Chapter 171: The Doe in the Night

The infinite cold, the infinite gloom, and the endless despair.

Just moments ago, the Dementors had only been floating in the air, seemingly conducting a routine inspection, constrained by some rule, showing some restraint.

But now, all restraint was gone, and countless Dementors were recklessly swooping down towards the train.

"Expecto Patronum!"

A calm voice suddenly rang out from a car ahead.

A silver doe appeared quietly, stepping gracefully and spiritedly, charging alone towards the countless Dementors in the sky.

Facing such overwhelming odds might seem foolish, but it was also a form of courage—a kind of inner resolve to persist even when success seems impossible.

On the train, everyone gathered together, the extreme cold making the gathered light grow dim. The lights that had just come back on in the rear car flickered, seeming ready to go out at any moment.

Ino looked around, seeing only anxious and tender faces.

He felt somewhat helpless, as if he had caused more harm than good. The Dementors, who were supposed to stick to their routine checks according to the original story, were now out of control.

Though Snape's Patronus was fighting in the sky, it was clear to everyone that the situation was dire. Patronuses counter Dementors, but only when their strengths are matched. When the imbalance is too great, Dementors can overwhelm Patronuses.

It's like how water can put out fire, but pouring water on a volcano—without even the molten lava—might simply vaporize the water due to the high temperatures.

The standoff in the sky continued. Though the doe was doing its best to hold off the Dementors, some slipped past, heading towards the train. There were just too many of them.

"Expecto Patronum!"

Another calm voice called, but this time no Patronus appeared, only a shield-like light manifested.

Lupin, holding his wand, was ready to face death on his way to his teaching position. After all, he had heard the legend of the curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts position during his school years.

Ino was hesitant. This was not the Quidditch pitch at Hogwarts, without Dumbledore around. He faced two choices: risk using the final magic from his legacy, or retreat into the sanctuary.

But since it all started because of him, hiding in the sanctuary was not an option. Though it might save a life, his conscience would never be at ease.

While thinking, Dementors started crashing into Lupin's Patronus, the second, the third… more and more Dementors approached the train, bringing waves of despair and resentment with them.

A faint cry, like that of a newborn bird, echoed—weak but far-reaching, spreading through the entire car.

Especially at the front of the train, Snape relaxed completely upon hearing the cry.

…

A blue ethereal flame quietly appeared next to Ino.

It floated gracefully in the air, its dance seemingly reflecting a joyous mood.

At the same time, Ino felt a connection with the flame in his mind, much like the absolute control he had over the Acromantula.

The sense of despair in the car suddenly vanished. It wasn't that the Dementors had left or been purified, but rather the negative emotions had all been absorbed by the blue flame.

After absorbing the negative emotions in the car, the flame seemed still unsatisfied, transforming into a blue streak, shooting towards the countless Dementors in the sky.

Some things in this world counteract each other, like Dementors and Patronuses.

But some things overpower others, like the azure flame.

In the sky, the same scene played out again. The small flame charged at the Dementors as if discovering a delicious delicacy.

The appearance of the blue flame caused the Dementors to flee in panic, as if encountering a natural enemy.

In just a brief moment, several Dementors were ignited, their tattered bodies burning in the air like blue stars.

Unnoticed by everyone, Colin Creevey once again pressed the shutter on his camera. Though today's experience had been terrifying, he had never let go of his camera along the way.

As time passed, countless Dementors fled, and the blue flame behind them gradually grew larger.

Finally!

A more distant and ethereal cry sounded, like celebrating new life and mourning death.

Under everyone's gaze, the flames in the sky dissipated, replaced by a graceful and beautiful blue phoenix.

It was ethereal and beautiful, but no one wanted to look at it too long, as its gaze seemed to invoke feelings of despair and fear.

It was a deep-seated resentment, as if it could overwhelm anyone at any moment.

…

The Dementors left, and the train returned to normal.

At a steady pace of thirty miles per hour, it continued along the tracks, seemingly in no hurry to reach its destination.

Ino sat quietly in a compartment, across from a calm Snape. Neither spoke, just sitting in silence.

Ino's heart was filled with joy. Thanks to the Dementors, a phoenix born of curses and resentment had finally hatched.

Though it was perhaps not a proper phoenix.

Due to the sanctuary's existence, he had absolute control over the phoenix and could clearly sense its abilities.

The phoenix's powerful teleportation and rebirth remained, but two other abilities had drastically changed.

First, its cry no longer brought courage and hope, but instead despair and pain. Secondly, its tears were no longer healing elixirs but the deadliest poison.

But despite these changes, Ino was deeply joyful, as the phoenix belonged to him, and nothing could change that.

Perhaps because it had just hatched, he could only faintly sense the phoenix's emotions, but the sense of dependence and intimacy was always present.

At this moment, Snape's voice broke the silence.

"You better come up with a reasonable explanation; this won't stay hidden!"

Though his words were brief, Ino understood the underlying meaning and smiled lightly: "I won't need to explain. Newt Scamander will handle it, and Dumbledore knows as well."

The appearance of a third tamed phoenix in the wizarding world might be seen as a mere amusement to some, but to others, it represented countless Galleons and a new industry.

On the other hand, Snape nodded slightly upon hearing these two names and fell silent.

Ino didn't ask about Peter's fate, as the silver doe in the sky was explanation enough.

---