"Study hard this year!" Molly said as she straightened up, her eyes oddly bright. She smiled at the twins and Tori, who nodded. She then opened her enormous handbag. "I've made you all sandwiches... Here you are, Ron... no, they're not corned beef... Fred? Where's Fred? Here you are, dear..."

She handed Tori a ham and cheese sandwich, which Tori shoved into her bag. She waved goodbye, running into a compartment on the train.

She was quickly pulled into a hug by Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, and Katie Bell. The four of them quickly talked about their summer.

The train started to move, causing most people to stick their head out a window and wave. Tori noticed her family stand there, looking polished as usual. But something was new.

"Nana?" Tori whispered, confused. Her mother's mother was here? Why? Her Nana caught her gaze. Tori was expecting an odd look or even a frown, but that wasn't the case. Her Nana smiled a familiar warm smile and waved.

The train rolled out of the station and she faded. Tori sat down, thoughts running through her head. It didn't make sense.

"I'm so sorry about you having to leave." Angelina sighed, pulling Tori back into reality. Tori shook herself a few times, replaying what Angelina had just said.

"Oh, no. It's not your fault, Angie. I hope your Aunt was okay."

"She was fine, had a bit of an accident with another witch. She had to be checked into St. Mungo's. She's all good now."

"I'm glad to hear that."

The group began to talk like they always did. It was nice to be back at school again, Tori had to admit. She was still nervous about her O.W.L.S. Katie was relieved that she still had another year until she had to take it. Alicia complimented Tori's new necklace, which Tori gave Fred to chance to explain what it meant.

"Very smart." Tori chuckled. Lee Jordan opened his mouth to say something when the train suddenly stopped. The group all looked at each other, visibly confused. The light went out leaving them in the darkness. Tori hadn't realized how dark it had gotten outside.

"Ow! That's my foot!" Alicia hissed, pushing someone off her. Tori stood up, patting the air around her. She tripped, falling onto someone. "Uh, who's this?"

"Fred."

"Oh, Okay." She was partly glad it was so dark so he couldn't see her face turn red. She got up again, this time finding the door. "I'll see what's going on." She yanked on the handle, which was so cold, it hurt to touch.

"Bloody hell." She heard Katie mutter. Ice began to sprawl across the window, filling the train with even more of a chill. Tori stepped outside, leaving the door cracked open. The hallway was darker than the Silvers Manor and it was freezing. It felt like Florean had just locked the train into his ice cream freezer. Tori, to her surprise, seemed to be the only person willing to fully get out of the compartment.

Most students poked their heads out, whispering to each other. It seemed no one knew why the train had just stopped. Tori noticed movement from the end of the hall, squinting down to see who it was. She pulled out her wand, lighting the hallway. "Lumos."

She couldn't hear what Fred asked her over the sound of her heartbeat. The thing at the end of the hallway was a huge shadow creature wrapped in long black cloth. It floated there, almost waiting for something. Tori gasped, realizing it was a dementor. The compartment door shut with a sudden bang, causing Tori to jump around. She swore quietly and turned to see many students had popped their heads back inside.

The dementor heard the slam as well and began slowly floating her way. Tori yanked on the door, but it wouldn't budge. Her heart was racing now as she tried to open the door, but it seemed frozen in place. "Come on, come on," She whispered to herself, glancing over her shoulder.

There was a group of students running down the halls, stopping dead in front of Tori. Tori pointed her wand towards them to see it was Draco Malfoy, Dove, and two other boys. "What are you doing here?" Dove asked Tori.

"Guys..." One of the larger boys called, glancing behind him. The dementor was getting closer and Tori was becoming frantic. Malfoy looked terrified, trying to help Tori bust open the door. "Help us!" She cried, watching it get closer and closer. Fred and Lee were trying to budge it open from the inside. Alicia was standing by the glass trying to talk to Tori.

"What is it?" She would ask. But Tori was too frightened to answer. The dementor was only two compartments away when the door finally busted open. Fred yanked her inwards, holding her in his arms while the rest filed in towards the window. The compartment fell silent, watching the boney hand of the dementor fiddle with the handle. Tori hid her face until Fred's shoulder, trembling with fear.

The creature did a quick sweep of the room, seeing nothing but scared teenagers, and floated off. The group stayed quiet and still, no one daring to move. Fred rubbed Tori's back silently, whispering in a low voice.

"You're okay, you're okay, you're okay,"

The lights flickered on about ten minutes later and the train processed to move. Tori and Fred awkwardly shifted away from each other, getting up. Malfoy and his gang glanced around, seeing who they were with before quickly running out. Tori didn't let go of the fact Malfoy seemed scared.

Lee went out in the hall after them to see what happened, "They're said Harry Potter fainted." He informed them, looking grim. "The dementor went into their compartment, looking for something, and he passed out."

Tori bit her lip. "Why would a dementor come upon the Hogwarts Express? Shouldn't it be in Azkaban?"

"It's probably looking for Sirius Black," Alicia said, she was watching the ice slowly melt away on the window.

"Why would Sirius Black be on the Hogwarts Express?" George asked. But no one had an answer. The group tried out other theories until they had reached the school.

Everyone seemed to be talking about it. Some over-exaggerated, saying that it came into their compartment and nearly killed them. Some were more worried about it than others.

"Someone could get hurt."

"I've always wanted to learn how to cast a patronus!"

Tori followed her friends towards the carriages. She felt nervous about the whole dementor thing. She was cut out of any though she had when someone stopped her.

"I need to talk to you. That was a vile thing you did." Dove Silvers, Tori's younger sister, came up to her. Dove was a third-year, like Harry. She was a Slytherin, only following in the family line. Tori looked at her sister, exhausted. "You'll have to be more specific, I've done a lot of vile things." She could hear Lee trying to stifle his laugh.

Dove heard it as well, glaring at him. "It's not funny, Victoria. Letting Luman free? He's been working for our family for generations!"

"And now he'll be free for generations. I don't see you're so upset, you used to hate the idea that Luman was a servant." She tried to walk passed, but Dove moved in her way. "Mother and father are not pleased!"

"That was the point. They can kiss my arse for all I care. They have enough money to afford ten hundred house-elves, they will survive. Serves them right for leaving me when you four went to Rome. I hope you had a splendid time. Now if you'll excuse me, my friends are waiting for me." Her voice was laced with venom as she pushed past her sister.

She stopped for a moment, turning back. "You know, a thank you for saving you and your friends from a dementor would be nice."

Dove stayed silent. Tori rolled her eyes, regrouping with her friends. Fred helped her upon the carriage and they rode off to Hogwarts.

the dementors didn't pass the vibe check