Chapter 1

Professor R.J. Lupin

Harry sat in the compartment with Ron and Hermione as the Hogwarts Express took them to their third year at Hogwarts.

"I wonder who that is," Ron said indicating to the sandy-haired teacher asleep in the compartment.

"Professor R.J. Lupin," Hermione replied instantly.

"Do you just know everything?" Harry joked.

"It's on his case," she said pointing to the inscription.

"Oh," Harry said looking down at his knees. He had suffered a particularly bad beating that day before his uncle had finally driven him to the train station, and he had a feeling his ribs were broken. It hurt to breathe. The bruises were concealed by his clothes and a charm he had cast, but that didn't stop the sharp intakes of breath.

"You okay, Harry?" Ron said for Harry had gasped in pain.

"Yeah, fine…" he mumbled, not meeting Ron's eyes.

Concerned, Hermione added, "You know, you can tell us anything, Harry."

Harry looked up into his worried friends eyes and said with a fake smile, "I'm fine guys, really."

"Okay," Hermione said in a voice that told them all she knew he was lying.

They all started chatting about everything from the Chuddley Cannons chances of winning a Quidditch game ("They will win! They're a great team!" Ron shouted!) to the recent escape of an Azkaban prisoner. Sirius Black had murdered thirteen people with a single curse according to the article Hermione showed them in the Daily Prophet.

"Bloody hell, and he's escaped!" Ron said.

Harry remained silent as Hermione began to lecture Ron about using profanity ("and in front of our new Professor, Ronald!").

Suddenly, an icy cold gripped his breath. The lighting in the compartment flickered suddenly, and then they were all plunged into darkness.

A black cloaked thing glided into the compartment. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't think. Violent screams echoed in his ears! They gripped his soul, his very being. The terrible screams filled the room as he lost consciousness.

Suddenly blurred figures moved above him. He groaned. "I think he's waking up!!!" a voice said loudly.

"Yes, I'm waking up!" he snapped. "What happened?" he questioned as he got himself up off the ground. 'When did I get on the ground?'

"Err… their was this thing that came in…and… err…. I don't really know how to explain it…" Ron said glancing over desperately to Professor Lupin.

"Harry, the 'thing' that came in was a dementor that guards Azkaban. The dementor was searching the train for Sirius Black," Professor Lupin said with a sigh. Harry looked around and realized he was in the compartment and Professor Lupin, Ron, and Hermione were all watching him.

"But… what is a dementor? Who was screaming?" Harry questioned confused

Professor Lupin began to speak as he passed some chocolate to all of them, "Dementors are some of the foulest creatures of our world. They suck the happiness out of everything, and make you feel as though you can never be happy again," he said with a shudder. "You can eat that by the way. It'll help," he said indicating to the chocolate. "Dementors make you relive your worst memories. So… the screaming is one of your memories."

Harry paled significantly when he said that. 'It couldn't be… could it?'

"Harry, are you okay? The screaming…" Hermione said with a grim expression.

"I'm fine," he said a little too quickly.

Hermione clearly wanted to know what the memory was. He could see that much from her expression, but there was no way he was telling her who was screaming. He wasn't even sure himself, though he had his suspicions.

Hermione began to say more, but Harry interrupted her. "Hermione, no. You don't see me asking you what you heard, so don't ask me!" he sniped. Hermione blushed perfusley. "Sorry," she mumbled.

"Okay, so what happened then," Harry continued.

"Well, the dementor came in and sort of looked around," Ron said. "At least I think that's what it was doing. And then it got really cold and…" Ron shuddered. "And well, you sort of fell out of your seat and passed out and then Professor Lupin made the dementor go away."

"I passed out.." Harry said rubbing his eyes. "Bloody hell, don't tell Malfoy," he said with a fake chuckle, while really thinking, 'Why the hell was I the only one who passed out?'

"Well, now that explanations are out of the way, I need to go speak to the driver. Harry, please meet me in my office once we get to the school," Professor Lupin added as he left the compartment.

"Wonder why he wants to meet with me…" Harry questioned staring at his knees. He couldn't meet their eyes.

"Dunno… that was awful before," Ron said.

They were rather quiet for the rest of the trip, not really knowing what else to talk about.

When the train stopped, they all filed off, and they heard the familiar voice of Hagrid as they made their way to the carriages. ("Fir' year' o'er here.")

When they reached the castle, Hermione and Ron made their way to the opening feast, while Harry made his way to the DADA office. (The walk was familiar, him having been there last year with Lockhart).

As he entered the room, he immediately groaned, upon seeing Madam Pomfrey

"I'm fine, Madam Pomfrey! You don't need to check me over, and no I don't need to stay in the hospital wing overnight," Harry grumbled.

Madam Pomfrey huffed and walked out of the room.

"Professor Lupin? What's wrong?" Harry questioned as Professor Lupin began to chuckle.

"Nothing Harry. It's just.. You reminded me of someone I used to know when I was at Hogwarts, the way you shooed Madam Pomfrey away. Sorry about that by the way, but I thought she should be here. I am a new professor after all," Professor Lupin said. "You are okay aren't you?" he questioned with a sudden worried expression.

"I'm fine. It was just…weird… but I'm okay," Harry said quickly.

"Okay, if you ever want to talk though Harry, I'd like that. You see…" he hesitated. "I knew your parents at school and, well, I figured I could tell you about them if you wanted me to," he struggled. 'Why would he want to talk to me? That's so stupid. But.. I do want to get to know him…'

Harry's face lit up though. "You knew my parents!"

Professor Lupin nodded.

"I'd really like that."

Professor Lupin smiled, and then said, "Well, you should probably get to the feast now. Wouldn't want to keep you."

Harry got up from the chair and walked over to the door, but as he reached it, he turned around.

"Thank you Professor Lupin. You have no idea how much this means to me," he said and then ran down to the rest of the feast.

[Author's Notes Hi everyone! I hope you liked this chapter. It was a little boring, I know, but I was trying to keep the story close to cannon, so I needed to include the dementor scene, plus, it's important to the plot. Also, I meant to mention this with the prologue, but I forgot, so I'm saying it now: I apologize for making the characters seem extremely American, but I'm doing my best. I just am not good at making characters have the proper accent and all. (If I put Hagrid in this story anymore, prepare for his accent to be butchered. Just a warning… lol) Anyway, just wanted to apologize for that. Oh, and while I will try to update as much as possible, I might not update for the next couple weeks (though I'll try) because school's starting back up, and that's hectic in and of itself. Also, I LOVE when people review, so please review my story.