[Discontinued] When Shadows Collide, The Game Begins

Chapter Eighteen

Over the next few months, Dumbledore refused to acknowledge Harry's existence, something that Harry was perfectly fine with. He had more important things to worry about, such as homework, schoolwork, and  slowly but surely warding the door to the third floor corridor in an attempt to stop anyone who knew a simple unlocking spell gaining access. It was unbelievably easy, and Harry couldn't understand why none of the teachers had done it. Surely they would use every measure available to keep out unwanted visitors. Harry disregarded it as an oversight, but still kept a watchful eye on the corridor, setting up a bit of magic surveillance, just in case.

The weeks went by without any sort of disturbance, so as the Christmas holidays drew nearer, Harry had no issue leaving the school, to see his family again. Sherlock and John were just as excited, and the three Holmes couldn't wait.

Finally, the day arrived and Harry was able to go home. He practically sprinted to the train, his friends following close behind.

"And you're sure John and Sherlock wont mind us staying?" asked Hermione for the hundredth time.

"It'll be fine, 'Mione," Draco assured her. Fred and George, both of whom had become close friends with the first-year trio, were beyond excited.

"We're going to meet Sherlock Holmes," they kept on telling each other.

"And we'll probably go on a case or something," said Harry, smiling as the twins' faces lit up with a child-like glee.

*  *  *

"Can't this train go any faster?" asked Fred, tapping his foot in impatience.

"We're literally at the station already," replied Harry. Just as the words left his mouth, the train slowed to a stop. Fred and George cheered and leapt onto the platform. The other three were quick to follow, dragging their trunks behind them. Hedwig was already at the flat, having flown there to drop off a letter and needing no reason to return, so her empty cage had been shrunk down and shoved inside Harry's trunk.

The five of them hurried through the busy platform and through the barrier, back into the muggle world. Harry bumped into a somewhat familiar person with bright green hair, but they were soon forgotten when he saw his dads. He dropped his trunk and ran towards them, hugging them both tightly.

"We missed you too," said John as they let go. "Who're your friends?" Harry quickly introduced each of them. Fred and George stared at Sherlock in awe.

"And they're all going to fit in our flat, how?" asked John.

"The basement one's empty, right? I'm pretty sure parts of it are furnished already." John nodded and the seven of them left the station and hailed a couple taxis. For Sherlock's sake, Fred and George drove with John, though they still pestered the poor man with hundreds of questions on the long journey to 221b Baker Street.

Somehow, even when the taxi had pulled up and the trunks were being unloaded, Hermione, Fred, and George were still asking questions.

"Just leave them alone," said Draco, "for the sake of all of us." Harry smiled.

"What I really want to know is what's school like?" asked John as he helped carry the numerous trunks up the stairs and drop them in the lounge.

"It's awesome," said Harry, slightly out of breath. He looked out the window briefly and saw a woman at the front door, looking hesitant. "Client," he said, going back down the stairs to open the door. Just as the doorbell rang, Harry opened the door and invited the client inside.

"Sorry about the mess," he said, stepping around a vase that had been shattered sometime during the day. The client muttered something under her breath.