Harry Potter and the Prince Hidden in the Shadows

When Arth woke up the very next day, he felt something heavy on his arm. He glanced down and saw a very familiar scarlet color.

It was Scarlett.

Arth just yawned and got up like it was nothing. She must've snuck into his bed like usual.

After a couple of months of this happening repeatedly, Arth reckoned it would be surprising if she didn't.

Arth shook Scarlett awake who answered in an almost incoherent manner.

After a few more shakes, Scarlett had enough mental awareness to transform into a snake and crawl up onto his arm where she fell asleep once more.

Arth chuckled.

Arth, Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the Great Hall for breakfast the next day, the first thing they saw was Draco Malfoy, who seemed to be entertaining a large group of Slytherins with a very funny story. As they passed, Malfoy did a ridiculous impression of a swooning fit and there was a roar of laughter.

"Ignore him," said Hermione, who was right behind Harry. "Just ignore him, it's not worth it..."

"Hey, Potter!" shrieked Pansy Parkinson, a Slytherin girl. "Potter! The dementors are coming, Potter! Woooooooo!"

Arth glanced at Malfoy and sighed. Although Draco was acting arrogant, Arth could see the hidden pain in his eyes.

They dropped into a seat at the Gryffindor table, next to George Weasley.

"New third-year course schedules," said George, passing them over. "What's up with you, Harry?"

"Malfoy," said Ron, sitting down on George's other side and glaring over at the Slytherin table.

George looked up in time to see Malfoy pretending to faint with terror again.

"That little git," he said calmly. "He wasn't so cocky last night when the dementors were down at our end of the train. Came running into our compartment, didn't he, Fred?"

"Nearly wet himself," said Fred, with a contemptuous glance at Malfoy.

"I wasn't too happy myself," said George. "They're horrible things, those dementors. . . ."

"Sort of freeze your insides, don't they?" said Fred.

"You didn't pass out, though, did you?" said Harry in a low voice. "Forget it, Harry," said George bracingly. "Dad had to go out to

Azkaban one time, remember, Fred? And he said it was the worst place he'd ever been, he came back all weak and shaking... They suck the happiness out of a place, dementors. Most of the prisoners go mad in there."

Feed places a finger on his chin.

"Now that you think about it, didn't Arth stay there for about a week or so? How was it? Azkaban that is?"

Arth shrugged.

"It was bearable."

Harry, Ron, And Hermione all have Arth a pitiful look before patting him on the back.

"It's alright mate, we understand. We won't embarrass you in front of everybody."

"Seriously, it was alright. The food was bad but that was solved."

"It's ok Arth. We understand. I thought that Azkaban was bad before but... after meeting with the dementors... it must've been terrible."

Arth sighed.

Why did no one ever listen to his words?

"Anyway, we'll see how happy Malfoy looks after our first Quidditch match," said Fred. "Gryffindor versus Slytherin, first game of the season, remember?"

Hermione was examining her new schedule.

"Ooh, good, we're starting some new subjects today," she said happily.

"Hermione," said Ron, frowning as he looked over her shoulder, "they've messed up your schedule. Look — they've got you down for about ten subjects a day. There isn't enough time."

"I'll manage. I've fixed it all with Professor McGonagall."

"But look," said Ron, laughing, "see this morning? Nine o'clock, Divination. And underneath, nine o'clock, Muggle Studies. And-" Ron leaned closer to the schedule, disbelieving "-look! underneath that, Arithmancy, nine o'clock. I mean, I know you're good, Hermione, but no one's that good. How're you supposed to be in three classes at once?"

"Don't be silly," said Hermione shortly. "Of course I won't be in three classes at once."

"Well, then —"

"Pass the marmalade," said Hermione.

"But —"

"Oh, Ron, what's it to you if my schedule's a bit full?" Hermione snapped. "I told you, I've fixed it all with Professor McGonagall."

Still dissatisfied, Ron reaches for Arth's schedule, but before he could, it disappeared.

Ron glared at Arth.

"Give me your schedule."

"Don't have it."

"Don't be silly, you have it. How else would you get to your classes?"

Arth just smiled.

"I already memorized it."

Ron gave up.