Summer vacation was very different this year than last. For one we stayed in England instead of visiting family and friends in Canada and the States. This had been my mothers choice after I had told her how The Dursley's had treated Harry the previous summer, she wanted to stay close by to ensure they didn't mistreat him. In fact once we had returned to King Cross, and on the Muggle side, my mother had asked Harry "Where are you Aunt and Uncle Dear?" He pointed them out saying "I don't think they are going to be too happy if I walk over to them with someone from Hogwarts.." She shook her head "I don't think they will either from what David tells me.. Lets go talk to them" I looked at Harry and mouthed "sorry" he nodded and we had set off. My Mother greater them and said "Mr and Mrs Dursley is it? My name is Nancy Shuter, and this is my Son, David. We moved in to the house a few doors down from you a couple years ago. Now my son is friends with your Nephew Harry. He tells me last summer you, lets say, didn't treat Harry as one would a child in their care. I just wanted to inform you that this summer David and I are staying in the country, which means They will be spending a lot of time together. Now if I were to catch wind of any more..unfortunate actions on your part to my son's friend, I would have no choice than to go to Children's services about it. Now if they found you were mistreating Harry in any way.. They would have no choice but to take him away.. Which I am sure you are just mortified about. However they would also take your son away too, which I know is not what you would wish. So I'd go about treating him with care in the future, alright?" I had noticed Vernon Dursley turn a shade of purple, and was about to lash out on my mom when his wife had stepped in "No Vernon, we don't want to cause a scene, not when the boys are carrying around Owl's and Broomsticks, too many questions would be asked. Come on boy, lets go."

Because of that, Harry at least got to leave the house. He spent a lot of time around mine, where we would work on our school work and just relax. We couldn't practice Qudditch of course, Seeing as Muggles would have seen, but at least Harry's life was livable. I also got phone calls from Hermione since she knew how to use a telephone and we would often discuss our school work. Harry would jump on these calls as well. Ron tried to call Harry once at the Dursleys, but ended up shouting since he didn't know how phones worked. He never called me after that having lost his nerve. We still sent Zeus back and forth, which was how I learned his father had won a trip to Egypt through the Daily prophet. I was happy for them, the Weasley's were the best wizarding family I knew, and after last months scare with Ginny and the Chamber of Secret.

Today was July 31st, Harry's birthday. My mother and I had hoped we could have a birthday party for him, seeing as he never had one. However with Ron in Egypt, and Hermione in France, It was just going to be me, him and my mom. He had been okay with that, and extremely happy we were doing it for him. The plan was simple, a homecooked dinner, cake, he'd open my present ( Best Quidditch Plays in the 20th century by Ludo Bagman) and we'd just have a good time. However at half past 9 in the morning while I was sitting on my couch petting my cat Hermes, There was a knock at the door. I got up and answered it "Hiya Harry, want to come in?" I said when I saw Harry at the door, he shook his head "Sorry Mate.. I can't. My Aunt Marge is coming in half an hour and if I'm not there for her to criticize there will be hell to pay. I just came to let you know I can't come tonight. Uncle Vernon told Aunt Marge I go to some border school for the criminally insane to keep Hogwarts a secret, so if I excuse myself to go to a friends place it will bring about a lot of unwanted questions. If I keep the lie intact all week he will sign my permission slip for Hogsmeade." I bit my lip and said "That's rough man. I understand though..Wait here one sec." I ran up to my room and grabbed the present, running it back down to him. "Happy Birthday Harry! I had hoped to give this to you as we shoveled cake in our faces, but I guess the cake can wait a week Just know if you do need anything, We're here for you Mate." He smiled and took the present "Thanks Mate! This is going to be a long week" I nodded "Stick in there, see you in a week Harry!" He smiled "Bye David" and left.

A week went by, no word from Harry. My mother became worried. After a few more days we were sitting on the coach watching the news, it was the same story about Sirius Black, and escaped convict who was armed and extremely dangerous. Finally my mother sighed and stood up "That's it, We're going to get Harry." She said. I jumped up and said "Finally.. I'll go get my wand!" She grabbed my arm "Not so fast mister wizard. You aren't about to get expelled. Let's handle this like 'Muggles' shall we?" I sighed "Okay.. But if they have bar-ed him up again, I'm coming right back here" She shook her head "Not a chance, if they have him locked up, I'm calling the police." With that we headed over to number 4 Privet Drive.

My mom banged on the door, to which Vernon Dursley answered "What the bloody-Oh, you." He said distastefully. My mother asked "Is your sister Marge still in?" Mr Dursley puffed up "Well that is none of your bloody Business!" I then said "Harry said he would come over as soon as his Aunt Marge left, seeing as coming from a school of criminal boys wouldn't warrant him friends down the street." My Mom then said "So please tell me, Is Harry in?" Mr Dursley shook his head "He Bloody well isn't. The Degenerate blew up my sister and made a run for it. If it wasn't for... you're kind.. Threatening us to take him back next summer, he would not have a home here again. I figured he was with you lot! Now get off my property before I call the police for tresspassing!" With that my mother and I left, now ready to go search the streets for Harry.

We spent the day searching and found nothing. I ended up sending an Owl to Ron and Hermione to let them know about what happened. It took a few days but Ron got back to me saying that Harry was staying at the Leaky Cauldron until term started, his father had heard about it through work. So we all decided to go to Diagon Alley the day before we left on the Hogwarts Express. The rest of my summer was spent finishing up my homework and day dreaming of returning to Hogwarts, of playing Quidditch and helping Harry and the team secure the Quidditch Cup. This year, was going to be epic. No Stone.. No Chamber of Secrets. Just an ordinary year at Hogwarts.

The morning of August 30th My mother and I made our way to Diagon Alley. Of course to do so we had to go through The Leaky Cauldron, the bar/Inn. Since we were leaving everything to the last minute I had convinced Mom to book a room for the night, so we didn't have to drive to London two days in a row. Once we had checked in we began to make our way to Diagon Alley when a voice yelled "David!" I turned to see Hermione running at me and hugged me. I blushed and hugged her back. She then let go and stepped back. I got to see her for the first time in 2 months and I had to admit she had grown since I had last saw her. She was taller, her hair was less messey, buck teeth not as big, and was starting to get a little bit of a figure on her. It was getting harder and harder not to be attracted to her. I decided to break the moments silence, "Comma ca va?" I asked in french, she smiled "Ca Va Bien, et toy" I smirked and said "It's et Toi, France almost paid off for ya Hermione." She rolled her eyes "I learned a decent amount of french for only being there 2 months I'd say." My Mother stepped in and said "He spent years in french immersion and still didn't get very much of it, don't let him fool you sweetie" I looked at her "Mooooomm" Hermione giggled "Thanks Ms Shuter, My Parents and the Weasley's are just in the bar getting acquainted." Ron appeared behind her as she said this. Him and I hugged it out and he said "Cheers Mate! Harry isn't here, lets go try to find him then we can all buy our stuff for school!" I smiled, feeling grateful I didn't have to show my mother my vault full of gold and stuff at Gringots, which would make her feel bad that my father left me more than she ever could. My mom got the hint and said "Okay, I'll spend the day with your parents, I feel I speak for all of them when I say be back before dark. I doubt Sirius Black can get into your magical bubble, but better safe than sorry." She then walked off.

We Quickly stopped by Gringotts, Hermione to convert some Muggle money into Magical currency, myself to quickly go to my vault and grab a few handfuls of coins. I quickly survayed my vault before leaving. I had made a slight dent into the gold over the past few years, but as long as I didn't blow all my gold on extravaganzes.. Like pure gold cauldrons or a gold broomstick, I would be able to easily make it all last throughout the next 5 years of school and not have to worry about employment for a while.

We went around buying most of our thing, the whole time keeping an eye out for Harry. During our shopping Ron regaled us of tales of his trip to Egypt, exploring cursed tombs with his brother Bill. I had to admit, it did sound pretty awesome.. As well as Spooky. Every store we checked hadn't seen Harry today, and Ron got a chance to visit Olivander's. When there Olivander looked me over and asked "Still have that Wand Mr Shuter?" I nodded "It's served me well so far, took out a Troll with it 2 years ago" Ron but "With my help o'course" I rolled my eyes and Olivander smiled "Good good, I suspect we will continue to see great things from you Mr Shuter. And Mr Weasley you are good to go, that is the wand for you." Ron paid for it and we left.

We decided to rest and get some ice cream (My treat of course) when I pointed out a boy our age a ways away "I do believe I'd recognize that messy black hair anywhere." We then all called out "HARRY! HARRY Over here!" Harry made a beeline for us and sat down "Finally! We went to the Leaky Cauldron, but they said you left, then we went to Flourish and Blotts, and Madam Malkin's and-" Harry cut him off saying "I got all my school stuff last week, and how did you know I was staying at the Leaky Cauldron?" Ron then said "Dad" Hermione then interjected in a serious tone "Did you really blow up your Aunt Harry?" Harry nodded and Ron roared with laughter, I chuckled as Harry said "I didn't mean to, I lost control" Hermione then said "Its not funny you two, I'm honestly surprised Harry wasn't expelled." Harry nodded "So am I. Forget expelled, I thought I was going to be arrested. Ron, your Dad doesn't know why Fudge let me off, does he?' Ron shrugged "Probably because it's you in't? The famous Harry Potter and all that. I'd hate to see what the Ministry would do to me if I blew up my Aunt. Mind you, They would probably have to dig me up first, since my mum would have killed me. Anyways, you can ask Dad yourself, we're all staying at the Leaky Cauldron tonight." Hermione nodded "My parents dropped me off this morning" I nodded as well "We all figured we'd spend the day together before term started, which reminds me" I lean over and punch him in the arm, he recoils "hey! Ow!" I then said "Next time you run away from home, send Hedwig to let me know you're alive! Or better yet, instead of roaming the streets, come round to mine, you are always welcome. My Father would have rolled over in his grave if he had died to have you later be killed by some street gang or something!" He rubbed his arm "Right.. Sorry about that Mate.. I just didn't want to rope you in.. I thought I was a fugative on the run. I will come to you next time." I nodded "Good.. But you are still going to have some explaining to do, My mother is staying the night as well, and she was worried sick. You missed her confrontation with your Uncle.. Oh it was wonderful." He grinned "Well I wish I had seen that!"

After a brief exchange about the subjects Hermione was taking.. Which was all of them (Honestly, Muggle Studies? We were raised by Muggles!) She decided she wanted to get a pet, and Ron needed to get some medication or something for Scabbers since Egypt didn't agree with him. So we paid for our Icecream and went to Magical Menagerie.

Instead of the Owl Hermione had planned to get, she ended up getting a big furball of a cat named Crookshanks, admitting that she could use Hedwig or Zeus any time she needed to send mail. Ron was not a fan as the cat had it out for Scabbers, but I was okay with the cat, as this was the closest I was going to get to bringing Hermes with me to Hogwarts. That night we had dinner at the Leaky Cauldron, it seemed my Mom and the Weasley's got along smashingly despite the different upbringing. Mr Weasley loved her, asking her all sorts of Muggle Questions, which she responded in kind with wizarding Questions. My Mother also took a liking to Hermione, and I had to wonder if maybe she had picked up on my feelings for Hermione and was taking the time to get to know a potential Girlfriend or something of her son. I tried not to think too much about that. Hermione was one of my Best Friends, and I could not put that in Jeopardy by admitting my feelings, at least not until I was sure she had the same feelings.. Which I was sure she didn't. Mr Weasley brought up Sirius Black, who turned out to be a wizarding felon. As to what Black had done, Mr Weasley did not tell us. But it was safe to say the sooner he was found the better.

Dinner that night was fun, We had never all had dinner together, and I could tell my Mother loved her glimpse into the Wizarding World.. And into a typical Wizarding family. Maybe.. She was thinking that it would have been like this if my Father hadn't been killed by Voldemort whilst playing a double agent for Professor Dumbledore. Maybe that was just me. The next morning the Minsitry sent cars around for the Weasleys and Harry. My mother drove Hermione and myself with all our gear and pets (Crookshanks seemed to like me). We went through the barrier at Platform 9 3/4 in pairs, myself with my Mom. When on the other side my Mom hugged me and said "Have a good year hunny. I feel like a broken record at this point but Please.. Please.. PLEASE, don't do anything dangerous this year. No finding hidden chamber death snakes or battling Trolls. Oh.. And for the love of god DO NOT go looking for this Sirius Black character." I shook my head "Are you kidding mom, why would I go look for a convicted murderer?" she looked me straight in the eyes and bore into my soul as she said "Well, you did go confront the man who killed your father and your best friends parents two years ago." I nodded "Okay okay fine. I promise I won't go looking for the dangerous felon, its not like he's going to be at Hogwarts anyways. Like what, You break out of Prison and the place you want to go is to a wizarding school under the watchful eye of Professor Dumbledore? I just want a nice relaxing year where I can concentrate on Quidditch and learning magic. Its not like weird stuff is going to happen 3 years in a row right?" She sighed and hugged me again "Okay okay, now get on that train. Do well, study, win the house cup again. Oh and you go Win that Quidditch Cup for Gryffindor! Make your Father proud!" I nodded "I will, I love you Mom" She replied "I love you too!" I quickly hugged Mrs Weasley as well, who said "Be careful this year David dear." I nodded "Always am." She shook her head "I'm serious dear. Watch after yourself and Harry" I nodded again, a little confused why she only mentioned the two of us and not.. You know.. Her son. I then made my way to the train which started moving and we were on our way to Hogwarts once again!

Our compartment had the 4 of us, as well as an Adult of some sorts. Which was weird. Only Adult we ever saw on the train was the Trolly Witch.. And we liked her since she had candy. "Who do you reckon that is?" Ron asked. Hermione then said "Professor R. J. Lupin." I noticed her reading the man's briefcase and smirked as Ron asked "And how do you know that?" Hermione then pointed out "Its on his case Ronald." Ron read what it was and the tips of his ears turned red and he then said "I wonder what he teached" I then chuckled slightly and said "Well unless by some Miracle Snape was fired and he's the replacement, I bet he teaches Defense against the Dark Arts. Lucky for him the bar is really low in that job. All he has to do is not have Lord Voldemort living on the back of his head and not be a complete and utter Fraud." Ron flinched but then nodded "Although he does look like one good Hex would finish him off. Anyways Harry what were you going to tell us?" Harry then said "Oh yeah, I overheard your dad and mom arguing last night. Sirius Black broke out of prison.. To come after me. Black was a follower of Voldemort's and may think offing me will bring back his master. That's why Fudge didn't expel me, and why the Ministry sent cars for us. What's even weirder is your dad is worried I'll go looking for Black. Like why would I go looking for someone trying to kill me." I nodded slowly, it began to make sense, so I added "Okay.. Okay.. Follower of Voldemort you say..? Mrs Weasley told me to look after myself and Harry this year... and my Mom made me promise not to go looking for Black either..I think.. Now this is probably crazy.. But he may want me dead as well. From his point of view my Dad betrayed Voldemort, so he would want to kill me for that... and my mother HAS been on edge since Black escaped.. So maybe my Dad mentioned that name to her before he died." Hermione looked worried "Sirius Black is after both of you? Oh PLEASE Harry, David, you both have to be very careful, don't go looking for trouble." Harry then said defensively "We don't go looking for trouble, Trouble seems to find us!"

That was when a noise started going off from Harry's trunk. "Is that a Sneakoscope?" Hermione asked. I took a closer look "Interesting, isn't that supposed to go off when someone dangerous or suspicious is nearby?" my eyes drifted to Lupin. Hermione shook her head "Untrustworthy.. But I guess it's the same principle." Ron then said "It was a cheap one mind you. It kept going off when I was tying it to Errol's leg." Hermione then asked "Were you doing anything untrustworthy at the time?" Ron looked offended "No! Well.. I technically wasn't supposed to be using Errol for a long distance delivery.." I laughed. The conversation turned towards Hogsemede, the Wizarding village that 3rd years and above could visit occasionally. All the different stores we could visit, Dervish and Bangs, Honeydukes, Zonkos joke shop. I ended up saying "Honestly, after the couple years we have had, I'm just looking forward to a nice drink at Rosmerta's with my best friends. No Basilisk, no Giant Chess set or murder puzzles.. Just a nice... Butterbeer isn't it?" Hermione smiled "That's nice David." That's when Harry said "Well the dream is going to be one short.. I can't go, The Dursley's didn't sign my permission form." Ron looked aghast "You can't come? But surely McGonagall or someone can sign it for you.. Or Fred and George could help you sneak out of the castle" Hermione shook her head disapprovingly "I don't think Harry should be sneaking out of the castle with Black looking for him. David probably shouldn't be going to Hogsemede too for that matter" I shook my head "I highly doubt Black could off me in the middle of a village." but Harry nodded "I suspect Professor McGonagall will agree when I ask her." and that ended that conversation.

The Rest of the trip was pretty uneventful. Draco Malfoy and his pose showed up, but didn't end up doing anything because of Professor Lupin in our compartment. The trip did however get interesting when the train slowed to a stop. I said "Did they up the horse power of this train or something? We shouldn't be at Hogwarts yet." Ron wiped a payh of fogged up window to look outside "We aren't there yet" He said He moved back to his seat closest to the compartment door and looked out "There is something moving out there." He said. I instinctively reached for my wand as the door burst open and Neville crashed in "Ow.. Neville?" Harry asked as Neville had fallen on him "Sorry Harry, what is happening?" Hermione got up and said "I will go check with the Driver." She went to leave and the lights went out. She opened the door and there was a thud followed by two squeels "Who is that?" Hermione asked. The voice replied "Hermione?" To Hermione replied "Ginny?!" I then said "Just come in and sit down, we shouldn't be moving in the dark." Hermione sat down on me and a exclaimed "Ow, Hermione not on me!" Although as soon as I said that I realized it wasn't that bad. That was when a hoarse voice said "Quiet!" I turned to see Professor Lupin had woken up. "Stay where you are." He then got up and made for the door.

That door slid open before he could reach it and a dark, hooded figure hovered into view. It was a scary sight, especially since Lupin had created a small fire in his hand and it illuminated the figure in a dark, flickery glow. I noticed a decayed hand protrude from its cloak.. And I shivered as the temperature seemed to drop into the negatives, so cold that even I, a life long Canadian, still got cold. My head then began to feel weazy and I swear I could hear my fathers voice "I have come to make things right! STUPIEFY!" Then Voldemorts "Death it is then. AVADA KADAVRA!" "NO!" I yelled and shrunk back in my seat "Make it stop!" I whimpered. I was faintly aware of a blindling white light. I shivered despite the sudden warmth I was feeling as the cold presence. A Hand grabbed mine and Hermione's voice pleaded "David.. David it's alright.. Its gone. David?" I open my eyes, which were watering, to see her concerned face in front of mine. Ron and Neville were over Harry, who looked as I felt. "I heard him.. I heard them both.." I whispered. Hermione looked at me worriedly "Heard who? No one really said anything David.. Just Professor Lupin." I shook my head "I heard him.. And my father.. I heard him kill.. Again.. I haven't.. Since I came to England.." I could see a more concerned look cross Hermione's face.. Of course the last time one of us heard a voice no one else did.. It turned out to be a Basilisk..

My Attention was brought to Professor Lupin with a loud snap as he broke up a chocolate bar and handed pieces to Harry and I "Here.. Eat it. It will help." Since I loved chocolate, I didn't hesitate to eat it. Harry asked "What was that thing?" Lupin furrowed his brow "A Dementor. One of the Dementors of Azakaban." He then gestured to the chocolate in Harry's hand "Eat it, It will help you feel better. I need to go speak with the driver." He then left. Harry ate his chocolate and asked "What happened" Hermione answered "Well that.. Thing.. Came in, and looked arround (Well I think it did I couldn't see its face.) And then...then.." Ron took over "You sort of went rigid and fell out of your seat and started twitching, like you were having a fit or something." Hermione then added "David wasn't as severe, he stayed in his seat at least. His eyes kind of glased over, and then he screamed and.. Well.." I then finished in an ashamed tone "Shrunk away in fear like a Slytherin" Hermione shook her head "No.. I wasn't going to say that..Honestly.." I shook my head back and said "Well its true." I then curlled up and looked out the window, ashamed that I had been so cowardly, in front of Hermione no less.

I tuned them out for the rest of the trip, stuck in my own thoughts. Why did I hear that dream? I hadn't had it since my trip to England, and now it carried even more meaning.. And was scarier. I now knew it was real.. And that my Dad felt he had to atone for what he did whilst under cover for Dumbledore, so he gave up his life to save Harry and his parents. I would prefer never to see it again. It was one thing as a bad dream.. It was 10 times worse knowing it was real.

When we got to Hogwarts Malfoy made sure to make fun of Harry for fainting, before turning to me and adding "And you starting crying like a little baby huh Shuter? Not very Gryffindor of you, I'm sure your house mates are simply embarrassed to have you." Luckily Professor Lupin interrupted with "Is there a problem?" saving me from having to break Malfoy's nose. I had just started to feel a little better from the Dementor, and of course Mafloy had ruined that.

As we entered the Castle, McGonagall called out to us "Potter! Shuter! Granger! I want to see you three!" We fought our way through the crowd to her, wondering what we had in store of us. The year hadn't even started and we were already in trouble? Was she throwing us out of her house because of how we reacted to the Dementor? She said "There's no reason to look so worried, I just want a word with you in my office. Move along Weasley." Ron gave us one last look before leaving.

Once we had entered Professor McGonagall's office she said "Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead to say you two had taken ill on the train Potter and Shuter." Not as soon as she had finished speaking did Madam Pomfrey burst her way into the office. "You sent for me, Deputy Headmistress?" Harry then muttered "Really.. I'm fine." I added "Honestly.. Mine was only half as bad as Harry's.. we're fine.." Well my bad feeling of embarrassment was back from the train. Pomfrey looked at both of us before saying "Ahh.. Its you two. Let me guess, you did something dangerous." McGonagall hopped to our defense saying "No Poppy, it was a Dementor." They exchanged a look before Pomfrey said as she moved to Harry to start looking after him. "Ahh, yes. I don't know what they were thinking, putting Dementors around the school. He won't be the first to faint, that I can assure you. Yes, he's all clammy. The effect those things have on people, especially those who are already delicate." Harry jumped up "We're not delicate, we're fine!" I for one was focused more on what Pomfrey had said "Hold up.. There are more of those things around the school?" It took everything in me to keep my voice steady. McGongall nodded "Yes Shuter, I know Professor Dumbledore wants to address it after the feast so I will leave that in his capable hands. Now if you two are sure you are alright, if you would kindly wait outside for a moment as I have a word with Miss Granger, then we can go down to the feast together." With that we nodded and headed outside to wait.

Once they were done we made our to the feast and rejoined Ron, who asked us "What was that all about." We were however interrupted by Professor Dumbledore addressing the Great Hall. "Welcome! Welcome to another year here at Hogwarts. I have a few things to say to you all, and one of them is very serious, so I believe it best to address it before our minds become befuddled by our excellent feast. As you are well aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is currently playing host to the Dementors of Azakaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business-" I hissed to the group "That thing works for the Ministry?!" Dumbledore continued "They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave the grounds without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks, disguises, Disillusionment charms, or even Invisibility Cloaks.." He seemed to look right at our group for the last two before continuing "It is not in the nature of Dementors to understand pleading or excuses. So I therefore warn each and every one of you not to give them reason to cause you harm. I look to the Prefects, as well as our new Head Girl and Boy, to make sure no students run afoul of the Dementors..." I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, faintly aware of Dumbledore announcing Lupin as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, and Hagrid as the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher. I was more worried about the Dementors. I had faced down Trolls, Giant Chess sets, Giant man eating spiders, even Lord Voldemort himself. And while I had been scared, it was a fear I could push through for the sake of my friends or the school, this was different. I was terrified of the Dementors. Not really of them.. But more of what they made me relive. My worst nightmare, terrifying when I thought it was just a dream, but unbearable knowing it actually happened.. And WHY it happened. It was all I had of my father.. His death. And now It seemed I would be doomed to relive it again and again with Dementors here at the school.

It seemed this year would be no different from the previous years at Hogwarts. Danger was present. The creatures that terrified me the most were stationed here, ironically for mine and Harry's safety. Not only did I have to worry about a mass Murderer coming to finish me and my best friend off, I had to worry about the things that were supposed to be keeping me safe showing me the worst thing in the world. It looked like I was going to be breaking my promise to my mother again.. This would be a Dangerous year for me at Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry