https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-410-Abigail-of-the-Panther-College/13080993/
Chapter 409: Malfoy: He Saved Me?
Chapter 409: Malfoy: He Saved Me?
Silver creatures streaked through the night sky like lightning, the hounds guarding the students on the train, while the eagles soaring high above swooped down, their impact scattering the Dementors.
Countless Dementors finally began to retreat, their shadowy forms blending into the darkness and gradually disappearing.
The lights inside the train flickered and then brightened, and the temperature around them started to rise rapidly.
Cheers erupted from within the train, and many students leaned out of the windows, enthusiastically waving at Professor Abigail.
"Professor, Professor! You've come to rescue us!"
The younger students cried out in excitement.
"Professor Abigail, did you get my message? You came so quickly!"
Several students excitedly jumped off the train and surrounded Professor Abigail, expressing their fear and gratitude for her timely assistance.
"You're amazing, Professor! That eagle is so cool!"
These were the students farther away, unaware of the situation, who had only seen Professor Abigail standing outside the train.
"The eagle is Vold's Patronus! The Doberman is Professor Abigail's," a Ravenclaw student shouted, correcting them with a proud look on their face.
Many students began to shout Vold's name—
"Vold! Vold! Vold!"
The Weasley twins led the cheer, and they even tried to lift Vold up, but he waved his wand, and a gust of wind pushed everyone back a step.
Vold pointed his wand at his throat and said, "Get back on the train. Those things might come back to attack. They're attracted to happiness, so it's best to stay quiet and calm."
Under the influence of magic, Vold's voice resonated powerfully, echoing like rolling thunder throughout the train.
Interrupting the celebration was not well-received, but the students who had just faced the Dementors suddenly recalled the fear and despair they had experienced moments ago, and everyone heeded his advice.
The students who had rushed off the train hurriedly surrounded Professor Abigail and returned to their seats.
The students gestured for silence, and a few Gryffindors even covered the twins' mouths.
The relaxed smiles on everyone's faces disappeared, replaced by tension and anxiety as the gloomy sky evoked unsettling thoughts.
The shadows passing through the clouds from time to time—were they the Dementors still lurking nearby?
Fortunately, the train didn't malfunction, and with a long whistle, the wheels slowly started turning again, white smoke billowing from the engine's chimney.
"Clackety-clack, clackety-clack, clackety-clack..."
The sound of the wheels on the tracks was reassuring.
The silver eagle flew back, from the front of the train to the rear. Some students instinctively reached out to touch it, and their expressions showed surprise at the sensation they felt on their fingertips.
"This is extremely advanced magic..." Penelope said admiringly, "A physical Patronus is very rare."
The silver eagle flew through the corridor, leaving a trail of silver mist behind, dispelling the lingering chill in everyone's hearts.
They watched as the Patronus flew to Vold's side, the bird lowering its head slightly to touch Vold's cheek with its forehead.
Vold patted its wings and pointed at Harry with his hand, and the Patronus understood.
It flew over and landed on Harry, its wings covering his head.
Harry opened his eyes, drenched in cold sweat, and grimaced in discomfort.
The eagle transformed into silver mist and vanished in an instant.
"Hey, mate, how are you doing?" Ron pushed through the crowd, helped Harry sit up, and asked, "Are you okay?"
The others gathered around, concern etched on their faces.
"I... I'm fine," Harry panted, looking around and saying, "Where did those monsters go?"
"They fled," Hermione said. "Vold and Professor Abigail drove them away."
Harry glanced at Vold and quickly averted his gaze, asking, "Who was killed?"
"What?" The others exchanged glances and replied, "No one was killed... just a few people fainted, but everyone is alive."
"That's good..." Harry, sensing the others' confusion, felt the need to explain, "I heard terrifying screams just now..."
The others were puzzled.
When the Dementors appeared, some students had indeed screamed in fear, but they felt that the word "terrifying" was a bit of an exaggeration.
However, considering that Harry might be trying to save face after fainting, everyone tactfully refrained from pointing it out.
"Have some chocolate," Neville offered his chocolate frog, saying, "My grandma says that no matter what happens, eating a piece of chocolate makes you feel much better."
"Thanks, Neville.
Harry took the Chocolate Frog but didn't eat it. Instead, he looked at Vold, embarrassment evident in his eyes as he said, "Sorry, I... I couldn't cast the Patronus Charm just now."
He had been learning the Patronus Charm from Remus for a while now, and he could summon a vague shape, something between a horse and a deer, but it was still somewhat insubstantial.
Harry knew his Patronus Charm was not as good as Vold's, but he never imagined he would be of no help and end up fainting embarrassingly.
He saw Ginny—the little girl, pale-faced and with tears in her eyes, yet standing strong.
But Harry felt weak and powerless, his body trembling uncontrollably, cold sweat trickling down his forehead.
Holding the Chocolate Frog, Harry wished he could disappear into the ground in embarrassment.
"There's no need to apologize," Vold said, shaking his head. "The Dementor's effect on you is stronger than on others because you've experienced more terrifying things. It's not your fault."
Harry was stunned.
Vold nodded at the group and said, "I'm going to find Professor Abigail to ask about something..."
"Go ahead," Michael waved his hand. "We're not kids anymore; we can take care of ourselves."
And with that, Vold turned and left.
The group fell silent for a moment, not knowing what to say. They dared not continue their game but instead comforted each other and tidied up the scattered snacks and toys.
Almost everyone's Friend Account was heating up, indicating their parents' anxious inquiries. The students returned to their compartments and sat down to reassure their families and friends.
Harry touched his quiet Friend Account, his mind flashing back to Vold's words:
"The Dementor's effect on you is stronger because you've experienced more terrifying things."
Then, he suddenly recalled what he had heard earlier:
"Don't move, Harry! Don't move, Harry... Just kill me... Have mercy... Have mercy..."
He suddenly understood that what he had heard wasn't the scream of a classmate.
It was... his mother's last words... left in this world.
Harry's eyes quickly became moist, and he swallowed hard, suppressing the scream and sob that threatened to burst from his throat. He sniffed and took a forceful bite of the Chocolate Frog.
...
Vold made his way down the train corridor, encountering students along the way.
Most of the young wizards were huddled by the doors, gazing at him with awe. Some more outgoing ones patted his shoulder, saying, "Well done, Grey!" and a few even asked to shake his hand solemnly.
Among them was Percy Weasley, the red-haired, freckled boy who had grown quite tall. He shook hands solemnly and said, "As the Student Council President, I appreciate your contribution in protecting this train and all the students on board, Vold Grey. We'll be counting on you for the rest of the journey."
"And... nice Patronus, Vold."
Vold felt uncomfortable with Percy's praise, as he had always disliked people who liked to put on airs.
He quickly shook Percy's hand and asked about Professor Abigail's location before turning to leave.
At that moment, Professor Abigail was in a carriage near the end of the train, surrounded by a group of chattering students, most of them girls.
As Vold approached, he saw Pansy pacing outside the corridor, seemingly wanting to enter but hesitating.
Hearing footsteps, Pansy turned and, upon seeing Vold, averted her gaze, looking embarrassed.
Vold pretended not to notice and raised his hand to knock on the door when he heard a hesitant voice from behind: "Um... Grey..."
The voice was so soft and light, as if squeezed out of a pinhole.
The two individuals in the carriage who possessed the Patronus Charm, Vold and Abigail, had already clashed with the Slytherins several times, especially with Professor Vold, who was unpopular among the Slytherin students, primarily because of the physical pain they endured during their encounters.
Furthermore, many of them had faced embarrassment in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, so as a form of revenge, they urged their parents to expel this unconventional professor from the school—an unsuccessful attempt, but one that still caused considerable trouble for Professor Abigail.
That was why Pansy had been loitering outside the carriage earlier.
She felt that although the professor seemed approachable, he was not easy to get along with.
After some hesitation, she happened to see Vold and instinctively made her request.
She immediately regretted it, feeling like she had brought this humiliation upon herself.
Vold had no intention of agreeing, but as he prepared to ignore her, he suddenly remembered Dumbledore's words—
"Don't push those who might stand with us to the enemy's side. Show respect and goodwill to others."
—Alright.
Although he felt that some people didn't deserve respect, it was a simple matter, and there was no need to foster resentment.
So, Vold changed his tone and said, "Let's go."
"Huh?" Pansy was caught off guard.
Vold looked at her and said, "Weren't you going to check on Malfoy?"
"Oh... Okay... Thanks!"
Pansy awkwardly turned and led the way, almost walking in a clumsy manner. Along the way, she kept stealing glances at Vold, as if worried he might run off at any moment.
Malfoy's carriage was nearby, and he was lying on the seat with Goyle and Zabini standing guard.
However, unlike when Harry fainted and everyone gathered around him with concern, these two were simply sitting in the chairs opposite, looking indifferent. Goyle was even rummaging through the snacks on the table.
"Draco!"
Pansy, paying no attention to the others' expressions, rushed over as soon as she entered, reaching out to touch Malfoy's head. She turned and asked, "What's wrong? He's still like this and hasn't woken up."
Upon seeing Vold entering the carriage, the two occupants were startled and stared at him in surprise.
Vold raised his wand and cast the spell, "Expecto Patronum!"
The silver eagle appeared once more, circling the top of the carriage before landing on Malfoy's body.
The Patronus Charm was an ancient magic that existed even before Dementors came into the world.
The Patronus, summoned by the spell, was an embodiment of positive energy and emotions, capable of repelling dark creatures that disturbed people's minds and dispelling mental shadows.
"You're talking nonsense! I'm not a Muggle!"
Malfoy suddenly shouted, sitting up abruptly from the chair and bumping his head against Pansy's chin, who was leaning over to check on him.
Both of them cried out in pain, one holding their forehead and the other their chin, hissing as they drew in cold air. Pansy's eyes welled up with tears from the pain, and it took her a while to speak.
Zabini let out a snort of laughter, saying meaningfully, "Muggle?"
Malfoy glared at him, then looked around warily and asked irritably, "Where's that monster?"
"Grey chased it away..."
Zabini glanced towards the door and was surprised to find that Vold had silently left.
He didn't intend to hide anything and stated plainly, "He just saved you! Otherwise, you might have fainted until we reached our destination."
"He saved me?" Malfoy asked with a grimace. "Who asked him to?"
Zabini shrugged, while Pansy shot Malfoy a reproachful look.
Malfoy shrunk his neck, feeling even more pain in his forehead.
"Want some chocolate?" Goyle offered a piece of chocolate and asked.
Malfoy took the chocolate and ate it in one bite, then asked grudgingly, "Can someone tell me what just happened?"
...
"Knock knock."
A knock sounded on the door.
Each carriage of the train was not entirely enclosed, and through the glass door, the students saw Vold standing outside. The previously chattering students immediately fell silent.
They exchanged glances, and a girl near the door stood up and opened it, her face turning red as she said, "Um... Vold? What's the matter?"
"Sorry," Vold said. "I'm looking for Professor Abigail."
Through the crowd, he spotted Professor Abigail sitting at the far end.
"Oh..."
Professor Abigail paused, then said, "We're almost at the station, kids. Go and get ready..."
She looked at Vold and smiled, saying, "We have something to discuss."
(End of Chapter)
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