Up in the sky, the blue Ford Anglia was bumping and jolting its way through the clouds.
Ron gripped the steering wheel tightly, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Harry, I think the invisibility switch is broken!"
Harry peered out the window and could clearly see buildings far below.
"People on the ground can see us!"
"It's fine, we'll fly above the clouds," Ron said, stepping hard on the gas.
The car shot upward at full throttle and soon disappeared into a dense blanket of cloud.
"Safe now," Ron exhaled in relief.
"As long as we don't get hit by a plane, we're good."
But it didn't take long for a new problem to arise.
"Ron, are you sure we're going the right direction?"
Ron froze.
There were no landmarks in the clouds, one twitch of the wheel could throw them miles off course.
"I… have no idea."
"We need to descend and check," Harry suggested.
Ron had no choice but to steer the car downward.
They cautiously dipped beneath the clouds and scanned the landscape below.
Luckily, they weren't too far off from the Hogwarts Express.
Ron adjusted course and rose back into the clouds.
Fly for a while, then dip down again to reorient. Repeat.
,
Down on the ground, outside a small medical clinic, an elderly man stood at the entrance, hands on hips, firm in his stance.
"I'm not sick! I'm perfectly fine!" he yelled.
"I feel great!"
His son, beside him, tried persuading him patiently.
"Dad, just go in for a check-up. Think of it as a routine exam."
"I told you, I'm not sick!" the old man snapped.
At that moment, he happened to glance up.
A blue Ford Anglia peeked out of the clouds, wobbling in midair.
The old man rubbed his eyes and looked again, but the car was gone.
His face turned ghostly pale.
He turned and stumbled into the clinic.
"I've lost it… I'm hallucinating… it's over," he muttered in despair.
His son blinked.
"What changed your mind all of a sudden?"
"Less talk, more action, get me a full-body scan!" the old man shouted as he rushed inside.
Unbeknownst to them, Harry and Ron had accidentally saved a man from stubborn denial.
Meanwhile, they climbed back into the clouds, still aiming for Hogwarts.
Time passed.
The sun dipped westward as the Hogwarts Express finally arrived at the station.
Charlie stepped off the train, dragging his suitcase behind him. Rudy was tucked safely back into his trunk.
Fred and George followed close behind, looking deeply troubled.
"If Muggles spot that flying car, Dad's job's as good as gone," Fred muttered.
"Let's just hope they make it safely," George sighed.
Second-year students no longer needed to cross the lake by boat. They now took carriages to the castle.
Charlie found an empty one, and just as he sat down, Ernie Macmillan appeared.
"Charlie! Long time no see! You were in the paper so many times this summer!" Ernie said excitedly.
Charlie smiled and greeted him. His assignment buddy (ahem, roommate) deserved good treatment.
Not long after, Hermione climbed up, panting.
"Charlie!" she gasped, hopping into the carriage.
"Fred told me Harry and Ron missed the train, what happened?"
Charlie gave her a quick summary.
Hermione's face went pale.
"They won't be expelled, will they? Hogwarts has strict rules!"
"Relax," Charlie said calmly.
"Dumbledore doesn't expel students over something this minor."
Just then, a familiar voice piped up.
"Um, Charlie?"
Everyone turned.
Draco stood by the carriage, looking rather awkward.
"Can I sit with you?" he asked cautiously.
Crabbe and Goyle stood behind him with expressions that screamed, Who are you and what have you done with Draco?
Charlie shook his head mercilessly.
"Nope."
"Why not?" Draco looked disappointed.
"There's only one seat left," Charlie pointed out.
"You're three people. How's that supposed to work?"
[His Majesty teases his male consort – Tyrant Points +10]
Charlie: ???
What the hell is this system even on about? Someone needs to discipline it.
Draco's eyes lit up. He immediately turned to Crabbe and Goyle.
"You two, go find another carriage!"
"What?!" Crabbe blinked.
"You're ditching us?" Goyle asked, clearly hurt.
"No room! Move it!" Draco barked, shoving them aside.
Crabbe and Goyle wandered off, looking like they'd been dumped and couldn't figure out why.
Draco climbed into the carriage, clearly pleased with himself.
Hermione eyed him warily, her grip tightening on her wand.
But Draco ignored her completely, not even sparing a glance.
With Harry absent, Draco couldn't be bothered by Muggle-borns.
He was here for one reason: to get closer to Charlie. His father had not been subtle about that all summer.
And as a Slytherin, he naturally admired strength.
Charlie, meanwhile, was staring curiously at the thestrals pulling the carriage.
Their skeletal bodies were lined with taut muscle, leathery wings folded at their sides. Their white, pupil-less eyes gave them a haunting appearance.
Yet neither Ernie, Draco, nor Hermione seemed to react.
Charlie figured Ernie and Draco, being from wizarding families, had probably seen them before. Hermione, being a bookworm, had surely read about them.
The carriage rolled forward, making its way toward the castle.
As twilight descended, the windows of Hogwarts glowed with warm light.
"We're almost there," Ernie said excitedly.
Draco looked out the window, his expression complex.
Last year had been rough, especially the beatings from Charlie.
But he had learned his lesson. Better to ally with Charlie than oppose him.
Especially now that Charlie had earned a Merlin Second Class Medal.
"Charlie," Draco said suddenly,
"I wanted to apologize."
His tone was sincere.
"I did a lot of stupid things last year… I hope you can forgive me."
Hermione's eyes went wide. She'd never seen Malfoy this humble.
Even Ernie looked stunned. The Malfoy family was famous for its arrogance. Apologies were unheard of.
Charlie stared at Draco, easily guessing Lucius had pushed him into this.
"Don't worry," he said mildly.
"I never hold grudges. I get payback on the spot."
Draco wiped his forehead nervously.
He knew firsthand how true that was.
He silently vowed never to cross Charlie again.
The carriage finally arrived at the castle gates.
Students poured out, heading toward the Great Hall.
Just as Charlie stepped inside-
BOOM!
A deafening crash echoed through the grounds.
Everyone turned in shock.
A blue car hurtled out of the sky, spiraling out of control.
"What is that?!" someone shouted.
Before anyone could react, the car slammed into a massive, ancient tree.
The entire castle shook from the impact.
<><>---------------------------------------
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Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
💥> Naruto: Mind Control (Highly Recommended)
💥> Bleach: Sephiroth Template
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
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