A Taste of Magic

Chapter 55: 55th Course - Heading Back

"You didn't have to see me off," Harry said weakly.

"I don't have to do a lot of things," Sirius said airily, wincing when Andromeda dug her elbow into his side. "What, it's true," he said, rubbing his side.

"You do not have to state everything that is true," Andromeda hissed. "For example, I do not comment every time I see a grey hair."

"Wait what?" Sirius looked alarmed. "Are you talking about me? Grey hair? I don't have any grey hair, Harry do I have any grey hair?"

Harry grinned. "Not that I can see."

Sirius deflated. "That's just cruel, Andi. Playing on the insecurities of someone who just got out of Azkaban after twelve long years of unjust incarceration."

"What Sirius means to say," Andromeda said loudly, ignoring Sirius, "is that we want to accompany you back to the train to take you back to Hogwarts."

"Oh well yeah, what she said," Sirius said, grinning when she snorted.

It was the end of the summer and it was time to go back to school. The last few weeks had flown by and for the first time in his life, Harry was a little reluctant about leaving for Hogwarts. It was an odd feeling. The last few years he had ached to go, eager to see his friends and be among friendly people once more.

Then again, this summer had been drastically different. He had worked in two environments that he wanted to and had learned so much from both. He had wished that he could continue during the year but all parties had denied that, though there was a tiny bit of alleged wiggle room from Ariana, accompanied by a wink from her and a sigh from Aberforth.

He had an actual home too now, not a place that he resided and returned to, but a place he could call home. He had people who genuinely liked him and wanted him around. People who cared about his well-being, his thoughts and feelings. People who liked to be near him and with him.

He hoped he would never get tired of enjoying that feeling.

The last few weeks had been a blur. Grimmauld still needed work but it had been fun working on it with Sirius and Remus and the Tonkses with occasional help from others such as the Dumbledores and Flitwick and McGonagall and Hagrid. Kreacher and Winky had been invaluable and they had come to like Harry in their own way and were sad to see him go too.

Sirius had offered to take Harry to the Quidditch World Cup game that was being held in Ireland and while Harry liked flying and watching the game, he was not that invested. He asked if they could have another party in Grimmauld while listening to the game on the wireless and Sirius had agreed readily. It had been a lovely party with some of Harry's friends coming over once more, the ones that did not go to the game themselves of course.

But like all good things, it had come to an end and after getting new supplies and new things for the upcoming fourth year, they were now at King's Cross. Remus was already at school of course, helping with the last-minute preparations as well as his own preparations for his classes. Ted was at work and Dora at the academy but both had given him hugs and well-wishes that morning and made him promise to send messages. Dora had made him promise to send treats too, something he agreed to easily.

They got to the platform early and Harry put his trunk in an empty compartment and Hedwig had escaped the cage by kicking the door open once more. She flew about inside, stretching her wings while Harry leaned out from the open window.