Hagrid couldn't believe his eyes. There he was, dishing out Fang's late lunch when he heard something strange outside. He sat Fang's bowl down, then walked over to his window to look across the grounds.
"Merlin! Those blasted dementors!" He rushed toward his door, throwing his coat on, and clambered outside. He didn't really know what he could do, but he had to do something after seeing a student being chased by dementors.
Before he could reach the student, a large black dog raced over, hurdled over the now crumpled teen, somehow immediately drawing the attention of the dementors, and bolted into the forest. A small part in the back of his mind felt like he had seen that strange dog before, but he was more worried about what looked to be a girl curled in on herself there on the ground.
Huffing as he kneeled to the ground, he gently turned the girl, checking to see if she had any immediately visible injuries, only to recognize the student immediately. "Blimey, Deliah, why were yeh out here by yerself?" He murmured to the unconscious girl. After only seeing a few cuts and scrapes at first glance, Hagrid slid his large arms under Deliah's body, cradling her like a small child, then made for the castle.
At this point, a few people were looking for the very person that Hagrid was currently lumbering through the castle doors with. Noticing Remus almost immediately, Hagrid called him over.
"Remus, yeh migh' be wantin' to fetch Pomfrey." His voice boomed across the entrance hall.
Remus spun to face Hagrid as he heard his name, Ginny and the twins looking on curiously. When Remus noticed who it was in the half giant's arms, his face paled drastically, and his heart froze for a moment.
"Ginny, go let Madame Pomfrey know we're going to be there in a moment. Fred and George, get Professor Dumbledore." Remus didn't even look back at the students, but he knew they would listen. He could hear their rushed steps fading off in different directions as he approached Hagrid.
"What happened? Is she alright?" He asked urgently walking alongside Hagrid, nearly jogging to match the half-giant's strides.
"Not exactly sure," said Hagrid. "just know wha' I saw, and she had those blasted dementors hoverin' over her out there. She's freezing cold, also. Not sure if she's hurtin' or nothin', though." He explained what he had seen to Remus while they rushed to see Pomfrey, not noticing the dark look that crossed Remus' face at the mention of an overly-large, black dog.
As the two burst through the doors to the infirmary, Madame Pomfrey was already bustling them over to a bed she had prepared. Remus noted the small vial filled with a dark red liquid, his jaw clenching. She was nearly of age for part of her inheritance, and that liquid would definitely help her recover faster. That didn't mean he was excited about her having to take it once she woke up. Remus sighed, his eyes closing for a moment, before focusing back on whether or not Deliah was alright.
Pomfrey flicked her wand over the girl's body frantically as soon as Hagrid had laid her on the bed. Diagnostics hovered in the air for a few moments each, before being replaced by the next. As she finished up the checks, Pomfrey rushed off to her potions store, returning just as quickly. Suddenly, the doors to the infirmary opened again as Dumbledore entered, followed closely by the twins. The sight of the twins made Remus remember that Ginny was still here. He scanned the room, quickly finding her standing beside Hagrid looking worried for her friend. Seeing the bonds his adopted daughter had already made warmed his worried heart.
"Alright," Madame Pomfrey sighed, setting the potion she had gathered down on the bedside table. "Miss Lupin is fine other than a few right nasty cuts on her legs, arms, and one on her temple." She informed the small crowd around her and the bed. "All of which are easily healed. She does, however, need some space after being confronted with dementors." Remus smiled grimly as he heard her mumble a few choice words regarding the dementors under her breath.
Dumbledore looked to Hagrid who then shooed the three Weasleys from the room, despite their protests. Once they were out of the room, Madame Pomfrey started again. "We obviously know that she is…different from the rest. When she wakes she will need to take these two immediately." She motioned to the vial with the dark red liquid and one with a cloudy, grayish-blue color. "They will help her recover faster."
"What did Hagrid tell you, Remus?" Dumbledore asked.
Remus ran a hand through his hair again, slowly lowering into the chair next to Deliah's bed. "He had said that he just happened to hear Deliah I would assume crying out for help, ran out to save her just for a large black dog to reach her first. He said the dementors followed after the dog instead of focusing on Deliah anymore."
Dumbledore hummed thoughtfully but didn't say anything more, which frustrated Remus.
"Sir, something needs to be done about the dementors. There's absolutely no reason they should have bothered Deliah. They are only meant to be here to search for Black." The lack of emotion when Remus said his name didn't escape Dumbledore's notice.
He sighed deeply. "I have been speaking with the ministry since they first sent the dementors, and have not once had supportive words about their idea, Mr. Lupin. Of course, I will be mentioning this incident to them as well the next time we meet." He gently rested a hand on Remus' shoulder for a moment, then left the room.
Remus sat staring up at the ceiling for a while. This whole issue with Black, or should he actually think of him as Sirius? He still couldn't fully wrap his head around that night. Sirius may have had his moments where he seemed more 'Slytherin' than normal, but not once did he seem the type to go on a killing spree. Though, so much had happened in one night. He could have very well just snapped. Again he sighed. He had lost count of the number of tired sighs he had breathed in his lifetime. Running a hand down over his face, he then looked down at Deliah, suddenly remembering her years younger, handing him a handful of chocolate chips as he came back into their home after full moon night. He smiled tiredly at the memory of her saying "It ok, Remmy, chocolate make it all better!" then dumping the chips in his hand before walking off.
At this point, Deliah may as well be his actual daughter. He could tell that his wolf even seemed to recognize her scent as pack. That was possibly the only thing he liked about his wolf, it had never once seen Deliah as prey.
Hours passed with very little visible change to Deliah, and poor Remus was nodding off in his chair, his head slowly dropping to one side. A small noise made him jerk awake, glancing around the large room. At first, he was about to just shrug it off when he heard it again, but clearer this time.
"Remmy…" Deliah shifted in the bed, her arm sluggishly reaching up to hold her head.
Remus turned in the chair to face her better, concern written all over his features. "I'm here, Deliah." Grabbing her other hand, he gave it a gentle squeeze. "You're safe, pup."
Deliah gave a small snort in response to his nickname for her. "Alright, Moony." She rubbed at her temple with a groan. "I feel like I've been sat on by a troll."
"That's normally how one would feel after being attacked by two dementors." The grim look on his face sent chills down her spine. She very well could've lost her soul tonight to those leeches.
"Wait," She looked at him confused. "How did I get here?"
"Lucky for you, Hagrid happened to notice you. He brought you in." Sighing, Remus grabbed up the cloudy potion first. "Take this, then once it's settled there's another for you to take."
Deliah grimaced but tossed it back anyway. Coughing at the taste, she shook her head. "Oh, that was awful!"
"That might be because you've loosened your hold on your senses," Remus commented with a stern look. She thought for a moment then remembered how she had relaxed by the lake. He gave her time to reign her senses back in, then handed her the dark red liquid.
She looked at it curiously, watching the slightly thick fluid as she tilted and turned the vial. "What's this one, Rem? What's it do?"
His jaw clenched for a moment, then he took a slow breath. "It's to help your recovery, Deliah. Drink it quickly, then take a drink of this water."
Why wouldn't he say what it was? Remus didn't usually keep things from her, or at least she didn't think he did, so she did as she was told. Tipping back the vial, she was expecting an awful taste, as per usual with potions, instead, it was rather nice. It tasted a bit metallic and like…something else she couldn't quite place.
Remus noticed her lower the bottle just slightly, so he cleared his throat, making her jump the tiniest bit before downing the last of it. He handed her the water, still tense and ready to leave the Hospital Wing.
Right as Deliah swallowed the drink of water, erasing the taste from the contents of the last vial, Madame Pomfrey came out of her office to check on her.
"Ah! You're up, good. The potions I assume have been taken?" She looked to Remus who gave a small nod. "Good, good! I will do a few scans to check you over, never can be too careful with dementor attacks."
Deliah nodded and patiently sat on the side of the bed while Pomfrey waved her wand about her head and chest. When everything showed up well, she told Deliah she was released. Then she pulled Remus towards her office to talk with him.
While they spoke, Deliah stood from the bed a bit shakily, before grabbing her wand from the bedside table and stashing it in her pocket.
"Time to get you something to eat," Remus said as Deliah joined him at the door. "I assume you've been to the kitchens already."
Failing at hiding her grin, Deliah just shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe." She didn't want to say that she was actually shown where the kitchens are by the twins.
He chuckled, nudging her shoulder as they walked through the halls. "You're a Marauder in the making, of course you would find places you shouldn't be." They both laughed, though Remus' laughter held a tinge of sadness in it.
When I finally reached the common room after quickly grabbing something to eat in the kitchens, the room was empty since dinner was still going on. Actually, I figured it was almost over, so I threw myself onto the cushy couch in front of the fire. Knowing the Weasley bunch, it'd be best for me to wait here. I doubt I would get any more sleep even if I had gone upstairs.
My guess about dinner being nearly over was correct because a few minutes after I had gotten to the common room, the portrait opened and fellow Gryffindors flooded in.
I closed my eyes, a grin adorning my face. Knowing Ginny, she's already bolted to the Hospital Wing to find me, the twins, though, seem to know exactly where I am if they're looking for me. I figured they would be joining me in…
Three
Two
One
At that exact moment, to my surprise, one of the boys sat on my abdomen, forcing the air from my lungs in one big "oof!"
My eyes shot open, labored laughs filling the air for a moment. "Bloody hell, Fred, you're going to crush me, you oaf!" I wheezed while swatting at his side.
I heard George laughing along with his twin, and looked over to see him leaning on the back of the couch. Thankfully, Fred took mercy on me and got off me shortly after my comment. "Oi, I'm no oaf, Lupin. I've got a refined physique." He said, straightening his shirt for no reason.
I laughed as I sat up, "If that's refined, then I must be damn near flawless."
"Well, I'm not sure about flawless, Delly, but seeing you up and about is a much better picture than what we had the pleasure of experiencing earlier," George said as he moved to sit to my right on the couch, and Fred joined us but sat to my left.
"He's right, you know," Fred added as he looked at me with concern. "What happened?"
I shifted uncomfortably. "Well, I went to the lake by myself, yes I know that was a bad decision," I added as George shot me a look. "It was a horrible decision, actually. A couple of dementors attacked me, I ran through the forest, couldn't lose them, and I guess I ended up passing out. Hagrid apparently got to me just before anything really awful could happen."
"Well, 50 points to Hagrid for saving our dear Delly!" George said with a quiet chuckle.
"100 points to him, Georgie," Fred countered, with a grin. "This is Delly we're talking about!"
I smiled at them, shaking my head. "I don't think it works that way, but alright."
Fred looked thoughtfully at the fire as it crackled, the other students talking amongst themselves around them. "What's it like?" He looked at me. "I know it's weird to wonder, but it's not every day you experience the dementors. How bad was it for you?"
I could hear the concern in his voice, and practically read George's mind, knowing he wanted to know as well. My eyebrows drew together as I stared at the dark wood of the coffee table in front of us, deep in thought for a moment. "I…I think I heard the night my parents…" I couldn't make myself finish that sentence out loud. It was bad enough to hear it in my head. Absentmindedly, I started to fidget with my mother's wedding band on my finger.
I felt two warm hands gently rest on my shoulders for a moment. After that, they quickly changed subject to what plans they had for the rest of the time in our fifth year.
"Deliah Lupin!" I turned to see the lovely scene that was Ginny Weasley storming through the common room towards me. "Why in the name of Merlin's saggy arse would you go out alone? Bloody dementors could've had at you, you know!"
As she stopped in front of me, she leaned over and gave me a rather strong hug. "Well, actually, they did have fun chasing me, I would guess," I told her as she stood back up, her face paling which made her freckles stand out drastically. "Sad for them that Hagrid came along. I'm not sure what he did that ran them off, but I sure am glad he did it."
"Hear, hear." Fred chimed in with a grin, and George nodded along.
"Anyway," I said, clearing my throat, and standing from the couch. "It's kind of late and I'm still kinda tired, so I'm going to head up. See you guys tomorrow?"
Ginny grinned, though I could still tell she was worried and had a lot of questions. "Of course!"
Just as the twins opened their mouths to say something, the common room became nearly silent. I turned around to see Professor McGonagall closing the portrait behind her. I also noticed Hermione was just in front of the Professor, and she looked as if she wanted to be invisible. I glanced around the three by me, and they looked as confused as I felt.
McGonagall strode over to where Ron and Harry sat at a table with Harry's new broom. She asked Harry about the broom, and if it came with a card or note. When he answered no, McGonagall nodded slightly, then informed him that she would have to take it to Madame Hooch and Professor Flitwick to have it checked for jinxes.
I could tell that Harry was upset. He looked like he was at a loss for words. Ron, though, let his lovely hot-headedness get the better of him.
"Why did you go running to McGonagall about the broom?" He all but growled out at poor Hermione, only once said Professor had left the common room, of course.
Hermione huffed, very red in the face, but still defiant. "Because, after talking with Professor McGonagall, we both think that the broom was sent by Sirius Black to hurt or kill Harry."
I slid my hand over my face, shaking my head. "I'll take this as my cue to leave...again." I waved at the twins and Ginny before tromping up to my dorm.
The rest of my Christmas break was spent with either Ginny, the twins which got the three of us a good bit closer, or Neville. I was still amazed at how much he knew about Herbology, and before too long, I realized that he was quickly becoming a close friend as well.
The Golden Trio still hadn't made up by the time the rest of the students were due to come back to Hogwarts. Poor Hermione was often found alone on the back of the library with her nose in a book. The boys, on the other hand, were sulking around nearly everywhere, Ron grumbling about what a "crime" it was to strip down a Firebolt.
Of course when everyone got back, Oliver Wood was just about in the same mood as Ron was when he heard about the broom. He thought he could…Oh, what did he say? Something like "I'll make her see sense!". Honestly, these people and their brooms.
Walking into DADA later in the first week back to class, I was actually excited for the actual class to be over. Remus had told me that he was already going to be working with Harry on the Patronus charm, and after what happened to me, he decided he would work with me on it as well. Lucky for both of us, Harry and I didn't have any more classes for the afternoon, after I finished up my DADA class, that is.
I could tell that Remus knew I wasn't paying attention. Every time he passed my desk, he would swat the back of my head with the handle of his wand, which really hurt by the way.
As soon as everyone had filed out after class ended, Harry snuck his way in, still looking sulky.
"Oh, honestly Potter, you still on about the bloody broom? Ow!" I winced then looked around behind me. "Really, Remus? That hurts, you know." I griped after being swatted with his wand handle again.
He gave me a small grin. "That's the point, Deliah, and watch your language. Just because there's only Harry and me here with you, does not mean that you have no manners."
I huffed indignantly, crossing my arms over my chest, knowing I was being childish. Harry, on the other hand, was standing awkwardly a few desks away.
"Alright you two, we're going to an empty classroom down the hall," Remus told us as he walked past Harry, headed to the door. I smiled at Harry, nudging him with my elbow as I passed.
We followed Remus down the hall to the right, then into a large, empty class. It was strange to see such a big classroom with no desks or chairs. There was, however, an old suitcase sitting out in the middle of the floor.
"Since we can't very well use an actual dementor, we will be using a boggart," He told the two of us while taking off his cloak, and setting it semi-folded on a window sill. "Come on now, Harry, no need to be so nervous."
I looked back at him to see a slight dusting of red along his cheeks. "How does this charm work, Sir?" He asked fidgeting with his wand.
Lowering himself down to the suitcase, Remus shrugged a shoulder. "When the spell works correctly, it acts as a guardian or a shield between you and the dementor. It is an extremely complex charm, though, so if you don't get it right off the go, don't worry." He regarded us both for a moment. "I have faith in the both of you. I believe you will be able to at least get a strong incorporeal Patronus by the time we are done with these lessons."
"Deliah, do you remember the incantation from the book?" I nodded at him. Remus had me read over this charm some during the break, after the attack, so I would be prepared in case there was another time I would need it.
"You say expecto patronum while concentrating on a very strong, happy memory," I said then looked at Harry. "Nothing simple, like being excited about breakfast, but something that you'd remember forever. Like…the feeling of a first-year seeing the castle for the first time, or something." He nodded and seemed to be thinking on it already.
"When you're ready, Deliah, I'd like for you to go first, let Harry have some time to get a strong memory," Remus said, knowing it would be a bit more difficult for the boy.
I nodded, concentrating on my own memory. I had thought long and hard over a few memories, and actually had a few that I couldn't decide between. I figured I could try them each, though, so first I concentrated on something similar to the example I gave: my first night at Hogwarts.
I waved my wand and said "Expecto patronum" as clearly as I could, my nerves nagging at the back of my mind. Unfortunately, nothing happened. I tried a few more times with that same memory and still got the same result. Of course, not being able to perform the spell was frustrating me to no end, and felt pretty embarrassing as well.
Suddenly, I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder, looking back to see Remus' reassuring smile. "Don't be discouraged, like I said, this is an extremely complicated spell. It takes some time to grasp it."
I nodded, but I was still frustrated. Even after reading up on the spell, I wasn't even able to create a wisp of the patronus. I watched as Remus moved over to Harry.
"Ready, Harry?" He asked and Harry nodded nervously. For a moment, I wondered what memory he was focusing on. His voice shook the tiniest bit the first couple of times but got stronger as he continued to try. I was almost feeling better about my sad attempt when a silvery wisp came from the end of his wand.
"Oh!" He exclaimed excitedly. "Look! Something happened!"
My frustration grew, but so did some jealousy as Remus praised his work. "Well done, Harry! Do you feel ready to try against the boggart?"
I scoffed quietly, rolling my eyes while Harry nodded. "Yes." He seemed nervous again, even though he tried to sound confident.
Remus moved to the case, unlocking the lid. "On three, two, one." He flung the lid back, stepping away from it quickly as a dementor rose from the depths. The lights in the room flickered off, leaving us in nearly complete darkness. Even from as far away as I was, I was feeling the effects, screams and shouting filling my ears. Looking at Harry as he desperately tried to produce the patronus, I could only imagine the horror he was experiencing, and I felt a pang of guilt in my chest.
Next thing I knew, he was collapsing to the floor. My emotions from earlier were forgotten as I raced forward, getting to Harry as Remus dealt with the boggart. Something in my instincts made me worry over Harry as I noticed the layer of cold sweat coating his forehead. I assumed this was how Madame Pomfrey felt about nearly every student in Hogwarts.
Remus joined us just in time for Harry to start waking up. "Here," He handed the poor boy a chocolate frog, and Harry bit its head off before it could go anywhere.
"It's getting worse, Professor," Harry muttered. "I could hear her louder… and him, Voldemort…"
I was confused for a moment before it clicked. He was reliving his parents' death as well. Not even glancing at Remus, I admitted what only the twins knew so far.
"I hear it also, Harry." He looked at me confused. "My parents, that is…I hear the night they were murdered. The screams, and the blasts from the spells. It's awful."
"Deliah," I knew Remus was worried for the both of us, but he had raised me which meant he reverted to mother hen mode occasionally. "Why didn't you say anything?"
I shrugged sheepishly. "Didn't want to worry you. Alright, Harry, go again, but know we're here with you." I rushed out, trying to avoid talking about my experience more.
Harry stepped back up, but things went just about the same. He was able to say the spell maybe three times before his voice drifted off, memories of the night of his parents' death flashing through his mind. Like before, he was on the floor in a second, Remus wrangled the boggart, and I tried to wake Harry.
"I heard my dad," Harry mumbled as he came to. "That's the first time I've heard him. He tried to fight Voldemort, to give my mum a chance…" I saw a familiar glint in his eye, that desperate desire to hear at least that little bit of his parent's voices, even if it was such an awful memory.
Remus shifted at my side. "You heard James?" Something about his tone made me look at him, and I was shocked when I did. He was so pale and looked so heartbroken.
"You knew him?" Harry asked curiously.
Remus swallowed. "I… We were friends in school. Maybe we should call it a night. This charm is too much…I shouldn't have suggested…"
"I want to go this time." I suddenly said, slightly regretting the case of word vomit I just had, though I stood firm.
Remus' brows drew down as he looked at me worriedly. "Deliah, I don't know if that's…"
"Remus, I want to do it." I interrupted stubbornly. When he looked like he was going to object again, I thought of a different tactic. "What if we both do it? It'll make it easier for us, won't it?"
He sighed resignedly but moved to open the case again. This time, Harry and I stood side by side. The boggart was released, we both held our ground, wands at the ready, good memories at the forefront of our minds. This time my memory was a stronger one, one from when I was about six, of Remus reading me a book before I went to bed. I had always loved those little moments.
At almost the exact same time, Harry and I both called out the spell a few times, hoping something would come from our wands. I could hear screams entering my thoughts, and knew Harry was experiencing the same. I was growing frustrated again as I heard voices shouting so loudly in pain, so I suddenly changed my memory to one at random: the twins smiling faces as they told me about their dream joke shop.
"Expecto patronum!" I shouted, jabbing my wand at the boggart/dementor ferociously as I heard what I could only guess was my father's agonized screams.
Sparks joined together with a large silvery cloud, much like the wisp Harry had produced earlier, but mine was denser than his had been. The cloud of a patronus formed into a strangely shaped wall between us and the boggart/dementor, which was reeling backward.
"Riddikulus!" Remus said as he strode over. Once the boggart had changed shape, I fell to my knees, panting as I shifted to sit a little more appropriately. Harry sank down to the floor next to me looking equally exhausted as I felt. Wiping my hand across my forehead, I noticed a film of cold sweat across my skin.
"That was absolutely brilliant, both of you!" Remus looked so excited as he come over to us. "Harry, that was a great try for your age. Your patronus had a bit more form than it did the first time." He then turned to me, his smile full of pride. "Deliah, that was an amazing first go." He handed us both a decently sized Honeyduke's chocolate bar before dismissing us to go back to Gryffindor Tower.
Harry and I walked along in relative silence for a while, but once I decided we were far enough away from Remus's classroom, I decided now was as good a time as any. I coughed slightly to draw his attention. "Um…I know that we don't know each other very well, but," Drawing a deep breath for courage, I just went for it. "I feel how you do when the dementors are around, Harry. Growing up with no parents is not fair for anyone, but you can't let the dementors get to you on purpose. They're gone, and listening to the echoes of their voices won't bring them back, no matter how hard we both try."
I sent him a look that I hoped conveyed how very well I understood his pain. He nodded stiffly, and we returned to the silence from before, the only sound coming from our footsteps and robes rustling as we moved. Idly, I wondered if the poor thirteen-year-old next to me would ever have a normal year at Hogwarts.
**edited**