The Ones Left Behind

Hogwarts

"Harry isn't stupid enough to come back to school," Lia said quietly. "Not with every Death eater out there looking for him"

Paul, who was now sitting with them, had calmed down. He nodded in agreement but said nothing. Sheila knew why Paul was so weary of them. His family had openly supported Dumbledore and Harry in the last year, and now were being kept under surveillance.

The compartment door slid open with a loud bang for a third time and the teenagers whipped their heads round, coming face to face with two of Voldemorts minions. They had their masks on, so no facial expression could be seen. No words were spoken, but the men didn't move either.

Sheila found herself standing up and facing them. "He's not here" she heard herself say, and was amazed at how calm she sounded. "So you can leave"

"Sheila sit down" Lia said in a frightened whisper

Glancing at her frightened friend, she shook her head. "No Lia. We have nothing to hide, so why should we be intimidated?" She turned to look at the men again, who had come further in the small area.

"You think you're brave little girl?," said the one nearest to her. "Talking to us like that?" He took a step closer to her, but she refused to back down.

Sheila glared defiantly at him, which seem to make him angrier. He grabbed her hair, causing her to gasp out in pain as he brought his masked face close to hers. "I could kill you in an instant," he hissed, "Then I would kill all of your little friends here. Is that what you want?"

When Sheila didn't answer, he tightened his grip. "No!" she gasped

The Death eater laughed quietly, "Well then, I suggest you apologize. Otherwise my friend and I may just have to do exactly what I just said"

"You bastard" came Cloud's voice.

The second Death eater, who had been watching quietly, pointed his wand at Cloud. "Manners, boy," he wheezed. "You wouldn't want anything to happen to her, would you?"

"Sheila," Lee said quietly, "Just say it"

Gritting her teeth and glaring into the masked face in front of her she found herself speaking again. "I'm sorry"

Cold laughter filled the air and the grip of her was released. "That wasn't so hard now, was it?,"

The men turned and went to leave, but the one who had grabbed Sheila turned back to face them. "Sheila," he said "I'll remember that name"

Once the train had begun moving again, the journey continued in silence. The group soon found themselves arriving at Hogwarts. They got off the train quickly and managed to get a carriage to themselves. Still not a word was spoken between them, each lost in their own thoughts.

When they entered the castle, they noticed that the other students were forming lines in their houses. Lia frowned but waved at her friends before going over and joining the line which had her fellow Hufflepuffs. Paul joined the other Slyherins, Lee and Ant joined the Ravenclaws, leaving Sheila and Cloud to join the rest of Gryffindor.

"I wonder what's going on" he muttered

Before any answer could be given, Severus Snape appeared in front of them all. The room fell silent, as some students had been muttering.

"There will be some changes at Hogwarts," he said looking around at them all "The main change is that I am now Headmaster of this school," he let the words sink in. "Therefore I will be keeping an eye on each and everyone one of you, and those who show he slightest hint of treachery will be punished most severely" his eyes seemed to lock onto Sheila, who had grabbed Cloud's hand.

Snape did not elaborate on what the other changes would be, but the students were let into hall for the usual sorting ceremony and dinner. The sorting did not take as long as it normally did, as there were less first years than normal.

After eating, Sheila and Cloud followed the other Gryffindors up to the tower, and after bidding him goodnight, Sheila went up to bed. She collapsed onto the soft matress and let herself be taken by sleep, where she dreamt of being with her friends in less troubled times.