A Little Help from a Snake // Tomarry

Part 26*

Hey. I guess I'm back. Sorry for the confusion, I kept going back and forth between what to do next and then reread this chapter to see if that would spark an idea. Which it did. So a new revision is here!

Revised: November 8, 2021

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Over the next few days, all anyone seemed to be able to talk about was Sirius Black. Harry found himself being followed around by teachers like a helpless child. Even some of the prefects joined in, finding excuses to go down the same corridor as he.

Yet despite the supposed threat of Sirius, nothing was going to stop the first Quidditch match from being held. Draco claimed he felt too ill to play, though Harry (and the Gryffindor team) knew he just didn't want to play in the storm.

Tracey, whose fears of storms had not abated, was torn between wanting to watch the match and staying inside. Harry suggested that they took the time to catch up on homework, which she agreed.

So they were completely fine, dry and unshaken, when Draco came to inform them of what a game it had been. Then he sobered up and explained that the dementors had been attracted by the crowd, scaring everyone. Luckily, no one was hurt, and everyone had some chocolate to counter the depression the dementors brought with them.

Lupin, who had missed the previous lesson due to the full moon, looked more ragged and gaunt, robes hanging loosely on his skinny frame. Nevertheless, he smiled at the class as he greeted them and showed them a Hinkypunk, which looked relatively harmless.

"Wait a moment, Harry," Lupin called as the bell rang. "I'd like a word."

Harry waited until everyone was gone.

"I heard you and Tracey were in the library during the match," Lupin said.

"We were. Good thing, too. All those dementors..." Harry shivered a little just thinking about them.

"Yes. Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth. They infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope, and happiness out of the air around them. Even Muggles feel their presence, though they can't see them. Get too near a dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of you. If it can, the dementor will feed on you long enough to reduce you to something like itself — soul-less and evil. You'll be left with nothing but the worst experiences of your life."

"Why did they show up?"

"They're getting hungry," said Lupin, shutting his briefcase with a snap. "Dumbledore won't let them into the school, so their supply of human prey has dried up... I don't think they could resist the large crowd around the Quidditch field. All that excitement... emotions running high... it was their idea of a feast."

"Yeah." Harry cast about in his mind for something to say. "Still can't believe Black made it out of Azkaban with those things flying about."

Lupin looked up sharply, his briefcase sliding from the desk. He stooped to pick it up quickly.

"Yes," he said, straightening up, "Black must have found a way to fight them. I wouldn't have believed it possible... Dementors are supposed to drain a wizard of his powers if he is left with them too long..."

Lupin paused, but Harry didn't have anything else to add. "I believe it is important for you to learn how to fight them off."

"You mean the Patronus Charm? You're not suggesting we should bring a dementor in to practice on?" Harry said, alarmed.