Third year found the train abuzz with talk of Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban. This of course made my world tilt on edge as I was left wondering if anyone would finally figure our that I was his daughter. No mention of it reached me as my friends and I searched for a compartment. None were empty but the one at the back of the train sported only a sleeping man and caused me to giggle as we settled in.
Talk turned to Black's escape and I immediately fell silent. For at least in hour no one seemed to notice my lack of participation. Finally, much to my dismay, Ron asked my opinion on the subject.
"Well obviously there isn't much anyone can do. I mean he broke out of Azkaban after all. They'll either catch him or they won't."
Ron looked confused and replied with, "Aren't you worried though? He is a mass murderer and all."
I wanted to argue so bad that I had to bit my tongue. When I finally managed to shrug indifference I could taste blood in my mouth. I was saved from further questions though as Hermione's new cat, Crookshanks, attacked Ron's pocket for the billionth time. This sent Ron off on a rant about the cat and I was able to relax at last. Only then did I realize that the sleeping man had shifted slightly when Ron had asked me how I felt about the escape and I laughed to myself.
Things seemed to progress normally from there. The trolley came and went as did the topics of conversation. Everything was as it should be until the train started to slow. Hermione was the first to react to the change.
"Why is it slowing? There's no way we can be there already we haven't been on the train long enough."
No one was able to answer though as everything suddenly grew cold. My eyes widened and I glanced at the sleeping figure in the corner. Surely he would do something, I mean this could only be caused by one thing. Sure enough my theory as to what was causing the cold proved right when every ounce of happiness and hope drained from my body.
The dementor opened the door and I thought that everything would end then and there. I saw Harry's eyes widen before they rolled back in his head and the figure in the corner finally moved. As the patronus flashed the dementor retreated and I began to feel warmth return slowly. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a chunk of chocolate which I quickly took a bite of.
Harry was coming to when I finally felt like I could be of use. He was vastly confused as the man from the corner began asking him how he felt. Harry mumbled something that sounded like 'fine' and the man handed him a piece of chocolate before excusing himself. Harry just sat staring at the chocolate as if it were some kind of foreign creature. Seeing him staring like that caused me to lose my cool completely.
"Harry! Are you mental? Don't just stare at it, eat it. Merlin, didn't anyone teach you any common sense? Eat it for crying out loud!"
They all stared at me but at least my ranting got Harry to take a bite of the candy. The mystery man from the corner came back as Harry was taking his second bite. His smile warmed me more than chocolate could have.
"Well done Celeste dear. I knew I could count on you to take care of your friend."
Everyone looked at me seeming rather confused. I blushed a little and grinned. It took a few seconds before I could explain.
"Everyone I'd like you to meet my godfather, Remus Lupin."
"Please for propriety's sake call me Professor Lupin. I'm the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
I made a face as if I'd eaten something sour and Hermione gave me a questioning look.
"Well, imagine having the man who basically raised you suddenly become your teacher? I've called him either Remus or Moony my whole life and now all the sudden I've got to remember to call him professor. It's not exactly going to be easy is it?"
Hermione gave a small smile and Remus just laughed. "Celeste, I suddenly appear and you forget your manners?"
"Oh, sorry Remus. I've introduced you so then this is Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter."
"A pleasure to meet you. Now, are you feeling better Harry?"
Harry nodded. Remus looked pleased but still seemed concerned. I knew what the dementors meant and it was marginally frightening. They thought Black was going to come after Harry, they thought my father was coming to Hogwarts. I needed to change the subject and fast.
"Everyone, we should probably change. Now that the train's been moving for a while we're probably getting close to the school. Remus, shouldn't you be getting ready too?"
I was so glad when everyone started moving about I could have fainted. Remus shot me a look out of the corner of his eye to let me know that he understood. I tried to smile but it probably looked more like grimace. Remus nodded and made his way from the compartment. Once he was gone Harry looked at the three of us.
"Did you hear anything when that thing came in here?"
"Hear? No Harry, there wasn't any sound just cold." Ron and Hermione nodded their agreement. Harry started to protest but seemed to decide against it. We changed into our robes then sat talking until the train reached the school.
Once inside the Great Hall we sat through another round of sorting which made me remember having to sit under the same hat. A family with a past in Slytherin and my father, the first Gryffindor in Black family history. I was glad I had followed his footsteps instead of some other relative's. Of course Remus had been in Gryffindor too so I truly felt as though I had done him proud.
After the feast Dumbledore made the yearly announcements which included the introduction of iProfessor/i Lupin. I was so proud when I didn't laugh at it. I just smiled at Remus and rose with the rest of my house to head for the dormitories. After giving the password to The Fat Lady we made our way inside and flopped down in front of the fire.
It took only moments before Crookshanks pounced on Ron causing him to swear profusely. I couldn't help but laughed as the cat then climbed into my lap and settled down. Ron shot me a look as if to say 'how could you' and I just smiled pathetically. It wasn't as if I could help the fact that the cat liked me. I had a hunch as to why but I wasn't even marginally tempted to share the thought.
I was relieved to go to bed that night as it meant a reprieve from my friends. No matter how much I enjoyed their company there were secrets I had that I couldn't allow anyone to find out, not even them. It felt like forever before I fell asleep to thoughts of my father and the year to come.
Our first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson was something to look forward to. Knowing Remus as I did I knew that it would be a lesson to remember. Sure enough the moment everyone sat down he smiled ad I knew something was up.
"Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts. I am Professor Lupin. Now, I thought we might have a bit of fun to start the year. Can anyone take a guess at what I have locked in this trunk?"
I watched the wobbling box and fought not to laugh. Of all the things he could have done this was by far going to be the most entertaining. Hermione's hand shot up and I knew the fun was about to begin.
"Yes, Miss Granger?"
"It's a boggart isn't it Professor?"
"Very good, five points to Gryffindor. Now no one knows what a boggart's true form looks like. When you encounter one it will take the form of whatever you fear most. Now the way to counter this is laughter. May I have a volunteer?""
Hands shot up all around the room. I watched as he scanned the room and was pleased when he picked the most unlikely person.
"Neville, would you mind assisting me?"
Neville seemed surprised but rose to stand in front of the classroom. Remus smiled at him in an attempt to reassure him but I could still tell Neville was rather nervous all the same.
"Neville, tell me, what is it that you fear most?"
Neville mumbled something that no one could understand and Remus asked him to repeat his answer. Neville looked embarrassed as he stuttered, "P-Professor Sn-Snape."
People laughed but Remus simply held up his hand and looked at Neville.
"Now please tell me the most amusing thing you can think of."
"Well, my Gran has this hat that she wears. It's red and has a large stuffed vulture on it."
This caused everyone, myself included, to laugh heartily. I knew where this was going and could hardly contain myself. Remus motioned for us to settle down and continued his demonstration.
"Now Neville, if you will when I release the boggart I assume it will take on the appearance of Professor Snape. When it does I want you to picture you're grandmother's hat and say 'Riddikulus'."
Neville nodded and held his wand out awkwardly. Remus flicked his wand at the lock on the trunk and out popped Professor Snape. Neville looked terrified but managed to say the spell, which instantly caused a large red hat with a stuffed vulture to appear on Snape's head. The entire class fell to pieces laughing.
Everyone's new favorite Defense Against the Dark Arts professor called for the class to line up and attempt the spell themselves. I made my way to the back of the line and prayed time would run out before I reached the boggart. While others focused on the task at hand I allowed my mind to wander.
If I reached the boggart what form would it take? Would it look like my father? Maybe it would look like Harry since I was terrified my friend would find out my secret. What would form in front of me? Could a boggart take multiple forms at once? My attention was refocused as Remus called an end to class. I saw that most everyone besides Harry and myself had faced the boggart and I was immensely grateful that I had avoided having to face it.
Remus smiled as I gathered my things and hurried to join the others only to have Harry stop in front of him.
"Professor, why didn't you allow me or Celeste to face the boggart?"
Remus looked puzzled by the question but looked Harry in the eye just the same. "I worried that for you the boggart might become Lord Voldemort and did not want to frighten the other students. As for Celeste, that is her reason to tell not mine."
Harry seemed satisfied with this and the four of us set off for our next class. Halfway to our next lesson Harry stopped and looked at me.
"Why did you hang back Celeste? It seemed like you were afraid to face it."
I looked down at my shoes. "There are some things that are best kept secret and this is one of them." I looked up and faced the three of them. "I promise though that when I'm ready I'll explain it but now isn't the time or place so please let it go Harry."
He nodded and gave me an apologetic look. I hated the fact that I was such a coward but it had become obvious that Harry didn't know who Sirius Black really was and I knew that when he found out it would be my worst nightmare come to life.