Chapter 408: The Train Ambush
Chapter 408: The Train Ambush
The Hogwarts Express chugged along the tracks, its deep red iron beast standing out starkly against the pristine white snow-covered landscape. Of course, if Muggles were to see the train, they would instinctively ignore its existence.
The enchanted carriages were warm and cozy, and the students had shed their thick cloaks, gathering together to chat. In Vold's compartment, a crowd had gathered to watch Harry's and Neville's puppets battle it out.
Harry's puppet was a lion, while Neville's was a monkey, both gifts from Vold the previous year. The professors had forbidden students from bringing puppets to class or the library, so they could only play with them in their dormitories or common rooms. Now, on the train, surrounded by their peers, the simple game had become exciting.
The lion and monkey were roughly the same size and strength, and they clashed fiercely, eliciting cheers and shouts from the onlookers. "Come on! Bite its back!" "Throw it out! Give it a toss!" The lion jumped onto a pile of snacks, and with a swipe, the monkey quickly dodged and kicked the lion's nose.
The two small animals let out high-pitched roars, circling each other, until the monkey finally lost due to the unfavorable terrain. The compartment erupted in cheers, and the Weasley twins jumped up, shouting, "Losers pay up! Losers pay up!" The supporters grudgingly handed over some snacks, and George even slipped a few to Harry.
"My turn!" Carrel exclaimed, excitedly pulling out a lynx. "Watch this, my Mona Lisa won't lose to anyone!" Lane smiled, placing a white leopard on the table, and said, "Coincidentally, my Oscar is also a feline." "Let's see who's better, then!" Carrel said, his spirit high.
A new round of battles began, with other students crowding outside the compartment, straining to see the action. Vold leaned against the window, swinging his wand, and discreetly cast a Seamless Expansion Charm on the compartment.
He didn't understand how it had started – Harry had just passed by the compartment, asking about holiday plans, and then it turned into a puppet battle with Michael, followed by Neville, and then Carrel, who was just passing by. This guy, although a transfer student, had an incredible ability to rally people, and soon the compartment was packed.
Now, unless Vold transformed into a falcon and flew out the window, it was impossible to squeeze out through the door. Vold's gaze fell on Carrel's excited, flushed face, and he recalled Dumbledore's words from the previous day, after they had finished practicing Apparition.
Dumbledore had asked Vold, "Do you know why I'm keeping Carrel and Abigail at the school, even though we suspect they might be problematic?" Vold had hesitated before answering, "For... tolerance and love?" Dumbledore had laughed and shaken his head.
"Don't think of me as some old, out-of-touch man, Vold. I know when to be tolerant and when to be cautious." Dumbledore had said, "I'm keeping them at the school because I can ensure that, as long as I'm here, they won't be able to do anything harmful at Hogwarts."
Dumbledore's words were confident and self-assured. "Abigail is an excellent professor, and Carrel is a kind and enthusiastic student. They are not our enemies." "The ones who are hiding behind them, manipulating them, are the real enemies. Don't get it wrong, Vold."
Vold had frowned, "But... what if we let them be and they cause harm?" Dumbledore had replied, "Don't worry too much about things that haven't happened yet, Vold. If you consider the worst possible outcome for every situation, you'll have endless worries."
"Also, don't push people who could be on our side to the enemy's side. Give others respect and kindness – the connections between wizards can be remarkable, often leading to changes in fate without us even realizing it." Vold had looked at the white-haired headmaster, and his mind had flashed back to Harry's parents' fate.
Chapter end
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