Unofficial Portkey Archive

The train had finally reached Platform Nine and three quarters, and instead of excited students happy to see their families, somber students unloaded the train carriages. They looked like they had come from a funeral. They did, and were very sad that their headmaster has passed so tragically. A red-headed boy, messy black-haired boy and a bushy-brown haired girl all stepped over to a family of red-heads after they had exited the platform and returned to the Muggle world.

“Harry, Hermione, Ron, there you are dears, Ginny’s just behind, good. How are you holding up?” asked Mrs. Weasley.

“It’s only been a few hours since his funeral, but I think we’ll be okay,” said Harry.

“I can’t believe he’s gone,” said Hermione, who was still tearing in her eyes. Harry gave her a small hug, which slightly startled Hermione. Ginny uncomfortably shifted near Ron, who scuffled his feet.

“Well, I do say we better hurry along now. Harry, where are the Dursleys?” asked Arthur Weasley, who was standing next to his wife.

“Oh, I told them not to pick me up. Ron and Hermione are coming with me to the Dursleys. We won’t be there long, just some business I have to take care of. Then we’ll back at the Burrow, we promise.”

“Oh Harry, before we go, there’s my parents real quick,” said Hermione, as she dragged him away from the Weasleys.

“Back me up,” she whispered.

“Hello Hermione, ah Harry, so good to see you again,” said Mr. Granger.

“Hello Mr. Granger, Mrs. Granger, nice to see you again as well.”

“Mum, Dad, I wanted to write you and tell you I was going home with Harry and Ron, but I wanted to have Harry here explain why. Umm, Harry?” He looked at her with wonder in his eyes and she mouthed, “Go on,” to him. He nervously looked at the two dentists, and then to the Weasleys and then back to the Grangers.

“Oh, umm, Hermione and Ron are escorting me back home. You see, my relatives aren’t very understanding, and if I tried to leave on my own, even with Magic, they might not let me. So Hermione and Ron are my moral support, and then we’re going to the Burrow for the rest of the summer.”

“I see,” said Mr. Granger. “And if Hogwarts reopens, are you both planning on returning?”

Harry looked at Hermione, who shrugged her shoulders.

“Well, Harry’s not,” said Hermione. “So umm, the answer for me probably would be no.”

“Why not Hermione? You have a great future ahead of you!” said Mrs. Granger, starting vividly at Hermione.

“Yes, but a long time ago, I told Harry that I’d be there no matter what for him, and I haven’t left him yet have I?” She turned to look at him and stared into his eyes. “I never will, Harry, I promise.” She smiled, and Harry returned it, and clasped his hand in hers.

“Well then Harry, would you three like a ride to your family’s home?” asked Mrs. Granger.

“Sure, that’d be great,” said Harry. They walked over to the Weasleys and hellos were exchanged all around.

“Ron, the Grangers are taking us to the Dursley’s, that alright with you?”

“Sure, that be great!” said Ron. Harry sent Hedwig and his other things with the Weasleys but took his wand just in case. The families said goodbye and parted their separate ways.

After a long drive from Kings Cross, Harry, Ron, Hermione and the Grangers arrived at the Dursleys. Mrs. Granger turned around in her seat to let the teens know they had arrived, and smiled at the most cutest moment she would ever see in her life.

Ron had dozed in the far back of their SUV, while in the middle seat, Hermione had curled herself up into Harry, whose arm was holding her protectively, with Hermione's book draped across their laps.

“Kids, we’ve arrived, wake up.”

Ron stifled a yawn, and caught a glimpse of Harry and Hermione asleep in their seat. He smiled, and laughed as he poked Harry and Hermione on their shoulders.

“Guys, wake up, we’re here.”

“Hmm? Oh. okay Ron,” said Harry, who gently woke Hermione and they blushed as they untangled themselves from each other.

“We’ll be right back Dad, don’t go anywhere!” said Hermione and the three teens walked up to the house. They entered the house only to find it empty.

“Hello? Anyone home?” asked Harry.

“Harry, in the kitchen,” said a voice. He walked in to find Aunt Petunia sitting at the table, looking very upset as she drank her tea.

“Aunt Petunia, are you alright?” asked Harry as Hermione and Ron joined them.

“Vernon left, and he took Dudley with him,” said Petunia. “I’m sorry to hear about your headmaster.”

“Thanks,” said all three teens. They all stood there in silence before Harry spoke up.

“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I just came to fetch a few things I left here, and then I will be gone for good. You won’t have to worry about me, but I promise I’ll come visit you whenever I can.”

Petunia nodded and the three of them retreated to his old bedroom, and proceeded to help him pack the rest of his belongings. A few minutes later, they were all downstairs and out the door.

“Got everything Harry?” asked Mr. Granger as they helped Harry load his belongings into the back.

“Yup, all set,” he said.

“Okay, next stop, The Burrow!”

Location: Salem Junior Military School, Salem, Mass. USA, Colonel’s office

Colonel James Murphy sat at his desk, reviewing the day’s events. He peered out a window and saw that his school’s drill team was working hard for their Regional championship coming up in a week. There was a knock at his door.

“Enter,” said the Colonel.

“Sir,” said Captain Jessica Black as she entered the room and saluted the Colonel. It was his step-daughter and second in command. Colonel Murphy saluted back.

“At ease, Black,” said Murphy. She eased but still remained tense. He became worried as he stared at her. “What is it, hun?” He sipped on his coffee as Black spoke.

“Dad, it’s about Voldemort.” Murphy spit out his drink, nearly spraying Black.

“What?”

“It’s Voldemort, Dad, he’s on the attack. I just received word from Remus Lupin over at Hogwarts. Apparently, three underground stations and a bus exploded this morning. Over 50 Muggles were killed, hundreds were hurt.”

“Shit, I’d heard about that, but I didn’t think it was the work of Death Eaters.”

“Yes, the Death Eaters disguised themselves as Muggles and used homemade bombs in muggle sacks. Unfortunately,” Black continued, “Aurors stepped in and wiped the memory of hundreds of Muggles. Terrible publicity for the Ministry of Magic over there.”

“Is that all you wanted to talk to me about?” asked Murphy.

“No, he also told me that Hogwarts closed. Dumbledore is dead.”

“Oh shit…” cursed Murphy.

“Permission to speak sir?” asked Black.

“Granted,” said Murphy.

“I move that we close this school,” said Black. “For the safety of ourselves and those around us. We could be a target.” Murphy widened his eyes and nodded.

“That sounds logical. But how are we going to explain our reason for closing?”

“I’ll meet with the witches and wizards at this school, and you can meet with the Muggles.”

“Sounds like a plan,” said Colonel Murphy and he turned on the P.A. on his desk.

“Attention cadets, sorry for the interruption but will the 1st Division Privates, Lieutenants, Sergeants, Captains and Majors please report to the Gymnasium while the 2nd Division report to Sarah Good Hall for an Emergency meeting.”

Jessica nodded her head as Murphy dismissed her and headed to the gym. She sighed as the cadets strolled in, and her fiancé and fellow Captain joined her.

“Jess, what’s going on?” asked James Stevens.

“I’ll explain in a second, love,” said Jessica as she gave him a quick peck on the lips.

“Captain Black, permission to speak Ma’am?” asked a private as the witches and wizard cadets at the school all gathered in the Gymnasium.

“Please hold all questions until the end of this briefing,” said Jessica as she spoke to the group. “For those of you that don’t keep up with the events of our kind around the world, I regret to inform you that Voldemort,” she smiled as a few people winced, “ has struck again. Several death eaters attacked Muggle London blowing up three subways and a Double Decker bus.”

The room gasped, James’ mouth dropped and he stared at her as Jessica continued.

“One of the Wizarding schools over there, Hogwarts, recently suffered the loss of their headmaster and decided, for the safety of the students, to close. My family is over there, and the same with some of you people. After speaking with Colonel Murphy, he decided that Salem Junior Military Academy will be closing as well.”

There was an uproar and some students cried, some yelled, and some just sat in shock.

“What are we to do then, what’s gonna happen?” asked a private way in the back of the stands.

“For now, we will stay open for two more weeks. We do have the Drill team championship coming up and then after that, the school will be closed. I would think everyone goes back to their families until further arrangements can be made. Most of those who are American, will probably go to regular wizard school and us Brits will go back and if Hogwarts reopens, go there. That is all for now, we will brief you again as soon as we get more information. DISMISSED!” She saluted the cadets, and they saluted back, and exited the gym. Jess sighed as James took his hand in hers and he hugged her as she broke down in tears.

“It’s going to be okay, shhh, don’t cry love,” he said. He sighed and continued to hold her.

Location: The Burrow

“Remus, a letter just came for you!” said Molly Weasley as he entered the house after greeting Harry, Ron and Hermione at the gate. He took the letter from Molly and opened it.

It read:

Salem Junior Military School

Salem, Mass. USA

Founded 1967

Headmaster: Colonel James W. Murphy

Dear Uncle Moony,

After your recent news from London, I spoke to my headmaster, a fellow wizard, and we have decided to close the school due to the latest attacks. With our school being full of Muggles AS well as witches and wizards, we had no choice. I certainly don’t want my friends and fellow collegians blown up! (Try and explain THAT to the Cabinet and the President!”)

Any who, our Drill team competition is next week, and after we WIN (no worries, my Divination is paying off) the school will close and I will be returning to London a little less harsh and a little more disciplined.

Love you lots. Say hi to Mum and everyone for me.

Always your favorite,

Captain Jessica Marie Black, United States Junior Military and assistant to Colonel James W. Murphy

“Well, that’s settled, my niece is coming home just in time for Bill and Fleur’s wedding! Everyone will get to meet her.”

Everyone looked at him as if he were crazy enough to be admitted to St. Mungos. He smiled and spoke again, handing the letter to Molly.

“She’s my goddaughter, her father, mother, your parents Harry, and I went to Hogwarts together.” They were puzzled once more and he laughed.

“Her name is Jessica Marie Black. She’s Sirius’ daughter.”

to be continued…