"HP: Too Late, System!"Chapter 306: Changing of the Guard
Lupin watched with quiet satisfaction as the students, under the brisk direction of Percy and Penelope, the Head Boy and Girl, quickly lined up—boys on one side, girls on the other. Orderly columns, just as he liked.
He turned, his gaze landing on the ever-mischievous twins, George and Fred. His smile grew even wider.
"I've heard you two recently composed a new 'Hogwarts Song.' Well, here's your chance—lead us in song! Let's run and sing together, sharing the pride and joy of Hogwarts along this misty morning road."
A collective groan rippled through the ranks.
"Percy, are you sure this isn't Professor Holmes in disguise?"
But at Lupin's urging, a hesitant chorus began to rise. The melody started soft and scattered but soon swelled, growing stronger with every step. It was as if the music itself wove a thread of magic through reality and fantasy, echoing down the road to the Kennet River port, stirring the city from its slumber.
Of course, the main effect was to attract the bemused stares of passing Muggles. A few drivers rolled down their windows and called out, laughing, "Go on! Shouldn't you lot be flying on broomsticks?"
The students rolled their eyes in unison.
Sirius Black, a man who had weathered more storms than most would ever know, found himself swept up in the tide of Hogwarts youth. For a moment, standing amid the laughter and energy, it was as if he glimpsed his own lost boyhood through the veil of time.
He watched the students' lively faces—so open, so fearless, unscarred by the world. Their curiosity and hunger for the unknown burned like a new flame in his chest.
And there was Moony—Remus Lupin—whose eyes sparkled with a mischievous warmth, a humor that had survived life's hardships.
In that instant, Sirius felt as though the years had peeled away. Memories, long buried, stirred and fluttered open like dawn breaking through darkness.
He drew a deep breath, filling his lungs with the scent of youth—courage, dreams, and wild hope all tangled together. It was intoxicating, and it awakened in him an old, fierce longing for freedom, friendship, and adventure.
For a heartbeat, he understood: no matter how many years pass, the essence of youth never fades. It belongs not just to those bright, hopeful faces, but to every soul that still dares to chase the light.
For that moment, Sirius Black felt himself swept into the current of youth—chasing excitement and endless possibility alongside these passionate students.
"Gryffindor! We come from the wilds, we crave strength, we're full of ideals, we are brave and fearless, just and resolute, we never give up—we are Gryffindor!"
With Sirius's sudden shout, the unity of the Hogwarts Song shattered.
Students from other Houses jumped in:
"Hufflepuff! We come from the forests, we cherish great love, loyal to nature, honest and true, steadfast and sincere, unafraid of hardship—we are Hufflepuff!"
"Ravenclaw! We come from the riverside, brilliant and wise, calm in thought, diligent in study, seekers of truth, we never give up—we are Ravenclaw!"
The only harmony in the chaos was that there were no Slytherins present to join in…
Since that pivotal year, 1990, the British Muggle government—facing global economic shifts and the urgent need to upgrade its own industries—had launched a sweeping transformation. With bold vision, they steered the economy toward high-tech, high-value industries, pouring resources into fields like automotive, aviation, and electronics, hoping to forge new engines of national growth.
Even though their route didn't pass through the most industrialized northern cities, the journey from London to Cardiff offered a living history of British industry's evolution.
There were old factories, survivors of Britain's industrial golden age, reborn through new production lines and imported expertise—transforming from traditional manufacturing to high-end technology. New high-tech parks had sprung up like mushrooms after rain.
For many young witches and wizards—especially those who'd never attended Muggle schools—it was their first real look at how Muggle technology had revolutionized daily life.
The sight of CNC machines in action left them awestruck, and for the first time, some wondered if Muggle science and magic weren't so different after all.
But the changing of the guard brought a sudden shift in mood, like a storm blowing in. The bus, once filled with laughter, now buzzed with a strange mix of tension and anticipation.
Over these days, Sirius Black had transformed in their eyes—from the infamous name on Ministry wanted posters to a kind of honorary upperclassman, older but not distant. His weathered face seemed to regain a hint of youthful mischief. With wit and humor, he painted vivid pictures of the war-torn days for the students.
For Harry, every story about his parents—though never the first—felt new, as Sirius always added some detail he'd never heard before. These tales were like spells, stirring up a longing for his mother and father that never quite faded.
But now, their beloved guide was about to say goodbye. That familiar figure would soon slip out of their journey, replaced by Professor Holmes.
What student, on holiday, would willingly trade the easy camaraderie of Sirius for the sharp, analytical gaze of a teacher—even one whose lessons were legendary for their suspense and surprise, each class a thrilling detective story? (As one Head Student was quick to praise.)
Yet none of them expected that Professor Holmes's return was merely the appetizer.
As the bus slowed to a stop, the students stared in confusion and disbelief. They were about to face the most daunting moment of their trip— The arrival of Professor Severus Snape.
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