Later that night, Harry sent an owl to Sirius that read:

Dear Sirius-

I know how important it is to you to become my guardian and how much it means to you to have me become your ward. As such I'd like to propose that you come and pick me up tomorrow morning at Hogsmeade station by Side Along Apparition. This would allow me to bypass the Hogwarts Express and allow us to spend my first day without school together instead of you picking me up at King's Cross late in the day.

-Harry.

The next morning, Harry awoke to Sirius reply, which read:

Dear Harry-

Nice try pup, Seriously, it's clear to me that you have fully embraced the idea of us becoming guardian and ward and I can't begin to tell you how much that means to me. However, Wizarding Law requires all students to use the Hogwarts Express as their method of transport to and from Hogwarts. This law dates back several centuries and had its roots in concerns over large numbers of witches and wizards traveling at the same time or over a very short time span attracting muggle attention. The Hogwarts Express was intentionally created as a thoroughly non magical means of transport for the students to get back and forth from Hogwarts so that they could all come and leave on the same days without attracting muggle notice. And to be honest, I'd have declined this offer even without the law. We will have plenty time together over the next month and in all likelihood today will be the last time you see your friends until your birthday. So, find a nice compartment on the train to share with Colin, Ginny, Hermione, Susan, and Luna and enjoy your last day together for a while. Look forward to meeting you at King's Cross.

-Sirius.

So, as the Hogwarts Express departed Hogsmeade Station, Harry, Colin, Hermione, Ginny, Susan, and Luna shared the very back compartment.

Most of the day was just spend with the friends just happily chatting about whatever subject might come up.

But, late in the afternoon, they received some stunning news.

A furled up newspaper flew into their compartment and landed smack dab in the middle of Harry's lap.

Harry held up the paper to show Colin, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Susan the stunning headline:

SEVERUS SNAPE DEAD. FORMER DEATH EATER KILLED WHILE TRYING TO HELP DUMBLEDORE ESCAPE MINISTRY HOLDING CELL.

The Ministry holding cells are warded against disapparation, " Susan reminded them, "Anyone attempting to escape from them will be killed in the process. That's part of the magic of the Anti Disapparation wards."

"Then why didn't Dumbledore die too?" inquired Ginny.

"Because, " said Harry, who was now reading the article, "He wasn't trying to take Dumbledore by Side Along Apparition at the time of his death although that was his original plan. He went to the Ministry intending to break Dumbledore out, when he got into the holding cell, he attempted to convince Dumbledore to allow him to break him out using Side Along Apparition. However, Dumbledore knew about the Anti Disapparation wards and Snape did not. Dumbledore refused to go, saying that the attempted escape would be too dangerous and that the thought of doing so made him fear for his life. After Snape then called Dumbledore a coward, Dumbledore told Snape of the wards, but it appears that Snape believed Dumbledore was lying about the wards even though he had told Snape the truth about them. Snape then gave up for the day but intended to return in a few days to make another attempt at convincing Dumbledore to escape. When Snape himself tried to disapparate from the cell, he died instantly."

"Wow, " said Colin breathlessly, "If Dumbledore really knows about the wards and truly fears them and does not believe he can overcome them, he may truly be out of the way for good."

"I'm actually surprised Snape didn't know about the wards, " admitted Hermione.

"Snape has always had a rash and careless side to him, " said Luna bluntly, "It would be just like Snape to rush into something like that without fully thinking it through."

"You are so right about that, Luna, " agreed Harry at once, "Somehow, someway, it isn't surprising that Severus Snape met a sticky end."

"He got what he had coming to him, " said Ginny ruthlessly, "Mean and cruel all his life."

"And a former Death Eater to boot, " added Harry, "By all accounts he is no loss!"

"Shouldn't we be sad that a human being has died?" asked Colin.

"Some people don't deserve any tears shed for them or any emotion felt for them and Snape is very high on such a list, " said Harry coldly.

"We don't have to celebrate his death, " said Hermione to Colin, " But Harry is right about Snape not deserving any emotion felt for him."

"This story feels more shocking than sad, " observed Luna.

After the shock of this news had worn off, it was time for the Hogwarts Express to pull into King's Cross.

As Harry departed the train, he found Sirius waiting for him and godfather and godson pulled each other into a tight hug.