Two hours later, as the boys began discussing Hogsmeade, leaving the girls alone, Daphne leaned toward Darcie.
"Where's Draco?" she asked.
Hearing them, Hermione leaned to her left as well, Crookshanks pretending to sleep on her lap, with one eye planted on the fast asleep dog.
"He's already at Hogwarts," Darcie said, making Daphne and Hermione's eyebrows go up. "Professor Dumbledore arrived home a few days ago and asked Father to let Draco go with him."
Daphne made a painful face. "… That must not have been pleasant…"
Darcie rolled her eyes. "Tell me about it," she said. "The last time I saw Father that angry was when Draco entered Gryffindor."
"What do you think it was about, though?" Hermione asked.
"He didn't explain it to Father," Darcie said. "… It must be something related to his… ability."
Darcie had spoken the last word very slowly, Daphne and Hermione's eyes narrowing in understanding.
The children in this compartment were no ordinary wizards and witches.
In their first year at Hogwarts, they had become Hallows of the Cult of Scion of Death, each gaining a Spell.
For Daphne, it was Magical Conjuration, letting her summon creatures from a distant dimension, each having wildly incomprehensible forms and abilities — Types, as she preferred to call it.
Hermione had gained Moonlight Sonata, letting her assume her Werewolf transformation at will and keep her sanity, even if there was no Full Moon.
Ron had Mecha Eye, while Harry had Brave Heart — a Spell with which he could see a few moments into the future. In the first year, it had turned out to be the decisive ability, letting him win against Quirrell, who was possessed by Voldemort.
Arlen Black had his own, weirdly powerful Ancient Magical Script.
Draco's case was a little different, though.
Even before he had obtained the Acute Perception Spell, he had the singular ability to Apparate and Disapparate at will, ignoring all magic that restricted them. Then, his Spell enhanced this ability even more, letting him recall all locations with uncanny accuracy and precision.
If it weren't for Draco's Acute Perception, then the children couldn't have saved Ginny by defeating Voldemort's memory and Basilisk at the end of their second year.
"Perhaps Professor Dumbledore is working on a stronger version of Anti-Apparation Charm?" Hermione guessed.
Darcie nodded. "Perhaps…"
Daphne saw the hesitation in her friend's voice. "What?"
Darcie looked as the boys dreamily talked about Honeydukes at Hogsmeade, lowering her voice even more. "Professor Dumbledore also had a chat with Dobby," she said. "He asked Father to let Dobby go, but Dobby refused him."
Daphne and Hermione's mouths opened.
"Oh, yeah…" Hermione gasped. "Why would he need Draco to create a stronger Anti-Apparation Charm, when the same can be done with house elves' help, too?"
Daphne had more to add. "… It couldn't be only that," she mumbled, knowing Darcie. "What do you think?"
"Given the… necessities of the times," Darcie said, guessing, "it wouldn't surprise me if Dumbledore is creating an army of magical beings."
Daphne and Hermione's faces blanked.
If it were before the summer break, then they would have rejected this statement from their hearts.
However, over time, and especially after the creation of The Order of Black Phoenix, they had seen the changed Dumbledore — the black-robed, black-bearded, and black-eyed Lord Black Phoenix.
Not only did that man wear power on his shoulders, but he also commanded respect just by standing silently with his eyes closed, wielding his wand in front of him.
The girls had seen that image in the Daily Prophet many days ago.
Yet, it was still clear in their minds.
So, even if Darcie had made a wild guess, the moment they heard it, Daphne and Hermione just knew that it was the most probable truth.
"Is that why Dobby came with you?" Hermione asked.
Darcie nodded. "Dobby refused to entertain Professor Dumbledore at home because he thought it would get me in trouble," she told them. "It was obvious that he was curious. So, I brought him along as an escort. He went straight to Hogwarts from the station."
The girls leaned back on their seats, feeling the heaviness of the situation.
"Is it just me…" Daphne mumbled, looking out at the darkening sky, "… or do you two also think that things are becoming — too grand too soon?"
Darcie and Hermione couldn't do anything but silently nod at that.
…
The Hogwarts Express moved steadily north, and the scenery outside the window became wilder and darker while the clouds overhead thickened.
People were rushing back and forth past the door of their compartment.
"What?!" Black and Ron exclaimed.
"I really can't go," Harry dropped the bad news. "The Dursleys didn't sign my permission form, and Fudge wouldn't either."
Black and Ron shared a horrified look.
It was indeed bad news.
First, it was already a miracle that the School was even allowing the students to visit Hogsmeade. A part of the credit for this relative peace went to Professor Dumbledore's efforts over the summer, lessening the danger by entering into a ceasefire agreement with the Dark Alliance.
Second, Lord Voldemort was not a part of this ceasefire.
So, it was possible that they would cancel the Hogsmeade visits after a few months, which didn't give them much time to explore the magical world together.
"We can ask Fred and George," Ron suggested, knowing well that no teacher would sign it for Harry now, what with the matter of Sirius Black. "They must know secret passages out of the castle."
A scoff entered their ears, making the boys look at Hermione.
"What?" Black asked.
But, for once, Hermione kept quiet, refusing to share what the girls just talked about. The boys seemed more concerned about a stupid visit than the overall situation of the world anyway.
"Take it out," Black said, looking back at Harry. "I will sign it for you."
Ron gaped at Black. "That's a brilliant idea," he hissed, lowering his voice so that the Professor and the girls wouldn't hear them. "I can use my Mecha Eye to match the two signatures. No one will know…"
Harry looked at the two of them, his breath quickening.
"What?" Black and Ron asked. "Take it out!"
"I…" Harry gulped. "I… don't know Uncle Dursley's signature…"
The only reason that Black and Ron didn't knock the glasses off Harry's face was that the Trolley Witch arrived — with a food cart full of delicious treats!
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