Chapter 168: The Capture of Scabbers

September 1, 1993.

King's Cross Station in London was as bustling as ever.

Ino, carrying a suitcase, stood quietly beside the train after passing through Platform 9¾.

Dressed in a cobalt blue robe that highlighted his upright posture and matched his handsome, mature features, he was a sight to behold just standing there.

Beside him stood another boy with platinum blonde hair. Draco seemed to have grown quite a bit taller over the summer, but his expression was somewhat gloomy.

"Ino, why are we standing here like idiots for everyone to look at?"

"We're not standing like idiots, we're waiting for someone! But you don't need to be here, go back on the train and rest."

Although responding to Draco, Ino's gaze was fixed on the entrance of the platform, waiting for Snape.

"Go back to the compartment?" Draco quickly shook his head and said with a somewhat pitiful tone, "I don't want to face that crazy Pansy. You really messed up, promising to tutor her and then not choosing Muggle Studies."

Hearing this, Ino turned his head and glanced at the unusually behaved Draco, explaining, "I didn't forget our agreement, but having lived in the Muggle world for twelve years, I know some things without taking the class. But you, why do you seem afraid of her?"

"Phew! That's good." Draco breathed a sigh of relief.

"Not afraid, just find her a bit strange. And then there's Daphne. You don't know, during the summer, they started their own History of Magic study group and even sent us letters, asking everyone to join..."

Listening to Draco's account, Ino felt a bit helpless or perhaps a bit unexpected. It seemed the butterfly effect had already begun to take shape.

Just as Draco was about to say something else, Ino interrupted, "Alright! The person I'm waiting for is here, sorry to leave you."

Following Ino's gaze, Draco's eyes widened in a ghost-seeing expression.

Snape appeared on the platform, his expression impassive, walking slowly towards the train, with no young wizards daring to stay within a three-meter radius of him.

This reaction from the young wizards was understandable because, despite Snape's blank expression, his eyes were no longer empty but eagle-like, surveying his surroundings.

Suddenly, Snape stopped. Seeing the figure before him, his gaze softened slightly.

"Are you afraid I can't catch him?"

"No! I'm afraid you'll kill him in a fit of rage! Professor, that's not worth it. The Cruciatus Curse will suffice..."

Ino stopped mid-sentence because he felt someone approaching from behind, slowly turning around, as did the expressionless Snape.

Draco regretted his actions immensely; he shouldn't have stayed or followed out of curiosity... listening to this conversation about killing and the Cruciatus Curse? He thought the world had gone mad, everyone had gone mad, but the immediate concern was that these two were now staring at him in silence.

"I didn't hear anything, just passing by..." Draco's voice trailed off.

"Go back! This doesn't concern you, stay in your compartment and lock the door, there might be Dementors visiting this train."

Seeing Draco's fearful expression, Ino also gently advised.

However, this well-meaning advice made Draco flee back to the compartment as if his life depended on it, because he had just heard something alarming again—there would be Dementors...

...

Woo-woo-woo!

At eleven o'clock, the train departed the station as scheduled.

This weather-beaten train sped along the tracks towards Hogwarts at thirty miles an hour.

In a quiet compartment, Ino and Snape sat facing each other, neither saying a word.

Similarly, in another compartment at the back of the train.

Ron was narrating his summer adventures in Egypt, the exotic pyramids, and the local legends of Pharaoh's curses.

"You have no idea what I went through. I was almost cursed, if not for my quick reflexes..."

Ginny, sitting nearby and listening to Ron's third version of the story, lowered her head in exasperation. If it were a different situation, she'd have drawn her wand on him by now.

However, despite the absurdity of the story, Harry was listening with great interest, even craving more. After being cooped up all summer, he was desperate for any distraction, even if it was Ron's made-up tales.

Seeing his friend's enthusiastic response, Ron's imagination ran wild, and the story became even more fantastical.

"You won't believe it, but the Pharaoh's sarcophagus was empty, and the real Pharaoh had already revived inside the pyramid..."

One telling with gusto, one listening eagerly, neither Ron nor Harry noticed the compartment's rapidly dropping temperature.

Only Ginny and Hermione, sensing something wrong, exchanged glances and drew their wands simultaneously.

In that brief moment, the compartment window was silently covered in ice, with even the floor forming a thin layer of frost.

"Bang!"

A loud noise, and the compartment door was violently flung open from the outside.

Interrupted, Ron looked up angrily, but his furious expression quickly froze.

"Merlin's beard!", he thought it might be Malfoy causing trouble or a prank from George and Fred, but he never imagined Snape would kick in the door.

Snape's sudden appearance caught everyone's attention, and at that moment, another familiar voice came from outside the compartment.

"Sorry to disturb you! But I need your cooperation for Professor Snape's inspection, I'll explain everything later."

Ino poked his head in, apologetically looking at the people inside. He had to come along, given Snape's current state, it wasn't reassuring to leave him alone.

"Scabbers, come here!"

Without hesitation, Ino cast the first spell.

As he spoke, a fat, yellow rat flew out of Ron's pocket, struggling frantically mid-air but instantly froze in ice.

"Scabbers!" Ron was visibly agitated seeing his pet captured, immediately trying to stand up.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Ino cast a second spell, immobilizing the overly emotional Ron. He had anticipated this scenario; otherwise, Ron could get hurt, and Snape would face consequences.

"Professor, it's all yours!"

Handing over the frozen rat, Snape turned without a word.

Snape left swiftly, but Ino couldn't leave just yet. Looking at the varied expressions, he slowly took out a newspaper.

"Give me five minutes, just five minutes, then you can even duel Snape if you wish."

Surveying the compartment, Ino's gaze settled on Ron.

But hearing about dueling Snape, Ron seemed deflated, no longer struggling.