Chapter 683: The Dementors
Chapter 683: The Dementors
A loud whistle reverberated through the platform, signaling the departure of the Hogwarts Express.
A gust of steam billowed from the engine's chimney, engulfing the entire station in an instant. The train rattled and began to move, leaving the bustling platform behind.
The Weasley twins hastily shoved the remaining macarons into their mouths, leaning out the window to wave goodbye to their parents.
After finishing his own treat, Albert stood up and addressed the trio. "I need to head to the prefect's compartment."
"Oh, we almost forgot about that," they teased, nudging him. "Now we have a prefect to look after us."
"By the way, take this." As Albert prepared to leave, he paused and handed a small bottle to Fred.
"What is it?" Fred inquired, examining the golden liquid within the glass bottle.
"Cheerful Potion," Albert replied, slightly annoyed.
"We thought it was a Luck Potion," the twins said, feigning disappointment. "Why give us Cheerful Potion?"
"The Dementors will definitely come to inspect the train to see if Black is hiding in one of the compartments," Albert explained.
"Why would the Dementors inspect the train? Is Black really hiding on board?" Lee Jordan found it hard to believe that Black could have sneaked onto the train.
"Black isn't stupid enough to do that. It's probably just a routine check," the trio speculated, seeking clarification from Albert.
"The Dementors won't pass up this opportunity. This train is like a feast for them," Albert said meaningfully. "After they've passed by, drink this potion. It will help lift your spirits."
"Do you think they'll harm the students?" George asked, concerned.
"Those unlucky enough to have their emotions stirred will likely lose some happiness," Albert warned. "If you don't like it, learn the Patronus Charm as soon as possible. You can then cast a corporeal Patronus right at those Dementors' faces. However, if you can't summon a physical Patronus, don't use the Patronus Charm on the Dementors as it will be seen as a provocation."
"See you later," Albert added, waving at Tom the cat. "Come on, Tom. You're too heavy for me to carry around all the time."
As the door closed, Fred commented, "I think he plans to do it."
"But aren't the Dementors the guards of Azkaban?" Lee Jordan frowned, convinced that the Dementors would indeed inspect the train.
"Dementors are evil creatures, and they are unreliable," came the reply.
As Albert walked through the corridors of the train, he felt the weight of many curious stares. Some students even nudged their neighbors and whispered about him.
After passing through several compartments, Albert reached the front section reserved for prefects. Before entering, he took out his prefect badge and pinned it to his chest.
The sound of the opening door drew the attention of everyone inside.
Albert recognized several familiar faces among the prefects.
Sana from Gryffindor, Katrina from Ravenclaw, and Diggory from Hufflepuff had all been appointed prefects. As for Slytherin, Albert didn't bother to pay much attention; the rivalry between the houses was well-known.
Of course, the previous prefects, the heads of each house from the previous year, were also present.
Everyone's gaze fell on Albert, but his presence didn't come as a surprise.
Unfazed by the seventeen pairs of eyes on him, Albert nodded to Percy and Isabel before taking a seat next to Sana, placing the chubby Tom on the table in front of him.
"Ahem." Percy Weasley cleared his throat. "Now that we're all here, let's go over the powers and responsibilities that come with being a prefect."
"Tom has gotten even fatter!" Sana exclaimed, poking the curled-up cat gently.
"He hasn't had much exercise lately, and I'm trying to get him to lose some weight," Albert explained, stroking Tom's soft fur with a hint of helplessness in his voice.
On the other side of the compartment, Percy had already begun his lecture on the duties and privileges of being a prefect.
These included patrolling the school, maintaining order, breaking up student fights and mischief, confiscating prohibited items, assisting professors at Hogwarts, guiding new students from their respective houses...
Additionally, prefects and head students had access to their own common room and were allowed to use the prefects' bathroom in the castle...
In essence, the responsibilities of a prefect weren't overly burdensome. However, Percy, relishing his newfound authority, droned on for over half an hour, much to the boredom and irritation of his audience.
The girls had to endure a few extra minutes of instruction from Isabel.
Once the training session was finally over, Percy sent the new prefects out to patrol and introduce themselves to the other students. In Albert's words, it was time to "flaunt their prefect authority."
"Aren't you going out to patrol?" Percy asked, eyeing Albert with confusion.
"I'm not interested in flaunting my status," Albert shrugged, taking a seat next to Isabel.
Percy was left speechless.
The girls in the compartment eyed the pair curiously, whispering amongst themselves.
"He needs to go on a diet," Isabel cooed as she ruffled Tom's ears. "He's getting too chubby. He won't be able to catch any mice."
"Tom doesn't eat mice," Albert said as he pulled a comb from his pocket. He paused, then took out a photo and showed it to Isabel. "By the way, I forgot to tell you, Tom had a litter of kittens with another female cat."
"How adorable! Do you have more photos?" Isabel murmured, captivated by the litter of kittens in the picture.
"Yes, but this is the only photo I have on me," Albert replied, shaking his head at Tom, who was now lounging on the table, lazily enjoying Isabel's grooming. "He's become quite the cat gentleman."
As the Hogwarts Express continued its journey northward, the scenery outside gradually darkened. Around lunchtime, the rain began to fall, blurring the view outside and causing the temperature in the compartment to drop slightly.
"It seems like he wants something to eat," Isabel noted as she shifted her freshly bought pumpkin pastry, noticing Tom's gaze following its every move.
"No, he's just hungry," Albert said as he pulled out a packet of dried fish snacks from his pocket, tore open the packaging, and fed them to Tom.
"Is that alright?" Isabel asked, concerned.
"This is his lunch," Albert explained, letting Tom finish the entire packet before he licked the empty paper bag, giving Albert a plaintive look.
"All gone. You're on a diet now," Albert teased.
Meow! Tom protested with an indignant meow, turning his backside toward Albert.
"He's angry?" Isabel giggled.
"Who let him get so lazy and out of shape," Albert joked, taking a bite of his pumpkin pastry. He then reached into his Undetectable Extension Charm bag and pulled out a box filled with neatly arranged French macarons, freshly made by his house-elves.
Isabel thoughtfully produced a thermos and poured Albert a cup of steaming milk tea.
The fragrant aroma of milk tea instantly permeated the entire compartment.
The prefects couldn't help but compare their own lunches, feeling a bit envious of the delicious treats the couple was sharing.
"I'm so jealous of how well you two get along," Penelope said, now understanding why the other girls were so envious of Isabel.
This was what a couple's relationship should be like. Those who harbored thoughts of stealing Albert away were clearly deluding themselves.
Isabel also poured a cup of milk tea for Penelope, and the two of them chatted amicably. Soon, Percy joined them, and they casually discussed their plans after graduating from school.
When Isabel mentioned that she didn't plan to work for the Ministry of Magic after graduation, Percy was taken aback.
"We're not interested in working for the Ministry," Albert said calmly. "I'm thinking of opening a shop, selling some things, and continuing my research on topics that interest me. Isabel will probably help me out. We share a lot of similar interests."
"Are you two going to get married?" Penelope asked, intrigued by the topic.
Sipping her tea, Isabel gave a noncommittal reply, "That's something for the future."
"You're so lucky," Penelope said, her eyes sparkling with envy.
"What about you two?" Isabel asked.
After a long silence, Penelope admitted, "We haven't really thought that far ahead."
The Weasley family wasn't wealthy, and if the two of them were to get married, they would have to wait until Percy had worked for a few years and saved up some money.
Moreover, the thought of marriage had never really crossed Penelope's mind, and she didn't dare to entertain such notions.
Percy also fell silent, feeling inexplicably heavy-hearted whenever the topic of their future came up. Changing the subject, he asked, "What kind of dessert is that?"
"Macarons, a famous French treat," Albert replied.
Penelope took a bite, finding it delicious, although she couldn't quite pinpoint why it tasted slightly sour to her.
As the train continued northward, the raindrops tapped against the windows, shrouding the outside world in a dense gray haze. The lights in the corridor and above the luggage racks flickered to life.
"What's going on? Is the train slowing down? Have we arrived at Hogwarts?"
"Not yet," Percy said, checking his pocket watch before standing up. "I'll go ask the driver what's happening."
Albert gazed at the frost that was slowly spreading across the window, his breath forming a faint cloud of condensation. "We have some uninvited guests onboard," he said calmly.
Suddenly, all the lights in the compartment went out, plunging them into darkness.
"Prefects, maintain order!" Percy shouted, his wand illuminating the compartment.
"How do you know?" Diggory asked, furrowing his brow as he peered out the window.
"It's most likely the Dementors checking whether Black is hiding in the train," Albert replied, his wand at the ready.
"How can you be so sure?" asked the Hufflepuff girl next to Diggory, her curiosity piqued.
"Just take a look at the windows. I suspect there are quite a few Dementors out there. They're hungry, and they're about to come aboard for a feast," Albert explained.
"Don't be ridiculous. The Dementors are under the control of the Ministry of Magic..." Percy began, but his voice trailed off as he opened the compartment door. A chill swept through the corridor, and he stiffly looked up to see a cloaked figure standing there, its height reaching the ceiling. His expression froze.
(End of Chapter)
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