Harry is in so much trouble.
He sits on the cold, wet pavement, his luggage and Hedwig on his right. What a terrible night.
First, his ‘aunt’ Marge had to come over, which meant that he had to play lap dog and pretend that he didn’t hate every little thing and person in that house.
Second, his anger got the best of him and now his ‘aunt’ is somewhere blown up like a balloon and he’s sitting out on a sidewalk in the complete dark. Great.
Harry sighs, the cool wind lightly brushing his hair from his face. His scar aches slightly, a feint ache behind it. He wishes he could use magic right now..
Rustle—crack.
Harry looks up quickly, his heart beating. Nobody should be up this time of night. Especially in the bushes where he couldn’t see them.
He gulps, clutching his wand tight. Maybe is was just a cat—or a squirrel! Maybe.
Snarl—
Definitely not a cat.
Sharp yellow eyes bore into Harry’s green ones, a strike of fear flooding his body. He was all alone, he can’t use magic, and a blood thirsty animal was about to rip him to shreds. What a great way to end the night.
A mangy wolf dog creeps out from the bushes, its fur black as the sky and matted. Harry gulps.
His hand shakes as he aims his wand at the wolf, his hand sweating. If he’s going to get in trouble for blowing up his aunt, he might as well get in trouble for protecting himself against a rabid wolf—
Whoosh!
Harry falls over, a triple decker bus pulling up right in front of him.
“Why are you all fallen over like that for? What’s wrong?” Harry looks up, a youngish man with pimples (or boils) all over his face.
Harry scoffs, “I didn’t mean to. There was a..” he stands up and looks over the side of the bus, the wolf now nowhere to be seen. Is he crazy?
”There was a what? I don’ see nuthin’..” Harry rolls his eyes,
“Nevermind..” Harry stands up and dusts himself off, stuffing his wand into his pocket. “What is this? Who are you?” he asks, staring up the giant bus.
”This is the knight bus! It’s easy transportation for stranded witches or wizards!”
”But..I didn’t call for a bus—“
”You don’t need to! Now hop aboard, we’ll take it from here!” Harry doesn’t try to argue, going for his stuff;
”Don’t worry about that, I’ll get it. Just hop in!” Harry shrugs and climbs aboard the triple decker bus, a large chandelier handing above him.
Harry looks around in awe, beds take up the need for seats, an older lady already fast asleep in one. If he was going some place far, he’d probably get cozy as well..
The man enters the bus a little after Harry, a notecard in his hand; “My names Stan Shunpike, and I’ll be your conductor for tonight. Now, where to?”
Harry stutters, “The Leaky Cauldron. It’s in London.”
Stan snorts, looking over to the bus driver, “It’s in London he says! Don’t worry, we’ll get you there. Take a seat!”
Harry listens to the crank of multiple gears and levers before being slammed against a window, the bus taking off with alarming speed. He definitely should have sat down..
”What did you say your name was again?” Stan asks, looking over at Harry, unmoved by the quick speed of the bus. Harry peels himself away from the window, rubbing his aching cheek;
“I didn’t tell you it… it’s.. Neville. Neville Longbottom.” Stan snorts again,
“Longbottom.. what a silly name.” He chuckles again before turning to the newspaper in his hands, swooning a little.
”Ah how I missed the Slaughtersby’s.. their daughter is absolutely breathtaking!” Harry peeks into the newspaper, a girl with long curly hair and straight v shaped bangs stares back at him with a kind smile.
”Who are the Slaughtersby’s?” Harry asks, Stan immediately gasping in shock.
”Who are the Slaughtersby’s?! That’s like asking who is the minister of magic!” He yells, “The Slaughtersby’s are arguably the most influential wizarding family ever! Possibly one up-ing the Malfoys!”
One up-ing the Malfoys? Harry’s never heard of such a thing.
”They’re known for having extensive knowledge on magical creatures all over the world! The magic the family use are so different from our own, any wizard that isn’t in her family can’t use it! They’re incredible!” Harry gently takes the newspaper from Stan, getting a better look at the girl.
It was hard to tell her eye color from the black and white newspaper but Harry knew they had to be the lightest form of whatever color they were.
She smiles again at Harry, waving elegantly, the tips of her fingers covered in some sort of paint.
Her face had piercings here and there, one in her nostril, one in her septum and one on top of her top lip. She was pretty beautiful…
”How do you know so much about her?” Harry asks, his eyebrow raised. This guy was starting to sound a little like Hermione.
”I fancy a bit of reading whenever they’re involved, I’m not ‘shamed of it! Heard she’s attending Hogwarts this year. Those professors better be on their best behavior or she’ll show them how it’s done!” Harry nods and continues to flip through the paper, a man with longish hair and crazy eyes yelling at him.
Harry feels light breaths on his neck as Stan peers over his shoulder, sucking his teeth at the picture disapprovingly;
“That’s Sirius Black. Some loon who escaped from Azkaban. He murdered a bunch of muggles and was in kahoots with you know who.” Stan whispers, shaking his head. Harry backs up a bit, his scar aching at the mention of you-know-who.
His eyes were crazed and wide, filled with something Harry couldn’t place. He wouldn’t dare come to Hogwarts, would he? … Of course not.
”I’d hate to see him in a dark alley…” The bus comes to a complete abrupt stop, Harry smashing into another window. They seriously need seatbelts on this thing.
”I’ll grab your stuff, go on and head off!” Harry peels himself from the window and shakily exits the bus, he’ll definitely have a small bruise tomorrow..
Stan places Harry stuff on the pavement before re-boarding the bus, shooting Harry a kind smile; “See you later kid!” The bus zooms off, leaving Harry alone once again.
”I’ll take your things, Mister Potter.” Harry nearly jumps out of his skin as a hunched over man limps out the Leaky Cauldron and snatches his trunk, smiling at him creepily. (Harry’s sure he’s just trying to be nice though..)
”Erm—thank you..”
”Mister Fudge wants to speak with you. I’ll take you to him.” Harry nods and follows after the hunched man, musky and damp air flowing through his nose.
The man places Harry’s stuff out side Fudge’s office and opens the door for him, the minister awaiting him.
Fudge turns around quickly, grinning; “Ah, Mister Potter! Do not give me that face, sit!” Harry gulps, his palms a bit sweaty.
He sits down awkwardly, the smell of pea soup invading his nostrils. Not the thing he wants to smell right now.. it’s making his stomach terribly upset.
“Pea soup?” Fudge asks, opening the lid. Harry has to force himself not to gag.
”No thank you—sir.” Fudge shrugs his shoulders and closes it back, patting Harry on the shoulder.
”We had the department of magical accidents and catastrophes take care of this little mishap, so no harm, no foul! Wipe that look off your face, will you?” Fudge says, smiling cheerfully.
Harry sputters; ”Really? But—didn’t I break the rules?” Fudge chuckles, shaking his head.
”Of course not! You didn’t mean to! And she won’t remember a lick of it!” Harry mentally cheers to himself and sighs. He wouldn’t know what to do if he got expelled from Hogwarts..
”We don’t send people away to Azkaban just because they blow up their aunts!” The hunched man brays like a donkey, laughing like a creaky door. Fudge shoots him a look that makes him stop.
”Ahem.. On the other hand, you running away like that was very irresponsible! It’s very dangerous for you to be out at night like that.” Harry nods, already knowing why.
”I’m sorry..” He pauses, looking around awkwardly; “Uhm, will I have time to get my books for the new semester? I don't mean to be a burden—“ Harry wipes his sweaty palms on his jeans, trying to ignore the hunched man’s stare.
”Nonsense! I took the liberty and got them for you, so don’t fret about that or where you’ll stay tonight. Go get some rest Harry, it’s been a long night.”
”Yes sir.” Harry is yanked up from his chair. As he’s escorted from the room, he hears Fudge mutter;
”Stay out of the office once they arrive, Tom.” ‘Tom’ only grunts, pushing Harry into his room.
The door shuts behind him as Harry flops on the surprisingly soft bed, a sleepy sigh leaving his lips. He should be getting to bed, but..
He pulls himself up, his curiosity getting the better of him. It’s not like he needs to know what Fudge is doing, but something inside him needs to. It’s strange, he knows.
Harry quietly sneaks off the bed and out of his room down to the office he was previously in, the door cracked a bit.
”It’s wonderful to have you back at the Ministry, Mr and Mrs Slaughtersby! Please have a seat and help yourself to some tea!”
Harry watches as a man and woman sit down in front of Fudge, both clad in silver jewelry and black clothing, giving them a mysterious look.
“I’m hoping you’ll be head of the department of prophecy and future, Mrs Slaughtersby?” Harry stares at the woman, her eyes light green and calculating, her various bracelets clinking.
”Of course. Abél is hoping to be head of the international magical cooperation.” Her voice makes Harry shiver, her tone flat but smooth.
Fudge chuckles heartily, pouring the pair their tea happily; “Do not worry, we’ve already set that in place! We got your owls a little before your arrival!”
“Good. There is another matter we wish to discuss. About our daughter, Sloane.” Fudge smiles again, dropping sugar into their teas, the woman sipping her tea with a slight grimace.
”The beautiful lass, I assure you, I’ll make sure she’s comfortable in whatever house she’s sorted in and have her food accommodations prepared by some of the school elves.” The man chuckles, sipping his tea
”Thank you, Cornelius but that’s what I was talking about. You see, over our tour in Romania,Sloane was…regrettably bitten by a vampire.” Harry stops himself from making a noise.
He could believe in giants, goblins, elves and centaurs—but vampires? Why didn’t he think vampires were real?
”She does have a need for blood, but she can survive on regular food for weeks at a time. Though, it does take away her golden complexion—“
”Not to cut you off, Mr Slaughtersby, but I’ll take care of Sloane’s hankerings. I’ll send an owl to Albus to alert him of this.” The man places his tea cup down, now empty.
”Lamb blood keeps her satisfied for a long while. Plus, she can eat the meat once it’s drained.” The man rubs his wife’s hand, looking over at her;
”I do believe we’ve sorted out everything, right dear?” She ponders for a second before shaking her head;
”Yes. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Cornelius.” Fudge shakes his head, still smiling wide;
”It was no issue at all, thank you for reaching out to me! Most parents wouldn’t even tell us their children are vampires. Here let me escort you to the door!” Harry’s heart drops.
He hurriedly crawls back to his room but keeps the door a little cracked open before he climbs into bed.
He snatches his glasses off and places them on the bedside table before putting on his best sleeping face.
He hears the click of slightly heeled shoes on the hardwood floors, his body flinching at every step.
”Abél, Im nervous.” A shocked gasp sounds out from him,
”Why my dear? Sloane is in perfectly good hands..”
“You know she isn’t like the other kids. She’s..different.” The man chuckles,
”Different is good my love, do not worry. She’ll be fine.” Harry gulps as their footsteps retreat. He takes a deep breath in, actually getting under the covers.
Different is good.. what a strange but true thing to say about your daughter.
The next morning.
”I didn’t mean to blow her up.. it just sort of—happened.” Harry mumbles, shuffling down the Hogwarts express’s narrow walk way.
”Brilliant!” Ron chuckles, Hermione lightly smacking him on the arm;
”Honestly Ron, it’s not funny. He’s lucky to not be expelled.” Hermione scolds, walking closely behind Harry.
”I’m lucky to not be arrested actually.”
“I still think it’s brilliant..” Ron mumbles, earning a stern look from Hermione.
“Everywhere else is full, let’s just sit here.” She nods her head in the direction of a semi-empty compartment, a man sleeping with his jacket as a blanket.
The three of them crowd into the compartment, dropping their things softly.
“Who do you think this is?” Ron asks, looking over to the sleeping man beside Harry.
”Professor R.J Lupin.” Hermione reads, peeking at his briefcase.
”How does she know everything—?”
”I read off of his suitcase, Ronald.” Hermione sighs, rolling her eyes annoyed. Harry looks over at the man, biting his lip anxiously.
”Do you think he’s really asleep?” Harry asks, his hands abusing his jeans again.
”Seems to be, why?” Hermione asks, Harry gets up and closes the compartment doors, a cold sweat perspiring on his forehead.
”I have to tell you something…” Harry sits back down, his knee bouncing. “Mr Weasley pulled me aside this morning and told me Sirius Black is after me.”
Hermione and Ron glance at each other, fear and worry in their eyes; “Your saying.. Black escaped from Azkaban to come after you?” Ron asks, clutching Scabbers a little tighter.
”They’ll catch him, won’t they? I mean, everyone’s looking for him.” Hermione insists, a bit of shake in her voice.
”Sure, except.. no one’s ever broken out of Azkaban before.. and he’s murderous raving lunatic.” Harry stifles a groan at Ron’s words,
“Thanks Ron.” The train pulls to jerking stop, the squeal of the wheels against the track piercing the trio’s ears. Harry gets up and opens the compartment door, the sky dark and blue, rain pelting down onto the train.
Harry flies back into the compartment as the train jerks violently once again, the rain pelting harder. “What’s going on?” Ron stutters, almost choking Scabbers because of how tight he was holding him.
”Maybe we..I don’t know, just broke down?” Harry says, not entirely believing himself. The lights dim, the only light being the dark blue flooding in from the windows. Harry gulps, his stomach tightening nervously. Something is really wrong.
“I see something! There’s something moving out there!” Ron cries, smooshing has face against the window trying to get a better look. “I think—I think something’s coming aboard.” He whispers, his breath coming out like smoke.
The train lurches again, a small cry of fear leaving Hermione and Ron. Crackling catches Harry’s attention, the spot where Ron’s hand was placed on the window began to freeze and crack, the bottle of sparkling water that was already in the compartment freezing as well.
The temperature drops significantly, the train lurching for a forth time; “What’s the bloody hell is happening?!”
A dark, shadowy figure appears in Harry’s peripheral vision, his head quickly swiveling around to see what it is. A dark cloaked body reaches the trio’s compartment, and without touching the door opens it. Harry shakes in place, his throat raw from breathing in the cold air.
The dark figure floats in, a grumbling low sound coming from it. Harry can only blink as he feels something get sucked out of him, his hands immediately finding purchase on the plush seats to ground himself. It felt like all the air and then some was being pulled from Harry’s body, a choking feeling that reminds you as if your underwater and slowly running out of air.
The last thing Harry sees, is a bright light hitting the shadowy figure. And the last thing he hears being a woman screaming his name.
—
“You are in grave danger, Harry Potter. He will stop at nothing for your demise. Befriend the Grim, beware the Vermin.”
“Harry—Harry are you alright?” His eyes peek open, Hermione already passing him his glasses. He takes them and thanks her quietly.
What…was that? Harry thinks to himself, a tight feeling in his chest. And that voice..so close but—far away at the same time. What’s even is a Grim and Vermin?
”Eat this, it’ll make you feel better. It’s chocolate.” The now awake professor Lupin hands Harry a broken off piece of dark chocolate.
Harry stares at it before taking a small nibble, “What..was that?” he finally asks, now feeling like he can actually breathe.
”That was a dementor, one of the guards from Azkaban. It’s gone now, it was searching for Black.” Lupin stands up, dusting off his robes,
”Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to have a little talk with the driver.” He leaves as quickly as Harry meets him, a kind smile on his face as he closes the compartment door.
”What happened to me?” Harry asks, taking another bite of the dark chocolate.
”You went all stiff.. we thought you were having a episode or something..” Ron retells. Harry gulps down the last piece, his hands shaking slightly.
”And did you two… pass out?”
“No, I did feel weird though. Like I’d never be happy again..” Harry nods,
”And did you hear someone screaming? Or, someone saying something about a vermin?” Hermione and Ron glance at each other, a bit of worry on their faces.
”No one was screaming..” Hermione says, shaking her head.
”What did the other voice sound like?” Ron asks, scooting in closer.
Harry bites his lip, tearing the skin, “It was far away, but warm. But also, light. I don’t know..”
”Was it a man or a woman?” Hermione asks,
“It was a girl..” Hermione and Ron glance at each other, before looking back at Harry.
Before they could ask what the girl said, the train pulls to a smooth stop, its breaks squeaking against the tracks.
Harry can only hope he doesn’t have anymore women telling him stuff in his head this year.
—
The rain continues to fall, pelting against Hogwarts stone walls, the great hall fills up fast, Harry, Ron and Hermione fumbling to all sit together.
“Feels good to be back..” Harry mumbles to himself, feeling the warm atmosphere of school cloak him like a warm hug.
Dumbledore steps up to the owl podium, his long, blue silk robes flowing behind him like water. “Welcome, to another year at Hogwarts! I’d like to say a few words before we all become to befuddled by our excellent feast.”
“You’ll learn of the Grim tomorrow, Harry Potter. Do not believe, because not everything is what it seems.”
Harry grips his head, the same warm and fluffy voice from before whispers in his ears. The same far but close feeling present.
”First, I’m pleased to welcome Professor R.J Lupin, who’s kindly consented to fill the post of defense against the dark arts teacher!” Lupin stands up humbly, the great hall erupting into applause.
Harry can’t bring himself to though, his head still throbbing. Who ever is doing this needs to stop..
”Secondly, I’d like to congratulate our gamekeeper, Rubus Hagrid as our new care of magical creatures professor!” Harry claps slowly before stopping, another pound on his head.
”My name is Sloane, and I don’t like to be ignored, Harry Potter.”
Harry’s heart skips a beat at the name. How was she speaking to him right now?
”Leave me alone..” Harry mumbles under his breath, looking around. No one was staring at him, or even looking in his general direction.
“No. Sorry. You’re very handsome, if that makes you feel better.”
Harry’s cheeks flush, his fists clenching; “No, it doesn’t make me feel better.”
”Harry, who are you talking to?” Hermione asks, her fork slightly scraping against her plate.
”..Nobody.” He answers, digging into his own meal, the voice now quiet. Thank goodness.
As Harry slowly eats, he can’t help but see someone peeking their head out the corner of his eye, Dumbledore blocking his view.
“It sounded like you were having a conversation with someone.. are you sure you’re alright?” Harry nods, stuffing his mouth full of food.
”It’s very nice to meet you, Harry Potter. I can’t wait to see your handsome face up close.”
Harry chokes, groaning to himself. Why does stuff like this always happen to him?!
”Blimey Harry! It’s her! And—and she’s sitting with Malfoy! No!” Harry stealthily cranes his head to look, the girl from the newspaper staring back at him, a piece of rare meat on her fork.
Harry gulps. She waves and smiles, a glimpse of her sharp teeth gleaming at him.
Harry turns back around, Ron glaring at him slightly; “Was she just waving at you?”
“No?” Ron grumbles, Hermione elbowing him slightly.
”Calm down Ron, maybe she’s just friendly. She seems very..” Hermione glances at Sloane, who was already staring at her and grinning unnervingly; “Nice.”
“Ron Weasley seems upset, did I make him upset?”
”He’s just being himself..” Harry responds, feeling like an absolute loon.
”Who’s just being himself? Harry, are you sure you’re alright?” Ron asks, his ginger eyebrows furrowed.
”Ron Weasley is handsome too. His ginger hair is very pretty.”
”Please leave me alone—“
”Harry! Please stop talking to yourself, it’s freaking us out!” Another gryffindor student yells from a seat over.
“I’m sorry they’re mad at you Harry Potter. I’ll leave you alone now, it was very nice to meet you.”
”Yeah..you too.” Harry lowers his fork and sighs, cradling his head in his head. Why and how is she talking to him?
”It’s time to go to bed, Harry. I think you need the rest anyway..” Hermione dotes, getting up from the table, Ron following after her.
He feels that he should tell them about Sloane speaking to him in his own head, but for some reason, a part of him wants to keep this little secret to himself..
“What was with you at dinner tonight? You were acting really strange..” Ron points out, his hands deep in his pockets, hiding from the cold Hogwarts air; ”You kept responding like someone was talking to you..”
“You guys were talking to me, of course I’m going to answer..” Ron only sighs,
“Harry, we’re worried about you. Do you need to talk?” Hermione asks, her hand clasping Harry’s shoulder gently.
He thinks for what seems like a lifetime.
“No. I’m fine, just tired.” Hermione and Ron didn’t prod anymore.
The rest of the night blurred until Harry was tucked into bed, his head still reeling. Hopefully she’ll be occupied enough to leave him alone tomorrow. Or for the rest of the terms.