The Girl Unknown *A Harry Potter Story*

On the Grounds and... Ugh. Malfoy

We didn't talk much the rest of the ride. Professor Lupin kept an arm around me as we came to a stop, finally at Hogsmeade station, where the first years were to meet with Hagrid to go to the boats. Naturally, students scrambled out of the cabins and off of the train; owls hooting, cats meowing, Neville's toad croaking loudly from under his hat. Of course, Artemis was back in her crate and Crookshanks in his basket. Unfortunately, it was freezing on the platform, the rain coming down hard. "Firs' years this way!" Hagrid shouted. We all looked over to see our favorite half-giant standing at the other end of the platform, beckoning the terrified new students to him for their journey across the lake. "All right, you four?" Hagrid yelled over the crowd. We waved at him, but, as expected, we didn't get to speak to him because of the ever moving crowd moving us toward the carriages.

We followed the rest of the crowd along the platform and onto a rough mud track, where there were plenty of stagecoaches waiting for us and our fellow students. Each of the stagecoaches were pulled by what I thought to be thestrals, but everyone else saw as invisible horses. When we climbed inside, the coach set off on its own, bumping and swaying as it followed the path to the school. Harry looked okay since the chocolate, but still a little bit weak. Me, well... I felt like hell. Probably because of the memories still being so fresh. Hermione had her arm around me as she and Ron gave Harry sideways looks, afraid he may collapse again. Harry, though, had his eyes on me, making sure of the same thing. As the carriage rolled toward a pair of gigantic wrought iron gates, we saw two more Dementors, standing guard on either side. A wave of cold sickness nearly took over again. I just turned in toward Hermione, burying my face in her shoulder until we got past them. I stayed like that until the carriage came to a stop. 

 As Harry stepped down before turning to help me get down, the disgusting voice of Malfoy spoke. "You fainted, Potter? Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?" Malfoy asked, elbowing his way past Hermione to prevent us from getting up the steps to the castle, his face far too happy for the situation. Harry kept an arm around me as something still felt off. "Shove off, Malfoy." Ron said through gritted teeth. "Did you faint as well, Weasley?" Malfoy asked loudly. Couldn't he just shut the bloody hell up for a change? "Did the scary old Dementor frighten you too, Weasley?" Malfoy said, continuing to taunt us. 

"Is there a problem?" Professor Lupin asked, having just gotten out of the carriage behind us. As Malfoy stared at the new professor, I turned toward him and gave him a small smile, which he returned. "Oh, no — er — Professor," Malfoy stated with a tiny hint of sarcasm in his voice before smirking at his cronies and walking up the steps. We joined the crowds entering the castle, Hermione prodding Ron to hurry him up. Professor Lupin stopped me for a moment. "May I speak to you a moment?" he asked me. Harry looked back at me. "Go. I'll be fine." I told Harry. Professor Lupin rested a gentle hand on my back, which made me jump ever so slightly, as we walked up the stairs, through the giant oak doors, and into the large Entrance Hall.

"Is everything okay, Professor?" I asked him as he guided me to the side. "I was just about to ask you the same question." he replied. "What do you mean?" I asked. "On the train. Usually, once someone eats chocolate after a dementor attack, they feel much better, as Harry did. You, however, did not seem to, which usually only happens if the memories are still present in your memory." Professor Lupin explained to me. (I don't know if this is actually true or not. I just made that part up.) 

"You see, Professor, the thing is... Some of the memories that I experienced when the Dementor affected me... They still happen." I stated, looking up at him, seeing the concern in his eyes. "What do you mean?" he inquired. "My father — adoptive father — he... he hates me. He hurts me." I stated. I saw a glimpse of anger in his eyes, which was masked by the concern. "Is your head of house aware of this?" he asked. I shook my head. "If I ever told her what's been going on nearly my entire life when I'm home... He'd kill me." I told him, tears in my eyes. "Is this what he's told you or what you've been lead to believe?" he asked. "He told me. Many times. The only time I get out is either when I'm at school or over at the Longbottom's." I stated. "What if I were to tell her?" he asked. It felt as if all the blood ran from my face. "No.. No, no,no. Please don't. He'll kill me. I shouldn't have said anything. I can't! I can't!" I said, getting louder as my breathing became shorter. He took me in his arms, grabbing me in a hug, as I cried in fear. "It's okay. You're okay." he whispered in my ear as I continued to cry.