Clack-clack, clack-clack—the train started moving again.
"Hah... hah..." Harry woke with a start, panting and drenched in cold sweat. The compartment was packed with people watching him—Will, Sylvia, Lupin, George, Fred, Hermione, and Ron. Several more stood in the doorway, where Harry spotted a head of unmistakable platinum-blond hair.
Several of them were chewing something, and Harry caught the rich smell of chocolate.
Eight people were crammed into the tiny compartment. Lupin watched Harry with concern; Fred sat on George's lap, and Sylvia and Will were pressed together. Everyone was looking at Harry with such concern that he felt a little overwhelmed.
"What—what happened to me?" Harry glanced quickly toward the compartment door, but the black-cloaked figure was gone. "What happened? Where did that—that thing go? Who was screaming?"
"No one was screaming, Harry," Will said with some difficulty. "All right, Harry's awake now. Could everyone stop crowding in? One at a time, please."
It took a while for the crowd to squeeze out. Ginny came in next, followed by Draco, Luna, Seamus, Michael, and other members of the High Tower, all checking on Harry.
Seeing how many friends Harry had, Lupin smiled with relief. He stepped out for a few minutes too. During that time, Will saw an owl fly off into the storm.
One by one, everyone returned to their own compartments. By the time they had all gone, Lupin was back. Harry looked around the brightly lit compartment and made sure no one else was coming.
"I—I heard screaming while I was unconscious—"
Lupin unwrapped several neatly packaged pieces of chocolate and handed them to Harry. "Eat some, Harry. It'll help." Harry took the chocolate, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed vigorously.
"What was that thing?" he asked Lupin.
"A Dementor," Lupin said. He glanced at