King's Cross Station, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Sean said goodbye to Aldridge, then pushed his luggage — along with the still-sleeping Kulkan — through the barrier and onto the bustling platform.
After a quick look around, he spotted Blaise and Andy waiting nearby. Now they just had to wait for Jason to show up before boarding.
"Andy, are you sitting the OWL exams this year?" Sean asked.
Andy nodded, looking a little tense at the mention. "Yeah. I'll probably be even busier than usual — running my daily business on top of the OWLs… it's going to be a headache."
Sean patted him on the shoulder. "I've already partnered with the Bulstrode family for the new potion. I made sure to get you the distribution rights too. You can buy it at cost from me — just make sure you sell it at the same price as the Bulstrode family's store. Sound good?"
Andy's eyes widened. "No problem — really, thank you, Sean."
"No need for thanks between us," Sean said lightly.
The three of them chatted while they waited, until Jason finally arrived — late, as usual.
Jason was a year older than Sean and Blaise, now starting his 4 year. Once they were all settled into an empty compartment, Blaise turned to him, curiosity clear on his face.
"Jason, is third year really that busy? I heard we have to pick electives. Got any advice?"
Jason stretched out his legs and shrugged. "Yeah, there are five electives to choose from, but you have to pick at least two. If you're just looking to get by, I'd say go for Professor Charity Burbage's Muggle Studies and Professor Trelawney's Divination.
"Muggle Studies is easy — the homework's light and the exams are a breeze. As for Divination even easier. Predict a dark future or death every time, and you'll score high."
He paused and added with a grin, "But steer clear of Ancient Runes if you can. That one's brutal — the homework, the tests, all of it."
Blaise blinked and exchanged a look with Sean. He'd basically made up his mind — Divination and Muggle Studies it was.
Sean glanced at Blaise and immediately saw through his thoughts.
In fact, with the new term about to start, Sean had been considering his own course choices too — especially whether he should take all five electives and apply for a Time-Turner.
After all, with a Time-Turner, he could squeeze far more hours into a day. That extra time would be invaluable for his Wolfsbane Potion research and other projects. But there was a cost: his need for mental recovery potions would skyrocket. He wouldn't be drinking them like tea — more like water.
Still, after weighing it up, Sean had already made up his mind: he'd take all five courses. The chance to get his hands on a Time-Turner — and study it properly — was worth the extra workload. If the price was chugging potions nonstop, so be it.
But thinking about the Time-Turner made something prick at the back of his mind.
For the past few days, buried in notes and potion formulas, he'd felt like he was forgetting something important — something that had been on the tip of his tongue ever since he started planning for the Time-Turner.
Before he could chase the thought further, the sky outside darkened. Rain began to patter against the train windows, then turned into a heavy downpour that drummed against the glass.
The uneasy feeling grew stronger. He knew he'd forgotten something — something connected to this year, to the Time-Turner, to...
Sean reached for a drink, planning to rest his eyes for a moment. But just then, the train gave a sudden shudder and came to an unexpected stop. One by one, the compartment lights flickered out. Frost began to creep over the windows, and the water in the cups on the table iced over in seconds.
And at that moment, Sean's mind clicked. If he still couldn't remember, then he'd have no excuse for calling himself reincarnated.
He turned his head just in time to see a tall, dark shape gliding past the compartment door — a ragged, hooded figure, faceless and cold. It paused, hovering just beyond the glass, and seemed to stare directly at him.
Sean stood, flicked the lock shut on the compartment door, and met its empty gaze head-on.
Dementors.
So that was it — the thing he'd forgotten. Dementors would be all over Hogwarts this year, searching for Sirius Black.
Most wizards dreaded them for draining away warmth and hope. But Sean looked at them differently now.
If he could draw strength from trolls, basilisks, and house-elves... what about Dementors?
There'd be plenty of chances to find out — but first, he'd need to master the Patronus Charm. He'd have to.
The Patronus Charm was a truly advanced piece of magic. To master it, you needed more than just skill and practice — you needed enough positive power inside you. The spell demanded real light in a wizard's heart to fuel it. A wizard who'd done too much darkness couldn't cast a Patronus at all.
Sean thought about that for a moment.He should be able to do it. Probably. Maybe. Possibly. Seemingly…Right?
Boom.
The lights inside the Hogwarts Express flickered back on, one by one. The train jolted as it began to move again.
Just then, Sean and his friends spotted an adult wizard walking down the corridor from the rear of the train. He looked half-asleep on his feet — his robe was shabby, his cloak patched and faded, hair a little wild. He passed right by their compartment, heading for the front of the train without so much as a glance inside.
Blaise leaned forward. "Who's that? There's an adult on the train?"
Andy frowned. "Think he's with the Ministry? The Dementors just swept through — maybe he's some sort of Ministry guard."
Sean dropped back into his seat, crossing his arms behind his head. "That one? No chance he's Ministry. Did you see his clothes? If he were an Auror or an official, he'd at least look alive. That man looked like he slept in a train station for a week."
Blaise turned to him. "Alright then, oh great know-it-all — who is he?"
Sean tilted his head, grin lazy but sharp. "Tell you what — if I'm right, you owe me a Galleon."
Blaise smirked. "Deal. And if you're wrong, you owe me one."
"Fair." Sean's grin widened. "He's not Ministry, not an Auror, but he's riding the Express straight to Hogwarts. Which means there's really only one thing he can be."
He tapped his fingers lightly against the window as rain trickled down the glass.
"Our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor."