Thick Of It

Jason sat in the train cabin, staring out the window as the countryside blurred by. His housemates, Vik, Simon, Tobi, and Josh, chatted animatedly around him, but their voices faded into background noise. Jason's mind was elsewhere .

He leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, a faint frown creasing his forehead.

Jason (to himself): "This year… this year is everything. It's the turning point. The war is brewing, and if I don't get stronger, I'll be swept up in it like the rest . No. I have to prepare. I have to stay ahead."

He glanced at his friends, their laughter filling the cabin. For a moment, he envied their carefree attitudes, but the thought was fleeting.

Jason (to himself): "They don't see it , The storm that's coming. Voldemort… he's not a distant threat anymore. He's a shadow creeping closer every day. And when he's here, there's no room for hesitation, no mercy."

His hand absentmindedly traced the edge of his wand.

Jason (to himself): "Mercy… it's a luxury we can't afford. Not in this war or should i say any war . The light side made that mistake before—letting Death Eaters go, letting Imperius as an excuse. They gave Voldemort time , he does not have to build his forces again they are alredy ready. I won't make that mistake."

Jason's thoughts darkened, his jaw tightening.

Jason (to himself): "The biggest question is whether I can trust my knowledge. Meta-knowledge… it's a double-edged sword. Things are already changing. Harry's not the same scared boy he was supposed to be. He's gaining confidence. That's good for him, but bad for Dumbledore. The old man loves his chess pieces, and Harry stepping off the board won't go unnoticed."

He tapped his fingers against his knee, his brow furrowing deeper.

Jason (to himself): "And me? I've been too close to Harry. Dumbledore's sharp. He'll start asking questions if I suddenly step back, but I can't let him see too much. I need distance. Just enough to stay under his radar."

His thoughts were interrupted when the train jolted suddenly, the carriage shuddering to a halt.

Josh: [frowning] "What the bloody hell? Did the engine crash or something?"

Vik: "Knowing this train, probably a niffler in the gears."

The temperature in the cabin dropped sharply, and a mist began to seep in through the cracks in the windows. Jason immediately tensed.

Simon: [shivering] "Why is it so cold all of a sudden?"

Tobi: [pointing out the window] "Uh, guys? What are those?"

A dark, hooded figure glided past the window, its presence sending a chill through the cabin.

Josh: [voice trembling] "Are those… Dementors?"

Tobi: "Dementors? Aren't they supposed to be in Azkaban?"

Jason: [ pulling out his wand] "Not anymore, apparently."

The door to their compartment creaked open, and a Dementor loomed in the doorway. The boys recoiled in terror as the creature extended a skeletal hand.

Tobi: "What do we do?!"

Jason: [calmly stepping forward] "Don't worry. I've got this."

He raised his wand with practiced precision.

Jason: "Expecto Patronum!"

A blinding white light erupted from Jason's wand, taking the form of a glowing bird like figure. The Patronus charged at the Dementor, forcing it to retreat into the mist. The boys stared in stunned silence as Jason lowered his wand, his breathing steady.

Before anyone could speak, a figure came, this time revealing a man with a slightly worn coat and tired eyes.

Remus: "Brilliant charm, lad. You're in third year, you said?"

Jason: [nodding] "Yes. And you are?"

Remus: "Remus Lupin. I'll be your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this year. Tell me, who taught you to cast a Patronus?"

Jason: "No one, Professor. I taught myself."

Lupin stared at Jason .

Remus: [finally speaking] "Well, self-taught or not, that was impressive. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to check with the driver. Stay put, and keep that wand ready."

As Lupin left, the boys turned to Jason, their awe giving way to a barrage of questions.

===

Josh: "Jason, mate, when did you learn to do that?"

Simon: "Yeah, even the new professor didn't expect that"

Tobi: "And you Vik looked like nothing was wrong the whole time."

Vik: [grinning] "Because i knew Jason had it covered."

Simon: [skeptical] "Alright, Vik. Spill it. How does Jason know so much?"

Vik: "You really want to know?"

The boys nodded eagerly.

Vik: "Alright. In first year, he didn't just study our syllabus. He read the first and second-year books for Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. By the end of second year, he'd finished third and fourth-year materials. And that's just the basics."

Josh: [gaping] "You're joking."

Tobi: [in disbelief] "That's insane."

Vik: " don't compare yourself. It's not worth the headache."

Jason: [returning from the corridor] "Stop exaggerating, Vik. You'll scare them."

Simon: "We're already scared, mate."

Jason smirked and waved them off.

Jason: "I'm off to check on the others. Try not to start a fan club while I'm gone."

As Jason left the compartment, the boys sat in silence for a moment, processing what they'd just learned.

Josh: "I think I need to start studying more."

Tobi: [grinning] "You're better off just copying Vik's notes."

The cabin erupted in laughter .