(Y/N)'s POV

After I shook the hands of all our Ministry appointed bodyguards as thanks, we made our way onto the train, it was packed to the brim as usual. Ginny split off from us as we found an empty compartment, well, almost empty, sitting at the corner of the compartment was a middle-aged man, sound asleep with a travelling cloak over him.

"Who do you reckon he is? Said Ron, "Don't know, he looks sick though" I said, sitting beside him awkwardly, staying as far away from him as I could to be sure not to wake him. "Professor R J Lupin" said Hermione like it was a matter of fact, I was astounded.

"Woah, that's amazing" I said in shock, "Do you know everything?" said Ron, also astounded. "It's on his case" she pointed above him and I could see the name on a suitcase. "Oh" was all I could say in embarrassment, when I looked back at Hermione, she was smirking at me.

I just stuck my tongue out at her. "Probably the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher" I concluded, trying to move along the conversation, "So... Should we curse him now or later?" they all looked at me confused.

"I mean, odds are he's either a psycho or a fraud so might as well get it over with now" I drew my wand, red sparks shimmered out of it. I looked at their shocked faces and smiled, Hermione looked just about ready to scream.

"Just kidding, jeez." as they realised, I was joking they all sighed collectively and frowned disapprovingly. "I was just checking he was really asleep." I said sadly putting my wand away "You guys are mean." 

We were interrupted by the trolley woman, we all ordered what we wanted and sat down again "You sure he is asleep?" said Ron quietly, as the witch slid the compartment door closed. "I mean- he hasn't died, has he?"

"Nah, he's thinking still, but it's all fuzzy so he must be out of it" I confirmed focusing on his mind for the first time, over the summer I had been able to determine how to do it actively. "Besides, he's breathing," whispered Hermione, taking the cauldron cake Harry passed her.

"It really creeps me out when you do that" said Ron shuddering, "Sorry" I said softly, "What are you trying to hide Weasley?" I said, putting my fingers to my temples to mime using my Legilimency. "You better not" said Ron firmly, crossing his arms over his body and leaning away from me.

"He's definitely asleep?" asked Harry, I nodded in confirmation "Good, because I need to tell you something". He spent the next ten minutes explaining what Mr Weasley had told him and why Sirius Black was coming for him.

"But if we're with him," said Ron spiritedly to Hermione. "Black wouldn't dare-" "Oh, Ron, don't talk rubbish," snapped Hermione. "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?"

"He bloody well should be worried if he comes after my friends" I said. Harry smiled at me, but Hermione scoffed. "What are you going to do against a mass murderer?" "Same thing I always do, hit him with any spell I can think of until he's on the floor" I said with a smile.

She gave something between a scoff and a chuckle "Like that will work", she said as she freed Crookshanks, I followed her lead but that meant I was busy getting Bones out of her cage to provide a compelling argument.

"Don't let that thing out! I can barely handle one" Ron said, but too late; Crookshanks leapt lightly from the basket, stretched, yawned, and sprang onto Ron's knees; the lump in Ron's pocket trembled and he shoved Crookshanks angrily away. "Get out of it!"

"Ron don't!" said Hermione angrily. I had also released Bones, but she was too busy nuzzling me to chase anything, I think she was making sure she was still my favourite. Then both cats saw each other and jumped into action, each claiming one side of the compartment and glaring at each other.

About an hour into the journey we were interrupted by some unwelcome guests "Well, look who it is," said Malfoy in his usual lazy drawl, pulling open the compartment door. "Potty and the Weasel." Crabbe and Goyle chuckled trollishly.

"Real clever one that was" I said sarcastically standing up and stretching my neck, I hadn't grown since last year, but everyone else had, not that it mattered I was still far taller than anyone here.

"Morning Malfoy, how's the throat?" I was hoping this would intimidate him enough to make him leave, he just ignored me but I could see him visibly tense up , I think he was still a little scared of me after my "Incident" last year , he just spoke past me.

"I heard your father finally got his hands on some gold this summer, Weasley," said Malfoy. "Did your mother die of shock?" Ron stood up so quickly he knocked Crookshanks's basket to the floor. Professor Lupin gave a snort.

"Who's that?" said Malfoy, taking an automatic step backward as he spotted Lupin. "New teacher," said Harry. Malfoy paled, debating whether starting trouble was worth it, "C'mon," he muttered resentfully to Crabbe and Goyle, and they disappeared. Ron sat down again, Ron massaging his knuckles.

"I'm not going to take any crap from Malfoy this year," he said angrily. "I mean it. If he makes one more crack about my family, I'm going to get hold of his head and-" Ron mimed punching Malfoys face, I had to cover my mouth to stop from bursting into laughter. "Ron," hissed Hermione, pointing at Professor Lupin, "be careful..." But Professor Lupin was still fast asleep.

"I wouldn't recommend it" I said, Hermione smiled proudly at me "But if you do feel the urge, I won't stop you" I shrugged, and she pouted. "He's all talk, the flash git" I said to Ron, "He's basically harmless" waving him off.

 A few minutes later the train ground to a halt, "What the-" I said"Great," Said Ron as he got up. "Wait" I said, something was wrong. "I'm starving. I want to get to the feast..." he complained. "We can't be there yet," said Hermione, checking her watch. "So why're we stopping?"

Harry checked the outside of the compartment but the whole train shook, slamming the door, I pulled him further inside. The lights dimmed, then faded completely and suddenly the temperature dropped rapidly, so much so I could see my own breath.

"What's going on?" said Ron's voice from behind Harry. "Ouch!" gasped Hermione. "Ron, that was my foot!" "D'you think we've broken down?" "Can't have, never heard of the Hogwarts Express ever breaking down before." 

There was a squeaking sound, Ron, wiping a patch clean on the window and peering out. "Can you see if anything blocking the track?" I asked. He shook his head, "There's something moving out there," Ron said. "I think people are coming aboard..." 

We waited in silence until something happened. The compartment door slowly opened, a set of long spindly fingers reached round the door and pulled it open, in the doorway was the most terrifying creature I had ever seen, it was a cloaked figure that towered to the ceiling. 

Its face was hidden beneath its hood. There was a hand protruding from the cloak, and it was glistening, greyish, slimy-looking, and scabbed, it's what I imagined a rotting corpse looked like. The creature started to enter the compartment.

Both the cats hissed at it, Bones started to claw in in its direction as it started looking over at me, I backed away out of fear, the creature advanced, looking at Harry, it moved towards him, seeming to take an interest in him. It seemed to be pulling something from the air around him, wait no, from Harry himself.

A few seconds later Harry seemed to pass out, I took a step forward to try and help my friend, the creature looked at me next. Immediately I felt like my legs were ten times heavier, as if there was no point in trying to make it to Harry because I knew I couldn't get there. I got the horrid feeling that I would never feel happiness again, never be cheerful, never feel joy, never laugh again.

My whole body was chilled to the bone, the creature turned its head towards me, drawing something from me, the sensation made me want to vomit, it was like cold air hitting me after a very hot day, my sweat run cold, but it didn't cool me off, it just made my skin feel sticky and unpleasant.

A set of noises filled my head, a bated breath and a cracking noise, a collective gasp, it played over and over again in my head, I barely knew what was happening around me, all I knew, all I cared about was that I wanted to stop this, I didn't want to hear this anymore. 

Luckily what happened next stopped my suffering, a voice I didn't recognise cut through the noise. "None of us is hiding Sirius Black under our cloaks. Go." The creature didn't stop, in fact whatever it was doing to me only got more intense as it got closer to me, at first I thought this was it, "This is how I die", then a silver cloud illuminated the room, it drove the creature away.

It was only then that I had a real grasp of my surroundings, I was on my knees, doubled over, I didn't know if I had the strength to stand, but I tried anyway, grabbing the edge of the train seat I pulled myself up, two sets of hands gave me a boost, the first was Hermione, she had a very concerned look on her face, I motioned her to check on Harry, the second was Professor Lupin.

The second I sat down Bones was all over me, mewling and crying, she clawed her way up to my chest, putting her nose right up to my face. I scratched under her chin to reassure her, she seemed content, but still slumped down protectively on my lap.

Harry came to, I pulled him up by the arm to sit beside me. Still unable to find words, I gave him a weak smile and a pat on the back. Professor Lupin stood in front of us, "Here, eat this, it will help" he said, handing me and Harry some chocolate, I took a bite without a word, surprisingly, it did help a little. I smiled up at the teacher "Thanks."

"What was that?" said Harry, who still looked a bit pale, I was too busy nibbling the chocolate to ask but I was curious too. "A Dementor, one of the guards of Azkaban, searching the train for Sirius Black" "Lucky you stopped it when you did then, he's been hidden in my trunk for ages" I scoffed.

"You joke, but I think you will find a devious mind is often very inventive, now if you will excuse me, I have to have a word with the conductor" and with that he left. "Lovely, now I have to check my robes for mass murderers" I said under my breath as the door slid shut.

"What happened to me?" said Harry as soon as Lupin left. "You passed out" I said quietly "Went all stiff and slumped over." "Yeah, it looked like you were having a fit or something." "Did any of you three, y'know pass out?"

The others shook their heads, "Nah, I was probably close though." "I felt weird, like I'd never be happy again" said Ron. "I can't imagine what they went through" Hermione's thought slipped into my head "I tell you; it didn't feel like a bloody picnic." I shuddered at the thought of the Dementors gaze.

She looked at me confused, "Sorry, it's harder to stop when I'm not focused" I said, tapping my forehead, that was half true, but I wasn't about to tell her the reason she was the easiest to read is because I was closest to her emotionally, so this was the best excuse I had, she nodded but looked a bit apprehensive.

"There was screaming, a voice, a women's voice" Harry insisted."Nobody was screaming Harry" Hermione confirmed, looking confused. "(Y/N) did you-" "Nah mate, no screams, I just heard-" I thought against telling them, I wasn't ready "Never mind"

About ten steps into the castle, we were collected by Professor McGonagall, "Potter, Granger, (L/N) come with me if you will", I was in shock, "I haven't even been in the castle for ten minutes professor, whatever happened, I didn't do it! It was probably the twins, or Peeves!" I said, holding my hands up.

"Is everything a joke to you (L/N)?" she said with a very heavy sigh, "Most things yeah" she gave me another exhausted sigh and shushed me, Hermione gave me a stern look as we followed her to the office.

It turns out she just wanted to give us a check-up after our encounter with the dementor, Madam Pomfrey came in, already looking mad, "You two again, up to something dangerous I suppose" she's always complained about me since first year when I brought Bones into the infirmary.

Professor McGonagall explained that we had encountered a dementor, she seemed to understand and after a quick look over us she deemed us fit to leave, "Lucky we finally have a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies" she said as we explained Professor Lupin giving us a piece of chocolate each, I made a mental note to carry chocolate around with me from now on, just in case.

After that, me and Harry waited as Hermione spoke to Professor McGonagall in private, she came out the room looking very pleased with herself, "What was that about?" she turned away quickly "Nothing important."

We made our way down to the feast, "We've missed the sorting" complained Hermione, "Thank god for that" I said, the sorting was always boring, the only thing it was good for was making bets with the twins on who goes to what house, and honestly knowing their luck, I don't think my Gringotts vault could manage that right now.

There was some good news thrown in though, Hagrid had been made the Care of Magical Creatures teacher, I was over the moon hearing this, I know it had always been a dream of his and I was chuffed for him, plus I know his lessons would be brilliant.

The next day I was ecstatic to find out that Care of Magical Creatures was early on our timetables, but something was out of place, I looked at my timetable and realised that Muggle studies and Divination clashed in their times. "See you guys later, I've got to go sort something" I said to the others, I rushed off to McGonagall's office before classes and explained my issue.

"Oh, I see," McGonagall put her hand on her chin, she was thinking about something, debating something in her head but seemed to think against it, she gave me a sad half smile "Well I'm afraid you will simply have to pick one of the two." "But-"

"I would recommend selecting which best suits you, and your future" she gripped my shoulder "Damn, I was looking forward to them both, this sucks" I thought, it clearly showed on my face because she averted her eyes "Isn't there anything you can do professor?" I asked hopefully.

She paused for half a second then sighed "I'm afraid not, now off to class" she said in a sad tone. I was in a very irritable mood after that, I decided to think on it and which I would prefer, and if all else failed I would just flip a sickle.

I ended up settling on Divination, at least I could learn something new from that subject. I made my way to my first Divination lesson. I arrived late, I had gotten lost, as I made my way up the ladder Professor Trelawney greeted me before I even entered the door. 

"Good morning my boy, why are you late? Get lost, did you?" "Shouldn't you already know that?" I asked as I sat down next to Ron who let out a snort. "The mind's eye does not lend itself to such trivial matters" 

She continued on about the events that would happen over the school year "You dear, what you are dreading will come to pass on the 16th of October" she pointed to Lavender Brown, "Well, at least she's not being vague. Oh wait" I said, Parvati glared at me, "-Unfortunately, classes will be disrupted in February by a nasty bout of flu. I myself will lose my voice."

I put my hand up, she paused, "So the mind's eye can't tell you if I got lost, but can tell you that you are going to lose your voice, I think maybe it needs a check-up" there were a few chuckles, Lavender gave me some side eye, I just smiled at her and she huffed. Trelawney continued as if I didn't interrupt.

"And around Easter, one of our number will leave us for ever." "I hope it's me" I said in a quiet voice crossing my fingers, Harry couldn't stop himself and burst out laughing. We were sorted into pairs, I was paired with Lavender who seemed really into it, I tried to act interested in it for her sake, but I could only look at lumps of tea for so long.

"I swear if she says broaden your mind one more time, I'm throwing a teacup at her" I said, while pacing around our table, Lavender elbowed me in the hip, not able to reach my side, "I was kidding" she let out a huff. "What is it with you and throwing things?" She said, sounding offended, I just shrugged.

"Anyway, I'm either going to have a big shock in the near future, or this is coffee stain" I said with a wide smile as I looked through my book. She finally let out a giggle and I was feeling very proud of myself; I was hoping to cheer her up to make her forget about the 16th of October thing, which seemed to be grating on her.

I was going to continue when a loud gasp caught my attention. Trelawney was holding her heart, looking at Harry, "My dear, you have, the Grim" "The what?" said Harry. "The Grim, my dear, the Grim!" cried Professor Trelawney, who looked shocked that Harry hadn't understood. 

"The giant, spectral dog that haunts churchyards! My dear boy, it is an omen, the worst omen, of death!" "Oooh spooky, Harry Potter has a death omen, that is a big shock" I said rolling my eyes. "That is such a tired cliché."

Apparently, Hermione agreed with me, she looked at the cup, "I don't think it looks like a Grim," she said flatly. Professor Trelawney surveyed Hermione with a scowl. "You'll forgive me for saying so, my dear, but I perceive very little aura around you. Very little receptivity to the resonances of the future." Hermione looked at her shocked.

"So, the one person who disagrees with you isn't made for Divination? How convenient" I scoffed, jumping to Hermione's defence, "He's probably just going to get bitten by a dog or something."

"When you've all finished deciding whether I'm going to die or not!" said Harry, taking everyone by surprise. Transfiguration was next Professor McGonagall was telling us about Animagi and to top it off she transformed herself in front of their eyes into a tabby cat with spectacle markings around her eyes. She turned back with a pop.

"Wicked, are you going to teach us how to do that!" it seems I was the only person invested in the lesson. "No Mr (L/N)", I was disappointed, but it was still cool.

"Really, what has got into you all today?" said Professor McGonagall, turning back into herself with a faint pop, and staring around at them all. "Not that it matters, but that's the first time my transformation's not got applause from a class."

"Please, Professor, we've just had our first Divination class, and we were reading the tea leaves, And-" "Ah, of course," said Professor McGonagall, suddenly frowning. "There is no need to say anymore, Miss Granger. Tell me, which of you will be dying this year?" "Me," said Harry.

"I see," said Professor McGonagall. "Then you should know, Potter, that Sybill Trelawney has predicted the death of one student a year since she arrived at this school. None of them has died yet." 

"Seeing death omens is her favourite way of greeting a new class. If it were not for the fact that I never speak ill of my colleagues-" Professor McGonagall broke off, and I saw that her nostrils had gone white.

She went on, more calmly, "Divination is one of the most imprecise branches of magic. I shall not conceal from you that I have very little patience with it. True Seers are very rare, and Professor Trelawney..." She stopped again, and then said, in a very matter-of-fact tone, "You look in excellent health to me, Potter, so you will excuse me if I don't let you off homework today. I assure you that if you die, you need not hand it in."

There was some laughter but Lavender whispered, "But what about Neville's cup?" , she was referring to Trelawney being able to tell Neville would break a specific cup earlier, she was looking nervously at Harry, I nudged her, and she turned to me.

"It's Neville, I love the bare bones of the bloke, but I don't trust him around anything breakable, it's not hard to guess he'd break at least one." She still didn't look convinced, so I just shrugged.

After lunch we set off for our first ever Care of Magical Creatures class, I could barely contain my excitement, Hermione and Ron weren't speaking to each other again so to be nice I got between them.

Hagrid was waiting for his class at the door of his hut. He stood in his moleskin overcoat, with Fang the boarhound at his heels, looking impatient to start. "C'mon, now, get a move on!" he called as the class approached. "Got a real treat for yeh today! Great lesson comin' up! Everyone here? Right, follow me!"

"Everyone gather 'round the fence here!" he called. "That's it- make sure yeh can see- now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books-" "How?" said the cold, drawling voice of Draco Malfoy. "Eh?" said Hagrid.

"How do we open our books?" Malfoy repeated. "Stroke it genius" I spat, but looking round the class I could see the others hadn't figured this out, some had belted their book shut; others had crammed them inside tight bags or clamped them together with binder clips.

"Hasn'- hasn' anyone bin able ter open their books?" said Hagrid, looking crestfallen. The class all shook their heads. Apart from me "I did" I said, all eyes turned on me. "Like (Y/N) said, Yeh've got ter stroke 'em," said Hagrid, as though this was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Look" He took Hermione's copy and ripped off the Spellotape that bound it. The book tried to bite, but Hagrid ran a giant forefinger down its spine, and the book shivered, and then fell open and lay quiet in his hand.

"Oh, how silly we've all been!" Malfoy sneered. "We should have stroked them! Why didn't we guess!" "I-I thought they were funny," Hagrid said uncertainly to Hermione, I gave him a weak smile and a little nod.

"Oh, tremendously funny!" said Malfoy. "Really witty, giving us books that try and rip our hands off!" "It's not Hagrid's fault you're too stupid to open a book Malfoy." I said glaring at him "I suppose you need giant blood to get it to work" he sneered back.

"Shut up, Malfoy," said Harry quietly. "Righ' then," said Hagrid, who seemed to have lost his thread, "so...so yeh've got yer books an'... an'... now yeh need the Magical Creatures. Yeah. So, I'll go an' get 'em. Hang on..." He strode away from them into the forest and out of sight.

"God, this place is going to the dogs," said Malfoy loudly. "That oaf teaching classes, my father will have a fit when I tell him." "Shut up, Malfoy," Harry repeated before I could comment. "Careful, Potter, there's a Dementor behind you" scoffed Pansy Parkinson.

"Careful Parkinson, there's hair conditioner behind you" I said back, she flushed in embarrassment and turned away from me. Hagrid came back with some, bird, horse hybrid thing, it had the wings and beak of a bird but a horse's body.

"Dah dah de dah, meet Buckbeak" "What exactly is that?" asked Ron "He's a Hippogriff!" Hagrid roared happily, waving a hand at him. "Beau'iful, ain' he?" "So," said Hagrid, rubbing his hands together and beaming around, "if yeh wan' ter come a bit nearer..."

No one seemed to want to. Harry, Ron, and Hermione, however, approached the fence cautiously. I basically sprinted to it; this was amazing. "Now, firs' thing yeh gotta know abou' Hippogriffs is, they're proud," said Hagrid.

 "Easily offended, Hippogriffs are. Don't never insult one, 'cause it might be the last thing yeh do." "Awesome"  "Yeh always wait fer the Hippogriff ter make the firs' move," Hagrid continued.

"It's polite, see? Yeh walk toward him, and yeh bow, an' yeh wait. If he bows back, yeh're allowed ter touch him. If he doesn' bow, then get away from him sharpish, 'cause those talons hurt."

"Right who wants ter go first?" Most of the class backed farther away in answer. Even Harry, Ron, and Hermione had misgivings. I could tell because I went to put my hand up, but Hermione stopped me. I gave her a look; she shook her head "I don't trust it" she whispered.

Admittedly she had a point, Hagrid did have an issue with trusting dangerous creatures, I remember my run ins with Fluffy and Aragog. The Hippogriff, or Buckbeak as we were told, was tossing his fierce head and flexing his powerful wings; he didn't seem to like being tethered like this.

"No one?" said Hagrid, with a pleading look, I felt bad for him, so I decided to try to help. "I'll do it," said me and Harry at the same time.