The Hogwarts Express jolted to an unexpected stop midway along the track. Rain and sleet beat relentlessly against the windows, and a cold wind whistled along the platform outside, though the train was suspended in the middle of the countryside. Inside, the carriage was tense. Students peered out at the grey blur, wondering what was holding them back.
Harry rubbed his eyes, looked half-asleep, and turned to Hermione. "Did we… arrive yet?" he asked, his voice drowsy and uncertain.
Hermione glanced at her watch, brow furrowed. "No," she said softly. "There are still forty minutes until we reach Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts. It's the weather… it must be slowing the train."
Cela, seated across from them, shivered slightly as the cold seeped through the carriage. The windows had begun to frost over, delicate, spidery patterns forming along the edges. "It's freezing in here," she whispered, wrapping her robes tighter around her.
Ron muttered from the corner, stuffing Scabbers into his pocket for warmth. "I knew this weather was bad," he grumbled. "My poor little Scabbers…"
Crookshanks hissed sharply from Hermione's lap, ears flat, claws tensed. "Ron, keep him under control!" Hermione snapped, though her voice quivered slightly. Even she looked uneasy at the sudden drop in temperature.
Outside the carriage, a chorus of shrieks and cries began to echo from the other students. "What's happening?" Cela asked nervously, glancing at Harry and Hermione.
Before anyone could answer, the door to the compartment burst open. The shadows from the corridor fell across the walls as a figure entered, cloaked in a dark, flowing robe. A hush swept through the carriage, and then—
A chill unlike anything Cela had ever felt ran through her body. Harry's jaw tightened, and he pressed his hands to his knees as his body began to tremble. Hermione's grip on Crookshanks tightened, and even the cat flattened its ears in fear, letting out low hisses.
Cela's heart raced, her breath catching in her throat. A cold, soul-draining presence filled the compartment. She felt it deep inside her chest, a hollow void opening where warmth should have been. Memories she had buried in the depths of her mind surfaced, unbidden: lonely nights in her room, crying quietly because her parents were gone, staring at the photo of her mother, clutching her chest as tears blurred her vision.
Her lips trembled. She pressed her hands to her face, trying to stifle the rising panic. "I… I don't want this," she whispered, her voice shaking.
The dark figure advanced, gliding silently toward the center of the carriage. Cela's stomach turned to ice. She could feel her grandfather's absence, the comforting presence she always leaned on, and the vulnerability of being far from him pressed down like a weight.
Harry's knees buckled slightly, and he gasped, weak and panicked. Hermione whispered urgently, "Harry… stay calm… stay calm…"
The dark figure drew closer, and a cold wave of despair enveloped the compartment. Cela could barely breathe. She squeezed her eyes shut and prayed silently for the presence to pass, her small body trembling uncontrollably.
Then, suddenly, the man who had been sleeping in the corner stirred. He raised his wand with deliberate calm, muttering a spell under his breath. A silver light burst forth, forming the shape of a large, spectral wolf. Its eyes glowed faintly, and it leapt forward, charging at the shadowy figure.
A shriek of pure malevolence tore through the carriage as the dementor recoiled, hissing and shivering under the pressure of the Patronus. The wolf advanced, teeth bared, and the dark presence retreated slowly down the corridor, unable to withstand the force of the protective charm.
Cela opened her eyes, blinking rapidly as her chest heaved with deep breaths. The icy chill receded slightly, though her body still trembled from fear. Hermione leaned forward, hands pressed to her knees, her face pale. "That… that was terrifying," she whispered.
Harry, still shaken, sat up straighter. "Who… who was that? That… I was…" His words faltered as he tried to understand what had just happened.
Ron rubbed his face. "That… that was a dementor, wasn't it?" he said, voice barely above a whisper. "They're… they're guards from Azkaban. They drain happiness… all of it. That's why you feel so… horrible… inside."
Hermione pressed a hand to her forehead, eyes wide. "Why would they let one onto the train? It's insane! How could someone be allowed to enter—"
Cela swallowed hard, a lingering sense of unease tightening her chest. "Apparently… it's because of Sirius Black," she murmured. "I heard that since he escaped Azkaban, the dementors are allowed to patrol places he might show up. And since he's supposedly after Harry, they might even be tracking the train to catch him."
Professor Lupin, finally lowering his wand and looking around the carriage, spoke gently. "Eat this," he said, producing small chocolate tablets. He handed one to Harry, who took it with trembling hands. "It will help restore your strength. It's good for… recovery after an encounter with a dementor."
Cela quickly reached into her enchanted bag, pulling out small treats and sweets. She handed one to Hermione, one to Ron, and carefully offered one to Harry. "Here… eat," she said softly, trying to calm herself by focusing on the act of helping others.
Hermione accepted it gratefully, nibbling the chocolate as her breathing evened. Ron's cheeks flushed as he unwrapped his portion, muttering a muffled thanks. Harry's hands shook slightly as he ate, his eyes darting to the window as if expecting another shadowy figure to appear.
Harry's voice trembled slightly. "Did you guys hear a woman screaming and calling my name?"
Everyone in the carriage exchanged confused glances. Hermione frowned, shaking her head. "No one was screaming, Harry. We were all too scared to even speak loudly."
Harry's brow furrowed. "I don't know… I heard it. A woman's voice, full of pain, calling my name and saying something, but I couldn't make out the words."
The others looked at one another, puzzled, unsure what to make of his words.
Ginny Weasley and the twins, Fred and George, arrived shortly after, along with Nivelle, carrying their own bundles of sweets. Ginny flopped into the seat next to Cela, still shivering slightly. "That… that was horrible," she said, hugging her knees to her chest. "I can't believe a dementor actually came on the train. I thought Hogwarts was safe!"
Fred smirked, handing a small chocolate to Ginny. "Well, at least we know how terrifying they are firsthand. That's something to brag about at Hogwarts."
George added, grinning, "I'm just glad we didn't faint like Potter here," nodding toward Harry, who looked embarrassed.
Cela watched, still trembling slightly, but the warmth from sharing chocolate and laughter slowly began to soothe her nerves. She realized that even in moments of fear, she could find comfort in companionship. The journey continued quietly, the students murmuring about the event, the train's steady rhythm lulling them back into a fragile sense of security.
Harry stared at his chocolate, his face still flushed with embarrassment. "I… I don't get it. Why did I pass out? I've faced worse than this before… I thought I'd be ready for anything by now."
Hermione placed a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder, her voice soft but firm. "It's not about being ready, Harry. Dementors… they're different. They make you relive your worst memories, things you might not even know are buried deep. It's not a sign of weakness—it's just how they affect people. Even the strongest wizards struggle with them."
Cela nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I heard they feed on your happiness, drag out every bit of pain you've got. It's not like fighting a monster or a spell. It's… personal."
Ron, still clutching Scabbers protectively, muttered, "Bloody awful things. Made me feel like I'd never be happy again. No wonder you passed out, mate."
Harry managed a small, grateful nod, though his eyes remained fixed on the chocolate. "Still… hearing that woman's voice, screaming my name… it felt so real. Like it was happening right there." He shook his head, frustrated. "I just don't understand what it was."
Hermione's hand rested lightly on her cat. " We were lucky Professor Lupin was here to protect us all."
Cela said in awe as she looked toward Professor Lupin who was walking towards the train conductor. "He… he's amazing," she whispered, almost to herself. "He saved all of us."
The train finally resumed its journey, the grey countryside blurring past. Slowly, the tension in the carriage eased, though whispers of the encounter lingered in the air. Students huddled together, sharing chocolate, discussing what had happened, and speculating about Sirius Black's intentions.
Forty minutes later, the Hogwarts Express slowed again, pulling into Hogsmeade Station. Rain still fell, cold and persistent, but the sun broke through slightly on the horizon, scattering droplets of gold across the wet landscape.
Hermione turned to Cela. "We're here. Time to change into your uniform and get ready to go to the castle."
Cela adjusted her robes, heart still racing from the earlier terror. "And… the first-years… I follow them?"
"Yes," Hermione said kindly. "It's tradition for new students to enter Hogwarts via the boats. You can follow them. I'll see you at the castle."
"Okay… see you there," Cela said, feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
The first-years lined up nervously, chattering amongst themselves. Cela fell in behind them, despite being older than the youngest students. She caught their curious glances, whispers traveling through the line. Why is that girl following us?
Hagrid's enormous form loomed near the water's edge, his wild hair dripping rain. "What are you doing here, girl?" he asked gently, noticing Cela trailing the first-years.
"I… I'm a new student," Cela explained quickly, "so I follow this way too."
Hagrid's face softened, his blue eyes twinkling. "Ah, if you're a new student, then come on. You can go with them. Don't worry."
Cela nodded, heart pounding with anticipation, and followed the first-years toward the dark, shimmering waters that promised the grandeur of Hogwarts ahead.
The rain fell steadily, the mist curling around the boats as they began their journey across the lake. Cela's grip tightened slightly on her robes, a thrill of nervous excitement running through her. Ahead, the towering silhouette of Hogwarts loomed, windows glowing like golden embers against the night.