In the Harry Potter Without Harry Potter

Chapter 22: Night Attack

"...With Jupiter being our main object of study this term, and as well as studying the planet itself, we will also be working on the knowledge of its moons, and I will have each of you draw an astrological chart of Jupiter when the time comes, so I hope that during class you will be able to draw a chart of its moons...."

Jon's mind had actually been out of the classroom for a long time while Flitwick was explaining their learning objectives for the term and reminding them to concentrate.

He was still thinking about the ring that had inexplicably appeared on him in Slughorn's office at lunchtime.

The ring is still on him, or rather Jon simply cannot get rid of it, it automatically appears on his right index finger as soon as it leaves him more than three metres away.

Jon didn't wear the ring on his hand, without mentioning the fact that he wasn't sure if it was dangerous or not, the mere fact that an 11-year-old boy wore a ring on his index finger for courtship (a ring on the forefinger indicates that one is single and happy to be in a relationship with the opposite sex) was bizarre in itself. ( TL: is it true? I can't find a source on Google)

Despite Slughorn's assurances of him being in no danger, Jon was not completely reassured, and from the way, the fat old man had behaved in the original story, he was indeed a very principled man, but that only allowed Jon to give him a day's time.

If by tomorrow, the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor did not give him an answer that he could accept, Jon would not hesitate to take the ring and go straight to Dumbledore.

Perhaps Dumbledore would make use of him in his calculations, but he would never push him into the fire.

The wagon had already moved away from the town and arrived at a quiet rural lane, Jon gathered his thoughts and just as he was about to focus all his attention on the lesson, he suddenly noticed a few dark shadows creeping over the bright starry sky out of the corner of his eye.

He didn't pay much attention to them at first, thinking that they were owls hunting at night, but he soon realised that they were unlikely to be owls.

There is no way that owls could be that big!

The realisation that something was wrong became apparent in Jon's mind, and he stood up and interrupted Flitwick's class in a sharp voice.

"Professor! Look up at the sky!"

Everyone on the roof of the wagon raised their heads to the sky in response to his words, and a dozen figures in black robes could be clearly seen under this clear night sky, riding on top of broomsticks, keeping their flight above the wagon all the way!

In contrast to the initial bewilderment on the faces of the students, Flitwick's face was at that moment frighteningly pale!

"Get back! Go back to the wagon! Quickly!"

As he shouted at Jon and the gang, he didn't hesitate to raise his wand with his only remaining left hand!

"wheeeeee!"

An incredibly ear-piercing, shrill that sounded like the legendary Harpy rang through the wagon.

Jon was the first to react to Flitwick's words, and he grabbed the arms of Ron and Justin, who were still gawking with their mouths open, and pulled them towards the entrance to the stairs!

Neville was only a second slower to react than Jon, and he also followed after him, pulling Lavender by the arm.

The black-robed men on their flying brooms in the sky had also all sensed the situation down in the wagon, and instead of maintaining a horizontal trail, they all together lowered their broom handles and swooped down towards the wagon!

Instead of entering back into the wagon with Jon and the group, Flitwick used a Summoning Charm without any half-hearted hesitation after giving the warning.

"Accio Flying Broomstick!"

A cracking sound rang out at the rear of the wagon and then a flying broom, which appeared to be in a somewhat dilapidated state, hovered in front of him.

Flitwick mounted the broom, and because he was lacking an arm and had to hold on to his wand with his other hand, he couldn't do anything but press the entire front half of his body against the broom handle, while using the aid of magic to sit firmly on the broom.

The tattered broom carried the one-armed wizard Dueling Champion into the sky.

"Protect Thestrals! Hagrid!"

Hagrid, who had already been awakened by the alarm sound, pulled a slightly longer-than-normal wand from the small red umbrella and shouted a warning to Flitwick as he stabilized the startled Thestrals.

"Be careful!"

***

The long corridor was already brightly lit when Jon and the four of them returned to the wagon in a panic.

Doors to every single dorm room had been opened and a number of students poked their heads out wondering what was going on, but the more experienced sixth and seventh graders rushed out in their pyjamas.

"All students! All gather in the great hall! All students!"

The seventh-year head boy and head girl were shouting and began to gather the students towards the great hall, which included Jon and the four of them who had just come off the roof of the wagon.

The professors on the wagon had gathered in front of the entrance hall at the first instant of Flitwick's warning, every one of them except Dumbledore had a flying broom in their hands.

"Is Kingsley and the men over in the square tonight?" Dumbledore asked in a deep voice.

"No, they're in Finland as of late, taking care of the business you gave them earlier, there's only Molly and Tonks over there in the square."

It was Lily who answered him, her face looked calm, but her hand, which was trembling slightly as she gripped her wand, revealed her true emotions.

It wasn't in fear or dread, but more in bitter hatred and impatience.

McGonagall's face was gloomy.

"How come, they can find-"

"Now is not the time for that, Minerva."

Dumbledore interrupted McGonagall as he drew his own wand and led the way out towards the wagon.

"Horace, stay in the wagon and guard the students, Hagrid protect Thestrals, and the rest come with me, we need to help Filius."

With a simple statement, he completed the entire deployment, and the group who heard his orders did not hesitate to carry them out.

Slughorn ran towards the great hall where the students would be, while McGonagall and Lily both mounted their flying brooms at the same time and dashed out of the entrance hall!

Hagrid in the driver's seat of the wagon was now clutching the reins hard!

"John! Randy! Ort! Don't mess around! Take a lesson from the Smith! Stay calm! Speed up and run! Run!"

At Hagrid's inducement, the Thestrals had gradually recovered from their initial shock and began to move their hooves at a faster pace, their wide bat-like wings, which had been folded up on their backs, slowly unfurling!

The speed of the wagon increased many times in an instant as it raced forward through the darkness and night across the fields!

Inside the wagon, after a third headcount by the Head boy and girl, as well as the pair of prefects, Slughorn pushed his way through the door.

Most of the students' faces were tinged with fear and anxiety as they looked over at the only professor who stayed inside the wagon, and Slughorn's simple words of reassurance dissipated the panic on almost everyone's face.

"Don't worry, Dumbledore has already gone over."

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