[HP] Stranger things

Ann spent the whole summer thinking about that kiss.Although it was just her lips sticking together, it was enough for her to blush for a long time.She had forgotten how to get back.But she remembered that it was a mint and chocolate kiss.

The latter two also went to the Muggle library together once, and continued to stroll around Diagon Alley in the summer, bought all the things they needed to bring for the start of school, and went to this year's Fantastic Beasts Exhibition together.Of course, most of the time, they are reviewing and previewing.For the upcoming OWLS exam.Also, Hufflepuff's new prefects are her and Cedric.

When Ann and Cedric returned to the box after the prefect meeting, Susan suddenly said: "Ann, little sister, you must remember to bring me to the library this year. Of course, if you can take your little sister I'm even better." Facing the upcoming big exam in her life, Susan hugged Ann's thigh tightly without hesitation.

Cynthia was not to be outdone, "I, me, and me. I only remember what I learned last year, and I basically forgot what I learned before, Merlin's beard!"

But Justin and Zacharias chose to hug Cedric's thigh tightly.Both Ann and Cedric watched the four play tricks with some dumbfounding.

After solving their major problems, they decided to start sharing summer gossip. "By the way, I heard that Black escaped from prison." Zacharias provoked a topic, "It is said that he came to seek revenge from our savior."

Ann was not very optimistic about the savior at first, but the incident last semester made her abandon all prejudices.Ann said with some concern: "The savior should be fine, he is the savior. And I heard from my mother that that person may not be dead yet."

Several people fell silent, except for Justin and Cynthia, they all grew up listening to that person's story, and it almost became their psychological shadow.

The train continued northward, and the rain intensified; the window panes were now a thick, sticky gray that gradually deepened until the lights in the corridors and in the luggage racks came on.The train swayed, the rain beat on the windows, and the wind howled.

The train is getting slower and slower.The sound of the wheels is quieter, and the sound of the wind and rain outside the window is louder.Justin was closest to the door, and got up to see what was going on in the corridor.In each carriage beside the corridor, there were people poking their heads out to look around.The train suddenly shocked and stopped, and a banging sound came from the distance, indicating that the luggage dropped from the shelf.Then, all the lights went out suddenly, and they were plunged into complete darkness.

"What happened?" Zacharias asked.

Justin groped his way back to his seat.

"Did you say the train broke down?"

"do not know."

There was a short and piercing sound, and Ann saw Cedric's indistinct black silhouette.Susan had wiped a clean spot on the windowpane and was looking out.

"There's something moving in there," Susan said. "I guess people are going out."

"Stay where you are." Ann said suddenly, and she stopped Justin and Zacharias who wanted to go outside.She lit up the car with a fluorescent flash, ready to go outside with Cedric to see what was going on.But before they could reach the door of the carriage, it opened slowly.

Standing in the doorway, illuminated by the light from Anne's wand, was a cloaked monster as tall as the ceiling.Its face is completely hidden under the hood.

Justin's eyes went down, and his stomach constricted at what he saw: a hand protruding from the cloak, the hand shimmering, gray and thin and scabbed, like something dead , Soaked in water again and rotted, the hand appeared in less than a second.As if the monster under the cloak sensed Justin's gaze, the hand suddenly retracted into the folds of the black cloak.

Then the thing under the hood, whatever it was, took a long, slow, trembling breath, as if trying to suck in something other than air from its surroundings.

They all felt a chill run through their bodies.Ann felt her breath congeal in her chest.The chill pierced through her skin, reaching her chest and her heart, as if she would never be happy again in this life.At that moment she knew what it was.

"Call God to protect you!" An shouted loudly.Cedric, who reacted, also released his Patronus.They drove the dementor away.But it was more important for them now to see how the Hufflepuffs in the car were doing.Ann stuffed Susan with some chocolates from the box, and took the rest to visit the younger Hufflepuffs.

"Merlin, they actually put dementors in Hogwarts for Black, and even attacked ordinary students. What is the Ministry of Magic thinking? Why did Dumbledore agree." Ann was a little angry about this matter , but helpless.She knew that the current Minister of Magic came to power in order to maintain a balance, but he didn't have any great abilities, although he was also a Hufflepuff.

Cedric and Ann checked every carriage with junior students one by one, comforted the junior students and gave them chocolates.

A moment later, the lights came on, the floor shook, and the Hogwarts Express was on its way again.But Ann and Cedric weren't done placating the underclassmen yet.

"It's horrible," Hannah said, her voice much higher than usual, as if choked.

"Did you guys feel cold when that thing came in?" Ernie asked.

"I feel weird," said Nancy, twisting her shoulders uncomfortably, "as if I'm never going to be happy again."

Sophia crouched in a corner, sobbing softly; Ann walked over, put her arms around her soothingly, and patted her on the back.Seeing such a third grader, An sighed softly.

"This is a greasy chocolate ball, filled with strawberry custard and ordinary custard. Eat it, it will be better after eating." Ann gave them a few chocolate balls, and prepared to go to the next car .

Back in the car, even Cedric couldn't hold back his smile.This matter is more serious than they thought.They can still use the Patronus Charm in the fifth grade, but those in the lower grades can't help it.

The auditorium was a sea of ​​black pointed hats; every long table was filled with students, their faces glowing in the light of thousands of candles suspended in mid-air above the tables.

While watching the freshmen's branch, they hope that Professor Dumbledore, who is also their headmaster, can give an explanation for what happened on the express today.

Although very old, Professor Dumbledore always gave the impression of being energetic.His hair and beard are several feet long, he wears semi-circular glasses and his nose is hooked badly.He's often said to be the greatest wizard alive, but that's not why he's respected.You can't help but trust Professor Dumbledore, and when Ann sees him smiling at all the students, Ann feels that she has truly calmed down for the first time since the dementor entered the train carriage.This is the man who defeated Grindelwald, and he will protect Hogwarts.

"Welcome!" said Professor Dumbledore, his beard gleaming in the light of the candles. "Welcome to Hogwarts for the new school year! I have a few words for you all, and one of them is very Seriously, I think I might as well get this out of the way before you get confused by this delicious meal."

Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued. "After they searched the Hogwarts Express, you must all know. At present, our school is receiving a number of dementors from Azkaban. They are here to perform the official duties of the Ministry of Magic."

"They are stationed at all entrances to the school grounds," continued Dumbledore. "During their stay here, I must make it very clear that no one is allowed to leave the school without permission. Dementors should not be Playing tricks or pretending to deceive, not even an invisibility cloak." He added this sentence without expression, and Ann and Cedric glanced at each other. "Dementors don't know what pleas or excuses are by nature. So I warn each of you: don't give them any excuses to hurt you. I'm counting on the prefects, and our new Head Boys and Girls Chairman, you must ensure that no student will conflict with a dementor."

Dumbledore paused; he glanced gravely around the Great Hall, but no one moved or made a sound.

"On a more pleasing note," he continued, "I am delighted to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year.

"The first is Professor Lupine, who graciously agreed to fill the vacancy in Defense Against the Dark Arts."

There was some sporadic, less enthusiastic applause.The only ones who applauded vigorously were the students who had been in the same compartment as him on the train, and Harry was one of them.Professor Lupine looked shabby among all the well-dressed teachers.

"Look at Snape!" Susan whispered into Cynthia's ear.

Potions teacher Snape kept staring at Professor Lupine along the teachers' long table.Everyone knew that Professor Snape had always wanted to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, but even Harry, who hated Snape, was amazed by the distorted expression on Snape's thin, sallow face.That look was beyond annoyance, it was loathing.

"As for our second appointment," said Professor Lupine after the half-hearted applause died down.Dumbledore continued, "Well, I regret to inform you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired late last year in order to spend more time with his remaining rascals. However, I am glad to say that it was none other than Rubeus Hagrid who took his place, and that Hagrid has agreed to be a teacher as well as a gamekeeper."

The applause from the Gryffindor table was exceptionally loud.As for Hagrid, he was flushed and staring at his big hands, and his smile was hidden in his shaggy black beard.Ann looked sympathetically at Susan and Cynthia, who had taken the Protection of Fantastic Beasts class. They really liked Professor Kettleburn. Although they had contact with Hagrid before, they both kept a wait-and-see attitude towards this new professor.

Savior they were the last to stop clapping.When Professor Dumbledore began to speak again.Everyone saw Hagrid wiping his eyes with the tablecloth.Susan couldn't hold back her lips.She is a person who has been educated in etiquette. Seeing this scene is a bit unacceptable, especially when it is a place to eat.

"Well, I think the important things have been said," said Dumbledore, "let's eat."

The golden plates and goblets before them were suddenly filled with food and drink.It was a great meal; the hall echoed with laughter and the clang of knives and forks.

The last morsel of pumpkin pie disappeared from the golden plate, and Dumbledore said that everyone should go to bed.Ann and Cedric stood up and led the first years into the Hufflepuff common room.As they walked, they talked about the same things as Gabrielle Truman, the prefect when they entered school.

Looking at the freshman with longing written all over his face, it was as if he saw himself back then. Ann glanced at Cedric with some emotion, and the two just happened to meet each other's eyes.They laughed at the same time.

"Finally, it's great to have you in Hufflepuff, it's like home to you. I'm proud you are Hufflepuff. Now, first year girls follow me and boys follow Cedric. I'll take you to your dormitory." An took the lead in sliding down the aisle, and caught freshmen one after another below, just like the female prefect back then.

It is really a blessing to be able to come to Hufflepuff.