[86] The Space Between

"Draco, they have their reasons for not telling you." Hall tried to comfort him. "You feel like you're being treated like a child — but you are a child."

"But Hall —" Draco looked at him with deep frustration. "You're only a few months younger than me, but I know they wouldn't keep everything from you."

Hall smiled helplessly, patting Draco's shoulder. "If you want to be treated like an adult, become strong first. So your family can trust you."

Draco frowned. "I've been studying hard every day —" He didn't understand how to become stronger. He lowered his head, lost in thought.

Suddenly, he looked up. "Hall, help me."

Hall sensed the determination in Draco's voice — a longing to become stronger. He nodded. Who wouldn't want more powerful teammates?

He was about to reply when a shout came from below.

"Hall, let's go!" Ron called, a hint of displeasure in his voice. He was annoyed Hall had talked to that Malfoy for so long.

Hall gripped the railing. "Coming!" He turned to Draco. "I'm leaving now. We'll talk properly when we get back to Hogwarts."

He went downstairs quickly. Draco stood there, watching.

Hall reached the last step and turned to look up. Blaise and Pansy were already beside Draco, textbooks in hand. Draco had resumed his haughty posture, chin slightly raised.

Hall's gaze met his. "See you at school." He waved and left without looking back.

Draco's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.

Outside, Ron and Harry stood waiting. Harry clutched a thick stack of textbooks. Hall and Ron's books had already been taken by Mum and Dad.

Ron was exceptionally excited, gesturing wildly. "Hall, Harry said he's treating us to ice cream! Mum and Dad agreed too. They've already gone back."

Hall nodded. It would be a good opportunity to ask Sirius about the cup.

They headed to the ice cream shop.

"Thank Merlin Hermione helped me share Lockhart's books," Harry complained. "Otherwise I might have died from exhaustion."

Hall and Ron nodded in empathy.

Lockhart had said Dumbledore contacted him for the Defence post but he was travelling. Hall figured it must have been after Quirrell's accident. Then Sirius returned, and Lockhart missed the job again. Dumbledore's last resort had been Lockhart, but now Sirius was available.

There weren't many wizards to choose from. The curse on the Defence post was no joke. Few dared take it. Dumbledore couldn't risk his only trump card, Snape, being tested by the curse before finding a better candidate, even though Snape had applied countless times.

Dumbledore also had special expectations for Sirius — he hoped Sirius could break the curse on Defence Against the Dark Arts. Hall figured the main reason was Dumbledore suddenly realising he actually had quite a few allies.

"Sirius!" Harry spotted Sirius's signature black, shoulder-length hair from afar. He ran over excitedly.

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Hall noticed someone sitting opposite Sirius. The man had grey hair, wore tattered robes covered in patches. Even from behind, he seemed like an elderly man in dire poverty. But Hall had a guess.

Ron and Hall followed Harry. Harry had already told Sirius about treating them to ice cream.

Sirius turned to look at Hall with disdain. "You're so rich, and you still want to trick Harry into treating you?!" Even though he needed Hall's help, he still disliked the boy. "Harry, let him treat."

Harry gave an awkward smile. Sirius could be more childish than a child at times.

Just then, the man opposite Sirius slowly put down his teacup. "Sirius, you're an adult. Don't do such childish things." The man's voice was unexpectedly young, completely unlike his white hair.

He turned around — a pale, haggard face, like a patient's, yet his features were remarkably gentle. He smiled and beckoned. "Kids, don't listen to Sirius. Come here." He pulled out a chair.

Once they sat, the man placed his hands on his knees, his posture slightly restrained, especially when his gaze fell upon Harry.

Sirius coughed twice, as if urging something.

"My name is Remus Lupin." He gazed at Harry. "I'm James's good friend."

Two days passed quietly before a commotion woke the Burrow.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

Hall was awakened early by a commotion. The Burrow was unusually lively. Everyone hurriedly packed and rushed to the train station.

Unsurprisingly, they arrived right on time.

"Hurry — 10:58!" Arthur urged, striding ahead. "The train's about to leave."

"Fred, George, Percy, you go first," Arthur called.

They quickened their pace, dashing toward the platform like arrows. Ginny, a new student this year, rushed in impatiently. Arthur and Molly followed, needing to help Ginny find a seat.

Hall, Ron, and Harry stood at the back.

"Let's go," Hall said.

Harry nodded and dashed toward the platform first.

But just then —

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Three deafening bangs. Hall felt a tremendous impact. His vision went black. His head slammed hard against the ground — a sharp pain shot through him, like countless needles piercing his scalp.

He clutched his aching head and stood up. Harry had also fallen, his bottom hitting the ground with a dull thud. Worse still, Ron had tumbled over, looking utterly dishevelled.

A raging fire ignited within Hall.

When he saw that house-elf named Dobby, he'd teach him a lesson he'd never forget.

The commotion attracted attention. A Muggle train conductor ran over, asking if they needed help.

"The cart won't cooperate. Thank you for your help," Harry said, clutching his bottom.

Hall tried to avoid a lady who wanted to touch his head. Ron was still completely bewildered.

The onlookers helped pick up their scattered belongings.

"What happened?" Ron finally came to his senses.

"The passage is locked. I can't get through," Harry explained.

Hall stepped forward, probing with his magic. It appeared to be under a forbidden spell — dispellable, but it would take time.

"What do we do now?" Ron asked anxiously.

The clock rang — exactly eleven.

"The train leaves on time at eleven," Harry said, panicking.

"Should we wait for Mum and Dad to come out?" Ron asked.

Hall shook his head. "The spell is bidirectional. Those inside can't get out either."

"Then what do we do? If we miss the start of term —" Harry's anxiety grew.

"I've got it!" Ron brightened. "That train."

"Which train?" Harry asked eagerly.

"No." Hall refused without hesitation. Dad's modified car was still unreliable. Driving it now was less reliable than summoning his broomstick.

"Why not? I saw George and Fred secretly drive it." Ron pouted. "Do you have any other ideas?"

"Have you forgotten they crashed?" Hall mentioned their fate, but Ron still wouldn't give up.

Hall thought for a moment. "Push your luggage and come with me. Don't worry — we won't be late."

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