The Hogwarts Express pressed forward through the storm, its rhythm unwavering despite the torrential rain hammering against the windows.
A new semester had begun, and the train carried dozens of students back to Hogwarts, their hearts heavy with both anticipation and anxiety. In one of the compartments, Mirabelle sat munching on a cauldron cake, her body swaying gently with each rattle and vibration of the moving train.
Rain streaked the windows in silver rivulets, making it impossible to see much of the countryside beyond. The world outside had dissolved into a gray blur of water and shadow.
Across from her sat Edith, a fellow Slytherin, delicately eating a slice of pumpkin pie. The two girls occupied the compartment alone, other students had learned to avoid any space that contained Mirabelle, their fear keeping them at a respectful distance.
Mirabelle swallowed another bite of the increasingly cloying sweetness and spoke with obvious dissatisfaction. "The menu on this train never changes. It's not terrible, but I grow tired of nothing but sweets."
"Well, it's hardly a train that sees regular use," Edith replied, licking a crumb from her lip.
The taste wasn't unpleasant, in fact, it rivaled the confections found in any proper cake shop. However, humans couldn't survive on desserts alone. Sweets were meant to be treats, not sustenance, and it was only natural that Mirabelle felt frustrated by the lack of proper meals.
"By the way, Mirabelle, do you know who will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year?"
"A man named Remus Lupin, apparently. He's supposedly in the front carriage."
"I wonder if he'll last the full year," Edith mused, her words carrying a worry shared by nearly every student at Hogwarts.
After all, the Defense position had never retained a teacher for more than a year since Edith's class had begun their studies. Professor Quirrell in their first year, Lockhart in their second, both had departed before completing their terms, earning Defense the reputation of being a "cursed subject."
"I have no idea," Mirabelle said, finishing her cake and twisting the cap off a plastic bottle. She took a long drink of tea, quenching her thirst with obvious relief.
Apparently dissatisfied with the train's limited selection of pumpkin juice, she had decided to bring her own refreshments.
"Well, at least he can't be worse than Lockhart," she continued.
If her knowledge from her previous life held true, Lupin was actually quite competent. It was during this year that Harry had mastered the Patronus Charm, one of the more advanced magical techniques, largely due to Lupin's expert guidance. Considering that alone, she could expect far more from him than from any previous Defense teacher.
"You don't seem particularly interested," Edith observed.
"I'm not disinterested, but right now my attention is focused on Hogsmeade."
"You're after the food, aren't you?"
"What else would there be?"
Hogsmeade was the small village that only third year students and above were permitted to visit. It was perhaps the only place in the world completely free of Muggles, existing exclusively for wizards. The shops there stocked everything from sweets commonly found in the Muggle world to confections unique to the wizarding community, along with magical items and prank supplies. It was a place Mirabelle had long wanted to explore.
Though she complained about the train's limited sweet selection, she didn't actually dislike confections, quite the opposite, she had developed quite a sweet tooth over the years.
As they talked, the train began to slow gradually. Edith glanced out the window, assuming they were approaching their destination.
"It looks like we're almost there."
"No, we should still have another hour," Mirabelle corrected her.
They wouldn't reach Hogwarts for at least another hour, and there was no special express service running today. In fact, the train was moving even more slowly than usual due to the heavy rain. There was simply no way they could have arrived early.
Edith must have realized this as well, because she looked around with a suddenly serious expression.
Throughout the train, students were emerging from their compartments, peering about with curiosity and growing concern. The train came to a complete halt, and even the interior lights flickered and died, plunging them into an unsettling darkness.
"What's happening? Is this some sort of school-organized event?" Edith asked nervously.
"No, they wouldn't do something like this for an event," Mirabelle replied, using the Lumos spell to illuminate the tip of her wand before stepping out of the compartment.
She immediately encountered Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Harry emerging from the adjacent compartment. Apparently, they had been traveling in the same car.
When Hermione spotted Mirabelle, she called out in confusion, "Beresford! Do you know what's going on?"
"I don't know," Mirabelle replied coolly.
Of course, she understood intellectually what was causing this phenomenon, but she felt no obligation to enlighten them. Besides, she wasn't the type to go out of her way to explain things to others. The answer would reveal itself soon enough without her intervention.
Actually, let her correct that, it wasn't about to "reveal itself." It had already revealed itself.
"Maybe we should ask him?" Mirabelle suggested.
"Ask who?" Hermione followed Mirabelle's gesture.
Mirabelle pointed toward the entrance of the carriage with her thumb. There, filling the doorway, stood a black shadow draped in a cloak that seemed to reach the ceiling. Its face was hidden beneath a deep hood, and its arms, the only visible parts extending from beneath the cloak, were a sickly gray-white color, covered in filthy scabs as if they had rotted in stagnant water.
"Mirabelle... what is that thing?" Edith whispered, her voice trembling as she clutched the edge of Mirabelle's robes in terror.
Mirabelle found herself hoping that her friend wouldn't be so easily frightened by such things, but this was Edith's first encounter with such a creature. She decided to overlook the weakness this time.
"Dementors," she said matter-of-factly. "Soul-eating creatures, the foulest beings on Earth. Perhaps you'd prefer to call them the guards of Azkaban prison?"
"Ah, that's—"
The Dementor made a rattling sound and drew in a slow, deliberate breath. Instantly, a bone-deep chill ran down Mirabelle's spine, accompanied by an overwhelming sense of despair. It was a horror so complete it made her feel as though happiness would never touch her life again.
Ginny began to tremble violently. Neville let out a terrified scream. Hermione went rigid with fear. Edith collapsed to her knees, covering her mouth with both hands. Harry was affected most severely of all, he toppled from his seat and began convulsing on the floor.
I see. So this is a Dementor, the most despised creature in existence. I don't like this at all.
Wiping cold sweat from her brow, Mirabelle glared at the Dementor with an expression of pure disgust. She didn't particularly care what happened to the others, but the creature's effect on her was deeply unpleasant.
This thing saw everyone here as food, including herself. That was what bothered her most of all. It was unforgivable.
Mirabelle was always the one in control, always on top. She might look down on others, but she would never tolerate being looked down upon in return.
I am the predator here! You pathetic creatures are the prey! I'll teach you right now exactly who hunts whom!
"Let go, Edith," she said sharply, shaking off her friend's grip on her robes before taking a deliberate step toward the Dementor.
There was no fear in her expression, there was no need for fear. She felt nothing but the simple desire to exterminate the pest that had foolishly appeared before her.
Yes, Mirabelle was always the hunter.
"You filthy, inferior creature," she said, her voice dripping with arrogance and disdain. "Who gave you permission to expose your disgusting form in front of me?"
The Dementor remained unmoved by her haughty words. If anything, it let out a low groan and began to drift closer to her.
But Mirabelle would never tolerate such insolence. To ignore someone when they were speaking to you was the height of disrespect, completely unacceptable.
"Hmph! It seems I need to educate you! Invaderent Patronum! Attack, my guardian spirit!"
She drew her wand with lightning speed and swept it to the side in a sharp arc. Instantly, a silvery blade manifested and cleanly severed both of the Dementor's arms.
The Patronus Charm was said to be the only spell effective against Dementors, but Mirabelle had independently modified and evolved it into what she called the "Offensive Patronus." Where a normal Patronus would simply drive enemies away, hers had been given an aggressive, predatory nature. This transformation had turned it into a deadly weapon capable of actually killing Dementors.
Knowing that Dementors would appear during her third year, she had naturally prepared appropriate countermeasures. This spell existed solely to destroy Dementors, created by Mirabelle for that express purpose.
Therefore, she was absolutely invincible against them!
"Gaaah!" The Dementor's shriek of agony filled the air.
"Oh, so even lower life forms can feel pain? How educational," Mirabelle observed, a sadistic smile spreading across her face as she watched the creature writhe in torment.
Yes, this was exactly how things should be. This was the natural order.
No one should ever see Mirabelle as prey. There could be only one ruler in any situation, and that ruler was always her. She was the one who inspired fear, the one who had the right to torment and devour others, regardless of who or what stood before her. There were no exceptions to this rule.
"Now then, where shall I cut you next? Your chest? Your stomach? Or perhaps I should simply remove your head?"
The Dementor recoiled in obvious terror.
"Hehe, I thought they were creatures driven purely by instinct, but it turns out they do possess intelligence after all. Most importantly, they understand 'fear.' Good, be more afraid. That's exactly how I prefer it."
Now completely convinced of her superiority, Mirabelle began closing the distance one step at a time. Like a predator toying with its prey, she ran her tongue across her lips in anticipation.
Watching her, Hermione was reminded of the nightmare she had witnessed the previous year. Mirabelle radiated the same dangerous aura she had displayed while tormenting the Basilisk. Her usual calm demeanor was merely a mask to hide her true nature, it was when she was inflicting suffering on others that this golden-haired girl revealed her authentic self. Her most perilous face emerged when she was freed from the restraints of reason.
The "Slytherin Monster" raised her wand with an even broader smile. Her golden eyes gleamed with excitement, and her cheeks flushed with pale pink anticipation.
There was no one present who could stop her now, no one who would come to the Dementor's aid. The girl, completely lost to self-control, began to swing her wand downward...
A large hand reached out from beside her and caught her wrist.
"Don't. Killing an Azkaban guard will only cause you trouble," said a calm voice.
The owner of that strong grip was a man wearing shabby robes covered in patches. His light brown hair was streaked with gray, and his face was pale as if from illness. However, the arm restraining Mirabelle's hand was firm, and his reproachful gaze held undeniable strength.
This man was Remus Lupin, who would be taking charge of Defense Against the Dark Arts this year.
Mirabelle studied the man's face for several seconds, then sighed in annoyance and obediently lowered her arm.
"I consider it self-defense," she said.
"Yes, severing an arm might be justified as self-defense, but killing would constitute excessive force."
Her entertainment had been interrupted just as it was reaching the most enjoyable part, completely dampening her enthusiasm. With a bored expression, Mirabelle put away her wand and helped Edith to her feet.
As for the Dementor, she would leave everything to this shabby man, Lupin. Since he had intervened with such authority, she expected him to take responsibility and deal with the situation properly.
Lupin addressed the Dementor firmly: "No one here is hiding Sirius Black. Leave immediately." But the creature didn't move, apparently still enraged about losing its arms.
"That's what you brought upon yourself," Lupin said dismissively, then used a proper Patronus Charm to forcibly drive the Dementor away.
I see. As expected, he's quite skilled, Mirabelle thought.
"Edith, eat this," Lupin said, offering her a chocolate frog.
"Chocolate?" Edith asked uncertainly.
"It will help you feel better."
He pressed the sweet into Edith's hands while Mirabelle took a bite of her own chocolate. Almost immediately, warmth spread through her body from her fingers to her toes, returning her to a normal state. Edith followed suit, and her complexion improved dramatically. It was remarkably effective.
Looking toward Harry and the others, she saw they were also accepting chocolate from the shabby professor and appeared much healthier.
"I'm impressed. You know how to handle Dementors?" Lupin asked, speaking with surprise to Mirabelle, who had begun eating her chocolate without being told.
To Mirabelle, however, this was simply basic knowledge. As she had mentioned before, her father, Heathcote Beresford, was an Auror specializing in combating Dark wizards. Her mother wasn't ordinary either, Mavis Beresford had been deputy headmistress of Durmstrang, where she taught Dark Arts. From a young age, Mirabelle had received instruction in the Dark Arts from both parents.
Given that background, it was impossible that someone who had endured such an intensive, almost abusive elite education would lack this level of knowledge.
After that incident, the train somehow resumed its journey and arrived at Hogwarts without further trouble. As in previous years, new students were sorted into their Houses, and the new teachers were announced.
First, as expected, Remus Lupin was introduced as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Additionally, Hagrid, the groundskeeper, was given responsibility for Care of Magical Creatures, though Mirabelle considered this appointment a clear mistake.
Certainly, animals adored Hagrid, he possessed genuine talent for taming magical creatures, and he was undoubtedly a good-hearted person. However, she honestly didn't believe he was cut out for teaching anything to anyone.
She supposed she would have to wait and see what he could accomplish, though she thought it pointless to expect much.
Either way, another busy year was about to begin. Mirabelle couldn't help but smile wryly when she realized she was looking forward to it, just a little.
The next morning, when she entered the Great Hall for breakfast, the Slytherin table was in an uproar. Looking toward the center of the commotion, she spotted Malfoy pretending to faint while his friends laughed uproariously.
There was no question about who he was imitating, it was obviously Harry Potter, who had lost consciousness in front of the Dementor. As expected, Harry was despised by the Slytherin students after leading Gryffindor to victory in the House Cup two years running. They were delighted to see him humiliated.
"Even you were so terrified by the Dementors that you let it show," Edith muttered in displeasure as she took her seat.
Seeing this, Mirabelle's mouth curved upward in amusement.
"Oh my, you seem rather irritated, Edith. Have you developed feelings for Potter?"
"It's nothing like that," Edith protested.
"Really? It seemed like you got along quite well with them last year."
Mirabelle spoke cheerfully as she poured milk over her breakfast cornflakes. Indeed, as she had observed, there had been a period last year, from Christmas until the end of term, when Edith had grown close to Harry and Hermione. It had been a sort of alliance formed to uncover the true identity of the Slytherin monster, but it was impossible to say that no genuine bonds had developed during that time.
"Well, if you find his behavior unpleasant, I could silence him for you."
"No, that's fine. Mirabelle, you're ruthless."
Honestly, Mirabelle found Malfoy nothing but a nuisance, so she wouldn't hesitate to shut him up by force if necessary. However, Edith, knowing full well how merciless Mirabelle could be, stopped her and instead reached for a plate of bacon and eggs.
When she pierced the soft-boiled yolk with her fork, the golden contents spilled out and stained the white with yellow. She cut a piece with her knife and took a bite, savoring the rich, mellow flavor that filled her mouth.
"But seriously, why was Harry the only one who fainted? I don't think he's particularly weak-minded."
"Far from being weak, he's actually in the strong category. At the very least, excluding myself, he has a tougher mental structure than anyone else who was there."
"Then why did it happen to him?"
"Dementors are creatures that drain positive emotions like happiness and joy, leaving only your worst memories and experiences. If someone has a tragic past like Harry Potter's, it's no wonder he would lose consciousness."
Mirabelle explained this while continuing to munch on her cornflakes. When facing a Dementor, mental strength meant very little. What determined whether you would faint was simply whether you had experienced significant misfortune in your life.
From that perspective, someone like Malfoy, who had been pampered from birth and lived a privileged existence, would probably be among the least affected. Conversely, Mirabelle thought that if he had endured experiences similar to Harry's, it wouldn't have been surprising if he had gone beyond fainting to complete madness.
"How can someone prevent themselves from fainting?"
"The most reliable method would be to use the Patronus Charm, but that's classified as fairly advanced magic. Not just anyone can master it."
"The Patronus Charm? Is that what you used on the train?"
Mirabelle laughed confidently at Edith's question and took a bite of her buttered toast. After washing it down with tea, she replied:
"What I used was an improved version I call the 'Offensive Patronus.' It's not the original spell."
"Didn't you just say it was advanced magic? How did you progress to the point of improving it?"
"Because there's nothing I can't do," Mirabelle declared with obvious pride, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
It seemed she had finished eating, she wouldn't be consuming much more today. Edith, though amazed by the response, looked as if she had grown accustomed to such statements.
"Do you think I could learn to do that too?"
"That would be difficult. First, you'd need to master the regular Patronus Charm before attempting anything else."
For dessert, she scooped up some custard pudding with her spoon while explaining the challenges Edith would face. The spell Mirabelle had used was an evolved version of the already-advanced Patronus Charm, and it wasn't intended for anyone other than herself to learn or use.
In a sense, it was an original spell created specifically for Mirabelle, one that could only be utilized thanks to her extraordinary magical sensitivity and that showed no consideration for others whatsoever.
"Then please teach me the regular Patronus Charm."
"Hmm. I wouldn't mind teaching you if you really want to learn, but I wonder if I'll have the time."
"Oh? Is there something else occupying your schedule?"
After finishing her pudding dessert and wiping her mouth with a napkin, Mirabelle paused to refresh herself with tea before speaking. Her next words would bring good news for Slytherin House, which had been losing in recent years, and represent a nightmare for Gryffindor.
"The truth is, last year Marcus Flint begged me to help him, saying he desperately wanted to defeat Gryffindor. I don't particularly want to get involved, but it's no fun for my House to keep losing constantly. So I've decided to lend them my power for just one year."
She paused, then smiled with absolute confidence in victory.
"Let's give Gryffindor a complete and utter defeat."
Edith: "I thought you said last year that you weren't going to participate in Quidditch..."
Mirabelle: "I've changed my mind. I don't like losing all the time. I'll give Gryffindor ten times the humiliation they've dealt us."
Edith: "You're so selfish," she laughed.
---
Author's Note:
This time, I've brought you their encounter on the train and breakfast scene. The Invaderent Patronum that Mirabelle used is an original spell I created. The difference from the traditional Patronus is that while the original only drives away Dementors, this one actually attacks and tears them apart. In fact, it's not limited to Dementors, it attacks all hostile magical entities, so it's more like an overprotective spirit. It's practically an evil spirit at this point.
And Mirabelle has decided to participate in Quidditch. Enjoy watching how Harry challenges the wall that is her.