enchanted • draco malfoy

Year 3: Astronomy Tower

Felicity's POV

Everyone applauded for the Hogwarts choir as they finished their song and drifted off to their seats. Dumbledore took their place at the front of the Great Hall by his podium. "Welcome, welcome," he began, "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 has kindly consented to fill the post of the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck, Professor!" He gestured to the man from the train, who stood up and smiled politely before hastily sitting back down.

"Of course, that's how he knew to give you the chocolate, Harry," Hermione whispered from across the table. Ron wasn't paying any attention and had his body turned completely away from Hermione. They probably had another fight about Crookshanks and Scabbers. I was suddenly glad I'd chosen to sit next to Harry instead of Hermione for this year's Start of Term Feast.

"Potter!" A hushed voice whisper-yelled, "Potter!" Harry and I turned around and Ron and Hermione leaned in closer from the other side of the table. I rolled my eyes the second they slimeball that was Draco Malfoy. "Is it true you fainted? You actually fainted?" One of his 'friends' held a hand to his forehead and swooned dramatically, making them all snicker. "Oh, piss off, Malfoy," I snarled, "Don't you have better things to do? Like jumping off a bloody cliff?"

Without waiting for an answer, I grabbed Harry's shoulders and turned us around. Ron and Hermione were wearing matching looks of sympathy mixed with anger. "How did he find out?" Harry asked us lowly, a mask of hatred on his face. "Just forget it," Hermione replied, glaring over my shoulder at the Slytherin table.

I tuned back into what Dumbledore was saying to hear, "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 Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors, and Ravenclaws all cheered excitedly, but the Slytherins were less than enthusiastic. McGonagall elbowed Hagrid in the side and he reluctantly stood up, managing to almost knock down the Professors' Table in the process. After the cheering died down, Dumbledore spoke again.

"Finally, 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." Whispers immediately broke out at every table; some were excited, some scared, and some angry and disbelieving. The Dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds," he continued, talking over the murmurs, "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."

He paused, looking over the entire Great Hall before he finished. "But, you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times-" his hand hovered over a candle near his podium and the light burned out. "-if one only remembers to turn on the light." With another swish of his hand, the flame reignited.

~*~

"Fortuna Major," Harry repeated, annoyed. "No, no, just wait," the Fat Lady shook her head adamantly. She opened her mouth and released the worst imitation of opera I'd ever heard. I cringed and covered my ears, along with everyone else. I looked up to see her smashing the glass goblet she'd been hoping to crack on the pillar beside her. "Amazing," she boasted, "Just with my voice!" "Wow, good job," I congratulated her sarcastically, "Now, Fortuna Major."