Chapter Three - Dementors

Hermione had saved a seat for me at lunch, and I slipped in beside her.

'Everything ok?' she asked, sipping at her juice.

'Fine,' I replied vaguely.

It helped to be secretive. No one would have any idea how much I actually knew, and I could learn a lot from listening.

'Seamus looks like he wants to join you,' Harry said from his lunch, without looking at either me or Seamus. Obviously, he didn't want me with him.

I glanced over at the brown-haired boy down the row, who smiled when he saw he had my attention. I threw Hermione an apologetic look before getting up and sitting beside my preferred company.

'You know,' Seamus said the moment I had taken my seat, 'for someone who really doesn't like Harry, you sure hang out with him a lot.'

'It's more out of necessity,' I said carefully.

'Why's that?' Seamus asked, helping himself to bread and butter.

'Protection.'

That wasn't so careful.

Seamus, luckily, took it the other way.

'I don't mean any offence, but even though Harry's good at keeping himself alive, he's not very talented at doing the same for the people around him.'

'Hermione and Ron are still here,' I pointed out, rather disgusted with myself for sticking up for Jerk of the Century.

'They're lucky,' Seamus shrugged. 'But everyone else around him has been wiped out. I mean, it was hell with Cho –'

'Cho?' I asked slowly.

'Yeah, she was his girlfriend a few years ago. Heard about her death in the Prophet. Apparently, she was tortured so that Harry –' Seamus trailed off and shook his head. 'I don't like to talk about it. She was a good person.'

'So Harry hasn't let anyone speak to him since then,' I realised suddenly.

Oh, it was all making a ton of sense now. Harry was purposely keeping everyone at arm's length to protect them.

The thought had barely finished forming in my mind when a new horrible feeling exploded inside me.

My surroundings disappeared and I was somewhere else, in a moment of nothingness.

It wasn't the same as the strange vision that was trying to appear on the Quiddich pitch, it was something else. Something worse.

I felt it, like an enormous black wave within me. A Danger was approaching. A terrible Danger.

My throat constricted and I glanced around as the people in the hall slowly returned. They were all chatting and laughing, and the normality dragged me back into reality. The feeling of the Danger slowly faded.

I shook my head to clear my mind, adjusting to the sounds and sensations surrounding me.

'Are you ok?' Seamus was asking in concern.

Hermione and Ron were glancing over at me, worried looks on their faces. I rubbed my eyes, wondering if it had all been in my imagination.

'Er… I think so,' I said slowly. I got up quickly. 'I have to go. See you later.'

Seamus called out after me as I walked away, but I didn't want to speak to him. I strode right out of the castle and burst into the sunny grounds. How could there be any Danger in the world when the day was so bright and peaceful?

'Emma? Emma! Are you ok?'

I turned as Hermione and Ron rushed out after me.

'I'm fine,' I assured them.

'You looked pretty out of it,' Ron said in concern. 'Did you have a vision or something?'

'I'm not sure,' I replied slowly.

'You're not sure?' Hermione repeated, confused.

'It's really hard to explain,' I told her. 'I'm fine. You guys go back.'

'Should we call Dumbledore?' Ron asked.

'No, really. I'd let you know if it was something important.'

The two agreed and disappeared back into the castle, throwing uncertain glances over their shoulders as they left.

I waited outside until the end of lunch before heading back into the castle. To my surprise (though I didn't show it), Harry was waiting for me in the common room.

'Hello,' I said carefully.

'Come on,' he replied gruffly, not meeting my eyes. 'We have Defence Against the Dark Arts now.'

'You're going to take me to class?' I queried slowly.

Harry shrugged grudgingly. 'Suppose.'

'To what do I owe this… pleasure?' I questioned as we walked through the door and along the corridor.

'You're the psychic, you figure it out,' Harry snapped.

I frowned thoughtfully. Why would Harry show me where to go? I knew it wasn't to protect me, and I was certain he wasn't trying to be nice. If we were going to Defence Against the Dark Arts, it must have something to do with the class… or the teacher.

'Remus,' I realised immediately. 'You don't want any of the Order to know you've been treating me like dirt.'

Harry didn't say anything, and I knew immediately I was right. I rolled my eyes, and we walked in silence towards the classroom. Paintings called out to Harry cheerfully, though he didn't have the decency to reply. I felt obliged to try and make conversation, but I had no idea where to start.

'So…'

'If you lay a finger on Ron or Hermione, I will track you down and kill you, do you understand?'

I stopped speaking abruptly, shocked at the sharp tone. Harry was glaring at me so ferociously, I didn't know what to say. Finally, I found my voice.

'I'm not a spy,' I said calmly.

'We'll see,' Harry grunted.

'Dumbledore told you to trust me, didn't he?'

'How do you know that?' Harry snapped.

'You seem to have a short term memory. I'm a psychic, remember? I've been taken from my home and put here to protect you. The least you can do is be nice.'

'I didn't invite you to come here. Go home, I don't care.'

'Everyone else wants me here. They asked me not to leave.'

Harry stopped as he reached a classroom and pushed open the door. Most of the class were already inside, including Ron and Hermione, and Remus had set up a platform at the front of the room. Seamus waved to me, and I immediately made a beeline to sit beside him.

'Where do you think you're going?' Harry demanded, but I ignored him.

I was not impressed when I saw Malfoy enter the room. I definitely didn't feel comfortable when that creep was in sight.

When the class settled down, Remus got up onto the platform. 'We'll start the year off with some duelling,' he said with a smile. 'Just to brush up on our anti-jinxes. Any volunteers?' Harry immediately put his hand up, and Remus smiled at him. 'Well, of course. Anyone else?'

'I want to duel the new kid,' Harry said before another student could raise their hand.

Hermione gasped softly.

Remus seemed thrown. 'Uh… excuse me?'

'Well, we all want to see what the new girl can do, don't we?' Harry asked the class.

Everyone nodded and began to turn in their seats to look at me. Malfoy raised his eyebrows, his elbow slung over the back of his chair. I was feeling a horrible churning panic rise up inside me. I couldn't believe Harry was doing this to me. Hermione and Ron were both staring at me, transfixed in horror.

'Relax,' Seamus muttered in my ear. 'He normally does the disarming spell. You'll be fine.'

'Harry, I don't think this is such a good idea –' Remus said, glancing at me in concern.

No kidding it wasn't a good idea. I had no way to defend myself. Harry was going to curse me in front of the entire class. He was going to expose my lack of magic to everyone, including Malfoy. Was he completely stupid?

Harry was smirking at my panicked expression. 'Come on, newby. Pick up your wand and show me what you can do.'

'No, Harry, this definitely isn't a good idea,' Remus said.

I threw him a grateful glance, but Harry got out of his chair and went up to the front of the classroom. He muttered something inaudible in Remus's ear. I watched as the teacher's face changed somewhat, looking extremely uncomfortable.

'Very well,' he sighed after Harry pulled away. 'Emma, please come up the front.'

I couldn't believe this was happening. How could Remus do this to me? He was supposed to be looking out for me. Slowly, I stood up. It felt like a terrible nightmare as I dragged my feet along the ground towards the platform. Everyone in the class was staring at me. Malfoy watched, an interested expression on his face. Hermione pressed her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide.

I reached the platform and stepped up, facing Harry, my wand hanging uselessly by my side. I stared dully ahead, wondering how I was supposed to get out of this.

'Don't forget the proper duelling etiquette,' Remus said, mostly for my sake. 'Bow before you cast spells.'

I bowed unenthusiastically, and Harry jerked his head. Remus cleared his throat and stepped back. I could feel his eyes on me. Boy, I was going to give him such an earful when this class was over.

'On three,' he said, his voice cracking. I still didn't raise my wand. 'One, two… three.'

'Stupefy!'

I flew backwards across the room and slammed into the wall. Everything was spinning, I was struggling to breathe, and my entire body stung painfully.

'Aw, come on sir, she didn't even block it!' I heard Harry yell.

'Perhaps her reflexes aren't as good as yours,' Remus replied wearily. I heard him walking over towards him. 'Stay where you are Harry, and we'll play round-robin. Hermione, why don't you go next?' Remus helped me sit up, rubbing my back.

I coughed, struggling to regain my bearings.

'Are you ok?' he asked quietly.

'No,' I moaned, glaring at Harry as he and Hermione bowed to each other. 'Why did you let him do that?'

'I'll explain later,' Remus muttered under his breath. He helped me to my feet, and I limped back to my seat.

'He could have used the disarming spell,' Seamus growled when I joined him. 'What an ass.'

'Tell me about it,' I groaned, watching Hermione's wand flying into the wall. 'He doesn't treat me very nicely.'

'Then stop hanging out with him,' Seamus said. 'Stay with me, I'll look after you.'

I smiled gratefully at him. 'After today, I'm tempted.'

After class, Remus apologised profusely to me and explained his reasons behind letting me duel.

'Apparently Malfoy is getting very suspicious of your relationship with Harry,' he explained. 'We think Malfoy is on Voldermort's side. If Harry doesn't put up a very believable pretence of disliking you, I'm afraid Malfoy might catch on.'

'I don't think Harry has to pretend,' I grumbled.

'Are you two still fighting?' Remus inquired in surprise.

'He doesn't trust me,' I shrugged.

'Give him time,' Remus assured me. 'He'll come 'round. In the meantime, please, please stick with him. Everyone knows about the prophecy involving Harry and Voldermort's fight, but it won't stop spies from trying to weaken Harry beforehand. We really need you watching out for him.'

I let out a long, tired sigh. It seemed I was never going to escape Harry Potter.

'I think it's time to stop this nonsense.'

I looked up from lunch as Seamus took a seat beside me.

'Hi,' I said guiltily.

Seamus nodded over to Harry, who was beside Ron and Hermione. 'Why are you still hanging out with him? The week's finished, and he hasn't treated anyone the way he treats you.'

'Look, I really can't go into this –' I started apologetically, but Harry interrupted me.

'Finnigan, leave the girl alone. Can't you see she doesn't want to talk to you?'

'Stay out of this,' I snapped to him.

Ron and Hermione both sighed into their soup, but didn't say anything.

I turned to Seamus. 'I am so sorry about this,' I said. 'Please don't be mad. We still hang out.'

'I know, and I'm happy that we do. But why do you have to be near Harry at all?'

'It's a long story,' I said weakly.

As much as I hated it, I was glad I had been near Harry. I had saved him from an exploding acid bulb in Potions on Wednesday and a bewitched pair of scissors in Sirius's Charms class on Thursday. Of course, I didn't get a thank you, but the rest of the Order were extremely grateful for my work.

Seamus glared furiously at Harry and got up, storming away. I gazed after him guiltily.

'Cheer up,' Ron said, shoving an entire slice of bread in his mouth. 'Woi dun oo teow mu ma foocha?'

'Why don't you tell me my future,' Hermione automatically translated with a sigh as she picked up her juice.

'We have double Divination next, you can just find out for yourself,' I said with a grin.

'Great, we'll have two frauds in the same room,' Harry muttered under his breath.

'How many times have I saved your butt this week?' I demanded.

'Please don't start,' Hermione cringed.

Harry rose abruptly from his seat and left without another word.

'Good riddance,' I growled.

I knew I should have followed him, to keep him safe, but I just couldn't be bothered putting up with him. It was a Friday afternoon, and I had gone through too much this week to deal with the temper tantrums of a bratty world hero.

I noticed many of the girls from our table watch him leave with dreamy looks on their faces.

'How can anyone like him?' I asked in exasperation.

Hermione shrugged. 'Haunted hero, I guess,' she said. 'From the outside, it looks like he has a dangerous life filled with adventure and excitement. He's the dark, broody, silent type. Anyone who doesn't really know him finds him intriguing and mysterious.'

'And for those of us who do really know him find him arrogant and moronic,' I added.

Hermione didn't reply.

'Come on, he's alright,' Ron said, finally finishing his bread. 'Just not to you,' he added quickly when he saw the look on my face.

We finished lunch and headed up to the Divination room, which was up a very large and sickeningly spirally set of stairs. We passed a window and I felt a terrible weight in my stomach when I saw the Quiddich pitch. I didn't understand why the field gave me such cold shivers, and I wished the vision which had been trying to appear all week would just happen already.

As for the approaching Danger I had felt on the first day of classes; that had not returned. I was very thankful for its absence, and hoped it had all been in my head.

'I wonder what kind of crap Trelawny's going to dish to us this year,' Ron mused. 'I hope she sticks with stuff we can just make up. Astrology was terrible – we had to draw up Planet Charts and do calculations…' He shuddered, to make a point.

'Didn't you quit Divination?' I inquired, turning to Hermione.

'In the books, yes,' Hermione replied. 'Not in real life. We all have to keep an eye on her, in case she makes another prediction. It was extremely lucky I was there when she made the prophecy about you.'

'What was the exact wording?' I asked curiously, trying not to appear thrown off by the fact that Hermione had been the one to hear the prophecy.

'It was just one line,' Hermione told me. 'She without the magic of our world will be the key to victory in the Great Battle ahead.'

My stomach felt like it had dropped a hundred kilometres. 'It… doesn't actually say whether I will help or hinder Harry,' I said slowly. 'What if I'm the key to Voldermort's victory?'

'Dumbledore swore to us that you were on our side,' Hermione shrugged. 'I assume he knows something we don't.'

'Dumbledore knows a lot of things we don't,' Ron agreed.

'How did he find me?' I had to know. It wasn't like me to ask this many questions and expose my ignorance, but curiosity had finally gotten the better of me.

'Nobody knows,' Hermione replied. 'Not even Sirius or Remus. I asked them on Monday, and they both said that Dumbledore told them exactly where to go to pick you up. He didn't say how he knew where to look, or how he knew you were the muggle in the prophecy.'

'What if he's wrong?' Ron asked uncertainly, glancing at me.

'I think we both know that he's right,' Hermione said, shooting me a smile. 'Besides, when have you ever known Dumbledore to be wrong?'

'Good point,' Ron puffed as we reached the Divination classroom. 'Man, I forgot how awful that climb was.'

I peered over the railing and immediately regretted it as a dizzy, sick feeling washed over me. We were high, and the steps were winding, and it was not a good sight.

'Come on,' Hermione laughed as I groaned. 'Let's get this over with.'

The classroom was circular and comfortable, with cushioned stools and round wooden tables. No students had arrived yet. A lady that I could only imagine was Trelawny sat in the middle, flipping over rows of Tarot cards.

'Awesome,' Ron grinned quietly. 'Looks like this is going to be a breeze. I can do Tarot cards.'

Trelawny glanced up, her eyes indeed magnified by her glasses, just as Rowling had described. 'Are you new?' she asked me.

I nodded silently, and she got to her feet, shuffling over to me. She grasped my hands and closed her eyes, humming under her breath. Ron and Hermione exchanged grins. After many uncomfortable moments, Trelawny opened her eyes again.

'I am sorry my dear, it doesn't look like you have any gifts for understanding the future.'

Ron and Hermione turned away, covering their mouths as they snorted and sniggered. I blinked and stared up at Trelawny.

'Seriously?' I asked in disbelief. 'You're… actually serious?'

'No immediate power,' Trelawny nodded. 'But perhaps you can work through it, in time.'

She turned and shuffled back to her desk, and I glanced at Ron and Hermione.

'Oh my god,' I mouthed to them, and they both laughed loudly.

The rest of the class arrived very soon after, and we all took seats on the stools. I sat with Ron, Hermione and Harry around one table, and glanced over at Seamus, who was sitting with some other Fourth Years.

'Choose a partner,' Trelawny said, putting on a very mystical voice as she wandered around the classroom. 'Hold their hands and allow the Inner Eye to delve into their depths. You must have a strong connection with your subject to pass on their universal vibrations into the Tarot cards.'

Hermione rolled her eyes and shifted to face me. Harry and Ron both sighed heavily, looking glumly at one another.

'No offence mate, but I don't think I want to sit in this classroom holding your hand,' Ron said.

'I'm with you,' Harry agreed, and I had a terrible feeling I knew where this was going.

Ron turned to Hermione. 'Mind if I go with you?'

'I'll go with you,' I said quickly, desperately.

'Nah,' Ron grinned, shooting a glance to Harry. 'Maybe you two should be partners. You need some time together. Besides, you're supposed to be protecting him, remember?'

I clenched my teeth in frustration. Harry glared at the ground.

'Come on, come on, get started,' Trelawny told the hesitant class in irritation.

Ron held his hands out for Hermione to take, and the two sat silently, looking rather bored as they waited for the next part of the class. I let out a long sigh and held out my hands, wondering if Harry was simply going to refuse to take them. However, after a moment, he groaned and reached out.

The moment his skin touched mine, I felt a spark rush through my hands. I yelped, pulling away quickly.

'What's your problem?' Harry demanded.

'Er… I don't know,' I said breathlessly, ignoring the curious glances from my classmates. I shook my fingers nervously. 'Something happened.'

'What?' Hermione wanted to know.

'I'm not sure,' I said slowly, reaching out again. Harry rolled his eyes and grabbed my hands once more. 'Don't you feel that?' I asked him as the strange sparks zapped against my skin.

'Feel what?' Harry sighed.

I pursed my lips. 'It's almost like an electric shock… but different.'

'Maybe you're feeling his magic,' Hermione suggested.

I met Harry's eyes, gazing quizzically into the green depths…

To my horror, the Danger feeling reappeared. My expression became one of dread, and I felt the colour drain from my face. It was back, as strong as ever. It hadn't been my imagination; there really was a Danger, something so terrible that it actually scared me –

Before I could tell the others, a new feeling overrode the Danger, and a vision exploded into my brain. I could see a darkness drifting towards the castle… black cloaks… icy grounds...

'Emma? What's wrong?' I snapped out of it, and Hermione's worried face came into view. Harry had let go of my hands, and he and Ron were staring at me in surprise. 'Are you ok?' Hermione asked, glancing around and lowering her voice. 'Did you see something?'

I nodded numbly, too shocked to speak. I stood abruptly, spinning and running from the classroom. Sprinting down hundreds of spiral steps is most possibly the worst thing anyone can do, and that includes fit people like myself. Just in case you were wondering.

I kept my hand on the stone castle wall to maintain my balance, throwing glances out of every window I passed. The sun was still up… I still had time…

I didn't know how to get to Dumbledore's office, so instead I burst into Remus's Defence Against the Dark Arts room, gasping for air. The bunch of First Years he was teaching turned to me curiously.

Immediately, Remus seemed to understand the urgency of what was happening, and told his students to continue with theory work until he returned. He rushed over to me, bustling me out of the door while we hastily made our way to the Head office. I couldn't breathe from all the running, so I couldn't tell him what was happening. We reached a stone gargoyle in one of the passageways and Remus said the password ('Cadbury', I almost laughed).

We followed the steps up to Dumbledore's office and knocked on his door. I finally recovered as we entered, and I sat down at the chair opposite the Headmaster.

'Dementors,' I panted, wiping my sweaty forehead with my sleeve. 'They'll be here tonight. Voldermort sent them. I've been trying to have that damn vision for the whole week, but it was too big.'

Dumbledore's eyebrows flew up in shock. 'Dementors? Here? In the grounds?'

I nodded, swallowing hard. 'They'll attack during dinner.'

Dumbledore got to his feet and wandered around behind me. 'So he's found a way through my shields,' he said thoughtfully. 'On a new moon, no less. Very well Emma, we shall be ready by sunset. I can't begin to thank you enough for your efforts. Head to the Great Hall. I'll start the preparations.'

'And the students?' Remus asked, looking slightly pale.

Dumbledore returned to his desk, taking out his wand and pointing it to a knot in the wood.

'Attention,' he said calmly. 'All students into the Great Hall immediately. Teachers, please lead your class in an orderly manner.' He pressed his wand against another knot. 'Please prepare the Great Hall in Shelter Mode.'

Dumbledore took his wand off the table and gazed up at me, his eyes piercing into mine.

'How are you going to ward them off?' I asked. 'There'll be a lot.'

'I've invented a Guard much like the muggle security system,' Dumbledore told me. 'It uses a lot of power, however, and will have to be turned on just before the dementors attack.'

'Where is the Guard?' Remus asked, but I already knew the answer.

'The Quiddich pitch,' I realised, finally understanding why the feeling had appeared when I looked out onto the field.

Dumbledore smiled at me. 'You are certainly something, Emma.'

I didn't reply.

'We'll need a lookout,' Remus organised, 'to let us know when the dementors are almost on us. The Astronomy tower is the best place.'

Dumbledore tilted his head towards him. 'I trust you and Professor Black will be able to handle that?'

'Of course,' Remus said, glancing at me. 'Is there anything else…?'

'That will be all,' Dumbledore assured him.

Remus gripped my shoulder. 'Stick with Harry,' he said, a hint of pleading in his tone. 'He won't let you get hurt.'

Personally, I thought I'd be safer as far away from Harry as possible, but I didn't say anything. Instead, I nodded shortly and watched Remus hurry out of the office. I turned back to Dumbledore, who was surveying me over his steepled fingers.

'I am inclined to agree with Professor Lupin,' he said, watching me carefully. 'Please remain with Harry throughout the evening, regardless.'

'Ok,' I sighed, unable to argue with the elderly wizard.

I turned and left, feeling exceptionally grumpy and more than a little scared.

Dusk approached too rapidly for my liking, and I paced the Great Hall nervously, continually glancing out of the windows.

'What's this all about then?' I heard one of the students complain to his friend. 'We've been stuck in here for hours and nobody will tell us what's going on.'

'I reckon Voldermort's out there right now,' his friend said. 'I reckon Harry's fighting him as we speak. The prophecy is about to come true!'

'Don't be daft. Harry's right over there, you git.'

I glanced over at Harry, who was speaking to Minerva in the far corner. Hermione and Ron were close to him, their white faces reflecting their fear. There weren't many people in the Great Hall who knew exactly what was going on, and I wasn't sure I wanted to be one of them. Right now, I'd prefer to be one of the ignorant ones, discussing with my friends silly theories about what was happening outside.

I didn't want to know exactly what was coming for us, and I especially didn't want to be the one who had to stick with Harry. I had a terrible feeling he would be taking a trip outside sometime tonight, and I certainly had no desire to follow.

I caught sight of Seamus, who was swinging his glare between myself and Harry, looking very suspicious. I felt sorry for him. I wished I could tell him what was going on, and that I was not the least bit interested in Mr Jerk/Hero. If only there was some way I could tell him I liked him –

'Emma.'

I turned, refraining from jumping in surprise when I found Harry behind me.

'What's up?' I asked.

'I'm going outside to back Dumbledore up while he switches on the Patronus Guard. Stay here.'

'No can do,' I said with a sigh. 'I have to come with you.'

'Excuse me?' Harry demanded.

'Dumbledore's orders. You're not going to directly disobey him, are you?'

Harry grinded his teeth. 'I doubt Dumbledore knew I would be going out there. He'd tell you to stay here.'

'How do you know?' I disputed. 'He said regardless that I was to stick with you.'

Harry pointed to the enormous dining room door, fury etched across his face.

'I am going out there with who-knows-how-many dementors. They can suck out your soul, did you know that? If I have to look after you, I'll get distracted and end up losing my soul. How am I supposed to fight Voldermort without a soul? Huh?'

'I'm so touched to hear your concern for me,' I drawled. 'Unfortunately, I am still obligated to come with you.'

Harry threw up his hands in exasperation. 'Your funeral.'

He stalked towards the front doors, and I followed determinedly. I was not daft enough to notice all the jealous-looking girls that watched me leave with Harry. Hermione was right. They thought of Harry's life as one big fun adventure. Little did they know I would have gladly switched places with any of them right at this moment.

Harry nodded to Minerva and Severus as he left. I followed Harry out of the Great Hall and towards the Quiddich pitch, gnawing at my lip nervously.

'This was such a bad idea, bringing you along,' Harry grumbled, glancing at me. I quickly released my lip, arranging my face into what I hoped was a brave expression. 'You can't do any magic, let alone a Patronus Charm. I'm going to have to end up protecting you the whole time.'

'It's the other way around,' I pointed out. 'I'm protecting you, remember?'

Harry shot me a dirty glare. I rolled my eyes behind his back. Apparently, the curses and hexes I'd saved him from during the week didn't count as protection.

The sky was now a velvet blue, and dark shadows swum across the grounds as we hurried out into the cool night air. The Quiddich pitch loomed below us.

'Do you see Dumbledore?' I asked.

'Quiet!' Harry hissed. I made a face at him in the darkness. He turned back to me. 'You stay here, I'm going to get into the grandstands.'

'Stay here? You want me to stay here? I'm out in the open!'

'Then go stand behind a tree or something,' Harry said shortly.

'I'm supposed to help you!'

'I don't want your help!' Harry exploded.

'Well I don't want to help you either!' I yelled back. 'But I have to! Trust me, I'd rather be in the Great Hall waiting for the 'heroes' to get back than to be out here, prancing about with dementors!'

'Prancing?' Harry shouted. 'I'm saving the bloody students from a fate worse than death!'

'Good job, I'm happy for you,' I spat.

'You think I want to be out here? I'd rather be in the Great Hall too, but no! I get to grow up without a family and sacrifice everything to save the world! I'm so lucky! You have no idea –'

'Harry.'

'What?'

'Dementors.' I lifted my hand and pointed to the sky, where horrible black shapes were swirling around the pitch like grotesque clouds.

'Oh great,' Harry said, a slight panic in his tone. 'Just great. You got me depressed about my life. How am I supposed to use the Patronus Charm when I can't think of anything happy? Why did I bring you along?'

'Where's Dumbledore?' I asked, trying desperately to keep calm.

As though in answer to my question, a silver streak dashed across the field, and I saw a Patronus speed up one of the goal hoops to a dark figure standing on top. I could just make out a coat and beard flapping in the breeze as the figure raised his wand.

Before he could do anything, however, two dementors swooped down on him in spirals, like a double helix.

'HARRY!' I shrieked, but Harry was already sprinting down the hill towards the pitch.

I hesitated only for a millisecond before following him. If I died tonight, I was going to haunt that Jerk for all eternity. I put my head down and ran faster than I'd ever moved as I tore after Harry. I slowed when I saw several dementors circling the perimeters of the pitch.

Although I had never seen them before, or felt their effects, I was extremely terrified of the creatures. Their presence was vulgar and horrifying. I ducked beneath a grandstand as one passed close by, holding my breath. I struggled to recall some facts about dementors from the books. I was pretty sure they could sense humans, which was extremely disconcerting. It would only be a matter of time before they knew I was here. Harry had disappeared from sight – he was probably already on the pitch, warding them off to help Dumbledore. I peeked out onto the field, searching for signs of life. I could see streams of dementors flowing around a spot in the middle of the pitch, and my heart jumped to my throat. It was Harry.

I stepped forward, and gasped as a black coat whipped my face. A dementor streamed past me onto the pitch, ignoring me completely. They were clearly focussed on Harry. I wasn't doing a very good job of protecting him. He would have been able to make a Patronus if I hadn't depressed him. Maybe I should have just stayed in the Great Hall instead of following him outside.

'Harry!' I shrieked in fear. 'Harry, are you ok?'

To my relief, a silver light appeared, blinding me for a second as the dementors scattered up into the air. I stepped out onto the field, scanning the centre for the origin of the light, but jumped back as a dementor flew towards me. I screamed, covering my head as though my arms would protect me from its effects, but already I was feeling cold all over.

It didn't happen slowly, like I had imagined, but swiftly and painfully. One moment, I was ok (if not a little scared); the next I felt like my whole world was a massive blackness. I remembered the previous Saturday, when my life came crashing down to my knees. My break up, my termination from the company, my utter sense of loss and despair…

I sunk to my knees, moaning as the Dementor circled close, its icy cloak brushing against my skin. I had nothing left, nothing at all. No one wanted me, no one needed me, no one even knew I had left the country…

'Emma? Emma, can you hear me? Open your eyes.'

I shifted, stirring as someone shook me. A firm grip clasped my shoulders, digging into my skin. I opened my eyes to find Dumbledore standing over me.

'Quick, give her this.'

Someone shoved a piece of chocolate into my mouth, and I choked slightly.

'Chew and swallow,' Dumbledore told me gently.

'What happened?' I asked when the chocolate made its way down my throat. I was suddenly feeling a lot better.

'A Dementor attacked you,' Remus said grimly from my left. Sirius was beside him. 'How are you?'

It slowly dawned on me that I was in a comfortable bed. Ron and Hermione were standing at the foot of my bed, looking extremely concerned. Candles flickered around the room, illuminating the hospital ward.

'I'm ok,' I managed to choke out. 'I… don't even remember passing out.'

'It happens fast,' Dumbledore said. 'But you'll be alright. The school is protected. The Guard is up, and everyone's safe.'

I let out a long breath. 'Thank goodness. Those dementors were horrible.'

'You could see them?' Remus asked carefully.

I frowned, puzzled. 'Yeah, of course. They were everywhere.' I knew I was missing something important when everyone exchanged glances. 'What?'

'Muggles can't see dementors, Emma,' Hermione breathed.

'Oh,' I murmured, not quite sure how to absorb that particular piece of information. There was an awkward silence. I was keen to break it. 'Where's Harry?' I asked, sitting up.

The world spun slightly from the action, and I shook my head to clear my vision. Remus pressed his hand firmly against me and forced me to lie back down.

'He is in the Great Hall, with the other students. He's fine.'

'He wouldn't have been if it wasn't for you,' Dumbledore said, gazing down at me through his half-moon spectacles.

'I didn't do anything,' I said guiltily.

'Your voice snapped him out of it,' Dumbledore disputed. 'He was very lucky you were there.'

I wondered if perhaps he had known what was going to happen, then remembered I was the psychic.

'It's horrifying, isn't it?' Hermione asked knowingly. 'Going off on one of Harry's little 'adventures'. Not exactly what all the other girls daydream about.'

I didn't say anything, though I thoroughly agreed with her.

After Madam Pomfrey double-checked to make sure I was alright to go, I followed the others back to the Great Hall. The students were still grouped together, chatting as they nestled into sleeping bags which had been conveniently provided. I wondered why they were still there, if everything was safe.

'I've kept them there for the night, just in case,' Dumbledore told me, as if reading my mind.

People turned to me as I walked in, their inquisitive eyes burning into me. Most girls shot me jealous glares, while the rest simply looked confused.

'What am I going to tell people?' I murmured under my breath. 'About why I went outside with Harry?'

'Harry has already taken care of that,' Dumbledore assured me as he swept towards the other teachers. 'He's had a rumour spread that we needed bait for tonight, and that you volunteered.'

I cringed at that, and my worries were confirmed when I caught sight of Seamus shooting a venomous glare at me before turning away. Great, just what I needed. I let out a sigh, hesitating as the others gathered around Harry by a side wall. I didn't want to join them, but I happened to catch Malfoy grinning at me maliciously from his sleeping bag not far from where I was standing, and I hastily walked to Hermione.

'Look who's finally back,' Harry said gruffly without actually turning to me. 'I was just wondering why it took you so long to wake up. Only people with real problems get affected that badly by dementors.'

'Alright that's enough,' Hermione said sharply, surprising all of us. 'Harry, you have got to stop this. She saved your soul tonight, and no spy would have passed up an opportunity like that. I think it's time you acted a little more graciously.'

'Thank you!' I exclaimed, feeling a mass of relief that someone was finally sticking up for me.

Harry pursed his lips, glared sullenly at me and stalked away without another word. I felt so frustrated that I wanted to scream, but that certainly wouldn't suit my attempt to act in constant control. An uncertain expression crossed Hermione's face, and she swiftly ran after Harry, shooting a guilty glance in my direction. I threw up my hands in exasperation and Ron patted my shoulder awkwardly.

'It'll all be fine,' he said in a very unconvincing tone, 'but I suppose you already know that.'