aurors saw that the Armed Aurors had already put