Kings Cross station – in the 'going to Hogwarts' section' - the mood was mostly festive, with only a few parents with dampened spirits who kept muttering about dementors. Children were eager to leave for Hogwarts, even the ones who tearfully said goodby to parents. Prefects chivvied the first years into compartments.

Harry had already said "see you in a few hours at school" that morning to Severus, hugging him before Severus had flooed to the school. Severus would have prefered to just take Harry with him, but Harry enjoyed the train ride and Severus suspected that Harry would find himself more confined at school that year than he would like, so the train ride might very well be the last that he would see the outside of the school for a while.

Severus had hugged Harry tightly for a moment, whispering, "Stay safe, Harry." into the dark tousled hair. They had let his hair grow a little and the hair lay flatter with the weight, but it was still a bit wild – just not spikey with it. Severus hoped that this year would not lead to another near brush with death for Harry.

Harry happily dragged his trunk down toward the train. Hedwig had been sent to Hogwarts the day before. Harry hated caging her for the long ride, and she did prefer just flying there. Rosmerta, Tom and Elizabeth trailed behind him, Elizabeth chattering eagerly the whole way. They soon met Petunia and Victoria who were trailing the eagerly trotting Dudley and Draco.

Harry and the other two gave quick hugs and goodbyes to their entourage, trying not to seem as eager as they felt to be off. Rosmerta and Petunia smiled in understanding, and the girls gontinued to chatter about the sights they were seeing.

Tom, though, had more mixed feelings. He'd been able to put off this sort of goodbye for three year – he'd helped teach them at home the first year he'd returned from the diary, then had attended school with them for a year, then stayed at the school as an apprentice to Professor Kettleburn in Harry's second year. He and Harry had gotten even closer – cementing their relationship as brothers with the second ritual that had brought Elizabeth into the family as their sister.

The danburite crystals Tom and Harry shared had found a new use as well. Yvane had suggested using them in meditation exercises – and to try a bit of speaking through thoughts with them. They found they could send a few one or two word messages with a great deal of effort while holding the crystals and concentrating with them. Yvane urged practice, pointing out that it could be of great use in emergencies. Now they would see if it would work over distance with the crystals.

Still, Tom and Yvane were dissatisfied with being so far from Harry, who they had sworn to protect. Watching him bounce onto the train with a cheery wave – as if no madmen were out for his blood – made them even more anxious.

Tom trailed the two women and chattering girls with a slight frown on his face, though he managed a grin and wave as the train left – Draco, Dudley and Harry hanging out windows and yelling goodbyes. As they readied themselves to leave a small contingent of women approached Rosmerta and Petunia hesitantly. An apparent leader stepped forward and addressed them.

"Good day … I am Liana Langley." The woman seemed remarkably nervous. "I hope you are not offended by me approaching you directly … but my cousin is a friend of Professor Snape's cousin Eleanor, and she said I should ask you personally." She seemed to gather her courage and finally got to the point. "I run a small day-school for young witches and wizards … I have teaching credentials – as do some of the other parents who take turns assisting there."

One of the other mums behind her bustled forward to speak, as Rosmerta and Petunia showed no signs of being offended, she glanced quickly at the formidable Mr Riddle behind them. Rumors had rumbled through the grapevine of his supposed high power levels, vast wealth and most of all his protectivness toward his family members.

"We weren't sure if you were ready to think about their education, as they are likely just settling into their homes – or if you perhaps prefered home-schooling." She and Liana nodded at the end of the speech and waited for an answer.

"Well, it's true – I don't think either of us had really considered this as yet, but as the school year is starting we should ..." Rosmerta glanced over to Petunia who was looking thoughtful.

"Do you ladies have somewhere to be, or could you stop at Spinners End with us for a spot of tea?" Petunia asked. The ladies nodded eagerly – an invitation to the new Malfoy residence, something to definitely not miss.

Dobby served up a stupendous tea on the very best china. The ladies got a good look at the very comfortable living area – and the various highly expensive decorations here and there that had obviously been brought from Malfoy Manor. They admired the gardens and then talked at length about the few other wizarding primary schools out there.

"There just aren't many – many families combine teaching with other families they know, or take a chance and send them to muggle schools. The ministry has some obliviators that specialize in covering up school mishaps." Liana was now more relaxed and had warmed up to her subject. "We started as just a few families with children of similar ages. Carla, though was able to donate a building to renovate into a school. Now we have about twenty to thirty children every year."

Rosmerta nodded, "I must admit that it sounds the best plan – I'm not a good taskmaster. Elizabeth will likely have me playing gobstones instead of studying maths." Elizabeth and Victoria both snickered in response from their places beside their new mums.

"We'll need to owl Lucius and Severus, but I expect we'll be contacting you soon for dates and times." Petunia smiled happily at them. "The first two years are just half-days, you said?" At their nods she nodded back – an excellent plan all around.

Victoria also nodded – at Elizabeth, who was looking at her in question. Victoria had been afraid that with Lucius gone, Petunia intended to get rid of her – send her far away to some school. Elizabeth had been nervous, though not to the extent that Victoria had been. Victoria had listened intently, but it seemed no permant boarding school was planned.

The girls hugged each other as Rosmerta prepared to depart, after the school contingent had left.

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Remus roamed the train, breaking up a few arguments here and there, and breaking up a few couples whose reunion was getting too heated. He'd said a pleasant "Hello." to Harry, Draco and Dudley. They'd responded just as pleasantly, though Remus had noted a bit of aloofness – they didn't quite trust him.

Remus didn't really blame them. He wasn't sure whether to even trust himself. Mooney was ecstatic that Padfoot was out of Azkaban. Mooney hoped to meet up with the Grim and go for a romp. Even with the wolfsbane in him during the last full moons, Mooney had urged Remus to look for their old friend. Remus had finally talked the Headmaster into allowing him to spend the full moons in the dungeons under a locking spell by the Headmaster himself and a silencing charm, fearfull that he would give in to Mooney in a weak moment.

He'd reluctantly admitted that he couldn't trust Mooney and out in the Shrieking shack there was the danger of encountering Black. Remus didn't know if he could overcome Mooney's loyalty to pack members. Remus was determined to keep Harry safe, and prove to Harry's guardians that he could be trusted.

This declaration had surprised Lucius, who had been present, and Severus had given him a thoughtful look the next time they'd encountered each other, so Lucius had obviously shared the conversation with him. Remus hadn't expected immediate acceptance from them. They were Slytherins – he would have to put words into action before he'd be believed.

Remus was making his way back though the carriages and saw that there was a bit of a crowd around Harry's compartment. He could hear Draco regaling the crowd with the tale of Rosmerta's chef vs 'the Gremlin' and it's conclusion with his father calling on the magic to transform is into a house-elf. Then, of course, he had to explain what a house-elf was to most of the other children.

To Remus' surprise Hermione burst out with, "They're slaves?" This caused some alarmed looks from other muggle-borns and some half-bloods and confusion from those more familiar with the wizarding world.

Draco was quite affronted, and didn't bother attempting an explanation, just barking back at her, "It's justice, done with magic … try reading a book about it." Draco favored the redfaced Hermione with his very best sneer of derision.

Harry sighed and turned back to the window – another squabble between the know-it-all and the Slytherin Prince.

Hermione flushed even more angrily and whirled to stalk off down the aisle. She was now determined to show that awful Malfoy a thing or two – she'd free the enslaved house-elves – just see if she didn't.

Mafalda looked after her retreating friend and sighed. She waved a hand and looked at Dudley, who she'd been talking to, and said apologeticly, "Sorry, I really should go after her ..." Dudley just grinned and waved her off. He knew Hermione well enough to know that there was no reasoning with her at present, but Mafalda could perhaps calm her a bit.

Dean, however looked at Draco gravely and asked, "Are they really slaves, Draco?"

This took the wind out of Draco's sails quickly. He hadn't meant to offend Dean – he liked Dean. The spectre of old wrongs in relation to slavery hovered over them, and even Seamus was silent.

"No, really, Dean – I wouldn't lie, not about this." Draco said hastily. "And I wouldn't make light of it, either. The magic that binds them is justice magic … and it can't be invoked unless a lot of harm has been done, or if a wizard has been injured – or in some cases, killed. About the only way to stop a Gremlin is to use this ritual – it forces them to make reparation to the wizard family until the magic decides that they've served long enough to have 'repaid' them. House-elves, though, many times continue to stay with the family out of devotion."

"So they can leave once they've made … reparation? The wizards can't make them stay?" Dean asked.

"No … the tales of those that tried are pretty gruesome." Draco grinned. Dean and Seamus perked up and immediately demanded to hear the tales. Remus moved on, smiling a bit – he was glad there had been no fracture in the friendship between Dean and the others.

Harry shook his head and pulled out the "Hufflepuff Chronicles". The book had been released just in time for the school – was, in fact on the reading list. Harry's copy was signed, of course. Severus had seen to that, letting Harry know that a signed first edition was nothing to sneeze at.

Adrian Pucey was doing last minute changes to "The Deadly Chamber of Secrets" and hoped to get the book out by Christmas. Harry was deep into the book, letting the disgusting details of the idiotic wizard's demise flow past him.

The conversations grew lighter and happier as the light grew darker. Schedules were compared, to see who was going with what optional lessons. Dudley remarked that Hermione had managed to pack almost every subject into her schedule. "She even leveraged divination in there, even though it's the same time as another class – she has to come in on the last half of it two days of the week, but she plans to just study extra hard."

Padma had been shyly hovering at the door part of the trip and laughed. "She wanted to take muggle studies, too – thought it would be an easy 'O' for her, I guess. Mafalda let slip that Hermione was trying to get a time-turner so she could take all the classes."

Everyone within earshot groaned at that – at the thought of the sheer volume of homework that she'd have had to do, and recognition that she'd likely have actually done it as well. Draco, though, was instantly angry. Granger had wanted a time-turner? So she could try to outdo everyone else in every subject? A cheat – thats what she was. With limitless amounts of extra time anyone could do well – and she likely wouldn't have rested until she'd gotten top scores in everything.

He almost didn't even notice that the train had slowly ground to a halt and the air was becoming colder.

The children looked around anxiously as the lights flickered and the air grew more chilly – they could see their breaths, now. Dudley sat up straighter, he was sitting by the door and could see children stampeding down the aisles, slamming doors shut or racing on past Dudley's compartment. Padma scurried inside with them when dark figures in tattered cloaks floated toward them.

Blaise, quickly followed by a panicked Crabbe and Goyle, flew by screaming in a high-pitched tone. This was really funny until the cloak figures drew near and the feeling of terrible cold was added to by a wave of hopelessness and fear. Two figures in tattered cloaks glided to the door of their compartment. The teenagers all crowded toward the back away from the door, some whimpering, but most too frightened to make a sound.

The hoods on the cloaks turned toward Harry and one reached out a grayish, decaying looking hand and a rattling breath was heard from it, like it was sucking in something besides air.

Harry abruptly screamed and fell forwards, feeling like his heart had been pierced by an icicle. He could hear someone screaming – a woman. He could tell there were words in the scream. He thought she might be screaming his name, but the terrible cold was numbing his senses. There was distant shouting and then darkness.

When Harry started screaming, Draco and Dudley were galvanized into action, leaping between him and the dementor. They shouted 'expecto patronum' and Draco's wand flung a bright sheild up. Dudley's did as well, and the pair of cloaked figures halted. The room continued growing colder and Harry's screams died to a harsh breathing and Padma started sobbing as she tried to shake Harry awake. This spurred Dudley to greater effort and he shouted the incantation louder.

A larger, brighter blob of light burst from Dudley's wand and formed a large, angry looking bear. The demetors started backing away and the bear roared, swiping a paw at them. Dudley looked shocked and muttered, "Blimey!" as the bear lunged after the retreating dementors.

They were met in the aisle by a furious Professor Lupin, who shouted, "Begone! We aren't hiding Sirius Black under any of our cloaks!" He cast a faintly dog-shaped patronus that, with the bear, chased the cloaked figures out off the train.

Remus pushed past the upset teens and dragged Harry up onto the seat next to him, leaning him against his shoulder, and attempted to awaken him. There at last was some moaning and Harry started to come around. Remus cursed inwardly. He'd promised himself to protect Harry and already he was failing in this.

Draco sat on the other side, talking to Harry urgently, trying for a response. Remus pulled out a bar of fairly good Honeyduke's chocolate, though even in his agitated state Draco sniffed at it in disdain. Remus stood, giving his place to Dudley when Harry seemed more or less awake and handed the chocolate to Draco.

"Make sure he eats all of it, Mr Malfoy." Remus said, though at Draco's impatient look, he guessed that Draco understood it's use. Remus banished the large dog … wolf? … small bear? ...as it returned. Dudley looked at his own bear patronus whose head was above his, even when on all fours, not sure what to do with it.

"Tell it to guard the compartment – if any dementor returns, he'll take care of it." Remus said, looking at the patronus in surprised respect. "Ten points to Gryffindor for a well-cast patronus. Now, I need to have a word with some people.

Remus quickly caught up the prefects, sorted out the ones who could cast the Patronus – only four, to his disgust … that would change the very first term … and had the others calm the students. Remus briskly made his way to the engine to find the conductor cornered by a dementor, holding it off as best he could with a patronus shield. Remus sent the dementor off with his grim-like dog patronus and gave his last bar of chocolate to the conductor, telling him to get back underway immediately.

Harry swam to the surface of consciousness slowly, looking around at the faces of Draco and Dudley – Padma and Pavarti hovering behind them. Dean and Seamus sat on the seat opposite, looking traumatized. Fred & George, along with Cedric hovered outside the door as close as they dared with the bear patronus sitting on its haunches in the doorway.

Ginny, Ron and Neville were watching from the compartment across the aisle. Theodore Nott was breathing heavily and chewing on a chocolate frog that Ginny had found after seeing Professor Lupin give chocolate to Harry. Neville looked pale, but a bit smug at the state Harry was in. Zabini, Goyle and Crabbe crept up the aisle to retake their compartment further forward. Zabini glanced at Neville and nodded, and Neville nodded back at him.

They'd corresponded a lot and now had a few plans. He'd tried to get details of Harry and Draco's animagus lessons, but Ron hadn't been there for them and Dudley had just given him a long look and said he was not interested in the ability and hadn't paid any attention to the instructions. Neville had tried to find out a few more things but Ron and Dudley either didn't know or weren't saying.

Very frustrating, but at least this year would be a bit better. He was trading dorm rooms with Goyle – he'd stay in the room with Zabini and Crabbe. Goyle would room with Nott – let him listen to Nott saying that Harry and Draco weren't all that bad.

Ron had watched Neville with growing concern all summer. Now, on the train ride, Neville had spent his whole time practically interogating him about Draco, Dudley and Harry with a calculating look in his eyes. Ron told himself that, yes, he was a bit thick at times – but even he eventually noticed when he was being used. He'd been close friends with Neville for a time, but Neville was increasingly becoming someone Ron felt he didn't know.

During the dementor attack Ron had noticed that Neville had been in almost as bad a shape as Harry, though he'd recovered quicker. Neville had downed six chocolate frogs as soon as he'd awakened. Ron wondered what the dementors made him remember.

Ron had tried to get Scabbers to take a bit of chocolate – the old rat had squeaked and squealed during the attack as well. Scabbers finally took a sliver or two of chocolate an seemed to settle – probably had been forced to recall being chased by Ginny's kneazle, Ron thought.

At last they all arrived to Hogsmeade and then on to Hogwarts. Remus insisted on taking Harry to Madame Pomphrey and Severus met them there. Harry listened in horror as the mediwitch lectured the two Professors on taking better care of him and then actually called him delicate! He had protested loudly while Severus and Remus had murmured assurances to her – knowing it was the only way to get Harry out of there.

Severus led him out with an arm over Harry's shoulders, although with the word 'delicate' echoing in his ears, he was reluctant to be coddled in any way.

As a very disgruntled Harry sat down to the feast, of course, Zabini started in.

"Did you really faint, Potter?" he mocked, imitating a rather dramatic faint, himself.

Harry gritted his teeth while Draco leaped to his defense. "Yes, - I think the faint was brought on by listening to a flock of harpies stampeding down the hall. The piercing shrieks stunned him quite badly. Oh, wait, that was you screaming, wasn't it, Zabini?"

"Shut up, you wanker." Zabini hissed, looking chagrined.

"You do scream like a harpy … or a girl, maybe." Harry snickered.

Their arguing was interupted by McGonagall's entrance with the first years. The sorting went well and then Professor Lupin was introduced, as well as the announcement that Hagrid would be doing the Care of Magical Creature classes that involved any dangerous animals.

Students cheered happily and eventually they were dismissed to their dorms. Goyle went into the dorm room with Nott and Harry watched Neville join Zabini and Crabbe in a room.

"Well, that answers a few questions, doesn't it?" Harry muttered.

Draco nodded, grey eyes cooly assessing the trio just before their door closed. Harry and Draco went into their room silently. Hedwig and Draco's owl 'Lord Mousefarts' greeted them with happy hooting. Harry sighed in relief, he always worried about her – a snowy owl is quite distinctive and someone looking to get back at him would have no difficulty finding her.

The excitement of the day, and the trauma of the dementors had exhausted many of the students – Harry included and he'd falled asleep before he and Draco could discuss much of anything.

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Sirius had finally found a cave far enough from the school to not be accidentally stumbled on – by students or Aurors. Still it was close enough for him to be able to keep a close eye on things. He needed a plan … and he really didn't have much of one – just to somehow kill Peter and get James … Harry to forgive him, he hoped.

He'd sighted Remus several times as the school year started and the sight saddened him – Remus was looking less ragged and better fed, but he'd aged quite a bit more than the twelve years could account for. The transformations were obviously taking their toll on the werewolf.

His mind, as always, ranged back in time when he saw his fellow marauder. He reminisced about their adventures – sneaking out via the tunnels. Hmm... he supposed he could sneak in that way as well. It would be difficult – between the students and teachers – even sneaking in at night would be difficult.

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