Chapter 5
We stayed at the Leaky Cauldron for a couple of days and then we made our way to King Cross Station to board the Hogwarts Express. The platform was packed with students, as usual, and Ron nearly lost his pathetic rat. The train was over packed, too. Too many first years, if you ask me. Fred and George had run off to do some business with Lee Jordan, leaving the six of us to find a compartment. "So you guys blew up your aunt?" asked Rachel as we continued down the train.
"Yeah, but it wasn't on purpose," I replied.
"Brilliant!" smiled Ron.
"Honestly, Ronald, they were lucky they weren't expelled," stated Hermione.
"I still think it was brilliant," he muttered.
"I think we were lucky that we didn't get arrested, actually," stated Harry as Amanda came to a stop in front of a compartment with a sleeping figure. "Come on, everywhere else is full."
We all piled in as I asked, "Who do you think that is?"
"Professor R.J. Lupin," stated Hermione.
"She knows everything! How is it she knows everything?" asked Ron.
"Honestly, Ron, it's on his suitcase," replied Amanda.
Ron hung his head low as Harry asked, "Do you think he's asleep?"
"He seems so, why?" asked Rachel.
I stood up and as I closed the compartment door, I replied, "We have to tell you something."
After the door was closed, we began to explain to them about Dumbledore's letter and Sirius Black. Hermione had been listening intently to every word. After we had finished, the outside was dark and pouring with rain, giving a very gloomy feeling as Ron asked, "So Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban and now wants to kill you two?"
"But, they'll find him. I mean, everyone's looking for him," replied Hermione.
"Of course, it's just, no one's ever escaped from Azkaban before, and he's a murderous, raving lunatic," muttered Ron.
"Yeah, thanks Ron," I replied sarcastically as the train began to come to a stop. "Why are we stopping? We can't be there yet," stated Amanda.
Lupin continued to sleep as Harry suggested, "Maybe we've broken down."
"Oh yeah, Harry, a magical train breaking down, that's common," huffed Rachel as Harry and I ran to the door to look out into the hall. Fred and George began running down the hall, yelling, "We're going to check on the conductor."
As they ran off, Rachel and Amanda pushed past us shouting, "Hold up, we're coming too!"
When they disappeared, Harry and I sat back down as the lights flickered off. I sat down with Harry just as Ron kicked me in the foot. "Ow! Ron that was my foot!"
But Ron was too busy looking out of the window. "There's something moving out there."
It was hard to tell since it was dark outside. Suddenly, a frost began to cover the window until it surrounded Ron's hand. The room grew cold, our breaths streaming in front of us. Then, the train gave a sudden jerk, pulling Ron away from the window. "Bloody hell, what's happening?"
A sudden feeling of dread overcame us as two billowing figures stepped outside our door. The door opened to reveal two figures cloaked in black and bony hands. Their faces were covered in darkness. Crookshanks hissed as Scabbers hid in Ron's shirt. The two things approached us and then I felt as if my life was being sucked away. Something must have happened because there was a bright light, the sucking stopped, and I heard a man yell and then, darkness.
--oOo--
I slowly opened my eyes to find everyone looking at me and Harry, even the guy named Lupin. Lupin took out two brown chunks and handed them to us. "Here, eat this, it will make you feel better."
We both hesitated. "It's alright, it's chocolate."
Oh, well in that case, I took the chocolate and took a small bite. After Harry took a bite, he asked, "What were those things?"
"Those were Dementors from Azkaban. They were looking for Sirius Black. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to have a little chat with the driver," replied Lupin as he stood up and walked to the door, but before he left, he turned around and said, "Eat, it will make you feel better."
As soon as Lupin was gone, Harry asked, "What happened?"
"You guys went rigid. We thought you were having a fit or something," explained Ron.
"And did either of you…you know…pass out?" I asked.
"No, but I felt weird, like I'd never be cheerful again," stated Ron just as Amanda and Rachel came running in with a look of relief on their faces. "Oh thank goodness you're alright," sighed Amanda as she ran in and gave me a hug.
"We ran into Lupin and he explained everything. We came down here to make sure you were alright," stated Rachel.
"Do you know who screamed?" asked Harry.
"No one screamed," replied Hermione.
"But, I heard screaming too…more like yelling, actually," I stated.
"Elliot, Amanda and I were racing up and down the train. There was no one yelling or screaming," proclaimed Rachel.
I was baffled. How could I have heard a loud yelling clear as day and no one else could? As I went over the possibilities, the train pulled into the station and allowed us to climb into the carriages. Rain continued to pound down from the dark sky as we made our way to Hogwarts, creating an eerie feeling. Just when I thought we would have a "normal" school year. Right when we reached school, Professor McGonagall approached us and stated, "Evening children. I would like to see Ms. Granger, Ms. Janine and Ms. Sinclair."
Who, McGonagall wanted to see them? Interesting! After they had left the group, Ron and Harry dragged me into the Great Hall to keep me from following them and to sit with our fellow Gryffindors. When we sat down, Fred and George asked, "Where are Amanda and Rachel?"
"With McGonagall," I replied as Mr. Filch led the first years next to our table and towards the Sorting Hat. The first years stood around in awe and fear as they waited. After a few minutes, McGonagall came walking in with no haste. When she reached the Sorting hat, Rachel, Amanda and Hermione came tip-toeing in to sit with us. "What did McGonagall want?" I asked.
"None of your business," replied Rachel as McGonagall began to call the names of the first years. Once all the kids were sorted, the food appeared and I began to stuff my face. Man the food was good. Once most of the food was gone, Dumbledore took the stand and announced, "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Now, we have two new changes in staff this year. First, I am sure you will all join me in welcoming our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor R.J. Lupin. Good luck, Professor."
As Dumbledore pointed at Lupin, he stood up and we all clapped. "Of course, that's how he knew to give you two the chocolate," stated Hermione.
As soon as the clapping had died down, I heard the disgusting voice of Draco Malfoy behind me and Harry sneer, "Hey Potter!"
Of course, Harry and I turned around. "I heard you both fainted on the train. Is it true…I mean, you actually fainted?"
"Shut it, Malfoy," gritted Ron as he and Harry pushed me back from attacking him.
"How does he know?" asked Harry.
"Just ignore him," replied Hermione as Dumbledore continued. "Also, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Professor Grubblyplank, has retired to spend time with his remaining limbs. Therefore, I am proud to announce that his spot will be taken by our very own, Rubeus Hagrid."
We all cheered very loudly as Hagrid stood up, almost knocking over the table. After Hagrid sat back down, Dumbledore spoke once more. "By request of the Minister of Magic, Hogwarts will play host to the Dementors of Azkaban."
Harry and I looked at each other, fear of those things glistening in our eyes. "Although I have been informed that they will not disrupt our day to day activities, I must ask you not to give any reason to harm you. Dementors are very foul beings and should not be taken lightly. But, happiness can be found in the darkest of times," continued Dumbledore, waving his hand over a candle, distinguishing the flame, "If only one remembers to turn on the light."
With a wave again, the candle was relit and Dumbledore went on with the normal rules. Since I already knew them, I didn't pay attention. Anyway, I never followed them. No fun at all, if you ask me. After the feast was over, we raced up the stairs to the portrait of the Fat Lady, who was trying to sing. Seamus ran to the front and shouted, "Fortuna Major!"
But the Fat Lady didn't move. "I told you, she just won't let me in," he stated as we walked up to him. The screeching of the Fat Lady filled the halls as I shouted, "Fortuna Major!"
"Wait, wait! Watch this," she replied as she went up the scale and started to scream. We all covered our ears as she smashed the glass against the wall. She sighed in awe as we uncovered our ears. "Amazing! Top of my voice," she laughed.
Frustrated, Rachel shouted, "Fortuna Major."
Sadly, the Fat Lady replied, "Oh, alright," and let us pass.
Seamus, Harry and I led the way in, muttering about how awful she was, and all said in unison, "She can't even sing."
There was a disgusted voice behind me and I turned to see that one of the ghosts had just walked through Amanda. I laughed when Seamus asked, "Hey Elliot, you want to play a game with us boys?"
"Sure, hey Rachel, Amanda, want to play a game?"
"Sure," replied Amanda as Seamus led us to the boy's dormitory. Up there, we saw Ron, Harry, Neville and Dean sitting on the beds. When we arrived, Seamus pulled out a box of candy and stated, "Let the game begin."
The "game" wasn't a game at all…it was just pulling out pieces of candy and eating them. The candy made you act and sound like an animal. Seamus was the first, and as soon as he started chewing, he began to jump around and act like a monkey. After the candy stopped, they threw one at Neville, causing him to sound like an elephant. Then, they threw one at Rachel. What it did was cause her to slither and hiss…like a bloody snake. Even though it was just her, I jumped onto the nearest bed…which was, unfortunately, Ron's. Everyone in the room laughed as Amanda grabbed a candy. That one made Amanda sound like a tiger. I enjoyed that. After Amanda was done, I was handed a piece. I had placed it in my mouth when the sound of a cheetah emerged fro my mouth. Now THAT was cool. Ron got a lion…very ironic and very hilarious. They tried to stop Harry from eating one, but he popped it into his mouth and steam erupted from his ears. Once the steam had stopped, we picked up the nearest pillow and began a monster pillow fight. Ron hit me and I shouted, "Hey, guys can't hit girls!"
Everyone stopped and Ron looked horrorstruck until I shouted, "Just joking!" and hit him square in the head. We had a good time, even with the threat of Dementors outside.
TBC…