Chapter 10: Back to School

Corvus stared the headline of the Daily Prophet in shock: 'ESCAPE FROM AZKABAN'. Sirius Black's face shined in front page. I still haven't talked about him to Nora, Corvus thought gloomily. The girl would be furious with him.

"It seems that your cousin has escaped from the prison," Lucious Malfoy said to his wife.

"So, it seems," Narcissa Malfoy answered. "Can't really say that I'm happy about it."

"I'll make it clear in the Ministry, that we have nothing to do with him," Lucius promised, touching Narcissa on the shoulder.

"Good," Narcissa replied. Her expression didn't change. The stoic look stayed on her face. "I wonder how he managed to run away. Maybe it could help Bella to break free."

Narcissa didn't see the face that her husband made. But Corvus could clearly see, that the idea of his sister-in-law running free, didn't make the man happy. "Now, now, Narcissa. Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

"What? Are you saying that you don't want my sister to be freed?" Narcissa asked sharply.

"No, I didn't say that. I'm saying that I wouldn't trust that cousin of yours with anything."

"Really? It didn't sound like that!" Narcissa said. "I mean, I know that Bella is passionate and everything, but she's still my sister. I love her. A lot."

"I know that, but it wouldn't look good in the eyes of the ministry if she escaped. They would interrogate us and make us look bad. Especially since the boy is here." Corvus was mentioned in the conversation for the first time.

"I know that! But I still wouldn't turn my back on her!"

"Not even if she was threat to Draco?"

"She loves him, Lucius! She was there when I gave birth to him! She was right there by myside, or have you already forgotten that?" Narcissa snapped. It was one of the rare times, that Corvus had seen her aunt getting angry with her husband.

"No, I haven't," Lucius answered, trying to keep his voice calm and even. "But her escape would be a threat to our family now. It could ruin everything that we have built, and I'd hate to see that happen."

Narcissa sighed, and didn't answer to him: "Aren't you going to be late from work?"

"Not yet, but I better go now." He touched his wife's hair, but didn't try to kiss her on the cheek, like he'd have in a normal morning. "Bye then." He said as he appeared away.

"Don't care about him Corvus," Narcissa's voice was sharp. "Bella owns strong and powerful personality. And whatever the papers say, what my cousin did was too little too late."

"I understand Aunt Narcissa, but what do you mean by too little too late?" Corvus' curiosity had been woken up.

"He's a blood traitor. He was sorted in Gryffindor," the house name sounded more like a curse word when it came from Aunt Narcissa mouth. "He hung out with half-breeds and other blood-traitors. He was even seen with some filthy mudbloods."

"But he betrayed them all in the end."

"Yes, even killed one of his friends", Narcissa's voice was the same as usual. Calm and even. "That's why he was sent to Azkaban."

Corvus nodded and returned to paper. It gave him no new information about the man. No one seemed to know, how the man, had managed to get away from the facility ran by the Dementors.

Nora had a busy summer. She had helped her aunt with the wedding preparations. In the beginning of August, the weddings were finally held, and Ms. Laurel Wilkins turned into Mrs. Laurel Knight. Wive of Daniel Knight. Nora had never seen her aunt so happy. She shined with love and joy. Her baby stomach was large, and the counted date was getting closer and closer.

Nora hadn't had time to go to London, nor visit her grandparents. She had spoken with Michelle over the phone. The girls had agreed that Michelle would buy Nora the books and other things that she'd need and pay the girl back when they saw again.

Naturally Nora saw the news about Sirius Black from the television, but she didn't know that he was a wizard. It was a big shock for her to hear people talking about the man around her as she entered the train on the first day of September.

Nora walked around, searching for familiar faces, but saw none. Most of the carriages were empty, as she had arrived early. She chose one close to the front, so her friends could find her easily as they'd enter the train.

Some familiar faces greeted Nora, before Olivia entered the carriage. The girl looked tired but still greeted Nora with shiny smile and tight hug. "Nora! It has been a forever! How are you? How was the summer break?"

"It was g… good. I w… was busy w… with helping my a… aunt with her w… wedding. It was a l… lovely c… ceremony!" Soft yet warm smile came on Nora's face. "A… are you o… okay? Y… you look a l… little tired."

Olivia cursed in her mind how sharp Nora was. "Of course. Yesterday was full moon, so I couldn't sleep that well."

"Oh, I s… see. How w… was your s… summer o… otherwise?"

Olivia was about to answer, but the carriage door was opened again. Michelle entered the room with happy smile on her face. "Bonjour. I had the best summer ever. We went to Nice for holidays, and I loved every minute of it! The beaches, the city, the weather, everything was just merveilleux."

"Oh, hey Mich, can you move a bit?" Astoria asked behind the girl. "Hey all!" She and Corvus entered the carriage together.

Olivia laughed and smiled mischievously: "Let me guess, you want to know how our summer was?"

"Well, I was thinking about it," Astoria smirked. "Care to tell any juicy details?"

"Nothing big really happened. I spend it mostly with my sister and grandma."

"Oh, yes. When will she be entering Hogwarts?"

"In a year," Olivia answered. She wanted to change the subject as soon as possible. "When will your brothers be joining the school, Mich?"

"Ah, Maurice and Mathéo, also in next year," Michelle clapped her hands with excitement: "Maybe, they'll be in the same house!"

"Yeah, maybe," Olivia smiled back, meekly.

"Y… yes, do you by the w… way have my b… books Michelle?" Nora suddenly asked. She had noticed the discomfort that Olivia felt, she just didn't know why.

"Oh, oui!" Michelle gave Nora the books and Nora gave Michelle the money. After the exchange Michelle started to talk about her holiday to the group. Her hands moved as she explained the things she had experienced and seen when her family had visited France. After Michelle, Astoria told the group about her holiday, how their family had visited Greece.

"By the way Nora, I forgot to ask you, how did your family take the news of you being petrified?" Astoria asked.

"Oh, I t… told P… Professor Sprouts my situation at h… home, s… since my aunt is pregnant, I d… didn't want to stress her o… out if s… something h… happened to me, and the r… rest of m… my family d… don't k… know about m… my abilities, s… so they were n… never t… told." Nora blushed. "And I w… will ne… never tell them."

"Wow, that's brave of you. I mean, everything was so stressful last year. I remember always waiting to hear awful news," Astoria recalled the previous year's nightmares.

"Speaking about the awful news, did you hear about Sirius Black!" Olivia asked.

"Oui! It was horrible! I wonder how he escaped."

"Nobody seems to know. It's awful that they haven't caught him yet. It has been months!"

"Yes," was only thing that Corvus commented on the matter. He felt guilty for not telling Nora the truth. But I will soon! he promised to himself.

"H… how is he k… know in w… wizarding world? I s… saw him in the m… muggle news," Nora wondered.

"Well, he's a wizard. He's known for murdering thirteen people about twelve years ago," Michelle said, shooting daggers towards Corvus. "He's known be You-Know-Who's supporter."

"Oh, th… that's awful." Nora said. She finally understood why the news didn't say from where the man had run off. "B… but no one h… has been h… hurt by him s… since then."

"No, but the man murdered thirteen people, Nora," Astoria stated. "So, don't try to find some good in him. He's a brutal mass-murderer."

Nora just nodded and the group changed the topic.

Corvus felt the guilt eating him up, as he watched Nora happily chatting with her friends. He didn't want to rise up the fear in the girl, but he knew he had to tell her truth about her parents' fate. He knew that Nora would be furious after hearing the truth, because he had lied to her for so long.

His inculpatory thoughts were interrupted as the train stopped violently and lights went off. Some luggage fell on the floor. "We can't be in Hogwarts yet," Astoria said and opened the compartment door. Students all over the train were doing the same thing.

"So… someone i… is e… entering the t… train," Nora whispered.

The air became cold. Corvus remembered his childhood. How other children had cried and ran away from him as he went close by. How his aunt and uncle had ignored him. How as a child, he had never been held in anyone's embrace. He remembered last year as Nora had been petrified and he had been unable to do anything. He remembered when the school had been about to be shut down.

Nora gasped as she saw black creature floating on the corridor. "Wh… what a… ar… are th… they?" Her voice was trembling with fear. Moments from her childhood ran through her mind.

"Dementors," Olivia whispered. "They guard Azkaban."

"Wh… what's A… Azkaban?"

"Wizarding prison," Corvus answered. "That's the place Sirius Black where escaped."

"Are they really looking for him in here?" Olivia asked. Her face was pale, and just like Nora, she was trembling. Michelle took Olivia's hand and held it reassuringly. The girl was silently praying in French.

Astoria said nothing. She was silently sitting in the corner. She had closed her eyes, trying to concentrate on happy memories, but nothing seemed to come in her mind.

Nobody knew for how long the dementors stayed. But once the creatures were gone, they felt like they could breathe again. The air became normal, and lights came back on. Olivia stopped shaking, Michelle no longer prayed, and Astoria opened her eyes.

"S… so wh… what exactly a… are th… these De… Dementors?" Nora asked, her voice was still shakier than usually.

"They are creatures born from sorrow. They feed themselves with sad memories. They suck away all the joy and hope that you have and fill it up with despair and sadness. They can give a person kiss, that leaves the body an empty shell," Corvus said. "That's why all the bad memories just came into your mind."

"They are awful creatures," Olivia whispered, wiping away a tear from corner of her eyes.

"Th… then why a… are they l… looking after the c… criminals? Isn't that t… too cruel?" Nora wondered. She looked at Corvus, whose parents were one of the most famous residents in Azkaban.

"It's what the Ministry has decided," was the only thing Corvus said on the matter, never meeting Nora's eyes.

After the eventful train ride, Nora was happy to be back at Hogwarts. Even though the previous year had been stressful, there was no other school she'd have preferred studying. The lectures were interesting, the food was delicious, and people were just lovely. "I… it feels g… good to be b… back."

"Oui, I wonder, which spell they use to move these carriages?" Olivia recalled all the spells that she had read about, but none of them quite fitted.

"Who cares, we are back!" Olivia grinned and laughed. "This year I'll beat you all in one exam! And my house will win the house cup again! And, and the Quidditch cup will be ours!"

Michelle giggled: "I love your optimism. But the only realist goal of yours seems to be winning the house cup."

"Are you still planning to get in the team Mich?" Astoria asked, before Olivia could answer the girl.

Michelle nodded. "Oui, I'm going to aim for a Chaser, since I know Davies won't let anyone compete against Grant Page. He played well last year."

"Wasn't your father also a Keeper?" Astoria recalled, and Michelle nodded, smiling proudly. "He was the keeper, who won gold in 1978 for France. After that game he resigned, and you know the rest."

"Wait," Olivia said. She, Astoria and Corvus looked at Michelle with wide eyes: "Is your father the Constantin Emmanuel Abreo?"

Michelle giggled more. "Well, oui! I thought you'd come to realize that last year. I mean my last name isn't that common."

"I had no idea he was married and had children!" Olivia cried out. "I've read so many articles about him. He's a legend! He's still the keeper, who holds the record for most saves in one tournament!"

Michelle agreed, still wearing a smug smile on her face.

"So, if you have this kind of inheritance, then why won't you aim for Keeper's position?" Olivia asked.

"Because, I want to earn my position," Michelle simply said. "Just like my father earned his. Plus, like I said, Davies won't open the position, since he has perfectly capable Keeper in his team."

"Well, Roger Davies is a prick anyway," Astoria commented, and all eyes went on her. "I have spoken with him in some family gatherings. At one point our parents were thinking pairing him up with Daphne, but decided against the idea, after realizing how strong personality she has."

"Knowing your sister, that was a smart choice," Corvus smirked.

Nora said nothing, just watched smiling as her friends made joyful expressions and teased one another. The carriages stopped in the front of the school gates. The group started to walk towards the Great Hall. "Is it okay, if we have the breakfast tomorrow in Gryffindor's table?" Olivia asked.

"I… it's fine w… with me," Nora answered. Michelle and Astoria just nodded.

"Okay, see you in the morning then," Olivia waved as she opened the door and walked to her house table.

"Nora, can you wait a minute before entering?" Corvus asked and craped Nora by the hand. "S… sure."

"Can we talk tomorrow, alone. After the lessons?" Nora was taken back by the question.

"O… of course. Is e… everything alright?" Nora asked, feeling worried.

"Yeah, I just really need to tell you something," Corvus answered. He would finally make time for them to talk. This time he wouldn't back off.

"Well s… sure," Nora smiled. "Th… then I will t… talk with you more t… tomorrow then." Nora waved and entered the Great Hall. She walked to her house's table, where Daisy greeted Nora with tight embrace.

"Norra! Good to see you! 'ow was your summer?" Daisy's speech sounded like a song.

"H… hi Daisy, M… Matthew. It was l… lovely. I w… was busy with a… arranging my aunts w… weddings," Nora answered smiling.

"Oh, how excitin'! Like what kind o' weddin'?" Daisy asked and started to shoot Nora with one hundred and one question. Finally, Matthew interrupted the Daisy: "Let the girl breathe Daisy. You're being too noisy."

"N… no it's f… fine," Nora said, though felt happy that Matthew had intervene in the conversation. "H… how was your s… summer Matthew?"

"Oh, it was good, spend it mostly at home, with this creature bullying me," Matthew joked.

"'Ey, I kept you company, you arse!"

Nora chuckled and noted that Professor Flitwick entered the hall with new students on his tale. Nora knew none of them before-hand since she had no magical relatives. The hat sang a song, and sorting started.

"Abberley Roland!" Professor Flitwick called. Dark boy with dark hair came in front and sat down on the stool. The sorting was over in less than a minute as the hat declared: "RAVENCLAW!"

The sorting went on and on. The first person sorted in Hufflepuff was Patrick Bagby. No new students sat near by Nora. They all seemed to gather around Cedric Diggory. He was a boy, who had been picked to be Hufflepuff's new Prefect. The boy's presence reminded Nora of Leyla, who had graduated in last semester. Nora's thoughts were stopped by the name that was mentioned next.

"Wilkins Ella!"

Small girl with long and straight dark brown hair walked forward. Her eyes were sharp and colour of deep blue.

"Is she a relative o' yours Norra?" Daisy asked, doing her best to whisper.

Nora shook her head: "I h… have no c… cousins from my d… dad's side, y… yet."

"SLYTHERIN!" The hat soon declared, and the girl walked proudly towards the same table with Corvus and Astoria. She knows a lot about magic, and about the school, otherwise she wouldn't act like that, Nora thought and ruled out the possibility of them being relatives.

The sorting ended, and everyone sang the traditional Hogwarts theme song. Professor Dumbledore got up and warmly welcomed the new and old students to school. "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... 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."

Nora felt chills going through her spine. She wanted to be nowhere near the dark creatures.

"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. It is not in the nature of a dementor to 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 afoul of the dementors," Professor Dumbledore's words were stern, and Nora felt no urge for breaking the rules or ignore the warnings the man had given them.

"On a happier note. 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." The man had hair mixed of brown and grey. He looked tired and wore shabby clothes. Nora applauded the newcomer and hoped him to be better teacher than Professor Lockhart. Nora looked around her friends. Corvus, Astoria and Michelle had indifferent looks on their faces, but Olivia looked cautious and scared. Nora decided to ask the reason for that from her friend the next day.

Nora also noted on the teacher's table, that Professor Snape looked at Professor Lupin with eyes filled with disgust. He seemed to hate the man more than Professor Lockhart, which Nora found surprising. The man had been idiot.

The headmaster continued: "As to our second new appointment. 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."

Smile came on Nora's face, and she thought on what she had seen, the gentle giant was a great choice for the position, as he knew the creatures and the students. He was also kind and patient, and most of all fare.

"Well, I think that's everything of importance. Let the feast begin!" Professor Dumbledore ended his speech and food appeared in front of them.

Nora ate to her heart content, enjoying everything that was close to her. She thought that she should visit Nittie soon and thank the elves for all their hard work.

Corvus hadn't slept much. He got up early and entered to the Great Hall, where he wasn't surprised to see Nora in Gryffindor's table. "Good morning," Corvus greeted the girl.

Nora answered with warm, heartful smile: "Mo… morning, d… did you sleep well?"

"No, not really, don't know why," Corvus lied.

"We… well, hopefully to… tomorrow will be b… better then," Nora smiled reassuringly.

"Morning Miss Wilkins, Mister Lestrange, good to see you up so early," Professor Sprouts greeted and gave Nora parchment. "Here's your timetable darling."

"Th… thank you P… professor S… Sprouts."

"You're most welcome dear. I will see you tomorrow morning."

Nora opened her timetable. Her day would start with Defence Against the Dark Arts and would be followed by the Transfiguration lessons. Afterwards she'd have lunch and History of Magic.

"I w… wonder wh… what's Professor Lupin l… like," Nora wondered.

"Well, he can't be any worse than Professor Lockhart."

"Th… that's true."

"Morning! What are you two talking about?" Olivia asked, as she sat down next to Nora.

"Our new Professor Lupin," Corvus answered.

"Oh," Olivia said and faked a smile. "Well, maybe he's better than Lockhart."

"Even Flinch could teach us more about the subject, than Lockheart" Corvus muttered.

The two girls giggled. Professor Snape came to the table and gave Corvus his timetable, while making snarky comments towards Olivia's potion skills and Nora's stuttering. Olivia shot daggers towards the teacher as he left: "This year, I am going to make the most amazing potions. That man will see, and weep as I rule."

"Y… you can do it O… Olivia as long a… as you believe in y… yourself," Nora encouraged. Corvus decided not to comment on the matter, since he had seen the disasters, the girl had managed to make in the lessons.

Corvus looked up at his timetable: "Hm, it seems we still share the Transfiguration and Defence Against the Dark Arts together."

"Y… yes, so it s… seems," Nora smiled again.

Shortly Astoria and Michelle joined the three for breakfast. Sinead took Nora away for a while to talk. After Astoria was done with the breakfast, they got up: "Nora, we'll be going now, are you going to join us?"

"S… sure," Nora said and took her farewell.

All three of them agreed after the lessons that Professor Lupin was one of the best teachers in the whole school. His teaching methods were interesting, he had taken creature in the classroom and explained how to fight and protect against it. He listened the students and patiently answered to each question that they had.

Transfiguration lessons took Nora back to the reality. It was her worst subject after Astronomy and History of Magic, and of course flying. Nora had felt proud of learning all the spells in the previous year, but now she felt like crying. In her first lesson she was supposed to turn beetle in the button, but no visible change happened.

Next to her Corvus had hard time with the spell. It was difficult for him to concentrate, since Diane Carter yelled and screamed something every now and then. The girl was terrified of bugs. Next to her Zoe Accrington tried to calm the girl down. If Professor McGonagall wasn't in the classroom, some boys of their house would have teased the girl.

After the lessons the group went for lunch, and they told Michelle and Olivia about their first lessons: "Yes, we had him as well today, after you guys. He's really good teacher." Michelle said approvingly. Olivia was surprisingly quiet on the matter.

Corvus watched as Nora ate. They still had half an hour before the next lessons would start. "Hey Nora, do you have the minute now?" He asked. Astoria shot him a knowing look and nodded.

"Y… yes," Nora said and got up. The two stepped out for some fresh air. "S… so what did y… you want to t… talk about?"

"About your parents."

"M… my parents?" Nora was surprised by the subject.

"Yes, you deserve to know, that they didn't die by the gas leak. Sirius Black murdered them."

AN/ Finally Nora knows. BTW there was no data of 1978 Quidditch World Cup, so I decided to make France win the championships.