🥀ℙ𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕔𝕖𝕤𝕤: ℍ.ℙ🥀

𝔽𝕚𝕣𝕤𝕥 𝔻𝕒𝕪 𝔹𝕒𝕔𝕜: 𝕐𝕖𝕒𝕣 𝕋𝕙𝕣𝕖𝕖

With a desperate gasp, Harry opens his eyes. He blinks, the dusk is gone. The windows are black. The floor at his spine is shaking gently.

He hears Emily speak.

"Oh, thank Merlin."

She gasps, handing Harry his glasses as he sits up. He notices his head head been lying in her lap, causing his cheeks to go red.

"Sorry."

"No problem, Sweets."

"Sweets?"

"I'm trying it out."

He nods, not sure on how to feel about the nickname either.

Suddenly, he discovers the cold sweat glazing his brow. SNAP! Professor Lupin breaks a ragged triangle of chocolate off the slab in his hands. He holds it out.

"Eat. It'll help."

"What was that -- that thing?", Harry ignores his order.

"A Dementor. One of the guards of Azkaban. It's gone now.", Harry frowns in confusion.

"It was searching the train, Harry. For Sirius Black.", Hermione explains to him. But in all honesty, Harry could barely pay attention to their words as Emily takes her fingers through his messy hair.

"I need to have a word with the driver. Excuse me.", Lupin stands to leave the compartment before saying one last thing to Harry.

"Eat. You'll feel better.", As he leaves, Harry turns to Emily, Ron and Hermione.

"What happened to me?"

"Well, you sort of went... rigid. We thought maybe
you were having a fit or something.", Ron answers.

"Did any of you? You know... pass out?"

"No. I felt... weird. Like I'd never be cheerful again. But... no.", Ron tells him.

Harry turns to Hermione. She shakes her head.

"I was trembling. Cold. But then... Professor Lupin made it go away...", She tells him.

"I didn't either, but I got light headed, like I might. It nearly killed you Harry, you're allowed to be freaked out and exhausted."

He smiles softly at her, taking her hand in his own,  before revealing something else to them.

"But someone was screaming. A woman."

The rest of the group glances nervously at each other.

"No one was screaming, Harry.", Hermione's tells him. 

Now, he's even more confused.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/
At the High Table, Lupin sits with Snape, McGonagall, Hagrid and Dumbledore.

Filch, Hogwarts' caretaker, stands grimly to the side as red-eyed, as Mrs. Norris switches her tail at his feet. As the choir's song concludes, Dumbledore rises, beaming over the sea of black hats.

"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few to say, before we become befuddled by our excellent feast. I myself m particularly looking forward to the flaming kiwi cups, which, while somewhat treacherous for those of us with facial hair...", McGonagall clears her throat.

"Mm. Yes. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Good luck to you, Professor.", Amid scattered applause, Harry, Emily, Ron, Hermione clap loudly.

"Of course! That's why he knew to give you the chocolate, Harry.", Hermione says over the loud clapping in the room.

"As some of you may know, Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid!", Harry, Emily, Ron, and Hermione stare at each other --stunned -- then applaude vigorously. Hagrid turns ruby red, rises, and nearly topples the staff table, sending water goblets weaving.