CHAPTER FIVE
↳ dementors? who's that?

ELARA LIKED TO GET A GOOD NIGHT OF SLEEP. It was one of her favourite things to have, along with a book and some toast and jam. Though, tonight was not one of those good nights for Elara. Her dreams once again weren't pleasant, the sight of two people standing over a flame with a knife making her insides churn unpleasantly as she jumped awake in bed at exactly 3:33am.

She pressed the palm of her hand on her chest, feeling just how violently her heart rate was. As she caught her breathe, she focused her attention to the other bed next to hers, where Hermione was fast asleep.

"What the hell..?" Elara whispered softly, catching her breathe as she swallowed harshly. She ran a hand over her nose, wiping it when she felt something wet fall down to her lip. Her eyes widened at the sight of blood, thick and dark on her fingers. "What even-"

A groggy voice interrupted her concerns. "Lara?"

Elara jumped, turning to see Hermione rubbing her eyes. She quickly wiped the blood off her hand, staring at the girl as she turned the light on. "What you doing up, Miones?"

"Dunno," Hermione mumbled softly, a yawn escaping her lips. "It's too early, why you awake?"

Elara chuckled almost nervously. "Bad dream."

"Again?"

Yes, Elara Lily Lupin did make Hermione Granger aware of her dreams, ages ago when they began at her first night they met. It was her odd little fun fact, the 'Fun fact, I have morbid dreams I don't understand because they're so silly'. Though, Hermione had grown so used to them that they didn't even faze her anymore.

Before Elara could even reply, Hermione pulled the duvet off herself and slouched over to Elara's bed. She gestured for the girl to move over, practically falling onto the mattress and pulling Elara close. Elara's ear rested on Hermione's chest, right where her heart would be. The soothing beats were melodic, addictive and soothing for Elara to hear. Her eyes fluttered lazily when Hermione began rubbing circles on her arm, eventually closing entirely as she was pleasantly locked in a deep sleep.

Neither Elara nor Hermione spoke of it the next morning. There was an unanimous understanding that things like that didn't need to be discussed. It was just simply how things were, odd touches that definitely meant something to the girls. Though, they kept their thoughts secret and their blushes undiscussed. Elara carefully washed her face in the bathroom, watching Hermione from the corner of her eye as the curly haired girl failed to secure the hair tie around her curls once more. After yet another failed attempt, Elara laughed.

"Come here," She gestured to the placed down toilet seat, practically forcing the Granger girl to sit down. She grabbed an unused hair tie from the counter, wetting her finger tips as she ran her hand through Hermione's large girls. They weren't nearly as pronounced as Elara's, mostly due to Hermione's relentless dry brushing, though Elara knew exactly what to do. After dampening the hair enough, she carefully wrapped the hair tie to secure the hair into a low ponytail. "See, no need to be aggressive."

Hermione gave a soft laugh, shaking her head at the Lupin girl. "You make hair look so... perfect."

Elara beamed at Hermione. "You just gotta love what's been given to you. Once you love your curls, your curls will adore you and peace shall be restored." She squeezed Hermione's shoulders lightly, snatching a mustard coloured bandana from the counter and pulling back her braids. She reached up to the top of her hair, bringing some braids into the front, before turning to Hermione with a grin. "Shall we?"

She offered a hand to the girl, curseying jokingly as Hermione took it, standing up. The pair linked themselves, arm in arm, as they made their way down. As the two finally reached the bottom step, they were immediately greeted by Crookshanks and Laurie. The pair of cats were stood side by side, meowing aggressively as they pounched in an attempt to catch Scabbers. Just as Laurie was about to snatch the rat, Elara picked the small white kitten up, hugging Laurie close to her chest as she cooed softly at him.

"'Mione," The girl started, turning to her friend with a curious gaze. Hermione's eyes snapped to Elara, egging her to continue with her deep set brown eyes. "Is Crookshanks usually this... eager for rats? He seems to be influencing Laurie." Elara asked, her face contorting to a face a confusion as she stared at the cat who was still chasing after the rat. She wasn't exactly sympathetic towards Scabbers - since he did deserve it - though she had never seen such a comedic sight. It felt unnatural, as though there was a larger reason why Crookshanks was so eager to get the rat. "Is he hungry perhaps? I'm sure I have some cat food Laurie wouldn't mind sharing." as if on cue, Laurie gave Elara a glare (or at least what Elara assumed to be a glare).

Hermione laughed. "Oh no Lara, I'm sure Crookshanks is just being a cat," Hermione brushed off Crookshanks' odd behaviour. Then again, cats did have a knack for attacking rats. Hermione just assumed that was the case and there was nothing else. Elara's eyes watched as Crookshanks went off, hissing at the rat who scurried away. "You know how cats are. Crookshanks just a cat."

"Just a cat?" Ron spluttered, almost shocked. "Just a cat? Hermione that's more of a bloody beast than a cat," Elara rolled her eyes at her red-haired friend. He wasn't fond of how anxious Crookshanks was making Scabbers. To be honest, Elara did wonder why he was acting this way, Scabbers was just a rat and nothing more. Yet, he was acting oddly suspicious.

"Ronald, shush you own him as a pet."

"Oh shut up Elara, you're only salty because he bit you on your hand last year," Elara glared.

"It bloody hurt! How was I meant to know some rats don't actually like cheese?!" She shoved her hand in his face where a scar was etched in her skin. Her eyes were downturned in a glare, in complete disbelif Ron would even defend such a pest. "Worst than Prince I tell you, never met such a vicious thing,"

Ever since Elara had met Ron in her first year of Hogwarts, she found herself frequently visiting the Weasley family during the summer. One time, she had gone over there house to spend time with Ron and Ron eagerly showed her a rat that George and Fred had an enjoyable time hexing. At first, Lara expected the rat to just sit in her hand when it was placed in her hand. However, the vicious thing bit her and scurried away. It was a rather nasty bite, one Mrs Weasley had to bandage up and scold Ron for letting Scabbers near Elara. Ever since then, there was always tension between Elara and Scabbers. "If it was up to me, I'd have sold that rat years ago. Maybe then he'd be at use,"

Ron gasped out. "Don't say that when Hermione and you own those bloody things!" Elara watched as Crookshanks and Scabbers both scurried away, the ginger feline hissing furiously at the rodent who was scattering away in a fit of fear.

For ages it went like that. Scabbers running and Crookshanks following closely behind. She heard the two run down the stair case and looked up to see Harry standing there who was now looking down at the three,

"I'm warning you Hermione, keep that bloody beast of yours away from Scabbers or I'll turn it into a tea cosy," Elara stifled away a laugh, Ron glaring at her. "And your cat too Lara! Don't think I'm that daft to not see that your cat or whatever it is also has something against Scabbers." Elara hugged Laurie into her chest, a pout on her face.

"You know what Ronald, next time I'll let Laurie eat Scabbers,"

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me bitch."

Elara and Ron both had an anomalous friendship. Both estranged, both young and innocent. Elara and Ron's friendship was built on chocolate, bickering and caring for one another. Ron was like the only person outside her friendship group to know that she was Sirius Black's adopted daughter. He didn't judge her for that, it wasn't her fault. She was merely a chocolate obsessed girl who, just like her father, folded her socks and danced around the house to muggle music. Ron didn't find Elara incongruous, he found her to be Elara. She was just herself and as long as she was happy that's all that mattered.

"Honestly what do you expect Ronald? They're cats! It's in their nature" Hermione interrupted, replying to Ron's prior question.

"Cats? Is that what they told you?" Elara nearly laughed. "Looks more like a pig with hair if you ask me,"

"Ronald, remind me who owns the dumb rodent?" Elara chimed in. Ron glared at her and she laughed. Hermione also snickered lightly at her best friend.

"That's rich coming from the owner of that smelly shoe brush," Hermione cuddled Crookshanks close to her chest. "It's all right, Crookshanks. You just ignore the mean little boy,"

Elara laughed once again. Her dark browns eyes filled with glee as she made eye contact with Harry. "Hey Harry!" She waved excitedly as the boy waltzed down the staircase. Hermione and Ron stopped their bickering to actually acknowledge their friend who was already being crushed by the curly haired girl.

Hermione blinked a few times, a warm smile inviting the boy who lived. "Harry!" She said, alongside Ron who was also bright and cheery. She was still holding onto Crookshanks, the ginger cat curling into her. In Elara's arms, she still held Laurie, who didn't look too pleased being squished between Elara and Harry when the two embraced. The cat gave Elara a look (which looked like a scowl) and jumped out her arms, still lingering my her feet.

"Harry James Potter, meet Laurie Theodore Lupin," Elara held out the cute cat who she cooed to. "Laurie meet Harry James Potter," Harry gave her a look as she spoke to the cat like it was a baby.

"You gave him a middle name?" Harry frowned, his eyebrows furrowing together at the girl who was cooing softly to the small cat.

Elara nodded.

"Elara why are you speaking to that cat like it's about to respond to you any moment now?"

"Because it might?" She shrugged, rolling her eyes slightly as she bashfully kissed Laurie's head. The cat purred, nuzzling against her.

Harry shrugged, ultimately accepting this knowing very well Elara wasn't one to be influenced, and joined Hermione and Ron who were sat at the table. Elara followed closely behind, still holding onto Laurie who was purring at Elara every time she's stroke him behind his ears. She sat down besides Harry, Laurie tightly in her lap.

"What even is Egypt like Ronald?" Elara asked, her elbows prodded on the counter of the table as she stared at the ginger haired boy curiously. Elara tilted her head to the side, a small smile on her face as she pressed Ron for answers. "Do enlighten me about the possibility of a mummy chasing you."

"There were no mummies chasing us," Ron deadpanned at her. Elara frowned at that, finding the idea of Egypt a bit less exciting. "Although it was brilliant. Loads of old stuff... like mummies, tombs, even Scabbers enjoyed himself."

"I wish he didn't enjoy himself," Elara frowned as she hated the rat passionately. She glared at the squeaking creature, silently giving Laurie and Crookshanks permission to murder it.

"Don't be petty, El." Ron scolded teasingly, grinning as Elara's mouth dropped open in an exaggerated manner. She took a slice of toast from her plate, shredding it with a glare still on her face. She placed the bread in her mouth, chewing on it as her eyes narrowed on Ron. "What?"

Elara scoffed. "Egypt sounds boring if that rat enjoyed himself."

"It wasn't!"

"You know the Egyptians worshipped cats," Hermione enlightened the group, once again showing them her never ending knowledge. Elara found herself comforted by all of Hermione's knowledge. It was nice to know how eager someone was to learn. She herself enjoyed being in the company of knowledge and books, the pages that were written always comforted Elara in her darkest times. They were a present she cherished.

"Yeah along with a dung beetle," Ron sassed back.

"Ronald I don't see your point," Elara butted in. "Dung beetles were sacred in ancient Egypt, their dung-rolling linked with the nocturnal activity of Khepri, the god of the rising sun," Elara applied her knowledge to what she had learnt from a book Hermione let her borrow about Egypt. "Egyptians believed cats were magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them," she cuddled Laurie. "To think this little feline is gonna bring us some good luck this year. Maybe some mysteries will finally be solved?" the cat meowed out and laid soundly asleep in Elara's arms.

Something in her gut told her that she was perhaps right.

But what on Earth would get solved this year? Surely there wasn't another mystery waiting to be uncovered.

Right?

Elara could only hope.

Fred and George both came around, snatching the news paper from the table. "Not flashing that clipping again?"

"I haven't shown anyone!" The younger Weasley scowled at his older brothers.

"No, not a soul, Unless you count," the Twins droned on. Elara found this rather humorous.

"Tom."

"The day maid."

"The night maid."

"The cook."

"The bloke that came to fix the toilet."

"That wizard from Belgium..."

"Evidently," Elara pursed her lips, bringing the glass of water up to her lips and taking a sip. She put the glass back down onto the table. "you haven't kept your mouth shut."

"Oh sod off El," Ron said light heartedly. Elara laughed, smiling warmly. Elara saw Mr Weasley pull Harry away from the group for a moment, having a word with him which she only assumed was about Sirius Black, her father. She didn't know much on the whole entire situation, only that he was in alliance with you-know-who as a Death Eater. It was disheartening to know someone whom had been a father to you had been in alliance to a man who costed people's lives. Elara despised it. Although she tried to convince herself that he was innocent, everything known spoke against her.

Her Papa had spoken to her about Sirius' escape from Azkaban. He was very brief and vague about it all, only explaining that she has to be extra careful this year, assuming that the mad man would be after the brunette as well. The whole of him breaking out of Azkaban terrified everyone, muggles (they only believed he carried a gun), the Wizarding communities, everyone was on edge. Elara was grateful her papa had removed the last name "Black" from her name because she didn't much relation to him. She loved him because he was the man who made her Papa happy, the man who would read her French poems when she was just a small baby, but she despised what he did in joining Voldemort and leaving her family.

"George's nose looks positively massive in that photograph," Fred teased, pointing at the nose that actually belonged to him,

"That's your nose, Fred." Ginny chimed. Elara laughed out loud, covering her mouth. Laurie, who was woken up by her laugh, gave her a look that she could only describe as "a face that was full of disappointment".

"Bloody hell. 'Tis, isn't it? Take after your side of the family, don't I, Mum?"

"Honestly Fred," Elara spoke up. The twin looked her direction. "I'm astonished you can't even tell, yourself apart from George. The lack of brains is astronomical," the Hufflepuff girl smiled, almost too politely as it didn't match the sentence she delivered. Ginny let out a snort, water escaping her mouth.

"Well am I wrong?" She questioned, her hands placed out as she smiled victoriously as the twin looked at her with a dull expression.

As much as Elara did not want to be a terrible influence on Harry, she seemed to enjoy egging him on regarding any of the shenanigans he got up to back at his home. She never liked the Dursley's much, finding them to be a prejudiced set of muggles who were too narrow minded for even a small consideration to walk through their way. The moment she managed to pry out exactly why he wasn't home with that family, she snorted loudly.

"Harry did you really blow your aunt up?" She turned quickly, making her way through the Hogwarts express as students pushed past. Her rucksack was slung lazily over her shoulder, nearly falling off as she messily bumped into several other students.

"I didn't mean to blow her up. I just..." he drawled, losing his trail of thought as a small smile crept up on his lips. "... lost control."

"Brilliant!" Ron exclaimed. Elara nodded.

"Honestly, Ron, it's not funny," she tried to explain, . "Harry's lucky he wasn't expelled."

"Doesn't erase the fact that it's absolutely, utterly brilliant," Elara clapped her hands together, yelping as she bumped into another person. She sent them an apologetic look, rolling her eyes as the person scoffed. She continued, "Need I remind you how utterly atrocious the muggles Harry grew up with are," the girl snarled. "If I ever met one, I think I'd blow them up too, and that is rather significant considering I would consider myself a partial pacifist."

In one of the compartments, Elara saw Neville Longbottom, a boy who was perhaps one of the kindest people in the house of the lion. He was a very talented wizard in the field of herbology, he just needed a push with other subjects. "Hi, Harry. Ron. Elara. Hermione." The meek boy smiled. Elara smiled back, offering a polite wave.

"C'mon. We're in here," Hermione ushered the group into a compartment, which so happened to be the one Elara's Papa was sleeping in. Even days after the full moon, the man still found himself exhausted. Elara couldn't blame him, she knew just how bad it must've been from what he had told her whilst she was cleaning one of his newest wounds he had gained. Elara's always felt helpless she couldn't help him during his transformation, so her being able to care for him afterwards with medical help made her feel less useless.

"Who d'you reckon he is?" Ron couldn't see his face, although if he did, he would've immediately recognised him as Elara's dad. Although he had met him a few times on rare occasions when they were young, he wouldn't forget that scarred face.

"Professor R.J. Lupin," Hermione paused for a moment, turning to Elara. "I only assume that's your dad...?"

"Yeah," Elara's cheerful smile brightened up the room. "That'll be Papa. Bit idiotic for him to be sleeping right now. He could be robbed."

Elara was very tempted to prove her point by stealing his chocolate. She could see it poking out Remus' pocket, practically glistening in the light. Against her best judgement, Elara took the bar from his pocket and unwrapped it. She took off a corner, placing the rest of the bar in his pocket.

"You know everything. How is it she knows everything?" Ron muttered to himself, getting a closer look and realising that the man was definitely Elara's papa.

Pointing to the suitcase, Elara saw that it was the one he had possessed for years "It's on his case."

On the suitcase it read "Professor R.J. Lupin". Elara was very aware of the story behind the buttered, old suitcase. It had been a joke that Papa was a teacher, always scolding his childhood friends about homework. So as a joke they had bought him a suitcase and labelled it as "Professor R.J. Lupin". Elara learnt that the group of boys went separate ways, two dying, the other (her dad and notorious killer Sirius Black) being imprisoned in what people assumed to be an unbreakable prison. The suitcase carried a warm and comforting history that really did bring back nostalgia for her papa.

"Is he really asleep?" Harry questioned, his voice low and quiet. He turned his head to Elara, waiting for her answer since this was her dad they were talking about.

"Most likely," Elara spoke. "he's been exhausted you see, up all night stressing. Tiring himself out. Not to mention the fact I nicked his chocolate." Her voice lowered at the last statement, her eyes flickering to her father's sleeping form. She stared at it once, plopping a square of chocolate in her mouth as she watched his still form. "Can I be curious on why you asked perhaps? Or is it a crime to be a little bit curious?"

"Close the door."

Hermione and Ron exchange a curious glance and Elara closed the door, her eyebrow raised as she asked Hermione a silent question, to which the girl shrugged her shoulders.

Elara's head was pressed against the glass, happily listening to Harry's explanation on everything as she chewed on her chocolate. Her Papa was still sound asleep, which she could only assume was because of how exhausted he was. The rain was loud and danced against the windows. The clouds were ghosts, drifting endlessly.

Ron and Hermione stared at Harry, their faces were stricken by the light that flowed in the compartment. Elara's eyes closed for a moment, then reopened with a tired flutter. "Hey 'Mione?" She stared. Hermione's eyes were on her. "Do you mind if I rest my head on your shoulder? The window is fairly uncomfortable," the bushy haired girl averted her gaze away from Elara's, but nonetheless nodded. Elara's eyes fluttered close, but she still heard their conversation.

"Let me get this straight. Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban to come after you?" Ron asked.

"Yes." Elara pursed her lips. Was he dad really that hell bent on the whole of death eaters situation? She really didn't understand the motives her, You-Know-Who was gone and hopefully never returning (although she was very well aware of the prior attempts which involved him hitchhiking on the back of a teacher's head and also manipulating a version of himself into a diary and then getting poor Ginny Weasley to do his bidding).

"But they'll catch Black, won't they? I mean... eventually?" Elara's eyes were now open. She saw the way Ron had looked at her, almost out of sympathy. She really shouldn't have to hear all about this, especially when they were talking about a man she viewed as a father.

"Sure," he thought for a moment. "Of course, no one's ever broken out of Azkaban before and he's a raving, murderous lunatic..."

"Thanks Ronald, that totally comforts Harry now that he knows a complete and utter lunatic is after him," Elara rolled her eyes. The ginger haired boy gave her a glance.

Just then, everything rattled. Elara herself got up off Hermione's shoulder, a concerned look on her face. "Ronald you didn't fall did you?" She remarked, only to be slapped by Hermione. The lanterns in the compartment started to flicker. Everything started to not move anymore and Elara's stomach lurched with a bad feeling.

"Why're we stopping? We can't be there yet..." the girl stared, confused.

Elara's eyes were wide, her eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. "What. The. Bloody. Hell?" She mumbled out. She watched as Harry got out of his seat, opened the door and peered into the corridor. Suddenly the train jerks and Elara fell off her seat, letting out a soft "oof". Once again, they left themselves sway with the cart and all the lamps running along the ceiling flickered.

Elara's eyes remained wide, flickering around in confusion. She tried thinking of a reason to justify the strange occurrence, but her mind went blank.

"What's going on?" Ron sounded. His face was scrunched up in confusion. Papa was still sound asleep, face hidden from view. Elara would've woken him up, but she'd feel terribly guilty.

"Ouch Ron that's my foot," Hermione muttered out, loud enough for the group to hear.

Elara, who didn't seem that bothered by the whole thing, groaned quietly. "I should've stayed home," she mumbled, slouching. Hermione hit her side. "Hey! It's true,"

"There's something moving out there," Ron said warily. Something. That left a nasty taste in Elara's mouth, which was dry like sand.

The entire group paused, only for a split second. It didn't feel right. It just didn't feel as though it usually did. Nothing felt magical, it felt like the set-up for a horror scene. It may as well have been a bloody horror scene, the whole atmosphere was eerie and Elara's stomach did summersaults.

His hand was pressed against the window, eyes looking around frantically as his friends failed to give an explanation that would justify these things. Visible breathes of air escapes their mouths. During the winter time, Elara would always laugh about how these were "dragon breathes" as she had dubbed them. Her thoughts on these were always cheerful. However in this moment of time, nothing was cheerful about the eerie coldness flooding the entire of the train. Ice began to cover the window of their compartment, the ice traveling to the glass of water that sit near by her father who Elara assumed to be awake by now due to the amount of chatting the group exhibited. Elara heard creaking echo through the carriage. She sat in her seat, eyes wide and her face paling.

"Bloody hell what's happening?" Ron muttered as he looked at the window.

"I solemnly believe that I do not wish to know," Elara mumbled out, her eyes still wide and her body tense. Laurie also seemed tense in her arms, the small cat shaking which Elara couldn't distinguish whether it was from fear or coldness. Whatever it was, she cuddled the kitten close to her chest, mumbling to him softly.

"Don't. Move." Elara's eyes locked with her papa's and silently they both promised each other not to do anything stupid. However stupid was in Elara's name, well at least it used to be in her name. Her eyes darted to the door where a dark figure loomed. She silently prayed that her father would do something only a Gryffindor would do and help them.

The creature, that Elara recognised as a Dementor, "stared" in the direction of her, Hermione and Ron, each of their breathes hitching. Crookshanks snarled at the creature, Scabbers hurrying into Ron's pocket. She knew the dementor couldn't sense animals, yet she still acknowledged how scary they must've felt. Laurie was shaking, he was barely even a few months old, yet he was experiencing this terror.

The dementor's attention shifted to Harry and suddenly Elara was watching his soul being sucked out. Her eyes went back to her papa, who now had his wand at ready. She really hoped he'd act soon, this all felt horrible.

Remus' eyes reopened and he jumped out his seat, his wand shinning a brilliant light that Elara knew was a Patronus. She had read about them and knew that they had an effect on Dementors which caused them to leave. Luckily the effect worked and the thing left Harry alone, the boy falling to the group and going rigid. For a second, they all believed he was having a fit. Although when he went limb and unconscious, the tension that something was seriously wrong warred off.

By now, Laurie had stopped shaking and laid on Elara's lap, nuzzling up to her. She stroked his head, looking up to her father. "Is he going to be okay?" She asked, her voice calm, well as calm as possible. She was still shaken up, but she had to prioritise the safety of her friend.

"I'm sure, little moon," Remus smiled at her, placing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Are you okay?" The girl offered a small smile.

"I'm fine,"

Remus didn't speak to her other friends. Merely because he felt awkward and didn't know them that well. Although he had seen Ron a few times, he never had a proper interaction with the boy. He offered as much of a smile you could whilst in an uncomfortable situation, the two doing the exact same. In her hands, Elara held Harry's glasses that laid by where he once was. For a good ten minutes, the boy remained unconscious, then a groan alerted the group that he was awakening. Elara watched as the boy who lived blinked. One. Two. Three. She mentally counted. He looked dazed as he stared in at her and his friends.

"Harry James Potter," Elara began, her arms crossed over her chest and a pout on her face. "You could've given me a heart attack! In which year will you take a break from getting into danger!" She saw the boy wince and looked at him with commiseration. "Sorry," she offered meekly. She passed Harry his glasses and he offered a thanks in response.

"Harry, are you okay?" Hermione glanced at him in concern, for only moments ago he had fainted from nearly having his soul sucked out. It wasn't exactly the best experience in the entire world, Elara would've preferred a knife to her face than experience that.

Remus gave her a glance, before breaking off a piece of muggle chocolate that was in a local muggle supermarket near their home. It was one of her favourites. Remus saw this and gave her a row, the girl eagerly munching away at the chocolate. The loud snap of the chocolate being broken apart alerted Harry, who's attention was now on the ragged man whom was Elara's 'Papa' as she called him.

"Chocolate." He offered. "Eat. It'll help." Harry's glance went to Elara, who was happily eating the chocolate that was from the same bar he was being offered. Grateful, he took it. At first, Remus noticed the uncanny similarity between Harry and James. The same messy hair, practically everything about him was a carbon copy of the man whom Remus considered a close friend. Although at closer observation, Harry's distinctive green eyes brought him back to the fondness he felt when he met Lily Evans, or as she died as, Potter. The woman who saved Elara that night, the woman who he named her godmother. It was so strange not encountering them anymore, although seeing the boy who he hadn't seen since he was a small child was enough.

"What was that -- that thing?"

"A Dementor. One of the guards of Azkaban. It's gone now."

Harry frowned in confusion. Why would a dementor be on the Hogwarts Express? Surely they weren't becoming students at Hogwarts.

"It was searching the train, Harry. For Sirius Black." Hermione elaborated. Elara pursed her lips uncomfortable at the revelation. She really wished that Black stayed put in the cell in Azkaban.

She noticed how Papa had also become slightly uncomfortable as well at the mention of his past fiancée. It was rather unfortunate of the circumstances and neither him nor his daughter would reveal their shocking connection to the mass murder, at least not when tensions were so high in the wizarding community. "I need to have a word with the driver. Excuse me." He politely excused himself, kissing Elara on her forehead and giving her an awkward side hug that the girl returned. He frowned noticing Harry wasn't indulging on the chocolate he had kindly given him "Eat. It'll help."

"Bye Papa!" Elara waved him off, her father giving her a warm smile in return before leaving the group alone in the compartment.

As he left, Harry turned to Ron, Elara and Hermione. "What happened to me?" He questioned curiously. He still seemed exhausted from what had happened and Elara was tempted to force him to sleep before they arrived at Hogwarts.

"You sort of went... rigid." Ron started. "We thought maybe you were having a fit or something."

"It was horrible!" Elara expressed. "It was rather concerning considering that nasty dementor had tried to suck the life out you!"

"Thanks El," that didn't make the situation any better. He didn't want to know what that thing was doing, it was terrifying enough with the similarities it had to a grim reaper, a symbol of death in many literature pieces. "And did either of you? You know... pass out?"

"No. I felt... weird. Like I'd never be cheerful again. But... no."

Elara grabbed Harry's hand, which was terribly cold. "Don't worry, Harry," She tried to ease the poor boy. "It's your luck, that's all! I hope that this was a one off situation and those creatures don't come any closer to you," Her eyes suddenly went dark, thinking about those moments of terror. "You shouldn't feel any shame for the terror you felt. All of us were scared and luckily Papa managed to help us. Poor Laurie was shaking!"

"But someone was screaming." Elara's eyebrows furrowed. "A woman." The boy added on. If she had read one thing that was very distinctive about dementors, it's that they force someone to relive their worst memories. Elara could only assume that Harry heard his mother, although bringing her into the conversation didn't seem like the right thing to do, especially when it had only been around half an hour since the events occurred.

Ron, Elara and Hermione all exchanged a confused glance at each other. For a moment, none of them spoke. Then Hermione spoke out. "No one was screaming, Harry."

Laurie Protection Squad, who's coming with me to fight the dementors? Also, soft Remus and Elara !! I'd also like to apologise for the belated upload! This chapter was hefty to cover because I came to the decision of making it longer! I'd like to wish you all a Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas if you celebrate!

i love elmione too much

anyways

go read my new stranger things fic

It's my bestie now