MILLIES POV
Professor Lupin came back a few minutes after that, when my hand was safely back in my own lap and the lights had been switched on again.
He paused as he entered, looked around and said, with a small smile, "I haven't poisoned that chocolate, you know..."
I watched as Ron ate his piece, and sure enough, he didn't keel over and die. I took a bite of my own bit and to my great surprise, felt warmth spread suddenly to the tips of my fingers and toes.
"We'll be at Hogwarts in ten minutes," Lupin told us. "Are you all right, Harry?"
Harry nodded. "Fine, thanks."
Not long after, the train stopped at Hogsmeade station and there was a great scramble to get out; owls hooted, cats miaowed, and Neville's pet toad croaked loudly from under his hat. It was freezing on the tiny platform; rain was driving down in icy sheets.
"Firs'-years this way!" called a familiar voice. I turned to see the gigantic outline of Hagrid at the other end of the platform, beckoning the terrified-looking new students forward for their traditional journey across the lake.
"All righ', you four?" Hagrid yelled to Harry, Mione, Ron and I over the heads of the crowd. We waved at him, but had no chance to talk because of the mass of people around us were shunting us away along the platform. We followed the rest of the school out onto a rough mud track, where at least a hundred stagecoaches awaited the reanimating students, each pulled, I could only assume, by an invisible horse, because when we climbed inside one and shut the door, the coach set off all by itself, bumping and swaying in procession.
As the carriage trundled towards a pair of magnificent stout-iron gates, flanked with stone columns topped with winged boats, I saw two more towering, hooded Dementors, standing guard on either side. I felt Harry stiffen next to me, and glanced beside me to see his eyes shut, his hair wet from the rain. Even though he was obviously scared, I couldn't deny it - it was a beautiful sight. Mione and Ron began waving eagerly to get my attention, pointing between Harry and I and laughing silently. I copied their actions, pointing between the two of them, which quickly shut them up.
The carriage picked up speed on the long, sloping drive up to the castle; Ron and I swapped seats so that Mione and I could lean out of the window and watch the many turrets and towers draw nearer together. At last, the carriage swayed to a halt, and Harry, Ron and Mione got out.
As I stepped down, my eyes immediately landed on Harry and Malfoy, who were glaring at each other angrily. I groaned, marching over to them.
"...you fainted, Potter?" Malfoy was saying delightedly. "Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?"
"Shove off, Malfoy," said Ron, whose fists were clenched.
"Did you faint as well, Weasley? Did the scary old Dementor frighten you, too, Weas-"
"Is there a problem?" said a mild voice. Professor Lupin had just got out of the next carriage.
Malfoy gave Lupin an insolent stare, which took in the patches on his robes and the dilapidated suitcase. With a hint of sarcasm in his voice, he said, "Oh, no - er - Professor," then he smirked at Crabbe and Goyle and led them up the stairs into the castle.
"Thanks, Sir," I said, grinning at the man. He smiled in return, nodding his head. Mione grabbed my hand and led me up the steps, through the giant oak front doors, and into the cavernous Entrance Hall, which was lit with flaming torches and housed a magnificent marble staircase which led to the upper floors.
"Hang on," I told Mione, pulling her back. I took out my wand and pointed it at her clothes, saying, "exaresco." Hot air streamed from the tip, instantly drying her clothes. She thanked me gratefully as I did the same to myself.
"Millie!"
I was suddenly engulfed by two soaked people hugging me, dampening my clothes once again.
"Hello, Seamus," I greeted, pushing them away happily. "Hello, Dean."
"I missed you," Seamus said, shaking his hair so that the water splattered in my face. "We all need to meet up next summer."
"Definitely," I agreed. "I'm thinking of having a summer party at mine-"
"Donovan! Granger! I want to see you both!"
I turned around in confusion to see Harry standing with Professor McGonagall, who had just called for us.
"You've not been here five minutes and you're already in trouble," Dean said, laughing.
"I haven't done anything," I told him, furrowing my eyebrows. "I'll see you two later."
Mione and I fought our way over to her through the busy crowd, clinging onto each other so we wouldn't get lost.
"There's no need to look so worried, Miss Granger," she told her as we joined them. I sent Harry a confused look, but he just shrugged in response. "I just want a word in my office."
"Will it take long, Professor?" I asked. "I'm-"
"-starving yes, you always are," McGonagall said, peering down at me. "It won't take long."
She ushered us away from the chattering crowd; we accompanied her across the Entrance Hall, up the marble staircase and along a corridor.
Once we were in her office, a small room with a large, welcoming fire, Professor McGonagall motioned for the three of us to sit down. She settled herself behind her desk and said abruptly, "Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead to say that you were taken ill on the train, Potter."
Before Harry could reply, there was a soft knock on the door and Madam Pomfrey came bustling in.
"Pom Pom!" I cheered, beaming at the lady. Both teachers sent me a stern look, but Madam Pomfrey greeted me kindly all the same.
"Hello, Miss Donovan."
Professor McGonagall sighed. "You are exactly like your father, Donovan. Jake and his friends were always making up silly little nicknames for the teachers..."
"Did he have one for you?" I asked eagerly, straightening up. Mione was watching me with a horrified expression, while Harry was leant back in his chair, smirking.
The corner of McGonagall's thin lips curved up. "Jake did, yes."
"And it was..."
"I am not going to tell you that, Miss Donovan," she snapped, shaking her head. "And don't you go owling your father either-"
"I'm fine!" Harry said suddenly. I turned my head to see Madam Pomfrey bending down to inspect him. "I don't need anything-"
"I suppose you've been doing something dangerous again, Potter?" Madam Pomfrey asked, ignoring his words.
"It was a Dementor, Poppy," said Professor McGonagall.
They exchanged a dark look and Madam Pomfrey clicked disapprovingly.
"Setting Dementors around a school," she muttered, pushing Harry's hair back and feeling his forehead, just as I had done - maybe I should become a healer? "He won't be the first one who collapses. Yes, he's all clammy. Terrible things, they are, and the effect they have on people who are already delicate-"
I burst out laughing as Harry said fiercely, "I'm not delicate!"
"Of course you're not," said Madam Pomfrey absentmindedly, sending me a wink. Harry stared between us in disbelief.
"What does he need?" said Professor McGonagall crisply. "Bed rest? Should he perhaps spend tonight in the hospital wing?"
"I'm fine!" Harry repeated.
"Well, he should have some chocolate, at the very least," said Madam Pomfrey, who was now trying to peer into Harry's eyes.
"I've already had some," he told her. "Professor Lupin gave me some. He gave it to all of us."
"Did he, now?" Madam Pomfrey nodded approvingly. "So we've finally got a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies."
"Are you sure you feel all right, Potter?" Professor McGonagall said sharply.
Harry grimaced. "Yes."
"Very well. Kindly make your way down to the feast while I have a quick word with Miss Donovan and Miss Granger about there timetables."
Harry got up and left, still complaining under his breath. Madam Pomfrey followed him.
"Right, ladies," Professor McGonagall said, taking two objects out of a drawer. "I noticed that you two signed up for every subject that was available. I spoke to Professor Dumbledore, and we agreed that you are both academically able, and," she paused, sending me a stern look, "responsible enough to be able to use these to get to your classes on time."
Professor McGonagall handed us one of the objects each. It was a gold chain which resembled an hourglass on a necklace.
"These are timeturners," she explained, as I put it around my neck. "Keep these on you at all times and you will be able to time travel. I need you to make sure no-one finds out. Not even your closest friends - this is top secret. The headmaster and I are trusting you both to only use these to get to your classes."
"Of course, Professor," Mione said, exchanging an excited look with me.
"The number of turns you turn the hourglass, will be equal to the number of hours you would like to travel back in time to," Professor McGonagall continued. "However, you can only stay in the past for five hours at a time, without the possibility of serious harm to yourselves or to time itself. I believe that is everything - have you got any questions?"
"What happens if I lose it?" I asked nervously.
"Don't, and you will never have to find out," Professor McGonagall said, raising her eyebrows.
"Right," I said shakily. "Thank you, Miss."
"Yes," Mione said. "Thank you, Professor."
"You're very welcome, girls. You may return to the Great Hall."