I do not own Harry Potter, unfortunately.
CrystalKaouri: That sounds like a fun scene! I'd love to see James punch Peter in the face :) Unfortunately, since the incident at the Shrieking Shack is so unplanned, I'm not sure how James and Lily would hear about it until afterwards or get there in time to do any good if they did. As for Harry inevitably, somehow finding out the (supposed) truth... yeah, that's going to be an interesting conversation :) Thank you for the comment! Glad you're enjoying the story!
Dear James and Lily,
I wasn't sure if Harry would tell you, but in case he didn't, I thought that I'd better. The Hogwarts express was stopped by dementors who searched the train for Sirius Black. Harry passed out when one came into the compartment he and his friends happened to be sharing with me. I believe the dementors affect him more than anyone else because of the traumas in his past that other students do not have.
You may already know that dementors are being posted at the school entrances, but they shouldn't have any contact with the students.
Remus
Dear Mum and Dad,
We had some new subjects today. Divination was right after breakfast in North tower. We had to ask a portrait of a mad knight named Sir. Cadogan for directions. Professor Trelawny set us all to read tea leaves. Eventually, she came over to our table and started examining my cub, in which she found the Grim.
Everyone was really quiet during our next class which happened to be Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall was teaching us about animagi and asked us what had got into us all when none of us clapped for her transformation. Hermione explained, and McGonagall said that Professor Trelawny has predicted the death of one student a year since she started teaching, and none of them have died yet.
Hermione was convinced; Ron was not. I'm glad Professor McGonagall didn't think there was anything to worry about, but... Well, it's not like there aren't people who want me dead. I'm not sure what to think.
We also had Care of Magical Creatures this afternoon. Hagrid's teaching now! We should have guessed; who else would assign us a biting book? His first lesson was about hippogriffs. He needed a volunteer, and everyone else was scared, so I did. I had to bow to the hippogriff, Buckbeak, while trying not to blink, and if he bowed back, I could go and touch him. Buckbeak bowed. Hagrid then got me to ride him, which was a bit more than I bargained for, but everything worked out fine. It was nothing like riding a broomstick, and I prefer the broom.
After my success, people were more willing to try it. Everything was going well until Malfoy, who was trying it on Buckbeak, called him a great ugly brute. Hagrid had warned us that hippogriffs were proud, and you never wanted to insult one. He said it was the first thing we needed to know about hippogriffs. But Malfoy wasn't listening, and he got attacked and got a gash on his arm.
We went to see Hagrid when we saw a light on in his window after classes. He said Madam Pomfrey fixed him up, but Malfoy says it's still agony. I'm sure he's faking it. Madam Pomfrey can mend anything; she regrew half my bones last year! The governors have been informed, and we're not sure what the outcome will be.
Hagrid was grateful we came at first, but he'd been having a few drinks and after he stuck his head in the water barrel, he yelled at us for coming down to see him after dark in these dangerous times. I hope they catch Sirius Black soon; all these security measures are getting annoying. But don't worry. I'm doing my best to stay out of trouble.
Love,
Harry
Dear Harry,
Neither your mother nor I ever took divination, so I don't have a lot of experience. I would listen to McGonagall, though. Trelawny sounds like an old fraud. I'm sure Trelawny's tea reading isn't actually the Grim. Besides, there are plenty of people who consider the Grim to be a superstition, not something to truly be concerned about.
As for Hagrid, I really hope everything will turn out alright. I don't think he'll be fired, not with Dumbledore on his side. However, I'm worried the hippogriff. They really are magnificent creatures, if a little proud.
Black will be caught soon, and everything will go back to normal. The whole country's on the lookout for him. In the meantime, Harry, obey the security measures. Black is very dangerous, and it's better to be on the safe side.
Good luck,
Love,
Mum and Dad
Dear Mum and Dad,
Malfoy came back to classes today; he walked in late to potions. He sat next to Ron and I, and with Snape's help, got us to make half his potion for us because of his arm. He says his father has complained to the school governors and to the ministry of magic. With all the influence his father has, we're worried he might manage to get Hagrid fired.
Malfoy said something odd though. Seamus told us that Sirius Black had been sighted not too far from here by a muggle and by the time the Ministry of Magic got there he was gone. Malfoy got the idea that we were trying to catch Black single-handed, which we're not, and he said that if it was him he'd be hunting Black down himself. He'd want revenge. Before he could say anything else, Snape told us to start clearing up. Ron says he's making it up, trying to get me to do something stupid, and I reckon he's probably right.
We had our first DADA class today. Remus arrived and took the class to the staffroom. There was a boggart in the wardrobe. He explained what it was and how we got rid of it, then got Neville to take the first try. He asked Neville what his greatest fear was, and he said it was Snape. Then Remus told him to picture his grandmother's clothes very clearly when he said the spell. I'm sure you know where this is heading.
So, the wardrobe door opened, Snape came out, and Neville said the spell. And there stood Snape dressed in a green dress, with a big red handbag and a vulture topped hat! I saw a lot of funny things that day, but nothing topped that!
Not everyone got to face the bogart, because it exploded. Ron did, but neither Hermione nor I got to, although we got five points anyway for answering questions correctly. If it continues like this, Defense Against the Dark Arts is going to be everyone's favorite subject. It's a little weird, though, having Remus as a professor. I have to keep reminding myself to call him Professor Lupin.
Love,
Harry
Dear Harry,
I wish I could have seen that! Snape in that hat; that would be hilarious! I always knew Remus would make a great teacher.
I don't think Hagrid will be fired. Lucius Malfoy may be very influential with the ministry, but so is Dumbledore. And remember, he threatened most of the school governors just last year to get rid of Dumbledore. I can't imagine he's their favorite person now. Still, this doesn't mean there isn't going to be trouble. Tell him good luck for us.
Have a good rest of the term,
Love,
Mum and Dad