THE DEMENTOR
The Hogwarts Express puffed smoke over the platform filled with witches and wizards, who all waved their dear children goodbye. There was a loud whistle. The guards were walking along the train, shutting each door securely. Steam surrounded the train as it began to leave the famous platform.
Harry, Ron and Hermione set off to find an empty compartment on the train, but they were all full expect for one. It had two occupants, a man sitting next to the window, fast asleep, and a girl at their age with dark brown hair. She had her nose buried in a book and had not yet noticed the three students standing in the doorframe. The Hogwarts express was usually only for students, so the view of the sleeping man surprised them. The man was wearing a shabby set of robes, which had seen its better days. He seemed young, but his face looked like it had seen hell.
"Who do you reckon he is?" Ron hissed, as they sat down and slid the door shut. They sat down on the opposite side than the two strangers. The brunette looked up from her book as Hermione whispered, "Professor R.J. Lupin."
"How do you know?" Ron asked flashing a surprised look her way. "It's on his case," Hermione replied, pointing at the luggage rack over the man's head. A rather small and beaten case had the initials written on the side. "Wonder what he teaches?" said Ron, frowning at the Professors pallid profile. The girl, who had occupied the compartment first, placed her book down next to her frail body. "Defence Against the Dark Arts," she answered, getting a nod in agreement from Hermione. The three known students had already had more than one teacher in that subject. "How'd you know that?" Ron asked confused. "It's obvious. There's only one vacancy at Hogwarts," Hermione piped in.
"Well, I hope he's up to it," said Ron doubtfully. "He looks like he has been fighting a dragon without a wand," he added grimacing at the thought. "He's been sick the past week," the dark haired girl said defensively. She played with her hands, her nails nicely painted in a black colour. Harry shot her a 'how do you know that' look. She let out a breath, slight panic could be traced in her ocean blue eyes. "He was awake when I sat down." Satisfied with the answer the boys leaned back into their seats to relax.
Hermione extended her hand out without a warning. It caught the other girl off guard, and she recoiled, looking scared at her. "My name is Hermione. That's Harry Potter and that over there is Ronald Weasley, what's yours?" she asked, a smile covering her entire face in an attempt to seem less scary to the new girl. "Daisy, just Daisy. Nice to meet you," she answered. She shot the sleeping man a look, almost as if checking if he had heard her answer. The boys and Hermione took that as a sign to keep the conversation at a minimum.
Daisy went back to reading her book on how to take care of magical creatures. It was her only elective during year three. Most student had two or more, but she was allowed only one. Seeing as the headmaster knew of her situation, he allowed her to use more time studying rather than being in classes. Being her had its benefits once in a while, but they never out weighted the bad. Only when it came to her father. Every second with him was a blessing, even when the tone was harsh. He only ever wanted the best for her.
Halfway through the book, she was drawn into the conversation between Harry, Ron and Hermione. A name they repeated seemed familiar. "Did Sirius Black escape Azkaban to find you? Oh Harry, you have to be careful." You could hear the worry in Hermione's tone.
The young boy with the lightning scar seemed not to be afraid of the threat of being killed by a wizardly know serial killer. "No one knows how he got out of Azkaban. It has never been done before and I heard he was a top security prisoner!" Said Ron uncomfortably. Daisy smirked as she very well knew how it could be done. An Animagus could transform into their animal and 'easily' slip past the Dementors as they would not be able to detect a prisoner in their animal form. She of course did not share this with them, as she knew her father would not approve. He had taught her millions of things about Animagus' and other magical creatures such as werewolves. The poor werewolves were sadly a creature often used in the muggle world to scare the young from entering the woods at night and to not leave their houses on full moons.
The tone changed in the compartment as the talk went to sweets. Daisy once again buried her head in her book. Something she had always enjoyed was disappearing into another world. She was so far in the world of magical creatures that she missed the sweet trolley. The sound of wrappers opening and mouths chewing made her stomach growl in anger.
"Do you want a Cauldron Cake, Daisy?" Harry asked as he too had noticed her stomach screaming for food. "Yes, please," she shyly replied. "Thank you," she muttered before stuffing the cake in her mouth. Harry smiled at her, happy that he could help. He started to wonder why he had never seen her in the classes or in the corridors at Hogwarts. "How long have you been at Hogwarts?" he asked, letting his curiosity take over. Daisy nearly choked on her cake but recovered quite quickly. "Never officially been there. This is my first year. I've been home schooled," she replied, sitting up a bit more straight in her seat. Harry nodded. "Well then, welcome to Hogwarts," Hermione said with a big smile. Daisy returned the smile and silence fell over the train once more as the students continued to eat their snacks.
Daisy must had dozed off as she was rudely awakened by the train suddenly stopping with a jolt. Distant thuds and bangs indicated that the student's luggage had fallen from the racks. The entire train went dark as the lights went out without a warning. Air got caught in the throat of Hermione and she grabbed for the nearest hand to hold. "Eh Hermione, that's my hand," Ron said in an awkward tone. She quickly moved her hand away and internally thanked the world for the darkness, as she could feel her cheeks turn red. There was a squeaking sound, and Harry followed Ron's movements, as he walked towards the window. He cleared a small round patch and looked out.
"There's something moving outside," Ron said. "I think people are coming abroad," he added before looking back into the dark room. Daisy had only heard stories about the Hogwarts Express, but none ever mentioned a stop in that area. A cold feeling rushed over her. Hearing movements down the corridor, Daisy was scared. Just like Hermione she grabbed hold of the nearest hand. That hand belonged to the Professor, who no longer were asleep. He returned the hand holding with a quick reassuring pressure on her hand before letting go. The four students looked shocked when the Professor filled the room with light from the flames in his hands. It illuminated his face, and you could see his tired and worn face, but his eyes looked alert and wary. Harry noticed that Daisy's eyes looked the same, just with a hint more fear.
The Professor broke the silence with his hoarse voice, "stay where you are." Everyone nodded and watched as he stood up, slowly, holding his hand with fire away from their faces. Seconds before Professor Lupin could get to the door, it opened. A cloaked figure entered the compartment and almost immediately focused on the scared girl standing next to the soon-be teacher. A rather loud inhale filled the small room, as the hooded figure drew in a long and slow breath. The room went cold, the fear could be smelled miles away. Daisy felt her breath getting caught in her chest, panicking as she could not breathe. A white fog was swirling around her. Her eyes rolled in the back of her head as Lupin casted a spell. She dropped to the ground with a thud and the dark monster retreated to the hallways.
"Daisy! Daisy!" she heard her name being called, but it seemed far away. What at first felt like light tapping on her cheek soon felt more like slapping. "Are you alright?" Ron asked peering over the shoulder of the Professor. He was kneeled down next to the young girl. A face filled with worry. "Lay off the face," she mumbled after regained a bit more conscious. Her eyes fluttered open, only to shut back again. The lights had been turned on again and the train was moving once more. "Are you alright enough to sit up?" Remus Lupin asked. She nodded and took the offered hand. On shaky legs, she fumbled her way to her previous seat. She placed her head in her hands as the dizziness had not yet subsided. She most definitely had a minor concussion.
A loud snap made them all jump. Professor Lupin was breaking a bar of chocolate into pieces. "Here, eat. It'll help," he said, handing each child a part. "What was that?" Harry asked Lupin. "A Dementor," he answered while dumping the wrapping in his pocket. He shot the poor girl a look before repeating, "eat. It'll help." Daisy munched on the chocolate as did the others. Soon Harry, Ron and Hermione felt a bit better, but Daisy was still pretty out of it. "I need to speak to the driver and check on the other students," Lupin informed them. "Keep an eye on her, will you?" he asked the three, referring to the student who had collapsed moments before. They all nodded. Satisfied, he left the compartment.
"Are you alright?" Daisy asked her hopefully new friends. Ron made a surprised face expression and loudly said, "we are supposed to ask you that. You collapsed!" His reaction caused a small laugh to escape her body. "I've tried worse," she said with a wink in her eyes. This caused the boys to giggle while Hermione was left clueless. "I'll explain later," Daisy whispered, flashing a sweet smile at her. Both girls were left with red in their cheeks and a melting heart.
Professor Lupin entered the Dementor attacked compartment. His body seemed more tired than before he went onboard the train. Concern filled Daisy's eyes as he sat down in his previous spot by the window. "Everyone else is good. We'll arrive at Hogwarts in a short while," he informed the four students. They all nodded and relaxed their bodies. Without thinking, Daisy leaned against the Professor as she no longer could keep her eyes open. He welcomed her with open arms. Both Harry, Ron and Hermione shared a confused expression, but decided not to ask. They all kept an eye on the Professor and their new fellow student. Something was definitely out of the ordinary, but then what was not in the wizarding world.
Once all students had arrived at the enormous castle, better known as the School of Hogwarts, they were escorted past a group of Dementors. Chills went down the spines of everyone who had been in contact with the one on the train. Daisy was still unsteady on her feet. Lupin noticed and kept an arm around her shoulders. As the two walked past the Dementors guarding the entrance of the school, Daisy felt her heart skipping beats. Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking in front of them. They too seemed uncomfortable with the numbers of Azkaban's prisoner guards around the school grounds.
The school was flooded with eager and nervous first years. The students who were familiar with the school, walked right past them to enter the Great Hall. Daisy thought nothing of it and followed her father and her new friends. "Daisy Lupin, Hermione Granger. I would like a word," a Professor called. Heads turned their way, including the heads of Harry and Ron. Both boys looked nervously at the two girls. Daisy looked up at Professor Lupin, who still had his arm around her as a support. He nodded and walked off in the direction of the teachers table at the end of the hall. "Did she say Lupin?" Ron asked wide eyed. A speechless Harry nodded his head.
"Don't look so scared. You are not in trouble," the Professor said mostly to Hermione. "I'm Professor McGonagall, head of the house of Gryffindor and your Transfiguration teacher," the Professor introduced herself, ranking her back signalling pride. "Nice to meet you Professor," Daisy politely said. The woman was stern looking, but something in her eyes flickered with kindness. The two students followed their teacher down the corridor towards her office.
Once inside the Professors office, Daisy looked around. The room was rather small, but extremely cosy with a big fireplace. She wondered if the Professor ever used it for transportation with Floo powder. The head of Gryffindor sat down behind her desk. "Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead to say you fell ill on the train, Daisy," McGonagall said, looking at her new student. Her eyes were sunken in and she looked like her father after a full moon, worn and utterly exhausted. "Yes…" Daisy mumbled, looking down slightly embarrassed. There was a small knock on the door. A woman came in and immediately said, "who do we have here?" The Professor motioned for the young student to take a seat on the chair behind her. "This is Daisy Lupin, a new third year student. She unfortunately had an encounter with one of the Dementors," McGonagall explained. Hermione stood silently beside the Professor. She noticed a change in Daisy' expression as Madam Pomfrey commented on the sudden mention of the Dementors. Hermione wondered if Daisy had ever met one before. Both her and Professor Lupin seemed to know what was coming.
"Let me take a look at you," Madam Pomfrey said as she leaned down. "Ah, clammy skin, feverish and weakly-looking. Any dizziness, nausea, headache?" she asked a bit too eager. Daisy nodded, which turned out to be a bad decision. Her face visibly paled and her breathing hitched. The Professor watched worriedly as Madam Pomfrey escorted the young student to the infirmary.
"Will she be alright, Professor?" Hermione asked, looking at her with big pleading eyes. "I'm sure Madam Pomfrey got it all under control," she answered. A sudden clapping of hands made Hermione jump. "Now, the reason I called you in…"