The Hogwarts Express driver was a middle-aged male wizard who was married to the fat witch who drove the snack cart.
The train, which had been stopped for more than half an hour, started moving again.
On his way there, Lupin noticed that Vincent kept glancing at the stalls along the street, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
"Wayne, leave this to me."
Vincent nodded seriously. "Yes, Professor."
Although he looks poor and destitute, he is much more reliable than Quirrell and Lockhart.
He stepped out of the driver's seat alone and suddenly frowned.
Lupin knows the Patronus Charm, Apparition to Hogwarts shouldn't be a problem.
He appeared on the school bus and shared a compartment with Harry...
"Wayne!"
Vincent walked past Draco, who was clenching his fists.
If it's not a coincidence, then Lupin must have been sent by Dumbledore to protect him...
"Wayne! You stop right there!"
Vincent, his thoughts disrupted once again, stopped.
He glanced back at Draco, whose little face was flushed, then continued walking forward on his own.
Sirius Black's goal is Harry, so he should choose someone with a higher level of magic.
Lupin wasn't without a sense of responsibility, but upon seeing the Suanni Patronus outside, he chose to take care of the unconscious Harry first.
Now that he's Dumbledore's man, I can finally relax this school year...
"Wayne!" Draco ran up and blocked his way.
He looked very angry, much angrier than he had been after being beaten up two years ago.
"What kind of trashy youth representatives are these!"
"You think you can ignore me now?"
Vincent was puzzled.
I didn't provoke him at all, it was all for no reason.
"Malfoy, aren't you just being delusional?"
Draco clenched his fists even tighter.
"I've never taken you seriously. Can't you have some self-awareness?"
Wayne!
"!" This shout was even louder than the previous scream.
Lupin came out of the cockpit, as did Percy and several Prefect.
Draco, who was being watched by more and more students, was breathing heavily and looked like he was about to hit someone.
"Malfoy, I'm off now." Vincent passed by him again.
Reason prevailed over impulse.
Since we can't win anyway, why humiliate ourselves?
But it's so frustrating!
Draco's fists clenched so tightly that veins bulged, his eyes fixed on the receding figure.
Back in Compartment W,
Vincent briefly explained what had just happened.
Sirius Black had his eye on Harry, but that wasn't mentioned, nor was Lupin's reason for becoming the new professor.
The twins' mouths were too big, and the friends had just faced the Dementors.
"Not Nagini?" Daphne seemed a little disappointed.
She had always wanted to meet this witch who was also tormented by the Blood Curse.
Hermione is the same.
"Nagini and her sister have opened a shop in Hogsmeade. We can visit them anytime."
The days of sneaking out are over; finally, we can do it openly and honestly.
Um... and Astoria too.
Vincent regretted it as soon as he said it.
Her big eyes were Winky; it was truly impossible to leave her behind.
It's still raining outside, but it's much lighter than before.
The train arrived at the station, and this thrilling but safe journey finally came to an end.
"First-year students, over here!" came the familiar loud voice.
Hagrid, holding a lantern and a pink umbrella, beckoned the new students to cross the lake in the traditional way.
Astoria opened the umbrella Daphne handed her and skipped over to her.
The remaining students boarded the horse-drawn carriages that were waiting at the platform.
Before going up Vincent, as usual, patted Thestral's head, which was a bit rough to the touch.
They are said to like the smell of blood, and it just so happens that a lot of Dragon Blood was collected from the Bat Cave earlier.
"Moo—" After receiving some Dragon Blood, Thestral became visibly excited.
It affectionately stuck out its tongue and licked Vincent's face.
"Don't do that, it itches—"
Seeing him playing with thin air, the students felt as if the carriage they were sitting in was about to move.
Sure enough, the Thestral came.
At least a hundred carriages, and a large bottle of Dragon Blood was quickly emptied.
Covered in sticky sweat Vincent decided to prepare more next year.
As School Board Member, one should naturally work for the Fawley of the school, not be as stingy as Mr. Lucius.
Once seated in the carriage, the Thestral didn't run as they had in previous years; instead, they spread their large wings.
One carriage after another was pulled into the sky, and the students enjoyed the feeling of soaring.
Hermione sighed, "If Professor Snape finds out, he'll definitely target us relentlessly."
Vincent, sitting across from him, shrugged indifferently. "He's been targeting us for a while now. How much worse can he get?"
James and Alfred gave him a thumbs up.
Neville stopped shrinking his neck.
"Sigh—" Hermione looked at Daphne was smiling but not saying a word.
She smirked. "You have a lot of classes this semester, you probably don't have time to steal—to confiscate Potions ingredients of unknown origin, right?"
Vincent blinked his big eyes. "Don't worry, if there's any operation, I'll definitely call you guys."
Neville asked curiously, "What kind of seizure operation?"
Hermione shrugged helplessly. "It's a secret."
James and Alfred nodded at the same time.
In order to prepare for this year's class notes, they stopped being curious.
Compared to the bumpy mountain roads, the feeling of flying is indeed much better.
Not only is the experience more comfortable, but the speed is also much faster.
In less than 10 minutes, the students could already see Hogwarts Castle.
The carriage flew over two magnificent Iron Gate.
There were two strange, dark figures wearing hoods halfway up the stairs.
"It's Dementors!" Hermione had barely finished speaking Vincent already had his wand in his hand.
Neville mustered his courage and peered through the small car window.
Those that are not moving at all must be standing guard.
Vincent opened the door, sat on the back of the Thestral, and stared at them with a cold expression.
He had not received any notification from the Ministry of Magic that Dementors would be deployed at the school, not even from Dumbledore or the acting School Board Member.
A last-minute decision?
Enforcement?
Regardless of which one, Sirius Black will likely disappear completely after Harry's birthday.
There are security checks and guards on duty.
If this continues, it will eventually affect our daily lives.
Even when the Dementors made no move, Vincent's wand remained pointed at them.
The carriage stopped in front of a set of stone steps leading to the castle gate.
He touched the Thestral's large forehead, which was so thin that his spine was visible, and jumped off its back.
As soon as I stood still, I heard gloating laughter from behind.
"Potter!" Draco stepped in front of Harry, elbowing Cairo.
"I heard you just fainted? That old Dementors must have terrified you!"
"Get out of my way, Malfoy!" Ron gritted his teeth.
"Weasley, did you faint too?"
"It's better than your screaming!"
Lupin, who had just alighted from the carriage, walked over and asked, "Is there any trouble?"
Vincent turned and strode quickly up the steps.
Compared to the two Dementors below, the conflict between the students was insignificant.