This is going to be the beginning of Prisoner of Azkaban! I'm really excited to start writing from the older books because there can be actual relationship developments without it being creepy.

So yeah! Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Six: Year Three

Dementors and Divination

I jumped as the train whistle outside blew. You would think I would be use to the loud sound, but I still wasn't.

"Bit jumpy, Darcy?" Fred asked. He and George had decided to join us in the compartment. That decision ended up making us all very uncomfortable. Fred, Fay, and Seamus were squeezed together on one side on the compartment. Meanwhile, George, Dean, and I were piled on the other side. Neville had been forced to sit on the floor.

I glared at him, "No. Just surprised me is all. What were we talking about."

"Sirius Black." Seamus answered. "No one's seen him yet. It's bound to happen sometime, though."

Fay shook her head, "I'm terrified. He killed how many Muggles?"

"Twelve." Dean said.

"Right," Fay said. "Well what if he goes after my parents."

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Why would he go after your Mum and Dad?"

George sighed, "Black was a follower of You-Know-Who."

I felt my mouth go dry. The only time I had really heard about You-Know-Who was when Mum told us about him. And all she really said was that he killed Harry Potter' parents and tried to kill Harry.

"So...what does that mean?"

"Oh, please!" Seamus groaned. "You're telling me you don't know?"

I shook my head. How did my brother know and not me?

"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named hated Muggles. So it's only natural that his followers would feel the same way. He also hated Muggle-borns. Thought they were scum and that they stole magic from wizards. really awful stuff. So, if Black is out there again, it makes sense for Fay to be scared." Seamus said.

"HOw do you know about this?" I asked.

He shrugged, "I read The Daily Prophet, unlike you."

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah because I have better things t do than read that load of rubbish."

"We were in the Prophet this year! After we went to Egypt. You sayin we're rubbish?" Fred asked, pretending to be offended. I shook my head leaned back in my seat.

"My Gran says that Sirius Black is probably in hiding. That he's trying to get more followers to make you-Know-Who rise again." Neville said.

George laughed, "Right. I doubt You-Know-Who's going to be rising soon." This made us all laugh since he was probably right.

After a while I got hungry. "Does anyone want anything from the trolley? I'll go find it."

"Ooh! Get me a licorice wand!" Fay squealed.

I smiled and said, "Anyone else?"

they all shook their heads. I stood and straightened up my shirt. Maybe I would run into Justin.

Just as I was about to walk out of the compartment. The train came to an abrupt stop. It was so abrupt, that it knocked me over, right into George's lap.

"You okay?" He asked. I nodded.

"What was that? We can't be there yet..." I said, not moving from my place in his lap.

Seamus shrugged, "Maybe we've run out of fuel."

"It's a magic train, Seamus." I said. Then the train gave another shudder and the lights flickered off. Fay let out a squeal of fright and George let out a soft gasp.

I licked my lips nervously. Dean looked out the window. "I can't see anything. It's raining sheets out there." That's when a blast of chilly wind blew through the train. It shook us all to the bone.

Fred laughed, "I get it now. Very funny, Darcy. But you should really move the train along now."

I shook my head, "It's not me, idiot!"

The air was bitterly cold. Our breaths were visible in the air. The window had frosted over, much like it had in study hall in first year. I could feel George shivering beneath me, I was shivering as well.

"W-w-what's go-going on?" Fay asked through chattering teeth.

Just as she said this, a cloaked figure glided past our door slowly. I let out a sound of surprise. I had never seen anything like it before. It was tall, bony, its black cloak barely concealed its horrid appearance. George quickly covered my mouth with his hand to keep me quiet.

When it was gone. George removed his hand so I could let out a breath "What the hell was that?" I asked.

Seamus looked terrified, as did Fay, Neville, and Dean. Only Fred and George seemed to be fairly calm.

"That was a dementor." Fred said.

"They guard Azkaban prison." George said.

"We've only seen pictures."

"Don't know what it's doing here."

I shuddered and rubbed my hands on my arms. The train gave another shake and the lights were back on.

"Oh thank goodness." Dean said, "I was getting worried we'd be stuck here forever."

Seamus rolled his eyes then looked at me. Then he looked down slightly adn then back at me. "What do you think you're doin?"

I gave him a confused look and then realized I was still sitting on George's lap. "Oh!" I slid out and sat in between Dean and George, whose face was bright red as mine probably was.

"So what are dementors? What do they do?" I asked after a bit. The train had resumed its movement.

George sighed, "Well according to Dad, they are controlled by the Ministry."

"Yeah, and when someone has done something really bad-"

"Like killed someone."

"Or masses of people-"

"They have the dementors give them a kiss."

Seamus scoffed, "A kiss? How horrible!"

Fred shook his head, "You'd wish it was just a kiss, mate. They actually suck the very life and soul outta ya."

"Quite gruesome if you ask me." George finished.

"So if Black was caught..." I said, "He'd be given this kiss?"

"Most likely." They said together.

Fay let out an ear-piercing squeal. "I forgot to tell you, Darcy! I got my first kiss over summer!"

I looked at her, "What does that have to do with anything we're talking about?"

"Well we're talking about that kiss thing! Anyway, it was a Muggle boy-"

"Aren't you a bit young for kissing?" Fred asked. "Aren't you twelve or something?"

Fay puffed out her chest indignantly, "No! I turned thirteen in July!"

"Oh wow, thirteen is so much better!"

Fay scowled at him and turned back to me. "He's a Muggle. Names Thomas. He's absolutely adorable. Kissed me right in my backyard. It was perfect. I couldn't think of anything better."

"Hang on!" Seamus said, "How's a ruddy kiss better than anything else? I'm sure...I'm sure it wasn't that good." He had started blushing which caused the other guys and myself to laugh.

"It was good actually! Not that it matters to you, you weren't the one kissing him."

"Well no, I wasn't but I'm just not clear how it could have been that great. I'm assuming this boy is your age and if that's so, it's probably his first kiss too. From there, it only makes sense to reason that you were both horrible at kissing." Seamus cried, standing up.

Fay frowned, "Oh and how would you know? I'm sure you've never kissed anybody!"

"Well no I bloody well haven'!" Seamus said, getting redder in the face by the second.

"Well here then," then Fay did the unexpected. She stood up, grasped Seamus' face in her hands and kissed him full on the mouth. It was silent in the compartment as this took place. When she had finished, it was clear she was crying. "I'll be going to change then..." Then she ran out.

We all stared at Seamus a moment. He looked kind of stunned himself, as he should be. I blinked a couple of times before managing out, "I better go find her."

Later, in the Great Hall, Fay sat as far away from Seamus sa she could. I had found her on the train curled up in a ball in the corner of the car we were in. She told me she felt like such a fool for doing that. I told her it was really brave.

Seamus looked ready to throw up when he saw Fay walk into the Great Hall. I sent him a look that said, 'Don't bother' and sat beside Fay.

"Welcome!" said Dumbledore. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things t say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by your excellent feast. As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business. They are stationed at the very entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continued, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave the school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks and disguises- or even Invisibility Cloaks." He paused here to send a look at the Gryffindor table. "It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and everyone one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors," he said. "On a happier note, I am pleased to welcome to 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."

There were scattered applause throughout the Great Hall. None came from the Slytherins, and most came from the Gryffindors. Glancing at Professor Snape, I could see he was quite livid. HIs mouth was pursed in an almost straight line.

"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore said. "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."

Harry, Ron and Hermione nearly jumped out of their seats with joy as their great friend was announced. The claps were much louder for Hagrid. Everyone knew he was a kind old soul who never had a bad word to say about any one.

"Well, I think that's everything of importance," said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!"

The next morning, my first class of the day was Divination. The classroom was quite strange, it smelled like incense, drapery was flung everywhere.

"Sit, my children, sit." A soft voice said from the shadows. I gave Seamus a freaked out look which he gladly returned. He and Fay still hadn't spoken, the effects of last night still wearing them down. I had spent all of my time with Fay in case she had another break down, but she had been fine so far. Fay hadn't signed up for Divination so I was momentarily free.

"Welcome to Divination," the same light voice said. A scrawny woman with large glasses and many necklaces came into view. "I am Professor Trelawny, your teacher in this wondrous art." She went on the explain how useful this skill was and how many different people could use it. Honestly, it seemed like a load of rubbish.

"We will first be exploring the art of reading tea leaves. NOw from the tea that I have poured out for you, I need you read the leaves at the bottom of the cup. Use the translations on pages five and six of Unfogging the Future."

Seamus and I drank our tea quickly, wanting to get it over with.

"What do you see in my cup?" Seamus asked.

I squinted and turned it in multiple directions. "Can't really tell."

"Hello, my dears." Professor Trelawny said, walking up to our table. I smiled thinly at her while Seamus only grunted. "What do you see, my dear?" She asked Seamus. He frowned and picked up the cup.

"Uh, well I think I see a cage, which means that you're imprisoned." Seamus said, looking up from his book to me. "I also see a bird which means flight or freedom. So you're imprisoned, and you long to be free."

Trelwany nodded, "Very nice, very nice, dear. Now your turn." She said to me. I bit my lip and looked at Seamus' cup. I couldn't see anything at all!

"Uh, right well." I glanced at the book to make it look like I'd actually seen something. "Okay, well, here I go. Seamus, in a few weeks, you're going to get dreadfully sick. Deathly sick almost. You'll spend weeks in the infirmary, a few more at St. Mungo's and even take some time off school just because you can't stand to see everyone else happy around you. And well, all that time away from school is going to make you fall behind. Put simply, you drop out of Hogwarts and you're left with a hopeless future."

Seamus stared at me, trying not to laugh. Trelawny was staring at me in awe.

"Oh my. Miss, Finnigan. I di believe you have the sight!"

I pretended to be delighted, "Oh really! How wonderful!"

She left after that and Seamus let out his laughter. "Brilliant! I can't belive she actually thought you saw that...wait, you didn't actually see that did you?" I shook my head, "No, 'cause that would be awful."

We watched as Trelawny made her way around the room. Eventually, she came to Ron and Harry's table. Ron was attempting to predict what Harry had to look forward to.

"RIght well... you've got a crooked sort of cross...That means you're going to have 'trials and suffering'...sorry 'bout that. BUt there's a thing that could be the sun..hang on...that means 'great happiness'...so you'll suffer, but you're going to be happy about it..." Ron said, looking uneasy.

"The cup..." Trelwany said, waving her hand around wildly. "Let me see the cup..."

Ron handed her the tea-cup reluctantly, hoping not to get it wrong. As soon as Trelwany looked inside, she threw it down and whimpered to herself. LAvender and Parvati visibly winced as the cup hit the table again.

"My dear," Professor Trelawny said, trembling. Her big eyes opened wider than they already were. "You have the Grim."

Okay. I have a mission for any of you who read this. If any of you or any one you know would like to draw fan art for this story I fully welcome it. I could make it into a contest or something and whoever's piece really represents George and Darcy, I would make that the new cover.

Here's Darcy's appearance: long, curly black hair, pale green eyes, paleish, freckled skin, rosy kind of lips. Look up in Goggle images: Emily Rudd. That's what a grown up Darcy looks like.

If you'd like to draw Fay: blonde, shoulder length hair, blue eyes, tanned skin. Look up in Google images: Ginny Gardner. That's a grown up Fay.

This is completely optional. So don't feel obligated to do it or anything. But if you want, go right ahead. (P.S. I really need some Georcy fan art, please :) )

In terms of me receiving this fan art...I'm not really sure. If you have a tumblr or a deviantart you could post it on there and give me your username so I could find it. If you don't have either but really want to submit it, we'll figure something out.

So that's it for now. I hope you enjoyed this chapter of Frostbitten.

Review and follow, please!

xxx

rosslynchandbeyond