During their stay at The Leaky Cauldron, Harry filled Ron and Hermione in about their history with Peter and how the adults thought Peter would be coming after him. They listened with apprehension while reassuring him and themselves that Peter would be caught and that they would be safe at Hogwarts till then. Harry also told them about his agreement with his dad about Hogsmeade.

September first arrived, fortunately or unfortunately. Harry was dressed up, packed and ready to go when James entered their room at The Leaky Cauldron.

"Ready son?"

"Yeah" Harry nodded.

James then took out a velvet box from his pocket that Harry knew contained their ancestral bracelet or bangle bracelet. He opened it to reveal the magnificent 916 karat gold piece of jewelry with hints of diamonds and white gold through out it's design. The bracelet had a circular shaped center piece with a lion motif holding together it's circle. The center piece was made of mostly gold but with hints of diamonds that would show beautifully at the top of it's wearer's wrist.

James fastened the bracelet around Harry's left wrist. A part of Harry melted at the thought of his father passing on an essentially prized family heirloom to him this young.

"Dad, I appreciate it but isn't it too soon to pass it on to me?" he asked. "And I'm not sure if I deserve it." He said the last part softly as he looked down.

James put his palm on his shoulder. "Son. I don't know why you think you don't deserve it but I can assure you that you are not any less worthy of this just because you may have made a few impulsive mistakes. Also, nothing you've done Is worse than the worst thing I've done. Do you hear me?"

Harry nodded. "But isn't it too soon though? I feel bad if you don't get enough time with it."

"Nah, don't be. I've had twenty years with it, which is plenty. My dad gave it to me when I was your age, so it just seems like the right time to pass it on. Besides, it's kind of our family's good luck charm, so you should have it now that you're a teenager. I could always borrow it from you if I ever feel like wearing it."

Harry wrapped his arms around his father. "Thanks dad".

"You're welcome" His father hugged him back and kissed his forehead.

Ron then came barging in, complaining about Percy. Tea had dripped on his photo of Penelope Clearwater (Percy's girlfriend) and "Photo Penelope" was now hiding her blotched face. Percy accused Ron of doing it but Ron claimed to be innocent. Fred and George didn't make things better when they interrupted by congratulating Ron.

They then went down to breakfast together.


Two seven-seater cars arrived from the Ministry to pick the Potters, Weasleys and Hermione. Hermione's parents had gone home due to unavoidable work commitments. Harry was marched to one of the cars by his father (Both cars were driven by furtive looking wizards dressed in green velvet robes) where he got into the back with Ron, Hermione and Percy (to Ron's disgust) while James sat at the front. The rest of the Weasleys followed them in the other car.

When they arrived at King's Cross, they took turns entering the barrier to Platform nine and three quarters. Molly and Ginny. Arthur and Percy. The Weasley twins. Ron and Hermione. And finally, Harry and James.

James took Harry aside before they boarded the train. "Harry, promise me, you'll be extra careful," he pleased anxiously.

"Dad, don't worry. I will. Besides, isn't the school protected by dementors from the Azkaban waiting to catch Peter if he shows up?"

"Yeah, but it would keep me more at peace to know that you'll still be careful and not be completely dependent on the dementors. As I've told you, they're the worst creatures to have around and will suck out all the happiness from those around them." James's tone and eyes darkened as he said this.

"I understand. I promise I'll be careful".

"No sneaking out of the Common Room after hours?"

"But what if it's something urgent or important?"

James folded his arms. "Harry … But alright, if it's for a really good reason which would be judged by my judgement. And only with your cloak and makesure you're not seen by anyone."

"Alright, I promise".

James held Harry with a tight grip which Harry returned. "I'll see you during your first Quidditch game. And remember that I'm an owl away."

"I will". Harry got on the train and waved at his father till he couldn't see him anymore. For some reason, he felt a bigger pang than usual when saying goodbye to his father.

Harry, Ron and Hermione got into a compartment with an adult male wizard who was stout and plump with light brown hair and almost shabbily dressed. He introduced himself as Professor Edgar lverton, their Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor.

Once introductions were over, the four of them talked about Peter's recent escape and dementors being placed at Hogwarts. Just then, Harry heard a faint whistling sound from his trunk that turned out to be from the Pocket Snekoscope that Ron had gifted him. They concluded that it was broken and decided to get it checked at Hogsmeade after Ron stuffed it in Harry's sock and shut it back into his trunk.

They continued their journey talking about all the places they planned on visiting at Hogsmeade, to which Professor Iverton had plenty of stories. In the mid-afternoon, it began to to rain and shortly after they had their lunch from the Trolley, Draco Malfoy and gang burst into their compartment, making snide comments about Harry and Ron and a jab about the money Mr. Weasley had just come into. Harry had to hold Ron back from responding as Draco noticed Professor Iverton. He took a step back and looked uncertainly to Crabbe and Goyle who shrugged in confusion before turning to Harry who answered him "This is Professor Iverton, our new Defense Again The Dark Arts professor."

"Is there a problem young man?" asked Iverton.

"Umm… no sir. We were just saying hello," said Draco before he and his croonies were gone.

Guess he wasn't stupid enough to pick a fight in front of a professor.

Ron swore that he wouldn't take any nonsense from Draco this year and began punching his fist in the air as a gesture of what he'd do if Draco made one more comment on his family.

Harry and Hermione calmed him down and told him to ignore Draco.

The rain continued to pour more heavily as it got darker, and the train began slowing down. Ron thought they were already there, but Hermione pointed out that it was too early for them to have reached Hogwarts.

As the train gradually got slower, Harry poked his head out of the compartment to find that other students also had their heads curiously sticking out of their compartments.

"Keep calm," said Professor Iverson. "I'm going to ask the driver what's going on and will be back shortly".

Neville entered their compartment as Iverson was about to leave and ended up stepping on his foot.

Iverson told them to remain calm once again before illuminating his wand and trying to head out. However, this time he bumped into Ginny as he opened the compartment door. She had also come there out of fear. Hermione calmed Ginny down and made her take a seat just as Harry had done to Neville a few moments earlier.

It turned out to be fortunate that Iverson was stalled as just then, the compartment door opened and illuminated by the flames of Iverson's wand was a cloaked figure that towered to the ceiling with its face hidden by its cloak.

Harry had been told by his father that the presence of a dementor would make you relive your worst memory and feel like you'd never be happy again. But it was even more dreadful that he expected. What he went through in the next few moments could only be described as an ordeal and he felt as if he was fighting for his life before he heard a woman's terrified screaming. However, he lost his consciousness just as he reached out trying to help whoever it was.

Harry opened his eyes to the concerned eyes and worried looks of all those who were in the compartment with him. After inquiring if he was alright, Harry inquired about the screaming voice but was told that no one was screaming. Professor Iverson gave him a large piece of chocolate and insisted he eat it before leaving the compartment to have a word with the driver. Once Iverson was gone, Harry found out from his friends that Iverson had driven the dementor away by casting an unknown spell with a silvery substance. They had gathered from his words that the dementor was looking for Peter. Ron said that he thought Harry was having a fit.

Harry felt weak, not just physically but mentally when he thought about the fact that he was the only one who was so strongly affected by the dementor to the point of having a fit and fainting. He did however feel physically better once eating the chocolate. Iverson soon returned and Harry feeling embarrassed, was silent throughout their remaining journey. Once the train arrived, he, Ron and Hermione got into a coach with Iverson. They got off the train to be met by the last person Harry wanted to see (or second last if you count Snape). Draco mocked Harry about fainting but backed off when he saw Iverson come out of the compartment.


Once they were in Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall took Harry and Hermione aside and led them into her office. Harry was more embarrassed when McGonagall told him Iverson had owled her about what happened in the train. She brought Pomfrey in to examine him, and Pomfrey was pleased about Iverson giving him chocolate and glad to finally have a Defense professor who knew his stuff. Once Harry assured them that he was alright, McGonagall told him to wait outside while she had a word with Hermione. Hermione came out of McGonagall's office a few minutes after he left it, looking pleased.

"What did Professor McGonagall want? She didn't give you a gift, did she?" Harry asked teasingly in reference to her looking pleased.

Hermione blushed. "No... I mean, I promise to tell you about it one day, Harry but please understand that I can't right now". Her tone was almost pleading and apprehensive.

Harry chuckled. "Hermione, It's alright. I understand. I was just teasing you."

They went to the Great Hall to find that they had missed the sorting. However, they were in time for the feast. Dumbledore gave his opening speech and introduced the new teachers including Professor Iverson for Defense Against The Dark Arts and Hagrid for Care of Magical Creature. The Gryffindor table cheered for Hagrid, especially Harry and friends.

Dumbledore's face contorted as he introduced the final professor. "And finally, it … saddens me to inform you that… Professor Charity Burbage has sadly passed away two days ago." He trembled and struggled to get his words out as he fidgeted with his hands but composed himself enough to add "But I am nevertheless pleased to introduce Professor Gisella Ortega who will be replacing her."

Harry barely noticed the new professor who stood up as his felt a small throb in his heart. He heard gasps from the students across the room. He looked around at the wide-eyed looks of his fellow Gryffindors.

"Susan Bones told me that she was murdered," said Parvathi.

"Murdered?" Those around her said together.

Her death was shocking enough but Harry couldn't believe she was murdered. Wouldn't this have been in the Daily Prophet? He expressed this to those around him.

"I supposed the Ministry must be trying to hush it up," said Hermione.

She was probably right. It was difficult getting through the meal with such news but nevertheless they were hungry and managed to somewhat fill themselves up before heading back to their Common Rooms.

=to be continued=