Before the Dementor attack.
Laughter and chatter filled the Professor's compartment, creating an exceptionally relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.
This year, Hogwarts had hired quite a few new Professors, and Sebastian had arranged for all of them to be in this special Professor's compartment.
After introductions, the Professors gradually became familiar with each other.
They sat in small groups, reminiscing about their youthful school days or enthusiastically discussing their lesson plans.
Lupin and Newt sat in a corner, sharing some interesting changes happening at Hogwarts this year.
"It's quite special to have the Professors ride the Hogwarts Express together," Newt said with a smile.
Lupin shrugged, a slight smile playing on his lips: "This was all Sebastian's idea. He said he wanted everyone to relive their school days."
Newt leaned back in his seat, a faint smile on his face: "I never thought I'd be riding the Hogwarts Express again after so many years. I almost thought I'd never return to this train."
Lupin chuckled: "Yes, this journey certainly brings back a lot of school memories."
Newt raised a hand and rubbed his shoulder, saying with a wry smile: "At first, I was quite enjoying it; after all, school memories are wonderful."
"But now that I've been sitting for a long time, my old bones can't quite take it anymore."
Lupin curled his lips: "Then when you get to Hogwarts, you'll have to give Sebastian a good scolding."
He pondered for a moment, then whispered: "I think Headmaster Dumbledore had other deeper considerations when he agreed to this plan."
"I guess it might be to deal with Sirius Black's escape. If he were insane enough to attack the train, with all the Professors here, at least there would be a response."
Newt raised an eyebrow: "That's a reasonable explanation, but I always feel he wouldn't be that insane."
As they continued their discussion, suddenly, the train gave a slight jolt and began to slow down.
Newt noticed the change in the scenery outside the window. He frowned deeply, his fingers touching the windowpane, instantly feeling an unusual chill.
This feeling...
It's a Dementor!
He abruptly stood up and said to the still-confused Professors: "Dementors are here! Professors who know the Patronus Charm, quickly go out and guard the students to prevent the Dementors from harming them."
The Professors in the compartment immediately fell silent.
Although no Dementor had been seen yet, no one doubted Newt's judgment.
As the most renowned Master of Magical Creatures in the Wizarding World, most Professors had grown up using Newt's textbooks.
They all stood up, gripping their wands tightly.
After a brief arrangement, the Professors who knew the Patronus Charm hurriedly left the Professor's compartment and headed towards the students' compartments.
In this critical moment, everyone displayed extraordinary professionalism.
Lupin also picked up his wand, feeling a growing unease in his chest—Harry!
He involuntarily quickened his pace, hurrying through several compartments towards the rear of the train.
Suddenly, the train came to an abrupt stop, the lights went out, and it plunged into darkness.
The students' noisy voices rose and fell.
"What's going on? Why did we stop?"
"Ouch, don't step on my foot."
"It hurts so much, a trunk fell from the luggage rack and landed right on me. I think I'm injured."
"Where are the prefects? Why aren't the prefects coming out to explain what's happening?"
Seeing this, Lupin had no choice but to shout: "I am the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class Professor! All students, remain seated and do not move. There might be danger in the corridor."
To maintain order, other Professors also shouted.
"I'm the new Potion Class Professor, everyone don't panic!"
"I'm the Charms Class Professor..."
"I'm the Transfiguration Class Professor..."
...
The rain on the windows condensed into ice, and the cold became increasingly biting, as if an invisible hand was slowly strangling people's breath.
All the warmth and happiness in the compartment seemed to have been mercilessly stripped away by something.
Seeing this, Lupin again quickened his pace. He took a deep breath, gripping his wand tightly, ready to cast the Patronus Charm at any moment.
As soon as he entered the last compartment, he saw from a distance a black figure attempting to float into a student's compartment.
Even more worrying, Harry's roar came from the compartment, followed by an invisible spell that directly tore through the wall behind the Dementor.
Damn it!
The Dementor was actually attacking the students!
He quickly raised his wand and aimed it at the Dementor.
"Expecto Patronum!"
A silvery light burst from the tip of his wand, transforming into a bright silver wolf that howled as it lunged at the Dementor.
Inside the compartment, looking at the crack in the wall, a hint of annoyance flashed through Harry's mind.
Blast it!
Although this spell was powerful, it was ineffective against the monster in front of him.
What now?
His head was getting heavier and heavier.
In a daze, Harry seemed to hear screams from a distance, filled with terror and pleading.
Whose voice was that?
His heart felt so heavy.
He wanted to help this lady so badly.
However, he felt no strength in his body, his arms wouldn't move at all, let alone cast a spell.
In the moment before losing consciousness, Harry saw a silvery-white light drive away the monster in front of him.
Then, he heard Lupin's angry roar: "Dementors! The person you are looking for is not here, leave this place!"
Great, Professor Lupin is here.
As Harry relaxed, he completely lost consciousness.
After an unknown amount of time, Harry felt someone patting his face.
"Harry, wake up. Are you alright?"
Harry barely opened his eyes and found himself lying on the seat, with Hermione and Ron looking at him with worried expressions.
Everything had returned to normal; the lights in the compartment were bright, and the train continued to move steadily forward.
It felt like a dream.
However, the broken wall behind Lupin reminded him that a monster had indeed been there just now.
"Harry, eat a piece of chocolate. It will help your condition a lot."
Seeing Harry wake up, Lupin breathed a sigh of relief and handed him the chocolate.
"Don't worry, the Dementors have left. You are safe now."
"Get some good rest. I'm going to talk to the other Professors."
After seeing Harry eat the chocolate, Lupin closed the compartment door and walked towards the front of the train.
"Harry," Ron said excitedly, "What was that spell you just used? It was so powerful, you even tore apart the Hogwarts Express!"
"Professor Lupin couldn't even fix it with a mending charm."
Ignoring Ron's question, Harry frowned and said, "There was a woman screaming just now. Do you know who it was?"
"Harry, no one screamed," Hermione said, telling Harry everything that had just happened with a worried expression.
Harry remained silent, his mind filled with the woman's voice, but no one could provide any useful information.
No one spoke much for the rest of the journey. After about ten minutes, the train smoothly pulled into the station.
Braving the heavy rain, students disembarked one after another, and the scene was chaotic.
The Professors reappeared, maintaining order while casting spells on the students in the rain.
Impervious Charm, Drying Charm, and umbrellas conjured through Transfiguration.
Seeing this, some older students also took out their wands, imitating the Professors to help their classmates dispel the cold.
The Little Wizards were no longer cold and quieted down, orderly lining up to board the carriages under the Professors' guidance.
Before long, everyone appeared in the warm Great Hall.
...
...