A/N: Hey hey hey everyone! So sorry about the long wait for those who have been reading. Like I said, I am on a dance crew and our competition is this Friday! Plus I work 2 jobs, so that keeps me pretty busy as well. I am on vacation from one of them so I am hoping to get this chapter up and hopefully another one before Friday. Thank you once again for the follows and favorites! A big thank you to yukikiralacus and megipegi for the reviews! You guys are awesome! More reviews would be absolutely AMAZING though! Now on to the next chapter!

Chapter 4: Back to Hogwarts

As the train came to a stop at Hogsmeade station, Harry and the rest of the people in the compartment made their way outside in the pouring rain. It was absolutely freezing outside and everyone was scrambling to get to the carriages.

"Firs' years this way please," a familiar voice rang out. Harry turned around and saw the outline of the half giant friend Hagrid, who was trying to scramble together all of the first years, ready to take the boats across the lake to the castle. When Hagrid spotted the trio, he gave them a smile. "All righ' there you three?" Harry, Hermione and Ron didn't get a chance to say anything to him as they were getting pushed along with the rest of the crowd. The trio and Lupin found a carriage to be taken to the castle. As they took a seat, Harry felt a sense of relief, finally being back to what he considered to be his real home.

As they passed the entrance, two dementor stood on either side. Harry felt a sense of cold sweep over him once more. He still felt quite weak from passing out earlier. He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes until they finally passed the gates. He felt Lupin's gaze upon him but he tried to ignore it.

At long last, they finally made it to the castle. They jumped out of the carriage quickly and made their way inside. The trio and Lupin were about to go their separate ways when a voice rang out, "Potter! Granger! Over here please!"

Harry and Hermione turned around to see their Transfiguration teacher, Professor McGonagall, waving to them over the crowd if students. The trio quickly made their way over to her.

"Nothing to worry about, I just need a quick word in my office," McGonagall said. "Head into the Great Hall Mr. Weasley."

Ron shrugged at Harry and Hermione, walking away and following the rest of the students into the Great Hall. McGonagall then led them to her office. As soon as they walked in, McGonagall motioned for them to sit down as she took her seat as well behind her desk.

"Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead to say that you had fainted on the train, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, looking intently at Harry.

Harry felt himself turn red. "Professor, I'm fine. Really, I don't need-" Harry was interrupted as Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse, walked right into the office.

"Oh, it's you, isn't it?" She asked, as she checked him over. "I suppose you've been doing something dangerous again?"

"It was a dementor, Poppy," said McGonagall.

"Setting dementors around the school," Pomfrey said, feeling Harry's forhead. "He won't be the last to collapse. Yes, he's all clammy. Terrible things, they are."

"What does he need?"McGonagall asked. "Bed rest? Perhaps he should spend the night in the hospital wing?"

"I'm Fine!" exclaimed Harry, jumping out of his seat. "Please, I feel fine."

"Well, he should have some chocolate at the very least," Madam Pomfrey said, peering into his eyes.

"I've already had some," Harry said. "Lupin gave us some as soon as the train started moving again."

"Did he now?" said Pomfrey, approvingly. "So we've finally got a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies?"

"Well if you're sure, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, as Harry nodded. With one last look at Harry, she said, "Very well, please wait outside while I talk to Miss Granger, then we will head to the feast together."

Harry only had to wait a few minutes. As soon as Hermione emerged with McGonagall, the three of them headed to the Great Hall. As soon as they entered, McGonagall headed to the Head Table while Harry and Hermione walked to the Gryffindor table, passing Professor Flitwick, who was holding an ancient looking hat and a three legged stool. Harry and Hermione had missed the sorting.

Ron waved them over, having saved them two seats on either side of him. As soon as they sat down, he asked, "What was that all about?"

Harry was about to answer but at the same moment, Professor Albus Dumbledore, the school Headmaster, stood up to speak. He had several feet of long silver hair and beard, half-moon spectacles and always gave off a great impression of energy. He was respected by most of the student body and you couldn't help but trust him. Harry suddenly felt calmer since his encounter with the dementor as Dumebledore stood up, beaming at all of his students.

"Welcome! Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" said Dumbledore, smiling at everyone in the Great Hall. "I have a few words to say to you all before we enjoy our feast. As you all are aware of their search of The Hogwarts Express, our school will be playing host to the dementors of Azkaban, until Sirius Black has been found."

Everyone around the hall started whispering and murmuring, all looking scared and confused. Hogwarts was supposedly one of the safest places in Britain. Black couldn't possibly manage to get into the school, could he? Harry looked at Ron and Hermione, who glanced at him as well, thinking the same thing.

"They will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds. While they are with us, I must insist to everyone to not leave the ground without permission. Dementors are vicious creatures. They cannot be fooled by tricks or disguises; not even invisibility cloaks," Dumbledore said. Harry could have sworn that Dumbledore's eyes flashed towards Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"Now to introduce two new members to our teaching staff!" Dumbledore exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "First, Professor Remus Lupin, who has kindly agreed to fill the post of Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher." Lupin stood up and waved to the Great Hall, smiling, as a round of applause went through the Great Hall.

"As for our second appointment for our teaching staff," Dumbledore continued, as the applause died down. "Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teaceher, has retired at the end of last year. However, I am delighted to announce that his positioned will be filled by none other than our very own Rubeus Hagrid!"

The applause for Hagrid was astounding, especially at the Gryffindor table. Harry looked at Hagrid and saw the biggest smile on his face with tears dripping down into his beard. Harry has never seen Hagrid look so happy. As soon as everyone finished clapping, Harry, Ron and Hermione being the last to do so, Dumbledore said, "Well I believe that is everything! Let the feast begin!"

Suddenly, all the goblets filled with numerous drinks and plates full of any kind of food you can imagine appeared on all of the tables. Harry, who ate very meager amounts of food at the Dursley's this summer, didn't have much of an appetite. He tried to fill his plate as much as he could, without the thought of him wanting to be sick.

RLRL

Remus couldn't help but smile. He was back at Hogwarts. He was sitting at the Head Table, sitting next to McGonagall on his right and next to his old rival, Professor Snape, the Potions teacher, who was sitting on his left. He knew Snape still had hatred towards Lupin, but he definitely didn't want to get into it right now.

"So Remus, welcome back!" McGonagall said, giving him a rare smile. "How does it feel to be back at Hogwarts?"

"It feels as though I'm back in my first year," Lupin said, filling up his plate. "Though I'd say I definitely had an interesting train ride…" He trailed off, his eyes glancing towards the Gryffindor table, landing on Harry, Ron and Hermione. "How was Harry?"

"He insisted he was fine, "McGonagall shrugged. "I wanted him to stay the night at the Hospital Wing, but he insisted that he was okay. I don't blame him. He's been in there enough the past two years," McGonagall said, laughing.

"Is he as bad as James," Lupin asked, smiling a bit.

McGonall shook her head, giving off another laugh. "If not, worse, with all of his adventures he's gone on with his friends. Plus add Quidditch to the mix."

Lupin stared at McGonagall. "He plays Quidditch?"

"Yes he does," She said, proudly. "Since his first year. He's the seeker. Same as James!"

Lupin glanced at Harry and smiled. So Harry got the Quidditch skills from his father. No surprise there. He looked back at McGonagall, "Do I even want to know the other adventures those three have gotten into?"

"No you do not," McGonagall said, shaking her head. "Those three have gotten into more trouble in the past two years than you and your friends did back when you were in school. Okay, well maybe not that much yet…"

Lupin stopped listening, as he was stuck in his own thoughts. He watched as Harry talked to all of his friends, eating his dinner. But Lupin did notice that Harry wasn't eating much, mostly just pushing his food around his plate. There definitely was something off about Harry that Lupin couldn't figure out. He seemed to thin for his age and didn't seem as sociable as the rest of the Gryffindors. Lupin knew he had to do something. He also knew though that he wanted to get to know Harry more. Seeing his best friend's son brought on so many memories. It was inevitable, seeing as Harry looked exactly like James, and from what McGonagall said, he was exactly like his father as well.

HPHP

Harry, Ron and Hermione followed the rest of the Gryffindor's up to the Gryffindor Tower. As soon as they walked into the common room, Harry and Ron bid Hermione goodnight and headed up to the boy's dormitories. Harry rummaged through his trunk, finding his pajamas and made his way to the restroom, not wanting to change in front of everyone. Harry once again had to come up with the lie that he had to use the restroom.

Once Harry made it into the restroom, he carefully undressed himself and took a look at all of his injuries. He noticed that some of the welts on his back were already starting to get infected, which he knew was going to be a problem. He had to find a way to heal himself before his condition got worse. Once Harry changed and brushed his teeth, he made his way back to his bed, pulled the curtains around it and laid down, hoping that his sleep wouldn't be disturbed by nightmares. Boy was he wrong.

A/N: Cliffy! Sort of? Another chapter complete! As I said earlier, I will try to get another chapter up this week! Thank you everyone!