Days passed by swiftly, filled with strolls, ice-creams and fun, and soon, it was September 1st.
As usual, the day was a rush, a cluster of noise and raised tempers. Ginny was putting on a sock while standing, a piece of toast in her mouth.
Ron was gobbling down food as fast as he could, all manners forgotten since he was surrounded by family only.
Hermione was going through her trunk, making sure all books were packed while Harry was frantically searching for his copy of 'A Standard Book of Spells: Grade 3'.
Crystalline was running away from one of the twins' fireworks that was chasing her around the room, having gone off unexpectedly, while the twins, intimidated by the blonde's harsh glare, were doing their best to stop it.
Percy trying to reverse a charm the twins had placed on his head-boy badge, making it read 'bighead boy' and Mr Weasley was getting the luggage and pets to the cars that had been provided by the ministry for some reason.
Mrs Weasley was yelling at everyone to hurry up while packing sandwiches for everyone.
Finally, they were all safely inside the cars and on their way to King's Cross station.
In groups of twos and threes, they all made their way through the barrier, laughing and chatting, leaning casually though the solid-looking wall.
There it was, Platform Nine and Three Quarters, just as magical as ever. The Hogwarts express gleamed, and people could be seen chattering and hugging their children goodbye.
But just as they were about to board the train, Mr Weasley pulled Harry aside.
"Where are you taking him Arthur? The train is about to leave", they heard Mr Weasley yell.
"Don't worry Molly dear, it won't take long!", Mr Weasley shouted.
He looked agitated and distraught, his eyes filled with dread, but with a spark of resolve in them.
"Now Harry, I don't want you to panic, but there's something you need to know", Mr Weasley sighed.
Harry was confused. Why was Mr Weasley so worried?
"You've heard about Sirius Black, right?", at his nod, Mr Weasley continued.
"Well, the thing is that, well, we have come to the conclusion that the reason Black escaped Azkaban is to come after you", he finally revealed.
Harry blinked. Black escaped Azkaban to come after him, at least that's what they (whom he took to mean the Ministry and Dumbledore) assumed.
For some reason, it didn't worry him as it should have.
Perhaps it's because in his previous years at Hogwarts he had encountered Voldemort himself, but for some reason he couldn't convince himself that it was the only reason.
"Don't worry Mr Weasley, I'm not scared", he reassured the older man.
"That's not why I'm worried. Harry, don't go looking for Black. No matter what you hear don't go looking for him."
"Why would I look for someone who wants to murder me? But if it makes you feel better I promise I won't", Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"It does actually", Mr Weasley stated, as the two headed back to the group.
Mrs Weasley hugged everyone goodbye and Harry was embarrassed when she gave him an extra hug.
"Do look out for yourself, won't you", she pressed.
"Don't worry Mrs Weasley, I'll try to steer clear of danger", Harry smiled.
Finally, just two minuted before the departure, they boarded the train.
Harry, itching to tell his friends about what Mr Weasley had said, rushed them all to find a compartment, before they ended up sitting in the furthest compartment.
Surprisingly though, there was a man dozing in the compartment. They hadn't ever seen any adults on the train except for the driver and the Trolley Witch.
"Hey, who's that", Ron asked.
"Professor R.J Lupin. It's written on his trunk", Hermione pointed out.
The man had brown hair, flecked with grey. His face was prematurely lined and his robes were patched.
It seemed as though he had lived a life filled with struggles.
"Anyway, there's something I wanted to tell you", Harry said, distracting them from Professor Lupin.
He went on to tell them about what Mr Weasley had said, and it was safe to say that they were a lot more worried about the whole situation than he was.
When he told them this though, Crystalline yelled
"HOW CAN YOU NOT BE WORRIED! THAT LUNATIC MURDERED THIRTEEN PEOPLE WITH ONE CURSE! I swear if you just take this lightly..."
The other three were startled. Crystalline was the calmest of them quartet. It was extremely rare to hear her lose her control, let alone shriek.
"Guys trust me, I'm not taking this lightly. It's just, something is telling me to not be too worried. I promise I'll be on my guard", Harry reassured.
"I suppose it's the best we can have, with your luck, Ael", Ron sighed.
What they didn't realise though was that someone was listening to every word they said...