•This story takes scenes from the Harry Potter series. I want to make it clear that I don't own those scenes. That's owned by
J.K. Rowling. Thank you•

~Claire~

The whole car ride to King's Cross was filled with screaming teenagers.

Percy fumed about how his Head Boy badge now said 'Bighead Boy'.
Fred, George, and Scarlett struggled to breath through all their laughter.
Ginny and Hermione squealed over who knows what.
And Harry and Ron talked about their new classes they'd be taking.

It was definitely a relief when we arrived.

Upon arriving on Platform 9 3/4, we all split up.

Percy and the twins immediately headed for the train after saying goodbye to their parents, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny soon following.

Harry, however, was pulled to the side by Arthur.

Curiously, I led Scarlett passed the two. Catching a small piece of their conversation.

"I'm not trying to be a hero, but seriously, Sirius Black can't be worse than Voldemort, can he?" Harry asked.

I scowled slightly. Of course Arthur would be telling Harry these sorts of things.

I know I shouldn't blame them. I'm the only one who truly believes Sirius is innocent.

"You okay, Mum?"
Scarlett's voice brought me back to reality.
"Erm, yeah. We should get going," I sighed.
"We?" Scarlett repeated.
"Right. I forgot to tell you," I laughed.
"Forgot to tell me what?" Scarlett questioned, her thin, dark brown eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
"That I am one of the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professors," I stated.
"What?! How did I not know this?! Why didn't you tell me?! Wait. One? There's another?" Scarlett exclaimed.
"Long story. Albus'll explain at the feast. As of right now, we better hurry. The train leaves in five minutes," I spoke, nudging her towards the train.

Scarlett nodded, hurrying off to find out where Fred and George went.

I walked down the isle of the train, passing Hermione and Ron, who seemed to be waiting on Harry.

Memories flooded my mind as I walked closer to the Marauders compartment. Hesitantly, I slid the compartment door open. Remus lay against the wall, the words 'Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs' carved into the wall next to him.

Assuming the full moon had either recently passed, or was coming up, I didn't bother him and sat next to him.

I hadn't even realized I had fallen asleep until a cold breeze woke me.

I stirred slightly before opening my eyes. I couldn't see anything, but there were multiple people loudly whispering to each other.

"Who's that?"
"Who's that?"
"Ginny?"
"Hermione?"
"What are you doing?"
"I was looking for Ron-"
"Come in and sit down-"
"Not here! I'm here!"
"Ouch!"
"Quiet!" Said a hoarse voice suddenly.

I realized it was Remus and laughed, "Is Remus grumpy?"
"Claire?! When did you get here?!" Remus questioned.
"Around five minutes before the train left," I shrugged, though I doubted he saw me shrug through the darkness. Wait. Darkness?

"Why is it so dark?" I questioned.
"Dunno. One second," Remus spoke.

There was a soft, crackling noise, and a shivering light filled the compartment.

The light illuminated the faces of Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Remus, and a boy who looked remarkably like Alice and Frank Longbottom.

Oh. That must be Neville.

"Stay where you are," Remus spoke, moving to open the door. But before he could even touch the handle, the door slid open. A dementor stood in the doorway, its cloak hiding its face, and an unpleasant aura radiating from it.

All happiness was drained from the compartment as Remus stepped forward.
"None of us is hiding Sirius Black under our cloaks. Go." But the dementor didn't move.
Remus took his wand out from under his robes, casting a weak patronus.

The dementor shrunk back in fear from the patronus until it was no longer visible.

Glancing around at the teenagers in the compartment, I noticed Harry collapsed in front of where he once sat.

"Take care of him? I've got to check on Scarlett," I spoke to Remus, who nodded in return.

~Scarlett~ (Starting a little before the dementors came)

I laughed as George threw Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans across the room, Lee and Fred attempting to catch them in their mouths.

"Aha! I got one! Ew! It's cranberry!" Fred exclaimed.
"What's wrong with cranberries?!" Lee said offended.
"Um? Everything," Fred, George, and I reply in sync.
"I feel like you guys are triplets sometimes," Lee sighed.
"That'd be awkward," George laughed, winking at me as I glared at him.

The compartment door slid open, revealing Alicia.

"Hey Alicia!" I smiled.
"Hey Scar! Boys," Alicia grinned, rolling her eyes playfully at the boys.

Lee winked at Alicia and her cheeks burnt red.

"I-I, um, the girls and I were wondering if you were coming, Scar?" Alicia asked, tearing her eyes away from Lee.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay here and snog Lee?" I questioned, pretending to be serious.

Lee laughed and Alicia's cheeks turned even more red than before.

It was a well known fact that Alicia had a crush on Lee. Lee didn't mind though. Granted, he never says if he feels the same way.

Though I think he does.

"Alright," I laughed after Alicia glared at me.

Waving at the boys, I walked away with Alicia. She led me to a compartment on the other side of the train, where we found Angelina and Katie tossing a Quaffle to each other.

"Hey Scar! Like the new Quaffle?! My mum got me it for my birthday!" Angelina grinned.
"It's nice," I smiled, sitting down next to Angelina.

I wasn't the greatest at Quidditch. Something I got from my mum.

"Did you girls hear about Sirius Black?" Katie questioned.
"Yeah, escaped Azkaban after twelve years of being locked up," Alicia sighed.
"Escaped? How?" I asked.
"Dunno. But he's the first to do it," Angelina stated.
"And hopefully last," Katie added.

A cold breeze filled the air suddenly.

"Uh? Is it just me, or is it freezing all of a sudden?" Alicia questioned, her teeth chattering.
"Not just you," Angelina mumbled.

Sliding the compartment door open, I peered out at the isle.

"Um...since when do dementors go to Hogwarts?" I questioned as I noticed the few dementors that had made their way onto the train.
"Uh, since never?" Katie responded.

A dementor came closer to us, and I watched fearfully as it glided straight past our compartment, and off the train.

"What the-"
"Everyone calm down!" A sixth year Ravenclaw prefect demanded as she walked down the isle.
"Calm down?! There were just dementors! On the train!" A Hufflepuff girl screeched.
"Really?! We hadn't noticed!" A Slytherin quipped.
"Enough!" Percy Weasley exclaimed, but he was pushed to the side by Fred as he came running towards me.

When he got to me, he started patting me down, checking for the slightest scratch.

"What the bloody hell are you doing?" I laughed.
"Checking to see if you're injured! Are you?!" Fred questioned.
"Just right here. Kiss it better?" I asked, pointing to my puckered lips.
Fred snorted and shook his head.
"You wish."

I laughed with him, but I was honestly disappointed.

I knew he'd never like me, but I couldn't help but have hope.

"Scarlett! Are you okay?!" Mum exclaimed as she rushed over to me.
"Fine, Mum," I smiled.
"Ms. Bennet?" Everyone but mum and I questioned.
"That's Professor Bennet to you," Mum stated, attempting to keep a straight face but she let a grin slip onto her face.

Mum glanced around at us and then to the watch strapped around Fred's wrist.

"You all better get changed. We'll be arriving at Hogwarts soon."

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Fred, George, Lee, and myself talked animatedly as we waited for Dumbledore's speech.

The sorting had already taken place, and all we were waiting on was Dumbledore's speech before we were able to eat.

I could see Mum and a man talking up at the staff table, oblivious to the glares Professor Snape was sending them.

Alicia, Angelina, and Katie had pointed it out to me. They were sitting on the left of me, the guys on my right.

Mum met my gaze and smiled at me, waving slightly. I returned the gesture, watching as she happily talked to the man next to her.

He was oddly familiar.

I felt as if I had seen him before, but I didn't have any idea as to where from.

Professor Dumbledore finally rose from his seat, clearing his throat as to get everyone's attention.

"Welcome!" said Dumbledore, the candlelight shimmering on his beard. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast...."
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business."
He paused.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continued, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises – or even Invisibility Cloaks. It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the Prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure than no student runs afoul of the dementors," he said.

Glancing over at Mum again, I noticed that her wide smile was now a deep frown.

"On a happier note," he continued, "I am pleased to welcome three new teachers to our ranks this year.
First, Professor Lupin and Professor Bennet, who for the first time in Hogwarts history, will be sharing the role of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. I ask that you all treat them both of respect, as even though they will share the role, they have equal importance."

There were loud, enthusiastic claps echoing around the hall. Causing Mum – and who I know knew as Professor Lupin – to beam.

"As to our third new appointment. Well I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his game keeping duties."

"Bet you wish you didn't drop Care of Magical Creatures now," George grinned as he cheered with everyone else.
"I only dropped it because Professor Kettleburn was a prat," I scowled.
"Are you even doing an elective anymore?" Alicia questioned.
"Yeah, Muggle Studdies," I nodded.
"You realize you lived in a Muggle neighborhood most your life, and you use Muggle technology on a daily basis? Right?" Katie asked.
"Yep. Which is why I take it. I can pass it without even listening to the lessons," I stated.

Lee went to speak, but was interrupted as Dumbledore continued,
"Well, I think that's everything of importance. Let the feast begin!"
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I know! I know! I suck!

I'm sorry I haven't updated in awhile, but look! I updated!

I really don't have a lot to say other than I'm sorry for the lack of updates. But I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter!
Hopefully there'll be more frequent updates, but I'm not promising anything.

Anyway! I hope you're all having a fantastic day! I love you all!
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