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[Show it to me,] Timeline asked, descending into Her most beloved form—the Trolley Witch.
Time had already stagnated for Black, the rest of the boys and girls ordering Cauldron Cakes. A blurry phantom of Arlen Black replaced the original one as well, interacting with the others.
Black frowned.
After Kai had defeated Mang Jian, it had felt odd that Timeline hadn't contacted him right away. However, knowing how much She abhorred Herpo the Foul, Kai knew that She would contact him sooner or later.
Also, it didn't surprise Black that Timeline didn't include Darcie in this time node.
Darcie was not just a major Storyline Character with Supreme Providence, but also housed Kai deep within her mind.
If this were during the Identity Period, when Kai assumed his original form and used Biokinesis to look like Darcie, then Timeline might have included her as well.
It wasn't the case this time.
As the Main Mission picked up pace faster than ever, Kai had some drastic decisions to make regarding Darcie.
He had already dedicated an Echo—a sub-AI of Ad Infinitum—which had no other job but to act like Darcie, as if he had never possessed her to begin with.
Now, slowly, this Darcie-Echo was tuning itself more and more in that direction, becoming a completely separate entity.
In this way, Kai could let Darcie act like Darcie, without him needing to unsynchronize himself from Black, as Darcie-Echo remained almost independent of Ad Infinitum.
Presently, as the Trolley Witch loomed at the compartment's door like an old, plump wraith, Black took out an item from the Miscellaneous Rent Box.
The moment it appeared, hisses filled the compartment, like ghosts of ancient serpents slithering around Black.
It was a coffer, a tiny drawer-like box used in old times.
It was black in color, with hues of green lingering on it.
This was the item that Kai had obtained from the Cursed Vault of Fear—Black Coffer—Herpo the Foul and Ekrizdis' Horcrux!
Timeline stretched out Her hand. [Give…]
Black put the Horcrux away instead.
[…] The Trolley Witch stared at Black. [You have already blundered with one, Nyarlathotep. I can keep it safer than you.]
Black smirked. "And do you take me for someone who experiences blunders repeatedly?"
Timeline eyed the item before slowly curling her fingers, pulling Her hand back. [Very well,] She nodded. [For your good, let's hope that is the case.]
Noticing that Timeline had no other task for him, Black suddenly frowned.
"I thought you would give me the Mission to reenact the original storyline event," Black asked. "We are already past the halfway mark to Hogwarts. If I have to make a move, it's best to make it now…"
Timeline didn't reply.
Turning the trolley around, Her lips arched up in the same smirk as Black had shown.
[No need to worry yourself over a mere unrewarding Side Mission, my dear boy,] She said, the compartment's door closing on its own. [It's already taken care of…]
What?!
Before Black could contemplate it further, he fell out of the time node, the taste of fresh Cauldron Cakes filling his mouth.
…
The rain thickened as the train sped yet farther north.
The windows were now a solid, shimmering gray, which gradually darkened until lanterns flickered into life all along the corridors and over the luggage racks.
The train rattled, the rain hammered, the wind roared, but still, Professor Lupin slept.
"D'you think we should wake him up?" Ron asked awkwardly, nodding toward Professor Lupin. "He looks like he could do with some food."
"We are almost there," Harry pointed out. "He might as well eat dinner now…"
Harry's remark made Black frown instantly.
If not now, then when… He thought, looking out at the rain battering against the window. What did Timeline mean—it's already taken care of…
"We can't be there yet," said Hermione, checking her watch.
As if those words were the cue, Black instantly perceived the train losing speed.
In only a few moments, the others began picking up on the oddity as well, Darcie already sitting straight, patting Daphne's cheek, who was sleeping on her shoulder.
The train came to a stop with a jolt, and distant thuds and bangs told them that luggage had fallen out of the racks.
As the noise of the pistons fell away, the wind and rain sounded louder than ever against the windows.
Then, without warning, all the lamps went out, and they were plunged into total darkness.
"What's going on?!" Harry exclaimed.
A blob of light suddenly came into existence.
Darcie's Lumos charm carried a touch of green in it, washing her face in a green hue as well. Saying nothing, she slid the door open and walked out.
From the noise that entered the compartment, it was clear that many students had come out into the corridor.
"D'you think we've broken down?" Ron asked.
"Dunno …" Harry replied.
"Ouch!" gasped Hermione. "Black, keep your dog away from me!"
"Hey!" Ron suddenly shouted. "Did you see that?! Something is moving outside the window!"
Closing the compartment's door, Darcie came rushing in and planted her face against the window, leaning over Black.
Black pushed her away. "Get off—"
"Quiet!" said a hoarse voice suddenly.
Professor Lupin appeared to have woken at last, the light at the tip of Darcie's wand lighting up his tired, pale face, contrasting the alertness in his eyes.
"Darcie, sit down in my place," he said in the same hoarse voice. "The rest of you, too… Stay where you are."
Then, slowly getting to his feet, Professor Lupin cast flames in his hand, holding them out like a torch, and walked toward the corridor.
But the door slid slowly open before he could reach it.
In the doorway, illuminated by the shivering flames in the Professor's hand, was a cabinet, almost a meter tall and decorated with ancient designs, levitating a few inches above the floor.
Then, creating the most unnerving sound, the cabinet rattled —
— and its doors swung open in Lupin's face with a monstrous BANG!
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