The rain had intensified into a miserable, driving sleet by the time the Hogwarts Express finally pulled into the dark, freezing Hogsmeade station. The students spilled out onto the platform, shivering and clutching their cloaks tightly, the lingering chill of the Dementors still dampening their spirits.
Orion stepped off the train, adjusting his collar against the wind. Draco followed closely behind, still looking slightly pale but recovering his usual swagger.
"There you are," Daphne Greengrass called out, pushing her way through a throng of second-year Ravenclaws.
"Daphne," Orion nodded. "Is Astoria well?"
"She is fine," Daphne sighed, looking incredibly relieved. "She was terrified, of course. The compartment went pitch black, and the cold... but she ate the chocolate you sent. It helped immensely."
She turned and pointed toward the far end of the platform, where a massive silhouette was holding a lantern high above the crowd. "I sent her over to Hagrid with the other first-years. They'll be taking the boats."
"Let us hope the Giant Squid is feeling hospitable tonight," Orion murmured, turning toward the path leading to the carriages.
They fell into step with Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy, trudging up the muddy slope. As they approached the line of carriages, Orion could clearly see the skeletal, winged Thestrals standing stoically in the freezing rain.
He climbed into the nearest carriage, taking a seat by the window. He reached into his expanded pocket, feeling the small, warm lump resting securely at the bottom.
Robin the Niffler poked his snout out, letting out a soft, confused chirp, before immediately yawning and burying his face back into the fabric.
"Fascinating," Orion whispered to himself, gently patting the creature's head.
"What is?" Sparkle asked, her voice a faint buzz in his ear.
"The Dementor breached the door," Orion reasoned silently. "The temperature dropped to freezing. The aura of despair was suffocating. And yet, Robin slept right through it. He didn't even stir."
"Animals possess a different emotional spectrum," Sparkle suggested. "Less complex trauma for the Dementors to feed on."
"It makes sense," Orion realized, a sudden, chilling connection forming in his mind. "It explains how Sirius Black retained his sanity after twelve years in Azkaban. If he spent the majority of his incarceration in his Animagus dog form... the Dementors' effect on him would have been drastically minimized. They couldn't feed on a dog's despair the way they feed on a human's."
The carriage jolted forward, the Thestrals beginning their slow haul up to the castle.
The Great Hall was a welcome refuge of warmth and light. The enchanted ceiling mirrored the stormy sky outside, heavy clouds rolling angrily, but the thousands of floating candles provided a comforting, golden glow.
Orion took his seat at the Slytherin table, the noise of the returning students washing over him. H The tension from the train ride was slowly dissipating, replaced by the familiar excitement of the Sorting Feast.
"I heard an interesting rumor while I was checking on Astoria," Daphne murmured, leaning across the table as she took her seat next to Pansy.
Draco perked up immediately. "What kind of rumor?"
"About the Dementor on the train," Daphne said, her blue eyes glinting. "Apparently, it entered Potter's compartment."
"Did it Kiss him?" Draco asked eagerly.
"No," Daphne shook her head, a small, dismissive smile touching her lips. "But from what the older Gryffindors were whispering... he fainted. Completely passed out cold on the floor. Professor Lupin had to revive him."
Draco's eyes widened, and then a vicious, delighted grin split his face. "He fainted? The great Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived... fainted because of a Dementor?"
He immediately spun around on the bench, scanning the Gryffindor table until he spotted Harry sitting between Ron and Hermione. Harry looked pale, exhausted, and incredibly defensive.
"Potter!" Draco called out loudly, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Potter! Is it true you fainted? I mean, actually fainted?"
Ron glared across the hall, his face turning red, while Harry gritted his teeth and deliberately turned his back.
"Leave him alone, Draco," Orion said quietly, not looking up as he poured himself a goblet of water. "Gloating is unattractive when the target is already defeated."
He didn't bother adding that Harry's reaction to the Dementors was a direct result of hearing his mother's murder replaying in his head—a trauma Draco couldn't possibly comprehend. There was no point in defending Potter, but there was also no point in wasting energy on petty playground taunts. Let Draco have his fun; Orion was focused on the bigger picture.
Professor McGonagall stepped forward, tapping her goblet with a spoon. The hall fell silent as the Sorting Ceremony commenced.
It was a standard affair. Orion watched as Astoria Greengrass, looking incredibly small and nervous, walked up to the stool. The Hat sat on her head for only a few seconds before shouting, "SLYTHERIN!"
Daphne smiled proudly as her sister hurried over to join their table.
Once the sorting concluded and the golden plates were cleared, Albus Dumbledore rose from his central chair. He looked grave, the usual twinkle in his eye replaced by a stern, commanding presence.
"Welcome," Dumbledore's voice echoed powerfully through the hall. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Before we begin our feast, I must ask for your attention regarding a few serious notices."
He gestured toward the staff table.
"First, I am pleased to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Remus Lupin."
A smattering of applause broke out, mostly from the students who had encountered him on the train. Snape, sitting nearby, did not clap. He stared at Lupin with a look of pure, unadulterated loathing.
"Secondly, with Professor's Kettleburn retirement, the position of Care of Magical Creatures position has been taken over by our very own Professor Rubeus Hagrid."
Another round of applause, with most of it coming from Gryffindor side.
"Finally," Dumbledore continued, the hall growing incredibly quiet. "As you will all have noticed upon your arrival... Hogwarts is currently playing host to the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry business."
A cold shudder seemed to run through the entire student body.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore said firmly. "While I have been promised that they will not enter the castle proper, nor interfere with your daily activities... extreme vigilance is necessary."
He swept his gaze over the four tables.
"While we were accustomed to an Auror presence last year," Dumbledore noted, referencing the aftermath of the Chamber incident, "the Aurors have concluded their sweeps. They found no trace of the missing Heir, and as such, their presence has been withdrawn. Unfortunately, the Dementors are a much more ruthless, indiscriminate force than trainee Aurors. They are not fooled by tricks or disguises—or even Invisibility Cloaks."
He paused, letting the warning sink in.
"It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. Therefore, I warn each and every one of you: give them no reason to harm you. Do not test the boundaries."
He let the heavy silence hang for a moment longer, before his expression softened slightly.
"On a lighter note," Dumbledore smiled, raising a hand. "I believe the kitchen elves have outdone themselves this evening. Lots of chocolates. Let the feast begin!"
The empty plates vanished, replaced instantly by mountains of roast beef, chicken, potatoes, and steaming gravy. Also a mound of chocolates were placed on each table. The tension broke, replaced by the clatter of cutlery and hungry students.
Orion reached for a slice of beef, his mind whirring. The Dementors were a nuisance, but manageable. The real challenge of the year—Sirius Black and the rat—was officially underway.