29 29: Hogwart's Express... again

[3rd Pov]

"Ready?"

It was the first of September once again, meaning a new school term was about to begin. The Grindelwald twins were both dressed in matching casual black wizard robes, each with their suitcase in hand.

They both nodded to their mother, who was dressed in an elegant pearly-white dress. Isadora gently rested her hands on the twins' shoulders, and in an instant, with a resounding *POP*, the trio vanished into thin air.

"Bye, sweeties," said Aunt Bathilda, not noticing they already left. Her dementia was slowly getting to her, but that didn't stop her from pushing Leopold's wheelchair back inside the house.

__________

The wizarding side of King's Cross Station was bustling on September 1st, just like every year. Wizards and witches of all ages crowded the area.

Several new students arrived through the magical entrance from the Muggle side, while others used Floo Powder or apparition to reach the station. Among them was the Grindelwald family.

The distinct sound of apparition reverberated in a medium-sized room dedicated solely to that purpose. The room stood adjacent to the station, separated by a dark wooden door.

As the door swung open, Isadora stepped out, her high heels clicking against the station floor, with Alaric and Lysandra following closely behind.

"I'm never side-apparating again," Lysandra complained, her hand clutching her grumbling stomach.

Although both twins were capable of apparating independently, experiencing someone else's apparition was a different story. Alaric, having used the teleportation magic more frequently, was less affected. Nonetheless, he had a mild headache and rubbed his temples.

Using a small circular motion with his hand, Alaric cast a minor healing charm on himself and his sister. Lysandra felt a wave of tranquility wash over her, relieving her nausea.

"Thanks," Lysandra expressed her gratitude before joining her brother and mother. Together, they navigated through the crowd of wizards, eventually arriving near the red express.

Isadora turned to her children, her eyes glistening with emotion as she looked at them. Bending down, she embraced them tightly.

"Mom is going to miss you a lot," she whispered, her cheeks rubbing against theirs.

Accustomed to their mother's affectionate gestures, Alaric and Lysandra chuckled before returning the hug.

"Don't worry, we'll keep in touch," Alaric assured, rubbing his mother's back in an attempt to console her.

Drying her tears, Isadora stood up.

"You better. Don't make me force my way into the school just to hear from both of you," she warned playfully... or maybe not.

After saying their goodbyes, the twins reluctantly parted ways with Isadora, much to her dismay.

As they walked through the carriages, Alaric couldn't help but notice the numerous curious gazes directed their way.

"I know we're pretty and all — but they could keep their stares to themselves,"

Lysandra was somewhat annoyed by the countless eyes that were glued to her and Alaric while they tried to find their friends or an empty compartment.

"They probably found out about the grades," noted Alaric. It was to be expected after all. Since the founding of the British Ministry of Magic, along with the Wizarding Examinations Authority, the grades had never changed, not once.

From Troll to Outstanding, Hogwarts was used to grade the students as such. So, when all of a sudden a new grade is created because of two children, an uproar was the least to be expected.

"How? It's not like they showcase everyone's grades for the world to see,"

"You know how it is. One person knows — then everyone knows. The Hogwarts Rumor Mill never stops,"

After a while, the twins found an empty compartment near the Prefects carriage. Placing their suitcases above them, they sat in front of one another, each taking out a book.

Lysandra started reading her usual potions book, while Alaric tried to get past the third page of the parseltounge one.

As Alaric's brows furrowed deeper looking at the book, he didn't notice the bushy-haired girl who swung the door open, her breath haggard and her face flushed.

Lysandra looked at her friend happily, but her expression soon turned confused seeing the state of the girl.

"H-How..?" was all Hermione asked, as she tried to catch her breath.

Alaric closed his book and joined his sister in staring at Hermione, who got embarrassed by the silent gazes.

"H-How... did you do it?" she said between breaths. "They made a new grade just for you!"

Hermione couldn't understand! While she took some time to accept it, she understood that Alaric and Lysandra were above her in terms of knowledge and magic.

While she wasn't the top student in her grade, she tied for third place with Daphne. She always thought that with time she could achieve the level of the twins, but she never expected them to be this far ahead.

After achieving five outstandings and two exceeding expectations, she wouldn't openly admit it, but she felt quite proud of herself.

If her readings of 'Hogwarts: A History' didn't betray her, she knew not everyone could achieve what she did, especially a muggle-born, who had the disadvantage of only being introduced to the magical world when they turned eleven.

"What do you mean?" Alaric tilted his head to the side, feigning ignorance.

Just like last year, Hermione busted open the door without even knocking. Alaric wasn't mad at her... well, maybe a little, so he felt like messing with her.

"I mean the exams!" she exclaimed. "How did you do it?"

"I grabbed a quill,"

"That's not what I —"

"Then wrote on the exam," said Alaric.

"I mean —"

"I also used my wand,"

Hermione's haggard breaths had already stopped, but her face continued as flushed as ever, realizing Alaric was just playing around with her instead of answering the question.

"Don't bother with him," said Lysandra, her mouth twitching trying to hold back a laugh. "We used to have tutors, so we were more prepared — Pfft!"

Hermione's brow twitched before she stomped her feet on the train's floor. She quickly left, stomping her feet on purpose, muttering under her breath "I have to study more — I have to study more — I have to study more,"

The twins looked at each other, before breaking into laughter.

__________

[Alaric's Pov]

As we stepped out of the Hogwarts Express, I and my sister separated, each going to their friends. Lysandra went to join a carriage with Hope and Hermione, while I stayed behind.

"Where the hell have you been!?"

Looking to my side, Tracey had a weird expression on her face while she approached me, while Daphne followed behind her.

"That's my line," I said. "I looked all over when I arrived, and didn't find you,"

"Well, whatever — let's go,"

Tracey grabbed both me and Daphne by the arms and pulled us to the carriage. After getting comfortable, the carriage started to drive by itself... or so I thought.

Looking at the front of the carriage, I could see two pairs of... Thestrals, pulling it.

They were completely fleshless, their black coats clinging to their skeletons, of which every bone was visible. Their heads were dragonish, and their pupil-less eyes white and staring. Wings sprouted from each wither — vast, black leathery wings that looked as though they ought to belong to giant bats.

They were extremely similar to my patronus, only missing the whitish glow and spectral appearance.

Now... I'm pretty sure one needs to witness death and understand it to be able to see these creatures. They need to feel impacted and understand its significance.

Even if I practiced the Dark Arts, I hadn't killed anyone... yet.

Magical creatures don't really count. I mean, if someone were to squish a bug between their fingers, they would hardly feel guilty about it, thus it wouldn't impact their lives.

Perhaps it was due to my sight — or the ancient magic related to the silver pendant.

"Where's Blaise and Theo, anyways?" I asked, disregarding the thought. I've more slithering problems to worry about.

"We thought they were with you," Tracey said. "But I guess not,"

Hearing our conversation, Daphne was looking intently at me, trying to figure out something.

"Did you know?" she finally asked, staring at me.

"That's a rather ambiguous question —"

"Then you don't know," she said, a small smirk gracing her face. Making her smile like this... either it's extremely good news or the complete opposite. I'm more inclined to the latter.

As the wooden carriage wheels sounded against the stone path and the sky darkened, the two girls leaned closer to me.

"Who do you think is going to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?" Tracey asked with an evil smirk.

I stared into her eyes, pondering if I should just get the answer straight from her mind. Trying t have some self-control, I decided to play along with their game.

"It seems you don't know," Tracey said, patting my shoulder. "My condolences,"

I don't know why... but I felt a chill up my spine.

"Is he... better or worse than Quirrel?" I asked carefully.

"You'll see," Daphne said.

"I mean, Quirrel was a great teacher," I said. "There was just that minor inconvenience of him having Voldemort sticking out of the back of his head. It can't be worse than that — right?"

Daphne and Tracey evilly chuckled, as if ready to enjoy my suffering.

Arriving at the front gates, we walked in the direction of the Great Hall. The countless enchantments and spells on the castle walls greeted my vision, encasing it in a myriad of colors.

It was good to be back.

The enormous line of students soon broke apart, each going to their respective house's table. Chatter soon broke in the Great Hall, as the students waited for the feast to start and the sorting to be finished.

I looked at the Professors' table, just to see my uncle nodding his head, greeting me. His blue eyes glinted behind his half-moon spectacles, his obnoxious purple robes shining with the candlelight.

My eyes wandered over to a few seats to his left, finding, seated in the DADA Professor chair... no one.

That's weird... All the professors have to gather in the Great Hall before the start-of-the-year feast begins.

"Watcha lookin' at?" asked Blaise, his mouth stuffed with food. Apparently, he and Theodore arrived extremely late and had to seat on the common carriage, near other students.

"What's with the accent?" I asked with my left eyebrow raised.

"Oh," He quickly swallowed his food. "I went to the USA last week — Mom had a job there — Some kids our age spoke this way there,"

"It's weird," Theodore chimed in. "You sound like a git—"

Before Theo could finish his insult, the doors to the Great Hall were swung open.

Walking vainly, his creepy wide grin showcasing his particularly straight and shiny teeth, a man with wavy blonde hair and bright blue eyes entered the Hall.

In what could only be described as flamboyant, flashy, and incredibly extravagant robes in a wide assortment of colors, the man confidently made his way to the Professor's table.

My mind wasn't exactly expecting this development, so I didn't immediately realize who he was, even with the girlish squeaks and screams from his fans.

Albus stood up from his seat, and, snapping his finger, the food disappeared from the tables. He approached the microphone and cleared his throat.

"Welcome! — to a new year at Hogwarts!" he said. "As all of you know, Professor Quirrel had some... mishaps,"

Looking at me, Albus continued. "Because of it, he had to be replaced. With that, I'm proud to introduce the—"

"Let me do that, Albus," the blonde man said, that weird grin always on his lips. Placing his wand near his throat, he turned to the students.

"It's a pleasure to announce that Me, Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defence League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award — but I don't talk about that. I didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her! — will be taking on the mantle as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor!"

It's a tragedy.

**********

A/N: I tried to write more in a 'casual' manner in this chapter. Let me know if you prefer it this way or if you want me to write in a more 'formal' way.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!