Always Be You

Chapter 10

Disclaimer. I do not own Harry Potter or any of its elements, its ownership remains with JK Rowling.

Harry Potter was having such a bad day. It seemed like nothing could go right for him from the moment he woke up. The morning had started with the usual chaos of trying to get everyone to Platform 9 ¾, which was further confused by Mr. Weasley's odd advice at the Leaky Cauldron. Despite the crowded platforms of King's Cross and the usual mayhem that accompanied any trip through the barrier to the Hogwarts Express, Harry had a lingering sense of foreboding that he couldn’t shake off.

The moment they boarded the Hogwarts Express, Harry's day took a definitive turn for the worse. Instead of enjoying the journey with his friends, Harry found himself stuck in a compartment with the new Professor, R.J. Lupin. While the man seemed kind enough in his sleep, Harry couldn't help but feel that this arrangement was a prelude to more bad luck. He had planned to sit with Ron and Hermione, discussing the summer and the coming school year, but that plan had been thwarted when they stumbled upon the sleeping professor and decided not to disturb him.

Harry’s suspicions about his bad luck were quickly confirmed as Ron and Hermione started bickering about Crookshanks and Scabbers. Their constant fighting grated on Harry's nerves, making the journey feel even longer. Ron's frustration with Hermione’s new cat and Hermione’s defense of Crookshanks' natural behavior made for an uncomfortable atmosphere that Harry found himself stuck in the middle of.

The worst part of the trip came when Hermione, in her usual well-informed manner, told him that Sirius Black, the man who had escaped from Azkaban, was Voldemort's right-hand man and quite possibly trying to kill him. The revelation left Harry feeling as if a cold hand had gripped his heart. He already had enough to worry about without the added threat of a deranged murderer on his trail. It seemed like just when he thought he could catch a break, another dangerous situation would crop up, adding to the problems he already had to bear on his young shoulders.

The tension in the compartment escalated further when the train was attacked by Dementors. Harry had never heard about these dark creatures before, but experiencing their presence firsthand as a way of introduction had probably scarred him more than he wanted to admit. The chill that filled the air, the overwhelming sense of despair, and the haunting screams that filled his ears were too much. The feeling of icy cold dread that enveloped him was unlike anything he had ever felt before, as if all the happiness had been sucked out of him in an instant. Harry fainted, succumbing to the heavy feeling they brought forth upon him.

When he came to, he learned that it was Professor Lupin who had saved him from the Dementors. Despite the humiliation of fainting, Harry was immensely grateful to Lupin for keeping him safe. The Professor's presence had turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Lupin's calm demeanor and prompt action had saved Harry from what could have been an even worse ordeal. However, the fear of the Dementors lingered, making Harry anxious about the creatures. Would he have to face these creatures again?

Unfortunately, Harry's troubles were far from over. News of his fainting spread like wildfire, and by the time they arrived at Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy was already taunting him mercilessly. Malfoy had wasted no time in bragging about Harry’s moment of weakness, using it to his advantage to ridicule Harry in front of everyone.

"Fainted, Potter? I didn't know you were such a weakling." Draco's mocking voice was heard by the remaining students getting into the carriages. Harry clenched his fists, trying to ignore the snickers from the Slytherins and the pitying looks from some of the other students. Harry could feel the eyes of his classmates on him, and the embarrassment was nearly unbearable. The last thing he wanted was to be the center of attention. He hated the whispers and stares, knowing that Malfoy's taunts would only make the rumors worse.