firecracker ???

The platform at King's Cross felt different this year.

For once, it felt like a return to school—not a march towards war.

Harry stood with Lyra and Draco near the edge of the platform, luggage stacked neatly behind them. Kreacher had fussed with his robes before they left. Sirius had magicked a comb into his hair mid-step. Lyra had done absolutely nothing and still looked like she belonged on the cover of Witch Weekly.

"I still can't believe you're not wearing any makeup today," Harry said, looking at her.

Lyra shrugged. "Why waste time on perfection?"

Harry grinned. "I'm so in love with you."

"Obviously."

Draco fake-gagged into his scarf.

They were early as always. Sirius insisted on it.

He paced in front of the train like a general inspecting troops. Lupin leaned casually against a pillar, reading something faded and leather-bound. Regulus sat on the nearest bench, sipping his tea with the bored expression.

"Where's the goodbye speech?" Harry asked. "This is usually where Sirius cries and says something stupid."

"I don't cry," Sirius said. "I glisten with tears."

"You sobbed when Hedwig flew away last year."

"She had my biscuit."

Draco snorted.

Lyra glanced around. "You're all being suspiciously relaxed. It's weird."

Sirius smirked.

Then, just as the whistle blew and the students began boarding, Lupin turned to them calmly and said, "Well? Hurry up."

Draco paused first, frowning. "Aren't you lot... leaving? Or at least saying goodbye?"

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "You think I wore this cloak just for drama?"

"Didn't you?" Lyra asked.

"No," Sirius said indignantly. "Well. Maybe. But not only."

Harry blinked. "Wait, are you... coming on the train?"

"Yes," Regulus said, finally standing up. "Chop chop. I'm not letting little kids beat me to the sweets trolley."

Lyra didn't laugh at her Godfather's joke. "Um, why?"

Lupin gave them a patient smile. "You didn't really think we were going to let you have a peaceful final year unsupervised, did you?"

Regulus rolled his eyes. "Dumbledore's orders. And we agreed."

"Agreed to what, exactly?" Draco narrowed his eyes.

Sirius clapped him on the back. "To join the staff, of course."

Harry's jaw dropped. "You're joking."

"No," Lupin said calmly.

"You—you—" Harry pointed wildly. "You're teaching?"

Sirius winked. "Who better to educate the next generation in Magical Creatures than me?"

Regulus nodded solemnly. "I'm teaching Defence. I redid the syllabus over summer."

"And History of Magic needs fixing," Lupin added. "Binns is gone."

Harry looked like he'd been hit with a Cheering Charm.

Draco looked like he might pass out.

Lyra looked much too tired for her boyfriend and brother's dramatics.