Chapter 26: Luna Lovegood
August 23, 2002 – Friday
Apparition License Office
Buffy stood in the dimly lit examination room, her palms slightly sweaty, but her determination unwavering. She had been preparing for this moment for weeks, practicing her Apparition technique relentlessly to ensure that she passed the test. The room was eerily silent, save for the ticking of the large wall clock, counting down the minutes until her examination.
The Apparition instructor, a stern-looking witch with a no-nonsense demeanor, stood at the front of the room, ready to observe Buffy's every move. "You may begin when ready, Professor Summers," she said, her voice stern but not unkind.
Buffy took a deep breath, focusing her concentration. She closed her eyes briefly, picturing the destination vividly in her mind - a small, red chair placed at the far end of the room. She felt the familiar sensation of being pulled in every direction at once, a swirling vortex of magic enveloping her. It was disorienting and uncomfortable, but she maintained her composure, determined to succeed.
With a soft pop, Buffy appeared next to the red chair. She had done it! Her heart swelled with pride and relief. She had successfully Apparated to her intended destination. The instructor nodded in approval.
"Well done, Professor Summers," she said, her tone now tinged with a hint of approval. "You have passed your Apparition test."
Buffy's face broke into a wide, victorious grin.
September 1, 2002 – Sunday
#12 Grimmauld Place, Islington, London
Hermione and Dawn entered the room, their presence bringing a mix of emotions. Hedwig perched gracefully on Dawn's shoulder, her feathers ruffling softly as if in contentment. Hermione cradled the squirming Crookshanks, whose feline curiosity was evident in his restless movements.
"Mum and Dad just sent Hedwig back," Hermione announced with a hint of anticipation in her voice. "Are you ready yet?"
Dawn's face lit up with a warm, genuine smile, reflecting her happiness that Hermione still held the Grangers dear, despite learning that she was a Summers and Buffy and Dawn's sister. It was touching how Hermione continued to regard the Grangers as her parents. Buffy and Dawn, although having no previous relationship with the Grangers, had affectionately adopted them as "mom and dad." The Grangers, in turn, welcomed the sentiment, even if they insisted that Buffy and Dawn didn't have to refer to them as such.
"Nearly. Is Ginny all right?" Harry inquired with concern.
Dawn nodded reassuringly, her eyes filled with empathy. "Mrs. Weasley's patched her up," she replied, her voice soft and soothing.
"But now Mad-Eye's complaining that we can't leave unless Sturgis Podmore's here, otherwise the guard will be one short," Hermione grumbled with a hint of exasperation. "Don't know why they can't just use Buffy. She's going on the train with us."
"Guard?" Harry's voice was laced with incredulity. "We have to go to King's Cross with a guard? And didn't Buffy get her apparition license last week?"
Dawn nodded in agreement, her eyes expressing Harry's sentiments. "She did, but she still wants to ride with us anyways."
Hermione explained the situation further, her tone carrying a touch of resignation. "You have to go to King's Cross with a guard."
Harry's irritation was palpable as he retorted, "Why? I thought Voldemort was supposed to be lying low, or are you telling me he's going to jump out from behind a dustbin to try and do me in?"
Dawn shrugged, her shoulders rising and falling with uncertainty. "No idea."
Hermione added her own thoughts with a hint of helplessness. "I don't know either; it's just what Mad-Eye said, but if we don't leave soon, we're definitely going to miss the train..."
"Will you lot get down here now, please!" Mrs. Weasley's voice boomed from downstairs, her urgency filling the air.
Hermione and Dawn exchanged a quick look and without hesitation, they darted out of the room, swiftly grabbing their trunks from their room before hurrying down the stairs.
Buffy, waiting at the base of the stairs, gave her sisters an impatient glare. "Cutting it close, aren't you?" she chided, a touch of annoyance in her tone.
Before either Hermione or Dawn could offer an explanation, Harry descended the stairs behind them, forcing them to move aside to let him pass. Mrs. Weasley's voice followed him.
"Harry, you're to come with me and Tonks," she said, her anxiety apparent. "Leave your trunk and your owl; Alastor's going to deal with the luggage... Oh, for heaven's sake, Sirius, Dumbledore said no!"
A bear-like black dog had materialized at Harry's side as he was navigating the maze of trunks cluttering the hall.
"Oh honestly..." Mrs. Weasley's voice held a mix of frustration and resignation. "Well, on your own head be it!"
Buffy and Dawn couldn't help but share a laugh at the chaos of the moment. "We should find some way to prove his innocence," Buffy suggested, her voice tinged with determination as she referred to Sirius. "So he doesn't have to hide himself."
Dawn and Hermione nodded in agreement, their expressions reflecting the seriousness of the task. Mrs. Weasley, too, acknowledged the importance of the mission, offering a firm nod.
Harry, concerned and eager to get going, inquired, "Where's Tonks?"
"She's waiting for us just up here," Mrs. Weasley replied.
Tonks appeared, her hair morphing into vibrant shades of turquoise and pink. She winked at Harry, her demeanor energetic. "Wotcher, Harry," she greeted with a playful smile. "Better hurry up, hadn't we, Molly? Buffy?"
"I know, I know," Mrs. Weasley moaned, her frustration at the situation apparent.
Buffy nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we should. Problem is, Moody wanted to wait for this Sturgis guy."
Mrs. Weasley let out a sigh, a mix of exasperation and longing in her voice. "If only Arthur could have got us cars from the Ministry again... but Fudge won't let him borrow so much as an empty ink bottle these days... how Muggles can stand traveling without magic..."
Buffy offered a reassuring smile. "Driving can be fun."
Dawn chimed in eagerly, her eyes shining with excitement. "I can't wait until I turn 16. Buffy's going to teach me to drive."
Buffy nodded in agreement, her tone slightly amused. "Yep, not going to do to you what Mom did to me. I was in college before I got my driver's license, thanks to failing that written test once. After that, Mom was too afraid to let me behind the wheel again."
King's Cross Station
It took them twenty minutes to reach King's Cross on foot. Once inside the station, they casually lingered beside the barrier separating platforms nine and ten until the way was clear. One by one, they leaned against it and seamlessly passed through, finding themselves on platform nine and three-quarters.
"I hope the others make it in time," Mrs. Weasley expressed her concern.
As they stepped onto the platform, a tall boy with dreadlocks called out, "Nice dog, Harry!" He then greeted Buffy with a familiar nod, "Hello, Professor Summers."
Harry acknowledged the compliment with a grateful smile. "Thanks, Lee," he replied.
Buffy waved and returned the pleasantries. "Have a nice summer, Mr. Jordan?" she asked.
Lee nodded in affirmation. "You bet," he responded.
"Oh, good," said Mrs. Weasley, relief evident in her voice. "Here's Alastor with the luggage, look..."
Moody appeared, his distinctive limp apparent, as he pushed a trolley loaded with their trunks through the archway.
"All okay," he muttered to Mrs. Weasley and Tonks, his vigilance never wavering. "Don't think we were followed..."
Seconds later, Mr. Weasley emerged on to the platform, joined by Ron and Hermione. Dawn followed closely behind them.
As they began unloading Moody's luggage trolley, Fred, George, and Ginny arrived, accompanied by Lupin.
"No trouble?" Moody's gruff voice inquired.
"Nothing," Lupin reassured.
Moody's scowl deepened. "I'll still be reporting Sturgis to Dumbledore," he declared, his displeasure evident. "That's the second time he's not turned up in a week. Getting as unreliable as Mundungus."
Buffy stepped forward and offered her assistance. "I will let him know, Moody."
Moody glanced at Buffy, his expression softening slightly. "Don't worry about it. You have your own things to deal with."
Dawn, curious, asked, "What things?"
Buffy explained with a hint of frustration. "He just means with me teaching with Umbridge. Stupid Ministry, I was all set to teach solo this year."
"Well, look after yourselves," Lupin urged, his voice carrying a note of concern. "You too, Harry. Be careful."
Moody's advice was equally stern. "Yeah, keep your head down and your eyes peeled. And don't forget, all of you — careful what you put in writing. If in doubt, don't put it in a letter at all. That goes doubly for you, Buffy. We don't want her finding out."
Dawn leaned in to whisper to Buffy, her expression worried. "You should tell Hermione and me what's going on. We don't want to risk whatever you have to do."
Buffy nodded, her voice equally hushed. "When we're at Hogwarts, in my rooms. We can't risk doing it on the train or out here. Don't know who's listening."
Tonks, her unique charm shining through, offered warm hugs to Dawn, Buffy, Hermione, and Ginny. "It's been great meeting all of you. We'll see you soon, I expect."
A warning whistle sounded, signaling the departure of the train. The remaining students on the platform began to hurry aboard.
"Quick, quick," urged Mrs. Weasley. "Write... be good... if you've forgotten anything, we'll send it on... onto the train, now, hurry..."
For a fleeting moment, the great black dog reared onto its hind legs and placed its front paws on Harry's shoulders. But Mrs. Weasley quickly intervened, shoving Harry away toward the train door and hissing, "For heaven's sake, act more like a dog, Sirius!"
Harry called out from the open window as the train began to move, with Ron, Hermione, Dawn, and Ginny waving beside him. "See you!"
Hermione, still concerned, voiced her worry. "He shouldn't have come with us."
Dawn, however, tried to lighten the mood. "Oh, lighten up. He hasn't seen daylight for months, poor guy. Buffy, we really need to find some way to clear his name."
Buffy nodded in agreement, though her heart was heavy with another unspoken desire. "I agree," she murmured, her attraction to Sirius growing stronger with each passing moment. The weight of Sirius's wrongful predicament hung over her thoughts, but a different kind of tension had begun to simmer beneath the surface, making it a shared priority to seek justice and perhaps something more.
"Guys, Ron and I are supposed to go into the prefect carriage," Hermione said awkwardly.
Buffy nodded, her curiosity piqued. "I'll go with you. I want to see who the other prefects are."
Hermione returned the nod, her eyes filled with appreciation for Buffy's support. Buffy had been so proud of Hermione that she had even helped throw a party for Ron and Hermione.
"I don't think we'll have to stay there all journey," Hermione explained. "Our letters said we just get instructions from the Head Boy and Girl and then patrol the corridors from time to time."
"Fine," Harry replied, his tone slightly dejected. "Well, I — I might see you later, then."
"Yeah, definitely," Ron agreed. "It's a pain having to go down there, I'd rather — but we have to — 'I mean, I'm not enjoying it, I'm not Percy."
Harry chuckled, understanding Ron's sentiments. "I know you're not," he said with a grin.
They observed Buffy as she effortlessly carried her trunk over her shoulder, while Hermione and Ron struggled with their trunks and a caged Pigwidgeon, making their way towards the engine end of the train.
Dawn had Crookshanks' carrier in one hand and was pulling her trunk with the other, making her way down the narrow train corridor. Ginny called to Harry and Dawn, "Come on, if we get a move on, we'll be able to save them places."
Dawn nodded in agreement. "Right," said Harry. Together, they struggled down the crowded corridor, looking through the glass-paneled doors into the compartments they passed, all of which were already full.
Dawn couldn't help but notice that many people on the train were staring at Harry and her with great interest. Several passengers even nudged their neighbors and pointed them out, whispering among themselves.
In the very last carriage, they ran into Neville Longbottom, who was looking flustered. His face was flushed, and his breaths came out in short, hurried pants as he struggled to catch his breath. "Hi, Harry," he panted, his voice tinged with a mix of relief and anxiety. His wide, anxious eyes darted around the cramped corridor.
Ginny, her freckled face etched with confusion, turned to Neville, her tone laced with concern. "What are you talking about? There's room in this one, there's only Loony Lovegood in here," she said, her words echoing with a hint of playful mockery.
Dawn, mindful of Buffy's influence, cautioned Ginny gently, her voice carrying an undertone of warning and understanding. "Be careful saying stuff like that around Buffy when we get to Hogwarts, Ginny," she said, her eyes flickering with a protective glint.
Ginny turned her attention to Dawn, nodding in understanding, her fiery hair cascading around her shoulders. Their friendship was strong, but Ginny knew that Buffy wouldn't show any favoritism when it came to enforcing discipline.
In the very last carriage, they ran into Neville Longbottom, who was looking flustered. His face was flushed, and his breaths came out in short, hurried pants as he struggled to catch his breath. "Hi, Harry," he panted, his voice tinged with a mix of relief and anxiety. His wide, anxious eyes darted around the cramped corridor.
Ginny, her freckled face etched with confusion, turned to Neville, her tone laced with concern. "What are you talking about? There's room in this one, there's only Loony Lovegood in here," she said, her words echoing with a hint of playful mockery.
Dawn, mindful of Buffy's influence, cautioned Ginny gently, her voice carrying an undertone of warning and understanding. "Be careful saying stuff like that around Buffy when we get to Hogwarts, Ginny," she said, her eyes flickering with a protective glint.
Ginny turned her attention to Dawn, nodding in understanding, her fiery hair cascading around her shoulders. Their friendship was strong, but Ginny knew that Buffy wouldn't show any favoritism when it came to enforcing discipline. It was a bond that ran deeper than any house rivalry.
Neville, feeling a bit awkward and out of place, mumbled something about not wanting to disturb anyone.
Ginny, ever the comforting presence, reassured Neville with a warm laugh. Her eyes sparkled with genuine kindness as she said, "Don't be silly, Neville. She's all right." With a confident sweep, she slid the compartment door open and pulled her trunk inside, creating a sense of warmth and camaraderie that enveloped Harry, Dawn, and Neville as they followed suit.
"Hi, Luna," Ginny greeted Luna with a warm smile, her voice gentle and welcoming. "Is it okay if we take these seats?" Her eyes held a sense of courtesy and consideration.
Luna looked up, her dreamy expression unchanging, and nodded, her silvery eyes twinkling with an otherworldly wisdom.
"Thanks," Ginny said, still smiling at Luna, her gratitude genuine and sincere.
Dawn, ever polite, also nodded in Luna's direction, her voice carrying a touch of appreciation. "Yeah, thanks," she added.
Harry and Neville efficiently stowed the trunks and Hedwig's cage in the luggage rack, their actions quick and practical. When Harry reached for Crookshanks' cage, Dawn instinctively pulled it back, her protective instincts kicking in. "I'll keep him with me," Dawn asserted, her voice firm and resolute.
Harry nodded understandingly, recognizing Dawn's attachment to Crookshanks, and settled down in the compartment with Neville. They took their seats opposite Luna, Ginny, and Dawn.
"Had a good summer, Luna?" Ginny inquired, her voice brimming with a desire to break the ice and start a conversation.
Luna responded in her typical dreamy manner, her gaze distant as she answered, "Yes, it was quite enjoyable, you know." She looked over at Harry. "You're Harry Potter." Her words held an otherworldly quality, as if she saw more than just the surface.
Harry, ever humble and down-to-earth, gave a lighthearted response, a playful grin on his face. "I know I am," he quipped, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Luna's gaze then shifted to Dawn, her ethereal eyes locking onto Dawn's with a mix of curiosity and recognition. "And Dawn Summers."
Dawn nodded in acknowledgment, her tone nonchalant and confident. "Got it in one," she replied.
Neville, still feeling a bit nervous, couldn't help but chuckle at the quirky exchange.
Luna, her pale, curious eyes shifting to Neville instead, maintained her enigmatic air. "And I don't know who you are," she said.
Neville hastily replied, his voice tinged with self-doubt, "I'm nobody."
Ginny and Dawn promptly contradicted him, their voices filled with reassurance. "No you're not," they chimed in together, a unified front against Neville's self-deprecation.
Ginny, always the diplomat, offered an introduction to clear things up and establish Neville's identity. "Neville Longbottom — Luna Lovegood. Luna's in my year, but in Ravenclaw."
Luna, undisturbed by the exchange, continued with her cryptic words, her voice taking on a whimsical, singsong quality. "Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure," she said, her statement leaving an aura of mystery in the air, as if she held the key to secrets beyond their comprehension.
The train rattled onwards, its rhythmic motion speeding them out into the open countryside.
"Guess what I got for my birthday?" said Neville, shifting the conversation to a lighter note, his voice carrying a spark of excitement.
"Another Remembrall?" said Harry, his voice filled with curiosity.
"Rembembrall? What's that?" Dawn asked, her interest piqued as she leaned in, clearly not familiar with the magical device.
"Supposed to help improve your memory," Ginny explained, offering a quick answer to Dawn's question, her words carrying an informative tone.
"No," said Neville, his enthusiasm evident. "I could do with one, though, I lost the old one ages ago... no, look at this..." He dug the hand that was not keeping a firm grip on Trevor into his schoolbag and, after a little bit of rummaging, pulled out what appeared to be a small grey cactus in a pot, except that it was covered with what looked like boils rather than spines. "Mimbulus mimbletonia."
Dawn, never one to mince words, gave her honest opinion, her tone matter-of-fact. "Looks ugly."
Neville beamed at her comment, his pride evident. "It's really, really rare," he said, his voice filled with excitement. "I don't know if there's one in the greenhouse at Hogwarts, even. I can't wait to show it to Professor Sprout. My Great Uncle Algie got it for me in Assyria. I'm going to see if I can breed from it."
"Does it — er — do anything?" Harry asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"Loads of stuff!" said Neville proudly, his enthusiasm evident as he spoke. "It's got an amazing defensive mechanism. Here, hold Trevor for me..." He dumped the toad into Harry's lap, who accepted Trevor with a slightly startled look.
Dawn, at that moment, was grateful she had Crookshanks safely in her arms.
Neville, with a mischievous glint in his eye, held the Mimbulus mimbletonia and gave the plant a sharp prod with the tip of his quill. What happened next was unexpected and chaotic.
Liquid squirted from every boil on the plant; thick, stinking, dark green jets of it. They hit the ceiling, the windows, and spattered Luna Lovegood's magazine; Dawn, Ginny, both of whom had flung their arms up in front of their faces just in time, narrowly avoided getting drenched.
"NEVILLE!" Dawn screamed, her voice a mix of surprise and exasperation.
Neville, whose face and torso were also drenched, shook his head to get the worst out of his eyes. "S — sorry," he gasped, his apology heartfelt. "I haven't tried that before... didn't realize it would be quite so . . . don't worry, though, Stinksap's not poisonous."
Dawn, however, wasn't too pleased with the aftermath. She looked down at her now-ruined shirt, her voice carrying a tinge of disappointment. "Yeah, but my clothes are ruined. This shirt was a birthday gift from Hermione."
At that precise moment, the door of their compartment slid open, and in walked Cho Chang. Dawn's heart sank as she saw Harry's face light up upon seeing Cho, her presence bringing a sudden shift in the atmosphere.
"Oh . . . hello, Harry," said Cho, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "Urn . . . bad time?"
Dawn's heart ached, and she wished silently, 'Harry, tell her to go away.'
"Oh... hi," said Harry blankly, caught off guard by Cho's unexpected visit.
"Um..." said Cho, her hesitation apparent. "Well... just thought I'd say hello... bye then." She began to retreat, sensing that her timing was off, and Dawn silently willed her to leave.
"Never mind," said Ginny, always quick to diffuse tension and make everyone feel at ease. "Look, we can easily get rid of all this." She pulled out her wand and, with a deft wave, cast the Scourgify spell. The Stinksap vanished, leaving no trace behind.
Dawn looked at her now-clean shirt and smiled with relief, hiding her true feelings. "Thank God. Hermione would be mad at me if that shirt had been ruined."
"Sorry," said Neville again, in a small voice, his apology sincere, a reminder that accidents could happen to even the best of them, though Dawn couldn't help but wish it had been Cho who had been inconvenienced instead.
Buffy, Ron, and Hermione did not turn up for nearly an hour.
"I'm starving," said Ron, stowing Pigwidgeon next to Hedwig, and grabbing a Chocolate Frog from Harry.
"Well, there are two fifth-year prefects from each house," said Hermione, finally providing an explanation for their tardiness. "'Boy and girl from each."
Dawn sighed, "Please tell me Malfoy is not a prefect."
Ron nodded solemnly, confirming her fears, "We can't, Dawn."
"And that complete cow Pansy Parkinson," said Hermione, her voice laced with bitterness and disdain.
"Hermione Joyce Summers!" Buffy exclaimed, her tone firm and reprimanding. "You don't have to like Ms. Parkinson. But no one is a cow. How would you like it if someone called you a cow?"
Hermione, recognizing Buffy's point, sighed and nodded in agreement. She knew she wouldn't like it. "Sorry, Buffy."
"Who are Hufflepuff's?" Harry asked, seeking to understand the full line-up of prefects.
"Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott," said Ron, his voice somewhat muffled due to his mouth being full of Chocolate Frog.
"And Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil for Ravenclaw," added Hermione, providing the final pieces of the puzzle.
"We're supposed to patrol the corridors every so often," Ron explained, his enthusiasm for the new role evident. "And we can give out punishments if people are misbehaving. I can't wait to get Crabbe and Goyle for something..."
Buffy frowned, her sense of justice unwavering. "Mr. Weasley, you're not supposed to abuse your position."
"Yeah, right, because Malfoy won't abuse it at all," Ron retorted, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Buffy sighed, realizing the challenge that lay ahead. "Then he better hope I don't see it."
"Anything good in there?" asked Ron, peering at Luna's Quibbler with a curious expression.
"Of course not," said Hermione scathingly, her dismissal of the publication evident. "The Quibbler's rubbish, everyone knows that."
Buffy rolled her eyes at Hermione's bluntness.
"Excuse me," said Luna, her voice serene and unperturbed. "My father's the editor."
Dawn couldn't help but react to Hermione's comment. She shook her head and delivered a light slap to her twin's head, her way of expressing her disapproval. "Way to go, 'Mione. Insult her."
Hermione, rubbing the back of her head, tried to backtrack, realizing her mistake. "'Well... it's got some interesting... I mean, it's quite…"
Dawn stepped in to smooth things over, her words carrying an air of diplomacy. "Pay no attention to my babbling twin. She meant no disrespect."
That's when they saw Draco Malfoy smirking from the door, his presence instantly causing tension in the compartment.
"What?" Harry said, his tone aggressive, clearly not in the mood for Malfoy's taunts.
"Manners, Potter, or I'll have to give you a detention," drawled Malfoy, his voice dripping with condescension.
"Mr. Malfoy, you will not abuse your power or I will see you stripped of it," Buffy said sternly, her authority undeniable, even to Malfoy.
Malfoy glared at Buffy but ultimately complied, his voice laced with forced respect. "Yes, Professor." He quickly left, Crabbe and Goyle following in his wake. Malfoy had a deep-seated dislike for Buffy, but even his father had warned him not to cross her if he could help it. That meant anytime he talked to the Summers twins, he made sure she was nowhere around, avoiding a direct confrontation.
"Chuck us another Frog," said Ron, eager to return to a more pleasant topic of conversation and leave the encounter with Malfoy behind.
"We'd better change," said Hermione at last, and all of them opened their trunks with difficulty and pulled on their school robes. Buffy was the last to don her own robes.
Dawn smiled at her twin as Hermione and Ron pinned their prefect badges to their chests. "Have I told you how proud I am of you, 'Mione?"
Hermione smiled in response, her affection for her sister evident. "Many times. But don't think just because I'm your sister that I'm going to let you get away with anything."
Dawn and Buffy laughed at Hermione's remark, knowing that their bond was strong enough to withstand any added responsibilities.
At last, the train began to slow down, and they heard the usual commotion up and down the carriages as everybody scrambled to get their luggage and pets assembled, ready to disembark.
"I got your trunk, Hermione," Buffy said, taking the initiative to assist her sister. "And Dawn has Crookshanks."
Hermione nodded appreciatively as she and Ron left to supervise everyone getting off the train.
"I'll carry that owl, if you like," said Luna to Harry, her soft-spoken offer sincere, as she reached out for Pigwidgeon, ready to assist. Neville carefully stowed Trevor in an inside pocket, ensuring the toad's safety.
"Oh — er — thanks," said Harry, appreciative of Luna's help. He handed her the cage containing Pigwidgeon and hoisted Hedwig's cage more securely into his arms, the weight of his owl's cage a comforting presence.
They shuffled out of the compartment, Buffy being the last one to leave since she was carrying her own trunk and Hermione's.
Slowly, they moved towards the doors, the train station bustling with activity and anticipation. As they got off the train, they heard someone calling, "First-years line up over here, please! All first-years to me!"
The group noticed the person rounding up the first years was Professor Grubbly-Plank, an unfamiliar face instead of the usual Hagrid.
"Where's Hagrid?" Dawn asked, her concern evident in her voice.
"I don't know," said Ginny, her voice tinged with concern. "But we'd better get out of the way, we're blocking the door."
"Oh, yeah..." Harry said, realizing the need to clear the passage.
They walked off towards the carriages, making their way through the bustling crowd of students and families. As they approached the carriages, Harry suddenly stopped short.
"Where's Pig?" said Ron's voice, right behind Harry, echoing the same concern.
Dawn glanced back and realized that Buffy was no longer with them. Buffy had Hermione's trunk, and it occurred to Dawn that Buffy might have already taken a carriage, considering she had to head up to the castle as a faculty member. 'She may have already grabbed a coach as she had to be up at the castle,' Dawn thought, piecing the puzzle together.
"Luna's carrying him. Where d'you reckon—" Harry began.
"—Hagrid is? I dunno," said Ron, sharing Harry's concern. "He'd better be okay..."
A short distance away, Draco Malfoy, followed by a small gang of cronies including Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson, was pushing some timid-looking second-years out of the way, displaying his usual arrogance as he aimed to secure a coach for himself and his friends.
Seconds later, Hermione emerged panting from the crowd. "Malfoy was being absolutely foul to a first-year back there. I swear I'm going to report him; he's only had his badge three minutes and he's using it to bully people worse than ever… where's Crookshanks?"
Dawn held up the cage, her expression revealing her exasperation. "Where do you think, 'Mione? You think I would lose our cat?"
Hermione shook her head, recognizing the absurdity of the suggestion. "Of course not. Where's my trunk?"
Dawn sighed, her frustration evident. "Buffy had it. She probably took it to the castle with her."
"Come on; let's get a carriage together before they all fill up..." Hermione said, eager to secure their transportation to the castle.
"I haven't got Pig yet!" Ron said, having yet to get Pigwidgeon from Luna, but Hermione and Dawn were already heading off towards the nearest unoccupied coach.
"What are those things, d'you reckon?" Harry asked as he noticed some unusual creatures pulling the carriages.
Dawn stopped suddenly, her attention fixed on the creatures. Harry noticed her reaction. "You see them now?" she asked.
Harry looked to Dawn, his curiosity piqued. "You see them?"
Dawn nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Ever since last year. Buffy and I both saw them when we got off the train last year." She referred to the enigmatic horse-like creatures that always pulled the coaches, which only those who had witnessed death could see.
Luna appeared, holding Pigwidgeon's cage in her arms, the tiny owl twittering excitedly as usual. "Here you are. He's a sweet little owl, isn't he?"
"Er... yeah... he's all right," said Ron gruffly, accepting Pigwidgeon without further ado. "Well, come on then, let's get in... what were you saying, Harry?"
"I was saying, what are those horse things?" Harry said, his attention once again drawn to the mysterious creatures.
"What horse things?" Ron asked, perplexed by Harry's remark.
Dawn chimed in, clarifying the situation. "The horse things pulling the carriages is what he's asking about."
"What are you two talking about?" Ron asked, confused.
"I'm talking about — look!" Harry exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency, as he grabbed Ron's arm and wheeled him about so that Ron was face to face with the horse-like creatures.
Ron stared straight at it for a second, a puzzled expression on his face, as if he was trying to discern something elusive. Then, he looked back at Harry. "What am I supposed to be looking at?"
"At the — there, between the shafts!" Harry insisted, frustration tinged his words. "Harnessed to the coach! It's right there in front—"
"I don't think he can see them, Harry," Dawn intervened gently, her tone carrying a note of understanding. "Like you couldn't last year. Hey Hermione, can you come out for a second."
Hermione stepped out of the carriage, her brow furrowed in curiosity. "Yeah?"
Dawn turned Hermione to face the ethereal horse-like creatures. "You can see them, right?"
Hermione gulped, her eyes widening as she took in the surreal sight, and nodded hesitantly. "I thought it was my imagination. I've never seen them before today."
"You all are not going mad or anything. I can see them, too," Luna chimed in, her voice carrying an ethereal calmness that seemed to mirror the otherworldly creatures.
"Can you?" said Harry, turning to Luna with a mix of relief and curiosity.
"Oh, yes," replied Luna, her dreamy gaze fixed on the winged creatures. "I've been able to see them ever since my first day here. They've always pulled the carriages. Don't worry. You're all just as sane as I am."
