Chapter 21:

The kids had gotten in the train until Ron realised his rat was missing. Mrs Weasley was running holding Scabbers and then handed it to Ron.

"Ron!, Ron!, for goodness sake don't lose him!" she said waving her children goodbye. Harry and Ron went to a compartment because everywhere else was full until there was one compartment where there was only one person. He was fast asleep under his cloak. He looked tired, though he was young with some grey hairs and some scars.

"Who d'you reckon this is?" asked Ron.

"Professor R. J. Lupin" said Hermione.

"You know everything, how is it she knows everything?" said Ron agitated.

"It's on his trunk, Ronald" she said pointing at it.

"Do you think he's really asleep?" asked Harry.

"Must be, why?" asked Ron.

"Listen, I've gotta tell you something." said Harry closing the door. He explained to them about Sirius Black and the reason why he has escaped from Azkaban.

"Let me get this straight, Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban to come after you!" said Ron outraged.

"Yes." said Harry.

"But they'll catch Black won't they?" said Hermione. "I mean everyone is looking for him."

"Sure, except no one has ever broken out of Azkaban before and he's a murderous raving lunatic." said Ron.

"Thanks, Ron." said Ronald.

The old lady with the trolley of sweets came in.

"Anything from the trolley, dears?" she said.

"Chocolate Frogs and some cauldron cakes please" said Harry. The lady handed them.

"A packet of Droobles please" Ron said.

"Do you think we should wake him?" said Hermione. Harry tried to wake him.

"Professor, wake up sir?" said Harry.

"Don't worry dear, if he is hungry he will know where to find me" said the woman. "Anything else?"

"No thank you" they all said. The train ride was quite pleasant throughout the day until the train suddenly came to a standstill.

"Why are we stopping?, we can't be there yet, can we?" said Hermione. Ron looked out the window. He thought he could see something.

"There's something moving out there." said Ron. The train shook. "I think someone's coming aboard." After a moment passed the train violently shook. Suddenly the lights were starting to go on and off. Ron became frightened as the train shook again.

"Bloody hell!, what's happening?" said Ron scared. Suddenly the lights went out and the outline of something coming in, the compartment door opened in the way there was a creature completely cloaked in black. Its hands looked spider like long and something decayed in water. It was giving off a coldness and then Harry went rigid and fainted. There was suddenly a bright light and the creature fled from it, as Harryard a woman scream. He fainted he h awoke after a few minutes.

"Harry, are you okay?" asked Hermione. Harry awoke.

"Yeah, I'm fine" he replied. They jumped after a huge snap. Professor Lupin was finally awake and he break an enormous slab of chocolate into pieces. and the rest of them.

"Here, take this Harry." said Remus. He handed Harry a particularly large piece. The rest of them starting eating the chocolate.

"How do you know who I am?" asked Harry. Lupin smiled.

"Everyone knows you, Harry, you look so like James." he said.

"You know my father?" said Harry.

"Oh yes, James was one of my best friends. said Lupin holding out his hand and Harry shook it. Harry was shocked. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Remus John Lupin." he said holding out his hand. Harry shook it.

"Eat the chocolate, you'll feel better" said Remus. He took a large bite and suddenly warmth and happiness swept over him.

"What was that thing, that creature that came?" asked Harry.

"It was a Dementor, one of the guards of Azkaban, it was searching the train for Sirius Black." said Lupin. Lupin got up and got out from the compartment. "If you'll excuse me, I need have a little word with the driver. Eat the chocolate, you'll feel better"

"What happened to me?" asked Harry.

"You sorta went rigid, we thought you were having a fit or something, and then you fain't end." said Ron concerned.

"Did either of you, you know, pass out?" asked Harry.

"No I felt weird though, like I'd never be cheerful again" said Ron. Suddenly the train started moving again and Lupin came back in the compartment and in six hours they reached Hogwarts train station they all aboarded carriages. The first years were all sorted and Dumbledore got up and came to his golden owl podium.

"Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Now I would like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled by our excellent Feast. First I am pleased to welcome Professor R. J. Lupin, who has kindly contact consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, good luck Professor." Remus Lupin was sitting next to Severus, he got up and gave a short bow and everyone clapped.

"Of course that's why he knew to give you the chocolate, Harry." said Hermione. Draco called Harry.

"Harry, are you okay?" said Draco.

"I'm fine Draco." said Harry smiling.

"Sadly, we had a shortage of staff because Professor Kettleburn has decided to retire, in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs, fortunately I'm delighted to announce that his position will taken none other than our own gamekeeper. Please welcome Professor Rubeus Hagrid" said Dumbledore. The Great Hall erupted in cheers and claps. Harry and his friends whooped and clapped.

"Finally, onto a more serious subject, at the request of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts will until further notice play host to the Dementors of Azkaban". The students started whispering. "That is until a time, Sirius Black has been captured. The Dementors shall be stationed at every entrance to the grounds, now whilst I have been by the Ministry, that their presence will not distrupt our day to day activities, I must give you a word of caution. Dementors are vicious creatures. They are not to be fooled by disguises or tricks and not even...Invisibilty Cloaks". Harry and his friends gave each other astounded looks. "Dementors do not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one who gets in their way, therefore I must warn each and every one of you give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of Dementor to be forgiving." he said. "But you know happiness can be found even in the darkest of times" blowing of a candle "if one only remembers to turn on the light" lighting the candle with his hand. His eyes were twinkling and with a smile. "Now I only have two words for you all: tuck in" he said. The children and professors were all having an Excellent feast, Professors Snape and Lupin were catching up on old things, they knew each other very well. After the feast Dumbledore summoned Harry to the head table.

"As you very well know that Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban Prison. I am first and foremost corcerned about your safety. I giver the choice if you want to stay within the Royal Suite or the dormitories."

"I don't know, which has more protection?" said Harry.

"I should say tat the Suite is more protected because only you have access to it." he said.

"I'll stay in the suite Grandpa" said Harry.

"Very well, my child but please be careful" said Dumbledore.

That night Harry and his friends had a small welcome back party and they ate a lot of sweets which makes you sound like an animal. After that Harry went to his Royal Suite upstairs.