Re:HP-A New Life

I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.

https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon

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Chapter 61: Warnings and Flying Fords

Platform 9¾ hummed with the excitement of students preparing to return to Hogwarts. Trunks were piled high, and owls hooted in their cages. Harry stood by his trolley, observing the chaos with a faint smile. Rose was animatedly chatting with her friends and the Weasley family a few feet away.

He watched as Ron and the twins laughed at something Percy said, while Mrs. Weasley fussed over Ginny's hair. Rose glanced at Harry, waving cheerfully before turning back to her conversation.

Harry sighed softly, feeling a pang of nostalgia. It was strange, being on the periphery of moments like this. She deserves to enjoy her friends and freedom, he thought. No need to drag her into every strange situation I face.

Without drawing attention to himself, Harry pushed his trolley toward the magical barrier between platforms 9 and 10. The shimmering magic that usually welcomed students to the other side flickered ominously.

Harry slowed, his eyes narrowing. Dobby's handiwork. He could feel the subtle distortion of wards attempting to block his passage.

"Nice try," he muttered under his breath, scanning the enchantment.

With a snap of his fingers, the barrier shimmered and dissolved, the disruption fading like mist under a summer sun.

He stepped through without hesitation, emerging onto the bustling Hogwarts Express platform. The scarlet steam engine loomed before him, its whistle sharp in the crisp air. Parents bid tearful goodbyes while students scrambled for good seats.

Harry loaded his trunk into an empty compartment, settled into a seat, and leaned against the window. He closed his eyes, exhaustion creeping over him. Dobby's midnight visit had left him more rattled than he cared to admit.

The previous night still lingered in his mind.

Harry had been deep in sleep when a loud CRACK startled him awake. Hedwig squawked indignantly from her perch as a small figure appeared at the foot of his bed.

"Dobby?" Harry had muttered groggily, his wand already in his hand.

The house-elf wrung his hands nervously, his eyes wide with a mix of excitement and fear.

"Harry Potter, sir! Dobby must speak with you—urgent, very urgent!"

Harry sat up, rubbing his eyes. "What is it, Dobby?"

"Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts!" Dobby's voice trembled. "Terrible danger awaits! Dobby came to warn you, sir, because Dobby cares about Harry Potter's safety!"

Harry frowned. "What danger? What are you talking about?"

"Plots, sir! Evil plots! Dobby cannot say more, but Hogwarts will not be safe this year!"

Harry's brow furrowed. "Thanks for the warning, Dobby, but I'm not staying home. My sister and friends are at Hogwarts. I'll be fine."

Dobby's ears drooped. "Harry Potter is too brave, too noble," he sniffled. "But Dobby must do what he can to protect you."

With a tearful gaze, the elf vanished with a CRACK, leaving Harry bewildered he taught that Malfoy didn't have the diary.

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On the Train

Harry drifted into a light nap as the train chugged through the countryside, the rhythmic clatter of wheels lulling him into sleep.

He wasn't sure how long he had dozed when he stirred, blinking groggily. The compartment was empty, eerily quiet.

Frowning, Harry stood and cast a quick detection spell. His senses sharpened as he picked up a faint magical signature outside the train.

Something's off, he thought.

Without hesitation, Harry disapparated onto the roof of the train with a soft pop. The wind whipped through his hair as he balanced effortlessly on the speeding locomotive.

To his astonishment, flying alongside above the train was a wobbling blue Ford Anglia. Inside were Rose and Ron, both wide-eyed and determined.

Harry's heart clenched with guilt. What are they doing?

Ron wrestled with the steering wheel, while Rose pointed frantically toward the train. Harry's jaw tightened. This is my fault. I should've handled Dobby better.

Focusing intently, Harry disapparated from the roof and reappeared in the back seat of the car with a soft pop.

"Bloody hell!" Ron yelped, jerking the car sideways.

Rose spun around, her eyes wide with shock. "Harry?! How—?"

Harry leaned forward calmly. "Nice ride."

"You—you just appeared out of thin air!" Ron stammered, trying to regain control of the car.

Harry shrugged. "Seemed easier than waving from the roof."

Rose narrowed her eyes. "You knew we'd be out here?"

"Had a hunch."

"You didn't have to scare us like that," Ron grumbled.

Harry sat back, guilt gnawing at him. They shouldn't have had to resort to this dangerous stunt. He should've dismantled Dobby's interference more thoroughly, ensured they boarded safely together.

"You both okay?" he asked quietly.

Rose nodded. "We're fine. But Mum's going to kill us if she finds out."

Harry chuckled softly. "Only if you get caught."

The car soared through the sky, following the train as it snaked through the countryside toward Hogwarts.

Harry watched the horizon thoughtfully. This time, I'll protect them better, he promised himself.