"Those were Dementors, Ron," Harry explained to Ron. "Dementors are the guards of Azkaban, they're like incarnations of fear—remember how the Dementor drew in so deeply just now?"
Ron and Hermione nodded, still shaken.
"That's the Dementor absorbing our emotions. When a Dementor does that, a wizard can feel the light and warmth being sucked away, gradually falling into darkness and cold, courage and hope fading, fear and nothingness slowly taking over their heart," Harry said, shaking his head. "If not rescued in time, one's soul will ultimately be absorbed."
"Ordinary magic spells can't repel them," Harry added. "Only the Patronus Charm can drive them away."
"What spell did you use just now?" Hermione asked curiously. "You actually managed to vanquish a Dementor. My God..."
"Just a simple little magic spell," Harry answered with a smile. "It was the Ancient Burei Immortal Fire and Fiery Fire; they can restrain Dementors and make them behave a little."
"I think they weren't just behaving, they were dead." Ron retorted, then quickly said, "So can we learn this spell from you? You know, I think it's really cool."
"I'm afraid that's not possible for now, Ron," Harry told him. "Fiery Fire is a form of Dark Magic that requires extremely strong control to handle this flame... and this magic is different from others; if you can't control it, it'll burn everything in sight—it's very dangerous."
"Then let's wait a few years before learning it," Ron said eagerly. "I think we should learn the Patronus Charm as a substitute first."
"Actually, I haven't learned it either," Harry told the two. "I haven't had the chance to learn the Patronus Charm yet."
"So there are things you don't know!" Hermione said, as if she had discovered the New Continent. "Oh my God, I finally know a spell you don't know..."
Just then, Professor Lupin returned.
"Are you all right?" Lupin asked the three children with concern. "The Dementors came to the carriage to search for Sirius Black, but I think the Ministry of Magic is really crazy. Allowing Dementors to board the school train for a search, aren't they afraid these Dementors will harm any of you children?"
As he spoke, Lupin was still somewhat indignant.
"I don't think any of us are hiding Black under our robes," Hermione said helplessly. "Luckily, they've all left, gone far away."
Hermione and Ron had a tacit understanding and didn't mention to Lupin that Harry drove away the Dementors.
After all, Harry had just used Fiery Fire, a profound Dark Magic, and no one wanted Harry to make a bad impression in front of the new teacher.
Lupin saw Ron looking a bit cold, so he took out a piece of chocolate from his pocket and handed it to him. "Eat it, it'll make you feel better."
Then he also gave a piece to Hermione and Harry.
All three took the chocolate and thanked Lupin. Ron eagerly took a bite and was greatly surprised when a warm current suddenly spread to the tips of his fingers and toes.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Lupin said with a smile. "We should reach Hogwarts in about ten minutes. I think I need to tell Dumbledore about the Dementors coming onto the train to search."
"Make sure you don't forget, Professor," Hermione said, still indignant. "My God, this is too dangerous. What if those Dementors sucked someone's soul out?"
Chewing on the chocolate, Ron said, "I think they wouldn't dare, otherwise Dumbledore would tear Azkaban apart."
Soon, Neville and Seamus, dressed in their school uniforms, also arrived in their compartment. After greeting Lupin, they started an enthusiastic conversation about the Dementors, even asking Harry if they should open up a discussion on dealing with Dementors in the Dueling House this year.
Lupin glanced at Harry in surprise, not expecting Harry to start such an organization at school.
But he wasn't too surprised, after all, Harry's father James wasn't exactly a calm person back then—he and Harry's dad were good friends and roommates.
Finally, the train stopped at the Hogwarts station.
Lupin went ahead to have a chat with Dumbledore.
Harry and his friends struggled to get off the train and arrived outside the platform.
At this time, the rain had stopped, but the chill in the air lingered.
Hagrid was still in charge of leading the newbies, but he still found time to spot the five of them and waved to them with a raised hand.
"Are you all right, you guys?" Hagrid shouted to them over the heads of many others.
Harry and the others waved back to Hagrid, but didn't get the chance to speak to him because people around them were pushing them forward along the platform.
Just like last year, a batch of Nightmare Horse Carriages was waiting outside for everyone to arrive.
Ron and Hermione still couldn't see the Nightmares because they hadn't witnessed death firsthand; but Harry could see them, having witnessed death more than once.
After they climbed into one of the carriages and shut the door, it started to move spontaneously, bumping along the way.
There was a faint smell of mold and straw inside the carriage, as if it hadn't been tended to for a long time.
"Look, Harry," Ron suddenly pointed out of the carriage window to Harry. "Is that a Dementor outside? Look at the sky over there, right there!"
Harry followed Ron's pointed direction and indeed saw Dementors circling in the sky.
"Why are they here instead of Azkaban?" Hermione asked curiously. "Aren't they the guards of Azkaban?"
Harry turned his gaze away and said indifferently, "I don't know, maybe they think Black will come here."
"I don't think it's that simple, Harry," Hermione said, somewhat worried. "I always feel like these Dementors are targeting you, aren't they? You drove away several of their kind on the train—they must be the most vindictive creatures in the world... You have to be careful, Harry."
The distant Dementors seemed to have heard what Hermione said and all locked their gazes on the carriage where Harry was.
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