บท 47: Hogsmeade Blues and Shadowed Skies

The first Hogsmeade weekend had arrived, and Hogwarts was buzzing with excitement. For most students, the prospect of exploring the quaint wizarding village, with its sweet shops and quirky stores, was a thrill, but Harry was left feeling dejected. He hadn't received permission to visit, so he was stuck wandering the school grounds while his friends went off to enjoy the day.

Seeing Harry alone by the lake, Raja approached him. "Hogsmeade blues?" he asked with a grin, handing Harry a chocolate frog.

Harry sighed, unwrapping the chocolate. "It's just… I wish I could go. Ron and Hermione were really looking forward to it, and I'm stuck here."

Raja chuckled. "Well, don't worry about them too much. I'm sure they'll bring back plenty of sweets for you." He gave Harry a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Besides, Hogsmeade will be there next year."

Harry managed a small smile. "Thanks, Raja."

After their chat, Harry had tea with Professor Lupin. The two sat in Lupin's office, a cozy, dimly lit room filled with strange objects and books. They discussed the Boggart incident from Lupin's class, and Harry was surprised to hear Lupin's reasoning for not letting him face the creature.

"I was afraid it might take the shape of Voldemort," Lupin admitted, his voice soft but steady.

Harry blinked in surprise. "Voldemort? I hadn't thought of that. I was only worried it would turn into a Dementor."

Lupin looked thoughtful. "Dementors are dreadful creatures, Harry. The fact that you fear them is quite natural, given… well, given everything." His gaze softened. "You have endured more than most your age."

As they spoke, Snape entered, a steaming goblet in his hand. His usual sneer was absent, replaced by a look of distaste as he handed Lupin the potion.

"Drink up, Lupin," Snape said, eyeing Harry suspiciously before he swept from the room.

Harry looked at Lupin with concern. "You're really going to drink that? It's from Snape!"

Lupin smiled faintly. "It's perfectly safe, Harry. Snape is… well, he's helping me with a condition. This potion keeps it under control."

Harry didn't look convinced but decided not to press the matter. After all, if Lupin trusted Snape, then perhaps he should, too.

Later that evening, the school was in an uproar. News had spread like wildfire—Sirius Black had infiltrated the castle and even attacked the Fat Lady's portrait to get into Gryffindor Tower. Students were herded into the Great Hall, where they would sleep for the night under the watchful eyes of the professors.

The fear was palpable, but Raja stayed calm, his mind racing as he considered what he knew about Sirius Black. He had sensed something amiss since the Dementor attack on the train. And now, it was clear—Sirius Black was more than a mere fugitive. He was someone who deserved the truth to be known, and Raja resolved to ensure that would happen.

A few days later, it was time for the Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff Quidditch match. The atmosphere was tense, the students in the stands cheering loudly as the players flew onto the pitch. Raja watched from the stands, keeping an eye on Harry as he darted across the field on his broomstick.

As the match wore on, the skies grew darker, thick clouds rolling in, and the wind howled through the stadium. Harry was scanning the field, searching for the Golden Snitch, when his gaze froze on something far beyond the pitch—a massive, shadowy dog standing just outside the stadium. The sight sent a chill down his spine, but before he could think further, he spotted the Snitch.

Harry sped forward, focusing on the tiny glimmer of gold. But his concentration was broken by a collective gasp from the stands. Raja's eyes widened as he saw a swarm of Dementors moving toward the pitch, their cold, soulless presence descending on the players.

Time slowed as the Dementors approached, their icy dread creeping over the stadium. Harry, caught off guard, swayed unsteadily on his broom. His face drained of color, his body shivering uncontrollably as the creatures closed in. He began to lose altitude, his broom spiraling downward.

Raja didn't hesitate. He stood up, drew his wand, and shouted, "Expecto Patronum!"

Shadow Tempest burst from his wand, screeching as it unleashed a wave of Golden lightning, dispersing the Dementors with a fierce cry. But Raja wasn't done. His Patronus swooped under Harry, catching him mid-fall and carrying him gently to the ground. Harry was unconscious, his face pale and clammy, but Raja laid him carefully on the grass before instructing Shadow Tempest to guard the pitch.

"Protect this place until the last Dementor is gone!" Raja commanded, and his Patronus rose into the air, circling the stadium with fierce, stormy energy. The Dementors scattered, retreating in the face of the mighty thunderbird. Shadow Tempest patrolled the Quidditch grounds, ensuring that not a single Dementor would return.

As he knelt beside Harry, checking his pulse, Raja felt a surge of relief when Harry's eyes fluttered open. Harry blinked up at him, dazed and weak. "Raja… what happened?"

"Dementors tried to crash your game," Raja said with a soft smile. "I thought I'd give them a bit of a shock."

Harry tried to laugh, but it came out as a shiver. Raja quickly helped him sit up and handed him a piece of chocolate. "Here, this should help."

Harry took the chocolate gratefully, glancing around as the crowd began to gather. Ron and Hermione rushed over, faces filled with concern.

"Harry! Are you alright?" Hermione asked, her voice filled with worry.

"I'm fine," Harry mumbled, still looking shaken. "Thanks to Raja."

From the stands, Professor Lupin watched Raja with open amazement. Shadow Tempest continued its fierce patrol around the stadium, warding off any remaining traces of darkness.

After the match, Harry was still shaken. In the hospital wing, he lay in bed, talking quietly with Raja, Ron, and Hermione. He couldn't shake the feeling of dread that the Dementors had stirred within him, and he confided in Raja about it.

"It's just… every time they get near me, I feel like I'm drowning in my worst memories," Harry admitted, his voice low. "I can hear… my mother's voice. I don't know how much more of it I can take."

Raja looked at him sympathetically. "It's no wonder, Harry. Dementors feed on fear and despair. But you're stronger than you realize. And remember, I'll always be here to help if they come too close."

Hermione squeezed Harry's hand, and Ron offered a supportive nod. With his friends around him, Harry managed a small smile.

The first Hogsmeade weekend passed without incident, and the days slipped by with new challenges. In the back of his mind, Raja was still troubled by Sirius Black's story. After the attack on the Fat Lady's portrait, he suspected there was more to Black than anyone realized, and he resolved to find the truth.

One evening, after the students had retired for the night, Raja went to the library, researching everything he could find about the infamous prisoner. Through the restricted texts, he learned about Black's history, his close friendship with Harry's father, James, and the betrayal that led to his imprisonment. The more he read, the more convinced he became that Sirius was innocent.

Raja knew he couldn't reveal everything he knew; he had to be careful to avoid causing too much disruption to the story's natural flow. But he was determined to save Black, to give him the chance he deserved.

In the following days, Raja noticed Harry's determination to improve his Patronus skills, and he joined in, offering pointers and encouragement. During one of their sessions, Harry confided in him about a recent conversation he'd had with Professor Lupin.

"Lupin explained why the Dementors affect me so much," Harry said quietly. "He thinks it's because of… well, because of my past. The things I saw… the things I don't even remember seeing."

Raja nodded thoughtfully. "It makes sense, Harry. You've faced a lot, more than most people even dream of. But with time, you'll learn to face them without that fear taking over."

Harry managed a determined nod, and they resumed practice, Raja keeping a watchful eye on him.

The next Quidditch match arrived, and Harry took his place on the field with a newfound focus. He had practiced hard, determined not to let the Dementors get to him again. Raja, seated in the stands, kept an eye out, ready to intervene if anything went wrong.

The match was intense, both teams playing with fierce determination. At one point, Harry thought he saw a large black dog near the edge of the pitch again, but he forced himself to stay focused. He darted forward, narrowly missing the other Seeker, and managed to catch the Golden Snitch, winning the game for Gryffindor.

Cheers erupted from the stands, and Raja joined in, cheering as Harry's teammates lifted him onto their shoulders. The joy of victory filled the stadium, a welcome contrast to the fear and tension of the past few days.

That night, as they gathered in the common room to celebrate, Harry noticed Raja looking thoughtful. "You alright, Raja?" he asked.

Raja nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Just thinking. There's a lot we don't know yet… but I think things are going to change soon."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Change? How?"

Raja gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You'll see. Just trust me, Harry. I've got your back."

Harry smiled, a sense of comfort settling over him. With friends like Raja by his side, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead—even if they involved Dementors, traitorous rats, or long-lost secrets.

Raja knew that saving Sirius Black would take careful planning, but he was ready. As the "Dark Hand Behind the Curtain," he would guide events as best as he could, ensuring that truth would prevail without shaking the story's delicate balance.