Sirius's son

Dementors and Sirius Black

The journey to King's Cross was very uneventful compared with Rigel's trip on the Knight Bus. The Ministry of Magic cars seemed almost ordinary. though Rigel noticed that they could slide through gaps that muggle cars certainly couldn't have managed. They reached King's Cross with twenty minutes to spare; the Ministry drivers found them trolleys, unloaded their trunks, touched their hats in salute to Mr. Weasley, and drove away, somehow managing to jump to the head of an unmoving line at the traffic lights.

Mr. Weasley strolled toward the barrier between platforms nine and ten, pushing Harry's trolley and apparently very interested in the InterCity 125 that had just arrived at platform nine. With a meaningful look at Harry, he leaned casually against the barrier. Harry imitated him.

In a moment, they had fallen sideways through the solid metal onto platform nine and three-quarters and looked up to see the Hogwarts Express, a scarlet steam engine, puffing smoke over a platform packed with witches and wizards seeing their children onto the train.

Rigel and Eliza suddenly appeared behind Harry. They were panting and had apparently taken the barrier at a run.

Mrs. Weasley kissed all her children, then Hermione, Harry, Eliza, and finally Rigel. He was embarrassed, but really quite pleased when she gave him an extra hug. He noticed Mr. Wealsey whispering to Harry and Eliza.

"Arthur, quick!" Cried Mrs. Weasley as the train's final whistle blew and the twins jumped onto the Hogwarts Express.

"Have a good term you two! You can write to me...if you want." The train began to pull away from the station and Mrs. Weasley shut the door and waved haphazardly as it disappeared from view.

"Come on, let's find a compartment." Said Hermione pulling her trunk behind her,

"I need to tell you something," Harry said as they made their way down the carriage,

"Ginny, go away," said Ron without regret.

"Ron! Don't be rude" Eliza admonished as Ginny left with a huff.

"I'm not being rude," Ron said confused. "Thats how I speak to her."

Eliza didn't know what to say.

They walked what seemed like the entire length of the train before they found a compartment with just one sleeping man in it.

"Do you think he's really asleep?" Harry asked as they sat down. Hermione observed him critically before nodding, he was clearly too old to be a student and Rigel glanced at his trunk. Professor R. J. Lupin, he read. He hoped that he was a better Defense Professor than either of his predecessors, he couldn't be much worse!

"The name seems familiar." Rigel mused. "Have any of you met him?"

"Nah mate probably mum and dad's friend," Ron said. "Looks pretty old. Anyway, what were you going to tell us?"

Harry explained all about Mr. and Mrs. Wesley's argument and the warning Mr. Weasley had just given him. When he'd finished, Ron looked thunderstruck, and Hermione had her hands over her mouth. She finally lowered them to say, "Sirius Black escaped to come after you? Oh, Harry... you'll have to be really, really careful. don't go looking for trouble, Harry..."

"Oh, no!" Ron groaned and slumped down. "Does that mean you won't be able to come to Hogsmeade with us this year? I was looking forward to that!" Hermione and Rigel gave Ron a dope slap on the head. "Ow! What was that for?"

"Your best friend's lives are being threatened by a mass murderer and all you care about is Hogsmeade!? I can't believe you! I thought you would have more sense than this! You complete and utter idiot!" Hermione kept hitting Ron, who was holding his arms up in a fruitless attempt to protect himself.