"I'm sorry to hear about your broomstick." Professor Lupin said as we walked across the castle grounds. "Is there no chance of fixing it?"
I shook my head.
Lupin nodded sadly.
I decided to ask him a question that I had been asking myself for months.
"Professor, why do the dementors affect me so? I mean, more than everyone else?"
"Dementors are amongst the foulest of creatures to walk this earth. They feed on every good feeling, every happy memory, until a person is left with absolutely nothing but his worst experiences."
He must have noticed my confusion.
"You are not weak Harry. The dementors affect you most of all because there are true horrors in your past. Horrors your classmates can scarcely imagine. You have nothing to be ashamed of."
"Professor.......I'm scared."
He chuckled. "Well, I'd consider you a fool if you weren't."
I stopped walking and turned to face him. "I need to know how to fight them. You could teach me. You made that dementor in the train go away."
He thought to himself for a moment. "I don't pretend to be an expert Harry." He paused. "But, as the dementors have seemed to develop a particular interest in you, perhaps I should teach you. But after the holidays. For now, I need to rest."
----
florence pov
My favourite time of the year arrived quicker than expected, Christmas. Sooner than later, the leaves disappeared from the trees and a thick white blanket of snow covered the grounds.
Harry and I stood by the window in the clock tower, admiring the winter wonderland that Hogwarts had now become.
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"I can't believe it's almost Christmas already." I said. "It feels like only yesterday that we were on the train here, doesn't it?"
He nodded. "What're you doing for Christmas this year?"
"Staying here." I looked down. "I'm sure Lucius won't want me back at Malfoy Manor. For the two years I was at Beauxbatons, I stayed there over Christmas, so I assume it'll be the same here. Plus, he'll still think i'm a bad influence on Draco."
"What about your real parents? Couldn't they care for you?" Harry asked hesitantly.
"My parents are.....complicated. My dad died when I was young, and my mum wants nothing to do with me..well that's what I was told anyway." I thought of them. Of my situation. And how none of my friends have any idea.
"That sucks." He said quietly.
"Yeah. Guess I'll be staying here again, since I don't have a real home to go back to." I said, smiling as I began to tear up.
