The Dementor

Summer came to end all too quickly for Siria. She knew that she couldn't be more excited to return to Hogwarts, but she would miss Diagon Alley. On their final day, Fred, George, Ron, and Siria spent a good half hour staring at the Firebolt. Hermione, who didn't understand the appeal, sat on a nearby bench with one of her new school books.

After lunch, they all returned to the Leaky Cauldron to pack. Over her stay at the inn, Kreacher had managed to keep most of Siria's things collected and organized in her trunk. Without him, she would have spent until dinner packing. Kreacher and Siria had given up on 1001 Word Problems and she took out A Monster Book of Monsters. He wasn't any good at math, but definitely knew his magical beasts.

"You can read it!" Hermione gasped through the open door. The book startled closed. Siria threw her arms around it, wrestled the book to the ground, and struggled to stroke its spine. She had to pet it a few times before the book calmed down. Siria let out a sigh and put the belt around the book.

"Sorry," Hermione smiled apologetically.

"It's cool." Siria assured her. "So, yeah. If you want to open it, just stroke the spine."

"What is the new teacher thinking, though?" Hermione asked as Siria put the bound book into her trunk. "I'll be surprised if anyone else figured it out."

"Yeah." Siria scratched the back of her neck. She didn't have the heart to tell Hermione that she hadn't figured it out herself.

"Have you asked Ginny about the group?" Hermione asked. Siria nodded.

"Yeah. I got everyone, even Neville." Siria told her. She rifled through her trunk for an outfit for tomorrow.

"Ginny seems in awe of you," Hermione told her, as she sat down.

"Really?" Siria shrugged and looked to Kreacher, who was polishing the mirror. "You don't have to do that." She reminded him.

"Kreacher likes cleaning Mistress's room." He insisted.

"Kreacher, do you get paid?" Hermione asked, which took both Kreacher and Siria by surprise.

"Paid?" Kreacher croaked. His eyes were so wide they looked like they might pop out of his head.

"Hermione is Muggle-Born, she doesn't know about house elves!" Siria rushed over to Kreacher. She patted his bald head. "She isn't trying to offend you!"

"Kreacher, paid?" he growled in disbelief. Siria nodded,

"She's, uh, not informed on this. I'm going to go inform her!" Siria told Kreacher. "Please feel free to do whatever you would like. I'll understand."

"Kreacher must stay with Mistress! Master's orders."As she rose to her feet, Kreacher took her hand.

"He has to stay with you?" Hermione asked. "Like, he couldn't leave you at all?"

"Kreacher wants to stay" Siria defended, but could see Hermione getting angry. Even if Hermione wanted to do something for house elves, not only would most of them not want something done, but Hermione was thirteen, what could she do? It didn't stop her from interrogating Kreacher about every aspect of his life and that of his ancestors' until dinner, with Siria trapped in the room.

At dinner, Hermione complained at length to Percy about the injustices house elves faced. He tried to disagree, and Ron and Siria couldn't have been more pleased. If Hermione was mad at Percy, they'd see less of him. Siria found herself unable to actually listen to what was being said, she was too busy looking for Sirius. It wasn't until Percy tried to change the subject by asking how they were all getting to King's Cross that she actually heard anything.

(Book: B3, 63-64 the Ministry is sending cars, as a favor to Mr. Weasley)

Siria felt, though they would be snug, everyone would have been able to fit into the Weasley's car just fine. She figured Peter Pettigrew was the real reason why, but knew she couldn't tell anyone. If he came up again, Siria would tell Hermione and Ron about him. For now, she just wanted to enjoy the night and keep an eye out for Sirius.

"Good morning" the soft and kind voice of Sirius greeted Siria when she woke. Tired, she grumbled unintelligibly then yawned. He ruffled her hair. "Come on, princess. You've got a train to catch." She yawned again, but crawled out of bed and grabbed her glasses. Siria wanted to hug Sirius and tell him she was so happy to see him, but she was too tired to move from the spot on the floor she had crawled onto.

"Alright, alright," Sirius smiled at her. "What have you picked out for the day?" He asked. She rolled onto her back and pointed at the armchair with her clothes. "Really?" He raised the pair of dark purple jeans with bleached stars. "Isn't this the same pair from the picture?"

"I like them." Siria grumbled. She was starting to wake up, but too stubborn to move at this point.

"Aren't they a little short now?" He looked at the end of a leg.

"No. I'm finally tall enough for them." She yawned, but rose and walked over to the chair. He held the jeans to her.

"Are you sure?" Sirius asked. There was something playful in his smile.

"What else could I wear?" She asked, in a rather flat tone. Siria tried to stop her smile, but felt she knew what was coming. Sirius tiptoed to the gentleman's chest and pulled out a garment bag. He turned with a large, dorky smile on his face. "So glad you asked." Sirius hurried back over to her, straightened up, and held his head a little higher than usual. He looked pompous and fake coughed.

"Ms. Potter," Siria covered her mouth to stop her laughter from escaping, "may I present the latest from Moony & Padfoot?" Sirius asked. Siria mirror his posture, except she placed one arm across her chest and held an invisible purse in the other.

"The latest? Well, if it is really the most recent," she told him, in her most posh impression, "I suppose you may. As you know, Mr. Black, I am only interested in the latest fashions— anything beyond a week is behind me."

Sirius unzipped the bag. Siria couldn't keep a straight face and broke into a smile. She reached and grabbed the t-shirt. It was a loose, black t-shirt with "Moony & Padfoot" stamped across the top of a picture of a large, black dog. "It looks like a concert shirt, like for a band's album." She told him.

"I hear that's what they were going for." Sirius grinned at her.

"So, is this what you do?" Siria asked. "Do you work for Moony & Padfoot?"

"In a way, yes." He confessed. She beamed at him.

"Yeah. Working for the people that make the best clothes in the world— super boring Muggle job there." She rolled her eyes, as she removed the pants from the garment bag.

The pants were a simple pair of black jeans, until she turned them over. Tiny stars were embroidered around the back pockets. Siria stuck her hand inside all of the pockets. "They're real!" She was rather surprised, but all four pockets weren't just real, her hand fit comfortably inside each. The front pockets were deep enough she could almost fit her glasses case.

"Put in a special request, but it does sound like they think deeper pockets are a good way to go, in the future" Sirius told her. "We didn't end up getting you a birthday present, a real one, so I wanted to do something special."

"Uh!" She scoffed, but hugged the jeans and shirt. "For the record, getting to spend my birthday with you was a real present— the very best kind of present. If ever you can't think what to get me, promising me a day together can never go wrong." Sirius leaned against the armchair and smiled at her.

"Big fan of those 'daddy-daughter date' things then?" He asked. Not looking at her, he crossed his arms as casually as he could.

"I've only been on one, but I think they may even be better than 'doggy-daughter dates', which were my favorite thing in the world for years." Siria told him. Like him, she couldn't quite meet his eyes. There was something about confessing to enjoying spending time with someone she found embarrassing; Siria imagined it was just not being used to having someone she wanted to spend time with, but thought it might also be that she liked the idea of being his daughter.

"Me too" was all he trusted himself to say.

After a pause between the two of them, Sirius took her trunk downstairs while she changed into her new outfit. She joined Sirius, Hermione, and the Weasleys for breakfast before they got loaded into cars. Sirius, Ron, Hermione, and Siria were in one together, and they couldn't have been happier. Ron was especially happy to get away from Percy, who had accused Ron of ruining Penelope Clearwater's photo (B3, 69).

"Alright you three," Sirius told them once they were on the road. "No crazy adventures this year— don't just stay on the grounds, stay safe."

"I know!" Siria gave an exasperated sigh. Hermione looked to Siria,

"Do you?" Hermione asked.

"Yes!" Siria looked to Ron, who quickly pretended not to be listening. She looked to Sirius. "I know, really."

"Good." Sirius nodded. "I've a man on the inside, so I'll know."

"Because Dumbledore, like Fudge, is looking out for me?" Siria asked.

"Nope. Someone better than Dumbledore." He grinned at her.

"No one's better than Dumbledore!" Ron jumped in, but quickly looked at the roof of the car, to dodge Siria's gaze. He turned his eyes to Sirius, "really though, there isn't anyone better than Dumbledore. He's the greatest wizard ever."

"My man may not be as great a wizard, but he is greater than Dumbledore in a few ways." Sirius gave a knowing smirk.

"I am not beneath tickling you for information." Siria told him, in the flattest, clearest tone.

"Ah, but you hate being tickled more than I do." Sirius winked and she knew she could not argue with that.

"Well, I think it's great you have someone to keep an eye on her." Hermione locked eyes with Siria. "Ron and I were really worried last year." Sirius's head snapped from Hermione to Siria.

"Worried? For how long? About what?"

"Thanks Hermione!" Siria hissed between her teeth. She looked to Sirius "Nothing! I was fine!"

Thanks to Hermione egging Sirius on, the trip to King's Cross felt long and slow as Sirius pried about what Siria could have possibly done to worry them. Almost halfway to the station, Ron finally caved in as well. Hermione and Ron told Sirius about how Siria hadn't slept, kept hearing the basilisk, and how they had snuck into the Slytherin common room. About the only comfort Siria had was the fact Sirius seemed more impressed about Siria sneaking into the common room and being shown secret passages than upset she hadn't told him she wasn't sleeping well. When they arrived at the station, Sirius patted Hermione and Ron on the shoulder; he thanked them for looking out for her.

(Book: B3, 70-72 The Ministry drivers load the kids' trunks onto trolleys, excuse themselves, and leave while the group goes through the barrier in pairs. Percy goes to show off his Head Boy badge to Penelope.)

Mr. Weasley placed his hand on Sirius's shoulder, which caused Siria and Sirius to stop their goodbye. He whispered something to Sirius that Siria couldn't hear over the bustle of the crowd. Sirius shook his head, and she heard him say "Oh, no. She knows." Mr. Weasley nodded to Sirius, smiled to Siria, and left them.

"What was that about?" Siria asked. She looked past Sirius, to Mr. Weasley hugging George.

"Arthur agreed with me, about telling you about Peter." Sirius told her.

"Which is a secret?" Siria asked. Sirius sighed.

"Yes. To be honest, that's what Remus and I did the first day of summer— it's what we do every year. We see him on the first day of summer, to remind him that, as much as everyone in there wants him gone, there are just as many on the outside." Sirius's eyes seemed as kind as always, but looked so intently at her that she could feel his dedication to it. "He's not really all there enough to understand sometimes. The guards really do a number on people." Sirius shook his head and sighed.

"Enough!" Sirius clapped. "I'm sending my favorite person off to school, for another amazing year!"

"Your favorite?" Siria asked with a smirk. Sirius kissed her forehead.

"Yes," he nodded. "You, Siria Potter, are my favorite person, so don't do anything I would." She pretended to consider it, for a moment, but nodded.

"I'll be safe." she promised.

"Good!" Sirius patted her head and loaded her trunk onto the train. "I love you."

"I love you!" Siria shouted over the whistle of the train.

The guards began closing the doors. Siria waved to Sirius, while Ron waved to his parents, and Hermione waved to them all. Steadily, the train started to smoke and move. Siria continued to wave until the train turned and Sirius fell out of sight. The trio carried their trunks along the bustling corridor until they found an almost empty compartment near the back of the train. There was only one person inside, an adult. Ron paused with the door open. Hermione poked her head around him, then Siria poked in.

"It's Remus!" Siria exclaimed in a whisper. Remus was curled up, asleep beside the window. The flecks of grey in his hair seemed to have spread since she saw him at the start of summer. Siria slid under Ron's arm and took a seat beside Remus. Hermione and Ron climbed in and they all put their trunks up.

"He was at Moony & Padfoot, right?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah!" Siria beamed. "Sirius says he's a heavier sleeper than me, so we should be good to talk." She smiled at the sleeping Remus. There could only be one reason why he was on the Hogwarts Express: Remus Lupin was their new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher— he was also Sirius's "man on the inside."

(Book: B3, 76-77 Hogsmeade visit it brought up, Ron & Hermione talk about what they know, and Hermione says it'll be nice to explore and leave school)

"I'm not going." Siria shrugged.

"What?" Ron asked.

"Why?" Hermione asked. Siria shrugged again.

"You know, with Peter Pettigrew being out… it's just safer to not go, ya know?" She leaned back into the seat. Hermione and Ron exchanged a look. Ron checked to make sure the door was closed all the way.

"Why are you really not going?" He asked her. Siria looked to Remus, who was very deeply asleep.

"I'm not supposed to know." She told them then looked to the compartment door and back to Hermione and Ron. "But…" and she explained what Sirius had told her, with Sirius left out of it.

By the time Siria finished, the woman who pushed the food cart arrived. Siria ordered a bit more than she otherwise would have, so, if Remus woke up and was hungry, they would have plenty to share.

(Book: B3, 79-80 Draco Malfoy stops by the compartment, insults Ron's family, but Professor Lupin's presence causes him to leave.)

Hermione closed the door behind Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. "Honestly," she tsked and sat back down, "do you suppose he pokes his head into every compartment looking for you?"

"I—" Siria really couldn't say how else he found her every trip.

"It's a little funny," Ron confessed. It seemed to lighten his mood because he cracked a smile. Siria cleared her throat. She mimed opening a compartment door, "Potter?" Siria asked with a haughty expression on her face.

"He draws it out more," Hermione grinned at her, "Paw-tter" the trio chuckled.

"Paaaw-tter" Ron drawled.

"So much more bored than that!" Siria laughed. They continued doing impressions of Malfoy calling Siria until Remus almost stirred, and they took to chuckling softly.

(Book: B3, 81 they're almost to Hogwarts, the lights of the train go on, but then the train starts to slow, Hermione insists they can't be there yet, the train moves even slower, it's raining and windy outside, and no one seems to know what's happening. When the train comes to a complete stop, it also throws them into total darkness)

"What's going on?" Ron asked (B3, 81). Siria pulled her wand from her jacket and used "Lumos" to light it. Hermione and Ron did the same. Siria tapped Remus on the shoulder, then shook his shoulder lightly. "Remus?" She called. "Professor Lupin?"

"We don't need to wake him!" Hermione waved for Siria to stop.

"But he might be able to help." Ron rubbed the window and peered through "especially because it looks like we're being boarded."

"Who would be boarding?" Hermione asked and tried to peer into the darkness outside.

"Remus!" Siria snapped. She took a deep breath in, "Sirius!" she called loudly.

"Sirius?" Remus's hoarse voice echoed. He took in Siria's face and though he looked rather tired, smiled at her. The compartment door slid open and someone fell into the room. Hermione helped pull him onto his feet; it was Neville.

"What's going on?" Neville asked. Siria looked to Remus.

"Professor Lupin, do you happen to know what's happening?" Siria asked. Remus's eyes seemed both alert and warry (B3, 83).

"Stay here," he instructed. Siria took his seat by the window, as he moved to the doorway. There was a small, gasp.

"Ginny?" Ron asked.

"Ron!" Ginny called and moved around Professor Lupin.

"Stay here!" Professor Lupin repeated and closed the door behind him.

"What's going on?" Neville repeated and sat beside Siria.

"No idea." Siria confessed.

The compartment door slid open, but it wasn't another student or Professor Lupin returning.

(B3, 83 Dementor description— it's a towering, hooded figure, that keeps its face hidden, and looks like something that decayed in water. It takes a deep breath, which fills the room with a chill and makes everyone suffer their worst memories and feel like they'll never be happy again)

Under the sound of distant screaming, Siria could hear her name being called. The scream was high and piercing, while the voice that called her name was hoarse and deep. She felt herself being pulled down and away from the hoarse voice until—

"SIRIA!" Hermione shook Siria's shoulder.

(Book: B3, 84 Siria fainted, learns it was an Azkaban guard: a dementor, and that she's the only one that fainted. Everyone else felt terrible and Ginny shook terribly, but only Siria fainted and she feels the coming shame. They eat chocolate, provided by Professor Lupin, get off the Hogwarts Express, load into the carriages, where they pass two more dementors on their way to the castle,. When they get out of the carriage, Siria's greeted by the delighted voice of Draco Malfoy)

"You fainted?" Malfoy elbowed through Hermione to block Siria. She wanted to kick him, punch him in the stomach at least, but the thought of Sirius being serious about her having to hold the hand of the next person she fought with and it being him. Siria pulled the corners of her mouth into a smile and announced, in the loudest, cheeriest voice,

"And you weren't there to catch me! I was heartbroken." She placed her hand over her heart, the way Sirius would sometimes do when he was being dramatic. "Draco," She slid her other hand onto his arm, "you don't have to worry though, I'm fine."

"Uh!" Malfoy pulled his arm away from her and Siria had turn her focus to not smirking. "I wasn't worried." Malfoy straightened his robes.

Siria took a step toward Malfoy and he took his usual step back. She dropped her voice to a whisper, "you ought to back off, Malfoy."

"Make me." He whispered back, but looked past her in surprise. A hand fell on Siria's shoulder and she felt her heart stop.

"Is there a problem?" Professor Lupin asked. Siria glared into Malfoy's grey eyes.

"No, sir. No problem at all." Siria smirked at Malfoy. She wanted to shout "Your father can't help you here!" to Malfoy, but that didn't actually seem like it would solve anything or make her feel better. Malfoy was right— she had fainted and, from the sound of it, had been the only person to.

(Book: B3, 88-89 Professor McGonagall calls Siria and Hermione into her office, where Madam Pomfrey is all "of course it's you!" but is apologetic once she learns it was a dementor. Siria has to insist on going to the feast because Professor McGonagall considers putting Siria in the Hospital Wing for the night, and Siria cannot stand the thought of what Draco Malfoy would say if he heard. Siria waits for Hermione, then they go to the feast. They've missed the Sorting. Dumbledore tells them that, while Peter Pettigrew is loose, the dementors are being kept on the grounds and they cannot be fooled by things like Invisibility Cloaks; he introduces Lupin, announces Hagrid is the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher, then everyone eats and they retire for the night)

"Siria, can I have a word?" Hermione asked.

"Sure?" Siria agreed. Hermione turned the star of Siria's trunk and climbed inside. Siria followed, wondering if she should ask Hermione what was happening.

"Could I borrow your Invisibility Cloak this year?" Hermione asked in a voice that was barely audible.

"What are you going to do with it?" Siria asked.

"I— never mind" Hermione shook her head and started to head back up the stairs.

"Hey!" Siria called. "Of course you can! I just wanted to know—" but she was stopped as Hermione flung her arms around Siria's neck.

"Thank you! Whenever you need it, I promise to return it. Also, if you notice me missing, can you just say I forgot something?" Hermione asked.

"Should I be worried?" Siria asked in reply. She felt like it might be worth writing to Sirius about, but didn't want to get Hermione into trouble.

"No, no. Nothing like that!"

"Okay…"

Still not fully convinced, but wanting to support Hermione, Siria handed over the Invisibility Cloak. The girls changed and climbed into their beds. Siria took a moment to take in the familiar room and ceiling, which gave a similar feel to being with Sirius: they felt like home.