The others look confused, honestly Harry is confused because despite being ready, despite being prepared, it wasn't the same as his own third year. For one, there is no ice on the windows, no subtle creeping horror, or fears.
Had the Dementors not reached them yet? Were they after someone else instead? He frowned and stood, earning wide-eyed stares from the girls. "I need to go check" he announced, leaving no room for debate or arguments.
And the arguments were coming, he could see them in all of their eyes, something primal and protective, something that he imagined would be in his own eyes if it were Hermione or any girl telling him the same. He would want to keep them safe, protected.
Perhaps those mentalities were reversed in this world as well, maybe it was Cavewomen who were referenced for being overprotective and possessive.
Any further comments were interrupted by the sound of glass shattering and screams a few carriages down. Within seconds Harry, along with the others, were in the hallway, pulling open the only unopened door as others peeked out in concern and fear.
Inside was a sight that froze the others in terror. It wasn't a cloaked creature, wasn't a soul devouring monster that held down one of the students, snarling in her face.
"Werewolf…" Hermione gasped out, eyes widened as she stood behind Harry in the doorway.
The boy-who-lived, on the other hand, didn't hesitate. His wand was out, and it took barely a mutter to toss a spell that launched the creature back out the window it came from. The teenager, someone he vaguely recognized as belonging to Slytherin, was shook up and injured but it didn't appear to be serious.
Then came the thumps from the roof, more clawed limbs, more muscle, more fur, dozens or more creatures and Harry Potter realized that it wouldn't be Dementors this year that would be the source of his concerns.
His mind whirled, processing the situation, trying to come up with a solution using what he knew of the creatures. Assuming everything was true between universes, and those magical laws did seem to be the same in both, they tended to be more primal, but more dangerous, in their transformed states. Drawn by flashy displays or the sights and smells of battle.
Panic was beginning in the surrounding area, younger students crying older students freaking out, and not for the first time did Harry wonder why adults weren't stationed on the Hogwarts Express more often.
"Evacuate the back of the Express, move all the students into the forward cars and secure them." He ordered, voice sounding older than he remembered it being. Others looked ready to protest, until a howl echoed.
That sound, that bone-chilling blood-curdling sound was enough that the older students began herding the youngers forward, vague promises about how 'everything would be okay' were whispered and muttered for those speaking just as much for those in terror.
"What do we do?" Amy asked, voice hardened as much as she could manage. Still, the boy could see uncertainty and fear in her eyes, not that he blamed her. By this point in his original life, he had faced far worse things than Lycans, but she wasn't him and he was infinitely glad for such a fact.
With a gesture he pointed towards where the other students were passing them in their rush to perceived safety. "Go, I'm going to draw them back as best I can." Harriet was shaking her head in refusal, and he understood. He wouldn't have wanted to abandon anyone either, but the situation was different. "I need you to go. I can fight but not with you this close. I can't risk holding back to make sure I don't hurt you too."
In the end it was Hermione who grabbed onto the two witches and gave a pull, Luna who held Ginny's arm to guide her to safety. The remainder of the hallways was empty, quiet save for the sounds on the roof, the cracking of glass as the monsters made their way inside.
As Hermione finished pushing the last of the students through to the next segment, closing the door behind her, she glanced back one last time, and the sight had the air leaving her lungs.
Harry struck his wand against his forearm, igniting the end like one would do a match. With a twirl he lifted it above his head and then flames poured forth, sliding down and around his body like water. They twisted and formed, shaping long robes of living fire.
He shone like a warrior of old mixed with the birth of a star, and even as she forced herself on, she knew it would be a sight never surpassed.
****
To say the room was tense would have been an understatement. Snape was glaring at Riddle, Grace was meeting the glare with a challenging look of her own, and the other staff members seemed to be stuck siding with one individual or the other.
Do they go with the Potion mistress on the grounds that she was doing what had been necessary to protect students and save lives? Or would they choose their innocent colleague who had been wrongfully accused on the basis on circumstantial evidence?
Dumbledore had made her case time and time again of trusting those they worked with, but for the present 'conflict' she opted to stay neutral. Hogwarts needed a functional staff of professors and adults first and foremost. Their petty squabbling and differences came after the children.
As the Headmistress prepared to interrupt whatever argument was brewing a sudden, and urgent, tapping at the window drew everyone's attention. It was an owl, one looking rather distressed, clutching a small piece of parchment.
It took only a few quick strides to reach the barrier and allow the poor creature in before taking the object and scanning it over, her skin paling as she did so.
"Headmistress," McGonagall inquired, "what is it? What…"
"The Express has stalled, there is an emergency, Werewolves."
No one so much as breathed for what felt like an eternity before the room was filled with a flurry of movement.
Old rivalries were forgotten as a moving plan was set in motion, Sprout would race to Pomfrey and contact St. Mungos for additional help. Dumbledore, Riddle, Snape, McGonagall, and Flitwick would immediately grab brooms and head to the train to assist.
The remaining professors would begin contacting the Aurors, Wizengamot, and any other medical services that might be available should the worst come to pass.
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