Something Wicked This Way Comes

CHAPTER THREE

I sat down at my table with the rest of my house, smiling at a few of them. They were all already whispering about Professor Lupin, who walked through the staff door to the right and took his seat. Some of them, grossly, making goo-goo eyes at him. I never could understand that, he's an adult, and he wouldn't go after a child, if he did he needed to be castrated.

I hear a pitched tap, tap, tap, and look up to the front, seeing Professor Flitwick at the front, and a crowd of students on three rows of the steps. One of them was one of my best friends, Amelia, who waved excitedly at me. I waved back and smiled, I knew she would do wonderfully. He raised his wand and they began to sing the school's song;

Double, double toil and trouble

Fire burn, and cauldron bubble

Double, double toil and trouble

Something wicked this way comes

Eye of newt, and toe of frog

Wool of bat, and tongue of dog

Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting

Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing

Double, double toil and trouble

Fire burn, and cauldron bubble

Double, double toil and trouble

Something wicked this way comes

In the cauldron boil and bake

Fillet of a fenny snake

Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf

Witches' mummy, maw and gulf

Double, double toil and trouble

Fire burn, and cauldron bubble

Double, double toil and trouble

Fire burn, and cauldron bubble

Double, double toil and trouble

Fire burn, and cauldron bubble

Something wicked this way comes

I always loved hearing that song, it was so jovial and lively. Most of the room clapped at the wonderful song done by the students and the toads alike. Dumbledore stepped up to the podium signaling that we calmed down so he could speak, " Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts! Now I would like to say a few words..."

I began to tune him out, no offense to the Headmaster, but it was usually the same spiel every year. Talking about the do's and don'ts (which isn't hard, just look in the student manual!)

"... 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!" Why the introduction caught my attention I wasn't sure, maybe it was because it confirmed that he was the DADA teacher this year, or maybe it was the odd wording of "kindly consented" which left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. I among others clapped and I watched as he stood and gave a gentle bow before taking his seat once more. Alright, I had to pay attention now.

"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!" He pointed to the large man who waved awkwardly. I clapped once more, he was always such a gentle giant. I watched as Professor McGonagall nudged his side, making him jump a bit, realizing he needed to stand. When he did, he didn't take into account how close he was to the table, and when he stood, knocked it all but McGonagall's plate and drink which floated where the table sat.

Over at the Gryffindor table, I see Hermione, Harry, and Ron cheer loudly, standing up for him and whistling, hooping, and hollering. I chuckled and shook my head, they were just as lively as him. It was wonderful to see people truly enjoying themselves. I watch as Dumbledore becomes somber, "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," My eyes widen. After my encounter earlier, it only caused me to feel fear stir in my gut.

Those tall gangly beings... I glanced over to the Gryffindor table once more, Harry had gone through the same thing on that train. I hoped he was okay too, if that made me feel like this I could only imagine how he felt. I saw him turn his back and behind him, Malfoy sat there feigning fainting and softly cackling with his band of goons. It churned my stomach, if it were him instead he would be crying to his dearest daddy. Malfoy was notorious for being a precious little brat, and I had my run-ins with him a few times already in the last two years of him being here.

I turned my attention back to the front after shaking my head, his actions disgusted me, but there was nothing to be done about it. Dumbledore continued, "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."

No shit.... I sighed as the food appeared after Dumbledore clapped his hands together and told us to eat up. I took a few portions of food and began to eat. This year might be one of the most difficult ones yet. And it was my last one at that. I might as well make the most of it...