Chapter 5: Dementors Aren't the Nicest Beings

September first had finally arrived. Ron and Harry were walking downstairs to get some breakfast.

"The sooner we get on the train, the better," Ron said. "At least I can get away from Percy at Hogwarts. Now he's accusing me of dripping tea on his photo of Penelope Clearwater. You know," Ron grimaced, "his girlfriend. She's hidden her face under the frame because her nose has gone all blotchy…."

They soon arrived downstairs where they saw Mr. Weasley reading the Daily Prophet and Mrs. Weasley telling Claire, Hermione, and Ginny about a love potion she'd made as a young girl. Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, and Ginny were rather giggly, while Claire rolled her eyes and ate her breakfast. Ron and Harry sat down at the table and began eating.

After breakfast, everyone was in a rush to bring down their trunks and other belongings to be loaded in the cars. By the time everyone got their belongings downstairs, the cars the Ministry had sent had arrived. They marched across a short stretch of pavement toward the two old-fashioned dark green cars. Each car was driven by a furtive-looking wizard wearing a suit that was the same shade as the cars. Claire, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and to both Ron and Claire's disgust, Percy were riding in the same car.

The journey to King's Cross was uneventful. When they arrived at King's Cross and their belongings were on the trolleys, they made their way to Platform 9 3/4.

"Now, we're all traveling in pairs through the wall," Mrs. Weasley said. "Claire go with Percy."

"What?" Claire said. "But, I already had to sit in the car with him as he went on and on about his girlfriend. Don't you think that's-"

Mrs. Weasley gave her infamous glare and Claire shut up and went through the barrier with Percy. Mr. Weasley and Harry went through the barrier next.

"Ah, there's Penelope!" Percy said, smoothing his hair and going pink again.

Claire caught Harry's eye, and they both turned away trying to hide their laughter as Percy strode over to a girl with long, curly hair, walking with his chest thrown out so that she couldn't miss his shiny badge.

Claire rolled her eyes. "Desperate much?"

Once the remaining Weasleys and Hermione had joined them, Harry, Claire, Ron, and Hermione led the way to the end of the train, past packed compartments, to a carriage that was empty and placed their belongings in there before going back outside to say good-bye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

Mrs. Weasley kissed all her children, then Hermione, then Claire, and finally, Harry.

"Do take care, won't you, Harry?" Mrs. Weasley said as she straightened up, her eyes oddly bright. She then turned to Claire. "You as well, Claire, alright? I don't want you to end up in anymore life-threatening situations again like last year, ok?"

"No promises, Mrs. Weasley." Claire said.

Mrs. Weasley then opened her enormous handbag and distributed sandwiches to everyone.

"Claire, Harry," Mr. Weasley said quietly, "come over here a moment."

He jerked his head toward a pillar, and Claire and Harry followed him behind it, leaving the others crowded around Mrs. Weasley.

"You both know about Black," Mr. Weasley began. "But I need you both to look after each other. Black is a dangerous criminal."

"Arthur!" Mrs. Weasley called, who was now shepherding the rest onto the train. "Arthur, what are you doing? It's about to go!"

"They're coming, Molly!" Mr. Weasley said, but turned back to Claire and Harry and kept talking in a lower more hurried voice. "Listen, I want you both to give me your word-"

"-that we'll stay in the castle and be good children?" Claire said gloomily.

"Not entirely," Mr. Weasley said. "Claire, Harry, just keep an eye out for anything that seems suspicious. Look after one another and swear to me neither of you will go looking for Black; especially you Harry."

"Why would we go after someone who wants to kill us?" Harry questioned.

"Arthur, quickly!" Mrs. Weasley cried.

Steam was billowing from the train; it had started to move. Claire and Harry ran to the compartment door and Ron threw it open and stood back to let them in. The three of the leaned out the window and waved at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, but when they did this they noticed Mrs. Weasley was running toward them with Ron's rat in her hand.

"Ron!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. "Your rat!"

As Ron grabbed his rat from Mrs. Weasley through the window, Harry turned to Claire and whispered, "We should probably tell Ron and Hermione about Black."

"Yea," Claire agreed. However, Claire felt kind of nervous about telling them that Black was her uncle.

Harry seemed to notice her uneasiness and said, "You don't have to say he's your uncle. I won't say anything about it."

"No," Claire replied. "Thanks, though. It'd be worse if I didn't tell them."

When Ron came to them with his rat, Harry said, "Claire and I have something to tell you and Hermione in private."

"Ok," Ron replied.

"Where is Hermione?" Claire asked.

"She went ahead to look for a compartment. I think she went down that corridor. C'mon." Ron led the way down the corridor. They soon saw Hermione through one of the compartment windows. As they entered the compartment, they noticed a man sitting fast asleep next to the window. He was wearing shabby clothes and looked ill. Though quite young, his light brown hair was flecked with gray.

"Who's that?" Ron asked Hermione.

"Professor R.J. Lupin," Hermione said.

Claire noticed on the luggage rack above the man's head that there was a small, battered case held together with a large quantity of neatly knotted string. The name Professor R.J. Lupin was stamped across one corner in peeling letters.

"How d'you know that?" Ron questioned.

"It's on that bag," Claire said, pointing to the luggage rack above the sleeping man's head.

"Wonder what he teaches?" Ron said, frowning at Professor Lupin's pallid profile.

"You're a special kind of stupid, aren't you?" Claire said sarcastically, earning her a glare from Ron. "There's only one position open. Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Well, I hope he's up to it," Ron said doubtfully. "He looks like one good hex would finish him off, doesn't he? Anyway…" He turned to Harry and Claire. "What were you two going to tell Hermione and me?"

Harry and Claire took turns explaining about Sirius Black. When they'd finished, Ron looked speechless, and Hermione had her hands over her mouth. She finally lowered them to say, "Sirius Black escaped to come after you two? Oh, Claire, Harry….you'll have to be really, really careful this year. Don't go looking for trouble, Claire, Harry-"

"I don't go looking for trouble," Harry said, nettled. "Trouble usually finds me."

"I agree with that." Claire said. "And apparently it's in my genetics to get into life-threatening situations."

"How thick would they have to be, to go looking for a nutter who wants to kill them?" Ron said shakily.

"There's actually one more thing I should tell you and Hermione," Claire said.

"What is it?" Hermione asked.

"Well, um, Sirius Black might be my uncle," Claire muttered.

"YOUR WHAT?!" Hermione and Ron exclaimed, causing the sleeping Professor to stir in his sleep.

"Shhh!" Claire said. "Don't wake him up!"

"How is he your uncle?" Ron questioned.

"He was my mom's twin brother." Claire said.

"But he's your uncle, surely he wouldn't harm you." Hermione said.

"Hermione, he killed thirteen muggles in open air. I don't think that just because Claire's his niece that he'll go easy on her." Ron said.

"Gee, thanks, Ron. Now, I definitely feel safe." Claire muttered sarcastically.

"But they'll catch Black, won't they?" Hermione said. "I mean….eventually?"

Suddenly, the compartment began to rattle. The lights began to flicker and the train lurched, slowing down. Hermione, who was sitting next to Ron, slid down the seat, pinning Ron against the window. They shared an awkward glance before Hermione carefully slid to the other end of the seat and glanced at her watch.

Hermione frowned. "Why're we stopping? We can't be there yet…"

Claire had a bad feeling about what was going to happen. Harry stood up and slid the compartment door opened, peering into the corridor. All along the corridor, other students had their heads sticking out from their compartment doors trying to see what all the commotion was. The train jerked and the car swayed. Harry had to grab ahold to the side of the door to keep from falling down. When he regained his balance, the lights in the corridor began to flicker and die. One by one. Until all was dark.

"What's going on?" Ron questioned, as Harry felt his way back to his seat next to Claire.

Claire and Harry noticed a thin wisp of steam escaped from Ron's mouth.

"Dunno," Harry replied. "Maybe we've broken down?"

"Or maybe someone or something stopped the train on purpose." Claire said.

"Ouch!" Hermione explained. "Ron, that was my foot!"

Ron peered out the window as a dark silhouette appeared against the window. He used the sleeve of his shirt to wipe a patch of condensation from the window.

"There's something moving out there," Ron said. "I think people are coming aboard….."

Claire noticed that the air seemed to be getting colder. "Is it just me or has it gotten colder?"

"No, I feel it too-" Harry was cut off as the train swayed violently.

"What the hell was that?" Claire said.

Suddenly, a figure appeared outside their compartment door. They could see through the glass portion of the door a cloaked figure.

"Bloody hell." Ron's eyes widened as the cloaked figure reached for the handle. "What's happening?"

"Don't move." said a hoarse voice suddenly.

Professor Lupin appeared to have woken up at last. The figure began to rattle the door. There was a soft crackling noise and a shivering light filled the compartment. Professor Lupin was trying to stand up with his handful of fire held out in front of him.

But the door slid slowly open before Lupin could reach it.

The temperature in the room dropped drastically. The cloaked figure looked around the room and it stared at Claire and Harry. The creature drew a long, slow, rattling breath, as though it were trying to suck something more than air from its surroundings. An intense cold swept over all of them. Harry felt his own breath catch in his chest. The cold went deeper than his skin. It was inside his chest, it was inside his very heart…

Harry's eyes rolled up into his head. He couldn't see. He was drowning in cold. There was a rushing in his ears as though of water. He was being dragged downward, the roaring growing louder…

And then, he heard screaming, terrible, pleading screams. He wanted to help whoever it was, he tried to move his arms, but couldn't and he was soon seeing darkness.

Claire noticed Harry had passed out. The figure had turned to her and she began to hear the sound of drums. The same sound of drums that had haunted her for three years. She could feel coldness sweeping in her chest. She was just about to pass out when Professor Lupin exclaimed, "Expecto Patronum!"

A bright light illuminated the compartment making the creature retract, screaming (at least what sounded like screaming) in pain as though the light had burnt it. As soon as it disappeared, the temperature in the room was no longer cold or unsettling. The lights in the corridor and compartments began to turn on. Everyone released a breath they didn't know they'd held in. Claire was still a little shook up but pushed those feelings away as she remembered that Harry had passed out. Ron, Hermione, and Professor Lupin saw that he had fainted.

"Is he…." Hermione didn't finish his sentence but Claire could tell what she was about to say.

"No," Claire answered. "He just fainted."

"What was that thing?" Ron asked.

"A dementor." Professor Lupin said. "One of the dementors of Azkaban."

They looked at him in shock.

"You mean, those things guard Azkaban?" Claire questioned.

Lupin nodded. He took a chocolate bar from his cloak pocket and broke it into four pieces handing each of them one.

"Here," he said as he distributed the chocolate. "Eat these. They should make you feel better. I need to speak to the driver, excuse me…."

Lupin disappeared and Ron, Hermione, and Claire turned their attention to Harry who was still passed out.

"What should we do?" Claire asked.

"Try lightly slapping him awake," Hermione suggested.

"What? I'm not doing that!" Claire said.

"You slap me all the time. What's the difference?" Ron argued.

Hermione rolled her eyes, a habit she picked up from Claire, and was about to slap him herself when he woke up. His eyes opened revealing his emerald green eyes. Claire saw Harry was awake and relief flooded over her.

"Harry, are you alright?" Claire asked. "Here eat this."

Claire handed him the piece of chocolate. He looked at it confused.

"Professor Lupin said it would help us after that incident." Claire said.

Harry took the chocolate from Claire and began eating it. She was right it did make him feel better.

"What happened?" Harry asked.

Claire, Ron, and Hermione told them what had happened.

"I felt weird. Like I'd never be cheerful again." Ron said, shifting his shoulders uncomfortably.

"Did any of you pass out?" Harry asked.

The three of them shook their heads.

"No," Hermione said. "But Claire would've if Professor Lupin hadn't casted that spell that made those dementors go away."

"That's what those things were?" Harry said.

Claire nodded. "Apparently they guard Azkaban."

"Do you think they were looking for Sirius Black on the train?" Harry asked.

"It's possible." Claire said, hoping that Harry wasn't right about Sirius Black being on the train. "All I know is that those dementors aren't the nicest beings."

The remainder of the journey to Hogwarts was in silence. They were still a little shocked at what occurred on the train. The train soon stopped at Hogsmeade station and there was a great scramble to get off the train. It was freezing on the tiny platform; rain was driving down in icy sheets.

"Firs' years this way!" called a familiar voice. Claire, Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned and saw the gigantic outline of Hagrid at the other end of the platform, beckoning the terrified-looking new students forward for their traditional journey across the lake.

"All righ', you four?" Hagrid yelled over the heads of the crowd. They waved at him, but had no time to reply because the mass of people around them was shunting them away along the platform. The four of them followed the rest of the school along the platform and out onto a rough mud track, where at least a hundred stagecoaches awaited the remaining students, each pulled, Harry could only assume, by an invisible horse, because when they climbed inside and shut the door, the coach set off all by itself, bumping and swaying in position.

At last, the carriage swayed to a halt, and Hermione and Ron got out. Claire and Harry came out after them.

"You fainted, Potter? Is it true that you actually fainted?" Malfoy said in a delight voice.

Claire glared at Malfoy. "Shove off, Malfoy."

"Did you faint as well Smith?" Malfoy said loudly. "Did the scary old dementor frighten you too, Smith?"

"No," Claire lied. "But at least Harry and I weren't the ones who ran away screaming like a little girl in the Forbidden forest during first year."

Malfoy blushed in embarrassment and then glared at her. Claire rolled her eyes and Harry, Ron, and Hermione followed her as they walked away from Malfoy.

"Brilliant, Claire! Did you see Malfoy's face?" Ron praised.

"Potter! Smith! Granger! I want to see you three!"

Harry, Claire, and Hermione turned around, surprised. Professor McGonagall was calling over the heads of the crowds.

"There's no need to look so worried- I just want a word in my office," she told them. "Move along there, Weasley."

Ron stared as Professor McGonagall ushered Harry, Claire, and Hermione away from the chattering crowd; they accompanied her across the entrance hall, up the marble staircase, and along a corridor.

Once they were in her office, Professor McGonagall motioned for them to sit down. She settled herself behind her desk and said abruptly, "Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead to say that you were taken ill on the train, Potter."

Before Harry could reply, Madam Pomfrey had entered. Harry felt himself going red in the face. It was bad enough that he'd passed out, or whatever he had done, without everyone making all this fuss.

"I'm fine," he said, "I don't need anything-"

"Oh, it's you, is it?" Madam Pomfrey said. "I suppose you've been doing something dangerous again?"

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

They exchanged a dark look, and Madam Pomfrey clucked disapprovingly. She mumbled about how they shouldn't let dementors roam the school because he wouldn't be the only one to collapse.

"What does he need?" Professor McGonagall asked crisply. "Bed rest? Should he perhaps spend tonight in the hospital wing?"

"I'm fine!" Harry said, jumping up. The thought of what Draco Malfoy would say if he had to go to the hospital wing was torture.

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

"He had already had some," Claire spoke up. "Professor Lupin gave us all one."

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

"Are you sure you feel alright, Potter?" Professor McGonagall said sharply.

"Yes," Harry said.

"Very well. Kindly wait outside while I have a quick word with Miss Granger and Miss Smith about their course schedules, then we can go down to the feast together."

Harry stood outside while he waited for Claire and Hermione. When Harry left the room, Professor McGonagall turned to the girls.

"Now, Miss Smith, Miss Granger, you both have more than two electives. In order to make it possible for you to attend all your classes you must use this special device called a Timeturner." Professor McGonagall held up two necklaces that had a small hourglass at the end of it. "You must tell no one about this and you must only use it for getting to classes. If either of you abuse it in anyway there will be harsh consequences. I'm not too worried about either of you abusing it but it is important to understand that bad things happen to wizards and witches who muddle with time."

Professor McGonagall handed each of them a Timeturner and they left the room to head down to the feast. Harry, Claire, Hermione, and Professor McGonagall soon entered the Great hall and Professor McGonagall sat at the teachers table while Claire, Harry, and Hermione sat with Ron at the Gryffindor table.

"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" Professor Dumbledore announced. "I have a few things to day, before we become befuddled by our excellent feast. I myself am particularly looking forward to the flaming kiwi cups, which, while somewhat treacherous for those of us with facial hair…"

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat.

"Mm. Yes. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill post of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Good luck to you, Professor." Professor Dumbledore said. "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. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid!"

Harry, Claire, Hermione, and Ron stared at each other stunned and then applauded vigorously.

"That explains the books." Claire said.

"Finally," Dumbledore said turning grave, "on a more disquieting note, Hogwarts-at the request of the Ministry of Magic- will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban."

There was a murmur of apprehension that filled the hall.

"The dementors will be stationed at the entrances to the grounds. While they are under strict orders not to enter the castle itself, you will on occasion see them as you go about your daily activities. Under no circumstances are you to approach them. It is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving." Dumbledore continued. "Now, enjoy the feast!"

"Well, that was depressing," Claire muttered.

After dinner ended, the four friends walked to the seventh floor landing and approached the Fat Lady in the portrait. They said the password and entered the Gryffindor common room. They said good night to one another and went to their dorms. Harry and Ron entered the boys dormitory and unpacked their trunks and changed into the pajamas. Harry looked at the photo of his parents next to his bed.

"Good to be home, eh, Harry?" Ron said.

"Yea," Harry said. "it is."

So, if there's any errors grammar or spelling it's because I'm on limited time today and I really wanted to post this chapter.

Reply to reviews:

Rainpelt the Doctor: That's alright and that sucks that you have to suffer the Great lake effect.

OliviaNeith: I know I had a lot a fun writing George and Fred's talk with Harry. Don't worry though, they'll probably end up telling him more of the rules later on.

Natekleh: You're welcome and thank you for reading and supporting the story.

NicoleR85: Here's the new chapter!

Teckie De Cool: Me too. The twins are my favorite characters and I could totally picture them doing something like this.

Ghostwriter71: I would've hated to be in Harry's position with his talk with Fred and George.

Tenza: Yep, there are feelings. Thanks!

Rukia-chappy (Guest): Thank you for reading it!