Harry Potter and the Summer of the Dementors

At that time of the morning there was almost no one around. He walked along the Aurors' Department, where his magical pass let him in. Rather to his surprise, Kingsley was already there, working at his desk.

"Arbuthnot wants a report ready to be circulated to the Wizengamot."

"About the Dementors?"

Kingsley nodded. "That's right. Trouble is, we know so little about them."

"Hermione was in the archives yesterday, trying to see what she could dig up."

Kingsley looked up interestedly. "That's an idea. Did she find much?"

Harry shrugged, and saw Kingsley glance at his watch, which, he noted, was an old fashioned Muggle wind up one.

"Will she be in yet?"

"Knowing Hermione, probably."

"She's a thorough girl. Anything there, she'll find it." He broke off as a witch came through the door, still in a travelling cloak. "Ah, Melissa. The schedule for you." He rummaged around on his desk then handed over a piece of paper. "Melissa's in charge of Auror training," he explained to Harry.

Harry looked at her more closely, seeing a fair haired woman probably in her mid thirties with a smiling face, dressed in a dark green robe.

Melissa took the list and scanned it. "Ron Weasley - that's Arthur's son?"

"That's right."

"And Harry." She turned and smiled at him, and he did his best to return the smile.

"Good morning," he said, slightly nervously.

"I'm off to the archives," Kingsley told her. "You're in charge of the Dementor patrol."

"Right. Well, I'd better go and sort things out."

She flashed a smile at Harry and disappeared into her office.

"And I'd better get over to Archives. The others will be here soon."

Harry was left sitting in a chair, feeling at rather a loose end. One or two other witches or wizards came through the door, nodded at him, smiled, then went about their business. But it wasn't long before Ron appeared. Harry presumed he'd come to work together with Mr Weasley as he had yesterday. He dragged a chair alongside Harry's.

"How's it going?"

"OK. How are things at home?"

Ron shrugged. "Just as ever except Dad's even busier than usual."

Melissa opened her door and called to the two boys. "Do you want to join us?"

They both jumped up and made their way over. Inside her large office were five other witches and wizards, each wearing the little badge that proclaimed then as Aurors-in-Training. Melissa ushered them in and introduced them:

"Ron Weasley and Harry Potter - they'll be joining us today. They were in Kirkmanley yesterday and so know what to expect. Ron, Harry - this is Natasha, Jeptha, Dominic, Celine and James." Harry didn't take in many of the names, but smiled back at them all. Melissa pushed them into the group.

"Now you've all got maps of the town with your areas marked off. I'm aware that you haven't encountered Dementors yet, but you all produced some impressive Patronuses yesterday. Be warned though - their effect on you may be more than you bargained for. But with two of you, there shouldn't be a problem.

"Now, Harry, you're going to be with Natasha; Ron, you're with me; then Jeptha with Dominic, and Celine with James. Here are your maps. You studied the area yesterday, so there should be nothing new there. Questions?"

Harry looked over at Natasha: she seemed vaguely familiar. So did Celine and James, come to that. Given that they could only be three or fours years older than him, they could have been at Hogwarts at the same time. Celine, who looked Chinese, he was sure he'd never seen before; nor Jeptha, who was big, burly, and looked capable of looking after himself.

"Right, then," Melissa went on. "We'll all go along the fourth floor Apparation point. OK?"

Ron followed her, as Natasha came over to him with a smile.

"I was a fifth year when you arrived."

"Oh?"

"Hufflepuff."

"Right."

"So I've had to work that bit harder." They followed the others out of the door. "And you met some Dementors yesterday."

"That's right." He wasn't exactly making brilliant conversation.

She lowered her voice. "Are they as scary as people say they are?"

He frowned. "It's not that they're scary - it's not the look of them, it's what they do to people."

"What?"

"I can't really describe it. But it probably won't be a very pleasant day."

"Oh." She was more subdued now.

They reached the Apparation point and gathered round.

"Right," said Melissa briskly. "I go first, then Ron, then Harry and Natasha, and then the rest of you. Ten seconds apart. Step well away from the Apparation point as soon as you arrive to make room for the others. OK?"

They nodded, and Melissa disappeared, followed by Ron, who disApparated almost soundlessly. Harry gave a small grin to himself, and then Apparated himself, again as quietly as he could.

As he re-appeared in the town, he could feel it, sense it. He hesitated for a moment, and Melissa reached out and pulled him forward to clear the area. Natasha Apparated behind him with a small 'pop'.

"Wands out," said Melissa quietly. He heard the others arrive, and scanned the street. It seemed empty enough, but he knew there were Dementors around - he could sense it.

"My God," he heard Natasha say quietly. She must have felt it too.

"Fan out," said Melissa.

They stood in an arc, looking round. There were no Muggles around to see them, but Harry knew something was very wrong. Then he heard an intake of breath from Celine, and turned.

A dozen or so Dementors were gliding towards them down the road, perhaps a hundred yards away.

"Wait," said Melissa quietly.

"Over there," he heard Ron, and turning, saw another crowd of them in the field behind.

"And there," from one of the others.

Now they were surrounded by what must have been upwards of fifty or more Dementors. He could sense them - the voices now ringing in his head, the screams. He knew what would come next. He tensed himself. All around them now, a horde of the creatures, scabbed hands appearing from the ragged cloaks. It was getting worse. There was a muffled noise from behind him, and he looked to see Jeptha collapsing down to the ground.

That was it. Right - the birthday party ... the sword in his hand, the faces around him as he cut the cake. Happy memories.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

The silvery vapour shot from his wand, and began coalescing into his Patronus. He heard Ron yelling now, and a silvery boarhound leaping forward at the nearest crowd of Dementors; a vapoury tiger from Melissa. Natasha was yelling too, and Dominic, but he could hardly make out the shape of their Patronus.

Assailed by the silvery creatures, the Dementors faltered in their approach, then began slowly falling back in disarray: he stepped forward and waved his wand, guiding the bright shining stag first at one, then another group of them. The voices were still there in his head, but fading now, fading fast, as the last of the loathsome creatures turned away.

He stood there, wand in hand, breathing hard, as the silvery Patronus faded away. He saw Ron, white as a sheet, his freckles standing out oddly against his pallid skin. They exchanged glances, then he turned to see Melissa bending over Jeptha.

"Keep on the alert. We can't Apparate back until he's recovered."

They turned back to scan the streets, but he knew from the air of the place that the Dementors had retreated - but whether they'd regroup or not ...

Natasha was standing on his other side and said shakily: "Sorry."

"What for?"

"Calling them 'scary'. That wasn't scary - that was horrific."

"They were after us," Harry said grimly.

"What do you mean?"

"That was an ambush. I'm sure of it."

"I think you're right," said Melissa. "Dominic - back to the Ministry, quick. We need a full Auror squad now."

"Yes, ma'am." Harry noticed a faint American accent.

Harry relaxed a little. "They've gone," he said.

"I think so," said Melissa. "But they can't be too far away."

Harry relaxed his mind. There was no sense of them. It was just another summer's day. "No, they've gone - for the time being."

"How do you know?" asked Natasha curiously.

"Relax, and look at the fields."

She gave him a curious look, but did as he suggested. "Yes - well?"

"Isn't it a nice summer day?"

"So?"

"You wouldn't be thinking that if there were Dementors around."

"Oh."

Jeptha was sitting up now. Melissa rose to her feet.

"You're right, Harry - I think it was an ambush. If there'd only been a couple of us, it might have been different."

From behind them, they heard people arriving. Melissa turned to them and started briefing them quickly. It was a squad of six, and the leader nodded several times as Melissa described what had happened.

"Right," he said, as she finished. "We'll do a sweep through the town. You'd better get this lot back."

Jeptha was standing now, although still looking pale and sweaty. "I'll be okay."

Melissa took his arm. "Let's get back."

"Us too?" asked Ron.

Melissa nodded. "I need you all for the debrief. Jeptha, you go first."

It was a subdued party that made their way back through the Ministry corridors. When they arrived back at the Aurors' Department, Melissa took another look at Jeptha, and despite his protests, sent him off to St Mungo's with Dominic.

With a wave of her wand, she conjured up six mugs of hot steaming chocolate, and told everyone to sit down.

"Right," she said, "so you've found out what Dementors are like." Harry saw Natasha give a shudder. "Well done, Harry - you did what I should have done earlier." Harry, to his annoyance, could only mumble a response. "I've been in contact with them before," she went on, "but not like that."

"They were after us," said Ron.

"You can say that again. Just as well we went in a group. As you say, Harry, an ambush."

Kingsley came in to the room, concern on his face. "Are you all okay?"

Melissa nodded. "I've sent Jeptha off to St Mungo's."

"Good." He looked around at the table. "Sorry you had to meet those creatures like that. Normally we send you off to Azkaban, just to get the feel, but ..."

"It was horrible," said Natasha.

"I know. Again, I must apologise. I wasn't expecting this."

"What are we going to do about them?" asked Celine.

Kingsley caught Harry's eye fleetingly, then said: "That's under discussion at the moment."

"We can't just let them roam around!"

"I know. It's in hand - don't worry."

Celine didn't look very convinced, which wasn't very surprising, but Harry knew Kingsley couldn't say any more.

"You four can take the rest of the day off, unless there's something you'd rather do," he told the trainees.

They looked at each other, then James nodded. "Please."

"Meeting Dementors is nasty enough - being attacked by a horde is something else. You all did well today."

"The first time I saw a Dementor I passed out," said Harry. "Remember, Ron?"

"In the train?"

"That's right."

The others looked at him, slightly re-assured.

Kingsley nodded. "They really are loathsome creatures. Melissa, we need a word." He looked at Harry questioningly, and Harry nodded. "Ron?" Ron nodded too.

He turned to the others. "Okay. Well done today. Go home and take a break. See you tomorrow."

The trainees, subdued, picked up their things and began to file out. Melissa, Harry and Ron followed Kingsley to his office where he waved towards a small table with chairs around. After they had sat themselves down, Kingsley nodded at Melissa. "Go ahead."

She described what had happened to them. "I'd have brought everyone straight back, but Jeptha had passed out, and was in no state to Apparate. We obviously couldn't leave him , then Harry stepped in and saw them off."

Kingsley gave a small smile. "He's had a lot of practice."

"The others helped, but it was all a bit much for them."

"Not surprising. Well done, Harry, Ron." Ron's freckled almost disappeared as he flushed and muttered something. "Still want to be Aurors?"

"Yes," said Ron. "I mean, something needs to be done about things like that."

Kingsley nodded. "Well, the Minister has things in hand. He's calling a meeting of the Wizengamot, and I'm writing the brief. After this - well, it's effectively a declaration of war."

Ron looked across to Harry, and he remembered what Hermione had said last night.

"Anyway," Kingsley continued, "I'd better get on with this." He looked at Ron and Harry. "Well done again today."

"Yes," said Melissa, "you were both very useful."

"But there's not a lot more here for you today," Kingsley went on. "Do you want to call it a day?"

Harry was ready to fall in with that, but Ron came back with: "I'd like to go over to the Archives and see Hermione."

"Okay, that's fine. Tell me if you find anything."

They both stood up.

"Thanks, Melissa," said Ron.

"Not at all. I was distracted by Jeptha, and you two saved our bacon."

Ron flushed again. "Well," he said awkwardly, "we'll find our way over to Archives."

"Do you know where it is?"

Ron nodded. "Yeah. Dad told me."

"Okay. And we'll see you again tomorrow?"

Ron nodded once more. He looked over to Harry, and they got up to go. When they were in the corridor outside Ron stopped and leant against the wall. He was still pale.

"And you fought off a whole horde of those things a couple of years ago?" he asked Harry.

"They weren't after me then - at least, the me that produced the Patronus."

"Yeah, but even so." Ron shook his head. "I wonder if it's always like this - being an Auror, that is."

"Not if the reaction of that lot is anything to go by. They had no idea what was coming to them."

Ron nodded. "You're right."

"It was you and me who sent them packing."

"You, you mean."

"Not really. I saw you doing a good job there."

Ron sighed. "Yeah. I really had to work at it, but it came right."

Harry clapped him on the shoulder. "There you are. Come on, let's go and see Hermione."

They set off down the corridors. Harry was glad Ron knew where he was going, because he certainly didn't. And finding his way back would be interesting if were by himself. After about five or six minutes they found themselves outside a door marked Archives.

"Well navigated, Ron."

"Yeah, well, when I was little, Dad would bring me in sometimes and I'd wander off and explore."

Sounded like Ron. They opened the door to a surprisingly bright and spacious room. A witch was sitting at a desk, a pile of parchments in front of her. She looked up: "Hello. Can I help you?"

"We're looked for Hermione Granger," said Ron.

"Hermione? She's with Professor Corke. You need to go down there ..." she pointed "... turn left, and then search."

"Ok. Thanks."

Deeper into the archives they saw other witches and wizards silently pouring over parchments. Ron muttered something that Harry didn't catch, and they went on. Then down a long row of shelving they saw Hermione's unmistakeable bunch of hair. She was with an elderly witch who had her hair tied up into a bun, and glasses half way down her nose.

"Hermione!" Ron called.

She turned and saw them, then beckoned them over.

"Harry, Ron, this is Professor Corke."

The elderly witch smiled and leaned over to shake hands.

"Another of Arthur's?" she asked.

"Yes."

Harry wondered how many times Ron had been asked that.

"And Harry. A pleasure to meet you. Well now, Hermione and I have a fascinating time delving through all these papers."

Ron muttered something else, but Hermione cut in.

"Ron! Are you okay?"

"Yeah, fine. Why?"

"You just look a bit ... well, exhausted."

"We were ambushed by Dementors," said Harry.

Hermione's hand flew up to her mouth. "No!"

"Afraid so. They were waiting for us."

"What happened?"

"We beat them off. Ron produced a really good Patronus. But we were with some trainees, and had to come back."

"You mean you'd have stayed if you'd been with real Aurors?" asked Professor Corke, amused.

"Yeah," said Ron. "It was scary at first, but we saw them off."

Harry saw Hermione looking at Ron with a mixture of admiration and exasperation.

"They gave the trainees the rest of the day off, so we thought we'd come and find you," Harry explained.

"Well, we're nearly done," said Professor Corke, "but you can help if you like. Here." She thrust a bundle of parchments into Ron's arms. Harry could see by the expression on his face that this wasn't quite what he had been expecting.

"Fine," said Ron bravely.

"And for you, Mr Potter."

Another bundle was thrust at him. He did his best to smile.

"And these for you, Miss Granger, and the last bundle for me. Let's find some desks."

Going through the parchments didn't take as long as Harry had expected, though most of them were deadly dull. An hour later, he turned over the last one. Ron had already finished. Soon Hermione and Professor Corke had turned over their last scraps of parchment.

"Ah, well, I didn't hope for too much from these," she said. "I know we're a little late, but what about a spot of lunch?" Ron leapt to his feet. "There's a canteen on the floor below that usually serves us well. Shall we?"

She squared up her pile of parchments, then, standing up, led the way out.

There weren't very many people left in the canteen: it looked as though they were about to stop serving, but they made it in time. Harry saw Ron take an enormous helping of shepherd's pie, followed by rhubarb crumble. Come to that, he was fairly hungry himself.

They found a table and began unloading their plates. As they started eating, Harry noticed that the room, which had gone quieter, was filled with a sudden buzz of talk. Professor Corke looked up.

"Oh, dear," she said, "you seem to have attracted attention, Mr. Potter."

Harry glanced round the room. "I'm a novelty, that's why. They'll all getting their first glimpse of the Boy Who Lived."

"Dear, dear. You'll have to be careful you don't become like one of those Muggle teenage celebrities, like footballers, who burn out in their twenties, and take to drink."

Harry was taken aback, both by the touch of malice and the idea that someone like Professor Corke would know about Muggle footballers. He heard in his mind's ear the drawling voice of a blonde Slytherin: "... the famous Harry Potter ..."

He looked down at his plate, and then back up to the glittering blue eyes opposite.

"Until I was eleven," he said, "I was a small, bullied Muggle child. Then I discover I'm celebrity because of something I don't even remember. Yeah, I've been in the news since. But to be honest, it's usually because someone's wanted to get at me, or because I've been attacked again. I can do without it." He paused, and then said deliberately: "Perhaps, Professor Corke, you could give me a few tips on how to deal with celebrity?"

But the lined face chortled. "Well done, young man. You give as good as you get."

"Let's drop it, shall we?"

"Indeed, if you so wish. Now, let us review our findings. We have found out very little about Dementors. They have their origins in a long forgotten group of wizards who were trying for immortality. Well, they succeeded - but at a terrible price."

Ron broke in: "Does that mean we can't kill them?"

Hermione frowned at the interruption, but Professor Corke answered: "Not at all. They don't die from diseases or natural causes. They can catch diseases and do - which is why they are so revolting. They just don't die from them. But they can be killed in accidents - or be killed. There is a case on record. A Dementor began an attack on a wizard, who in self defence picked up a large rock and hurled it. The Dementor was struck by the rock, and fell to the ground, and the wizard then hurled rock after rock until finally the thing was crushed to death."

"So we can kill them?"

"Indeed. If that is the decision." Professor Corke picked up her plates. "But that is decision not to be taken lightly. So far the Dementors have not attacked us directly. If they were to ... but we shall have to wait and see." She stood up. "It's getting on now - I think you can go home with clear consciences. Will you be joining us again tomorrow?" she asked Hermione.

"Please - if I may. There are so many fascinating things you have there."

Professor Corke gave a rare smile of approval. "Indeed, my dear, you may. Ron, Harry - best wishes for the rest of your time in the Ministry."

They all stood up now. "Thank you, Professor."

They stacked their plates away in silence, and Professor Corke disappeared.

"What now?" asked Ron. Harry shrugged. "Grimmauld Place?"

"Sure. That all right with you, Hermione?"

She nodded, and they left the canteen to find one of the Apparation points. They showed their passes to the guide, and he nodded them through.

Back in the kitchen Harry picked up the kettle, but was faced with a reproachful Dobby.

"I'm only making tea," he protested, but the elf reached for the kettle, and, rather than argue, Harry gave it to him. "No biscuits or anything - we've just had lunch." Then he caught sight of Ron. "Oh, well, perhaps a few."

When the tray arrived two minutes later, the plate was loaded with biscuits and scones. Ron immediately reached out for a scone as Hermione picked up the milk jug.

"Really, Ron!"

"What?"

"You've just had lunch."

"So?"

She shook her head despairingly and poured out the tea. "So, tell me about the Dementors."

"Nasty," said Ron.

"I know they're nasty. So tell me about the ambush."

Harry sat back and let Ron tell the story - which he did surprisingly well. At the end of it Hermione sat back and said: "Oh, dear."

Ron looked at her slightly affronted. "Is that all you've got to say?"

"No, it's not that - it means that the Dementors have decided to go on the attack, and that means we've got to go on the attack. And who knows where that'll lead?"

"We're better off with them out of the way," said Ron defiantly.

"Maybe so, but a lot of innocent people might get hurt on the way. What would happen if the Dementors decide what the hell and start soul sucking every Muggle they can get their hands on?"

"I think it's bound to happen sooner or later," said Harry. "This way we get in first."

"Maybe so," said Hermione. "Oh, I don't know, It's so difficult." She looked at her watch. "Anyway, I told my parents I'd be back reasonably early. They've people coming to dinner."

"Sure," said Harry, and watched as she disappeared silently.

"I better go too," said Ron heavily. "I'm knackered."

"Me too. Been a difficult day," said Harry, and watched as Ron vanished in his turn.