unforeseen [h.p.]

HATSTALL

They didn't talk much during the remainder of the journey. Professor Lupin convinced Alex and Harry to eat some of the chocolate. Alex felt much better after having a few bites.

At long last, the train stopped at Hogsmeade station. After scrambling to get off the train, Alex followed Harry, Ron, and Hermione through the rain along the platform and out into a rough mud track, where at least a hundred stagecoaches awaited the students. Alex assumed they were pulled by invisible horses of some sort, because when they climbed inside and shut the door, the coach set off all by itself.

As the carriage approached a pair of wrought iron gates, Alex saw two more hooded dementors standing on either side.

"They weren't bloody joking when they said they would be guarding every entrance to the grounds," Alex muttered. She started to feel shivery again, and followed Harry's lead in leaning back and closing her eyes until they were past the gates.

The carriage picked up speed on the long, sloping drive up to the castle. Alex peered out the window and marveled at the massive, magnificent towers, losing her breath at the sight of the beautiful building.

At last, the carriage swayed to a halt, and Hermione and Ron got out, followed by Harry and then lastly Alex.

"You fainted Potter? And you as well, Chamberlain? Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?"

Malfoy elbowed past Hermione to block their way up the steps to the castle, his face gleeful and his pale eyes glinting maliciously.

"Shove off, Malfoy," said Ron, whose jaw was clenched.

"Did you faint as well, Weasley?" said Malfoy loudly. "Did the scary old dementor frighten you too, Weasley?"

Alex was speechless for a second. Why did news spread so fast with these people? Before she could open her mouth to defend Harry and herself, someone else interrupted.

"Don't be daft, Draco," they said. Alex smiled, feeling relieved at the sound of a familiar voice. "They didn't faint, they were playing dead. That's how you get dementors to leave you alone, duh. Everybody knows that."

Alex beamed at the sight of Blake and Gemma descending the steps of the castle. She ran up to hug the twins, taking them by surprise. Hell, even she was surprised with her sudden affection. Maybe fainting makes you extra emotional.

"From we what we hear, Draco," said Gemma after being released from the hug, "you didn't handle the situation too courageously either."

Malfoy glared at the twins, but before he could retaliate, Professor Lupin had approached them.

"Is there a problem?" he asked in a mild voice.

Malfoy gave Professor Lupin an insolent stare, which took in the patches on his robes and the dilapidated suitcase. With a tiny hint of sarcasm in his voice, he said, "Oh, no -- er -- Professor," then he smirked at his friends and led them up the steps into the castle.

"C'mon, Alex," said Gemma. The three of them followed the crowd of students up the steps, through the giant front oak doors, into a cavernous entrance hall, which was lit with flaming torches, and housed a magnificent marble staircase that led to the upper floors.

"There's the Great Hall," Blake pointed out. There was another huge door that stood open at the right, where the crowd was piling inside. Alex began to make her way inside as well, but then a voice had called, "Alex!"

She turned around, and saw Hermione and Harry waving her over.  They stood next to a stern looking witch who wore her hair in a bun, her faced framed with square spectacles. Alex told Blake and Gemma to go on, and she'd catch up with them in a minute, before pushing through the swarm of people towards them.