I do not own Harry Potter. Charlotte Potter is my OC.

Darn Dementors

When Mrs. Weasley knocked on her bedroom door, calling for her to get up, Charlie trudged out of bed. She got dressed and went into the parlour for breakfast. She wasn't particularly hungry, but she managed to eat a plate of eggs and toast so Mrs. Weasley would be pacified.

When they were finished eating the Hogwarts students collected their trunks and went outside the Leaky Cauldron, where two gleaming black Ministry cars were waiting by the curb. The trunks were loaded into the boots and they piled into the cars. Harry, Hermione, Charlie and Ron were squeezed in the backseat with their animal cages in their laps. Mr. Weasley and a wizard from the Ministry were in the front.

"This is sort of weird, don't you think?" whispered Harry.

Ron shrugged. "Well, Dad said they owed him a favour," he replied in an equally low voice.

"There are better ways for a favour to be paid, though."

The redhead's brow furrowed. "Huh. I didn't think about it like that."

"I think it's very nice of them," spoke Hermione. "What do you think, Charlie?"

"Yeah, nice," said Charlie, resting her chin against her knuckles as she looked out the window.

Very nice of them to keep me protected from a mass murderer.

They arrived at King's Cross and they all trooped into the station. Muggles sent them odd looks as they went by and Charlie found herself peering into the early morning commuter crowd, as if Black might be hiding amongst them.

Great. I'm not even at Hogwarts yet and I'm already paranoid.

Mr. Weasley directed them through the barrier and two by two they appeared on Platform 9 ¾. The scarlet engine brought Charlie a sense of comfort. This time the threat was outside of the castle, and surely it would be impossible for Black to get inside its walls.

Mr. Weasley came up next to her and said, "Charlotte, can I speak to you for a moment?"

"Sure."

He wandered away from the others, his eyes peering warily at Mrs. Weasley, who was currently fussing over Ginny. "There's no easy way to say this, but—"

"Sirius Black wants to kill me." Mr. Weasley gaped at her and Charlie said in embarrassment, "I overheard you and Mrs. Weasley speaking last night. Sorry."

"This is exactly why I wanted to tell you," said Mr. Weasley with a worried frown. "You have a tendency to know far more than you're supposed to."

"I know," muttered Charlie. "But I'll behave this year."

"It's imperative that you do," said Mr. Weasley sternly. "I need you to promise me that you won't go looking for Sirius Black."

"I won't," said Charlie quickly. "I promise."

"Good. I really hope you didn't worry yourself silly. I would have preferred to tell you myself."

"It's okay," assured Charlie. "Really. Thank you for telling me."

"You're welcome, Charlotte."

He gave her a strong hug and led her back over to Mrs. Weasley, who just finished embracing Hermione and Harry. Mrs. Weasley gave Charlie a hug and bid goodbye. Charlie, Hermione, Ron and Harry lugged their trunks onto the train. They found a compartment that had one very familiar occupant.

"Wow, talk about lucky," said Harry with a grin. "Guys, meet our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

"Your uncle is going to teach at Hogwarts?" asked Hermione in excitement.

"Yeah," said Harry proudly. "Dumbledore asked him to teach this year."

They placed their trunks in the luggage racks above the seats. Harry sat beside his uncle, who was dead asleep, and his friends sat across from him.

"Why didn't you tell us?" asked Charlie.

"I wanted it to be a surprise," replied Harry.

"Is he all right?" Ron asked in bemusement.

"Oh, he's fine. He didn't get much sleep last night, since he was preparing for his first lessons and all." Harry prodded his uncle and chuckled when he didn't stir. "He can be a really heavy sleeper sometimes."

"So if I needed to tell you something I didn't want anyone else to know, he wouldn't hear it?" wondered Charlie.

"Considering how loud he's snoring, definitely not."

"What happened?" asked Hermione seriously.

"I don't know if you noticed Mr. Weasley pulling me away. He told me that Sirius Black is after me. He wants to kill me."

Hermione gasped in horror. "Oh, no!"

Harry shook his head in dismay. "Why can't we get a year to just relax and not fear for our lives?"

"I don't know why you're complaining. Black is after me, not you," Charlie pointed out.

"So you assume," muttered Harry.

The group was silent for a moment. "Do you think Black knows about you and Charlie?" Ron whispered.

Hermione frowned. "I don't see how he could. It seems like only a few select people know, including Professor Lupin and Professor Dumbledore. If Voldemort doesn't know, how could Black?"

"Did Professor Lupin sign your permission slip for Hogsmeade?" Charlie directed at Harry.

"Yeah. Why?"

"You're safe," said Charlie dryly. "For obvious reasons, my aunt and uncle refused to sign mine. But when I asked Mr. Fudge, he also refused. I thought it was just because he wasn't my guardian. Now I know it's because he didn't want me in plain sight in Hogsmeade with little protection."

"But we were going to have so much fun," said Ron in disappointment. "My entire life I've had to hear stories about Hogsmeade and all the cool stuff they have. I was looking forward to exploring with you lot."

"Don't worry about it," said Charlie. "I have another story that's much less depressing, if you want to hear it."

"Please," said Harry.

She told them all about Snape's visit and Ron gaped at her. "He actually showed concern for your well-being? I don't believe it. It must have been because Dumbledore ordered him to."

"Professor Snape did save Charlie's life in our first year, and he was much less mean to her last year," Hermione said. "Maybe he's beginning to change his attitude towards her."

Ron rolled his blue eyes. "Can you get him to expand that change in attitude to the rest of us?"

To pass the time, Hermione dug out a deck of Muggle playing cards and she and Charlie taught Ron and Harry some card games. The hours blurred by as they played game after game, and they were in the middle of a rousing round of Crazy Eights when the lights flickered twice before going out completely.

Frightened cries of students rang out from the other compartments and the four kids tensed. "What's going on?" asked Hermione nervously.

"I don't know," Harry whispered.

The train started to slow down before it came to a complete stop with a rough lurch. Unprepared for the movement they collided into the fold-out table with yelps of surprise and pain. A bright light illuminated their compartment and Remus' tired, sunken face regarded them all in concern. "Are you kids okay?" he asked softly, taking Harry's arm in a comforting grip.

"We're fine, Uncle Remus," said Harry. "Why did the train stop?"

He moved alert eyes towards the door. "I'll go see if I can find out. Don't move."

He had just straightened up when the compartment door slid open. Charlie's green eyes locked onto the creature whose body, if it had one, was covered by a long black cloak. The hood was pulled fully over its face. Harry, Ron and Hermione made sounds of terror but they seemed to be coming from a great distance even though they were right beside her. A chill engulfed her from the inside out, as if she were being slowly frozen. She wanted to shiver but she couldn't feel her body and her vision disappeared. She was drowning in darkness and a terrible screaming came from the depths of her memory.

"Charlie! Wake up!"

Something hard struck the side of her face and Charlie bolted upright. She was gasping for breath, sweat pouring down her face. "What?" she wheezed. "What?"

"It's okay," said Remus softly. He grasped Charlie's hand and helped her stand. He eased her back into her seat and motioned for the others to do the same. Harry and Ron were pale and Hermione was trembling. "I have something that can help."

He removed a chocolate bar from his pocket and broke it into chunks. He passed them out and Harry immediately popped his piece into his mouth. "That was awful," he murmured.

"Are you all right, pup?" Remus asked, moving his fingers tenderly through his brunette strands.

"Fine," Harry breathed. "Was that a Dementor?"

"Yes," said Remus grimly. "I brought the chocolate in preparation for Hogwarts. I didn't think they'd have the audacity to barge onto the Hogwarts Express."

"I felt like the happiness was being drained from me," whimpered Hermione as she nibbled on her chocolate.

"That's what they're meant to do."

"How did you get rid of that thing?" croaked Ron.

"With a Patronus Charm. It's a very tricky spell and it happens to be the only defense against a Dementor. Mr. Weasley, I presume?"

"That's me," the redhead confirmed and offered his hand to shake.

Remus smiled and shook it firmly. "I've heard much about the lot of you from my ward here. I apologize for not introducing myself last year when we encountered one another."

"That's okay," said Ron. "Er, it probably wasn't the right time for it, anyway."

"Quite so."

"I'm Hermione Granger," piped up Hermione. "It's very nice to meet you."

"Likewise," said Remus warmly, accepting her outstretched hand. "Harry tells me you're best in their year."

Hermione beamed. "Did he?"

"Just speaking the truth," said Harry.

"And of course it's a pleasure to meet you, Charlotte." Remus regarded the raven-haired girl with concern. "Though I wish it was under better circumstances. Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah, a bit." Charlie mumbled; her eyes half-lidded.

"You really scared us," said Harry with a frown. "You just collapsed."

"Did…did no one else?" asked Charlie uncertainly.

"No, but there's no shame in it," assured Remus. "People react to Dementors in different ways."

In the ten minutes left before the train reached the castle, Remus spent the time wandering between the compartments, checking on the other students. The twins and Ginny came to check on Ron, and by the time they finished talking they arrived at the station. The students swarmed off the train and down the path that led to the hundreds of carriages that would carry them to the castle. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Charlie claimed a carriage and soon they were off, pulled by an invisible force.

"Oh, no," said Ron with wide eyes.

Charlie followed his gaze and her heart stuttered in her chest at the sight of two more Dementors guarding the Hogwarts gates.

No no don't faint don't faint don't—

She was drowning in darkness. Ice was in her veins and the screaming just wouldn't stop. It sounded so far away and she tried to move towards it, but she couldn't. She was stuck. She felt like she was falling deeper and deeper—

"Charlie!"

She jolted with a strangled gasp. When her vision cleared, she found herself lying against Hermione, who was near tears. "I'm sorry!" she cried. "I'm sorry I had to slap you again!"

"It's fine," said Charlie with a groan.

The students in the neighbouring carriages were staring at her. Whispering immediately erupted and Ron glared furiously at them. "Oi! Mind your own business!"

Charlie's limbs felt like jelly and there was no chocolate to dispel the cold this time. "How about this time?" she asked weakly. "Anyone else faint this time?"

Harry winced. "No."

They reached the castle and Charlie tried to stand, but every limb shook violently. "I got you," said Ron quickly.

He knelt low and Charlie managed to climb onto his back. Her arms hung limply around his neck and Ron gripped her legs to keep her secure. As they walked up the stone steps, they encountered Draco and Pansy, who looked utterly delighted by Charlie's plight.

"Ah, what's the matter?" sneered Pansy. "Did the little Dementor scare baby Potter?"

"How humiliating," laughed Draco. "Grow a backbone, Potter."

"Put a sock in it," snapped Fred, coming up behind the Slytherin pair.

"You're one to talk," scoffed George. "You're the one who ran into our compartment, practically wetting yourselves."

"Shut up, Weasley," snarled Draco, his face flushing red. "You don't know what you're talking about."

They stormed on ahead and by the time they gathered in front of the Great Hall, all anyone could talk about was the Dementors. Ron tried setting Charlie on the floor and she managed to keep her footing, though she couldn't stop shaking.

"She fainted for the second time when we went by the Dementors at the gates," said Hermione worriedly to Fred and George.

"You ought to go to Madam Pomfrey," said Fred seriously.

"I'm fine," said Charlie firmly.

The doors opened and McGonagall strode out. She ordered the students to settle down and to file into the Great Hall. Her keen eyes spotted Hermione and Charlie among the crowd and she said, "Miss Granger, if you could follow me to my office. Miss Potter, please wait in the Entrance Hall."

Ron and Harry shot them curious glances and Charlie shrugged. Hermione went with McGonagall and Charlie stood off to the side as everyone else entered the Great Hall. Flitwick soon came out with Madam Pomfrey and Charlie winced.

"I'm fine," she said quickly. "Really."

"I'll be the judge of that," said Pomfrey crisply. "To the infirmary wing."

Quelling a sigh, Charlie trudged after them. Once she was in the infirmary she obediently sat on a cot and held still as Pomfrey checked her over. Flitwick was pacing in front of her, muttering to himself. "I can't believe this. Sending a Dementor onto a train full of students. What was he thinking?"

He?

"A fool," said Pomfrey in annoyance.

Definitely not talking about Dumbledore.

"Will she need to spend the night here?" asked Flitwick.

Oh, please no. Draco and Pansy would have a field day.

"She's a bit pale, but nothing some chocolate won't fix."

Pomfrey pulled a piece from her pocket and Charlie wondered if every teacher carried some of it around with them now that the Dementors were on Hogwarts property. She gratefully accepted it and popped the candy into her mouth.

"Thank you."

"You're very welcome." Pomfrey pulled out her wand and ran it over Charlie. Charlie was familiar with this magic, as it had been used on her last year. Pomfrey seemed pleased by the data this time around. "You've gained some weight, I see. We'll keep on with the vitamins, but I think it's safe to skip a meal now and then."

"That does not mean every day," Flitwick said sharply. "If you fall back on old habits—"

"I won't!"

Deeming her to be in good health, they sent her back to the Great Hall. Charlie ignored the stares aimed at her as she walked to Ravenclaw table. She settled on an empty section of the bench and it wasn't long before Hermione arrived.

"What was that about?"

"Nothing, really," Hermione said dismissively. "What about you?"

"I guess Professor Lupin told Professor Flitwick that I fainted on the train. Madam Pomfrey wanted to take a look at me."

"Did you tell her you fainted twice?"

"No. I expect that would have landed me in the infirmary for the night, and that's not how I want to spend my first evening at Hogwarts." When Hermione frowned in disapproval Charlie said reassuringly, "I feel much better now."

"Well, that's the main thing," said Hermione, relenting. "I'm glad you're okay."

Eventually the first-years were escorted into the Great Hall. When the Sorting Ceremony finished, Dumbledore stood. "Welcome everyone to another year at Hogwarts! There are a few points I must touch upon before we tuck into the delicious food.

"As you may have noticed, the Azkaban guards, Dementors, have been stationed around the castle. They are a precautionary measure to ensure Sirius Black does not get anywhere near Hogwarts. Curfew must be obeyed. You will not wander the grounds at night. The Dementors are not fooled by such tricks like Disillusionment Charms or Invisibility Cloaks."

"Good to know," Charlie muttered under her breath.

"It is my great pleasure and honour to introduce our newest staff members. Professor Lupin will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor."

Seated at the High Table, Remus gave a wave and a small smile. As Charlie applauded, she noticed Snape's glare of pure loathing. He looked as if he would like nothing more than to fling Remus out of the castle himself.

Geez. He really wants that job.

"Professor Kettleburn retired last year. Taking over his position will be Hagrid!"

"Knew it," said Charlie with wide grin.

Dumbledore also introduced the new Head Boy and Head Girl, which happened to be Percy and Penelope Clearwater. After that, food appeared on the table, filling the golden plates, and Dumbledore beamed. "That is all! Enjoy the feast!"

...

"What was that man thinking?" hissed McGonagall in fury.

Dumbledore's blue eyes were cold with displeasure, unseen by the cheerful students. "It seems Fudge thought Sirius Black would somehow find a way to sneak onto the train. I tried to persuade him that it was a ridiculous notion, but he apparently had no need for my input. Were any students negatively affected?"

"Of course they were," said McGonagall irritably. "They're Dementors. They're all terrified."

"Charlotte Potter fainted," informed Flitwick. "Thank you for alerting me, Remus."

"I thought you ought to know," said Remus. "Is she okay?"

"She was shaken, but she seemed to recover nicely after Poppy gave her some chocolate."

Remus frowned. "I gave her a piece on the train as well. Did she collapse again when she passed by the Dementors at the gates?"

"It appears so," said Flitwick with a sigh of exasperation. "Which she failed to mention. That girl."

"She seems to be in bright spirits now, so no harm done. I believe the four sat in your compartment, Remus. How was it?" Albus asked gently.

"It was wonderful," said Remus sincerely.

When the feast ended the students shuffled off to bed with full stomachs. Remus followed Dumbledore down the corridor and, when they were alone, he asked hesitantly, "Are you sure we can't tell them? I hear Charlie isn't happy with her relatives. I would be happy to take her in."

"I know," said Dumbledore kindly. "I want to give Charlotte a good life, but she is safest at her relatives. It is now more important than ever that we keep this a secret. Voldemort cannot know Charlotte has a twin."

"You're sure James never told Sirius?" pressed Remus. "Harry's so excited to go to Hogsmeade. I gave him permission, but if there's the slightest chance—"

"There isn't," interjected Dumbledore. "James gave me his word. And you know better than I do that James never broke a promise."

"It's as painful as I imagined," said Remus softly. "Seeing them side-by-side, unaware of who they truly are to each other."

"We will tell them," promised Dumbledore. "And we can only hope they will forgive us for decisions made on their behalf, with the full intent on ensuring they would be protected these many years."

...

Their first class of the following day was Divination, which all four of them had chosen. They crammed together at a small wooden table and sat on cushions with their shoes off. Thick perfume clouds drifted throughout the room. Their teacher, Professor Sybill Trelawney, had instructed them to read their tea leaves.

"Is she serious?" Charlie whispered to Harry.

"Really, what am I supposed to make of this?" Ron stuck his finger into his empty cup and gave the soggy tea leaves a prod. "It's a giant clump."

Hermione snorted and shook her head. So far, she considered the class nothing more than a load of rubbish. Charlie tipped her head back, draining the rest of her tea, and stared at the brown mess at the bottom.

"Miss Potter, please tell me the shape of your tea leaves."

Harry paused from flipping through his textbook, where he had been searching for inspiration, and he glanced at Charlie with an anticipatory grin. Ron mouthed 'giant clump' but she ignored him. Charlie stared at her leaves helplessly before suggesting, "A donkey?"

Several snickers broke out and Ron had to turn his head and muffle his laughter against his arm. Trelawney frowned and peered over her shoulder. The professor let out a sudden shriek, causing Charlie to jump a foot in the air. "What?" she cried.

"It's the Grim, dear! Your tea leaves form the Grim!"

Hermione stared at her in disbelief. "Professor, that looks nothing like the death omen!"

"I do believe I know more about the Inner Eye than you do, dear," said Trelawney with a sniff.

"What do you mean by a death omen?" asked Charlie, feeling her heartbeat pick up.

"If you see the Grim, you die soon after," Trelawney informed her sadly. "Be wary, Miss Potter. The Grim is in your future."

The large dog she had seen before the Knight Bus arrived. The book of death omens at Flourish and Blotts. Now this.

These are not the sort of coincidences that I like.

Harry gave his sister a sympathetic glance as Trelawney walked away. "You don't really believe her, do you?"

"Hard not to," confessed Charlie. "Remember I told you about the dog I saw?"

"It was just that—a dog," said Hermione with a scoff. "Really, Charlie, don't tell me you believe a word of what she says."

"I don't believe, per se. It's just weird."

"So is this class," said Hermione derisively.

Transfiguration was next. As McGonagall lectured, Charlie was distracted from her notes by Ron's elbow digging into her side. She glanced over at him and he motioned to Hermione. Her timetable rested by her arm, allowing her friends to get a peek.

According to one of the time slots, she had three classes at the same time.

She stared at Ron, who seemed just as clueless as she was. "Hermione?" Ron whispered. "How is this possible?"

He jabbed at her schedule and Hermione hastily stuffed it into her bag. "It's nothing. Probably a mistake."

Ron turned to Charlie and muttered, "Yeah, some mistake. She bought books for all those classes. And you know if it was really wrong, she'd get someone to fix it immediately."

"Mr. Weasley!" barked McGonagall. "Is there a matter of great importance that you wish to share it with the class?"

Panicked, Ron blurted, "Professor Trelawney said Charlie was going to die because she saw the Grim in her tea leaves."

McGonagall seemed to have the same opinion of Trelawney as Hermione did, and launched into a spiel of how it was utterly ridiculous, and that the Divination professor predicted a student's death every year.

"Got me out of that one," said Ron lowly.

Though Hermione was outraged by his trickery, Charlie was rather relieved to have an authority figure tell her it was all nonsense.