Autumn came quickly to the Scottish Highlands.
The morning mist was hazy, and damp clung to the Castle walls.
The first day of school, had it been a few years earlier, would undoubtedly have been the easiest, most delightful moment of the entire school year.
The new students would get lost in the corridors, filled with dreams of magic, while the returning students exchanged stories of their summer holidays in the Common Room, enjoying the last scraps of mercy before the professors piled on the homework.
But Hogwarts had long since erased mercy and relaxation from its dictionary of school rules over the past few years.
Day had barely broken, and the first years had not even fully emerged from the excitement and anxiety of last night's Sorting Ceremony before their houses' prefects dragged them out of their warm beds.
"All first years are to assemble on the western shore of the Black Lake within ten minutes. Late arrivals will be put on record."
When the young witches and wizards, shivering in their thin robes, stood assembled beside the Black Lake...
Mr Remus Lupin was standing on the steps of the running track built by the former Academic Affairs Office Deputy Director, Madam Umbridge. Rather than a wand, he held a silver mechanical stopwatch.
To these new students, who had heard more than enough frightening stories from the older students on the train, that stopwatch was more terrifying than a wand that could fire jinxes at any moment.
"P-Professor," a Gryffindor first year bravely raised his hand, though his trembling voice betrayed his fear, "weren't we supposed to... familiarize ourselves with the Castle this morning?"
Lupin looked at the boy, a gentle smile curving his lips.
"Of course." His voice was steady and rich, like a cup of hot tea