Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

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"Harry! Harry! Wake up!" Hermione called out while they were all looming over him as she slapped his face a couple times till finally he jolted back to life. 

"W--What?" Harry blurted out. 

"Are you okay? You fainted," Ron asked, looking concern as Hermione was for him. Harry pushed himself into a sitting position. 

"Yeah, what happened? Where's that-- that thing? Who screamed?" Harry asked them. Hermione and Ron shared a look before turning back to Harry. 

"No one screamed, Harry." Hermione assured him. 

"But I heard screaming--" Harry stated before they were cut off by a snapping sound. Professor Lupin was breaking an enormous slab of chocolate into pieces. 

"Here," He said, giving Harry a large slab of chocolate before handing it to everyone, "eat it. It'll help."  

"What was that thing?" Harry asked Lupin while they nippled on the piece. 

"One of the dementors of Azkaban." Lupin explained to them, "And I must say, I was amazed at you, young lady. I think it was silly you went face to face with the dementor but I'm still amaze. Never have I seen a dementor willing to listen to someone without anyone having to use a Patronus to protect themselves." 

He stood up from his seat as he made his way to the door, mumbling about going to speak with the driver, before vanishing down the corridor. The three of them turn their attention towards each other. 

"What happen?" Harry asked them. 

"You fainted. Thought you were having a fit or something. You went sort of rigid and started twitching-- and it got really cold and felt-- weird-- like I'd never be cheerful again..." Ron explained in a nervous tone like talking about it was just as dreadful as seeing it. Hermione suggested they just get into their robes and forget about it since Hogwarts was just around the corner, though part of her kept what Lupin had said racing in her mind. 

They had gotten to Hogwarts and sat down in the Great Hall to enjoy their feast but was ruined when Draco decided to call to Harry. Somehow he had figured out about Harry fainting and was making jokes about it. Hermione wished one of those dementors would show up again and make him suffer. Soon though it was drowned out by Dumbledore making his usual speech: 

"Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all and one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before our wonderful feast," he said, firmly, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban who are here on Ministry of Magic business." 

He paused for a minute, almost appearing furious about having to mention the dementors at all.  

"They are station at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises or even Invisibility Cloaks," he added blandly, "It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors." 

"On a happier note, I am please to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Dumbledore introduced before turning and clapping his hand. Professor Lupin stood up from his seat as he nervously grinned and nodded his head then sat back down. It was also hard to not notice Snape pure disgust at the sight of Lupin right beside him. 

"As to our second new appointment, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties." 

The three of them joined in with the applause as Hagrid nervously stood up, knocking everything over as he grinned from ear to ear before sitting back down. Then Dumbledore  had the feast begin at once as the plates began to fill up with food. After the meal, the trio quickly went up to Hagrid to congratulate him on his new job promotion before vanishing after Percy and headed to their dorms. 

Hermione had finishing taking a shower and was heading to bed when she overheard from Harry and Ron's dorm room noises like animals that caused her to go up and figure out what's going on. She slipped in undetected as she watched the boys monkeying around. Suddenly Harry's face twisted up like he ate something sour as steam began blowing out of his ears while everyone else was laughing their heads off.

"Are you alright, Harry?" Hermione asked, once the steam and whistling had stop. Her sudden speaking caused some of the boys to jump and scream off their beds. 

"Bloody hell, Hermione! You scared us!" Ron shot at her, clinging his hand to his chest. 

"Sorry, I just heard the commotion and was trying to figure out what's going on." Hermione explained to them. 

"Nothing much, Seamus here brought these chocolates that cause you to make different noises. Want to try one?" Dean asked as he reached out and grabbed one before handing it to her. Hermione nervously took it then tossed it into her mouth. At first she thought nothing was going to happen until her head jerked backwards and a loud, ear-spitting howl parted her lips. The boys cheered at her as she finished... only to be silenced when from outside they could hear another howl that was more malice and demonic that hers. 

"Um... maybe we should get to bed," Neville suggested before jumping into his and hiding underneath the covers. Everyone proceeded to say their good nights as Hermione hurried out of the room to her dorm with the howl still ringing in her ear.