Bella and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Chapter Nine

When we entered the Great Hall for breakfast the following morning, the first thing we saw was Draco, who seemed to be entertaining a large group of Slytherins with a very funny story. I had a bad feeling about it to be honest. As we passed, Malfoy did a ridiculous impression of a swooning fit and there was a roar of laughter.

"Ignore him," Hermione said, who was right behind Harry. "Just ignore him, it's not worth it..."

"Hey, Potter!" Pansy Parkinson, a Slytherin girl with a face like a pug shrieked. "Potter! The Dementors are coming, Potter! Wooooooo!"

I sat next to Harry at the Gryffindor table. George was sitting on the other side of him.

"New third-year timetables," Geroge said, passing them over. "What's up with you, Harry?"

"Malfoy," I glared over at the Slytherin table as Ron sat on the other side of George.

Geroge looked up in time to see Malfoy pretending to faint with terror again.

"That little git," he said calmly. "He wasn't so cocky last night when the Dementors were down our end of the train. Came running into our compartment, didn't he, Fred?"

"Nearly wet himself," Fred said, with a contemptuous glance at Malfoy.

"I wasn't too happy myself," George said. "They're horrible things, those Dementors..."

"Sort of freeze your insides, don't they?" Fred said.

"You didn't pass out, though, did you?" Harry said in a low voice.

I placed my hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Harry"

"Bella's right. Forget it, Harry." George said bracingly. "Dad had to go out to Azkaban one time, remember, Fred? And he said it was the worst place he'd ever been. He came back all weak and shaking...They suck the happiness out of a place, Dementors. Most of the prisoners go mad in there"

"Anyway, we'll see how happy Malfoy looks after our first Quidditch match," Fred said. "Gryffindor versus Slytherin, first game of the season, remember?"

The only time myself and Harry had faced Malfoy in a Quidditch match, Malfoy had definitely come off worse. I could tell that cheered Harry up a little so I grabbed some sausages. 

Hermione was examining her new timetable.

"Oog, good, we're starting some new subjects today," she said happily. 

"Fun," I say with my mouth full of food. Hermione cringed. 

"Hermione," Ron said, frowning as he looked over her shoulder, "they've messed up your timetable. Look - they've got you down for about ten subjects a day. There isn't enough time"

"I'll manage. I've fixed it all with Professor McGonagall"

"But look," Ron said, laughing, "see this morning? Nine o'clock, Divination. And underneath, nine o'clock, Muggle Studies. And-" Ron leant closer to the timetable, disbelieving, "look - underneath that, Arithmancy, nine o'clock. I mean, I know you're good, Hermione, but no one's that good. How're you supposed to be in three classes at once?"

"Yeah," I swallow. "How?"

"Don't be silly you two," Hermione said shortly. "Of course I won't be in three classes at once"

"Well, then-"

"Pass the marmalade," Hermione said. 

"But-" She cut me off.

"Oh, come on you guys, what's it to you if my timetable's a bit full?" Hermione snapped. "I told you, I fixed it all with Professor McGonagall"

Just then, Hagrid entered the Great Hall. He was wearing his long moleskin overcoat and was absent-mindedly swinging a dead polecat from one enormous hand.