Chapter 1 : a long journey

"Harry," said Mr. Weasley quietly, "come over here for a moment."

He jerked his head towards a pillar, and Harry followed him behind it, leaving the others crowded around Mrs. Weasley.

"There's something I've got to tell you before you leave —" said Mr. Weasley in a tense voice.

"It's all right, Mr. Weasley," said Harry, "I already know."

"You know? How could you know?"

"I — er —I heard you and Mrs. Wesley talking last night. I couldn't help hearing," Harry added quickly. "Sorry —"

"That's not the way I'd have chosen for you to find out," said Mr. Weasley looking anxious..

"No —honestly it's okay. This way, you haven't broken your word to Fudge and I know what's going on."

"Harry, you must be scared —"

"I'm not," said Harry sincerely. "Really," he added, because Mr. Weasley looked disbelieving.

"I'm not trying to be a hero, but seriously, Sirius Black can't be worse than Lord Voldemort, can he?" Mr. Weasley flinched at the sound of the name, but overlooked it.

"Harry, I knew you were, well, made of stronger stuff than Fudge seems to think, and I'm obviously pleased that you're not scared, but —"

"Arthur!" called Mrs. Weasley, who was now shepherding the rest onto the train.

"Arthur, what are you doing? It's about to go!"

"He's coming Molly!" said Mr. Weasley, but he turned back to Harry and kept talking in a lower and more hurried voice, "Listen, I want you to give me your word —"

" —that I'll be a good boy and stay in the castle?" said Harry gloomily. "Not entirely," said Mr. Weasley, who looked more serious than Harry had ever seen him. "Harry, swear to me you won't go looking for Black."

Harry stared, "What!" There was a loud whistle. Guards were walking along the train, slamming all the doors shut.

"Promise me, Harry," said Mr. Weasley, talking more quickly still, "that whatever happens —"

"Why would I go looking for someone I know wants to kill me?" said Harry blankly.

"Swear to me that whatever you might hear —"

"Arthur, quickly!" cried Mrs. Weasley.

Steam was billowing from the train it had started to move. Harry ran to the compartment door and Ron threw it open and stood back to let him on. They leaned out of the window and waved at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley until the train turned a corner and blocked them from view.

Harry sat in compartment looking confused and bewildered.

"ron , said something strange to me at station'' said harry.

"really?" replied ron.

"yeah he said don't go looking for Sirius black" said harry

"well of course he is right—"said Hermione in her usual bossy tone.

"I know I shouldn't go looking for trouble but looking for a mass marauder? I don't understand . there is something we are missing here."said Harry

"maybe he was just making sure you are safe because you know trouble seems to find you every year" joked ron .

"well , I don't think so , I hope it's nothing dangerous though , I really appreciate a normal year…" replied harry

"I'm going to study dueling this year . something seems seriously wrong this year you know with a convict mass marauder after you" said harry , determined but deep in thought.

"that's great harry , we can study defence together if you want—"replied Hermione , Suddenly train stopped and everything went cold… The feeling was like there's ice all over his skin.

"guys somethings moving out there…" said ron in a scared tone.

After a few seconds, Harry was able to see a black cloak in front of their compartment and froze after looking at the creature . it was a Dementor , guards of Azkaban. Harry could see the breath of the creature , yet , there was no mouth to be seen .

After a few moments that seemed like an eternity a glowing wolf charged through the corridor and cleared the train from the foul creatures

A few seconds passed and then an adult came to the compartment and introduced himself as remus lupin , defense against the dark arts professor and handed the trio some chocolates and said

"Eat , you I'll feel better"

"what were those—" said ron.

"dementors , foulest creatures in the world , guards of azkaban" answered professor lupin. "they are going to guard Hogwarts this year"

The trio were so frightened that didn't talked after dementor incident till Hogwarts.

After a handful hours train slowed down and stopped at hogs meade station .

Hagrid was shouting "first years Here , First Years Here…" like the last two years.

Hagrid waved for harry and smiled from distance , and harry waved for him too , weakly.

Before entering Great Hall madam pomfrey cornered The trio and shouted

"over here. You three" "dementors ?! seriously?! What's ministry thinking ?" pomfrey murmured the last words to herself.

"ma'am pomfrey , we are fine , really , Professor Lupin gave us some chocolates on the train"

"oh? A DADA professor that knows basic healing for children?! Good choice in my opinion" said pomfrey , clearly surprised. After examining the three she let them go to the feast.

"seems fine to me , you are free to go" said Pomfrey dismissing them.

"thank you madam"

After the feast and Dumbledore's usual speech, Before leaving , harry left Ron and Hermione to meet McGonagall. And found her at the staff table.

"professor McGonagall."called harry.

"yes ?"replied professor McGonagall.

"can we talk professor? alone?"asked harry. Glancing at snape's direction.

McGonagall nodded. "follow me" after walking for a few minutes they arrived McGonagall's quarters.

"so , what is it ?" asked McGonagall.

"Professor , I want to study dueling and battle transfiguration this year , you know with Sirius black after me—" said harry.

"mr potter , there is no need to study dueling , if that's your reason , Hogwarts is one of safest—" said professor McGonagall.

"Professor , I encountered lord Voldemort twice in this very school , please I cannot hide here for the rest of my life , can I?"interrupted harry.

McGonagall flinched at the name and after a few seconds thoughtfully said : "I suppose you can't …"

"okay potter I will help you in the art of Battle transfiguration , but beware I will not tolerate laziness , I remember your father had a knack for battle transfiguration too. I mentored him myself"

Harry beamed and said "thank you professor , I'll try hard , I promise."

" you better . meet me after your last class tomorrow so we can sort out when to meet . and good night potter." Said McGonagall dismissively .

"I will professor , good night" said harry and left for common room .

'I have to ask professor Flitwick about the dueling lessons too' thought harry on the way of common room , when he arrived , he saw Fat lady and remembered that he forgot to ask this year's password ."uh… I was talking to professor McGonagall and — ah— don't know password , can I— you know — get in?"asked harry with a little worry in his voice.

"this is the last time I let you in without password " Then fat lady said and moved aside to let Harry enter the common room.

Ron saw harry and said "hey mate what took you so long?" asked Ron. "had to talk to McGonagall" answered harry.

"umm okay … up for some exploding snap?" asked Ron after a few seconds.

"sorry ron I feel tired , really really tired. And I have a hard day tomorrow" replied harry.

"Ah— , sure mate , see you tomorrow then." Said ron.

"tomorrow it is then , good night"

"night"

Harry looked around the common room for the last time and couldn't find Hermione .

'she's asleep then 'thought harry.

Harry was in his peaceful bed thinking about tomorrow's lessons with McGonagall , Sirius black following his shadow and everything else when sleep , slowly took him in…

END OF CHAPTER 1

A/N : the the first few chapters are from 'harry potter : prisoner of azkaban

and the story really begins in chapter 2 :)