Azkaban is a terrifying place for young wizards in the wizarding world.
Demonized by parents from a young age, it becomes a childhood nightmare—
"If you don't behave, you'll be locked up in Azkaban when you grow up! It's full of villains who eat people alive, and Dementors that will suck out your soul!"
Note the phrase "when you grow up." Parents often use it, leading young wizards to believe Azkaban is a prison meant for adult criminals.
Yet, the young man before them had already lived in Azkaban for several years.
How terrifying must he be to earn such an honor—being locked up before adulthood?
Draco Malfoy was stunned.
"I know you! Your last name wasn't always Emrys. You're from the Avery family!"
Malfoy took a step back.
Then another.
He expected to lean on his two cronies—only to find that the reassuring bulk was missing. He turned and saw Goyle and Crabbe had already retreated, their backs pressed against the train windows on the other side.
It wasn't just Draco who was afraid—Goyle and Crabbe were terrified!
Ron Weasley, surprisingly, seemed much braver than them.
Malfoy sneered at Harry.
"Harry Potter, you'll regret rejecting the goodwill of the Malfoy family! You'll rot in the mud with scum and criminals!"
With that, he turned and ran.
Goyle and Crabbe, finally pardoned, scrambled after him.
Dana didn't even glance up. He picked up his book again as if the entire exchange wasn't worth acknowledging.
And to him, it truly wasn't.
He had endured four years in Azkaban, surrounded by Dementors and murderers. Malfoy's kindergarten-level provocation didn't even register.
But Ron exploded a few seconds later.
"That bastard called me scum?!"
It took him a moment to process.
First, he confirmed that the criminal referred to Dana. Then, belatedly, he realized he had also been insulted.
Although pure-blood elitists often referred to the Weasleys as traitors and scum, it was the first time Ron had been insulted to his face.
"Harry! That Malfoy will definitely go to Slytherin. His father is a Death Eater! I don't know how he avoided getting caught by the Ministry!"
"Death Eater? What's that?"
"Oh, they're followers of the Dark Lord. They call themselves Death Eaters…"
The Hogwarts Express arrived.
The first-years spilled out onto the platform like a flock of startled ducks.
The scene was chaotic—no lines, no order, just noise.
"First-year students, look here! Gather here! Hey! Harry, come over here!"
A half-giant with wild hair waved them over.
Dana, Harry, and Ron squeezed through the crowd, reaching Hagrid with great difficulty.
"Hello, Hagrid!"
"Oh, Harry, did you have a good trip?"
"Yes, it was wonderful."
Hagrid glanced subtly at Dana. Then, turning back to Harry, he continued as if Dana wasn't there.
"Wait here for a bit. Once everyone's arrived, we'll set off."
Dana felt it clearly.
Hagrid disliked him.
Just like when he had refused to take Dana to the station that morning.
This was not paranoia.
Heh… Didn't you, Rubeus Hagrid, also spend time in Azkaban?
The first-years followed Hagrid down a narrow path.
The trees pressed close on either side, the only sound the occasional rustling of leaves and Neville Longbottom sniffling.
"Turn this corner, and you'll see Hogwarts Castle!"
Sure enough, as they rounded the bend, the path opened to a vast black lake.
And across the water—
On a high slope, towering over the landscape—
Hogwarts.
Majestic, looming, unreal.
"Each boat can only hold four people!"
Hagrid barked the instruction, pointing to the waiting boats.
Dana followed Harry and Ron, ready to step onto a boat—
But Hagrid's arm blocked him.
"Oh, Longbottom's boy, you get on this boat!"
Hagrid pulled Neville into their boat—squeezing Dana out.
So that was it.
Hagrid didn't want him near Harry Potter.
Dana had expected discrimination, but seeing it come from Hagrid, of all people, stung.
He had liked Hagrid in the original story.
Now?
Heh.
Hagrid, a man who himself had been falsely accused and imprisoned in Azkaban—now treating Dana like filth.
Dana clenched his fists, then exhaled.
It didn't matter.
He was prepared for this.
Hermione noticed Dana standing alone.
She hesitated, then stepped forward.
Maybe I should invite him to another boat…
As a Muggle-born, she knew what it felt like to be excluded.
But before she could speak, another voice called out:
"Dana! Over here!"
Hannah Abbott.
The kind-hearted girl from the Leaky Cauldron.
Dana smiled, waved at Harry, and walked toward her.
It was better this way.
Harry, Ron, Neville, and Hermione could share a boat.
And Dana?
Being with Hannah was no loss at all.
The boats glided across the still waters of the Black Lake.
Hogwarts grew larger, its towering silhouette looming over them.
Most of the first-years stared at the castle in wonder.
But Dana—
Dana felt suffocated.
A strange sense of familiarity crawled over him.
Hogwarts at night—the way its stone walls loomed, the enchantments humming in the air—
It feels like Azkaban.
His breath hitched.
For a horrible moment, he expected Dementors to swoop down from the castle gates.
Get a grip, Dana. You're not in Azkaban anymore.
Hannah noticed his tense posture.
She leaned closer, whispering:
"Dana? Are you okay?"
Dana forced a smile.
"I'm fine."
The boats passed through the hidden entrance beneath the castle, docking at a pebbled shore.
Hagrid led them toward the towering castle doors, a lantern swinging in his massive hand.
The magic pressing against Dana's skin grew stronger.
He shivered.
The moment they crossed the threshold, the heavy doors swung open—
Spilling warm, golden light into the night.
No Dementors.
Just a woman in emerald-green robes.
Professor Minerva McGonagall.
"Professor, all first-year students have arrived."
"Thank you, Hagrid."
McGonagall nodded, then turned to the assembled students.
"Follow me. Line up, stay in order."
Dana thought he saw it—
A subtle smile crossing Professor McGonagall's face as her gaze landed on him.
End of the Chapter
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