IN WHICH they return again

AUBERY was being pulled yet again. Why was she being pulled? 

Oh right. Harry blew up their aunt. Aunt Marge, and now Fudge has found him, which was pretty nice, but now Roselie Lupin was pulling her all the way to London- along with her dad. He applied for the DADA job, which then Remus took to wearing shabby clothes, and worn down items, despite their wealth, saying that he needed to keep their identities quiet, so if he was outed as a werewolf, then nothing would be said to Aubery. 

It was a nice gesture, but Aubery seriously didn't need protection. She could handle her own. Even if she acted pretty docile at times, but society was pretty brutal too. Roselie rushed up the stairs to the Leaky Cauldron, as Tom, the owner opened a door, and Harry and Fudge were shown.

"Oh, Harry!" Roselie immediately came to her nephew's aid, hugging him. "This is why I have requested, multiple times I may add, to have custody of Harry! Petunia doesn't take care of him!" 

"I'm quite sorry Roselie, but I have no say in the matter. Dumbledore keeps on shutting every request." Fudge shook his head.

"But you're the Minister, don't you have more power?" Aubery questions.

Fudge's face flared up. "I-. I must leave."  He left quickly, and, Aubery smirked.

"How are you, Harry?" Remus questions.

"Good Uncle Remus. Er, why are wearing stuff like that?" Harry questions.

"Dumbledore gave him a job as your Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, so, as to protect Aubery's identity, he decided to wear those ghastly robes." Roselie shook her head.

"At least I'm back at Hogwarts." Remus shrugs. "Chocolate, Harry?" 

"Yeah, sure." Harry took a piece from Remus.

"Well, I'd best get you and Aubery some rooms, and then Remus and I must go, sadly the Quidditch World Cup is waiting for me, and my goodness, Mad-Eye's paranoid about everything, and everyone." Roselie shook her head, as Remus looks mildly amused.

"What about seats?" Aubery asks.

"Quidditch World Cup?" Harry asks, amazed.

"I'll tell you later!" Aubrey smiles. "Mum, can we get the same room?"

"Very well, and I'll try my best to get seats for all of us, including Harry at the Top Box, definitely try to help Arthur, and Hermione of course, and of course the thing that'll happen next year, but there will be no Cup if you don't stop distracting me!" Roselie scolds.

"I'll get your room, Aubery go help Harry with his luggage, don't just stand there," Remus replies, as Roselie walks out of the room.

"Sorry, dad! Can you get my stuff too?" Aubery asks as she took Harry's trunk.

"Alright." Remus nods, as he raced downstairs.

"What's the Quidditch World Cup?" Harry asks.

"It's like our Quidditch, but it's the 2 final teams, and from all around the world. Wizards and Witches from everywhere gather to watch it. It's amazing." Aubery explains. Harry smiles, excited.

"When is this?" Harry asks.

"Summer before 4th year, 2 weeks before school," Aubery explains. "Mum's really high up in the Ministry, so it's extra stressful for her, but it's much easier for her to get tickets, as well as this new event that's happening during the 4th year, which I have no idea about." 

"Brilliant." Harry breathes.

"I know!" Aubery smiles, as Remus waved at them from room 11.

"So, Molly, the Weasleys, and Hermione will be coming soon, and I'll see you at school, make sure to call me Professor in public," Remus says, handing the two of them chocolate. "Best is to act like you don't know me at all. Here's your Hogsmeade slip."

"Alright, dad, thanks." Aubery sighs. "Goodnight."

"Uncle Remus, I have a question," Harry says.

"Of course Harry. What is it?" Remus asks.

"Can you sign my Hogsmeade form?" Harry asks, handing his slip. Remus regarded it sadly.

"I can't. I'm sorry." Remus sighs.

"But you're my uncle!" Harry protests.

"But I'm not your guardian or your parent. I'm terribly sorry Harry." Remus says.

"It's fine." Harry nods. "I understand."

"Your things are already in there Aubery! Apparition's useful!" Remus replies as a loud crack was heard, and Remus was gone.

"It's absolutely painful." Aubery shook her head.

"Apparition?" Harry asks.

"Basically teleportation, as the Muggles say."  Aubery answers.

"Oh." Harry nods. 

"I'm sorry Harry. I'll get as many things for you." Aubery promises.

"Yeah. Sure." Harry says. 

They got ready to sleep, and soon the two fell asleep easily, each on their own beds. The next morning, Aubery and Harry rushed out to buy extra supplies for school, and had a hitch, as Aubery needed a book called "The Monster Book of Monsters." in which the book keep nearly cried with tears, as Aubery somehow managed to get her book without it grabbing her, and binding it easily. They also met many classmates from school. Harry was particularly attracted to a pretty black-haired girl, and Aubery had to pull him away. 

At Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, they met fellow Gryffindor's Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, which Aubery certainly thought that Seamus was way more handsome than before, not that he wasn't before, but puberty certainly hit him like a truck. His voice was certainly deeper than before, and Aubery swore she was taller than him, but now he was taller than her, which certainly brought a frown to her face. 

They chatted good-naturally about the newest broom, The Firebolt, and then if they did have enough money to buy one, Aubery wouldn't buy one. She liked her broom. 

"Reckon if we pooled our money together, we can buy one for all 4 of us?" Dean asks.

"Possibly." Aubery muses. The 3 nods, but in the end, didn't buy anything except for ice cream.

"See you at school!" They wave, and then Harry and Aubery set off to their room.

The next morning, Harry woke up earlier than before, staring at Aubery's sleeping form. Her breath came in little puffs, and Harry thought it was probably either the funniest or more adorable thing he had ever witnessed, but then also took a pillow, and slammed it over her head.

"Ow!" Aubery shrieks.

"Wake up sleepy-head." Harry smiles.

"Yeah yeah. I'll be getting you back." Aubery grumbles.

"I'd like to see you try," Harry adds, amused. 

"I'm going to the bathroom, don't bother me." Aubery yawns.

Aubery leaves the room, leaving Harry, standing with Hedwig. He turns and eyes his schoolbooks. He studies the growling tome- The Monster Book of Monsters- then gives the rope a tug. 

Instantly the book leaps to the floor, pages flying, book covers snapping. Harry gives chase, then the book turns, and begins nipping viciously at his shoes. Harry vaults atop the bed, watching the book disappear underneath, then grabs a pillow. Seconds later, the book scuttles into view, and Harry pounces. The book roars angrily, muffled beneath the pillow.

"What are you doing Harry?" Aubery gasps, seeing the scene, putting her hair up in a fish braid.

"Trying to get this book under control!" He grunts.

"You're hurting it!" Aubery snaps.

"How am I hurting it!" Harry asks.

"Just get off it!" Aubery says, and Harry rolls away. Aubery quickly dropped to her knees, and grabbed the book, and began talking to it in a low, soothing voice, until she grabbed the rope, and tied it. 

The two made their way down in silence, as something small and fast dashes by Harry's feet. Looking, he spies a rather ragged-looking rat, pursued by a decidedly ugly orange cat.

"Isn't that Scabbers?" Aubery questions. 

"Yeah." Harry nods.

As they move down the stairs, voices come from below.

"I'm warning you, Hermione! Keep that bloody beast of yours away from Scabbers or I'll turn it into a tea cozy." Ron snaps. 

"He's a cat, Ronald! What do you expect? It's in his nature." Hermione sighs.

As Harry and Aubery reach the bottom, they find Ron protectively cradling Scabbers, while Hermione does her best to restrain a hissing Crookshanks.

"A cat! Is that what they told you? Looks more like a pig with hair if you ask me." Ron scoffs. 

"That's rich coming from the owner of that smelly old shoe brush," Hermione says and starts cooing to the cat. "It's all right, Crookshanks. You just ignore the mean little boy" 

Then, sensing another presence in the room, both turn.

"Harry. Aubery." They smile.

Ron shows them a newspaper clipping. The headline screams: "GRAND PRIZE WINNER VISITS EGYPT!" In the accompanying photo, the entire Weasley family stands before the Great Pyramid, waving. Smack in the middle is Ron, Scabbers perched on his shoulder. As Ron smoothes the dog-eared clipping onto the table, Harry and Aubery study it. Hermione ignores it, stroking Crookshanks.

"Egypt! What's it like?" Harry asks.

"Brilliant. It's got loads of old stuff. Mummies. Death masks. Tombs. Fred and George even tried to trap Percy in a tomb." Ron says.

"You know, the ancient Egyptians of the Nile River delta worshipped the cat goddess Bast." Hermione snips. Ron glares stonily at Hermione, then turns back to Harry and Aubery.

"I also got a new wand," Ron adds. Just then, a loud commotion is heard.

The Weasleys- Percy, Fred, George, Ginny, Arthur, and Molly- arrive en masse, laden with purchases from Diagon Alley.

"Not flashing that clipping about again, are you, Ron?" George asks. 

"I haven't shown anyone!" Ron protests.

"No, not a soul. Unless you count Tom. The day maid. The night maid. The cook. The bloke that came to fix the toilet. That wizard from Belgium..." Fred lists. 

Mrs. Weasley takes Harry's face in her hands and smiles as if relieved to see him.  "It's good to see you, Harry." 

"Good to see you too, Mrs. Weasley." Harry smiles.

"Oh Aubery, you've grown so much! You look beautiful!" Molly turns and hugs Aubery.

"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley." Aubery smiles. "New cat 'Mione?"

"Yeah. His name's Crookshanks." Hermione says, stroking the cat.

"Hello." Aubery smiles, petting the cat. Crookshanks purred as he shifted spots.

"George's nose looks positively massive in that photograph," Fred says.

"That's your nose, Fred." Ginny points out.

"Bloody hell. 'Tis, isn't it? Take after your side of the family, don't I, Mum?" Fred questions.

As the Hogwarts Express bleats its horn, Aubery tries not to get pushed by the milling horde of students. Parents hurry their children onboard, tiny siblings wave goodbyes... and Mrs. Weasley dashes through the throng and up to an open train window, just as Aubery squeezes in, and follows after Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"Ron! Ron! Thank goodness. Don't lose him!" Mrs. Weasley hands Scabbers through the open window to him. 

The aisle teems with students. Harry, Ron, Aubery, and Hermione work their way down the aisle, looking for an empty compartment.

"I didn't mean to blow her up. I just..." Harry pauses, troubled by the memory. "... lost control."

"Brilliant!" Ron gasps.

"It's really something." Aubery nods.

"Honestly, Ron, it's not funny. Harry's lucky he wasn't expelled." Hermione sighs.

"I still think it was brilliant." Ron shrugs.

"All of these are so full," Aubery complains. "Really, were there so many people at Hogwarts?"

"Yes, Aubery." Hermione groans. 

A copy of The Monster Book of Monsters scuttles crab-like down the aisle, pursued by Neville Longbottom.

"Hi, Harry. Ron. Hermione. Aubery." Neville pants.

"Hi, Neville." The 4 chorused. 

As he bumps past, Hermione nods to a compartment.

"C'mon. This is the only empty compartment in here."

As they slip inside, they find Professor Lupin slumped against the window, asleep. He looks ill, exhausted. The trio eyes him warily, as Aubery grimaces. Her dad must've had a tough full moon. Maybe her mum had Ministry work.

"Who d'you reckon he is?" Ron whispers.

"Professor R.J. Lupin. He has your last name Aubery." Hermione whispers.

"You know everything. How is it she knows everything?" Ron questions.

"It's on his case." Hermione points. Stamped in peeling letters on a battered case is "Professor R.J. Lupin." 

"Aubery, is he your dad?" Ron asks as they settle in the compartment.

"Why do you ask that?" Aubery questions, not meeting Ron's eyes.

"Well, for starters, you two have the same hair. And the same plucky build. But then there's probably your mum in there." Ron says.

"Yeah, it's interesting. You have your mom's eyes, and we've barely even seen her, but Professor Lupin really does look like your dad or a family member." Hermione adds.

"Is he really asleep?" Harry asks, coming to Aubery's rescue.

"Yeah." Hermione nods.

"Close the door." 

Hermione, Aubery, and Ron exchange a curious glance, then Ron rises, slides the door shut.

Storm clouds, like dark ghosts, toss sheets of rain onto the scarlet engine as it heads north, pursued by a great black dog. Upon seeing a black shape move, the dog hides behind a pillar. The black shape glides by, freezing the dewy grass, and then leaves, sensing no Sirius Black. The dog shivers and then continues.

Ron, Aubery, and Hermione stare at Harry. Their faces stricken in the lantern light that now glows in the compartment. Crookshanks slumbers in his cage, as Hedwig and Kevin sleep in their cages.

"Let me get this straight. Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban to come after you?" Ron whispers.

"Yes." Harry nods.

"But they'll catch Black, won't they? I mean... eventually?" Hermione questions.

"Sure- Of course, no one's ever broken out of Azkaban before," Aubery says nervously.

"And he's a raving, murderous lunatic..." Ron adds. 

Just then, the compartment rattles. The lanterns flicker. The train lurches forward and begins to slow down. Hermione slides down the seat, pinning Ron against the window. They exchange an awkward glance, then Hermione carefully slides to the other end of the seat and glances at her watch, then frowns.

"Why're we stopping? We can't be there yet..." Hermione questions.

Harry rises, slides open the door, peers into the corridor. All along the carriage, heads lookout curiously. 

Then the train jerks, the car sways, and the lamps running along the ceiling flicker and die one by one until all is dark. 

"What's going on?" Ron asks. A thin wisp of steam escapes Ron's mouth. 

Harry notices. "Dunno... Maybe we've broken down?" 

"Ouch! Ron, that was my foot!" Hermione snaps. 

Ron, a dark silhouette against the window, wipes a patch of condensation from the window. "There's something moving out there. I think... people are coming aboard."  

Suddenly the car sways violently. The metal window trim at Ron's fingertips begins to vibrate. 

"Bloody hell. What's happening?" Ron whimpers.

"I'm checking it out. I can't stay still during this." Aubery decides, taking out her wand. "Lumos." Her wand tip flares with light, and she slowly ventures out into the hall. 

She slowly walks to the front of the train, when a slimy and scabbed hand rests on her shoulder. Aubery freezes in place, and quickly turns, shaking. A towering, cloaked figure is behind her, its face hidden beneath its black hood. A rattling intake of air is heard. The light in Aubery's wand goes out. A dementor.

"Hello?" Aubery turns around, carefully shrugging off the hand. "Sirius Black isn't here." 

The Dementor cocked its head, and then lifted up a slimy hand to point back where she came from.

"You want me to go back?" Aubery asks.

The dementor nods and pushes her back. She then stared at the dementor for a moment, and suddenly, all her happiness was gone. What was she living for? Her wand clattered to the floor, but Aubery never remembered dropping her wand. She stared blankly at the dementor, who Aubery thought was actually looking at her in concern. She tried to scream, but all that came out was a smothered gasp.

"Aubery! Aubery!" A hand grabbed her from behind, and she snapped out of it, meeting a pair of concerned blue eyes.

"Seamus?" Aubery asks though it came out more than a whisper. However, looking at him filled Aubery with some kind of warmth. 

"Aubery, you absolute prat! Why weren't you running?" Eliza questions.

"Yeah." Dean nods. "You kinda just stood there, talking to the dementor, until you suddenly turned around, and froze, and then you dropped your wand."

"Really?" Aubery stared at the dementor, who had left. "I- nevermind."

"You're freezing Aubery-" Seamus starts when both of their hands met and touched. They blushed but didn't pull apart, instead grabbing each other's hands. The warmth in Aubery rose up, and she felt much better than before. 

"You're really warm." Aubery comments.

"Oh, uh. Thanks." Seamus finishes lamely.

Eliza and Dean raise their eyebrows but didn't say anything. 

"Can I just, stay here for a bit?" Aubery questions.

"Yeah. Yeah. Totally." Seamus breathes. 

"Thanks." Aubery nods.

Seamus turned a shade of red. His crush- his literal crush was holding his hand. 

"Uh, Seamus, you're turning really red. Are you sick?" Aubery asks.

"I- no. Not sick." Seamus shakes his head.

"Okay then..." Aubery looked at him, before separating their hands, and standing up. "I probably should go." 

The train was still dark.

"I don't know. Maybe you should stay." Seamus replies.

"You think I can't handle myself?" Aubery asks.

"No! It's not that." Seamus shakes his head.

"You did wonderfully against that dementor." Eliza scoffs.

"Haha, Lizzie." Aubery rolls her eyes and leaves. 

Aubery made her way to their compartment, and suddenly a white mist floated out, and the dementor left. 

"Dementors, but I think you got that," Aubery starts. "What happened to Harry?"

"I don't know. He just froze, and then fell." Ron says. Suddenly, the lanterns flick back on, and Remus snaps a piece of chocolate. 

"Eat. It will help." He handed each person a piece of chocolate. 

"You've got his eye shape Aubery." Hermione answers.

"Naw." Aubery shook her head.

With a desperate gasp, Harry opens his eyes and blinks. The train starts moving again.

"Harry? Harry, are you all right?" Aubery asks, and Hermione's troubled face hovers above him. Harry nods and sits up. Ron- pale, nervous- extends his hand. Harry's glasses.

"Thanks." Harry slips them on.

Remus breaks a ragged triangle of chocolate off the slab in his hands and holds it out.

"Chocolate. Eat. It'll help." Lupin says.

"What was that- that thing?" Harry asks.

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

"It was searching the train, Harry. For Sirius Black." Aubery replies.

"I need to have a word with the driver. Excuse me." Lupin points to the chocolate. "Eat. It'll help." As he leaves, Harry turns to Ron, Aubery, and Hermione.

"What happened to me?" Harry asks.

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

"And did either of you? You know... pass out?" Harry asks.

"No. I felt... weird. Like I'd never be cheerful again. But... no." Ron shakes his head.

"When I encountered a dementor, I only froze up. I thought I'd never be happy again." Aubery says. "But then, Seamus pulled me inside their compartment, and well." She bit into the chocolate. "I guess everything felt much better after that."

Harry turns to Hermione. 

Hermione shakes her head. "I was trembling. Cold. But then... Professor Lupin made it go away..." 

"But someone was screaming. A woman." Harry answers.

Hermione, Ron, and Aubery glance nervously at each other.

"No one was screaming, Harry," Hermione says. 

They continued on in silence, and as they walked out of the train, pulling their trunks along the ground. They went on a carriage, and they proceeded onto the castle and then Sorting. Aubery and Seamus smiled at each, as they sat across each other, waiting for the Sorting to start.

"Oi. Potter. Pottah!" Draco Malfoy whispers. "Is it true you fainted? You fainted? He asks. 

"Shove off Malfoy. It's not your business if he faints or not." Aubery hisses. 

Natalie McDonald, Jace Herman, Hannah Stone, Nicole Winston, Annie Smith, Alexander Montegomery, Finnick Lark, and Daisy Coulson were Sorted into Gryffindor and the nervous first-years sat down around the tables.

Gradually, the sweet sound of a choir rises on the air, a flash of lightning flashes the night sky in the Great Hall. 

"Double, double, toil and trouble

Fire burn and cauldron bubble 

Double, double, toil, and trouble

Something wicked this way comes!

Eye of newt and toe of frog

Wool of bat and tongue of dog

Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting

Lizard's leg and owlet's wing

Double, double, toil, and trouble

Fire burn and cauldron bubble

Double, double, toil, and trouble

Something wicked this way comes!

In the cauldron boil and bake

Fillet of a fenny snake

Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf

Witches mummy, maw and gulf

Double, double, toil, and trouble

Fire burn and cauldron bubble

Double, double, toil, and trouble

Fire burn and cauldron bubble

Double, double, toil, and trouble

Fire burn and cauldron bubble

Something wicked this way comes!"

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

"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say before we become befuddled by our excellent feast. I myself am particularly looking forward to the flaming kiwi cups, which, while somewhat treacherous for those of us with facial hair..." Dumbledore starts, and the first-years look on nervously.

"Is he mad?" Natalie asks.

"No. He's a genius. A mad genius. But, I guess you can call him mad." Percy replies.

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." Dumbledore says, and Lupin rises, waves awkwardly, and bows. Amid scattered applause, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Aubery clap loudly. 

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

"Oi, Aubery, he waves like you," Ron whispers.

"I do not wave like that!" Aubery snaps. 

"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!" Dumbledore announces. 

Harry, Ron, Aubery, and Hermione stare at each other- stunned- then applaud vigorously. Hagrid turns ruby red, rises, and nearly topples the staff table, sending water goblets weaving.

Dumbledore's tone turns grave. "Finally, on a more disquieting note, Hogwarts- at the request of the Ministry of Magic- will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban." A murmur of apprehension fills the hall. 

At the Slytherin table, Malfoy flanked by the everpresent Crabbe and Goyle, catches Harry's eye, feigns a dead faint.

"The Dementors will be stationed at the entrances to the grounds. While they are under strict orders not to enter the castle itself, you will on occasion see them as you go about your daily activities. Under no circumstances are you to approach them. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving." Dumbledore finishes.

Students exit the Great Hall, scale the Marble Staircase, and arrive at the Fat Lady.

Seamus stands at the picture, in which The Fat Lady is singing, holding a glass.

"Fortuna Major," Seamus says.

"Uh uh uh! Wait!" The Fat Lady holds out a hand.

Harry walks up to the Fat Lady, as Aubery, Ron, and Hermione hang around nervously.

"She won't let me in, see?" Seamus grumbles, as more Gryffindors lineup.

"Fortuna Major!" Harry tries.

"Wait!" She continues singing, and then her voice turns up suddenly, making everyone and the painting cover their ears. She sees nothing happening to the glass, and so breaks it on a pillar. "Oh! Look at that?"

"Fortuna Major?" Harry asks.

"Oh yes, alright." The portrait swings open, and the Gryffindors trail through the common room, the girls heading one way, boys the other. 

"I don't understand why she's doing that." Harry sighs.

"She isn't even that good!" Seamus adds.

At the same time, both say. "Exactly!" As Dean accidentally walks into the path of a ghost.

(I really picked the most unflattering picture for Harry. Also I support the headcanon that Dementors aren't bad. 

So basically, they think happiness is sadness and vice versa, and so they suck out what they think is sadness, but it's happiness, and they sense Voldemort's soul in Harry, so they try to suck it out of him, but people keep on repelling them, and they don't know why. And when they get "excited" when someone's dying, they're just super worried, and they don't have anything to help him, and they don't know what's going on, so when they die, the dementors closest to them get to bury them, and then they have to suck it up, and keep pretending that everything's okay, but it's not, because everyone's scared of them, and they don' t know why, and the reason why they turned to Voldemort, was because he promised them that people would understand them.

Tries to get double updates, fails

I'm sorry.)