Diary of an Orphan (re-written)

by StrangeLittleWeirdo

Jenna grew up alone in an orphanage with no knowledge of who she was or where she came from. It wasn't until an owl arrived with a letter for her, and a man named Remus Lupin walked into her life, that she learnt she was so much more than she originally thought and her life would never be the same again.

15. The Things We Fear

Chapter 14

The Things We Fear

The next morning I was woken up by Mrs Weasley, gently shaking my shoulder to rouse me. I blinked hard having had very little sleep and pushed myself up on my bed. I pulled my hair out of its band and ran my brush through it, brushing out the knots from the black and red strands. I crossed my room and got some clean clothes out of my trunk then went to have a shower in the adjoining bathroom. Once clean and fresh I got into my clothes, put the rest of my stuff back into my trunk and made sure Gizmo was in his cage, then grabbed them both to go downstairs. A maid pulling a trolley of cleaning products with a broom sweeping beside her passed me as I walked down the corridor. She knocked on the door of a room just to my left.

'House keeping,' she said, her tone very uninterested in her job. I glanced back at her in time to see the door open and a loud roar bellowed from inside; her robes flew up and her hair was blown back from her face, and when the door slammed shut again, she swayed slightly from the force. 'I'll come back later.'

I raised my eyebrows in mild surprise then went downstairs.

I pulled my trunk down the rickety wooden staircase and left it and Gizmo's cage next to the rest of the luggage that belonged to the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione, which was all gathered in the corner. Everyone was sat round the table like we were last night. Mr Weasley was reading the morning's copy of the Daily Prophet with a furrowed brow while Mrs Weasley was telling Hermione and Ginny about a Love Potion she had brewed when she was younger. The three of them were all giggling about it. I bit back the urge to roll my eyes; I didn't like the idea of Love Potions, something forcing you to feel something for someone you might not even like. I took a seat at the table and helped myself to some cereal, keeping my head down so I didn't get pulled into the conversation. Harry and Ron appeared moments later and took the seats opposite me but before I could say anything to them Percy had stormed down the stairs shouting something about his photo of Penelope Clearwater had been ruined.

Just before we left I went to check on all our various pets to make sure they were ready for the journey in the Ministry cars while the others all rushed about checking they had everything. It seemed a very Weasley thing to do, leaving everything to the last minute. I checked Crookshanks was comfortable in his wicket basket and was greeted by the usual hiss from him. I frowned; if Crookshanks really was part Kneazle, did he know I was hiding my relation to Black from the others? I then went to check on the owls. Hermes, Percy's owl, was sitting proudly in his cage in a very similar manner to the way Percy would stride around with his chest puffed out. I gave him a couple of Owl Treats in case he got hungry. I then turned to Hedwig and Gizmo. To my surprise the two of them were both leaning their heads against their cages and hooting at each other in a way I hadn't seen before. They certainly seemed very happy in each other's company. I remembered back to the day I bought him. He'd been agitated because his mate had been bought. I looked at Hedwig. Had she been his mate or something?

Hermione appeared beside me to check on Crookshanks. She poked her finger through the wire door to stroke his ear.

'It's all right, Crookshanks,' she cooed through it. 'I'll let you out on the train.'

'You won't,' snapped Ron. He and Harry came over to us. 'What about poor Scabbers, eh?'

Ron jabbed at his chest where there was a large lump shivering in his jacket again. Just then, Mr Weasley stuck his head round the door leading to the Muggle side of London.

'They're here,' he told us. 'Harry, come on.'

Harry grabbed his things and was led out of the bar by Mr Weasley straight to the car. Ron, Hermione and I followed, loading our trunks and pets into the magically expanded boot of the dark green car that had come to collect us. I couldn't help but notice the furtive looks the wizard who was to drive us to the station gave us as we got into the car. To Ron's annoyance, Percy joined us, who was looking equally as peeved at the arrangement. It was a very awkward journey in silence to King's Cross Station. The cars slid through the London traffic with ease and we arrived at twenty to eleven, giving us plenty of time to get our stuff out of the cars and get to the platform. The Ministry drivers doffed their hats to Mr Weasley then drove off into the traffic once more.

Mrs Weasley was right when she said we'd be a right sight in King's Cross Station for the Muggles. I mean, the sight of two adults, eight children of varying hair colour and appearance, eight trunks, three owls, a cat and a rat – though, granted Scabbers was still in Ron's pocket – must have been quite something if it hadn't been as busy as it currently was. Mr Weasley kept very close to Harry's side as he led us up the platform to where the barrier separating us from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was hidden.

'Right then,' called Mr Weasley. 'Let's do this in pairs, as there are so many of us. I'll go through first with Harry.'

With a casual glance at the InterCity 125, Mr Weasley slipped through the not so solid wall with Harry's trunk without any of the passing Muggles noticing him. Harry did the same seconds later and vanished from sight. Ron and Hermione followed quickly afterwards as Ron didn't want to have to go through with Percy; Fred and George went after them; Percy strode through the barrier pretending to be looking at the pigeons in the rafters with me walking behind him; and Ginny and Mrs Weasley brought up the rear.

'Ah, there's Penelope!' said Percy loudly. His hand jumped to his hair and smoothed it down before walking over with his chest puffed out to a blonde curly-haired girl I recognised from the previous year. Penelope had been the girl I had found Hermione with when she was attacked by the Basilisk.

The group of us walked along the length of the platform amongst the other families already gathered there saying goodbye to their children. I looked around to see if there was any sign of Lupin but I had no luck in finding him. I hope he'd managed to get here safely. We handed our trunks over to the conductor and he loaded them and Hedwig and Gizmo's cages on to the train while Hermione kept Crookshanks with her. With them safely stowed away we returned to the platform to say goodbye to Mr and Mrs Weasley. Mrs Weasley kissed all her children, then Hermione, then me to my surprise, and finally Harry. I felt my cheeks redden at the gesture.

'Do take care, won't you, Harry?' said Mrs Weasley, releasing him from her hug. Her eyes were watering slightly I noticed. Next she opened her handbag and pulled out several packages that looked like sandwiches. She gave one to each of us. 'I've made you all sandwiches. Here you are, Ron … no, they're not corned beef … Fred? Where's Fred? Here you are, dear …'

'Harry.'

I looked to my left having heard Mr Weasley call Harry's name. I watched as he jerked his head to indicate he wanted Harry to follow him and they walked off behind a pillar out of Mrs Weasley's sight. A feeling of unease started in the pit of my stomach as I took the sandwich Mrs Weasley handed me and put it away in my bag. I had a horrible feeling I knew what it was about. I lingered to try and hear what was being said but Mrs Weasley quickly bustled me on to the train with the others.

'Arthur!' Mrs Weasley called over to her husband. 'Arthur, what are you doing? It's about to go!'

Mr Weasley quickly finished his conversation with Harry just in time. Harry ran over to the train and jumped on to the carriage through the door Ron had thrown open for him. The whistle blew and the train began to pull away. We waved goodbye to Ron's parents and they disappeared into the distance. Now safely on the train Harry turned to us.

'I need to talk to you in private,' he muttered. His eyes then flicked on to Ginny who was still standing beside us.

'Go away, Ginny,' said Ron.

'Oh, that's nice,' said Ginny huffily. She gave Ron a dirty look then turned on her heel and stalked off.

Still in need of a compartment for the journey, Harry, Ron, Hermione and I set off down the train to find an empty one. With every one we passed we found every one of them full of students all chatting excitedly about being on their way back to Hogwarts. It wasn't until we reached the end of the train that we found one with only one occupant inside. While adults were rarely ever seen on the train, my eyes lit up when I saw who it was. Leant up against the window with his travelling cloak pulled up over his face so only his forehead was visible, Lupin was fast asleep having only just suffered yet another transformation the day before.

'Come on, everywhere else is full,' said Hermione. She pulled open the door and we went inside.

'Who d'you reckon he is?' Ron hissed, nodding his head at Lupin. He took the seat opposite to him, eyeing him carefully. I took the vacant seat beside Lupin while Harry and Hermione sat opposite each other next to the now shut compartment door.

'Professor R. J. Lupin,' I replied. I felt quite proud saying it.

'How d'you know that?' asked Ron.

'It's on his case, Ronald,' said Hermione dismissively. She pointed at the battered old trunk sitting in the luggage rack. The letters were faded on the old brown leather and it was being held together by a large quantity of string. 'Jenna probably saw it there.'

'No,' I said, 'it's because he's my Uncle.'

'That's your uncle?' asked Harry. 'He looks a bit … ill.'

'Yeah, he's fine,' I shrugged. 'Just a bit tired at the moment.'

'Wonder what he teaches?' said Ron, frowning.

'That's obvious,' said Hermione. 'There's only one vacancy, isn't there? Defence Against the Dark Arts.'

'Well, I hope he's up to it,' said Ron. I could hear the doubt in his voice. 'He looks like one good hex would finish him off, doesn't he?' I frowned at that. 'Anyway …' continued Ron, looking at Harry expectantly.

'Last night, I overheard your mum and dad arguing in the parlour of the Leaky Cauldron,' said Harry.

'What were they arguing about?' asked Ron.

'Me,' said Harry. 'Mr Weasley wanted to tell me something that Fudge had refused to, and that Mrs Weasley agreed that I shouldn't know. Something about Sirius Black.'

I felt my heart skip when Harry said his name. I tried to arrange my face into a confused one to mask my real reaction.

'The escaped convict?' said Hermione, confused. 'What has Sirius Black got to do with you?'

'Black was one of Voldemort's supporters,' Harry continued, lowering his voice, 'and the reason they think he's escaped is to come after me and finish what Voldemort started.'

Like whenever something shocking was told to us, Ron mouth fell open while Hermione had her hands clamped tightly over her mouth to stop her from screaming. Only I remained calm considering the news we had just learnt. Even Harry seemed relatively calm considering he'd just found out some murderer was after him.

'Sirius Black escaped to come after you?' Hermione finally said, her voice high. 'Oh, Harry … you'll have to be really, really careful. Don't go looking for trouble, Harry …'

'I don't go looking for trouble,' said Harry tetchily. 'Trouble usually finds me.'

'How thick would Harry have to be, to go looking for a nutter who wants to kill him?' said Ron.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I allowed my hair to fall forwards over my shoulders having left it loose instead of putting it in its usual braid so that my face was slightly obscured by it.

'You said Black escaped Azkaban,' I then said. I know Lupin had told me his theory on how Black did it – being an Animagus – but he said his magic would have been too weak for him to manage it. 'I thought Azkaban was meant to be inescapable so how could he get out?'

'No one knows how he got out of Azkaban,' said Ron. 'No one's ever done it before. And he was a top-security prisoner, too.'

'But they'll catch him, won't they?' said Hermione, concerned. 'I mean, they've got all the Muggles looking out for him, too …'

'Sure,' said Ron sarcastically, 'except he's a murderous, raving lunatic.'

'Thanks, Ron,' said Harry.

'It's not just him, though,' Ron continued. 'The whole lot of them were mad, according to Dad. The Blacks were avid supporters of You-Know-Who, all of them the sharing his belief in blood purity. They were known for marrying their cousins in order to maintain their bloodline and despised anyone who wasn't a pure-blood.'

I shifted awkwardly again in my seat. Unfortunately Harry noticed.

'You all right, Jenna?' he asked.

Before I could answer, Ron asked the one question I had been waiting for. The one I had been dreading having to answer.

'Jenna, your surname's Black,' said Ron, as if he'd only just realised this fact.

'What's your point?' I asked. I tried to keep my voice steady but I could hear it shake as I spoke.

'You aren't related to them, are you?' Ron asked. He and Hermione looked at me from across the compartment. I hesitated, not knowing what to say when, to my surprise, Harry jumped to my defence.

'Jenna doesn't know where her dad is,' said Harry firmly. 'She grew up in a Muggle orphanage and never found out what had happened to him. Just because she's a Black and she's from a wizarding family doesn't mean she's related to him.'

I stared at Harry, confused by how he'd instantly stated that I couldn't be any relation to Black. I made to correct him but I stopped myself. A part of me knew I should, to get it over with and admit I was Black's daughter and that I only found out a few weeks ago and hope that the others don't take it the wrong way. A stronger part of me, however, was telling me to take Harry's support and not say anything, and hope that it is never mentioned again.

'What's that noise?' said Ron suddenly.

A high-pitched tinny noise had started somewhere above us. We all looked around for the source.

'It's coming from your bag, Harry,' said Ron.

Harry moved aside so that Ron could climb on to the seat and reach into the luggage rack where Harry had put his bag. A moment later he stepped back down holding a strange looking spinning top with a domed lid spinning furiously in his hand. It whistled the high-pitched noise and glowed a bright red.

'Is that a Sneakoscope?' asked Hermione, looking curiously at the object.

'Yeah … mind you, it's a very cheap one,' said Ron. 'It went haywire just as I was tying it to Errol's leg to send it to Harry.'

'We're you doing anything untrustworthy at the time?' asked Hermione, raising her eyebrow at Ron.

'No!' he objected instantly. 'Well … I wasn't supposed to be using Errol. You know he's not really up to long journeys … but how else was I supposed to get Harry's present to him?'

'Stick it back in the trunk,' said Harry, 'or it'll wake him up.'

Harry nodded his head in Lupin's direction. I knew for a fact that nothing was going to wake Lupin from his sleep, not this close after the full moon. He'd be out for hours at a time the following day as he recovered. Ron nodded and got back on to the seat. He buried the Sneakoscope into a pair of Harry's old socks and hid it in the bottom of his bag.

'We could get it checked in Hogsmeade,' said Ron, sitting back in his own seat. 'They sell that sort of thing in Dervish and Banges, magical instruments and stuff, Fred and George told me.'

'Do you know much about Hogsmeade?' asked Hermione curiously. 'I've read it's the only entirely non-Muggle settlement in Britain –'

'Yeah, I think it is,' shrugged Ron, 'but that's not why I want to go. I just want to get inside Honeydukes!'

'What's that?'

'It's this sweetshop where they've got everything,' said Ron. A wide grin appeared on his face as he imagined the shop. 'Pepper Imps – they make you smoke at the mouth – and great fat Chocoballs full of strawberry mousse and clotted cream, and really excellent sugar quills which you can suck in class and just look like you're thinking what to write next –'

'But Hogsmeade's a very interesting place, isn't it?' persisted Hermione. 'In Sites of Historical Sorcery it says the inn was the headquarters for the 1612 goblin rebellion, and the Shrieking Shack's supposed to be the most severely haunted building in Britain –'

I perked up when Hermione mentioned the Shrieking Shack. I'd heard of that place. Lupin had told me about it. For years the Shrieking Shack was said to be home to the most violent spirits that would howl and yell throughout the night scaring all the nearby locals or students who heard them. To this day, despite the Shack having been silent for years, people still are unwilling to go anywhere near it in case they disturbed the spirits inside. What they didn't know, however, was that the Shack wasn't actually haunted. It had been the place Lupin used to go every month to transform away from the school and the howls they heard were the ones he made throughout the night. They started the year he began at Hogwarts then ended the year he left.

'– and massive sherbert balls that make you levitate a few inches off the ground while you're sucking them,' Ron continued, oblivious to Hermione's words. Seeing that Ron clearly wasn't listening, Hermione turned to Harry and me.

'Won't it be nice to get out of the school for a bit and explore Hogsmeade?' she asked us.

''Spect it will,' said Harry. I noted his disappointed tone. 'You'll have to tell me when you've found out.'

My eyebrow arched. Harry wasn't allowed to go to Hogsmeade either?

'What d'you mean?' said Ron.

'I can't go,' explained Harry. 'The Dursleys didn't sign my permission form, and Fudge wouldn't either because he's not a parent or guardian.'

Well that certainly made sense. The Dursleys probably didn't sign it because of the aunt-inflating incident and Fudge because of Black, though Harry might still not know that. Ron stared at Harry, horrified at the news, even more so than the stuff about Black being after Harry.

'You're not allowed to come?' he repeated. 'But – no way – McGonagall or someone will give you permission –' Harry laughed shallowly at Ron's suggestion, '– or we can ask Fred and George, they know every secret passage out of he castle –'

'Ron!' said Hermione sharply. 'I don't think Harry should be sneaking out of the school with Black on the loose –'

'Yeah, I expect that's what McGonagall will say when I ask for permission,' said Harry bitterly. I frowned again; I seemed to be doing that a lot during this conversation. Then again, nothing had really been said that would make me cheer up.

'But if we're with him,' argued Ron, 'Black wouldn't dare –'

'Oh, Ron, don't talk rubbish,' snapped Hermione. 'Black's already murdered a whole bunch of people in the middle of a crowded street, do you really think he's going to worry about attacking Harry just because we're there? Three thirteen-year-old wizards aren't going to stop an escaped murderer bent on getting revenge.'

Despite once again shifting uncomfortably at the description of Black, I felt the need to speak up.

'Make that two thirteen-year-old wizards,' I said. The others looked at me. 'I can't go to Hogsmeade either.'

'Why not?' said Ron, even more outraged. 'Your uncle is working for the school! How are you not allowed to go?'

I shrugged, 'He has his reasons so I didn't argue.'

Ron looked positively livid.

'This is ridiculous, the two of you both not allowed to go to Hogsmeade!' he raged. He only stopped when he noticed Hermione was fumbling with the straps on Crookshank's cage door. 'Don't let that thing out!' he shouted but it was too late.

'Get out of it!'

'Ron, don't!'

In one leap, Crookshanks jumped out of his basket and on to the seat. He stretched out his front paws, flexing his claws and yawning, then sprang on to Ron's knees much to his annoyance. He squirmed as the large cat settled down on his lap then shoved him away with a forceful push. Crookshanks hissed angrily while the lump in Ron's pocket gave a quiver. Beside me, Lupin made a movement causing everyone to freeze. They needn't have worried though as Lupin merely readjusted his position and continued to sleep.

For some reason the weather this year was not as sunny and bright as it had been in previous years as the Hogwarts Express journeyed north through the countryside. The clouds were a thick dark grey and the fields were a miserable sight to look at. In comparison the train was full of life as the students ran up and down the corridors and chatted loudly to each other about the coming year when they passed our compartment door. Lupin slept on throughout while Crookshanks kept a very beady watch on Ron's front pocket from the space in between where Harry and I sat. At about half past one, the witch who pushed the trolley appeared at our compartment door to see if we wanted anything to eat for the remainder of the journey.

'D'you think we should wake him up?' Ron asked, indicating Lupin beside me. 'He looks like he could do with some food.'

'Hang on, he might have something in his bag,' I said. Carefully I leant down and reached between Lupin's legs and the side of the compartment. I pulled his leather satchel free and looked inside it. I frowned when I saw he hadn't packed himself anything to eat. Lupin knew better than to not eat after transforming. 'I guess he forgot to make lunch today,' I muttered.

Hermione got up and approached where I sat beside Lupin.

'Er – Professor?' she said. Lupin didn't react. 'Excuse me – Professor?'

'You won't wake him,' I said. I replaced his satchel. 'He's a very heavy sleeper.'

'Don't worry, dear,' said the trolley witch. She handed Harry his Cauldron Cakes and put the gold away in her apron. 'If he's hungry when he wakes, I'll be up the front with the driver.' She slid the door closed and continued on her way.

'I suppose he is asleep?' said Ron quietly. He eyed Lupin cautiously. 'I mean – he hasn't died, has he?'

'Died?' I repeated.

'Well he's been pretty still the entire journey,' reasoned Ron.

'No, no, he's still breathing,' said Hermione.

Outside, the rain that had been threatening to fall for the last couple of hours finally did so. Large droplets of water hit against the window of our compartment and the hills were blurred out of sight. The four of us sat eating the Cauldron Cakes Harry had bought us as the weather worsened, conversation finally turning to a slightly more cheerful subject of what we could expect to learn in our classes this year, much to my relief. I'd had just about enough of the dismal talk at the beginning of the journey and the weather outside wasn't really improving my mood. Unfortunately, my mood didn't get any better when an unwelcome visitor appeared at our compartment door.

'Well, look who it is. Potty and the Weasel.'

I looked up when I heard the compartment door slide open and a familiar voice sneer at us. Draco Malfoy and his thuggish friends, Crabbe and Goyle, were standing in the doorway. Malfoy was looking at the four of us with the same sneer on his face while the two larger boys behind him merely attempted to look threatening, their fists clenched by their sides. After two years of being intimidated by the three of them, however, I no longer found them the same arrogant bullies they used to be. Now I just found them irritating. I stared at them as they attempted to get a rise out of us.

'I heard your father finally got his hands on some gold this summer, Weasley,' said Malfoy mockingly. 'Did your mother die of shock?'

Ron leapt up from his seat. Crookshanks' basket fell on to the floor with a loud bang. Beside me Lupin let out a snore. Malfoy's narrowed eyes turned on him.

'Who's that?' he said. I watched as he took a step back at the sight of Lupin.

'New teacher,' said Harry casually. He got to his feet too, standing just behind Ron in case he needed restraining. 'What were you saying, Malfoy?'

As cocky as Malfoy could be, I knew even he wouldn't be stupid enough to try and pick a fight directly under the nose of a teacher, even if said teacher was currently passed out from exhaustion. Sure enough, he, Crabbe and Goyle made a tactful retreat.

'C'mon,' he muttered to them and they turned away.

Before they had disappeared, however, I saw Malfoy catch my eye and give his eyebrows a quick lift, then walk off. I stared at him as he walked away. What was that about? With Malfoy gone, Harry and Ron sat down again. Ron still had his hands balled into fists. They hadn't noticed Malfoy's parting look at me though, nor had Hermione.

'I'm not going to take any rubbish from Malfoy this year,' said Ron angrily. 'I mean it, if he makes one more crack about my family, I'm going to get hold of his head and –'

Ron made a violent gesture.

'Ron,' hissed Hermione. She pointed at Lupin. 'Be careful –'

'You guys need to stop worrying that he'll wake up,' I said. I got up and opened the compartment door.

'Where are you going?' Harry asked.

'Toilet,' I shrugged. I left the compartment and closed the door behind me before they could question it.

I walked up the train looking into each of the compartments I passed. Something about Malfoy's parting look at me had given me an uneasy feeling, not that I hadn't been feeling uncomfortable since we had left London, and I wanted to know why he'd done it. What did Malfoy know? I searched the train until finally I came to a compartment full of Slytherins in my year. I peered inside to see all the usual culprits were there. Malfoy was sat in the middle seat between Crabbe and Goyle facing away from me while Pansy Parkinson, Daphne Greengrass and Blaise Zabini sat opposite them. I pulled opened the door, unconcerned about it being six Slytherins against just me.

'What do you want, Black?' sneered Pansy when she saw me. 'This compartment is for Slytherins only.' I ignored her.

'All right, Malfoy, I took your bait,' I said. I folded my arms. 'What was that look for?'

A smirk graced Malfoy's face. He glanced at Crabbe and Goyle then stood up and approached me. The rest of them just watched.

'Oh, I was just surprised to see you with Potty and Weasel,' said Malfoy, 'considering what happened this summer.'

My eyes narrowed.

'Why shouldn't I be with them?' I countered. 'I have no reason not to be. Nothing happened over the summer that has anything to do with me.'

'Didn't daddy break out of prison over the summer?' said Malfoy, his smirk widening. I blinked, startled by his bold statement. The other Slytherins chuckled at my reaction.

'I don't know what you're on about,' I said then made to turn away. Malfoy wasn't finished though.

'Oh, I think you do,' said Malfoy loudly, making me stop. I looked back at him. 'It was all over the paper, Black's infamous escape from Azkaban. I would have thought you of all people would be … concerned about it.'

'Black is nothing to do with me,' I said firmly. 'So we have the same surname, a pure coincidence.'

'That's what you'd like Potter to think, wouldn't you?' said Malfoy. He glanced at the Slytherins behind him; Crabbe and Goyle were grinning stupidly at each other, while Pansy and Blaise had smirks on their faces. The only person who seemed neutral in this was Daphne. 'I mean, it would be awful if Potter found out you were related to the man who handed the Dark Lord his parents.'

I hesitated again. Now I knew Malfoy wasn't bluffing. It wasn't reported what exactly Black was imprisoned for, only that he had killed thirteen people but not the reason why. Very few knew his link to Harry's parents according to Lupin.

'How do you know that?' I asked slowly. 'Black was charged with murder, nothing else.'

'My father told me, just like he told me that you are Black's daughter,' said Malfoy, 'the child who vanished the night before Black was arrested.' I swallowed nervously. How did I not see that? I knew Malfoy's father had been a Death Eater; of course he'd know about what Black had done. 'Imagine how much Potter and Weasel would hate you if they knew who you truly were. Even the Mudblood, Granger, would turn on you.'

'You don't have any proof I'm who you think I am,' I said, trying to sound confident. 'None of his family knew about me. The only family I have is my Uncle and my Granddad. My dad is long gone. All you have is a surname and a hunch.'

I turned away again. This conversation was over.

'Poor, poor, Potter,' Malfoy jeered as I tried to walk away. 'Doesn't know his best friend's darkest secret. It'd be such a shame if someone was to – er – let it slip that you are his daughter.' I stopped and glanced back at Malfoy.

'You wouldn't.'

'You may have managed to hide who you are this long but you won't be able to forever,' finished Malfoy maliciously. 'Better watch your back this year, Black, or someone might just tell Potter the truth.'

'You dare tell him,' I said in a low voice, 'and I swear I will get even with you.'

'Be careful, Black,' warned Malfoy. 'Don't want to start following in daddy's footsteps …'

I glared at Malfoy but the damage was done; he could see I was visibly shaken by what he and the other Slytherins knew. Malfoy turned away and went back inside his compartment, pleased he'd managed to get to me. While his threats weren't completely unfounded, Malfoy had no way to prove I was Black's daughter and so it would be his word against mine if he ever carried out his threat. Inside his compartment I could see all of the Slytherins apart from Daphne enjoying the sight of me unsettled by the conversation. I saw her look at me out the corner of her eye before turning to Pansy, her blonde hair obscuring her face. With Malfoy's words running through my thoughts, I walked back down to the train.

'Where have you been?' asked Ron when I opened the compartment door. I shooed Crookshanks out of my seat and sat back down between Lupin and Harry, my arms folded. I didn't respond to Ron's question, not trusting myself just yet not to tell them what Malfoy had threatened to do.

'I told you before I left,' I said. Harry, Ron and Hermione were all staring at me, confused by my sullen expression. 'I went to the toilet. There was a queue, that's all.'

I glanced out the corner of my eye at Harry. If any of them would know something was up, it would be Harry, having known me for so long. Sure enough, I could see he was watching me, confused by my attitude after an apparent trip to the toilet. I turned away to look outside. The sky outside now had turned pitch black and the rain and wind hammered at our window.

I glanced at my watch to check what time it was just as Ron said, 'We must be nearly there.' as he peered out into the darkness. Seconds after he said it, the speed of the train began to slow. 'Brilliant,' said Ron happily. 'I'm starving, I want to get to the feast.'

'We can't be there yet,' said Hermione. She also checked her watch. If hers was the correct time as well, we still had a good half an hour or so left of the journey.

'So why're we stopping?'

The sound of the breaks of the train being applied squeaked loudly over the noise of the rain. Our compartment shook as it gradually ground to a halt. I looked up, confused as to why we had suddenly stopped. Harry got up and opened the compartment door. He looked down the carriage, several voices coming from up and down the corridor as other students tried to find out what was going on. Suddenly the train gave a violent jerk. Harry fell back into his seat beside me. Still Lupin didn't stir.

Without warning the lights in the carriage began to flicker then went out completely and we were plunged into darkness.

'What's going on?' said Ron's voice somewhere in the darkness.

'Ouch!' gasped Hermione. 'Ron, that was my foot!'

'D'you think we've broken down?' I asked. I could only just see the others' outlines in what little light there was.

'Dunno …'

I looked to my right when I heard something squeaking. I could just see Ron wiping back the condensation on the window with his hand so he could look outside.

'There's something moving out there,' he said. 'I think people are coming aboard …'

The train shuddered, making us all jump. As I watched the rain trickling down the window, I noticed the water on the glass slowly start to freeze. It crystallised around the warmth of Ron's hand and from the edge of the frame from left to right, large shards of ice covering the glass. I watched it cross the window to where Lupin lay against it, the water in his bottle also becoming frozen solid. I shivered from the sudden chill in the air. I could just see my breath misting in front of me.

'Is it me or is it getting colder in here?' I breathed. I was shivering but it didn't feel natural, more like I was being forced to do so. Only one thing had made me shiver like this before and could turn a place cold as quickly as this, and I hoped whole-heartedly I was wrong.

Our compartment door opened. Next moment someone had fallen inside it.

'Sorry!' came Neville's voice. 'D'you know what's going on? Ouch! Sorry –'

'Hello, Neville,' said Harry. He fumbled about helping Neville back to his feet and into the seat opposite him.

'Harry? Is that you? What's happening?'

'No idea! Sit down –'

A loud hiss told us he'd almost sat on Crookshanks. Neville let out a yelp while Hermione pulled Crookshanks on to her lap so he could sit down safely.

'I'm going to go ask the driver what's going on,' said Hermione. 'Jenna, can you take Crookshanks?'

I reached out in the darkness and felt the large mass of fur get placed in my arms. Crookshanks wriggled as I placed him down on my lap but for once didn't hiss at me as I tried to calm him by scratching his ear. I heard Hermione squeeze past Neville and the compartment door open once more before two loud squeals of pain rang out.

'Who's that?'

'Who's that?' It was Ginny.

'Ginny?'

'Hermione?'

'What are you doing?'

'I was looking for Ron –'

'Come in and sit down –'

'Not here!' said Harry. 'I'm here!'

'Ouch!' said Neville.

'Quiet!' I jumped when I heard the sudden movement behind me, and Lupin's hoarse voice in the darkness. Everyone fell silent. A light bloomed behind me. I looked up to see Lupin's tired face being illuminated by a handful of flames he held in his open palm. His brown eyes, however, were wide and alert. He glanced down at me, then said, 'Stay where you are.'

Lupin stepped past me but before he'd even reached the door, it had opened.

Illuminated by the flames in Lupin's hand, a single ripped cloaked figure as tall as the carriage floated in the doorway, the tears in its robes blowing in a non-existent wind. It had reached out its hand and waved its fingers over the door handle, clicking it open and pulling back the door. A rotten, scabbed hand held the edge of the door and the figure peered inside. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville all leaned away in their seats from the figure; Crookshanks hissed wildly and jumped up from my lap while Scabbers squeaked from inside Ron's coat.

It all happened so quickly. I watched paralyzed with fear as the Dementor looked towards where Harry and I were sat. I heard the familiar long, rattling breath and I felt myself begin to lose consciousness as it began to suck the happiness from me. My mind became flooded with images of my Mum, of Black, of everything I feared. I gasped as I felt like a part of me was being ripped from my body, my Mum's voice ringing in my head. I heard a thump somewhere beside me but I didn't know what it was.

Just before I passed out I saw the familiar glow of a Patronus light up the compartment and through the screams in my head I could just hear the faint howl of Lupin's wolf Patronus. Like a snap I felt the power of the Dementor break. My body connected with the seat and I blacked out, unconscious.

A hand ran over my hair. My eyelids twitched and I forced them open. My vision took a moment to restore itself and Lupin came into view. He had a concerned look on his face as he checked me over. I was lying on the seat. Ginny and Neville were staring worriedly at me and something on the floor. I could just see Harry's hair visible from behind where Ron and Hermione were crouched around him. It looked like he had collapsed too. It was then I realised the train was moving again and the lights in the carriage had been relit. The Dementor was gone.

'Harry!' Hermione shook him. 'Harry! Are you all right?' Ron was gently slapping his cheek to wake him.

'Jenna?' I looked at Lupin. 'Are you all right?' Lupin said quietly to me.

'I'm fine,' I told him, forcing myself up. I didn't want to be fussed over.

'It's nothing to be ashamed of,' whispered Lupin.

'W-what?'

Lupin stood straight and turned to face Harry. He had regained consciousness and was staring up at Ron and Hermione with no idea what had happened to him. Harry pushed his glasses back on to his nose having been knocked askew when he'd fallen off the seat. Ron offered him a hand and together he and Hermione got him back into the seat beside me. Harry looked as pale as I must have and he had a thin layer of sweat covering his forehead.

'Are you OK?' asked Ron nervously.

'Yeah,' said Harry. His eyes darted to the door to look for the Dementor. 'What happened? Where's that – that thing? Who screamed?'

'No one screamed,' said Ron, his voice shaking even more.

'But I heard screaming –'

I looked away. Of course, Ron wouldn't have heard a scream. By the looks of it, he and Hermione hadn't been affected in the slightest by the Dementor. Neville and Ginny were looking very pale though. None of them, however, would have felt what Harry and I had. The feeling of all our happiness being drained from us and our worst nightmares taking over. Harry claimed he'd heard someone screaming but I knew it had only been his head, like Mum's voice had only been in mine. A sudden loud snap made me jump and I came out of my thoughts.

'Here,' said Lupin. He had a large bar of chocolate in his hand and was breaking it into pieces. He handed Harry a particularly big piece for him to eat. 'Eat it. It'll help.'

Harry took it but didn't eat.

'What was that thing?' he asked Lupin.

'It was a Dementor,' said Lupin. 'One of the Dementors of Azkaban. It's gone now. It was searching the train for Sirius Black.'

I tensed as Lupin mentioned Black's name. He handed out more pieces of chocolate to the rest of us, giving me a substantial piece just like Harry. I gratefully took it and began to suck on the point of the shard. I felt the warmth start on my tongue and begin to spread through the rest of my body as my strength returned. Seeing me eat mine, the others began to follow suit having seen it was safe to do so. Lupin crumpled up the empty chocolate wrapper and put it into his pocket.

'Eat,' he repeated. 'It'll help. I need to speak to the driver, excuse me …'

Lupin opened the door and stepped out of the compartment. With a reassuring smile back at us, Lupin disappeared down the carriage corridor, the compartment door sliding shut behind him with a wave of his hand. I watched as he went, worried, my chocolate hanging from my mouth as I sucked on it. There was a silence in the compartment for the following few minutes. Hermione picked Crookshanks up and sat down between Neville and Ginny. The four of them were all staring at Harry and me.

'Are you sure you're OK?' she asked us both. I nodded, refusing to stop sucking on my chocolate until it was all gone. Having faced Dementors before I wanted to eat my entire large piece of chocolate until I was sure I wasn't going to throw up from the experience I'd just had.

'I don't get it … what happened?' said Harry.

'Well – that thing – the Dementor – stood there and looked around,' said Hermione shakily, 'I mean, I think it did, I couldn't see its face – and you and Jenna – you –'

'I thought you were having a fit or something,' said Ron. 'You went sort of rigid and fell out of your seat and started twitching –'

'And Professor Lupin stepped over you, and walked towards the Dementor, and pulled out his wand,' said Hermione. 'And he said, "None of us is hiding Sirius Black under our cloaks. Go". But the Dementor didn't move, so Lupin muttered something, and a silvery thing shot out of his wand at it, and it turned round and sort of glided away …'

'It was horrible,' said Neville. His voice seemed a bit higher than normal. Beside him Ginny was huddled in the corner where Ron had previously been sat. She let out a small sob. Hermione put her arm round her. 'Did you feel how cold it went when it came in?'

'I felt weird,' said Ron. 'Like I'd never be cheerful again …'

'But did any of you – fall off your seats?' asked Harry.

'Jenna collapsed shortly after you did,' said Ron. Harry looked at me; I shrank into my seat, my hair hiding my face. 'She was fitting like you were. Ginny was shaking like mad …'

The door of the compartment opened once more. Lupin had returned. He saw Harry still hadn't touched his chocolate. He smiled.

'I haven't poisoned that chocolate, you know,' he said lightly. 'I would have thought my Niece's example might have encouraged you to eat it.'

Harry glanced at me then finally took a bite of his lump of chocolate. I watched as he reacted to the sudden warmth it brought.

'We'll be at Hogwarts in ten minutes,' Lupin continued. 'Are you all right, Harry?'

'Fine,' he muttered, mouth full.

The rest of the journey passed by in silence. At long last the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade station and the students began to get off the train. Neville and Ginny had returned to their own compartments shortly before we'd arrived so they could change into their school robes, Harry, Ron, Hermione and I doing so as well once they'd gone. We gathered our bags, Hermione locking Crookshanks back into his cage, and joined the crowd leaving our carriage. The platform was wet and slippery and the rain continued to pour down on to us in cold showers. People fought their way to the end of the platform where the carriages that would take us up to the school were waiting. Through the sound of the rain, the students, and the various complaining animals, I could just hear Hagrid calling the new lot of terrified-looking first-years over to him to take the boats up to the school.

'All righ', you four?' he called as we passed him.

We waved at him then hurried onwards to the carriages. Ron pushed his way through ahead of us and over to the nearest carriage for us to get into. He opened the door and got in, holding it open for the rest of us. Harry, Hermione and I ran through the slippery mud over to the carriage and climbed inside. I paused as I did so, my eyes falling once more upon the Thestrals that pulled the carriage. A pair of white eyes looked back at me. I stared at it for a second or two then got inside, glad to be out of the wet. I pushed my wet fringe out of my eyes; having such long hair meant there was more to absorb the rain.

Ron and Hermione kept a close eye on Harry and me for the majority of the journey up to the castle. As the carriage rolled along up the muddy track, I could see them watching us out the corner of my eye. A part of me wanted to tell them to stop it. It was normal for people like Harry and me, who've experienced horrible things in our lives, to collapse upon meeting a Dementor because of their power to make you relive your worst memories. The only problem if I did that, however, was that they would question how I knew this. A Dementor wasn't the normal sort of creature someone my age would know about. I couldn't tell them this wasn't the first time I'd faced a Dementor. I couldn't tell them I'd been to Azkaban when Lupin used to visit Black in prison, not that I had known at the time that was who he'd been seeing.

The Hogwarts castle finally came into view. The castle was bright with light through the windows, shimmering through the rain falling before them. Our carriage passed through the wrought iron gates at the bottom of the hill and onwards up the track until it finally came to a stop near to the Entrance Courtyard. As we passed between the two stone pillars, I saw out the carriage window two more Dementors floating above the stone boars several feet above us. I shuddered and sat back into my seat so they were out of view. A few minutes later the carriage came to a stop. One by one we got out of the carriage and back into the wet weather.

'You fainted, Potter?' said an unpleasant voice. I held in a groan. 'Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?'

Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle pushed their way between Hermione and me, blocking our way to the Entrance Courtyard. He had the largest smile on his face, as if he'd just found a large bag of Galleons, delighted by the news he'd overheard.

'Shove off, Malfoy,' said Ron, jaw tense. Hermione put a restraining hand on his upper arm.

'Did you faint as well, Weasley?' said Malfoy. Some students passing us looked in our direction. 'Did the scary old Dementor frighten you, too, Weasley?'

'Is there a problem?' said a mild voice.

From the carriage behind ours, Lupin had just stepped out into the rain and spotted us standing there. Malfoy stared at Lupin, his eyes taking in the sight of his old patched robes and the dilapidated satchel in his hand. I saw the look of disgust pass over his face at the sight of his new teacher. I bit back the feeling of anger as Malfoy stare took on a disrespectful look.

'Oh, no – er – Professor,' he said, a hint of sarcasm evident. He smirked at Crabbe and Goyle, then led them up the few steps to the Courtyard. I glared at his smug retreating head.

I was relieved when we finally went through the front doors and into the Entrance Hall, glad to be out of the rain and into the warmth and dryness of the castle. The Hall was lit with dozens of torches burning in their brackets upon the walls, and the doors of the Great Hall were open, the light from inside flooding on to the stone floor. Before the four of us even stepped foot inside it, though, we heard the familiar voice of Professor McGonagall over the chatter of the crowds.

'Potter! Black! Granger! I want to see you three!'

Harry, Hermione and I turned round to see Professor McGonagall making her way through the crowd towards us. We looked at each other, confused as to why she'd want to see us when we hadn't been in the castle for five minutes. What could we have possibly done? With a look at Ron we made our way back through the crowd towards her. I felt a rush of nerves go through me when I saw her eyes peering sharply through her square spectacles at us.

'There's no need to look so worried – I just want a word in my office,' she said to us. 'Move along there, Weasley.'

Professor McGonagall ushered Harry, Hermione and I away from the crowd and over towards the Marble Staircase. We walked in silence up to the first floor and down a corridor that I knew led to her office. Harry, Hermione and I shared a look as we followed her, each of us wondering the same thing. If we hadn't done anything wrong, why did Professor McGonagall want to see us? Professor McGonagall opened her office door and let us inside. I felt the warmth of the fire instantly when I stepped inside. It was a welcome feeling after the cold rain. Professor McGonagall motioned us to take the empty seats in front of her desk before taking the one on the other side.

'Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead to say that you were taken ill on the train,' said Professor McGonagall abruptly. She looked at Harry and me, her eyes assessing our still pale visages. Before either of us could reply though the door to her office swung open. I looked round to see the Hogwarts nurse, Madam Pomfrey, come bustling in muttering furiously to herself.

'Not back for five minutes and already students are being taken ill! Honestly, what these students get up to!'

'I'm fine,' said Harry instantly upon seeing Madam Pomfrey. 'I don't need anything –'

'Oh, it's you, is it?' said Madam Pomfrey. She ignored Harry's protests and began examining him before moving on to me. 'I suppose you've been doing something dangerous again?'

I cringed. We'd only been here two years and we were already known for doing something dangerous? I couldn't deny it was probably true. Both our first and second years here had culminated in us ending up in the Hospital Wing in some manner or other.

'It was a Dementor, Poppy,' said Professor McGonagall.

Madam Pomfrey stopped feeling my forehead and looked at Professor McGonagall. She pursed her lips disapprovingly.

'Setting Dementors around a school,' muttered Madam Pomfrey. She checked my eyes then went back to Harry, feeling his forehead as well. 'They won't be the first who collapse. Yes, they're all clammy. Terrible things, they are, and the effect they have on people who are already delicate –'

'I'm not delicate!' objected Harry.

'Of course, you're not,' said Madam Pomfrey. She clearly wasn't listening though, now taking Harry's pulse.

'What do they need?' said Professor McGonagall. 'Bed rest? Should they perhaps spend the night in the Hospital Wing?'

'We're fine!' shouted Harry, jumping to his feet. 'Jenna and I are fine!'

'Well, they should have some chocolate, at the very least,' said Madam Pomfrey.

'We've already had some,' said Harry quickly. 'Professor Lupin gave me some. He gave it to all of us.'

'Professor Lupin always carries chocolate on him,' I added. 'He never goes anywhere without any.'

'Did he, now?' said Madam Pomfrey, sounding vaguely impressed. 'So we've finally got a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies.'

'As Miss Black's uncle, I'd be worried if he didn't,' said Professor McGonagall, 'considering the amount of trouble she and Potter get into.' I felt my cheeks grow hot at that. 'Are you sure you feel all right, you two?' she asked us.

'Yes,' said Harry and I firmly.

'Very well,' said Professor McGonagall. 'Kindly wait outside while I have a quick word with Miss Granger about her timetable, then we can go down to the feast together.'

Madam Pomfrey left the room, still muttering angrily that Harry and I should be spending the night in the Hospital Wing and not down at the noisy feast after what we'd been through this evening. Harry and I followed after her, the door to Professor McGonagall's office closing behind us, and waited outside while she spoke to Hermione. I could see Harry was clearly annoyed at Lupin's actions. He turned to me once the door was closed.

'Why did he do that?' Harry asked me tersely. 'I don't need to be babied!'

'He probably did it just to make sure we were OK,' I said. 'Dementors are nasty things from what I've heard. It's not the first time Lupin's faced them. That's why he always carries chocolate on him, in case he runs into one.'

The door to Professor McGonagall's office opened once more before Harry could continue to question me over Lupin's actions. Hermione emerge from inside with a large smile on her face. We couldn't ask what Professor McGonagall had said to her as she walked out moments later. She shut the door with a flick of her wand then led the three of us back down the first floor corridor and down to the Great Hall. I saw when we arrived that we had missed the Sorting. Professor Flitwick, in Professor McGonagall's absence, was just taking away the stool and the Sorting Hat, and I saw that the front seats at each of the four House tables normally reserved for the new first-years were all full.

'Oh, we've missed the Sorting!' said Hermione disappointedly.

'We saw it last year, Hermione,' I said to her. 'It's not the most exciting thing to watch, really, is it?'

'Still,' Hermione sighed. I rolled my eyes.

Ron was sat about halfway down the table. There were three empty seats next to him that he'd saved for us. Harry, Hermione and I slipped silently into them while Professor McGonagall continued up to the top table where the teachers were all waiting. Ron asked Harry quietly what she had wanted to see us about, but before he could tell him what had happened, Professor Dumbledore had risen from his seat and raised his hands for silence.

'Welcome!' said Professor Dumbledore loudly. His eyes twinkled as he gazed out upon the students before him. Even his white beard seemed to shimmer in the candlelight. 'Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast …'

The four of us looked at each other. Dumbledore had never done his "welcome back" speech before the feast before. And if it was something serious …? I had a horrible feeling I knew what it would be about.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued.

'As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business.'

I glanced at Harry in front of me. We certainly knew this wasn't entirely the truth.

'They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds,' Dumbledore continued after pausing for the announcement to sink in, 'and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Now whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt our day-to-day activities, a word of caution.'

I shifted in my seat to get a better view of Dumbledore. I had never seen him look so serious before, not even when he warned us about the third floor being out of bounds back in our first-year. Even his voice sounded different, no longer light and jovial but deep and deliberate.

'Dementors are vicious creatures,' he told the students. 'They will not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one who gets in their way. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises – or even Invisibility Cloaks.'

The four of us glanced at each other again; it was almost as if Dumbledore had added that as a direct message to us.

'It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving or understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the Prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs foul of the Dementors.'

I glanced at Percy just up the table from me. He was sitting next to Ginny, Fred and George just opposite, his chest puffed out in pride. I caught George's eye briefly; he nodded at Percy then rolled his eyes. I smirked.

'On a happier note,' continued Dumbledore, 'I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year.

'Firstly, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.'

There was a scattering of applause round the Hall as Lupin stood up from his seat and gave a small bow, his shabby robes standing out against the other teachers. I could tell he must've been exhausted. The effort it seemed to take just to get to his feet was obvious enough to me. All but one of the teachers applauded their new colleague. I saw Snape, sat beside Lupin, give a thin-lipped scowl and clapped his hands three times quickly in succession only. I guess he was once again disappointed he had not been given the Defence Against the Dark Arts post. For some reason though he looked even more livid this year than he did last year when Lockhart had beaten him to the job. Strange.

'Why's Snape glaring at Professor Lupin like that?' Harry asked me.

'I don't know,' I said. 'They've never met before, not to my knowledge.'

'That look though,' Harry whispered, 'it's like the one he always gives me whenever he sees me.'

I looked back at Snape. I had to agree, the look he was giving Lupin did look like the one he normally reserved for Harry: a look of pure loathing.

'As to our second new appointment,' said Dumbledore, once the applause had died away, 'well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties.'

Harry, Ron, Hermione and I stared at each other, stunned. Hagrid was going to be teaching us this year? Was Dumbledore serious? I mean, it was great that he had been given the job but at that moment I was torn between excitement for his lessons and concern, considering what pets of Hagrid's we'd encountered in the past: Fluffy, Norbert and – though I never met him – Aragog. Once the surprise had passed, the four of us joined in the loud applause for Hagrid that was led by the Gryffindor table. Up at the teacher's table, Hagrid's cheeks had turned bright red beneath his bushy black beard, his grin just hidden in amongst the whiskers.

'We should have known!' said Ron loudly. 'Who else would have set us a biting book?'

Dumbledore held up his hands for silence once more.

'Well, I think that's everything of importance,' he acknowledged. 'Let the feast begin!'

Within seconds the empty platters and dishes in front of us had been filled with mountains of food and the jugs brimming with drink. The students began chatting and catching up with their friends after our eight week holiday, the sound of knives and forks clinking as they ate. Beside me Harry was eager to speak to Hagrid and congratulate him on his new job, knowing it must mean the world to him especially after the events of last year. I, however, was more concerned by what Dumbledore had said about the Dementors. If Dementors couldn't be fooled by tricks or disguises – or even Invisibility Cloaks – then how on earth did Black escape from Azkaban? It sounded virtually impossible to do so as nothing would be able to hide from the Dementors, not even Black's Animagus form by the sounds of it. How did Black do it? I just couldn't figure it out.

Once the main courses had been cleared away and the desserts had been consumed, the students began to file out of the Great Hall to return to their various dormitories. The four of us made our way through the crowd of Gryffindors walking past up towards the teachers table where Hagrid was sat, clearly still beaming about his appointment to Care of Magical Creatures teacher and the reaction the students had given him.

'Congratulations, Hagrid!' squealed Hermione. If it was possible, Hagrid's already broad grin widened.

'All down ter you four,' said Hagrid. He wiped a few beads of nervous sweat from his brow. 'Can' believe it … great man, Dumbledore … came straight down to me hut after Professor Kettleburn said he'd had enough … it's what I always wanted …'

Overcome with emotion, Hagrid buried his face into his napkin and let out a muffle sob. I smiled, pleased for him despite my nagging worry of what he might get us to study. Hopefully nothing too dangerous. Before we could console him, Professor McGonagall shooed us away and we joined the end throngs of the crowd leaving the Hall. Like last year, I had forgotten just how long a walk it was up to the Gryffindor Tower on the seventh floor over the holidays and so, full of food and tired from the long journey, I looked forward to collapsing down in my old bed in the now third-year girls' dormitory above the Gryffindor common room. We reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, a familiar sight in a pink crinoline dress.

'Password?' she asked us.

'Coming through, coming through!' I heard Percy's voice call from behind us. The new group of tiny first-years stood nervously behind him. 'The new password's Fortuna Major!'

'Oh no,' said Neville dismally. 'I'm never going to remember the password.'

I glanced at Neville despairingly then followed Harry, Ron and Hermione into the common room. Maybe one of these days Neville would stop being so forgetful. With all of us tired from the long day we'd had, Harry and Ron said goodnight to Hermione and me and we went our separate ways up to our dormitories. Parvati, Lavender and Sally-Anne were already there and getting into their pyjamas. Hermione and I quickly followed suit and the lights were extinguished in our dormitory as I fell asleep with a single thought in my head: it's good to be back.

The next morning I was up bright and early with Hermione, eager to see if I'd have any of my new classes today. I had to admit I was excited to start my Care of Magical Creatures lessons with Hagrid and I had a certain amount of curiosity as to what my Divination classes would be like. I'd heard rumours that the witch who taught it, Professor Trelawney, wasn't always entirely with it during classes. I got dressed into my robes and brushed out my hair, leaving it loose around my face instead of tying it into a plait like I did before, then waited for Hermione to finish getting ready. We met Harry and Ron down in the common room about ten minutes later once they had got up with Seamus, Dean and Neville, and we went down together to the Great Hall for breakfast.

As nice as it was to be back at school, there were definitely some things I hadn't missed over the holidays. When we had got down to the Great Hall, the first thing we saw when we walked through the doors was a large group of Slytherins gathered near the end of their House table closest to the door. In the middle of it I could just see the head of Malfoy appear before suddenly vanishing from sight as he pretended to faint, falling in a heap on top of the table. It didn't take a genius to know what or whom he was impersonating.

'Ignore him,' said Hermione as we walked past the group towards the Gryffindor table. 'Just ignore him, it's not worth it …'

'Hey, Potter!' shrieked the unnaturally high voice of Pansy Parkinson. 'Potter! The Dementors are coming, Potter! Woooooooo!'

I glanced back at the crowd in time to see Pansy also pretend to faint. Someone looking back at us, a pair of brown eyes staring in our direction caught my eye. Daphne Greengrass seemed to roll her eyes in Malfoy's direction before shrugging her shoulders at me, and turning away. Though intrigued by her reaction, I went and took a seat between Harry and Neville at the Gryffindor table.

'New third-year timetables,' said George, handing us a sheet of parchment each. 'What's up with you, Harry?'

'Malfoy,' said Ron bluntly. He was still glaring at the Slytherin table. George glanced over his shoulder just in time to see Malfoy fainting yet again.

'That little git,' said George. 'He wasn't so cocky last night when the Dementors were down our end of the train. Came running into our compartment, didn't he, Fred?'

'Nearly wet himself,' said Fred.

Well that was a pleasant surprise to hear that Malfoy had been just as much of a wimp as he claimed Harry to be. All wand and no spell.

'I wasn't too happy myself,' George added. 'They're horrible things, those Dementors …'

'Sort of freeze your insides, don't they?'

'You didn't pass out, though, did you?' said Harry mutely.

'Forget it, Harry,' said George bracingly. 'Dad had to go out to Azkaban one time, remember, Fred? And he said it was the worst place he'd ever been. He came back all weak and shaking … They suck the happiness out of a place, Dementors. Most of the prisoners go mad in there.'

Not all of them, I thought silently as I listened to them.

'Anyway, we'll see how happy Malfoy looks after out first Quidditch match,' said Fred on a brighter note. 'Gryffindor versus Slytherin, first game of the season, remember?'

As the conversation had moved on from the Dementors, I stopped listening and turned to look at my timetable. My eyes scanned the writing on the piece of parchment as I read through which classes I'd have on what day. Opposite me, Hermione was doing the same but with the usual increased enthusiasm than my own.

'Ooh, good,' she squealed happily, 'we're starting some new subjects today.'

I glanced up at her timetable, then frowned. For some reason hers listed several subjects happening at the same time as each other. I knew Hermione was taking more classes than Harry, Ron or me, but even so, having two lessons at once? That was going to be impossible. Hermione would have to be able to be in two places at once if she wanted to get to all her lessons throughout the year. I knew it could be done; I'd heard Percy bragging last year about how he'd achieved twelve O. in his fifth year. How it could be done, I had no idea.

'Hermione,' said Ron, also seeing her timetable, 'they've messed up your timetable. Look – they've got you down for about ten subjects a day. There isn't enough time.'

'I'll manage,' said Hermione dismissively. 'I've fixed it all with Professor McGonagall.'

'But look,' persisted Ron, 'see this morning? Nine o'clock, Divination. And underneath, nine o'clock, Muggle Studies. And –' Ron leant in closer, 'look – underneath that, Arithmancy, nine o'clock. I mean, I know you're good, Hermione, but no one's that good. How're you supposed to be in three classes at once?'

'Don't be silly, Ronald,' said Hermione. 'Of course I won't be in three classes as once.'

'Didn't Percy get twelve O. ?' I asked Ron, eating a mouthful of cereal. 'If he did it, why can't Hermione?'

'Because Percy's a swotty know-it-all,' said Ron. He was clearly still riled about being blamed for damaging Percy's photo of his girlfriend. 'So come on, Hermione, how are you going to get to all your classes?'

'I told you,' repeated Hermione, 'It's been sorted.'

'Well, then –'

'Pass the marmalade.'

'But –'

'Oh, Ron, what's it to you if my timetable's a bit full?' Hermione finally snapped. 'I told you, I've fixed it all with Professor McGonagall.'

'All righ?' said a loud voice behind us. I looked up to see Hagrid striding up the aisle wearing his thick moleskin overcoat. In his hand I saw there was a dead polecat hanging by its tail. 'Yer in my firs' ever lesson!' he told us, clearly excited. 'Right after lunch! Bin up since five gettin' everythin' ready … hope it's OK … me, a teacher … honestly …'

And he walked off, still muttering and grinning widely to himself.

'Wonder what he's been getting ready?' said Ron. I could hear the note of concern in his voice.

'Hopefully nothing dangerous,' I muttered. I didn't like the sight of the dead polecat if that was a hint as to what we would be encountering in our lesson today.

'We'd better go,' Ron then said, looking at his timetable, 'look, Divination's at the top of the North Tower. It'll take us ten minutes to get there …'

I grabbed a last slice of toast and shoved it my mouth, then grabbing my bag and getting up to leave with the others. We said goodbye to Fred and George and walked out of the Hall, Malfoy performing yet another fainting display as we passed. The Slytherins roared with laughter. I rolled my eyes. They were so easily entertained, I bet even a Flobberworm would keep them interested for a good ten minutes.

Finding the North Tower proved to be harder than the four of us thought. Even after two years at Hogwarts, we still didn't know everything about the castle and so far we had never set foot in the North Tower before and so we had very little idea of where it actually was. We walked up several staircases and down many corridors but none of them seemed to lead to where we actually wanted to go. I checked my watch to see it was five to nine. If we did manage to find the classroom we'd be cutting it very close.

'There's – got – to – be – a – short – cut,' panted Ron. You'd have thought that walking around a large castle every day for a year would improve one's health and stamina; clearly it wasn't the case for Ron. He paused against a wall to catch his breath at the top of the staircase we'd just climbed.

'I think it's this way,' said Hermione. She pointed down a passage to the right.

'Can't be,' said Ron. 'That's south. Look, you can see a bit of the lake out of the window …'

'You'd think the teachers would provide us with some sort of map,' I said, frowning. It wasn't the first time I'd thought this either. 'Three years later and we're still getting lost in the castle?' My thoughts got diverted, however, when I saw Harry staring at a nearby portrait. 'Harry, what are you looking at?'

I walked over to where Harry was standing, his eyes looking up at a large painting depicting a vast green field. The subject of the painting itself appeared to be a fat, dapple-grey pony that had just casually trotted into view from whichever painting it had previously been in. It was common knowledge that the paintings in Hogwarts frequently left their portraits and visited others around the castle; I guess it was the same for their animal subjects too. The pony took no notice of Harry watching it, instead beginning to munch on the grass. A moment later, a short knight clad in a suit of armour sprung into sight, his helmet somewhat dislodged from its position on his shoulders. It looked like he'd fallen off his steed.

'Aha!' he yelled when he saw us looking at him. He drew his sword from its scabbard and brandished it wildly at us. 'What villains are these that trespass upon my private lands? Come to scorn at my fall, perchance? Draw, you knaves, you dogs!'

'You what?' said Ron.

'I said, draw!' repeated the knight. He swung his sword a second time, the long blade too much for him to handle and he toppled over on to the grass. If I hadn't of been so surprised by his boldness, I would have laughed.

'Are you all right?' asked Harry.

'Get back, you scurvy braggart! Back, you rogue!'

The knight attempted to get to his feet, resting on his sword for support, but the blade merely sunk into the soft earth. He attempted to pull it out but it refused to budge no matter how hard he tried until his face was glistening with sweat.

'Listen,' said Harry, 'we're looking for the North Tower. You don't know the way, do you?'

'A quest!' shouted the knight. His rage seemed to have vanished at the sound of this apparent challenge. He sprung up, his hand raised in a point. 'Come follow me, dear friends, and we shall find out goal, or else shall perish bravely in the charge!' He tried to pull out his sword one last time, then tried to mount his pony again with little success. 'On foot then,' he back-tracked, 'good sirs and gentle ladies! On! On!'

The knight ran off out of the left side of his frame. We looked at each other, shrugged, then followed. The knight clanked along through portrait after portrait, running through landscapes and pushing through groups of wizards to their objections.

'Be stout of heart, the worst is yet to come!' shouted the knight over his shoulder at us.

He dove through a group of alarmed witches in crinoline dresses. We rushed up the spiral staircase it hung in. It wound further and further upwards until if finally came to a platform and we heard the voices of students at the top. I took a deep breath having reached the top of the stairs of the North Tower.

'Farewell!' cried the knight, now standing in amongst some angry-looking monks. He saluted us, knocking the visor forwards. He stumbled and forced it open again. 'Farewell, my comrades-in-arms! If you ever have need of noble heart and steely sinew, call upon Sir Cadogan!'

'Yeah, we'll call you,' muttered Ron, holding the stitch in his side. Sir Cadogan disappeared. 'If we ever needed someone mental,' he added once he was gone.

We climbed the last few steps to find all those who had chosen to study Divination this year gathered in an empty square landing. I looked around. There weren't any doors so where was the classroom? Ron nudged Harry beside me then pointed up at the ceiling. I followed his point to see a circular trap door. I raised my eyebrow. The classroom was … above us?

'Sybill Trelawney, Divination teacher,' Harry read. 'How're we supposed to get up there?'

The trap door opened and out from it descended a silver ladder.

'Like that,' I said simply.

'After you,' said Ron, grinning.

Harry gave us a sceptical look then followed after Seamus up the ladder. I looked up at the ladder with a certain amount of trepidation at what was going to be up there before climbing up it. My head poked up through the circular hole in the floor and I saw a short corridor in front of me leading to the classroom. I put my hands on the wooden floor and pushed myself inside then walked forwards. My eyes roved around the classroom. It was the strangest little room I'd ever seen.

It was large and circular with high walls around the edges. Instead of the traditional lines of desks, there were three rising platforms each lined with small circular tables for the students to sit at, and instead of the wooden benches there were cushioned armchairs and fat little pouffes. The whole room was draped in fabric that hung from the ceiling and there were curtains along the opposing wall to the seating area that obscured most of the closed windows making the room slightly darker than normal and very stuffy. The many lit torch brackets along the top of the walls compensated for the lack of light. There were several shelves full of various equipment I assumed we'd be using throughout the year: from crystal balls and half-burnt candle stubs to teacups of varying colour and design and packs of tattered playing cards. At the far side of the room I saw a fireplace with a small fire burning inside it, which accounted for the horrible smell and the uncomfortable heat in the room. It appeared Professor Trelawney was a fan of incense. A copper kettle hung over the fire, a small puff of steam issuing from its spout.

'Where is she?' I heard Ron whisper.

'Welcome,' said a soft voice, as if on cue. I looked up to see a middle-age woman suddenly appear from the shadows by the window. 'How nice to see you in the physical world at last.'

At last? I questioned. I had been in the physical world for quite some time to my knowledge.

I hesitantly walked forwards into the classroom. I got a better view of who had spoken as the class took their seats. Professor Trelawney stepped forwards to where a single armchair sat next to a square table, a crystal ball perched on top of it, that sat in the middle of the room and took a seat. She looked at us all through a pair of large round glasses that appeared to magnify her eyes to at least three times their normal size, the huge brown orbs staring at us with a look of wonder. She wasn't wearing robes as such, but an oversized green dress with a gauzy shawl draped around her neck, and she had loads of bangles around her thin wrists. Her overall appearance looked distinctly odd, her thick curly hair doing nothing to help the look of surprise that was on her face as it stuck out from underneath its headband.

'Sit, my children, sit,' Professor Trelawney encouraged to the remaining few who hadn't yet taken a seat.

I slid on to a pouffe beside Hermione who had a clear frown on her face already and the class hadn't even started. She didn't look impressed one bit. Harry and Ron took the two chairs next to us.

'Welcome to Divination,' said Professor Trelawney. 'My name is Professor Trelawney. You may not have seen me before. I find that descending too often into the hustle and bustle of the main school clouds my Inner Eye.'

No one said anything. I glanced at Harry and Ron. I think the three of us were already regretting our decision to take this class.

'So you have chosen to study Divination,' continued Professor Trelawney, 'the most difficult of all magical arts. I must warn you at the outset that if you do not have the Sight, there is very little I will be able to teach you. Books can take you only so far in this field …'

Harry, Ron and I instantly looked at Hermione. Her eyes had widened and her mouth was open slightly from the silent gasp she'd just let out in reaction to Professor Trelawney's statement. Hermione relied on her books. How she was going to take this would be interesting indeed.

'Many witches and wizards, talented though they are in the area of loud bangs and smells and sudden disappearing, are yet unable to penetrate the veiled mysteries of the future,' said Professor Trelawney in a supposedly impressive manner. 'It is a Gift granted to few. In this room, you shall discover if you possess the Gift, you shall discover if you possess the Sight –'

Professor Trelawney rose from her chair, her leg instantly hitting the corner of the table. I bit back the snicker that went round the rest of the class.

Which you clearly don't, I thought to myself. It looked like this class was going to be very absurd.

'Together we shall cast ourselves into the future,' she said dramatically, approaching us. 'You see, the truth lies sometimes buried in a single sentence deep within a book, waiting to be read.' Professor Trelawney took a stumbling step up the small stair to the first level, her hands holding on to the table in front of her. 'But first, you must broaden your minds,' she told us. She placed her hands on Seamus's head to emphasise her point. He stared up at her sceptically. 'First you must look beyond –'

Professor Trelawney swept her arm dramatically in front of her to the back corner of the room. My eyes followed almost instinctively as did the rest of the classes apart from Hermione's.

'What a load of rubbish,' I heard her mutter.

'You, boy,' said Professor Trelawney suddenly, looking at Neville. He jumped, almost falling off his pouffe. 'Is your grandmother well?'

'I think so,' Neville stuttered.

'I wouldn't be so sure if I were you, dear,' said Professor Trelawney. I cocked my eyebrow. Where had she gotten that assumption? She continued on. 'We will be covering the basic methods of Divination this year. The first term will be devoted to Tasseomancy, which is the art of reading tea leaves. Next term we shall progress to palmistry. By the way, my dear,' she shot at Parvati, 'beware a red-haired man.'

Parvati looked at Ron then edged her chair away from our table. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

'In the summer term, we shall progress to the crystal ball – if we have finished with fire-omens, that is. Unfortunately, classes will be disrupted in February by a nasty bout of flu. I myself will lose my voice. And around Easter, one of our number will leave us forever.'

This had to be one of the most over the top introductions to a class I'd ever sat through. Did Professor Trelawney always start her classes like this?

'I wonder, dear,' Professor Trelawney turned to Lavender, 'if you could pass me the largest silver teapot?'

Looking relieved she hadn't been asked anything difficult, Lavender got up and took the teapot down from the shelf. She handed it to Professor Trelawney.

'Thank you, my dear. Incidentally, that thing you are dreading – it will happen on Friday the fifteenth of October.'

Lavender stared at her, her eyes wide.

'Now, I want you to all divide into pairs,' Professor Trelawney told us. 'Collect a teacup from the shelf, come to me and I will fill it. Then sit down and drink; drink until only the dregs remain. Swill these around the cup three times with the left hand, then turn the cup upside-down on its saucer; wait for the last of the tea to drain away, then give your cup to your partner to read. You will interpret the patterns using pages five and six of Unfogging the Future. I shall move among you, helping and instructing. Oh, and dear –' she added, catching Neville's arm when he stood up, 'after you've broken your first cup, would you be so kind as to select one of the blue patterned ones? I'm rather attached to the pink.'

Neville squeaked and nodded. No sooner had he reached for a teacup was there a chink of breaking china and a pink teacup smashed on the floor. Professor Trelawney tutted and handed him a dustpan and brush.

'One of the blue ones, then, dear, if you wouldn't mind … thank you …'

'What d'you think?' I said quietly to Hermione when we returned to our seats carrying scolding cups of tea.

'I think this is all a load of nonsense,' she bristled. I sniggered.

Having personally never been a fan of tea, despite how much Lupin drank the stuff at home, I slowly sipped the boiling liquid, my nose wrinkling at the taste. The liquid was so hot it took a while to drain my cup until only the sodden tealeaves remained. I stared at the lumpy brown remains in the bottom of my cup and gave it a shake, swirling it around three times counter-clockwise. The liquid span round in a circle then settled once more. I frowned; we were meant to read these? How? I tipped out the remains on to my saucer to get rid of the last of liquid then handed Hermione my cup of leaves. I took hers and looked inside it.

Professor Trelawney was wandering slowly around the classroom. I could see she was slowly making her way over to where we sat.

'I think I can see what looks like a coffin,' I said, turning Hermione's cup slightly to angle the leaves. 'That apparently means you will get some bad news. And there's something that looks like an hourglass. That means a decision.' I looked at Hermione and shrugged. 'Maybe you get some bad news and have to decide whether to tell it or not.'

Hermione didn't say anything. She was still staring at my cup. After a few minutes she put it down on the table.

'Oh, I can't see anything,' she muttered. 'This is ridiculous, how are you meant to see shapes in tealeaves? It's just a watery mess.'

'Broaden your minds, my dears,' said Professor Trelawney. She was one table away from us now. 'Allow your eyes to see past the mundane!'

'Come on, Hermione, you must see something,' I said. I took my cup and looked into it just as Professor Trelawney appeared at my shoulder.

'Tell me, dear, what do you see?' she asked me dramatically. I glanced at her then back at my cup.

'Well, I see what looks like a pepper pot,' I said, 'which means there's a secret being kept. And that looks like a knife,' I paused, my voice slowing as I read what it meant in my textbook, 'that means a broken friendship.'

Professor Trelawney took my cup from me and peered into it through her large spectacles.

'Yes, yes,' she mused, 'you've made a clear reading of this cup.' She handed it back to Hermione, thinking it was hers. 'A good attempt for your first go.'

Professor Trelawney moved on to Harry and Ron next to us. Ron was saying something about an acorn and an animal in Harry's cup. I was still staring at my own. I looked at the lumpy brown knife that had formed in the base. A broken friendship … I automatically glanced up at Harry and I felt a shiver race down my spine.

'Let me see that, my dear,' Professor Trelawney was saying to him and Ron. She took Harry's cup from him and stared at its contents. I then noticed I wasn't the only one watching her. The whole class had fallen silent and was looking in our direction as she read Harry's leaves. She turned it from left to right as she examined it. 'The falcon … my dear, you have a deadly enemy.'

'But everyone knows that,' said Hermione in a loud whisper. Professor Trelawney stared at her. 'Well, they do,' said Hermione. 'Everybody knows about Harry and You-Know-Who.'

Harry, Ron and I stared at Hermione, surprised by her bold statement. She'd never spoken out against a teacher before.

'The club … an attack,' Professor Trelawney continued, ignoring Hermione. 'Dear, dear, this is not a happy cup …'

'I thought that was a bowler hat,' muttered Ron. His ears had gone ever so slightly pink.

'The skull … danger in your path, my dear … a pair of curtains … a dark secret is kept from you …'

Professor Trelawney turned the cup again. She gasped and thrust the cup back on to the table, letting out a shout of shock. Across the classroom came another chink of china as Neville broke his second cup. Professor Trelawney stumbled backwards into her armchair, her hand clutching the various necklaces on her chest and her eyes closed. A whisper went round the class about her reaction.

'My dear boy –' she breathed, 'my poor dear boy – no – it is kinder not to say – no – don't ask me …'

'What is it, Professor?' asked Dean instantly. Everyone was staring around, some watching Professor Trelawney while others were straining to look into Harry's cup.

'My dear,' said Professor Trelawney. Her eyes snapped open. 'You have the Grim.'

I stared at Professor Trelawney, curious. What was a Grim? I wasn't the only one. Anyone who came from a Muggle family or background seemed confused by Professor Trelawney's declaration. Even some of those from the wizard families didn't seem to understand. Dean was staring vaguely at Seamus; Lavender was looking very puzzled; and Harry looked completely stunned.

'The Grin?' I heard Terry Boot, a Ravenclaw boy on the other side of the class. 'What's the Grin?'

'Not the Grin, you idiot,' said Michael Corner, a fellow Ravenclaw, 'the Grim.'

The majority of the class, however, reacted in shock. People gasped and put their hands over their mouths, looking horrified at Professor Trelawney's announcement. Harry looked round the class, confused by everyone's reaction.

'The Grim, my dear, the Grim!' cried Professor Trelawney. 'The giant, spectral dog that haunts churchyards! My dear boy, it is an omen – the worst omen – of death!'

I started. My mind thought back to the book I had seen in Flourish and Blotts, the one with the giant black dog on the front cover. It had been familiar to me but I still didn't know why. It was like some old memory that was long forgotten contained that creature for some reason and I just couldn't figure out why. Why would I remember something that was an omen of death? Around me the rest of the class was muttering nervously to their partners. Only Hermione seemed unconvinced. She had Harry's teacup in her hand.

'I don't think it looks like a Grim,' she said flatly.

Professor Trelawney's eyes turned on her.

'You'll forgive me for saying so, my dear, but I perceive very little aura around you,' said Professor Trelawney, all wonder gone from her voice. 'Very little receptivity to the resonances of the future.'

'It looks like a Grim if you do this,' said Seamus, tilting his head, 'but it looks more like a donkey from here.'

'When you've all finished deciding whether I'm going to die or not!' said Harry sharply. Another whisper went round the class at Harry's reaction.

'I think we will leave the lesson here for today,' said Professor Trelawney. 'Yes … please pack away your things … Until we meet again. Oh, and dear –' she turned to Neville one last time, 'you'll be late next time, so mind you work extra hard to catch up.'

I gathered my textbook and slipped it back into my bag. Although I wasn't as concerned as the rest of the class appeared to be about the Grim appearing in Harry's teacup, it had got me thinking about the validity of omens like that. Omens were supposedly signs of good or bad things to happen but surely like all things, their legitimacy was only as strong as the person's belief in them. Therefore, if people chose to believe in death omens like the Grim, then they would be more real than to those who didn't. With that logic, if Harry believed what Trelawney said to be true then maybe it had been the Grim in his cup. Shouldering my bag, I climbed back down the ladder and back down the tower with the others.

'Death omens, honestly,' Hermione huffed to me as we walked to our Transfiguration class. 'If you ask me, Divination's going to be a very subjective class to study. A very woolly discipline indeed.'

'I take it you don't like the subject then?' I asked her with a bit of a smirk. Hermione gave me a sharp look. 'Not all aspects of Divination are as imprecise as something like tealeaves,' I reasoned. 'Some people are just better at it than others.'

Hermione looked affronted at me suggesting she wasn't good at Divination after one lesson. I shrugged. She wasn't going to be the best at everything, was she?

Having gone from the top of the castle in the North Tower all the way down to the Transfiguration Courtyard off the first floor, we only just made it to our lesson in time after the long walk through the castle. After the somewhat eventful Divination lesson, Harry chose to sit right at the back of our Transfiguration class, Ron beside him and Hermione and I on the desk next to theirs. The class kept sending furtive glances in his direction, making him stare avidly at his desk to avoid them. Professor McGonagall, unaware of the class's distracted attention, began the lesson to little response. It was only when I heard the word "Animagus" that I started to listen to what she was saying.

'Some of you might have heard of Animagi before,' said Professor McGonagall, 'while most of you will have not come across the term before. An Animagus is a wizard or witch who elects to turn into an animal through the complicated use of both Self-Transfiguration and Self-Charms. It can take years of study for a wizard to get the spells right. I, myself studied for four years while doing my O. and N.E. on how to complete the process, finally achieving it with some assistance from Professor Dumbledore shortly after I finished school. Due to the complexity of the spells and charms required, the Ministry of Magic keeps a close eye on those attempting the transformation and so have a register for those who succeed where they can record what animal they transform into and any particular markings they might have in that form.

'Once the process is complete,' Professor McGonagall continued, 'the wizard obtains a single animal form to transform into that is said to reflect his or her inner personality. These forms are final and so they are unchangeable if the wizard decides they do not like their form. Afterwards, the wizard is able to change with ease between his or her human and animal form. Like so.'

Professor McGonagall turned to her desk. In one smooth movement she took a step forwards and her body began to change. Seconds later, a grey tabby cat landed on her desk and turned to face us. Its fur was stripped and I saw a pair of very familiar markings around its eyes, almost identical to the square spectacles Professor McGonagall wore. The cat meowed, sitting rather stiffly on top of the desk for a moment or two, then preceded to leap back off the desk. It changed back and Professor McGonagall stood once more before us. She stared around the class, surprised by the lack of response.

'Really, what has gotten into you all today?' said Professor McGonagall, confused. 'Not that it matters, but that's the first time my transformation's not got applause from a class.'

The whole class turned round and looked at Harry.

'It's not that, Professor,' I said, 'it was really good.'

'Please, Professor,' said Hermione, 'we've just had our first Divination class, and we were reading the tea leaves, and –'

'Ah, of course,' said Professor McGonagall tartly. She had a frown on her brow. 'There is no need to say any more, Miss Granger. Tell me, which of you will be dying this year?'

The class looked between her and Harry.

'Me,' said Harry finally.

'I see,' said Professor McGonagall. She looked at Harry closely through her glasses. 'Then you should know, Potter, that Sybill Trelawney has predicted the death of one student a year since she arrived at this school. None of them has died yet. Seeing death omens is her favourite way of greeting a new class. If it were not for the fact that I never speak ill of my colleagues –' Professor McGonagall stopped mid-sentence. She pursed her lips, her nostrils flaring slightly. 'Divination is one of the most imprecise branches of magic,' she continued. 'I shall not conceal from you that I have very little patience with it. True Seers are very rare, and Professor Trelawney …'

Professor McGonagall stopped again. I wonder what she was going to say.

'You look in excellent health to me, Potter,' finished Professor McGonagall, matter-of-factly, 'so you will excuse me if I don't let you off homework today. I assure you that if you die, you need not hand it in.'

Hermione and I giggled at that. The mood of the class in general seemed to lift after Professor McGonagall's denouncement of Trelawney's opening classes and our Transfiguration lesson continued as normal. There were one or two people who did remained concerned though. Ron's brow remained furrowed for the majority of the lesson and as we left I heard Lavender whisper to Parvati, 'What about Neville's cup?'

'Ron, cheer up,' Hermione told him at lunchtime. 'You heard what Professor McGonagall said.'

I had never seen Ron turn away a plate of food in the two years I'd known him so to see him off his lunch was certainly something to behold. The Grim must truly be bothering him. He pushed his stew around on his plate but didn't eat any of it. I half listened to the two of them while I ate, looking at my copy of Unfogging the Future for anything about the Grim for some more information on it. All that was written was a description of what the Grim looked like accompanied by a picture of it under the chapter on Omens. I looked at the picture. The large black dog stared back at me; its white eyes seemed to glow against the dark photograph. Again I had that feeling of familiarity, something from my childhood I couldn't quite remember.

'Harry,' said Ron in a low voice, 'you haven't see a great black dog anywhere, have you?'

'Yeah, I have,' said Harry. Ron jumped. He stared at Harry, his eyes wide with horror. 'I saw one the night I left the Dursleys.'

Ron dropped his fork.

'Probably a stray,' shrugged Hermione.

'Hermione, if Harry's seen a Grim, that's – that's bad,' said Ron seriously. 'My – my Uncle Bilius saw one and – and he died twenty-four hours later!'

'Coincidence,' shrugged Hermione. She poured herself some pumpkin juice and took a dignified sip.

'You don't know what you're talking about!' said Ron, raising his voice. 'Grims scare the living daylights out of most wizards!'

'There you are, then,' reasoned Hermione. 'They see the Grim and die of fright. The Grim's not an omen, it's the cause of death! And Harry's still with us because he's not stupid enough to see one and think, right, well, I'd better pop my clogs then!'

'Hermione,' I interrupted, 'just because you don't believe in it, you've got to remember some wizarding superstitions do have some grounding. Not all of them are just made up to scare people or completely unfounded.'

'Jenna, it's all circumstantial,' said Hermione tartly. 'There's nothing about the Grim that should suggest it is an omen of death other than people being so scared of it from rumours and hearsay that they die simply of fright.'

Ron gaped at Hermione as she turned away and got out her Arithmancy book.

'I think Divination seems very woolly,' she said with a note of finality. 'A lot of guesswork, if you ask me.'

'There's noting woolly about the Grim in that cup!' snapped Ron.

'You didn't seem quite so confident when you were telling Harry it was a sheep,' said Hermione coolly.

I stared at Hermione, stunned by her jibe. I looked at Harry, unable to believe what she'd said. He too was watching the argument before us, not sure what to say.

'Professor Trelawney said you didn't have the right aura!' countered Ron. 'You just don't like being rubbish at something for a change!'

I looked up from my book. Harry stopped eating, his fork poised in front of his mouth. We shared a cautious glance. I think Ron had hit a nerve. Hermione's eyes turned on Ron in the darkest scowl I'd ever seen her give him. She then slammed her Arithmancy book shut down on the table so hard that it almost knocked over the jug of pumpkin juice it had been propped against.

'If being good at Divination means I have to pretend to see death omens in a lump of tea leaves, I'm not sure I'll be studying it much longer!' snapped Hermione. 'That lesson was absolute rubbish compared to my Arthimancy class!'

Hermione snatched her bag up from the floor and stalked off. I looked at the boys, unsure what to say.

'What's she talking about?' asked Ron, frowning. 'She hasn't been to an Arithmancy class yet.'

Ron and Hermione still weren't speaking to each other as we walked out into the grounds after lunch for our first Care of Magical Creatures lesson. It was good to get out of the castle. The sky was clear with thin grey clouds scattered across the blue backdrop and there was a warm breeze blowing over the grounds as we walked down the stone steps embedded in the hill towards Hagrid's Hut at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. A handful of Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws walked ahead of us as well as, to my annoyance, a small band of Slytherins I saw to contain Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy. Malfoy was talking quickly to them in a low voice. I was pretty sure I knew what he was talking about too as he sent a glance over his shoulder at us behind him.

Hagrid was waiting outside his Hut when the class finally arrived. He stood on his front steps with his sleeves rolled up his arms and a moleskin waistcoat over his shirt. Around his neck I saw hung four dead ferrets. Beside him sat Fang, the boarhound clearly bored at having to wait for us.

'C'mon, now, get a move on!' Hagrid called to us, waving us over. 'Got a real treat for yeh today! Great lesson comin' up! Everyone here? Right, follow me!'

Hagrid stepped off his front steps and walked off round the edge of his Hut. The class followed. A few minutes later I saw a large open area come into view. It was a paddock of some sort, a large square of land that had been cleared of most of its trees and was cut off by a low stonewall around its perimeter that Hagrid stepped over in one go, a second fence just slightly further inside it. I looked round the people in front of me to get a better view. There was something standing at the far side of the paddock just out of sight from us.

'Everyone gather round the fence here!' called Hagrid. Harry, Ron, Hermione and I made our way through the crowd to a free part of the fence so we could see what was going on. 'That's it – make sure yeh can see. Now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books –'

'And just how exactly do we do that?' drawled Malfoy.

'Eh?' said Hagrid.

'How do we open our books?' repeated Malfoy.

As much as I didn't want to admit it, Malfoy did have a point. I pulled my copy of The Monster Book of Monsters from my bag and looked at it. The eyes on the front cover opened themselves and glared up at me, a quiet snarl coming from its mouth. I had only tried to look at the book once since I bought it at the end of the holidays only to recoil in horror as it attempted to bite me, almost taking my hand off. I had thrown it away from me and was chased around my room at the Leaky Cauldron until I managed to trap it by slamming a heavy ornament on top of it. I had forced it shut and reattached the brace it had come with to seal it shut, not wanting to open it again. I wasn't the only one either to do so by the looks of it. I saw other people in the class had all used various methods to restrain the book having not been able to use the brace once it had been freed from it.

'Hasn' – hasn' anyone bin able ter open their books?' said Hagrid. We shook our heads. 'Yeh've got ter stroke 'em,' said Hagrid. I could hear the disappointment in his voice. 'Look …'

Hagrid took Hermione's copy and pulled off the Spellotape she had wrapped around its cover. The book instantly went for Hagrid's face but the moment Hagrid ran his forefinger along its spine, the book seemed to shiver and it fell open completely docile. I stared at it. It was like calming any beast. A reassuring stroke was all it needed. I actually felt quite silly for not having tried that.

'Oh, how silly we've all been!' sneered Malfoy loudly. 'We should have stroked them. Why didn't we guess!'

I glared at Malfoy, as Hagrid stuttered, 'I … I thought they were funny.'

'Oh, tremendously funny!' said Malfoy. 'Really witty, giving us books that try and rip our hands off!'

'Shut up, Malfoy,' said Harry loud enough so he could hear him. He was also glaring at Malfoy.

'Righ' then,' said Hagrid, his tone not as confident as before, 'so … so yeh've got yer books an' … an' now yeh need the Magical Creatures. Yeah. So I'll go an' get 'em. Hang on …'

Hagrid strode off and out of sight. With Hagrid gone Malfoy saw his opportunity to voice his opinions.

'God, this place is going to the dogs,' said Malfoy loudly. Crabbe and Goyle laughed. The class looked at him. 'That oaf teaching classes, my father'll have a fit when I tell him –'

'Shut up, Malfoy,' said Harry a second time.

Malfoy grinned at Crabbe and Goyle as Harry approached him. He dumped his bag in Crabbe's hands then walked away from them. He squared up to Harry, his eyes glinting. I watched carefully, concerned what was going to happen in Hagrid's absence. Malfoy looked up as if to check Hagrid was still gone when he stumbled backwards as if he'd seen something.

'Dementor! Dementor!' he shouted, pointing behind Harry.

The whole class gasped and looked round in fear at Malfoy's shout. I, however, didn't. I had been round Dementors enough times to know that the first sign of one being near you was an unnatural chill in the air and considering a lot of the class had now taken off their outer robes the chances of a Dementor being near us was very slim. I glared at Malfoy as he and the other Slytherins pulled up the hoods on their robes and began to "Ooh" at us. Hermione pulled Harry away from Malfoy and back to the front of the class. I walked over to Malfoy, irritated by his prank. Dementors were not something to take lightly and the fact he'd been just as scared as everyone else back on the train meant I wasn't going to let his joke drop.

'You're all wand and no spell, Malfoy,' I said, standing up to him. Malfoy looked down his nose at me. 'You're just as much of a wimp around a Dementor as the next person. Even you wouldn't be brave enough to face one without cowering.'

'Oh yeah? I am, am I?' Malfoy asked. 'Prove it, Black.' I glared at him. He knew full well I couldn't prove it. Malfoy smirked.

'You know, some day someone's going to wipe that smirk right off your face,' I told him, 'and believe me, the day that happens you won't know what hit you.'

'And you're just the one to do it, are you, liar?' asked Malfoy. I hesitated. Malfoy's grin broadened. Behind me, Harry had heard him and had turned back round.

'Don't call Jenna a liar,' Harry growled at him.

'Why not?' asked Malfoy. 'It's what she is.'

I turned away and walked over to Harry, saying to him, 'Just ignore him. He doesn't know what he's on about.'

'A word to the not so wise, Potter,' Malfoy continued. I glanced back at him. 'Watch what she does this year,' he said, pointing at me. 'She's not who you think she is.'

Harry looked at me strangely, not knowing what Malfoy meant. I looked back trying my best not to react.

'Oooooooh!' squealed Lavender.

Hagrid had returned. Trotting behind him were a dozen or so large creatures that I had never seen before. They were the strangest combination, the head and front legs of an eagle while the body and hindquarters were the legs and tails of horses. They varied greatly in colours from mild grey and chestnut brown feathers to palomino and dark black bodies. They fixed us with their beady black eyes, clicking their sharp beaks in warning. The talons on their front legs pawed the ground. Each creature had a thick leather collar round its neck and a long chain that Hagrid tied to a solitary tree in the paddock.

'Hippogriffs!' roared Hagrid, waving his hand at them. 'Beautiful, aren' they?'

I stared at the Hippogriffs in awe. I couldn't deny it: they were quite beautiful in an odd sort of way.

'So,' said Hagrid, clapping his hands together, 'if yeh wan' ter come a bit nearer …'

Almost automatically the class stepped back from the fence that separated us to them. Hagrid didn't notice.

'Now, firs' think yeh gotta know about Hippogriffs is they're proud,' Hagrid told us. 'Easily offended, Hippogriffs are. Don't never insult one, 'cause it might be the last thing yeh do.'

'It's a bird,' I heard Malfoy mutter to Crabbe and Goyle. I glanced out the corner of my eye at him. He wasn't listening one bit to Hagrid. 'How intelligent can it be?'

'Yeh always wait fer the Hippogriff ter make the firs' move,' Hagrid told us. 'It's polite, see? Yeh walk towards him, and yeh bow, an' yeh wait. If he bows back, yeh're allowed ter touch him. If he doesn' bow, they get away from him sharpish, 'cause those talons hurt.

'Right – who wants ter go first?'

Once again the class took an automatic step back. I looked nervously at the sharp point of the Hippogriff's beak and the long claws on its talons, knowing I didn't want to be on the receiving end of those. As much as I liked magical creatures, I wasn't too eager to volunteer to try and try and stroke a dangerous Hippogriff.

'No one?' said Hagrid. I could see the desperate look in his eye that no one would do it.

'I'll do it,' said Harry beside me.

A loud intake of breath came from those in the class who'd been in our Divination lesson.

'Oooh, no, Harry,' said Parvati and Lavender, 'remember your tea leaves!'

Harry ignored them. He climbed over the paddock fence that separated us from the Hippogriffs and walked slowly over to Hagrid.

'Good man, Harry!' roared Hagrid. 'Right then – let's see how yeh get on with Buckbeak.'

Hagrid untied one of the chains around the tree in the paddock that connected to the collar around the neck of a large steel grey Hippogriff. Buckbeak squawked slightly, objecting to being pulled away from where he was grazing on worms in the ground. Hagrid threw one of the dead ferrets over to him. Buckbeak caught it in his mouth and guzzled it down in one mouthful. Another round of whispers went through the class. I watched with anticipation as Hagrid led the large bird forwards so that he was face to face with Harry. Buckbeak pawed the ground, his orange eyes fixed on where Harry stood.

'Easy now, Harry,' Hagrid instructed. 'Yeh've got to keep eye contact, now try not ter blink – Hippogriffs don't trust yeh if yeh blink too much … Tha's it. Tha's it, Harry … now, bow …'

Slowly Harry leaned forwards into a bow. He barely lowered his head as he bent at the waist, his eyes never leaving Buckbeak's. Buckbeak twitched his head and looked at Harry. He gave a loud squawked and opened his huge grey wings, flapping them warningly.

'Ah,' said Hagrid. I didn't like the tone in his voice. 'Right – back away, now, Harry, easy does it –'

Buckbeak pawed the ground once again with his talon. Then, to my surprise, Buckbeak lowered his head and bent its front leg into a very obvious bow.

'Well done, Harry!' said Hagrid. He clapped loudly at Harry's achievement then rewarded Buckbeak with another dead ferret, which he greedily ate. The class followed. I stared at the sight before me as I applauded, releasing the breath I hadn't known I'd been holding in. It had really looked for a moment that Buckbeak wasn't going to respond. 'Right – yeh can touch him! Pat his beak, go on!'

Harry glanced at Hagrid then slowly approached the Hippogriff. He reached out a shaky hand. Buckbeak noticed. He clicked his beak, squawking slightly again. Under Hagrid's guidance Harry stopped approaching Buckbeak, giving him a chance to come to his outstretched hand. Buckbeak cautiously stepped forwards, his eyes fixed upon Harry. Slowly Buckbeak lowered his head once more and reached towards Harry's hand. He touched it to Harry's hand, allowing him to stroke the feathers on his head. Harry looked back towards Ron, Hermione and me, a grin on his face as he stroked Buckbeak.

'Well done, Harry,' said Hagrid again. The class clapped a second time, all but Malfoy and his friends who seemed disappointed that Harry hadn't gotten his arm ripped off. 'Righ' then, Harry,' said Hagrid, 'I reckon he migh' let yeh ride him!'

'What?' said Harry instantly. I don't think he'd anticipated that.

Hagrid strode over to Harry and picked him up under the arms, lifting him clean off the ground despite Harry's objections. He carried him round Buckbeak's flank and swung him on to the Hippogriff's back.

'Yeh climb up there, jus' behind the wing joint,' Hagrid said, positioning Harry on Buckbeak before walking round his hind quarters, 'an' mind yeh don' pull any of his feathers out, because he won' thank you for that …'

Hagrid gave Buckbeak a slap on his rear flank. The Hippogriff instantly reared up on to his hind legs and gave a loud squawk, catching Harry by surprise. He grabbed Buckbeak round the neck just in time as Buckbeak cantered forwards towards the surrounding wall of the paddock. He spread his huge wings and flapped them, sending him soaring into the sky. I watched in complete awe as Buckbeak swooped round the perimeter of the paddock, his wings flapping steadily to keep them in the air. His speed was incredible. Hagrid let out a whistle to call Buckbeak back. Buckbeak circled round through the trees and leant forwards back to the ground. He slowed his wings and allowed his back legs to hit the ground, running across the paddock as he landed before coming to a complete stop. Hagrid lifted Harry back of Buckbeak, looking ecstatic things had gone so well.

'Good work, Harry!' he roared. The class cheered and clapped loudly. 'OK, who else wants a go?'

Harry's success with Buckbeak gave the class courage and we climbed over the fence into the paddock. Hagrid pulled Buckbeak over to one side and attached his chain to the fence before collecting the other Hippogriffs and spreading them out around the paddock. One by one people nervously bowed at their Hippogriff before waiting for it to respond. Some were more confident than others and were rewarded by their Hippogriffs responding to their bows. Neville didn't seem to have much luck with the one he was with as it refused to bend its knees. Neville kept running away from it any time it clicked its beak at him. I waited my turn as Seamus and Dean bowed and waited for the Hippogriff we were paired with to bow; the large black creature appeared very stubborn and didn't seem to want to bow to either of the boys.

'Ah, it won't do it,' said Seamus, frustrated. 'I can't get it to bow at all. It's being stubborn.'

'Careful what you say, Seamus,' I said quietly. The Hippogriff had heard him and had let out a threatening squawk. 'Don't insult them, remember?'

'You do it then,' hissed Seamus.

I looked across at the black Hippogriff. It stared back at me, a stubborn look in its eye. I took a breath then stepped away from Seamus and Dean. I steeled my nerves and walked towards the Hippogriff. I didn't dare break eye contact with it. We faced each other for a moment or so, almost as if we were sizing each other up. Neither of us moved. Once I was sure the Hippogriff wasn't going to attack, I slowly leant forwards and bowed to it. I kept my waist bent but lifted my head just enough to look at the beast. The Hippogriff was examining me closely as it decided whether to respond or not. Finally, after what seemed like a good five minutes, the Hippogriff relented and lowered its head in a bow. I let out my breath and reached out my hand. Having seen I meant not harm or insult the Hippogriff walked towards me and touched its head to my hand. I smiled, stroking its soft feathers. An almost purr-like squawk came from its throat. It seemed to be enjoying the attention I was giving it.

'This is very easy.'

I glanced to my right when I heard Malfoy's voice over the noise of the Hippogriffs as he spoke loudly to Crabbe and Goyle. He, Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy were working with Buckbeak. Somehow Malfoy had managed to get Buckbeak to bow to him and was now patting his beak. I could see he was doing it quite roughly. Buckbeak clearly was getting agitated, his talons pawing the ground much harder than before. As I thought, Malfoy hadn't listened to a word Hagrid had said about how to treat a Hippogriff and I could see that Buckbeak was getting steadily angrier at Malfoy's words.

'I knew it must have been, if Potter could do it …' drawled Malfoy. The people nearest him had turned round to see what was going on. Even Hagrid had stopped helping Neville get his Hippogriff to bow having noticed Buckbeak's agitation. 'I bet you're not dangerous at all, are you?' he said directly to Buckbeak. 'Are you, you ugly great brute?'

'Malfoy, no –' but Hagrid was too late.

'Malfoy, don't –!'

What happened next happened so fast you would have missed it if you'd blinked. Before my shout could stop him and before the words had left Malfoy's mouth, Buckbeak reared up and spread his wings in a threatening manner. The class screamed and ran for it. Malfoy froze as Buckbeak towered over him, having realised just what he'd done. Without even thinking of the consequences, I ran at Malfoy and pushed him to the ground as Buckbeak attacked. I felt a searing pain pass across my abdomen as Buckbeak's claws slashed across my stomach, the claws of his other talon swiping down Malfoy's arm as he fell backwards. I fell on to the ground beside Malfoy and instantly wrapped my arms tightly around my waist. I hunched up, the pain unbearable. I could hear Malfoy whining beside me on the ground. I don't know what made me do it. I just couldn't stand by and watch as Buckbeak was mistreated because of Malfoy's stupidity.

'Buckbeak!' shouted Hagrid. He ran over to us and stood between Buckbeak and us. He held up his hands as he tried to calm the enraged beast. 'Whoa, whoa!' he shouted. 'Buckbeak!' I could hear Buckbeak's squawks stopping. I didn't dare move to look. I just lay there on my side, my eyes wide and staring at the dirt. I had never been in so much pain before. I could just see Malfoy writhing on his back in my line of vision. 'Away you silly creature.'

'I'm dying!' yelled Malfoy beside me. 'I'm dying, look at me! It's killed me.'

'Yer not dyin'!' said Hagrid. 'Someone help me – gotta get him outta here –'

There was a rush of movement as the class cleared a path to the gate in the fence. Hagrid lifted Malfoy up into his arms as easily as he did to Harry earlier. I felt the ground shake beneath me as he took large fast strides across the paddock and out through the fence. The sound of several pairs of footsteps began to fade away as the class left behind him. I remained where I was, keeping my arms wrapped around me. I swallowed as my lower body seared in pain, struggling to keep my breathing even. Beneath my fingers I could feel a small trickle of blood start to escape through them.

'Jenna, are you all right?' came Hermione's concerned voice.

I felt a pair of hands take hold of my arm to pull me to my feet. I fought against them not wanting to release the pressure I was putting on my stomach. Against my will, Harry and Ron managed to get me to my feet but still I refused to remove my arms, hunching over as I attempted to stem the blood I knew was soaking through my shirt.

'Why did you do that?' Harry asked, steadying me. 'Malfoy's not worth the trouble.'

'N-not the time, Harry,' I said. My voice shook. 'C-can someone get me to the Hospital Wing?'

'Why?' asked Ron.

I sent him a dark look then reluctantly removed my arm from my waist. Three long streaks of blood stained the sleeve of my shirt while the entire lower half of my shirt and the waistband of my skirt had turned a dark red colour; beneath three long tears in my shirt were three long scratches crossing the width of my waist.

'Oh …'

I just managed to give Ron another scathing look now he'd realised what had happened before my knees finally buckled and I fell back to the ground. I hunched over once more, my arms clutching my waist and tears stinging at my eyes from the pain. Harry quickly pulled off his outer robe and handed it to Hermione. I felt him ease my arms away from my waist again and Hermione wrapped his robe around it, tying it in a tight knot and sealing it with a Fixing Charm to stem the blood long enough for them to get me to the Hospital Wing. Harry then bent down in front of me and lifted my arms over his shoulders, picking me up so I was leant against his back. I could feel Hermione's hand on my back as she made sure I didn't slump backwards and fall off. I buried my face into his shoulder as Harry carried me out of the paddock and back up to the castle.

'Don't worry, Jenna,' Harry told me. 'Madam Pomfrey will be able to heal you in no time.'

I gave a feeble moan in response. I didn't know how much blood I'd lost but it was enough for me to feel very dizzy.

'What about Malfoy?' I heard Hermione ask. 'D'you think he'll be all right?'

''Course he will,' said Harry angrily. 'Jenna stopped him from getting the brunt of Buckbeak's attack. He got off lightly. Madam Pomfrey can mend cuts in about a second.'

'That was a really bad thing to happen in Hagrid's first class, though, wasn't it?' said Ron. 'Trust Malfoy to mess things up for him.'

'Only because he's too stupid to listen to him,' I mumbled. 'Shouldn't insult a Hippogriff …'

Harry carried me back up to the castle, Ron and Hermione keeping a close eye on me as they walked, and straight up the Clock Tower towards the Hospital Wing. They pushed open the Hospital Wing door and took me inside. Harry called out to Madam Pomfrey. She looked up from where she had been tending to Malfoy's arm, instantly abandoning him when she saw me slumped over Harry's shoulders. Madam Pomfrey instructed him to lie me down on the nearest bed then step back so she could examine me. Harry turned round and I felt him rest me on the edge of the bed. I let out a moan of pain as Hermione helped lower me backwards on to it. Tears fell from my closed eyes, flowing down my cheeks when I opened them to stare at the blurry ceiling above me. With a tap of her wand, Madam Pomfrey cancelled Hermione's spell on Harry's robe and removed it from my waist. She whispered another couple of spells and I felt the blood flow finally begin to recede.

'Good heavens,' she said when she saw the cuts in my waist. 'She should have been brought straight to me! Why didn't Hagrid bring her up with Mr Malfoy?'

'Hagrid didn't know Jenna had been scratched,' said Harry instantly. 'Malfoy was being so over dramatic about it that Hagrid didn't even notice Jenna was hurt.'

'She'd pushed Malfoy out the way,' said Hermione. 'It all happened so fast and they were both knocked to the ground but it looked like Jenna had avoided the Hippogriff's talons. We didn't know she'd been scratched until we tried to help her up.'

'Well, Miss Black's been very lucky,' said Madam Pomfrey. I felt her hands lift my shirt and her fingers touch my stomach as she looked at the scratches. 'The cuts aren't that deep but she'll have to be kept in the Hospital Wing for the next few days so that they get the chance to heal properly. There will be some scarring but that will fade over time.'

'What about Malfoy?' asked Ron.

'Mr Malfoy's injuries are minor,' said Madam Pomfrey dismissively. 'It appears Miss Black's actions saved him from worse injuries. Hippogriff claws can cut through skin like a Slicing Charm cuts through fabric. He should be very grateful Miss Black acted immediately when the Hippogriff attacked.'

'Only because he insulted it in the first place,' I heard Harry mutter to Ron and Hermione. I glanced over at them, unable to agree but knowing full well they were right. I bet Malfoy had avoided that bit when he'd told Madam Pomfrey what happened. As for Hagrid, at that moment I didn't want to think what state he was in after what had happened in his very first lesson.

I spent the next few days in the Hospital Wing with my waist wrapped in bandages unable to move from the pain. I could only just sit up in bed with the help of some pillows without causing myself any more injury. Across from me, Malfoy had his right arm wrapped in bandages and held up by a sling. Twice a day Madam Pomfrey removed our bandages and applied several spells to them to make sure they healed properly without the risk of too much scarring before wrapping the injuries once more in the protective material. I certainly didn't appreciate being Immobilised and then Levitated off my bed so that Madam Pomfrey could bind my waist but it was the easiest way to do it without me wincing as I couldn't sit or stand straight for nearly two days after the attack.

Harry, Ron and Hermione visited me the next day to see how I was and to give me any homework I had to work on – if I wanted to, in Ron's opinion – having missed class. I was just relieved I hadn't missed Lupin's first Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson; I would have been gutted if I had. They also brought news on how Hagrid was. I was relieved to hear that he had not been sacked but he was afraid he was going to be. The Board of Governors for the school had been informed and there was a pending investigation into what happened. Unfortunately, when Harry, Ron and Hermione had gone to visit him, Hagrid had been drowning his sorrows and so unable to tell them much more before he sobered up and marched them straight back up to the castle when he realised Harry was in the grounds after dark.

On Wednesday lunchtime I saw Crabbe and Goyle slink into the Hospital Wing to visit Malfoy. I kept my head down so it wouldn't look like I was listening in on their conversation, pretending to be interested in my Charms homework. He told them how he was glad that Buckbeak had attacked him, as now it was a sure fire way for him to get Hagrid fired as it would be his word against Hagrid's over what had happened. I frowned, not liking the sound of what he appeared to be planning, especially when I overheard him mention his father. Lucius Malfoy had a lot of influence as I saw last year when he managed to get the Board of Governors to sack Dumbledore last year. I would bet anything that Malfoy would somehow lie about not following Hagrid's instructions in order to ensure Hagrid got sacked.

On Thursday morning Madam Pomfrey checked over mine and Malfoy's injuries and applied one last round of spells before re-wrapping them and allowing us to leave the Hospital Wing. Harry, Ron and Hermione weren't there to meet me as classes had already started by the time Madam Pomfrey let us go so I made my way down to the dungeons for my Potions class alone. Well, I wasn't completely alone as Malfoy was strutting along ahead of me with a smirk on his face. It was a slow walk as my lower body was still stiff from spending the last two days lying flat on my back or propped up on hard hospital pillows. I eventually made it to Potions, walking into the dungeon just after Malfoy. Snape's eyes turned on us as we entered.

'You are late,' said Snape slowly. Snape's black eyes turned on us. They took in Malfoy's bandaged arm before appraising me. I stared back warily. Malfoy boldly strode into the dungeon, making sure everyone could see his bandaged arm, to where Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy were sitting. 'Five points from Gryffindor, Black,' Snape then said, turning back to the parchment in front of him on his desk. 'I will not have students late for my classes without a valid reason.'

'I've been in the Hospital Wing, sir,' I responded. I put my bag down beside Hermione but didn't take a seat. 'Malfoy and I both have.'

'I see no evidence of injury, Black,' said Snape curtly. 'Now sit down and get on with your Shrinking Solution before I take any more points.'

I saw Harry made to object but I put a hand on his arm to stop him. He glanced at me and I shook my head.

'Don't worry about it,' I muttered. We both knew Malfoy and the other Slytherins always got away with things while under Snape's watch. I carefully sat down on the bench still unable to bend properly at the waist. 'I've lost more points than that before.'

Harry returned to his potion while Hermione showed me what we were making in our textbooks so I could catch up in what was left of the lesson. We worked in silence, the only noises in the dungeons coming from the burning fires beneath our cauldrons and the bubbling of their contents. And that of Malfoy's boasting.

'How is it, Draco?' Pansy asked him. 'Does it hurt much?'

'Yeah,' said Malfoy in mock bravery. I glanced at him just as he winked at Crabbe and Goyle. 'The pain comes and goes. If it hadn't of been for Madam Pomfrey, I could have lost my arm.'

'Settle down, settle down,' Snape called idly.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head at Malfoy's sycophantic behaviour. His injuries were no worse than mine.

Having gotten to class so late there were very few available seats left in the dungeons meaning Malfoy and I had little choice in where to sit. While I had been lucky to get a seat next to Hermione with Harry and Ron opposite us, the other tables with the Slytherins sitting at them were all full. There was only one remaining seat on the same table as us that Malfoy proceeded to take. Unsurprisingly Malfoy decided to use this to his full advantage.

'Sir,' Malfoy called after a few minute's work, 'sir, I'll need help cutting up these daisy roots, because of my arm –'

'Weasley, cut up Malfoy's roots for him,' said Snape, not looking up from his desk.

The four of us looked at each other. Ron's ears had gone red.

'There's nothing wrong with your arm,' Ron hissed at Malfoy.

Malfoy smirked at him.

'Weasley, you heard Professor Snape, cut up these roots.'

Clearly seething, Ron pulled Malfoy's roots towards him and began cutting them haphazardly as opposed to the how it was written in the book.

'Professor,' called Malfoy again, 'Weasley's mutilating my roots, sir.'

Snape put down his quill and got up. He strode over to our table and peered down at the roots in front of Ron.

'Change roots with Malfoy, Weasley. Now.'

With a very dark glare in Malfoy's direction Ron gave over the roots he'd carefully prepared for his potion.

'And, sir, I'll need this Shrivelfig skinned,' said Malfoy.

'Potter, you can skin Malfoy's Shrivelfig,' said Snape.

Harry did so, practically throwing Malfoy's Shrivelfig back across the table when he was done. If it was possible, Malfoy's smirk broadened even more.

'Seen your pal Hagrid, lately?' he asked us, his voice lowered so Snape wouldn't overhear.

'None of your business,' hissed Ron.

'I'm afraid he won't be a teacher much longer,' said Malfoy in mock sorrow. 'Father's not very happy about my injury –'

'Keep talking, Malfoy, and I'll give you a real injury,' growled Ron.

'– he's complained to the school governors. And to the Ministry of Magic. Father's got a lot of influence, you know. And a lasting injury like this –' he gave a fake sigh, 'who knows if my arm'll ever be the same again?'

'You and I both know that's a load of crap, Malfoy,' I said, trying my best to keep a lid on my annoyance. 'You got off lightly thanks to me.'

'I do,' smirked Malfoy, 'but they don't, do they? All I have to do is claim it was because of that oaf's incompetence and he'll be sacked for sure.'

'So that's why you're putting it on,' said Harry. He wasn't concentrating and decapitated his caterpillar. 'To try and get Hagrid sacked.'

'Well,' said Malfoy, lowering his voice to just a whisper, 'partly, Potter. But there are other benefits, too. Weasley, slice my caterpillars for me.'

'Orange, Longbottom,' came Snape's voice across the classroom where Neville was sitting with Seamus, Dean and Parvati. I looked up, distracted by Snape's disapproving sneer at Neville's potion. He ladled some and let it slop back into the cauldron, the solution a bright orange as opposed to the acid green it was meant to be. 'Orange. Tell me, boy, does anything penetrate that thick skull of yours?' sneered Snape, glaring down his hooked nose at Neville. 'Didn't you hear me say, quite clearly, that only one rat spleen was needed? Didn't I state plainly that a dash of leech juice would suffice? What do I have to do to make you understand, Longbottom?'

Neville shrank back into his seat, visibly shaking and his face bright red. It was common knowledge that Neville hated Potions lessons as Snape always criticised his work and he spent most of the lessons nervously making his potions that inevitably went wrong because of it. I felt sorry for Neville almost every lesson as we would watch Snape belittle him in front of everyone. While Snape had a confusing but somewhat understandable loathing for Harry, his hatred of Neville seemed completely unfounded and just pure bullying.

'Please, sir,' said Hermione, 'please, I could help Neville put it right –'

'I don't remember asking you to show off, Miss Granger,' said Snape coldly. Hermione flushed pink. 'Longbottom, at the end of this lesson we will feed a few drops of this potion to your toad and see what happens. Perhaps that will encourage you to do it properly.'

Snape strode off to look at Daphne's potion on the next table. Neville looked at Hermione helplessly.

'Help me!' he mouthed.

'Hey, Harry,' said Seamus. He leaned back in his seat beside Dean to borrow his scales, 'have you heard? Daily Prophet this morning – they reckon Sirius Black's been sighted.'

My head instantly jerked up when I heard Black's name, a look of alarm on it. I quickly masked it when I saw Malfoy had seen my reaction and was smirking at me.

'Where?' asked Harry and Ron.

'Not too far from here,' said Seamus excitedly. 'It was a Muggle who saw him. 'Course, she didn't really understand. The Muggles think he's just an ordinary criminal, don't they? So she phoned the telephone hotline. By the time the Ministry of Magic got there, he was gone.'

'Not too far from here …' repeated Ron. He looked at Harry nervously. He then noticed Malfoy was also listening in to what was being said. 'What, Malfoy? Need something else skinning?'

'Thinking of trying to catch Black single-handed, Potter?' said Malfoy, the corner of his eye still on me.

'Yeah, that's right,' shrugged Harry.

Malfoy smiled. I swallowed, worried what might be said next.

'Of course, if it was me,' said Malfoy quietly, 'I'd have done something before now. I wouldn't be staying in school like a good boy, I'd be out there looking for him. 'Course, I don't know what Black might think of you doing that.'

'What are you talking about, Malfoy?' said Ron, irritated.

'What's that supposed to mean?' asked Harry. He looked at me, confused by Malfoy's statement.

'Just wondering what Black would think of you going after Sirius Black,' said Malfoy casually, giving me a very deliberate look.

'I have no opinion on it,' I said. I did my best to keep my voice steady. 'I'd rather Harry didn't go after him,' I shrugged, 'and I know he's not stupid enough to do so.'

'Doesn't Potter know?' breathed Malfoy.

'Know what?' asked Harry. I looked at Malfoy nervously. He gave a nasty quiet laugh.

'Maybe you'd rather not risk your neck,' said Malfoy. 'Want to leave it to the Dementors, do you? But if it was me, I'd want revenge. I'd hunt him down myself.'

'What are you talking about?' demanded Harry angrily.

Before Malfoy could answer, Snape called, 'You should have finished adding your ingredients by now. This potion needs to stew before it can be drunk; clear away while it simmers and then we'll test Longbottom's …'

I lowered the flame beneath my cauldron and left it to simmer as I gathered up all my equipment. Across from us, Neville was feverishly stirring his as Hermione whispered last minute instructions to him. I kept my eyes lowered and glanced over at Malfoy. He had a very pleased look on his face at what he'd just done as he spoke to Crabbe and Goyle who both laughed at what he told them.

'What did Malfoy mean?' I heard Harry ask Ron. 'Why would I want revenge on Black? He hasn't done anything to me – yet.'

'He's making it up,' said Ron, 'he's trying to make you do something stupid …'

'What about Jenna, though?' Harry then said. I started when I heard my name. Carefully I turned enough to catch Harry glance at me, my eyes not leaving my bag to make it look like I wasn't listening to them. 'That's twice now Malfoy's suggested Jenna knows something about Black.'

'Does she?' whispered Ron.

'I told you on the train, Jenna doesn't know who her father is,' said Harry. 'I don't deny that she could be related to him because of their surnames and you told me how loads of large wizard families are related to each other, but I think she'd know if someone like Black was her father.'

I paused what I was doing when I heard Harry defend me again. Guilt rose up in my chest at the fact I did know something Harry didn't about Black, and that I did know he was my father. I just couldn't bring myself to tell him, knowing how much the truth would hurt him.

'Everyone gather round,' instructed Snape, once we had put away our things, 'and watch what happens to Longbottom's toad. If he has managed to produce a Shrinking Solution, it will shrink to a tadpole. If, as I don't doubt, he has done it wrong, his toad is likely to be poisoned.'

Snape picked up Neville's toad, Trevor, in one hand and dipped a spoon into Neville's now green potion. Holding the toad tipped backwards, Snape let a few drops of the potion drip into Trevor's mouth. Silence followed as the class watched Trevor swallow the potion and we waited for a reaction. Suddenly there was a faint pop and the once adult toad was now a wriggling black tadpole in Snape's palm. The Gryffindors, relieved, burst into applause while the Slytherins were clearly disappointed that the potion had worked. Snape was livid. From his pocket he took out the antidote and dripped a bit of it on to Trevor, who reappeared fully-grown seconds later.

'Five points from Gryffindor,' said Snape, wiping the smiles off everyone's faces. 'I told you not to help him, Miss Granger. Class dismissed.'

There was a mutter of outrage at Snape's deducting of yet another five points from Gryffindor for a successful potion. Nonetheless, we gathered our things and left the dungeon to return to the main castle. Ron was unsurprisingly seething for Snape's actions.

'Five points from Gryffindor because the potion was all right!' said Ron angrily. 'Why didn't you lie, Hermione? You should have said Neville did it all by himself!'

I waited for Hermione's inevitable biting response but for some reason it didn't come. I looked to my left where Hermione had been seconds previously to find she was gone. Harry and Ron had noticed too.

'She was right behind us,' said Ron, frowning.

'There she is,' said Harry.

Harry pointed to where Hermione was rushing back up the staircase from the dungeons we had climbed not two minutes ago. She was desperately trying to keep hold on to her bag as she struggled to fit a large book back into it while also tucking something down the front of her shirt.

'How did you do that?' asked Ron.

'What?' said Hermione.

'One minute you were right behind us, and next moment, you were back at the bottom of the stairs again,' said Ron.

'What?' Hermione gave him a startled look. 'Oh – I had to go back for something. Oh no …'

There was a loud rip and the contents of Hermione's bag spilled on to the floor as the seam split in two. Several large textbooks tumbled out on to the floor. I bent down to help Hermione pick them up. For some reason she had books with her that she didn't even have classes for today.

'Why are you carrying all these around with you?' Ron asked.

'You know how many subjects I'm taking,' said Hermione breathlessly. 'Couldn't hold these for me, could you?'

She shoved some of her textbooks into Ron's hands as she picked up her quills and inks.

'But –' Ron turned over the books to look at their covers, 'you haven't got any of these subjects today. It's only Defence Against the Dark Arts this afternoon.'

'Oh yes,' said Hermione. She took out her wand and tapped her bag. With a single word the bag began to stitch itself back together allowing Hermione to put the contents back inside it. Something made me think Hermione would benefit from an Extension Charm on it so she could fit all her books into it, considering it was a Muggle bag and so had its limits. Unfortunately I didn't know how to do one. 'I hope there's something good for lunch, I'm starving,' Hermione said as she did this.

Hermione clicked the flap of her bag shut and walked off. I followed, deciding it was probably best not to probe too deep into Hermione's distractedness. That and I was looking forward to some non-Hospital Wing food. I hadn't had a decent meal in two days.

Perhaps it was to be expected, but I was very excited for Lupin's first Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson and was curious as to what he might have in store for us. While we ate our lunch Harry, Ron and Hermione took the opportunity to ask me about what Lupin was like. I presumed this was so they could get a rough idea of what they were going to be in store for. After two Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers already I think we were all hoping for one who might actually last longer than a year and be half-decent at the job. Ignoring the fact Voldemort was living in Quirrell's body, his lessons were not actually that interesting but we learnt enough to pass our exams in first-year; as for Lockhart, I dreaded every time I knew a lesson with him was around the corner and was very surprised when I passed my second-year exam after a year of his teaching. I couldn't say for sure what Lupin was going to be like as a teacher but I did assure them that his knowledge on defensive magic and dark creatures was very impressive.

'Let's just hope he lasts,' said Ron as we got up to leave the Great Hall. 'He didn't look that up to it when we saw him on the train.'

'Appearances can be deceiving, Ron,' I told him confidently. While I knew he, Harry and Hermione would take that at face value, I knew as I said it how many meanings those words had when used in regards to Lupin as well as to myself. There was a lot more to both of us than meets the eye.

Professor Lupin wasn't there when we entered the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. I looked around, curious as to why he wasn't there. The door to his office was closed and there was nothing set up in the classroom. Where was he? It was obvious I wasn't the only person thinking this as a whisper was going round the class as we took our seats to wait for Professor Lupin to arrive.

The door opened a few minutes after we had all got out our books and quills. We looked round when we heard Professor Lupin enter. I couldn't help but smile. He was looking much better having recovered from the recent full moon. Professor Lupin gave a vague smile and walked between the desks to his own at the front of the classroom. He placed his old briefcase on to his desk then turned to look at us. There was a silence as he appraised us and we stared back expectantly at him. I almost smirked, loving how casually Professor Lupin stood there with his hands in the pockets of his trousers, an almost unbothered look on his tired face at the fact he was meant to be taking a class.

'Good afternoon,' said Professor Lupin finally. 'Would you please all put your books back in your bags. Today's will be a practical lesson. You will only need your wands.'

A nervous whisper broke the silence. We hadn't had a practical Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson since Lockhart's one with the pixies. I had to admit even I was a little apprehensive now. Slowly we packed away are things, leaving only our wands on our desks.

'Right then,' said Professor Lupin, once we were ready, 'if you'd follow me.'

Profess Lupin, hands still in his pockets, strode back across the classroom and opened the door. Several puzzled looks were exchanged as we gathered our bags and picked up our wands. We walked out of the door Professor Lupin held open for us and back down the spiral staircase of the Dark Arts Tower to wait for him. Professor Lupin joined us minutes later then led us out of the third floor and down the Changing Staircase. We walked in silence after him all the way back down to the Entrance Hall and down a corridor that I recognised to lead to the staffroom. We followed Professor Lupin down the corridor and round the corner where we were met by the sight of Peeves the poltergeist attempting to stuff a piece of chewing gum into the nearest keyhole.

Peeves looked up from his task when he heard us approaching him. His face took on a wild look of glee and his eyes widened. He twitched his curly-toed feet in what looked like some strange sort of dance then broke into a song.

'Loony, loopy Lupin,' he sang. Peeves began to bob about in the air in front of us. As rude as Peeves always was, this was the first time I'd ever seen him openly insult a teacher. Normally he had a little more of a begrudging respect for them. Professor Lupin merely watched on. 'Loony, loopy Lupin, loony, loopy Lupin.'

'I'd take that gum out of the keyhole, if I were you, Peeves,' said Professor Lupin in his usual mild tone. 'Mr Filch won't be able to get in to his brooms.'

Peeves stopped his song only long enough to blow a large, wet raspberry. The class waited for Professor Lupin's response. Professor Lupin gave a small sigh and took out his wand.

'This is a useful little spell,' Professor Lupin told the class over his shoulder. 'Please watch closely.' He raised his wand level to his shoulder and pointed it at Peeves. 'Waddiwasi!'

The gum shot out of the keyhole like a Muggle bullet and went straight up Peeves's left nostril. Peeves flung himself backwards in shock, doing a backward roll in midair. He then zoomed off loudly cursing down the corridor and out of sight.

'Cool, sir!' said Dean loudly.

'Thank you, Dean,' said Professor Lupin. He put his wand back into his robes. 'Shall we proceed?'

Professor Lupin continued down a second corridor before stopping at a large wooden door that belonged to the staffroom. He opened it and stood to one side to allow us in.

'Inside, please,' he told us.

I had never been inside the staffroom before. I looked around with great curiosity at this rarely to be seen room. It was a long rectangular room that had wooden panels lining its walls, paintings and bookcase resting upon them. The room was full of assorted and mismatched furniture from ornate wooden tables, velvet covered chairs and – most interestingly – a large wooden wardrobe. As I looked around I saw that we were not alone. Seated with his back to us in a low armchair, I recognised the black curtain of hair that belonged to Snape. He turned just enough for his black eyes to fall upon us, and a nasty sneer formed on his lips. Just to my right I heard a tiny muffled squeak I knew to be Neville. He stood when he saw Professor Lupin start to close the door.

'Leave it open, Lupin,' sneered Snape, striding through our group. 'I'd rather not witness this.' He was almost out of the room but paused at the door. He looked once more at our group, his eyes picking up on Neville trying to hide behind Seamus, and added, 'Possibly no one's warned you, Lupin, but this class contains Neville Longbottom. I would advise you not to entrust him with anything difficult. Not unless Miss Granger is hissing instructions in his ear.'

Neville went bright red and ducked even further behind Seamus. Professor Lupin glanced at Neville, his eyebrows raised, then back at Snape.

'I was hoping that Neville would assist me with the first stage of the operation,' he said, 'and I am sure he will perform it admirably.'

If it was possible, Neville's face went even redder. Snape's lip curled angrily that Professor Lupin had countered his demeaning remark. He turned on his heel and exited the staffroom. The door slammed shut behind him.

'Now then,' said Professor Lupin. He walked through us and over to where the wardrobe was stood in the centre of the room. He waved his hand for us to come over. The class approached him. Without warning the wardrobe gave a violent shudder, the mirror on its door rattling dangerously. Almost everyone took a step back again. 'Nothing to worry about,' said Professor Lupin calmly as if nothing had happened. He began to pace around where we stood. 'Nothing to worry about. It is intriguing though, isn't it?' he said slowly. 'Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what is inside?'

I watched the wardrobe as it shuddered again. None of the class seemed too keen to get any closer nor had any clue of what it was that was causing it to shake. My eyes narrowed, however, as I had a wild thought of what it could be.

'That's a Boggart,' I said.

'Very good, Jenna,' said Professor Lupin, smiling. 'There is indeed a Boggart in there. Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces. Wardrobes, the gap beneath beds, the cupboards under sinks – I once met one that had lodged itself inside a grandfather clock. This one moved in yesterday afternoon, and I asked the Headmaster if the staff would leave it to give my third-years some practice.

'So, the first question we must ask ourselves is, what is a Boggart?'

Hermione raised her hand. Professor Lupin nodded at her.

'It's a shape-shifter,' said Hermione. 'It can take the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten us most. That's what makes them so –'

'So terrifying, yes, couldn't have put it better myself,' said Professor Lupin. The wardrobe gave another violent shake. Professor Lupin glanced back at it then back to us, not even phased by the interruption. 'So the Boggart sitting in the darkness within has not yet assumed a form. He does not yet know what will frighten the person on the other side of the door. Nobody knows what a Boggart looks like when he is alone, but when I let him out, he will immediately become whatever each of us most fears.

'This means,' continued Professor Lupin, ignoring Neville's choked squeak, 'that we have a huge advantage over the Boggart before we begin. Have you spotted it, Harry?'

'Er – because there are so many of us, it won't know what shape it should be?' replied Harry unsurely.

'Precisely,' said Professor Lupin. I saw Hermione sadly put her hand down; I smiled at the sight of her not being the one to give the correct answer for once. 'It's always best to have company when you're dealing with a Boggart. He becomes confused. Which should I become, a headless corpse or a flesh-eating slug? I once saw a Boggart make that very mistake – tried to frighten two people at once and turned himself in half a slug. Not remotely frightening.

'The charm that repels a Boggart is simple, yet requires force of mind,' Professor Lupin told us. 'You see, the thing that really finishes a Boggart is laughter. What you need to do is force it to assume a shape that you find amusing.

'We will practise the charm without wands first. After me, please … Riddikulus!'

'Riddikulus!' chorused the class.

'Good,' said Professor Lupin. 'Very good. But that was the easy part, I'm afraid. You see, the word alone is not enough. And this is where you come in, Neville.'

The wardrobe shook again. From the back of the group, Neville made his way forwards to Professor Lupin. He had gone from being bright red to now as white as a sheet. He wasn't looking forward to this.

'Right, Neville,' said Professor Lupin. 'First things first: what would you say is the thing that frightens you most in the world.'

Neville's mouth opened but no sound came out.

'Didn't catch that, Neville, sorry,' said Professor Lupin.

Neville, panicked, looked pleadingly at the other Gryffindors before swallowing, and saying, 'Professor Snape.' The class laughed. Even Neville managed a tiny grin in apology.

'Professor Snape, yes …' repeated Professor Lupin wistfully, 'frightens all … hmmm … Neville, I believe you live with your grandmother?'

'Er – yes,' replied Neville nervously. 'But – I don't want the Boggart to turn into her either.'

The class laughed again.

'No, no, you misunderstand me,' clarified Professor Lupin as the wardrobe shook. He glanced at it. 'It won't. I wonder, could you tell us what sort of clothes your grandmother usually wears?'

'Well …' Neville started, unsure as to why he had to tell us this, 'always the same hat. A tall one with a stuffed vulture on top. And a long dress … green, normally … and sometimes a fox-fur scarf.'

'And a handbag?' asked Professor Lupin.

'A big red one,' said Neville.

'Right then,' said Professor Lupin cheerfully. 'Can you picture those clothes very clearly, Neville? Can you see them in your mind's eye?'

'Yes,' stuttered Neville.

'When the Boggart bursts from out of this wardrobe, Neville, and sees you, it will assume the form of Professor Snape,' Professor Lupin told him. 'And you will raise your wand – thus – and cry "Riddikulus" – and concentrate hard on your grandmother's clothes. If all goes well, Professor Boggart Snape will be forced into that vulture-topped hat, that green dress, that big red handbag.'

I couldn't help but laugh at that image and yet I'd only imagined it so far. We were all yet to see the sight of Boggart Snape dressed in a green dress with a big handbag.

'If Neville is successful, the Boggart is likely to turn his attention to each of us in turn,' said Professor Lupin. 'I would like all of you to take a moment now to think of the thing that scares you the most, and imagine how you might force it to look comical …'

I did as instructed and searched my mind for what scares me. There were several things I was scared of. I didn't particularly like enclosed spaces though I wasn't truly scared of them; I had a bit of an aversion to reptiles but again, not bad enough that a Boggart would scare me if it turned into one; and there were the Dementors, they were horrible creatures but even they didn't seem to be enough. Suddenly the photo of Sirius Black standing in his cell and being held back by a pair of Aurors came to mind. I felt a chill go down my spine as I thought about what Black had done and what he meant to me and what would happen if people found out his relation to me. If Harry ever found out.

'Everyone ready?' called Professor Lupin. I looked at him. His eye caught mine and I saw a glint of concern in it, knowing already what my Boggart would change into. I swallowed and gave a slight nod that only he could see.

'Neville,' Professor Lupin then said, 'we're going to back away. Let you have a clear field, all right? I'll call the next person forward … everyone back now, so Neville can get a clear shot –'

I stepped back along with the rest of the class, carefully positioning myself behind Harry, Ron and Hermione and as near to the back of the group as I could manage.

'Wand at the ready,' instructed Professor Lupin, taking out his own. 'On the count of three, Neville. One – two – three – now!'

A tiny whistle sounded. The handle of the wardrobe door twisted and clicked open. The door swung slowly open. A hand appeared on the doorframe and from the darkness appeared a virtually indistinguishable twin of Snape. He peered down his hooked nose at us all standing in front of him before his black eyes landed on Neville. He stepped out of the wardrobe, the door swinging shut behind him, and strode in the exact same manner as the real Snape towards where Neville stood, his black robes billowing like a bat's wing behind him. Neville took a scared step backwards, his wand shaking. Snape was almost upon him and was glaring maliciously down at him.

'R-r-ridduikuls!' squeaked Neville.

The sound of a whip cracking broke the silence. The Boggart Snape stumbled. His black robes vanished and were quickly replaced by an awful green carpet dress that stopped just short of his knees and exposed a pair of grey stockings and black heeled shoes. A ghastly hat with a stuffed vulture on it now sat on Boggart Snape's greasy hair and there was a dead fox shawl round his neck. In his hand was a large red handbag. The class roared with laughter at the sight of the Boggart Snape as he stumbled around, unsure what had happened.

'Excellent!' shouted Professor Lupin. He walked over to the side of the room where I saw my grandmother's old gramophone was sat on a desk; he must have brought it with him from home. Professor Lupin lifted the pin and rested it on to the record sat on the wheel. 'Excellent, form a line. I want everyone to picture the thing they fear the very most and turn it into something funny. Parvati, forward!'

A drumbeat started soon replaced by some jazz-like music. Parvati stepped forwards with her wand in her hand and faced the Boggart Snape. The Boggart Snape's eyes fell on her and he straightened up. He span on the spot and soon became a blur of shapes and colours as the Boggart changed into whatever Parvati feared. Where Snape had stood moments before now stood a bloodstained bandaged mummy. Its faceless head turned towards Parvati and began to stumble towards her. Face set Parvati pointed her wand at it.

'Riddikulus!'

The mummy tripped as it stood on a loose bandage coming from its knee. The bandage was pulled and began to unravel at its feet, wrapping itself around its legs until the mummy fell forwards flat on its face. The head fell off and rolled around on the wooden floorboards. The class laughed again.

'Seamus!' roared Professor Lupin.

Crack! The mummy was replaced the moment it saw Seamus. A woman with straggly floor length hair stood in its place. Her skin looked wrinkled and tinged a sickly green. She lifted her face enough to look at us then opened her mouth and let out a piercing scream. We covered our ears as Seamus's banshee continued to wail without stopping for a breath.

'Riddikulus!' shouted Seamus.

The scream suddenly cut out. The banshee grasped at her throat now no sound came out of it gaining more and more laughter from the class. Lavender went next. Crack! The Boggart span and a large rat landed with a thump on the floor. Lavender shouted the spell and the rat started to chase its tail round and round in circles. Sally-Anne was called forwards by Professor Lupin. Crack! The Boggart changed again into a rattlesnake. It slithered along the floor towards her but she pointed her wand and said the spell. The snake lunged forwards only to suddenly turn into a Jack-in-the-box.

'It's confused!' shouted Professor Lupin. 'We're getting there! Dean!'

Dean rushed forwards eagerly, wand ready.

Crack! The Jack-in-the-box was gone and a large severed hand flopped about on the floor.

'Riddikulus!'

The hand bounced once more then – snap! – it was caught in a large mousetrap.

'Excellent! Ron, you next!'

The moment the Boggart saw Ron, it span and transformed again, this time into a huge spider. It clicked its front pincers threateningly at Ron. Ron let out a whimper and his wand shook. Professor Lupin must have seen his fear, knowing that Ron was genuinely arachnophobic after I told him about his and Harry's trip into the Forbidden Forest last year where they met Arogog the Acromantula.

'Wand at the ready, Ron,' encouraged Professor Lupin, 'wand at the ready.'

'Riddikulus!' shouted Ron.

The legs vanished. The class was in absolute hysterics by now after all the different things the Boggart had been forced to look like. I watched as Lupin laughed along with us, a part of me hoping he wasn't going to call on me next. If he had seen my look, he would know whom my Boggart would turn into and I didn't want that to happen. The Boggart spider rolled around helplessly on the floor and came to a stop at Harry's feet beside me. I hesitated and stepped back, making Harry its target.

Crack!

Harry stared at the spider's body, a grin still on his face. Slowly, however, his smile vanished. I watched as his eyes took on a distant look as he thought about what he feared the most. The Boggart saw him. The spider's body lifted up off the floor and spun in a whirl of shape and colour. From the blur of its changing form rose a large black cloak without a face and rotten hands. The Dementor reared in front of Harry and let out a terrible snarl. Forgetting my fear I instantly grabbed Harry's arm to pull him away from the Dementor; it was one thing fainting in front of his friends on the train, another fainting in front of his class. At the same time Professor Lupin, who had been watching Harry closely, rushed forwards and stepped in front of Harry with his arms outstretched so Harry was completely blocked from the Boggart's sight. The Boggart saw him and changed into a strange black mist. It didn't spin and blur as long this time as the Dementor's robes easily changed into darkened clouds that revealed a silvery orb behind them. I swallowed in fear as I saw the full moon hang in the air in front of Professor Lupin.

'Riddikulus!' said Professor Lupin unfazed.

The Boggart moon let out a squeal and changed into a rapidly deflating balloon. It flew around in front of Lupin who took a step away.

'Forward, Neville, and finish him off!' instructed Professor Lupin.

The balloon fell on to the floor in front of Neville. The Boggart Snape reappeared once more before swiftly changing back into the horrible green dress of Neville's grandmother. With one loud final laugh from Neville, the Boggart exploded and burst into a thousand tiny wisps of smoke. Professor Lupin waved his wand in a great arc and the wisps gathered themselves us. He thrust his wand at the wardrobe sending the wisps flying into it. The door opened and the wisps went inside, slamming shut again afterwards. The class broke into a round of applause at their achievement.

'Excellent!' cried Professor Lupin. 'Excellent, Neville. Well done, everyone. Let me see … five points to Gryffindor for every person to tacke the Boggart – ten for Neville because he did it twice – and five each to Jenna, Hermione and Harry.'

'But I didn't do anything,' said Harry.

'You, Hermione and Jenna answered my questions correctly at the start of the class, Harry,' said Professor Lupin lightly. 'Very well, everyone, an excellent lesson. Homework, kindly read the chapter on Boggarts and summarise it for me … to be handed in on Monday. That will be all.'

The class grabbed their bags from the back of the staffroom and began to file out. As I picked mine up I looked back at Lupin to see him watching us, his eyes focused on Harry and me. I glanced at Harry then back at Lupin. I mouthed thank you at him for both not making me face the Boggart and for protecting Harry from the Boggart Dementor, then turned away to leave with Harry, Ron and Hermione. We followed behind the rest of them, everyone buzzing from the exciting lesson.

'Did you see me take that banshee?' shouted Seamus.

'And the hand!' laughed Dean.

'And Snape in that hat!'

'And my mummy!'

'I wonder why Professor Lupin's frightened of crystal balls?' I heard Lavender say out loud.

I stopped walking, worried by her comment. Sure she had thought it had been a crystal ball that had appeared in front of Lupin, but who was to say other people hadn't realised that it had been a full moon. That was the greatest fear I knew Lupin to have; he dreaded every full moon that approached, knowing in a matter of moments he would no longer be himself, a wild beast taking his conscious place. I felt a rush of sorrow pass over me as I thought this. Poor Lupin, having to deal with such a horrible curse.

'Jenna?' I looked up to see Harry, Ron and Hermione had noticed I'd stopped. They were all watching me. 'Are you OK?'

'Yeah, I'm fine,' I said. I forced a smile on to my face.

'That was the best Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson we've every had, wasn't it?' said Ron enthusiastically as we carried on.

'He seems a very good teacher,' Hermione said approvingly. 'But I wish I could have had a turn with the Boggart –'

'What would it have been for you?' sniggered Ron. 'A piece of homework that only got nine out of ten?'

I glanced at Ron as he said that. While laughter was what was used to fight off a Boggart, fear wasn't something that should be taken so lightly. Fear had the power to consume a person and render them powerless if not dealt with head on. Everyone had something they feared, some things more personal than others – like Lupin's fear of the full moon. How we dealt with our fears was the true way to defeat them. The thought of Black crossed my mind once more. If Harry had seen the Boggart turn into Black I knew I would have to explain things afterwards. For now, my fear and secret was still safe and I pushed it from my mind as we walked down to dinner.

---

AN: another chapter done, and I have to say I really like how Prisoner of Azkaban is changing. I remember in the original Jenna states that she had never lied to Harry and so I thought by having Harry defend her about Black would hopefully enforce this and thus the discovery would hurt even more for him later on. I also enjoyed writing more deeply about Jenna's confrontation with Malfoy and adding more blackmail and hints to Harry about Jenna's secret and the other little additions like her being taken to the Hospital Wing and her reaction in the Boggart class. I hope you've enjoyed it too