As soon as I arrived home to Denmark, I was greeted with warm hugs and smiles from my siblings that were home for summer. I spent the rest of the summer catching up on each other's lives and reminiscing about old memories.
Before I knew it, it was time for me and Emma to return to Hogwarts for our second year. We packed our bags and headed to the Hogwarts Express, excited for the year ahead.
As we boarded the train and found an empty compartment, Emma turned to me and grinned mischievously.
"I heard there's going to be a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year," she said. "I wonder who it could be. And what pranks I could pull off."
I shrugged with a slight smile. "Who knows?"
We spent the rest of the train ride chatting and catching up with Mikkel and Lily. When we arrived at Hogwarts, we were greeted with the familiar sights and sounds of the castle.
----
Charles and Emma sat together at the Hufflepuff table in the Great Hall, awaiting the arrival of the first-year students. The new students were led in, their faces a mix of excitement and nervousness.
As the sorting ceremony began, Emma cheered as the first few students were sorted into Hufflepuff. Charles clapped with a present smile. Suddenly, Charles noticed Lily entering the Great Hall. He watched with bated breath as she made her way to the sorting hat, hoping that she would be sorted into anything but Slytherin. The sorting hat called out "GRYFFINDOR!" and the Gryffindor table erupted in cheers. Charles felt a pang of relief.
As the sorting ceremony came to an end and the feast began, Charles and Emma chatted about the upcoming school year.
----
As I sat at the Hufflepuff table, enjoying my lunch with Emma and her friends, I noticed Harry, Ron, and Hermione approaching us. I knew immediately that they wanted to talk to me.
"Hey, Charles," Harry greeted me. "We wanted to thank you for finding out about the basilisk. It helped us solve the mystery."
I smiled slightly, trying to act natural. "Oh, it was nothing," I replied nonchalantly.
Hermione looked at me skeptically. "But how did you find out?" she asked.
I shrugged. "Just a lucky guess, I suppose," I said, keeping my tone light and casual.
Harry and Ron exchanged a look, but they didn't push the matter any further. Instead, we chatted amiably for a few more minutes before they headed back to their own table.
[General POV]
As Harry, Ron, and Hermione got back to their table, they decided to ask Neville if he knew anything about Charles and Mikkel. Neville shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he didn't know much about them. However, a voice interrupted them from behind.
"I couldn't help but overhear," the voice said. "Are you talking about Charles Nielsen?"
The trio turned around to see a tall, bespectacled boy with a shock of blond hair. His name was Marcus, and he was known for his extensive knowledge of magical creatures.
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"I've heard of the Nielsen family," Marcus said, a glint in his eye. "They're known for being beast tamers and having a vast knowledge of magical creatures. They even keep an army of dragons at their disposal."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other, surprised by this revelation. They had no idea that Charles came from such a unique and powerful family.
"Do you know how he knew about the basilisk?" Hermione asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Marcus stroked his chin thoughtfully. "If anyone knows anything about hidden rare creatures and secret places, it's the Nielsen family, for sure."
With that, the trio thanked Marcus for his insight and made a mental note to keep an eye on Charles.
----
Some time passed...
----
[Lily POV]
I sat nervously in the Gryffindor common room, my mind racing with thoughts of the recent events at Hogwarts. I couldn't help but think about the escape of Sirius Black, the notorious mass murderer and supporter of Lord Voldemort. As I looked around the room, I saw my fellow Gryffindors huddled in small groups, whispering anxiously.
Suddenly, my first new friend in Hogwarts, Hermione Granger, rushed into the room, her bushy hair in disarray and her face filled with concern.
"Lily, have you heard the news?" Hermione asked, her voice shaking with emotion.
I nodded my head, my heart pounding in my chest.
"He's coming after Harry," she said, her eyes widening in fear.
Just then, Ron Weasley burst into the room, his face flushed with excitement.
"Hey, have you heard?" he said, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "There's going to be a Hogsmeade weekend!"
----
[Charles POV]
I sat alone in a random room in Hogwarts, staring out of the window at the Dementors that loomed outside. The guards of Azkaban had been stationed around Hogwarts, a grim reminder of the danger that was lurking just outside our walls. I couldn't help but think to myself that this was scarier in real life than in the movies.
As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, I suddenly heard a soft knock at the door. Startled, I jumped up from my seat and cautiously made my way over to the door.
"Is there room for one more in this room?" a muffled voice came through.
"There is," I called out.
I opened the door and let the person in. It was Hermione Granger.
"Oh, it's you, Charles. Nice to see you again!" Hermione greeted him with a smile. "There are usually no people here, and I thought I could study the Dementors with a good view. Do you mind if I join you?"
"Of course not," Charles replied with a smile.
After a few minutes of silence, Hermione turned to Charles and asked, "Do you know anything about the recent escape of Sirius Black? And what about dementors? Have you had any experience with them?"
Charles nodded, his mind flashing back to the hellish training his father always puts him through.
"I do know a bit about dementors," Charles replied. "And I know the Patronus Charm to ward them off. If you need any help, just let me know."
Hermione's face lit up with excitement and gratitude. "Oh, that's fantastic! Thank you so much, Charles. Would it be okay if I brought Harry and Ron and learn from you too?"
Charles smiled. "Sure, I don't mind. Just let me know when you're free and we can arrange a time, but I can't guarantee any successful results."
Hermione beamed with joy and relief. "Thank you, Charles."
Minutes later, Hermione leaned over her book and asked, "Do you know anything about werewolves, Charles?"
"I'm afraid I'm not that well-versed in the subject, Hermione," Charles replied with a shrug. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, Professor Lupin is teaching us about them in Defense Against the Dark Arts, and I find it fascinating," Hermione explained.
"Ah, yes. Remus Lupin," Charles said, nodding. "I've heard he's quite the expert on werewolves."
I leaned back in my chair and began muttering a riddle.
"A face that changes once a month,
A mystery to those who are blunt, Misunderstood,
yet good inside,
A kind soul who always hides.
Who am I?"
Hermione furrowed her brows, deep in thought. "A werewolf?" she ventured tentatively.
I made a buzzing sound to indicate it was the wrong answer. "Close, but no," I said, standing up from my chair and smiled at Hermione. "Sorry Hermione, I have some plans now. It was a pleasure to talk with you. I hope we can have more conversations like this in the future."
Hermione smiled back at me, feeling grateful for the new friend she had made. "Me too, Charles," she said. "Thanks for your help with the Dementors."
As I made my way out of the room, Hermione couldn't help but feel confused about the riddle I had muttered. She thought for a moment, then blurted out, "Wait, are you a werewolf?"
I turned around, surprised at her guess. I let out a small laugh and shook my head. "No, Hermione, I'm not a werewolf," I said, before making a strange sound and walking out of the room.
Hermione was left feeling even more confused.