Chapter 5: The Dragon Cloaks
I don't own Digimon or Harry Potter.
By the time they had finished changing into their school robes, the Hogwarts Express had arrived at the station in Hogsmeade. Unfortunately, the rain had yet to let up, and everyone hurried out of the train and sought what little shelter there was on the platform.
"First years, this way!" a familiar voice shouted over the rain and the heads of the students. The four saw Hagrid at the end of the platform with the First Years. "All right, you four," he called, waving to them.
They could only wave before the crowd of students shunted them off the platform and down a long muddy path to where at least a hundred stagecoaches were waiting. "What's pulling them?" Veemon asked, managing to hold onto Daisuke's arm through the pushing and shoving of the crowd.
"Dunno, maybe invisible horses?" Herissmon chirped, arms around Harry's neck as he rode on his back.
"Really?" Harry asked his partner as Ron opened one of the coach's doors, and they all clambered in to get out of the rain.
"Anything's possible in this world, remember?" Daisuke told her brother before the coach set off seemingly by itself.
"I guess so," he muttered, leaning against the coach's side as Herissmon looked at his partner, worried. The carriage trundled along, following the ones in front of it. Soon it came to a large iron-wrought gate with two-winged boar statues on either side, Harry looked out the window and saw two more Dementors floating above the gate, standing guard, and he sunk into his seat and closed his eyes, trying to fight down the sick feeling in his stomach.
He felt someone holding his hand and looked across the carriage at Daisuke, who smiled gently at him, and he returned the smile for a moment.
The carriage rocked gently when it came to a stop, and the four climbed out quickly, but as they did, Pansy Parkinson hurried over to them. "Oi Potter!" she shouted, elbowing her way past Hermione. "Is it true that you fainted? You fainted?" she asked, blocking their way up the stairs to the castle.
"Shove off, Parkinson!" Daisuke growled, glaring at the Slytherin.
"What's wrong, Ainsworth? Did the Dementor make you faint too?" Pansy sneered.
"Parkinson!" an unlikely voice called out, making the group turn to see Draco Malfoy with Crabbe and Goyle walking over. "Stop wasting your time with them. Let's get out of this rain,"
Pansy glanced back at the four Gryffindors before she nodded. "Right. Coming, Draco," She swooned and hurried off after the blonde.
"Ugh…" Daisuke and Hermione gagged before they hurried up with the other students into the castle.
"Potter! Granger! I want to see you both!" a voice called out just as they reached the doors to the Great Hall. They turned and saw their Head of House, Professor McGonagall, waving her hand over the heads of the crowd.
"But we haven't done anything yet," Harry groaned, moving over to the witch with Hermione while Daisuke and Ron headed into the Great Hall, unable to follow as the crowd of students continued pushing them forward.
When they reached Professor McGonagall, the elderly witch smiled. "Don't look so worried. I only wish to speak with both of you. Please, follow me." She told them before walking off. She led them up a flight of stairs and down a corridor before through a door, and they saw she had taken them into her office.
She motioned for them both to sit in the two chairs in front of her desk. "Now Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead of the train. He said you had fallen ill on the train, Potter." She said, and Harry flushed both in embarrassment and anger.
"I didn't fall ill…" he growled out just as Madam Pomfrey came bustling in. "I don't need any treatment."
"Oh, it's you, is it?" the woman sighed, walking over to Harry. "I suspect you've gotten into trouble again?" she asked.
"It was a Dementor," Herissmon chirped, and the medical witch paused before muttering to herself.
"Of course, it was…placing them around the school. He won't be the first to faint…yes, he's clammy and sweating. And the effect they have on people who are already delicate…."
"I'm not delicate!" Harry snapped, pushing her hand away from his forehead.
"Of course, you're not," the nurse said absent-mindedly as she began taking his pulse.
"What does he need, Poppy?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Well, some chocolate, for one."
"I already had some. Professor Lupin gave me some on the train," Harry said.
"Did he now? Well, that's good to know our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher knows what he's talking about, unlike last year." She said approvingly.
"Can I go now?" Harry grumbled.
"I suppose so," Madam Pomfrey sighed. "But take care not to end up in the Hospital Wing too soon, Mr Potter," she advised before leaving the office.
"Wait outside, Potter. I only need a moment to go over Ms Granger's timetable with her," McGonagall said. Harry nodded, and he and Herissmon left the office. Sure enough, a moment later, Hermione, who looked exceptionally pleased about something, and Professor McGonagall exited the office, and they walked back down to the Great Hall.
Hermione, Harry, and Herissmon quickly hurried down to the Gryffindor table and found Daisuke and Ron had saved some spots for them, and they sat down.
"What was all that about?" Ron asked them, but before Harry could answer, Professor Flitwick called all their attention to the front where the Frog Choir would begin their performance.
"That's new…." Veemon muttered, seeing a group of students gathering in front of the teacher's desk with giant toads in their arms.
"We missed the sorting," Hermione sighed in disappointment.
"Ya didn't miss much," Ron shrugged as the choir began, Professor Flitwick waving his wand like a conductor.
"Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Something wicked this way comes!
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg and howlet's wing.
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Something wicked this way comes!
In the cauldron boil and bake,
Fillet of a fenny snake,
Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf,
Witches' mummy, maw and gulf.
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Something wicked this way comes!"
The toads all croaked, and the Great Hall applauded the performances. The students returned to their seats, and Professor Dumbledore stood up to speak, the elderly wizard silencing the applause with a wave of his hands.
"Welcome!" he greeted warmly. "Welcome, to another year at Hogwarts. Now, I'd like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. Firstly, I would like you all to help me welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has so kindly taken up the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, good luck professor."
The man stood up, smiling and bowing his head to the light applause he received. Daisuke narrowed her eyes when she saw Professor Snape sneering at the new professor.
"Looks like he's still not over being passed up for the position, again." She muttered to her friends.
"Secondly, I would also like to introduce our new History of Magic Professor, now that Professor Binns has finally moved on completely after a long career. Please welcome, Professor Natsumi Ainsworth," Dumbledore said, and Natsumi stood up with a small smile, waving as the Great Hall applauded again.
"Wahoo!" Daisuke and Veemon cheered, clapping their hands the loudest before Natsumi sat down again.
"Thirdly, I'm afraid to inform you all that Professor Kettleburn, our previous Care of Magical Creatures teacher, has decided to retire to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I am delighted to announce that his place will be taken by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid." Dumbledore said, and the half-giant stood up, knocking his portion of the teacher's table forward, and the Great Hall erupted into applause.
"Of course, who else would assign us a living monster textbook!" Ron said, banging his fist on the table as he and the Gryffindor table cheered the loudest out of the four tables, Hagrid blushing and covering his face with his hands even as Professor McGonagall pulled him back into his seat.
Professor Dumbledore waited until the applause died down before he continued.
"Finally, on a more disquieting note, at the request of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban until such a time as Sirius Black is captured."
"That's not good," Veemon muttered, glancing at Harry, who looked visibly paler.
"I'm fine…" he muttered, noticing the looks from his friends.
"The Dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds. Now, whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt our day-to-day activities… a word of caution. Dementors are vicious creatures. They will not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one who gets in their way. Therefore, I must warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving. But, you know, happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times…." Dumbledore waved his hand, and some of the candles floating by his head extinguished themselves. "If one only remembers to turn on the light." He waved his hand again, and the candles relit.
"Now, that being said, just as a precaution. Hogwarts will also become home to the Ministry's top group of Aurors." He motioned to the doors of the Great Hall, which swung open. Everyone turned and saw a group of witches and wizards marching in.
Alexander was at the front of the group. He glanced at Harry and Daisuke and smiled lightly, making them smile back before he passed them with the others close behind.
"Whoa…" Ron whispered, his eyes wide. "I've heard of them…."
Daisuke nodded as she looked at the group, her eyes flickering gold and briefly, she saw them as if they were wearing Medieval armour with red capes with dragons on them. They were walking in a courtyard, and in her father's place was the blonde-haired man she briefly saw in the Mirror of Erised during her first year.
She shook her head, and the group was back to normal.
Alexander approached Dumbledore and shook the man's hand briefly before looking over at his wife and winking at her, making her smile and shake her head fondly. He then looked at Snape and nodded, who returned it, and he then looked at Professor Lupin with a passive expression before facing the students.
"Students, the Dragon Cloak Aurors," Dumbledore introduced, stepping back and allowing Alexander to speak.
"I'm Alexander Ainsworth. I'm the Head Auror of the Dragon Cloaks. These are Auror Leon."
A man who stood at 6'3 nodded his head briefly. He had long, light blonde hair, blue eyes, a thin beard, dazzling sapphire blue robes and a pointed hat.
"Auror Lancelot." The second man, who stood six feet tall, nodded with a polite smile. He had short, dark brown hair and eyes and olive skin, and he wore dark green robes and on his left hip hung a sword held in a black and gold scabbard.
"Auror Winn." The first woman of the group, who stood at 5'11, winked and smirked at the students. In her hands, she held a wooden sceptre with a glistening gem atop it, and she wore a hooded cloak that was crimson red and covered all her body except her hands and face.
"Auror Elyan." The second woman smiled politely and nodded. She stood at 5'9, her hair was very short and black as the night sky, she had dark eyes that looked like they reflected starlight, and she had dark skin. She wore purple robes with broad shoulders, flared sleeves and leggings, heeled boots and a small flask on her hip that held a kind of liquid inside it.
"And finally, Auror Percival." The final male nodded with a grin. He stood at 6'4 and had short spiky hair that was midnight blue with silvery streaks, blue eyes, and a clean-shaven face. He wore a black suit under a thick red cloak, and on his shoulder was a large falcon dressed in a similar suit and a cute bowler hat.
"Always leaving me until last, eh boss?" he asked, making Alexander roll his eyes. "It's okay. It means I'm the best,"
"In your dreams…." Winn croaked, her eyes shimmering under her hood.
Alexander ignored them and continued. "We shall patrol the grounds at night, guarding the entrances and escorting classes outside the castle walls. We also shall be able to defend you against the Dementors if need be."
Daisuke smiled brightly and saw Harry and Jun smiling widely as Alexander and his group took some seats at a smaller table that had been brought out for them. Soon, the feast began, and everyone enjoyed themselves, catching up with friends, asking about their holidays, etc.
Eventually, everyone had their fill, and the leftovers vanished with a pop. "Well then, I think it's time for you all to head off to your dormitories. You all have a big day ahead of you tomorrow. Hurry along," Dumbledore said with a smile.
"Come on," Daisuke whispered, standing up and pushing past some students as she hurried over to her father and his group of Aurors. "Uncle Lance," she said, jumping into Lancelot's arms as the man hugged her.
"Ah, how are you, kiddo? Boy, you've gotten bigger since I last saw you. You were up to my knee back then," he joked, ruffling her hair.
Daisuke rolled her eyes and smiled. "I'm good." She said as Jun, Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way over. "It's so good to see you all again,"
"It's good to see you too. I wish it were under better circumstances," Leon spoke before looking at the others. "And these must be your friends Alexander has told us about. Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger."
"Yep, that's them. And this is Harry, my adopted brother," Daisuke added.
"Hello," he greeted softly before Elyan pulled him closer, examined him, and gulped. "Um…something wrong?"
"The Dementor from the train…" she muttered, and Harry sighed, about to say something when she held up her flask. "Drink." She instructed.
"Um…no thanks."
"Drink," She insisted.
"Best do what she says, kid. She won't stop bothering you otherwise," Percival told Harry while feeding his falcon some treats.
Harry grumbled and took a small sip from the flask before returning it to Elyan. "Was that meant to do anything?" he asked.
"The effects of the Dementors linger in a person. You should feel better soon." She told him, and he blinked.
"Um, okay…" he replied. "Well, we should be going before we get locked out of our house for the night."
"Of course. See you all tomorrow," Alexander told them with a smile as he walked off to chat with Natsumi, and his Aurors followed him.
"Come on," Daisuke said with a smile as Veemon jumped into her arms. "We best get to sleep early." Her friends and cousin nodded, and they all hurried off out of the Great Hall and began climbing the Grand Staircase, eventually reaching the portrait which led to the Gryffindor Common Room, which for some reason, was refusing to let the rest of the house in.
"Fortuna Major!" Seamus Finnigan tried again.
"Patience, patience," the Fat Lady said before singing again, trying to shatter a glass she held.
Seamus grumbled and saw Daisuke and huffed. "You try. She won't listen to me," he complained.
"Fortuna Major." Daisuke said.
"Wait, wait. Watch, I'm going to amaze you," the Fat Lady said before she took a deep breath, but rather than sing, she screamed, making everyone cover their ears while the portraits around her did the same or fled to other paintings further away. Then, when nothing happened, the Fat Lady smashed the glass herself and gasped. "Amazing, just with my voice," she said, astonished.
"Yeah, right…Fortuna Major!" Daisuke snapped.
"Oh fine, go in," the portrait huffed, swinging open for them.
"Thank you," Daisuke said, storming in with the rest of her house. She and Seamus started to talk to each other about the Fat Lady.
"She can't even sing!" both said simultaneously. "Exactly," both continued as a ghost flew by. "Hey man," both greeted, and the ghost nodded before it passed right over Hermione, making her shriek at the cold shiver that shot through her before she groaned in disgust at the ghostly residue on her clothes.
"Not a word," She growled, pointing a finger at Neville, who covered his mouth and nodded as the bushy-haired girl stormed up the stairs to the girl's dormitory.
Later that night, Ron, Dean Thomas, Harry, Neville, Seamus, and Herissmon were in their dormitory. "Try one of these," Ron said, tossing a sweet to Seamus, who ate it, and he started hooting and hollering like a monkey, and the others all burst out laughing.
Neville then ate one and started to make trumpeting noises like an elephant as he lay on his bed. "Ron, catch," Dean said, tossing Ron a candy.
The Weasley ate it and began roaring like a lion, and the others cheered and clapped. Ron grinned before he saw Harry eating a sweet. "No, not one of those…oh no!" he said as steam began shooting out of Harry's ears and his face turned bright red. "Look at his face!"
Everyone laughed before the steam died down, and Harry grabbed his pillow and tossed it at Ron. A pillow fight broke out, the boys and Herissmon enjoying themselves.
Meanwhile, outside the castle, as the storm continued, the Dementors of Azkaban eerily floated through the sky towards the school.
The end of the chapter
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