Hufflepuff boy - Cedric Diggory x male oc x Viktor Krum

13

Cayden looks up when the train compartment suddenly turns dark, as if it would tell him why it was suddenly dark. He slid closer to Cedric, feeling the teenager wrap his arm around his shoulders.

"What's going on?" Elias asked, a thin wisp of steam coming out of his mouth.

"Don't know..." Cedric said. "Maybe we've broken down?" He said, stroking his thumb on Cayden's shoulder. Fixing up the snowflake necklace around his neck with his free hand.

Malia moves towards the window, wiping her hand against the window revealing the dark sky outside the train. She narrows her eyes out the window. "There's something moving out there." She said, suddenly the car sways violently before it rights itself. The metal window trim at Malia's fingertips begins to vibrate. "What is happening?"

A soft crackling fills the compartment and flames bloom on the tip of Cedric's wand. His face is pale, but his eyes are alert as he looks at the door. "Don't. Move."

Cayden turns his head to look at the compartment door as a hand grips the half-open compartment door and pushes it aside, revealing a towering, cloaked figure, its face hidden beneath its black hood.

The folds of the hood tremble and chill, rattling intake of air is heard. The flames on Cedric's wand sputter and a sound swells in Cayden's ears. Eerie. Painful. And the sound of a woman screaming fills his ears. Cayden's eyes roll up, eyelids fluttering.

And then a silvery white light drifts from his mouth. The world is spinning off its axis and Cayden falls, tumbling hard to the ground. He hears thunder cracks, lightning painting the icy windows white, then black, then white, then black again.

With a desperate gasp, Cayden opens his eyes. He blinks, finding the dust gone, windows black. The floor on his back is shaking gently, telling him that the train is moving again. His eyes shift, looking at the drop of water, newly unfrozen, running slowly down the window.

"Cayden? Cayden, are you all right?" Cedric asked, moving his face in front of Cayden.

Cayden nods, sitting up with the help of Cedric. He looks in front of him, seeing an older man kneeling down in front of him, the man held out a chocolate towards him.

"Eat. It'll help." The man said, watching Cayden take the chocolate and take a bite of it.

"What was that thing?" Cayden questioned, glancing at Cedric who is gently rubbing his back.

"A Dementor. One of the guards of Azkaban. It's gone now." Cedric answered, smiling softly at the Hufflepuff who finished his chocolate.

"It was searching the train for Sirius Black." Elias said.

"I need to have a word with the driver. Excuse me." The man said, standing up and leaving the train after he deemed that Cayden's alright.

Cayden sits back down on the seat with Cedric's help, turning to look at Cedric, Elias and Malia. "What happened to me?"

"Well, you sort of went rigid. We thought you were having a fit or something." Elias said, shrugging.

"And did either of you pass out?" Cayden asked.

"No." Malia said, shaking her head. "I felt like I'd never be cheerful again. But, no passing out."

Cayden turns to Cedric and Elias and they shake their heads.

"I was trembling. Cold." Elias said. "But then Cedric made it go away." He said, pointing to Cedric who shrugs.

Cayden frowns. "But someone was screaming. A woman." He said, watching as the three of them glance at each other.

"No one was screaming, Cayden." Cedric softly said, looking at Cayden carefully.

Cayden frowns again, looking out the train window. He wonders if the same thing happened to Harry, and if it did he hopes he's okay.

≪ °❈° ≫

"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say, before we become befuddled by our excellent feast. I myself am particularly looking forward to the foaming kiwi cups, which, while somewhat treacherous for those of us with facial hair..." Professor Dumbledore said, Professor McGonagall clears her throat. "Mm. Yes. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Good luck to you, Professor."

Amid the scattered applause, Harry, Ron, Hermione clap loudly.

"As some of you may know, Professor Kettleburn, 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 filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid!" Professor Dumbledore exclaimed.

Hagrid turns ruby red, rises, and nearly topples the staff table, sending water goblets weaving.

"Finally, on a more disquieting note, Hogwarts-- at the request of the Ministry of Magic-- will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban." Professor Dumbledore said.

A murmur of apprehension fills the hall. At the Slytherin table, Draco, flanked by the ever-present Crabbe and Goyle, catches Harry's eye, feigns a dead faint. Though, he did glance at Cayden with concern. Yes, he has a favorite.

"The Dementors will be stationed at the entrances to the grounds. While they are under strict orders not to enter the castle itself, you will on occasion see them as you go about your daily activities. Under no circumstances are you to approach them. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving." Professor Dumbledore said.