[As the Hogwarts express bleats its horn, we crane over the milling horde of students. Parents hurry their children onboard, tiny siblings wave goodbyes... and Mr. Weasley dashes through the throng and up to an open train window.]
Mrs. Weasley: Ron! Don't forget him [She hands Scabbers through the open window to him.]

"I wish mother didn't hand him to me," Ron mumbled under his breath, his words carrying a weight of regret and uncertainty as they reached the ears of those around him.

Mia turned to him, her expression earnest and determined. "Then we wouldn't know that Sirius is innocent," she reminded him, her voice laced with conviction.

She glanced at the screen, where the unfolding scenes mirrored her thoughts, a spark of realization dawning in her eyes. Thanks to these movies, she realized, she might have another way to prove Sirius's innocence, one that didn't rely on Pettigrew at all.

"You're right," Ron conceded, his tone reflecting a mixture of acceptance and relief as he recognized the possibility of a different path forward.

[Moments later, the aisle teems with students. Mia, Ron and Hermione work their way down the aisle, looking for an empty compartment.]
Mia: I didn't mean to blow her up. I just... (troubled by the memory) ... lost control.
Ron: Brilliant!

"To this day, I still think it was brilliant," Ron chuckled, his eyes alight with amusement as he recalled the unforgettable encounter with Marge.

"I loved it," Colin chimed in, his voice filled with admiration and fondness.

"Yeah, it was pretty impressive," Pansy added, her tone tinged with a hint of admiration.

The sentiments were echoed by several others in the Hall, their voices blending into a chorus of agreement and appreciation, leaving Mia feeling a deep sense of warmth and gratitude. She felt a rush of color creep into her cheeks.

Hermione: Honestly, Ron, it's not funny. Mia's lucky he wasn't expelled.
Ron: I still think it was brilliant. [SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! A copy of the The Monster Book of Monsters SCUTTLES CRAB-LIKE down the aisle, pursued by Neville Longbottom.]
Neville: Hi, Mia. Ron. Hermione.
The trio: Hi, Neville. [As he bumps past, Hermione nods to a compartment.]
Hermione: C'mon. We're in here. [As they slip inside, they find a man in shabby robes slumped against the window, asleep. He looks ill, exhausted. The trio eye him warily. They whisper.]

Mia's smile softened as she gazed at Remus' peaceful, sleeping form, a sense of fondness and affection shining in her eyes.

"So this is how you met Remus?" Sirius's whispered words cut through the quiet, reaching Mia and a few others nearby, eliciting a warm, knowing look from Mia as she acknowledged his question.

"Yes," she answered simply, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia and gratitude for the journey that had led her to this moment of quiet contentment and connection with Remus.

Ron: Who d'you reckon he is?
Hermione: Professor R.J. Lupin.
Ron: You know everything. How is it she knows everything?

Chuckles and laughter were heard across the hall

Hermione: It's on his case. [She points. Stamped in peeling letters on a BATTERED CASE is "Professor R.J. Lupin." ]
Mia: Is he really asleep?
Hermione: Seems to be. Why? What is it, Mia?
Mia: Close the door.

"You're going to tell them what I told you, right?" Arthur inquired cautiously, his expression a mixture of concern and trust.

"You know it. I tell them everything," Mia replied without hesitation, her words infused with a sense of openness and honesty that defined their bond.

"I should have known," Arthur chuckled, shaking his head with a knowing smile playing on his lips.

[Hermione and Ron exchange a curious glance, then Ron rises, slides the door shut, over camera, and we -- cut to storm clouds, like dark ghosts, toss sheets of rain onto the scarlet engine as it heads north. Ron and Hermione stare at Mia, faces stricken in the lantern light that now glows in the compartment. Crookshanks slumbers in his cage].
Ron: Let me get this straight. Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban to come after you?
Mia: Yes
Hermione: But they'll catch Black, won't they? I mean... eventually?

"Don't think so," Hermione remarked, a hint of amusement coloring her words as she chuckled softly.

"Zero chance," Mia added casually, her tone laced with a touch of certainty.

"Good luck with that," Ron stated with a wry smile, his words carrying a sense of knowing.

As the others turned to look at the trio who had chuckled, a wave of confusion washed over them, leaving them perplexed and curious about the shared understanding that seemed to elude them.

It wasn't the first time, and it would probably not be the last. The trio's cryptic exchange was just another in a long line of inside jokes and unspoken references that left their friends on the outside looking in, wondering what secrets and connections they had missed over the years.

"What?" Lavender asked, her voice laden with confusion and a tinge of frustration at being left out of the loop.

"You'll see," the trio replied cryptically, with their knowing looks and shared smiles.

Ron: Sure -- Of course, no one's ever broken out of Azkaban before and he's a raving, murderous lunatic...

"Yes, really comforting, Ron," Pansy remarked with a hint of irony in her voice, the juxtaposition of seriousness and humor evident in her tone.

[Just then, the compartment rattles. Lanterns flicker.]

Almost everyone in the Hall jolted in their seats, startled by the sudden movement that disrupted the previously quiet atmosphere.

[The train lurches, begins to slow. 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. Frowns]

The sudden jolt startled everyone once more, sending a wave of worry and fear rippling through their bodies.

Hermione: Why're we stopping? We can't be there yet... [Mia rises, slides open the door, peers into the corridor. All along the carriage, HEADS look out curiously. Then -- the train stops -- the car sways -- and the lamps running along the ceiling flicker and... ... die.   One by one. Until all is... Dark.]

As the train came to an abrupt halt and the lights flickered out, a collective gasp filled the Hall, sending shivers of apprehension through the gathered students and staff.

"This is kinda creepy," a young Ravenclaw' voice trembled with fear, the quiver in their tone betraying the rising sense of unease that permeated the air.

"This is creepy!" another student's words rang out, punctuating the growing tension that hung thick in the room like a heavy fog.

"Aren't we used to it? course something bad is going to happen. Blessed with the Potter luck," Mia's muttered sarcastically, words slipped out, barely audible but impactful, adding a tinge of fatalism to the already fraught atmosphere. The resignation in her voice seemed to echo through the Hall, heightening the sense of impending trouble that loomed over them all.

With each passing moment, the fear and tension in the room became almost palpable, a heavy blanket of apprehension settling over the occupants like a sinister shadow.

Ron: What's going on? [A thin wisp of steam escapes Ron's mouth. Mia notices.]
Mia: Dunno... Maybe we've broken down?
Hermione: Ouch! Ron, that was my foot [SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK. Ron, a dark silhouette against the window, wipes a patch of condensation from the window.]
Ron: There's something moving out there. I think... people are coming aboard.

The erratic flickering of the lights only added to the growing unease, accompanied by a chilling drop in temperature that permeated the Hall. A sense of foreboding settled over the room, shrouding it in an unsettling, eerie atmosphere that left many on edge and unable to pinpoint the source of their unease.

For those who had experienced this before, a wave of dreaded recognition washed over them, the memory of past events casting a shadow of fear over the present situation.

[Suddenly the car sways violently... rights itself. The metal window trim at Ron's fingertips begins to vibrates.]
Ron: Bloody hell. What's happening?

"What is going on?" a timid second-year student's voice quavered with fear, his small frame almost frozen in his seat as he voiced the question that lingered on everyone's minds.

Amidst the tension, the sudden inquiry from the young student shattered the silence, jolting some of the spectators who had been engrossed in the unfolding events. Startled gasps and nervous shuffling rippled through the Hall, a tangible sense of alarm seizing hold of those present.

Despite the palpable fear that hung heavy in the air, no one seemed able to offer an answer. The dropping temperature seemed to further petrify the audience, rendering them motionless in their seats, trapped in a spell of apprehension.

Some individuals, determined to maintain their composure in the face of uncertainty, fought hard to conceal their fear, though the chilling sensation coursing through their bodies made it increasingly difficult to hide their unease. Each passing moment only served to heighten the sense of dread that had taken hold, casting a shadow of fear over the once lively gathering.

[SSSSST! A soft crackling fills the car and flames bloom... in the hands of R.J. Lupin. In the shivering light, his face looks tired and gray, but his eyes are alert. Wary.]

"I got a very bad feeling about this," Neville's quiet voice cut through the tense silence, his words laden with a sense of foreboding that resonated with those in his immediate vicinity.

His somber statement seemed to strike a chord with some of the assembled individuals, eliciting solemn nods of agreement from those who shared in his apprehension. In that moment of shared unease, a silent acknowledgment passed between them, a wordless recognition of the looming threat that hung heavily in the air.

Professor Lupin: Don't. Move. [A hand -- slimy and scabbed -- a hand of death -- grips the half-open compartment door, pushes it aside.]

A heavy sense of paralysis gripped the audience, rendering them immobile in their seats, each individual overcome with a combination of fear and cold that left them rooted to the spot.

Not a single soul dared to make a move, their bodies stiffened by dread and the chilling atmosphere that surrounded them, fixated on the unfolding spectacle before them. The urge to avert their eyes tugged at some, a desperate longing to escape the ominous scene playing out in front of them, yet the grip of fear held them captive.

They were trapped in a state of utter helplessness, their minds and bodies held captive by a potent mixture of terror and concern, unable to break free from the suffocating grip of apprehension that had enveloped them.

"how could you allow this to happen while student are aboard?" Molly erupted in, her voices laced with fury as she directed her accusatory question at Fudge and Umbridge.

Despite the intense anger radiating from her, Fudge and Umbridge made a concerted effort to shield themselves from the brunt of their ire, steeling themselves against the piercing glares and heated words.

The expression on Sirius's face was one of seething rage, his eyes burning with fury at the grave error that had transpired, his temper flaring at the thought of the dangerous situation that had endangered his daughter .

[Reveals: a towering, cloaked figure, its face hidden beneath its black hood. Crookshank's' hair rises and as she hisses... WHOOSHHHHH. The folds of the hood tremble. A chill, rattling intake of air is heard. The flames in Lupin's hands sputter.]

"Mia!" The urgent cries of those closest to her pierced the air, laced with fear for the young girl caught in the grip of her memories.

Immune to their calls for reassurance, Mia remained ensnared in the haunting scene unfolding before her, oblivious to the world around her. In that suspended moment, nothing else existed for Mia except the vivid memory playing out on the screen, the chilling presence of the creature etched into her consciousness. A wave of icy despair washed over her, as if all the warmth of happiness, joy, and love had been drained from her being, leaving behind only the raw, jagged edges of pain and suffering, etched deep into her soul.

[A sound swells in Mia's ears. Eerie. Painful. The sound of a woman screaming. Mia's eyes roll up, eyelids fluttering. And then... a silvery white light drifts from her mouth. The world spins off its axis and Mia falls... glasses tumbling hard to the ground... then Mia... the muscles of her jaw twitching. Thunder Cracks. lightning paints the icy windows... WHITE. BLACK. WHITE. BLACK...]

Hermione's kind voice cut through the heavy atmosphere, her eyes filled with concern as she gently probed, "That was the voice you heard, Mia?"

Mia's gaze remained fixed on some distant point, lost in the memory that still held her captive. She nodded silently, a shiver running down her spine at the vivid recollection.

Ron's curiosity peaked as he leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper, "Whose voice was it, Mia?"

The weight of untold secrets hung in the air as Mia's lips formed the words, barely audible, "You'll find out later." Her words carried a sense of foreboding, hinting at a revelation yet to come, a truth that could shake their world. A sense of unease washed over Mia, her thoughts swirling in a maelstrom of confusion and disbelief. She felt as though the ground beneath her feet had shifted, leaving her adrift in a sea of uncertainty and hidden truths, waiting to be unveiled.

[With a desperate gasp, Mia opens her eyes. Blinks. Dusk is gone. The windows blck. The floor at her spine is shaking genlty. The train moving again. her eyes shift, see a drop of water, newly unfrozen, running slowly down the window.]

A collective exhale of relief swept through the group as they beheld Mia seemingly unharmed, or as unharmed as one could be in such a harrowing circumstance.

Hermione: Mia? Mia, are you all right [Hermione's troubled face hovers above her. She nods. Sits up. Ron -- pale, nervous -- extends his hand. Mia's glasses.]
Mia: Thanks. [Mia slips them on. Discovers the cold sweat glazing her brow. SNAP! Professor Lupin breaks a ragged triangle of chocolate off the slab in her hands. Holds it out.

A heavy silence settled among the group, their shared experience still lingering in the air, rendering words unnecessary as they found solace in quiet contemplation of the unfolding events.

With a gentle lean back, Mia's eyes sought out Remus, a flicker of vulnerability masked by a faint smile. "I need more of the chocolate, please?" Her voice held a tinge of softness, a plea disguised as a simple request for comfort.

Remus and Sirius exchanged knowing glances, a shared understanding passing between them as they registered Mia's unspoken need. A chuckle escaped them, the tension lifting slightly as Remus shook his head in mock exasperation. "How can I resist?" His words carried a warmth that belied his amusement, a familiar banter soothing the lingering unease.

Mia's gratitude was palpable in her simple "Thanks," a soft echo of relief and gratitude for the familiar gesture of kindness in a moment of lingering uncertainty.

Professor Lupin: Chocolate. Eat. It'll help.
Mia: What was that -- that thing?
Professor Lupin: A Dementor. One of the guards of Azkaban. It's gone now. [Mia frowns in confusion.]
Hermione: It was searching the train, Mia. For Sirius Black.

A heavy weight settled upon Sirius, his heart weighed down by a crushing sense of remorse. The dementor's presence on the train had been intended for him, a chilling reminder of his own past that now cast a shadow over Mia's safety, a responsibility he had failed to uphold.

His sole purpose had been to shield her from harm, yet the very danger he sought to protect her from had found its mark, inflicting pain where he had sworn to offer protection. Guilt gnawed at him, a relentless force that threatened to consume him whole, its tendrils of regret winding around his conscience with a vise-like grip.

Professor Lupin: I need to have a word with the driver. Excuse me. (the chocolate) Eat. It'll help. [As he leaves, Mia turns to Ron and Hermione.]
Mia: What happened to me?
Ron: Well, you sort of went... rigid. We thought maybe you were having a fit or something.
Mia: And did either of you? You know... pass out?
Ron: No. I felt... weird. Like I'd never be cheerful again. But... no.

A palpable sorrow settled over the Weasley family, their hearts breaking at the weight of Ron's words, each syllable tugging at the delicate strings of their bond.

[Mia turns to Hermione. She shakes her head.]
Hermione: I was trembling. Cold. But then... Professor Lupin made it go away...
Mia: But someone was screaming. A woman. [Hermione and Ron glance nervously at each other.]
Hermione: No one was screaming, Mia. [Mia looks to the window and we push in on her reflection. It becomes a glimmering puddle.]

Carefully breaking the heavy silence in the Hall, Sirius posed a question to his companions, seeking clarity amidst the lingering unease.

"Did either of you hear the woman shouting Mia's name?" Sirius inquired, his tone measured, hinting at the underlying concern that weighed upon him.

"No," came the simultaneous response from both his friends, their voices laced with confusion and a touch of apprehension. They sat clustered in the Hall, a collective uncertainty hanging in the air as they deliberated on the next course of action. The debate raged on, torn between forging ahead with the movie or granting a much-needed break to restore a sense of normalcy and calm among them.