Silver Hourglass

Dementors and Grim Chapter 21

Harry and Draco woke up the next morning, relaxed and still in each other's arms. Harry groaned as he and Draco sat up in the bed, leaning against the headboard. Harry grabbed for his glasses while Draco casted a "Tempus" spell, checking the time.

"Damn," Draco cursed to himself. "I have to go love, I promised mother and father that I'll go with mother to the Hogwarts Express. I'll see you later today though, okay?"

"Okay Draco." Harry said groggily, holding back a yawn. The older Harry gets, the more he realized that he isn't a morning person. Draco smiled and kissed Harry. "I'll see you soon love." He whispered, "Go back to sleep, it's still early."

Harry shook his head and got out of bed. "I'll see you." He said. They both dressed and walked downstairs. Draco took a handful of Floo Powder from a pot above the fireplace and threw it at the burning fire. "Malfoy Manor!" He shouted as the green flames shot up. He turned around and kissed Harry one last time. "I'll see you later, my Harry."

"Bye Draco." Harry said, smiling like an idiot Draco stepped through the green flames and in an instant he was gone. Harry sat at an empty table and asked Tom for a cup of Tea and breakfast, along with today's Daily Prophet. Tom returned moments later with his tea and bacon and eggs, along with the Daily Prophet, a picture of Sirius Black still on the cover. He was almost done with breakfast, and on his second cup of tea, when the Weasleys came down dressed and ready to leave. "Come on Weasleys," Mrs. Weasley said, "Sit down and eat. Then we have to go to Platform nine and three quarters! Oh, good morning Harry, how are you today?"

They ate quickly and Mr. Weasley told Harry that the Minister had gotten transportation to get Harry to King's Cross. The "transportation" was an enchanted black cab, whose trunk and seats stretched far enough for the Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione to sit comfortably in two cars. Ron was amazed that his dad was able to get them private cars, but Harry didn't have the heart to tell him it was most likely because of him. Harry didn't know why, but he could have sworn that the Minister didn't want Harry to run away again like he did the night he blew up his aunt. Maybe it has something to do with Sirius Black...

They hit traffic on the way to Kings Cross, and only had ten minutes to get on the Hogwarts Express when they finally reached the train station. Mrs. Weasley hurried the group down, only keeping half an eye on for Muggles as the Weasleys went through the hidden passageway to platform nine and three quarters. Harry and Hermione went last, and rushed their way to the end of the train, yelling out sorrys and "excuse me" as they did so. The loaded their luggage and got on the train with a minute to spare, but found that most of the compartments were full. The only empty one had just one person it, an adult who appeared to be sleeping, his head against the window and cloak covering his upper body.

"Who is that?" Ron wondered.

"Professor R.J. Lupin." Hermione said as they got in the compartment.

"How did you know? Harry she knows everything, I tell you." Rom said, sitting next to her.

"It's because I can read Ron, look." Hermione said, pointing to a trunk on the rack over the man, his name printed on to it.

"What post do you think he's filling in for? I hope it's Potions." Ron said.

"Hey!"

"Sorry Harry, but you have to admit he is a git." Ron said.

Hermione sighed and said "Most likely Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hopefully he'll be more practical then our other two professors."

"Oh, that mean you're over your crush on Lockhart?" Ron joked. Hermione blushed and said "It was a silly child's crush. And we'll never speak of it again Ronald."