Immortal Magic (Book 1)

Chapter Thirty-Six

Allison's Point of View.

After breakfast, the common room of the Burrow turned into complete chaos as everyone rushed around gathering trunks, owl cages, and forgotten belongings.

By the time we were finally ready to leave, the hallway was packed with luggage. Oz's chirps were lost in Hedwig and Pigwidgeon's screeching while Crookshanks hissed from inside his carrier.

To my surprise, Bill and Charlie decided to come with us to King's Cross to see us off.

Mum had called three Muggle taxis, and somehow we all managed to squeeze inside with our trunks piled on top of each other and owl cages balanced awkwardly on our laps.

Rain hammered against the windows the entire drive to London. Once we arrived at King's Cross Station, we hurried through the downpour, dragging our trunks behind us while trying not to slip on the wet pavement.

To avoid attracting attention from the Muggles around us, we went through the barrier to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters in small groups.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I went through first. The familiar scarlet Hogwarts Express waited on the other side, steam billowing into the chilly air as students and parents crowded the platform.

After handing our trunks over to the loaders, we carried the owl cages and Crookshanks aboard the train and quickly claimed an empty compartment near the middle.

Once everything was settled, the four of us climbed back onto the platform to say goodbye properly. "You might be seeing me sooner than you think this year," Charlie said as I hugged him goodbye.

I pulled back and frowned at him. "What does that mean?" Charlie smirked. "You'll find out soon enough. Just don't tell Percy I said anything. Apparently, it's 'classified Ministry information.'"

He mimicked Percy's pompous voice perfectly, making me laugh. I moved over to hug Bill next. "Honestly," Bill said as he released me, "this almost makes me wish I was back at Hogwarts this year."

George narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What aren't you telling us?" Bill only grinned. "Let's just say this year's going to be interesting."

"Like Hogwarts is ever normal," I muttered to Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Harry laughed quietly beside me. "I might even take time off work to come watch part of it," Bill added casually.

Ron frowned. "Watch what?" Before Bill could answer, Hermione stepped forward. "Thank you for letting Harry and me stay over the summer, Mrs Weasley," she said warmly.

"Yeah, thanks," Harry added with a smile as the train whistle blew loudly behind us.

"Oh, it was no trouble at all, dears," Mum said fondly. "Though I doubt any of you will want to come home for Christmas once everything starts happening at Hogwarts."

Ron stared at her. "Mum, what do you all know that we don't?" Ginny spotted some of her friends farther down the platform and hurried away to join them while Mum simply smiled mysteriously.

"You'll all find out soon enough," she said. "Though I must admit, I'm glad they finally changed the rules."

"What rules?" Ron, Harry, and I asked together. "Professor Dumbledore can explain that," Mum replied smoothly before narrowing her eyes at Fred and George. "And you two had better behave yourselves this term."

The twins ignored that entirely. "JUST TELL US WHAT'S HAPPENING!" Fred shouted through the train window when we boarded. Mum, Bill, and Charlie only waved at us, grinning.

A moment later, they Disapparated. Ron groaned dramatically as we headed down the train to find a compartment.

"Bagman wanted to tell us at the World Cup," he complained, throwing his maroon dress robes over Pigwidgeon's cage to muffle the owl's excited chirping. "But our own mother won't say a word."