Chapter 215: The Demise of the Dementor

"Hmph! He has the nerve to call my Crookshanks a monster!"

Hermione's tone was indignant. "My Crookshanks is so beautiful!"

"Yes... very beautiful," George replied noncommittally, glancing at the ginger cat with a squashed face.

He felt that most people wouldn't consider Crookshanks beautiful—perhaps "ugly but cute" was a more accurate description. Beauty, after all, is subjective. Just like how people admire Bull Terriers, Shar-Peis, American Bullies, or Cornish Rex cats. Despite their unconventional looks, many find them endearing.

Though Crookshanks might not win any beauty contests, it wasn't an ordinary cat. With Kneazle blood coursing through it, Crookshanks could discern malicious intent—hence its relentless pursuit of Scabbers, the rat form of Peter Pettigrew.

"Hey, George! Long time no see. Is this your girlfriend?"

As two Ministry of Magic cars pulled up in front of the Leaky Cauldron, a woman in a red jacket and jeans with colorful hair stepped out. It was Tonks, teasing as she spotted George and Hermione chatting.

"Long time no see, Tonks. I heard you've been promoted. Congratulations!" George greeted her warmly, unfazed by the joke.

He hadn't expected Tonks to be among the Aurors escorting Harry to the train station.

"Hermione, why is your face red? It's not even that hot today," Harry asked as he and Ron arrived at the door, noticing Hermione's flushed cheeks.

Hermione hastily grabbed her luggage and climbed into the car.

"I just wore too much this morning," she mumbled before changing the subject. "Oh look, the car's here. Let's go!"

The Weasleys soon arrived at the door, and Mrs. Weasley urged everyone to hurry into the cars.

The journey to King's Cross Station was uneventful, with no surprises. Passing through Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, they boarded the Hogwarts Express. George carried his luggage to the second-year compartment.

Since they had stayed overnight at the Leaky Cauldron and been escorted by the Ministry's cars, they were among the first students to arrive. The compartment was still empty.

Ginny naturally sat with George, and not long after, Colin Creevey and Luna Lovegood joined them.

"Over here!" Ginny waved them over enthusiastically, explaining to George, "I wrote to Colin and Luna beforehand, asking them to come early so we could all sit together, like last year."

"Ah, that makes sense," George nodded. He had been curious about the coincidence but realized it was all pre-arranged.

For him, it didn't matter who he sat with on the train. Previously, he'd cared about building his reputation for better opportunities after graduation. However, with his rapidly growing strength, such concerns seemed irrelevant now. Absolute power had a way of simplifying things.

The Hogwarts Express sped northward, and the scenery outside the window became increasingly desolate. Thickening clouds darkened the sky, and by the afternoon, rain began to fall, blurring the landscape.

The downpour intensified, turning the train windows into sheets of gray. Thunder roared, and wind howled as the lights inside the train flickered to life.

George was engrossed in Advanced Alchemy, while Ginny, Luna, and Colin had dozed off. Suddenly, the train began to slow, its clattering wheels growing quieter until they stopped altogether.

"Did we arrive already?" Ginny stirred groggily. Luna and Colin also woke up, looking confused.

George closed his book and replied, "No, the train must've encountered an issue."

Everyone peeked curiously into the corridor, but no one could figure out what had happened. The train gave a final lurch before coming to a complete halt. Then, without warning, all the lights went out.

"Ahhh!"

Screams erupted in the pitch darkness. Ginny and Colin instinctively clung to George, trembling with fear.

"Lumos!" Luna calmly cast the Wand-Lighting Charm, illuminating their compartment.

George gently pried the two off him and reassured them.
"Don't worry, it's just a minor issue. Everything will be fine soon."

"But what's that?" Colin pointed at the frosted-over window with a shaky hand. It was mid-July, far too warm for such icy conditions.

Ginny yelped and dove back into George's arms. He sighed and patted her back to calm her down, thinking that while Ginny was usually brave, she still had the heart of a young girl. In contrast, Luna remained composed, standing out as the most level-headed of the group.

Just as George comforted Ginny, a hooded figure loomed at the door. Its skeletal hand, pale and slimy like something long decayed, pushed the door open, revealing its grotesque, rotting head.

"Ahhh!"

Ginny and Colin screamed in terror, while even Luna showed rare fear, squeezing closer to George.

"That's a Dementor," Luna whispered. "The most terrifying dark creature—they can suck out a person's soul."

"Ahhh!"

Hearing this, Colin and Ginny screamed again.

George, however, remained calm. He raised his hand, summoning a small, glowing magic circle.
"Rain of Light!"

Dementors in this world could only be repelled with a Patronus Charm, but George wanted to see if his light-based magic would work. If not, he could always resort to the Patronus Charm later.

The golden arrows of light shot toward the Dementor. As they approached, the creature trembled violently, letting out a shriek of terror. It tried to flee but was too late. The arrows struck it, and with a final scream, it disintegrated into ash.