The train slowly pulled into Platform 9¾. As it came to a full stop, students began disembarking one by one. The scarlet Hogwarts Express let out two shrill whistles before it started up again, leaving the station amidst the clatter of its wheels and the noise of its engine.
The platform was bustling with parents waiting to pick up their children. Among the crowd were a variety of animals—owls hooting sharply, frogs croaking softly, and the occasional meow of cats. A particularly striking sight was the white gyrfalcon perched on Augustus's shoulder. The bird's golden eyes radiated an aura of danger, drawing envious glances from passing students. Augustus, accompanied by Loki, Lilian, and Malfoy, wove through the throng toward the exit.
"Augustus, over here!" Aurora called out, waving energetically. Augustus's pristine white robes made him easy to spot, a beacon in the sea of students.
With a faint smile, Augustus led his companions forward. Clovis greeted him with a brief hug before turning his attention to the others.
"Hello, Uncle, Aunt," Lilian said politely, her wine-red eyes sparkling warmly. Having met Augustus's parents during the last term, she was no stranger to them.
"It's Lilian and Malfoy. It seems you've all grown close to Augustus. And who's this?" Aurora asked, her curiosity alight as her gaze landed on Loki.
"Hello, Uncle, Aunt. I'm Loki Adams, a junior to Augustus," Loki said with a respectful nod.
"So, you're the prodigy of the Adams family. You've grown quite a bit. Let me guess—you're in Slytherin too?" Aurora mused, clearly familiar with Loki's reputation.
"I wouldn't dare claim the title of prodigy. Compared to Augustus, I'm still far behind," Loki said with a self-deprecating laugh. After all, Augustus's extraordinary feats—dueling Voldemort twice by his second year and emerging victorious both times—set a standard no one dared to challenge. To Loki, Augustus wasn't just a senior but also a mentor.
"Such modesty! If only my Augustus were half as humble, I wouldn't have to worry about him so much," Aurora said, feigning exasperation with a dramatic sigh.
"Aunt, don't be fooled by Loki's pretense," Malfoy interjected with a smirk. "He's only like this in front of Augustus. To everyone else, he's insufferably arrogant."
"Malfoy! What's gotten into you today?" Loki snapped, clearly annoyed. He had painstakingly crafted a polite image in front of Augustus's parents, only for Malfoy to tear it apart in seconds.
"Enough, both of you. Neither of you are saints," Lilian said with mock seriousness, instantly earning glares from both boys. Their argument momentarily forgotten, they turned their ire on her.
Aurora laughed softly at their antics. "You're all quite amusing. It seems Augustus won't have a dull moment at school with you three around."
Augustus watched the scene with a faint smile—Loki and Malfoy fuming, Lilian feigning innocence. "It's getting late. Let's part here. See you all next term," Augustus said, bidding farewell.
Loki and Malfoy nodded before saying their goodbyes, while Lilian waved reluctantly before turning to leave. Augustus and his family made their way to the carriage station. They boarded an elegant, antique carriage that took off into the sky, leaving the bustling platform behind. As it soared upward, the Julius family crest—featuring a blooming tulip crossed with swords—gleamed brightly in the sunlight, symbolizing the family's unyielding strength and flourishing legacy.
After hours of flight, the carriage descended, revealing the sprawling Julius estate. House-elves eagerly took Augustus's luggage as the family arrived. Augustus strolled into the estate, where meticulously maintained flowerbeds swayed lazily in the sunlight, and a tranquil lake shimmered with gentle ripples. The fresh air offered a stark contrast to the castle atmosphere he had grown accustomed to, momentarily captivating him.
In the heart of the garden, Augustus settled into a rocking chair, extending a hand to summon a beautifully aged manuscript. This book chronicled the magical world's history—from its origins to key events that shaped the present. It detailed monumental moments such as Dumbledore's duel with Grindelwald, which led to the prohibition of Dark Magic in the British wizarding world. Another pivotal event was Harry Potter's defeat of Voldemort, which ended a 30-year era of darkness and heralded a new dawn for the wizarding world. Further back, the founding of Hogwarts by the four legendary founders—Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin—was chronicled, marking the revolutionary establishment of formal magical education.
As Augustus delved deeper, he marveled at how history was often shaped by singularly extraordinary individuals—visionaries who steered the tides of their eras. These giants, driven by ambition and purpose, altered history's course, leaving indelible marks on the world. Yet history also proved merciless to those who defied its flow, as Voldemort's downfall had demonstrated.
Closing the book, Augustus's silver eyes gleamed with a peculiar light. Gazing at the vast sky above, he allowed himself a faint smile. In that moment, with the sun and clouds bowing low, it felt as though he could reach out and touch a world beyond anyone's grasp.
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