A/N: Thanks for the reviews, even the criticism! I don't expect this to be
some wonderful piece of work, and I don't expect the world to bow down to
this fic. It's pretty pointless to send me e-mails like some that I have
received recently. Don't get me wrong, I like to think that I have some
writing talent, but as someone so 'kindly' said that J.K. Rowling would be
disgusted in one of these e-mails, I find I don't much care. I do not even
intend on trying to say that my words are even close to what work Rowling
can do. You may as well give up on the e-mail assaults, I don't intend to
stop this fanfic anytime soon.
-Anna Dearest
Chapter 6
"Think I should jump out of the shadows and scare the magic out of Molly?" Sirius asked.
"No, the poor woman will already probably faint on the spot," Remus laughed.
The four sat around the table waiting for the others in the house to wake up and come down. Sirius needed a little help to get down to the kitchen, but he was considerably better since he ate breakfast. None of them stopped thanking Fox or talking to her, seeing as how she tried to curl up inside herself away from them.
"Hogwarts won't be that bad you know," Sirius finally said.
"I'm going back there now that the students KNOW I'm a werewolf," Remus added, staring off into nothingness.
"Being around people just makes me nervous," she replied. "I was frightened enough being told to come here."
"Are you sure that's not just the house?" Sirius chuckled, but he stopped when the door to the kitchen flew open.
"Remus-," Hermione said out of breath, bursting into the kitchen. "I-found- an-Usticking-charm."
"Good Hermione!" Remus cried, looking at the girl with her hands on her knees as she tried to breathe properly. He turned towards the others, "Let's see how long it is before she notices."
Hermione just stood in the doorway, not noticing Sirius' amused eyes focused on her. Finally he sighed, and it still barely caught her attention. Remus them told him, "Go ahead, she's not looking up anytime soon."
Sirius cleared his throat, "You're really starting to hurt my feelings Hermione, I come back and I'm barely even noticed!" Hermione's head shot up and she looked straight at Sirius and turned pale as a ghost.
"You're back!" she cried, before running over to him and giving him a quick hug, scaring him more than he did her.
"Good to know I was missed," Sirius grinned when she released him.
"I wonder what Mad-Eye's going to say," Remus wondered aloud.
"Probably that he knew I'd bring him back, but that now I'm just going to poison his food," Fox said. "Oh well, he's not very fond of me, though I can't say that I've placed him well in my heart either."
"He'll get over it eventually," Remus assured her.
"If you say so," she shrugged. Albus Dumbledore stepped out of the hearth, brushing off his robes. He looked up and saw the small group sitting at the table.
"Quite satisfactory work, Fox," he smiled. "Tell me first, are you still going to Hogwarts?" She gave a weak, silent nod. "And Sirius, upon thinking, and Madam Pomfrey's insistence, I would like to extend an invitation to you, although you'll normally be in dog form."
"Of course," Sirius replied, a wide grin spreading unchecked over his face.
"And Fox, I'm afraid you missed Ms. Tophirk when she came through," Dumbledore sighed. "She was quite keen on seeing you. She's helped to gather the team for Hogwarts, including Johnathan."
"John?" Fox asked in a small voice, he questioning blue eyes on Dumbledore. "My brother John?"
"The very same. He was quite reluctant to go at first, but seeing at how Ms. Tophirk will soon be Professor Tophirk, all is well with him."
"I hope we actually learn something useful this year," Hermione sighed. "Aside from third and maybe even fourth year, we never got much use. Quirrell seemed too scared to teach, Lockhart didn't know a single thing-."
"Didn't bother you TOO much though, did it?" Harry added, smirking.
"And then fifth year, we had that horrid Umbridge woman," Hermione finished, choosing to ignore Harry's comment and the laughs that followed it.
"Hermione?" Remus asked carefully. After she acknowledged her former professor, he began to choose his words as carefully as he could. "Um, so you REALLY like Gilderoy Lockhart's classes.even though he was a fraud?"
"I-I don't really like-well the thing is."
"Well, at least I suppose you chose a fraud that steals most women's hearts," Remus laughed.
"Out of all the books I've ever come near, his are the ones I manage to keep a ten foot distance away from," Fox said, bringing Hermione into an even deeper blush.
"You stopped putting hearts around his name and classes after he tried to put a Memory Charm on Ron and I, didn't you?" Harry teased.
"Who's saying my name?" Ron asked sleepily from the door, Mrs. Weasley and Ginny right behind him.
"Just Harry being a prat!" Hermione said. Then she grinned and looked down at her feet as Ron sat in front of Sirius and didn't even notice.
"Does it take a lot of energy to sleep Ron?" Sirius joked. Ron's eyelids fluttered open before his mouth hung wide open.
"Speaking of sleep, you need some serious sleep, Sirius," Remus stated in a strict tone. "I myself could use a little nap. Fox, I know how hard it is putting up with Sirius, you'll probably be collapsing on the floor any second." Ron still just sat staring open-mouthed at Sirius.
"Ron, I didn't know I grew that handsome in the past month," Sirius said, trying desperately to keep a straight face. Ron immediately snapped his mouth shut and turned away.
"So," Dumbledore said, cutting Ron's embarrassment short. "I suppose I'll be seeing most of you at Hogwarts. Until then, goodbye."
**********
September 1st was always a busy day. Everyone hustled about, checking trunks, caging pets, and gathering belongings at the last minute. Percy came at the last minute, saying he'd spend the first week at Hogwarts, as they were still trying to repair last year's damage. Everyone gathered his or her trunks and cages into the kitchen.
"Alright, we've arranged this with Dumbledore already," Moody growled. "We will be taking multiple portkeys to Kings Cross, about three minutes apart. We will arrive in a back room, where we won't make such an awkward entrance. Tophirk already has her team there, they're waiting to make sure all of this runs smoothly."
He surveyed the group. "Potter, Percy, Remus, Granger, and you two Weasleys," he pointed at Ron and Ginny, "will go first. The next group out will be Tonks, Riddle, and the twin Weasleys. The last group will be myself, Molly and Arthur, and Sirius. We'll all come out at different times as well, like the Weasley family first. Things like that, just to make us even more inconspicuous. Now, we only have a minute left, the first group needs to organize themselves, and hold on tightly to your trunks!"
The group got together very haphazardly, bumping into one another and still trying to hold on to their trunks, cages, and what not. Finally, Moody gave the signal and the uncomfortable pull right behind the navel was felt, pulling them quickly away from the Order of the Phoenix Headquarters.
They landed in a dark moldy room with a slight clatter, all of them fighting to keep their balance as they made it to the station. They wobbled on their shaky legs, recovering from the rough travel that was caused by a portkey.
For three minutes, they stood there until the second group came, and they then waited for the last batch. When everyone was there, Moody sent out the Weasley family, followed shortly by Harry, Remus, and Hermione. Fox and Tonks followed them a good distance behind, a large black dog trotting at their heels, avoiding being stepped on in the station. They placed their belongings on trolleys and wheeled them to the train, until the whole group congregated near the scarlet Hogwarts Express.
"We have a carriage near the back, but you four," Remus said, pointing at Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, "you can either sit with us, which is fine, or sit with your fellow students and friends, which is even fine also."
"I suppose we could sit back there with you," Ron said, "I think I just want to go talk to Neville first."
"That's fine," Remus said, smiling, "and I understand why you might want to see Neville."
Just then, they were interrupted by a voice behind Remus. A tall boy, probably just a few years older than Harry asked, "Is this part of the defense team for Hogwarts?" He made enthusiastic gestures towards their fair-sized crowd as he spoke.
"Yes, my I ask who you are?" Remus asked, but he thought he already knew. The boy was taller than the gangly Ron by a few inches, but he was of a strong build and not quite as lanky. He had a handsome face outline with short-cut sandy blonde hair. However, the eyes were what Remus recognized. This had to be Johnathan Riddle, with his ocean blue eyes that shone with enthusiasm.
"Johnathan Riddle, just call me John," he replied, extending his hand to Remus.
"Remus Lupin, I know your sister by the way."
"Really? Most people can't tell that we're related!"
"You both have the same blue eyes."
"Yes, they're our mother's eyes thankfully. I'm the one in the family that turned out looking just like a masculine version of her. The only one who doesn't have her eyes is Azalea."
"I see. Well, these four right here are actual students at Hogwarts. This is Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ginny and Ron Weasley," Remus said, gesturing towards each in turn.
"Students? Lucky you, I never got to attend a proper institution," Johnathan said mournfully.
"But you're not considered Underage anymore, are you?" Ron asked.
"No, I suppose that is a perk. Do any of you know where is my beloved I've- decided-to-go-missing-for-five-years sister?" he asked concerned.
"She's here somewhere, maybe already on the train, I don't know," Remus replied.
"Oh, I've just found an old friend of hers," he said in an expressionless tone. Remus finally noticed it, but standing behind the young man was a gray wolf, waiting with an air of what could only be described as impatience. He had noticed them getting stares before, but never really could figure out why. He supposed it was because he was a werewolf and they knew it.
"She should be near by. Where's the rest of her group?" Remus asked curiously.
"They're all patrolling they say. What's the use? We're not in danger yet," he replied carelessly, with a slight shrug of his shoulders.
"I guess they're trying to PREVENT it before something does happen," Remus stated simply.
"That's just careless John there," Fox's voice said behind Remus.
"Really Candlefox? I wasn't aware that you were all too careful yourself," he said in a cool tone. Remus turned around and saw Fox looking all too frustrated at having her brother meet everyone.
"I suppose I don't choose to run away from whatever fate holds for me," Fox said icily.
She turned on her heel and left, the wolf behind Johnathan following her quickly, nudging her hand gently. The wolf had a beautiful gray and silver coat, which everyone in the station couldn't help but admire. The wolf had beautiful light marigold-colored eyes, which were right now sympathetic. Remus could distantly hear her voice speaking in a low tone, "Hello Alba, my first, and perhaps only friend I'll find there." For a moment, the former professor felt a pang of hurt, but then realized how uncomfortable Fox truly was in these surroundings.
"We didn't part on good terms," Johnathan broke his thoughts lazily. Harry himself looked at the face of Johnathan Riddle and saw lack of remorse, thought, or care for what happened outside his small world. Though Dumbledore said he was a great wizard, Harry was slightly apprehensive as to his helpfulness should situations get out of hand at the school.
"Why not?" Hermione asked, "You both seem to be perfectly agreeable people to me."
"That's just the thing. First off, she's not a regular human being, actually not a human being at all. I assume you know her condition?" he asked, in a rather flat tone. This greatly angered Remus, the way he referred to something she couldn't control. After everyone nodded to him, he continued, "So you see, she's quite emotionless and anti-social at times. It's too much to expect separate species and peoples to feel some emotions. I believe that Fox herself only knows anger and hatred, quite a bad combination if you ask me."
Remus stuck his hands in his robe pockets so that he could clench and unclench his fists without the boy noticing. Then he stated quite calmly, "I don't know whom you knew, but in the short time I've known Fox, I've come to conclude you knew a different person." With that, he walked off. He could hardly stand to think of what would happen when they learned that he was a werewolf. Scathing comments ran around his head as he thought on his condition.
Back with the four students and Johnathan, Harry slowly began to feel a slight pang of sympathy for Fox. If she had to grow up with people like that, of course her fondness for the human race would be dancing on a fine line. Hermione seemed to be thinking along the same lines as she watched her former professor march away in anger. She turned a worried face back to Harry, Ron, and Ginny. Harry simply shrugged before casting a not-so- fond eye on Johnathan Riddle. He continued to speak, not noticing the dark glances he was receiving from his small audience, all of whom were terribly fond of Remus.
"Well, I wonder what he got so huffy about," Johnathan said, before turning back to the four in front of him.
"I take it you've spent the summer with my dear sister? She's bitter you know, and on top of that, she bites, literally," he said laughing, not noticing that he was the only one. All former thoughts of Fox's loyalty being in question were shoved out of the way to make room for compassion. "Well, she's too dangerous for most, but I suppose under the watch of Tabetha again, she might mellow out a bit."
Remus on the other hand, was as far away from his voice as he could get. In his anger, he didn't seem to notice that Sirius had followed him as he made his way to the last carriage of the train, which was smaller than the rest, but just one big compartment on the inside. "Great, I might have to be in the same room with him the whole way," Sirius heard his friend mutter. He laid low and transformed into his human form.
"What's got you Moony?"
"Sirius? Oh it's nothing, just Fox's brother. All too annoying if you ask- ," he spat angrily, but he didn't finish. Outside the train was Lucius Malfoy, talking quietly with Draco, and then marching carefully towards Harry. "Sirius, get back in dog form. Lucius Malfoy's walking towards Harry, I don't know what he's trying to do."
As the werewolf and the grim-like dog hurried to the train door, Harry listened impatiently to Riddle's blabber. Suddenly a tap on the shoulder made Harry do an about-face. Standing there in front of him, grinning as evilly as ever, Lucius Malfoy smirked at Harry's gaping mouth.
"Hello Potter," he drawled. "It seems you survived. Quite a pity really, I was sure you were finished. I guess my master will just have to try again. I'm sure you're wondering how it is I could be here today to grace this lovely station? Yes, it's amazing how easily money, a reputation, a good bloodline, and a few 'false names' can get you out of Azkaban."
"If you don't mind Lucius, you'll step away from Harry before I cause a scene in the station, and I know how you'd hate that," Remus Lupin said venomously, his wand directly on Lucius Malfoy. Right behind him was Fox Riddle, Tabetha Tophirk, Mad-Eye Moody, Tonks, and all the grown Weasleys, with their wands in hand, and of course, Sirius, or Snuffles the dog in this case, his hackles raised at his teeth bared.
"Nice godfather by the way," Mr. Malfoy said to Harry. He took a step towards the armed group, looked down at Sirius, and smirked. His happiness faltered when he looked up and saw Fox, deadly determination on her face, with an equally dangerous look of disgust. "So you choose the foolish way!" he spat at her feet as he said this, before he turned and walked away, making his way towards his son Draco Malfoy.
"You okay Harry?" Remus asked.
"Yeah," Harry said, glaring at the Malfoy family's retreating backs.
"Snuffles? Fox? Are both of you okay?" Remus continued. Sirius gave a small wag of his tail, while Fox gave an angry nod. A whistle sounded nearby so they all made their way to the last compartment of the Hogwarts Express. Tabetha desperately tried to get the siblings to sit near each other, but both flat-out refused.
When everyone was seated in the last compartment, a curious Harry got his first look around. He sat next to Sirius, who sat next to Remus. Remus quickly began to point everyone out and introduce them. There were exactly six people who Harry didn't know in their compartment.
Reynold and Marshall Jitter were quite the characters, very amiable fellows. Both had the identical rough-looking brown hair and eyes. The only difference was Reynold's more mature features and a more prominent nose. Overall, they were an enjoyable presence in the compartment.
The next he pointed out was Zaida Tremor, who was indeed suffering tremors on the stressful train ride there. She had enough wrinkles to compete with Dumbledore, but her gray hair still had a small touch of gold in it, just outlining her face in her short-cut locks. She kept quite, and would fit in perfectly with Moody, as she jumped at the slightest noise and gazed suspicious at all the train's occupants.
Liam Yorn was next on Remus' list, sitting near a window chatting happily with the Jitters brothers. He had sleek black hair and pale brown eyes that laughed merrily with him and complimented his jovial face. His rough laugh could be heard down the length of the compartment.
Last were Autumn Zallner and Roselyn Tophirk. According to Remus, the two were stepsisters. Autumn had married an Auror named Philip Zallner who was killed during Voldemort's last rise to power. She had sad mournful eyes that were clear blue, still mourning the loss of her real mother. Both girls, by coincidence it seemed, came out with light blonde hair, which was their pride and joy.
"How do you know all these people Remus?" Harry asked.
"I went to school with most of them. Roselyn was a Gryffindor a few years behind us, shy that one," he replied. "Oh course that didn't stop Sirius from stealing her heart for a time," he whispered, receiving a growl from the dog lodged between them.
"There's a half-breed at the school?!" a panicked voice down the train asked. It was Johnathan Riddle.
"It's Hagrid, it doesn't matter. Just because his mum was a giantess, that doesn't mean anything!" Hermione cried shrilly.
"That's dangerous! Giants are classified as Dark creatures, don't you know that?"
"I would classify you as a Dark creature with an attitude like that!" Hermione huffed. She followed in the footsteps of Remus and stormed out of the compartment. Fox couldn't hold back, she got up and made to follow her. Remus grabbed her wrist as she passed.
"Don't get Hermione angry," he warned.
"I'm not, I fear I'm going to go thank her," Fox said slyly.
"You're not a half-breed, you're a Polymagus."
"According to him," she jutted her finger at Johnathan, "I'm halfway between a beast and a human." With that, she followed Hermione, the wolf Alba trotting at her heels. Ron sat next to Harry and just stared after the two.
"Oh no, first house-elves, now it's all mistreated creatures," Ron moaned.
"I've got to admire Hermione for that, and I've got to admire Fox and Tabetha for putting up with him," Remus said.
"That Johnathan is a perfect Slytherin," Ron mumbled. "I'm glad he's actually not attending Hogwarts."
Fox came back through the compartment door smiling, while Johnathan cast an angry glare at her. "Hermione said that Neville and Luna Lovegood want to see you three," she said, gesturing calmly to Harry, Ron, and Ginny. The three of them left to find where Hermione was, while Fox passed them, sitting in a corner of the compartment. As soon as she sat down, Johnathan came huffing the length of the compartment.
"You think it's right for her to hang out with half-breeds?" Johnathan asked, his face beet red.
"I think it's wonderful if they're on the side of good."
"So you think it's good for the Headmaster to allow half-breeds, part- humans, werewolves and what not to teach there? And then he allows YOUR KIND to get around his students? Do you think that's right?"
"Honestly, if I had more alternatives, I wouldn't go near his students. As for your other question, yes. I believe that they all decide fair treatment. It's just people like you that turn MY KIND and these other half-breeds, part-humans, and werewolves to act the way we sometimes do. However, most are harmless. You, dear brother, are a walking, talking, stereotypical prat!"
Johnathan just stood there for a moment, all eyes on the two siblings as he stood there rendered speechless. Fox's eyes went through his skin, and he truthfully began to shake. Finally, he gave up and turned away, fuming as Alba growled deeply as walked past. Remus shot a smile at the composed Fox as she curled up in her seat and closed her eyes, catching the smile quickly and returning it.
***********
"Harry, how are you getting along after what happened last year?" a more confident Neville asked as they sat in a compartment with Neville and Luna Lovegood.
"I'm assuming I can trust you with this big secret," Harry started. "My godfather's not dead, if that's what you're referring to. I'll also tell you that he's not guilty of any crimes."
"I figured that he wasn't on You-Know-Who's side, especially after he died, but you say he's not dead?"
"No, I still don't get how it worked out, but he came back through the veil. If you see a big grim-like dog around, you've seen him."
"I told you he wasn't really gone," Luna spoke up, her eyes looking dreamily at the ceiling. The door slid open quickly, and there on the threshold was Malfoy, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle. Nothing unusual there.
"I hear your dogfather is back Potter," he spat. "My father says it's a shame that you didn't die, I say it's a shame that Black didn't. I know it causes you only more pain."
"Shut it, Malfoy!" Harry said, standing up with Ron at his side. Then, to their surprise, Neville joined them.
"You've already lost your parents Potter, it'd be a shame to lose your godfather here. And I don't know WHY Longbottom thinks he's going to protect you," Malfoy drawled in his snobbish voice, smirking at Neville's defensive stance. Malfoy soon backed down when he saw the witch with the food trolley nearing them. Casting one last glare at Harry and the others, the three Slytherins headed down the corridor just as the witch glanced into their compartment, offering food.
After Malfoy left, they all made themselves comfortable eating Cauldron Cakes, Chocolate Frogs, and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. They all talked about the events of the summer, forgetting that anything had been wrong the previous year. After a while, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny began to make their way back to the last compartment.
Most of the occupants of the compartment were either asleep or fast on their way there. The Jitters brothers and Liam Yorn sat discussing the news, which they still didn't take seriously. Remus sat nodding off, with Snuffles the dog already dead to the world. Autumn and Rosalyn sat gossiping happily, taking no notice of those entering the compartment. Fox sat having an animated conversation with the wolf Alba, while her brother sat sulking in a corner, obviously still upset at not getting a win out of the earlier arguments.
The train sped its way north, not aware of anything that could possibly happen to the chugging Hogwarts Express. Indeed, Dumbledore had planned for a possible attack on the train, which is why he sent his small, yet effective, defense team. It came as no surprise that the actual school hadn't been attacked, but the train just didn't have the same protection.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny sat done in their previous seats. Remus looked up and gave them a small smile, desperately trying to fend off slumber. Everyone sent Harry a startled look as he clapped a hand to his scar, because he knew then that someone, or better yet, something was going to attack the train.
"Harry, are you alright?" Hermione squealed.
"Something's going to happen! He planned something to happen to the train," Harry replied through gritted teeth, the burning scar on his forehead hidden under his shaking hand.
A feeling of cold swept the train as they began to pass into the darkness of night. Everyone noticed this, and deep in his or her heart, they knew what was going to happen. When it all became too much, all occupants of the train stole a look out the windows to see moving shadows surrounding the train, just beyond their field of vision. The conductor on the train saw tall dark figures ahead on the tracks and began to slow the train.
"Fool! There are Dementors all around the train and he decides to slow down!" Remus hissed. The light coming from the candles in the corridor began to flicker and die. As one, all voices on the train seemed to mutter a quick "Lumos," igniting their wands.
"What do we do?" Hermione shrieked.
"First, we stay calm. You do know the Patronus Charm, do you?" Remus asked quickly.
"Y-yes," Hermione replied.
"Good," Remus said. "We need as many people as possible. I don't think that this is the simple matter of an escaped convict this time."
All people on the train were awake by that time, though most were scared out of their wits. The train finally slowed to a stop on the tracks, and the shadows began to move more excitedly. All eyes were searching out the windows, and all along the corridors, curious heads peeped out of the compartment doors. Finally, Remus began to take action. The former professor, Tonks, Mad-Eye Moody, Tabetha Tophirk, and Fox made their way into the corridor without hesitation, making their way to the front of the train, but not quick enough.
Screams were echoing down the length of the steam engine as the Dementors swarmed onto the train. All remaining members of the defense team herded on another to follow their companions. Sirius alone was told to remain with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny who were told not to budge. Harry's godfather, now in human form, looked weak and haunted as he listened to the screams, not only the ones of the students, but also the ones that haunted his mind.
Neville and Luna Lovegood rushed into the compartment. Neville looked like he was about to faint, and Luna's dreaming eyes held fear in them. The screams were louder until Neville slid the compartment door shut quickly.
"We were up in the front of the train looking for Dean and Seamus," Neville gulped, "then the Dementors came. They're coming into the train through every possible way."
Up in the front of the train alone, the defense team was faced with about five dozen Dementors steadily advancing on them. The air was cold and terrifying, as the passengers began to feel all thoughts of happiness, love, hope, and their dreams ebbing away from them, only hearing their screaming companions. The screams from the compartment were becoming too much for them, and some enough, more Dementors came. It seemed that the whole train was surrounded.
"Fool of a conductor!" Remus cried. "Expecto Patronum!"
A weak Patronus shot out of his wand. 'Come on, Remus. Concentrate!' he thought. Next to him, all members of the defense team were conjuring their Patronus to fight the Dementors, but they still advanced. After trying feebly to conjure up the strength, Reynold Jitters was the first to collapse, quickly followed by Johnathan, who clamped his hands over his ears muttering, "No, he doesn't deserve this! NO!"
The Dementors gradually began to back down as the remaining members of the defense team, and to Remus' surprise, some of the students, began to conjure a satisfactory Patronus. Turning around, he saw it, the Patronus he was the most proud of.Harry's. The silvery stag charged towards a large huddle of Dementors, forcing them out of the train, followed by an otter and a phoenix. 'A phoenix and an otter?' Remus laughed as he wondered whom these could have come from.
The screaming died down altogether completely as the last of the Dementors was gone from the train. Remus looked around to see that he was leaning heavily against the wall, and not many others around him were standing. Fox was leaning against the wall across form him, supporting a weak and wobbly Autumn. Both of the females' faces were pale, it seemed that if he touch them he would freeze to death.
Autumn leaned heavily on Fox, her red eyes swollen and crying. Fox didn't cry herself, but instead subconsciously decided to scare the life out of Remus as he saw that look in her eyes again, barely noticing that she was holding Autumn up. Students were all lying unconscious or close to it in their seats. The only people who seemed well were the Slytherins, smiling smugly as though they were expecting this and popping chocolate into their mouths.
Looking down the corridor, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all standing there, wands drawn. Ron was shaking his head, self-disgust in his eyes. Hermione was wide-eyed with terror, clinging to the boys on either side of her.
Fox hoisted up Tabetha on her other side, dragging her former tutor and Autumn to the last compartment. Remus followed her lead and grabbed Reynold and Rosalyn. He passed Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were walking to help the rest.
Soon enough, all of the defense team was back in the last compartment, and the train was finally moving again. Everyone was weak with exhaustion. Sirius, who had collapsed before Harry, Ron, and Hermione left, woke up in a corner where Ginny was guarding him.
"What happened?" he asked groggily.
"Dementors, dozens of them," Remus replied, helping Sirius up to his feet.
"Oh," was Sirius' simple reply. He looked up at Neville and Luna, who still remained in the compartment. "I know you," he said, pointing at Neville, "but who are you?"
"Luna Lovegood," Luna replied. "I remember you, you're Sirius Black." Sirius looked desperately at Remus, then at Harry. "Don't worry," she continued. "I've come to the conclusion that you're innocent." Sirius let out a sigh of relief.
The passengers then settled back into their usual mode, still all pale and shaky from their earlier encounter with the Dementors. The rest of the train ride past in this uneventful manner, until eventually, they all arrived at Hogsmeade station. There were the sounds of rushing feet in the desperation to get off of the accursed train and the sounds of moaning and groaning as rain began to pour down on the students.
The whole student body, with the exception of first years, made a mad dash up to the carriages that waited for them. The thestrals looked nervously about as the students ran back and forth, looking for room in the quickly filling carriages. As soon as one became full, it quickly pulled away from the rest, making its way up to the castle, traveling the well-known road, swaying in the sudden gusts of wind.
As the carriages made their halt in front of the main entrance, the students hastily ran up the front steps, slipping on the slick surfaces. The Entrance Hall soon became dangerous territory as students skidded around, bringing in dirt, mud, and water. Peeves the Poltergeist was only too happy to bring buckets of water and only further drench the sopping wet students. He cackled gleefully and sped out of sight as Professor Minerva McGonagall entered, ushering the students quickly inside.
The Great Hall hadn't changed much during the summer, with one exception. At the front of the hall, where the teachers' table was, there was another, closer to the students, and to the left of the teachers. As Harry walked in, he supposed that this was just for the defense team. After all, they did have to eat. Harry couldn't imagine what everyone's expression would be when Remus made his second appearance at Hogwarts since his own school days.
After taking a seat at the Gryffindor table, the three friends took a closer look around. There were three empty seats at the front table, one belonged to the gamekeeper Hagrid, and another to Minerva McGonagall. The last had to be for the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Tabetha Tophirk. Hagrid eventually made his way in, soaked through his thick fur coat by the rain, and Professor Tophirk soon followed.
The first years all made their way into the Great Hall led by Professor McGonagall. She sat a three-legged school in front of the wary first years, most of who looked sick. On top of it, she sat the tattered sorting hat. The whole hall waited for the sorting to begin, but instead Professor Dumbledore stood.
"What now? I've starving!" Ron groaned.
"Students! May I have your attention?" Professor Dumbledore called. "Now, normally we would go straight ahead to the sorting. However, this year I have a very special group that I must introduce to you all, as they have come here with the sole idea to protect you from any dangers that you may face. Mr. Filch, can you please let them in?"
The caretaker, Argus Filch, stood at the very back of the hall with his cat, Mrs. Norris. At Dumbledore's request, he opened the Great Hall's doors once again. Standing behind them were the eleven members, minus Tophirk, of the defense team. Percy was also absent. In front of them all was a very smug looking Johnathan Riddle, all the rest stood behind him, even Alba and Sirius, in dog form of course.
"Please allow me the pleasure to introduce," Dumbledore paused, "the Hogwarts Defense Team. Please, all of you come take your seats," he said, motioning towards the extra table.
Whispers broke out across the hall as they began to make their entrance. It was no wonder; most of them looked rough and tough, mostly due to the storm. Remus nearly had to push Fox into the hall, but luckily, no one saw that. As expected, most people remembered him, and his condition. "Is that Professor Lupin?" "Isn't he a werewolf?" "Why do we need a defense team?" "How much could they help?" "I wonder who the boy with the blue eyes is?"
As they all took their seats in the front of the hall, most of the students still cast them suspicious glances. Most of the girls, to Fox's disgust, began swooning over Johnathan. Also, most of the guys, again to Fox's disgust, were staring quite attentively at her.
"Don't you sink back into that shell of yours," Remus said from the seat towards her left. She turned to see Remus giving her a worried look as she did indeed begin to curl back up into her shell. She was relieved when Dumbledore began speaking again.
"Students, we will now begin the sorting," he said simply, then took his seat again. He gestured to the strict Professor McGonagall to begin.
The hat that was sitting motionless on the three-legged stool then began to twitch, opening a tear at its brim. He sang:
I gave you all fair warning, That you choose not to heed, You choose not to stand together In this dire time of need. But still I must sort you For this is my one task, I only hope that you all Will come to do what I asked. Now the four houses though separate Should stand strong, Just as the founders, Who once had gotten along. Gryffindor for those Who stand up and fight with pride, The house for those Who hold courage and loyalty inside. Ravenclaw for those Who are gifted and wise with knowledge, The house for those Whose study is found flawless. Hufflepuff for those For those who don't give up, Only hard-workers, Who live only to help us. Slytherin for those Cunning, sneaky, and sly, Those who hold great ambition, Who keep the Slytherin spirit alive. Now I'll sort you all Into one of these houses four, Come put me on and then maybe About yourself, you'll learn a little more!
The hall broke into applause as the hat finished its song. McGonagall then removed a scroll from her robes and began calling the nervous first years forward. One by one, they sat on the stool, waiting for the hat's decision to be made. The tables applauded as each new member came and sat down at their respective house tables.
After the sorting ended, Dumbledore stood again. "There is a time for announcements, and there is a time to eat. Now is the time to eat."
There was much applause as Dumbledore said these words. Food magically appeared on the table in front of them and the students began to load up their plates with the delectable food. Laughter, chatter, and the clang of dinnerware were all that could be heard throughout the Great Hall. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown stared at Johnathan as though he were the most precious thing on earth.
"Look at his eyes, they're so adorable!" Lavender squealed.
"And he's come to protect the school!" Parvati said in a singsong voice.
"And he's a complete big-headed prat!" Hermione snapped.
"You know him?" Parvati asked in a disgusted tone, looking at Hermione as though she were dirt.
"Yes," Hermione said, holding her head high.
"E's a tupid git, at's wha e is," Ron said, mash potatoes impairing his speech.
"Ron, swallow, then speak," Hermione scolded. Ron did as he was told.
"Like I said, he's a stupid git. I'd bet anything that he'd love it even more if Umbridge were still here," Ron muttered darkly.
"You probably just don't understand him!" Parvati cried, turning away from them.
"Did you think Professor Lupin'd be coming back?" Dean asked, leaning over to the three.
"Actually-," Ron started, but Hermione nudged him.
"We aren't supposed to know!" she hissed.
"Oh, well, I just thought he'd come back sometime," Ron covered.
"Riddle doesn't look too happy being here," Hermione said.
"I'm assuming you're talking about Fox, since that idiot's lapping it up," Ron said casually. Indeed, Johnathan Riddle seemed to be having the greatest of times. He sat on Remus' other side, trying to make conversation, but looking rather put-out at how cold Remus was acting towards him, not that the rest blamed him. Instead, he went about sending smiles and waves toward the many admiring girls in the crowd. "We've got ourselves another Lockhart it seems."
"Who's Fox?" Dean asked, still leaning close to them.
"Girl up there on Professor Lupin's right," Hermione said. Dean's eyes went wide as saucers when he saw her, partly from shock, partly from attraction.
"She can't be much older than us!" Dean said.
"She's not," Hermione said shortly.
"Well then, I might have to welcome her to Hogwarts," Dean said, before turning back to Seamus and pointing out Fox.
"She's in for a rough time," Ron said sleepily.
The Start of Term Feast continued in the same manner for quite a while until Dumbledore stood again. "I have a few start of term notices to give out before we all head up to bed. First years, and some of the older students," he looked in Harry, Ron, and Hermione's direction since Fred and George were gone, "should note that the Forbidden Forest is TRULY forbidden." Remus and Snuffles looked at the three with laughter in their eyes before Dumbledore went on. "Also, more items are now no longer allowed in the castle. The full list is, as usual, in Mr. Filch's office. I would like you all to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Tabetha Tophirk, who we are hoping will remain for more than one year."
Unenthusiastic applause was heard from the Great Hall, as most remembered well their experiences with teachers in that subject. "Also," Dumbledore continued, "I would like to make sure that all members of the defense team are treated with the respect they so much deserve for coming to our aid in this time of need. Please, as a few of them have never been to Hogwarts before, I wish for you all to help them if you see it is needed.
"On a final note, I'm sure you all remember well the attack on the train. This was indeed, as sources tell us, an attack planned by Lord Voldemort. This is another reason why I believe the defense team deserves your respect. They did in fact save your lives.
"Now, I believe it is time for bed. Off you go!"
Everyone in the Great Hall, students, teachers, defense team, and all, were immensely tired. They immediately made their way back to their house Common Rooms. The defense team followed the Gryffindors until the 2nd floor (3rd floor U.S.), where they broke away and headed down another corridor.
They reached the portrait of the Fat Lady where Hermione said the password, "Doderean Merrus," and climbed through the portrait hole. While Ron and Hermione explained a little bit about Gryffindor Tower, Harry and the rest made their way up to their dormitories.
Harry changed out of his robes and flopped down on his four poster bed. He was finally home. It took him only seconds to drift to sleep.
Chapter 6
"Think I should jump out of the shadows and scare the magic out of Molly?" Sirius asked.
"No, the poor woman will already probably faint on the spot," Remus laughed.
The four sat around the table waiting for the others in the house to wake up and come down. Sirius needed a little help to get down to the kitchen, but he was considerably better since he ate breakfast. None of them stopped thanking Fox or talking to her, seeing as how she tried to curl up inside herself away from them.
"Hogwarts won't be that bad you know," Sirius finally said.
"I'm going back there now that the students KNOW I'm a werewolf," Remus added, staring off into nothingness.
"Being around people just makes me nervous," she replied. "I was frightened enough being told to come here."
"Are you sure that's not just the house?" Sirius chuckled, but he stopped when the door to the kitchen flew open.
"Remus-," Hermione said out of breath, bursting into the kitchen. "I-found- an-Usticking-charm."
"Good Hermione!" Remus cried, looking at the girl with her hands on her knees as she tried to breathe properly. He turned towards the others, "Let's see how long it is before she notices."
Hermione just stood in the doorway, not noticing Sirius' amused eyes focused on her. Finally he sighed, and it still barely caught her attention. Remus them told him, "Go ahead, she's not looking up anytime soon."
Sirius cleared his throat, "You're really starting to hurt my feelings Hermione, I come back and I'm barely even noticed!" Hermione's head shot up and she looked straight at Sirius and turned pale as a ghost.
"You're back!" she cried, before running over to him and giving him a quick hug, scaring him more than he did her.
"Good to know I was missed," Sirius grinned when she released him.
"I wonder what Mad-Eye's going to say," Remus wondered aloud.
"Probably that he knew I'd bring him back, but that now I'm just going to poison his food," Fox said. "Oh well, he's not very fond of me, though I can't say that I've placed him well in my heart either."
"He'll get over it eventually," Remus assured her.
"If you say so," she shrugged. Albus Dumbledore stepped out of the hearth, brushing off his robes. He looked up and saw the small group sitting at the table.
"Quite satisfactory work, Fox," he smiled. "Tell me first, are you still going to Hogwarts?" She gave a weak, silent nod. "And Sirius, upon thinking, and Madam Pomfrey's insistence, I would like to extend an invitation to you, although you'll normally be in dog form."
"Of course," Sirius replied, a wide grin spreading unchecked over his face.
"And Fox, I'm afraid you missed Ms. Tophirk when she came through," Dumbledore sighed. "She was quite keen on seeing you. She's helped to gather the team for Hogwarts, including Johnathan."
"John?" Fox asked in a small voice, he questioning blue eyes on Dumbledore. "My brother John?"
"The very same. He was quite reluctant to go at first, but seeing at how Ms. Tophirk will soon be Professor Tophirk, all is well with him."
"I hope we actually learn something useful this year," Hermione sighed. "Aside from third and maybe even fourth year, we never got much use. Quirrell seemed too scared to teach, Lockhart didn't know a single thing-."
"Didn't bother you TOO much though, did it?" Harry added, smirking.
"And then fifth year, we had that horrid Umbridge woman," Hermione finished, choosing to ignore Harry's comment and the laughs that followed it.
"Hermione?" Remus asked carefully. After she acknowledged her former professor, he began to choose his words as carefully as he could. "Um, so you REALLY like Gilderoy Lockhart's classes.even though he was a fraud?"
"I-I don't really like-well the thing is."
"Well, at least I suppose you chose a fraud that steals most women's hearts," Remus laughed.
"Out of all the books I've ever come near, his are the ones I manage to keep a ten foot distance away from," Fox said, bringing Hermione into an even deeper blush.
"You stopped putting hearts around his name and classes after he tried to put a Memory Charm on Ron and I, didn't you?" Harry teased.
"Who's saying my name?" Ron asked sleepily from the door, Mrs. Weasley and Ginny right behind him.
"Just Harry being a prat!" Hermione said. Then she grinned and looked down at her feet as Ron sat in front of Sirius and didn't even notice.
"Does it take a lot of energy to sleep Ron?" Sirius joked. Ron's eyelids fluttered open before his mouth hung wide open.
"Speaking of sleep, you need some serious sleep, Sirius," Remus stated in a strict tone. "I myself could use a little nap. Fox, I know how hard it is putting up with Sirius, you'll probably be collapsing on the floor any second." Ron still just sat staring open-mouthed at Sirius.
"Ron, I didn't know I grew that handsome in the past month," Sirius said, trying desperately to keep a straight face. Ron immediately snapped his mouth shut and turned away.
"So," Dumbledore said, cutting Ron's embarrassment short. "I suppose I'll be seeing most of you at Hogwarts. Until then, goodbye."
**********
September 1st was always a busy day. Everyone hustled about, checking trunks, caging pets, and gathering belongings at the last minute. Percy came at the last minute, saying he'd spend the first week at Hogwarts, as they were still trying to repair last year's damage. Everyone gathered his or her trunks and cages into the kitchen.
"Alright, we've arranged this with Dumbledore already," Moody growled. "We will be taking multiple portkeys to Kings Cross, about three minutes apart. We will arrive in a back room, where we won't make such an awkward entrance. Tophirk already has her team there, they're waiting to make sure all of this runs smoothly."
He surveyed the group. "Potter, Percy, Remus, Granger, and you two Weasleys," he pointed at Ron and Ginny, "will go first. The next group out will be Tonks, Riddle, and the twin Weasleys. The last group will be myself, Molly and Arthur, and Sirius. We'll all come out at different times as well, like the Weasley family first. Things like that, just to make us even more inconspicuous. Now, we only have a minute left, the first group needs to organize themselves, and hold on tightly to your trunks!"
The group got together very haphazardly, bumping into one another and still trying to hold on to their trunks, cages, and what not. Finally, Moody gave the signal and the uncomfortable pull right behind the navel was felt, pulling them quickly away from the Order of the Phoenix Headquarters.
They landed in a dark moldy room with a slight clatter, all of them fighting to keep their balance as they made it to the station. They wobbled on their shaky legs, recovering from the rough travel that was caused by a portkey.
For three minutes, they stood there until the second group came, and they then waited for the last batch. When everyone was there, Moody sent out the Weasley family, followed shortly by Harry, Remus, and Hermione. Fox and Tonks followed them a good distance behind, a large black dog trotting at their heels, avoiding being stepped on in the station. They placed their belongings on trolleys and wheeled them to the train, until the whole group congregated near the scarlet Hogwarts Express.
"We have a carriage near the back, but you four," Remus said, pointing at Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, "you can either sit with us, which is fine, or sit with your fellow students and friends, which is even fine also."
"I suppose we could sit back there with you," Ron said, "I think I just want to go talk to Neville first."
"That's fine," Remus said, smiling, "and I understand why you might want to see Neville."
Just then, they were interrupted by a voice behind Remus. A tall boy, probably just a few years older than Harry asked, "Is this part of the defense team for Hogwarts?" He made enthusiastic gestures towards their fair-sized crowd as he spoke.
"Yes, my I ask who you are?" Remus asked, but he thought he already knew. The boy was taller than the gangly Ron by a few inches, but he was of a strong build and not quite as lanky. He had a handsome face outline with short-cut sandy blonde hair. However, the eyes were what Remus recognized. This had to be Johnathan Riddle, with his ocean blue eyes that shone with enthusiasm.
"Johnathan Riddle, just call me John," he replied, extending his hand to Remus.
"Remus Lupin, I know your sister by the way."
"Really? Most people can't tell that we're related!"
"You both have the same blue eyes."
"Yes, they're our mother's eyes thankfully. I'm the one in the family that turned out looking just like a masculine version of her. The only one who doesn't have her eyes is Azalea."
"I see. Well, these four right here are actual students at Hogwarts. This is Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ginny and Ron Weasley," Remus said, gesturing towards each in turn.
"Students? Lucky you, I never got to attend a proper institution," Johnathan said mournfully.
"But you're not considered Underage anymore, are you?" Ron asked.
"No, I suppose that is a perk. Do any of you know where is my beloved I've- decided-to-go-missing-for-five-years sister?" he asked concerned.
"She's here somewhere, maybe already on the train, I don't know," Remus replied.
"Oh, I've just found an old friend of hers," he said in an expressionless tone. Remus finally noticed it, but standing behind the young man was a gray wolf, waiting with an air of what could only be described as impatience. He had noticed them getting stares before, but never really could figure out why. He supposed it was because he was a werewolf and they knew it.
"She should be near by. Where's the rest of her group?" Remus asked curiously.
"They're all patrolling they say. What's the use? We're not in danger yet," he replied carelessly, with a slight shrug of his shoulders.
"I guess they're trying to PREVENT it before something does happen," Remus stated simply.
"That's just careless John there," Fox's voice said behind Remus.
"Really Candlefox? I wasn't aware that you were all too careful yourself," he said in a cool tone. Remus turned around and saw Fox looking all too frustrated at having her brother meet everyone.
"I suppose I don't choose to run away from whatever fate holds for me," Fox said icily.
She turned on her heel and left, the wolf behind Johnathan following her quickly, nudging her hand gently. The wolf had a beautiful gray and silver coat, which everyone in the station couldn't help but admire. The wolf had beautiful light marigold-colored eyes, which were right now sympathetic. Remus could distantly hear her voice speaking in a low tone, "Hello Alba, my first, and perhaps only friend I'll find there." For a moment, the former professor felt a pang of hurt, but then realized how uncomfortable Fox truly was in these surroundings.
"We didn't part on good terms," Johnathan broke his thoughts lazily. Harry himself looked at the face of Johnathan Riddle and saw lack of remorse, thought, or care for what happened outside his small world. Though Dumbledore said he was a great wizard, Harry was slightly apprehensive as to his helpfulness should situations get out of hand at the school.
"Why not?" Hermione asked, "You both seem to be perfectly agreeable people to me."
"That's just the thing. First off, she's not a regular human being, actually not a human being at all. I assume you know her condition?" he asked, in a rather flat tone. This greatly angered Remus, the way he referred to something she couldn't control. After everyone nodded to him, he continued, "So you see, she's quite emotionless and anti-social at times. It's too much to expect separate species and peoples to feel some emotions. I believe that Fox herself only knows anger and hatred, quite a bad combination if you ask me."
Remus stuck his hands in his robe pockets so that he could clench and unclench his fists without the boy noticing. Then he stated quite calmly, "I don't know whom you knew, but in the short time I've known Fox, I've come to conclude you knew a different person." With that, he walked off. He could hardly stand to think of what would happen when they learned that he was a werewolf. Scathing comments ran around his head as he thought on his condition.
Back with the four students and Johnathan, Harry slowly began to feel a slight pang of sympathy for Fox. If she had to grow up with people like that, of course her fondness for the human race would be dancing on a fine line. Hermione seemed to be thinking along the same lines as she watched her former professor march away in anger. She turned a worried face back to Harry, Ron, and Ginny. Harry simply shrugged before casting a not-so- fond eye on Johnathan Riddle. He continued to speak, not noticing the dark glances he was receiving from his small audience, all of whom were terribly fond of Remus.
"Well, I wonder what he got so huffy about," Johnathan said, before turning back to the four in front of him.
"I take it you've spent the summer with my dear sister? She's bitter you know, and on top of that, she bites, literally," he said laughing, not noticing that he was the only one. All former thoughts of Fox's loyalty being in question were shoved out of the way to make room for compassion. "Well, she's too dangerous for most, but I suppose under the watch of Tabetha again, she might mellow out a bit."
Remus on the other hand, was as far away from his voice as he could get. In his anger, he didn't seem to notice that Sirius had followed him as he made his way to the last carriage of the train, which was smaller than the rest, but just one big compartment on the inside. "Great, I might have to be in the same room with him the whole way," Sirius heard his friend mutter. He laid low and transformed into his human form.
"What's got you Moony?"
"Sirius? Oh it's nothing, just Fox's brother. All too annoying if you ask- ," he spat angrily, but he didn't finish. Outside the train was Lucius Malfoy, talking quietly with Draco, and then marching carefully towards Harry. "Sirius, get back in dog form. Lucius Malfoy's walking towards Harry, I don't know what he's trying to do."
As the werewolf and the grim-like dog hurried to the train door, Harry listened impatiently to Riddle's blabber. Suddenly a tap on the shoulder made Harry do an about-face. Standing there in front of him, grinning as evilly as ever, Lucius Malfoy smirked at Harry's gaping mouth.
"Hello Potter," he drawled. "It seems you survived. Quite a pity really, I was sure you were finished. I guess my master will just have to try again. I'm sure you're wondering how it is I could be here today to grace this lovely station? Yes, it's amazing how easily money, a reputation, a good bloodline, and a few 'false names' can get you out of Azkaban."
"If you don't mind Lucius, you'll step away from Harry before I cause a scene in the station, and I know how you'd hate that," Remus Lupin said venomously, his wand directly on Lucius Malfoy. Right behind him was Fox Riddle, Tabetha Tophirk, Mad-Eye Moody, Tonks, and all the grown Weasleys, with their wands in hand, and of course, Sirius, or Snuffles the dog in this case, his hackles raised at his teeth bared.
"Nice godfather by the way," Mr. Malfoy said to Harry. He took a step towards the armed group, looked down at Sirius, and smirked. His happiness faltered when he looked up and saw Fox, deadly determination on her face, with an equally dangerous look of disgust. "So you choose the foolish way!" he spat at her feet as he said this, before he turned and walked away, making his way towards his son Draco Malfoy.
"You okay Harry?" Remus asked.
"Yeah," Harry said, glaring at the Malfoy family's retreating backs.
"Snuffles? Fox? Are both of you okay?" Remus continued. Sirius gave a small wag of his tail, while Fox gave an angry nod. A whistle sounded nearby so they all made their way to the last compartment of the Hogwarts Express. Tabetha desperately tried to get the siblings to sit near each other, but both flat-out refused.
When everyone was seated in the last compartment, a curious Harry got his first look around. He sat next to Sirius, who sat next to Remus. Remus quickly began to point everyone out and introduce them. There were exactly six people who Harry didn't know in their compartment.
Reynold and Marshall Jitter were quite the characters, very amiable fellows. Both had the identical rough-looking brown hair and eyes. The only difference was Reynold's more mature features and a more prominent nose. Overall, they were an enjoyable presence in the compartment.
The next he pointed out was Zaida Tremor, who was indeed suffering tremors on the stressful train ride there. She had enough wrinkles to compete with Dumbledore, but her gray hair still had a small touch of gold in it, just outlining her face in her short-cut locks. She kept quite, and would fit in perfectly with Moody, as she jumped at the slightest noise and gazed suspicious at all the train's occupants.
Liam Yorn was next on Remus' list, sitting near a window chatting happily with the Jitters brothers. He had sleek black hair and pale brown eyes that laughed merrily with him and complimented his jovial face. His rough laugh could be heard down the length of the compartment.
Last were Autumn Zallner and Roselyn Tophirk. According to Remus, the two were stepsisters. Autumn had married an Auror named Philip Zallner who was killed during Voldemort's last rise to power. She had sad mournful eyes that were clear blue, still mourning the loss of her real mother. Both girls, by coincidence it seemed, came out with light blonde hair, which was their pride and joy.
"How do you know all these people Remus?" Harry asked.
"I went to school with most of them. Roselyn was a Gryffindor a few years behind us, shy that one," he replied. "Oh course that didn't stop Sirius from stealing her heart for a time," he whispered, receiving a growl from the dog lodged between them.
"There's a half-breed at the school?!" a panicked voice down the train asked. It was Johnathan Riddle.
"It's Hagrid, it doesn't matter. Just because his mum was a giantess, that doesn't mean anything!" Hermione cried shrilly.
"That's dangerous! Giants are classified as Dark creatures, don't you know that?"
"I would classify you as a Dark creature with an attitude like that!" Hermione huffed. She followed in the footsteps of Remus and stormed out of the compartment. Fox couldn't hold back, she got up and made to follow her. Remus grabbed her wrist as she passed.
"Don't get Hermione angry," he warned.
"I'm not, I fear I'm going to go thank her," Fox said slyly.
"You're not a half-breed, you're a Polymagus."
"According to him," she jutted her finger at Johnathan, "I'm halfway between a beast and a human." With that, she followed Hermione, the wolf Alba trotting at her heels. Ron sat next to Harry and just stared after the two.
"Oh no, first house-elves, now it's all mistreated creatures," Ron moaned.
"I've got to admire Hermione for that, and I've got to admire Fox and Tabetha for putting up with him," Remus said.
"That Johnathan is a perfect Slytherin," Ron mumbled. "I'm glad he's actually not attending Hogwarts."
Fox came back through the compartment door smiling, while Johnathan cast an angry glare at her. "Hermione said that Neville and Luna Lovegood want to see you three," she said, gesturing calmly to Harry, Ron, and Ginny. The three of them left to find where Hermione was, while Fox passed them, sitting in a corner of the compartment. As soon as she sat down, Johnathan came huffing the length of the compartment.
"You think it's right for her to hang out with half-breeds?" Johnathan asked, his face beet red.
"I think it's wonderful if they're on the side of good."
"So you think it's good for the Headmaster to allow half-breeds, part- humans, werewolves and what not to teach there? And then he allows YOUR KIND to get around his students? Do you think that's right?"
"Honestly, if I had more alternatives, I wouldn't go near his students. As for your other question, yes. I believe that they all decide fair treatment. It's just people like you that turn MY KIND and these other half-breeds, part-humans, and werewolves to act the way we sometimes do. However, most are harmless. You, dear brother, are a walking, talking, stereotypical prat!"
Johnathan just stood there for a moment, all eyes on the two siblings as he stood there rendered speechless. Fox's eyes went through his skin, and he truthfully began to shake. Finally, he gave up and turned away, fuming as Alba growled deeply as walked past. Remus shot a smile at the composed Fox as she curled up in her seat and closed her eyes, catching the smile quickly and returning it.
***********
"Harry, how are you getting along after what happened last year?" a more confident Neville asked as they sat in a compartment with Neville and Luna Lovegood.
"I'm assuming I can trust you with this big secret," Harry started. "My godfather's not dead, if that's what you're referring to. I'll also tell you that he's not guilty of any crimes."
"I figured that he wasn't on You-Know-Who's side, especially after he died, but you say he's not dead?"
"No, I still don't get how it worked out, but he came back through the veil. If you see a big grim-like dog around, you've seen him."
"I told you he wasn't really gone," Luna spoke up, her eyes looking dreamily at the ceiling. The door slid open quickly, and there on the threshold was Malfoy, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle. Nothing unusual there.
"I hear your dogfather is back Potter," he spat. "My father says it's a shame that you didn't die, I say it's a shame that Black didn't. I know it causes you only more pain."
"Shut it, Malfoy!" Harry said, standing up with Ron at his side. Then, to their surprise, Neville joined them.
"You've already lost your parents Potter, it'd be a shame to lose your godfather here. And I don't know WHY Longbottom thinks he's going to protect you," Malfoy drawled in his snobbish voice, smirking at Neville's defensive stance. Malfoy soon backed down when he saw the witch with the food trolley nearing them. Casting one last glare at Harry and the others, the three Slytherins headed down the corridor just as the witch glanced into their compartment, offering food.
After Malfoy left, they all made themselves comfortable eating Cauldron Cakes, Chocolate Frogs, and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. They all talked about the events of the summer, forgetting that anything had been wrong the previous year. After a while, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny began to make their way back to the last compartment.
Most of the occupants of the compartment were either asleep or fast on their way there. The Jitters brothers and Liam Yorn sat discussing the news, which they still didn't take seriously. Remus sat nodding off, with Snuffles the dog already dead to the world. Autumn and Rosalyn sat gossiping happily, taking no notice of those entering the compartment. Fox sat having an animated conversation with the wolf Alba, while her brother sat sulking in a corner, obviously still upset at not getting a win out of the earlier arguments.
The train sped its way north, not aware of anything that could possibly happen to the chugging Hogwarts Express. Indeed, Dumbledore had planned for a possible attack on the train, which is why he sent his small, yet effective, defense team. It came as no surprise that the actual school hadn't been attacked, but the train just didn't have the same protection.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny sat done in their previous seats. Remus looked up and gave them a small smile, desperately trying to fend off slumber. Everyone sent Harry a startled look as he clapped a hand to his scar, because he knew then that someone, or better yet, something was going to attack the train.
"Harry, are you alright?" Hermione squealed.
"Something's going to happen! He planned something to happen to the train," Harry replied through gritted teeth, the burning scar on his forehead hidden under his shaking hand.
A feeling of cold swept the train as they began to pass into the darkness of night. Everyone noticed this, and deep in his or her heart, they knew what was going to happen. When it all became too much, all occupants of the train stole a look out the windows to see moving shadows surrounding the train, just beyond their field of vision. The conductor on the train saw tall dark figures ahead on the tracks and began to slow the train.
"Fool! There are Dementors all around the train and he decides to slow down!" Remus hissed. The light coming from the candles in the corridor began to flicker and die. As one, all voices on the train seemed to mutter a quick "Lumos," igniting their wands.
"What do we do?" Hermione shrieked.
"First, we stay calm. You do know the Patronus Charm, do you?" Remus asked quickly.
"Y-yes," Hermione replied.
"Good," Remus said. "We need as many people as possible. I don't think that this is the simple matter of an escaped convict this time."
All people on the train were awake by that time, though most were scared out of their wits. The train finally slowed to a stop on the tracks, and the shadows began to move more excitedly. All eyes were searching out the windows, and all along the corridors, curious heads peeped out of the compartment doors. Finally, Remus began to take action. The former professor, Tonks, Mad-Eye Moody, Tabetha Tophirk, and Fox made their way into the corridor without hesitation, making their way to the front of the train, but not quick enough.
Screams were echoing down the length of the steam engine as the Dementors swarmed onto the train. All remaining members of the defense team herded on another to follow their companions. Sirius alone was told to remain with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny who were told not to budge. Harry's godfather, now in human form, looked weak and haunted as he listened to the screams, not only the ones of the students, but also the ones that haunted his mind.
Neville and Luna Lovegood rushed into the compartment. Neville looked like he was about to faint, and Luna's dreaming eyes held fear in them. The screams were louder until Neville slid the compartment door shut quickly.
"We were up in the front of the train looking for Dean and Seamus," Neville gulped, "then the Dementors came. They're coming into the train through every possible way."
Up in the front of the train alone, the defense team was faced with about five dozen Dementors steadily advancing on them. The air was cold and terrifying, as the passengers began to feel all thoughts of happiness, love, hope, and their dreams ebbing away from them, only hearing their screaming companions. The screams from the compartment were becoming too much for them, and some enough, more Dementors came. It seemed that the whole train was surrounded.
"Fool of a conductor!" Remus cried. "Expecto Patronum!"
A weak Patronus shot out of his wand. 'Come on, Remus. Concentrate!' he thought. Next to him, all members of the defense team were conjuring their Patronus to fight the Dementors, but they still advanced. After trying feebly to conjure up the strength, Reynold Jitters was the first to collapse, quickly followed by Johnathan, who clamped his hands over his ears muttering, "No, he doesn't deserve this! NO!"
The Dementors gradually began to back down as the remaining members of the defense team, and to Remus' surprise, some of the students, began to conjure a satisfactory Patronus. Turning around, he saw it, the Patronus he was the most proud of.Harry's. The silvery stag charged towards a large huddle of Dementors, forcing them out of the train, followed by an otter and a phoenix. 'A phoenix and an otter?' Remus laughed as he wondered whom these could have come from.
The screaming died down altogether completely as the last of the Dementors was gone from the train. Remus looked around to see that he was leaning heavily against the wall, and not many others around him were standing. Fox was leaning against the wall across form him, supporting a weak and wobbly Autumn. Both of the females' faces were pale, it seemed that if he touch them he would freeze to death.
Autumn leaned heavily on Fox, her red eyes swollen and crying. Fox didn't cry herself, but instead subconsciously decided to scare the life out of Remus as he saw that look in her eyes again, barely noticing that she was holding Autumn up. Students were all lying unconscious or close to it in their seats. The only people who seemed well were the Slytherins, smiling smugly as though they were expecting this and popping chocolate into their mouths.
Looking down the corridor, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all standing there, wands drawn. Ron was shaking his head, self-disgust in his eyes. Hermione was wide-eyed with terror, clinging to the boys on either side of her.
Fox hoisted up Tabetha on her other side, dragging her former tutor and Autumn to the last compartment. Remus followed her lead and grabbed Reynold and Rosalyn. He passed Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were walking to help the rest.
Soon enough, all of the defense team was back in the last compartment, and the train was finally moving again. Everyone was weak with exhaustion. Sirius, who had collapsed before Harry, Ron, and Hermione left, woke up in a corner where Ginny was guarding him.
"What happened?" he asked groggily.
"Dementors, dozens of them," Remus replied, helping Sirius up to his feet.
"Oh," was Sirius' simple reply. He looked up at Neville and Luna, who still remained in the compartment. "I know you," he said, pointing at Neville, "but who are you?"
"Luna Lovegood," Luna replied. "I remember you, you're Sirius Black." Sirius looked desperately at Remus, then at Harry. "Don't worry," she continued. "I've come to the conclusion that you're innocent." Sirius let out a sigh of relief.
The passengers then settled back into their usual mode, still all pale and shaky from their earlier encounter with the Dementors. The rest of the train ride past in this uneventful manner, until eventually, they all arrived at Hogsmeade station. There were the sounds of rushing feet in the desperation to get off of the accursed train and the sounds of moaning and groaning as rain began to pour down on the students.
The whole student body, with the exception of first years, made a mad dash up to the carriages that waited for them. The thestrals looked nervously about as the students ran back and forth, looking for room in the quickly filling carriages. As soon as one became full, it quickly pulled away from the rest, making its way up to the castle, traveling the well-known road, swaying in the sudden gusts of wind.
As the carriages made their halt in front of the main entrance, the students hastily ran up the front steps, slipping on the slick surfaces. The Entrance Hall soon became dangerous territory as students skidded around, bringing in dirt, mud, and water. Peeves the Poltergeist was only too happy to bring buckets of water and only further drench the sopping wet students. He cackled gleefully and sped out of sight as Professor Minerva McGonagall entered, ushering the students quickly inside.
The Great Hall hadn't changed much during the summer, with one exception. At the front of the hall, where the teachers' table was, there was another, closer to the students, and to the left of the teachers. As Harry walked in, he supposed that this was just for the defense team. After all, they did have to eat. Harry couldn't imagine what everyone's expression would be when Remus made his second appearance at Hogwarts since his own school days.
After taking a seat at the Gryffindor table, the three friends took a closer look around. There were three empty seats at the front table, one belonged to the gamekeeper Hagrid, and another to Minerva McGonagall. The last had to be for the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Tabetha Tophirk. Hagrid eventually made his way in, soaked through his thick fur coat by the rain, and Professor Tophirk soon followed.
The first years all made their way into the Great Hall led by Professor McGonagall. She sat a three-legged school in front of the wary first years, most of who looked sick. On top of it, she sat the tattered sorting hat. The whole hall waited for the sorting to begin, but instead Professor Dumbledore stood.
"What now? I've starving!" Ron groaned.
"Students! May I have your attention?" Professor Dumbledore called. "Now, normally we would go straight ahead to the sorting. However, this year I have a very special group that I must introduce to you all, as they have come here with the sole idea to protect you from any dangers that you may face. Mr. Filch, can you please let them in?"
The caretaker, Argus Filch, stood at the very back of the hall with his cat, Mrs. Norris. At Dumbledore's request, he opened the Great Hall's doors once again. Standing behind them were the eleven members, minus Tophirk, of the defense team. Percy was also absent. In front of them all was a very smug looking Johnathan Riddle, all the rest stood behind him, even Alba and Sirius, in dog form of course.
"Please allow me the pleasure to introduce," Dumbledore paused, "the Hogwarts Defense Team. Please, all of you come take your seats," he said, motioning towards the extra table.
Whispers broke out across the hall as they began to make their entrance. It was no wonder; most of them looked rough and tough, mostly due to the storm. Remus nearly had to push Fox into the hall, but luckily, no one saw that. As expected, most people remembered him, and his condition. "Is that Professor Lupin?" "Isn't he a werewolf?" "Why do we need a defense team?" "How much could they help?" "I wonder who the boy with the blue eyes is?"
As they all took their seats in the front of the hall, most of the students still cast them suspicious glances. Most of the girls, to Fox's disgust, began swooning over Johnathan. Also, most of the guys, again to Fox's disgust, were staring quite attentively at her.
"Don't you sink back into that shell of yours," Remus said from the seat towards her left. She turned to see Remus giving her a worried look as she did indeed begin to curl back up into her shell. She was relieved when Dumbledore began speaking again.
"Students, we will now begin the sorting," he said simply, then took his seat again. He gestured to the strict Professor McGonagall to begin.
The hat that was sitting motionless on the three-legged stool then began to twitch, opening a tear at its brim. He sang:
I gave you all fair warning, That you choose not to heed, You choose not to stand together In this dire time of need. But still I must sort you For this is my one task, I only hope that you all Will come to do what I asked. Now the four houses though separate Should stand strong, Just as the founders, Who once had gotten along. Gryffindor for those Who stand up and fight with pride, The house for those Who hold courage and loyalty inside. Ravenclaw for those Who are gifted and wise with knowledge, The house for those Whose study is found flawless. Hufflepuff for those For those who don't give up, Only hard-workers, Who live only to help us. Slytherin for those Cunning, sneaky, and sly, Those who hold great ambition, Who keep the Slytherin spirit alive. Now I'll sort you all Into one of these houses four, Come put me on and then maybe About yourself, you'll learn a little more!
The hall broke into applause as the hat finished its song. McGonagall then removed a scroll from her robes and began calling the nervous first years forward. One by one, they sat on the stool, waiting for the hat's decision to be made. The tables applauded as each new member came and sat down at their respective house tables.
After the sorting ended, Dumbledore stood again. "There is a time for announcements, and there is a time to eat. Now is the time to eat."
There was much applause as Dumbledore said these words. Food magically appeared on the table in front of them and the students began to load up their plates with the delectable food. Laughter, chatter, and the clang of dinnerware were all that could be heard throughout the Great Hall. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown stared at Johnathan as though he were the most precious thing on earth.
"Look at his eyes, they're so adorable!" Lavender squealed.
"And he's come to protect the school!" Parvati said in a singsong voice.
"And he's a complete big-headed prat!" Hermione snapped.
"You know him?" Parvati asked in a disgusted tone, looking at Hermione as though she were dirt.
"Yes," Hermione said, holding her head high.
"E's a tupid git, at's wha e is," Ron said, mash potatoes impairing his speech.
"Ron, swallow, then speak," Hermione scolded. Ron did as he was told.
"Like I said, he's a stupid git. I'd bet anything that he'd love it even more if Umbridge were still here," Ron muttered darkly.
"You probably just don't understand him!" Parvati cried, turning away from them.
"Did you think Professor Lupin'd be coming back?" Dean asked, leaning over to the three.
"Actually-," Ron started, but Hermione nudged him.
"We aren't supposed to know!" she hissed.
"Oh, well, I just thought he'd come back sometime," Ron covered.
"Riddle doesn't look too happy being here," Hermione said.
"I'm assuming you're talking about Fox, since that idiot's lapping it up," Ron said casually. Indeed, Johnathan Riddle seemed to be having the greatest of times. He sat on Remus' other side, trying to make conversation, but looking rather put-out at how cold Remus was acting towards him, not that the rest blamed him. Instead, he went about sending smiles and waves toward the many admiring girls in the crowd. "We've got ourselves another Lockhart it seems."
"Who's Fox?" Dean asked, still leaning close to them.
"Girl up there on Professor Lupin's right," Hermione said. Dean's eyes went wide as saucers when he saw her, partly from shock, partly from attraction.
"She can't be much older than us!" Dean said.
"She's not," Hermione said shortly.
"Well then, I might have to welcome her to Hogwarts," Dean said, before turning back to Seamus and pointing out Fox.
"She's in for a rough time," Ron said sleepily.
The Start of Term Feast continued in the same manner for quite a while until Dumbledore stood again. "I have a few start of term notices to give out before we all head up to bed. First years, and some of the older students," he looked in Harry, Ron, and Hermione's direction since Fred and George were gone, "should note that the Forbidden Forest is TRULY forbidden." Remus and Snuffles looked at the three with laughter in their eyes before Dumbledore went on. "Also, more items are now no longer allowed in the castle. The full list is, as usual, in Mr. Filch's office. I would like you all to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Tabetha Tophirk, who we are hoping will remain for more than one year."
Unenthusiastic applause was heard from the Great Hall, as most remembered well their experiences with teachers in that subject. "Also," Dumbledore continued, "I would like to make sure that all members of the defense team are treated with the respect they so much deserve for coming to our aid in this time of need. Please, as a few of them have never been to Hogwarts before, I wish for you all to help them if you see it is needed.
"On a final note, I'm sure you all remember well the attack on the train. This was indeed, as sources tell us, an attack planned by Lord Voldemort. This is another reason why I believe the defense team deserves your respect. They did in fact save your lives.
"Now, I believe it is time for bed. Off you go!"
Everyone in the Great Hall, students, teachers, defense team, and all, were immensely tired. They immediately made their way back to their house Common Rooms. The defense team followed the Gryffindors until the 2nd floor (3rd floor U.S.), where they broke away and headed down another corridor.
They reached the portrait of the Fat Lady where Hermione said the password, "Doderean Merrus," and climbed through the portrait hole. While Ron and Hermione explained a little bit about Gryffindor Tower, Harry and the rest made their way up to their dormitories.
Harry changed out of his robes and flopped down on his four poster bed. He was finally home. It took him only seconds to drift to sleep.