September 1st, London
Today marks the annual departure day for students heading to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Platform Nine and Three-Quarters is bustling with activity, as parents say their goodbyes and young witches and wizards prepare for the journey ahead.
Amid the lively crowd, a small squad of Aurors stands out, stationed near the entrance to the platform with tense expressions. These aren't just any Aurors; they're elite members known as "Strikers" from the Ministry of Magic—veterans who have fought countless dark wizards on the frontlines. Their presence raises alarm among those in the know. What could warrant the deployment of such a force at the train station?
Just as murmurs spread through the crowd, a boy emerges from the magical barrier. He has slightly curly chestnut hair, deep blue eyes, and a refined, handsome appearance that immediately draws attention. Unlike other young students weighed down with luggage, he carries nothing, exuding an air of calm confidence in his pristine Hogwarts robes, looking every bit like a young nobleman.
More captivating, however, are the two unfamiliar magical creatures perched on his shoulders. Both resemble cats—one with a sleek purple coat, red eyes, and a gemstone set in its forehead, while the other is black with distinctive golden rings. Their unusual appearance quickly captures the interest of nearby students, especially the young girls.
But as the boy appears, the Strikers grow even more alert, hands tightening around their wands. Several onlookers recognize him instantly and their faces pale.
Kyle Mephisto.
The name is notorious among the upper echelons of the British magical community. A mysterious figure whose origins are shrouded in secrecy, Kyle first caught the attention of Aurors when he was just six years old. That year, he dispatched thirteen dark wizards in Knockturn Alley, earning the chilling nickname "Blood Demon." He adopted the legendary demon "Mephisto" as his surname, further adding to his mystique.
Little is known about his background or the kind of magic he practices, and he remains a mystery to the Ministry of Magic. His victims, however, met diverse and often inexplicable deaths—some by ice, fire, or lightning, while others perished under more bizarre circumstances. One consistent rumor is that Kyle possesses a unique ability to communicate with magical creatures, as various magical beasts are always seen in his company.
Kyle's acceptance letter to Hogwarts arrived last month, causing no small amount of consternation at the Ministry. In the five years since his first appearance, at least 300 lives have been lost to Kyle's lethal methods. The darkness surrounding Knockturn Alley, a place the Ministry has long neglected, has only deepened under his shadow. With his blood-soaked reputation and young age, many couldn't help but utter the dreaded term: "Third Generation Dark Lord."
This possibility rattled the Ministry to its core, leading to several attempts to apprehend him. Kyle was sent to Azkaban three times, each stint more bizarre than the last. His first imprisonment occurred when he was just seven years old, lasting a week. During that time, Azkaban's structures mysteriously exploded three nights in a row, forcing the Ministry to release him due to a lack of evidence.
His second incarceration came at the age of nine, lasting three days. This time, the dementors themselves refused to work, claiming that Kyle emitted a power that filled them with dread. They would not return to Azkaban until he was removed.
His third stay was even shorter—a mere day and a night. A guard reported seeing the dementors bowing to Kyle during a night patrol, and the scene was so disturbing that the man lost control of his nerves. The Ministry had no choice but to release Kyle the next day.
After three failed attempts to keep him in Azkaban, it became clear that the Ministry was at a loss. Although Kyle's actions were well-known, there were never any surviving witnesses or sufficient evidence to convict him. With no way to charge him legally, the Ministry chose to suppress information about Kyle to avoid stirring up fear and unrest in the wizarding world.
Sending him to Azkaban a fourth time was out of the question—the dementors had effectively surrendered to him. The Ministry's higher-ups could already imagine the scene if Kyle were to return: a grand welcome by the dementors, as if the "king" had come back to claim his domain.