Re:HP-A New Life

I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.

https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon

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Chapter Forty Four: Shadows on the Train

The Hogwarts Express chugged along the tracks, the rhythmic clatter of wheels on rails providing a soothing backdrop to the lively chatter within the compartments. Harry, Rose, Neville, Hermione, and Ron were crammed into one, their voices rising and falling in animated conversation as they recounted tales of their Christmas holidays.

"I swear, my mum makes the best treacle tart," Ron boasted, leaning back with a satisfied grin. "I must've eaten half a dozen."

"That's nothing," Neville chimed in, a shy smile tugging at his lips. "Gran knitted me this sweater—it's got a giant toad on it. I think she meant it to be encouraging, but…"

The group erupted into laughter, Rose clutching her sides as she tried to catch her breath. "I wish I'd seen that! Maybe we could convince her to knit one for Harry too."

Harry chuckled, the warmth of their camaraderie enveloping him like a comforting blanket. It was a rare moment of normalcy, a reprieve from the burdens that often weighed heavily on his young shoulders. He leaned against the window, watching the snowy landscape blur past, content to let the cheerful chatter wash over him.

Suddenly, the train jolted to a halt, the screech of brakes piercing the air. The lights flickered, then died, plunging the compartment into semi-darkness. The laughter ceased, replaced by a tense, uneasy silence.

"What's going on?" Hermione whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the wind howling outside.

Harry's heart sank as a familiar, icy dread seeped into the air. He knew that chill, that bone-deep cold that seemed to sap all joy from the world. Dementors. He could feel them, their dark presence like a stain on the fabric of the train. They were coming, and they were heading straight for their compartment.

"Stay close," Harry instructed, his voice firm despite the rising panic in his chest. He stood, wand in hand, positioning himself between his friends and the door.

The compartment door slid open with a grating sound, and three dementors hovered there, their rotting, skeletal hands reaching out as if to grasp the very air. The temperature plummeted, frost creeping along the windows, and the dim light cast eerie shadows across their cloaked forms.

Before the dementors could move further, Harry raised his wand. "Expecto Patronum!" he called, pouring all his happiest memories into the spell.

A brilliant, blinding light burst forth from his wand, taking the form of a majestic dragonic serpent. Its scales shimmered like molten silver, and its eyes burned with an inner light as it lunged at the dementors. The creature exuded an aura of fierce protection, coiling around the compartment, shielding Harry and his friends from the encroaching darkness.

The dementors let out a sound that could only be described as a chorus of screaming whispers, a dissonant, soul-chilling noise that sent shivers down everyone's spines. They recoiled from the Patronus, retreating with unnatural speed until they vanished into the night.

Harry lowered his wand, breathing heavily as the light of his Patronus slowly faded. He turned to his friends, who were huddled together, their faces pale but determined.

"Is everyone okay?" he asked, scanning their faces for signs of distress.

"I'm fine," Rose said, her voice a little shaky but strong. "Just a bit cold."

Neville nodded, clutching his wand tightly. "Yeah, thanks to you."

Hermione and Ron murmured their agreement, still processing what had just happened.

"We need to check on the train driver," Harry said, already moving toward the front of the train. "Stay here."

He navigated the narrow corridors, his wand casting a faint glow to light the way. The other compartments were filled with students, some frightened, others curious, all murmuring among themselves. Harry reassured them as best he could before reaching the driver's cabin.

The driver was slumped on the floor, unconscious. Harry knelt beside him, checking for a pulse. It was there, faint but steady. He tapped the man's shoulder gently, rousing him.

"Wh-what happened?" the driver groaned, blinking blearily up at Harry.

"Dementors," Harry explained, helping him to his feet. "But they're gone now. Can you get the train moving again?"

The driver nodded, still dazed but determined. "Yes, I can. Thank you."

Harry stayed with him until the engine roared back to life, the train lurching forward once more. He made his way back to his friends, stopping briefly at the trolley witch's cart to purchase as much chocolate as he could carry. He distributed it among the students, knowing it would help counter the lingering effects of the dementors' presence.

Back in their compartment, Harry handed out the chocolate to Rose, Neville, Hermione, and Ron, encouraging them to eat. The warmth and sweetness helped chase away the residual chill, though the memory of the dementors' visit still hung heavily in the air.

"Why were they here?" Ron asked, his brow furrowed in concern. "Dementors aren't supposed to be near Hogwarts, are they?"

"I don't know," Harry admitted, his thoughts swirling. The dementors' focused approach to their compartment was troubling. It felt too deliberate, too targeted.

As the train continued its journey, the landscape outside gradually lightened, the chill left by the dementors slowly dissipating. Harry stared out the window, his mind racing with unanswered questions. The encounter had been a stark reminder that their world was far from safe, and danger could strike at any moment.

But for now, they were together, and that was enough.