*Part 9*

As the train pulled into the station, all Harry could think about was what Gumtree had said. That was all he could think about as he rode in the carriage led by invisible horses toward the school. He was thinking about it as he walked up the steps toward the castle........
"Professor Lupin! What a surprise!" Hermione exclaimed. And a surprise it was. Remus Lupin had resigned from his teaching position two years befre, and Harry had not expected to see him back on campus.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked.
"Meeting," Remus replied.
"Ah, of course. With who?" Ron asked.
"Oh, no one in particular." Remus seemed to be looking around anxiously.
"Ah, Melissa!" Remus called out when he spotted the new professor.
"Remus, you're here! I didn't expect you to come on the first day of school!" Professor Gumtree said.
"Ah, well, I need to speak to you. Ministry imagines they've spotted him," he said.
"Blast! I always knew he was stupid!" she answered.
"Who? What?" Hermione asked. Harry figured the adults had forgotten they were even there.
"I suppose it's best they know, then? Or at least him?" Melissa said. She nodded towards Harry.
"They know," Remus said, "and I suppose we should fill them in."
"Alright."
"Meet us after the feast, and we'll explain."
"Great," Hermione replied.
"I wonder what that was all about?" Ron said, thinking aloud.
"I don't know," Harry said. Hermione shivered.
"It's cold," she murmured.
And then the candles blew out.
"Harry!" a voice yelled. In all the confusion, Harry couldn't tell whether Hermione or Ron had yelled his name.
What came next scared Harry nearly to death. A low, raspy voice rang from inside the darkness.
"I'm watching you." Hermione screamed. Harry felt nails dig into his arm.
"I'm warning you, if you turn me in, you'll be sorry." Ron was gasping desperately for air. Then, just as suddenly as they had been blown out, the candles came back on. Harry turned to see Hermione still clinging to him. Though the darkness had lasted only a few minutes, it had seemed like hours.
"Um, Hermione?"
"Yes, Harry?"
"You can let go now."
"Oh. Sorry." Hermione released Harry's arm. There were little red blotches where her nails had been.
"That was so scary!" Ron said.
"I know," Hermione agreed. The three hurried to the feast, where the Sorting Hat was being taken away.
"We've missed it again!" Hermione moaned. Harry took a seat in between Fred Weasley and Hermione, and Ron slid into a seat across from him, next to Ginny and Seamus. As they talked and giggled, Ron scowled.
The feast was delicious, but Harry's appetitie had disappeared with the candle light. He ate very little and stared mostly at the ceiling filled with beautiful shining stars.

*Finis*