56. First week.

The first week at Hogwarts passed smoothly as everyone settled into their routines. Yue, Rachel, and I quickly fell back into the familiar rhythm of school life. The structured schedule, the long hallways filled with moving staircases, and the constant background noise of students chatting and books flipping—it was all something we had grown accustomed to.

With Luna now officially part of the group, things became even livelier. She delighted in teasing Hermione with discussions of magical creatures that Hermione insisted didn't exist.

"I'm quite certain the Crumple-Horned Snorkack migrates through Sweden this time of year," Luna said, twirling her wand absentmindedly.

Hermione groaned, rubbing her temples. "Luna, there is absolutely no proof that such a creature even exists."

Luna simply smiled. "Absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence."

Rachel smirked as she turned a page in her book. "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

Luna's dreamy expression didn't change. "I have no idea what you mean."

While Harry had started joining our study sessions, Ron remained uninterested in actual studying. He would show up occasionally, but rather than reviewing notes or preparing for lessons, he preferred to pull out his chessboard, looking for anyone willing to challenge him. More often than not, he'd try to convince me or Rachel to play a game.

"You're supposed to be smart, right?" Ron grinned, setting up the pieces. "Come on, let's see if you can handle a real strategy game."

Rachel gave him a flat stare. "Ron, I don't need to play you to know you're better at chess."

Ron beamed. "Glad to hear you admit it."

Rachel rolled her eyes and flicked a pawn off the board with her magic. "I just don't care enough to try."

Yue, Rachel, and I had fallen back into the rhythm of Hogwarts life with ease. The structured schedule was easy to adapt to, and there was something almost nostalgic about returning to our usual study habits. Yue was particularly efficient, her focus razor-sharp whenever she studied, while Rachel had a habit of flipping between reading, doodling in her notes, and occasionally getting distracted by a passing thought.

While we attended classes, Serenity remained outside the official school system, spending her days on her own projects. She explored the castle's hidden passages, slipped in and out of places unnoticed, and occasionally brought back interesting tidbits of information. More than once, she had returned with something useful—like a detailed map of Filch's office, complete with notes on the most confiscated contraband.

"I don't think Filch even knows what half these things do," Serenity mused, flipping through a stolen list. "Some of this stuff has been in there for decades."

The biggest change at Hogwarts was Sirius Black's presence as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. To everyone's surprise, he was actually an excellent teacher.

His time as an Auror gave him real-world experience, and he had a practical, hands-on teaching style. He made sure his lessons were engaging, often demonstrating spells himself and even setting up mock duels to show how different techniques worked in a fight. He was friendly, liked jokes, and had a natural charisma that made students gravitate toward him.

"Defense isn't about memorization," Sirius had told us on the first day. "It's about instinct, knowing when to act, and understanding how to use what you have. A book won't save your life if you don't know how to apply what's in it."

Harry clearly enjoyed having him around, though he was still adjusting to the idea of having a godfather. Sirius, for his part, made an effort to bond with him without pushing too hard.

Oddly enough, Sirius was also curious about me.

It wasn't the same attention he gave Harry—he wasn't trying to form a bond, but he was watching me closely. I often caught him observing me in class, his gaze thoughtful, as if he were trying to figure something out. He had asked a few questions—nothing too prying, just casual inquiries about my background and family—but I could tell he was intrigued.

If he had suspicions, he wasn't voicing them.

On the other hand, Snape's attitude had only worsened.

With Sirius now teaching at the school, Snape's usual bitterness had escalated into outright hostility. He took every opportunity to undermine Sirius in staff meetings, sneering at his teaching methods, and in Potions class, he had doubled down on his usual favoritism and disdain.

His resentment toward Harry was worse than ever, and he had started docking points for the most ridiculous reasons.

"Potter," Snape sneered one afternoon, "I expected your work to improve under proper supervision, but it seems you're just as hopeless as ever."

Harry clenched his jaw but didn't react.

Sirius and Snape couldn't even be in the same room without tensions rising. Their mutual hatred was palpable, and it was only a matter of time before one of them snapped.

As the weekend arrived, I found myself lounging in the Ravenclaw common room, listening to Luna and Hermione's latest debate while Yue and Rachel read beside me. Serenity perched near the window, flipping a knife between her fingers.

It had been a busy first week.

And the weekend was just beginning.

---

Now that it was finally here and classes were over, it was time to get down to business. Rachel, Yue, Serenity, and I slipped through the Vanishing Cabinet in my room, stepping into the townhouse.

Once there, we called the Knight Bus, and without further ado, we were off to Little Hangleton.

Serenity, of course, had already scouted ahead, locating the Gaunt shack during her free time.

It was a rundown little hovel at the end of a dirt road, overrun with weeds, vines, and bushes. The air was thick with an unmistakable aura of magic, a sickly, lingering presence that clung to the ruins like a stain.

I sighed and cracked my fingers. "Well then, let's begin!"

A large, clear portal appeared over the house and slowly lowered down, cutting through the dirt with precision. It didn't stop until it had swallowed the entire structure, sinking a few feet into the earth. Then, with a snap, the portal closed.

All that remained of the Gaunt shack was a round, empty pit.

Rachel blinked. "That's it? I thought we'd at least have to deal with some kind of cursed defense or an angry spirit or—something."

Yue tilted her head, glancing at the empty space. "It was… efficient."

Serenity, still flipping her knife between her fingers, let out a soft chuckle. "You make everything look too easy, you know that?"

I smirked and held up a finger. "Not quite done yet."

Turning toward the Gate of Babylon, I willed it to open again, retrieving a small, weathered wooden box from within. The ring box containing the horcrux and second deathly hallow. It had been inside the shack under the floors when I scooped it up, and now it sat in my palm, ancient and unassuming.

I didn't open it.

There was no need to.

Yue's gaze flickered toward it, a knowing look in her eyes. "That's it, then?"

"That's it." I let the box vanish back into the Gate, stored safely away.

With that settled, I raised a hand and summoned another portal. This time, rather than taking something away, it carefully returned the Gaunt shack to its original place, restoring it as if it had never been touched. The structure settled back onto the earth, its decrepit, rotting boards creaking in protest.

Rachel folded her arms. "So, to recap: you stole the house, snatched the important bit, then put it back like nothing happened?"

I grinned. "Yup."

Serenity laughed. "You're ridiculous."