When I reached the platform for Hogwarts express it was already crowded with parents and students.
"I will miss you Draco. I will be bored without you." She said
"The new construction of our mall in Diagon alley and Hogesmade will keep you busy as will the wizangmot sessions " I said
"Yes but still I will be alone" She said
"Wait for until the Christmas holidays. Goodbye, mother." I said as I hugged her and boarded the train.
I walked along the compartments to find Daphne. On the way, I bumped into Potter and Ron Weasely.
"Get going Malfoy. You don't have your death eater father to protect you now." Weseley
"Ron don't speak like that." Harry warned
"Protect me from who Weasel from your terrible wrath. Oh, I am shivering in fright. There is no need to stop him, Potter, trash will always exhibit it's properties regardless of where it lies even if it is surrounded by the most potent perfumes." I said
"I am warning you Malfoy any funny business this year you will regret it." Ron said
"We shall see. Take care Potter you seem to have a mass murder at your back and an idiot for company." I said as I left them there to fume
I finally found Daphne and Tracy in a cabin. I knocked and entered into the cabin and sat opposite to Daphne.
"Have you seen Blaise" I asked
"No. How was your French vacation." Daphne asked
"Not bad. They are not so different than us. Has a certain flair for extravagance and a pompous attitude to all things French. We mostly travelled to the muggle world though. Now that was eyeopening." I said
"You, a Malfoy travelled in the muggle world. The world is coming to an end." Tracy said
"How was it, the muggle world?" Daphne asked studying me
"More advanced than us in every way. Buildings and towers that touch the sky and engineering marvels. I had never thought muggles could advance so much." I said
"Don't let others hear you say that?" Daphne said
"I know that. But I would like to visit again. There is so much more that I had not explored." I said
"When you go next time take me with you." Daphne said
"Are you asking me for a date" I asked her suggestively
"What? I just wanted to see the muggle world you prat." She said blushing
"Yes with him which is a date." Tracy chimed in
"Fine whatever. Will you take me or not." Daphne asked with a huff
"I will if your father agrees. We can go this Christmas holidays." I said
"I will ask him." She said
Just then Blaise entered the cabin and we talked about our respective summers and mostly spend time by playing Gobstones.
Suddenly the train stopped in the middle of nowhere and we could see something moving in the darkness of night through the glass window. A chilling cold began to seep in then the lights in the train went out. We were shivering in the unnatural cold Daphne jumped from her seat and sat next to me holding on to my arm in fright. I pressed her towards me as I circled my hands through her waist. Just as the cold became unbearable and our worst memories began to play in our minds we were blinded by a white light as it chased away the oppressive presence.
"What was that," Daphne asked still shivering
"Dementors. They are being stationed around Hogwarts this year because of Sirius Black." I said
"The ministry is stationing those monsters around our school. What are they thinking." Blaise asked
"As usual Blaise, they are not thinking." I said
"But still how is this possible" Tracy said
"Minister Fudge used his emergency powers to station them around Hogwarts alleging that Black will seek out Potter." I said
"Eat this" I said as I handed them over some chocolate bars
"It will diminish the effects they have on us," I said
We ate the bars in silence and slowly we regained our bearings. After some time we reached the Hogsmeade station. We quickly changed into our uniforms and took our luggage and looked for the carriages to Hogwarts.
As we entered the carriage that takes us to Hogwarts I saw the Thestrals for the first time. Since I killed Lucius and witnessed his death I am now able to see Thestrals. Soon we passed the gates of Hogwarts.
We walked towards the great hall in silence and saw that students were just beginning to fill in the tables. We moved towards the Slytherin table and took our usual spot on the table. The rest of the students slowly began to fill in and I searched the teachers and sure enough, I saw Remus Lupin in a quiet conversation with McGonagall. As everyone settled in McGonagall began the sorting ceremony of the first years. I looked around the Griffyndor table and noticed the absence of Potter there. After the sorting was done Dumbledore stood up and gained the attention of the students.
"Welcome everyone as you know our dear Prif. Lockhart has been victim of a rebounded curse that has put him in St. Mungo's he will be unable to return. So we heartily welcome Prof. Remus Lupin as our new defence against the dark arts prof. and we must also welcome Hagrid as he will be your new care of magical creatures prof." He said amidst the applause
"Now certain items are banned to use in Hogwarts. The full list is on the notice board and there will be no magic usage in the corridors. Students are not permitted to wander outside there respective house dorms after curfew and I need not remind you none is allowed to go near the Dementors stationed around Hogwarts. Those who have permission to go to Hogsmeade must always be in groups. Now prefects please escort the first years and the rest off you trot." Dumbledore said
We walked to the Slytherin dorms. Blaise and I set ourselves in our respective beds and fell asleep.
The next day we were having breakfast in the great hall when suddenly Blaise asked a question
"Draco I have heard there is new construction going on in Diagon alley and Hogesmeade since towards the end of our summer vacation and it is done by Malfoy's. So what is it." He asked
"It is a surprise so I will not spoil it but we are opening a series of businesses in both of the places.", I said
" When will it be open" Blaise asked
"This Christmas. All the constructions have been done we are just waiting for some certain deals to be signed " I said
"Which electives did you choose" Tracy asked
"Ancient runes and arithemacy" I answered
"What about you Daphne" Tracy asked
"Same as him" She answered
"What about you two" I asked
"Ancient runes and care of magical creatures" Tracy answered
"I chose the same as hers but I don't know how to open the bloody book" Blaise answered
"Yes, that is a problem." Tracy said
After finishing our lunch we left for the Defence class. Remus Lupin was already there when we reached the class.
"Books away and wands out. I believe we will go for a practical approach in this class." He said as he ushered us into another room where a lone wardrobe was at the far side of the room.
"Now I have kept a creature that is formless and when it faces you it will take the form of what you fear the most. Can anybody tell me the name of this creature." He asked
"A boggart sir" Hermione answered
"Correct Miss Granger 10 points to Griffyndor" He said
Now to defend against this creature you must envision a humiliating appearance on the form the boggart takes and cast the spell 'Riddikulos'. Now form a line and face the boggart.
One by one the students began to face their fears. Wesely's boggart took the shape of a spider. He cast the spell and its legs had stakes in it and it fell down. Then Neville came forward and the boggart took the shape of Snape. Again the spell was cast and boggart-Snape now wore a ridiculous dress. Then I came forward and faced the boggart. I employed occlumency to project a specific fear and the boggart took the form of a Hungarian Horntail. The whole class blanched at the roar of the dragon and I cast 'Riddikulos' on the boggart. Suddenly soap foam began to come out of its nose, mouth and ears. Then Harry came forward and the boggart changed into a Dementor and then Lupin jumped in front and it changed into a full moon in the sky. He cast the spell as it became a balloon and he banished it into the wardrobe and locked it inside.
The whole school was talking about the new DADA prof. and Hagrids class the whole day. Hogwarts will be more interesting now that a competent prof. is here for DADA.