Author's Note: This chapter is a bit longer than the preceding ones, and took more time to make revisions. Please excuse any typos, and let me know if you see any glaring continuity issues. I'll be happy to make the necessary corrections. For now, please enjoy.
Chapter Forty-One – The Dementor
On the morning of September the first, Harry dragged his trunk, along with Hedwig's cage, across the threshold to a waiting car. Mrs. Zabini had been surprised by the arrival of Cornelius Fudge himself, who brought not one, but three official ministry vehicles to transport Harry to King's Cross Station.
Mrs. Zabini thought the whole arrangement was entirely unnecessary, especially since Fudge had come in person when any junior staff member would have sufficed. She told Fudge this herself, adding that if he had enough free time to help three students catch their train, he would be better using it to spearhead the search for Sirius Black.
It was no secret that Fudge harbored a fancy for Mrs. Zabini, who was very beautiful. As he stammered out a few excuses, littered with compliments, she rolled her eyes and settled into the second car with her son.
Harry and Millie climbed into the backseat of the third car, expecting the Minister to ride in the first. But Harry was again surprised to see the Minister climbing in after them, and taking a comfortable seat facing Harry.
The ministry cars had been enchanted to permit more room inside the vehicle than what physics would allow, given the car's exterior dimensions. Fudge was able to face Harry with his legs comfortably stretched out in front of him as the car gathered speed.
"Marvelous inventions, motor cars," Fudge commented as he tapped his wand against the seat cushion nearest him. A hidden compartment opened with a slight pop, and Harry saw a number of drinks and snacks hidden within. "Can I get you anything? Pumpkin juice? A bit of butterbeer, perhaps?"
"No thank you," Harry replied politely. There would be plenty of snacks on the train, and Harry's pride wouldn't allow him to accept any more favors from Fudge.
Millie followed Harry's example and declined the gift. Fudge did not appear insulted by their turning down his offer, and instead gave a satisfied smile, as if they had confirmed some suspicion in his mind.
"I suppose you must be nervous," he said presently, "A new school year and all?"
"Not really," Harry replied, "Hogwarts is like a second home to me."
"I completely understand if you feel a little anxious being away from Mrs. Zabini's residence," Fudge continued, proving beyond a doubt that he hadn't heard a word of what Harry said, "But don't you worry. Hogwarts is every bit as protected as Mrs. Zabini's home. In fact, I should think it's even more protected. Safest place in all the British Isles, Hogwarts. But just in case, the ministry has taken a few extra precautions this year to keep you kids safe. Never you fear."
"What sort of precautions?" Millie asked with interest. While possessed last year, she had released a deadly creature among the students, one that had been hidden within the very walls of the school. The assertion that Hogwarts was the safest place in the UK did little to satisfy her skepticism.
"Ah, well... We've stationed some... That is to say, Dumbledore has agreed to host a few of the Azkaban guards. They're quite anxious to locate..."
"Sirius Black?" Harry asked when he saw the minister start to falter. Fudge gave an involuntary flinch and met Harry's eye, studying him closely. Harry met his look calmly, wondering what Fudge expected to see in his expression.
"Yes..." Fudge said slowly, "They've never lost a prisoner. I think it... upsets them... But you see, with the guards patrolling the school, I doubt Black would ever consider breaking in."
"He got out of Azkaban without anyone catching him," said Harry, "I doubt getting into Hogwarts would be much of a problem."
Fudge gave Harry a curious look, but Harry was done talking. He turned toward the window and stared at the passing scenery, which appeared to be moving by much too fast for a common car. The fields and small villages near Ascending Downs were already gone, and Harry watched as they moved ever closer to the more urban heart of London.
Very little was said for the rest of the trip, but Fudge spoke to Harry again as they pulled toward the entrance to King's Cross. In spite of the heavy traffic and long line of waiting cars near the station entrance, the three ministry cars somehow managed to jump right to the front of the cue, and Harry and Millie were busy scrambling to get their things together, so as not to hold up the line, when Fudge rested a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"This is where I'll leave you, Harry," he said. "No doubt you can get to the platform by yourself?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, at any rate, make sure you stay close to Mrs. Zabini. I don't want any of you kids getting separated."
"Yes, sir," said Harry again, his eyes darting to follow Millie as she rolled her trolley away.
"One last thing, Harry," Fudge continued, preventing Harry from following the advice he'd just given, "When you're at Hogwarts, best to stay under Dumbledore's eye. Don't under any circumstances, go looking for Black. Understand?"
Harry, who had been straining to watch the path Blaise and Millie were taking through the crowd, stopped his search and turned to look at Fudge in surprise.
"Why would I want to go looking for a man who probably wants to kill me?" Harry asked aloud.
But Fudge didn't answer. He merely looked embarrassed, stammered something about catching up with the others, and hopped back into the ministry car. Harry was dumbfounded, but the next moment Mrs. Zabini was at his elbow, scolding him for dawdling when Blaise and Millie had already passed through the platform entrance.
Harry could have argued with her, but he thought better of it, and instead thanked her for coming back to walk with him. She had acted like the ministry escort was perfectly unwelcome, but Harry noticed the way she gripped her wand, hidden in the folds of her skirt, as they walked quickly to the brick wall between platforms 9 and 10.
Despite being early, the platform was already bustling with activity. The bright red engine of the Hogwarts Express belched copious amounts of white steam as students of all ages busily dragged their trunks, school bags, and pets aboard.
Millie and Blaise waited near one of the rearmost cars. To Harry's amusement, they had been cornered by Hermione and Neville. Hermione, who had clearly been sorted into Gryffindor for the fearless way she inserted herself into the business of others, seemed oblivious to Blaise and Millie's looks of dislike.
"Hello, Harry!" she called as she saw him approach, "We've been waiting for you. Blaise said you were only a few steps behind him, but then it seemed like we were waiting so long!"
"Too long," Blaise said, giving Harry a pointed look.
"Shall we all share a car?" Hermione asked.
Blaise and Millie began to shake their heads from side to side, though it went unnoticed, as Hermione had her face turned away from them. Harry stared directly at his friends with a smirk on his lips as he replied, "Sure! That would be great!"
Laughing internally at his friends' looks of betrayal, Harry began to haul his trunk from the trolley, prepared to pass it up the train steps to Neville.
"Wait boys," Mrs. Zabini said, grabbing Blaise and Harry by their collars before they could board the train, "You're forgetting something."
"Oh, right," said Blaise, who turned around to give his mother a hug, "See you for Christmas, mum!"
"No, not that," Mrs. Zabini said with a laugh, though she returned her son's hug. "I was talking about these."
She handed a folded piece of parchment to each of them. Blaise looked at it, momentarily dumbfounded, then he broke into a grin.
"Our permission forms?"
Mrs. Zabini smiled, and gave him a nod.
Blaise wrapped his arms around Mrs. Zabini a second time, and this time Harry joined him.
"Thank you, mum! You are the best mum in the whole world! Right, Harry?"
Harry readily agreed with him, and Mrs. Zabini laughed again at them both.
"Now, I want you to use these responsibly. Don't go anywhere by yourselves, and stay within the village at all times. If I hear even one word of you misbehaving or breaking any rules, I'll write to Professor Snape and revoke my permission instantly."
Harry had no doubt she would make good on this threat, and probably throw a howler in the mix if he wasn't careful. After making their promises to be good and follow the school rules, Harry and Blaise scrambled onto the train after their friends.
The Gryffindor and Slytherin group made their way through the train car, searching for a cabin they could all share. It wasn't until they had reached a cabin, almost all the way at the back of the train, did they find a compartment with only one occupant.
He was an adult, which struck Harry as odd, since he'd never seen any adults on the train except for the elderly witch who pushed the snack trolley. The stranger was dressed rather shabbily, and had a worn and patched cloak thrown over himself as a sort of makeshift blanket. He appeared to be fast asleep.
"Maybe we should find another car?" Harry suggested, already looking toward the front of the train.
"Don't be silly, Harry," said Hermione, "Besides, the other compartments are full."
In typical Gryffindor fashion, she led the way into the compartment, and the others silently complied.
"Who do you suppose he is?" Neville asked timidly as they hauled their luggage into the overhead racks and each took a seat. Even with all their bustle and noise, the man did not stir.
"Professor R.J. Lupin," Hermione replied promptly.
Blaise gave her a curious stare and asked, "Practicing for Divination this year, Granger?"
Hermione smirked at him and pointed to a briefcase next to the trunk she'd placed overhead. There was a brass plate with the initials and name engraved on the side.
"Must be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," said Millie, dragging Mammon's kennel away from the wicker cage that housed Crookshanks. The cats were starting to growl evilly at one another.
"Poor bastard," Blaise said sympathetically.
"Shh!" Neville hissed, looking at the sleeping professor fearfully.
"Don't shush me!" said Blaise, delivering a swift kick at Neville's shin.
Harry could see that managing his two groups of friends was going to pose a challenge. He was busy trying to restore calm between Hermione and Millie, who were now squabbling about their cats, while Blaise continued to torment Neville. Thankfully, a distraction presented itself from an unexpected source. As the train began to pull out of the station, the compartment door slid open to reveal Ned Willowby.
Ned had already changed into his Ravenclaw robes, and was clutching a book titled Muggles: Why They Do What They Do in one hand. He gave a slight start upon seeing Harry, though he recovered quickly and offered him a shy smile.
"Oh, hello Harry," said Ned in greeting. He directed a tentative glance toward Blaise and added, "Good to see you, Zabini."
Last year, Blaise had directed a nasty threat toward Ned after the Ravenclaw busted out one of his teeth during a short-lived and largely unsuccessful Dueling Club. But the incident seemed entirely forgotten by Blaise, who was now far more interested in criticizing Trevor than directing any cutting remarks toward Ned. Blaise paused in his threats to feed the toad to his python long enough to direct an uninterested glance toward Ned.
"No room," he said almost lazily. "Honestly, Harry. Do you plan to invite the whole school to share a cabin with us?"
"I won't stay," said Ned quickly, "Actually, I've just changed. I mistook your door for mine, sorry."
"It's not a problem," said Harry, who was was actually pleased to see another familiar face, "How was your summer?"
Ned's eyes widened slightly as he replied, "It was fine, until I heard the news. It's scary, isn't it?"
"You mean Sirius Black?" Hermione asked, seizing on the subject eagerly, "I can't believe the ministry still has no idea how he escaped. And he was one of the most dangerous criminals they had in custody!"
"He's probably after Harry," Blaise said casually.
Hermione checked a bit of her enthusiasm, and joined Neville in giving Harry looks of pity. Ned, on the other hand, looked absolutely terrified, and asked Harry in a quiet voice if that were true, and if he wasn't afraid?
By now, Harry had become as used to hearing this question as he was hearing people ask to see his scar. The rumor that Sirius Black escaped Azkaban just to come after him had only added to Harry's fame.
"Not really," he said in response to Ned's question, "I mean, I've faced Voldemort three times now and survived. How bad can Sirius Black be?"
Ned flinched as Harry pronounced the Dark Lord's name, and Neville uttered a slight gasp, but they all looked suitably impressed by his statement.
The cats broke the tense moment in a volley of hissing and rapid attempts to smack each other with their claws. Millie unwisely pulled Mammon away from Crookshanks, earning a few scratches for herself in the process. She cursed loudly, and the sleeping professor grumbled a bit and tossed in his sleep. The cabin feel quiet for a few moments as the students waited to see if he would wake, then Millie turned to Hermione with a deep scowl.
"If you don't keep your cat away from Mammon, I'm going to jinx him."
Hermione put on a scowl of her own, and muttered something about Mammon being a bully, but she complied all the same, gathering Crookshanks in her arms and returning him to his wicker carrier.
The moment of disruption allowed for a change of topic, and Neville tentatively bought up the subject of Hogsmeade. Harry didn't know much about the village, other than that it was the only all-magical community in England, located not far from Hogwarts. Ned said he was interested in the Shrieking Shack, as it was said to be the most haunted place in all the British Isles. Neville stated that Honeydukes would be the first place he'd visit, while Blaise seemed to think their first trip would be a waste if they didn't stop by Zonko's joke shop.
Ned was deeply engrossed in the conversation, and in spite of his earlier assertion that he wasn't planning to stay, he took a seat next to Blaise. Blaise, who had said only moments earlier that the car was full, nevertheless made room for the Ravenclaw, and Harry noted with some surprise that he did so without complaint. That is, until he noticed the title of Ned's book.
"Hold on, that's the required reading for Muggle Studies!" Blaise exclaimed, "What do you have it for?"
"It's one of the classes I signed up for this year," said Ned slowly, as if he were talking to someone very dull for not realizing that himself.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you muggle-born? What are you taking a muggle studies course for?"
Ned shifted slightly in his seat and tried not to meet Blaise's eye, "Well, I thought it might be interesting... To see what a wizard's perspective..."
"Oh I completely agree!" Hermione said excitedly, leaning forward, "I'm taking the class as well. My parents are dentists, and I'll bet they'd just love to hear what witches and wizards would think of their profession!"
Blaise directed a panicked look at Harry and said with exaggerated fear, "Oh god, there's two of them!"
It had been drizzling when the train left the station. As they moved steadily forward, it began to come down faster. Before long, heavy sheets of rain lashed at the windows, and with the setting sun it was soon impossible to see anything of the passing scenery.
The cheerful group took no notice of the raging storm, warm and comfortable in the bright train cabin as they were. When the trolley witch finally made her way to the end of the train, pushing her little cart of snacks before her, Ned jumped up right away, graciously offering to purchase snacks for them all.
Neville, seated closest to the dozing professor, directed a cautious glance toward him and asked, "Do you think we should wake him? He might be hungry."
"He certainly looks like he could use a meal," commented Millie as she stared at the professor's haggard appearance.
Blaise rose from his seat and asked, "Why stand on ceremony?"
"Oh, don't!" Hermione gasped, but her caution came too late. Blaise had already gripped one of the professor's shoulders and shook him roughly.
"Oi, professor! There's food here!" he called in a loud voice.
The man woke with a start, staring around him in bleary confusion. Then his eyes settled on Harry.
The first reaction people usually had on meeting Harry for the first time was to stare provokingly at his scar. This was typically followed by an exclamation as they announced his name in a tone full of awe. But the professor was silent. His eyes did not travel toward Harry's scar. They remained locked on his face, an unreadable expression masking his features.
"Hello, I'm Harry Potter," he said by way of introduction.
"I know," replied the professor in a quiet voice.
This was expected. Harry was famous, after all. But there was something in the tone of his voice that seemed strange, as if he knew Harry from somewhere other than the papers. Harry tried to remember if he'd ever met the professor before, like a party at the Zabini residence. But Mrs. Zabini moved in circles of affluent and powerful wizards. Judging from the state of the teacher's robes, it was unlikely that he figured among her many acquaintance.
Breaking his gaze away from Harry abruptly, Professor Lupin turned his attention toward the trolley witch and her mountains of treats.
"Still pushing the same cart, Matilda?" he asked with a warm smile.
"Oh, goodness gracious! Is that little Remus?" the witch exclaimed with some surprise. "I haven't seen you since..."
"Yes, it's been a long time." He turned back toward the students, careful to avoid fixing his gaze on Harry a second time. "Thanks for waking me. In exchange, shall I get you all something from the cart?"
He could not have found a faster way to make allies of the students. They jumped from their seats, eager to put their orders forward, even Hermione. Harry alone hesitated, as it looked as if Profesor Lupin was down on his luck. But then Harry saw him pass a few silver sickles to the trolley witch without the slightest sign of discomfort, and he decided it wouldn't be right to be the only one who didn't accept the gift.
"Are you really going to be our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?" Neville asked once they had all settled back in their places, snacks in hand.
"How long have you been teaching?" asked Ned around a bite of pumpkin pasty.
"Don't you know the job is cursed?" Millie added, covertly slipping some of her food to Mammon.
Professor Lupin chuckled at this last question. "Then I suppose it's a very good thing Dumbledore hired me for the position. I know my fair share of curses."
Harry liked him instantly.
Suddenly, the train gave a slight lurch, and the wheels screeched along the tracks as they slowed to a halt.
"Hang on, we can't be there yet," Blaise protested.
He was right. It was far too soon for them to arrive at Hogwarts. They talked among themselves, wondering if something had gone wrong with the train, then Ned, who was closest to the door, gave a slight shudder.
"Is anyone else freezing?" he asked.
Harry stood and opened the compartment door. All along the corridor, he could see other doors opening, and students cautiously poking their heads out to see what was going on. From somewhere further down the car, someone let out a slight scream, as first one pair of lights flickered out, then another, and another, until the entire car was plunged into darkness.
"Harry, get back in here!" Professor Lupin demanded. The next instant, he had grabbed Harry by the collar and pulled him backward into the compartment.
With the rain still pouring outside and no light within, Harry couldn't make out anything in the pitch black cabin. He listened instead to the panicked voices of his friends as they all spoke at once. No one knew what has happening, and the cold chill Ned felt earlier was now seeping into their compartment, freezing them all to the core.
"Everyone, remain calm," said Professor Lupin in a soothing voice. The next moment, his gaunt face was illuminated by flickering blue flames he seemed to hold in his bare hand. In the other, he held his wand at the ready.
"I'm going to check the other cars," he explained, "See if this is happening throughout the train. I want you all to wait right here."
He left, taking the light of his small fire with him, and they were plunged into darkness once again. No one said anything for several long moments, then the door slid open, and someone stumbled inside.
Hermione screamed in terror, and the intruder jumped about a foot in the air, landing hard on Blaise's foot, who cried out in pain before shoving the stranger into Harry.
"Watch it!" Harry cried angrily, and a second later he heard a familiar voice respond, "Potter?"
"Malfoy? What are you doing? Get off me!"
"What's going on? Why has the train stopped?" Malfoy asked. It was difficult to make out his features in the dark, but Harry could hear the terror in his voice.
"I don't know, and I said get off me!" Harry snarled again, shoving Draco to the floor.
He hit the ground with a heavy thud and a curse that turned into a whimper as he faced the open compartment door. There was another figure framed in the doorway, darker than the black void of the passage. It was tall, thin, and appeared to be wearing a long cloak. The room was absolutely freezing now, and Harry felt a wave of nausea envelope him that he couldn't explain. He felt like he was going to be sick, and a ringing began to fill his ears. It seemed to grow louder, until it wasn't ringing at all, but a scream. A woman's scream. She was pleading with someone, begging them for something that Harry couldn't quite understand. He wanted to jump out of his seat and find her, help her... But he couldn't move. His legs and arms were too heavy, and the nausea was making him light-headed and dizzy... He tried to push himself up, tried to stand, and the screams he heard reached a new, unbearable pitch...
The next he knew, Blaise was shaking him awake. The lights had returned to the cabin, and he could clearly see the anxious faces of his friends and Draco, staring down at him. Professor Lupin stood in the doorway, looking on in concern. Millie had drawn herself into a corner, her arms wrapped around her knees, looking just as scared and shaken as Harry felt. Hermione sat close to her, apparently trying to offer comfort, but unsure how.
"What's going on?" asked Harry, noting that his mouth had gone very dry, "How did I end up on the floor?"
"You sort of jumped up when that thing came in," Blaise said, "Then you fell. I think you must have passed out."
"I did? Did... Did anyone else..." Harry stared to ask, glancing toward Millie significantly.
Blaise shook his head. "I felt terrible though... Like... Like everything good in the world had been sucked away, and there was just this... horrible feeling."
Millie stifled a sob, and hid her face in her folded arms.
"But who was screaming?" Harry asked.
Blaise exchanged a glance with Ned, who looked pale and slightly ill.
"No one was screaming, Harry," Ned replied after a moment.
"What you all just experienced was a dementor," said Professor Lupin. He stepped forward, gingerly avoiding Harry's limbs, and helped him to his feet. He continued his explanation as he reached for his breifcase and began to search its contents. "They feed on joy. When that's gone, their victims are left with only despair. Being in the presence of a dementor tends to bring out your worst dangerous creatures. They guard the prisons of Azkaban."
"You mean that thing was guarding Sirius Black?" Hermione asked, horrified.
"Or one just like it," Professor Lupin said after a slight pause.
"Then it's no wonder he went mad in prison," Neville said with a shudder.
Harry heard a snap, and looked back toward Professor Lupin, who was busy breaking a bar of chocolate into several pieces. He handed a large chunk to each of them, with instructions to eat it quickly.
"It will help," he said.
Harry did not need to be told twice. He popped the piece of chocolate into his mouth without really expecting it to do anything, but oddly enough, as the milky sweetness melted on his tongue, he felt strangely comforted.
Professor Lupin lingered among them long enough to see them all slightly restored by the chocolate, then he announced, "I'm going to find Matilda. Perhaps she would be good enough to go along the other compartments and pass out chocolate to everyone else."
Harry took another bite of his chocolate, musing quietly over what the others had told him of the dementor as Professor Lupin went on his errand.
"No one heard a scream?" he asked again, wondering what it meant if he'd been the only one.
Blaise looked at him again, worry in his expression, "There was no one screaming, Harry. Just... just that cold feeling..."
Harry glanced at Millie, who refused to meet his eye. She was eating the chocolate, same as the rest of them, but unlike the others she still hadn't said anything. Harry wanted to ask her if she had heard the screaming, but he thought better of it.
"So what happened?" asked Draco. Until then, he had contributed nothing to their conversation, except to shake and look frightened. Harry had nearly forgotten that he was there. Now Draco stared openly at Harry, as if expecting him to do something remarkable, like sprout a second head.
"No one else passed out like you did. What's wrong with you?"
"Gimli's Axe, Draco! Are you still here?" Blaise challenged. "I don't remember inviting you!"
Draco pulled his shoulders back and glared at Blaise down the length of his pointed, ferret-like nose. "I was only trying to make my way back to my own compartment when the lights went out," he explained, "It's not my fault that dementor came in here."
He cast a haughty look around at them all, finally settling his glare on Harry. But Harry was done talking to him. He had no energy left to argue. The others appeared to share his feelings, and merely looked at Draco, clearly past patience with him. When no one bothered to respond to him, Draco scoffed scornfully, then turned and marched out of the cabin, slamming the door behind him.
Professor Lupin returned moments later to see the group engaged in conversation. They were still shaken, but had slowly returned to their normal pitch and liveliness. Professor Lupin smiled to see them talking of the food they expected at the start-of-term feast.
"Good, I see you're feeling better," he said, "You've all finished your chocolate, I take it?"
They agreed that they had, and the professor nodded his head to acknowledge each of their thanks.
"I only hope I didn't give you too much. You'll need to save your appetites for the feast. We've just arrived."
Professor Lupin wished them well once more, and stated he would see them again in the Great Hall. Harry lost sight of him as his feet hit the platform outside the train.
He spied Hagrid, whose height made him easy to spot above the heads of the students. He was there, as always, to escort the first-year students across the Black Lake. But Harry was in his third year, and he would be making his way toward the school by another route. There was no time to stop and chat with Hagrid, but Harry made sure to shout a greeting to his friend as he passed, and was rewarded with a smile and a hearty wave.
"How do we get to the castle?" Harry asked as he followed Blaise and Millie away from the platform.
Blaise shrugged, as unsure as himself. Last year, Blaise and Harry had been prevented from taking the train to school due to the machinations of an overly-protective house elf. They had to travel to school by Floo Powder, and missed the opportunity to see how the upperclassmen typically made their way from the gates to the castle entrance.
What they found was a line of carriages, all black and fairly ordinary looking, except for the fact that they weren't attached to horses. Harry wondered absently if the horses were late, then he remembered that he was a wizard, and attended a magic school. As such, it came as no surprise to him that the carriages proceeded forward smoothly, seemingly without the need of any means or propulsion.
Harry felt less concerned about the carriage than he did about the two dark figures standing sentry near the school gates. They were dementors. If he hadn't known by their dark cloaks, completely hiding whatever faces the creatures possessed, he would recognize them by the tell-tale chill he felt as their carriage moved past.
"What is Dumbledore thinking, letting those things near the school?" Millie muttered irritably. The carriages brought them directly to the doors of the castle. Hermione and Neville had shared the same coach, and Harry mounted the stairs into Hogwarts a Gryffindor on either side. Neville desperately searched about the floor for Trevor, who was already lost, while Hermione wondered when they would get their class schedules.
"It's going to be a busy year for all of us," Hermione was saying, "I hope we'll be in some of the same classes this year, Harry. Besides Potions, I mean."
"Shouldn't be hard," Neville said with a sigh of relief as he located his toad in one of the pockets of his robes. "You're taking every elective they offered."
"Every elective!" Blaise shouted, overhearing their conversation. "That's not possible, is it? There aren't enough hours in the day."
Hermione sent him a glare, and Neville a look of warning. The expression on his face showed that he understood she was upset with him, but that he didn't know where his error lay.
"Miss Granger!" called a sharp voice behind them.
They all turned to see the source of the familiar voice. Professor McGonagall, Harry's transfiguration teacher and the head of Gryffindor house, made her way quickly toward them. The sea of students milling toward the Great Hall were no impediment to her, as students instinctively made way for the notoriously strict professor.
"I'm glad I've caught you Miss Granger. Come with me for a moment please. I'd like to talk to you about your course list."
Hermione's look of fright at being called out by a teacher before the term had started changed to one of curiosity. She turned to her friends to excuse herself, and Harry muttered, "Guess you'll get your answer sooner than you thought."
Harry and Neville watched her follow after Professor McGonagall, then exchanged glances between themselves. But the crowd of students pushing their way toward the Great Hall would not wait long, and soon they were forced across the threshold.
"I guess this is goodbye for now," Harry said to Neville as they walked inside. Harry was eyeing the green and silver banners hanging over the Slytherin table, while Neville's feet were directed toward the red and gold of Gryffindor.
"Shame we can't be together for the feast," Neville commented before turning to offer Harry his hand. Harry knew these were not just nice words. It was widely known that Neville was not terribly popular, even among students of his own house. Without Hermione, he was likely to spend the feast alone, unless she returned quickly.
"Don't worry," Harry said to him with a wry smile. "If Hermione doesn't have you sitting at Slytherin table with us by the end of the week, I'm sure she'll have found a way to drag me to the Gryffindor side instead."
"Enough flirting!" Blaise shouted impatiently, "The sorting is about to start! Let's go!"
He grabbed Harry by the wrist and dragged him toward the Slytherin table, Millie leading the way, as she had not bothered to wait for either of them.
Blaise was right to be excited. Since they had been delayed last year, they had completely missed the start-of-term feast. Harry had not witnessed the sorting ceremony since he had been sorted himself. Now, as he sat among his fellow Slytherins, he watched a troop of first-years march down the middle of the hall, led by Professor McGonagall. Harry craned his neck to peer over the students' pointed hats, worn only on formal occasions such as this, and saw that Hermione had returned to the Gryffindor table, looking immensely pleased with herself.
Professor McGonagall took her place on the raised dais where the staff table was placed, while the various professors, including Headmaster Dumbledore, looked on. Harry tried to catch the eye of Professor Lupin, who sat near Hagrid, but the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor was looking into the faces of the intimidated first-years, apparently trying to encourage them with warm smiles and friendly nods if he caught their eye.
Professor McGonagall lifted the Sorting Hat, a patched and tattered old thing that had a grudge against Harry. She sat the had down on a three-legged stool for all to see, and the next Harry knew, a tear near the base of the hat opened wide, like a mouth, and the hat began to sing. It was a short jingle, barely a minute long, and the school erupted into applause when the song had finished. Harry joined the others, even as he leaned across the table to speak to Millie.
"I don't think that was the same speech I heard when we were sorted."
Millie nodded. "It changes every year."
"I suppose if I had nothing to do but sort a bunch of snot-nosed kids once a year, I'd spend the time thinking of rhymes, too." Blaise commented.
Dumbledore, it was widely known, witheld the delivery of his start-of-term announcements until after the students had been fed. He felt that satisfied students paid closer attention to their teachers than hungry ones. And so he waited until the sorting was over, the food had been cleared from the tables, and the desserts nearly finished, before standing to make his speech.
"Welcome," he said, as was his custom, "To another year at Hogwarts. I know most of you have had a long journey, and I promise my words will be brief. First, first-years should note, that the forest is strictly forbidden to all students."
He paused, directed a pointed look at Harry, and continued, "I should also mention that Hogwarts will be playing host to the Dementors of Azkaban."
He paused again, as if allowing for the expected murmuring to break out among the student body. He needn't have bothered. Those who experienced the Dementors effects on the train, or passed them at the castle gates, were already well aware of the unwanted guests.
"The Ministry has placed them at our borders for your protection. They are here to look for Sirius Black. But be warned, Dementors are not known for their sympathy. Do not give them a reason to target you."
Again, Harry could swear that Dumbledore paused to stare him down in particular, but Dumbledore had a way about him that made all students feel as if he were speaking to them directly, and Harry was not the only one seated in the hall who gave an involuntary shudder.
"Now then. In happier news, I am pleased to announce two new professors who will be joining us this year. Professor Lupin will be assuming the role of your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
There was a slight scattering of applause as Lupin rose from his seat and gave a calm wave, but none clapped so loud as Harry.
"Look at Snape!" Blaise muttered into Harry's ear.
Snape was directing a glare at Lupin filled with utter loathing. It was no secret that Snape sought the Defense Against the Dark Arts position for himself, and it wasn't unusual that he would resent Lupin for once again stealing the job out from under him. But the look he was giving Lupin now was full of such hatred... It was a look he usually reserved for Harry alone.
Harry had liked Lupin before, but now he felt a special connection to him. Anyone that Snape despised so openly must be a kindred spirit.
"I would also like to announce," Dumbledore continued once the applause abated, "That Professor Kettleburn has decided to retire, in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. The position of Care of Magical Creatures professor will therefore be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid."
Hagrid stood from his chair hastily, nearly overturning the staff table in the process. He stood there, happy but awkward, as students from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff broke into a smattering of polite applause. Once Harry and his friends had recovered from their surprise, they caused such a racket with their shouts and clapping that several other Slytherins joined them, hardly knowing why they were celebrating.
"Those books make sense now," Millie commented as their enthusiastic clapping finally died down.
Harry agreed. Only Hagrid would assign a textbook as dangerous as the subject he taught. He wanted to congratulate Hagrid immediately, but once Dumbledore had finished his speech, it was time for bed. Harry gave Hagrid a final, jovial wave as he allowed himself to be pulled along with the crowd, and was soon on his way down to the dungeons.
"I'm glad I signed up for Care of Magical Creatures now," Blaise said as they prepared for bed. "This could turn out to be a very interesting year."