(First off, I would like to thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter. Thefanfictiongirl, Nightwitch87, shannyauburn, xpig-in-the-skyx, Starr123, Pance, softasthunder, harrietmartha, Cassandra30, Lizzosaur, and Kriish. Hope you all enjoy this next chapter.)

Chapter 26: Another Year Begins

Albus was getting ready to head down to the Great Hall to greet the rest of the students when he, once again, heard someone knocking at his office door.

"Enter," he called civilly as he took the Sorting Hat from its shelf and carefully brushed it off. It only felt like yesterday when the last batch of students sat underneath it and waited, terrified of where the hat was going to place them. Albus could only hope that this year would be better than that last—he shuddered at the thought of having those Dementors guard the school.

Was it really worth having those things around? He shook his head, not sure what to do anymore. He knew that Sirius Black was most likely coming here to get Harry, he felt cold at the thought, but the thought of having those horrific creatures anywhere near his students kept him up at night.

If he had it his way, he would've found much better ways to protect the castle… unfortunately, he couldn't change Fudge's mind. How on earth that man could ever trust such vile monsters as the Dementors he'll never know. But he had no choice but to agree… all he could do now was hope that he won't regret it later.

He came back to the present and turned in time to see Severus had entered, in his usual black and looking even more irritable than usual.

"Headmaster," he said in a would-be-calm voice as he came slouching into the room.

"Ah, Severus," he called cheerfully. "If you are coming to get me for the Welcoming Feast, then you need not worry. I was just on my way down."

"It's not that, Dumbledore," Severus told him. "I just wanted to talk to you… alone. Before the rest of the school returns."

"Oh?" Albus asked him politely as he turned to face him. "About what? If it's about Sirius Black again, I have already told you that I'll inform the rest of the students right before the feast…"

"Not exactly," Severus said coldly. "Though that could very well lead to him."

Albus raised his eyebrows and looked at him. Dimly aware of where this was going.

"It is the position of our newest staff member," Severus stated with ice in his voice.

"You mean, Remus?" Albus asked courteously though he said with a firm note. "Severus, we've been over this many times already, and I can assure you that Remus is more than able to teach the students this year. All I ask is if you make the Wolfsbane potion for him every full moon. I know that the ingredients are difficult for you to gain, but I am more than able get them for you."

"It's not that," Severus hissed. "I told you before that he will surely be helping Black! You remember how close that little gang of misfits were in school! The werewolf will be the first one there to help that murderer! How else could he have escaped Azkaban?"

"And you are suggesting that Remus helped Sirius Black escaped?" Albus asked him as if making sure he heard right. "Severus, you know as well as I do that it was a full moon that night, Remus couldn't have helped him. Besides, how on earth could Remus have helped him? If you recall correctly, out of those four boys, he was the one who at least tried to follow the rules. No, Severus. You are once again letting your old grudges cloud your judgment."

"Do you not remember that Lupin once tried to kill me?" Severus said loudly, almost shouting as his fast twisted in anger.

Albus sighed as he thought back to that day. Severus sounded almost exactly as he did back when he was still no more than a child himself, trying to blame Remus for what happened.

*Flashback*

"Severus," Albus said to the fifteen year old boy very seriously. As soon as he heard that Severus Snape followed Remus Lupin into the Whomping Willow, he feared the worst… that is until he had been told that James Potter had gone after him and pulled him away from the Shrieking Shack.

So here he was now, in the Hospital Wing, telling the boy what needed to be said.

"I can't tell you how relieved I am to see that you are safe, Severus," Albus went on. "But now that you are, I want you to swear to me that you will not tell anyone—and I mean anyone—about what you have seen and learned this evening."

"But, Professor! Remus Lupin's a werewolf! He's a monster!" Severus Snape cried as he sat up in bed and stared at him as if he was mad. "He's a danger to everyone in the castle! How could you not see what he is before he got here? I thought that you did a background check on everyone…"

"I am well aware that he is a werewolf," Albus interrupted calmly. "I knew it long before he ever even entered Hogwarts. Do you really believe I am so ignorant of what goes on in my own school, Severus?"

"I didn't mean it like that!" Severus called out slightly abashed as he tried to get out of bed, but Albus pushed his hand on his shoulder to prevent him from going anywhere.

"Now, I want you to swear me that you will never tell anyone else about this, Severus," he told the boy sternly.

"But people have a right to know!" Severus argued, sounding angry that his teacher wouldn't listen to him. "It isn't fair to everyone here to put them in that kind of danger without them knowing…"

"And it isn't fair for you to ruin, young Remus's life, Severus," he countered.

"He, Potter, and Black do that on a daily basis!"

"Severus," said Albus, in such a tone that Snape momentarily fell silent, chastened.

"Do not make the mistake of thinking that I would put the safety of you or any student here at risk," he told him in a calm, yet stern voice. "Remus is only a danger once a month—for the rest of the time, he's harmless. Remus is taken to that shack, through the passage Sirius told you about, well before the moon rises each month. The building is warded so that he can't escape and nobody can come across him by accident while he is dangerous. The villagers are convinced that the house is haunted and they don't dare come near it, especially at night. Had you not insisted on wandering the grounds after dark and prying into other people's matters, you would have been perfectly safe and wouldn't be here right now."

Severus looked outraged and opened his mouth to argue. But Albus held up a hand, he pierced Snape's black eyes with his bright blue gaze.

"Listen to me, Severus. Remus has found joy here at Hogwarts, just as you have. The only reason he is allowed to be here is because no one else knows his secret. As I'm sure you can agree that there haven't been anyone attacked in these last five years he's been here. By giving away Remus's secret, you would be ruining his life forever at the same time. You are blaming him for something that he, himself, has no control over."

Albus sighed unhappily as Severus continued to look unconvinced. "Do you think he chose to be cursed like this? The transformations are very painful for him, and he suffers with it every single day, not just once a month. And there is a good chance that he will most likely for the rest of his life. If others were to find out about his condition then he would be forced to leave this school. And so would you, if you harm him like that."

Severus looked horrified and gasped, "You wouldn't!"

"I most certainly would," Albus said firmly. "You must understand something right now, if everybody knew Remus Lupin was a werewolf, his life would be made miserable and he will be forced to leave us because you had to go and poke around in matters that don't matter to you. It is his affliction for him to tell and his choice if he ever does. While I agree that Sirius should not have said anything to you about how to get into the house, I cannot blame Remus for what happened. As for Sirius, I have had a word with him already about this and he will be punished."

"What about Potter?" demanded Severus furiously pointing to the black haired boy that was asleep at the other end of the Hospital Wing. "He was involved too!"

"From Sirius's accounts of what happened tonight, it sounds to me as though James saved your life," Albus told the frowning, bitter little boy.

"He heard what Sirius had done and went after you; if you had gone all the way to the Shrieking Shack then you would've met a full-fledged werewolf. James knew this. That's why he risked himself to go after you and…"

"He only did it to save his own neck and his little friends!" Severus said, but Albus heard enough.

"You will both stay in the Hospital Wing overnight," Albus informed him as he stood up, "And you will go to class tomorrow morning as usual. I assure you that Sirius will be punished for this, though his friends have also had a word with him about this. There is no harm done and you should learn to let that go. But, Severus, I meant what I said. You are not going to tell anybody about what you saw tonight. Because if you do, I will have no choice but to expel you from Hogwarts."

"No," whispered Snape, looking sour. "I won't tell anyone."

*End of Flashback*

"Severus, you know that Remus had no control over what he was doing that night. And if you weren't following him…"

"I knew that they were hiding something!" Severus yelled. "If you just let me tell the rest of the castle…"

"We've been over this a million times, Severus," Albus said with finality in his tone. "You are not to tell anyone else about this. I can promise you that Remus hasn't seen or heard from Sirius Black since before he was taken to Azkaban. He didn't help him out of prison, and he's here to help protect Harry and everyone else. As Sirius's only remaining former friend, he knows Sirius and what he's capable of better than anyone."

"And what do you think would happen if it was just an act?" he asked. "What if he helps his old 'friend'," he spat out that last word as if it was venom. "Into the castle?"

"Enough," Albus said sternly as he walked passed him. "I don't wish to hear this again, Severus. Please put it out of your mind and come with me to the Welcoming feast."

*Later*

As he headed down into the Hall, he noticed Poppy Pomfrey just a little bit ways ahead of them, and judging by her annoyed/concerned expression. "Poppy?" he called and she turned to him.

"Ah, Headmaster," she said calmly. "I'm sorry, but I can't stay. How you could ever allow those… things to be around the school I don't…"

"I assume that you're talking about the Dementors?" he asked her tiredly as Severus yawned, as if bored.

"What else?" she asked bitterly. "Minerva called me down. Several of the students had taken ill on the train. Those Dementors boarded the Hogwarts Express and many of the students are quite shaken up. Lupin was sent a message to the school on what happened. No one was harmed, but they all had bad reactions… one of them even fainted…"

Albus's eyes narrowed. He should've seen this coming. He should've been able to foreseen that they would've tried something like this. Cornelius had suggested it… but he had objected to it right away. It was bad enough having those creatures at the entrance, but to actually be allowed on a train full of children?

He knew that the Dementors didn't search the train because they thought that Sirius Black was on board, they did it to get to the students. He would have to be sure to say something to Fudge about this. He highly doubted that the man would agree to get rid of them, but if Albus could find a way, he most certainly will.

Just thinking about them draining the hope and happiness from his students made him both cold with fear, and hot in anger. "I never ordered them to search the train," he said as though he had a bad taste in his mouth. "But I'll look into it. I hope that you'll be ready for anything this year?"

She still looked cross, but said evenly, "I suppose so. Now, if you excuse me, Minerva has rounded up a couple students and I need to go and check on them."

She swept away as Severus finally spoke up, "Dementors on the train? Do they honestly think that Black would be dumb enough to travel on that? Not even Black is that stupid."

"Severus," Albus said wearily. "You know as well as I do what they were doing. They were trying to get their fair share of happiness from as many people as they could." He sighed, "I swear, if any of my students get hurt from one of them, I will personally see to Fudge."

Severus looked at him startled as Albus walked right passed him and headed straight for the Great Hall.

He immediately felt calmer when he got to the Hall and the tables were filling themselves and he couldn't help smiling at the sight of them gathering together with their friends. He looked around for Minerva, and to his surprise, he saw Flitwick coming forward.

"Minerva said that she had something else to do," he said. "I'll be calling out the names this year."

Albus nodded graciously and handed over the hat while he made his way to his seat. When he sat down, he looked round at everyone… and he couldn't help but glance at the Gryffindor table—expecting to see the trio sitting together…

But no. He raised his eyebrows in surprise to see that Ronald Weasley was indeed sitting there—but Harry and Hermione Granger where nowhere to be seen. Something told him not to worry… but seeing those two empty seats… he couldn't help but fell concern flooding through him.

He shook his head, as he looked at Minerva's empty seat and it clicked into place. The two of them must've been with her. He knew that his Transfiguration teacher was going to be giving Miss Granger a Time Turner this year… so he could see why she would be missing here… but why was Harry…?

Poppy's words came back to him and he closed his eyes in understanding. Harry must've been the one who fainted on the train. Oh, he should've known… after everything that boy has been forced to go through, of course he would have a bad reaction to the Dementors.

And of course that Minerva would've been worried. She was as protective of her Gryffindor cubs as he was. He relaxed, knowing that things would be fine and instead, listened Flitwick calling out the names.

One by one, the nervous first-years came forward, sat on the stool and waited until the hat yelled out either Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin. And one by one, they headed off to their tables. In no time at all, the sorting was done and Filius took the stool and the Sorting Hat before he left the Hall.

Almost as soon as he left the room, Minerva came in with the two missing students. Albus watched them; he knew that they were safe along, but he couldn't help but let a small sigh of relief. They left Minerva and quickly went over to the Gryffindor table to sit with Ron.

Smiling, he stood up and held his arms wide open, as if hoping to embrace them all.

"Welcome!" he cried out happily at all the excited looks on their faces as they all fell silent. "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…"

He had a feeling that they would be less willing to listen after stuffing themselves with delicious food that the House-elves worked so hard to make.

"As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express," his eye twitched at the reminder that the Dementors went against his wishes and got on the train.

'Unfortunately,' he thought to himself. He still personally wished that the Ministry didn't insist on it, but there wasn't much he could do about it. He cleared his throat and called out as seriously as he could, "Our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."

He paused for a second before glancing at the Gryffindor table and felt the need to elaborate, "They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises — or even Invisibility Cloaks," he added as he looked at the trio who were looking at each other in worry.

Hoping that they understood how foolish it would be to try and fool a Dementor, he went on, "It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses." He paused again for a second, silently pleading himself that they would not be irrational enough to stray from the grounds this year. "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 afoul of the Dementors."

He glanced at his newest Head Boy and Girl, and saw that Percy Weasley was looking usually smug and important. He puffed out his chest, showing off his badge and looking around at everyone, as if he thought that they would be jealous, Albus went on—speaking to the now stunned silent hall.

"On a happier note," he said, trying to brighten the mood after that depressing speech. "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

There was some scattered, rather unenthusiastic applause at Remus's name. Only a handful of Gryffindors clapped loudly, and Albus had to smile a tiny bit wider at seeing that Harry was one of them. It was too bad that Harry still didn't know who Remus truly was… but whether or not Remus told him was still his decision.

Suddenly wondering if Remus met him on the train, he looked over at said-person to see that Remus was also smiling slightly, though still looking hesitant… as though unsure that he deserved to be here among all the other teachers in their finest robes while he was in nothing but his worn out clothes.

With any luck, a year of teaching will change all that and help boost his confidence. He had to be sure to give him some new robes for Christmas as well.

His eyes suddenly glanced over at Severus, who was still looking bad-tempered from their talk earlier and was looking at Remus with the utmost loathing. Albus shut his eyes for a second before he looked back to his students after their halfhearted applause and said brightly, looking forward to how they will take this next piece of news…

"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."

Poor Silvanus more than earned to spend the rest of his life peacefully; though he will without a doubt be missed from the staff. "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 game keeping duties."

'Hagrid more than deserved it,' he thought pleased and he felt the need to laugh at everyone's stunned expressions before they all broke into loud applause. The Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables were especially noisy as they clapped and thunder the tables. Albus looked over to see Hagrid's embarrassed face and the wide grin behind his beard as he wiped his tears on his handkerchief.

The clapping went on for a long time, and rather predictably, the trio were the last to finally stop and when Albus started talking again, Hagrid was now openly sobbing with tears of happiness. Feeling that he had addressed everything that needed to be said, he called out, "Well, I think that's everything of importance. Let the feast begin!"

As talk broke out again, Albus turned to Remus and asked him quietly, "So I overheard that Harry took ill on the train?"

Remus blinked in surprise before nodding. "Yes," he answered. "It was the Dementors. As soon as they came into the compartment, he just fainted. One of the worse reactions I've seen in a long time. I mean, I know that the Dementors are hard on everyone who comes in contact with them, but with Harry, the effects seemed rather extreme."

Albus sighed, knowing full well what the Dementors must've showed the poor boy. He looked up at the table once again to see the three of them eating fast—talking and laughing like everyone else. Albus didn't need to be there to know what it was Harry must've seen… Voldemort. But exactly what Harry actually saw and heard… he couldn't be a hundred percent sure and he most likely didn't want to.

Not wanting to dwell on it any longer he asked him, "So what do you think of our young Mr. Potter?"

Again, Remus looked slightly startled at the question before he also looked over at Harry. "He's… just like you described. He looks like James… but it's almost like… like he has Lily's soul."

Albus smiled again, though rather sadly. "They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. I guess, in Harry's case, it's true. Harry has inherited the best qualities of both his parents. I also arranged so that you'll be having your first class with the third years. I would like to see your opinion on how well that they do. I hope you have something exciting planned. Let's just say that their last two teachers… ah… didn't quite live up to standards."

In Quirrel's case, this turned out to be true.

"But why are you so interested…?" Remus began.

"I have always valued your opinion, Remus," he told him with a slight nod of the head. "And it is so good to be able to talk with someone who shares so many of the same interests that I do."

They continued to talk for a long time after that until the desserts appeared and Albus struck up conversation with Minerva about the Time Turner.

"I really think that you should've tried to talk Miss Granger out of taking so many classes," he said worriedly. "I tried that myself in my third year and I can't begin to tell you just how worn down I was by the end of that year."

She shrugged hopelessly, "I tried, Dumbledore, believe me I tried, but she said that she was sure of what she was getting herself into. Nothing I said would change her mind. She promised to drop a couple subjects at the end of the year however. She is a model student, and she has sworn not to tell anyone else of about the Time Turner…" she trailed off, unsure of what to say next.

Albus nodded, "I see. But I think that this year will be very hard on her. I hope that she drops those subjects soon."

Once the desserts vanished and everyone was looking full and sleepy, he announced that that it was time for them all to head off to bed. As everyone else got up and headed off to their dorms, the trio came running over to the staff table to talk to Hagrid.

"Congratulations, Hagrid!" he heard Miss Granger squeal in happiness.

"All down ter you three," said Hagrid, wiping his beaming face on his tablecloth-sized handkerchiefs. "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…"

Albus smiled, so glad that Hagrid was so happy; though he did have to disagree with one thing. Albus didn't do a thing. Hagrid more than earned it long ago; and when Silvanus Kettleburn felt that it was finally time to retire, he couldn't think of anyone else to take over the job of Care of Magical Creatures; especially when Hagrid's name was cleared the year before.

As Hagrid burst into tears again Minerva came over and told them to go to bed.

Feeling jollier than ever, Albus went off to bed later that night. But as he shut his eyes, he couldn't help but think that this was bound to be another difficult year… he could only pray that it wouldn't be as dangerous as the last two.