"Ho ho ho!!!!"
A warm current returned to every inch of Harry's body, spreading to the tips of his fingers and toes. Before his eyes, a golden torrent streamed, and outside, a shriek of flight echoed like a whistling wind. The moment the golden dragon appeared, the Dementors that had nearly obscured the entire sky vanished in terror.
Watching this scene, Harry felt as if something had exploded in his spine, leaving a numbness.
He instinctively glanced at Ron—who was now looking back at him, and both saw the trembling in each other's pupils.
Lupin looked at Damon with even more reverence, his expression impassive.
"Were those Dementors? Why would they attack the student carriage?"
"I think we'll get the answer soon."
Damon sheathed his wand and returned to the carriage, his demeanor as if nothing had happened, causing Lupin to sigh inwardly.
He then took out a large bar of chocolate, broke off a piece, and handed it to Harry and Ron.
"That must have been rough, wasn't it? Eat this, it'll make you feel better."
Harry followed Lupin back to the carriage. Inside, everyone was still in shock, staring at Damon and glancing at Lupin out of the corner of their eyes.
"That monster just now was called a Dementor? What's that?"
Ron asked, offering his chocolate to his trembling sister Ginny.
"A dark magical creature." Lupin distributed the chocolate to everyone and then looked at Damon. "Master White, I'm going to the front of the train to speak to the driver. I don't think the Dementors have the courage to come back, but please keep an eye on this place."
With that, he walked out of the carriage and disappeared into the aisle.
"Oh my God—what happened to you just now? I feel so cold, like I've fallen into an icy cave."
Ginny's spirits had recovered somewhat, her arms still wrapped around herself. She subconsciously glanced in Damon's direction—she wished she could sit next to him. It would make her feel safer.
Just a thought.
"A hooded monster. I couldn't see anything. I just saw an arm reaching out from the darkness, and then I heard heavy breathing."
Harry sat down, his heart still pounding, and shared what he had seen with everyone.
"Dementors are dark magical creatures guarding Azkaban. They feed on people's happiness—but it seems they can absorb far more than just one thing."
Damon picked up the book again and shared the information.
"No wonder I felt like I'd never be happy again—was it the Dementors' influence?"
Ron's face turned strangely as he recalled the feeling.
Hermione wrapped her arm around Ginny soothingly, her expression grim.
"How did the monster guarding Azkaban end up here? Could it be connected to that escaped prisoner—Black? Are the Dementors coming to catch him?"
As everyone discussed this, the train jolted violently and started moving again.
"Black actually managed to escape from such a terrifying monster? It seems he's even more capable than we thought."
Ron objectively analyzed the prisoner's combat power, not noticing Hermione looking at him with some dissatisfaction beside him - Harry is right here, why are you boosting the enemy's morale and destroying your own prestige?
"Nothing, Damon can do that easily too." Harry looked at Damon, his eyes flashing. "That dragon just now... is it also a spell? Can Ron and I learn it?"
Ron was stunned for a moment, then became excited!
"Yeah, let's just talk about Dementors. What was that creature that was entwined on you just now? Some kind of magical beast? I've never seen such a handsome creature!"
"That's my Patronus." Damon chuckled and raised his right hand slightly - a dragon emitting a faint golden light extended from his arm down, its head quietly crawling on the back of his hand.
"The only way to deal with Dementors is to use a Patronus to drive them away. Everyone's Patronus is different, and it takes a lot of effort to condense such an entity - and everyone's Patronus is different."
"Ah - does that mean I can't have such a Patronus?"
Ron looked frustrated, but Harry was even more excited—what would his Patronus be?
"Can we learn this spell?"
"Of course, but it's very difficult. You probably can't master it yet—especially you, Harry. Your focus should be on another spell right now."
Harry knew Damon was talking about Occlumency—he hadn't yet told Hermione and Ron about the soul splitting. He really didn't know how to bring it up.
And, just like Damon and Dumbledore hadn't told him in the first place—talking about a problem with no solution would only cause more trouble. There was no point in saying it.
"Another spell? Harry, have you been taking extra classes behind my back?"
Ron looked at Harry again.
Harry quickly changed the subject.
"Damon, I think I've mastered it. We can still learn the Patronus Charm—it can protect us, too."
"Well—then let the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor teach you. He knows it, too."
"That Professor Lupin from earlier? Can he do it? I mean, he looks a little frail."
"Ron, haven't you understood the whole thing about Professor Lockhart? What we hear and see isn't always the truth. Only time can tell,"
Hermione lectured him seriously.
"I didn't expect you to bring this up. Have you already given up on Professor Lockhart?"
"Of course, I didn't care about it in the first place."
Hermione's voice suddenly trailed off.
Ron and Harry didn't laugh at her. They both knew how obsessed Hermione had been with Lockhart. The fact that Hermione was now taking the initiative to warn Ron about something she once cared about so deeply only spoke volumes.
"Thank you, Hermione."
In the past, Ron would never have been so frank.
But now, his style of doing things has been getting closer and closer to Harry and Damon.
"No - it's okay - I shouldn't say that to you. In fact, you know it very well, right?"
"Of course - Professor Lupin and Damon noticed the approach of the Dementors at the first time, and walked ahead of us. Just based on this, I think he will be a good teacher."
"Then what did you say before -" Harry was a little surprised.
"Brother - just think of me as a fast talker."
Ron curled his lips. Ginny beside him gradually calmed down. She had just been confused by the Dementors and forgot to be shy. She suddenly opened her mouth and said in her true colors:
"Ron, you are so mean."
"Hey! Ginny! How can you say that to your own brother!"
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