Hey there! Before anything else, I would like to send a big old "THANK YOU SO FREAKING MUCH!" to all those who commented and favorite this story. So this chapter is dedicated to you guys. Hope you like it.

Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter or Cirque Du Freak. If I did, then they would've met up a looooong time ago.

"Speaking"

"Thinking"

"Sounds"

Harry Potter Point of View

"We missed the sorting!" Hermione said, sounding disappointed. Harry didn't really mind though. His mind was a bit preoccupied by his thoughts of what had happened on the train. He was glad that Madame Pomphry (whom he had just gotten back from seeing) hadn't kept him over night. Spotting Ron's bright red hair, Harry and Hermione made their way towards him and took seats on either side of him.

"What was that about?" he muttered to Harry, eyes curious but not overly so. Harry began to explain in a whisper, but at that moment the headmaster rose from his seat and Harry broke off.

Professor Dumbledore was very old, but always seemed to give off an aura of great energy. He had incredibly long silver hair and beard, a crooked nose, and twinkling blue eyes behind a pair of half-moon spectacles. The headmaster was often described as the greatest wizard of the age. Dumbledore was one of those people that you just couldn't help but trust, and Harry deeply respected him. As Harry watched him beaming around at the students, he felt really calm for the first time since he had encountered the Dementor on the train.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore cried happily, spreading his arms wide in greeting. "Now, I have a few things to say to you all before we become befuddled by this excellent feast." Suddenly his voice was very serious. The headmaster cleared his throat before continuing. "As you all are probably aware after the search of the Hogwarts Express, our beloved school is going to be playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on official Ministry business.

He paused, looking somehow older than before, and Harry vaguely recalled Mr. Weasley mentioning something about Dumbledore not being happy about the Dementors guarding Hogwarts.

"They will be stationed at every entrance onto the grounds. While they are with us, I must stress that no student is to leave the grounds without permission. Dementors are not to be easily fooled by tricks or disguises, or even invisibility cloaks." His gaze seemed to linger on the Gryffindor table longer than the others. "It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving or to understand pleading or mercy. I urge you all; give them no reason to harm you."

A silence fell over the Great Hall as the students as the students soaked all this information up.

"And now onto a happier note! This year, I would like you all to welcome two new teachers. Professor Lupin, who will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts-" the twinkle was back in Dumbledore's eyes as he waited for the spattering of applause to die down. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were the three who clapped hardest. Harry noticed a strange look on Snape's face. It was there and gone in a flash, but he saw it. It was a look of pure, unadulterated loathing.

"And this year, we have a new Care of Magical Creatures. I am delighted to say that this position will be filled by none other than our very own Rubeus Hagrid."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione stared at one another, stunned by the announcement. Then they joined in with the applause, which was tumultuous at the Gryffindor table in particular. Harry saw Hagrid, who was bright red in the face, wipe away a few tears of joy, his grin hidden by the tangle of his black beard.

He was the last to stop clapping, then Dumbledore said "One last thing; on the grounds there is currently a large metal cage. I suggest it is avoided unless one is accompanied by a teacher. Well, I believe that is everything of importance. Let the feast begin!"

As food filled the golden platters, Harry, Ron, and Hermione shared a look. Although he didn't often go looking for trouble, this news of a cage on the grounds did peak Harry's interest. With a nod and a grin, it was silently decided between Ron and Harry; they would definitely check it out. Hermione groaned and rolled her eyes, but they knew she would come as well. She would, after all, want to know what it was, if only so that she could go and research it in the library.

Darren Shan Point of View

I was bored. I knew that I should be scared, or angry, or anxious. But I wasn't. Everything was quiet and dark, and the lights from the castles were pinpricks in the dark and were slowly flickering out, a few at a time.

"This sucks. I can't hunt or even look at the stars." I thought mournfully to myself. I groaned and rolled over onto my side, away from the castle. Instead, I looked to the forest. I wondered what kind of creatures resided inside of it…. I felt stupid when a shudder ran up my spine at the thought. And even more so when I let out a little shriek as someone stepped out from the shadows of the trees.

I'm SO stupid! What would Crepsley think of me if he could see me now." I thought with a bit of a hoarse chuckle at the image of my mentor's face. Then I stood and turned to the one who'd stepped from the forest. I felt my jaw drop slightly in surprise as I saw what it was.

If I'd had human vision, I would probably have thought it a very tall man. However, I had a vampire's night vision, and I could see that that wasn't exactly the case. It was a centaur. He was tall and regal looking, with a beautiful chestnut flank and a bow and quivers slung over his shoulder. He stared at me, and I back at him. Then I broke the silence.

"Why don't they have you locked up in a cage?"

Mr. Crepsley did always say I asked too many questions.