"ROAR!"
The deafening dragon's roar reverberated through every passenger's ears, disrupting even Lupin's Patronus charm as the white light at his wand tip dissipated.
Then the dim compartment suddenly brightened.
A breathtaking silver glow studded with starlight cascaded through the carriage like a galactic river.
The Dementor shrieked in terror, attempting to evade, but the 'galaxy' struck it with lightning speed.
Thick black smoke rose from its tattered cloak as the Dementor's screeches intensified. Without hesitation, it fled through the window into the dark night.
Not just this one – the silver river rapidly expanded, soon enveloping the entire Hogwarts Express.
All Dementors searching the train for Black sustained significant injuries, scrambling away in disarray.
In the spacious compartment, Wayne frowned. Only after confirming the absence of that rotting stench did he dismiss the spell, gently soothing the girl in his arms.
"It's over. Go back to sleep."
"Mmm."
Astoria tightened her robe and nestled into the boy's embrace, closing her eyes contentedly.
Seeing the girl's furrowed brow gradually relax, Wayne's mood finally settled.
As if savouring the recent scene, the compartment fell into a brief silence.
Ginny murmured dazedly, "So beautiful..."
"Indeed," Penelope said softly, turning to the boy. "That was the Patronus Charm just now, wasn't it?"
"Correct," Wayne nodded. "Against Dementors, the Patronus Charm is the best choice."
"But the books say Patronuses can only repel Dementors," Hermione interjected rapidly. "If that Dementor had been any slower, you'd have vaporised it."
The whole incident had begun when an unlucky Dementor opened the door.
Its icy aura and unsettling presence had woken the peacefully sleeping Astoria – and thoroughly angered Wayne.
"Any magic, when powerful enough, undergoes qualitative transformation."
"Besides, if they truly couldn't be harmed, why would Dementors fear the Patronus Charm at all?"
Meeting the girls' puzzled gazes, Wayne smiled faintly.
The crowd considered it and found his reasoning sound.
Cho grabbed Wayne's free hand and asked curiously, "So what's your Patronus? I only saw a ring of starlight spreading out earlier—it didn't solidify into a form."
Wayne puffed out his chest slightly with pride. "These little creatures aren't worthy of summoning my Celestial Dragon King. Otherwise, they wouldn't stand a chance of surviving."
"Celestial Dragon King?" The girls silently committed the name to memory.
"Luna, what are you muttering about?" Ginny gave the girl beside her a strange look.
Luna lifted her head and gazed at Wayne. "Stars. There are so many stars around Wayne. I told you before."
"Before?" Ginny tilted her head. "When was that?"
"Charms classroom," Luna reminded her.
"Ohhh." Ginny's face lit up with realisation. "Right! But Wayne wasn't using the Patronus Charm then. How did you see them?"
At the time, she'd assumed Luna was just light-headed from hunger and had shared some snacks with her.
"Don't know. I just saw them," Luna shook her head.
Wayne raised an eyebrow, studying her.
She could see that?
What kind of eyesight did she have?
He was about to ask Luna for more details when the compartment door was abruptly knocked, followed by Ron's voice.
"Wayne! Wayne, are you in there? Harry's fainted—come quick!"
Never mind. He'd ask later.
Wayne shook his head, carefully transferring Astoria into Penelope's arms before stepping over the two and exiting the compartment.
Why Penelope and not Daphne, her own sister?
Simple—he didn't want to jostle his precious little rich girl.
...
Arriving at Harry's compartment, they found a small crowd gathered outside, who promptly parted to let them through. Neville stood between Harry and Lupin like a fleshy barricade, while Lupin wore an expression of helplessness.
"Wayne, please help Harry!" Ron pleaded urgently.
"Don't say it like he's dying," Wayne couldn't help muttering before turning his attention to Lupin, who hovered protectively over Harry.
Lupin's heart skipped a beat.
He knew a thing or two about Wayne.
To ordinary folk, the improved Wolfsbane Potion might just be news, but for Werewolves—the actual beneficiaries—it was a monumental development.
Well, not that he could afford it.
Still, Lupin held Wayne in high regard.
But... someone capable of developing such a potion undoubtedly had deep knowledge of Werewolves. Would Wayne see right through him?
For a moment, Lupin grew tense with apprehension.
Fortunately, Wayne merely glanced at him without comment before addressing Ron. "There's a professor right here. Why call for me?"
"He's the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor," Ron whispered into Wayne's ear. "Harry's been burned too many times. He was calling your name before he passed out."
Wayne: "..."
Lupin: "..."
Though Ron had tried to keep his voice down, the compartment was too small to hide anything.
Lupin felt utterly defeated. Just what kind of predecessors had he had, to leave the students this traumatised?
Wayne crouched down, examined Harry briefly, and declared, "He's just fainted. Nothing to worry about."
"Can you wake him up faster?" Ron pressed.
"Easy." Wayne rolled up his sleeves.
"Smack!"
"Smack!"
Two sharp slaps landed on Harry's face, one from each side.
Ron, Lupin, and the surrounding young wizards all stared in shock.
"Wayne, what are you doing?!" Ron shouted incredulously.
"Waking Harry up," Wayne said matter-of-factly. "Physical methods are usually the fastest. I could've doused him with water, but that risks catching a cold. This is the safest and most convenient way."
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, Harry's body jerked upright and his eyes flew open.
Ron rushed forward with concern. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Harry said, sitting up properly while wincing. "Just... my face hurts a bit. Who hit me?"
Ron opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Wayne calmly interjected, "It was the Dementor."
Harry looked at Ron as if asking for confirmation.
Ron swallowed hard. He wanted to tell the truth, but under Wayne's smiling gaze, his words came out as: "Yeah, those Dementors are vicious."
"Absolutely," the young wizards outside the compartment chimed in, nodding vigorously after Wayne glanced their way.
"Definitely the Dementors!"
Lupin's eyelid twitched.
What the hell... Is Wayne Lawrence some sort of schoolyard tyrant?
He didn't even say a word, yet all these people yielded to him.
This is more terrifying than the Marauders in their prime...
...
With so many witnesses backing Wayne's claim, Harry didn't doubt it. He shuddered and said, "So that monster's called a Dementor? Who was screaming and crying just now?"
"No one screamed," Ron said.
"But I heard it... a woman's voice."
"That was the Dementor's influence."
Snap!
Lupin had somehow produced a large bar of chocolate. "Eat this. It'll make you feel better."
Harry took it but didn't eat, instead studying Lupin. "What exactly are Dementors?"
Lupin reassured him, "Guards of Azkaban. One of the most loathed creatures among wizards. Encountering them makes for a dreadful day—they suck out your happiness and force you to relive painful memories."
"Your reaction was perfectly normal. Don't dwell on it."
"But..." Harry pressed his lips together, glancing at the students still clustered by the door.
"None of you fainted, did you? Only I..."
"If that silver light had come a second later, I'd have passed out too," Ron said uncomfortably, hugging his arms.
"I feel like I'll never be cheerful again."
"That was the Patronus Charm," Lupin said, eyeing Wayne. "Truly remarkable. Even its residual energy could harm a Dementor's form."
"Passable, I suppose," Wayne shrugged. "If they weren't Ministry of Magic employees, those Dementors wouldn't have left this train alive."
"What's the Patronus Charm?" asked an intrigued young wizard from the crowd.
"I know! I know!" Ron said excitedly.
"It's an ancient and powerful defensive spell that repels Dementors and Lethifolds. Extremely difficult to master—only exceptionally gifted wizards can cast it."
"Wayne used it in his first year to defeat a Dark Wizard in the Forbidden Forest."
Harry nodded too, remembering how Wayne had used the Patronus Charm to alleviate the pain of his scar during that incident.
The group murmured in understanding, mentally noting the spell's name.
Lupin, however, studied the silent boy with new intensity.
A first-year casting the Patronus Charm?
"Eat the chocolate the professor gave you, you'll feel better soon," Wayne reminded Harry. "If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."
"I'll go tell the driver the train should depart. Harry, get some rest." Lupin tightened his tattered robes and left the compartment.
Seeing no further drama to observe, the other young wizards gradually dispersed.
Soon, the train restarted, and Wayne returned to his own compartment.
"Is Harry alright?" Hermione asked when she saw him return.
"He's fine. Some sweets and rest will sort him out." Wayne sat beside Penelope. Astoria had woken up, too, grinning foolishly at him.
The train journey continued for over an hour before finally arriving at Hogsmeade Station. Everyone disembarked amidst chaotic scenes.
The crude platform was bitterly cold, with torrential rain pouring down, making everyone shiver violently.
The first-years followed Hagrid, heading to cross the Black Lake by boat.
Wayne conjured a large protective shield, keeping the rain at bay as he escorted several girls to the carriages.
Once everyone was seated, the Thestral-drawn carriages began moving.
"I saw them earlier," Penelope said worriedly, gazing out the carriage window. "There are Dementors in Hogsmeade village, too."
"They're here to search for Black," Wayne said. "But Dumbledore would never let Dementors into the school, so no need to worry."
"Why is the Ministry using those monsters to hunt Black?" Ginny paled. "The thought of the school being surrounded by them is horrible."
"Then learn the Patronus Charm," Hermione said firmly. "If you master it, you can drive them away."
Her determination faltered as she pitifully tugged Wayne's sleeve. "Teach me? Such difficult magic... I'd never manage alone."
The other girls chimed in too—clearly, everyone loathed Dementors.
Except Luna and Ginny.
Luna was inscrutable, but Ginny undoubtedly wanted to learn. Yet Wayne's tuition was too steep...
1000 Galleons...
She couldn't afford that even if she sold Ron.
"I'll teach anyone who wants to learn, but this charm isn't mastered overnight." Wayne shook his head. "Tell you what—tonight I'll make some gadgets to at least keep Dementors from approaching you."
His game wasn't ready yet, but the Dementors' appearance had revealed a new business opportunity. Time to lighten some young wizards' purses first.
"Will they be expensive?" Ginny asked cautiously.
She wanted one too—if the price wasn't too high.
"Free of charge." Wayne smiled. "You brought me souvenirs from Egypt. Consider this a return gift. Luna gets one too."
Luna's eyes widened. "Me as well?"
"Mm. Do me a small favour, and it's yours. Deal?"
The blonde girl tilted her head thoughtfully before replying, "Thank you."
Ginny, meanwhile, lowered her head sheepishly.
Her gift to Wayne had been a bat mummy model. She'd originally intended to buy a pyramid, but the twins insisted Wayne preferred the bizarre—pyramids weren't thrilling enough.
Somehow, she'd fallen for their nonsense and actually bought it.
When Ginny saw the strange look in Wayne's eyes after receiving the gift, she realised she'd been scammed. Furious, she spent the entire evening hunting down the twins.
The carriage came to a gradual halt. As soon as they stepped out, they saw Malfoy taunting Harry.
"Potter, Longbottom says you fainted just now? Is that true?" Malfoy gloated, his face blooming with delight.
"Move aside, Malfoy." Ron tried to push past him, but was shoved away by the stronger Crabbe.
"Did you faint, too, Weasley?" Malfoy deliberately raised his voice. More and more people stopped to gather around, pointing and whispering.
"Make way."
At this voice, Malfoy immediately switched demeanours. "Lawrence, what a pleasure to see you."
"Ah, I haven't paid this term's tuition yet."
"The Sorting Ceremony takes priority. You can give it to me tomorrow," Wayne said offhandedly. "Sort out your issues with Harry privately. Don't block everyone's way."
Had anyone else spoken like this, Malfoy would have ignored them—perhaps even hurled insults. But when it was Wayne speaking, he merely shot Harry a challenging look before stepping aside with his two lackeys.
...
In the Great Hall, thousands of candles illuminated the space as brightly as daylight. The students returned to their respective house tables.
Just as Wayne was about to sit beside Toby and Norman, a voice called out:
"Potter, Lawrence, over here."
Wayne turned to see Professor McGonagall standing by the small door behind the staff table, waving at them.
Exchanging puzzled glances with Harry, Wayne followed.
"Potter, I heard you fainted?" Once outside the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall regarded Harry with her usual stern expression, though her tone carried a hint of concern.
Harry flushed. "Professor, I'm fine now. Professor Lupin said—"
"I know. Lupin already wrote to me," Professor McGonagall interrupted. "But I still recommend you visit the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey is waiting. Go now—you can still make it back for the Sorting Ceremony after your check-up."
"Yes, Professor." Harry trudged off down the corridor, head drooping.
He felt humiliated. Everyone else had been fine—only he had fainted.
"Professor, I didn't faint," Wayne said, unsure why he'd been summoned too.
"Of course not!" Professor McGonagall shot him an exasperated look. "You're in perfect health."
"But those Dementors aren't doing so well."
"The school has received complaints. Thirteen Dementors sustained varying injuries. Lawrence, they boarded the train under Ministry of Magic orders. You... acted rashly."
She, too, disapproved of the creatures' presence, but Wayne's actions had also embarrassed the Ministry.
"They disturbed Astoria's sleep. I told them Black wasn't there," the boy said, his habitual gentle smile fading.
"How about you leave this to me? I'll go reason with the Ministry myself?"