Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 21 – Dementors & Boggarts

The entire wizarding world flew into a panic when news of Peter Pettigrew's escape got out. The DMLE worked around the clock to find him but unsurprisingly there was no trace. Sirius and Remus predicted that Wormtail had indeed used his animagus form to go underground and that he likely wouldn't surface for a long time, if ever. The Ministry wasn't so sure though and so the manhunt, or rat hunt as the case may be, continued. Minister Fudge was also quite concerned for Harry's safety. He was the last remaining Potter after all and if Pettigrew managed to kill him he'd be fulfilling his master's final wish. He had proposed that some of the dementors from Azkaban be placed at the school in case Pettigrew showed up there. Dumbledore was staunchly against this, as was Sirius, he and the Headmaster agreeing on something for the first time in many years. Lucius was against it as well, though much more quietly than Sirius was; however, the matter was brought before the school governors and he and Sirius were out voted, the rest of the governors feeling safer with their children being so well guarded.

Harry himself had brooded since getting the news, or more specifically since Sirius and Remus told him he was not, in no uncertain terms, to go looking for Wormtail. Harry had demanded to know what they were going to do if they wouldn't let him act, to which they replied nothing, using Madam Bones' warning as an excuse. They figured that if they stayed out of it, Harry would as well, though how they reached that conclusion Ginny didn't know. For her part Ginny did everything she could to cheer him up but it was practically a lost cause. The only time that she saw true enjoyment in his eyes was the morning after the full moon when Padfoot came trotting into the kitchen with Crookshanks on his back, the orange cat looking like a king upon his throne. Much to Hermione's horror Sirius has then recounted how Crookshanks had somehow hitched a ride to Sherwood Forest, the place of choice for this month's transformation. Sirius guessed that the cat had latched onto him or Remus at the exact moment they apparated, though how a mere cat had timed that so perfectly – and he was convinced that it was on purpose – he wasn't sure. Once Remus had transformed the cat had then joined Padfoot and Moony in their night of running around the forest. Again Hermione was horrified. While she held no prejudices towards werewolves she couldn't deny they were dangerous when transformed, even with the Wolfsbane potion, and had thought that her little kitty would have looked like a tasty snack to Moony.

"I thought the same thing, puss." Sirius said as Hermione held onto her cat for dear life. "As soon as he appeared I jumped in front of him, but Moony didn't even try to touch him, let alone eat him. And that cat of yours is no fool. Crookshanks played with us all night, he seemed to instinctively know Moony's favourite games, and when we wanted to run faster than he could he'd jump on my back and hitch a ride. Then finally he curled up with us about two hours ago and we all fell asleep." Hermione seemed surprised and looked down at a purring Crookshanks.

"Did you do all that on purpose?" She asked, not expecting an answer though got one anyways if the proud tilt of his head was anything to go by. Harry had burst out laughing then, having been stuck on the sight of Padfoot giving the large half-kneazle a piggyback ride. His mirth had only increased as Remus joined them and the two recounted their adventures with Crookshanks, who had apparently been in charge, even of Moony. Ginny suspected they were embellishing a bit, but as Harry was actually laughing she couldn't blame them, especially as they were in large part the reason that Harry had been so morose. After their meeting with Madam Bones, Sirius and Remus had essentially keept Harry under lock and key for the last few weeks of summer, even going so far as to set Dobby on him as a guard. While they weren't convinced like Fudge was that Wormtail was going to come after Harry, they still weren't taking any chances and it was enough to drive Harry nuts. He almost had a fit when on the day they were to return to Hogwarts Remus made to board the train with them.

"You're not coming with me." Harry all but seethed, blocking Remus' path onto the train. "I don't need a babysitter."

"I do not deny that you don't need a babysitter – most of the time anyways – and you are right that I am not coming with you. But I am coming to Hogwarts."

"No." Remus turned to Sirius with a raised eyebrow and the other man scowled before tossing Remus a galleon.

"I hate it when you're always right, Moony." He muttered. They both then turned to Harry and gave an explanation before he could demand one. "Remus is going to Hogwarts with you, pup, but not as a babysitter. He was going long before we discovered Wormtail escaped." The old nickname, which used to be said with such affection, was now merely an adequate description for their former friend; he was a worm.

"Dumbledore offered me the Defense Against the Dark Arts job." Remus was smiling as he said this. "We thought it would be a nice surprise, though when Wormtail escaped I told Sirius we should tell you before now. He seemed to think you'd still welcome my teaching even after the last few weeks."

"Enough that I bet him a galleon." Sirius muttered. Harry looked between the two, trying to decide if he believed them and how he felt about it.

"So it's not just to keep an eye on me?"

"Well, we certainly won't deny that it makes both of us feel better that Remus will be there with you, given everything that's going on." Said Sirius. "And in the interest of complete honesty, he's riding the train instead of apparating to keep an eye on you."

"But Dumbledore really did offer you the position earlier this summer?" He concluded, but still wanted to double check.

"Before the summer actually. When Lockhart fled the school in February, knowing he'd be found out as a fraud, the Headmaster began looking for a replacement. While I highly doubt that I was his first choice, he contacted me in the middle of May."

"And…you're ok teaching?" Remus knew he meant in regards to his monthly problem. Harry had always been vocal about how ridiculous it was that people couldn't see beyond the fact that Remus was a werewolf and even all these years after finding out, he still felt awkward in such situations; while Harry had no problems with Remus teaching, he knew that most people wouldn't share his views.

"Yes." Remus said. "We went to the board of governors prepared for their objections. We worked it out that I would floo home just after classes the night of the full moon and would stay with under Sirius' watching eye all night. Sirius backed this up, promising no werewolf would be on Hogwarts grounds, or at least, none teaching in the school would be, we can't control those in the forest."

"Their only other objection is their prejudice, which I plainly said I would not accept. Dumbledore even told them to lump it as well, since their only valid objection was taken care of." Sirius added. That brought up another question Harry had had, and should have addressed long before now.

"Are we trusting Dumbledore now?" Ever since the night in the Chamber of Secrets both Sirius and Remus had voiced less complaints about the Headmaster, nor was his name said with as much hate or disgust as it usually was.

"No." They both replied quickly.

"I would not say that we trust Dumbledore, Harry." Remus explained. "More that we don't see him as the-"

"Monster hell bent on destroying a child's life." Sirius cut in.

"Not the choice of words I would have chosen, but yes. His actions since you came to Hogwarts have convinced us that he does have good intentions, but he's still not to be trusted." Harry nodded accepting that. It was the same thing that Nicolas and Perenelle had said, that Dumbledore was just an old man who thought he knew everything and what was best for everyone, but that he really didn't mean any harm.

"Alright, well let's get you on the train and find a compartment."

"So you're ok with this?" Remus had to make sure, he didn't want anything to get in the way of his relationship with Harry.

"Yeah. I was just pissed off when I thought you were going to babysit me all year. But you're a really great teacher, Uncle Remus, and I think you're perfect for the job." Remus smiled again.

"Once we step on that train it's Professor Lupin to you." Sirius laughed loudly still finding it funny that one of the infamous Marauders, the keenest rule breakers Hogwarts had ever seen, was going to be a professor there, no matter how well suited he was to the job.

"Sure thing, professor." Harry rolled his eyes and giving Sirius one last hug he and Remus got on the train and went to look for Hermione and the Weasleys. They found the former quickly enough, she having saved them a compartment, though as was clearly becoming the standard practice, the Weasleys were late.

"Hello, Remus." Hermione greeted, sounding surprised.

"Remus…I mean Professor Lupin, is teaching Defense this year." Harry explained.

"That's wonderful!" After two years of summer lessons Hermione was not only impressed with the knowledge Remus had, but she knew him to be a great and effective teacher. The two took seats, Harry telling Remus to stay with them and not face the wolves just yet, a joke that had Hermione groaning, though Harry seemed to find it funny. The train was just pulling out of the station when the compartment door opened again and admitted Ron and Ginny.

"Are you ever going to be on time for the train?" Hermione asked.

"Probably not." Ron readily admitted as he stowed his trunk and flung himself into the seat beside her. It was then he noticed Remus. "Hey, what are you doing here?"

"Nice, Ronald, very polite." Ginny said sarcastically as she took her seat next to Harry after he had stowed her trunk for her, their hands already entwined after the night apart. Hermione was glaring at him as well and quickly informed him of Remus' new status. The friends then settled in and began chatting away, Remus taking out a book and for the most part reading it and leaving the kids to their talk, though he occasionally joined in. The trolley came and went, Harry buying far too many sweets as had become his custom, and they were just crossing the large viaduct when the train suddenly came to a stop.

"Why are we stopping?" Hermione asked, picking Crookshanks up to calm him from the sudden stop and loud screech, while Harry tried to do the same with Hedwig who was hooting angrily in her cage. "We can't be there yet." A large rattling noise sounded and the carriage shook. Hedwig and Crookshanks began making more noise as the lights went out, causing panicked screams throughout the train. It then began to get cold, very cold. The water on the window from the rain froze over and even through the darkness they could see their breath before them.

"I'm going to speak with the driver. Stay here." Remus instructed. He headed for the door but never made it for the shadow of a very large cloaked figure appeared on the other side of the door, inching forwards. The handle turned and a scabbed, yet skeletal, hand shove it aside before admitting the hulking form of one of the dementors of Azkaban. "No one is hiding Peter Pettigrew here." Remus said authoritatively. "You may leave." The dementor didn't do as instructed though and instead turned towards Harry and Ginny, both of whom had stilled the moment the compartment door opened.

"Harry! Please not Harry, not Harry!"

"Stand aside you silly girl!" Harry didn't know who was talking but the woman pleading for his life followed by the sound of a cold and ominous voice and the woman's scream kept replaying in his head. Ginny was in a similar situation though she knew exactly who the voice in her head belonged to. It was the moment back in the Chamber were Tom was taunting her, telling her everything she had done and that it was her fault her friends would die, before she passed out. It felt like she would never wake up again, though she knew that in reality she'd woken up in Harry's arms. Finally she did wake up, though not in Harry's arms as expected. Instead she realized that she had actually fainted and her bondmate was lying on the seat opposite her, groggily waking up as well. The train was moving again, the lights having come back on, and the dementor was nowhere to be seen.

"Here, eat this." Remus said, handing both her and Harry a large piece of chocolate.

"What happened?" Harry asked.

"You both looked like you were about to have a fit, but then you just passed out." Said Ron, looking between his best mate and sister worriedly.

"And the dementor?" Asked Ginny.

"Professor Lupin used the Patronus Charm and sent it away." Said Hermione, falling much more easily than Harry into calling him professor. It was no surprise that she also knew the charm, though neither Harry nor Ginny, or apparently Ron, had ever heard of it; when they'd learned that dementors were going to be guarding the school she'd gone into research mode and learned all about them. The rest of the train ride was quiet, neither Harry nor Ginny in any mood to talk as they thought on what they had heard. There was no doubt that the dementor had caused it, nothing else besides the dementor's arrival had even happened, but why did the dementor affect them like that? What little they knew about dementors told them that it wouldn't have been unusual to feel despair, but voices? That would be something they'd have to look into. Arriving finally at the station in Hogsmeade they took the carriages to the castle and sat down for the feast. All four of them clapped loudly when Remus was introduced as the new Defense professor, though they couldn't miss the sour look on Snape's face. His appointment wasn't the only new one though. Professor Kettleburn had apparently decided over the summer to retire so he could spend more time with his remaining limbs. In his place, Dumbledore had appointed Hagrid as the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher. This drew cheers from several people, but the four friends weren't among them. Even as they clapped they wondered what the class would be like given Hagrid's enthusiasm for 'misunderstood' dangerous beasts. Whatever was going to happen, they knew this year would be interesting.

-H/G-

The first few weeks of classes passed by quickly. As third years they were now able to choose two new classes to take, and for the most part they had decided on the same ones. Harry, Ginny and Ron all took Care of Magical Creatures as well as Ancient Runes – Ron had wanted to take Divination, which the twins said was a cake class, but everyone else refused so he gave it up to stay with his friends – while Hermione took both of those classes as well as Arithmancy. She'd been in contact with Professor McGonagall over the holidays regarding her schedule and had persuaded her head of house to allow her to take three elective classes instead of just two. McGonagall had been hesitant at first as it would mean that Hermione would have to miss a period of Transfiguration each week, but upon further reflection she'd obviously decided that Hermione would still keep up even with one fewer Transfiguration classes. This was Hermione after all, and within just the first few weeks McGonagall knew that she wouldn't regret her decision.

At the end of September, Remus' class was to have a lesson on a magical creature called a boggart. They left the classroom and went into the staff room where he said that a boggart had moved in and he'd specifically asked that it be left alone so he may use it in his classes. After explaining more about the boggart as well as the charm to defeat it – Riddikulus plus laughter as you turned something you were afraid of into something funny – he had them all line up and prepare to face the boggart. As each student went they were able to face their fears enough to turn their mummy, banshee, spider, or whatever else their fear was, into something funny. That all came to an end when it was Ginny's turn. Stepping forward Ginny thought about the ghoul in her attic and it's terrifying moaning that had been her biggest fear for as long as she could remember. She wasn't looking forward to facing it, but at least she was prepared, or so she thought. As soon as she stepped forwards though, the ghoul in her mind disappeared, being replaced by something much worse. The boggart seemed to know what she was thinking before she did, and it took on a much larger shape, wrapping around the room and confining the students between its scaly body. Remus recognized what it was before the boggart had finished transforming and thinking fast he conjured a large blindfold and wrapped it around the basilisk's head before it could realize what was happening and get out of the way. The class screamed at the gigantic serpent, though they were drowned out by the screech of the basilisk as it thrashed its head around, trying to get rid of the blindfold. Ginny was frozen in place, completely unable to move as sheer terror went through her. Feeling her fear through their bond, Harry wasn't so immobile.

"Stop!" He ordered in Parseltongue even as he moved to jump in front of Ginny. "Stop moving, stay still!" He wasn't sure if it would work, but apparently being a boggart-basilisk instead of Slytherin's meant that this serpent would obey him. The basilisk didn't remain though, for the moment Harry stood in front of Ginny it changed again, becoming a hulking, black cloaked figure with scabbed, skeletal hands. Harry hadn't been the only one to jump into action though. When he'd saw Harry moving to protect Ginny, Remus moved in front of them both, the dementor lasting no more than a moment before turning into what most of the class would describe as a strange sight: a glowing orb.

"Riddikulus!" Remus screamed. The orb turned into a balloon that had lost its air and Remus sent it back into the cupboard in which it had come from. He then turned to the class, all of whom were looking at Harry and Ginny who had collapsed to the floor, holding each other as if their lives depended on it.

"Alright, I think that's enough for today, class dismissed." Remus said but no one moved.

"That was it, wasn't it?" A fellow Gryffindor, Seamus Finnigan, asked. "The monster from the Chamber of Secrets last year."

"You defeated that?!" Lavender Brown all but screeched. "How did you survive?" She directed that question both too Harry and to Justin, who had gone quite pale upon seeing exactly what had attacked him last year. The entire class was in shock, and understandably so. To have such a creature roaming the castle…it was a miracle no one had died. Of course, they only knew the rumours. Dumbledore had merely said that the monster had been taken care of and the castle was once again safe, he hadn't actually named the creature. The aurors, though, were apparently too loose lipped around the students for they were overheard the day after the incident and rumours began to spread. Harry and Ginny said nothing, both too concerned with the other to even care what their classmates said. Remus though repeated that class was dismissed and shooed the students out, even knowing that more rumours would be spread about. Three people didn't move though, and it was a testament to how distracted that the class was that they didn't notice Draco staying behind along with Ron and Hermione. Ginny was crying on to Harry's shoulder as they approached, their three friends looking just as pale as Justin had, for while they knew it was a basilisk in the Chamber, seeing it was an entirely different thing and they all had to wonder the same thing as Lavender: how had they survived?

"I'm so sorry." Remus said gently as he knelt next to his nephew. "I didn't think on what the boggart would do to you until it was too late."

"But why?" He heard Ginny ask through her tears. "It doesn't make any sense. I thought of the ghoul in our attic when you first told us what the boggart does, I've been scared of it since I was little, but when I stood in front of it I suddenly knew it wouldn't be the ghoul, and I thought of him. I don't get why it was the basilisk."

"Our minds work in mysterious ways, Ginny." Said Remus. "While Voldemort might make more sense as the thing you fear most, I would say that what you actually fear most is hurting people, hurting those you love. While it was Voldemort who possessed you, it was the basilisk that attacked people. Boggarts can also change, sometimes rather quickly if there is a traumatic incident. The next time you face a boggart it may not be the basilisk, but Voldemort. It all depends on your mind in that instance, even if you don't know your own mind." It made only a bit of sense to Ginny, but it was enough for her right now, she wasn't in the right frame of mind to really think anything over.

"You thought mine would be Voldemort too, didn't you?" Harry asked.

"Yes." Remus nodded. "I was a bit surprised to see a dementor, though it is very wise of you, Harry, whether you knew it or not. It suggests that what you fear most is fear itself."

"I heard the voice again." He and Ginny had told their friends and Remus, who in turn had told Sirius and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, about the voices they'd heard that day on the train, though he still didn't recognize it. Not wanting to spend anymore time on this right now, Remus then turned to Ron and Hermione.

"Please take them back to the common room, I'll inform Professor Snape that you will be missing his class this afternoon." With a nod the two helped Harry and Ginny to their feet and out of the classroom, Draco following behind though he forced himself to go to the dungeon, knowing he was late for class. Once in the common room, Hermione and Ron gave Harry and Ginny some time alone and it was then that Ginny voiced another worry.

"Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"When you spoke to the basilisk…I understood you. I can still speak Parseltongue, Harry." That thought filled him with dread. He could speak Parseltongue because Voldemort had transferred some of his powers to him that fateful day twelve years ago. Ginny though should have been clear of all traces of him was Tom was destroyed, and Harry didn't like what her still speaking Parseltongue meant.

A/N - And there we have it, the beginning of 3rd year! I know for Ginny's boggart that Tom Riddle would have made more sense but I've had a scene with the students getting to see the basilisk stuck in my head for awhile. I also don't think it's too farfetched, so I went with it.

Review please!