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The compartment settled back into its usual hum of chatter, with Astoria launching into yet another overly enthusiastic recount her latest advantures.
Arriving at Hogsmeade Station, students were greeted by a heavy downpour that had the crowd scrambling for shelter. The rain hammered down, drenching everyone within seconds. Harry raised his hand casually and flicked his wand, conjuring a wide, invisible ward above him. The rain stopped falling on his group instantly, though the rhythmic splatter against the edges of the barrier reminded them of how miserable it would've been without it. The group huddled around him, grateful for the cover as they moved toward the carriages.
"This weather is ridiculous," Daphne muttered, pulling her cloak tighter around herself. "Is it too much to ask for a dry first day back?"
"You're lucky Potter here decided to play umbrella," Blaise said with a smirk, gesturing toward the magical barrier above them. "Otherwise, your hair would look worse than Theo's."
"I don't see you conjuring any wards, Zabini," Theo shot back, his tone flat as he trudged through the puddles. "You're more than welcome to handle the rain yourself."
"Please," Blaise said, flicking a speck of mud off his sleeve. "Why bother when I've got Harry here doing the hard work?"
Harry rolled his eyes, keeping his wand steady as they walked. "If you two keep bickering, I'll drop the ward and let you sort it out in the rain."
"Noted," Blaise said quickly, smirking at Theo, who merely scowled.
"Move faster, or I'm letting the spell drop," Harry said dryly, glancing back at them as he started walking toward the carriages.
"You wouldn't dare," Daphne said, narrowing her eyes.
"Try me," Harry shot back, but the slight twitch of his lips betrayed his amusement.
Ginny jogged to catch up, brushing wet hair out of her face as she ducked under the ward. "If you're so keen to keep us dry, maybe you could add a heating charm, too? Or is that too much effort for the great Harry Potter?"
"I would hate to spoil you," Harry replied, ignoring her as he adjusted the barrier to cover Luna, who had just stepped outside of the group following daydreaming.
Neville pulled his hood up, shaking some water off his shoulders before stepping into the dry space. "It's like this every year. You would think they would at least build a shelter or something for the station."
"Where's the fun in that?" Fred called from somewhere in the back. "Keeps us sharp. Builds character."
"Builds pneumonia," Hermione muttered.
"We don't get Muggle diseases," Malfoy sneered, stepping closer under the ward as rain dripped off the hem of his cloak. "But it still ruins my hair."
The group collectively rolled their eyes at his complaint but didn't bother commenting. Harry, glancing over at Draco, smirked slightly. "If you care about your hair so much, Draco, maybe invest in a charm instead of whining."
Draco shot him a haughty look, running a hand through his pale blond hair. "And risk some botched spell making me bald? No thanks. I'll suffer in dignity."
Blaise snorted. "Dignity's doing a lot of heavy lifting there, mate."
"Watch it, Zabini," Draco retorted. "You're one bad hex away from looking like a troll."
Astoria, walking slightly ahead, piped up without turning around, "Better than looking like the backup model for a shampoo ad."
Draco groaned. "Astoria, your attempts at humor are as bad as your Quidditch skills."
"You'll eat those words when I beat you at the next family match," she shot back, turning to walk backward just to smirk at him. "Remember, Draco—I'm faster than you."
"Faster doesn't mean better," he replied, lifting his chin. "Precision matters more."
"You two really going to argue all the way to the castle?" Tracey interrupted, shaking her head. "Merlin, I missed this."
"You mean you missed watching Draco get verbally destroyed by a Greengrass?" Blaise added. "Because that's the highlight of the year, every year."
Draco opened his mouth to respond, but Pansy cut him off, brushing past him to squeeze under the ward. "Can we not make this walk any longer than it has to be? Some of us care about getting to the castle without freezing to death."
Finally reaching the carriages, the group boarded in twos and threes, huddling together to avoid the relentless rain still pelting down. Inside the carriages, the conversation quickly picked up again, with Fred teasing Neville about nearly slipping in the mud, and Astoria dramatically reenacting her "near-death" experience of stepping in a puddle. By the time they arrived at the castle, everyone was more than ready for the warmth and dryness of the Great Hall.
As always, the Great Hall was a sight to behold. The enchanted ceiling mirrored the stormy weather outside, with streaks of lightning flashing across the dark clouds. Long tables stretched across the hall, already laden with golden plates and goblets. Returning students greeted each other with animated chatter, while the new first-years shuffled in nervously, their wide eyes darting between the floating candles and the staff table at the front of the room.
Harry took his usual seat at the Slytherin table, flanked by Daphne and Tracey. Across the hall, Neville and Ginny sitting with Hermione at the Gryffindor table, while Luna had settled in with the Ravenclaws. Astoria was already deep in conversation with Tracey, her hands gesturing wildly as she described something that had probably been exaggerated into a tale of epic proportions.
"Looks like they didn't bother redecorating over the summer," Blaise remarked, glancing up at the ceiling. "Still the same dreary weather and overcooked chicken waiting for us."
"Do you ever stop complaining, Zabini?" Theo asked without looking up from the napkin he was folding into an intricate shape.
"Why would I, when it annoys you so much?" Blaise shot back, smirking.
Harry ignored their bickering, his eyes flicking briefly to the staff table. As expected, there were no changes to the lineup this year. McGonagall stood in her usual spot, her sharp gaze scanning the room as though daring anyone to step out of line before the feast even began. Snape looked as dour as ever, his dark robes blending into the shadows behind him. And there, seated almost casually in his chair, was the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor: Alastor Moody—or at least, that was what everyone else thought.
From Harry's vantage point, the man's appearance matched what anyone would expect of Mad-Eye Moody—scarred face, electric blue magical eye spinning wildly, and a wooden leg propped awkwardly under the table. But Harry's Astral Sight told a different story. Beneath the Polyjuice disguise, he could clearly see Barty Crouch Jr., his true face flickering faintly like a projection layered over the rugged features of Moody.
Harry didn't react outwardly. He knew Crouch Jr. was a plant—part of Voldemort's convoluted plan to infiltrate Hogwarts and manipulate events to his advantage. What intrigued Harry more was Dumbledore's apparent decision to do nothing about it. The old man's usual twinkle was firmly in place as he chatted with Professor Sprout, as though completely oblivious to the imposter sitting just a few seats away. But Harry wasn't fooled. Dumbledore had to know. The headmaster didn't miss details like this.
Harry smirked faintly as he turned his attention back to his plate. If Dumbledore wanted to play dumb, Harry could play along. It suited him just fine. Letting Crouch Jr. think he was safe would make it easier to monitor him, and Harry already had plans for when the man inevitably slipped up.
The Sorting Ceremony began, with the first-years lining up nervously as Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on each of their heads. The Hall quieted as the Hat called out each house, the tables erupting into cheers as new members joined their ranks. Harry watched with mild interest, clapping politely when a particularly pale girl was sorted into Slytherin. The kid stumbled toward their table, looking like she might faint, but Astoria quickly waved her over, scooting aside to make room.
"You'll get used to it," she said cheerfully, patting the girl on the shoulder as she sat down. "Just stick with us, and you'll be fine."
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