Harry Potter: I started checking in from Diagon Alley

Chapter 45 Thestrals and Guardians

The soft clatter of hooves echoed as the carriage moved slowly forward. Eric turned to look out the window at the night sky and the trees faintly visible in the moonlight.

There is a short stone path between Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. Along the way, they will pass the entrance to the Forbidden Forest, several oddly shaped houses, and the calm Black Lake.

Hogsmeade was still brightly lit and bustling at this time of year, with many wizards still roaming the various pubs.

Hogsmeade is also a popular weekend getaway for Hogwarts students.

Of course, this applies only to students in the third grade and above.

“I’m saying, for the past three years, haven’t you found it strange that these cars can move on their own…”

Ron, like Eric, looked out the window, but he frequently glanced at the reins fluttering alone in the air directly in front of the carriage.

The carriage they were riding in had no horses; it moved on its own.

Moreover, these carriages can even automatically detect the number of people traveling together, and will only start moving once everyone standing next to it has boarded.

Harry said impatiently, "There's nothing strange about this, Ron. It must be some kind of magic. Haven't you gotten used to it yet?"

“No, that’s not just magic, it’s Thestrals pulling the chariot,” Eric interjected with a laugh.

Thestral?

Apart from Lupin, who remained silent, the other three exclaimed in unison in surprise.

Eric said, "Yes, they are creatures that look like horses, but they have wings and are completely black."

"By the way, you can't see them."

Ron asked in surprise, "We can't see them? Then why can you see them?"

"You're not lying to us, are you, Eric?"

Lupin, who had been leaning back in his seat with his eyes closed and not interested in the children's conversation, suddenly said, "Only those who have witnessed death can see Thestrals. Eric wasn't lying to you."

Ron and Harry shivered, and their gazes toward Lupin and Eric held a new, indescribable emotion.

Lupin is a professor; he couldn't possibly help Eric deceive them in something like this.

But the word "death" is indeed too distant for them now.

Eric chuckled, not continuing the topic, but turning to Hermione and saying, "Go ahead and ask. You've been staring at me for a while now."

"what?"

Eric smiled without saying a word; Hermione had been secretly watching him ever since they got into the car.

Hermione, startled by having her secret exposed, blushed slightly and became nervous. She quickly changed the subject, saying, "I... I've seen the name Thestrals in a book, but I didn't know they lived at Hogwarts."

“That’s not what you meant,” Eric said.

Hermione stared blankly at the floor, as if she had never ridden in a carriage before. After a while, she said, "Eric, you seem to know everything..."

"I just want to know, what was the name of that spell you used on the Hogwarts Express?"

Eric laughed. He knew Hermione wasn't referring to that, but he didn't press her further. He looked out the window nonchalantly and replied, "That's the Patronus Charm, a spell specifically used to deal with Dementors."

"Few people know this spell because it is not only difficult to use, but also has few applications; it can only be used to exorcise Dementors."

Hermione asked, "Is that material for older students?"

"Older students? No, as far as I know, this spell is not taught in Hogwarts' curriculum."

"then you……"

Eric smiled slightly but did not continue to answer the question. He said, "If you want to learn, I can teach you."

Hermione exclaimed in surprise, "Really? I really want to learn that spell. If I learn it, can I summon a giant eagle like you?"

"No, everyone's guardian angel is different; it depends on you."

No one in this carriage doubted Eric's abilities.

Because Eric has already proven himself through his actions.

Harry had long known that Eric was stronger than him, and Hermione and Ron had actually witnessed Eric exorcising Dementors on the train.

Needless to say, Lupin is another story altogether.

So even though no one knew Eric was a first-year student, no one thought there was anything wrong with it.

Harry, however, seemed hesitant to speak after hearing this.

“Not just you, but if Harry and Ron want to learn too, I can teach you.” Before the other two could speak, Eric continued, “Especially Harry, I think you should feel that you really need this spell now.”

Harry smiled excitedly at first, then his expression froze, and then he fell silent again, clearly thinking about what happened on the train: "I don't understand, Eric, why am I the only one who faints when facing Dementors? Does it mean I'm weak? Just like you said at the Leaky Cauldron."

Eric thought for a moment and said, "Since you brought up what I said to you at the Leaky Cauldron, you should look at this from a different perspective."

"You may not know about Dementors, Harry. In most people's eyes, they are a kind of evil magical creature. Of course, I personally do not agree with this description."

"They will specifically absorb all the positive emotions in you and convert them into the energy they rely on for survival."

"In other words, it would be strange if you could be happy when facing a Dementor."

"And when you fainted, it must have been because you had a lot of bad thoughts due to the arrival of the Dementors."

Harry nodded emphatically and said, "I heard... lots of screams of terror and pleading, they kept echoing in my ears, as if I were experiencing it myself... I wanted to help them, but I just couldn't..."

“I feel…” Harry said, crossing his arms over his chest and unconsciously clenching his arms, “It’s so cold, I can’t even feel the temperature of my own breath.”

Eric and the others in the carriage didn't interrupt him; even Lupin opened his eyes slightly and looked at Harry.

"That's normal."

After Harry finished speaking, Eric slowly spoke.

"Normal?" Harry exclaimed in surprise. "How is that possible? Then why didn't any of you hear that scream?"

“It’s normal for you because you’ve been through more than we have,” Eric said. “Remember what I told you, Harry?”

“You are different from other wizards. You carry more burdens and have greater responsibilities.”

"When you encounter Dementors, they will suck away all your hopes and dreams, and then make you recall the things you least want to face deep in your heart. It is not a feeling that can be easily dismissed."

"You must have recalled something deep within you that you've been unwilling to confront, but which is buried deep in your subconscious."

"At that time, it struck again."

"It's nothing shameful to give up in the face of this kind of pain, Harry."

"The reason others didn't faint is simply because they haven't experienced what you've experienced, not because they are mentally stronger than you."

"On the contrary, I think it will make your feelings more real."

"And this feeling is the key to learning the Guardian Charm. Only when you truly want to overcome this emotion and wholeheartedly protect what you want to protect can you unleash unprecedented power."

"This is also the essence of the Guardian Spell."

Eric finished speaking with a smile, and his words left Harry and everyone else present speechless.

Harry stared at Eric, his heart churning like a tidal wave, overwhelmed by Eric's confidence and his earnest, persuasive words.

Although Eric was a bit long-winded, almost every word he said struck Harry's heart precisely.

He not only understands Harry's thoughts, but also genuinely cares about Harry's well-being.

To be fair, Harry had never met such an outstanding peer.

Among the trio, Hermione has the broadest knowledge, but even Hermione is far inferior to Eric, whose understanding of magic is profound for his age.

Most importantly, Eric was not only highly skilled, but he also never acted condescendingly and always maintained respect for Harry.

Harry almost burst into tears if it weren't for Lupin, whom he was meeting for the first time.

He had a strong impulse to die for someone who understands him.

Seeing Harry's expression, Lupin shook his head helplessly and said, "You really don't hide it at all..."

Chapter 46 Think More

Eric smiled and said, "Professor, I never feel I have anything to hide. Every word I say comes from the heart."

Lupin shook his head and said nothing more. In this carriage, only he and Eric understood the meaning of his words.

Every word Eric said was consciously influencing Harry and those around him.

Lupin saw this, but he had no position or means to stop Eric from doing so.

So he could only remain silent, since Eric truly meant no harm to Harry.

Ron asked in surprise, "Eric, where did you learn so much? You're amazing. You'll definitely be assigned to Ravenclaw later. Everyone there is very smart."

Harry objected, "What nonsense are you talking about, Ron? Don't you want Eric to come to Gryffindor?"

“Of course I want to, but it’s not up to me to decide…” Ron stammered.

Eric shook his head and laughed, "I don't know which college I'll be assigned to."

“Okay, but as long as it’s not Slytherin,” Ron said.

"Oh? Why?"

"Why?" Ron exclaimed. "Do I need to tell you that Slytherin people are all bad?"

"Almost all dark wizards come from Slytherin, and that annoying Malfoy too, his whole family are Slytherin. All Slytherins are rotten. Eric, you know so much, you shouldn't be hanging out with them."

Eric, seeing Ron's indignant expression, found things getting interesting and said, "It's true that many dark wizards come from Slytherin, I can't refute that, but you yourself said that not all dark wizards are like that. Some, even from other houses, can do despicable things."

Ron retorted, "But there's no doubt that Slytherins are always annoying."

"So, you think Slytherin are the bad guys and Gryffindor are the good guys?" Eric asked curiously.

"Of course!"

"...What if I went to Slytherin?"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere inside the carriage became somewhat awkward.

Ron blushed and stared at Eric in disbelief.

Harry was the same; judging from Eric's calm demeanor, he didn't seem to be joking at all.