Lionheart ~ Harry Potter (Under Heavy Editing)

Chapter Five | Dementors Are Not Forgiving

Ariana never got tired of seeing the grand mass of towers and courtyards that was Hogwarts Castle. The castle was massive and took the breath of every witch and wizard who saw it away. It was a picturesque heaven of glowing orange windows against the black velvet of the night sky, radiating warmth and promises of whimsical adventures beyond anyone's imagination. No matter the trials and tribulations Ariana had to face during the year, no matter how many times threats loomed inside Hogwarts, the witch never felt any less sentimental towards the magnificent piece of history. 

As per usual, every student above the age of 11 was rode up to the castle in elegant black carriages. There had been a peculiar mystery surrounding the carriages - until Hermione had located an answer in a textbook - which was the skeletal black winged horses Ariana could see pulling the carriages: no one else could see them. It had taken Ariana days to convince the others she wasn't going insane when she desperately attempted to explain the odd creatures to her new friends two years ago. The thestrals, as they were discovered to be called, were capable of inducing nightmares to some, Ariana thought, but she loved their gentle natures and felt close to them. The only reason she could see the otherwise invisible because she had witnessed death; she assumed Harry could not see them because he would not have been old enough to comprehend the concept of death when his parents were murdered. Unfortunately, Ariana could remember every second of her brother's death.

Soon, the students were assembled in the Grand Hall, seated underneath the glistening night sky enchanted upon the towering ceiling. By now, it was tradition for Ariana and her friends to sit alongside Ron's brothers and sister, and they talked quietly among themselves. The bright-faced first-years had been sorted into their houses, each one cheered ferociously by their new housemates as the Sorting Hat exclaimed his decision about their fates. Ariana subconsciously ran her gold-and-red tie through her hands until the ceremony had concluded. This day, two years ago, she found her family.

At the High Table, the Professors sat in one, long orderly row, with Professor Dumbledore at the centre of the galaxy. He, especially, seemed to be enjoying the harmonious singing of the school choir. He was a rather mysterious character, Ariana thought, and he held his cards close to his chest. He was a wise man, years of life experience to aid his decisions; yet, in spite of his age, he retained a remarkably childlike view of the world and was regularly excited by simple things. That's why the students loved him.

"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" his deep voice boomed as the choir ended their last wavering notes, "I have a few things to say, before we become befuddled by our excellent feast. I myself am particularly looking forward to the flaming kiwi cups, which, while somewhat treacherous for those of us with facial hair..." Dumbledore trailed off, but his organised second-in-command and Head of Gryffindor House, Professor Minerva McGonagall cleared her throat to keep him in track. "Mm. Yes," he continued, emerging from his food-fuelled dream, "First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Good luck to you, Professor."

Ariana and her friends' applauding was some of the loudest to echo around the Hall as every student welcomed the new Professor with enthusiasm. The white-haired witch could not help but hope he survived the year... the last two DADA Professors had not fared well. 

"Potter! O'Connor!" Hissed the Slytherin, Draco Malfoy, from behind them, shattering Ariana's thoughts. "Is it true you two fainted? I mean, you actually fainted!"

The four Gryffindors watched as the platinum blonde-haired boy chuckled at them and his goon, Goyle, pretended to faint. Malfoy had been enemies with the four Gryffindors ever since their first day of Hogwarts. Being from a wealthy pure-blooded - and sickeningly arrogant - family, Draco came to Hogwarts with the entitled attitude one would expect from such a little brat. It made Ariana sick, and also pity him. While waiting to be sorted, he had told Harry to avoid hanging out with the 'wrong sort of people', eyeing Ron, Ariana and Hermione as if they were nothing but dirt on his shoes, then offered his friendship services. Harry immediately told him he could tell the wrong sort for himself - which Draco was deeply offended by, having probably never been refused before, especially for people whom he deemed to be beneath him - and that was the moment Ariana knew Harry had a truly good heart.

"Shove off, Malfoy," Ron growled from the other side of the table, becoming defensive of his friends; Ariana rolled her eyes and turned back around, Harry following her example.

"How did he find out?" Harry grumbled.

"Just forget it," Hermione sighed, turning back around to listen to their headmaster.

"As some of you may know, Professor. Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs," Dumbledore continued, peering over his half-moon glasses. "Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid!"

Ariana, Harry, Hermione and Ron stared at each other, processing the shock, than clapped vigorously. Ariana now knew why Hagrid was sat at the table, and she was more than happy with their new Professor. Hagrid's half-giant face turned as red as a tomato and rose to his feet, nearly knocking the entire table over in the process. He was about twice the height of Professor McGonagall who was sat beside him, and had a unwieldy beard and head of mousy brown hair.

"Finally, on a more disquieting note, Hogwarts - at the request of the Ministry of Magic - will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban."

Murmurs of apprehension filled the hall as Ariana looked at Harry with concern, wondering if they should expect any more attacks from the ghastly guards.

"The Dementors will be stationed at the entrances to the grounds. While they are under strict orders not to enter the castle itself, you will on occasion see them as you go about your daily activities. A fair word of warning: Dementors are vicious creatures. They will not distinguish the difference between the one they hunt and the one who gets in their way. Therefore, I must warn each and every one of you, give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving. But, you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. Now... let the feast begin."

Dumbledore waved his hands and many amazing foods appeared on the tables. The first years gasped and awed when they saw it, reminding Ariana of her first year. While Ron piled a mountain of food onto his plate, Ariana pondered the dementor attack she had endured. She, nor Harry, had given them any reason to attack, and yet they did so without hesitation. Why? The witch wanted an answer. From what Ariana had read, they fed off of pain and sorrow. Those were two things both Harry and Ariana were filled with, so maybe they were too tempted? Although she couldn't be sure. Regardless, she picked at some fluffy roast potatoes, salty gammon, green vegetables and Yorkshire puddings.

After every person was stuffed to the brim with mouth-watering dinner, all of the students were dismissed to their respective dormitories to prepare for the commencement of classes in the morning. The Gryffindors had a rather long ascent to Gryffindor Tower; climbing the maze of carved stone stairs was part of the welcome to Hogwarts for the first-years and always elicited gasps oh 'ooooh' and 'aaahhhh'. 

The painting opened to reveal the Gryffindor common room. It was decorated with the house colours of red and gold. A warm stone fireplace was built into the wall with two sofas in front of it. The room was also decorated with bookshelves, tables, chairs, Gryffindor banners and live paintings of the wall. Two sets of stairs led in opposite directions, leading to the male and female bedrooms.

Hermione and Ariana bid the boys goodnight as they headed up to their bedroom, relieved to be able to relax for the night.

Ariana pulled her trunk it from under her bed. It was the same as everyone else's; large, brown and had the Hogwarts crest on the front. The only exception was that her initials differed from the others, as hers read: A.O.

The white-haired girl changed into a black spaghetti strapped shirt and a pair of white shorts, and after trying her hair back in a braid, wished Hermione goodnight and laid her head down on her soft pillow.

Sleep finally enveloped her, but night terrors overtook her thoughts, each one being an awful memory of her past. One of the only things that managed to get her through it was the thought of beginning classes tomorrow.

~~~~~

Question:
Ariana's parents were brutally murdered, but by whom?

A: Sirius Black

B: Lord Voldemort

C: Molly Weasley