An Unsettling Warning
Harry raised his wand while Percy touched the pendant around his neck, and his silver sword immediately slid into his hands. Both of them prepared to fight whatever came out of the Floo Network flames.
The green flames shook as the figure stepping through the fireplace emerged, brushing dust and ashes off himself. His gaze swept across the room with a slightly confused expression, looking at Harry and Percy aiming weapons at him.
"Oh, it's just Sirius," Percy said with a sigh as he lowered his guard, as though he had prepared to fight for nothing. "What are you doing here?"
Harry also let out a sigh when he saw it was only his godfather, before turning to look where Dobby had been standing.
But he had already disappeared.
"Wow, as always, I love how excited you are to see me arrive," Sirius said, unable to keep the sarcasm out of his voice after such a welcome.
"Padfoot, sorry. We were in the middle of something... never mind. What are you doing here? I thought you were busy," Harry said while gesturing to Ron and Tyson not to say anything.
Of course, Sirius could tell something strange was going on, but he didn't say much.
"Well, didn't you talk to your mother? A letter arrived at Hogwarts saying you got stranded and couldn't take the Hogwarts Express because of a malfunction in the platform portal. They've already sent someone to check the problem, so they should be releasing the parents trapped over there any moment now. And since you need transportation, I came," Sirius explained with a confident smile.
"And how did you find out?" Percy asked.
"I was at Hogwarts when the letter arrived for Professor McGonagall. Normally a professor would come, but the fireplace in this house is pretty secure and none of them have permission. So to make the trip easier, we'll use the Floo Network straight to the Headmaster's office," Sirius explained calmly.
Everyone frowned as they remembered Dobby's words.
And exchanged looks.
"If you're worried about your parents being trapped at the platform, this isn't the first time something like that has happened. It's probably some kid pulling a prank. James and I did it a couple of times in the past, so don't worry. And let's take advantage of the quick trip. Instead of sitting on that train all day, you'll get to the castle before everyone else," Sirius added.
"Oh, yeah, sure. Alright, give us a second to gather our things and let Mom know," Harry said, gesturing for Percy and the others to come closer.
Sirius didn't say much.
He simply waited while walking over to Fleamont and Euphemia's portrait, but they didn't seem to be present in their paintings at the moment, making Sirius frown slightly.
And when he turned around to ask the kids something, he saw them gathered together whispering quietly, making Sirius look at them with even more suspicion.
But all he could do was stand there and wait.
"We're not going to listen to the house-elf's warning?" Ron asked with slight worry.
"And not go to Hogwarts? Do you think your parents would allow that?" Harry asked calmly. "Besides, what if it's all a lie? Maybe he's following his master's orders, and we don't even know who that master could be. House-elves don't leave their homes without an order," Harry explained.
Even though he doubted Dobby's words.
At the same time, if he blindly believed them and they turned out to be false...
"Besides, Dumbledore is supposed to be at Hogwarts. He's supposed to be the most powerful wizard alive. And even if he isn't there, it's not like we're going to face something worse than last time," Percy added.
"You mean Quirrell possessed by you-know-who?" Ron asked sarcastically.
But Percy glanced off to the side.
"Yeah. Sure. That," he said.
But Harry knew what he really meant.
Compared to what they had gone through during the summer in America, Voldemort hadn't actually been a real danger.
"I'll go wherever Percy and Harry go," Tyson added without hesitation.
Ron couldn't help thinking about Harry's words, and honestly, if this turned out to be some trick from one of their enemies in Slytherin, the people who would be happiest about them not showing up at Hogwarts this year would definitely be the snakes.
And the people most likely to have a house-elf were exactly them.
"I see. Maybe it is a trick," Ron nodded.
After a brief discussion, Harry and Percy contacted their mother through the two-way mirror to let her know Sirius would take them directly to the castle, which seemed to relax Sally quite a bit when she heard they were safe.
So without much delay, Sirius led them through the fireplace using the Floo Network straight to Dumbledore's office.
...
"It's not necessary for you to receive them, Albus. I can handle it. I'm sure you have plenty of work to do before the students arrive," McGonagall said to the Headmaster standing beside her.
"That's alright, Minerva. What kind of Headmaster would I be if I didn't show my face at least once?" Dumbledore said calmly. "Besides, I never had the opportunity to speak face to face with young Harry Potter and his brother Percy Jackson. And now they're bringing with them another young man who is equally special," Dumbledore added gently.
"If you're referring to their names being written in Greek, that shouldn't be so surprising. We've had students in the past whose names were written in the languages their ancestors came from," McGonagall replied without becoming flustered. "Like the Patil sisters, whose names were written in Indian."
"Oh, perhaps you're still stuck on that idea that Harry should have been raised by his aunt and uncle, because if that's the case, I think the family he has now is more than perfect," she added immediately.
"I know, Minerva, I know. I no longer hold that idea, don't worry. How could I separate him from his family? And that became very clear a long time ago. I simply want to see how they've grown over the summer holidays, since I heard some rather..." Before Dumbledore could finish speaking.
A burst of green fire illuminated the entire Headmaster's office, where he stood calmly waiting. Beside him stood Professor McGonagall, waiting with him, cutting off their conversation.
The people coming through the Floo Network began emerging one after another: Sirius, Ron, Percy, Tyson, and finally Harry.
The moment they crossed through, all four looked around, since it was their first time entering the Headmaster's office.
The enormous office was furnished with antique furniture, display cabinets, and bookshelves. The walls were completely covered with portraits of former Headmasters, filling every available space around them while they watched the newcomers with interest.
Behind the Headmaster's desk, aside from his main chair, there was also a large perch holding a reddish bird, which was also observing them with interest.
Especially Percy and Harry.
It stared directly at them with its bright eyes.
"Welcome," Dumbledore said kindly as he looked at the students through his bright eyes beneath his spectacles. Though for a few seconds his gaze seemed to focus a little longer on Tyson.
Tyson felt the Headmaster's attention, met his eyes, and gave him a somewhat shy smile, receiving a warm smile from the old man in return.
Then the old wizard's gaze moved across Percy and Harry, lingering for a moment before finally settling on Ron, who only gave him a brief glance.
"We're sorry for whatever happened at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. After all, that portal is quite old and sometimes it can malfunction, correct?" he said while looking toward Sirius with a smile.
"Yeah. It malfunctioned plenty of times in the past," Sirius replied while avoiding the Headmaster's gaze.
"Normally it is mandatory for students to travel on the Hogwarts Express, although that is mostly tradition. Just like first years always have to cross the lake. So to make things easier for our student, Mister Tyson Jackson, perhaps you could go with Hagrid. He'll be very excited to keep you entertained until the others arrive. And young Tyson can accompany him and return with the first-year students," Dumbledore said softly. "Someone has already arranged for your belongings to be brought here, so you needn't worry about that," the Headmaster added.
"Oh, yes. Thank you," they all said.
Though Ron was the only one who had actually left his belongings behind.
"Did Mister Black find what he was looking for in the castle?" McGonagall asked Sirius in her usual serious tone.
"Ah, no. Not yet. Filch apparently didn't have it, so it'd be better if I come back another time if the students are about to arrive," Sirius replied respectfully to the professor and even with a slight amount of fear toward his former Head of House.
"I see. Then you'd better return to your business. It's not normal for a former student to be wandering around the castle without an important reason, and the students are about to arrive," she said, quite obviously throwing him out.
"Still as serious as ever, Professor McGonagall. No, now I'm older, let me call you Minerva," Sirius said.
"No," McGonagall answered instantly. "Now disappear before I deduct points from Gryffindor for old times' sake," she threatened.
Though her smile made it obvious she was joking.
"Well, brats, I'd better get going. I still have work to do. If you need anything from me, you know where to find me," Sirius said with a smile.
"Oh," he said, suddenly remembering something and leaning closer to Harry. "If you find anything created by the Marauders, the password is always: I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," Sirius said, giving him a wink.
Harry had no idea what he was talking about, but he simply nodded.
Then he watched Sirius leave once more through the Floo Network while Professor McGonagall guided them toward Hagrid's hut to wait for the arrival of the other students.