Besides the surprise announcement of Hagrid's appointment to Care of Magical Creatures teacher, the welcome feast was rather uneventful. Harry had seen Snape glaring daggers at Lupin during the feast but that was expected, knowing that Lupin had been friends with Harry's dad and Snape hated Harry's dad. Harry had been keen for the feast to be over so he could go to his dormitory and write a letter to Sirius. He asked about the Dementors, keen to know why had they affected him more than everyone else. He left out the part about fainting and hearing screaming that no one else could. He didn't want Sirius to worry and come to Hogwarts before it was safe. He wrote about Lupin's teaching position, keen to get Sirius's thoughts on the matter. He also mentioned Snape's reaction. It might amuse Sirius, if nothing else.
The next morning Harry had just finished in the Owlery when he met up with Ron and Hermione. When they entered the Great Hall for breakfast the first thing they saw was Malfoy, who seemed to be entertaining a large group of Slytherins with a very funny story. As they passed, Malfoy did a ridiculous impression of a swooning fit and there was a roar of laughter.
'Ignore him,' Hermione said, 'it's not worth it.'
Harry clenched his teeth and headed towards the Gryffindor table. It seemed Malfoy was well and truly back to his old self, maybe even worse. Compensating for being half decent during the Summer, Harry thought.
Harry's day didn't get much better from there. In his very first class of the year he had his death predicted, thanks to Professor Trelawney. Professor McGonagall ensured everyone it was rubbish but that didn't stop people like Lavender Brown looking at him as though he might drop dead any moment. Even Ron looked worried.
'Harry,' Ron said during lunch, 'you haven't seen a great black dog anywhere, have you?'
Harry chocked on what he was eating. Hermione thumped him on his back as he coughed violently. She and Ron were both looking at Harry with concern.
'What? Oh, umm no … I haven't seen any black dogs. Nope.'
Even Hermione, who clearly didn't believe in death omens, raised her eyebrows at that.
Harry was pleased to get out of the castle for Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class after lunch. Riding Buckbeak was like nothing Harry had ever experienced.
'Good work Harry!' Hagrid said, smiling proudly at Harry.
Emboldened by Harry's success, the rest of the class climbed cautiously into the paddock. Hagrid untied the Hippogriffs one by one, and soon people were bowing nervously all over the paddock. Ron and Hermione were practising on a chestnut Hippogriff.
While everyone was distracted, Harry saw his chance to confront Malfoy alone. He stormed over to where Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle had taken over Buckbeak.
'I need to talk to you,' he said.
Crabbe and Goyle stepped protectively in front of Malfoy. Malfoy nudged them out of the way, 'go away,' he told them. They looked surprised but lumbered off anyway.
Malfoy crossed his arm. 'What do you want?' he said.
'What's your problem?' Harry snapped.
'My problem?' Malfoy raised an eyebrow.
'Since we've been back you've been a right prat!'
'We're not friends Potter!' Malfoy snapped. 'We share a common relative, that's it!'
Harry opened his mouth to respond but Malfoy cut him off.
"God you're so stupid! Walking around this place like you're so special. Oh, look at me, the great Harry Potter. I faint when I see a Dementor but at least I can ride a Hippogriff!' Malfoy looked at Buckbeak, 'I bet you're not dangerous at all, are you? You great ugly brute!'
It happened in a flash. Buckbeak reared up on his back legs towering over Harry and Malfoy. Without even thinking Harry grabbed Malfoy and spun him around behind him. Harry gasped, and they both fell to the ground, as an agonising tore through his arm. He turned to see Hagrid wrestling Buckbeak into his collar while the rest of the class gapped at him and Malfoy.
Harry glanced down to see blood flowing out over his arm.
He blinked. 'I'm bleeding,' he said dumbly.
"Harry!' Hermione ran over. 'Harry! Are you OK?'
Harry looked up and saw Hagrid, right before he was lifted into the air.
'You're going to be fine,' Hagrid said, his voice shaking, as he carried him away.
Harry glanced over Hagrid's shoulder and saw Malfoy, who looked even paler than normal, staring after him. For some reason, he found that funny and giggled into Hagrid's chest.
'Don't tell 'irus,' Harry mumbled before he closed his eyes and went to sleep.
Remus's first day of teaching had gone rather well. Peeves had been following him around all day. He suspected Peeves was trying to figure out if he was still a bit of a trouble maker or if he was a straight-laced professor now. Apparently, he hadn't figured it out yet.
Remus arrived early to dinner. There were only a few students in the great hall. He took a seat on the staff table next to Professor McGonagall, it still didn't feel right calling her Minerva.
'Good first day?' McGonagall asked.
Remus nodded. 'Fred and George Weasley are certainly interesting,' he said.
Professor McGonagall laughed. 'They are, they remind me of…' Her smiled slipped and Remus froze. He knew who they reminded her off. He tried to think of something to say to change the topic and diffuse the sudden awkwardness, but thankfully was they were interrupted by Lucius Malfoy's son walking over to the table.
From everything Remus had heard, the younger Malfoy wasn't much different than his father. He'd seen Malfoy and his friends mocking Harry after the incident on the train. When he'd gone over to check everything was okay Malfoy had scurried off.
'Here we go,' McGonagall muttered.
'Ex … excuse me Professor McGonagall,' Malfoy said rather politely. 'I … I was wondering if you could tell me … is Potter's okay?'
Remus's stomach dropped. Was Harry hurt? McGonagall raised an eyebrow at Malfoy. 'He's fine, Mr Malfoy. You should go back to your table.'
'Right, thank you.' Malfoy hurried away.
'That was odd,' McGonagall said.
'Harry was hurt?' Remus could hear the concern in his voice, but pretending Harry was just another student didn't matter in that moment.
McGonagall's head snapped towards Remus and her face softened at whatever she saw there. 'He's going to be fine Remus. There was … an incident … in his Care of Magical Creatures class. He cut his arm … badly. Poppy healed the cut but he lost a lot of blood before he got to the hospital wing so she's keeping him over night.'
Remus's heart was hammering as he listened to Professor McGonagall. When she'd finished speaking he stood up from the table.
'Excuse me,' he said.
'Remus,' he heard her call after him. 'Remus, that's not a good idea.'
He ignored her. He felt her eyes watching him as he left the hall.
Harry slowly opened his eyes. He looked around and was unsurprised to see he was in the hospital wing. He smiled as he saw Ron and Hermione's blurry, anxious faces watching him.
'Hey,' he mumbled.
Hermione started and Ron laughed. 'You're awake' Hermione cried wrapping her arms around him.
'Don't suffocate him,' Ron joked.
'Sorry.' Hermione pulled away and Harry was able to reach for his glasses.
'How long was I asleep?' he asked as the world came back into focus.
'A few hours,' Hermione said.
'Yeah, we're going to miss dinner.'
'Ron!' Hermione slapped him on the arm.
Harry smiled. 'What happened?' he asked. He flinched as a sharp pain cut through his arm as he tried to sit up.
'You don't remember?' Ron said. 'Malfoy was being a twat and the Hippogriff tried to attack him. You flung him out of the way and then there was blood everywhere. We didn't know how badly you were hurt. It looked real bad. You should've just let the Hippogriff attack Malfoy!'
'Ron!'
'Sorry Hermione.'
Hermione looked at Harry. 'We came straight here but they wouldn't let us see you at first,' she said. Harry noticed her eyes were red.
'I'm fine, Hermione, promise.'
Something occurred to Harry. 'What about Malfoy? Is he OK?'
Ron scoffed. 'He didn't even get a scratch.'
'He was really quiet after Hagrid carried you away though,' Hermione said.
'Hagrid!' Harry realised. 'It was his first class! He must be so upset!'
'I'm sure Hagrid's fine,' Hermione didn't sound like she believed it.
'We should go see him,' Harry said. 'Tonight.'
'That's not a good idea,' Hermione said nervously.
'Yeah,' Ron agreed, 'what about Sirius Black? And your tea leaves?'
Harry was about to argue but just then the doors burst open and Professor Lupin rushed in.
'Harry!' he said. 'You're okay.'
Ron and Hermione exchanged a puzzled look. Harry smiled at Lupin.
'I'm fine,' he told the professor, 'I've had much worse.' Lupin didn't look at all comforted by that. He approached Harry cautiously.
'You two can go if you want,' Harry told Ron and Hermione, 'you must be hungry.'
Ron and Hermione got up, and after giving Harry a look that said he'd have a lot of explaining to do, they left.
Lupin sat down on the arm chair next to Harry's bed.
'I'm sorry,' Lupin said. 'I hope I didn't interrupt, I just wanted to check on you. After what happened on the train, and now this, you've had a rough few days.'
'Thank you, it means a lot that you visited.'
The two smiled at each other before a heavy silence set in. Harry didn't know what to say. There was so much he wanted to ask Lupin about: his parents, Sirius, Peter Pettigrew … but he couldn't find the words.
'I should get going,' Lupin said, 'and you should get some rest.'
Harry nodded, watching as the professor walked towards the door.
'Professor?' Harry called.
Lupin turned around in the doorway. 'Yes, Harry?'
'I …I'm really looking forward to your class.'
Lupin smiled. 'Thank you, Harry. 'I'll see you soon.'
