p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"The Hogwarts Express chugged steadily along the tracks, carrying its cargo of students to another eventful year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Among the bustling crowd of eager students, a tall figure with jet-black hair and piercing grey eyes stood apart. This is Cepheus Black, a proud Slytherin and a member of the notorious Black family. Cepheus finds himself back at Hogwarts for his third year, filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. The events of the previous two years have left their mark, and the news of Sirius Black, his uncle, and a wanted fugitive, being on the loose only adds to the tension in the wizarding class="Apple-converted-space" /span/p
p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 12px;" /p
p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Even though they were related, Cepheus knew very little of his uncle, the infamous Sirius Black. He only knew that his uncle was in Azkaban for murdering Pettigrew and muggles and serving the Dark Lord. His parents rarely said anything good about him, which was strange as his parents were also loyal followers of the dark lord. But the only other thing he knew about his uncle was that he was the only member of the Black family to be sorted into Gryffindor, which is probably why his parents didn't really like class="Apple-converted-space" /span/p
p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 12px;" /p
p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"As the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station, Cepheus stepped onto the platform, his familiar cat, Artemis, perched comfortably on his shoulder. The sleek black feline had been his steadfast companion since he started his adventure in Hogwarts. He scans the train for his best friend, Theodore class="Apple-converted-space" /span/p
p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 12px;" /p
p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"He spots the thin, tall figure of his friend. "Theodore!" He calls out with a wave as he strides over to where his friend is. "Cepheus and Artemis!" He calls back, "Any sign of an open spot yet?"/p
p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 12px;" /p
p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""None, yet" Cepheus shrugs, "let's keep looking"/p
p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 12px;" /p
p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"They made their way down the crowded aisle, peering through compartment windows as they passed. Most compartments are jammed with chattering students already catching up on summer gossip. Finally, near the rear of the train, they spot an empty compartment. "Ah, success!" Theodore grins as he slides open the door and lifts their trunks aboard. The train's whistle sounds its impending departure. Theodore and Cepheus exchange a knowing look, excitement surging at the start of a new term./p
p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 12px;" /p
p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Several hours have passed and Cepheus and Theodore are discussing what they did during the summer. Artemis sits on Theodore's lap as they share stories and eat chocolate class="Apple-converted-space" /span/p
p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 12px;" /p
p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Just then, the train began to slow down suddenly and all the lamps went out. A chill passes through the train car as an eerie silence falls. Their chatting went quiet. Theodore shivers beside me, staring at the shadowy figure gliding down the aisle. Artemis leaped from Theodore's lap and landed in front of Cepheus between him and the hooded figure. She hissed and spat, her fur on end. Cepheus' blood ran cold as he sensed an ominous chill spreading through the compartment. "Dementors..." he class="Apple-converted-space" /span/p
p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 12px;" /p
p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"The dementor pauses at our compartment door, drawing a deep rattling breath. The dementor's skeletal hands grip the door to the compartment and slowly move it to the side. It ignores the presence of Theodore and Artemis and turns its faceless hood towards Cepheus. An invisible force grips Cepheus' heart, and he felt his happiness being sucked class="Apple-converted-space" /span/p
p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 12px;" /p
p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"He feels himself fading as the dementor's nightmarish form seems to hover before him. Distantly he hears Theodore call his name as darkness crowds his vision. The last thing he saw was a bright flash of light and a pair of worn hands gripping his shoulders before oblivion took him./p
p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 12px;" /p
p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"I slowly come to, awareness returning with a lingering feeling of despair. He hears a voice, "Wake up, young man. Can you hear me? You're safe now." Cepheus slowly stirs, his eyes fluttering open. He finds himself face to face with a strange man, peering down at him in concern, Theodore casting anxious glances from the opposite seat./p
p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 12px;" /p
p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';""Easy there," the strange man soothes as Cepheus struggles to sit up. He presses a large chunk of chocolate into Cepheus' hands. "Eat this - it will help. I'm Professor Lupin, the new defense against the dark arts teacher."span class="Apple-converted-space" /span/p
p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 12px;" /p
p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Trembling, Cepheus took the chocolate with a nod of thanks. "Cepheus Black. I appreciate your help, Professor." He breaks off a small piece and nibbles it gingerly. Warmth floods through him, chasing away lingering shadows of fear./p
p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; min-height: 12px;" /p
p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"Professor Lupin's eyes lingered briefly on Cepheus as recognition flickered in their depths, but the Professor merely gave him an understanding smile. "I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Black. Now eat up - it's not far to Hogwarts now." He leaves the compartment to check on other students, allowing Cepheus to recover undisturbed. Theodore began chatting again, helping lift the residual gloom, he nibbled his chocolate thoughtfully./p