The journey back was clearly much easier.
Though dark clouds still filled the sky outside, the sea wind howled, and rain fell steadily, there were no more pesky Dementors.
The other harsh conditions were trivial matters for a wizard.
It was worth mentioning that Dumbledore wasted no time on the return journey, taking Zhang Xiao straight to Hogsmeade by Apparition.
Only after leaving him with Professor McGonagall, who had already been waiting there, did he depart again.
With the crack of Apparition.
McGonagall shook her head and sighed, then tipped her chin toward Hogwarts.
"Time to return to school, Mr. Zhang."
It was getting late, and only the distant horizon retained a trace of the sunset's glow.
Today had brought unusually fine weather. The night sky was like a thin veil, studded with countless glittering sequins that twinkled on and off.
Old stone-and-brick walls lined the flagstone road, with clumps of weeds growing wild along them.
It was late spring, and insects chirped amid the soft murmur of flowing water, lending the scene an especially peaceful air.
The tap, tap, tap of heels against flagstones joined the creaking of a nearby waterwheel in a monotonous yet interesting tune.
"Zhang, is Black... all right?"
Professor McGonagall suddenly broke the silence, asking softly.
Zhang Xiao glanced at her. Though she kept her eyes fixed straight ahead, he could faintly sense that she was not as calm as she appeared.
"Reasonably well. At least the Dementors haven't driven him mad. He suffered terribly, but he should recover after some rest."
Professor McGonagall let out a soft sigh of relief and shook her head.
"He, James, Lupin... and that... that Peter. Those boys left quite an impression on me.
"They were all very courageous children. But why did things turn out that way-they were