CHAPTER 33: THE DARK PRESENCE

Adrian Potter sat in his train compartment, leaning against the window as the blur of the countryside rushed by. He was flanked by Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, their faces clouded with concern. In the corner of the compartment, a fourth occupant had slumped over, fast asleep, snoring softly. Hermione, ever curious, had noticed his luggage earlier and quietly whispered, "Remus Lupin… he's a professor."

The air between the three friends was heavy with tension. The summer's events weighed on them, and the silence was thick with unspoken fears.

"So… Sirius Black is after you?" Ron blurted out, breaking the silence, his voice loud and incredulous as his wide eyes darted toward Adrian.

Adrian sighed, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration. "Yes, Ron. Like I said earlier," he muttered, his voice laced with exhaustion. "That's what they told me. Apparently, that's why they're sending Dementors to Hogwarts this year. To protect me."

"Dementors? At school?" Hermione's voice rose with concern, her brow furrowed deeply. "That's outrageous! I mean, Dementors around children? That's bound to go wrong. Hasn't anyone thought this through?"

Adrian frowned, his fingers drumming nervously on the seat. "Dumbledore tried to stop it, but Fudge wouldn't listen. As usual." His tone was sharp, edged with anger. "I don't know what the idiot's thinking. Probably just wants to look good by catching Black."

Hermione shook her head, worry etched on her face. "But how did Black even escape? Azkaban's supposed to be impenetrable. No one's ever gotten out."

"That's what I don't get," Ron said, his voice hushed now, as if afraid saying it too loudly would summon trouble. "Black's a nutcase. I heard he blew up a street full of people with just one spell—like that." He snapped his fingers for emphasis. "And now he's escaped. From Azkaban. How?!"

Adrian felt the familiar knot in his stomach tighten. "I don't know," he replied grimly, his gaze falling to the floor. "But if the Ministry can't keep him locked up, what chance do we have?"

The compartment fell silent again, the weight of Ron's words hanging heavily in the air.

Without warning, the train gave a sudden jolt, causing their bags to sway and Hermione's books to tumble onto the floor.

"What's going on?" Ron's voice wavered, his hand instinctively reaching for his wand as he glanced around nervously.

"We can't be there already, can we?" Hermione asked, leaning closer to the frosty window, trying to peer out through the thick mist that clung to the glass.

Adrian felt a creeping chill crawl down his spine. The air inside the compartment was growing colder, unnaturally so. His breath began to fog in front of him, and his fingers trembled slightly from the cold. Crookshanks, Hermione's cat, suddenly stood alert, his fur standing on end as he hissed at something unseen. Scabbers, Ron's rat, squealed in terror and disappeared deeper into Ron's robes, trembling with fright.

The cold wasn't just physical—it gnawed at Adrian's chest, a deep, sinking feeling of dread that grew stronger with every passing second.

"I don't like this," Ron muttered, his voice barely a whisper. His eyes darted toward the compartment door, which was now rattling gently in its frame.

"Something's coming," Hermione whispered, her breath shallow, her eyes wide with fear.

As if on cue, the door slid open with a soft, menacing creak, revealing a tall, cloaked figure. Its face was hidden beneath a dark hood, but its hand—a black, decaying hand—was visible as it gripped the doorframe. The figure's presence seemed to suck all the warmth and light from the compartment, leaving only a suffocating sense of dread.

Adrian's stomach dropped. He knew instantly what it was. A Dementor.

The creature glided forward, and with every inch it moved, the air grew heavier. Adrian felt as though the very joy in him was being sucked away, replaced with nothing but cold and despair. The sound of his mother's scream echoed faintly in the back of his mind, a memory long buried, but now forced to the surface by the Dementor's presence.

Ron gasped for breath, his knuckles white as he gripped his wand, though his hand shook so badly he wasn't sure he could use it. "Wh-what do we do?" he stammered, his voice cracking.

Hermione was frozen in place, her eyes wide with terror, her face pale as the life seemed to drain from her.

Adrian tried to move, but his body felt sluggish, weighed down by the overwhelming sense of hopelessness. The Dementor moved closer, its breath rattling, cold and empty, like the last gasp of something long dead. His vision blurred as the sound of his mother's voice grew louder in his mind—pleading, terrified, before the flash of green light ended everything.

He gasped, trying to cling to something, anything, to pull himself out of the growing darkness.

Suddenly, a bright light flashed in the compartment, and the Dementor halted. Lupin had stirred, his wand raised, though he still looked half-asleep, his face pale and tired. "None of that here," he said firmly, his voice soft but commanding.

A silvery form erupted from the end of Lupin's wand, bright and blinding in the gloom. The Dementor recoiled, retreating into the shadows with a rasping breath. The cold began to ebb away as the creature disappeared, leaving the compartment in silence once more.

Lupin lowered his wand and glanced at the trio, his tired eyes assessing their shaken forms. "Are you all right?" he asked quietly.

Adrian nodded, though his heart was still pounding in his chest. "I think so," he muttered, swallowing the lump in his throat.

Hermione's hand trembled as she straightened her robes, her voice faint as she whispered, "That was a Dementor, wasn't it?"

Lupin nodded, his expression grim. "Yes, and you'll be seeing more of them at Hogwarts this year." He paused, looking directly at Adrian. "They're not to be underestimated. Stay away from them as much as you can."

Adrian exchanged a glance with Ron and Hermione, his mind still spinning from the Dementor's chilling presence. If this was just the beginning of the school year, he dreaded to think what lay ahead. His heart still pounded in his chest, the echo of his mother's scream lingering in his mind, when suddenly, there was a sharp movement in the corner.

Remus Lupin shot upright, his eyes wide with sudden alertness. His hand instinctively flew to his wand, aiming it at the compartment door where the Dementor had just stood. But before he could utter a spell, a bright, silvery light exploded from the corridor outside. The light wasn't a Patronus—it was a shimmering silver shield, solid and impenetrable, pushing the Dementor back with surprising force.

"Hello, Moony," a familiar voice called, cutting through the gloom. Harry stepped into the compartment, his wand still raised, a small smile playing on his lips as he surveyed the scene. His presence alone seemed to lift the suffocating weight that had settled in the room moments before.

"Harry!" Remus exclaimed, lowering his wand in shock, relief flooding his features. "It's good to see you again." His eyes flickered briefly toward the now-retreating Dementor, momentarily pushed back by the shield. "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't returning to Hogwarts this term."

Harry shrugged, his confidence unwavering. "Just making sure my friends are safe," he replied casually, though the glint in his eyes suggested something more. "I heard you might need backup."

"Backup?" Ron repeated, still wide-eyed from the encounter. He glanced nervously between Harry and Remus, as if trying to make sense of what had just happened. "Mate, what's going on?"

Harry's gaze turned serious, his demeanor shifting as he spoke. "The Dementors are here to patrol the train and the grounds at Hogwarts," he explained, his voice low but steady. "They're not just here as a precaution. There's more going on than they're telling us."

Hermione, ever the logical thinker, furrowed her brow in concern. "But they're only here because of Sirius Black, right? To guard the school?"

"Black is dangerous," Harry agreed, his voice darkening slightly. "But he's not the only danger we'll face this year." He paused, glancing briefly at the door as if sensing something just beyond it. "There are other forces at play."

Adrian, who had been quietly observing the exchange, leaned forward. "You two know each other?" he asked, his tone tinged with curiosity. Harry and Remus exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them.

Harry shifted, glancing at Ron, Hermione, and Adrian before looking back at Remus. "Can we talk later? Privately?" he asked, his voice low, hinting that there was more to discuss than he was willing to reveal in front of the others.

Remus nodded without hesitation. "Of course," he said quietly. "We'll talk."

Ron, still looking bewildered, was about to ask another question when Harry turned back to Remus with a small, almost mischievous smile. "By the way," he said casually, as though remembering something trivial, "I have the map."

Remus's eyes widened in surprise. "You do?!" he exclaimed, clearly taken aback. For a moment, he looked both shocked and oddly nostalgic, as though a memory had resurfaced.

"Yeah," Harry nodded, grinning now. "I got it from the redhead last year."

"The Weasley twins," Hermione muttered to herself, realization dawning on her face. "Of course it was them."

"The map?" Adrian asked, looking between them, confused. "What map?"

Ron opened his mouth to explain, but Harry quickly cut him off. "I'll explain later," he said, casting a quick glance at the corridor before flashing a smile. "I've got to get back, but we'll catch up soon."

Before anyone could protest, Harry stepped back into the hallway, his silver shield dissolving into the air as he moved. The Dementor that had been lingering in the shadows seemed to have retreated entirely, leaving behind a strange stillness in its wake.

"See you later," Harry called over his shoulder before disappearing into the misty corridor, leaving the compartment in stunned silence.

Adrian turned to Remus, eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and confusion. "What was that all about?" he asked, trying to piece together what had just transpired.

Remus leaned back in his seat, rubbing his temples wearily. "Harry has a habit of getting involved in things... more than he lets on," he said with a sigh, though there was a fondness in his voice. "But trust me, whatever he's planning, it's something we'll need to be ready for."

Ron, still clutching his wand tightly, muttered under his breath, "I'm starting to think this year's going to be a lot more complicated than we thought."

Hermione nodded slowly, her face pale but resolute. "We'll have to be prepared for anything."

Adrian stared out of the window, watching the mist swirl and shift around the train. The encounter with the Dementor had shaken him more than he wanted to admit, but Harry's sudden appearance had brought a strange sense of reassurance. If Harry was right, if there were darker things at play this year, then they had to be ready. And for the first time, Adrian realized just how much was at stake.

Adrian sat quietly, staring out of the frosted window, his mind racing with thoughts of what Harry had said. Ron, still shaken, glanced nervously toward Hermione.

"Did... did he just say there's more than just Sirius Black to worry about?" Ron finally muttered, his voice tinged with anxiety.

Hermione nodded, her brows knitted together in thought. "That's what he said. But what could he mean? What other dangers could there be?"

Adrian shifted in his seat, trying to suppress the growing unease in his chest. "Whatever it is, Harry knows more than he's letting on," he said, his voice steady but grim. "And if he's being this careful, then we should be on high alert too."

Ron groaned softly. "Blimey, just once, I wish we could have a normal school year. You know, where the worst thing we have to worry about is an exam or getting caught by Filch."

"Normal?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Since when have things ever been normal at Hogwarts?"

Ron sighed dramatically. "I know, I know. It's just... Dementors? On the first day? That's pushing it even for us."

Hermione's gaze lingered on the door where the Dementor had been. "I've read about them," she said quietly. "They feed on fear and despair. The fact that they're stationed at the school... it's dangerous, not just for Sirius Black, but for all of us."

Adrian clenched his fists, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach. "Why would they even allow those things here? It's not just reckless—it's terrifying. What happens if one of them gets too close to a student?"

Before anyone could respond, Remus cleared his throat, drawing their attention. He had been watching them silently, his expression unreadable. Now, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"I understand why you're all worried," Remus began, his voice calm and measured. "But you have to trust that Dumbledore knows what he's doing. If the Ministry has insisted on placing Dementors around the school, then we must assume he's taking precautions. Still, I agree with you—Dementors are dangerous creatures. And they're drawn to strong emotions, especially fear."

Ron frowned, sitting up straighter. "So what are we supposed to do? How do we defend ourselves against them?"

Remus hesitated for a moment, glancing between the three of them. "The best defense against a Dementor is the Patronus Charm," he explained slowly. "It's advanced magic—far beyond the level of most students. But... it's something I could teach you, if you're willing to learn."

Ron's eyes widened in surprise. "You'd teach us? Like, extra lessons?"

Hermione sat up, her interest piqued. "That would be incredibly helpful! But I've read that producing a Patronus is one of the most difficult spells."

Remus smiled faintly. "It is, but it's also one of the most effective defenses against them. And given what we're facing this year... it might be a good idea to be prepared."

Adrian's heart skipped a beat. Learning the Patronus Charm was no small thing, but the idea of having a way to protect himself—and his friends—against the Dementors made him feel a little more at ease. "I think we should do it," he said firmly. "Whatever's coming, we need to be ready."

Ron, still looking a bit apprehensive, glanced at Hermione, who nodded in agreement. "Alright," he said, sounding more confident now. "I'm in."

Hermione's eyes sparkled with determination. "Me too. We can handle it."

Remus nodded approvingly. "Good. We'll start soon, but remember—the Patronus Charm requires focus and concentration. It's not just about casting the spell; it's about finding the happiest memory you can summon and using it as your source of strength."

Adrian took a deep breath. "A happy memory..."

Hermione tilted her head thoughtfully. "That makes sense. A Patronus is a manifestation of positive energy, isn't it?"

"Exactly," Remus replied, his gaze serious. "And the stronger the memory, the more powerful the Patronus will be. So, if we're going to do this, you'll need to think of something truly meaningful to you."

Ron scratched his head. "That's easier said than done. But I'll try."

Adrian sat back, lost in thought. What would his happiest memory be? He'd had moments of joy, of course, but with everything that had happened recently—his parents, the threat of Sirius Black, the looming dangers—finding that pure happiness seemed daunting. Still, he knew he had to try. For himself, and for everyone else.

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