Chapter 96
Two months had passed in the blink of an eye, and the day had finally arrived for the students to board the train to Hogwarts.
A few days earlier, on the day when students gathered with their parents at Diagon Alley, everyone had been filled with joy—shopping for supplies and preparing for the school year ahead.
When Ron and Harry met Albert, their impressions of him changed completely. They were now certain that Albert's father had been unjustly imprisoned and did not deserve Azkaban.
Afterwards, the trio parted ways—Ron with his family to purchase school supplies, Harry with Hagrid, and Hermione with her parents to visit the bookstore.
Albert, left to walk alone through Diagon Alley, felt a solitude he hadn't experienced in two years. Seeing his friends with their families, or with their closest companions—sometimes even a mentor—he felt the raw weight of isolation.
Although his soul had the wisdom of someone older, his body still longed for companionship, tenderness, and kindness—things his friends had, and he did not.
Despite this, he didn't feel sad for long. He entered a nearby inn to grab a bite, hoping to lift the somber mood.
A few days later, the much-anticipated day of boarding the train finally arrived.
The older students rode the Thestral carriages and arrived at the castle first. The first-years, led by Hagrid, followed the path they were supposed to take.
On the train, Albert was unusually the last to board. He found himself in a small compartment with several close friends: Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville.
Hermione was speaking to Ron with a hint of irritation.
However, something unusual caught Albert's attention—someone was sleeping in a corner, face hidden under their cloak.
Albert recognized him immediately. He knew that in the third year, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher would be in their compartment. It was Remus Lupin.
Hermione said, "I told you I found this seat empty, that's why I was late. You'll have to sit elsewhere."
Ron wasn't willing to give in so easily. "No, I was sitting here just a moment ago, but I went to get a drink, and when I came back, you were in my spot!"
Hermione retorted sharply, "Huh? Why lie? If you were really here, then provide proof—"
Before she could finish, the atmosphere of the compartment—and indeed the entire train—suddenly shifted. The air turned icy, as if snow might fall at any moment.
Hermione wrapped herself tightly in her cloak against the cold, her breath creating small gusts of frosty wind.
The sudden change in temperature forced everyone on the train to huddle together, fearful, and the train's lights flickered and dimmed.
Ron shouted, "Hey, Albert! Harry! Hermione! Neville! Where are you?!"
As Ron finished, he felt a light tap on his head and heard Hermione's voice: "Quiet! Your shouting set off the drums beneath me. Are you really this scared?"
Harry added, "What is happening? The temperature… the atmosphere… I can't see anything!"
Though Hermione tried to suppress her fear, instinct lingered. Their apprehension proved justified as a Dementor appeared at the door, while another loomed at the compartment's window.
All four—Neville, Harry, Ron, and Hermione—screamed in terror.
The Dementor at the door moved toward them.
Remus Lupin, still asleep, had been waiting for this exact moment to confront the approaching Dementor.
But he was stunned to see another student, who had arrived just before Albert, step forward and raise his wand toward the Dementor:
"Expecto Patronum!"
To be contined ...