The next morning I was awoken by Tom the Barkeep. The toothless man gave me a cup of tea and told me and Lisa to start getting ready.
"Don't want to be late when the Ministry Cars show up." Tom says, then leaves our room to go wake up Harry and Anthony.
"Ugh." Lisa groaned as she started to get up, rubbing her eyes.
I swallowed, still worried about what me and Harry had overheard yesterday, then started to get dressed. As soon as I was I made sure all my school things were ready, and had Uric get into his cage. I then decided to head over to Harry's room and let Lisa get ready at her own, grumpy pace.
As I approached it I saw that the door was already open, and that Ron had already entered and had just finished pulling a sweatshirt over his head. He was currently ranting about Percy.
"The sooner we get on the train, the better," Ron told Harry as I entered the room. I saw Anthony was packing the last of his things and was already up and ready. "At least I can get away from Percy at Hogwarts. Now he's accusing me of dripping tea on his photo of Penelope Clearwater. You know," Ron grimaced, "his girlfriend. She's hidden her face under the frame because her nose has gone all blotchy. …"
"Penelope is a friend of mine. She's not nearly as...full of herself as Percy is." I said softly.
Anthony looked up from his trunk. "Yeah, at least when she splashes water on people to wake them up, its deserved." He yawned. Harry and Ron shared a confused look, then shrugged as Harry looked around.
"We've got something to tell you," Harry said, motioning to me. Ron and Anthony turned to us curiously. But before we could Fred and George burst into the room, a massive smile on both there faces as they walked to Ron.
"We heard Ickle Ronnikins managed to make Percy even more upset this morning!" Fred said in a loud, proud tone.
"Yeah. Finally showing your true potential mate!" George added, as both twins patted Ron's shoulders in congratulations.
Ron groaned. "Merlin I didn't spill that tea on that photo." Ron muttered as me, Harry, Ron, Anthony, and the twins headed downstairs to breakfast. On our way down Lisa finally joined us, still grumbling about how early it was.
When we arrived at the table downstairs, we found Hermione and Ginny were already up. Mrs. Weasley was sharing a story about the time she'd made a love potion, and the two girls were both giggling alongside Mrs. Weasley. Mr. and Mrs. Goldstein were both quietly chatting with one another, while Mr. Weasley was reading the front page of the Daily Prophet in a concentrated expression.
As I sat down in the middle or Lisa and Anthony, and across from Harry and Ron...Ron spoke.
"What were you saying?" Ron asked Harry softly.
"You mentioned you needed to tell us something." Anthony added. This caused Lisa to turn to me and Harry, eyebrow raised.
"Later," Harry replied as Percy stormed in, still in a sour mood.
In the hectic that followed neither me or Harry could talk to either of our friends about what we'd overheard last night. After breakfast, the entire group began to move there trunks down stairs and pile them by the door of the Leaky Cauldron. We finally finished by putting Hedwig's, Uric's and Hermes (Percy's pet Owl) cages on top of the stacked trunks. Beside all the trunks was a small wickerwork basket which contained Crookshanks, whom was loudly hissing.
"It's all right, Crookshanks," Hermione tried to soothe the cat. "I'll let you out on the train."
"You won't, "Ron snapped at Hermione. "What about poor Scabbers, eh?" Ron asked, pointing to his chest pocket, which Scabbers was currently curled up in.
Ron and Hermione began to bicker, while Lisa leaned in between me and Anthony. "Told you that cat would be entertaining." She snickered in a whisper.
Anthony gave Lisa a look. Before I could reply Mr. Goldstein and Weasley stuck there heads through the door of the Leaky Cauldron where they'd both been waiting for the Ministry cars outside.
"They're here," Mr. Weasley said, turning to Harry. "Harry, come on."
"You too Sarah." Mr. Goldstein said, as he motioned me to walk next to him. And it was clearer than ever that all this caution was truly for mine and Harry's protection.
Mr. Weasley and Harry went first, then me and Mr. Goldstein, as we exited the Leaky Cauldron and went outside. Outside the pub was two rather old looking green cars. Each car was being driven by secretive and quiet looking wizards who wore similar emerald velvet suits.
"In you get, Harry," Mr. Weasley as he looked left and right as if keeping lookout. As Harry got into the back one the front car, I couldn't help but remember how Sirius Black had killed thirteen people with one spell in broad daylight.
I nervously swallowed, taking my own glances around.
"Now you Sarah." Mr. Goldstein, as he motioned me to enter. I quickly did. Climbing in next to Harry whom seemed much calmer despite having a killer after him.
After we were in the car we were followed in by Hermione, Ron, and finally Percy. Ron was clearly annoyed that Percy was in this car, and I couldn't help but be slightly annoyed myself that I didn't get to ride with Anthony or Lisa, whom were both ushered into the second car.
As soon as we were all loaded the cars set off. Compared to the Knight Bus the Ministry drivers and cars were a lot more smooth and what one would expect in a Muggle Car ride. I simply looked out the window at muggle London, while Ron kept getting into verbal spars with Percy. But other than that the ride to Kings Cross was very calm and thankfully uneventful. And we arrived with twenty minutes to spare before the Hogwarts express was to depart.
The Ministry drivers then got out, and loaded everyone's trunks and owl cages onto trolley's. Then gave Mr. Weasley and Goldstein a respectful tip of the cap, and got back into there cars and were off, the last sight of them somehow jumping to the head of a unmoving line of muggle cars at a stop light.
The group moved into the station and the entire time I noticed that Mr. Weasley was always at Harry's side, while Mr. Goldstein was constantly at mine.
"Right then," Mr. Weasley said glancing around the station as we approached barrier between platforms nine and ten "Let's do this in pairs, as there are so many of us. I'll go through first with Harry."
Mr. Goldstein looked down at me. "And I'll lead you through Sarah." He told me. I simply nodded, still slightly nervous and just wanting to get on the train and to safety at Hogwarts.
Mr. Weasley pushed Harry's trolley towards the barrier with Harry strolling right next to him. Mr. Weasley glanced at a apparently very interesting arriving train from the InterCity 125, then leaned against the platform. Harry did the same and the two casually fell through.
"Now us." Mr. Goldstein said, pushing my trolley for me. "Is it fine if we just walk through? I don't see any muggles even looking at us?" He asked me.
"Yeah." I replied simply. Mr. Goldstein nodded, and the two of us simply strode up to the barrier and right through onto platform Nine and Three Quarters.
I saw Harry and Mr. Weasley, and then saw the Hogwarts express. Like always the platform was filled to the brim with witches and wizards wishing there children off to school. To my annoyance I noticed Zacharias Smith speaking with what had to be his father, given he looked just as stuck up and full of himself as Zacharias.
Luckily Smith didn't notice me, and before I could dwell on him any further there were the sound of footsteps behind us, as Percy and Ginny appeared, both apparently having sprinted through the platform.
"Ah, there's Penelope!" Percy said, sounding happy for the first time since I'd seen him yesterday, as he began to smooth his hair and had gone slightly pink. I looked over and indeed Penelope clearwater standing on the platform seemingly trying to help some first years.
Percy began to stride over to Penelope, chest pushed out so she couldn't miss his badge. I noticed Harry and Ginny share a quick glance and both of them having to hold back laughter. And despite my current nervousness, one more glance at Percy as he reached Penelope I couldn't either.
Soon enough the rest of the Weasley's, Lisa and Anthony, and finally Mrs. Goldstein arrived on the platform. Once everyone was on the platform Harry and Ron started down towards the end of the train, and everyone else followed. I slid in next to Anthony and Lisa...Lisa was eying Penelope and Percy with eager eyes.
"Yes...god yes. The fun I'm going to have making her love life a living hell." Lisa said as she rubbed her hands together.
"Come on Lisa, poor Penelope was petrified like you at the end of last year, surely you should cut her some slack." Anthony said.
Lisa almost looked offended. "Me? Give slack? Please."
Our group walked past filled compartments until, towards the back of the train, we found a carriage that wasn't nearly as crowded. We all loaded our trunks onto the train. I stored Uric in his cage in the luggage rack, Harry did the same with Hedwig and Crookshanks respectively.
We then stepped back onto the platform to say goodbyes to the Weasley's and Goldstein's. Mr. and Mrs. Goldstein pulled Anthony aside to tell there son bye. Mrs. Weasley kissed all her children goodbye, then to my surprise did the same for Hermione, Lisa, me, then Harry. I was doubly shocked when she pulled me and Harry into a extra hug.
"Do take care, won't you, Harry? You too Sarah?" Mrs. Weasley said as she pulled away, then opened a bag stuffed to full to the brimmed with rapped sandwiches, "I've made you all sandwiches. … Here you are, Ron … no, they're not corned beef. … Fred? Where's Fred? Here you are, dear. …"
Mr. and Mrs. Goldstein then walked back over. "It really was a joy to have you both for the summer." Mrs. Goldstein said.
"Thank you for having us." Harry said respectfully.
It was amazing." I added. "Your library is something I dream of when I have a home."
Mr. and Mrs. Goldstein both chuckled, as Mrs. Goldstein turns to me and Lisa. "You will keep my dear Anthony out of trouble, won't you girls?" She asked.
"Mum..." Anthony groaned.
"Just teasing dear." Mrs. Goldstein giggled, again smoothing his hair which made Anthony go more red.
As Mrs. Weasley was still busy giving our sandwiches, and Mrs. Goldstein was flustering Anthony, much to Lisa's amusement, Mr. Weasley walked over to us and Mr. Goldstein.
"Harry, Sarah," Mr. Weasley said in a whisper, "come over here a moment, if you wish to join us Jacob..."
Mr. Goldstein nodded solemnly. "Of course Arthur." And with that the two adults led us over to a pillar and behind it, everyone else too distracted by Mrs. Weasley's sandwiches or Mrs. Goldstein's teasing.
"There's something I've got to tell you two before you leave —" Mr. Weasley began in a very tense voice.
"It's all right, Mr. Weasley," Harry replied "We already know."
'
Both Mr. Weasley and Mr. Goldstein's eyes widened.
"You know? How could you two know?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"We— er — We heard you and Mrs. Weasley and Mr. and Mrs. Mrs. Goldstein talking last night. We couldn't help hearing," Harry added quickly. "Sorry —"
"We." I swallowed. "We're just trying to help Ron by getting Scabbers Rat Tonic. He left it downstairs and we just— , like Harry said we're sorry."
"That's not the way I'd have chosen for you two to find out," Mr Weasley sighed, looking anxious.
"I for one, am glad you do. Though I wished you'd heard from us more directly. You needed to know. It's a horrible thing for kids your age to go through, and we're sorry for that." Mr Goldstein added.
"No — honestly, it's okay. This way, neither of you have broken your word to Fudge and we know what's going on."
"I promise I'll be on guard." I said looking around nervously.
"Both of you must be very scared —" Mr. Weasley said sympathetically.
I nodded. "Yeah." I admitted. Not at all ashamed to admit it.
"I'm not," Harry said and we all turned to look at him like he was crazy. "Really, I'm not trying to be a hero, but seriously, Sirius Black can't be worse than Voldemort, can he?"
I shivered at the name, Mr. Goldstein grit his teeth, and Mr Weasley flinched.
"Harry, I knew you were, well, made of stronger stuff than Fudge seems to think, and I'm obviously pleased that you're not scared, but —"
"Arthur!" Mrs. Weasley called suddenly, herding all the Weasley's and Hermione onto the train. "Arthur, what are you doing? It's about to go!"
"Come give our son one last goodbye dear." Mrs. Goldstein, whom gotten Anthony and Lisa onto the train, shouted to Mr. Goldstein,
Mr. Goldstein gave us and Arthur one last look. "Be careful both of you." Mr. Goldstein said as he raced over to tell Anthony goodbye from the doorway to the train.
"They're coming, Molly!" Mr. Weasley replied, as he turned back to me and Harry and kept going in a soft but quick voice. "Listen, I want you both to give me your word —"
"— that we'll be a good kids and stay in the castle?" Harry asked in a dour tone.
"I promise you I will." I said firmly.
"Not entirely," Mr. Weasley replied in a very serious tone, more serious than I'd ever seen him. "Both of you swear to me you won't go looking for Black, especially you Harry, I know what you're like but you mustn't, "
"What?" Harry asked, staring in confusion.
I for one was confused too. Why did he think either of us would go looking for Sirius Black? "Sir I promise if I see Black I will be running in the opposite direction." I said.
Mr. Weasley looked pleased. "I knew you wouldn't. Now Harry—"
Behind us there was a loud whistle and we heard guards going up and down the train shutting all the doors.
"Promise me, Harry," Mr. Weasley told Harry, talking ever faster, "that whatever happens —"
"Why would I go looking for someone I know wants to kill me?" Harry asked, a blank and confused expression on his face.
"Swear to me that whatever you might hear —" Mr. Weasley again said,
"Arthur, quickly!" Mrs. Weasley cried.
We all turned and saw that steam was pouring out of the Hogwarts express and it was starting to move. With no more time me and Harry had no choise but to sprint towards a compartment door which Ron held open for us. We made it inside. We looked out the window and waved the Weasley's and Goldstein's goodbye until finally they disappeared from view.
"I need to talk to you in private," Harry told Ron and Hermione. I turned to Lisa and Anthony.
"Yeah...you two as well." I added as the train continued to pick up speed.
"Go away, Ginny," Ron told Ginny.
"Oh, that's nice," Ginny huffed, then walked off with a pouting face.
So the six of us started down the corridor, looking for a empty one. Unfortunately, given we were some of the last people on the train, most the the compartments were filled. I saw Cho and Marietta Edgecombe, and several other slightly older Ravenclaw girls in one, she noticed and gave me a quick wave which I returned. I also noticed a compartment filled with a group of First Years, all without house yet, all huddled together talking about which house they'd get.
"I remember doing that." I said fondly.
"Yeah, you were a nervous wreck." Anthony told Lisa.
"Don't remind me. My mum still had me doing doing those stupid muggle packets, and then some Slytherin jerks kicked me out of my first compartment." Lisa said frowning.
We kept looking but all the compartments we looked in were full, until finally we reached the end of the train. The final compartment was mostly empty, with the exception it had one man in it. All of us shared a confused look, other than the trolley lady, I'd never seen a adult on the Hogwarts express.
On closer look the man did not look well at all. His face was pale, and despite looking pretty young his brown hair had many patches of grey. His clothes were, for lack of a better word, horrid. They had several sew marks and it was clear they'd been torn several times over and then re patched. Finally the man looked exhausted and looked fast asleep.
"Who d'you reckon he is?" Ron asked in a nervous whisper, as Harry Ron and Hermione took the seats furthest from the window.
"Professor R. J. Lupin," Hermione replied in a whisper of her own as me, Anthony, and Lisa took seats opposite them. And for a moment I froze. I'd heard his name somewhere before, but I couldn't remember where.
I didn't say anything though, not yet at least. I knew I'd heard the name Lupin before but...I didn't want to cause any unwanted worry or drama, especially \with the Sirius Black news Harry and me would have to tell the others.
Still, not remembering exactly I'd heard Lupin's name was driving me mad.
"How d'you know that?" Ron asked Hermione, snapping me back to the conversation.
"It's on his case," Hermione replied, pointing above the man and up to the luggage rack. Sure enough there was a barely held together case by some neatly tied strings. And stamped on it where the words, Professor R. J. Lupin, were stamped.
"Wonder what he teaches?" Ron asked, frowning at Lupin and his frail looking form.
"That's obvious," Hermione replied in another whisper. "There's only one vacancy, isn't there? Defense Against the Dark Arts."
At that I shivered. So far both of our Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor's had been after me and Harry. Quirrell was willing servant of You-Know-Who, and Lockhart, though a good man for all we knew, had been under Quirrell's Imperious Curse all of last year.
"I hope this one Isn't after you two like Quirrell and Lockhart were." Lisa says, giving the man a suspicious look.
"To be fair Lockhart didn't mean too." I replied with a sigh. "But, I've learned it's always good to keep ones guard up." I admitted softly.
"Well, I hope he's up to it," Ron finally replied, looking doubtfully at Lupin. " Not the after Harry and Sarah part mind you, but the teaching part. He looks like one good hex would finish him off, doesn't he? Anyway …" Ron turned to Harry. "What were you and Sarah going to tell us?"
"Yeah, you two looked really nervous at the Leaky Cauldron this morning. What's the matter?" Anthony asked.
So me and Harry took turns sharing what we'd overheard the Goldstein's and Weasley's talking about last night, and what Mr. Weasley had just warned us about on the platform. By the time we we're done all of them were like me, nervous and worried and scared for the both of us. Ron eyes were wide, Hermione's hands were over her mouth, Anthony's face had paled, and Lisa grit her teeth.
"Sirius Black escaped to come after you two? Oh, Harry, Sarah … you'll both have to be really, really careful." She then turned to looked directly at Harry. "Don't go looking for trouble, Harry —"
"I don't go looking for trouble," Harry replied. "Trouble usually finds me."
"That's debatable." Lisa couldn't help but say. Anthony bit his bottom lip clearly agreeing, while Ron shook his head.
"How thick would Harry have to be, to go looking for a nutter who wants to kill him?" Ron asked shakily.
"Thick enough to go after the Sorcerer's Stone as a first year?" Anthony said, raising a eyebrow.
Harry frowned. "I thought Snape was after it. And it turned out someone was." Harry defended himself.
"Yeah someone who couldn't get to it anyways and would have eventually been caught by Dumbledore staring helplessly into the Mirror of Erised." I interjected.
Harry sighed and shook his head. "Lets not debate that here okay."
Lisa slightly smirked, Anthony shrugged, and I relented as Ron spoke.
"No one knows how he got out of Azkaban," Ron explained nervously. "No one's ever done it before. And he was a top-security prisoner too."
"But they'll catch him, won't they?" Hermione asked. "I mean, they've got all the Muggles looking out for him too. …"
"What's that noise?" Ron asked suddenly.
Sure enough through the compartment a pair of loud whistling sounds throughout the compartment. All of us glanced around until Ron pointed up to the luggage rack.
"It's coming from your trunk, Harry," Ron said.
"And Sarah's too." Lisa added.
Ron and Lisa then both reached up and reached into our trunks, and soon enough pulled out the pair of Pocket Sneakoscope. Both were glowing and spinning like crazy.
"Are those Sneakoscope's?" Hermione said, her curiosity peaked, as she got up and looked at them. Anthony did as well.
"Amazing." Anthony said raising a eyebrow.
"What's a Sneakoscope's?" Lisa asked.
"Our birthday gift's from Ron. Supposedly they light up and go crazy like this when someone not trustworthy is around." I told Lisa. She nodded.
"Yeah … mind you, they're very cheap ones," Ron explained. "They went haywire just as I was tying them to Errol's leg to send it to Harry and Sarah."
"Were you doing anything untrustworthy at the time?" Hermione asked raising a knowing eyebrow.
"No! Well … I wasn't supposed to be using Errol. You know he's not really up to long journeys … but how else was I supposed to get Harry and Sarah's presents to them?" Ron replied in a defensive tone.
"Stick them back in the trunks," Harry suggested as the Sneakoscope's kept going off, "or it'll wake him up." Harry motioned to Lupin.
Ron and Lisa both did. Ron stuffing Harry's into a old pair of hand me down socks that originally belonged to Uncle Vernon. While Lisa stuck mine deep into my book bag, letting the thick tomes dim the noise.
"I wonder why they're going off?" I asked simply, stroking my chin. I knew everyone here was totally trustworthy...
Unless...
I glanced nervously at Professor Lupin. Despite me not wanting to jump to any conclusions I couldn't help but theorize. The past two years the Defense Against the Dark Art's Professor turned out to be a threat to me and especially Harry. Quirrell literally used me and had Voldemort had on the back of his head. And while Lockhart hadn't meant it, he had also been a threat due to the imperius curse that had been cast on him...
Was Lupin untrustworthy too? Was he a threat to me and Harry?
Everyone else noticed me looking at Professor Lupin. Clearly they all knew what I was thinking, and Ron was the first to speak.
"I'm sure they're just broken." Ron tried to assure me. "Like I said they were going crazy when I sent them to you guys. We could get them checked in Hogsmeade," Ron suggested as he and Lisa sat back down. "They sell that sort of thing in Dervish and Banges, magical instruments and stuff. Fred and George told me."
"Do you know much about Hogsmeade?" Hermione asked eagerly. "I've read it's the only entirely non-Muggle settlement in Britain —"
"Yeah, I think it is," Ron replied, waving his hand to say that he didn't care so much about that fact. "but that's not why I want to go. I just want to get inside Honeydukes!"
"What's that?" Hermione asked.
"It's this sweetshop," Ron replied, and you could practically see the drool about to come out of his mouth, "where they've got everything. … Pepper Imps — they make you smoke at the mouth — and great fat Chocoballs full of strawberry mousse and clotted cream, and really excellent sugar quills, which you can suck in class and just look like you're thinking what to write next —"
"But Hogsmeade's a very interesting place, isn't it?" Hermione asked again, clearly more interested in the history of Hogsmeade than the sweet shop. "In Sites of Historical Sorcery it says the inn was the headquarters for the 1612 goblin rebellion, and the Shrieking Shack's supposed to be the most severely haunted building in Britain —"
"— and massive sherbet balls that make you levitate a few inches off the ground while you're sucking them," Ron replied, clearly not hearing a single word that Hermione was saying.
I glanced at Anthony and Lisa, both of whom were silently sharing amused glances at the back and forth of Hermione and Ron. I then turned to Harry, whom had a dour expression now and was clearly upset at the fact that he couldn't enjoy all the Hermione and Ron were talking about, that he couldn't go to Hogsmeade with them.
Seeing that Ron wasn't listening to her, Hermione turned to Harry.
"Won't it be nice to get out of school for a bit and explore Hogsmeade?" Hermione asked Harry,
"'Spect it will," Harry replied gloomily. "You'll have to tell me when you've found out."
Ron, Hermione, Lisa, and Anthony all shared confused looks.
"What d'you mean?" said Ron.
"Yeah, what are you talking about?" Lisa asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Me and Sarah can't go. The Dursleys didn't sign our permission forms, and Fudge wouldn't either." Harry explained
"What?" Lisa asked horrified. "You can't go to Hogsmeade with us?" Lisa turned to me specifically.
"I can't either. The Aunt Marge incident assured that." I replied shrugging.
"You're not allowed to come? But — no way — McGonagall or Flitwick or someone will give you permission —" Ron tried to stammer out, still clearly in total shock.
Harry just gave a hoarse laugh.
"McGonagall obviously won't." Anthony said matter of factly.
"And I'm not going to ask Flitwick." I again shrugged. All eyes turned to me.
"You truly think he won't give you permission? He's a lot less strict with us than McGonagall is with the Gryffindor's." Lisa said.
"He may, but I don't intend to ask until Black is captured. Hogsmeade is the perfect opportunity to get us." I said simply.
And it seemed to all click for them.
"Even if your form was signed you wouldn't go would you?" Anthony asked simply.
I nodded. "I can just give you two galleons and have you bring me stuff back. Better safe and bored than dead." I told Anthony and Lisa, who shared a look, then nodded.
"Well, it's your decision." Anthony said.
Harry for his part looked totally aghast of my suggestion. "I can't believe you wouldn't go even if we had our forms signed." He said.
"I don't want to end up dead Harry. You should feel the same way." I retorted.
Harry waved off my concerns. "I'm not scared of Black. I've already faced down Voldemort twice. How bad could Black be compared to Voldemort?"
At the mention of the name, I shuddered, as did everyone else. I then sighed.
"I'm not going to argue with you Harry. If you can convince someone to sign your form, go right ahead and go. I'll think it's stupid, but you've made is abundantly clear in the past you and me have far different ways of thinking."
Harry looked like he wanted to argue, but eventually sighed. "You're always so scared." He said then sighed.
Meanwhile Ron finally cut in. "Okay fine, even if Sarah doesn't go, Harry has to find a way if he wants to. Maybe we can ask Fred and George, they know every secret passage out of the castle —"
"Ron!" Hermione interjected. "I don't think Harry should be sneaking out of school with Black on the loose —" Hermione scolded.
"Yeah, I expect that's what McGonagall will say when I ask for permission," Harry replies bitterly.
"But if we're with him," said Ron spiritedly to Hermione, "Black wouldn't dare —" Ron tried to say.
"Oh, Ron, don't talk rubbish," Hermione snapped. "Black's already murdered a whole bunch of people in the middle of a crowded street. Do you really think he's going to worry about attacking Harry just because we're there?"
"A trio of thirteen year old students aren't going to stop Sirius Black." Anthony said calmly. "I know you'd hate to hear it Harry, but maybe you should just wait for Black to be caught before asking to have your formed filled out. I'm sure the Ministry will-"
"Lets just drop the subject, please." Harry said, clearly trying to not snap at anyone further. I gave Anthony a simple nod, I knew how Harry was when he got grouchy, and that it was best to just let it go.
It was then that Hermione bent down to Crookshanks basket and began to open it much to Ron's horror.
"Don't let that thing out!" Ron tried to say, but it was to late as the basket flung open, and Crookshanks flew out, stretched, then jumped onto Ron's knees right above the pocket where Scabbers currently was.
I noticed Lisa subtly give another amused smirk, enjoying the show. "Told you guys this would be entertaining." Lisa whispered so only me and Anthony could hear, Anthony gave her his usual don't make the situation worse look, while I just softly sighed and shook my head.
"Get out of here!" Ron shouted as he pushed Crookshanks away.
"Ron, don't!" Hermione scolded.
Before Ron could reply there was a shifting notion as Professor Lupin shifted and we all froze, hoping he hadn't woken up because of us, but luckily he just turned his head and kept sleeping. As we all took a sigh of relief, and the six of us settled in for the journey north.
Around a hour into the train ride, the weather started to turn and the skies started to darken, and outside our compartment the sound of footsteps was frequent as other students ran back and forth down the corridor. Ron had finally calmed down, at least a little, about Crookshanks as the cat had settled into a nearby seat and just just glaring at the pocket where Scabbers was.
At around twelve twenty, while all of us were just chatting about any random thing...I heard a faint voice outside our compartment...and though I couldn't make out the whole sentence, I could hear one word.
Loony
And instantly I frowned. I noticed none of the others had heard it. So I stood.
"Where you going?" Harry asked raising an eyebrow.
"I'm going to go change into my robes, I'll be right back." I assured the group. Harry and the others all nodded as I grabbed my robes. But before I went to go change into them, I looked around and saw that a few compartments down from our own, the now second year Ravenclaw's led by Sandra Shafiq were once again bullying Luna Lovegood.
I frowned and made my way over to the compartment, and opened it.
I found a familiar site. Sandra was still leading all the others in there year to gang up on Luna, who was sitting with her usual Quibbler and bright pink Spectrespecs. Despite the clear bullying Luna, like always didn't seem effected in the slightest.
That still didn't mean I was going to sit by and let it happen.
As soon as I had opened the compartment door, Sandra and all her friends turned to me. Emily Ward paled, Tyler Phillips jumped, while Victoria Young, and David Allen both just frowned.
Sandra herself grit her teeth. "Well Well Lovegood, your little savior is here to save you again this year." Sandra said bitingly.
"I don't really need saving given that I've hardly been paying attention to you five entered the compartment." Luna said looking on thoughtfully.
I had to hold back a chuckle at Luna's usual blunt yet never angry tone. Sandra grit her teeth, then turned to me. "You think it's funny do you?" Sandra spat.
"Pretty yeah." I replied leaning against the open door. "But I thought I told you lot last year to play nice, and it seems you all failed to remember that over the summer." I said, now frowning.
"Like we can play nice with this crazy girl!" Victoria interjected.
"Yeah. Loony here is nuts and a shame on our house!" David shouted.
At that my blood boiled and for a moment I didn't understand how Luna could put up with they idiots so well so often. I took a deep breath.
"Do you want me to go get Penelope?" I asked smugly. "I'm sure she'd love to hear you all talk like that about one of our fellow Ravenclaw's."
At that all but Sandra backed down, all muttering but relenting.
But Sandra wasn't done yet, as she stood. "Just because you're a year older than us doesn't mean we have to listen to you!"
"No. You should listen to me because I'm offering you all advice on basic human decency." I replied, glaring at Sandra as she glared at me.
But before anything more could happen, Luna suddenly stood. "I feel like this compartment is to infested with Nargles to stay in. I'll see you guys later." Luna smiled at her year mates, and walked out closing the door. I debated whether to continue fighting with Sandra or talk with Luna, and decided to do the latter, as I walked with her.
"How was your summer Luna?" I asked as I let he lead me down the corridor to...wherever she was going.
"Not bad, but not terribly exciting either. Me and me dad did try and infiltrate the Rotfang Conspiracy, but alas they avoided us. How was yours?" Luna asked.
"Good...well, as good as a summer at the Dursley's could be."
"I've overheard you talk about them before, sound like the family is neck deeply infested with the Crumple-Horned Snorkacks." Luna commented, and I smiled.
"Anyways where you heading?" I asked.
"As I said, given that compartment is infested, I need to find a new one." Luna said, and I bit my bottom lip.
"I'd let you stay in mine but we have seven people plus two owls, a cat, and a rat." I said in a regretful tone.
"Oh it's fine." Luna replied, not sounding offended in the slightest. "I'm sure I'll find a compartment soon enough."
"I'll help you...maybe if I can find..."
"Sarah!" A new voice called and we both turned to see Mandy Brocklehurst, one of the other girls I shared a dorm with. She looked different than I remembered her, and I quickly realized she had on ear rings, had done up her hair, and was wearing a bit of makeup.
"Oh, hey Mandy." I replied. "You look nice." I added being polite.
"Thanks. I figured now that we're thirteen and officially teenagers, it was time to start acting like it." Mandy giggled, then put a hand on my shoulder. "Listen, I was going to wait to tell you guys in our dorm but, I bought makeup and perfume and jewelry for all of us!"
I stared at Mandy for a second, my eyes widening. I of course had a good relationship with Mandy over these last two years but, she'd always spent more time with Padma Patil or Morag McDonald. So the fact she'd even bought me and Lisa these type of things was.
"That's really nice of you. You didn't have to do that..." I replied.
"Nonsense." Mandy waved me off. "I wanted to, I want the five of us to be the talk of third year this year. With us getting to visit Hogsmeade and all that." Mandy giggled. "I've even got my mum to teach me some braids and such. We can all do each others hair!"
I swallowed. I didn't really want to get into telling her I couldn't go to Hogsmeade right now, and...well, god, I'd never thought about any of this type of stuff before. It was clear Mandy saw this, and her face softened. "Hey, it's okay, I'll teach you and...well this is part of being a girl!" Mandy said excitedly.
"Well I...I guess..." then I had a thought. "Have you talked to Morag about this?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Well, uh...not yet." Mandy admitted.
I chuckled and so did Mandy. We both knew Morag McDonald well enough by now. She was the opposite of what Mandy was going on about. She loved animals and the outdoors and really couldn't give a second thought about all this.
"Well, I'll leave it to you then." I replied, then remembered Luna, who was standing off to the side simply reading her Quibbler. "Where is your compartment?" I asked Mandy.
"Oh, I'm sharing with Padma, Michael, and Terry just a few sections down. Why?" Mandy asked.
"Well Luna was just looking for a new compartment..." I said, and Mandy finally noticed Luna.
Mandy and me shared a quick glance. Of course given how I'd had our year protect Luna from her own, Mandy knew what I was implying. "Of course Luna can stay with us." Mandy smiled and turned to Luna. "If you want?"
Luna looked up from her Quibbler, then studied Mandy for a moment. "You don't have Nargles, so I assume your compartment doesn't either. I'd love to sit in yours." Luna said.
Mandy clearly didn't know how to respond to that. "That's great." Mandy smiled. I gave Mandy a thankful look. "See you two at the feast, and I'll make sure to inform Lisa about you plan." I told Mandy.
"Thanks. See you later Sarah." Mandy said as she and Luna disappeared down the hall.
With Luna settled I found a Loo and changed into my robes. I was still thinking over what Mandy had said, and the fact that once again this year I'd have to keep Luna's year mates off her back when I heard a familiar sneer.
"Well, well Potter. I see you're still being your normal, stuck up self." Zacharias Smith said.
I nearly deflated and turned and saw him. He was smirking and looked just as annoying as ever.
"Hello Smith. It seems you're still the same annoying git I've come to know." I replied rolling my eyes.
Smith's smirk didn't falter. "I've prefer the term, well knowing wizard. In any case I just hope you know our little truce from the end of last year is done. I'm not going to give you any credit for your brothers heroic actions in the Chamber. Now that everything is back to normal, I will be doubly my efforts to prove to this school how overrated and annoying to truly are." Smith said gleefully.
"I'm so scared." I said, again rolling my eyes. "I notice you still only appear when I'm alone."
Smith faltered, then composed himself. "Can't have any of you deluded followers attacking me."
"Merlin Smith you really are a idiot." I snapped.
"Again, more proof you think you're better than everyone else." He countered.
"Nope." I gave him a fake sweet smile. "Just you." I turned and began to walk away.
"Where are you going!? I'm still talking here!" Smith shouted.
"Anywhere you're not." I replied, and though Smith looked like he wanted to follow and annoy me more, I saw him just glare as he faded from view.
I finally made it back to my compartment with Harry and the others. I looked out the window and saw it was getting darker and more rainy still. Once I opened the compartment door, they all turned to me.
"What took you so long? You've been gone almost half a hour?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, we were getting worried." Hermione added.
I noticed both Anthony and Lisa staring me down and giving me looks, clearly they knew Smith had talked to me given he always loved to when they weren't around. Though I gave them a look that said it was fine, as I sat down.
"Ran into some other Ravenclaw's I know. You wouldn't know them." I told Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Who was it?" Anthony asked.
"Mandy, she stopped me and, you know what I'll let her tell you herself Lisa." I said.
"What? What does Mandy want with us?" Lisa looked confused.
"It's a surprise." I replied, Lisa just frowned and grumbled that she hated surprises, as I continued. "I also ran into Sandra and the other second years."
Both Lisa and Anthony frowned at that. "They bothering Luna again?" Anthony asked.
"Yeah. So I stepped in, then Luna was being Luna. Finally had Mandy let her sit in her compartment with Michael, Terry, and Padma."
As I spoke I noticed Harry, Ron, and Hermione look mostly lost. Of all the names I listed the only one that seemed to ring any bell was Padma, and given Padma's twin Parvati was in Gryffindor with them, that made sense.
"You three have no clue who I'm talking about, do you Harry?" I asked.
"Well, not really no." Harry admitted.
"To be fair we don't share any classes with any of you." Hermione added.
"Oh I don't blame you. I don't think I can name many Gryffindor's outside of a few in our year either. Anyways long story short I dealt with some jerks. While another of mine and Lisa's dormmates has something up her sleeve." I put it simply.
Of course I brought up no mention of Smith. If Harry knew how the jerk had always treated me these last couple years I had no doubt he'd storm off right now and teach him a lesson. Which is exactly why I kept it from him. I didn't want to be the cause of Harry getting in any trouble.
After all, he found more than enough on his own.
After my explanation Harry nodded. "Well I'm glad you stopped some jerks. If you ever need a helping hand." Harry offered with a smile.
"I'll keep that in mind." I replied, though to be frank Sandra and her goons were all talk no bite. Especially given that she was a pureblood and still was terrified by the Chamber and all that happened last year.
The train ride continued for another few minutes until the door to the compartment opened and revealed the trolley witch with her usual sweets.
"D'you think we should wake him up?" Ron asked in a awkward tone, motioning towards Professor Lupin. "He looks like he could do with some food."
We all looked at him as Hermione gently approached.
"Er — Professor?" Hermione said gently trying to rouse Lupin "Excuse me — Professor?"
Lupin didn't so much as flinch.
"Don't worry, dear," the witch assured us as she handed Harry some Cauldron Cakes. "If he's hungry when he wakes, I'll be up front with the driver."
With that the cart lady left, as we all passed out the different candy and glanced nervously at Professor Lupin.
"I suppose he is asleep?" Ron asked quietly as soon as he was sure the door was shut. "I mean — he hasn't died, has he?"
"No, no, he's breathing," Hermione assured all of us as she a Cauldron Cake from Harry.
"Well that's a relief, I was worried the school would try and blame you two for another crime." Lisa couldn't help but snicker out as she looked at me and Harry.
I just shook my head and chuckled. "I wouldn't put it past them."
The train ride continued and outside the weather continued to get more rainy and dark. I had taken to watching though the window and listening to the rain as the hours passed as we got closer and closer to Hogwarts. However our peaceful ride was interrupted as another familiar face opened our compartment. Harry let out a audible groan as Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle appeared. The trio of Slytherin's scanned the room, as Draco's focus turned primarily to the Gryffindor's. Specifically Harry, and Ron.
"Well, look who it is," Draco drawled as he usually did when I saw him talking to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "Potty and the Weasel."
It was clear which Potter he was talking about, as he seemed to totally ignore my existence. He also avoided looking at Anthony and Lisa, both of whom just stared at him annoyed. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled from behind Draco, whom kept going.
"I heard your father finally got his hands on some gold this summer, Weasley," Draco told Ron with a smirk "Did your mother die of shock?"
Ron stood so quickly, clearly wanting to fight Draco. I was just about to walk over and try and stop the boys from coming to blows when, due to Crookshanks basket being knocked to the floor as Ron stood, Professor Lupin gave a snort alerting Draco to his presence.
"Who's that?" Draco said, as he took a step back as he realized there was a adult in the room.
"New teacher," Harry replied, getting to his feet either to hold back Ron or join the tussle if needed. "What were you saying, Malfoy?"
Draco's eyes narrowed, and it was obvious he wasn't going to pick a fight with a Professor right there.
"You can go now." Lisa said, clear disdain in her voice.
"Yeah, don't let the door hit you on the way out." Anthony added.
Draco glared a second longer, then motioned to Crabbe and Goyle. "C'mon," Draco muttered, disappointment clear in his voice. He looked at me for a split second, with a neutral, disappointed, and also a worried? expression. Then he, Crabbe, and Goyle left.
Harry and Ron sat back down, both still slightly fuming, Ron still massaging his knuckles.
"I'm not going to take any crap from Malfoy this year," Ron said furiously. "I mean it. If he makes one more crack about my family, I'm going to get hold of his head and —"
Ron made a violent gesture, I bit my bottom lip while Hermione gasped.
"Ron," Hermione hissed, motioning to the still asleep Lupin, "be careful …"
But Lupin was still fast asleep.
Lisa then spoke up. "Oh, I'll help you Ron. The git won't so much as look at us if we all...taught him a lesson."
"Come on guys." I finally spoke up. "Let's not be promoting physical violence."
"It's Malfoy." Harry said simply.
"Yeah, yet we shouldn't stoop to that level. I'm not saying don't defend yourself but. He's a lot more bark than he is bite." I finished.
Harry grumbled for a moment, muttering how Malfoy deserved a good beating, then moved on. The Hogwarts express continued its journey and the weather outside continued to worsen. The rain came down harder and the sky grew dark and gloomy. Eventually it go so dark that lanterns were lit in the corridors. The train continued along, the wind was heavy, the rain poured, and yet Professor Lupin hadn't once woke.
"We must be nearly there," Ron said, as he leaned past Professor Lupin to look out at the now pitch black darkness.
And just like that, the train suddenly started to slow down.
"Great," Ron said as he stood and walked past Professor Lupin to try and get a better view outside. "I'm starving. I want to get to the feast. …"
"We can't be there yet," Hermione interjected suddenly, looking at her wrist watch.
"Yeah, we still have another few minutes." Lisa added in confusion.
"So why're we stopping?" Ron asked.
"I have no idea." I added, totally confused.
The train continued to slow down, the sounds of the pistons fading and the rain and wind outside now much louder without it.
Harry, who was nearest to the door, stood and looked out at the door. I stood and did the same and saw students in other compartments doing the same. Everyone seemed just as confused as us.
Finally the train came to a sudden and abrupt stop, and the sound of thuds sounding throughout the corridors told us that luggage was falling. To make matters worse, all the lamps suddenly went off, plunging the entire train into total darkness.
"What's going on?" Ron asked from behind us.
"Ouch!" Hermione gasped "Ron, that was my foot!"
Me, Harry, and Ron felt our ways back to our seats. I sitting down next to Lisa, as Harry and Ron sat down with Hermione on the other side.
"D'you think we've broken down?" Harry asked.
"Dunno …" Ron replied.
"Does the Hogwarts express even work like normal muggle trains?" Lisa asked.
"I have no idea." Anthony's outline shrugged.
There was a sudden squeaking sound and I saw Ron's outline was wiping a part of the window to try and get a look outside.
"There's something moving out there," said Ron suddenly. "I think people are coming aboard. …"
Suddenly the door to the compartment opened. I flinched as someone entered the compartment and fell, with a groan, over Harry's legs.
"Sorry — d'you know what's going on? — Ouch — sorry —" The nervous voice of Neville Longbottom sounded suddenly.
"Hullo, Neville," Harry replied, reaching down and pulling the outline of Neville up by the cloak.
"Harry? Is that you? What's happening?" Neville asked.
"No idea — sit down —" Harry replied.
Neville tried, then there was a hissing sound and I realized that Neville had accidently almost down on Crookshanks.
"I'm going to go and ask the driver what's going on," Hermione said suddenly, and I saw her outline stand and slowly walk past us. Opening the compartment door, and suddenly there were two squeals of pain.
"Who's that?" Ginny asked.
"Who's that?" Hermione asked at the same time.
"Ginny?"
"Hermione?"
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked Ginny.
"I was looking for Ron —" Ginny replied.
"Come in and sit down —" Hermione offered.
So Ginny entered the compartment. It was now really crowded with nine people.
"Not here!" Harry said quickly before Ginny sat on him. "I'm here!"
"Me, Anthony, and Lisa are over here." I added.
"Ouch!" Neville said, apparently Ginny having sat on him.
"Quiet!" A new, hoarse voice said suddenly. And all eyes suddenly turned and saw movement from Professor Lupin in his corner.
No one spoke. As Professor Lupin slowly moved, and suddenly there was a crackling sound and suddenly Lupin was holding a small flame that lit up the compartment and allowed us all to see again. Lupin still looked old, weary, gray. But also now alert and
"Stay where you are," Lupin said, as he slowly got to his feet. He took a quick glance around at all of us. And for a moment his eyes landed on Harry...then me...and for the first time I could even remember since entering the wizarding world his tired eyes lingered on me for just a fraction longer than they did on Harry.
Lupin then moved to open the compartment door, but before he could reach it, the door started opening by itself.
I froze in absolute horror. In the door way, lit by Lupin's flame, was a large figure. It was pitch black, and was wearing a hood. It reached all the way up to the ceiling. I looked down and saw there was a hand holding the compartment doors handle. The creatures hand looked straight out of one of those horror movies Dudley and Uncle Vernon loved to watch, the hand looked like it was from a decaying body.
I noticed Harry had seen this hand too, and the creature seemed to notice this as it pulled its hand back under its cloak. After which the creature seemed to scan the room, looking at us all from under it's hood. It was like the creature was trying to suck in more than just air as it breathed slow breaths.
Suddenly the compartment's temperature started to drop by several degrees, I felt goosebumps all along my arms...and the cold kept going, it was like I'd never be able to feel warm again. The last thing I noticed was Harry's eyes roll up in his eyes and then...everything seemed to go black for me.
I couldn't feel or hear or see anything. Everything was cold and dark, and for a moment I wondered if I had died. That's when I heard screaming, then a terrible, horrible voice talking directly to me.
"Killing such a bright girl as you? I think not, I'll let you live, it will show the world that those who submit can be spared. Though your brother on the other hand? He must die, just like your mother and father. Alas, it seems a fate worse than death awaits you child. You'll be mine, I'll raise you. Turn you, the last Potter, into my mindless servant..."
"Harry! Harry! Are you all right?"
"Sarah snap out of it!"
Suddenly I felt a slap and I opened my eyes.
"W — what?" I heard Harry ask.
"W — where am I?" I asked shakily, a pounding headache and absolute terror in my voice.
"Calm down. Just breathe." I heard a voice, and finally I was able to take in my surroundings.
I was slumped back in my seat, and I was trembling. I noticed that Harry had slid off his seat and was on the floor in the same situation I was. Holding my arms was Lisa, and behind her was Anthony. While Ron and Hermione had crowded and were trying to help Harry. The lights were back on, and the Hogwarts express was moving again. Above all of this was Neville, and Professor Lupin. A worried look on his face, and once again I noticed that while he was worried for both me and Harry, most of his focus seemed to be on me.
Ron and Hermione helped Harry back into his seat, while Lisa and Anthony helped me sit up. I noticed I was still cold but sweating. And the paleness I'd had when I'd heard about Black last night was back and worse then ever.
"Are you okay?" Ron asked Harry nervously
"Yeah," Harry replied, he started looking around, as did I. Clearly the creature was gone. "What happened? Where's that — that thing? Who screamed?"
"No one screamed," Ron replied, still clearly nervous.
Harry began to look around and collect himself as Lisa turned to me.
"What about you? You okay?" Lisa asked nervously.
I swallowed, still collecting myself. "I, I don't, what just happened?" I asked, still shaking but slowly calming down.
I looked around the compartment and saw both Ginny and Neville were very pale. While Professor was glanced back and forth at me and Harry in worry.
"But I heard screaming —" Harry said again, clearly confused.
Suddenly there was a large snapping sound that made us all jump. We all turned and saw Professor Lupin snapping pieces off a large chocolate bar.
"Here," Lupin told Harry, handing him a rather large piece. "Eat it. It'll help."
Lupin then turned to me, his eyes lingered on my face as he gave me a even bigger piece than he'd just given Harry. "You too. That will help." Professor Lupin told me in a stern, yet also comforting tone.
"What was that thing?" Harry asked Lupin, still not having eaten any of his chocolate.
"A dementor," Lupin replied, as he handed out chocolate to everyone else. "One of the dementors of Azkaban."
As everyone stared at him, Lupin crumpled up the now empty chocolate wrapper.
"Eat," Lupin again told us. "It'll help. I need to speak to the driver, excuse me …"
Lupin gave me one last look, then strode past me and Harry and out into the corridor.
"Are you sure you're okay, Harry?" Hermione asked Harry anxiously.
"And you Sarah? To be honest you still seem like a nervous wreck?" Anthony asked, not trying to be rude but pointing out the obvious.
I simply shook my head. "Give me a minute." I said simply.
"I don't get it. … What happened?" Harry asked the room in confusion.
"Well — that thing — the dementor — stood there and looked around (I mean, I think it did, I couldn't see its face) — and you — and Sarah — you both —" Hermione tried to explain.
"I thought you two were having fits or something," Ron added, still pale and scared himself "You went sort of rigid and fell out of your seat and started twitching —"
"And Sarah did the same thing except she just fell back in her seat, and did the same thing you did. Both of you were twitching terribly, " Lisa said, her usual confident bravado gone, rubbing her arms.
"And Professor Lupin stepped over you, and walked toward the dementor. He put himself between you and Sarah and the Dementor, and then pulled out his wand," Hermione continued, "and he said, 'None of us is hiding Sirius Black under our cloaks. Go.' But the dementor didn't move, so Lupin muttered something, and a silvery thing shot out of his wand at it, and it turned around and sort of glided away. …"
"It was horrible," Neville said, his voice higher than normal. "Did you feel how cold it got when it came in?
"I felt weird," Ron said, as he fidgeted as if still trying to get comfortable "Like I'd never be cheerful again. …"
"I felt a chill down to my very bones." Lisa bit her bottom lip.
"I could hardly feel anything. I just felt empty." Anthony added.
I heard a small sob and saw Ginny had clearly taken the Dementor bad like me and Harry had, she was huddled in the corner and shaking. Hermione went over and put a comforting arm around her, trying to calm her down.
"But didn't any of you — fall off your seats?" Harry asked awkwardly.
"Or even blacked out like we did?" I asked, still trying to regain my own composure.
"No," Ron answered, looking at both of us in worry. "Ginny was shaking like mad, though. …"
I took several deep breaths trying to get ahold of myself. I still didn't feel normal, it was like I was recovering from a bad case of the flu. I noticed Harry was still getting ahold of himself as well, and I could see a look of shame in his eyes. Clearly it had bothered him that we were the only two to black out like we had. I still didn't know how the others hadn't.
Before I could dwell on these thoughts any longer, Professor Lupin walked back into the compartment. He smiled gently at everyone.
"I haven't poisoned that chocolate, you know. …" Lupin told us in a warm, calm tone. I looked down, truthfully despite holding the large chunk for a few minutes now, I had totally forgot about it. My mind lost the haze of thoughts and emotions.
I finally took a bite as did everyone else, and instantly I began to warm up and feel better. This seemed to please Lupin, who let a look of relief flash across his face.
"We'll be at Hogwarts in ten minutes," Professor Lupin said gently "Are you all right, Harry?" He asked Harry.
"Fine," Harry muttered, clearly embarrassed.
"And you Sarah?" Lupin asked me in a even gentler tone than Harry's.
For a moment I wondered how Lupin had known both our names, but I pushed it down. Me, and epically Harry, were well known throughout the Wizarding World, or maybe he hadn't been totally asleep during the whole train ride and overheard someone say our names.
"I'm well enough sir. Thank your, your chocolate really helped." I replied, in the back of my mind I was still trying to remember him. I know I'd heard the name Lupin somewhere before.
"Of course." Lupin smiled gently. And for the rest of the train ride no one really spoke as the train approached Hogsmeade station. Though through the rest of the train ride I noticed Lupin giving Harry, but especially me, worrying and caring glances.
I was halfway torn between liking him instantly, while another part of me said to run for the hills that another of our Defense Professor's was after us and the Lupin was simply trying to gain our trust.
At long last the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station at Hogsmeade. The sound of cats, owls, and Neville's pet toad croaking sounded, along side a wave of footsteps as we all got off the train and stepped out into the freezing cold and pouring rain.
"Well this is just great. First the Dementor and now this." Lisa muttered in annoyance as we all made our way with the herd of other students.
"Firs' years this way!" We heard Hagrid calling and turned and saw him. He was preparing to guide the clearly nervous first years across the lake as he always did. Hagrid noticed us, and gave his usual kind smile
"All righ', you six?" Hagrid asked us. We all gave a quick smile and wave to Hagrid, but couldn't say anything more as the wave of students guided us down the platform.
We made our way down the muddy track and saw the usual carriages being pulled by who knew what. Given the carriages could only carry four at a time, me, Lisa, and Anthony got in the first and it took off.
The coach went down the usual dirt road to Hogwarts. I noticed Anthony and Lisa kept looking at me worriedly, and I turned to them.
"I'm fine." I tried to assure them, though neither looked convinced.
"You sure?" Anthony asked gently.
"Well, let's just say I'm as fine as I can be." I admitted.
Both Lisa and Anthony shared a worried look, then turned back to me.
"Just, take it slow." Lisa suggested.
I took a deep breath and nodded. "I will." I assured both them.
As the Carriage approached the gates onto the Hogwarts grounds. I instantly swallowed as I saw two dementors floating either side of the gate. I Stared straight ahead and closed my eyes as we passed the gate and onto the Hogwarts grounds. The next few minutes passed in silence as the Carriage finally reached the castle and stopped, the three of us got out and stepped out onto the stone steps that led into the Entrance hall.
"Where's your brother?" A new voice asked and we turned and saw Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle blocking the way up the steps. Draco was looking at me, waiting for my response.
"That's none of your concern Malfoy." Anthony replied before I could answer. Draco glared at both he and Lisa.
"I wasn't talking to you Goldstein." Draco scowled.
But before this argument could continue the carriage with Harry, Ron, and Hermione pulled up behind us. Draco saw this, and smirked. He walked past me, Anthony, or Lisa as Harry, Ron, and Hermione were getting out.
"You fainted, Potter? Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?" Draco said gleefully, pushing past Hermione with great delight.
"Shove off, Malfoy," Ron replied, clenching his jaw.
"Yeah. Get out of here!" Lisa added. Her disdain for Draco clear.
Draco turned and glared a Lisa. "Stay out of this pest!" Draco snarled, then turned back to Ron and Harry. "As for you Weasley, Did you faint as well?" Draco chuckled. "Did the scary old dementor frighten you too, Weasley?"
"Is there a problem?" a mild voice said, as we all turned and saw Professor Lupin walk up to us.
Draco studied Professor Lupin, looking at the Professor's shabby clothing and worn down suit case.
"Oh, no — er — Professor," Draco replied, barely holding back the sarcasm in his tone. He, Crabbe, and Goyle turned. Draco gave me a very quick glance, and he seemed to take in my slight paleness, he frowned. Then the three Slytherin's bounded up the stone stairs and into the castle, all of them smirking as they went.
I saw Hermione prod Harry in the back, as the six of us began to follow the swarm of fellow students into the castle. We passed by the giant oak doors, and into the entrance hall. We saw the entrance to the Great Hall slightly open, but before we could continue with the other students a voice called.
"Potters! Granger! I want to see you three!" Professor McGonagall called from over the heads of the other students. The three of us shared a confused look. I know we hadn't done anything wrong, and for me especially, it was odd because I wasn't a Gryffindor.
McGonagall walked over, and her face softened very slightly.
"There's no need to look so worried — I just want a word in my office," McGonagall told us, then looked at Ron, Anthony, and Lisa "You three move along and find your seats for the feast." McGonagall said.
With another confused glance, me, Harry, and Hermione followed Professor McGonagall. Leaving behind that confused stares of Ron, Anthony and Lisa.
Professor McGonagall led the three of us out of the Entrance Hall, up the marble staircase and towards her office. Once we reached it she ushered us three inside. We all sat down in front of her desk, behind which was a fire place with a large fire going. McGonagall took a seat behind the desk opposite the three of us, and spoke.
"Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead to say that you were taken ill on the train, Potters." McGonagall said to me and Harry. And before either of us could reply there was a knock at the door, as Madam Pomfrey came walking in.
I saw Harry's cheeks go red in embarrassment, while I simply bit my lip and fidgeted slightly.
"I'm fine," Harry said firmly, clearly not wanting to make a big deal about all this, "I don't need anything —"
"Oh, it's you, is it?" Madam Pomfrey said when she noticed it was Harry, she ignored Harry's protests and bent down to examine him. "I suppose you've been doing something dangerous again?"
"It was a dementor, Poppy, both of them." Professor McGonagall explained. Both Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey exchanged worried looks, then Madam Pomfrey chuckled in a clearly disapproving tone.
"Setting dementors around a school," Madam Pomfrey muttered, then pushing Harry's hair back to feel his forehead. "They won't be the last who collapse. Yes, he's all clammy." Madam Pomfrey then did the same for me, checking my forehead. "Her too. Terrible things, they are, and the effect they have on people who are already delicate —"
"I'm not delicate!" Harry said annoyingly.
For my part, I really couldn't really argue. Unlike Harry, I wasn't exactly the bravest person in the world.
"Of course you're not," Madam Pomfrey replied to Harry, as she took both our pulses.
"What do they need?" Professor McGonagall asked sternly. "Bed rest? Should they perhaps spend tonight in the hospital wing?"
"I'm fine!" Harry interjected.
"I would prefer to go to the feast." I finally spoke up. Though I was still shaken, the thought of missing the feast was a stretch to far, even for me.
"Well, they should have some chocolate, at the very least," Madam Pomfrey said as the tried to look into our eyes.
"We've already had some," Harry quickly said. "Professor Lupin gave us some. He gave it to all of us."
"Did he, now?" Madam Pomfrey nodded in a approving tone. "So we've finally got a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies?"
"Are you sure you feel all right, Mr. Potter?" Professor McGonagall asked Harry in a sharp tone.
"Yes," Harry replied in a sure tone.
Professor McGonagall nodded then turned to me. "And you Miss Potter? You're sure you're fine?" She asked me in the same stern tone.
I slowly nodded. "I'm fine enough, the chocolate really helped." I said.
McGonagall looked at both of us, then nodded.
"Very well. Mr. Potter, kindly wait outside while I have a quick word with your sister, and Miss Granger about there course schedules, then we can go down to the feast together."
Harry stood as he and Madam Pomfrey left the room, as soon as the door shut McGonagall looked at both me and Hermione with a stern look.
"You both wish to take every class?" She asked.
"Yes." Hermione nodded.
"I do." I added.
Professor McGonagall slowly nodded. "Usually it would be impossible. But to certain students that show a true desire there is a way." McGonagall said, pulling out two small necklaces, at the end of each was a hourglass.
"These are time turners. Very powerful and, I must warn you both, dangerous instruments. These can be used to send one back in time for no more than five hours at a time. If you two are truly and seriously committed to taking all five electives, and given both of you having good marks. I, and in Miss Potters case Professor Flitwick, have deemed you both worthy to use them...to attend classes only."
Me and Hermione shared awed looks as McGonagall handed one to each of us.
"Amazing." I said looking at the Time Turner. They were both golden, and had a glass hour glass prominently in the center.
"Now. How you use them is simple. With one flick you go back in time one hour. As I said it will only go back five hours at a time. And I tell warn you, one slip up using those for any other purpose and they will be taken and you will have to drop classes. Am I understood?" Professor McGonagall asked us both in a very stern tone.
"Yes Professor." Hermione replied smiling.
"Of course Professor." I added.
"Good, one last thing. Tell no one you have these. Not your friends, not anyone. Keep them on your persons at all times. And when I tell no one, I mean no one." McGonagall warned firmly. "We don't want any trouble makers getting a hold of them."
We both nodded.
"Good. If you have any questions I'm sure me or Professor Flitwick could help. Now lets get down to the feast." McGonagall stood. Me and Hermione did as well, both of us putting our time turners away so Harry nor anyone else could see them.
"We can talk to each other though about them right?" Hermione asked McGonagall.
McGonagall nodded. "Seeing as you both know and have one, yes."
Hermione giggled and looked at me. "This is going to be so fun. We go from no classes together to five. Isn't that great!"
I smiled. "Yeah, It's going to be fun." I replied.
"I'm glad you're both so eager. Now lets get down to the feast." McGonagall said. We both nodded and followed as she opened the door. We followed her out into the corridor, Harry was simply tapping his foot and waiting.
The three of us followed McGonagall down to the Great Hall to see that the Feast was about to begin. Professor Flitwick was just carrying the sorting hat and the stool it sat on out of the hall. I gave him a quick thankful glance, he subtly nodded. As Hermione frowned.
"Oh," Hermione said softly with slight disappointment, "we've missed the Sorting!"
With that McGonagall began to stride off towards the staff table. As I turned to Harry and Hermione. "See you two later." I smiled softly.
Harry nodded. "Yeah see you." He said. With that I split off from Ron and Hermione as they made there way to the Gryffindor table, while I headed to the Ravenclaw table. A few students looked at us, a couple even pointed at Harry and I. But soon enough I found Anthony, Lisa, and everyone else.
"What happened?" Lisa asked me as I sat down, while Anthony, and everyone else in our year turned to look at me.
Luckily at that moment, Dumbledore stood at the front of the Great Hall, and all eyes and attention turned to him. Dumbledore was giving as all a warm and welcoming smile, and finally I was starting to feel mostly normal again.
"Welcome!" Dumbledore began as he looked out upon the Great Hall. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast. …"
Dumbledore cleared his throat, and I could tell this was his way of telling us just how serious he was at the moment.
"As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business." Dumbledore explained, and under his usual serene expression, I could tell he wasn't happy with the fact.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore explained, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises — or even Invisibility Cloaks," Dumbledore added, and I couldn't help but think Dumbledore was talking to Harry with that comment. "It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors,"
This time I couldn't help but again glance over at the Gryffindor table, at Percy, whom was holding his chest out so all could see his head boy badge. I turned back to listen to Dumbledore, as he continued.
"On a happier note," Dumbledore continued, the tense feeling finally fading from the Great Hall, "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year."
Dumbledore motioned behind him to Professor Lupin, whom compared to all the other Professor's and there regal and fine robes, stuck out like a sore thumb.
"First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
There was a smattering of applause, much less than Lockhart had gotten last year. However I did clap loud, as did Anthony and Lisa, and all the Gryffindor's who had been in the compartment when he'd driven the Dementor off.
Suddenly Lisa leaned close to me. "Snape is furious." She whispered.
I glanced at Professor Snape, whom in turn was staring down the staff table at Professor Lupin. Snape usually didn't look at anyone with any tenderness. Even me, whom he seemed to tolerate for some reason, only got neutrality out of him. But Lupin? No. Snape was glaring at Lupin with pure hatred and disdain and he wasn't hiding it.
"I've only seen him look at one other person that way before." Anthony muttered, as me, him, and Lisa glanced at Harry, then back to Dumbledore.
"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued as soon as the small amount of applause for Lupin died down. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his game keeping duties."
For a moment there was silence as me, Lisa, and Anthony looked at each other, then we burst into applause. As did Harry and company.
"I'm so happy for him." I said as I found Hagrid, whom was grinning and red as a tomato at the staff table. "After all he went through last year, and being wrongfully expelled in the first place. He deserves this." I said happily.
"They should give him another wand, given he was cleared." Lisa commented.
I nodded. "Yeah, they should." I couldn't help but agree.
"It makes sense why he sent out those Monster Books." Anthony chuckled, shaking his head. "Who else would do that but Hagrid."
At that I laughed, as finally we stopped clapping. Us and Harry's groups being the last to do so. I gave Hagrid one final glance, and it warmed my heart to see him wiping away tears of joy with the tablecloth.
"Well, I think that's everything of importance, "Dumbledore said. "Let the feast begin!"
And with that the four house tables were filled with plates upon plates of food per usual. Realizing how long today had been, I dug in, enjoying the feast. Mandy leaned over and told Lisa her idea. Lisa took this in then shrugged.
"Sure, maybe if some guy thinks I'm pretty enough, he'll carry my stuff for me." Lisa had chuckled rubbing her hands together.
The rest of the feast past pretty normally. Lots of my house mates had come up to make sure I was okay. Roger, Cho, Penelope. I assured them all I was fine and left it at that. The feast continued and after what happened today, in the end I felt pretty good considering.
As the last of the deserts were eaten, Dumbledore dismissed everyone to go to bed. Sensing a opportunity me, Lisa, and Anthony walked up to congratulate Hagrid. Harry, Ron, and Hermione seemed to have the same idea, and did the same as we all approached him.
"Congratulations, Hagrid!" Hermione said happily.
"Yeah, you deserve this more than anyone." I added.
"All down ter you six," Hagrid replied, again wiping happy tears 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. …"
With that Hagrid, overcome with joy, began to cry more. And McGonagall motioned for us to go.
We headed out to the entrance hall and eventually parted ways as Harry, Ron, and Hermione split off and headed, I assumed, towards the Gryffindor common room, while me, Lisa, and Anthony climbed the spiral staircase on the west side of Hogwarts to get to the Ravenclaw common room along side our fellow Ravenclaw's.
At the top, Penelope was showing the new first year Ravenclaw's how to get in. Much like she had with us.
"You simply knock with the eagle door knocker, and it asks a riddle. Watch." Penelope told the newly sorted first years while we watched in amusement at there expressions.
"What are two things you cannot have for breakfast?" The Eagle door knocker asked. Penelope gave the first years a look. "Well, one of you have a answer?"
After a moment, a young boy with brown hair spoke up. "Lunch and dinner?" He replied.
"Well thought out." The door knocker replied, and the door opened to the first years amazement.
With that all of us entered into the familiar, domed ceiling, and airy Ravenclaw Common Room. I turned to Anthony and Lisa.
"Well, I don't know about you two, but I'm exhausted." I said.
"Me too." Anthony said as he stretched.
"Make that three." Lisa added, yawning.
With that me and Lisa said goodnight to Anthony, as we headed up to the girls dormitory. I quickly pulled back the curtains on my bed, changed into my night clothes, and laid down. Despite the horrors the last few days had brought, Sirius Black, the Dementor, everything...I just felt so content and happy as I laid in my bed.
The last thoughts before I drifted off being how excited I was to start a new, and hopefully more peaceful year from this moment on.