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The Dementors from Azkaban boarding the Hogwarts Express caused an uproar. Many young witches and wizards had seen them.
The Dementors had come aboard to search for Sirius, with the Ministry's approval.
Before they boarded the train, the Ministry had sternly warned them not to attack students.
But expecting a group of mindless Dementors to follow rules was asking too much.
As long as there was happiness, it was food to them.
"I think we should write home and report this."
"Even Dementors came. What exactly is the Ministry doing?"
Draco had lost his usual polite bearing. His face was pale as he cursed. A Dementor had just intruded into his compartment. Fortunately, Draco's common sense was still fairly good, and he recognized it at a glance.
Relying on his immature Patronus Charm, he had barely driven the Dementor out of the compartment.
Even so, he had still been attacked by the Dementor, and he looked drained.
"Are you all right?" Draco turned to the trembling little girl behind him and asked with concern.
There were many Slytherins in his compartment: Goyle, Crabbe, Pansy, Daphne, and Daphne's younger sister.
The little girl Draco had protected was Daphne's younger sister, Astoria.
She was a girl with waterfall-like golden hair, blue eyes, and two dimples when she smiled.
"I-I'm fine. Thank you."
Astoria's face, like Draco's, had no trace of color. Or rather, it was even worse than Draco's.
The younger a witch or wizard was, the more easily they were affected by Dementors.
Even with Draco protecting her, Astoria had still been affected.
"Once we reach Hogwarts, I will notify the Slytherins to hold a meeting tonight."
Pansy's face was ashen. She had also been frightened by the Dementor just now. If Draco had not stood up, the consequences would have been hard to imagine.
The students on the express train were all young witches and wizards, the future of the wizarding world. What exactly was the Ministry thinking? They had actually agreed to let Dementors onto the train. Had they gone mad?
"Here, drink some hot chocolate."
Draco bought a cup of hot chocolate from the trolley witch and handed it to Astoria.
"It helps you recover."
"Thank you."
Astoria spoke softly, took the hot chocolate, and after drinking a little, felt warmth spread through her body. She recovered slightly as well.
She stole a glance at Draco. When her gaze met his, she immediately lowered her head like a startled rabbit, staring into her cup of hot chocolate, lost in thought.
"Draco, how do you know the Patronus Charm?" Pansy asked.
Draco had changed too much over the past year or two. Not only had his personality become steadier, but his ability also surpassed many older students. He was beginning to look like the strongest Slytherin after Dudley.
"Big D had someone teach me. Unfortunately, my Patronus Charm is still not mature enough. Otherwise, that disgusting thing would not have been able to come in just now."
Draco did not hide anything and told Pansy directly.
"As expected of Mr. Dursley!"
The Slytherins in the compartment praised sincerely.
At that moment, in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts.
"Cornelius, do you know what the Dementors just did?"
Dumbledore looked gravely at Fudge. For once, there was no trace of a smile on his face as he said sternly, "They intruded onto the Hogwarts Express!"
"That train was full of students!"
"We must catch Sirius as soon as possible, or I am finished."
Fudge tried to argue.
"Sirius's escape enraged them. They swore they would find Sirius!"
"Cornelius." Dumbledore rubbed his throbbing temples, his tone carrying deep helplessness. "Dementors do not have feelings, much less emotions such as anger."
"They simply found an excuse to leave Azkaban."
"If they are in Azkaban, the Ministry can still restrict their numbers. But once they leave that place, are you confident you can control how many there are?"
"Albus, I had no other choice."
Fudge looked troubled and pleaded with Dumbledore. "For the sake of our many years of friendship, help me this once."
"As long as Sirius is caught, the Dementors will withdraw. They promised me. Until then, please let them serve as guards for Hogwarts. I beg you."
In the end, Dumbledore agreed to Fudge's request.
Even if he had not agreed, Fudge could have forced the matter through.
Because he was the Minister for Magic. In theory, he was one of the most politically powerful wizards in magical Britain.
On one hand, Hogwarts was subject to the Ministry of Magic.
On the other, Dumbledore himself was also subject to the Ministry. Even though he possessed the power to reshuffle the wizarding world, he would still choose to obey the rules.
Because he had once sworn to stay away from the center of power.
Because he was the greatest wizard of the age.
Because he was Dumbledore.
Beside the tall gates of Hogwarts, two Dementors stood on either side, acting as guards. Waves of cold air drifted from their bodies, making passing students shiver involuntarily.
"It is hard to believe Dark creatures like Dementors have entered Hogwarts openly."
"We have to ask Dumbledore and Fudge exactly what they are trying to do."
The students from all four Houses looked unhappy, especially Slytherin. Their faces were unusually grim.
The arrival of the Dementors made them feel as though they had arrived at Azkaban instead of Hogwarts.
Even those destined to become Dark wizards did not want to experience what Azkaban felt like.
Creatures like Dementors would not show mercy just because someone belonged to a certain House. They did not understand personal connections or leniency.
On the train just now, quite a few students had already been attacked by Dementors. Fortunately, no one had died.
The Great Hall was packed with students.
Once everyone was seated, the Sorting Ceremony officially began. Young witches and wizards were assigned to their Houses one by one.
Only after the opening procedures had ended did Dumbledore speak. His expression was rarely so grave.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! I have a few words to say to all of you, and one matter is very serious."
"At present, our school must host a number of Dementors from Azkaban. They are here on official Ministry business."
"They will be stationed at every entrance to the school grounds. No one may leave school without permission. Dementors cannot be fooled by tricks or disguises."
"They do not naturally understand pleas or excuses. Therefore, I warn every one of you: do not give them any excuse to harm you."
Dumbledore emphasized this again and again.
The students had seen the power of Dementors on the train. Even without Dumbledore's warning, their deterrent effect was enough to make the students behave.
"This year, I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks."
Just as Dumbledore was preparing to properly introduce the professors filling the two vacancies, that familiar cold feeling instantly spread through the entire Great Hall.
This meant that the Dementors had entered Hogwarts Castle.
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