Harry Potter and the Protectors of Hogwarts

xii. of the chamber of secrets

Remus walked up to the hospital wing to see Killian. Killian had been unconscious since the Hogsmeade attack nearly thee weeks ago and had only woken earlier that afternoon. Everyone had been concerned, but as Madam Pomfrey had examined her and told them nothing was physically wrong with her apart from exhaustion she only had to sleep off the effect of the dementors.

Whilst Killian was recovering on the hospital wing, everything went on as normal at the school. The villagers, once ensured that Hogsmeade was dementor free after the Unspeakables took the rotted creatures cloaks away, went back and tidied up and re-opened their business; many setting extra wards and as many safety features as possible to prevent something like that happening again. They also know that there was a route through the Shrieking Shack through to the school should they ever need it, which Dumbledore had put on extra ward on himself, along with a few Weasley products that would stop anyone from gaining access without permission.

The students who had stayed behind to help by casting their Patronus had spent a full night in the hospital wing at the Matron's order stuffing themselves sick with chocolate had recovered without any undue effect, and had, rather resiliently, carried on with their normal routines, including the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin quidditch match. Classes had continued as normal, mostly, with the other Defence teachers taking over Killian's classes while she recovered.

Nicolas and Perenelle had been especially worried about Killian, it wasn't unusual to see one or the other at her bedside. Gallagher was also a frequent visitor. It was a relief to finally hear that she had woken up.

Lost in his own thoughts it took him a while to realise he was hearing loud voices as he stepped closer to the hospital wing. Well it was only one loud voice, but it couldn't be who he thought it would be. It couldn't be. He quickened his footsteps and walked into the hospital wing, the door slamming behind him with a resounding bang.

Startled, the occupants looked around to see who the intruder was, but Remus only concentrated his eyes on one person.

"Sirius?" He wasn't sure what he was feeling.

"Remus, old friend," Sirius smiled bitterly.

"Sirius!" he said and walked quickly over to him, not knowing where to start. They embraced and he though back to where when he'd seen Sirius after 12 years in the Shrieking Shack.

***

Harry and his friends walked into the Great Hall Friday morning; around them many students were debating the important announcement would be that they all had to attend at breakfast.

"Maybe Snape's getting sacked," was Ron's hopeful guess.

"You wish," Ginny said.

"I've been wishing that since first year," Ron said glumly.

Harry and Neville laughed. Hermione only cracked a smile. Harry sat down amused, eating at his normal pace as Ron wolfed down his food as if the house elves would vanish it before he'd had his fill. Harry was probably the only student who had any idea what the announcement would be.

Once all the plates had been cleared away, most of the students having finished long ago, waiting only on the teachers, who Harry knew were deliberately taking their time of the smirks on the faces on Tonks and Gallagher were anything to by, Dumbledore and Moody stood up to address everyone.

"May I have your attention please?" Dumbledore said, rather needlessly as most of the Great Hall had sat there impatiently. "The defence professors, along with a few members of staff have come up with a task, of sorts, for all of you to participate in. Rest assured that this is completely voluntary and there is no pressure to take part if it isn't your wish to do so."