"Samantha Daisy James! You have only two hours to get ready before the Hogwarts Express and I leave you behind!" Oh Merlin, this is déjà vu. I swear the last time I heard this was 4 years ago.

I felt something licking on my cheeks and messing my hair.

"Tiger, go play somewhere else please?" Tiger was my birthday gift from my grandparents when I was thirteen; he is a two year old orange tabby with the most adorable big blue eyes and vivacious personality befitting of his name.

"Come on sleeping beauty, do I seriously have to drag you out of bed literally?" Lexi exclaimed while removing my blanket and dragging me by the arm, making me fall onto the floor.

"I'm up, I'm up. Geez, for someone that does not like school, you are pretty excited. " I commented, rubbing my eyes and yawning at the same time.

"I like school of course, just not really the studying. Come on, grandma has breakfast ready. Your bacon waits. " She said with a grin.

I looked to my bedside table; where there were four photo frames standing on two separate shelves. The top shelf held the one of my mum and dad when they were young, and another of my sisters and I.

The bottom shelf held the photo frames of the whole gang-Lee, Angelina, Alicia, Oliver Wood (my Spartan captain), Fred, George and I last year after a quidditch practice.

There was photo was of me and Maddie hugging and smiling. Yes, Maddie and I are still great friends despite being in different houses. We often met up for homework, Hogsmeade visits and are seating partners during some of our classes.

The last photo made me smiled widely; it was a photo of Fred, George and I during first year. I purposely hooked my arms around George's arms while Fred pretended to look upset and turned his back. Both George and I laughed while I hooked my other arm around Fred's and all three of us smiled at the camera.

"Sam, you better get your butt downstairs fast!" That is my cue to get ready pronto.

"Bye grandma, bye grandpa!" Lexi and I gave our grandparents one last wave before getting on to platform 9 ¾ .

"Just want to wish you an advance good luck for OWLs this year." Lexi said sheepishly as the train conductor is trying to make us board the train now.

"You are purposely trying to rub it in, aren't you? Please don't remind me of it." I said while carrying my trunk up with Tiger in my arms.

OWLs. Who started that? Hogwarts professors are already blabbering on the importance of the exam since last year, giving me early stress.

I am trying not to think about it but I remembered during Natalie's OWL year, late night studies, loss of hair, deep eye bags and cranky mood all day long. Maybe it is just her, she was really studious and eventually managed to be top student of her year again. No doubt of course.

"Hey my fellow people!" I turned my head to see Lexi running towards Harry, Ron and Hermione in front of us in the train. Yes, she is actually buddies with the Golden Trio, adding her will it become a Golden Quartet.

"See you all later!" I gave a smile and wave. Ok now, where are those twins, we promised to meet at the platform actually in our last letter to each other.

"Guess who?" A bad imitation of a woman's voice entered my ears. Only one person does that.

"Fred?" I turned to see him grinning goofily at me. He is about to hug me when Tiger started to hiss.

"Be nice Tiger, it is just Fred." I stroke its fur, Tiger tends to be very protective of me especially around boys, but he is quite the cat with girls.

"Oh come on, not even a hug?" Fred whined. I shrugged.

"Come on, the others have been waiting for you." Fred led the way as he helped me with my trunk. Fred and I have been on nicer terms to each other since that day during first year where we both got detention from Professor Snape, though we still have our moments where we fight childishly.

"Sam!"

"Hey!"

"Hi!"

I was bombarded with greetings from everyone when I entered the big compartment. I placed Tiger to sleep on my trunk which is placed in the overhead compartment.

"Hi!" I greeted back, hugging the girls and Lee. My hair got ruffled by George as he greeted me who made me glare at him for messing it up, but ended up hugging him anyway.

"Don't forget my welcome hug and kiss as well!" Fred said, closing the door behind him and opening his arms wide.

"I will give you the hug not the kiss." Hugging him, we both took a seat opposite Angelina, Alicia and Lee.

Everyone started talking about their summer vacation. Lee went to America, Angelina went to Italy, Fred and George went to Egypt with their entire family when Mr Weasley won a grand prize for a holiday in Egypt. Alicia went to France for the shopping spree she always wanted.

"What about you Sam? How did your vacation came along?" Alicia asked.

"We went to Romania to visit Natalie. Got to see how she is living the life there."

Natalie graduated as top student and many expected her to work in the ministry but her real passion lies with magical creatures. She got offered to go to Romania to research and study about dragons, and immediately said yes, though we think the reason she said yes was because of a certain ginger that is working there as well.

"Back to recent news, have you heard Sirius Black is on the loose?" Alicia asked.

"Yes, I heard he is really dangerous, a cruel murderer, killed muggles and betrayed his friends…" Lee tried speaking in a eerie tone.

"Stop trying to scare us Lee, we are well protected if we are in Hogwarts right?" Angelina tried to assure us.

"Yeah, anyone wants snacks? Where is the trolley lady? She should be selling snacks now." Alicia tried to change the subject.

"Let's go find her. I am starving. "

"Me too."

"Me three." Lee, Angelina and Alicia stood up and walked out of the compartment.

"Guess it is just us three." George commented.

"So erm Sam, you look different." Fred said out of the blue. I raised my eyebrows at his statement.

"If you mean my hair, well I grew out my bangs. It will be easier out of the way for Quidditch. And I think I got a little bit of tan while visiting Romania." I commented.

"Well, you look more like a girl now." Is that supposed to be a compliment?!

"So I don't look like a girl before?" I asked dubiously. What was he trying to hint at?

"No I was just observing you-" Fred waved his hands frantically in front of him.

"Fred, you pervert!" I punched him in the shoulder and I could from the corner of my eye that George face palmed while shaking his head.

"Ouch! I didn't know you had a violent streak in you like Lexi." Fred rubbed the spot where I punched him.

"Gee, thanks." All of a sudden the train stopped, and everything starts to feel cold. I tried to rub myself warm and sudden feeling of fear just came to me.

"What's happening?" I asked, shivering from the cold. George tried to look at what was outside the window but found it hard as it seemed foggy outside and took his seat.

The feeling of fear in me increased as a dark hooded figure stopped outside our compartment door. Fred and George for once were still and quiet, hanging their heads down while somehow I was still making eye contact with the figure.

My heart pounded faster as the figure suddenly opened the door and looked as if it was staring at me. I felt a strange feeling as if happiness was sucked out of me and I heard a woman screamed.

I cupped my ears and shut my eyes tight, seeing a flash of light before blacking out.


"When is she going to wake up?"

"I can't believe that happened to her." All I heard was murmurs as I tried to open eyes. First thing I saw as Fred's face, and he immediately pulled me into a tight hug as I gained conscious.

"Fred, you are choking her!" George said, seeing my pale face as Fred slowly released me, brushing some of my hair away.

"Sam, we were worried. You lost conscious when that dementor was feeding on your memories." Angelina explained.

"Thank Merlin this person saved you." Alicia added. I turned my head to see a scruffy looking man who gave me a warm smile.

"Eat some chocolate, you will feel better." He said, and Angelina placed a chocolate frog in my hand.

"Thank you." I thanked him gratefully and he looked at me with caring eyes before leaving to check on other students.

"You sure you're alright?" Fred tried to double check and I nodded, taking a bite of chocolate, feeling a surge of warmth through my body. That woman who screamed sounded like mum…how come I heard it when the dementor attacked me?

I felt tired and rested my head on George's shoulders. I let out a tired sign as I tried to shook off an incoming headache.

"Wake up, we need to change into robes." I woke up, seeing the girls with uniforms in hand. I removed my head from Fred's shoulder?

Wait a minute, I thought I slept on George's? My thoughts were interrupted when Alicia hurried me to get changed.

After alighting from the train, the whole lot of us went to the carriages. Looking at the frail looking creatures that apparently no one seems to be able to see, I gave a small smile to the one pulling the carriage we are taking.

Lee, Alicia and Angelina went ahead first. Fred was lending a hand for me to get on the carriage when I heard Maddie calling.

"Can I join you guys, the other carriages are full." She asked hopefully.

"Of course, everyone won't mind, right?"

"Yeah we won't." George replied, offering to help Maddie get on the carriage. She tugged a piece of hair behind her ear and gave him a grateful smile, saying thanks while I saw the tint of red on George's ears.

Smiling almost devilishly, I mentally noted to tease George later.

We arrived at Hogwarts and separated from Maddie who gave a small wave which was mostly directed to me. George took the chance to wave back which surprised Maddie but she waved back to him nevertheless.

I elbowed him out of his daze and wriggled my eyebrows, giving him a cheeky grin.

We joined the group at the table followed by Lexi and Ron who said Harry and Hermione were called to meet Professor McGonagall.

"Are you alright? You didn't get affected by the dementors, did you?" I asked Lexi worriedly.

"I'm fine, they didn't really scare me that much." That got her looks from the people at the table.

"Ok, maybe just a little. What about you?" She directed the attention to me.

"I am fine, glad that you are ok." I didn't want to worry Lexi.

"No you are not! You just got attacked by a bloody dementor!" Fred exclaimed with his eyes widened. I laid my head on my fist getting ready for Lexi in 3, 2, 1….

"What the hell, Sam? Why did you say you are fine? How can you be fine after such an encounter? " She questioned continuously.

"I just don't want you to worry. Merlin, you nag more than Natalie does."

"Well, I am worried now. What exactly happened?" Lexi asked with concern.

"Tell you later." I replied, turning to the front where the sorting ceremony began and after that Professor Dumbledore stood up to begin his welcoming speech.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts!" He boomed.

"Now I like to say a few words before we get befuddled by our excellent feast. First I would like to welcome Professor R.J Lupin who is now filling the post of Defense against the Dark arts teacher. Good luck, Professor." The guy who saved me on the train stood up and bowed.

The students clapped normally, while I especially clapped louder for him and so it seems to be so for Harry. Lexi whispered to me that Harry got attacked by a dementor and the same professor saved him as well.

"Secondly, I am sorry to tell you that our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Professor Kettleburn, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than our very own Rubeus Hagrid"

Everyone cheered enthusiastically, especially the Gryffindors. Fred and George hollered, while Lexi daringly stood up and shouted ' You go, Hagrid!' which led to several others doing the same. Once the cheer died down, Professor Dumbledore resumed his speech.

"On a more serious note, at the request of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts, until further notice is going to play host to the Dementors of Azkaban until such a time Sirius Black is captured. They will be stationed at every entrance grounds and will not affect our daily activities. " All the students started murmuring and whispering to each other about the matter and eventually it stopped to let the headmaster continue.

"Words of caution- Dementors are vicious creatures that are not forgiving in nature. I therefore warn each and every one of you to not give them any reason to harm you.

With that being said, enjoy the feast." He waved his hands and the much anticipated feast appeared on the tables.

The boys all dived in hungrily, for them to be scared out of their wits just now in the train, they still can sure eat. I ate my meal heartily, getting extra servings of dessert; the kitchen elves always managed to outdone themselves. I got to go to the kitchens sometime to visit them one day..

Students are now dismissed to go off to bed, and the whole lot of us headed to the Gryffindor tower. The fat lady is at it again, trying to 'break' the wine glass with her voice, which ends up in ear aches for us if there is such a word.

"Fortuna Major." Lexi repeated the password for the fourth time, hands on hip with a pissed face.

"Alright, alright you may come in." The fat lady slightly scared of her, the portrait swung open and I was greeted by the familiar colours of scarlet and gold of the common room. I was about to join Ange and Alicia up to our dorm when I was stopped by someone grabbing my wrists.

"Hey, Sam." I looked back to see Fred.

"I j-just, I just want to say goodnight." Fred said, releasing my wrist afterwards. Okay…..

"Well, goodnight Fred." I smiled. I wished George, Lee, Ron, Harry and even Neville who were all heading up to the dorms goodnight. I followed after the girls including Hermione, Ginny and Lexi up to our dorms.


I was drying up after my shower when there was a knock on the door and saw Lexi in her PJs and wet hair when she said "Start talking."

I gave her a confused look when I remembered I am going to tell her about my incident on the train. Alicia and Angelina were already sleeping. She sat on my bed where Tiger is resting and closed the curtains and muttered 'Muffliato' with a wave of her wand.

"Well?" She asked, expecting me to start speaking. "When the dementor searched the train, he stopped by the compartment I was in and I somehow had eye contact with him. When he attacked me sort of, I heard a woman screamed."

"Same as Harry, Harry claimed he heard someone screamed, a woman." She told.

"Really? But the person I think I heard was Mum." Lexi started to be in deep thought, she was only one year old when mum and dad died, she only had vague memories of both of them.

"I think it was the night she died, I saw her got killed with my very own eyes, the scream I heard when the dementor attacked me was hers when she got murdered." Tears started falling out.

The usually talkative and outgoing Lexi just pat me on my back, with no words to say, and have a little bit of tears in her eyes.

My mother's death affected me the most out of all my sisters. It was obvious since I am the one to last see her before she was killed in front of my very eyes. I can't help but feel useless at that moment.

Tiger who seemed like he understood what is going on, walked to where I was. He placed a paw on my lap and meowed like he is telling me to cheer up. I smiled at his actions and hugged him.

I wiped my tears with the sleeves of my shirt and placed a hand on Lexi's shoulder.

"Hey, don't cry. I am not used to seeing you cry." I said.

"Who says I am crying? I am not." She blinked her eyes repeatedly to prevent tears from coming out.

"Well, I am glad I told you what really happened, nobody knew about me hearing mum's scream. I can get it off my mind right now." I ran my fingers through my hair.

"You didn't even tell Fred or George?" She asked and I nodded in response.

"I am not ready to tell them about this matter. They know how mum and dad died, but I never told them about me seeing mum get killed."

"Okay, well I am off to bed. This has been real nice sister talk but it's getting a bit too mushy." I laughed as she hopped off my bed and was going to the door.

"Thanks Lexi, I love you!" I annoyed her with a cutesy act of making a heart with hands.

"Of course you should. Night, sis." She replied before closing the door.

I let out a yawn which is cue for time to go to bed. Tiger found a comfy spot beside me and stretched before going to sleep. I gave a last yawn before turning off the lights and went into a peaceful slumber.