Hogwarts: My Yorozuya has no taboos!

Chapter 18 Rescue

Although it was a bright summer night with starlight, once the sunlight disappeared, the crescent moon and the sky full of stars could not provide a bright view for the young wizards stranded in the wilderness.

Along with the darkness came a cold wind that lingered over the mountain streams and plains.

The boundless swamp, with its misty vapor rising from the earth at a visible speed.

"How's your scar, Mr. Potter?"

Ares, hands on his knees, swayed unsteadily, his bottom leaving the now-cooled track. He looked at Harry Potter, inconspicuous among a group of older students.

"Hmm—"

Harry hadn't expected to be the second person called out. He rubbed the scar on his forehead and hesitated for a moment, his gaze filled with respect and fear—it was hard not to be afraid after witnessing the man's frantic efforts to stop the train from going out of control.

"It doesn't hurt anymore—thank you, Professor."

Harry's tone was somewhat wooden.

A glint flashed in Ares' dark eyes. After a brief silence, he nodded.

"Are you alright, Professor?"

Penelope Crivart, the Ravenclaw prefect, looked cautiously at Ares and asked softly in a tone that was equally respectful.

In the dim light, the young faces facing Ares all showed trepidation and panic, as if they were afraid that Ares would say they were not good enough.

This is perfectly normal.

After all, they were all underage children. And Ares, who had just saved them from the scythe of death, was the only person they could rely on.

"If there were a place where I could lie down for a while, I think I would feel much better."

Ares shrugged, his lighthearted tone putting the anxious young wizards at ease.

"What do you think we should do now, Professor?"

Percy Weasley, who had also disembarked from the train, squeezed through the crowd from the back, his gaze fixed on Ares with no less fervor than anyone else's.

Percy's question voiced everyone's concerns.

Indeed, they have survived.

But what happens next...? Are they just supposed to sit there hungry in the swamp until the Hogwarts staff realize something is wrong and come looking for them?

In the biting cold wind, Ares looked even more listless. His thin body swayed a few times, and Krivat and another sixth-year Ravenclaw girl immediately came to support him.

"Oh, thank you—"

Ares nodded twice in thanks, then tapped his finger lightly in the air.

A creature, its body shimmering with pure white light and somewhat resembling a feline, appeared. After exchanging a few seconds of eye contact with Ares, the little creature nodded, then with a whoosh, it vanished into the void and disappeared from the young wizards' sight.

"Don't worry, I sent a letter to Professor Dumbledore, and he will know about what's happening here soon."

Ares calmly surveyed the students around him; each of them bore some kind of injury.

"The school will send enough carriages to pick you up soon, and I have also reminded Professor Dumbledore to bring enough stretchers and healers. Now you just need to wait quietly."

The professor's promise reassured most of the students, but some still had doubts.

"A carriage? The wizarding world still has such ancient things—will we get to school before dawn?"

Harry heard a dark-skinned freshman mutter something that revealed his confusion.

But the young professor didn't explain anything—

"Let's all get in the car. At least we can warm up and have some snacks. We don't need to stand here in the cold wind."

Ares said.

After such a terrifying incident, not a single student was willing to board the train that had almost cost them their lives, but since it was the professor's order, they had no choice but to obey.

The class leaders fulfilled their duties, and under their organization and supervision, no one remained in the swamp in less than ten minutes.

Ares allowed the two Ravenclaw girls to help him back to his box, but as he stood outside the box, his gaze fixed on the inside, Ares suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowing.

"professor?"

Penelope Crivate turned her head to the side and blinked in confusion.

"Oh, it's nothing."

After a moment of silence, Ares shifted his gaze from the suitcase that La Ri Gaspar had deliberately left behind and entered the private room.

"It's alright—I just need to sleep for a while, I don't need anyone to take care of me, you all go and rest too."

.................

The annual opening banquet and the sorting ceremony for new students are probably the most important festivals at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Under the clear starry sky, thousands of candles illuminated this ancient land with a golden glow.

Inside the hall, the tables and chairs, wiped spotless, were neatly arranged, and the silver cutlery on the tabletops were also arranged in an orderly fashion, with the Sorting Hat poised to strike.

Everything is ready, and we are just waiting for the returning students and this year's main characters to arrive.

The faculty and staff dining tables in front of the auditorium were also enveloped in a pleasant atmosphere.

The professors were dressed in their finest attire, and Dumbledore had also changed into a brand-new purple and gold-patterned wizard's robe. He listened with a smile as Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout, to his right, discussed a knitted pattern.

To his left, Professor Flitwick was having an enthusiastic conversation with Professor Kettleburn about a minor curse that could turn the fangs of a man-eating troll into corks.

Each professor was happily engaged in their own topic, even Professor Snape, who was not usually keen on building rapport with his colleagues, had to bite the bullet and answer Madam Pomfrey's question about how to alleviate the side effects of singing too much and twisting his nose caused by taking an overdose of euphoria.

So when Ares's guardian deity suddenly fell from the top of the hall, no one reacted immediately.

Everyone, including Dumbledore, who sat in the large golden chair at the center of the dining table, wore expressions of astonishment—

"The Hogwarts Express has experienced a serious stall, and several students have suffered injuries of varying degrees. I have brought the train to a stop. Professor Dumbledore, please arrange for enough carriages to evacuate the stranded students as soon as possible."

Ares's guardian spoke in a calm and composed tone.

"In addition, please bring enough stretchers and therapists."

It's as if a Dementor suddenly barged into the grand hall of "Singing and Dancing in Peace and Prosperity," instantly stealing away the joyful atmosphere and warmth!

Without warning, Professor McGonagall covered her mouth.

The train was forcibly stopped, but enough stretchers and therapists were brought along...

"Severus—"

In the deathly silence, Dumbledore, his aged smile replaced by solemnity and decisiveness, suddenly stood up, his voice booming like thunder.

"I need you to inform Hagrid as soon as possible and have him mobilize all the school's carriages to pick up the students."

A glint flashed in Snape's empty black eyes. He said nothing and quickly stood up.

As Severus Snape practically sprinted out of the Great Hall, Dumbledore's silver phoenix had already soared into the sky and disappeared into the night.

"I have informed the Minister of Magic about this, and I believe he will arrive soon with officials from the Department of Magical Transportation."

Dumbledore said to Professor McGonagall beside him, and before she could respond, he suddenly swung his wand again.

A portrait painting was commissioned.

"Dallis?"

"What instructions, Headmaster Dumbledore?"

The old witch with long, flowing silver hair in the picture frame immediately opened her eyes.

"There's been a serious accident on the Hogwarts Express, and the number of injured students may be higher than we imagined. We don't have time to wait for Ministry of Magic officials to arrive and mobilize medical resources. Delis, could you please inform them and ask them to bring enough manpower, stretchers, and medicine?"

"It's my duty!"

The silver-haired witch disappeared from the picture frame.

"I can help too, Albus!"

Mrs. Pomfrey, who was next to Professor Sprout, said in a strong tone.

"Of course, Poppy, but I need you and Felius together—"

Dumbledore remained calm and nodded to Professor Flitwick.

"I doubt the school hospital can accommodate all the injured. While the rest of the professors and I leave Hogwarts to pick up the students, I would like you two to temporarily convert the Great Hall into a makeshift hospital for emergency treatment."

Dumbledore said. He looked at the terrified faces, sweating profusely, and spoke rapidly but calmly.

"Let's take action!"