The Potter Twins and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Chapter 2: Back to Hogwarts

We see a cutout of the Daily Prophet.

A headline screams: "Grand Prize Winner Visits Egypt!"

In the accompanying photo, the entire Weasley family stands before the great pyramids, waving. Smack in the middle is Ron, Scabbers perched on his shoulder.

As Ron smoothes the dog-eared clipping onto the table, Harry studies it as Michael says, "well I'll be…. Congrats, Ron!"

Hermione ignores it, stroking Crookshanks.

Harry, "Egypt! What's it like?"

Ron, "brilliant. It's got loads of old stuff. Mummies. Death masks. Tombs…."

Hermione, "you know, the ancient Egyptians of the Nile River delta worshiped the cat goddess Bast."

Ron glares stonily at Hermione, then turns back to Harry and Michael.

Ron, "I also got a new wand."

Michael, "that's good to know. Don't wanna risk us becoming like Lockhart."

Just then, a commotion is heard. The Weasleys, Percy, Fred, George, Ginny, Arthur, and Molly, arrive en masse, laden with purchases from Diagon Alley.

George, "not flashing that clipping about again, are you, Ron?"

Ron, "I haven't shown anyone!"

Fred, "no, not a soul. Unless you count Tom. The day maid. The night maid. The cook. The bloke that came to fix the toilet. That wizard from Belgium…."

Mrs. Weasley takes Harry's face in her hands and smiles, as if relieved to see him.

Mrs. Weasley, "it's good to see you, Harry."

Harry, "good to see you too, Mrs. Weasley."

Mrs. Weasley then looked over at Michael and said, "and it's good to see you too, Michael."

Michael, "thanks Mrs. Weasley."

Mr. Weasley, "Michael, Harry. I wonder if I might have a word with you both?"

Harry, "of course, Mr. Weasley."

Michael, "by all means."

As Mr. Weasley pulls them away, the others continue to hover over the clipping.

Fred, "George's nose looks positively massive in that photograph."

Ginny, "that's your nose, Fred."

Fred, "bloody Hell. 'Tis, isn't it? Take after your side of the family, don't I, Mum?"

Harry notices Mr. Weasley glance edgily at a fugitive poster tacked to the wall. In it, Sirius Black glowers under the words, "Have You Seen This Man?"

Mr. Weasley, "Michael, Harry. There are some within the Ministry who would strongly discourage me from divulging what I'm about to tell you. But I think you need to know the facts. Because you're in danger. Grave danger."

Michael and Harry's eyes drift to the fugitive poster.

Harry, "has this anything to do with him, sir?"

Mr. Weasley, "what do you know of Sirius Black, boys?"

Harry, "that he escaped from Azkaban."

Michael, "that he killed someone…."

Mr. Weasley, "Harry, Michael, thirteen years ago, when you stopped…."

Mr. Weasley hesitates, unable to continue.

Harry, "Voldemort...?"

Mr. Weasley nods nervously, "Black lost everything. But he remains a loyal servant to this day. In his mind, only you stand in the way of…."

Once again, Mr. Weasley hesitates.

Michael, "Voldemort...?"

Mr. Weasley, "I hate it when you say-"

Michael, "we know, sorry. Ron hates it too."

Mr. Weasley, "in Black's mind, only you stand in the way of…. You-Know-Who, returning to power. That's why he's broken- That's why he's broken out of Azkaban. To find you both. And…."

Mr. Weasley hesitates yet again.

Harry, "kill us?"

Mr. Weasley nods nervously.

Mr. Weasley, "Michael, Harry. I want you to swear that, whatever you might hear, you won't go looking for Black."

Harry, "Mr. Weasley, why would we go looking for someone who wants to kill us?"

Michael, "yeah, seems a little strange to do such a thing."

Mr. Weasley nods, then claps Harry and Michael on the shoulders.

Mr. Weasley, "just watch yourselves, will you, boys?"

….

As the Hogwarts express bleats its horn, we see the milling horde of students. Parents hurry their children onboard, tiny siblings wave goodbyes…. And Mr. Weasley dashes through the throng and up to an open train window.

Mrs. Weasley, "Ron!"

She hands Scabbers through the open window to him.

The aisle teems with students. Harry, Michael, Ron and Hermione work their way down the aisle, looking for an empty compartment.

Harry, "we didn't mean to blow her up. We just…."

Michael, "... we just lost control. What she said about our parents just…. Set us off…."

Ron, "brilliant!"

Hermione, "honestly, Ron, it's not funny. Michael and Harry are lucky they weren't expelled."

Ron, "I still think it was brilliant."

SNAP! SNAP! SNAP!

A copy of the The Monster Book of Monsters scuttles crab-like down the aisle, pursued by Neville.

Neville, "hi, Harry. Michael. Ron. Hermione."

All four say, "hi, Neville."

As he bumps past, Michael sees Luna following him!

Michael, "Luna? What're you doing here?"

Luna, "I wanna see how this goes…."

Luna continues to follow after Neville, making the others shrug as Hermione nods to a compartment.

Hermione, "c'mon. We're in here."

As they slip inside, they find a man in shabby robes slumped against the window, asleep. He looks ill, exhausted. The quartet eye him warily.

Ron, "who d'you reckon he is?"

Hermione, "Professor R.J. Lupin."

Ron, "you know everything. How is it she knows everything?"

Hermione, "it's on his case."

She points. Stamped in peeling letters on a battered case is "Professor R.J. Lupin."

Harry, "is he really asleep?"

Hermione, "seems to be. Why? What is it, Harry? Michael?"

Harry, "close the door."

Hermione and Ron exchange a curious glance, then Ron rises and slides the door shut….

….

Storm clouds, like dark ghosts, toss sheets of rain onto the scarlet engine as it heads north.

Ron and Hermione stare at Michael and Harry, faces stricken in the lantern light that now glows in the compartment.

Crookshanks slumbers in his cage. Fleet is snuggled up on a shelf.

Ron, "let me get this straight. Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban to come after you two?"

Harry, "yes."

Michael, "yeah."

Hermione, "but they'll catch Black, won't they? I mean…. Eventually?"

Ron, "sure…. Of course, no one's ever broken out of Azkaban before and he's a raving, murderous lunatic…."

Michael, "jeez, thanks Ron."

Just then, the compartment rattles. Lanterns flicker. The train lurches and begins to slow. Hermione slides down the seat, pinning Ron against the window. They exchange an awkward glance, then Hermione carefully slides to the other end of the seat and glances at her watch. She frowns.

Hermione, "why're we stopping? We can't be there yet…."

Harry rises, slides open the door, and peers into the corridor.

All along the carriage, heads look out curiously. Then, the train jerks. The car sways and the lamps running along the ceiling flicker and…. Die. One by one. Until all is…. Dark.

Ron, "what's going on?"

Michael, "I'm more sure…."

A thin wisp of steam escapes Michael and Ron's mouths. Harry notices.

Harry, "dunno…. Maybe we've broken down?"

Hermione, "ouch! Ron, that was my foot!"

Squeak-Squeak-Squeak.

Scabbers is absolutely frightened by what was going on.

Michael holds Fleet close.

There's a dark silhouette against the window. Ron starts wiping a patch of condensation from the window.

Rom, "there's something moving out there. I think…. People are coming aboard."

Suddenly the car sways violently…. It then rights itself. The metal window trim at Ron's fingertips begins to vibrate.

Ron, "bloody hell. What's happening?"

Michael, "how should we know!?"

SSSSST!

A soft crackling fills the car and flames bloom…. In the hands of R.J. Lupin. In the shivering light, his face looks tired and gray, but his eyes are alert. Wary.

Lupin, "don't. Move."

A hand, slimy and scabbed, a hand of death, grips the half-open compartment door, and pushes it aside. It is some kind of towering, cloaked figure, its face hidden beneath its black hood. Crookshanks' hair rises and she hisses.

Fleet quickly hides under one of the seats!

The folds of the hood tremble. A chill, rattling intake of air is heard. The flames in Lupin's hands sputter. Sounds begin to swell in Michael and Harry's ears. Eerie. Painful. The sound of a woman screaming. Lightning scattering everywhere! Both their eyes roll up, eyelids fluttering.

And then…. Silvery white light drifts from their mouths.

The world spins off its axis and Harry and Michael fall…. The former's glasses tumbling hard to the ground…. Then the twins…. The muscles of their jaws twitch.

Thunder cracks! Lighting paints the icy windows….

WHITE.

BLACK.

WHITE.

BLACK….

….

With desperate gasps, Harry and Michael open their eyes.

Dusk is gone. The windows black. The floor at their spines is shaking gently. The train is moving again. Their eyes shift to see a drop of water, newly unfrozen, running slowly down the window.

Hermione, "Michael? Harry, are you all right?"

Hermione's troubled face hovers above them. They nod and sit up.

Ron, pale, nervous, extends his hands.

Harry puts his glasses on and says, "thanks."

Michael rubs his head as both boys discover the cold sweat glazing their brows.

SNAP!

Professor Lupin breaks a ragged triangle of chocolate off the slab in his hands. He then breaks it in two and holds it out.

Lupin, "chocolate. Eat. It'll help."

Harry, "what was that…. That thing?"

Michael, "yeah…. It felt like death itself…."

Lupin, "a Dementor. One of the guards of Azkaban. It's gone now."

Harry and Michael frown in confusion.

Hermione, "it was searching the train, Harry. For Sirius Black."

Lupin, "I need to have a word with the driver. Excuse me. Eat the chocolate. It'll help."

As he leaves, Harry and Michael turn to Ron and Hermione.

Harry, "what happened to us?"

Michael, "yeah…. Everything's like a blur…."

Ron, "well, you both sort of went…. Rigid. We thought maybe you were both having a fit or something."

Harry "and did either of you? You know…. Pass out?"

Ron, "no. I felt…. Weird. Like I'd never be cheerful again. But…. No."

Harry and Michael turn to Hermione. She shakes her head.

Hermione, "I was trembling. Cold. But then…. Professor Lupin made it go away…."

Harry, "but someone was screaming. A woman."

Michael, "yeah…. And I heard lightning. Like someone was casting a spell."

Hermione and Ron glance nervously at each other.

Hermione, "no one was screaming, Harry."

Ron, "and no-one was casting a spell, except for Lupin."

Harry and Michael look to the window and we wonder just what the heck happened?

….

We see a glimmering puddle….

SPLASH!

A carriage wheel shatters the glassy surface as we catch a procession of horseless carriages, carrying students toward the glimmering castle.

….

Gradually, the sweet sound of a choir rises in the air, a flash of lightning bleaches the night sky and we see through the windows of the Great Hall, candlelit silhouettes glimmering within.

At the High Table, Lupin sits with Snape, McGonagall, Hagrid and Dumbledore. We see the choir, singing to the strains of a Harpsichord, and a quintet of toads, one of which is Trevor, who belongs to Neville, who looks on with pride as his toad keeps happily bobbing his head to the tune.

Filch, Hogwarts' caretaker, stands grimly to the side as red-eyed Mrs. Norris switches her tail at his feet.

Michael suddenly feels a roll hit him in the back of the head.

He turns to see a familiar ghost flying out of the room as he yells, "damnit Peeves!"

As the choir's song concludes, Dumbledore rises, beaming over the sea of black hats.

Dumbledore, "welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say, 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…."

McGonagall clears her throat.

Dumbledore, "mm. Yes. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Good luck to you, Professor."

Amid scattered applause, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Michael clap loudly. Michael was especially happy that Lockhart wasn't back.

Hermione, "of course! That's why he knew to give you the chocolate!"

Dumbledore, "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!"

Michael, Harry, Ron, and Hermione stare at each other, stunned, then applaud vigorously. Hagrid turns ruby red, rises, and nearly topples the staff table, sending water goblets weaving.

Dumbledore, "finally, on a more disquieting note, Hogwarts…. At the request of the Ministry of Magic, we will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban."

A murmur of apprehension fills the hall. At the Slytherin table, Draco, flanked by the ever-present Crabbe and Goyle, catches Michael and Harry's eyes and feigns a dead faint.

Dumbledore, "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. Do not give them a reason to harm you. But you know, happiness can be found…. Even in the darkest of times…. If one only remembers to turn on the light…."

Dumbledore flicks a candle out, and then reignites the flame….

….

Students exit the Great Hall and scale theMarble Staircase.

Harry, Michael, Ron and Hermione arrive at the seventh floor landing and approach the fat lady in the portrait. She was trying to practice her singing, but it wasn't a very pleasant noise.

Harry, "Fortuna Major."

The fat lady groaned and opened the door.

The Gryffindors trail through the common room, the girls heading one way, boys the other.

….

Later that night, the boy's are eating some of the candy that allowed them to make various animal noises.

All of them were having a great time.

Michael made the sound of a fox, yipping about.

Neville made monkey noises, scratching himself as he made the various noises.

Ron roared like a lion, his body language matching the king of the jungle.

Harry actually made the noise of a train whistle as steam came out of his ears!

….

While those around them sleep, Harry takes the photo of his parents, sets it next to his bed, then glances around in quiet contentment with Michael looking at his brother in sympathy.

Ron, "good to be home, eh, guys?"

Harry and Michael turn, caught, and find Ron studying them from his own bed, Scabbers cradled in his hand. Fleertwas sleeping on a small pillow near Michael's head. Harry nods and turns to the window, as does Michael….

The Dementors drift to their positions outside the grounds.

Harry and Michael continue to stare.

Harry, "yeah…."

As their breath clouds the glass, they begin to doze off….

….

As bridge and castle glimmer in the distance, Hagrid emerges from the Forbidden Forest, dragging a fistful of

dead ferrets by the tail. A bird appears, circles his head playfully, chirp-chirp-chirping merrily before it flutters off, pin-wheeling past flowers, into a birdbath, finally coming to rest upon…. An ancient tree. It twitters cheerfully, singing its lovely song, when….

THWOCK!

A branch punts the bird into the air. As feathers fly, the Whomping Willow resumes its shape.

….

Michael, Harry, Ron and Hermione sit on fat little poufs in a murky, incense-laden room, along with Neville, Dean, Seamus, Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil and other students.

"Welcome, my children. In this room, you shall explore the mysterious art of Divination. In this room, you shall discover if you possess…."

A crimson scrim flutters and Sybil Trelawney, Divination Professor, glides dramatically into view, eyes huge and bug-like behind enormous glasses.

Professor Trelawney, "... the Sight. Hello. I am Professor Trelawney. Together, we shall cast ourselves into the future. But know this. One either has the Gift or not. It cannot be divined from the pages of a book. Books only cloud one's Inner Eye."

Hermione, "what rubbish."

Ron spins and frowns at Hermione.

Ron, "where'd you come from?"

Hermione, "me? I've been here all along."

Michael, "I'm inclined to agree with you, Hermione. She seems absolutely bonkers."

Professor Trelawney points to Neville, "you, boy! Is your grandmother well?"

Neville, "I…. I think so."

Professor Trelawney, "I wouldn't be so sure of that. The first term will be devoted to the reading of tea leaves. If all goes well, we will proceed to palmistry, fire omens, and finally…. The crystal ball", she starts eyeing Parvati, "by the way, dear, beware a red-haired man."

Parvati eyes Ron and Michael dubiously. And edges her pouf away.

Professor Trelawney, "unfortunately, classes will be disrupted in February by a nasty bout of flu. I myself will lose my voice. And in late spring, one of our number will…. Leave us forever."

As the class exchanges uneasy glances, Trelawney smiles brightly.

Professor Trelawney, "well then. Shall we?"

….

Later….

Inside a cup, a cloud of tea leaves mutates oddly. Harry, sitting opposite Ron and Michael now, frowns at the leaves, consults the symbols in the textbook; Unfogging the Future, at his elbow. Trelawney walks amongst them, robes flowing.

Professor Trelawney, "broaden your minds, my dears. And allow your eyes to see…. Beyond."

Trelawney takes Lavender Brown's cup and peers inside.

Professor Trelawney, "a five-leaf clover…. You can expect to wake with a horrible rash tomorrow morning, dear. Mr. Longbottom, after you've broken your first cup…."

CA-CHINK!

Neville fumbles the cup in his hands and the brittle crash of china is heard.

Even Michael had to admit…. That was a really good prediction.

Professor Trelawney, "... would you be so kind as to select one of the blue ones? I'm rather partial to the pink. What do you see in Mr. Potter's cup, Mr. Weasley?"

Ron, "which one?"

Professor Trelawney, "well, first, Michael."

Michael and Ron look in his cup and he says, "this means, uh, tragedy, plus timing?"

Professor Trelawney looked into the cup and said, "oh, I'm sorry my boy, your dog is going to get hit by a car. And not just any car…. Your grandfather's car…."

Silence reigned for a moment…. Before Michael started laughing!

Professor Trelawney, "uh, I-I'm sorry, what's so funny?"

Michael, "your prediction is total malarkey! I own a ferret, not a dog, you old bat! And I don't even know any grandpa's! Hahahahaha!"

Professor Trelawney looked embarrassed before she said, "um, right, what about Harry's!?"

Ron, "well. He's got a wonky sort of cross…. That's trials and suffering. But this lot here could be the sun…. That's great happiness. So…. He's going to suffer but be very happy about it?"

Professor Trelawney takes the cup, peers inside, and gasps.

Professor Trelawney, "ahhh!"

Parvati, "what is it, Professor?"

Trelawney regards Harry with a mixture of pity and fear.

Professor Trelawney, "my dear boy…. You have the Grim."

Seamus, "the Grin? What's the Grin?"

Parvati, "not the grin, you idiot. The Grim."

Dean, "but what does it mean, Professor?"

Lavender, "'The Grim….'"

All turn, see Lavender bent over her textbook.

Lavender, "'Taking the form of a giant spectral dog, it is among the darkest omens in our world. It is an omen…. Of death.'"

Harry peers into his cup. The tea leaves shift. The dog disappears. And a new image emerges slowly…. Sirius Black.

He and Michael share a look of dread….

….

Reviews:

Canadude2029: I'm glad you are enjoying the story so much already. Happy holidays.

Bailey Radcliff: happy to hear all that. Merry Christmas and happy new year. And so you've voted for Starfire, Raven, Looma and Julie. Any fifth choice you'd like to add on?

….

My poll is nesrly at 20 (official) votes.

At this rate, I'll be working on 2 Ben 10 and DC crossovers.

One for Miss Martian, (most likely JLU), and one for Teen Titans, (a harem story, most likely.)

Once this poll is done, get ready for another poll...