Chapter 70: Chapter 70: "Retrieving Death's Cloak"
Time flew swiftly, and before Harry knew it, the night before his journey to Hogwarts had arrived. The preceding weeks had been delightful rather than arduous. Having met his objective of matching a grown wizard in a duel for several minutes—a feat confirmed by Sirius's expert evaluation—Harry had scaled back his intense training schedule. Now, beyond his routine physical workouts and martial arts sessions, he devoted his energy mostly to refining his spellcasting abilities, deciding not to pursue any new magical disciplines for the time being.
During his leisure time, Harry found joy in the company of Susan and her visiting friends at the Bones Manor. Notably, he became acquainted with Hannah Abbott and the Greengrass sisters, Daphne and Astoria. Their friendship was unexpected, considering the Greengrass family's historically neutral position and the Bones family's alignment with the Light. This unexpected connection, Harry mused, might have been one of the many ripples he'd caused in the fabric of their world by making Sirius more politically active.
Harry harbored a deep empathy for the Greengrass sisters, especially Astoria, who was to marry Draco Malfoy in the future and doomed to die young due to her family's blood curse. Daphne's fate was less clear, but Harry assumed she either met an early end or suffered from the same curse. Despite their contrasting personalities—Astoria being lively and outgoing, Daphne more reserved and demure—Harry had grown fond of them and felt a strong commitment to change their bleak futures, adding the search for a cure for blood malediction to his to-do list. From the influence of Cordelia and Emma, Harry had found himself more drawn to the path of a healer than that of an auror.
Playing Quidditch with Cedric Diggory turned into a regular and enjoyable part of Harry's leisure time. Their friendly matches, set up with makeshift hoops in Cedric's backyard, not only brought them a lot of fun but also strengthened their budding friendship. Living in proximity to the Weasley family, Cedric had mentioned them a few times, but Harry had not yet had the chance to meet the Weasleys. Most of the older Weasley siblings were away at Hogwarts, and Harry preferred to form his own opinions about people before establishing any relationships.
With Fred and George Weasley, known for their mischief, starting Hogwarts at the same time as Harry, he felt it wise to be cautious. The Weasley family's close association with Dumbledore was another reason Harry hesitated to immediately seek out their friendship. Yet, he couldn't deny that being friends with the Weasley twins might be advantageous to avoid becoming the target of their notorious pranks at school.
The anticipation of starting at Hogwarts was heightened a week prior when Sirius presented Harry with an unexpected gift—an unmistakable snowy owl that Harry recognized as Hedwig from the books. Mixed feelings washed over Harry; while he was thrilled to have such a brave and intelligent companion, he was also unnerved by the thought that despite his interventions in the timeline, some events seemed predestined to unfold as they had in the books. This realization struck him particularly because he hadn't anticipated crossing paths with Hedwig, given the canon Harry met her nearly two years later in 1991.
Nevertheless, Harry warmly welcomed the owl into his life, attempting to name her differently as a small test against fate. However, the owl showed a distinct preference for the name Hedwig, effectively choosing it for herself. This development, while intriguing, did not dampen Harry's enthusiasm. With Hedwig, Harry assured everyone he would stay in touch with them through letters while at Hogwarts.
The night before his departure to Hogwarts was a hive of activity for Harry. Assisted by Mira, he was diligently packing his trunk, a task marked by a blend of excitement and meticulous planning. Despite his wishes for a magical trunk that could hold seemingly endless amounts of belongings, Hogwarts rules required him to choose a more conventional model. Yet, Harry didn't compromise on security; the trunk he selected was top-of-the-line, equipped with advanced protective enchantments to safeguard his possessions.
Mira had handled the acquisition of his other supplies from Diagon Alley, allowing Harry to focus on his other preparations.
While Harry was getting his things ready for Hogwarts, Harry's thoughts drifted to a particular item of immense importance and rarity—the Potter family's invisibility cloak. This wasn't any regular cloak; it was incredibly special, known as one of the Deathly Hallows, perfect for sneaking around after hours without getting caught. He had last seen the cloak when his grandmother used it to conceal him from Voldemort. Now, he had no clue where it was.
The cloak's whereabouts was a mystery though. It could have been secured in the main Potter vault or possibly kept by his father, James, on that fateful night. Another worrying possibility was that Dumbledore might have taken possession of it, given his interest in the Deathly Hallows.
Faced with uncertainty about its location, Harry was clear on one thing—the cloak rightfully belonged to him as the Potter family's heir. James had already lost his claim over the family's heirlooms due to his failed lordship test and Harry considered the cloak an essential part of his inheritance.
Thinking hard about how to find the cloak, Harry asked Mira, his trusty house elf, "Mira, do you remember the Potter family's invisible cloak? Do you know where it might be?"
Mira looked thoughtful for a moment before saying, "Mira remembers the cloak that makes people disappear, Master Harry, but Mira doesn't know where it is right now."
"Can you try to find it for me?" Harry asked, thinking about how useful the cloak could be at Hogwarts.
"Yes, Master Harry. Since you're the cloak's true owner, Mira can search for it," Mira said, her eyes shining at the thought of helping.
"Then, please go and see if you can find it. I'll keep packing here," Harry told her. "You might want to look with my dad, James, or Dumbledore since they're the most likely to have it. But be really careful around Dumbledore, and get away quickly if something feels wrong."
Mira nodded and disappeared with a quiet pop to start her search, leaving Harry to finish his packing. The cloak was very important to Harry and there was no way he was giving it up.
About an hour after she left, Mira returned to Harry, this time bearing the invisibility cloak. To anyone unaware of its significance, the cloak might have seemed ordinary, resembling nothing more than a shiny piece of fabric, something easily mistaken for a mere household item and perhaps relegated to storage or discarded.
"Mira has retrieved the cloak from the bad wizard at Hogwarts, Master Harry," Mira reported with a hint of pride. "Mira was very cautious, waiting for the right moment when no one would notice, before taking it. The bad wizard will surely be puzzled to find it missing tomorrow."
Mira's successful mission and her reference to "the bad wizard" left no doubts in Harry's mind; Dumbledore had been in possession of the cloak. Harry could only surmise that Dumbledore had held onto the cloak for many years, highlighting James's carelessness with a significant Potter family treasure. Harry was well aware of Dumbledore's fascination with the Deathly Hallows, making it unsurprising that he would withhold the cloak. The thought that Dumbledore might have eventually presented it to Charles was irksome, given that it was not his to bestow. Yet, retrieving the cloak felt like a significant victory for Harry.
"Thank you, Mira. You've done an excellent job," Harry thanked her sincerely, his hands grasping the cloak that was rightfully his.
Before anything else, Harry scrutinized the cloak meticulously for any signs of tracking spells or enchantments that could betray its use. Satisfied with its purity, he then indulged in testing its capabilities.
The cloak was as magical as it was practical; despite the odd sensation of moving about under what essentially felt like a sheet, it rendered him completely invisible. Catching sight of his head appearing to float without a body in the mirror brought a smile to his face. The knowledge that invisibility cloaks of such caliber were exceedingly rare, often losing their magic within a few years, made his possession of this enduring family artifact all the more special.
Eager to share his excitement and spread a little mischief, Harry decided to put the cloak to use by surprising Sirius, Amelia, and Susan with an impromptu prank. They were all gathered in the living room of the Bones manor, making it the perfect setting for his reveal.
With the cloak draped over him, Harry stealthily entered the room, unseen by the trio. At just the right moment, he unveiled himself, appearing suddenly with only his head visible, floating eerily in the air. The reactions were priceless—shock, disbelief, and then laughter filled the room once the initial surprise wore off. For Harry, the thrill of their amazed expressions was so pure and joyful, that he mused it could be strong enough to fuel a Patronus charm.
After the laughter had subsided, Harry shared the story of the cloak's return, carefully omitting its connection to the Deathly Hallows. He believed that some secrets were best kept close, and the fewer people who knew about the Hallows, the better.
Sirius, recognizing the cloak from the countless nights spent sneaking around Hogwarts with James, couldn't hide his amusement at Harry's retrieval. He was especially tickled by the thought of Dumbledore's bafflement upon discovering the cloak's absence, anticipating the awkward explanation James would have to endure.
With the night's excitement behind him, Harry turned his attention back to the final preparations for his departure. He finished packing his trunk, ensuring everything was in order for the morning. With a sense of satisfaction, Harry looked forward to the dawn of a new chapter in his life at Hogwarts.
Chapter 71: Chapter 71: "King's Cross Station"
September 1st, 1989
Upon arriving at King's Cross station that morning to catch the Hogwarts Express, Harry and his companions quickly realized just how bustling one of London's busiest hubs could be. The station teemed with life—commuters darting to catch their trains, families navigating the crowds, and children's excited chatter filling the air.
Harry's entourage for the day included Sirius, Amelia, and Susan, making it quite the family outing. Emma had initially wished to join them, but Harry persuaded her otherwise. It would have been too embarrassing for Harry to have many people sending him off to Hogwarts. Though Sirius had initially planned for just the two of them to accompany Harry, Susan's eagerness to witness the Hogwarts Express firsthand transformed the journey into something of a family outing for Sirius's household.
In a decision rooted in compassion for his feathered friend, Harry had sent Hedwig ahead to Hogwarts. The thought of her confined to a cage for the nine-hour journey didn't sit well with him, nor did he see the need to bring her cage to Hogwarts at all. Hedwig, with her keen intelligence and independence, was more than capable of finding her way to the school's owlery or enjoying the freedom to explore as she pleased. Harry trusted her completely to look after herself without any issues.
To further streamline their travel, Harry employed a combination of shrinking and weightless spells on his Hogwarts trunk, carrying it in his pocket instead of on a cumbersome trolley. This practical choice, however, made them somewhat of an anomaly amidst the throngs of travelers, their absence of visible luggage setting them apart in a place where nearly everyone had something to carry or push along. But that was nothing to worry about.
Harry already had many complaints about several aspects of his train journey to Hogwarts. The idea of spending nine hours on a train to reach Hogwarts seemed excessive to him, especially when one could apparate to Hogsmeade, a village close to Hogwarts, in just a few minutes.
The concept of a magical railway station dedicated solely to the Hogwarts Express, which was used only four times a year, puzzled him even more. He questioned the necessity of creating an entire station for a train that served such a limited purpose.
In Harry's view, the magical platform at King's Cross Station was an extravagant and unnecessary venture. Considering the wizarding community's access to more efficient means of travel, the investment in a train service seemed illogical. Harry couldn't understand how the Wizengamot, the wizarding world's governing body, had ever approved the construction of this station. It struck him as a waste of both time and resources.
Harry had quickly learned that applying logic to many aspects of the wizarding world was futile. The decision-making processes within this community often seemed to lack sense, leading to a number of questionable practices and traditions.
Among the other peculiarities of getting to Hogwarts was the method of accessing the platform itself: running headfirst into a brick wall. Harry mused over the numerous spells likely in place around the said wall to prevent this act from breaking the Statute of Secrecy, as families vanishing through a wall would surely attract unwanted attention from the non-magical world.
Although there were alternative ways to reach the platform, such as the Floo Network, they came with their own set of complications.
The platform's Floo connection was singular, preventing direct access from individual homes to the platform. Families wishing to use the Floo had to converge on a specific location in Diagon Alley, leading to congestion around the Floo point, especially on departure days like today.
As a result, many families familiar with the non-magical world preferred navigating the physical barrier between platforms nine and ten at King's Cross Station, opting to blend in with the muggle surroundings rather than face the chaos of the Floo point.
As Harry was lost in his thoughts, he was brought back to the present by Sirius's voice, indicating they had arrived at the crucial spot. "The platform's right through here," Sirius announced, pointing towards the barrier between platforms nine and ten.
Harry observed the scene carefully, noting how the bustling muggles around them seemed oblivious to this particular part of the station, a testament to the magical protections in place to maintain the secrecy of their world.
Sirius, ready to share a piece of Hogwarts tradition, instructed, "What you need to do is run straight at the wall, and you'll find yourself on platform nine and three-quarters on the other side. Come on, pup, take a bit of a run-up."
Harry, however, wasn't about to be caught in what he suspected might be a playful test of courage. Ignoring Sirius's suggestion for a dramatic entrance, he opted for a calm and measured walk through the barrier, proving to himself and Sirius that a theatrical run was unnecessary.
As he emerged on the other side, the sight of the Hogwarts Express greeted him—a striking red engine steaming patiently on the platform, its presence dominating the otherwise empty surroundings. The platform was alive with activity; students hustled about with their luggage, greetings and farewells filled the air, and the occasional screech of an owl added to the cacophony. The station was absolute chaos. Harry had timed their arrival to minimize waiting, so the train's departure loomed.
Following Harry's calm passage, Sirius, Amelia, and Susan joined him, stepping through the barrier into the magical side of King's Cross.
Sirius couldn't hide his disappointment at Harry's nonchalant approach. "You're no fun, Harry. It's a tradition for Hogwarts students to run through the wall. Walking through is just... boring."
Nevertheless, Sirius's spirits weren't dampened for long. Looking around at the bustling platform, he couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia. "Ah, just like I remember. Noisy and full of life. Let's go, pup," he said, eager to soak in the atmosphere of his own school days.
The bustling platform was filled with chatter and the clatter of luggage as Harry and his companions navigated through the crowd, searching for an empty compartment for Harry to occupy during his journey to Hogwarts.
Amidst the sea of faces and hurried goodbyes, Harry's ears picked up a familiar voice calling out to him.
Glancing toward the source, he spotted Cedric Diggory's head poking out of a compartment window, waving enthusiastically in his direction.
Harry returned the gesture, then turned to Sirius, indicating his decision. "I'll join Cedric, so there's no need to search any further. Plus, the train's about to leave."
At that moment, Susan, who had been wide-eyed with wonder at the bustling platform, suddenly expressed her desire. "I want to go too," she said, her voice tinged with longing.
Amelia gently reminded her, "You're not old enough yet. Your time will come soon, and then you can head off to Hogwarts with all your friends."
"But that's two years away! And Harry won't be there at home. It'll be so boring without him," Susan protested, her disappointment evident.
Harry tried to reassure her, "I'll write to you. You won't miss out on anything. I'll tell you all about Hogwarts, so it'll be like you're there with me. And when it's your turn, you can show your friends around just like a pro."
Susan, only partially consoled, clung to Harry's arm, her plea soft but desperate, "I don't want you to go. Can't you wait two more years so we can go together?"
As Harry prepared to respond, the train's horn sounded a warning, signaling the imminent departure. This allowed Harry to gently disengage from Susan's grip.
Sirius, always the mischief-maker, couldn't resist giving Harry a bit of advice, "Remember to have fun. If I don't hear about you causing a bit of trouble, I'll be disappointed. You're Padfoot's godson, after all. And if Snivellous gives you any trouble, remember those special pranks I showed you."
Amelia, ever the voice of reason, added, "Ignore Sirius, Harry. Just focus on enjoying yourself and making some friends. It's high time you found friends your own age."
Harry grinned at their remarks, assured them he would indeed enjoy his time, and then proceeded to say his goodbyes. His trunk, still magically reduced in size and weight, rested securely in his pocket, bypassing the need for any cumbersome luggage handling.
There was no discussion about which Hogwarts house Harry might be sorted into; to them, it mattered little. Sirius had long since shed any bias against Slytherin, indicating his acceptance of Harry's potential placement within any of the Hogwarts houses.
As the train's horn sounded once more, Harry, standing by the door, waved back at Sirius, Amelia, and a tearful Susan. Knowing she would be okay by the next day, Harry offered a reassuring smile, maintaining his wave until the platform faded from view.
Making his way to Cedric's compartment, Harry was thinking of ways to pass the nine-hour journey without succumbing to boredom.
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