Chapter Text
Kelsey’s POV
Lifting the lid to my trunk, I check to make sure I have everything I need before going back to school. See, I’m not your average teenage girl and where I’m going is not an average school. I am a witch who has been going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Highlands of Scotland.
Everyone in my entire family has magic in their blood so this type of thing is standard for us. At the age of 11, you get a letter in the mail accepting you into the school with everything you would need. Books, robes, pets, etc. My family, the Weasley’s, are known as a ‘pureblooded family’ so it’s not shocking when every one of my siblings and I got our letters.
We’re known as the family who immediately gets accepted into Gryffindor house. Hogwarts has four different ‘houses’ you can get sorted into by the Sorting Hat. Gryffindor’s are typically known for their bravery, helping others and chivalry while Slytherin’s are known for their ambition, cunningness and resourcefulness.
Hufflepuff’s are hard working, patient and loyal while Ravenclaw’s are very intelligent and witty while also planning ahead. The school year starts September 1st and ends the last week of June, with two two-week holidays throughout the year. One in winter for Christmas and one in spring for Easter.
The rest of the time you are studying and relaxing during weekends or, in my older twin brother’s case, reeking havoc. Hogwarts is known for being the safest place in the entire wizardry world. The castle is located about two hours away from my home so instead of going straight home after our special vacation, we decided to stop and stay at the Leaky Cauldron.
It’s a cheap inn for the eight of us (five of my seven siblings, me and my parents) to stay. My family isn't the richest in England so we try to save money when we can...besides our rare vacation. I raise an eyebrow at the loud voices that have carried up to the room that I share with my younger sister, Ginny.
Wanting to see what all the yelling is about, I walk out of my room and lean over the banister to see my twin brother, Ron, fighting with our best friend, Hermione. I roll my eyes and lean against the banister as they scrap. Why won’t they just get together already? Everyone knows that they are in love and have been since first year.
Not even a minute after I get to the banister, I’m broken out of my thoughts by my name being called.
“Kelsey!”
I glance over my shoulder and smile widely at the teenage boy standing before me.
“Harry!”
Taking the small steps toward him, I fling my arms around his neck in a tight hug. Without hesitation, he wraps his arms around my waist, holding me close. I feel him move slightly and put his face into my neck, never leaving the hug we are sharing.
“Are you okay?” I whisper, rubbing his back slightly.
“Better now.” He whispers back, squeezing me slightly.
We pull from the hug when we hear my brother’s voice getting louder.
“I’m warning you, Hermione! Keep that bloody beast of yours away from Scabbers or I’ll turn it into a tea cozy!”
I sigh and shake my head, slightly angry Ronald ruined our moment, as Harry raises an eyebrow.
“She got a cat yesterday and all he’s done is chase Ron’s rat around.” I take a step back so I can look over the banister again.
“He’s a cat, Ronald! What do you expect? It’s in his nature.” She says back to him.
Harry takes my hand and gently pulls me down the stairs to the arguing duo. Ron is protectively cradling Scabbers while Hermione does her best to restrain her hissing cat, Crookshanks.
“A cat?! Is that what they told you?” Ron scoffs. “Looks more like a pig with hair, if you ask me!”
“That’s rich coming from the owner of that smelly old shoe brush.” She looks down at her precious cat. “It’s all right, Crookshanks. You just ignore the mean little boy…”
I glance up at Harry with a small smile before looking at my twin brother. Ron looks past Hermione before smiling widely.
“Harry!”
Hermione looks over her shoulder before fully turning around.
“Harry!”
I giggle and look back up at the Boy-Who-Lived, discreetly pulling my hand from his.
“Quite popular, huh?” I tease him.
“Ohhh, you have no idea.” He chuckles slightly.
“Harry, I’ve been around you for three years now. I think I know.” I smirk slightly before walking into the next room.
It’s true. Harry, Ron and I have been best friends since we sat with him on the train at the start of our first year. That was also the year we helped him, along with Hermione, defeat...You-Know-Who in the ‘basement’ of Hogwarts. Our friendship carried into the next school year, of course. That’s when Tom Riddle, AKA Lord Voldemort, found a way, through a diary, to get my younger sister into opening the Chamber of Secrets.
Harry, being who he is, is always attracting trouble. He doesn’t mean too. He just wants a normal life like the rest of us, but, for some reason, it never seems to end up that way. All because he defeated You-Know-Who when he was a little over a year old. So here we are again. Year 3 of Hogwarts. The Golden Quartet is ready for their first year of normal…
Well as normal as a magic-filled world can be. I sit down at the tables of the sitting area across from Ron and Harry as my twin shows him the newspaper clipping from when we went on our vacation.
“Egypt!” Harry says, looking at the moving photo. “What’s it like?”
My dad won the grand prize in a raffle in which the winning amount was 700 galleons. Our oldest brother, Bill, was there for his job so our parents used the prize money so we could visit him. Our second oldest brother, Charlie, came as well which was just as exciting since it’s been quite a few years since we saw him.
He works with Dragons in Romania so it’s very hard to visit him. He was granted a vacation pass to come with us so we all could be together for the summer. The reason we’re on the cover of the Daily Prophet is because, even though our father works at the Ministry, we aren’t very wealthy as I’ve said before and it was shocking to have the poorest family win the grand prize.
None of us mind at all that we are so poverty-stricken. As long as the Weasley’s are together, that’s all that matters. Besides, my parents had eight kids and would do anything they can for them. We had everything we needed, a roof over our heads and full tummies...and it was good enough for us.
“Brilliant!” My twin tells our best friend. “It’s got loads of old stuff. Mummies. Tombs. Even Scabbers enjoyed himself.”
“You know, the Egyptians used to worship cats.” Hermione chimes in, holding Crookshanks beside me.
“Along with a dung beetle.” Ron scoffs, looking back at the paper clipping.
“Not flashing that chipping about again, are you, Ron?” My older brother, George asks, looking over my own twin’s shoulder.
“I haven’t shown anyone!” Ron says, quickly moving the paper away from Harry.
“No, not a soul!” Fred, George’s twin, chimes in, walking around the table. “Unless you count Tom. The day maid…”
“The night maid. The cook.” George continues as he walks with Fred.
“That bloke that came to fix the toilet.” Fred snickers as they sit down next to me.
“And that Wizard from Belgium.” George finishes.
“Harry!” My mother says, jogging over.
Harry looks over his shoulder before standing up, throwing one leg over the bench seat.
“Mrs. Weasley.” He smiles widely.
“It’s good to see you, dear.” She says, cupping his cheek with one hand.
“Good to see you too.” He blushes slightly at the affection.
“Now, you got everything you need?” She asks, smiling.
“Yep.” He nods slightly.
“Yes? All of your books?” She nods with each word.
“It’s all upstairs.” He gestures to the side slightly.
“And all of your clothes?” She continues to interrogate him, causing me to giggle slightly.
I love how she treats him as if he was her own child. It’s nice to see some kind of adult figure actually caring for him...since his aunt and uncle don’t give a rats arse about him.
“Everything's there.” He smiles at my mother.
“Good boy.” She whispers, smiling widely, finally removing her hand.
“Thank you.” He whispers.
“Harry Potter.” My father, Arthur, steps up from behind our mum.
“Mr. Weasley.” Harry says, shaking his hand.
“Harry. I wonder if I might have a word.”
“Of course, Mr. Weasley.” Harry nods, pulling his other leg from out from under the table.
He glances at me as my dad walks away. I shrug slightly, not knowing the reasoning behind my dad’s actions. He bites his lip before walking away from the table, following after the eldest Weasley man.
“George’s nose looks positively massive in that photograph.” Fred says, pointing to himself in the moving photo.
“That’s your nose, Fred.” I giggle softly.
“Bloody hell. ‘Tis, isn’t it? Take after your side of the family, don’t I, mum?” Fred smirks, looking up at our mum who is still standing behind Ron.
“Oh, shush you!” She giggles slightly.
I smile to myself as I watch my family bicker back and forth. Yep. This is my family...And I wouldn’t change them for all the power in the world. I look over my mother’s shoulder as best as I can as I see Harry walk with my father behind the pillars. He glances at me with a slightly troubled expression.
I bite my lip as I keep eye contact with him. He breaks it as my father pulls him behind another pillar. What on earth could be so important? This is supposed to be our normal year!
***
Next Day - Hogwarts Express
I walk behind Harry as we try and find an empty compartment.
“Wait? Where’s Scabbers?” Ron speaks up from behind Hermione.
I stop in my footsteps and look over my shoulder toward my brother. It takes everything in me not to sigh and shake my head. As much as I love my brother, he can’t keep track of Scabbers to save his life.
“You lost him?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Hopefully you left him at the inn.” Hermione scoffs.
“Ron!” We hear from outside the window.
He gently pushes one of the first year students to the side so he’s able to look out the window. I can see my mother running with said rat beside the train. He reaches out and takes him with an embarrassed expression.
“Don’t lose him!” Mom calls out, waving toward the window.
I giggle to myself causing my twin to turn and glare at me.
“Shut up.”
I bite my lip to stop the laughter and turn toward Harry.
“Let’s go.” He smirks and takes my hand, pulling me down the aisle.
The train begins to pull away from the station as we continue our mission to find a compartment. Harry also decided it was time to tell us what happened during his summer. Apparently, his uncle's sister came to visit and kept talking about Harry’s parents.
“I didn’t mean to blow her up. I just…” He sighs. “Lost control.”
“Brilliant!” Ron chuckles.
“Honestly, Ron, it’s not funny. Harry’s lucky enough not to be expelled.” Hermione sighs.
“I think I’m lucky not to be arrested actually.” Harry mumbles.
“I still think it's brilliant!” Ron chuckles again.
I squeeze his hand softly as we walk. He squeezes back as Hermione gently grabs my arm to stop us. I turn around as she opens a compartment door where a man is leaning against the window with a jacket covering most of his body, most likely asleep.
“C’mon. Everywhere else is full.”
I let go of Harry’s hand and walk into the compartment after my brother. He sits down next to Hermione while I sit down across from them, leaving a space for Harry between me and the unknown man. Harry walks in, taking off his bag and putting it in the storage area above our heads. He glances down at me and puts his hand out.
I raise an eyebrow at him. He smiles and takes my bag from my lap. I giggle slightly, finally realizing what he wanted. He puts my bag above my head as well.
“Who d’you reckon he is?” Ron asks, glancing at the sleeping man.
“Professor R.J. Lupin.” Hermione answers, putting her pet carrier between her and my brother.
“You know everything!” Ron scoffs slightly before looking at Harry and I as he sits. “How is it she knows everything?”
She points above his head at the compartment of bags.
“It’s on his suitcase, Ronald.” She sighs.
“Do you think he’s really asleep?” Harry asks, softly.
“He seems to be. Why?” I ask, glancing at the man.
Harry stands up and steps over my leg to close the door.
“I gotta tell you something.”
It’s about an hour later when Harry finishes telling us what my father had told him. Instead of the usual sunny day, the weather outside is almost completely foggy and the sun is just about set. The steam coming from the front of the train isn’t helping the fog either. My eyes widen as I take in the information Harry has given us.
“Let me get this straight. Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban to come after you?” Ron asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah.” Harry says, softly.
I reach over and take his hand before rubbing his upper arm in comfort. He squeezes softly and sighs.
“But they’ll catch Black, won’t they?” Hermione asks, look at us then at Ron. “I mean everyone’s looking for him.”
“Sure! Except, no one’s ever broken out of Azkaban before and…” He softens his words. “...he’s a murderous, raving lunatic…”
“Thanks, Ron.” Harry says, a little defeated, squeezing my hand again.
Before I can say anything, the train breaks suddenly, forcing both Harry and I to lean back into our seats. The compartment rattles and shakes.
“Why’re we stopping? We can’t be there yet…” Hermione says, glancing at me.
“Something could be in the way…” I say, hopefully answering her question.
I look as Harry lets go of my hand to stand up. He unlocks the sliding door to our compartment and peeks out into the thin hallway. The train breaks again, causing the car to sway and the lamps to flicker. Because of the swaying, Harry falls back into my lap causing us both to groan.
“Sorry, Kels.” He mumbles, sliding off my lap toward Lupin again.
“It’s okay.” I sigh, trying to sit up again.
“What’s going on?” Ron asks, loudly as the compartment door shuts after the train sways again.
“Dunno. Maybe we’ve broken down?” Harry answers, glancing out the window.
The lights immediately go out, putting the entire train into darkness. The only light being the slight fog coming in through the window. Ron stretches to the window and puts his hand on it, trying to see what’s going on. A small thump is heard and Hermione jumps.
“Ouch! Ron, that was my foot.”
He completely ignores her as he watches out the window, fear written all over his face . The lights flicker back on as my twin brother whimpers.
“There’s something moving out there.”
I bite my lip and glance at Harry with a worried expression no doubt etched across my face. He reaches over and puts his hand on my knee as the lights flicker once again, this time staying off completely. The compartment is starting to get cold as if the temperature dropped 30 degrees.
We’re all starting to see our breath.
“I think...someone’s coming on.” Ron tries to whisper, his hand never leaving the window.
The train shakes violently causing us all to gasp. Soft crackling fills the air as the window starts freezing over because of the sudden drop in temperature. Even the glass bottle Professor Lupin brought on freezes as if it was stuck into a freezer.
The train jerks again, causing me to latch onto Harry’s arm in fright.
“Bloody hell! What’s happening?” Ron says, finally removing his hand from the window.
I gasp and lean into Harry’s side, tightening my grip ever so slightly on his arm, as I see something out of the corner of my eye. Harry looks up and wraps an arm around me, pulling me as close as he can as a cloaked figure floats by, stopping by the door. The figure brings up his right hand and curls it slightly, using magic on our door.
It slides open slowly. As it gets to be opened about half way, the figure grips the door, pushing it open all the way. The hand that grabbed it is slimy and scabby looking, also thin, as if there’s a skeleton under the cloak. It’s a Dementor. A whooshing noise loudly enters my ears as the Dementor stands tall in the doorway.
It turns it’s head toward Hermione and Ron causing her to gasp. Crookshanks hisses loudly and Scabbers scurries, hiding in my brother’s jacket. Harry moves his hand to adjust his grip on me, catching the Dementor’s attention. It looks toward us and I start breathing hard as it stares at us, my breath being visible in the freezing train car.
Not even a second later, it leans in and starts sucking the soul out of Harry. He stiffens up and his jaw muscles twitch.
“No! Stop!” I start speaking but my voice is non-existent.
The Dementor continues to suck Harry’s soul, but there seems to be nothing we can do. I tear up slightly as Harry’s grip on me loosens. I look up when Harry is jerked slightly to see the formerly asleep Professor standing by the window and a bright white light is shooting out of his wand. The Dementor backs up as it’s attention drops on Harry.
It slowly leaves the compartment and the whooshing noise goes with it. Harry’s eyes close as he passes out but I grab him by the shirt to ease him down into the compartment seat. Standing up slightly, I take off his glasses as they fall crooked and look up at the Professor.
“Give him a few minutes before trying to wake him up.” The man says to me softly.
I nod slightly and kneel down next to Harry’s head. The lights flicker back on and the temperature rises again. The Dementors must have left the train. The ice on the windows slowly starts melting and the train jerks again as it starts moving down the tracks. Hermione moves down slightly as the Professor sits down in her spot.
She puts Crookshanks in the spot above Harry’s head and the cat just stares at my unconscious best friend. I ignore everything around me as I begin to play with Harry’s hair. After a few minutes, I start to wake up the Boy-Who-Lived.
“Harry?” I call out, shaking him softly. “Harry, are you alright?”
He moves slightly and slowly opens his eyes, looking at me. I hold out his glasses since I know he can’t see a damn thing without them.
“Thanks, Kels.” He whispers as he takes them.
He sits up onto his right arm to put them on when the Professor holds out a piece of chocolate.
“Here. Eat this. It will help.” He says.
Harry’s eyes widen slightly at the man, not realizing he’d be right in front of his face. He hesitantly takes the piece.
“It’s alright. It’s chocolate.” Lupin smiles at him.
Harry finally takes it and sits up, looking out the door of the compartment where the Dementor was.
“What was that...that thing?” Harry whispers, looking at the professor.
“A Dementor. One of the guards of Azkaban. It’s gone now. It was searching the train for Sirius Black.” He lays the rest of the chocolate next to Harry before standing up. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to have a word with the driver.
I stand up from my position and sit next to Harry as he watches the professor open the door. Lupin turns around and smiles at Harry before gesturing to the chocolate.
“Eat. It’ll help.”
Harry looks at me before taking a small bite of the chocolate. I smile tightly, before rubbing his shoulder.
“What happened to me?” He asks, softly.
“Well, you sort of went rigid.” Ron says fast. “We thought maybe you were having a fit or something.”
“Did...Any of you...You know…” Harry pauses. “Pass out.”
“No. You were the only one, I think.” I say, removing my hand from his shoulder.
“I felt weird though.” Ron speaks up again. “Like I’d never be cheerful again.”
“But someone was screaming. A woman.” Harry glances at us.
I look at my brother and Hermione who look back at me with equally nervous expressions.
“No one was screaming, Harry.” I whisper to the teen.
Harry looks at me again before biting his lip. I look down slightly before making eye contact with him. This isn’t good.