Chapter 358: Two Galleons, Barely Any Profit
While Harry continued nibbling on his chocolate, Professor Lupin left the compartment, letter in hand, heading toward the front of the train to find the driver. He needed to inform the school about what had happened with the Dementors. The driver used to keep an emergency owl on board, though Lupin wasn't sure if that was still the case.
After Lupin departed, Ron kept watching Harry with lingering concern. "Are you really okay?"
"Much better," Harry replied, taking another bite of chocolate. He wiped the remaining cold sweat and rainwater from his face. "But I still don't understand... what exactly happened back there."
"That's what we're all wondering," Fred chimed in. The effect of the Dementor had been unsettling for everyone, but it hadn't been enough to make anyone else pass out. Out of all the students on the train, it seemed only Harry had been affected so severely. Even Ron had been fine.
"When the Dementor looked at you... you just went strange," Ron said, still looking uneasy as he recalled the scene. "It was like you'd been Jinxed. You froze up, fell out of your seat, and started twitching..."
He and Hermione went on to explain the whole incident in detail, from Harry fainting to Professor Lupin finally scaring the Dementor away.
"It was a silver light," Hermione added. "I didn't see it clearly, but the Dementor seemed really frightened."
"Silver light?" George murmured. "That must've been the Patronus Charm."
"I didn't think he'd know that," Fred said with a hint of surprise. "Seems our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor has some skills this year."
"Don't get too excited," Cedric cut in. "He might also be the new Care of Magical Creatures professor. Remember? Professor Kettleburn's retiring this year."
"Oh no, I'd forgotten about that," Fred groaned, scratching his head. "We'd better not have to do more readings. I'm done with that!"