MC POV
After a light breakfast, Sirius and I headed out for Hogsmeade. It was a weekend, and we'd planned to meet Rose there while Lupin continued gathering information on Pettigrew. Sirius, decided to drive the Pagani I'd gifted him. I couldn't help but admire how much the car suited him. In the morning, both Sirius and Lupin had been busy adding a few modifications—some rune work here and there. Now, not only could the car fly, but it could also turn invisible. I watched them from the sidelines, taking in the process. These Runes fascinated me, even if I had more advanced methods at my disposal, like the B2 stealth bomber. A flying car with added magical flair? Why not.
As we approached Hogsmeade, Sirius lowered the car to comply with local regulations—flying over the village was strictly prohibited, and the entire area was shielded with a magical barrier. The transition from soaring above the clouds to rolling on the cobblestone streets was smooth, but it didn't stop us from attracting attention.
Hogsmeade looked different than I remembered. It resembled the sprawling, rustic beauty of Hogwarts Legacy rather than the quaint village from the Harry Potter movies. The streets were livelier, the shops grander, and the whole village seemed to shimmer under the morning sun. The Pagani glided to a stop, and I could see people turning their heads, admiring the car. I couldn't help but smirk. Even in a world full of magic, a machine like this had the power to impress.
"Looks like we're drawing a crowd," Sirius said, stepping out of the car with a grin. "Can't say I mind it."
I followed him, watching the villagers of Hogsmeade, both witches and wizards, eyeing us with curiosity. A few even pointed, and I overheard murmurs of admiration. I had to admit, the car was a masterpiece.
"Well, that's what happens when you drive a work of art," I said, locking the car with a casual wave of my hand. "Let's hope it doesn't cause too much trouble."
Sirius chuckled. "Trouble? That's practically my middle name. Besides, we're just here for a peaceful visit. What could go wrong?"
Famous last words, I thought but said nothing. Instead, we made our way toward the Three Broomsticks, where Rose, Hermione, and Ron were waiting for us.
---
The door to the Three Broomsticks swung open with a soft chime, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere enveloped us. The smell of butterbeer and roasted meat filled the air, and the place was buzzing with conversation. My eyes scanned the room until I spotted Rose, Hermione, and Ron seated at a table near the back. They were deep in conversation, but when Rose noticed us, her face lit up, and she waved us over.
"Over here!" Rose called, her voice cutting through the ambient noise.
We weaved our way through the tables, and as we approached, Hermione and Ron looked up. Ron looked particularly intrigued by Sirius's presence, probably still getting used to seeing him out in public as a free man.
"Sirius, you made it," Rose said, standing up to give him a hug. Then she turned to me. "And you too. Good to see you again."
"Likewise," I said, giving her a small nod. "How've you been?"
"Busy, but it's been... interesting." She glanced at Hermione and Ron. "Lots going on with the Triwizard Tournament about to start."
I nodded, sitting down at the table as Sirius took the seat beside me. The barmaid came over, and we ordered butterbeer all around. As we waited, the conversation flowed naturally.
"So, what's the plan for today?" Hermione asked, taking a sip of her butterbeer as soon as it arrived.
Sirius leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Well, it's mostly a social call. But we did come to check on a few things too."
"Like what?" Ron asked, looking between Sirius and me.
I glanced at Rose before answering. "Just making sure things are going smoothly. With everything that's been happening... the Triwizard Tournament, the Ministry's interest in Hogwarts... we want to make sure no one is overlooked."
Hermione nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. There's been so much tension around the school lately. The other schools arriving for the Tournament... it's creating a lot of buzz."
"Buzz, yeah," Ron muttered, glancing around the room. "And pressure. You'd think the world's watching or something."
"That's because they are, mate," Sirius said with a grin. "The Triwizard Tournament's a big deal. People are excited."
"Excited is one way to put it," I added, leaning back in my chair. "But that kind of attention can also draw out the wrong people."
Hermione frowned and whispered."You mean like Dark Wizards?"
"Potentially," I said, choosing my words carefully. "There's always the possibility. But it's not just them. When you gather this many powerful witches and wizards in one place, people get... interested."
Ron seemed to shift uncomfortably. "Blimey, that's not a comforting thought."
Rose leaned forward, her voice quieter. "Is that why you're really here? To keep an eye on things?"
I met her gaze, feeling the weight of her question. Rose had a way of seeing through half-truths. "It's part of the reason, yeah. But I also wanted to see you. Make sure you're okay."
Her expression softened, and she smiled slightly. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
The conversation shifted to lighter topics after that. We talked about the upcoming events at Hogwarts, how the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were adjusting, and Ron's ongoing complaints about the extra work Professor McGonagall had assigned. Typical Ron.
But all the while, I kept one ear on the room, one eye on the surroundings. Something was nagging at me, a feeling that we weren't as safe as we appeared to be. Maybe it was paranoia, or maybe it was just the knowledge that the world of magic was never quiet for long.
---
A few hours passed, and we eventually decided to take a walk around the village. The streets were alive with activity, students and locals alike enjoying the weekend. Sirius took the lead, joking with Ron about Quidditch while Hermione, Rose, and I followed a few steps behind.
"You're being awfully quiet," Rose said, nudging me with her elbow.
"Just thinking," I replied, glancing around the bustling street. "This place is different than I remember."
"Different how?"
I shrugged. "Feels... bigger. More alive, I guess. Could just be my imagination."
Rose gave me a knowing look but didn't press further. She knew me well enough to understand when I wasn't ready to talk. Instead, she linked her arm with mine as we continued down the street, following Sirius and the others.
"Thanks for coming today," she said after a while. "I know you're busy."
I glanced at her, offering a small smile. "I'll always make time for you."
Her cheeks flushed a bit, and she looked away, but I could see the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Moments like this, where everything felt normal—these were the ones I cherished.
We rounded a corner, and just as we were about to head back to the car, something caught my attention. A figure standing in the shadows, watching us. My senses tingled with warning, and I subtly shifted my stance, ready for anything.
"Did you see that?" I whispered to Rose, my voice low.
She followed my gaze, her eyes narrowing. "Yeah, I did."
I took a deep breath, preparing myself. Whoever they were, they weren't here for the butterbeer.