Hogwarts: Proficiency Panel

Chapter 482 483: Sirius is About to Break Out

Mr. Weasley spoke to the Daily Prophet with boundless enthusiasm:

"We intend to use the gold for a summer holiday in Egypt. Our eldest son, Bill,

is currently working as a Curse-Breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank there."

The Weasley family was set to spend a month in Egypt, returning just in time for

the start of the new Hogwarts school year. Five of the Weasley children were

currently enrolled at the school.

Sean glanced at the moving photograph. He saw all nine members of the Weasley

family standing before a colossal pyramid, waving their hands frantically. A

smile tugged at the corners of his lips. There was the stout Mrs. Weasley, the

tall, balding Mr. Weasley, and their six sons and one daughter—all with that

unmistakable shock of flaming red hair. In the very center stood the tall,

gangly Ron, with his pet rat, Scabbers, perched on his shoulder and one arm

draped around his sister, Ginny.

Sean knew the time had finally come.

He didn't return immediately to his magical research. Instead, he made his way

down to the dungeons. He met with no resistance; Professor Snape granted his

request for leave without much fuss.

"Though these are all ultimately useless activities, you've prepared..."

Professor Snape said coldly from the shadows, his voice trailing off as he

stared at Sean.

"I beg your pardon, Professor?" Sean asked, confused.

"Hmph." With a sharp flick of his robes, Snape turned away, and the dungeon door

slammed shut.

Sean stood there, completely baffled, until Professor McGonagall came hurrying

down the stairs.

"Are you ready? Time is running short, child. Marcus and the others want to host

the event at the McGonagall Estate. I expect their letter will arrive

momentarily." Professor McGonagall looked at Sean, then quickly averted her

eyes, looking rather flustered.

"Hosting what, Professor?" Sean asked.

"Preparing for—oh, are you leaving now?" She noticed the permission slip in his

hand and offered a warm smile. "Come then, I shall walk out with you."

Up until the moment he left Hogwarts, Sean remained in a state of utter

confusion. Professor McGonagall, however, seemed to be in excellent spirits. She

held a long, scrolling parchment—the last time Sean had seen a list that long

was during the Christmas preparations—and she was checking off items with

nervous energy.

Because the Professor was constantly busy adding notes to her list, Sean didn't

feel it was right to disturb her. He set his curiosity aside; he would have

plenty of time to solve that mystery later.

Right now, a more pressing matter required his attention: he needed to get to

Privet Drive. In the original timeline, Harry would be leaving Privet Drive

soon—or perhaps he wouldn't this time? According to what Sean knew, Harry's

relationship with his aunt and uncle had improved considerably.

But Sean was certain of one thing: at this very junction, the man he had been

waiting for—Sirius Black—would arrive. Harry would encounter Sirius at least

once, shortly after his birthday. As for exactly when Sirius would break out of

prison, Sean didn't know the specific day. He needed to make preparations at

Privet Drive in advance so he could know the moment Sirius appeared.

July was drawing to a close. At Number Four, Privet Drive, Harry was currently

occupied with a special task. After receiving help from his friends, he was no

longer forced to endure life in the cupboard under the stairs. He now slept in a

spacious bedroom; Uncle Vernon no longer barked at him in fits of rage, and

Dudley was always wide-eyed and trembling whenever they crossed paths.

Aunt Petunia had remained remarkably silent for a long time. Harry found it

strange that her attitude was the only thing that hadn't changed much—she still

despised magic, but lately, her gaze had grown complicated. She looked at Harry

with an expression he couldn't decipher. In the past, he saw only resentment,

but now there were unreadable layers to her silence.

That afternoon, Harry clutched an envelope, thinking of his tasks.

[Dear Harry: You wouldn't believe it, Egypt is amazing. Bill took us to see all

the ancient tombs; you wouldn't believe the spells the Ancient Egyptian

sorcerers laid on them. Mum wouldn't let Ginny go into the last one. It was

filled with all these mutated skeletons belonging to Muggles who had broken

in—some of them had grown extra heads and things. I still can't believe Dad

won the Daily Prophet Grand Prize. Seven hundred Galleons! Most of it's gone on

this trip, but they're going to buy me new robes for the new term.]

Harry remembered Ron's old, frayed robes and smiled.

[We'll be back a week before term starts to buy my new robes and our books. Is

there any hope of seeing you there? I heard those Muggles aren't giving you a

hard time anymore. P.S. Percy's been made Head Boy. He got the letter last

week.]

Harry looked at the photo again. Percy, in his seventh year, looked particularly

pompous. He wore a fez atop his neat hair, with his Head Boy badge pinned to it,

his horn-rimmed glasses glinting in the Egyptian sun.

Harry smiled and opened the other letter:

[Dear Mr. Potter, Please note that the new school year begins on September

first. The Hogwarts Express will depart from Platform nine and three-quarters at

eleven o'clock. Third-year students are permitted to visit Hogsmeade village on

certain weekends. Please give the enclosed permission form to your parent or

guardian to sign. A list of next year's books is also enclosed. Yours sincerely,

Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress.]

He stared at the letter. This was his mission. He had to get to Hogsmeade. But

first, he had to navigate Aunt Petunia's requirements.

"Harry, your birthday is coming up," Aunt Petunia had said yesterday. She spoke

with a slow, hesitant air, her face full of unnatural strain. Harry was

surprised; he thought she'd never remember it.

"Are you going to celebrate it? Invite your friends," Petunia said.

Harry realized instantly that they wanted to see Mr. Finch-Fletchley and Mr.

Green. It wasn't hard to understand; they had secured massive business projects

through Harry's friends! The money they had earned was enough to replace their

current house entirely. Harry hadn't realized that once they had money, they

would actually be willing to renovate a large room for him. He felt as though

something long buried under years of resentment was finally surfacing.

"I... I can?" Harry asked carefully.

"Of course." Aunt Petunia lowered her head. She had looked like this more and

more often lately. "That place you mentioned... Hogsmeade..."

"Will you sign the form?" Harry was incredibly tense.

"I have only one condition. Vernon's sister, Marge, is coming. You must not show

a hint of your magic, and you must treat her with respect." Aunt Petunia and

Uncle Vernon always valued appearances above all else.

Harry nodded.

"Of course... and we will make sure she is more polite to you as well," Aunt

Petunia added suddenly.

This was something Harry hadn't expected. As she left the room, Aunt Petunia

lingered at the door. She suddenly whispered through the crack:

"That Hogsmeade place... those people... those locations... you... you must be

careful."

By the time Harry looked toward the door in confusion, Aunt Petunia had already scurried downstairs.

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