Sirius Black stormed into the Ministry of Magic like a man who'd just been told his favorite pub was closing down. There was an intensity in his stride, like he was carrying a grudge the size of a Hippogriff—and, honestly, he probably was. If the Ministry of Magic had an official poster for "Grumpy," Sirius's face would be the one they slapped on it. His hair looked like it had had a run-in with a broomstick (and not the cleaning kind), and he had that look on his face that basically screamed, don't make me use my snarky comments to make you cry.
As he marched through the atrium, he could practically hear the echoes of his footsteps saying, "Here comes trouble, folks." That's right, folks. The one and only Sirius Black—angry, stylish, and far more likely to explode than the newest batch of enchanted fireworks. Fudge, the Minister of Magic (who Sirius would gladly shove off a broom if given the chance), and Dolores Umbridge (she who was more insufferable than a two-week-old boggart) were his targets today. And boy, was he ready to unload.
He was about two feet from the door to Fudge's office when—boom—he was intercepted. Not by a guard, not by a particularly rude portrait, but by two figures that would be much more difficult to ignore: Alastor Moody and Amelia Bones. They both looked like they'd just stepped out of an action movie, but with way more magical authority than anyone who wasn't in the Ministry would even comprehend. Moody's magical eye was spinning like he was trying to catch a glimpse of someone hiding behind a pile of filing cabinets, and Amelia—well, she looked like she was just about to walk into a board meeting that required some serious adulting.
"Sirius!" Amelia called, her voice the perfect mix of professional and mildly amused, like she'd heard this exact rant about six times already. "Before you go bursting into Fudge's office like a firecracker in a room full of muggles, let's have a chat."
Sirius stopped dead in his tracks, his dramatic stride momentarily interrupted. His scowl softened just a touch, more like a "what do you two want now?" than any kind of warmth. "Amelia, Moody," he said, sounding mildly surprised as he turned to face them. "I was just about to give Fudge and Umbridge a piece of my mind—and not the kind of piece that's suitable for delicate Ministry ears."
"Ah," Moody grunted, leaning on his staff with an almost theatrical sigh. "Not a bad idea. I'd pay good money to see that." His magical eye swiveled to focus on Sirius as if weighing his chances of survival. "But maybe we can do this without you tearing down the entire building, yeah?"
Amelia crossed her arms, her sharp eyes narrowing, but there was no hiding the amusement lurking beneath. "We've all seen what happens when you go charging in without thinking things through," she remarked, her tone dry. "Remember when you single-handedly tried to take on a herd of Cornish pixies with nothing but a broomstick and your... 'charismatic' charm?"
Sirius flinched as the memory hit him. "Hey! Those pixies were asking for it. Plus, what's life without a little chaos?" He grinned like a man who had absolutely no regrets. Well, maybe just a few regrets, but not about the pixies.
"How about less chaos and more strategy?" Amelia countered, her eyes twinkling with both exasperation and fondness. "I'm offering you a chance to get back to work as a Hit-Wizard. You can track down Pettigrew—if you can keep your head attached to your shoulders, that is."
Sirius blinked. "Wait, are you serious?" He shot a quick look at Moody, who nodded approvingly. "You're reinstating me? After everything?"
"Only if you manage to not blow up any more enchanted objects," Amelia said with a raised eyebrow, holding up a parchment in her hand. "You're one of the best at what you do. I've seen it."
Moody's magical eye seemed to stare straight into Sirius's soul. "And you know Pettigrew's tricks better than anyone," he said gruffly. "You've been through hell and back. If anyone can catch that rat, it's you."
Sirius felt a spark of something deep within him. Maybe it was hope, maybe it was a desperate need to stop yelling at inanimate objects, but the idea of getting back in the game—catching Pettigrew—was more enticing than the last free butterbeer at a Weasley family gathering. "Well," he said, smirking, "if you insist. I'd rather be out there making a real difference than yelling at a couple of clueless bureaucrats who still think house-elves are underpaid because they like cleaning."
Amelia handed him the parchment. "We'll see how you do. But Sirius..."
"Yeah, yeah," Sirius said with a cheeky grin. "No blowing up enchanted objects. You've got it."
"I wasn't just talking about objects, Black," she said, shaking her head. "Try to keep the carnage to a minimum this time, yeah?"
With a loud laugh—half from frustration, half from relief—Sirius nodded. "I'll try my best. But no promises."
And with that, Amelia Bones, Alastor Moody, and Sirius Black set off to tackle the problem at hand. Sirius was back in the game, determined to find Pettigrew and, maybe—just maybe—save the world without completely destroying the Ministry's budget on accidental explosions. And as for the chaos? Well, that was just a part of the package deal.
—
The Daily Prophet
Exclusive: The Scandalous Escape of Peter Pettigrew from Azkaban
By Rita Skeeter
Darlings, pinch yourselves because this is not a bad dream—it's the jaw-dropping reality of our times! Peter Pettigrew, the weasel-turned-rat (quite literally) who infamously betrayed the Potters and faked his own death, has escaped from Azkaban! Yes, you read that correctly. Azkaban—the "impregnable" fortress guarded by soul-sucking Dementors—has apparently turned into a revolving door for criminals. First Sirius Black, and now Pettigrew. What's next? A summer escape package for Death Eaters?
Now, let's set the stage. Pettigrew was dramatically captured just last month during Sirius Black's sensational trial that cleared the latter's name. Pettigrew's capture was supposed to be a moment of redemption for the Ministry—a triumph of justice, a sign that perhaps they could handle their jobs. But, alas, Pettigrew has managed to wriggle his way to freedom faster than you can say "incompetence."
So how did this monumental disaster occur? Let's hear from the players in this tragicomedy, shall we?
First up, Albus Dumbledore. The ever-serene Headmaster of Hogwarts looked decidedly less serene when pressed for a comment. His beard seemed to bristle as he spoke. "This escape is deeply concerning. Azkaban was designed to prevent such incidents, and this breach highlights vulnerabilities we cannot ignore."
Oh, Albus, darling, don't try to dress this up in intellectual gravitas. You're worried—and rightly so! If Peter Pettigrew, a rodent in both nature and behavior, can scamper out of Azkaban, what hope do we have against those more... shall we say... talented in the dark arts?
And then we have Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic. Bless him, he tried his best to appear confident, but his hat looked like it was going to slide right off his sweaty head. "We are investigating this matter thoroughly. Measures are being put in place to ensure that such an escape cannot happen again."
Oh, Cornelius. Measures? What measures? A bigger lock on the door? Perhaps a sternly worded memo to the Dementors reminding them that guarding prisoners is literally their one job? One can almost hear the sound of the public's collective eye-roll.
Enter Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, who, unlike Fudge, doesn't seem to be relying on wishful thinking. With her steely glare and crisp articulation, she declared, "We are leaving no stone unturned. If Pettigrew had external assistance, those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We owe it to the wizarding community to ensure justice is served."
Now, this is the energy we need, don't you think? Someone who isn't afraid to get their hands dirty in the name of justice. Amelia Bones might just be the hero this circus desperately needs.
And speaking of heroes, let's not forget Sirius Black—former fugitive, current man of the hour. Still dressed in his impossibly dashing black robes, Sirius didn't mince words. "It's infuriating. Pettigrew being out there is a slap in the face to everyone who suffered because of him. If the Ministry can't catch him, I'll do it myself."
Oh, Sirius, you dramatic devil. And honestly, who could blame him? The Ministry cleared his name, yes, but letting Pettigrew escape feels like one step forward, two leaps back.
Theories about Pettigrew's escape are already spiraling out of control. Some say he slipped through the bars in his Animagus form—hardly a reassuring thought for Azkaban's "legendary" security. Others whisper of dark forces at play, possibly even remnants of You-Know-Who's followers orchestrating the breakout. Whatever the truth, one thing is clear: this wasn't a simple case of bad luck.
Meanwhile, the Ministry is attempting to salvage its shattered reputation by deploying Aurors to track Pettigrew down, urging the public to "remain calm." But how calm can we be when the Ministry's promises are about as reliable as a malfunctioning Vanishing Cabinet?
So, what does this mean for the wizarding world? Well, darlings, it means we're living in dangerous times. It means the Ministry has egg on its face and Dementors on its payroll who couldn't guard a jar of Bertie Bott's Beans. And it means you should keep your wands handy and your doors locked, because Pettigrew is out there—free, dangerous, and undoubtedly scheming.
But fret not, my dears, for I, Rita Skeeter, will be watching—and writing. From every scandalous twist to every eyebrow-raising turn, you can count on me to bring you the truth (and maybe a little embellishment for flavor). So stay tuned, grab your tea, and keep those wands at the ready. The wizarding world's most sensational drama is far from over.
After all, in the game of rats and wizards, it's always the quiet ones you need to watch.
—
The streets of London were a mess. People darted around like they were on fire, and traffic didn't seem to be moving anywhere except for backwards. Harry was doing his best to keep his focus on the task at hand, which was, ironically, not getting run over by a bus while trying to get to King's Cross. He was with Sirius, who had taken the lead in a way that could only be described as "chaotic brilliance." Seriously, if there were an award for making a scene, Sirius would have won a trophy the size of a house.
"So, when exactly did you get in bed with Rita Skeeter?" Harry asked, just as Sirius barreled past a vendor selling enchanted hot dogs, leaving a trail of confusion in his wake.
Sirius shot Harry a grin that could've melted stone. "What, you think I'd ever give her the satisfaction of an interview? I'm not about to hand over my dignity for some headline."
"Does she always twist things?" Ron piped in from behind, eyes wide with the kind of curiosity only he could manage. "I mean, she made it sound like you were screaming about Pettigrew on every rooftop in London!"
Sirius rolled his eyes so dramatically that they almost spun in their sockets. "Rita Skeeter twisting my words? Now there's a surprise. Probably just overheard me ranting at a Ministry meeting and decided it would look more exciting if she made it sound like I was leading a revolution."
Hermione, ever the voice of reason in a hurricane of madness, shot Sirius a pointed look. "You've made a habit of being very vocal about the Ministry's failures, especially about Pettigrew. She was probably eavesdropping."
"Great," Sirius sighed, scratching the back of his neck, looking like he'd just been given a long lecture by the entire Gryffindor house. "As if I don't have enough on my plate, now Rita's feeding her personal vendetta."
Tonks, who had been changing her hair color with each step (currently lime green), flashed a wide grin. "You've definitely got a knack for attracting trouble. That's why Skeeter can't leave you alone."
Ororo Munroe, tall and regal, didn't break her stride, but her voice carried an air of authority that made everyone pause. "We've got bigger fish to fry than Skeeter's nonsense. Pettigrew's on the loose, and we need to focus on that, not a scandal."
Jean Grey, who had been keeping a cool distance from the drama, finally chimed in. "Skeeter has a way of turning nothing into something. We need to make sure we're not dragged into her circus of lies."
Fred and George, walking a few paces ahead, had clearly been waiting for this moment. They turned simultaneously, grinning like they had just stumbled upon the world's greatest prank idea.
Fred spoke first, his tone practically dripping with mischief. "We could always throw Skeeter a juicy tidbit. Something extra juicy, you know, just to spice things up a little."
George, not missing a beat, added, "Yeah, like a wild story about Pettigrew living it up in Knockturn Alley. That'd certainly get her buzzing, eh?"
Mrs. Weasley, who had been trying to keep pace while wrangling Ginny and keeping an eye on Ron's constant tendency to trip over his own feet, shot them a look that could've made a basilisk turn to stone. "Enough, you two," she snapped. "We've got more important things to deal with than whatever you two come up with next."
Susan Bones, who had been unusually quiet up until now, spoke up with a soft but firm voice. "Let's just get to King's Cross, shall we? We don't need any distractions. We have a lot to handle, and we can't let Rita Skeeter drag us into her mess."
Harry glanced over at Susan. She wasn't the type to make a fuss, but there was something about the way she looked at him that made him fidget. Was she... smiling at him? Oh great, Harry thought. Not only was there the whole Pettigrew thing to worry about, now he had to figure out how to dodge awkward moments with Susan. Wonderful.
Ginny, walking a few steps behind, caught Harry's eye and gave him a half-smile that was a little too knowing for comfort. Brilliant, Harry thought. Just what I needed.
"Alright, alright," Ron said, waving his arms like he was trying to take flight. "Let's get to the platform before I miss the train. I swear, if I get stuck on the train station platform because you two have turned this into a circus—"
"We didn't do anything," Hermione cut in, throwing him a sidelong glance. "You were the one who tripped over that bench."
Ron gave an exaggerated groan. "Honestly, I was just trying to keep up with the pace of things."
Sirius let out a loud, theatrical snort. "You know, Ron, I think your best option is to walk a few paces behind me for the rest of this. Keep up, indeed."
The group continued their trek toward King's Cross, but even as the conversation shifted to lighter topics (Quidditch, school rumors, the latest adventures of Tonks and her shape-shifting mishaps), there was a constant undercurrent of tension. Pettigrew was still out there, and that fact hung over everything, like a heavy cloak.
And yet, in that moment, as Harry looked around at his friends—his family, really—he couldn't help but feel a little better. Sure, the world was falling apart at the seams, and there was a lot of uncertainty about the future, but at least they weren't facing it alone. They were all in this together.
As they reached King's Cross, the noise and bustle of the station faded into the background, leaving only the steady beat of their footsteps. Harry's thoughts were still on the danger that lay ahead, but for now, he could feel the warmth of camaraderie wrapping around him like a cloak.
Sirius gave him a nudge, grinning that lopsided, mischievous grin of his. "You know, Harry, I've never met a group of people who could cause so much chaos and still somehow pull it all together."
Harry shot him a grin in return. "Guess we're just that good."
And with that, the group moved forward, the weight of the world still there but momentarily lighter in each other's presence. The game was on.
—
The streets of London were chaos in motion, like a magical game of bumper cars. People bustled by, oblivious to the small group of wizards and witches weaving their way through the crowd, occasionally stopping for a quick chat, a high-five, or a well-aimed hex for fun. It was like they were moving through a maze of Muggle pedestrians, all of them unknowingly missing the magical sparks flying off the group as they headed for King's Cross Station.
Sirius Black, looking every bit like the cool uncle you'd want to impress, led the charge. He strode ahead like he was about to conquer the world, or at least make a grand entrance to Platform 9¾. The sunlight bounced off his shaggy hair, casting dramatic shadows on his sharp features. "Alright, folks," he grinned, flashing that trademark roguish smirk. "Watch and learn. This is how you do a grand magical entrance."
Harry chuckled under his breath, trying not to fall behind in his excitement. He shot a glance at Ron, who was practically vibrating with enthusiasm. "You ready for the rush?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady. But inside, he was buzzing, too.
Ron, looking like he had swallowed an entire pack of fireworks, nodded. "It's always the same, but it never gets old," he said, his face lighting up. "I'm just hoping the trolley's doing chocolate frogs this year."
"Why settle for frogs when you could have flying broomsticks?" Fred Weasley called over his shoulder, tossing a wink at his twin, George, who was giving his usual 'Weasley twin' grin. "Bet the trolley lady could do with a little upgrade."
"Well, you're not getting your hands on my broomsticks," Ginny piped up from behind, her eyes narrowing playfully. "And I'd bet on it, too."
"Deal," Fred said, holding out a hand, only for George to slap it down in a halfhearted attempt at brotherly sabotage.
Meanwhile, Hermione, who had been quietly observing all of this, couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Honestly, could you all focus for just one minute?" she said, her voice a perfect mix of exasperation and fondness. "We're trying to catch the Hogwarts Express, not start a circus."
Tonks, bouncing next to Remus, grinned. "Why not both, Hermione?" she said, her hair shifting from bright pink to electric blue with every bounce. "A little circus never hurt anyone. It's just a magical life, innit?"
Jean Grey, trailing just behind, offered a calm, knowing smile. Her red hair looked like it had been kissed by fire, and her eyes—those deep green eyes—held an unusual quiet wisdom. "She's right, Hermione. There's always room for fun in magic, even if it's just for a moment." Jean's voice had that soft, yet commanding presence that always seemed to make people listen, even when they were in the middle of a chaos-fueled conversation.
Susan Bones, who had been following along in mostly silence, was the opposite of chaos. She was just... there. Present. Steady. And yet, when she spoke, it had an effect. "Maybe a bit of quiet for now?" Susan suggested, her voice polite but firm. She wasn't the loudest person in the group, but there was something undeniably reassuring about her calm, steady presence. "We'll have enough chaos at Hogwarts."
"That's the spirit, Susan!" Remus Lupin added with a grin, his calm demeanor standing out like a lighthouse in the middle of a storm. He looked every bit the soft-spoken, reliable mentor he was, though Harry swore the man was secretly a Jedi in disguise, always one step ahead.
At that moment, Sirius was already striding toward the barrier between platforms 9 and 10, looking entirely unfazed. "Follow me, children. I'll show you how it's done," he called back, and without a second thought, he made a dramatic beeline for the solid barrier. A little too dramatic, if you asked Harry, but who was going to tell him?
"I swear, if he bumps his head—" Harry began to mutter, but before he could finish, Sirius was through the barrier like a living embodiment of swagger, disappearing into thin air with a confident stride.
"Well, here goes nothing," Ron muttered, and with a shared glance between Harry and the rest of the group, they all followed suit.
Harry braced himself for the usual tingling sensation, the rush of magic that always seemed to catch him off guard no matter how many times he did it. A whoosh of air and the faintest shimmer of light later, and he found himself on Platform 9¾. His breath hitched—just like every year. Hogwarts was real. And it was magical.
The platform was a chaos of students, trolleys, parents, and magical creatures. Steam billowed from the Hogwarts Express, wrapping around them like a blanket. The smell of butterbeer, warm chocolate, and whatever else the trolley had this year filled the air, making Harry's stomach growl in anticipation.
Sirius was already leaning against the train, grinning like a Cheshire cat with a plan. "See? Told you. Now, let's get you lot settled. We've got a train to catch and a school year to wreck."
Jean, arms crossed, leaned back against one of the station's columns. "You're really going to be the one leading us into this, Sirius?" Her voice held an edge of humor, but there was also a bit of mystery behind it—a side of Jean that was less X-Men and more shadowy wizard. She raised an eyebrow, eyeing Sirius as if she were about to throw some telekinetic shade.
"Of course I am," Sirius said with a wink. "Who else would do it? Remus?" He chuckled, but Remus only offered an unamused smirk, shaking his head.
"No, no. I'll leave it to you, Padfoot. But just don't break anything this year," Remus teased, his voice light, though there was a hint of affection in the way he said it.
Tonks bounced past with an exaggerated twirl. "That's my cue to start the chaos, I think." Her hair flashed between neon hues as she did a ridiculous pirouette, drawing a few surprised looks from the nearby students.
"Please," Hermione muttered, "you're giving us all a bad name."
But Harry just laughed. No matter the danger that loomed, the endless possibilities of what could happen this year, they were together. And that made him feel like nothing could possibly stand in their way.
As they made their way onto the train, the chatter grew quieter, replaced by the excitement of the journey ahead. The Hogwarts Express was about to leave, and with it, Harry felt that old, familiar thrill. Whatever chaos awaited them, it would be a ride they could take together.
And that was enough.
—
Jean—who had mostly kept to herself up until that point—suddenly stopped in her tracks, eyes wide. She looked like she'd just seen a celestial being in a cloud of glitter. The Hogwarts Express was a thing of pure wonder. It stood there, gleaming in the sunlight, looking like it had just stepped out of a fairytale and onto the platform. The scarlet train practically shimmered with gold detailing and billowed steam like it had just woken up from a long nap and was ready to take on the world.
"Whoa," Jean murmured under her breath, stepping forward like someone had cast an invisibility spell on her feet. She wasn't sure what had her more awestruck—the fact that they were about to board a magic train, or the fact that she was actually about to board a magic train. If Hogwarts was half as magical as the stories, then this was going to be one heck of a ride.
"Yeah, it's pretty amazing, right?" Harry chuckled, glancing over at her as she stared, slack-jawed, at the steam curling into the air. "Gets me every time, too."
Jean tore her gaze away to give him a playful smirk. "You mean you don't ride it every week like it's a taxi service?"
Harry laughed, glancing back at the rest of the group. "Honestly, it feels like it, sometimes. But trust me, you're gonna love it." He threw his thumb over his shoulder toward the others, who were already bustling about, ready to board the train.
The platform was alive with activity—students chatting, laughing, some of them nervously glancing at their parents. Parents themselves looked a bit misty-eyed, which seemed to be an unofficial tradition of seeing their kids off to Hogwarts. Ron was giving his mother an awkward side hug, while Ginny—looking like she could take on the world in that moment—was already bouncing on the balls of her feet as if the train could leave without her.
"Blimey, Ron, quit acting like you're about to leave for war," Fred muttered with a grin, clapping his twin on the back. "It's just a school, mate."
"And a bloody good one," George added with a wink, clearly in on the joke. "Though, if Mum keeps crying, it's gonna be hard to tell which one of us is heading into battle."
Ron gave them both a shove. "Shut up."
"Here, you two," Hermione said, appearing beside them with a roll of her eyes, "quit making jokes and help Mum with the luggage, will you?" She flicked a glance at the trolley of trunks and owls floating beside them. "Honestly, I'll never understand how people get so attached to owls."
"You wouldn't," Ron grumbled, "being a bloody bookworm."
Jean, who had been observing all of this like it was some kind of magical sitcom, couldn't hold back a laugh. "You guys are like an action-packed family comedy."
Tonks, who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere—her bubblegum-pink hair looking especially wild today—grinned. "You should see us at Christmas. It's like The Great British Bake Off, but with actual explosions."
Remus, who had been hovering nearby with his usual calm demeanor, raised an eyebrow. "You say that like it's a good thing."
"Well, it's fun," Tonks said with a shrug, as if she had just admitted to eating the last piece of chocolate in the cupboard.
"You should try it sometime," Susan Bones piped up, flashing Jean a grin. "You know, so you don't think we're all this weird."
"I'll take your word for it," Jean replied, her smile widening.
"Come on, everyone!" Sirius called, swaggering toward them, clearly in his element. "I can't believe you lot are still standing here. Do you see that train? It's practically begging for us to board. We'd better get on before the Muggles figure out we're magical."
Ororo gave him a look, but her lips twitched. "Sirius, you know that's not how it works."
"True," he grinned, "but one can dream, right?" He flicked his wrist in an overly dramatic motion, as though summoning the train itself. "After all, I've got to make an entrance."
Jean raised an eyebrow, her usual playful spark flickering in her gaze. "You always make an entrance."
"Exactly," Sirius said with a mock bow. "Now, let's get aboard before the real fun starts."
They filed onto the train, Harry sticking close to Jean as they made their way past the bustling students and parents, all the while making sure to grab a compartment big enough for their crew. Fred and George were already scheming how to sneak some of their more interesting inventions into the hands of unsuspecting first-years. Ron was sulking about the luggage, while Ginny, completely unbothered by the chaos, found her seat and promptly started flipping through a book on advanced spells.
"Hey, Jean, when you're done staring at the gods of Hogwarts over there," Hermione said, "you might want to sit down. We're moving in ten minutes."
"Yeah, yeah," Jean grinned, sliding into her seat. "Can't blame me for appreciating magic when it's this pretty."
Tonks leaned over from her spot on the other side of the aisle. "Oh, trust me, you'll get used to it. The real magic comes later."
"Don't spoil it!" Jean laughed, then caught Harry's eye. "I'm ready for whatever comes next."
As the Hogwarts Express slowly started to move, the train's engine churning in the background, Harry could feel the familiar pull of adventure on the horizon. He exchanged a grin with Jean, silently agreeing that this year was going to be different. New faces, new challenges—and, with this crazy bunch around him, plenty of chaos.
But somehow, he felt ready for it.
Ready for whatever Hogwarts had in store.
And maybe, just maybe, the magic was only getting started.
—
The Hogwarts Express was practically vibrating with excitement as students clambered aboard, shouting, laughing, and running into old friends like they hadn't seen each other in years, even though it was only summer break. In the midst of all this, Harry spotted Sirius, who was waving at him with the kind of mischievous grin that was all too familiar. Harry was about to duck into the nearest compartment, but the glint in Sirius's eyes made him pause.
"Harry!" Sirius called, his voice ringing out like a bell in the chaos. "Over here!"
It was a voice that screamed "come closer" and "I've got something important to say" all in one. Harry rolled his eyes. His godfather never did anything quietly—especially when it involved plotting.
"Hold up, Sirius!" Harry called back, dodging a couple of students and floating trunks as he made his way through the packed platform. When he finally reached Sirius, the man was standing next to a compartment door, giving him one of those rare, serious looks that were reserved for moments of actual concern. Sirius was great at being the fun godfather, but when he flipped the switch to "I'm about to tell you something that could change your life," Harry always knew to listen up.
Sirius glanced around quickly, his eyes scanning the platform like he was checking for spies—or worse, a particularly nosey first-year. "Before you get sucked into the madness of this train," he said, his voice low, "we need to have a word."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "What's going on, Sirius? You look like you're about to give me a magical survival guide."
Sirius chuckled, but it was the kind of laugh that came with a touch of worry. "I mean, it's not a bad idea. With everything going on—Pettigrew, the whole Ministry mess—it's easy to forget that we're not alone in this. But now that you're back at Hogwarts, I need you to remember something."
Harry nodded, leaning in, fully prepared for the wisdom of the godfather. "What's that?"
Sirius's eyes softened, but his voice remained firm, like a man trying to be both a friend and a mentor. "You're never alone, Harry. Not really. You've got friends who've got your back—whether it's helping with your potions homework or facing down some dark wizard drama. Trust in them, alright?"
Harry smiled, the warmth of Sirius's words sinking in. "I know, Sirius. You've always had my back. And I've got theirs."
Sirius's face brightened with a grin that could've made the sun jealous. "That's the spirit! Now, I'm going to let you in on a little secret."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Another one?"
Sirius leaned closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "This year? We're bringing back a little bit of the Marauder magic."
Harry's eyes widened. "Wait, you mean—"
"Pranks," Sirius finished, a twinkle in his eye. "Mischief. Mayhem. All that good stuff."
Harry laughed out loud, feeling a rush of excitement flood his chest. He hadn't even been back for five minutes and already Sirius was ready to stir up trouble. "You're talking about actual Marauder pranks, right?"
Sirius gave him a look that said, You really think I would let it slide this easily? "Oh, you bet. I've got a couple of ideas, but it's going to take a little help to pull them off. What do you say, kid? Ready to carry the torch?"
Harry's grin stretched wider, and he felt that familiar sense of adventure tingle in his fingertips. "You had me at 'pranks.' Let's do this."
Sirius clapped him on the back, the gesture light but full of that quiet understanding that came from years of friendship—and chaos. "I knew you'd be up for it. Now, go on, Harry, enjoy the ride. Hogwarts is full of surprises, and we both know you're good at handling them. You'll need to stay on your toes this year."
Harry nodded. "I'll be ready."
As he turned to walk away, ready to rejoin the madness of the train, Sirius called after him with one more gleam in his eyes. "Oh, and Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't let the adults catch you in the act. That's all I'm saying."
"Got it," Harry said, laughing as he made his way back to his friends. This year was going to be different, he could feel it. With Sirius plotting pranks and the Marauder spirit alive and well, Hogwarts had better brace itself.
And with that, he dove headfirst into the chaos of the train, a wide grin plastered on his face.
---
Hey fellow fanfic enthusiasts!
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Whether you loved it, hated it, or have some constructive criticism, your feedback is super important to me. Feel free to drop a comment or send me a message with your thoughts. Can't wait to hear from you!
If you're passionate about fanfiction and love discussing stories, characters, and plot twists, then you're in the right place! I've created a Discord server dedicated to diving deep into the world of fanfiction, especially my own stories. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or just someone who enjoys a good tale, I welcome you to join us for lively discussions, feedback sessions, and maybe even some sneak peeks into upcoming chapters, along with artwork related to the stories. Let's nerd out together over our favorite fandoms and explore the endless possibilities of storytelling!
Click the link below to join the conversation:
https://discord.com/invite/HHHwRsB6wd
Can't wait to see you there!
If you appreciate my work and want to support me, consider buying me a cup of coffee. Your support helps me keep writing and bringing more stories to you. You can do so via PayPal here:
https://www.paypal.me/VikrantUtekar007
Or through my Buy Me a Coffee page:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vikired001s
Thank you for your support!