Emock also pouted resentfully and complained in a low voice, "Yeah, you scared us so much our hearts almost jumped out of our chests, but you were so calm, like nothing happened."
She glanced at the Dementor, who had been flung out of the car and was now lingering there unwillingly, and muttered to herself:
"These things look terrifying, and they like to act like ghosts and spirits; they're really scary."
"Even if I told you beforehand, you would react the same way, and you might even be more scared. It's better to just stay put," Draco said, using this as an excuse.
Hermione nodded slightly, agreeing with him. Given the atmosphere just now, revealing the truth beforehand would only hasten the panic.
Cho Chang paused for a moment, then thought about it and realized it made sense. He couldn't help but chuckle softly, a slight blush of lingering fear still on his face.
"That's true... If we had known beforehand that the Dementor were coming, we probably would have been restless the whole way."
"Fine, fine, you're right! But I was really scared to death just now, and you two were so calm, not caring whether we lived or died." Emock curled his lip.
After she finished speaking, she glanced again at the Dementor still drifting aimlessly outside the window and muttered to herself:
"It's bad enough that it's this ugly, but it goes out of its way to scare people. It's just so unlucky to look at."
The two chatted back and forth, and the tense atmosphere from before immediately relaxed.
After being reassured, the driver restarted the engine.
The Hogwarts Express started moving, and the Dementor outside the window, repelled by the barrier, still clung to the outer walls of the carriages, drifting along for a while before gradually being left behind in the wind and rain.
Lupin watched the receding shadows outside the window, knowing this was the perfect time to teach, because the students had just experienced fear, which left the deepest impression, and they were most willing to listen.
The corridor lights came on, and Professor Lupin amplified his voice with Sonorus, making it resonate throughout the nearby carriages:
"Class, please be quiet for a moment. I'd like to take this opportunity to say a few words."
The noise gradually subsided.
In carriage number four, everyone was looking at him.
The other students looked in the direction from which the sound came.
Lupin calmly began, "I am Remus Lupin, your Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts for this semester. What you just encountered were Dementors, the Dementor of Azkaban."
The moment he revealed his identity, the carriage fell silent for a moment, followed by a low gasp.
He didn't waste any time and went straight to class:
"They feed on human happiness, leaving you with only the most terrifying memories."
"Ordinary people will feel cold, fear, and suffocation if they get close to them; if they get any closer, they will kiss away your soul."
The students listened with bated breath; their earlier fear was suddenly explained. Lupin continued:
"The only effective spell against them is the Patronus Charm, which I will teach you this semester!"
"As long as you hold onto your happiest memories and summon your Patronus, you can drive them away."
After he finished speaking, the students who were initially afraid gradually gained confidence in their eyes.
Hermione looked up at Draco and said softly:
"He's a good teacher."
Draco didn't deny it, only giving a soft "hmm".
The wind and rain outside the window gradually subsided.
The train, carrying a carriage full of students who had just been shaken but were now at ease, steadily headed towards Hogwarts.
The train resumed its smooth journey, the wind and rain gradually subsided, and the Dementor were long gone.
After confirming that the barrier remained stable and the students were completely safe, the guards stationed in each carriage began to act according to the pre-arranged plan.
Everyone blended back into the shadows of the aisle, pretending to be ordinary passengers or travelers, no longer drawing attention, waiting only for the train to come to a complete stop and for the students to begin disembarking before making their move.
The train arrived, and students, carrying their suitcases, disembarked from the carriages and surged towards the platform in a chaotic moment.
Malfoy's guards used Apparition leave from the opposite direction and returned to the Malfoy Manor to report to Lucius.
The rain kept falling.
The first-year students followed Hagrid toward the lake; having just encountered the Dementor, they were all still pale-faced.
The lake was pitch black, shrouded in mist.
The children huddled in the small boat, staring nervously at the water, afraid that some monster might suddenly leap out of the lake.
I was terrified by the darkness and cold on the train just now, and now everything looks dangerous to me.
"Don't be afraid, the creatures at the bottom of the lake don't cause trouble!"
Hagrid tried to comfort them, but the children clung tightly to the edge of the boat, too afraid to even breathe.
Draco and Hermione rode together with Cho Chang in a Thestral carriage, which swayed gently as it moved forward.
Cho Chang and Emock were still shaken:
"That really scared me to death..."
"I never want to see Dementor again in my life."
Upon entering the castle, the warm candlelight in the Great Hall instantly soothed everyone. Draco, holding Hermione's hand, went straight to the Gryffindor table and sat down.
My roommates gathered around, chattering all at once:
"Which carriage were you in? We couldn't find you anywhere!"
"Did the Dementor get into your carriage too? Are you alright?"
" Hermione! Crookshanks weren't scared, were you?"
"Was that barrier really set up by your family, Draco?!"
Why did the Ministry of Magic want that thing to leave Azkaban?
Draco and the other man answered their questions one by one.
The Sorting Ceremony proceeded as scheduled, with Professor McGonagall reading out the list, and the new students nervously taking their seats.
After it was over, Dumbledore slowly stood up.
The entire Great Hall fell silent instantly.
He solemnly said:
"I know you encountered Azkaban's Dementor on the train."
"They are currently stationed at every entrance to the school, assisting the Ministry of Magic in the search for escaped criminals."
"I must warn you all beforehand,"
"Do not leave the castle without permission, do not approach the school gate, and do not go out alone at night."
" Dementor don't distinguish between friend and foe; they only devour joy and hope. The moment they feel the biting cold or despair, they immediately turn and run back to the castle to find the professor."
Finally Dumbledore, "Rest assured, Hogwarts remains the safest place in all of Britain."
"The school will protect you."
After he finished speaking, the Great Hall fell silent.
As soon as Dumbledore finished speaking, the entire Great Hall fell silent for a few seconds, even the candle flames seemed to pause for a moment, and then the whole hall gently erupted.
Fear and tension filled the Great Hall. The students whispered among themselves, but thanks to the protective barrier on the train and Dumbledore's personal assurance, there was no major chaos, only a general sense of unease.
"Standing at the school gate? How are we supposed to get to the Forbidden Forest or Hogsmeade then!" Ron complained.
"You can go to the Forbidden Forest, as long as you don't go near the school's perimeter. The Dementor only guard the border," Hermione explained to him.
Draco casually chimed in, "You can go to Hogsmeade too, but your emotions will be drained. Only death row inmates are subjected to the Dementor's Kiss."