Chapter 45: 45 Day one
Without any more disturbances the Hogwarts Express reached its destination.
Stepping off the train onto the familiar grounds of Hogsmeade Station, Lucas looked at the majestic castle in the distance. It was his last year at Hogwarts, and he was determined to make it count.
As he made his way towards the carriages that would take the students up to the castle, he was interrupted by a familiar emotion in the distance.
Turning around, Lucas spotted Susan Bones, with a shy smile watching him. The crush she had on him was still there, but it was muddled with doubt. He couldn't say the same for the person standing next to her, Hannah Abbott radiated a deep sense of hatred.
Once they noticed Lucas looking to them, Hannah clicked her tongue and lead Susan away, who waved awkwardly at hip height.
Lucas watched as Susan and Hannah disappeared into a carriage, a furrow forming on his brow as he tried to make sense of their emotions. He hadn't expected such a reaction from Susan, let alone Hannah, and it left him feeling clueless. Something he did not like.
Shrugging off the encounter for the moment, Lucas continued towards the carriages. As he began to move towards the castle, Lucas leaned back against the plush cushions, his thoughts swirling with possibilities. What had caused such animosity from Hannah?
Lost in thought, Lucas barely noticed as the carriage rolled to a stop in front of Hogwarts Castle. Stepping out onto the cobblestones of the courtyard, he closed his eyes and let his magic loose.
A tingling sensation spread through his body as he focused his mind, channeling his magic into a gentle wave of energy that rippled outward. He could feel the ancient magic of Hogwarts responding to his presence, almost like it welcomed him back.
Opening his eyes, Lucas surveyed his surroundings. The warmth emanating from the castle entrance enveloped him, contrasting to the lasting emotions of dread, hate, and depression from the train experience. Amidst the gloominess of those passing by, Lucas remained unaffected, his focus fixed on what lay ahead. He brushed off the emotions swirling around him, like a water drop on a lotus leaf, determined not to be distracted by them.
With a steadfast resolve, Lucas followed the crowd. The familiar path felt comforting under his feet, the stone floors echoing with each step he took. As he ascended the staircase, his mind buzzed with thoughts of the year ahead.
Entering the Great Hall, he immediately felt a few gazes on him, not just from the professors' table, also from the Gryffindor, Slytherin and Hufflepuff ones.
He briefly looked over each of them until he finally landed on Dumbledore. The old man winked at him, once their eyes met and silently worded, "Let's talk afterwards."
A quick nod later, Lucas made his way over to his usual seat, opposite of Hannah and Susan, which the former despised.
As Lucas settled down at the Hufflepuff table, he glanced over at them, noticing the tension in their expressions as they avoided making eye contact with him. He watched as they only looked at the table for a few seconds, before asking with genuing concern, "Is everything alright?"
Hannah's eyes flicked briefly in his direction before she quickly looked away, her jaw clenched with evident discomfort. Susan, on the other hand, offered a hesitant smile but remained silent, her gaze fixed on the empty table.
Lucas sighed inwardly, realizing that the situation wasn't resolved that easily or straightforward. He knew pressing further might only exacerbate the tension, so he decided to let it go for the time being.
"Alright, then," Lucas said with a small nod, trying to ease the atmosphere. "I'm glad to see you both back at Hogwarts. It's going to be an interesting year, don't you think?"
They still didn't answer, but Hannah's expression softened slightly at his words, though the hostility in her eyes remained. Susan nodded in agreement, though her smile still seemed forced. Neither of them dared look into his eyes.
The sorting ceremony came and went as usually, followed by an exquisite feast.
As dinner came to an end and the students began to disperse, Lucas said a one-sided, yet polite farewell to Hannah and Susan before they made their way out of the Great Hall. Only after the last student had left did Lucas stand up and walk up to Dumbledore, who had kept an eye on him since he had arrived.
"Headmaster," Lucas began, his voice calm and serious, "Can we talk in your office?"
Dumbledore nodded simply, gesturing for Lucas to follow him as he rose from his seat at the head table. Together, they made their way out of the Great Hall and through the corridors of Hogwarts.
As they reached Dumbledore's office, the headmaster motioned for Lucas to take a seat while he settled behind his desk. The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of the enchanted candles, casting long shadows across the walls.
"Now, Lucas," Dumbledore began, his eyes twinkling with wisdom, "What do you want to talk about first? I believe you have a lot of questions."
Lucas took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking. "Yes, Headmaster," he began, his voice steady. "What exactly are Dementors?"
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, his expression grave as he considered Lucas's question. "Dementors," he began, his voice low and somber, "are among the foulest creatures to inhabit our world. They are dark, hooded figures, shrouded in despair and decay."
"They feed on human happiness and hope," Dumbledore explained, his gaze distant as if recalling unpleasant memories. "Their very presence can induce feelings of despair and hopelessness in those around them. They drain the joy from life, leaving behind only emptiness and sorrow."
"And how do they form?" Lucas couldn't help but ask.
"Dementors are thought to have originated from the foulest aspects of human nature," Dumbledore continued, his tone grave. "They are born, if one could call it that, from the accumulation of despair and negative emotions, often in places of great suffering or tragedy."
He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as if delving into the depths of memory. "Their exact origins are shrouded in mystery, but it is believed that they were created or attracted to places such as Azkaban, the notorious wizarding prison where they now dwell, or used to up till a few weeks ago. But why do you ask?"
"A few of them attacked the Hogwarts Express. Luckily professor Lupin was there to fend them off." Lucas said nonchalantly.
Dumbledore's eyes widened in concern at Lucas's revelation. "Attacked the Hogwarts Express?" he repeated, his voice tinged with alarm. "That is most troubling indeed?"
Silence descended in the office as Lucas observed the old man, whether he truly did not know about the attack or not, while Dumbledore pondered what kind of letter he should write to the ministry.
"Thanks for letting me know Lucas, but that is not why I invited you in the first place."
"Of course, Headmaster," he replied, shifting his focus back to the reason for their meeting.
Dumbledore leaned forward, his expression serious and calculative. "Concerning you access to the forbidden forest, there should be no problem, as long as you carry this little artifact with you. As far as Harry's training is concerned I will let you know once I talk to him."
He brought out a bracelet from inside his robes and placed it on the desk.
Lucas examined the artifact with curiosity, noting the intricate designs etched into its surface. "What exactly does it do, Headmaster?" he inquired, reaching out to pick it up.
Dumbledore nodded, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "This bracelet is enchanted with a tracking charm," he explained. "It allows us to monitor your movements and ensure your safety, especially when you venture into potentially dangerous areas inside the Forbidden Forest. Additionally, it also records any unusual magical activity."
Lucas nodded slowly, running his fingers along the smooth surface of the bracelet. "And how does it work?" he asked.
Dumbledore looked straight into his eyes, "That dear Lucas, is nothing you need to concern youself with."
Lucas stopped fiddeling around with it and looked up to the headmaster. They intently stared at each other for a moment, before Lucas relented, "Fine."
Dumbledore's smile widened slightly at Lucas's response, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Excellent," he said, his tone cheerful. "Now, is there anything else you wish to discuss, my boy?"
Lucas shook his head, dissatisfied with the information he had received. "No, Headmaster. Thank you for your time," he replied politely.
Dumbledore nodded, rising from his seat behind the desk. "You're welcome, Lucas. If you ever have any more questions or concerns, don't hesitate to come and see me," he said warmly, "and be careful rumours tend to spread rather quickly."
'Another threat, how nice.' Lucas thought as he bid farewell to Dumbledore and exited the office. "I will keep that in mind."
----
Inside the Gryffindor common room, the atmosphere was lively and bustling as students chatted and laughed, excited for the start of a new school year. Among them were Fred and George Weasley, the mischievous twins known for their pranks and antics.
Spotting their younger brother Ron and Hermione sitting by the fireplace, Fred and George exchanged wide grins before making their way over to him.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Fred exclaimed, nudging Ron playfully with his elbow.
George chimed in, "Looks like little Ronniekins had a bit of a rough ride on the Hogwarts Express, eh?"
"That's not funny!" Hermoine protested.
Ron scowled at his brothers, his face turning slightly red. "Shut it, you two. I was just feeling a bit queasy, that's all."
Fred raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Queasy? More like you fainted like a fainting flobberworm."
George chuckled, "Yeah, we heard you let out a little squeal before passing out. Thought a banshee had gotten aboard!"
Ron's scowl deepened, but Hermione intervened before he could respond with another retort.
"Leave him alone, you two," Hermione said firmly, shooting a disapproving look at Fred and George. "You wouldn't have done any better against a Dementor."
Ignoring Hermione's comment, Fred turned to Ron, concerned. "Jokes aside little brother, how did it feel like?"
Ron's expression turned serious as he remembered the encounter. "It was... terrifying," he admitted, his voice shaking. "I've never felt anything like it before. It was like all the happiness and hope was being sucked out of me."
George's grin faded as he listened to Ron's words, a somber expression replacing his usual jovial demeanor. "Sounds awful," he said quietly, exchanging a concerned glance with Fred.
Fred nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I can't imagine what it must have been like. Good thing Professor Lupin was there to handle it."
Ron nodded, grateful for Professor Lupin's quick action. "Yeah, he really saved the day."
The conversation in the Gryffindor common room turned to lighter topics as the evening wore on, with Fred and George regaling their friends with tales of their summer adventures and Hermione helping Ron with his studies even before the first actual lesson happened, to the "joy" of Ron.
Meanwhile, in the quiet confines of his Hufflepuff room, Lucas sat alone, his thoughts on the bracelet laying on the desk before him. He had to find a way to trick its enchantments, without arousing Dumbledore's suspicion.
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