I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANYTHING AFFILIATED WITH IT. I ONLY OWN DEVYN AND HER PARENTS.

Chapter 4

The rest of the train ride passed in mostly silence, although when Moony came back, they got to talking about what the year would entail. Ron tried to ask Moony what he was doing on the train, but he only smiled and gave him the same answer Devyn did.

About half an hour after the Dementor incident, Fred and George found their way into their cabin and asked if they were all right. They had been rather surprised to see Moony, but they didn't question it. They were smart boys anyway – they'd probably already figured it out, but it wasn't hard to do.

After Fred and George left to go check on Ginny, wherever she was, quiet fell once more as Hermione pulled out a book to read, Harry stared off into the distance, brooding over something, Ron was eating his way through a small pile of Chocolate Frogs, and Neville and Devyn picked up their Exploding Snap game.

Usually, they were all very talkative on the train, but the Dementor really spooked them all, and Devyn was growing more and more concerned about Harry. However, should anything happen this year, there were plenty of people who he could go to. He could go talk to Dumbledore, McGonagall, maybe even Moony if he felt like it. And if he didn't want to talk to them, he knew he could always come to her, right?

As the train screeched to a halt a second time and the sounds of students disembarking were heard, Devyn felt an enormous warmth encompass her that had nothing to do with the chocolate Moony had given her, although that had been very delicious.

"Now, remember," Moony said to her, looking serious. "You'll have to be careful not to call me 'Moony' when we're in class. It's Professor Lupin now. Okay?"

Devyn tried not to laugh at Moony's serious face, but she found it very hard to do. She nodded and Moony ruffled her hair playfully. "Stop laughing. It's not funny. You can call me Moony when it's just you and me, or when Harry and the other are around, but when we're in class…"

"I've got it, Moony. Really," Devyn replied, still grinning. He raised an eyebrow and Devyn rolled her eyes. "I've got it, Professor Lupin."

Moony smiled and said, "All right. Now go on. You've got to catch a carriage, don't you?"

Devyn nodded and followed Neville and the others off the train. Once they stepped onto the platform in Hogsmeade, they immediately listened for the familiar voice they all knew.

It was only seconds before they heard it.

"FIRS' YEARS THIS WAY! COME ON NOW!"

Hagrid's voice was easily heard above all of the others and the five of them waded through the crowd of students to get over to him.

"Hey, Hagrid!" Harry called. Hagrid looked down and smiled at them through his beard.

"Ah, there's me favorite students. How was yer summers?" Hagrid asked.

"Good," they all answered, smiling up at their eight foot plus friend. Hagrid nodded and said, "Tha's good. Well, you five had best be grabbin' a carriage, before you hafta end up with someone you don't like." He winked and nodded in the direction of the horseless carriages that had taken them up to the school last year (with the exception of Harry and Ron).

They nodded and went on their way, occasionally pointing Hagrid out to first years that were having trouble getting through the crowd. Devyn noticed that they seemed a lot smaller than she had been when she was a first year. However, she realized that was probably only because she had grown quite a bit over the summer. She wasn't as tall as Neville, but she was taller than Hermione (which she hadn't been last year), so that proved she was growing.

Luckily, as they reached a carriage and Devyn pulled the door open, it was empty. Last year had been a little annoying because they had had to share a carriage with Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown. Parvati had been perfectly fine, but the entire ride had consisted of Lavender and Hermione drooling over the thought of having Gilderoy Lockhart as their teacher, while Neville, Devyn, and Parvati rolled their eyes continuously.

This year, however, was much better; Gilderoy Lockhart wasn't mentioned once. Within ten minutes, they had reached the massive castle known as Hogwarts. This was the part that Devyn loved the most. Just when you got back to Hogwarts, and you saw that castle again, you realized how much you really missed it, and how happy you are to see it again.

They got out of the carriage and made sure they had everything with them. They walked up to the main doors, pushing past a few people to get there. Devyn was so focused on just getting inside the castle that she even pushed past Malfoy, not even paying him any attention when he made some crack about her and Neville.

He can think what he wants. I'm too happy to be bothered by him right now, Devyn thought. She thought that was a rather good advancement on her part. Ignoring Draco Malfoy had been, in the past years, close to impossible, but she suddenly found that it was getting easier. Malfoy had been making the same jokes and cracks about her and her friends for three years now; what he was saying simply didn't bother her anymore.

As she entered the Great Hall with her friends, she saw Professor Flitwick gathering students as he spotted them. It took Devyn a moment to realize that these students were in the choir that Flitwick put together.

"Oh, is the Frog Choir performing tonight?" Hermione asked aloud, when she realized what Flitwick was doing. Devyn shrugged and said, "They must be."

They amused themselves for a bit watching Flitwick amass different students, and then send those students off to find other members, but eventually other Gryffindors in their year started showing up, so they got to talking with them.

Seamus and Dean showed up shortly after Devyn, Neville, and the others did, and Seamus took the seat directly opposite Devyn. Neville narrowed his eyes slightly but didn't say anything. Seamus either didn't notice this, or ignored it.

Seamus smiled at her and said, "So, Devyn how was your summer?"

Even Dean raised an eyebrow at his friend's tone of voice. It was light, but somewhat meaningful. Devyn genuinely didn't know what to make of it. She shrugged and said, "It was good. Neville and I hung out a lot over the summer."

Seamus looked slightly jealous for a second and Neville smiled (somewhat triumphantly) at Seamus. Devyn caught Parvati's eye, who had just sat down next to Dean. She merely shrugged.

"How was your summer, Seamus?" Devyn said, trying to be polite.

"Oh, you know…fine. So…excited to go to Hogsmeade this year?"

Devyn nodded and Seamus grinned. "I was wondering, whenever the first trip is, would you want –"

Whatever Seamus was going to say (and Devyn had a pretty good idea what it was) was interrupted by McGonagall announcing that Flitwick and the Frog Choir was about to perform, so they had to quiet down.

Thank you, McGonagall, Devyn thought in relief. Also, it was probably a good thing that Seamus didn't finish what he was going to say because Neville's face had been growing darker and darker with every syllable that Seamus uttered. It wasn't that she didn't like Seamus….he was nice enough, but she just wasn't interested in him.

She was interested in someone else.

And by 'someone else , you mean Neville.

Snow's voice echoed in her head and she internally growled at her.

Oh, relax, Devyn. You know it's true.

Shut up.

You think you may be able to hide it from everyone else, but you can't lie to yourself, Devyn. You and I are one in the same, remember?

Look, we've had this conversation before. Having Neville as a friend –

-is better than not having him at all. Yeah, I know. But still. I wish you could see the way you two act. Everyone else can see it. Neville likes you. You like him. Get it over with, already!

Snow…stay out of it.

But –

Please.

Fine, fine. Just remember, you can't fool me.

With that, Snow's voice vanished from her mind and went back into the little corner that she usually inhabited. She turned her attention towards the Frog Choir, which included students from all years second and up, from all houses, each of which was holding a very large toad.

Devyn found it odd that they were holding toads and it was called the Frog Choir, but she didn't think too much on it. After all, Frog Choir does sound better than Toad Choir.

Professor Flitwick, who was standing in front of the students, held up his wand and started conducting. Within seconds the students started singing:

In the cauldron boil and bake

Fillet of a fenny snake

Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf

Witch's mummy, maw and gulf

Double, double, toil and trouble

Fire burn and cauldron bubble

Double, double, toil and trouble

Fire burn and cauldron bubble

Double, double, toil and trouble

Fire burn and cauldron bubble

Something wicked this way comes!

The entire Great Hall burst into applause when the Frog Choir was finished, and the toad right in the middle gave a rather loud croak. Flitwick took a bow and moved off to the side as the students dispersed back to their own tables. Once every student was seated and Flitwick had taken his seat up at the Head Table, Dumbledore stood up for his Welcoming speech.

He approached the podium with the owl on it and his light blue robes swished this way and that as he walked.

"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! Now, I'd like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who's kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck, Professor!"

Moony stood up and bowed modestly while Devyn, Harry, Hermione, Neville, and all of the Weasleys cheered so loudly that they may have deafened those around them. The rest of the Gryffindors applauded politely, as did the Ravenclaws and the Hufflepuffs, but the Slytherins were being apathetic with their applause.

"Of course!" Hermione said, looking at Harry, who was smiling at Moony. "That's why he knew to give you the chocolate, Harry."

"I honestly can't believe I didn't figure it out that Professor Lupin was the DADA teacher this year," Ron said, looking stunned. "I mean, what other opening was there?"

The rest of them just laughed jokingly at Ron, who was looking perplexed with himself. However, he had no time to ponder the inner workings of his own mind because Malfoy, who had finally realized that slicking his hair back wasn't a good look, leaned across the gap between the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables and said, "Potter…Potter!"

When Harry turned around to look at Malfoy, he smirked and said, "Is it true you fainted?"

Hermione, Ron, Devyn, and Neville all adopted annoyed expressions and Devyn cast a threatening glare at the Slytherins when one of them mock-fainted. Malfoy laughed at his housemate and said, "I mean, you actually fainted?"

"Shove off, Malfoy," Ron said, turning Harry back around by pushing his shoulder. Harry ground his teeth and said, "How did he find out?"

"Just forget it," Hermione said. Fred leaned over towards Harry and said, "Don't worry about Malfoy, Harry."

George also leaned over and said, "Yeah, ignore him. He wasn't so brave when he came running into our compartment, was he, Fred?"

"Nah, he was nearly messing his pants, he was."

The seven of them shared a brief laugh over the mental image of Malfoy running scared right into the compartment of the Weasley twins. After that, they turned their attention back to their Headmaster.

"As some of you may know, Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs," Dumbledore told them. A few students looked mildly put out at the fact that Kettleburn wouldn't be teaching them, but the rest of the students looked curious as to who would be replacing him.

"Fortunately, I am delighted to announce that his place will be taken by none other than our own…Rubeus Hagrid!"

The second Hagrid's name left Dumbledore's mouth, and McGonagall nudged Hagrid to stand up (which he did, beaming shyly) the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs all cheered as loud as Devyn had for Moony. Once again the Slytherins were being lazy and rude. Hermione whooped and Seamus whistled through his fingers and Dean had to force him to sit down again.

Once the noise had quieted down, Dumbledore continued, "Finally on a more disquieting note, at the request of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban, until such a time as Sirius Black is captured."

If there was any side-chattering going on, all of it ceased when Dumbledore mentioned the Dementors – you could have heard a pin drop.

"The Dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds. Now, whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt our day to day activities, a word of caution…Dementors are vicious creatures. They'll not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one that gets in their way."

Yeah, I know, Devyn thought, glancing at Harry. He was still looking peaky, although the chocolate had returned most of his color. Thank Merlin for Moony.

"Therefore," Dumbledore continued, "I must warn each and every one of you: give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving. But, you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times…if only one remembers to turn on the light."

On that note, Dumbledore finished his speech and the feast began. Devyn kept thinking about the Dementors and Sirius Black. And what Black had to do with Harry? Yes, according to Mr. Weasley, Black escaped from Azkaban to go after Harry, because Harry defeated Voldemort. But there was something else. Something in that story just didn't add up. But what?

"You all right, Devyn?" Neville asked, snapping her out of her thoughts. She looked at him. "You've barely eaten."

She smiled at Neville and said, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking."

"Well, stop thinking for a minute and start eating. What are you thinking about?"

"Things. Just…things."

Neville gave her a look. "We discussed this last year. No more secrets. Now, seriously, what are you thinking about?"

Devyn blinked as she chewed a piece of delicious steak before saying quietly, "Honestly…Black. And the Dementors. And Harry. Something about this whole story doesn't make sense. I just don't know what."

Neville looked at her with empathy in his eyes. "I get it. Just…try not to worry too much. The odds of Black actually getting to Harry are not Black's favor, especially with the Dementors around."

"Yeah…yeah, I suppose you're right."

And the horrible thing was, she wanted to believe in what Neville was saying to her, she wanted to so desperately, but…something in her was telling her that wasn't true. She didn't want Harry to be in danger of becoming the prey of a mad mass murderer, but that sort of thing just happened to Harry. He didn't go looking for danger, danger usually found him.

But there was still that nagging suspicion that there was something that everyone was keeping from her, and more importantly, Harry. What, though?