No one in the compartment moved—the members of the High Tower had all developed the habit of getting off last.
Usually, no one hurried them along, but today was a little different.
A fierce-looking Auror with a magical eye pushed open the compartment door and urged them on:
"Come on, kids, get moving! Stay any longer and the train will be heading back!"
It was Moody.
Will hadn't expected him to be among the Aurors stationed here—after all, Moody had already retired.
Most likely, it was because the Order of the Phoenix was working with the Ministry of Magic. Moody was back in the fray, which was just as well—he was still at an age to go out and make his mark.
Harry and the others looked rather pleased—Moody was a good professor, even though he had only taught them for half a term.
They stepped out of the carriage and into the mist-shrouded Hogsmeade Station.
The High Tower members clustered together, walking unhurriedly at the very back of the crowd.
They queued in an orderly fashion, ready to board the carriages.
Just then, Draco came over, wanting to say something to Will. Beside him was Astoria Greengrass, another Slytherin girl in the High Tower.
Will waved a hand. "Tell me later, in the Room of Requirement."
Only then did Draco nod.
"Boy, get in! Stop chatting. If you want to reach Hogwarts at midnight, you're welcome to walk there yourself!"
Moody limped over, grabbed Draco's arm, and unceremoniously shoved him into a carriage.
However, Moody hadn't noticed that Harry and Ron were sitting inside it.
That was rather interesting. In the original timeline, Draco had given Harry a vicious beating today, creating a serious grudge between them.
Seeing this, Astoria quickly climbed into the same carriage.
Moody called out,