The Ford Anglia is parked at King's Cross Station as numerous people walk past it. In the station, Harry, Ron, Matthew, Ginny, Percy, Fred, George, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are desperate to catch the Hogwarts Express before it leaves.

Mr. Weasley: 10:58. Come on, come on!

Mrs. Weasley: The train will be leaving any moment!

Mr. Weasley: Fred, George, Percy, you first!

Fred pushes his cart through the barrier to Platform 9¾, followed by Percy and George.

Mrs. Weasley: [patting Ginny on the back] Okay.

Ginny pushes her cart and runs through the wall; Mr. and Mrs. Weasley follow.

Mr. Weasley: After you, dear.

Mrs. Weasley disappears through the wall; Mr. Weasley goes in immediately after her.

Mrs. Weasley meets up with Ginny as she stands by the Hogwarts Express, which is just about ready to go.

Mr. Weasley: Come on, Ginny. We'll get you a seat. Hurry!

The three run for the train; outside, only Harry, Matthew, Balthazar, and Ron are left.

Matthew: You're coming, Balthazar?

Balthazar: I'll find my way. See you three at Hogwarts.[leaves]

Matthew: Well, see ya. [Mumbles] Probably use that same eagle from before.

Harry: [turning to Ron and Matthew] Let's go.

Ron and Matthew nodded; then the three boys pushed their carts directly for the wall. However, instead of going through the wall, Harry inexplicably crashes into it and falls over; Ron and Matthew lose control of their carts and fall over as well.

A station agent, the same man Harry saw a year ago, notices while speaking to a woman, and approaches Harry, Matthew, and Ron as they get to their feet, groaning from their slight injuries.

Station Agent: Oy! What do you three think you're doing?

Harry: Sorry. Lo lost control of the trolley.

The agent shakes his head at them and walks away; Harry glances at Ron and Matthew

Harry: Why can't we get through?

Ron: I don't know.

Ron touches the wall with his hand, discovering the bricks have become solid.

Ron: The gateway's sealed itself for some reason.

Harry and Matthew touched the wall to see that it was completely solid.

Matthew hears a clock chime,, Harry, and Ron look up at a nearby clock displaying the time 11:00.

Matthew: The train leaves at exactly 11:00. We've missed it!

Harry and Ron: What?!

Ron: [glancing at the clock in horror, then turning to Harry and Matthew] Guys... if we can't get through, maybe Mom and Dad can't get back.

Harry tries to decide what to do about their dilemma.

Harry: Maybe we should just go and wait by the car.

The sound of these words suddenly gives Ron an idea.

Ron: The car...

Harry and Matthew glance at him, wondering what he's got in mind.

The Ford Anglia lifts off into the sky, with Ron driving, Harry in the front passenger seat, and Matthew in the backseat.

Ron: There we go. Now, all we need to do is find the Hogwarts Express.

Harry: Ron, are you sure you know how to fly this?

Ron: No problem.

Down below, a Muggle looks up at the curious sight of this flying car. The car is careening towards the train station's clock tower.

Matthew: Look out!

Ron turns the steering wheel, and they just barely manage to avoid crashing into the clock tower.

Harry: Ron, I should tell you, most Muggles aren't accustomed to seeing a flying car.

Ron: Uh, right.

He presses a button, and the car turns invisible. Later, while they're flying over the mountains, the car reappears.

Ron: Oh, no! The Invisibility Booster must be faulty.

Harry: Well, come on then, let's go lower. We need to find the train.

Ron: Okay.

Ron brings the car down so that they are flying right above the train tracks on a viaduct.

Harry: Now, all we need to do is catch up with the train.

Matthew: We can't be far behind.

A train whistle sounds.

Harry: Do you hear that?

Ron: We must be getting close.

Matthew: Hold on...

Harry, Matthew, and Ron slowly turn around. Hedwig's eyes go wide and Tank covers his eyes with his paws.

Harry, Ron, and Matthew: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!

The boys scream when they see the train is right behind them. Ron gets the car out of the train's path, sending them into an uncontrollable flight around the viaduct.

While they're above the train, Harry falls out of the car, but he manages to grab onto his door.

Ron: Harry! Hold on! [reaching towards Harry] Take my hand!

Harry tries to grasp Ron's hand, but he can't hold it for long.

Ron: Hold on!

Harry: I'm trying! Your hand's all sweaty!

Harry finally manages to grasp Ron's hand, and Ron pulls him back into the car.

Matthew: I think we found the train.

Ron: Yeah.

As the Ford Anglia flies alongside the Hogwarts Express, it puts on its headlights and flies off. Soon enough, Harry, Matthew, and Ron are flying over the lake, and have arrived at Hogwarts.

Ron glances at the castle with a smile as he turns to face Harry.

Ron: Welcome home.

Harry smiles, happy to be back at Hogwarts after such an unpleasant summer.

Suddenly, the Anglia experiences major turbulence as it steers on the left side of the castle, then right. Ron holds the wheel while panicking. The car drives down, still going forward.

Matthew: Whoa!

Harry: Up! UP!

Ron stepped the pedals which had no effect of braking.

Ron: It's not working!

Harry does his best to grab the gear shift to keep the car down. Unfortunately, it's headed for a tree and Ron is screaming while turning.

Matthew: Watch out for that tree!

Ron grabs his wand from the top compartment followed by tapping to the steering wheel.

Ron: Stop! Stop! STOP!

The wand breaks in half. The car crashes into the giant tree, landing in the middle of it. Ron stares at his broken wand.

Ron: My wand. Look at my wand.

Harry: Be thankful it's not your neck.

Something suddenly hits the car.

Ron: What's happening?

Harry: I don't know.

Matthew: Uh guys?

Harry, Matthew, and Ron scream as the tree comes to life, beating up the car with its branches.

Eventually, the car falls out of the tree and lands on the ground.

Harry: Come on, go! Fast!

Matthew: Drive!

Before the tree can grab them again, Ron quickly drives the car out of the tree's range.

A moment later, the car throws out Harry, Matthew, Ron, and their luggage. It ends by throwing Hedwig's cage to Harry, Tank's cage to Matthew, and Scabbers' cage to Ron.

Ron: Scabbers, are you okay?

The car drives off on its own.

Ron: The car!

Harry, Matthew, and Ron chase after the car, only to see it drive off into the forest.

Ron: Dad's gonna kill me.

Matthew: Um, hope you guys have magic car insurance.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron walk into the Entrance Hall with their belongings and pets, which they leave with the rest of the students' luggage.

Harry: See you, Hedwig!

He, Matthew, and Ron then run up the steps.

Harry: So a house-elf shows up in my bedroom, we can't get through the barrier to Platform 9¾, we almost get killed by a tree... someone doesn't want me here this year.

Reaching the top of the stairs, they come face-to-face with the caretaker, Argus Filch, and his pet cat, Mrs. Norris.

Filch: [glaring at them with a malicious smile] Well, take a good look, lads. This night might well be the last you spend in this castle.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron glanced at each other nervously.

Flich: Oh, dear, we are in trouble.

He smiles more devilishly; moments later, Harry, Matthew, and Ron are standing in Severus Snape's classroom.

Snape: [holding up a newspaper article about their flying car at King's Cross Station] You were seen by no less than seven Muggles! [furiously throws the newspaper aside and glares at them] Do you have any idea how serious this is?! You have risked the exposure of our world. Not to mention the damage you inflicted on a Whomping Willow that's been on these grounds since before you were born!

Ron: Honestly, Professor Snape, I think it did more damage to us.

Snape: Silence! [walking around his desk towards them] I assure you... that were you in Slytherin and your fate rested with me, the both of you would be on the train home tonight! As it is.

Professor Dumbledore: They are not.

Harry, Matthew, Ron, Snape, and Filch turn towards the doorway to see Dumbledore standing there, accompanied by his associate, Professor McGonagall. Both of them are looking stern. Balthazar came as well.

Harry: [glancing at Dumbledore and McGonagall] Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Blake.

Snape: Headmaster, these boys have flouted the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry. As such...

Professor Dumbledore: I'm well aware of our bylaws, Severus, having written more than a few myself. However, as Head of Gryffindor House, it is for Professor McGonagall to determine the appropriate action.

Ron: We'll go and get our stuff, then.

Professor McGonagall: What are you talking about, Mr. Weasley?

Ron: You're going to expel us, aren't you?

Professor McGonagall: Not today, Mr. Weasley.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron are both relieved by this.

Professor McGonagall: But I must impress upon both of you the seriousness of what you have done. I will be writing to your families tonight. And you will both receive detention.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron turn back to Snape who casts a glare of pure venom at them.

Professor Dumbledore: And now I suggest that we all return to the feast. There is a delicious-looking custard tart that I am most anxious to sample.

Baltazar: Same old Dumbledore.

Balthazar, Dumbledore, and McGonagall exit the office and Snape follows behind with a disapproving facial expression. Harry, Matthew, and Ron pass Filch. Harry notices an envelope on the ground and picks it up. It's addressed to Filch and is about the basics of magic.

Harry: Uh, Mr. Filch, you dropped this.

Filch eyes the envelope before he grabs it and stuffs it in his pocket fast while looking flabbergasted. Harry, Matthew, and Ron walk on.

Matthew: That was, surprisingly odd.

End of Chapter 13