The night before Harry's return to Hogwarts, Percy complains about the uproar at the [Ministry of Magic] over security at the [Quidditch World Cup]. After a bit of small talk about Fred and George doing "homework," Mr. Weasley arrives as well and mentions a soon-to-be article from Rita Skeeter. When Hermione changes the subject to house-elves, though, Mrs. Weasley shoos them all out of the room.

Ron discovers, while packing for Hogwarts, that his mother has bought him [dress robes] complete with frilly lace. He complains to Mrs. Weasley, making her angry, and as she storms out wonders why he has to be poor.

As the Weasleys prepare to depart for Hogwarts, Amos Diggory's head appears in the fireplace to alert Arthur to a disturbance at Mad-Eye Moody's house. At this, Arthur quickly grabs his cloak and rushes off.

As Arthur departs, Bill and Charlie walk in talking about Mad-Eye Moody, a retired [Auror]. They also let the family know that they'll be escorting them to [Kings Cross], though Percy stays home to work.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione settle into a train compartment, where they overhear Draco Malfoy talking about [Durmstrang Academy]. Hermione updates the others on the enchantments that hide wizarding schools, and Ron wishes that Malfoy had gone to Drumstrang instead of [Hogwarts].

As the [Hogwarts Express] pushes on, several friends stop by to visit Harry's compartment: [Seamus Finnigan], still talking about the [Quidditch World Cup]; Neville Longbottom, who wishes he had gone; and finally, Draco Malfoy, slinging insults as always.

For the rest of the trip to [Hogwarts] Ron fumes over Malfoy's snide remarks about his [dress robes] and his father, even as he, Harry, and Hermione disembark from the [Hogwarts Express], wave hello to Hagrid, and head up to the [castle].