"Welcome!" Professor Dumbledore announced, standing up at his podium as the Frog Choir dispersed. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few announcements before we become befuddled by our excellent feast. I, myself, am particularly looking forward to the flaming kiwi cups, which, while somewhat treacherous for those of us with facial hair-" McGonagall cleared her throat. "Hm, yes, first, Professor Flitwick would like me to announce that there will be positions in both the Frog Choirandthe Orchestra this year for any of those that have a flair for the musical arts. To sign up, please see Professor Flitwick"
Grace felt Harry nudge her with his elbow. "You're signing up, right?" he whispered in her ear.
"They already have a pianist," she replied back.
"I meant the Frog Choir."
"Oh, I-I don't know-"
"You should."
"Now," Professor Dumbledore continued, and Grace turned her attention back to the headmaster. "I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Good luck to you, Professor." The great hall was filled with scattered applause, but those who were in the compartment with him clapped louder; however no one clapped louder or harder than Grace. She grinned up at him, their eyes meeting and he smiled at her too as he took a small bow before sitting. She waved at him, and he nodded.
"Of course! That's why he knew to give you the chocolate, Harry," Hermione whispered across the table.
"We alreadyknewhe was the new Defense teacher, Hermione," Grace glowered at the girl across from her. "There's only ever one vacant teaching position."
"As some of you may know," Dumbledore started again before Hermione was able to reply, instead she glared at her. "Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs-"
"See," Hermione hissed. "Professor Lupin could've replaced Professor Kettleburn-"
"Ohplease,how are we supposed to know Kettleburn would be retiring-"
"Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid!" The entire Gryffindor table erupted in applause and cheers. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Grace stood up, clapping loudly and cheering as Hagrid stood up and waved awkwardly before sitting down. "Finally," Dumbledore continued, his voice turning grave. "On a more disquieting note, Hogwarts – at therequestof the Ministry of Magic – will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban until such a time as Sirius Black is captured." Dread filled Grace, and she felt as if she was hit with a bludger to the stomach. "The Dementors will be stationed at the entrances to the grounds. 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 that gets in their way." Grace shivered beside Harry, she didn't want to reexperience a Dementor.
"Therefore, I must warn each and everyone 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, but only if one remembers to turn on the light," Dumbledore continued. The Great Hall was silent, and Grace gripped her robes tightly while holding her breath. "Well, I think that's everything of importance. Let the feast begin!" At his words, the long house tables were covered in golden plates and goblets, and several delicious foods.
"We should've known," Ron spoke up, his mouth full of roast chicken. "Who else would've assigned us a biting book?"
"That, Ron, I agree. I didn't see that coming," Grace nodded as she piled roasted potatoes on her plate. "But it makes sense, doesn't it? That Hagrid would be the Care of Magical Creatures professor if the opportunity ever came up."
"How was your holiday, Gracie?" Neville asked, pulling Grace's attention from the other three.
"Could've been better. Mum practically put me on house arrest since the news of Sirius Black's escape."
"I'm sorry," he muttered, giving her a small smile. "If I knew that, I would've asked you to come over mine. It wouldn't have been very fun but I'm sure it wouldn't have been as lonely."
"Thanks, Neville," Grace smiled at him, her heart warming at his thoughtful gesture. "How was your holiday?"
"It was good," he nodded after swallowing some of his potatoes. "Quiet, and a little boring but…"
"Understandable," she nodded. "A quiet summer holiday is probably needed after the year we had."
"Yeah…" Neville sighed. "First year we had the troll-"
"Don't forget Quirrell and the philosopher's stone."
"Last year loads were petrified-"
"And the Chamber of Secrets-"
"This year Sirius Black escaped and there's Dementors at school. Do you think we'll ever have a normal school year?"
"Twice is a coincidence. Three times is a pattern," Grace said, then stuffed her mouth with roasted potatoes. She loved Hogwarts potatoes. She loved almost everything that Hogwarts served during meals. Her mother wasn't a bad cook, she often used her sisters recipes, but there was something in her mother's cooking that just never satisfied her.
"Are you alright, Grace?" Neville asked quietly. She froze and stared at her plate. "I was really worried for you on the train."
"I'm fine Nev-"
"You startedcrying," he cut her off, looking at her seriously. She swallowed the lump that started to form in her throat, and set her fork down. "I've never seen you cry before, and I've never seen you that scared before, not even when we found that three headed dog in first year!" Grace grimaced uncomfortably. "What happened?" he asked gently. Grace stared at him for a moment, then quickly looked around them to see if anyone was paying attention and when she saw no one was, she leaned in closer.
"Remember last year when…when I told you I could see them too?" She whispered, referring to the creatures that pulled the carriages. Neville nodded. "And we asked Hagrid what it meant?" Neville nodded slowly. "That…that's what the Dementors brought back… the-"
"The night you saw someone die," he whispered, and Grace nodded. She felt something warm, and a little clammy, grab her hand and squeeze it gently; she squeezed Neville's hand in return and smiled at him. She told Neville last year, but she didn't go into any detail about it, shecouldn'tgo into detail about it especially now with Remus being a teacher. The only thing she really told Neville was that she was almost attacked, but her uncle had killed the attacker to save her. Neville is the only person she's told about that night, she didn't want to tell Ron, or anyone else because she knew she would get the pity looks, and people would look at her differently. Not Neville, though, never Neville. He was the only person that would understand, he still is the only person that understands.
She often talked about how inferior her mother made her feel, how she always felt like no matter what she does or how well she does it, it would never be enough. Nothing was ever good enough for Helena Prewett. She talked to Ron about it sometimes, he would sort of understand the feeling of being overlooked due to the number of siblings he had. However, she's never been able to feel that same level of understanding with Ron, not like she did with Neville.
"Professor Lupin," Neville started, forcing her out of her own thoughts. "He's your uncle, isn't he? The one that saved you?" he asked carefully and Grace nodded. "I figured, he already knew your name on the train, and he was really concerned for you. It looked like he knew you." No one ever gave Neville enough credit, he may struggle a little with schoolwork but he was more observant than most. Neville gave her hand one more squeeze before letting go and turning back to his food.
Grace stared at her plate, her appetite suddenly nonexistent. She forced herself to eat her dinner, knowing that she needed to eat more than she had the desire to. The feast continued on, she forced herself to eat as she listened to everyone else around her at the Gryffindor table talk and catch up. After dessert, the food vanished from the tables and Professor Dumbledore dismissed them all, declaring it time for bed. As everyone stood from the table, she felt a tug on her sleeve. It was Harry, who nodded toward Hagrid at the teacher's table.
"Congratulations, Hagrid!" Hermione squealed once they reached the table.
"All down ter you four," Hagrid replied, wiping his face with his napkin. "Can' believe it.. great man, Dumbledore.. came straight down to me hut after Professor Kettleburn said he'd had enough.. It's what I always wanted," he continued. Hagrid became overwhelmed with emotion, he buried his face in his napkin again.
"Off to bed you four," Professor McGonagall shooed them. Grace's eyes strayed to where Remus had sat on the other end of the table.
"You guys go, I'll catch up," she said as she waved them off before making her way to where Remus had sat. "Good evening, Professor Snape," Grace greeted the potions professor politely. Professor Snape wasn't her favorite teacher, he was actually her least favorite which wasn't surprising as most Gryffindors didn't like him. However, he wasn't as nasty to her as he was to everyone else in her house; maybe it was because she was quiet, did her work, and wasn't terrible at potions.
"Miss Black," He replied dully before standing up and leaving. Grace inhaled deeply, scowling at Snapes back, then turned her attention to Remus who was trying not to smile.
"So this is the new job you were preparing for," Grace said with a smile.
"This is the new job I was preparing for," Remus replied, smiling softly.
"How come you didn't tell me?!"
"I wanted it to be a surprise," He replied.
"Well, I was surprised."
"I hope it was a happy surprise."
"It was thebestsurprise, Remus," she told him softly.
"Ah, it's Professor Lupin to you now," he teased and she rolled her eyes playfully at him.
"Miss Black, I believe I had told you to head to bed," McGonagall spoke up and Grace winced, giving her head of house a sheepish look.
"But-"
"No, Minerva is right, Grace," Remus cut her off, giving her a look when she went to protest. "It's time for bed, and I believe your friends are not so discretely waiting for you," he nodded his head to behind her and she turned around to see not only Harry, Ron and Hermione, but also Neville, Dean, Seamus, Lavender and Parvati at the Great Hall entrance. "I'm sure they are curious."
"What can I tell them?" She asked, turning back to him.
"What do you want to tell them?"
"That you're my uncle and you're my favorite person in the world," She answered, making Remus laugh.
"Then tell them," he nodded. "Now it's time for bed. You've got classes tomorrow morning-" Grace's face curled into one of distaste at the mention of classes. "Good night, Gracie."
"Night Remus," She smiled again before turning and leaving the teacher's table.
"How do you know the new Professor?" Lavender and Parvati both asked as Lavender latched herself to Grace's arm.
"What did he want?" Dean asked.
"Tell me you're not in trouble already, Gracie," Seamus teased. Grace's cheeks flushed at all the attention.
"Professor Lupin was in our compartment on the train," Hermione spoke up, and Grace sighed in relief then pulled her arm from Lavender. "He probably asked to see how she was, Grace didn't do well with the Dementors," Grace scowled at the girl.
"I don't think anyone did well with the Dementors," Neville spoke up from behind her as they made their way up the stairs.
"Yes…well-"
"But Grace didn't pass out," Harry spoke up from beside her.
"Well Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey checked on you, didn't they?" Hermione replied. "Grace slipped away from them before they could ask her to come with us."
"He probably noticed she wasn't eating and wanted to see how she was doing. Grace didn't pass out, but she wasn't right after they left either-"
"What happened to Grace?" Seamus spoke up.
"She nearly had a fit on the train when the Dementor came in-" Ron answered.
"Oh no!" Lavender and Parvati gasped.
"Can we stop talking about Grace as if Grace isn't right here?" Grace spoke up annoyed.
"Sorry," they all muttered.
"Thank you," she sighed.
"Say…Grace," Ron started, turning to her as the stairwell began to move. "Howdoyou know Professor Lupin? He called you Gracie on the train."
"I was wondering that myself as well, actually," Hermione asked. "He seemed far too concerned for you," Grace narrowed her eyes at Hermione.
"Gee thanksHermione," she replied dully.
"Oh! I-I didn't mean it to come-" Hermione flushed from embarrassment.
"Anyway," Harry cut her off, and Grace sighed. "We're just curious is all…"
"Rem-ProfessorLupin is my uncle," Grace answered and in return she received multiple surprise gasps and 'whats'.
"He must be your uncle on your father's side," Hermione spoke up, frowning. "Seeing as Ron doesn't know him."
"He isn't related to my father," Grace answered dully. "I think my father was a muggle," she added, though not fully believing her own words.
"Then Professor Lupin can't be your uncle," Hermione replied, and Grace rolled her eyes.
"He's my Mum's best friend, he's been around for as long as I can remember. He's more like a father actually but-"
"Then he can't be your uncle," Hermione cut her off, and Grace stopped and glared at her.
"He is."
"Hecan'tbe!"
"Says you!"
"Says biology!"
"Oh come on," Grace rolled her eyes then scowled. "You've never called your parent's best friends Aunt or Uncle before?"
"Of course not-"
"How can you beso narrow minded!"
"I'm not-"
"You are-"
"Fortuna Major," Seamus spoke up quickly once they all had reached the Fat Lady's portrait. He hoped that maybe once they entered the common room the two girls would stop arguing. The Fat Lady, on the other hand, ignored Seamus and continued to sing – horribly. "Fortuna Major!" He said again, but the Fat Lady continued on. "Here, listen! She just won't let us in," Seamus grumbled, turning to them. Grace grimaced as the high pitched tones of the Fat Lady's voice.
"Fortuna Major," Harry spoke up more firmly than Seamus.
"No, no, no! Wait, wait! Watch this," The Fat Lady held out a hand to stop him, and held up her wine glass. Grace winced, she knew what The Fat Lady was going to do. The portrait cleared her throat and started singing again, that ended up turning into a scream. Everyone winced, Harry and Grace both covered their ears. After a few more seconds of her terrible attempt of singing so high to break the glass, Grace watched the portrait move and quickly broke the wine glass then gasped. "Amazing! Just with my voice!"
"Fortuna Major!" Harry exclaimed impatiently.
"Yes, alright," The portrait sighed and opened. "Go in."
"Thank you!" The Gryffindors all said, thankful that she finally stopped singing.
"I can't believe she'sstilldoing that after three years!" Seamus groaned.
"I know!" Harry sighed.
"She can't even sing-" They both said at the same time. "Exactly-"
"Unbelievable," Seamus shook his head.
"She should take singing lessons from Gracie," Neville spoke up, and Grace's cheeks turned red. "She's the best singer in Gryffindor, and probably the whole school-"
"I'm not, but thanks for the confidence," Grace muttered.
"Oh but he's right, Gracie!" Lavender smiled as she tugged on her arm. "You heard Professor Dumbledore, there's spots on the schools choir this year! You're signing up aren't you?!"
"You've got to!" Parvati nodded.
"I don't know," Grace muttered awkwardly.
"I think it's time for bed," Hermione spoke up, and she sighed thankfully. Grace wasexhausted.
"I second that," she nodded as she and Hermione made their way to the Girls Dormitory stairwell. "Good night!" she called out, waving to them.
"Grace…" Hermione spoke up softly after they finished getting ready for the night.
"Yeah?" Grace replied as she pulled back her duvet and slipped into her bed.
"What happened on the train today-"
"Hermione," Grace groaned. "I really don't want to talk about happened to me with the Dementors alright-"
"No, I know, I didn't mean what happened with them," She shook her head as she sat at the end of Grace's bed. "I meant…well, what's up with you and Harry?" she asked carefully and Grace frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Well," Hermione started awkwardly. "You two seemed really friendly is all…"
"Well, wearefriends, Hermione."
"But friends don't blush when other friends help them," Grace groaned and let her head fall back against her headboard. She knew it was only a matter of time.
"It's nothing Hermione, Harry was just being nice."
"Harry doesn't help me put my bag up-"
"Well I am shorter than you-"
"Nor does he help me down from when I stand on seats."
"Youneverstand on seats."
"He also has neverplayedwith my hair like that-"
"It was nothing!" Grace groaned. The sound of their dorm room door opening, caused the two girls to freeze and stare at each other with wide eyes. Lavender and Parvati's voices were heard, they were talking in whispers. "You're looking too deep into this, Hermione."
"What happened over the summer?" Hermione asked, and Grace shrugged.
"We did school work, we hung out… it's no big deal."
"But you two weren't like this before-"
"Hermione…"
"I'm just wondering if something happened between you two over the summer holidays…"
"Nothinghappened!"
"It's alright, you know," Hermione whispered after a few moments of silence, and she looked at Grace with a small smile. "If you liked Harry," Grace's cheeks burned at the girls words. "I always thought you liked Neville because of how close you are but you don't blush like that around him, not like you do around Harry that is."
"Hermoine-"
"It's alright if you like Harry."
"I don't, though," Grace muttered as she shifted uncomfortably in her bed. At least she didn't think she did. Harry was…just Harry. They were friends, and sure they may have gotten closer over the summer holidays but it doesn't mean anything.
"For now," Hermione smiled as she stood up. "It's only a matter of time, you know."
"Matter of time 'til what?"
"Until you realize it," with that, Hermione went to her own bed and slipped under the blankets. Grace frowned at Hermione's words then shook her head.