My friends and I all got dressed and headed to the prefect carriage, with pretty much everyone being the same except for the fifth years joining in as prefects, and only Cedric Diggory was a truly familiar face. The rest were pretty much all people I've noticed in the Exchange, but have not really gotten to know. Cedric is very active as a helper and I've taught him more than once, hence why I know him more.
I nod towards the handsome teen and then face the rest of those in attendance.
"It is good to see everyone again and I extend my welcome to all new prefects joining us this year. I have met most of you before, either in the Exchange or the Dueling club, but just in case I am Aedan Bones, a pleasure to be working with all of you this year." I say as my opening lines.
"As most of you know, I believe in the equality of all houses and that one should judge on actions and character instead of the house. But I also understand the inherent bias cultivated by Hogwarts' division of students. So my oversight method shall remain the same as last years. Some favoritism is to be expected, but I also expect proper punishment when it is due. Minor abuses of authority will be tolerated to an extent, but heavy handed methods will result in disciplinary action. Aside from that, try to help students feel good about being at Hogwarts and help our fellow residents interact peacefully with one another. If all else fails and conflict is imminent in your opinion, arrange for a duel to properly let students work through their issues in a controlled manner." I say commandingly to everyone present. They all listen seriously, because unlike last year, every one knows about a fraction of my skills as president of the Dueling club. I've also cultivated prestige amongst the students, so even members of Slytherin house have grown to at least acknowledge my abilities.
"The troubling thing is that I've received notice from the Headmaster that there will be some unpleasant challenges involved with helping manage students this year. He believes the Ministry might enforce some hard-handed methods to protect students from Sirius Black." I say with utmost seriousness.
"But why would Black even come to Hogwarts?" Asked Cedric.
"They believe Harry Potter would be a target. They see Black as having an extreme obsession with the boy who defeated his former master. So the Ministry is almost certain that he will try to reach him in the place everyone knows he spends most of the year." I answer the Hufflepuff teen.
"So what kind of measures are they thinking of implementing? Do you know Aedan?" Asked James this time, feeling a bit worried.
"The Headmaster didn't have any notices or requests from the Ministry when he sent the letter, so all we know is that the discussions were ongoing within the Ministry. I'm personally hoping the will assign Aurors or at least Hit Wizards, but the current cabinet has been cutting the funding and recruitment for those offices. I think the only person to have been recruited in many years has been Tonks who graduated two years ago. And I really hope they don't chose the worst option." I say somberly.
"What's the worst option mate?" Asked Christian, making everyone look at me with some nervousness at my answer.
"Dementors." I simply answer without any emotions.
"That's insane! The Ministry would never let Dementors be near the school." Exclaimed Percy.
"That is the worst choice I can think of Percy, and one I really don't want them to chose it." I respond to the guy, calming him down a bit.
"Well anyway, I want the seventh years to partner up with a fifth year and show them the ropes on patrolling the train properly, sixth years can pair up together and start any time." I instructed to the group, ending the meeting.
So everyone was currently patrolling. I was with Tory as we walked through the carts. People tended to stop what they were doing and start staring at us in some sort of awe due to the aura we exude together. She is The Queen of Slytherin. Unchallengeable, proud but ultimately kind. She is a true noble. While I am an overwhelming person. I know that very well. Tall, strong, good looking, intelligent, good character and my own aura akin to a king due to my Phoenix and Whampus cat parts. It makes people subconsciously behave in front of us.
As the rain outside the train fell and we neared Hogwarts, we started to slow down steadily until the train came to a complete stop. Then the lights usually illuminating the train dimmed until they finally went out.
The darkness and our lack off movements were causing students to panic because this has never happened before.
"Everyone stay in your cabins! We will handle the situation and find out what is wrong! You will then be informed accordingly. Do not run around like headless chickens and stop us from understand what has happened or add onto the chaos! Everything will be fine." I yelled loudly and with authority, causing the entire place to quiet down and let us work.
Then the part I was waiting for finally came. The temperature started dropping, as the wet windows slowly became covered in frost. And a hovering cloaked being entered the compartment. All students who noticed it went quiet from fear of the creature. They know what it is. A Dementor!
"They really did it." I mutter underneath my breath.
"We can't let it even touch a student! Those abominations are reserved for the worst criminals, how dare they let them come anywhere near children!" Spat out an angry Victoria.
"Yes, the quicker this is done the better." I say to her as I step up and approach the creature.
Every step I let my true aura and power grow and manifest more, soon warming everything in the compartment due to my power. I stood there, the antithesis of what it was. They are cold, dark, evil, corruptive parasites feeding off the joy and happiness of other, leaving them hollow husks filled with nothing but emptiness. I am a bright flame next to them, warm, powerful, filled with light, empowering and protective. And with my power humming in the air and making the creature halt, I raise my voice as if a ruler.
"The one you are looking for is not here. Leave or die." I declare with no room for opposition.
There is no negotiation. No debate. No choice. No alternative. Leave or die.
It did not leave. The creature feels too many emotions on the train. So much to feed on. It cannot relinquish such a feast.
"You have made your choice. Now you are done." I decreed as my wand is raised and an all encompassing with light envelops and warms the hearts of all those on the train. With quiet steps my Whampus cat Patronus appears and attacks the Dementor in front of me, causing it to release a horrible howl of pain and unwillingness as it disintegrates it into nothingness. Meanwhile I let out pulses of positive energy to attack any and all Dementors on or around the train. One death as a warning and this as proof of power.
I looked over the now quiet compartments and loudly announced using sonurus.
"To all students, the Dementors have been pushed back. We will resume our journey momentarily. All prefects are to check in on every student. If anyone was attacked by one of the Dementors they need to be given some chocolate immediately and taken to Madam Pomfrey at our arrival. We shall receive an explanation for this outrageous situation at the castle I am sure, so for now at least try to stay calm. Help those affected. And prepare for our arrival at Hogwarts." I ordered authoritatively.
"You know I always love when you show off." Whispered my Tory.
"I'll show off something different later. But for now we have our duties to attend to." I whispered back to her and got to work.
It took a while to get all the students sorted out, but with all the prefects and students given clear and precise instructions, everything was going better.
The train finally started to move again and we were on our way to Hogwarts.
After a gathering of prefects in our carriage, i understood what happened pretty much in every part of the train, letting me give out a fresh set of orders. I also said that if someone mocks another for their reactions to being attacked by a dementor, then they are to be welcomed and face one as well.
For the rest of the ride I fulfilled my duties as Head Boy and let our new Professor Lupin take care of Harry.
Soon enough we reached the castle and students could finally forget about the trains events while enjoying the feast.
But after said feast, Dumbledore explained that the Dementors are to be present outside the school grounds to hunt for Sirius. He also stated that they have been specifically ordered to not enter school grounds.
And so with complicated hearts, the students were sent to their dorms to rest, recover, and prepare for the start of a new school year.
After finishing the last of my duties, I also returned to my room and started to write down my years goals.
1. Finish the Dragon Fire Containment tool. This is my absolute priority. It needs to be done by the end of the year, no other results will be accepted.
2. Continue working on Charm and DADA mastery spells. With all my other chosen subjects to achieve a mastery ready to go, with all projects completed. These two are the last ones. I've already built a good framework for the two spells and with the Dementors present this year I believe they will be perfect test subjects.
3. Up combat training for my friends. I need them to be at at least senior Auror level before the next year in order for them to be prepared. Christian is the closest, only needing to add more spells and experience, while waiting for his second maturity. Victoria is only a step behind the guy due to her instincts and experience being lower than him, but she will be very powerful in the future. And although James is the 'weakest' combatant, he's also the toughest to take down due to his fighting style being heavily defensive. So I need to get them polished.
4. Make sure Sirius is exonerated, but Peter escapes. That is my aim for this years canon. The last two years I didn't mess with things too much, but I just can't not help the guy and help Harry at the same time. The plan involves gathering too much evidence so that they can't deny Pettigrew is alive and that Sirius is innocent. I have a few ideas on how to accomplish my goal, but I need to be careful of Hermione's time turner and might need to use my own to counteract hers.
5. Teach everyone I can the Patronus Charm this year. This will help keep students safe, help their DADA grades on OWL's, boost morale in the school and help in the future when Voldy takes them all under his wing.
With my goals written down, it was time to ready myself for the days ahead of me with a good nights sleep.