Wes and the newly arrived Professor Lupin quickly formed a united front, waiting for the Dementors to make the first move—after all, as professors at Hogwarts, they couldn't be the ones to strike first.
Just as the two sides were locked in a standoff, a group of Aurors approached. They wore serious expressions, crisp uniforms, and their wands were neatly holstered at their waists.
These Aurors were tasked with supervising the Dementors, ensuring they didn't abuse their power while carrying out missions. Whenever a conflict arose between Dementors and others, it was the Aurors' duty to step in and mediate, maintaining order and balance.
Hearing that two Hogwarts professors were trying to prevent the Dementors from boarding and inspecting the train didn't surprise the Aurors in the least.
All of them were Hogwarts alumni and held deep affection for their alma mater. Though they inwardly disapproved of the Dementors inspecting the train, they were bound by orders and responsibilities and couldn't openly oppose it.
Now, seeing two Hogwarts professors standing up to stop the Dementors, they didn't hesitate to side with the school.
However, the Dementors were determined to proceed with the search.
Despite the Aurors' repeated attempts to dissuade them, the Dementors paid no heed and were on the verge of forcing their way into the train.
Wes didn't want to waste words with these creatures. His wand released a billowing stream of silver-white mist that surged forth, swirling and shifting form constantly.
Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, the mist gradually solidified into the shape of a majestic eagle. With wings outstretched, the eagle let out a piercing cry that echoed through the air, brimming with awe-inspiring power and authority.
The eagle dove straight at the Dementors. Feeling the force of the Patronus, the Dementors scattered in all directions and quickly vanished from sight.
"All right, that's settled," Wes said calmly, putting away his wand as he reassured the staff in the driver's compartment and the onlookers nearby.
The Aurors exchanged glances, none of them willing to risk offending this professor over a few Dementors.
With a silent understanding between them, they came to a decision and gave the all-clear.
"Professor Lupin, I'll leave the rest to you," Wes said, and with a flash, he Disapparated.
As soon as Wes left, the students erupted into excited chatter, buzzing with speculation over the kind of magic he had used to repel the evil Dementors.
That awe-inspiring scene was deeply etched into their memories, becoming the first legendary story of the new school year.
After ensuring the Dementors wouldn't return, Wes made his way back to Hogwarts. He walked through the familiar hallways, entered the Great Hall, and quietly took his seat, waiting for the opening ceremony to begin.
Dumbledore approached him immediately and whispered, "Well done. I'll deal with the Ministry—there's no need for you to worry."
Wes lifted his chin slightly, wearing an air of nonchalance. "I never worry about the Ministry."
As the ceremony drew near, he adjusted his robes once more, making sure he looked properly presentable.
"Headmaster, you should be more assertive. Otherwise, the Ministry will just keep pushing."
Dumbledore sighed lightly and said, "Fudge is too timid. If I push too hard, he'll think I'm trying to usurp his position. He might do something reckless."
Wes gave a cold snort. "Foolish, selfish politicians."
He never held much regard for politicians' integrity. In his view, they were often willing to sacrifice the bigger picture for their own gain.
After a few brief exchanges between Wes and the staff, the students began filing into the auditorium. The room quickly filled with excited chatter, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
The students were abuzz with talk of the incident on the train earlier that day, casting occasional glances at the staff table where Professor Wes was seated.
The rest of the professors had arrived as well, their expressions ranging from stern to kind. They waited quietly for the ceremony to begin, some of them whispering to one another in low voices.
Once everyone was seated, the annual opening ceremony officially began.
As Headmaster, Dumbledore stepped up to the podium with a solemn expression. He reminded the students that Dementors would be patrolling near the school grounds and warned them to be cautious and avoid any behavior that might be misinterpreted.
"Dementors do not understand excuses," Dumbledore said gravely. "They are cold, merciless creatures of darkness, acting only on instinct and the tasks assigned to them by the Ministry of Magic."
"But Professor Elwin drove them away today! He summoned a beautiful eagle—what kind of magic was that?" Fred, seated among the students, spoke up boldly, despite feeling a bit unnerved by Dumbledore's warning.
The students broke into lively discussions, filling the auditorium with noise. The professors exchanged glances, clearly impressed by Wes's actions.
Wes, meanwhile, remained calm and composed. He sat quietly, unaffected by the admiring looks from both students and faculty. From time to time, he glanced up at Dumbledore, waiting patiently for the ceremony to continue.
"Silence!" Dumbledore's magically amplified voice boomed across the hall, instantly quelling the noise. Students covered their ears from the sheer volume, and the room fell into a hushed stillness.
Dumbledore scanned the room and continued, "The Patronus Charm is an advanced piece of magic. Even adult wizards struggle to master it..."
He went on to explain the importance and difficulty of the Patronus Charm in detail, ending once more with a warning for students to stay vigilant against Dementors.
Once the ceremony concluded, Dumbledore invited Wes and Lupin to his office.
Lupin looked tense. He stole nervous glances at Wes, already suspecting the reason Dumbledore had summoned them.
"Headmaster, I'm not sure this is a good idea," Lupin said uneasily, rubbing his dry hands together.
"Lupin, Wes is someone we can trust," Dumbledore reassured him. "And you wouldn't want Severus involved, would you?"
Hearing Snape's name made Lupin lower his head in guilt. "We were cruel back then... I don't expect his forgiveness."
Wes had already guessed Dumbledore's intention by this point.
"Wes, I'd like to ask you to help brew the Wolfsbane Potion. I know you have exceptional skills in potion-making," Dumbledore said, laying out his request.
"The Wolfsbane Potion helps werewolves retain their sanity during the full moon. It suppresses the transformation and prevents them from attacking others.
The new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is a werewolf, and this potion is essential for him."
"Alright," Wes replied simply, to the surprise of both Dumbledore and Lupin.
Lupin, because of his condition, had suffered a lifetime of discrimination. In the magical world, werewolves were often seen as dangerous and evil. Despite his efforts to control his nature, the stigma never left him.
He had excelled at school, hoping that talent and hard work would lead to a decent life after graduation. But reality had been harsh. Job after job rejected him, forcing him into a life of hardship and isolation.
At least back then, Sirius and James had helped support him. But with Sirius believed to be a traitor, and the Potters tragically killed, Lupin's world had crumbled.
He fell into deep grief and despair. The loss of his closest friends hit him hard, leaving him emotionally broken for a long time.
He wandered alone in the shadows for years. It was only this year that he gathered the courage to accept the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, driven by a single, unwavering resolve: to protect Harry.
Harry was the son of his dearest friends. He couldn't allow Harry to suffer the same fate.
He made a silent vow to himself: "Sirius, this time... I will stop you."
°°°
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