The Soul Hunters | Hp Next Generation

5 - Some Changes in Staff

"Firs' years over here! Firs' years over here!"

Astrid smiled as she got off the train. Partly because her duties as Head Girl were temporarily over as there were now teachers about, but also because she was five minutes away from entering Hogwarts Castle: her favourite place on Earth.

"I can't believe we're not coming back next year." Ophelia said, as the five of them got into a horseless carriage.

"Don't say that!" Astrid said, already too sad to think about leaving.

Delilah, on the other hand, seemed quite excited. "Yeah but think about how we'll be able to integrate ourselves fully into the wizarding world. Jobs and everything!"

"I think once you get a job in the wizarding world, it kind of loses its magic. Literally." Toby commented.

The others carried on talking as Astrid looked over her shoulder at her surroundings. She could now see the castle, situated on the side of the cliff as the violet sky reflected in the lake below it. She could see the faint, orange glow of the lights from the boats which carried the first years, and she remembered fondly seeing it for the first time herself. Astrid could just imagine the way Daisy's eyes were lighting up with the scene in front of her, much the same way hers did six years ago.

Astrid was still staring at the lake, when she began to notice something odd. The ripples appeared to have stopped moving, and it was suddenly a lot whiter in colour. The first-years were way off in the distance, and this sudden change in climate didn't appear to be affecting them.

"Can you feel that?" James asked, holding his arms around himself as he began to shiver.

"Look at the lake." Astrid replied.

"Look at the sky." Ophelia said.

The five of them looked up, clearly just at the same time as the carriages around them. Astrid heard a very faint 'Holy shit!' from a voice which she was sure belonged to Ted.

There was only one of them, and it was quite far away, but the dark, cloaked figure was gliding menacingly above the trees. Luckily, it didn't appear to be taking any notice of the people below, as it continued across until it was out of sight.

"Was that-?" Astrid began, but she didn't need to finish her sentence.

"A dementor, yeah." Ophelia said, still shivering slightly.

"I've never seen one in person before." James said. "That was so much worse than I'd ever expected."

"It was so cold." Delilah said, and James quickly wrapped his arms around her to warm her up.

"I wonder what they're doing here." Ophelia wondered aloud.

There was silence for a moment.

"Not anything good, I assume." Toby said.

Nobody spoke for the rest of the journey.

***

The atmosphere changed immediately the moment that they entered the Great Hall. Almost all the students had already taken their seats, and the noise and excitement radiating from the hall was unmatched.

The group went their separate ways to their tables, but Astrid was confused as to why James was still with her and Delilah.

"James, Gryffindor table is over there." She reminded him.

"I'm not sitting there today." He said, matter-of-factly.

"You're not-?"

"Nope." James interrupted. "All my Gryffindor mates graduated last year, so I'm sitting with you for now."