At [Flourish and Blotts], Gilderoy Lockhart stops in the middle of a book signing to invite Harry onstage and announce he'll be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts.

The [Malfoys] corner Harry and the Weasleys, and proceed to make fun of Harry for his popularity and the [Wealeys] for their poverty. Arthur then attacks Lucius, causing quite a scene and infuriating Molly as they depart.

The Weasleys head back to the [Leaky Cauldron], bid good-bye to the Grangers, and prepare to [Floo] back to the [Burrow].

The Weasleys and Harry take Mr. Weasley's car to [Kings Cross Station], stopping to return home twice for forgotten items. With the family now running late, Arthur tries unsuccessfully to convince Molly to let him fly the car.

The Weasleys rush through [Kings Cross Station] and through the barrier to [platform nine and three-quarters], but when Harry and Ron try to get through, they find the barrier closed. Stuck on the Muggle platform with the train gone, they decide to fly the Ford Anglia to school instead.

Harry and Ron fly the Ford Anglia to Hogwarts, following the Hogwarts Express. The trip is glorious at first, but soon becomes hot and tiring. Then when they reach Hogwarts, the car sputters and dies and crashes into a tree.

Harry and Ron realize that the tree they are stuck in is the Whomping Willow, as it promptly tries to attack them. Ron's wand is snapped, the Ford Anglia drives off without them, and Harry and Ron head in toward the Great Hall.

Standing outside the Great Hall, Harry and Ron notice that Snape is not at the feast and wonder where he's gone - when he suddenly appears behind them and whisks them away to his office.