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Chapter 1267: The Beginning of the Term
🕑 Added 2024-10-20 09:54:05 +0000 UTCHarry couldn't get Malfoy and werewolves off his mind, but thinking too much about such things really did him no good.
Originally, Evan thought that since neither he, Hermione, nor Ron would mention it, the matter would just pass.
But somewhat unexpectedly, he received a letter from Elaine the day before the end of summer vacation.
In the letter, she told them that she was now back in England and was in the Underworld of Knockturn Alley with her uncle.
The Underground World again!
There the vampires had taken over a cave as their base in England.
This stronghold had been abandoned when everyone retreated to Norway, and now the vampires were back there.
Dumbledore probably hoped that the vampires could fight against werewolves and prevent or delay their occupation of the Underground World.
After all, it was not a good thing to let the werewolf army and Voldemort's power expand there uncontrollably.
The details were still unclear, but Harry thought he had found new evidence that there was something wrong with werewolves.
"That's great. We can ask Elaine about that place and the werewolves after school starts," said Hermione.
She was sitting on the windowsill in Fred and George’s room with her feet up on one of the cardboard boxes and had only looked up from her new copy of Advanced Rune Translation to read the letter Evan handed her.
"Vampires and werewolves — that sounds exciting," Ron mumbled.
"And Malfoy," said Harry.
"Don't worry, Harry. Caresius is very powerful. Dumbledore wouldn’t let him and his people return to the Underground World for no reason. If something’s really going to happen there, we’ll get the information in advance and be prepared," said Evan. "So, stop worrying about the werewolves and Malfoy. Let me tell you, why don't we hurry up and pack our luggage? Mrs. Weasley started urging us three days ago, and some of our clothes haven't been washed yet..."
"Ginny and I finished ours yesterday," said Hermione. "You'd better get to it now."
Just then, Ginny opened the door and walked in, just in time to hear their conversation.
“I wouldn’t go in the kitchen just now,” she warned. “There’s a lot of Phlegm around."
"I'll be careful not to slip on it."
In the kitchen, Fleur was sitting at the table, in full flow about plans for her wedding to Bill, while Mrs. Weasley kept watch over a pile of self-peeling sprouts, looking bad-tempered.
"We ‘ave discussed this many times. Bill and I ’ave almost decided on only two bridesmaids, Ginny and Gabrielle will look very sweet togezzer. I am theenking of dressing zem in pale gold — pink would of course be ’orrible with Ginny’s ’air —
“As for the groomsmen, Bill ‘as a few close friends, all of whom ‘e met in Egypt. We’d also like to invite Evan. Gabrielle will surely be delighted. If possible, I ‘ope Dumbledore can officiate our wedding. ‘e’s the most respected wizard. If not, per’aps Professor Flamel...."
"Ah, Evan, Harry, Ron, you three!" said Mrs. Weasley loudly, cutting across Fleur's long monologue. “Good, I was just about to go up to find you, especially you, Harry. I wanted to explain about the security arrangements for the journey to Hogwarts tomorrow. We’ve got Ministry cars again, and there will be Aurors waiting at the station —"
“Is Tonks going to be there?” asked Harry, handing over his Quidditch things.
“No, I don’t think so, she’s been stationed somewhere else from what Arthur said."
“She has let ’erself go, zat Tonks,” Fleur mused, examining her own stunning reflection in the back of a teaspoon and tidying her hair. “A big mistake if you ask —“
“Yes, thank you,” said Mrs. Weasley tartly, cutting across Fleur again. “You’d better get on, you three, I want the trunks ready tonight, if possible, so we don’t have the usual last-minute scramble."
At Mrs. Weasley's urging, they all packed their luggage, and Evan himself didn't have much to prepare anyway.
Also, Fleur invited him to be the best man at their wedding, and he agreed.
The holidays finally came to an end, and thanks to having packed ahead of time, their departure the following morning was smoother than usual.
The Ministry cars glided up to the front of the Burrow to find them waiting, trunks packed; Hermione’s cat, Crookshanks, safely enclosed in his traveling basket; and Hedwig; Ron’s owl, Pigwidgeon; and Ginny’s new purple Pygmy Puff, Arnold, in cages.
Speaking of Hedwig, this owl's attitude towards Evan had returned to normal since she delivered the letter to Elaine.
She no longer bowed to him or brought him dead vole.
Since that night, Evan hadn’t heard the cat’s cry again either...
“I won’t be seeing you off. Goodbye, Evan,” said Fleur throatily, giving Evan a kiss.
"Au revoir, ‘Arry," and she kissed Harry as well.
Ron hurried forward, looking hopeful, but Ginny stuck out her foot and Ron fell, sprawling in the dust at Fleur’s feet. Furious, red-faced, and dirt- spattered, he glared at Ginny angrily and hurried into the car without even saying good-bye.
Harry’s face was also a bit red after Fleur kissed him. Evan was already quite used to Fleur’s kisses — that was just how she was.
Now she had restrained herself a lot. What she had done before was really excessive. She pushed him down and teased him in various ways...
Throughout the ride, Evan couldn’t shake the feeling that Hermione’s gaze lingered on the spot where Fleur had kissed him, but she didn’t say anything.
As a result, Evan didn't know what to explain. He couldn't ask Hermione to kiss him as well. Fleur was really a troublesome woman.
As the car pulled up to King's Cross Station, two grim-faced, bearded Aurors in dark Muggle suits and sunglasses moved forward. They were dressed like Men in Black and, flanking the party, they marched them into the station without speaking.
“Quick, quick, through the barrier,” said Mrs. Weasley, who seemed a little flustered by this austere efficiency. “Harry had better go first, then Hermione, Ginny, Evan, Ron, you two follow them..."
She looked inquiringly at one of the Aurors, who nodded briefly, seized Harry’s upper arm, and attempted to steer him toward the barrier between platforms nine and ten.
“I can walk, thanks,” said Harry irritably, jerking his arm out of the Auror’s grip.
He pushed his trolley directly at the solid barrier, ignoring his silent companion. After Harry disappeared onto the platform, the Auror quickly followed. Evan and Ron, with Hermione ahead of them, swiftly crossed through as well. Behind them were Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and the second grim-faced Auror.
