Wolf-Blood (Harry Potter Fan-Fic) Sequel

9

The sound of carriages rattling back and forth was something Scarlet found foreign to her after spending so much time with new sounds. She sat in a compartment with Neville, Luna and Ginny Weasley. They had exchanged brief greetings as they arrived at the compartment together but remained silent for some time. Perhaps it was just tension, anticipation or because all of them were waiting for someone else to speak. However, not to anyone's surprise the melodic tones of Luna's voice sparked conversation.

"How was everyone after the wedding? It was a pity you couldn't come Neville, even if the night didn't end well."

"I think we were just a bit roughed up that's all," Ginny sighed. "How about you Scarlet? Shouldn't you be doing stuff for the Order?"

Her question filled the compartment with a tense quiet. Neville and Finny looked at her intensely whereas Luna only looked vaguely intrigued. Or perhaps, she could see into Scarlets mind and knew that she didn't want to be stared at that way. Merlin, only her eyes had that power.

"Met up with some people, and then I was instructed by the Order to remain at Hogwarts." She kept it blunt, and simple.

There was no way she wanted to talk about where she had first apparated to, and then she was not going to even mention the Golden Trio, or the odd situation she experienced with Remus.

"Why? What for?" Neville pushed the question upon her.

"Oh, I don't think she knows. Perhaps it's because she still needs to go to Hogwarts." Luna piped up in her airy voice and seemed to calm Neville of his curiosities.

Another awkward silence, but Ginny's eyes rested upon Scarlet, and she knew what she was asking. Looking to check upon Neville and Luna, she returned her gaze to Ginny and nodded once.

"Did you hear about Snape?" Neville asked from across the carriage to her.

"What about him?" Scarlet answered truthfully.

"You don't sound like you're getting enough information out of the Order. Snape's headmaster now."

"What!" Scarlet barked.

"My reaction too. Also the new Muggle Studies and DADA professors are, from what I've hear, twins. The Carrows."

Scarlet growled through her clenched jaw, and she wasn't surprised to see Neville flinch at her aggression. Except, now that she thought about it, a lot had changed. Ginny was quieter, didn't talk much and spent her time looking out the window. Neville wasn't as plump as he use to be, and some level of maturing courage was coming out of him. And Luna, well she was still herself.

The train arrived at the Hogsmeade Station, and the four of them found a carriage together. As she had expected, all the other students were silent, and fear just emanated from them. Lastly, it was cold, looking up Scarlet saw the hideous hooded figures that were Dementors and she knew they'd be here to stay. Apprehension was on all of their faces, they were all waiting for the new and darker Hogwarts.

The rest of the train ride was pretty silent, excluding the Death Eaters barging into their compartment in search of Harry Potter. Everything was quiet, even boarding the carriages. Except that was not what disturbed Scarlet so badly, it was the cold. The unrelenting cold, despairing atmosphere. Dementors.

The four of them stepped out from the Threstral drawn carriages in silence and where they would have walked in together. They were searched and then organised into house and alphabetical order. Luna waved a floaty farewell and drifted towards the Ravenclaw line. Finally they were commanded to march to the great hall in silence.