Yes, here I am again. Yes, I know this chapter is SUPER late, especially because I have actually have had this chapter finished (writing wise) for a while now. I could go into the whole "I've been super busy with real life for the past six months" spiel, but no one wants to read that. Anywho, on with the story!
I, unfortunately, am not JK Rowling. Thus, most of this is not mine. Only Danielle, Tori, and Abigail are mine.
Chapter Three: The Dementor
The next week was spent on more tutoring from Professors McGonagall and Flitwick. McGonagall was teaching them about Animagi (wizards that could turn into animals) and the Transfiguration of clothes. Harry, surprisingly, hadn't found it very difficult, but Danielle had.
Professor McGonagall had assured her that Lily had never been that great at Transfiguration but had excelled at Charms and Potions.
Professor Flitwick had them learning freezing, shrinking, and more advanced heating spells. The tiny teacher praised them with their ability to easily learn these spells.
Remus told them tales of their parents. James and Remus had been best friends in school. Lily had been a Prefect. She had been Remus' study partner.
But of course, he taught them. Their main focus was on dueling. Harry was exceptional at this. Danielle, not so much. She focused too much on her arsenal of spells. Harry relied on action and reaction. Remus (his dueling partner) would throw a spell and Harry would counter with another or duck out of the way.
Soon, thought, the week ended. The twins had their trunks packed and ready to go on the train. They had to keep up the façade of leaving from somewhere other than Hogwarts.
Remus flooed with them to King's Cross. To be precise, it was Platform 9 ¾ , where a gleaming scarlet engine would take hundreds of students to Hogwarts.
When they stepped out of the fireplace, Remus turned to them. "Now, I'm going to be staying with you two for extra protection. I'll go ahead and find a compartment for us."
"Thanks, Remus," Danielle said.
They separated. Dani wandered around, greeting her peers. It wasn't long until she spotted a flock of redheads. She knew immediately who they were. It wasn't hard. She didn't know any other families with hair that red.
Danielle weaved through the crowds until she reached them. Ron Weasley turned from talking to his mother and met Dani's eyes. His blue eyes widened in surprise. He nudged someone next to him. Her brown hair and eyes made her a little unnoticeable, but then she smiled. Her front teeth were a little large. Dani remembered then. It was Hermione Granger.
Both had changed over the summer. Ron had gained another two inches or so, making him lankier than ever. His time in Egypt gave him even more freckles. His flaming red hair was a bit longer.
Hermione's skin had darkened a little. For the first and maybe last time, she had freckles. Her brown hair seemed a little less bushy. Those brown eyes held happiness, a bit of impatience, and – was that fear?
Danielle dismissed it as she approached the Gryffindors.
"Dani, how are you?" Ron asked. Dani arched an eyebrow. Was he actually… skirting around her?
"Ronald, she's obviously fine," Hermione chastised. "It's so good to see you again! But…" She looked around. "Can you tell us what happened?"
"I'll tell you on the train," Danielle said.
Ron and Hermione nodded. Danielle knew things would be awkward within the group for a little. Hopefully, things would smooth out soon.
"Sirius Black is coming after you?" Abigail Longbottom asked. She, Neville Longbottom, Mandy, Lisa, Ron, Hermione, Tori, Harry, Danielle, and Remus all were sitting in a magically enlarged compartment on the Hogwarts Express. The train was already rattling through the country.
Dani heard Remus sigh. He must've been really concerned even though they would all be safe at Hogwarts. She still had her doubts, but she knew they would be safer.
"You'll have to be really careful!" Hermione said. "Don't go looking for trouble-"
Danielle scoffed. "I'm sorry we've misled you, Hermione, but-"
"-we don't go looking for trouble," Harry finished. "Trouble usually finds us."
"Yeah, your trouble streak is worse than mine," Tori said. She stroked Reaver thoughtfully. Out of the corner of her eye, Dani watched Ron shudder. His eyes couldn't seem to turn from the rabbit.
"Since when did you have a trouble streak?" Danielle inquired. Nothing came to mind when she turned to her pre-Hogwarts memories.
"Remember fourth grade, Miss Meynard, and stink bombs?"
Dani winced as the fuzzy memory suddenly became clear. She could now clearly remember the smell. She wrinkled her nose. "I remember now." That had not been a pleasant day. A sudden thought struck her. "Wait, you haven't done anything else, have you?"
Tori gazed at the ceiling. "Maybe…" She glanced around, maybe hoping for a topic change. "Hey, what's that obnoxious sound?"
"I don't hear anything," Hermione said rather stiffly. Danielle figured she was still miffed by her and Harry's reactions.
"No, no, I can hear it," Lisa muttered.
"Harry, I think it's coming from your trunk," Mandy suggested.
Harry stood and pulled out his trunk from the luggage rack. Dani could hear it. It was high-pitched and almost sounded like a sports whistle. Harry pulled an object out and balanced it on his palm. The whistling increased in volume, and the object spun rapidly on his hand. Dani remembered its name! Ron gave Harry one on their birthday! It was a-
"Ah," Remus said, "a Sneakoscope!"
"Mind you, it's a cheap one," Ron explained. "It was going haywire when I sent it to you, Harry."
"What's a Sneakoscope?" Mandy inquired. This was new to Danielle. Mandy had the air of immense knowledge. Then she had to remind herself that the brunette was a Muggleborn.
"C'mon, Mandy!" Lisa exclaimed. "I thought you knew what Sneakoscopes are!" She took a breath. And then she looked sheepish. "Well, what are they?"
Danielle shook her head. She loved Lisa dearly, but really?
"Sneakoscopes are meant to warn you if there's someone untrustworthy around," Neville explained. "Harry, yours looks all funny."
"You haven't done anything, have you, Tori?" Danielle inquired. She smirked a little. "What with your new trouble streak?"
Tori huffed and crossed her arms.
"I thought your cat was setting it off, Hermione," Ron muttered. "I think it has it out for Scabbers." The redhead let his rat out of his pocket and onto his knee. Danielle almost gasped at the sight of Scabbers. The old rat seemed to have lost weight and tufts of fur. Hermione's cat ginger cat (with a rather flat face), Crookshanks, hissed softly from the brunette's lap. Ron hastily put Scabbers back in his pocket.
"He's a cat, Ronald," Hermione shot back. "It's natural for cats to chase rats. Didn't you say the Sneakoscope 'was going haywire' when you sent it? Crookshanks couldn't possibly have set it off."
Ron rolled his eyes, as if he realized Hermione wouldn't change her opinion. "Anyway, you can get the Sneakoscope checked out in Hogsmeade. Dervish and Banges sell that kind of stuff, Fred and George told me."
"Do you know much about Hogsmeade?" Hermione asked. "I've read it's the only entirely non-Muggle settlement in Britain-"
Danielle chose this moment to drift off. She didn't want to hear her friends longing for the magical village. After a few moments, Harry's voice broke into her thoughts. Aren't you being a bit selfish?
She looked into his eyes. Come on, don't you feel a bit jealous?
He gave a small shrug. Just a bit, but we should be happy that they get to go. Even though they're going to Hogsmeade without us, that doesn't mean we can make things miserable for them.
Danielle smiled. You're being awfully wise today.
Maybe I should transfer to Ravenclaw.
She couldn't help but smile wider. You in Ravenclaw. You wouldn't survive a week!
What if I stay in the Ravenclaw dorm during Christmas? That's longer than a week!
You can try!
It was at that moment that the compartment door opened again. It was Theodore Nott, a rather thin boy with curly dark hair. He was already wearing his Hogwarts robes: black with green trim. At his side stood Draco. Danielle felt that fluttering in her stomach again.
She wished it would stop.
Well, maybe not. It was pleasant and not at once.
"Well, well, Draco," Nott said. "Look who we have here: Potters, Longbottoms, and some Mudbloods." Ron stood. There was a strange fire burning in his eyes. "Oh, and Weasel, too."
"I heard your father finally got his hands on some gold this summer, Weasley," Draco mocked. "Did your mother die of shock?"
Ron's clenched fists were white. His ears turned red. Harry stood just behind him. Lisa drew her wand.
Wait, where was Remus?
In the meantime, Tori picked Crookshanks up from Hermione's lap. "Crookshanks, I choose you!" The cat screeched as he flew through the air to land on Draco's face. The two locked eyes, Draco, startled to have a disgruntled cat on his face. Crookshanks, displeased with his rude awakening, could not understand why this blond human smelled like too much hair product. Crookshanks let out a battle cry a he sank his sharp claws into Draco's pale face. Draco shrieked and ran from the compartment.
"Bring that cat back!" Tori screamed after him. She stood and sprinted after him.
It was a full minute before anyone moved. Nott dropped a small sack. Brown smoke erupted from it. Harry and Ron gagged. Danielle soon discovered why. The smell of rotten eggs and – well – dung filled the air.
Mandy coughed. "What is that?" She clapped a hand over her mouth.
"It's a dungbomb!" Ron answered. His shirt covered his lower face so only his eyes were visible.
"Let's get out!" Lisa demanded. She threw the door open and clambered out into the corridor.
Danielle was about to follow, but an angry hoot rang in her ears. Nightwing, Hedwig, and Lisa's owl screeched, likely because of the foul stench. Dani took Nightwing's cage and Reaver the rabbit, who, for some reason, simply sat on the armrest as if the entire world were at peace. Hermione hastily grabbed Hedwig, and Neville gripped the trembling cage of Lisa's owl. Once they were all out, Abigail closed the door.
The octet let out a collective sigh. Harry took Hedwig's cage and released the snowy owl from the window in the corridor. Danielle and Lisa did the same with their respective owls.
"Hermione! I brought back the cat!" Tori skipped up to them, Crookshanks perched precariously on her head. The cat swayed with every step. "Whoa, why are we sitting out here?"
"Nott dropped a dungbomb," Ron answered. "The little bugger."
It wasn't that much later Remus returned. At the group's insistence, the teacher removed the traces of the dungbomb. They happily returned to the compartment to the pitter-patter of rain streaking across the windows. Dark clouds heavy with rain streaked across the sky.
Danielle tried to ignore the weather as they travelled across the country. She instead focused on Ron and Lisa's game of Exploding Snap. Lisa played a card, which promptly combusted. Lisa yelped while Ron cheered.
She couldn't ignore the pounding of the rain or the roaring of the wind. She couldn't concentrate on the game anymore. Hermione, Mandy, and Abigail's conversation reached her ears. Her brain didn't process their words.
A shift in the seat next to her tore her gaze from the window. Harry sat there, worry etched in his green eyes. "Are you okay?"
"Why're you so worried about me?" Danielle asked.
Harry glanced away. "Tori seems nervous."
Danielle followed his gaze. Tori sat on the floor, her back to one of the seats. Her stone gray eyes were wide and seemed to blend with her paper white skin. She stroked Reaver more fervently than ever.
It was at that moment that Ron glanced at his watch and then flicked his eyes to the steadily darkening sky. "We must be nearly there. I'm starving. I want to get to the feast…"
Danielle jerked in her seat. She wasn't the only one. Ron and Lisa's game exploded in colorful sparks. Crookshanks dug his claws into the seat. Hermione's book tumbled into Neville's lap.
The train had stopped.
Remus stood. Danielle saw something in his eyes she didn't want to see: worry. "I'll speak with the driver. Stay here." And with that, he left.
"Can't see what's got his knickers in a twist," Ron said. He cleared away the ashes of the cards. "Aren't we there yet?"
Mandy checked her watch. "We can't possibly be there yet. We're normally there at 6:30. It's 4:00." She stood and stuck her head into the corridor.
After a moment, a shadow fell before Danielle's eyes. She gasped. Then she realized: There was still dim sunlight peeking from the clouds. The lamps had gone out. What was going on?
"Don't touch the rabbit!" Tori screeched.
"Ron, that was my foot!" Hermione protested. Ron apologized.
"Could we have broken down?" Neville pondered.
Danielle turned her attention back to the window. It had been fogged over. She wiped it clear with her sleeve. She couldn't see very well. The driving sheets of rain obscured her vision. Slight movement caught her eye. It was very close to the train. "I think someone's boarding."
"Could someone be late for the train?" Lisa asked.
"Not this late," Abigail countered.
Danielle flicked her gaze to the door as it slide open. She heard two yelps.
"Who's that?" Lisa asked.
"Who's that?"
"Ginny?"
"Lisa?"
"What're you doing?"
"I was looking for Ron, and-"
"C'min."
"Watch it!" Tori yelped as she nursed her foot.
"Not here!" Abigail insisted.
"Stop!" Mandy shouted. "Lumos." Silver light flooded the compartment. Ginny had managed to find space on the floor next to Ron. Tori had scooted closer to Harry and Danielle. She was right between them and stroked her rabbit faster than ever.
The door slid ever so slowly open. Danielle hoped it was Remus. Maybe he could have answers! Wait, Remus wouldn't be wearing a long, black cloak. No, Remus wasn't there. The figure in the door had his face hidden by a hood. From beneath it, Danielle could hear deep, rattling breaths. A hand curled around the door frame. Dani gasped. It was gray and withered. It was almost skeletal.
Tori stood and stepped forward. "Go, Reaver!" The black rabbit sailed through the air but completely missed the figure. It drew a rattling breath. Tori whimpered before wobbling dangerously and toppling on top of Harry.
The figure drew another breath. Danielle gasped. Cold, deep cold, like nothing she ever knew, filled her. Its claws gouged at her heart – She couldn't breathe – There was a rushing – She tried to rub her ears – She couldn't move. Without her bidding, her eyes rolled up.
There was a scream. It was faint but terrible. Screeching tires. More screams. Sirens. Something was wrong. She wanted to help, but she couldn't move. Why can't I move – why's it so dark – what's going on?
"Rosie!"
Who is that – who's calling me?
Tap-tap-tap. What's that feeling?
Blearily, she opened her eyes. Remus, Mandy, and Lisa crouched around her. Where were the others? Mandy helped her sit up. Danielle wiped her brow. Her hand came away wet. She was covered in cold sweat.
"Are you okay?" Ron asked from behind her.
"Yeah," she answered. She paused. She'd heard Harry's voice speaking in tandem with hers. She felt a familiar presence brush her mind. She relaxed. It was Harry.
Are you okay? she asked.
Yeah. You?
Peachy.
"Who screamed?" Harry asked. Ron and Neville helped him to his seat. He pushed his glasses up.
"No one screamed," Abigail negated. There was concern in her hazel eyes.
"No one heard the screeching tires?" Danielle questioned. That would be her luck if only she had heard it.
Everyone shook their heads.
Well, Danielle could now list herself as crazy.
"I bet nobody heard evil laughter, did they?" Tori asked from near the window. She had her arms wrapped around Reaver. Her face was ashen, her gray eyes wide. She shook slightly.
"What was that thing?" Harry muttered.
Snap! Danielle jumped and turned toward the source of the sound. Remus had snapped a large piece of chocolate into thirds. He handed a piece each to Harry, Danielle, and Tori. "It was a dementor," he answered as he divided another slap of chocolate. "One of the dementors of Azkaban."
Abigail, Neville, Ron, Ginny, and Lisa all stared at him. "That was a dementor…" Ginny murmured. She rubbed her arms.
"Eat," Remus ordered once everyone received a piece of chocolate. "It'll help. I'll be back in a few minutes.
Dementor. That was what had attacked. As Danielle, Harry, Tori, and Lisa piled into a carriage, Danielle couldn't help but wonder why she'd passed out. Out of nine, why had only three fallen?
She took a deep breath. The smells of old straw and mildew filled her senses. A shiver wracked her body. It was so cold all of a sudden. Danielle glanced outside. The carriage trundled past a row of dementors.
This'll take some getting used to.
The octet reached the flooded Entrance Hall. It was still pouring outside, meaning students were tracking in rain and mud. Filch, the caretaker, was not going to be happy.
"Potter, Miss Potter Miss Woods, and Miss Granger! I want to see you all!" Danielle turned. Professor Minerva McGonagall, a rather stern and severe witch, called from the staircase. Why did McGonagall want to talk to them?
Oh, probably because of what happened on the train.
After fifteen minutes of refusing the "assistance" of Madam Pomfrey (the school's medi-witch) and Hermione's secret meeting with McGonagall, the four students finally entered the Great Hall. Vane, Romilda had just hopped up from the stool and sat at the Gryffindor table. Professor McGonagall strode to her empty seat while Danielle, Harry, and Hermione claimed seats at their respective house tables, all while the last three students were sorted.
"And now," Professor Flitwick announced near the Sorting Hat, "it is time to sort and exchange student from the Salem Institute, Miss Victoria Woods!"
"It's Tori," the brunette hissed. Danielle had to hold back a giggle. Tori sat on the three-legged stool. Flitwick carefully stood on his tip-toes and put the Hat on her head.
What if Tori got Slytherin? Actually, Dani could easily summon an image of her friend in green and silver. She couldn't imagine the brunette in blue or yellow. Definitely not yellow. So the real question was: Gryffindor or Slytherin?
"GRYFFINDOR!" the Hat announced after a couple of minutes. Danielle released a breath she never realized she'd been holding.
Tori smirked as she stood, readjusted her rabbit, and eventually found a seat next to Hermione.
At the head table, Albus Dumbledore stood. A wave of relief washed over Danielle. Many times over the summer, just being in the headmaster's presence eased her worries of Sirius Black.
"Welcome!" Dumbledore said warmly. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all…"
Danielle left her mind to wander. She had a feeling the dementors were the subject of Dumbledore's speech. These… things were the dreaded guards of Azkaban prison. Obviously, the reason why they were at Hogwarts was to protect the castle from Sirius Black. Dani shivered. Her mind turned back to the man that had rescued Harry and herself just a mere month ago. Had that really been Sirius Black? Why would a cold-blooded murderer want to rescue them?
"On a happier note," Dumbledore continued, "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Danielle dragged herself from her thoughts as the words drifted through her ears. She applauded loudly and smiled at Re- no, Professor Lupin. Across the Hall, she heard Harry do the same.
"As to our second new appointment, well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, 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 Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties."
Dani glanced at Mandy, Lisa, and Abigail. Each wore enormous smiles, before joining the tumultuous applause. So that was why Hagrid had spent hours on end inside the Forbidden Forest. I guess that's why Harry and I got biting books… On their birthday, the twins had each received a book titled The Monster Book of Monsters. The books had nearly bitten Harry's fingers off before he had belted one together and Danielle stuffed the other into one of Dudley's old sweaters.
Danielle climbed into her bed in the airy Ravenclaw tower later that night. Her mind turned to Remus. She had seen an expression on Professor Snape's face that was usually reserved for Harry: utter loathing. Snape knew Remus from somewhere, but where?
An enormous yawn escaped her lips. The problem could wait until morning. She needed rest.
A/N: Thanks for reading, guys! And be sure to tell me what you think!
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukah! And Happy Kwanza!
God bless!