"..."
"Alright, let's pretend I didn't ask."
Under William's baffled and silent gaze, Lupin could only sigh helplessly. That flashbang just now... ah no, the power of that Patronus Charm was a bit excessive. Not to mention the students sticking their heads out of the compartment; even though he had his back to the light source, all he could see was a blinding white—
And then... came a period of unknown dizziness.
To think merely the light effects of a charm could achieve this... Lupin subconsciously glanced at William again. Now he understood why Dumbledore would have him watch over William to prevent any outrageous actions— but is this really something he could manage?
Was Dumbledore's trust in him a bit too excessive?
Moreover, to produce a Patronus of that strength, just how many wonderful and joyful memories does he have?
"?"
Much like the malice when using the Crucio curse, William, who could simulate with Emotion Magic enough to support a fully formed Patronus Charm, didn't actually know what was going on in Lupin's mind at this moment. Even if he did know, he probably wouldn't react much—
Don't ask, the question is irrelevant ≠ the answer is open.
The occurrence of Dementors halting the train as a gift from nature was ultimately rare. Having prepared to bundle up one or two at a time, William still hadn't encountered his second Dementor— thus, the experiment around "mating" might have to be postponed, at least until he could lure another one.
But "reproduction" might not be an issue?
After all, there has been no documented paper about Dementor reproduction, and Azkaban's Dementors seem to remain at a relatively constant number...
Hmm... accumulating too many things at hand, best to tackle them one at a time, lest I bite off more than I can chew.
As William was planning all his research processes for the coming semester, the Hogwarts Express had already stopped at Hogsmeade Station. Amidst the noisy chaos, everyone disembarked, rendering the scene utterly chaotic—
Owls were hooting, cats were meowing, and Neville's pet toad was croaking beneath his hat.
The biting cold wind mixed with raindrops collided into the crowd on the platform, William raised his magic wand, creating a transparent umbrella.
"First-year students, this way!"
The deep, heavy shout sounded above William's head. He looked up to see a familiar large figure, "Hey, William—" Hagrid also noticed the transparent umbrella sticking near his nose, instinctively taking a step back and grumbling loudly at William.
Then, he noticed Lupin beside him, his face lit up with even more delight, "Hey, Remus— long time no see."
"Oh, Hagrid, it indeed has been a long time."
Lupin nodded to Hagrid, a smile playing on his lips, evidently pleased to see an old friend.
"Looks like you're doing well—"
Hagrid raised his hand to "gently" pat Lupin on the shoulder. This careless giant immediately noticed the relatively decent outfit on the man and remarked with some surprise, because it's rare, considering werewolf wizards have a hard time surviving in the Wizarding World—
"Hagrid, the reminiscing should wait, these little wizards are almost freezing to death now."
Seeing the two seemingly intending to chat for a while, William sighed helplessly, then pointed to the group of shivering first-year kids behind Hagrid. It was obvious that, having come to Hogsmeade Station for the first time, they had no option but to follow Hagrid.
Crossing the Black Lake on a boat amidst heavy rain, William could be sure the new students' enrollment memories wouldn't be very pleasant— oh, his wasn't much better either.
Getting hit by a Flying Dragon while on a carriage for enrollment a hundred years ago, and then getting hit by a car on a boat a hundred years later... oh, times have changed indeed.
"Oh, I just noticed— okay, I'll get going then!"
Hagrid turned with his lantern, finally patting his head, leading the new students toward the Black Lake's dock— while at the end of the line, William caught a certain brat trying to join him and Lupin to avoid the crowd.
"But it's so cold, and it's raining—"
Astoria hugged her arms, looking pitifully at William— the intention in her eyes was clear, asking to be taken along, as from here one could see that the upper-year students were walking into the nearby woods, obviously not taking the same route—
And regardless of what's behind those woods, it must be better than taking those small wooden boats in this weather.
Having a sister at Hogwarts, the girl obviously knew more than the average person, of course— this was entirely provided her sister wasn't like those Weasley twins who enjoyed teasing siblings.
"..."
Seeing that acting cute had no apparent effect on William, the girl immediately looked longingly at Lupin beside him— and Lupin, who was somewhat familiar with Astoria, was completely defenceless against this pure and harmless gaze. He sighed, "But you really don't want to experience this, it's something everyone goes through during enrollment—"
"No."
The girl shook her head, her tone absolutely determined.
"Alright, then don't run off—"
Lupin nodded, gesturing a signal to Hagrid not far away, and brought the girl along— without alerting the other new students, else they'd likely all abandon Hagrid and switch to their group.
By now, most of the students on the platform had left, Lupin cast an Impervius Charm on himself, and quickly caught up with William who was holding an umbrella.
As for why William didn't do the same— no special reason, that charm had no flashy effects, not fun.
"What ugly horses—"
After trudging through a muddy path, the three reached the outside of the station. Seeing the Thestrals pulling carriages, Astoria's eyes widened in shock, as these creatures looked remarkably like products of the Dark Arts.
Upon hearing the girl, Lupin, already ahead of the two, instinctively turned back— Thestrals' existence is visible only to those who've witnessed death, but such a young child... Lupin's mind already conjured a tragic story.
Yet William apparently hadn't imagined the same; he just stared at the girl for a moment without speaking.
They climbed into the carriage, which carried a faint smell of mildew and straw. The journey from the station to the castle passed without incident, apart from when passing the gate, when that thread-like chill resurfaced—
Standing on either side of the castle's outer gate were two Dementors.
"These must be for protecting the castle?"
Lupin peered outside through the window pulled up by William, with some uncertainty in his tone, as Dementors had little connection to the word "protection," despite being Azkaban's prison guards— it's well-known that those creatures can't protect anything.
"...I think capturing them would stir a massive search if the guards went missing, right?"
Seeing William seemingly eager to act, Lupin quickly spoke to dissuade him— and hearing this, William could only sigh, resetting the window. An uphill path followed, finally, the carriage wobbled to a stop, and the three of them got off.
"You need to head to the boathouse to find Professor McGonagall—"
Seeing the girl ready to dash into the warm castle, Lupin quickly grabbed her hat, unwaveringly shaking his head under her doe-eyed, imploring gaze, "I'll take you there, you still need to be sorted, you all must stick together now—"
Saying so, and bidding William goodbye, the two descended the side staircase.
William naturally had no objections, as they weren't heading the same way but to the Great Hall. He continued up the stone steps until his path was blocked by a long, dark robe— luckily, not a Dementor this time.
What a pity.
William lifted his head, meeting Snape's pitch-black stare, blinking as he silently moved a step left— hmmm, Snape mirrored him, once again blocking his way.
Great, he was targeted.