Luna blinked slowly, seemingly processing Ginny's words for a moment. "...Oh, I did go there first," she finally replied. "But unfortunately, it was full of Wrackspurts..."
"Wrackspurts?" I asked.
Luna's silvery eyes drifted over to me, and she smiled sweetly, tilting her head slightly as though puzzled by my confusion. "Yes, Wrackspurts. They're tiny magical creatures that float around your head and cause your brain to feel fuzzy. Very troublesome."
Ok... Was she actually serious? I couldn't tell...?
Ginny giggled lightly, nudging me gently with her elbow. "Don't even bother trying to figure it out, Harry. Trust me."
Luna continued, either not hearing or simply choosing to ignore Ginny's words. "I decided it would be better to explore the train a bit instead. I spent the last few minutes chatting with the conductor, and luckily, this compartment seems free of any distracting creatures." Without waiting for an invitation, Luna stepped inside and sat herself right down next to Hermione. She settled comfortably, brushing her long blonde hair casually over one shoulder.
Hermione glanced up briefly from her book, clearly bemused by Luna's sudden appearance, though she didn't seem bothered by the intrusion.
Luna's silvery-blue eyes immediately locked onto mine again, and a soft, gentle smile spread across her pretty face. "It's nice to finally meet you, Harry Sitri," she said softly.
I froze immediately, my heart jolting in shock. How the hell did this girl know my true family name?
"Don't bother asking," Ginny said with an amused smirk, clearly guessing my thoughts. "Luna just always seems to know things. It's one of her many mysteries."
Luna's smile grew slightly wider, seemingly pleased by Ginny's explanation. "It's not that mysterious," she explained serenely, her eyes drifting dreamily across the compartment. "People's secrets sometimes just whisper themselves to me, like little birds singing in my ear..."
...We continued chatting comfortably for around an hour as the Hogwarts Express moved smoothly along the tracks, lush countryside scenery gliding past outside the windows. Ginny and Luna had an easy, familiar rhythm in their conversations, clearly close friends. Ginny would frequently burst into laughter at Luna's odd and often completely nonsensical observations, while Hermione seemed content quietly observing the two younger girls' antics over the edge of her book.
I leaned back comfortably in my seat, feeling pleasantly relaxed with Hermione's foot occasionally brushing against mine. Ginny continued pressing warmly into my side, her thigh snug against my own. I couldn't help noticing the gentle rise and fall of her chest whenever she laughed, or the way her hand would lightly rest against my leg in casual intimacy.
My devil instincts were keenly aware of the soft warmth of the girls around me, and I smiled, savoring this peaceful, enjoyable moment.
Our peaceful bubble was suddenly interrupted by the compartment door sliding loudly open again.
I looked up, immediately noticing the tall figure standing there-definitely not a student. He was older, perhaps in his early thirties, with flowing golden-blond hair styled dramatically. His brightly colored robes were impeccably clean, every fold precisely arranged.
"Woah... are you Gilderoy Lockhart?" Ginny asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?" she then turned to me and whispered her mom was a big fan of this guy. He was a famous author, although Ginny also whispered his books were a bit gaudy for her tastes. "I prefer erotic romance..." she winked before we turned back to the man at the compartment door.
The man's lips curled upwards into a cocky smirk when we turned back to him. "Indeed I am, young lady," he replied confidently.
Lockhart's eyes drifted slowly over each of the girls, lingering particularly long on Ginny's figure pressed close to mine, then roaming appreciatively over Hermione's crossed legs, and even Luna's soft curves.
His gaze made me bristle instantly. I could practically feel him mentally undressing them. My possessive devil instincts roared to life...
Finally, Lockhart's wandering eyes landed on me, his expression shifting to exaggerated enthusiasm. "Ah, there he is!" he declared dramatically, stepping boldly into our compartment without invitation. "The famous Mr. Harry Potter himself! I've been searching all over this train for you!"
"You have?" I asked dryly, my voice distinctly lacking enthusiasm. I already disliked the man immensely. I didn't need some strange teacher ogling my girlfriend and barging into my private space.
I was about to tell him to fuck off-
But Hermione shot me a look-clearly urging me to behave. I grumbled silently, biting my tongue for now.
Lockhart didn't notice or care about my obvious irritation. He simply flashed me another dazzling, fake-looking smile and leaned dramatically against the compartment wall. "Of course! Allow me to introduce myself properly-though I'm sure introductions aren't truly necessary. I'm Gilderoy Lockhart! World-famous novelist, adventurer, wizarding celebrity, and-most excitingly-your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts!"
Hermione raised an eyebrow slightly behind her book, and Luna simply gazed dreamily out the window, seemingly uninterested. Ginny looked a bit confused and muttered, "why is an author going to be a Professor?"
Lockhart continued on grandly, clearly loving the sound of his own voice. "In fact, Headmaster Dumbledore actually offered me this prestigious teaching position two years ago. But alas, I simply had to decline. I was off exploring a hidden island filled with incredibly dangerous and thrilling magical creatures, after all. Couldn't deny my fans another best-selling novel, you see?"
He chuckled indulgently at his own words, smiling smugly as though he expected me to thank him for finally taking the job now.
"Yet," Lockhart continued dramatically, "when I heard Harry Potter-the legendary Boy Who Lived himself was alive after eighteen long years presumed dead, and finally attending Hogwarts...well, I simply had no choice but to accept the offer at last!"
My jaw tightened immediately at the hated nickname.
Lockhart's entire demeanor grated sharply against my nerves, his self-important tone, the intrusive way he'd barged in here, his blatant ogling of the girls, all of it rubbed me completely the wrong way.
I mean-yeah, as a devil my eye would naturally wander towards beautiful women as well, but I was never blatantly trying to be a creep about it!
"Well, Harry," Lockhart continued breezily, oblivious to the tension radiating from me, "I thought it would be a truly brilliant idea for you and me to become close friends this year. I could even mentor you personally! I can teach you all my exciting secrets, share my wisdom... the wizarding world's two most famous heroes united! Imagine the possibilities!"
I was just about to tell Lockhart exactly where he could shove his "mentorship" in the most "polite" way I could muster, when something strange happened. My words caught sharply in my throat as a sudden chill filled the compartment.
I could literally see my breath as the temperature plummeted around us, frosting over the glass window beside me. My instincts immediately screamed danger, a feeling I was quickly learning to trust.
Hermione reacted instantly. Her book fell forgotten to the floor, and she had her wand out in a flash, brown eyes wide with fear as she stared past Lockhart's shoulder.
I followed her gaze, and my heart skipped a beat in shock.
Right there behind an oblivious Lockhart hovered a pitch-black figure draped in tattered, flowing robes-a literal fucking demon. Its presence was pure darkness, radiating coldness and dread like a physical force.
How did I know exactly what it was? Simple-my mother, Serafall, had warned me thoroughly. As devils, we naturally had enemies, but surprisingly, the fiercest hatred didn't come from angels. No, our oldest, most bitter enemies were demons themselves.
Thousands of years ago, when Lucifer was cast down from heaven, the underworld had already been crawling with demons. Naturally, Lucifer didn't want to share, so he'd slaughtered most of them and banished the survivors to distant dimensions.
Ever since, demons had occasionally returned, consumed by vengeance and determined to kill every devil they found!
And now, incredibly, here one was, staring directly at me.
Ginny's voice trembled beside me, breaking the stunned silence. "H-Holy fuck, that's a Dementor!"
Lockhart blinked, finally registering Ginny's panicked voice. "A Dementor? Young lady, whatever are you going on about-" He turned around slowly, still smirking confidently, only to immediately lose all color in his face.
The demon had drifted closer, its dark hood tilted downward, and beneath that fabric, I glimpsed an eerie, malicious grin.
"-Oh," Lockhart squeaked pathetically, eyes rolling back into his skull. He collapsed instantly, hitting the floor with an embarrassingly loud thud. A dark, wet stain spread rapidly across the front of his flamboyant robes.
Wow, and this guy was going to be our Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor...?
The demon ignored Lockhart's unconscious body entirely, drifting past him, moving straight toward me, ice crystallizing along the compartment walls.
"Sirius Black isn't in here!" Ginny shouted shakily, clutching tightly onto my arm. She was trembling violently, pressing even closer to me, her warmth suddenly all the more noticeable against our skin.
"I don't think this demon's here for some escaped convict," I said grimly, watching the demon carefully.
It's here for me.
Hermione's eyes widened further, and she took a defensive stance next to me. "Harry, be careful!"
The demon paused slightly, seeming to savor the rising panic. Then, beneath its shadowy hood, that twisted grin widened even more.
I felt my blood ignite at the sight. Fuck this! If this demon wanted to fuck around, then it was about to find out!
"You messed with the wrong devil today!" I growled, raising my right hand in front of me. A surge of energy built rapidly inside me, like a swelling tide, begging to be unleashed.
Instantly, a glowing blue magical circle flared brilliantly in front of me, intricately detailed with the proud symbols of my mother's lineage.
"Amazing!" Ginny gasped sharply at my blatant display of magic, staring in awe as the demon drew even closer, its gnarled fingers outstretched hungrily.
"Get fucked!" I unleashed the full force of my magic. A torrent of water burst from the circle, erupting forward violently. It struck the demon with overwhelming force, sending it spiraling backwards out of the compartment.
The monster shrieked angrily, a terrible, haunting sound, as it clawed desperately to cling to the edge of the doorway. But I wasn't letting up! I poured even more of my devilish strength into the attack, the roaring waters surging powerfully forward. The demon screeched again, overwhelmed by the violent waves crashing mercilessly against its twisted form.
With a final explosive burst, my magic punched straight through the compartment wall, splintering metal and wood into jagged fragments. Cold wind screamed loudly into our compartment, whipping through our hair and clothing.
The demon tumbled helplessly through the opening, shrieking its fury even as it was blasted out into the countryside beyond. I watched it vanish into the distance, its figure fading rapidly from view.
I finally lowered my hand, feeling slightly drained but deeply satisfied. That thing had no clue who it was fucking with.
I turned back slowly, instantly noticing the shocked and amazed expressions on the faces of the girls in the compartment.
"Bloody hell, Harry!" Ginny gasped breathlessly. "That was incredible!"
"...You certainly live up to your name, Harry Sitri," Luna said dreamily, her silvery-blue eyes staring thoughtfully at the damaged wall of the compartment. Her voice was calm, soft like she was commenting on the weather, but I noticed the subtle tremble in her fingers. Luna was trying very hard to act unbothered by what just happened, even though it was clear the encounter had shaken her.
Still holding Ginny tightly against my right side, I reached my left arm out toward Luna without thinking. Her eyes widened in surprise when she felt my touch, and she let out a soft, startled squeak that was so utterly adorable I nearly forgot the gravity of the situation.
"Come here," I murmured softly, gently tugging Luna closer until she was pressed against my other side. She resisted only for a second before she relaxed into my embrace, her tense shoulders easing slightly as my warmth seeped into her trembling form. Her head rested against my shoulder lightly, blonde hair tickling my cheek. Ginny pressed even tighter against me, clearly appreciating the close contact too. I heard her soft sigh of relief as she melted into me further.
At least together, we could warm each other back up.
Across from me, Hermione let out a long, exaggerated sigh, rolling her eyes at my blatant display of affection. But even her slight scolding couldn't hide the amused twitch at the corners of her lips. I knew she was secretly glad that I was comforting the others.
The temperature in the compartment suddenly shifted, a comforting warmth spreading through the icy air. Before I could question it, a brilliant white glow poured through the damaged wall, manifesting into a majestic wolf made of glowing silver-white energy. Its ethereal body moved fluidly as it circled briefly around us, radiating peace and strength.
"That's a Patronus," Hermione said breathlessly, her eyes wide with awe as she admired the magical construct. The wolf seemed to study us briefly, then gracefully leaped back toward the damaged doorway.
As if summoned by the Patronus, footsteps sounded in the corridor, quick and purposeful. Seconds later, a tall man hurried into view. His face was deeply lined, and his short brown hair flecked with gray. He wore shabby robes that looked worn and patched, his appearance rough around the edges but undeniably strong. His eyes were warm, concerned, yet sharp as they swiftly scanned each of us.
"Is everyone alright?" he asked urgently, his voice low and reassuring. He held a wand that glowed with faint residual magic, indicating he'd been the one to conjure the Patronus. "I felt dark magic here and rushed over. Sorry I didn't arrive sooner. I was checking the front compartments first."
Was the dark magic he sensed from the dementor or was it from me? Obviously, it was better to make him think it was from the demon.
