The Hogwarts Express rumbled along the tracks, the deep red steel behemoth stood out starkly against the white winter landscape.
Of course, if a Muggle happened to glance at the train, they would instinctively overlook its existence.
Inside the magically heated carriages, the atmosphere was warm and cozy. Everyone had taken off their thick cloaks and gathered together in lively conversation.
Wade's compartment was packed with people, and all of them huddled around to watch a battle between Harry and Neville's magic dolls.
Harry's doll was a lion, while Neville's was a monkey—both were gifts Wade had given them last year.
At school, the professors strictly forbade students from bringing their magical dolls to class or the library, so they could usually only play with them in dormitories or common rooms.
But now, on the train, surrounded by eager spectators, what was usually a simple game had turned into an intense competition.
The lion and the monkey were about the same size and strength, grappling fiercely as cheers erupted around them—
"Go! Go! Bite its back!"
"Throw it! Slam that big guy down! Go for a suplex!"
The lion leaped onto a pile of snacks and pounced, but the monkey dodged swiftly and kicked the lion right on the nose!
Both small creatures let out tiny, fierce roars as they circled each other. But in the end, the monkey, unable to fully utilize its agility in the confined space, made a misstep and lost the battle.
The compartment erupted in cheers. The Weasley twins immediately jumped up, shouting, "Losers pay up! Losers pay up!"
The students who had placed bets grumbled as they handed over snacks, and George even stuffed a few into Harry's hands.
"My turn!" Caryll squeezed through excitedly, pulling out a lynx. "Watch this—my Monalisa won't lose to anyone!"
Ryan smiled and placed a white leopard on the table, grinning through clenched teeth. "What a coincidence. My Oscar is a feline too."
"Let's see who's stronger then!" Caryll said, full of fighting spirit.
A new round of battle began, and even more students gathered outside the compartment, craning their necks to see the action.
Leaning against the window, Wade casually waved his wand and secretly cast an Undetectable Extension Charm on the compartment.
He still wasn't sure how things had escalated—what started as a simple question from Harry about holiday plans had somehow turned into a duel between him and Michael's magical dolls. Then Neville joined in, followed by Caryll, who had just been passing by…
For a transfer student, Caryll had an astonishing ability to rally people. Within minutes, he had drawn in a crowd so large that Wade felt like the compartment was about to burst at the seams.
At this point, unless he transformed into a peregrine falcon and flew out the window, squeezing through the door was absolutely impossible.
His gaze unconsciously landed on Caryll's flushed, excited face, and he suddenly recalled something Dumbledore had said to him…
…
Just yesterday, after their Apparition practice, Dumbledore had suddenly asked Wade a question.
"Do you know why I kept Caryll and Abigail at Hogwarts, even though we both know they might be a problem?"
Wade hesitated for a moment before asking, "For... tolerance and love?"
He couldn't really be blamed for such a sentimental answer—one of his strongest impressions of Dumbledore is that "love is the greatest magic."
However, Dumbledore chuckled at his response, then shook his head.
"Don't mistake me for some naive old fool, Wade. I know when to be tolerant and when to be cautious."
Dumbledore continued, "The reason I kept them at school is because as long as I'm here, I can be certain that they won't be able to do anything at Hogwarts."
He spoke with a calm confidence.
"Abigail is an excellent professor, and Caryll is a warm and cheerful child. They are not our enemies."
"The real enemies are the ones hiding in the shadows, the ones pushing them forward while staying behind themselves. Don't confuse the two, Wade."
Wade frowned. "But… if we let them be, and they end up causing harm—"
"Don't worry too much about things that haven't happened yet, Wade."
Dumbledore replied, "If you always think of the worst possible outcome for everything, you'll never have a moment's peace."
"And don't push away people who might stand on our side. Show them respect and kindness—bonds between wizards are a mysterious thing. Sometimes, they shape destiny in ways we don't expect."
Wade looked at the elderly headmaster, but in his mind, he suddenly recalled the tragic fate of Harry's parents.
His father had entrusted Peter Pettigrew with his life. His mother, back in school, had defended Snape in front of the Marauders despite their differences in house and ideology. And what was the result?
The connections between wizards are indeed mysterious... but even a seed of kindness could sometimes bloom into a flower of betrayal.
Dumbledore seemed to sense Wade's skepticism. He shook his head and said, "Don't let fear of the future make you abandon your principles, Wade. What matters most is walking the right path and staying true to your heart."
…
On the train.
Wade took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
Losing the advantage of foresight was truly frustrating. If he knew their plans and hideouts the way he did with Voldemort, he would have found a way to eliminate them already.
But for now, they could only investigate patiently.
And with these people making their move, Wade's original escape plan was now compromised.
When he had first enrolled at Hogwarts, he had considered that if Voldemort returned and gained power as he had in the original timeline, he could take his parents and flee abroad.
At least in the original story, Voldemort's influence hadn't spread beyond Britain.
But the forces now that had gathered were made up of werewolves, vampires, and Muggles, suggesting that the situation abroad might be even worse—perhaps even more dangerous than in Britain!
At least in Britain, wizards rarely resorted to killing.
While Wade was lost in these chaotic thoughts, his classmates erupted into cheers as Ryan's leopard defeated Caryll's lynx. Another match quickly took its place, with two new competitors.
Not far from their compartment, singing could be heard from another group of students. Before long, it had turned into a full-blown chorus.
They started with Christmas carols, then moved on to the Hogwarts school anthem, and eventually, a group of girls began singing a popular wizarding world song: "A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love."
Sitting next to Wade, Michael hummed along:
"I've got a cauldron full of hot, strong love… And it's bubbling for you!.... Say Incendio, but that spell's not hot….. As my special witch's brew!
Don't you be afraid, come and take a sip….. Of this steamy, tasty treat!..... What's in my cauldron full of hot, strong love... Will make your life complete!"
His breath fogged up the window and formed a misty layer on the glass. Michael reached out and traced a heart in the condensation. He stared at it for a moment before suddenly shivering.
"That's weird…" He rubbed his arms. "Why did it suddenly get so cold?"
Theo, who had been dozing off against Neville's shoulder, was startled awake by the sudden chill. He glanced outside the window and asked, "Is it about to snow?"
Beyond the glass, the sky had darkened into a thick, heavy gray. The lamps in the corridor and compartments seemed to dim, and delicate snowflakes started drifting from the sky.
The students grumbled about the weather and got up to retrieve their thick cloaks.
"Something's not right," Michael murmured, exhaling visible puffs of breath. "Wade, look!"
On the windowpane, intricate frost patterns had begun to spread like feathers. The temperature plummeted rapidly, turning from an uncomfortable chill into a biting cold.
In an instant, it felt as if they had been yanked from the warmth of their train compartment and thrown into the freezing outdoors.
The scene struck Wade as eerily familiar… as if he had seen it in his memories before…
Just then, the already slowing train gave a sudden jolt before coming to a complete stop on the tracks. The lamps that had just been turned on flickered out all at once, plunging them into an eerie silence.
"What's going on?"
"Did you step on my foot?"
"Who's pushing me?"
"Lumos!"
Wade flicked his wand, and a bright light illuminated the entire compartment. He saw Neville had fallen over, while Harry was fumbling to straighten his askew glasses.
Other compartments lit up one by one, and Wade heard Hermione's voice:
"The train must have broken down! Or at least the warming charms have failed—someone come with me to check with the conductor!"
"Wait, Hermione… Maybe it's best not to wander off right now!" Padma warned.
"You stay here, Padma," Hermione replied, raising her glowing wand as she stepped into the corridor. "I'll be right back."
"Wait, Hermione—"
"I-I'll go with you!"
Struggling to pull his wand from his pocket, Harry quickly spoke up. Ron also ran out from another compartment.
"Everyone, get back! Stay where you are!"
Wade finally pushed past the students blocking his way and stepped into the corridor, his voice was firm and commanding. "Stay in your compartments and don't move!"
Hermione was startled by the serious look on his face but was quickly pulled back by Padma.
Wade could already feel it…
A chilling cold swept over him, as if all happiness had been drained away. His breath felt frozen, and an uncontrollable shiver ran through his body.
From the far end of the train, terrified screams erupted from the students.
Gritting his teeth, Wade forcefully swung his wand—
"Expecto Patronum!"
A dazzling silver eagle burst forth, spreading its wide wings as it streaked through the corridor in a blur. It shot toward the end of the hallway, slamming into a towering, ceiling-high creature.
A Dementor.
It stood outside one of the compartments, inhaling deeply, and its entire body was shrouded in a black cloak, revealing only a single, decayed, scabbed-over hand.
It seemed to be reaching for something… or someone. But before it could succeed, the silver eagle struck it directly in the chest.
The Dementor was sent flying as if it weighed nothing at all. But the silver eagle didn't stop there—it chased after the creature, relentlessly driving it out of the train.
As the eagle soared beyond the train, it circled back and forth and its moonlit wings left behind trails of shimmering light that illuminated the darkness outside.
Only then did the students realize—there were many Dementors hovering around the train.
They floated densely in the air, surrounding the Hogwarts Express. They lurked hungrily, but were unable to break through the silver eagle's protection.
Wade clenched his teeth so hard he could hear them grinding.
Suddenly, he recalled something from Rita Skeeter's intelligence report—
"The Ministry of Magic has deployed a special unit to capture Obscurus…"
Of course. A "special" unit indeed.
Dementors could sense human emotions, drain happiness and hope, and spread decay and despair… And Obscurus are born from despair and pain.
The Ministry had tried to use the attraction between dark creatures to locate hidden Obscurus—but had they ever considered whether these things would actually remain under their control?
Wade struggled to maintain his Patronus. But whether it was because his magic wasn't strong enough, or because the joy of the students was simply too tempting, the Dementors continued to linger despite being driven back.
The silver eagle couldn't chase them all away at once—the train was too long. If it pursued Dementors in one direction, those on the other side would seize the chance to move in.
If only there were two Patronuses… Even if they were slightly weaker, it would be enough for Wade to let his eagle go on the offensive.
But the Patronus Charm wasn't something every student was required to learn. On this train, the only ones who probably knew it were Wade and Harry…
That's right—Harry!
"Harry, what are you doing?!" Wade gritted his teeth. "Cast the Patronus Charm!"
Harry wobbled as he stood up from his seat, his face was deathly pale, but he still managed to pull out his wand.
"Expe… Expecto Patronum! Ex… Ex… Expecto…"
A few wisps of silver mist sputtered from the tip of his wand—barely more than what he had produced when he first started learning the Patronus Charm. The shimmering mist flickered weakly, like a candle flame on the verge of being snuffed out.
"Expecto Patronum! Expecto Patronum!"
Harry gasped for breath as he barely stayed upright with Neville's support. He tried to summon a happy memory, but instead, he heard that terrible, desperate scream—
"Not Harry! Please, not Harry… Take me instead… Have mercy… Have mercy…!"
His head throbbed as if it were about to be torn apart. His vision went black, and the next moment, he collapsed.
His wand clattered onto the floor.
"Harry!"
Neville shouted in terror, desperately trying to hold onto his unconscious friend.
Cold sweat beaded on Wade's forehead.
They were facing Dementors at this scale for the first time—it is no wonder Harry can't hold on. But what now? Are we suppose to just hold out like this? Wait until other wizards arrive?
A drop of sweat hit the floor.
"Hang in there, Wade!" Michael shouted. "I've already sent messages to my dad and the professors at school!"
"Me too! My mom said she'll get here as soon as possible!"
"My aunt works at the Ministry! They'll definitely do something!"
The students, who had been frozen in fear moments ago, now spoke up loudly, frantically flipping through their Book of Friends, trying to reach anyone who could help.
But the train was stranded in the middle of nowhere. No one could pinpoint their exact location, and even if their parents wanted to Apparate to help, they could only estimate a general area and search from there.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Suddenly, Wade's vision flared with bright silver light.
A gleaming silver Doberman burst through the air and ran as if on invisible ground, its glow intensified with each stride—then it charged straight toward the Dementors at the rear of the train.
Wade whipped his head around and saw Professor Abigail standing outside the train with her wand raised high, its tip gleaming with brilliant silver light.
--------------------------------
🙏🙏Please consider supporting this translation project by becoming a P@treon member!!!
Your support is greatly appreciated!
Available on my P@treon page for just $4!!
Early access to the following translations:-
⭐Harry Potter: Becoming a Study God (HP:BSG)- +235 Chapters
⭐MCU: Druid's Adventures (MCUDA)(⭐COMPLETE⭐) - Total Chapter 460
⭐Famous Police Detective in Detective World (FPDDW)- +165 advance chapters
⭐Marvel: Little Genius (MLG) (⭐COMPLETE⭐) - Total Chapter 450
[email protected]/Lightreaper457
--------------------------------