"There's nothing to apologize for," Vid shook his head and said, "The Dementor's effect on you is stronger because you've been through more terrifying things. It's not your fault."
Harry was stunned.
Vid nodded to everyone and said, "I'm going to find Professor Abigail and ask some questions..."
"Go ahead," Michael waved and said, "We're not kids anymore; we can take care of ourselves."
So Vid turned and left.
Everyone remained silent for a while, with nothing much to say. At that moment, they didn't dare to play games anymore, only exchanged a few comforting words and tidied up the scattered snacks and various trinkets.
Almost everyone's Friendship Books were heating up repeatedly as their parents eagerly asked for news. The students returned to their respective compartments, sat down, and began to assure their family and friends of their safety.
Harry touched his always-quiet Friendship Book, and Vid's previous words flashed through his mind—
"The Dementor's effect on you is stronger because you've been through more terrifying things."
Then, he belatedly recalled what he had heard before—
"Don't move Harry! Don't move Harry... just kill me... have mercy... have mercy..."
He suddenly understood; what he heard was not a classmate's screams.
But... it was the last voice left in the world by his mother...
Harry's eyes quickly became wet, and he swallowed hard, trying to suppress the wails and cries that were about to escape his throat. Then, he sniffled and took a strong bite of a Chocolate Frog.
...
Vid walked along the train corridor, encountering students all throughout the journey.
Most of the young wizards were standing at the door, watching him with awe, while some familiar ones would pat his shoulder and say "Well done, Gray!" with others even wanting to shake his hand solemnly.
Percy Weasley was representative of the latter.
The red-haired freckled young man had grown quite tall and shook hands seriously while saying:
"As the boys' student council president, I thank you, Vid Gray, for your contributions to protecting this train and all the students aboard. I'll count on you for the rest of the journey, too."
"Also... very nice Patronus, Vid."
Vid felt uneasy being praised by Percy. He had never liked these sorts of people who enjoy formality.
Vid quickly shook hands with Percy, then asked about Professor Abigail's location before turning away.
Professor Abigail was now in a carriage near the rear of the train, surrounded by a group of students chattering, most of whom were girls.
As Vid approached, he saw Pansy pacing in the corridor outside the carriage, seeming to want to go in but holding back for some reason.
Hearing footsteps, Pansy turned her head, and upon seeing Vid, she awkwardly looked away.
Vid pretended not to notice, raised his hand to knock on the door, and heard a very hesitant voice from behind: "Um... Gray..."
The voice was so thin and light, almost squeezed out of a hole the size of a toothpick.
Vid turned around and saw Pansy still staring at the floor. He uncertainly asked, "Are you calling me?"
"Uh..." Pansy blushed and stammered, "I heard people say Potter fainted, but you woke him up suddenly..."
Vid was surprised: "The news traveled so quickly?"
Pansy bit her lip and summoned the courage to continue: "Draco fainted too... could you... could you go and take a look?"
Pansy was worried; a Dementor had invaded the train right from beside their compartment, and Malfoy ran into it while checking the situation outside.
Dementors have only a bit of a brain; they don't recognize the Malfoy Family's young master.
Although these dark creatures may not directly suck out a person's soul, merely taking away joyful emotions could cause depression or even madness.
But, the two who mastered the Patronus Charm on the train—Vid Gray, whom they've clashed with a few times, and Professor Abigail, who is popular among most students but not favored by Slytherin.
—Mainly because getting beaten up was too painful. Young wizards from Pure-Blood families rarely experience such hardship.
Moreover, many of them had embarrassed themselves in Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, so they urged their parents to expel this extraordinary professor from the academy—not successful, but causing Professor Abigail some trouble nonetheless.
That's why Pansy was pacing outside the compartment.
She felt this professor seemed easy-going but in reality was not.
After hesitating for a while, seeing Vid, Pansy instinctively made a request.
She soon showed a regretful expression, feeling she was asking for humiliation.
Vid hadn't intended to agree, but just as he was about to ignore her, he suddenly remembered Dumbledore's words—
"Don't push those who might stand on our side towards the enemy; give others respect and kindness."
—All right then.
Though he felt some people didn't deserve respect, since it was a small matter, there was no need to foster resentment.
Then, he changed his tune, saying: "...Let's go."
"...Huh?" Pansy didn't catch it.
Vid looked at her: "Aren't you going to check on Malfoy?"
"Oh... okay... thank you!"
Pansy awkwardly turned to lead the way, almost walking in an awkward gait. Along the way, she would occasionally sneak a glance at Vid, as if worried he might suddenly leave.
The Malfoy's compartment was very close, and he was lying on a seat, with Goyle and Zabini beside him.
However, unlike when Harry fainted and people gathered around showing concern, these two only sat on the opposite chairs with indifferent expressions, while Goyle was flipping through snacks on the table.
"Draco!"
Pansy didn't notice the expressions of the others; she rushed over, touched Malfoy's head, and turned to ask: "What should we do? He's been like this, not waking up."
Seeing Vid enter, the two in the compartment were surprised and looked at him, dumbfounded.
Vid raised his wand: "Expecto Patronum!"
The silver eagle appeared again, flew around the top of the compartment, and landed on Malfoy.
The Patronus Charm is an ancient magic; it existed even before Dementors emerged in the world.
The Patronus summoned by the spell is the embodiment of positive force and emotions, capable of repelling dark creatures that disturb people's minds and dispelling spiritual gloom.
"You're talking nonsense, I'm not a Muggle!"
Malfoy suddenly shouted, sitting up abruptly, and accidentally bumped his head into Pansy's chin who was leaning over to check him.
Both of them cried out in pain simultaneously, one clutching their forehead and the other their chin, wincing through gritted teeth. Pansy's eyes were filled with tears from the pain, unable to speak for a while.
Zabini chuckled and said meaningfully, "—Muggle?"
Malfoy glared at him, feeling lingering fears as he checked the surroundings and angrily asked, "Where's that monster?"
"Driven away by Gray's guy..."
Zabini glanced at the door, only to find Vid had already left silently.
He didn't intend to hide it and said plainly: "He just saved you! Otherwise, you might have fainted until we disembarked."
"—He saved me?" Malfoy said with a dark expression: "Who asked him to save me?"
Zabini shrugged, but Pansy glared at Malfoy.
Malfoy shrank his neck, feeling his forehead hurt even more.
"Want some chocolate?" Goyle handed over a piece of chocolate and asked.
Malfoy accepted the chocolate, ate it in one bite, and muttered discontentedly: "Can someone explain to me what really happened?"
...
"Knock, knock, knock."
A knock was heard.
The train compartments aren't completely sealed. Through the glass door, Vid Gray could be seen standing outside, and the students who had been laughing and chatting suddenly quieted down.
They looked at each other, and the girl closest to the door stood up, opened it, and blushingly said, "Um... Gray? What can we do for you?"
"Sorry." Vid said, "I'm looking for Professor Abigail."
Through the crowd, he saw Professor Abigail sitting inside.
"Oh..."
Professor Abigail paused for a moment and then said: "The train is about to arrive, children. Go and get ready..."
She looked at Vid, smiling: "We have some matters to discuss."