Thursday, 2nd September
After all the excitement, the crowd of students that got off the Hogwarts Express was rather more subdued than normal. The prefects were helping the unsorted first years, even if most of the prefects looked like they wanted help themselves. The normal jovial mood just wasn't there.
"First years! First years over here!" the voice of Hagrid called over the platform, making Harry feel marginally better, if Hagrid was here for the first years just like always, things could start getting back to normal. He called out to the large man and waved "All righ', 'arry, 'ermione. 'Ow was yeh trip?" The two made their way over to Hagrid. Even now after two years, Harry only came up to just under Hagrid's chest. He saw a few of the first years eyeing the groundskeeper, terrified to get closer, so he bit down his reaction to people getting too close and gave Hagrid a side hug.
This being out of character for Harry prompted Hagrid to ask. "Yeh okay 'arry?"
Harry hesitated before answering. Lupin had explained that the creature that had entered the compartment was a dementor, one of the guards of Azkaban. Hagrid had been sent to Azkaban for a few months last year and didn't like to talk about it. But Hagrid would hear about what happened on the train soon anyway, he also needed to watch the first years who were still on edge. But the clincher was he knew Hagrid would rather hear it from him. So he told him of the events that transpired on the train.
A dark look passed over his friend's face. "Dementors on the train, god 'arry! So how about you harry?" He asked, a little loudly so that the first years who were close, but still keeping their distance, could hear, "I needed a hug but I'll be fine." Hagrid, who had now seen the first years watching nodded. "Well I'll see you two up a' the school after I show the first years the way."
Hermione added "I still remember my first time seeing Hogwarts when you took me. It was breathtaking, and the moon was full yesterday, it's a perfect night for it. See you later Hagrid." With that the two joined the group of students who were queuing up for one of the horseless carriages to take them up to the school.
Talking with Hagrid had put the two at the back of the queue and Harry and Hermione ended up sharing the last coach with an older Slytherin that they had seen around the castle but had never learnt the name of. He was also one of the only Slytherins that gave Harry grief only on the run-up to the Gryffindor vs Slytherin quidditch matchs, which Harry had to admit was part of the game.
Tonight it seemed all three of them were in agreement, they all just wanted to get up to the castle, and after a few unavoidable pleasantries, they all sat in silence on the way up to. Hermione was leaning against Harry, as they were each trying to use the other to ward off the dementors' lingering chill.
The carriage pulled up outside the main entrance about ten minutes later. The older Slytherin got out first. Next came Harry, he tried to offer Hermione a hand but she smiled, ignored his hand and just jumped down on her own. The two of them tagged on to the stragglers who were still milling up the front steps and through the oversized oak doors.
Harry sighed as he stepped into the entrance hall, its flaming torches, grand marble staircase and glittering crystal hourglasses filled with rubies, sapphires, yellow diamonds and emeralds. Despite how he had come to love the Grangers, this was Harry's first home and Hermione's second. They were back, Harry and Hermione spent a few seconds basking in the feeling of being back when they were interrupted.
"Mr. Potter! Miss Granger! I need to speak to you both!" Harry and Hermione turned around, surprised. Professor McGonagall, Transfiguration teacher, Head of Gryffindor house and deputy Headmistress, was standing at the bottom of the grand staircase with Ginny and Neville, calling over the heads of the crowd. She was a stern-looking witch who wore her hair in a tight bun. Harry fought his way through the groups of people cluttering around, slowly making his way, with Hermione just behind him, over to his professor with a feeling of foreboding, Professor McGonagall had a way of making him feel he must have done something wrong. Even if the presence of the four of them made it clear what this was about; "There's no need to look so worried. I just want a word in my office," she told them as she set off up the stairs.
They soon found themselves outside her office as the witch opened it and ushered the four of them in. Professor McGonagall's office was surprisingly small, most teachers' offices at Hogwarts were a little bigger. What it lacked in size however, it more than made up for in comfort and Scottish pride. The room's furniture was comfortable and inviting, almost all of it draped in tartan blankets. The professor had them all sit on the sofa near the warm inviting fire that lit up the room. Once they'd all settled, she began; "Mr...sorry, Professor Lupin sent word that you had an encounter with a particularly zealous dementor on the train. I would like to hear what happened." Her face showed what she thought of dementors attacking her Gryffindor lions, and she didn't like it one bit.
They all took turns explaining what they knew, a bit at a time, how the train had stopped and the lights had flickered out and ceased to work. How they were all in Harry and Hermione's compartment when the door had opened. How the dementor had sucked the hope from the room, how it then came in with it's rasping breaths and chilling presence, pulling them all more and more into despair. Hermione explained how she found herself reliving the first hour after her potions accident when she was alone, thinking she was going to be expelled and cut off from her friends and family. Neville said he was stuck listening to someone insulting him on repeat. Harry revealed about the woman screaming "No! Please no!", but said he didn't know where it came from. Ginny suffered the worst of it, she said that her mind had taken her back to the Chamber of Secrets again.
The red-haired girl soon found herself crying into Hermione's shoulder as Hermione wrapped her in one of her amazing hugs. Before they seperated there was a knock at the door, and without waiting for an invitation, Madam Pomfrey bustled in.
"What happened Minerva!?" she asked, seeing the four Gryffindor's on the professor's couch, all looking pale and sick. Hell, one was even crying her eyes out!
"It was a dementor, Poppy." The nurse tutted at this, then started fussing over the students, feeling foreheads and casting diagnostic spells, all while muttering about the 'stupidity of setting dementors around the school', and how she would bet her wand 'students will be collapsing soon enough'.
Minerva McGonagall sat there, watching with concern as the nurse checked them over once again. It was nasty business dealing with dementors, and one had to be thoroughly checked if they came into contact with one. "Are they going to be okay, Poppy?"
Madam Pomfrey sat back, relieved that no permanent damage had been dealt to the poor children. She could only guess as to how horrifying it must be to face a dementor. "They'll need chocolate but they will be fine."
"Madam Pomfrey? We already had some chocolate", Neville broke into the conversation.
"Yeah, Professor Lupin had us eat some on the train", Harry added. He had been quite shaken after the dementor had left, and Professor Lupin had grabbed the chocolate frogs Harry had bought from the lunch trolley and started telling everyone to eat one. At first, he thought that Lupin was just trying to calm them down, but Harry soon felt guilty about wanting to keep his sweets after the older wizard went on to explain that chocolate was one of the best remedies to Dementor exposure.
"Well, it looks like we finally have a Defence Professor who knows his remedies. Will wonders never cease? Normally I would keep you lot from the feast but I sent word to the kitchens and as long as the dementors are around they will be serving a lot of chocolate desserts. You four are to have a double helping of chocolate something or another."
On hearing this, Ginny grinned and blurted out, "The best medicine ever!" Getting a stifled laugh from the teens and even a ghost of a smile from Professor McGonagall.
"In that case, we better get down to the feast."
- ϟϟϟ -
"Oh! We've missed the sorting." Hermione was disappointed as the six people entered the hall just as Professor Flitwick was levitating away the Sorting Hat and stool. Harry shrugged, "I haven't seen one since we were sorted." The four of them found space at the Gryffindor table near each other. Harry and Hermione were able to find a couple of spots next to each other between Lavender Brown and Dean Thomas. Ron and the twins were opposite them. Meanwhile, Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey made their way up to the staff table.
"Hey Harry, Hermione, how was your summer?" Lavender turned to chat more, but before either of them could answer the Headmaster stood up, and a hush fell over the hall.
Professor Dumbledore seemed to vibrate with barely contained energy, an energy that seemed at odds with his advanced years, his eyes twinkling as he looked over the students. Harry felt a calm wash over him as he watched the Headmaster. He hadn't really felt calm since the dementors had entered the train compartment. Dumbledore always had that air about him that made you feel as though everything was fine if he was there. He was reportedly the greatest wizard alive, there was no way the dementors would dare enter the castle while he was watching over it.
"To our new students, I bid you welcome, and to our old hands welcome back." Dumbledore said, his voice easily carrying through the entire hall. "Welcome to another year of learning and magic here at Hogwarts. I have a few announcements to make after our feast, but as one of my announcements is vitally important I wish to address it before we get distracted by the delectable feast the kitchens have prepared for us today." He cleared his throat before continuing; "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently being guarded by a number of the dementors from the prison Azkaban, they are here on the order of the Ministry of Magic." He paused, Dumbledore did not look happy about the dementors guarding the school.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are there, I must make it plain that nobody and no one is to leave school without permission. dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises – or even Invisibility Cloaks," he added blandly, "It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand such concepts as pleading, excuses or even mercy. I therefore beg each and every one of you to please give them no reason to take note of you. I look to the Prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors."
Percy, who was sitting a few seats along from his brothers, puffed out his chest with pride. Harry could see a shiny silver badge with the letter P on it. It looked like Percy had kept his prefect role along with his new Head-Boy position.
"Now that that is done, all that's left to say for now is to tuck in."
With that the table all suddenly filled with food. There were roast meats and vegetables, pllatters of sausages, pork and lamb chops, steak, potatoes cooked as mash, roasted, boiled, baked and even chipped, there were mounds of Yorkshire puddings and more. And to Harry's absolute relief, refilling jugs of pumpkin juice. He grabbed one of the jugs and filled his goblet, then emptied his goblet almost as quickly. The sweet juice soothed his dry throat and his thirst at the same time.
After refilling his goblet and returning the jug Harry looked over the food on offer to see what he fancied. He selected some roast beef for himself as he passed Hermione a quarter of roast chicken at her request. He then added chips, garlic mushrooms and onion rings to his plate. Hermione paired her chicken with some roast potatoes and other roast vegetables.
Lavender smiled over at them, "As I was saying beforehand, how has your guys' summer been?"
Harry had just taken a bite to eat, so Hermione answered first, "It was pretty good, Harry spent most of it visiting my place", that left Harry able to choose how much or how little he wanted to tell people.
"And your parents were okay with you having not only a boy, but your boyfriend, over most of the summer? God, mine would flip if I asked to do that." This was from a different person, Lilly Moon, another third year Gryffindor that shared with Hermione and Lavender in the dorms, and who was sitting across from Lavender.
This time Harry gave the response letting Hermione take a bite, "Yeah Hermione's parents are pretty amazing. They put up with me for a month, they have the patience of saints", Harry joked, then asked, "What about you guys?"
Lavender had gotten a new pet, a "beautiful baby bun-bun", who she christened 'Binky'. Parvati, who was sitting on the other side of Lavender, had gone to Índia with her family to visit some distant relatives. The Weasleys had spent the summer goofing off, playing quidditch as normal, and miss Moon had spent the summer watching her little brother while her parents worked, as well as studying, her parents weren't happy with her grades.
Harry sympathised with her, recounting how Mrs. Granger had made him feel bad about the effort he put in, so he had done all his summer homework twice. To Harry, it all sounded blissfully mundane in a way his life never was.
Soon all the food was replaced by dessert. True to Madam Pomfrey's word, there were a lot of chocolate options available. There was the usual chocolate gateau and chocolate éclairs, but there was also chocolate mousse, chocolate ice cream, chocolate coated fruits, even some of the doughnuts were chocolate filled. Those were alongside the regular desserts Hogwarts normally offered at the feasts.
Harry helped himself to a selection of chocolate-covered fruits before offering the bowl to Hermione, who eagerly added some to her plate. She also added some chocolate ice cream which she poured some warm caramel sauce over, while Harry opted for a chocolate-filled doughnut.
After everyone was stuffed and watered, the last morsel of food dissolved off the plates, leaving them sparkling clean. Dumbledore got to his feet again, "Now that we are no longer distracted by thoughts of food I have a few more announcements to make."
"First, after many years of teaching our care of Magical Creatures Professor Kettleburn has decided that retirement sounds like a good idea and has left to enjoy it with his remaining limbs. So please welcome to the post our very own Rubeus Hagrid. Professor Hagrid has agreed to take on this job as well as his duties as keeper of the keys.
There was a polite applause from most of the students, but there were only a number from every house that were applauding enthusiastically. Ron muttered, "Should have known...who else would set that monster book?" He clapped as enthusiastically as Harry and Hermione. Soon the applause died off and Professor Dumbledore continued.
"We also once again find ourselves in the need of a new Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor, and Professor Remus Lupin has joined us." The enthusiastic applause was a smaller for Lupin, only the four from the dementor encounter were truly enthusiastic. "I also need to remind everyone that the forest at the edge of the grounds is strictly off limits to students, and that there is to be no magic in the corridors. Some of our older students would be advised to remember these rules. Now, you all have classes in the morning so off to bed with you all. First years, your house Prefects will show you to your common rooms and dorms. Good night."
Everyone began making their way to the common rooms, Percy calling all the Gryffindors to him. However, Harry, Hermione and Ron headed to the staff table to speak to Hagrid. "Congratulations Hagrid!" Hermione squealed with excitement as she threw her arms around him. Well, around a small part of him anyway. "Why didn't you tell us on the platform!?" Harry and Ron both echoed Hermione's congratulations but left off the hugging.
"Thanks, but I'm the one who should be thankin' ya. If it weren't for you three clearing me name, I never would be allowed te teach." The large man started to tear up, "Can't 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..." Hagrid became overcome with happiness and started to use the table cloth as a handkerchief to dry his eyes. The noise Hagrid was making attracted the eye of Professor McGonagall, who sent the three off to bed. As they were going up to bed, Harry looked back, to see McGonagall sitting with Hagrid, her arm halfway around his shoulders and talking to him quietly.
Harry smiled, Hagrid deserved happiness like anyone else.
The three made their way up to the common room. That familiar ease that was once between them was gone, but Ron was being friendly enough that it gave Harry hope that he may just be able to earn his way back with Hermione. And it would be up to her, Ron had really hurt her last year.
Thanks to how well they knew the castle, despite leaving the hall after Percy and the first years, the three ended up at the fat lady first. It was then that they realised that none of them had the new password. Ron tried last years' but it was in vain. They ended up only having to wait a few minutes before the Prefect Weasley showed up with the newly sorted Gryffindors, and a few older students who had just stuck with the group going the same way.
"Yo bro, Wasa password?" Ron called to Percy, purposely at odds with his older brother's more dignified speech pattern.
Percy sighed, too tired to give his brother the lecture he obviously felt Ron deserved. "The password, my dear brother Ronald, is 'Fortuna Major!'" He said the password loud enough to open the portrait. The canvas swung back, revealing the entryway.
They all climbed through the entrance and made their way to the dormitories. Harry and Hermione said their goodnights, then, as the female Prefects seemed to have forgotten, she showed the new first-year girls where they would be sleeping, before heading up to her own dorm.