The last month that Helena and Harry spent with the Dursleys wasn't particularly enjoyable, but it was far better than they had anticipated. Dudley was now so scared that he didn't even dare to be in the same room as either of them. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia no longer locked them in the cupboard, made them do chores, or yelled at them as usual—they simply ignored them.
For Helena and Harry, this indifference was a significant improvement. However, as the days passed, the lack of interaction began to feel heavy, almost discouraging. As a result, they spent most of their time in their shared room, accompanied by Hedwig and Crookshanks, the pets Hagrid had gifted them. Harry had chosen the owl's name after finding it in A History of Magic, while Helena kept the cat's original name since it refused to respond to anything else.
The books they had bought were genuinely fascinating. While Harry was content to skim through and only read the parts that caught his interest, Helena had already read most of them cover to cover, even taking notes on what she believed might be important.
Her conversation with Lucian at the clothing shop had made her realize just how little she knew about the wizarding world—a feeling she greatly disliked. She needed to understand what was going on and what it all meant. She didn't want to feel foolish. This was her way of preparing herself so that no one could question her belonging in the magical world that had just been revealed to her.
Each night before bed, Helena would mark another day on the sheet of paper Harry had pinned to the wall, counting down to September first. On the last day of August, the twins played several rounds of rock-paper-scissors to decide who had to remind their aunt and uncle to take them to King's Cross the next day. Harry won—or lost, depending on how one looked at it—and reluctantly took on the task.
Helena waited anxiously at the top of the stairs, catching only bits and pieces of grumbles and incomplete sentences. However, when Harry came back up with a thumbs-up, she relaxed. He had succeeded in his mission.
The following morning, the twins woke up at five, too excited and restless to go back to sleep. They double-checked their Hogwarts lists to make sure they had everything they needed.
They busied themselves packing Hedwig and Crookshanks into their respective cages, pacing around their room as they waited for the Dursleys to get up. Two hours later, their heavy trunks were loaded into the Dursleys' car.
They arrived at King's Cross at half past ten, dragging their trunks through the busy station. To their surprise, it was Uncle Vernon who offered to push their cart. The man seemed unusually cooperative—a behavior that immediately raised their suspicions.
The answer came soon enough. Uncle Vernon stopped abruptly in the middle of the corridor connecting the platforms, a mocking expression spreading across his face.
"Well, here we are," he said, addressing Harry with dripping sarcasm. "Platform nine, platform ten... and in between, your magic platform. But surprise, surprise, it doesn't seem to have been built yet, does it?"
Harry and Helena looked around, but all they could see was the number nine over a crowded platform and number ten over another equally full one. Between them, there was nothing but an ordinary brick wall.
Helena frowned, her mind racing to find a solution. Her uncle's taunting wouldn't help, but maybe... maybe Aunt Petunia knew something.
"Aunt Petunia," she said calmly, though her eyes watched her carefully. "Do you remember how Mum used to get to the platform?"
The question caught Petunia off guard, and she blinked a few times, clearly uncomfortable. In all these years, neither Helena nor Harry had ever asked anything about their parents. However, Helena's hopeful question was difficult to ignore.
"How is she supposed to know that?" Vernon scoffed, folding his arms. "As if it matters now!"
But Petunia ignored him. There was something in Helena's gaze that made her hesitate. Pressing her lips into a thin line, she answered after a moment of doubt, her voice tense:
"In the middle."
Harry and Helena stared at her, surprised. Vernon, on the other hand, turned to his wife as if she had suddenly sprouted a second head.
"What are you talking about, Petunia? What do you mean?"
Petunia sighed, adjusting her handbag on her shoulder, visibly irritated. "It was years ago," she murmured, avoiding the children's eyes. "Lily always said there was a special platform for them, but I never understood how it worked. She would just walk between platforms nine and ten... and disappear."
Helena nodded slowly, processing the information.
"She walked... in the middle?" Harry repeated, staring at the wall in disbelief.
Petunia, increasingly uncomfortable, quickly added, "Don't ask me how. I never understood. That's all I can tell you."
Helena stepped forward, inspecting the wall closely. Her aunt's comment might seem absurd, but she was learning that the wizarding world didn't follow the same rules as the normal one.
Harry turned to Vernon, hoping for some additional comment, but the man was already checking his watch impatiently.
"Well, there you have it," Vernon said, his usual disdain creeping back into his voice. "If it doesn't work, I suppose you can always write to your magic school to come and get you. Though I wouldn't count on it." With that, he turned and signaled for Petunia to follow him.
Petunia hesitated for a moment, looking at them with a mix of discomfort and what might have been pity, before following her husband without another word.
As the couple disappeared into the crowd, Harry turned back to Helena, his expression now more resolute.
"I think we should try it," he said, pointing at the wall.
"Try what?" Helena asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
"Doing what Aunt Petunia said," he replied. "Walking into the middle."
"And what if we just crash into the bricks?"
"And what if we don't?" Harry countered. "We don't have many options, do we?"
Helena swallowed hard and nodded slowly. Harry had always been the one for bravery, while she focused on logic. But Muggle logic might not apply to wizards.
At that moment, they heard voices behind them. Turning around, they saw a family of redheads approaching, pushing carts loaded with trunks and cages. A plump woman seemed to be giving instructions to her children with a kind smile.
"That must be it," Helena whispered. "Let's watch first."
Helena and Harry stepped slightly aside, staying close to their cart. The redheaded family advanced confidently toward the wall between platforms nine and ten.
"Do you think they're going to Hogwarts too?" Harry whispered, watching as the older woman organized the children with a determined air.
"Where else could they be going between platforms nine and ten?" Helena replied in the same tone, raising an eyebrow. Her gaze fixed on the youngest ones, who seemed to be about their age. One of them, a lanky boy, pushed his cart nervously as the plump woman offered him words of encouragement.
"Go on, Ron, don't worry," said the woman in a reassuring tone. "It's easy. Percy's done it loads of times."
The boy, Ron, swallowed hard and stared at the wall with a nervous expression. Beside him, an older boy—probably Percy—calmly pushed his own cart forward.
The twins watched as Percy picked up speed and walked directly toward the brick wall. Helena held her breath, expecting a collision, but instead, Percy simply vanished as if the wall had swallowed him.
"Did you see that?" Harry exclaimed, amazed.
Helena nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed on the spot where Percy had disappeared.
"Yes... Looks like Aunt Petunia was right."
While the twins processed what they had just seen, the plump woman turned to the other three children.
"Fred, you're next," she said.
"I'm not Fred, I'm George," said the boy. "Honestly, woman, you call yourself our mother? Can't you tell I'm George?"
"Sorry, George, dear."
"I was joking, I'm Fred," said the boy before heading toward the wall. He must have passed through, as a second later he was gone. His twin followed, and soon he too was nowhere to be seen.
Eventually, the youngest also went through, followed by their parents. Helena and Harry stood still, watching as the entire family disappeared through the wall with their carts. Around them, the station's bustle continued, oblivious to the magic they had just witnessed.
"Well... I guess that's how it's done," Harry murmured, turning to Helena with a mix of excitement and nerves in his eyes.
Helena nodded slowly but said nothing. Her gaze was fixed on the wall between platforms nine and ten, now as solid and ordinary as ever. She tightened her grip on her cart, unaware that her knuckles were turning white.
"Helena?" Harry called, leaning toward her.
"It's just that..." she began, then fell silent, clearly trying to find the right words. "What if it doesn't work for us? What if we try and... crash?"
Harry studied her expression; her eyes showed a mix of anxiety and doubt he rarely saw in her. Helena was always the one who reasoned things out, who stayed calm even when he got impatient. Seeing her so uncertain felt strange.
"I guess we don't have a choice. We already saw how they did it. If they could do it, so can we," said Harry, trying to sound confident.
Helena glanced at him sideways, still not entirely convinced.
"If you want, I can go first," Harry offered with a smile he hoped was reassuring. "That way, if something goes wrong, you'll have time to come up with a solution."
Helena let out a weak laugh, though she still seemed tense. "That's very considerate of you," she replied, trying to sound ironic, but her tone lacked conviction.
Harry positioned himself in front of the wall, adjusted his grip on the cart, and took a deep breath. "Alright, here I go. If I disappear forever… say something nice on my epitaph."
"Harry…" Helena protested, frowning, though there was a glimmer of appreciation in her eyes.
He winked at her, and before she could add anything else, he began pushing his cart forward. At first, he walked slowly, as if expecting someone to stop him, but soon he picked up speed. Just before reaching the wall, he squeezed his eyes shut tightly, bracing for impact… which never came.
When he opened them again, he was in a completely different place. Around him, witches and wizards of all ages bustled about Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. A bright red train stood waiting, releasing steam that filled the air with a metallic smell and a sense of anticipation.
Harry smiled and quickly turned around, expecting to see Helena. "Helena! It's fine, it doesn't hurt! Just walk through like it's any normal corridor!" he shouted, hoping his voice could somehow cross the magical barrier.
On the other side, Helena took a deep breath, noticing that some curious passersby were staring at her as she stood frozen in front of the wall. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm herself.
"Come on, Helena, it's not that hard…" she muttered to herself. Finally, she adjusted her grip on the cart and, pressing her lips together with determination, moved forward toward the wall.
The transition was almost imperceptible, but when she opened her eyes, she was standing next to Harry, who had a wide grin on his face.
"See? Told you. Nothing to worry about," he said, giving her a pat on the shoulder.
Helena nodded slowly, still taking in her surroundings with awe.
"It's… incredible," she whispered, watching families saying goodbye, children running around, and the train that looked like something out of a dream.
Harry couldn't help but share her excitement, but his attention soon shifted to the train.
"We should probably get on before it gets too crowded," he suggested.
Helena agreed, though she kept looking around in amazement. As they pushed their carts toward the train, they cast one last glance at the red-haired family they had seen earlier.
…
Harry and Helena boarded the train, taking in the bustle of the station and the chaos within the train itself. The crowd of students climbing on and off, the noise of trunks being dragged, and the creak of the train doors all seemed to amplify the nervous anticipation they both felt. As they walked down the corridor, Harry tried to peer past the throng of children running and chatting.
"Looks like we're late," Harry remarked, glancing around in search of an empty compartment.
Helena only nodded. The train was packed with students, leaving them no choice but to keep searching for a vacant spot. Most of the doors were shut, and those compartments left open were already filled with other passengers.
As they reached the back of the train, the crowd began to thin out until they finally came to one of the last cars, where a door, slightly ajar, seemed to offer a chance.
"Let's hope this is it," Helena said with a tired tone, noting the relative quiet of the compartment.
Harry didn't hesitate. His impulse drove him to push the door open without a second thought.
The first thing Helena noticed was the boy sitting near the window, gazing at the landscape that was already beginning to move. He was a young man with dark hair and piercing eyes, and though he appeared utterly calm, there was something about his posture that set him apart. She recognized him immediately.
"Lucian," she said, surprised.
The boy lifted his gaze at the sound of Helena's voice, and though his expression remained serene, his eyes lit up slightly in recognition.
"Helena, isn't it?" he asked softly, a faint smile curling his lips.
Helena nodded briefly, surprised that he remembered her so quickly.
"What a pleasant surprise to see you again," Lucian continued, then glanced at the trunks Harry and Helena were carrying. "It seems you're looking for a compartment. Lucky for you, there's space here."
Before either of them could respond, Lucian rose calmly and approached. Without a word or a wand, he raised a hand, and both their trunks lifted smoothly into the air. They floated toward the luggage rack, settling there with impeccable precision.
"Wow!" Harry exclaimed, impressed. Helena also watched in amazement, though she tried not to show it too much.
"That was incredible!" Harry said, still staring.
Helena was equally impressed but worked to maintain a neutral expression. However, someone else in the compartment broke the moment.
"Wandless magic?" The voice was feminine, clear, and slightly condescending. A blonde girl Helena hadn't noticed before lifted her gaze from a book. Her light blue eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and disapproval. "Really, Lucian? You shouldn't do that for such… trivial tasks."
Helena turned her attention to her. The girl had an air of elegance, sitting with perfect posture and an innate sense of authority, coupled with a beauty that could only be described as magical.
"Always so strict with the rules, Cassandra," Lucian replied with a slight shrug. "But, let's be honest, isn't it more practical? I didn't want our new companions to hurt themselves."
Cassandra closed her book with a soft sigh and placed it on her lap, studying him with a mixture of resignation and patience.
"Practicality isn't always what's right," she retorted, though there was more teasing than seriousness in her tone. "You're far too used to doing things your way. You should remember where we're heading."
Lucian gave her a carefree smile and returned to his seat with ease.
"Don't worry, Cassandra. I appreciate your constant concern for my well-being," Lucian said with a theatrical bow of his head, which made Cassandra roll her eyes, though a faint smile betrayed her true feelings.
"Are you friends?" Harry asked, breaking the tension with his curiosity as they sat down in the compartment. Harry took the seat across from Cassandra, while Helena sat across from Lucian.
"You could say that," Cassandra answered in a neutral tone, as if carefully considering her words. "Our families have known each other for a long time, so we've learned to… tolerate one another."
"You tolerate me, but I, on the other hand, truly appreciate you," Lucian interjected, his carefree smile contrasting with Cassandra's severe demeanor.
The blonde girl rolled her eyes and let out a sigh, though a small flicker of amusement crossed her gaze. However, her attention soon shifted to the twins, as she watched their interactions with quiet curiosity.
Helena noticed how Cassandra's gaze lingered, just for an instant, on Harry's forehead.
The scar, as always, seemed to inevitably draw attention, but this time there was something different. Cassandra's expression tightened slightly. Her face remained neutral, but her light eyes glimmered with a spark of recognition… and perhaps a hint of calculated interest.
"That scar…" Cassandra asked suddenly, her tone making it clear this wasn't mere curiosity, "So it's true then. The Potter twins are attending Hogwarts this year."
Harry, who was used to awkward questions about his scar, sighed and nodded.
"I suppose so."
Cassandra leaned slightly toward him, observing him as if searching for something beyond the obvious.
"It's fascinating how a simple scar can tell such a… unique story. What's it like to be the one who defeated one of the darkest wizards of all time?"
Helena frowned. Cassandra's tone was direct, almost too much so.
"I don't remember," Harry replied honestly, though with a hint of discomfort. "And I don't think 'defeated' is the right word. I was just a baby."
Cassandra seemed ready to press further, but Lucian casually raised a hand, interrupting her softly.
"Cassandra," he said in a calm but firm tone, "perhaps we should leave some mystery for when we get to Hogwarts, don't you think?"
"Of course," she replied, though she couldn't resist adding with a slight smile, "But don't blame me for my curiosity. It's not every day you share a compartment with a historical figure."
"I'm just Harry," he muttered, turning his gaze to the window.
Lucian nodded in understanding at Harry's words. To break the ensuing silence, Helena turned toward Cassandra, trying to soften the atmosphere.
"So, are you from a wizarding family?" she asked curiously, aiming to shift the topic. After what she'd learned about Lucian at Madam Malkin's shop, she already knew he came from a magical family, so she left him out of the question.
Cassandra raised an eyebrow as if the question was somewhat obvious but decided to answer anyway.
"Of course," she replied in a tone that mixed neutrality with a touch of mystery. "Though my family isn't like Lucian's. We're… different. Our origins are a bit more, let's say, complex."
Lucian offered a barely perceptible smile, as if he perfectly understood what Cassandra meant, but he said nothing.
Helena tilted her head slightly, intrigued by the girl's words. "Complex? What do you mean by that?"
Cassandra paused as if weighing how much she wanted to share.
"Well, not everyone in my family is… traditional, so to speak. Our history is filled with… nuances."
After saying that, Cassandra fell silent, making it clear she had no intention of continuing the conversation. Both Harry and Helena wanted to ask more about the magical world, but the reserved demeanor of their two companions made it difficult to approach without risking discomfort.
Helena sighed and leaned toward her travel cage, remembering her cat. At least she could entertain herself with him during the trip. She opened the small door of the cage, and two narrow yellow eyes stared back at her, motionless and unblinking.
"Crookshanks? Want to come out?" she asked softly.
The cat remained still for a moment that felt eternal, as if weighing the offer. Finally, with deliberate movements and an air of dignity, the large, fluffy orange form of Crookshanks emerged from the cage, his gaze evaluating the room's occupants.
Seconds later, he completely ignored Helena and Harry and walked directly toward Lucian, sitting before him with an expectant air.
Lucian raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by the feline's attitude. "Is he always this selective?"
Helena shrugged, suppressing a smile. "He usually doesn't trust anyone besides us."
"Seems he has good instincts," Lucian murmured, though he didn't specify what he meant. Slowly, he extended a hand toward the cat. Crookshanks, after a brief moment, approached and rubbed his head against Lucian's palm. A deep purring filled the compartment.
Helena watched him curiously, amazed by Crookshanks' reaction to Lucian.
"Do you like cats?"
"You could say that," Lucian replied naturally. "I have a similar pet at home."
After this moment, Lucian spoke with the twins in a natural and easy manner. Cassandra remained silent, her gaze fixed on the book in her hands. Occasionally, she would glance up and nod slightly, as if confirming what Lucian was saying, but she added nothing.
The twins took the opportunity to ask various questions about things they had seen in the books they had bought. As they chatted, the train passed through fields filled with cows and sheep. They watched for a while, silently enjoying the view.
Around half-past twelve, a commotion erupted in the corridor, and a smiling woman with dimples appeared at the door.
"Anything off the trolley, dears?" she asked.
Harry, who hadn't had breakfast, jumped to his feet. Cassandra rose elegantly while Lucian and Helena stayed seated.
Helena felt grateful Harry went to buy something. It was only then that she realized how hungry she was. When her brother returned, she saw he had brought a mountain of sweets and chocolates she had never seen before.
Lucian observed the scene with a raised eyebrow as the twins piled their purchases on the seat in front of them.
"You were hungry, weren't you?" he asked with a slightly amused tone, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"Starving," Harry replied, taking a big bite of a pumpkin pasty and letting out a satisfied sigh.
Helena took a piece of treacle tart and tasted it curiously. It was sweet, sticky, and simply delicious.
Just then, the compartment door slid open, and Cassandra returned. She carried a small paper bag filled with sweets, including a jar of Chocolate Frogs and some shiny candies.
"Stocked up well?" she asked in a tone more neutral than warm as she sat down again next to Lucian. She pulled a Chocolate Frog from the jar and handed it to the young man, who accepted it with a silent gesture of thanks.
Harry, intrigued, pointed at the Chocolate Frog in Lucian's hands.
"What's that?" he asked, setting his pasty aside.
Cassandra raised an eyebrow as if the question was naive but answered anyway.
"It's a Chocolate Frog," she said, holding one of hers between her fingers. Lucian unwrapped his, and the frog leapt from his hand onto the seat, moving as though it were alive.
"It moves!" Harry exclaimed in surprise, while Helena jumped slightly.
Lucian calmly reached out and caught the frog before it could escape.
"Not for long," he said serenely. "They're enchanted to move for a few minutes, but it's not particularly advanced magic."
Cassandra let out a soft, humorless laugh at the twins' reactions.
"They're not for everyone, I suppose. But the real reason people buy them is for the collectible cards inside. They usually feature great wizards in history," she added, opening her own frog and pulling out a small, shiny card.
Helena took a Chocolate Frog from the pile of sweets Harry had bought and looked inside the package. There was the card, displaying the animated image of an older man with half-moon glasses and a long white beard.
"Who's this?" she asked, holding the card up for everyone to see.
Cassandra glanced at it before speaking in her characteristic tone that blended indifference with precision.
"Albus Dumbledore," she said, crossing her legs elegantly as she observed the card in Helena's hand. "Probably the most famous wizard alive today. Headmaster of Hogwarts, a hero of the magical community… and known for defeating Grindelwald, one of the darkest wizards in history."
The name seemed to resonate in the compartment, laden with meaning. Lucian, who had been quietly examining his own card, looked up. His expression remained neutral, but his eyes reflected something deeper, as if a memory had crossed his mind.
Harry leaned forward, intrigued by the conversation.
"Was he like Voldemort?" he asked, his curiosity evident.
Cassandra let out a short, mirthless laugh.
"No. Grindelwald and Voldemort have little in common. Voldemort is… a destructive force, driven by hatred and an obsession with power. Grindelwald, on the other hand, had ideas, a greater purpose, though it was shrouded in darkness."
Helena barely furrowed her brow, trying to process Lucian's words, when the compartment door burst open.
"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one," said a girl with a determined voice. She was already wearing her Hogwarts robes, though they looked slightly disheveled, as if she'd been running all over the train. Her bushy brown hair was untamed, and her prominent front teeth gave her a peculiar look, but her gaze was intense and curious.
The abrupt entrance caused Cassandra to raise an eyebrow, her expression a mix of incredulity and faint disapproval. Helena exchanged a quick glance with Harry, both surprised by the unexpected interruption.
"You know, knocking before barging in might be a good idea," Cassandra commented calmly, her tone carrying an elegance that barely disguised a subtle criticism.
The girl, too preoccupied with her search to notice the nuance, replied quickly, "Oh, sorry, but Neville's really worried—he's a complete bundle of nerves right now," she said, her voice rushed but not unkind.
Helena was the first to respond, leaning forward slightly with a sympathetic smile.
"We haven't seen any toads around here, but I hope you find it soon."
Lucian, who had been observing the scene in silence, finally spoke with a calm voice, "Try checking the quieter compartments. The noise might have scared it."
The girl paused for a moment, processing the suggestion before offering a brief smile.
"Thanks, I'll do that. By the way, I'm Hermione Granger. Sorry for bursting in like that," she said sincerely, this time taking a more detailed look at the group.
Lucian inclined his head slightly, responding with his usual simplicity, "Lucian. And the young lady beside me is Cassandra."
Cassandra looked up from her book and gave a slight nod, not bothering to say anything, her reserved demeanor marking a stark contrast.
"Helena Potter," Helena introduced herself kindly before turning to her brother and adding, "And this is Harry."
Hermione's gaze lingered on the twins with a hint of curiosity. "Potter?" she asked, blinking slightly as if the name rang a bell, but she didn't press further. "Well, nice to meet all of you. I hope you find this train quieter than Trevor."
"Good luck with your search," Helena said with a friendly smile.
When Hermione closed the door behind her, the compartment fell into a momentary silence, soon replaced by a calm conversation among the four occupants. Harry, still somewhat unsettled by recent events, listened as Helena and Cassandra exchanged thoughts about Hogwarts, with Lucian occasionally adding thoughtful remarks.
Cassandra, though reserved, revealed a critical view of magical traditions, pointing out the contradictions in the world they were now a part of. Helena seemed intrigued, trying to connect what little she knew about the magical world with the ongoing discussion, while Harry, much quieter, absorbed the information with a mix of interest and discomfort.
Lucian, more of an observer than an active participant, spoke rarely but deliberately, his analytical perspective contrasting with Cassandra's more pointed opinions. As they chatted about Hogwarts houses, classes, and other topics, the conversation flowed almost effortlessly until it was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of an unexpected visitor.
Three boys entered, and Harry immediately recognized the pale one in the middle: it was the boy from Madam Malkin's robe shop. He was staring at Harry with far more interest than he had shown in Diagon Alley.
"Is it true?" he asked. "They're saying all over the train that the Potters are in this compartment. So it's you, isn't it?"
"Yes," Harry replied, glancing at the other boys. Both were thickset and rather mean-looking. Positioned on either side of the pale boy, they looked like bodyguards.
"Oh, this is Crabbe, and this is Goyle," the pale boy said carelessly when he noticed Harry looking at them. "And I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
"You know, I really wonder if anyone on this train understands the concept of knocking before entering," Cassandra remarked with a tone that was icy but restrained.
Draco froze mid-step and turned his head toward Cassandra, his eyes narrowing at the rebuke. "And who are you?" he asked with a hostile tone, clearly irritated.
Lucian, who had been silent until now, watched the scene with a faint smile. While his expression remained neutral, he seemed amused by the idea that Malfoy might keep pushing until Cassandra delivered a more pointed response. But, much to his slight disappointment, Draco chose to ignore her and focus on his main target: the Potter twins.
Draco leaned slightly toward Helena, who was closest to him, adopting an expression meant to be friendly.
"Soon enough, you'll find out that some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to make friends with the wrong sort. I can help you with that."
He extended his hand toward Helena, clearly expecting her to shake it, but Helena held her ground and stared at him coolly.
"I think I can figure out who the wrong sort are on my own, thanks," she replied firmly, rejecting the gesture.
Helena's tone seemed to land hard on Draco, whose face remained impassive, though a faint flush appeared on his pale cheeks.
"If I were you, I'd be careful, Potter," he said calmly, though his voice carried a dangerous edge. "Unless you're a bit more polite, you'll end up just like your parents. They didn't know what was good for them either."
Harry's face tightened at the words. He stood up immediately, bravery burning in his eyes, though a slight fear was also evident.
Lucian, observing the turn of events, decided he could no longer remain neutral. His voice rose, soft but firm, as if the gravity of the situation was entirely within his grasp. "You should leave," Lucian said calmly, his words as sharp as a blade. "Now."
His tone carried no anger or visible emotion, but there was an undercurrent of something unspoken. It was as though the very air had shifted, an invisible weight pressing down on the room.
Draco and his companions exchanged quick glances, but none of them moved immediately. The unsettling feeling of being watched, of being "closed in" by something intangible, was disorienting—a pressure they couldn't explain.
Draco forced himself to maintain his defiant posture, but the weight of the atmosphere was undeniable. Without responding, he took a step back, as though his body reacted faster than his mind. Crabbe and Goyle, for their part, looked utterly bewildered, unsure whether to act or retreat.
After a few moments of hesitation, Draco cast one last look at Helena and Harry, a sneer forming on his face, and then, without another word, turned on his heel and left the compartment, Crabbe and Goyle trailing behind him.
The door slammed shut behind them, leaving the compartment in silence.
Lucian didn't move a muscle, his expression as composed as before. Cassandra gave a slight nod of approval, as though everything had unfolded precisely as expected.
Helena, however, looked at her brother and then at Lucian, clearly relieved but also slightly surprised by how the situation had been resolved.
"I think we're done with them," Helena remarked, her tone relaxed despite the lingering nervousness in the air.
Harry nodded, still seated, with a faint sense of unease. Despite how quickly everything had happened, Lucian's presence—his calm yet commanding tone—left him deep in thought.
"Are you okay?" Helena asked her brother, noticing his lingering tension.
Harry nodded, still slightly unsettled, but sank back into his seat. "Yes, I think so. Thanks."
Lucian observed the passing scenery outside the train window as a soft breeze slipped through the cracks. He knew the moment was approaching. The slowing train, the growing buzz of movement, and the rising chatter signaled they were nearing their destination.
"I think it's a good time to get changed," Lucian said, rising calmly. He looked at Harry, who followed without protest. "Come on, let's give the ladies some privacy."
As the station came into view, a voice boomed along the train, interrupting any conversations that might have formed.
"We'll be arriving at Hogwarts in five minutes! Leave your luggage on the train; it'll be taken to the school separately."
Helena's and Harry's stomachs churned with a mix of excitement and nerves. They quickly exchanged glances, seeking reassurance in each other's eyes. Though the situation felt overwhelming, seeing Lucian and Cassandra so composed gave them a measure of calm.
The train slowed to a halt. The crowd of students surged toward the doors, eager to disembark. Helena shivered as the cool night air hit her. Suddenly, a lamp shone in the distance, rising above the sea of heads.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here! You two doin' alright?" called a cheerful voice that stood out from the crowd.
Helena couldn't help but smile at the sight of Hagrid's towering, hairy figure. His face, full of enthusiasm, loomed above the sea of heads.
"Come on, follow me! First years, follow me!" Hagrid shouted with enthusiasm as he led the new students along a narrow path.
Lucian, noticing some students stumbling and slipping, muttered a spell, illuminating the path ahead of them with a soft light that was just enough to prevent any accidents.
"In a second, you'll see Hogwarts for the first time," Hagrid exclaimed as they moved forward. "Just around this bend."
And in that moment, the narrow path opened up, revealing an impressive view. A large black lake stretched before them, perfectly still under the starry sky, and in the distance, atop a high hill, stood the majestic Hogwarts Castle, its towers and windows glowing as if alive.
The hearts of the new students quickened at the sight, so different from anything they had ever known. Hagrid, pointing to a fleet of boats lined up at the shore, motioned for them to board.
"No more than four per boat!" he called out. "Come on, everyone, into the water!"
Helena, Harry, Cassandra, and Lucian boarded the boat assigned to them. They all remained silent, gazing at the castle as their small boat glided smoothly across the water, so serene it seemed like a mirror. The reflections of the castle on the lake added to the magic of the moment, casting the four of them into a kind of silent reverence.
Soon after, they disembarked and climbed a set of stone steps, approaching the grand oak doors of the castle. The cool night air wrapped around them as they made their way inside.
"Is everyone here?" Hagrid asked with a smile, before adding, "You, do you still have your toad?"
Neville, who had been worried about losing his toad on the train, found it at the last moment, easing his anxiety. Once he was sure everyone was present, Hagrid raised a giant fist and knocked three times on the castle door, announcing their arrival.