Finding the Truth (Being edited)

Chapter 1

Steam billowed from the train as it began it's journey north. Harry ran to the carriage door and Ron threw it open before standing back to let him on, Harry was soon followed by Hermione, Ginny and finally Ron, who closed the door. They leaned out of the window and waved at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley until the train turned a corner and blocked them from view.

"I need to talk to you in private," Harry muttered to Ron and Hermione as the train picked up speed. 

"Go away, Ginny," said Ron. 

"Oh, that's nice," Ginny huffed as she stalked off to find Luna. 

Harry, Ron, and Hermione set off down the corridor in search of an empty compartment, unfortunately they were all empty bar one at the very end of the train.

It had only one occupant, a man leaning fast asleep against the window. The trio paused for moment, the Hogwarts Express was usually only boarded by students and they were not used to seeing an adult in one of the carriages, except for the witch who pushed the food cart.

The man was dressed in a rather shabby set of wizard robes and from where they could see they have been mended in over five places. Though not as old as another of the other Professor's, his light brown hair was dotted with grey strands.

"Who d'you think he is?" Ron hissed as they all sat down and slid the door shut. They all chose the seats farthest from the window.

"Professor R. J. Lupin." whispered Hermione at once. 

"How is it that you know everything?" 

"It's on his case," she replied, pointing at the luggage rack over the man's head, where there was a small, battered case held together with a large quantity of neatly knotted string. The name Professor R. J. Lupin was stamped across one corner in peeling letters. 

"Wonder what he teaches?" said Ron, frowning at Professor Lupin's profile. 

"That's obvious," whispered Hermione. "There's only one place left, isn't there? Defense Against the Dark Arts." 

Harry, Ron, and Hermione had already had two Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, both of whom had lasted only one year. There were rumors that the job was jinxed by on old student who was refused the position when he graduated.

"Well, I hope he's up to it," said Ron doubtfully. "He looks like on, good hex would finish him off, doesn't he? Anyway..." he turned to Harry, "what were you going to tell us?" 

Harry told his friends all about the argument he had overheard between Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and how Mr. Weasley had warned him about Sirius Black. Ron looked aghast while Hermione's hand were hovering over her mouth. When he'd finished she finally rested them on her lap and whispered, "Sirius Black wanted fugitive, escaped to come after you? Oh Harry... you'll have to really careful this year. You can't go looking for trouble."

"I never go looking for trouble," Harry muttered, "It usually find me."

"How thick would Harry have to be, to go looking for a nutter who wants to kill him?" said Ron shakily. 

They were taking the news worse than Harry had expected. Both Ron and Hermione seemed to be much more frightened of Black than he was. 

"No one knows how he got out of Azkaban," said Ron uncomfortably. "No one's ever done it before. And he was a top-security prisoner too." 

"But they'll catch him, won't they?" said Hermione earnestly. "I mean, they've got all the Muggles looking out for him too...." 

There was a knock on the door Harry and the others turned to see a girl with fiery red hair and a pale complexion knocking on the compartment door, if he hadn't met all of them Harry could have sworn she was a Weasley. She hovered at the door looking like she was waiting for an invite.