Note: None of these are my original characters, except for Crescent and
Moira. The others all belong to J.K. Rowling. This may not entirely follow
what happens during the 'Prison of Azkaban' but most of it is the same. I
assumed that since Crescent is Sirius's daughter, they would hone in on her
on the train.
For the Love of a Child, Part 2
Dementors and the Sorting
A.J. Matthews
Crescent and her uncle Remus had already boarded the Hogwarts express, and managed to get an empty compartment. Remus Lupin fell asleep, so Crescent sat by the window, looking outside.
The door opened, and Crescent turned to face the three older kids standing there.
Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter stood there.
"Um, can we share this room with you?" Harry asked the tiny girl who looked at the them with wide green eyes.
"Sure," she said cheerfully.
"Hey, it's the girl from Diagon Alley," Hermione exclaimed, as she and Ron entered.
Crescent cocked her head. "Who are you?"
"I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione said.
"My name is Ron Weasley," Ron said, a little shy.
Harry prepared himself for the kid's reaction to his name. "I'm Harry Potter."
"My name is Crescent Lupin," Crescent said. She looked at Harry and Ron. "I know who you are; Ron was in the Daily Prophet, along with his family, and Harry is famous."
The three of them took seats. To Harry's surprise, she wasn't fawning over him like so many people did.
"How old are you, Crescent?" Ron asked curiously.
"Eleven, but I'm small for my age, like my mother was." Crescent offered them a smile.
"Who's he?" Harry looked at the man sleeping on a bench.
Crescent laughed merrily. "That's Uncle Remus. He's teaching at Hogwarts this year, for Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Cool," Ron said, as the train began moving.
They spent an hour happily talking together, and learning about each other.
"So who're your parents," Hermione asked.
"My mom's dead," Crescent said softly. "Uncle Remus is my only family."
"I'm sorry," Hermione said. She assumed that Crescent's father had run out on her.
"It's ok. I never knew her; she died when I was born." Crescent had taken her wand out and was looking at it when the train stopped suddenly and the lights went out.
"What's going on?" Ron asked. He stood up.
"That's strange," Harry said. "The train's never stopped before." He stood as well.
Hermione jumped to her feet. "I'm going to go see what's going on," she said, as she opened the door. She jumped back in shock and fear. Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom ran in, looking petrified.
Dementors entered, swooping around the room.
Crescent was terrified. Completely terrified. One flew over and paused above her. She let out a piercing scream as it got closer and jumped to her feet.
She brandished her wand. "Stay away from me!" It backed her up against the wall.
Harry was having a fit of some sort. Ron was shaking him, as Hermione ran over and tried to console Crescent, who fainted in Hermione's arms. The Dementors flew over and hovered above Harry and Crescent.
Sudden light filled the compartment. "None of us are hiding Sirius Black under our cloaks," Remus said. "Leave!" He held his wand tightly.
The Dementors hesitated. Crescent and Harry were in agony, shivering and moaning.
"Expecto Patronus!" Professor Lupin yelled. The Dementors flew off, as a silvery being shot out of his wand directly at them.
Further screams could be heard down the Hall as the Dementors left the train.
Harry opened his eyes weakly. "What happened?"
"They're gone, Harry," Remus Lupin said.
Crescent opened her blue eyes. She felt cold and clammy. "Uncle Remus?" she whispered.
Remus knelt down on the floor and placed a hand on her shoulder, and one on Harry's. "It's ok. They left," he told them quietly.
Crescent's breathing returned to normal. Hermione helped her get back on a bench. The child was positively ice-cold. Ron helped Harry up. Neville and Ginny were trembling.
Remus stood, and walked over to his bag. He took out some chocolate bars, broke them in pieces, and handed them to the group. "I need to speak with the driver," he said casually. "Hermione, please look after my niece." He exited the room, and as he did, the lights came back on. The train was moving again.
"Harry, are you ok?" Ron asked.
Harry nodded slowly. "I felt weird when they entered."
"They were looking for Sirius Black," Hermione said. Crescent stiffened slightly as Hermione looked at her. "But I don't understand why they focused on you," she murmured.
"They're scary," Crescent whispered. "I thought I'd never be happy again."
"Me, too," Ginny said. Neville nodded in agreement.
Remus came back and smiled. "The chocolate's not poisoned, you know." All of the students took bites of it, feeling warmth spread through them. He kept his eyes on Harry and Crescent for the rest of the train ride.
When they arrived at Hogwarts, the older Hogwarts students were surprised to see Professor McGonagol waiting for them outside.
"Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Crescent Lupin, please follow me," she said with authority.
"What about the Sorting?" Crescent asked, as she obediently followed Harry and Hermione.
"Later, child," was all the professor said. She led them to the hospital wing, where Madam Pomfrey stood waiting.
"What have you done to yourself this time?" Madam Pomfrey asked, as she looked at Harry.
"It was the Dementors," Professor McGonagol said in a disapproving tone of voice.
"Indeed." Madam Pomfrey touched Harry's face, feeling his forehead. "Cold and clammy," she said, tsk-ing. "More will wind up like this while those Dementors are around."
"Should he spend tonight in the hospital wing?" Professor McGonagol asked worriedly.
"No, I'm fine," Harry protested.
Madam Pomfrey glanced down at Crescent. "Another one affected by the Dementors." She touched the child's forehead. It was cold and clammy as well. She looked into the child's dark green eyes and gasped slightly. "Do you know who this child is?" she asked in shock, looking at Professor McGonagol. "No wonder they went after the two of them."
Crescent looked at the tall woman.
"Yes, but that is not important right now," Professor McGonagol said impatiently.
"They need to at least eat some chocolate," Madam Pomfrey said.
"We already had some," Harry said, a bit confused at the way Madam Pomfrey was reacting to Crescent.
"Uncle Remus gave all of us some," Crescent said quietly.
"A Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies," Madam Pomfrey said approvingly.
"Very well," Professor McGonagol said. "Harry, you may join the feast downstairs."
Harry nodded and left.
She then looked down at Crescent. "I'm certain the Sorting is already over, so I shall take you to see Professor Dumbledore as soon as I speak to Miss Granger."
Crescent nodded silently. She followed Professor McGonagol out of the hospital wing and back to Hermione. Hermione and Professor McGonagol spoke to each other for a few moments, with Crescent out of earshot. Hermione looked very happy about something, before she walked off to join the feast downstairs.
"Follow me, Miss Lupin," Professor McGonagol's strict voice said. She led the way to the Headmaster's office. "Lemon drop," she said. The gargoyle statue melted away, revealing Albus Dumbledore's office.
Crescent followed Professor McGonagol inside the office. When Minerva McGonagol knocked on the door, a voice called out, "Enter."
They did so. Albus Dumbledore sat in a chair, facing the door.
"Professor McGonagol," he greeted. He pushed his glasses up on his face and smiled at Crescent. "I'm sorry that you had to miss the Sorting with your fellow first-years, young Crescent."
Crescent gasped slightly. "How do you know my name?"
"I am an associate of your uncle's, Crescent Lupin-Black." His eyes shone down on her kindly. "And I knew I would see you again one day."
"Oh," she whispered.
The Sorting Hat sat on Dumbledore's desk.
"Take a seat, child, and relax. The Sorting Hat is never wrong," Albus said reassuringly.
Crescent sat down, and Professor McGonagol placed it on her head. It nearly covered her eyes.
"Hmm. You are both brave and clever, child. Sad because you have never had real friends, and you long to know your parents, especially your father," the Sorting Hat said in Crescent's mind. "Curious and talented, it's hard to choose between Houses. Slytherin could help you satisfy your longing."
"Please, not Slytherin," Crescent prayed quietly. "Any House but that." She knew both of her parents had been Gryffindors.
"Well, better be Gryffindor, then!" the Hat said loudly.
Crescent sighed in relief. Albus and Minerva beamed at her.
"Well done, Crescent," Albus said.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Crescent said, smiling shyly.
Professor McGonagol looked at Albus, and then at the young child. "Here is your schedule, Crescent," she said, as she handed a piece of paper to Crescent.
Crescent took it and read it carefully. "There must be some mistake," she said. "I'm down for Potions with the third-year Gryffindors and Slytherins."
"It was the only way for you to take advanced Charms, Crescent," Albus said. "And if you have any problems, don't hesitate to come to me."
"I will lead you to your Common Room, Crescent," Professor McGonagol said. She gestured for the girl to follow her.
Crescent stood and followed the teacher as she led the way to the Gryffindor Common Room. The teacher opened the door for her with the password, and ushered Crescent inside.
"I'll see you in Transfiguration, Crescent. Good night." Professor McGonagol looked at Crescent, compassion in her eyes. Then she turned and walked away.
Crescent nodded, and walked up the stairs to the Common Room by herself. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were already in there, laughing and joking with Fred and George Weasley.
"Crescent," Hermione exclaimed. "Come on over," she called.
Crescent walked over to Hermione.
"Guess this means that you're a Gryffindor too, doesn't it," Ron said.
"How else would she have gotten in here," Fred said, grinning mischievously.
Crescent smiled nervously.
Hermione patted her on the shoulder, and gave her a quick introduction to the Gryffindors in the Common Room.
"This is going to a while to get used to," Crescent said. She sat down in an empty chair, looking downcast.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked her.
"They put me in Potions with the third-years. I don't mind it so much, except that it isolates me from the other first-years." Crescent showed them her schedule.
"Hey, we have Potions with you," Ron said.
"Yeah," Hermione agreed. "So you can hang around with us in Potions."
Crescent blushed. "Thanks."
"Gryffindors, lights out time," Percy Weasley, the Head Boy, shouted.
All of the Gryffindors drifted upstairs.
Crescent managed to find her room, and sank into her bed. What an exhausting day, she thought. It couldn't get any worse, she figured.
She was wrong.
For the Love of a Child, Part 2
Dementors and the Sorting
A.J. Matthews
Crescent and her uncle Remus had already boarded the Hogwarts express, and managed to get an empty compartment. Remus Lupin fell asleep, so Crescent sat by the window, looking outside.
The door opened, and Crescent turned to face the three older kids standing there.
Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter stood there.
"Um, can we share this room with you?" Harry asked the tiny girl who looked at the them with wide green eyes.
"Sure," she said cheerfully.
"Hey, it's the girl from Diagon Alley," Hermione exclaimed, as she and Ron entered.
Crescent cocked her head. "Who are you?"
"I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione said.
"My name is Ron Weasley," Ron said, a little shy.
Harry prepared himself for the kid's reaction to his name. "I'm Harry Potter."
"My name is Crescent Lupin," Crescent said. She looked at Harry and Ron. "I know who you are; Ron was in the Daily Prophet, along with his family, and Harry is famous."
The three of them took seats. To Harry's surprise, she wasn't fawning over him like so many people did.
"How old are you, Crescent?" Ron asked curiously.
"Eleven, but I'm small for my age, like my mother was." Crescent offered them a smile.
"Who's he?" Harry looked at the man sleeping on a bench.
Crescent laughed merrily. "That's Uncle Remus. He's teaching at Hogwarts this year, for Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Cool," Ron said, as the train began moving.
They spent an hour happily talking together, and learning about each other.
"So who're your parents," Hermione asked.
"My mom's dead," Crescent said softly. "Uncle Remus is my only family."
"I'm sorry," Hermione said. She assumed that Crescent's father had run out on her.
"It's ok. I never knew her; she died when I was born." Crescent had taken her wand out and was looking at it when the train stopped suddenly and the lights went out.
"What's going on?" Ron asked. He stood up.
"That's strange," Harry said. "The train's never stopped before." He stood as well.
Hermione jumped to her feet. "I'm going to go see what's going on," she said, as she opened the door. She jumped back in shock and fear. Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom ran in, looking petrified.
Dementors entered, swooping around the room.
Crescent was terrified. Completely terrified. One flew over and paused above her. She let out a piercing scream as it got closer and jumped to her feet.
She brandished her wand. "Stay away from me!" It backed her up against the wall.
Harry was having a fit of some sort. Ron was shaking him, as Hermione ran over and tried to console Crescent, who fainted in Hermione's arms. The Dementors flew over and hovered above Harry and Crescent.
Sudden light filled the compartment. "None of us are hiding Sirius Black under our cloaks," Remus said. "Leave!" He held his wand tightly.
The Dementors hesitated. Crescent and Harry were in agony, shivering and moaning.
"Expecto Patronus!" Professor Lupin yelled. The Dementors flew off, as a silvery being shot out of his wand directly at them.
Further screams could be heard down the Hall as the Dementors left the train.
Harry opened his eyes weakly. "What happened?"
"They're gone, Harry," Remus Lupin said.
Crescent opened her blue eyes. She felt cold and clammy. "Uncle Remus?" she whispered.
Remus knelt down on the floor and placed a hand on her shoulder, and one on Harry's. "It's ok. They left," he told them quietly.
Crescent's breathing returned to normal. Hermione helped her get back on a bench. The child was positively ice-cold. Ron helped Harry up. Neville and Ginny were trembling.
Remus stood, and walked over to his bag. He took out some chocolate bars, broke them in pieces, and handed them to the group. "I need to speak with the driver," he said casually. "Hermione, please look after my niece." He exited the room, and as he did, the lights came back on. The train was moving again.
"Harry, are you ok?" Ron asked.
Harry nodded slowly. "I felt weird when they entered."
"They were looking for Sirius Black," Hermione said. Crescent stiffened slightly as Hermione looked at her. "But I don't understand why they focused on you," she murmured.
"They're scary," Crescent whispered. "I thought I'd never be happy again."
"Me, too," Ginny said. Neville nodded in agreement.
Remus came back and smiled. "The chocolate's not poisoned, you know." All of the students took bites of it, feeling warmth spread through them. He kept his eyes on Harry and Crescent for the rest of the train ride.
When they arrived at Hogwarts, the older Hogwarts students were surprised to see Professor McGonagol waiting for them outside.
"Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Crescent Lupin, please follow me," she said with authority.
"What about the Sorting?" Crescent asked, as she obediently followed Harry and Hermione.
"Later, child," was all the professor said. She led them to the hospital wing, where Madam Pomfrey stood waiting.
"What have you done to yourself this time?" Madam Pomfrey asked, as she looked at Harry.
"It was the Dementors," Professor McGonagol said in a disapproving tone of voice.
"Indeed." Madam Pomfrey touched Harry's face, feeling his forehead. "Cold and clammy," she said, tsk-ing. "More will wind up like this while those Dementors are around."
"Should he spend tonight in the hospital wing?" Professor McGonagol asked worriedly.
"No, I'm fine," Harry protested.
Madam Pomfrey glanced down at Crescent. "Another one affected by the Dementors." She touched the child's forehead. It was cold and clammy as well. She looked into the child's dark green eyes and gasped slightly. "Do you know who this child is?" she asked in shock, looking at Professor McGonagol. "No wonder they went after the two of them."
Crescent looked at the tall woman.
"Yes, but that is not important right now," Professor McGonagol said impatiently.
"They need to at least eat some chocolate," Madam Pomfrey said.
"We already had some," Harry said, a bit confused at the way Madam Pomfrey was reacting to Crescent.
"Uncle Remus gave all of us some," Crescent said quietly.
"A Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies," Madam Pomfrey said approvingly.
"Very well," Professor McGonagol said. "Harry, you may join the feast downstairs."
Harry nodded and left.
She then looked down at Crescent. "I'm certain the Sorting is already over, so I shall take you to see Professor Dumbledore as soon as I speak to Miss Granger."
Crescent nodded silently. She followed Professor McGonagol out of the hospital wing and back to Hermione. Hermione and Professor McGonagol spoke to each other for a few moments, with Crescent out of earshot. Hermione looked very happy about something, before she walked off to join the feast downstairs.
"Follow me, Miss Lupin," Professor McGonagol's strict voice said. She led the way to the Headmaster's office. "Lemon drop," she said. The gargoyle statue melted away, revealing Albus Dumbledore's office.
Crescent followed Professor McGonagol inside the office. When Minerva McGonagol knocked on the door, a voice called out, "Enter."
They did so. Albus Dumbledore sat in a chair, facing the door.
"Professor McGonagol," he greeted. He pushed his glasses up on his face and smiled at Crescent. "I'm sorry that you had to miss the Sorting with your fellow first-years, young Crescent."
Crescent gasped slightly. "How do you know my name?"
"I am an associate of your uncle's, Crescent Lupin-Black." His eyes shone down on her kindly. "And I knew I would see you again one day."
"Oh," she whispered.
The Sorting Hat sat on Dumbledore's desk.
"Take a seat, child, and relax. The Sorting Hat is never wrong," Albus said reassuringly.
Crescent sat down, and Professor McGonagol placed it on her head. It nearly covered her eyes.
"Hmm. You are both brave and clever, child. Sad because you have never had real friends, and you long to know your parents, especially your father," the Sorting Hat said in Crescent's mind. "Curious and talented, it's hard to choose between Houses. Slytherin could help you satisfy your longing."
"Please, not Slytherin," Crescent prayed quietly. "Any House but that." She knew both of her parents had been Gryffindors.
"Well, better be Gryffindor, then!" the Hat said loudly.
Crescent sighed in relief. Albus and Minerva beamed at her.
"Well done, Crescent," Albus said.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Crescent said, smiling shyly.
Professor McGonagol looked at Albus, and then at the young child. "Here is your schedule, Crescent," she said, as she handed a piece of paper to Crescent.
Crescent took it and read it carefully. "There must be some mistake," she said. "I'm down for Potions with the third-year Gryffindors and Slytherins."
"It was the only way for you to take advanced Charms, Crescent," Albus said. "And if you have any problems, don't hesitate to come to me."
"I will lead you to your Common Room, Crescent," Professor McGonagol said. She gestured for the girl to follow her.
Crescent stood and followed the teacher as she led the way to the Gryffindor Common Room. The teacher opened the door for her with the password, and ushered Crescent inside.
"I'll see you in Transfiguration, Crescent. Good night." Professor McGonagol looked at Crescent, compassion in her eyes. Then she turned and walked away.
Crescent nodded, and walked up the stairs to the Common Room by herself. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were already in there, laughing and joking with Fred and George Weasley.
"Crescent," Hermione exclaimed. "Come on over," she called.
Crescent walked over to Hermione.
"Guess this means that you're a Gryffindor too, doesn't it," Ron said.
"How else would she have gotten in here," Fred said, grinning mischievously.
Crescent smiled nervously.
Hermione patted her on the shoulder, and gave her a quick introduction to the Gryffindors in the Common Room.
"This is going to a while to get used to," Crescent said. She sat down in an empty chair, looking downcast.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked her.
"They put me in Potions with the third-years. I don't mind it so much, except that it isolates me from the other first-years." Crescent showed them her schedule.
"Hey, we have Potions with you," Ron said.
"Yeah," Hermione agreed. "So you can hang around with us in Potions."
Crescent blushed. "Thanks."
"Gryffindors, lights out time," Percy Weasley, the Head Boy, shouted.
All of the Gryffindors drifted upstairs.
Crescent managed to find her room, and sank into her bed. What an exhausting day, she thought. It couldn't get any worse, she figured.
She was wrong.