Wednesday, September 1, 1993.
It was the day Hogwarts started its new school year.
At King's Cross Station, Karl and Professor McGonagall passed through the wall and arrived at Platform 9¾.
Since it was still early, there weren't many people on the platform, and the Hogwarts Express had just arrived.
"We could have returned using the Floo Network or Apparition, so why are we taking the Hogwarts Express?"
Professor McGonagall, who had returned from her world tour, was already thinking about school matters. She wondered if Albus had made any mistakes, as he hadn't handled these tasks in decades.
But the troublesome Kitten insisted on dragging her onto the train, rolling on the floor if she didn't agree.
If he were in human form, it would be easy; a good beating would solve it.
However, his cat form and Fire Dragon form were both too cute, and with Fire Treasure also acting spoiled, Cat Mom finally couldn't resist and had to agree.
"Minerva, don't you miss your journey to Hogwarts back then? Since we've already taken leave, we should rest until the very last day."
Actually, Karl just wanted to see the Dementors and test his Patronus Charm.
After all, without reliable combat experience, it's really hard to feel at ease with these little cuties.
"And didn't Sirius Black escape? What if he attacks Harry? We can just protect the young Wizards!"
Professor McGonagall: (._.)
Although your explanation is reasonable, I still feel something is wrong.
No evidence, just a hunch.
My Cub, even if you just blink, Mom knows you're up to something again.
"Alright! We're already here anyway!"
Compared to rushing back to school to prepare for the Sorting Ceremony, Professor McGonagall thought it better to stay on the Hogwarts Express and watch over the Kitten.
As for Albus, aren't Pomona, Filius, and Severus there?
I've been busy for decades, can't I finally relax?
"That's right! Since we're here!"
Karl chuckled, grabbed his magical briefcase, and pulled Cat Mom straight to a compartment at the back of the train.
There was already someone in the compartment: an adult Wizard who was sleeping.
He was wearing a tattered robe with many patches.
He looked relatively young, but his light brown hair was already streaked with gray.
He also looked sickly, with a haggard face, lacking spirit and energy.
Karl: (·w)
Aha! Professor Lupin! I found you!
The rare reliable Defense Against the Dark Arts Class Professor!
And this guy and Tonks are a couple!
"Remus John Lupin—"
After seeing who it was, Professor McGonagall's expression became complex and wistful.
Karl feigned curiosity, "Minerva, you know this person?"
"Yes, he was once a student of Gryffindor House at Hogwarts—"
As she spoke, her gaze fell on the luggage rack above Lupin's head, where a worn-out small trunk tied with a rope bore the initials R. J. Professor Lupin.
Professor McGonagall immediately understood the reason for Lupin's presence on the Hogwarts Express.
"And he will also be the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class Professor at the school. Albus is finally reliable for once; you all finally have a good Professor."
At this moment, Lupin had also opened his eyes. Although he was exhausted and rarely rested peacefully, years of wandering had made vigilance a habit and instinct.
"Long time no see, Professor McGonagall. I am honored—thank you for your affirmation."
Lupin stood up, somewhat flustered. He hadn't expected Professor McGonagall to be there.
And Professor McGonagall, looking at the weathered Lupin, had a thousand words that ultimately turned into a single greeting.
"It's good to see you, Professor Lupin."
"Minerva! This photo is beautiful! I want to hang it in my room!"
Karl leaned against Cat Mom, flipping through and selecting photos they had taken during their trip.
Actually, this activity had been going on for a long time, but because so many photos were taken, he was almost dizzy from choosing.
"Hmm, as long as you like it."
Professor McGonagall replied casually, while she herself was flipping through another thick photo album.
This one for the bedroom, this one for the office desk—
These few should be shown to Pomona, but not Albus, lest he get envious and also take leave, and he might even borrow the Kitten from her.
Lupin: (⊙⊙)
Is this still the stern Professor McGonagall? Am I still dreaming?
The Dean he remembered had never been so gentle, and she was smiling so kindly.
Amidst Lupin's confusion, the Hogwarts Express was about to depart.
At this time, the compartments of the train were almost full of young Wizards, noisy and lively.
"Professor McGonagall!" x3
Harry, Hermione, and Ron never expected to meet Professor McGonagall on the Hogwarts Express, and they were stunned.
"Hmm, come in and sit down."
Professor McGonagall nodded at them, then put away her photo albums.
After all, normally she wore her hair in a neat, strict bun.
This made her overall image very capable, dignified, and authoritative, suitable for managing young Wizards.
However, during their trip, the Kitten had helped her design many hairstyles, and although they were all beautiful, she still felt a bit awkward if students saw them.
"No need! We'll go find—"
"Don't bother looking, the train has already departed. Come in quickly, I'll treat you to candy."
Karl waved his hand grandly, interrupting the three youngsters' polite refusals, and pulled out a large pile of cockroach skewers of various sizes from his suitcase.
"These are gifts for the esteemed Headmaster Dumbledore! Come and sample them! Cockroaches from all over the world! You can't usually eat these!"
The three youngsters: ———·
Can we leave?
Lupin: (#°°)
These are gifts?
Professor McGonagall: (._.)
When did you buy those?
Around three or four in the afternoon, it started to rain outside.
As the train sped northward, the rain grew heavier, the sky gradually darkened, and the lights in the corridor and compartments came on.
"Minerva, I'm going to the restroom."
"Hmm, go ahead."
Karl, leaving the compartment, smiled slightly; Fire Treasure had already sensed the Dementors approaching.
He hurried through the corridor, and when the train slowed, he climbed out the window and stood on the roof of the carriage.
In the dark, misty rain, Karl saw a group of humanoid monsters flying towards him.
Noticing his gaze, five Dementors landed beside Karl.
Tsk! The little things are quite unique!
They looked like decaying corpses, about three meters tall, wearing black hooded cloaks.
Their faces were covered with a thin, ashen skin, vaguely revealing hollow eye sockets and a black hole where the mouth should be.
Seemingly sensing Karl's joyful and positive emotions, the five Dementors began to inhale excitedly, making gurgling sounds in their throats.
[Detecting]
[Keyword extraction—]
[Horrifying monster, ruthless predation, painful fear, soul devouring—·]
[Matching—·]
Oh ho! I get to not be human again!
Feeling a little excited!
[Match successful!]
[Summon Hero: Fiddlesticks, the Ancient Fear!]
An indescribable, terrifying monster appeared in the vortex in the middle of the light curtain, its body twisted, grotesque, and its appearance horrifying and eerie.
It looked like a simple scarecrow, with a gaping, ferocious mouth on its head wrapped in tattered cloth, and two eyes glowing with a crimson light, utterly terrifying.
[Fiddlesticks: Fear! Hide! Hide quickly! The end is coming!]
[Fiddlesticks, the Ancient Fear, is drawn to atmospheres of panic, feeding on the terror of its prey. It takes on a gaunt, crude physical form, wielding a tattered scythe, shattering the minds of its prey and harvesting fear.]
[Fiddlesticks, the Ancient Fear, and Dementors are both non-human entities, gaining the Ancient Fear form.]
[Fiddlesticks fashioned itself into the crude form that other beings would fear. It is the primordial fear of all life, born from the first shriek of terror. It is the demon that existed before humanity knew of demons.]
Karl: (-_-)
Hello, Dementors!
I am the Scarecrow!
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