"Send Hermes the moment something happens." Her grandmother clutched her purse, furrowing her eyebrows. "And remember; no Hogsmeade, stay inside as much as possible, and do you truly have to keep running around every morning? Surely, by now you could discard that. Even Quidditch could pose an opportunity for…"
"Yes, yes, I understand." She interrupted her grandmother half heartedly, glaring at a fourth year who seemed to find no shame in pointing her out to his friends. "We talked about this. No Hogsmeade, but I can move freely on Hogwarts ground."
The fourth year turned around quickly, almost tripping over his trunk, and she turned back to her grandmother, who still had a concerned look on her face.
"Right, yes, we did." Her grandmother agreed reluctantly, readjusting the shining badge on her robes for the third time. "You have your wand. You'll be fine."
The first whistle rang over the platform and a few students began to board the train.
"I'll be fine. With the added security, the Professors, and my own training, I am sure it will be like any other year." She smiled at her grandmother, taking a hold of the hands that fiddled with her badge. "You need to focus on keeping yourself safe."
Her grandmother clenched her jaw once, but then relaxed and took back her hands. "Yes, chérie."
A hug later, she climbed the train steps, her trunk floating behind her. The people already in the corridor let her pass freely, but whispers followed. She heard several cabin doors open, no doubt heads sticking out, and she ignored them. It seemed like everyone suddenly read the newspaper.
Arriving at their usual compartment, she didn't bother to check inside. Quickly pulling open the door she waved her wand and her trunk took place on the rack, before slamming the door close behind her. Without hesitation she pulled the curtain down, obstructing the view of anyone wanting to look in from the hallway.
Only then did she release a sigh.
"Bad summer?"
Liz was already there, a magazine in hand and familiar big glasses on her face, yet Maia couldn't help but blink in surprise. Gone was the high puff and green headband, instead replaced with long braids that were decorated with silver cuffs. They were gathered together in an initiation of the puff, bound together behind Liz's head, a few looping over her forehead. They were very pretty.
On Liz's lap Sir Ribbethe let out his familiar croak.
"Just dreadful." She said, seating herself on the other bench. "But yours seemed to have been fun."
Liz groaned, the opposite reaction of what she was expecting, and hung her head. "Is it that obvious?"
"Yes, it looks good." She smirked, actually relieved to talk about something else. "I like the added jewellery, it's very elegant."
"Yes? You think?" Liz's hand went up to her hair, touching one of the cuffs. "All the credit goes to my aunt. She is great with spells like these, it only took a few minutes."
Leaning in closer, she observed the cuff in between Liz's fingers. It was plain silver, smooth, and thick enough to be of good quality. "If you are interested, I know this place that can carve decorations in…"
Before she could finish her sentence, the door slammed open, Cassius pushing himself and his trunk through the opening at the same time. Panting, he finally managed to get inside, lifting his trunk on the rack without his wand. With wide eyes and raised eyebrows they watched him close the door, before he dropped himself next to her on the bench.
"Oh, great, you're not dead." Cassius tried catching his breath.
"Warrington?" Liz asked confused, hand moving down from her hair and back to Sir Ribbethe.
Maia narrowed her eyes at the sweating boy next to her. "What do you mean by that?"
He waved his hand at her, his eyes flickering through the cabin and halting on the window, where they could still see the platform and the waving crowd. Taking one look outside, Cassius immediately jumped back up. Almost too fast to keep up, he leaned his whole body over her, his hands shooting past her face and pulling on the string of the curtains, letting them drop into place and obscuring their view to the outside world. They were now completely boxed in by curtains on either side.
"What are you doing?" Voice shooting up, she leaned back and gave him more room. He didn't answer, instead moving in different positions to make sure the windows blocked their view from every angle.
"Oh, uh, it was the sun." Cassius laughed awkwardly, his gaze darting back and forth to the window.
Sharing a disbelieving look with Liz, Liz shrugged first. There was no sun on the platform, the station had a roof.
"I'm just glad to see you in good health, that's all." Cassius finally sat down, seemingly calm. "I've been reading the Prophet every day, the whole summer. My father assured me the Ministry is doing their very best."
"That's all." She repeated, unconvinced.
"Yep. And I'm glad to be going back, of course."
Before Cassius could say more, Liz's head jerked towards her, as if realising something. "I completely forgot! Your cousin is trying to kill you."
Speechless, she tried to judge if Liz was joking or not. Sometimes it was hard to figure out.
Liz smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."
Not a joke then.
"Subtle, Tuttle." Cassius gave Liz a thumbs up, but the smile on his face was genuine. "Did the Djinns distract you from the paper and the escaped criminal? I heard they tend to do that."
Liz shoved him, her face a tint darker. "Oh, shut it. I'm not glued to the news like you two are. I was so sure that by the end of the summer he would have been caught and this all would have been over."
"Sadly, no." She said, smirking at Liz's embarrassment. "Sirius Black is still at large, waiting to grab the family fortune out of my dead, underage hands."
Her smirk remained, but the cabin became dead silent, both Liz and Cassius watching her with worried looks on their faces. Even Sir Ribbethe seemed to be giving her a side eye.
"Oh, don't look so troubled." She leaned back into the cushions, waving her words away. "I spent the whole summer locked up, duelling and taking precautions. Fudge writes me letters almost every day. It is starting to get tiring."
"Wait, Minister Fudge?" Cassius exclaimed, looking at her with wide eyes. "Minister Fudge sends you letters every day?"
"Yes, he does." She rolled her eyes. "They always say the same thing, so don't get too excited. At this point I'm sure his secretary writes them."
"Oh, and before I forget, I might as well warn you now." Waving her wand, she opened the curtains Cassius had been so attentive to close, revealing the green landscape outside of the moving train. "The Ministry has decided to place dementors around Hogwarts. I'm sure Dumbledore will let everyone know at the feast."
"Dementors?" Liz lowered her voice, shivering.
"Surely you aren't afraid of a magical creature, Tuttle?" Cassius tried to make fun of it, but his face turned white.
"Dementors are not classified as magical creatures." Liz pressed her lips together, gripping her frog tightly. "They are non-beings, amortal, and the only thing that keeps them in line is their affiliation with the Ministry. Up to three metres tall with the ability to suck out my soul, I had hoped I would never run into one."
Liz leaned forward and they automatically did the same. "My sister once saw the aftereffects of a dementor's kiss, during her training. It was like a hollow person. They would breathe, but they were just… empty. There was nothing inside their heads. Not even a movement in their eyes. If no one did anything, they would just start to decay."
For a second all they heard was their own breathing, Liz's words echoing through her head. The silence was so loud she couldn't help but chuckle, breaking the tension.
"And now there is a bunch flying around Hogwarts." She let out a soft breath. "Marvellous."
"Not to offend you, Black, but I hope they catch your cousin sooner than later." Cassius scratched the back of his neck. "A year of those hanging around us seems a bit much."
"No offence taken." She resumed her position. "I hope the same. They can take his soul as a tip. I for sure wouldn't miss it."
For a little while the silence resumed, the landscapes flying past the window and the curtain still drawn to the hallway. The scenery slowly became darker and wilder, while the clouds overhead thickened and turned slightly greyer.
"But you are a prefect, that's good." Cassius was first to speak, gesturing at the badge on her chest. "Congratulations. I saw Henry with the same badge on the platform. Can't believe he got it."
Liz chuckled. "As opposed to you?"
Cassius placed his hand on his chest, acting dramatic. "Of course not. I believe even Snape realises that I have to gather and store my energy for the biggest triumph in Quidditch history at Hogwarts. When I get the captain's badge next year, that is when I'll shine."
"Our opponents will tremble in their boots." Amused, she watched Cassius grin back at her. "But Henry Sterling, you said? What can you tell me about him?"
Cassius smirked, lightly pushing Liz's shoulder when she wouldn't stop giggling. "First generation pureblood. He has above average grades, takes Divination and Ancient Runes, but he's obsessed with History. If he isn't with us, he's alone. I don't understand why he isn't in Ravenclaw, but he lets us copy from him so it's all good."
"He doesn't sound so bad." She went over his words, shrugging to herself. He sounded like someone she could work with. Anyone that could call History their favourite subject after a lesson from Binns must have incredible resilience. Worst case, and likely, he would be horrendously boring.
"He's fine. Very quiet." Cassius continued. "I believe both his parents are diplomats at the International Confederation of Wizards. They aren't home a lot. But Snape likes him, I've seen him stay back a few times to discuss the homework or something."
Humming, she tried to get an idea of the person with what Cassius told her. Quiet, focused, and liked by Snape. Didn't seem like someone that was going to argue with her. That was positive.
"I will meet him now anyway." Looking at her watch, she stood up from her spot. "There is a meeting in the prefect carriage. I'm not sure how long it's going to take, but I intend to return before we arrive at the castle."
"Sure, no problem. We will keep ourselves busy." Liz smiled at her, before she registered her own words and back paddled. "I mean, I will read my book on Djinns and Warrington can do whatever…"
Grinning, Cassius gave her a short wave, turning to Liz. "You could tell me if this tooth I bought is from a real Chimaera, or if I've been scammed."
"You bought a…!"
She didn't hear more as the cabin door closed behind her, the walk to the prefect carriage silent and the corridor empty. Doing her best to ignore the curious looks she got from inside of the cabins and of the sounds of a few sliding doors behind her, by the time she arrived at the labelled door she considered her patience legendary.
Knocking first, the door flew open before she could do it herself. Taking half a step back, she was accosted by a head of red hair and the confidence in her patience lowered quite a bit.
"Black, you are late!"
Looking Weasley up and down, her eyes rested on the badge for Head Boy pinned on his robes. Merlin, have mercy on her.
"Better late than dead." The words slipped out of her mouth before she could help herself.
Weasley turned even redder in the face, opening and closing his mouth without making a sound. From behind him there was a snort and both Weasley and her turned to look at Diggory, who was also wearing a badge that said prefect, one with a badger, and who smiled bashfully at the sudden attention.
"Sorry, but - well - … I agree." Diggory said, still smiling. "Better late than dead."
"Just get in, Black." Weasley pinched his nose bridge, gesturing at her to get inside.
Stepping through the door, she saw Penelope Clearwater on the other side of the carriage, wearing the badge for Head Girl. Diggory and Haywood sat next to each other on the first bench to her left, two blond heads with excited smiles glued to their faces. Turner and some girl she didn't know wore the badges for Ravenclaw, sitting on the first bench on the right, the latter squeaking when their eyes met, quickly turning back around and seemingly folding into herself.
Sterling sat opposite to the Hufflepuffs, his back straight, and she took place next to him. His eyes were hidden behind the dark curls of his hair, but he gave her a polite nod as she sat down. She ignored the attention of the prefects for Gryffindor to her left, who sat opposite from the Ravenclaws. Towlers glare followed her clearly, the girl next to him busy fiddling with the piercing in her nose. Gryffindor didn't seem to offer a lot of great options for prefects that year, it didn't surprise her.
"Now that we are all here." Weasley said, still standing and giving her a judging look. "We can talk about the added responsibilities you all have being a prefect."
He coughed once and placed his hand over his heart. "Being a prefect has to be taken seriously by all of you. A prefect does not just retain order within the walls of the castle, but is also supposed to be a helping hand to the Professors and an example for other students. There will be moments where you will be faced with many difficulties and I would encourage you to look inside yourself in these moments and question what a true leader would do. A prefect does not only bear responsibility for those around them, but has to create a sense of security. Holding up the rules is the most important part…"
On the other bench the Ravenclaw girl blinked slowly, never removing her eyes from Weasley, but looking ready to bolt.
"Perce," Clearwater interrupted the speech. "Uhm… I mean, Head Boy, if I may?"
"Yes?" Weasley nodded at Clearwater. "Something you want to add?"
"I think it's more efficient to explain the tasks." Clearwater gave them a glance. "We have already lost some time and there is additional information to discuss."
"Right." Weasley gestured at her to continue. "Go ahead."
"It comes down to a couple of things." Clearwater removed a scroll from her pocket. "We will make a schedule in which you will patrol the hallways at night to check that the students aren't breaking curfew. This schedule is shared with the teachers, so it will only result in each of you patrolling every so often."
"With our own partner?" Turner interrupted Clearwater, notebook and quill in hand.
"Questions after." Weasley said, frowning at Turner.
"Ahem," Clearwater cleared her throat, gathering back the attention. "Your partner will almost always be your fellow prefect, but we can, and will, switch a few of you once or twice at random during the year. This is mainly so you can check between yourselves that no house is given special treatment. In cases that you do think that is happening, you are to report to us."
No one seemed happy to hear that particular piece of information, grimaces and glances going from house to house. They were prefects and those did have to work together at times, but entire nights? If she got Towler she was going to have to fake an injury. Or simply injure him first.
"The first years will be shown the way by the sixth-year prefects after the first feast, so pay attention. Next year it will be your turn." Clearwater let her eyes move over the list. "During holidays you will supervise the decorations, and with bad weather you are to supervise the younger years so they don't wreak havoc."
"Oh, yes, how many of you are on a Quidditch team?" Clearwater looked up from her list.
Raising her hand, only Diggory raised his hand with her. Observing his robes, she saw two badges, one for prefect and one for the Quidditch captain. Impressive. She wondered how many O.W.L exams he was going to take.
"You wear the prefect badge on your Quidditch robes as well." Clearwater nodded at them and turned back to her list. "That is about it. If you are not careful your prefect status can, and will, be revoked. We have a special bathroom on the fifth floor, the fourth door to the left, next to the statue of Boris the Bewildered. Password this year; citrus scents."
"Now," Weasley spoke up, looking at Turner. "Any questions?"
Turner titled his head for a moment, but decided against it, shaking his head and remaining silent.
"There is something else we need to inform you of." Weasley glanced at her and she clenched her jaw. Right, that. "In case of Azkaban escapee, Sirius Black, Hogwarts will be host to a few dementors from Azkaban. They will be far outside the castle and only at the entrances to the grounds…"
"Does your cousin really want to murder you?" Turner interrupted again, turning to her and gathering the attention from everyone. "Just so he can inherit some money? How much is it? How did he manage to escape out of Azkaban? Have you ever met him? What are you going to do if…"
Staring blankly, she wondered if she was hearing him correctly. Before he even finished the last question her wand fell into her hand. Surely even Weasley wouldn't fault her for silencing him at this point.
But she didn't have to.
"Wait, what?" Towler interrupted Turner loudly, raising himself up slightly. "What is a dementor? Or Azkaban? And what do you mean 'murder'?"
No one answered him and she curled her lip at Turner, pushing her wand back in her holster under the table. "How about you meet him and ask for the both of us? He killed thirteen people, but don't let that stop you."
Turner swallowed and opened his mouth, only to be interrupted again.
"Turner! Black!" Weasley practically shouted, pointing at them with his finger. His face was already back to matching his hair. "Silence. No more questions," that was clearly pointed at Turner, "and Headmaster Dumbledore has agreed to place the dementors around Hogwarts. Unless you want to take it up with the Headmaster, you better accept the situation as it is."
Towler was whispering to the girl next to him, his eyes the size of dinner plates. It seems not everyone had been receiving the Prophet at home.
Pushing his glasses back up his nose, Weasley looked at Clearwater. "Anything else?"
"No, that seems to be it." Clearwater rolled up the parchment. "We just needed two volunteers to patrol the train, but I think we already have them. Black, Turner, to you the honours."
Turner groaned loudly and she scowled.
Outside of the carriage, the prefects walking back to their respective compartments, she got a goodbye nod from Sterling. It took only a few seconds for everyone to disappear, leaving her standing alone with Turner.
"I go left, you go right." It was all she said before turning her back to him. There was some noise behind her, probably Turner protesting, but she couldn't care less. It was his fault they had to do it in the first place.
Walking down the corridor, ignoring the occasional glance from behind the door window, the rain outside of the train thickened. The water casted the windows in a solid, glistening grey, gradually darkening until the lanterns flickered on.
She passed the cabin with Cassius and Liz, but the curtain was still drawn and she continued her journey, not bothering to stop. Whenever she had gotten lucky on her side of the train, or if the darkness outside kept the people in their warm and cosy compartments, she was almost at the end and glad for it.
That was the moment where it went wrong.
The wind began to howl violently, making the windows shake. The rain was pouring down the windows, obscuring everything outside, and the train started to slow down. Eventually the train stopped completely, leaving them stranded in the middle of nowhere. Heads began to peak out of their doors, looking around curiously.
"Back inside!" Her voice rang out, catching their attention. It didn't do much for the whispers, if all, they got worse, more heads appearing. "Now!"
Right as her voice rang out, the lights flickered once before turning off completely, casting the entire carriage, and probably the entire train, in darkness. Yells and screams went around, but she rolled her eyes, lighting her wand to the maximum.
"Everyone back inside!" The display seemed to be enough as doors started to slam close around her.
It wasn't enough to stop some second year Gryffindor, who she pushed back inside with her hand, while she continued her march to the front. A few carriages ahead of her the driver was supposed to keep the train moving and it was up to her to find out why, in Merlin's name, they had halted the train in the middle of the English countryside. Without any light.
She should have given the left side to Turner.
Entering the next carriage, which was considerably colder than the last, she saw movement on the other end, masked by the darkness. Squinting, she took a few steps towards it, raising her wand higher. Whoever it was was going to receive detention.
"Back to your compartment! And detent…" Close enough to illuminate the figure in her light, she halted immediately.
Leaning into a compartment it was cloaked from head to toe, reaching up to the ceiling without actually standing on anything. At her voice, it moved backwards, a trail of white smoke following the opening of the hood as it turned to her. At the same time the frost seemed to climb up her leg, higher and higher, freezing even the littlest muscle spasms. The hallway started to elongate, the doors of the compartments falling into the black as she kept her vision focused on the stagnant dementor.
She stared at it and it stared back at her.
Liz's words rang through her head, 'up to three metres tall with the ability to suck out my soul'.
It continued to move out of the compartment, a slimy and scabbed hand gripping the side of the door, and quickly steering towards her. The sight shook her out of her thoughts.
"Expecto Patronum!" She wasn't the only one to perform it, a light darting out of the actual cabin and joining hers. The spell was beaten into her head by now, almost a habit, but still it was only white light coming out of her wand. A steady and bright stream of it, bridging the space easily, but not her well practised corporeal.
At once the dementor didn't bother her anymore, her attention completely on her own spellwork. She hadn't practised the charm for weeks upon weeks only to achieve a bit of light. Focusing her mind, she paid less attention to the dementors' hurried departure and more to head of her dragon, which peaked out the moment the carriage door slammed shut. Good, she still had it.
The carriage door ahead rattled, drawing her attention and causing her to grimace. Great, she had to go that way too.
But it became apparent that the dementor had moved outside of the train, as the lights turned back on and the train started to move forward again. Even the carriage heated up almost instantly, defrosting the windows.
Letting the light of her wand fade away with a sigh, she made her way to the open compartment. What idiot had let a dementor inside their cabin? Detention for all.
Her wand was still in her hand when her head peaked around the corner, coming face to face with a bunch of red robes.
"Harry! Harry! Are you all right?" Granger was slapping Potter's face.
"Of course, who else could it be." She mumbled and her right eye twitched at the sight of Weasley and Granger, both bent over Potter, who lay motionless on the ground. "Is he dead?"
Frowning, she moved closer to see Potter blink and open his eyes. She couldn't say she was sad to see that he did. If Potter had been killed on the way to Hogwarts Sirius was going to have it a lot easier.
There were a few more people in the cabin; Longbottom, the youngest Weasley, and an older man in shabby clothing. The latter made eye contact with her and was visibly startled, backing up hastily and hitting his head on the baggage rack, his wand in his hand. The sound echoed through the compartment and drew a few eyes, Longbottoms hand reaching up as to steady him.
He'd looked almost alarmed at the sight of her.
"... Who screamed?" Potter's voice reached her ears, the boy slowly getting up. "I heard…"
"No one screamed, Harry." Weasley said nervously.
"But I heard screaming…"
"Here," a loud snap caught people's attention. The man had composed himself and was now breaking off pieces of a large chocolate bar, his eyes focused on Potter. "Eat it. It'll help."
Potter reached out for the candy, making eye contact with her at the same time. "Black?" He tried to get up a lot quicker now, chocolate in his hand, trying to glare at her at the same time. "What are you doing here?"
"Saving your life. Again, might I add." Smirking, she watched Weasley and Granger put their hands under Potter's arms, lifting him up. "Are you people always foolish enough to open the door for a dementor, or was this a special occasion?"
"A what?" Potter gave her a confused look. It made her wonder if he ever even opened his books. Could he even read?
"A dementor." The man was handing out chocolate to everyone else. She declined hers. The dementor hadn't gotten close and she wasn't going to accept food from scruffy strangers. "One of the dementors of Azkaban."
The Gryffindors blankly stared at him and she let out a sigh. She wasn't going to stand there while they received a DADA lesson. Three out of five were pureblood, which made it worse.
"I'll have to write all of you up for detention." Interrupting, she tapped her badge with her wand and turned towards the man. "And you are?"
The man seemed reluctant to make eye contact with her, but did so anyway. "Professor Remus Lupin, new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. And I do have to say that the dementor opened the door by itself. These children were not at fault."
Grateful glances were given to Lupin, while she cast a quick glance towards his patched up set of robes, to his pale face, which highlighted the dark circles underneath his eyes. He looked like he had been sleeping on the street and she couldn't quite make out his age. But if he said he was going to be the new DADA teacher, he probably fit right in.
"Pleasure to meet you, Professor Lupin. My name is Maia Black, fifth year prefect." Giving him a nod, she glanced at the rest. "In case of the detention, I will run it by Professor Snape. But you might want to switch carriages. These Gryffindors are notorious for inflicting bodily harm on the last two DADA teachers we had. You wouldn't want to be next."
"Wha…" Outraged yelps came from the Gryffindors, Potter scowling at her. "That has nothing to do…"
"I have to meet with the driver." Interrupting their objections, she gave the Professor a polite smile. His own came out rather stiff. Whatever.
Slamming the door shut in the faces, obscuring out the angry looks Weasley and Potter threw at her, Granger already busy with the youngest Weasley, she made her way to the front.
If her lessons taught her anything over the years, it was that in cases like this someone had to take the blame. And it wasn't going to be her.
"Professor Snape?" Standing in front of the High Table, she carefully made eye contact with her Head of House, who seemed preoccupied, trying to kill Professor Lupin with his eyes.
"What, Miss Black?" Snape sneered down at her.
Deciding to cut to the chase, she didn't bother with pleasantries, Snape didn't look to be in the mood.
"The driver let a dementor inside of the train and it managed to attack Potter." That got her his full attention and she continued. "I sent it away, but Potter fainted before that. Professor Lupin was there too."
And just like that Snape's face turned back to Lupin, loathing in a way she had never seen on his face. On anyone's face, really.
"Was he now? And Potter still got hurt?" Baring his teeth, she was glad Snape was looking at Lupin and not at her. "Five points to Slytherin, Miss Black. I'll inform Minerva and the Headmaster of this."
Shrugging, she turned back to the Slytherin table, taking place next to Liz and Cassius. It was in Snape's hands now, but she'd make sure to get herself an alibi for tonight. Part of her expected for someone to find Lupin's body in a ditch tomorrow.
Did they even have a plan B for the DADA teacher?
"Warrington! Black! First game of the season, Slytherin versus Gryffindor. We start training this Thursday." The next morning at breakfast, Flint passed them, giving her a look. "You are not exempt from anything, Black. I don't care if that cousin of yours tries to kill you on the way there, or during. You dodge and score, understand?"
"Yes, captain." Relieved, she gave Flint a nod.
It would have been easy to kick her off the team for this. Flint wouldn't find another Chaser like her, but at least one that didn't bring any danger to the team. She supposed Draco could threaten to take away the brooms if he did, but it was likely Flint simply didn't care about the potential risk, as long as they won. It was his way of reassuring the team had her back.
"If I lose the Cup in my last year I swear…" Flint's mutters faded away as he walked ahead to his side of the table.
"Would it be wise?" Liz's voice caught her attention and she turned.
"What do you mean?"
"Well," Liz bit her lip. "They'd probably catch him soon enough, but staying inside might be the way to go here. No one is entering Hogwarts, but flying around in the middle of the grounds, I mean…"
"I went out this morning too, didn't I?" She responded calmly, holding the eyes of a Ravenclaw who she caught staring. The girl slowly turned red, from her neck up to her forehead, until she managed to regain movement in her neck. "Not to mention Herbology, or Care of Creatures, those take place on the grounds."
She was about to repeat the ritual with a first year Slytherin, who she suspected waited in the common room to follow her to the Great Hall, when the owls came flying inside, drawing the attention of everyone.
"That's true." Liz bit her lip. "But…"
Accepting the Daily Prophet from the owl, the front page was again plastered with the progress of the hunt for Sirius Black. At least they had removed the giant picture, but it did little for the looks sent her way, which increased at once.
The letter from the Minister followed soon after, given by an official looking black owl with bright yellow eyes. She stuffed it in her bag to read later, there was little chance it didn't say the same as always.
"I appreciate the concern, Liz." She cut her friend off, drinking the last bit of her juice and standing up, leaving her breakfast unfinished. "But to get to me he has to get through dementors, the Hogwarts walls, and the teachers. Even then I can still protect myself. I'll take those odds."
Fingers were being pointed her way at her rise from the table and she sent a quick glare around. It was only the first morning and she was already getting irritated at the behaviour of others. Either they had to get used to it, or she had, and the latter seemed unlikely. She had no moral issue with abusing her prefect status until they learned.
"I'll go first. See you two in the DADA classroom." Grabbing her bag from the floor, she quickly departed the hall, the empty corridors far more comfortable.
Double DADA was first, History of Magic, double Transfiguration, Divination, and lastly Ancient Runes. They were in their fifth year and with that came O.W.L.s, something she absolutely had to get all Outstandings for. Even among the circumstances. Not to mention, she had to find a new full moon for her to take another shot at the Animagus ritual, train for Quidditch, and keep up with her prefect duties.
It seemed like a bit much, but she was confident that it would be manageable as long as she focused.
"After Ancient Runes I have to see if I can find Sprout," muttering to herself, she was the first to enter the classroom. "I can't make the same mistakes as last ye…"
Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice coming from the front, making her jump on the spot. Her wand fell into her hand and her mind went through a list of curses, one already on her lips. The tip of her wand was lit when she saw who it was.
"Maia!" Lupin exclaimed, his hands raised. "It's just me."
"Professor Lupin." Heart racing, she lowered her wand. She hadn't heard him come out of his office. "I didn't see you there."
"I gathered that." Lupin looked a lot better than he had the day before, the circles under his eyes almost gone and wearing what looked like a washed set of robes. Though they still looked very dishevelled with poorly patched up holes in them, it was an improvement. "You are early."
"Yes," her wand returned to its place. "Is that an issue?"
"No, no, of course not." Lupin looked away from her face with an avoidance that had her confused. "I'm not used to such diligent students. My time at Hogwarts was surely different."
"I see." Lifting her bag, which she didn't even notice she dropped, she moved to sit in the front, close to the window. From her spot she could see the dark figures of the dementors floating around in the distance. "When did you attend Hogwarts, Professor?"
The room was silent, long enough for her to sit down, removing the book from her bag, and looking back up at Lupin. He was staring at the room with a blank expression on his face, and, in the light, she noticed the silver lines along his nose and cheek. Long faded scars.
Staring at his face, she felt a slight itch in her head, as if she had seen it before, but she couldn't remember where. They surely had never met before.
Lupin came out of his staring first, his startled eyes meeting her observant ones.
"Uhm…"
He didn't have to answer any further, the door opening further and voices calling out to him.
"Good morning, Professor Lupin!" Towler was in an exemplary mood, his voice grating on her eardrums. "I'm Kenneth Towler, prefect for Gryffindor, and…"
His eyes met hers and he fell quiet, his face turning the blotched version of maroon. Did he really come early just to suck up to the teacher?
Leaning back in her chair, she gave him a smirk, not even saying anything.
"Black." Towler gave her a stink eye, taking a place in the front instead of his usual spot in the back.
Slowly the classroom filled with students and she didn't bother to look at any of them, flipping through her book instead, trying to see if there was anything she was unfamiliar with. Maybe a concept towards the end? But overall it looked like she had seen most of it at least once. It spelled a lot of good for the year to come, at least for DADA.
"Good morning," Lupin clapped his hands, gathering the attention of the class. "Would you please put all your books back into your bags. Today will be a practical lesson. You will only need your wands."
Her eyebrows rose and she exchanged a quick look with Cassius and Liz behind her as they put away their books. The last few practical Defence Against the Dark Arts classes she remembered were the lessons from Quirrell, or what Lockheart did, whatever you'd call it.
"This year you'll be taking your Ordinary Wizarding Levels, or O.W.L.s, which isn't just a theoretical exam, but a practical one as well." Lupin moved to the classroom door, opening it. "If you'd follow me."
Getting to their feet, the class followed the Professor out of the classroom, excited whispers going around. He led them along the deserted corridor and around two corners, then halted in front of the staff-room.
The room was empty, the long panelled room full of mismatched chairs which, with a wave of his wand, Lupin pushed to the walls. Against the wall on the other side of the room a familiar looking wardrobe gave a violent rattle.
"Don't worry about that." Lupin moved to stand at the head of the crowd. "That's the Boggart for the third years later this week."
"Anyway, it has been my understanding that over the last four years you have been studying defensive spells without actually using them." Lupin continued, giving them all a look. "Is that correct?"
The room stayed silent and, surprisingly, Towler stepped forward first. "That's right."
"None at all?" Lupin frowned, looking displeased.
"We've had the Boggart and the third year basics." Towler gestured at the wardrobe. "And last year Lockheart gave a few lessons in the Dueling Club, but that's about it."
"Mmm." Lupin moved a hand through his hair, looking up at some hesitant faces of the students around him.
Then he smiled. "That gives me a lot to work with. No doubt we'd be here more than often practising that very skill. Theory is fun and all, but in the real world practicality is what it all comes down to. If you are attacked you want to be able to actually perform the spell, not provide your opponent with information."
Students burst out in laughter and giggles, and from the side she could see Towler looking at Lupin like he'd just announced everyone was getting O's. In the back both of the Weasley twins let out a cheer.
"Now, let's start." Lupin hushed the crowd. "Does anyone know the Tongue Binding Spell?"
Her hand lazily went up, but she wasn't the only one.
"Yes, George." Lupin pointed at a hand in the back.
"Isn't that the spell that makes your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth?"
A few giggles went around and Lupin smiled. "Not exactly. It ties your tongue in a knot instead. Useful because it prevents your opponent from speaking and therefore from casting anymore spells."
"We will practise the charm without wands first." Lupin said, waving his hands. "Mimblewimble. Everyone, please repeat after me."
"Mimblewimble." The class called out together.
"Good, but that was the easy part, I'm afraid." Lupin gestured at the space between them. "If anyone is so kind as to volunteer?"
Stepping forward, she kept her eyes on the Professor, waiting for his reaction.
"Right, Maia. Anyone else?" Lupin didn't look at her, keeping his eyes on the crowd.
"I will!" Towler stepped forward immediately, narrowing his eyes at her.
Holding back a chuckle but not her smirk, she knew this was some kind of retribution for last year. Prefects hexing each other put their position in jeopardy, but when the teachers specifically asked them to? How could they possibly refuse?
"Great. Okay, Kenneth," Lupin beckoned them forward. "I want you to try and put the spell on Maia first. Go ahead."
She had hoped she could have hexed him first. Displeased, she took her place across from the grinning Towler, his wand already out in his hand.
"Mimblewimble!" He called it loudly, waving his wand in the wrong movement.
As expected, nothing happened. The other students either giggled or laughed, and she couldn't help letting out a chuckle this time either.
"Almost, Kenneth!" Lupin smiled encouragingly, moving his hand again. "Like this."
Towler moved his hand a few times, the shape finally taking something like the correct movement.
"Mimblewimble!" This time a light blue light shot out of his wand and hit the window behind her, a good few steps to the right.
More people laughed again and she traced her teeth with her tongue, pushing her wand back into her holster slowly. Waiting to be hexed never was a nice feeling, even when you knew the spell was practically harmless. It helped that she wasn't powerless, not even without the use of her tongue, curtsey of Madam Vladislav.
"One more time!" Lupin encouraged Towler.
"Mimblewimble!" This time Towler did get it and the light blue light hit her in the chest, a cold air travelling upwards to her mouth, and she felt her tongue elongating, turning around itself, and tying in a knot.
"Fantastic!" Lupin clapped his hands, turning to her. "Maia, if you'd please?"
Opening her mouth, she languidly revealed her tongue, pushing down her embarrassment at the uncouth gesture. Even as a child she hadn't scooped that low. But no one seemed bothered, all eyes on her tongue which was tied in a neat knot.
Admirable hums went around, together with a small applause for Towler. One or both of the Weasleys let out a loud laugh.
"Five points to Gryffindor." Lupin said proudly. "I'll untie your tongue, Maia, and then you can do the same…"
Without hesitation she pointed her wand at Towler, closing her mouth, and focused on the same blue light she had seen come out of his. Mimblewimble! She only had to think it with enough force and the same light travelled out of her wand, hitting Towler right in his face.
The room was silent when she lowered hers, Towler looking stunned with his wand still dangling between his fingers.
"Kenneth?" Lupin glanced between her and Towler, giving her a frown.
"Hmmmm." Towler opened his mouth to show his tongue rolled up in a knot, glaring at her at the same time.
The sight brought back the laughter in the room and she smirked, pleased with herself. At the same time she flicked her wand at her own mouth, undoing the curse. Her tongue moved back around itself, untying and resuming normal form. Moving it a few times, she tried to make sure none of the curse remained. She didn't want to continue the rest of her day with a stutter.
"A well executed, nonverbal spell." Lupin waved his wand at Towler, undoing his. "Five points to Slytherin."
Soft cheers went around the room, but Lupin turned to her. "Though, next time Maia, wait your turn."
"Yes, Professor." Pleased, she took back her place in the crowd.
"We still have some time left," Lupin glanced at the clock. "Split yourself up in pairs and practise. Don't forget to undo your partner's tongue and don't worry, nonverbal spells are not on the list of requirements for your O.W.L.s."
Turning to each other with excitement, the atmosphere in the class was the best it had been in years. After tying and untying Burke's tongue for the third time, Burke doing the same to her, Lupin announced the end of the class.
"Excellent, everybody!" Lupin grinned at them widely, everyone staring back with red, smiling faces and undone ties. "I couldn't have imagined a better introduction to my career in teaching. Keep practising, next class we'll try something else."
Talking excitedly, the class left the staff room in a whirlwind of cloaks and laughter. Undoing the last spell on Burke's tongue, after an appropriate amount of teasing, she too grabbed her bag with a grin, only to be stopped by Professor Lupin.
"Maia, a word, please."
Waving at Burke to go on, she walked back into the room, moving her own hand through her hair. "Yes, Professor Lupin?"
The room was empty once more and Lupin seemed to have lost some of his previous, happy disposition.
"I… " He carefully looked her in the eyes. "I am aware that you are one of the few that receive extra lessons at home. After the altercation in the train and today's class, I can see you are quite a bit ahead of your peers."
Shrugging, she lifted her bag higher up her shoulder. Same conversation as her first year then. "I spent quite a lot of time duelling this summer, Professor. With the current situation. But I'm already aware that the teachers can't make exceptions for me. You don't have to repeat it."
Lupin looked startled. "Right. Of course."
"Is that all?" Raising her eyebrow, she glanced at the clock. "I do have to get to History."
"I uhmm…" Lupin hesitated, but shook his head. "Yes, that is all. Go ahead."
Nodding his way, she quickly made her way out of the room and out of the hallway, going up the stairs to the History classroom.
She couldn't help but feel confused by both the interactions she had with Lupin. She had never seen him before, never interacted with him before, yet he reminded her of something. Not something recent, but something long ago.
If only she could put her finger on it.
Pushing the feeling to the side for a later date, she made it to the class just in time to hear the start of Binns lecture on the giant wars.
"I'm liking Lupin more and more." Cassius mentioned when she sat down at the dinner table, at last.
Ancient Runes had seemed to go on forever, Professor Babbling giving them homework of a foot on just the word 'eihwaz', or in plain English; defence. Finally, the day had ended for her too and her hand immediately went to the platter of steak. She deserved it.
"I mean his robes are horrid." Cassius continued. "And he looks like Dumbledore picked him up right from beside the road, but he is the only teacher that didn't give us any homework today. The way McGonagall talked about our O.W.L.s, you would think they are going to make us fight Merlin."
"If this continues I'm never going to pass." Liz poked at her potatoes. "Foot-and-a-half long essay for Binns, McGonagall's foot on the use of Vanishing Spells, and a month-long dream diary from Trewlaney! What am I going to write? 'I passed out from exhaustion and was too tired to dream anything'? She'd definitely mention that the next time she sees my mum again."
Groaning, Liz turned to her. "How was Runes?"
Shrugging, she swallowed another bite from her steak. "A foot long essay on one word."
Cassius and Liz groaned simultaneously, as if they had to do it too.
"They don't accept professional Quidditch players without their O.W.L.s." Cassius looked like he was trying to drown himself in pumpkin juice. "If I fail you two will have to take care of me."
"The only thing I need to succeed is Care of Magical Creatures." Liz looked determined. "My parents will be disappointed, but it's fine." Then she turned to Cassius. "You can hold my stuff while we travel the world in search of new species."
Cassius genuinely seemed to consider it.
"Oh, stop it." Rolling her eyes, she called them out. "You will both be fine, don't be so dramatic."
All she got in return were two blank stares, leaving her to roll her eyes a second time.
"If you don't pass your exams they will probably snap your wand." She shrugged, smirking when Cassius choked on his juice. "How about we go straight to the common room after dinner? I'll give you a peak of what I've already written."
"Really?" Liz gave her a bright smile, while Cassius cleaned his face with a napkin, looking disgusted at his robes and grabbing his wand.
"Not if you keep acting like this. They are choosing the new Quidditch Captain next year," she levelled Cassius with a look, "and I can't be friends with you if you both get one O.W.L. Less than seven and you'll be replaced."
About to say more, she was interrupted by a cough coming from behind her. Turning her head, Blaise gave them a greeting, raising his hand awkwardly. A sense of deja vu washed over her. Was it their awful timing or his?
"Good evening, Blaise." Her eyes moved over his shoulder to look at the rest of the third years. Ah, no blond head. "Where's Draco now?"
"In the Hospital Wing." Blaise's grave tone had her focus returned to him immediately. He looked serious, his face pale. She knew Blaise wasn't the best with physical harm, almost fainting at the sight of Gregory's bloody nose when he was six, but how did that convey itself to this situation?
"Why is he in the Hospital Wing?" Her focus sharpened.
"He was attacked by a hippogriff during class. He's been there since this morning." Blaise didn't look like he was done talking, but she had heard enough.
Grabbing her bag, she didn't bother with the rest of her dinner and jumped from her seat.
"I'll see you in the common room." Giving Cassius and Liz a quick wave, she turned to the third year. "Thank you, Blaise."
Rushing out of the hall, she took two stair steps at a time, arriving at the Hospital Wing in record speed. The doors were already open and, stepping through, her eyes went straight to the familiar platinum hair. Bandages ran up Draco's arm, from wrist to his shoulder, simultaneously supported by a sling tied around his neck. He was wearing a blouse a size too big, clearly given to him by Madam Pomfrey. Had he bled all over his robes?
"Cousin?" Draco looked surprised to see her, wiggling to raise himself up using only one arm. "What are you doing here?"
"Don't bother getting up." Arriving at his bed, she observed the bandages. How deep had it cut? What had it cut? "How bad is it? What happened?"
Draco shrugged, wincing when he moved his bad arm, and leaned back into his mountain of pillows. "She said I would be fine. It just hurts when I move."
Frowning, she observed. "Blaise looked like…"
Draco became a bit pink in his face, breaking eye contact. "I might have laid it on a bit thick." Then he quickly turned back to her, defensively. "But it really wasn't my fault! I did nothing wrong!"
"I never said you did." It was easy to see it wasn't his fault, unless he turned his own wand on himself. "What happened?"
"Ugh," Draco scowled at his blankets. "We had that stupid oaf for our first class, introducing his sensitive hippogriffs. All he said was that the thing was supposed to bow for you and then you could touch it. And it bowed for me!"
He looked up at her for confirmation and she nodded, holding herself back. What did he mean with 'when he was allowed to touch it'? And hippogriffs? As in multiple?
"So everyone started bowing to theirs. I was with Goyle and Crabbe, the thing bowed, I petted the beak, and before I knew it it went crazy." Draco looked at his arm. "Scratched my whole arm open. I don't remember much, just blood everywhere, then it got blurry. The oaf carried me here, blabbering and all. He shook so much I'm sure he made it worse."
"And now?" She gestured at Draco to speed up, grinding her teeth together.
"If I move my arm it hurts, but I've already received a few potions. She said it will probably leave a scar." Draco hesitated. "I might draw it out a bit, stay here for a little while. Professor Snape has already contacted mother and father."
She let her eyes wander back to his arm. A bruised eye was one thing, but that was the result of a squabble between eleven year olds. An attack by a hippogriff had the potential to be lethal. Did Hagrid not realise wizards weren't as indestructible as giants, or was he truly brain dead? Let alone a class of thirteen year olds? What were they going to do against a hippogriff? They couldn't even face a Boggart yet.
"You should stay here." She agreed firmly, getting her a surprised look in return. If she was resentful, she could only imagine how Draco's parents felt.
"I should?"
"Yes, stay here. Rest as long as you want." She said, taking a seat on the chair next to his bed. "What did your parents say?"
Draco tilted his head. "Uhm, father said he was going to talk to the school governors. I hope father gets him sacked and someone better put in place. First the homeless for DADA and now this oaf for Care of Magical Creatures? Or the woman for Divination! But at least she did predict Potter's death…"
He continued mumbling, her eyes focused on the bandage. Should she send a letter to the Malfoys? Liz had told both Cassius and her about Hagrid being a half giant, making them swear to never mention it to anyone else. Was breaking that promise worth getting Hagrid fired? It would work without question.
Draco glanced at her. "What are you thinking?"
Eyes flickering back to his face, she shrugged. "I think Hagrid should be sacked as teacher. Care of Magical Creatures isn't a class without risk, but it is up to him to minimise that risk. That you were injured on the first day speaks volumes."
"Right, right. I just called it ugly." Draco muttered. "Once."
His words did make her chuckle. "You insulted a hippogriff?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" He scowled at her, quickly realising his mistake. "It understood me? I didn't know that! No one even knew how to open the stupid book he gave us. Almost took my hands off that thing. 'You have to stroke it', as if that is something completely obvious. How could I have known?!"
"Yes, the book is rather foul." She hadn't even touched it, disgusted by the eyes on top.
"There were twelve of those things, it could have happened to anybody." Draco grumbled. "Stupid chicken."
Twelve hippogriffs?! She gripped the base of her seat, calming down her frustration. A dozen hippogriffs and what? Twenty children? Just throw them together and see what happens? One of those talons near the neck and it would have been over.
That image didn't make it better and she did her best to refocus, pushing the thoughts to the back of her mind.
"Keep the bandages as long as you can." Her words got her a curious glance from Draco. "If your father has already contacted the school governors you need to play your part. If you walk out of here tonight, completely healed, it would have been for naught. We want him fired, not reprimanded."
"I thought…" Draco said, hesitating for a second. "I thought you would disapprove."
That took her by surprise. "Why would you think that?"
He shook his head, moving his better hand behind his neck. "I don't know. Your friend is friends with the oaf, isn't she?"
She shrugged. "Yes, she is, but I'm not. I'm your cousin."
Draco blinked at her, a grin slowly developing on his face. "Oh, and Pansy brought me the homework, but I can probably get out of it now." He raised his bandaged arm. "I still can't write, after all."
"The quill can write it for you." Bending down to grab her own quill, parchment, and ink, she summoned the table from the other side of the room, lowering it gently in front of her. Getting Hagrid fired was fine, but Draco's grades didn't have to suffer for it.
Groaning, Draco turned his head away from her. "Really, now? This is the first time we've talked in ages and you want me to study? You know how much I've studied during the summer?"
Halting at his words, she stared at his face. Draco was still complaining, moaning something about Professor Mulberry and the Introduction to Law, but she went over her own summer in her mind. The last time she had seen Draco was in June, a full two months ago, and in the meantime they had sent each other not a single letter. They had both been quite busy, but still.
"You're right." Her words halted Draco mid-sentence.
"Wh.. Yes, of course."
"How was your summer, cousin?" She waved her wand again, both the table and her writing equipment returned to their original place.
"Uhm… well…" Draco smiled at her, genuinely. "So my classes started in July with Professor Mulberry, who is terribly old and always confuses my name with this other boy he teaches, who apparently graduated ten years ago. Luckily, the boy was horrible at law, so everything I do impresses him, which is good because Nott told me he was very strict."
Watching Draco move his head around in a rendition on how his Professor had praised him for memorising the different categories of the law and their description, she was unable to keep her own smile off her face.
She had missed moments like these more than she had realised.
