Chapter Three: From Hogsmeade to Hogwarts
Soon enough the train started up again, though by now it seemed some of the usual start of the year hi-jinks were more subdued. It didn't take long for rumors to come to float, the theme of the usual year, Harry Potter.
"I just heard that Harry Potter fainted at the sight of the Dementors….isn't that just horrible?" I looked up from the chocolate frog card I had been reading at the sound of the new voice. I didn't recognize the girl though I figured she was a younger Gryffindor, maybe around the twins age though she could also be younger it was rather hard to tell.
"Please don't tell me that you've been off telling the entire train?" Fred got up looking rather annoyed and I shrugged handing Ayden the card I had been reading.
"Got it…You need it Wood?" She handed it back over to Oliver who was for lack of a better word trying very hard to eavesdrop on whatever it was Fred was talking about with the gossiping girl. I raised an eyebrow and poked his side lightly amused by how sheepishly he turned to look at us.
"It's rather impolite to eavesdrop, even if it's in the better interest of the person." I pushed my hair back behind my ear, noticing Fred coming back into the compartment rather worried.
"While she is a gossip it sounds like Harry did pass out when the Dementor checked the compartment he's in…" Fred sat between Ayden and Lee; it wasn't until now I had noticed George had slipped out of the compartment.
"Frankly while it's worrisome it's not out of the question if you think about it…" I didn't look up from the new card I was reading but the silence and the sudden pin prick on the back of my neck told me they were all looking my way.
"What do you mean?" As I looked into the faces of my friend's friends, I noticed something very obvious about them. Gryffindor's feathers are easily ruffled when they think you are insulting one of their own.
"I'm guessing you guys haven't studied Dementors in Defense Class yet…" I could see Ayden half smirk from the corner of my eye, as I quite nonchalantly deadpanned in response to Lee's previous question.
"It's a 7th year topic isn't it?" Ayden is quite good at hiding her amusement when she wants to, like now.
"Don't know, but so you lot know, a Dementor is one of the foulest beings in the world, and I don't just meant the magical world, it is literally an insult to describe it as the animate incarnation of death itself. Not even death is quite so unnatural in its cruelty. Dementors feed off of the emotions of the living; animals are only partially immune as they have the ability to simplify their thoughts and feelings. When a Dementor finds someone with a truly impacted life, someone with either euphoric moments of happiness that have been recurrent in their life, or someone with truly unspeakable horrors in their past, they linger. They feed more off of those souls because there's true pain and suffering to be re-lived by the person, causing them to have flashbacks and even deeper surges of emotion brought to the surface, which in turn feed the Dementor even more. Prisoners in Azkaban eventually go mad from being so close to such beings in such a confined place, but madness does not save you from the Dementors either." I'm looking at some very confused and somber Gryffindors at the moment.
"So Harry is sensitive to them, because of all the things he's had to deal with in his life….Merlin I can only hope they're not going to be posted at Hogwarts…" as he spoke, Oliver garnered nods from the boys and Ayden.
"I doubt they'd post them at Hogwarts….right?" Lee looked at us and we each shrugged in turn.
"It's possible, doubt anyone knows where Black will be heading and the Forbidden Forest would make a pretty good hideout, and with the school nearby who would think to look for him there." Ayden let out a deep sigh and leaned back, stretching out her legs again. I shrugged deciding it was more than time to drop the sudden subject of Dementors, even as a turned vampire they made my skin crawl.
"Why do you know so much about them?" Oliver looked at me rather seriously, as if forgetting that he already thought I was odd, when I practically flew into him earlier.
"I read a lot…" I raised an eyebrow at him and tried to compose my face into a nonchalant stare, there was no need for him or anyone other than Ayden to know the reason I knew about them so much was that Dementors tend to converge around vampire attacks or turnings when they happen to be out in the open. For a moment it seemed Oliver was going to ask me more, and then it was as if he couldn't stand looking in my eyes anymore and he looked away. Luckily I didn't have much time to ponder why, as the train started to slow down again, and the boys made a dash to go change into their school uniforms. Ayden waited until they were gone to give me her best pleading look, which of course was met with my rolling my eyes before waving my wand in her direction and changing her clothes for her uniform. The change was of course somewhat unnoticed by the boys as they assumed when they got back that she had also made it over to the bathrooms to change.
"Well then, home sweet freaking home for the next school year…" though her tone was rather bored the slight smile on her face gave Ayden away. No one paid much attention to her as they gathered their things to get off the train. I in turn only shook my head at her and pulled on my robe again.
"I'll see you lot later at the feast then, nice meeting you…I've got to go pick up Aurora before the barkeep gets his knickers in a bunch…again…" I waved to the Gryffindors who were now in better spirits than when we discussed the Dementors and pulled up my hood to guard against the drizzling rain.
"Isabella! Can you get me some licorice wands at Honeydukes?" I shook my head at Ayden but nodded jogging through the Hogsmeade train station and onto the street. I obliged my friend and headed over to Honeydukes to pick up some licorice wands; Ayden was one of the few people I knew who actually liked licorice wands. I made a point to pick up some chocolates and marshmallows for my own use. I made my purchases quickly before jogging down to the Hog's Head to pick up Aurora, where like clockwork Aberforth, the Hog's Head keep, was waiting for me sourer than usual, which quite frankly is a feat in and of it.
" 'Bout time you showed up lass. That horse of yours is keeping my customers away! Nasty temperament she has…hey! Watch it!" Aberforth shook his fist in my chestnut mare's direction as she aimed a neat kick in his general direction, obviously not pleased with his description of her.
"Sorry, got stuck on the train then those damn Dementors…slowed us down even more…There, Aurora I know you're upset I'm sorry girl, you can scare Snape when we get up to the castle. Don't huff at me; here I brought you a treat…" I patted her down and held my hand flat towards her muzzle noticing Aberforth's sudden somber expression, stilling Aurora down enough that he ventured closer as I untied her.
"Dementors on the Hogwarts Express… the Ministry's lost it…You just take care of that horse of yours, next time you leave her here I'm going to have to charge you…" He looked around and made a beeline for his pub's entrance, stopping only to look back at me rather worried, which again was rare for him.
"Don't give me that rubbish I offered to pay you before I left, and it's not like you don't get enough patronage from me during the year…." I climbed up into the saddle and settled my robe around me, taking hold of the reigns and bringing Aurora around to face into the street.
I gave the Hog's Head one last glance as I clicked my tongue and set Aurora down the main Hogsmeade Street at a trot. While most witches and wizards simply used apparition to get to where they were going (or the occasional broomstick), there were a few old magical families who held onto their horses, or some form of enchanted carriage to take them longer distances. And while it was a rare sight, I only managed a few odd glances as I trotted Aurora out of the main Hogsmeade Village and headed up the same path the thresal pulled Hogwarts carriages where taking. I clicked my tongue faster and leaned in giving Aurora what she really wanted, a chance to run in the rain. It didn't take long for me to pull up along the carriages, slowly but surely overtaking some of them, passing the Hogwarts gates I noticed the two black shapeless figures, the closest to me slightly turning its head as I passed which caused me to lean further into Aurora to make her go faster. I knew it wouldn't follow me as the charms on Aurora's harness and dress (what the saddle is on for you people who have no idea what I mean) kept them at bay.
I let out a breath I hadn't been aware of holding in before coming up and into the courtyard where the students got off. I slowed Aurora down enough that she came to a fast trot and stopped her only a foot away from Professor Snape.
"I would kindly remind you the importance of performing such duties entrusted to you in a timely manner Miss Wynters…" His drawl voice only added fuel to my already simmering anger and I dismounted quickly and drew myself up to my full height. Reflected in his deep onyx orbs were my own glowing blue green eyes, he was smart to step back as I rounded on him.
"Nu începeţi cu mine! Acest lucru este în întregime vina ta Profesore!"* My voice grew louder with each word so that by the end of the sentence I happened to be shouting at Professor Snape, in Romanian…much to the bewilderment and amusement of Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall who were standing just a bit behind.
"That's no way to treat your Professors, Miss Wynters…" it was McGonagall's voice that interrupted my wrath of words at Professor Snape, though not before I sent a few more colorful words in his general direction.
"And last I checked I am not his personal owl to be sent, or rather tricked onto the Hogwarts Express and have to deal with one very annoying egotistical Slytherin 3rd year make passes at me. He's lucky I didn't stun the little git…" I made sure to mumble the last few words out of respect for my elders and because I knew it would only land me in more trouble with them.
"If you had just found him on the platform I doubt you would have had to ride all the way back here on the train Miss Wynters, do not blame me for your inability to find him in London before the train departed." My eyes must be slits by now as I glare at him more with each word he carelessly drawls out…as if I didn't know he isn't too fond of the idea of a very ticked off vampire witch as his appointee for the rest of the year.
"Yes because being hit on by the king sized blonde haired bigoted git is number one on my list of things to do before I graduate this year. And if you had just used the owl post like any normal, sane wizard in any freaking part of the magical, non-magical, and incredibly dark and lonely places of the world do, we could have avoided this entire exchange right now couldn't we?" The sarcasm dripping from my tone as I crossed my arms over my chest left both Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall with astounded looks upon their faces. It was only then that the Headmaster cleared his throat after popping a lemon drop in his mouth.
"I really must get this hearing of mine checked Minerva, it seems I keep going momentarily deaf in my ears, do remind me won't you next time I see Poppy…Now Miss Wynters I do believe you've had rather a long adventurous ride, why don't I call Dobby to take Aurora back to the stables…" I couldn't help but smile at the Headmaster, as I noticed his mischievous twinkling eyes and followed to his side.
"That I have Headmaster, thank you. By the way, have you been informed by the Ministry that they would be allowing Dementors to search the Hogwarts Express, halfway into the ride…I believe some of the students might have had adverse effects to their presence." My amusement was slowly ebbed away as I recalled the Dementors on the train. And obviously none of the Professors were happy with the news.
"Fudge is an ignorant fool…thank you for informing me Miss Wynters, unfortunately with an escaped convict there is only so much I can do to prevent the Dementors from being allowed inside the actual school, they are only restricted from entering school grounds where students are about. They will however most likely move in after hours to search certain areas. We must keep a close watch on them Professors." The last part of his speech was directed at the Professor's McGonagall and Snape, the time of course allowed me to say hello to Dobby and hand him Aurora's reigns before following behind the Headmaster back into the school to prepare for the start of year feast. It would be my first and last year attending it.
"I'm sorry that this is the beginning of your final year here Isabella…you are and have been a very good student and I'm quite proud and honored to have had you here at Hogwarts though your experiences have varied greatly from most of the students that walk these halls. And I can honestly say I, and many of your other Professors will be saddened to see you go. What does concern me a bit is where you will go after your education here, will you seek to further your studies or return full time back to the Wynters' estate?" Over the years I had come to find Dumbledore to be more like a grandfather figure in my life, and though his presence was as always a great comfort it was also rather sad to hear the truth of my reality at his words.
"I don't know if I will seek further education Headmaster, quite frankly my little problem does not seem the type most wizards or witches will like to deal with. And while my magical interests have always been vast I can't see myself confined to do my research alone. By the same token, while the Wynters have been my family since my turning I also don't truly know what I would do back with the clan. I am as far as I understand the only vampire witch to become part of the Wynters, and while they have always been very proud of me and my abilities and talents…well…it's rather lonesome and just as easy to be ostracized there…I suppose I'll have a year to figure out where my next adventure will be…" I allowed a rare smile for my Headmaster as we walked along one of the many parallel corridors to the main hall. He was quiet and pensive for some time before he finally stopped.
"Perhaps you could help one of our teachers here at Hogwarts in their private research into their respective subjects. Though…I hate to bring up the fact that it seems dark times are slowly creeping up on us and I do fear one day your alliance to the two worlds you are very much a part of will be called into question…I would like you to know you will always have a place here at Hogwarts if you are ever in such need." His look once again returned to being one akin to a benevolent grandfather and I couldn't help but smile and give him a very rare hug which as usual left him quite startled though amused.
"I daresay that's the second time I've ever had you hug me in such a manner Isabella…I do believe I will have to add that to my list of personal accomplishments." He chuckled at me and again I gave him a rare smile, before suddenly remembering what else had happened on the train.
"Headmaster, may I ask who our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be this year. I have quite the important question to ask them…" He tilted his head in an inquisitive manner to my question.
"This year's Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be announced at the feast Isabella, but perhaps I can help you with your inquiry." His eyes were still shinning though they seemed to dim slightly at my slight frown.
"I suppose you could sir…I was wondering…once a witch or wizard manages to create a corporal patronus. Are there any circumstances under which said patronus will change form?" I could tell I had managed to once again surprise Professor Dumbledore, as he looked at me rather seriously for a moment before speaking.
"Depending on the witch or wizard, I suppose that there are certain profound instances where a corporal patronus can and will change form. Though I must admit to rarely hearing of such a thing happening, however I will do my best to find out more about the subject and pass on any information I come across to you. Now I'll leave you to freshen up before the feast…" I nodded and headed for a nearby staircase. Though Professor Snape was my tutor this year, I still retained my own chambers which were in a tower between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. The portrait guarding it was of clearing with a very large single tree where the seasons often changed, and in truth its inhabitants, were several. Often the portrait would be opened by a moving copy of one of the founders of Hogwarts, or on occasion where they were elsewhere in the castle one of their respective animals would do so.
"Veritaserum…"Godric Gryffindor's Gryffin shook his mane at me in a rather lazy fashion before nodding his large head and allowing the portrait to swing open for me. I shook my head at his antics knowing by the time I got inside into my sitting quarters he'd be there. I don't know if Gryffindor was ever an animagus but I can't help but feel his Gryffin has some sort of infatuation with me, as it was the most often found in the portraits or pictures I had within my private chambers. It didn't take long for me to freshen up, there was really no need for me to change clothes as I didn't belong to a house but I did decide to slip into my grey Hogwarts uniform which instead of only having one house color had instead the intertwined colors of all four houses, it was then that I noticed that the handkerchief Oliver had lent me had slipped from my face and was nestled around my neck as if just another addition to my necklaces. I snorted at the thought that it looked very much at home there but made a mental note to return it to him when I saw him at the feast. I didn't know if the Headmaster would announce to the entire school that I was in fact, part vampire, though I very much doubt it. As he had allowed me the choice of telling Ayden when I befriended her who and what I was. The fleeting thought as I changed robes and touched up my makeup before heading back down to the Great Hall was the wonder of how Oliver would take it if I told him I was a turned vampire witch.
Why in blazes am I even wondering about him?
*Do not start with me! This is entirely your fault Professor!