The Raven's Call

Going back to Hogwarts

Tuesday, August 31st, 1993

"Kids! I need to talk to you." Amos Diggory calls from the living room. Cedric and I leave our respective rooms and join him on the couch. "Listen, boys.." He starts with a sigh. "Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban." Cedric and I look at each other for a moment. "So, Atticus, I know you're an acquaintance of Harry's, so I want you to stay away from him this year." I blink. "What does Harry have to do with Sirius Black escaping?" I ask, confused. "Never you mind that, son. Just do as I say, alright?" Amos reprehends me. I just sigh. "Yeah, sure, whatever." I groan and walk back to my room. Why would he want me to stay away from Harry? If Sirius Black is.. looking for Harry, shouldn't I be helping to keep him safe? I don't get this family sometimes.

I take a seat on my bed as I hear my journal vibrate under my pillow, I take it out and open it up. A message from Asteria. "Have you heard the news about Sirius Black?" She asks in her cursive green handwriting. "Yeah." I reply. "Seems like the entire wizarding world is going insane over this." "Yeah, definitely.. Do you think it's going to affect our time at Hogwarts this year?" She asks, seemingly worried. "More than likely. Amos thinks he's going to be chasing after Harry Potter." I respond. "That's what father said, too." I take a moment to respond. "Looks like we're helping Harry for the third year in a row." I write, closing the journal before packing my things for school.

Wednesday, September 1st, 1993

I sit in a train compartment with Cedric and Luna. The train seems to be more full than usual, so Cedric had no choice but to sit with us. Which was fine, I can introduce them and stuff.. I blush. Oh Merlin, I am still head over heels for this girl, aren't I? I glance over and see her smiling at me. Yep. Definitely am.

A few hours into the train ride, the train stops abruptly. "That's strange, we can't be there already." I speak up as Cedric opens the booth door and pops his head out. "Seems everyone's as confused as we are." Cedric mumbles. I look out the window, but don't see much, it's dark out. Another shake of the train causes Cedric to fall back in his seat. The lights flicker. Another shake, then suddenly, everything grows cold, cold enough to see our breath in front of us and the windows frost over. I feel a chill, like all the happiness in the world had disappeared. One last shake and a shadowy figure floats past our compartment and opens the door. Bandit hides himself in my pocket for warmth as the hooded shadow looks around our compartment, Luna grabs my hand, whimpering softly. I give hers a squeeze before what I now recognize as a dementor of Azkaban, floats over to the next compartment. I take a breath. "They must be looking for that Sirius Black." Cedric speaks up. I nod. "But why would they be looking on the train? You don't think he snuck aboard, do you?" Luna asks, her arms wrapped around mine, now. "Maybe it's just a precaution.." I say softly. 

***

The Great Hall was a warm welcome from our cold train ride. The familiar sights and smells of Hogwarts fills me with joy. I take a seat at my house's table next to Luna and Cho Chang. We listen to the Hogwarts Frog Choir sing a song they had practised over the holidays and applaud when they're done. Dumbledore steps up to the podium. I lean over to Luna. "Does Dumbledore look a little different to you?" I whisper. She just shrugs as we listen to his beginning of year speech. "Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! Now, I'd like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First. I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who's kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." I smile, a much better choice than last year, for sure. "Good luck, Professor!" The room erupts in applause.  "Our Care of Magical Creatures' teacher, for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be taken by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid." The room applauds again as Hagrid takes a stand, a group of Gryffindors making the most racket for their friend. 

"Finally," Dumbledore continues as Hagrid sits back down. "on a more disquieting note.. at the request of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts will, until further notice, play host to the dementors of Azkaban until such a time as Sirius Black is captured." The room is filled with murmurs for a moment, until Dumbledore speaks again. "The dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds. Now, whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt our day-to-day activities, a word of caution: Dementors are vicious creatures. They'll not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one who gets in their way. Therefore, I must warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving. But you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times.." He speaks, waving out a flame from one of the candles resting beside him. "If one only remembers to turn on the light." He waves his hand again, the flame reappearing. I smile at the intriguing words of wisdom as we begin our feast. 

"Sorry about the train." Luna speaks up as I shovel a spoonful of potato salad into my mouth. "Huh - wha-?" I ask, mouth full. She smiles to me. "Sorry for clinging to you like that, I've never really been one to do that sort of thing." I swallow hard as a blush darts across my cheeks. "Oh! Don't mention it, Luna! I'll always be there for you if you need me, no matter what." I blurt out, which causes her to giggle. "Well, thank you, Atti." She speaks before continuing with her dinner. 

That night a bunch of us Ravenclaws stay up reading by the fireplace, each with snacks and drinks like a little slumber party. I sit between Cho and Luna on the sofa, where a few others sit in the chairs surrounding. I hear the rain outside pelting on the windows, with thunder and lightning cracking across the sky. It's good to be back, given the circumstances.