Chapter 14 Bad dementor no soul for you
The rest of the summer seemed to pass in a haze for Harry after the duel. That night Harry had drove to Hermione's home only to find a burnt out husk left where a house had once sat. Fiendfire had turned the home in a smoking ruin worst of all, above the home stood the feared dark mark.
Sarah had no intention of stopping, she had every intention of calling the general and letting him know there had been a second attack this time against a muggleborn family. She had just put her foot on the gas pedal when two men walked out of the house carrying a body bag between them. Harry threw open the door and jumped out of the SUV landing on a cop car and rushing at the house screaming for Hermione. Hidden by the cop car were two more body bags.
One officer made the mistake of trying to stop Harry from getting one of the bags opened and received a banisher for his thanks that blasted him across the yard and into a coroners van. Harry ignored the rest and tore open the body bag what he saw inside made him vomit. The sight of a man torn in half and burnt to a crisp letting out a smell that reminded him of over cooked chicken.
The other officers had drawn batons when one of their own was blasted of his feet but didn't charge the kid. One of their own had been attacked in her home and now had a dead husband and a traumatized daughter as well as the first two officers on the scene had been cut down, one cut in half like Dan Granger and the other had a fist size hole in his chest, stomach and thigh. With emotions running at boiling point the situation was close to turning more bloody as Harry tore open the other two bags and then made to search the house completely ignoring everything around him.
Going in the house was something the cops weren't going to allow, the standoff between the police and Harry was about to get very bloody when Sarah rushed in and grabbed Harry pulling him back as she tried to calm him down. Harry had struggled for a few moments before he finally gave up and sunk to the ground crying. By the time Sarah had Harry completely calm the rest of the team arrived led by Jacob carrying an inspectors badge with a bull shit story.
For the rest of summer break Harry and the team was on a seek and destroy mission, Bellatrix black had killed a score of people since her escape and now she was being hunted by the best. Sadly for all of the training his team possessed, tracking, counter terrorism, information gathering, sniper, demolition and power of magic, they couldn't find Bellatrix or Sirius. Listening to police scanners all over the country and checking into ever violent crime were the death could have been magical had proven pretty useless in finding the Blacks but at least they caught an innocent death eater by the name of Richard Crabbe. The vile man had set a fire at a muggle orphanage and tried to use the confusion to steal children, a bullet from the team's sniper sent the man to hell without a chance to bribe his way to freedom. That was their only victory in the search, by the end of August the team had taken to throwing darts at a map of London and checking out the area.
Worst of all for Harry was the fact that he hadn't been able to find Hermione no matter how hard he tried. Letters were returned unopened; the precinct where Emma worked was in paranoia mode and not giving Harry any answers or willing to pass a letter to her to give to Hermione. The police were in lock down about where the Granger family was hiding and not even Jacobs connections were getting them anywhere, the one ray of hope that kept Harry going was a seven word note delivered to him by courier from Emma that simply read, 'Hermione will see you on the train.'
It was now September first, five AM in the morning and Harry was where he was like every year on the first day of Hogwarts. Listening to droning on about procedures and plans while he hears what he always hears before he leaves for breakfast and a train ride to battle, watch listen and observe but stay under the radar at all costs.
The general stood and turned to Harry, "Alright lad we are now moving to faze two of project Nexus." This got Harry to perk up and listen more intently, "You have gathered enough intelligence from the shadows and now it's time to take the reins of leadership from those who keep the established order with in the school. To do this you need to show them your real power by giving the Kings judgment to Sirius and Bellatrix Black and making sure all know it was you."
The grin on Harry's face couldn't have been wider as he listened to the General hand out his orders; of course his next words wiped the grin from Harry's face. "I also have two more missions for you. First I want you to begin building your own army of soldiers trained by you and loyal to the crown and second I need you to break in the headmasters office and snoop around discover what he is up to." If that wasn't enough to kill Harry's happy the follow up words sure did, "I expect results with your next report."
Four day, four fucking days, Harry wanted to scream that was impossible. "Yes sir," Harry offered instead as his mind went through everything he knew about wards and dismantling them. Harry wasn't worried he would think of something, a secret agent always thinks of something.
From there the meeting went as usual endless reports about the failed attempts to create magic using quantum mechanics and new ways to manipulate energy had Harry ready to go into a coma from boredom. More plans were discussed and vetoed just as quickly, as a tactical member of the team Harry could usually only follow about one out of every ten words said by the research team. Sense Harry usually zoned this part of the conversation out and busied himself with scratching Scruffy behind the ears; at least Scruffy seemed to be paying attention to the meeting.
After three and half hours of briefing Harry was finally dismissed from the meeting allowing him and Sarah the time to make it to train with an hour and a half to spare. Personally Sarah would have liked to stop for a bit to eat but Harry wanted to make sure Hermione could find him easily so he wanted to stake out the entrance to the platform.
So for an hour Sarah stood around and enjoyed a coffee and a box of donuts while Harry walked back and forth his mind was a whirl of emotions. It was actually kind of funny as Scruffy walked the opposite direction yet always turned at the same time as Harry so they could keep crossing paths in front of Sarah. Harry was so focused on trying to say the right thing he never noticed the two women who walked up to him.
"Ow god Emma I'm so sorry." Sarah gushed as she ran over hugged her friend.
Emma returned the hug with equal intensity as she took a bit of strength from her friend, the scars were still fresh but she was tired of tears and her daughter needed her to be strong even if she wasn't feeling it at the moment. "I will be ok. Hermione has been taking it really hard but I am sure she will be fine."
While the women talked as mothers Harry and Hermione jumped head first into the fun to watch courtship dance called, 'Sorry your dads dead, so how do I ask you out with looking like an ass.' "Hi Hermione how are you feeling, you know with everything." Harry asked hesitantly.
"My dad is dead and an insane mass murderer is after me how would you feel." Hermione snapped back in anger.
"Well my mom and dad are dead and several insane mass murderers are after me," Harry snapped back almost instantly regretting it.
It wasn't anger that made Hermione snap at Harry, at least she was not angry at Harry, she just needs someone to lash out at and a part of her knew Harry would let her. Instead of saying anything else Harry did exactly what Sarah told him to do, he stepped up to Hermione and gave her a hug. And Hermione did exactly what Sarah told him she would do.
Hermione pushed Harry away and slapped him. Doing the right thing and following his instinct were running against each other both trying to make Harry do what they thought was right, Harry stood there and took the slap making no move to defend himself. A lack of reaction made Hermione see red, she balled up her fist and punched Harry in the chest, and Hermione hit Harry repeatedly as she let out a scream of rage. Harry took every hit and stepped into and pulled Hermione back into a hug, she wanted him to hate her so he wouldn't have to die for her, but Harry wouldn't let her go. Hermione burnt through her rage quickly once she couldn't get loose, her screams of rage turned to sobs of pain as she finally began to let go.
A thirteen year old girl having a violent melt down had drawn more than a few stares as well as the station security. A flash of the badge from Emma had people looking the other way and going back to embracing ignorance is bliss.
Because of the melt down Harry and Hermione made it on to the train with a few minutes to spare but it didn't matter as Slytherin kept a carriage empty for Harry. A few of the Slytherins looked like they wanted to argue but held their tongues at the sight of a muggleborn in their area. The large scruffy dog growling at anyone who looked at Hermione wrong may also have been the reason, but it was the article in that mornings Daily Prophet that had truly put some fear into these people.
Well most of them at least.
Harry pulled out a couple books for him and Hermione before tossing both bags on to the racks. Hermione took her book with a smile and sat back in her usual seat against the window with her feet propped up. Harry's spot was next to Hermione with her legs draped across his while her legs made a good book rest. Lying across the other bench seat was Scruffy fast asleep.
It seemed Harry was more popular than usual this year as many people walked past and looked at him like he was an animal in the zoo. After the tenth person looked in on him Hermione had to ask what was going on.
"Harry what is going on?" Harry was a bit surprised she noticed as she was busy reading her runes book and memorizing runes by the way her lips moved sounding every word out.
"Huh." Harry asked as he was a bit distracted watching Hermione's lips move as she sounded out the runes.
Hermione just pointed at the people walking past. In response Harry handed her today's copy of the Daily Prophet for her to read.
Dark Lord Potter: A shake up in the ranks
Written by: Rita Skeeter
Hello my Ravenous readers do I have a scoop for you. We all remember the vicious murder of Mark Wetherby a curse breaker for Gringotts who was defending his families honor and paid the ultimate price, his life and the disillusionment of his family's name. What many consider a duel of honor was really a calculated strike by a rising dark lord to bring our world to its knees. Yes my readers I have uncovered a plot of the blackest order.
Through my diligent efforts I have uncovered that Sirius Black the mass murderer and betrayer is Harry Potter's godfather. Can it be any coincidence that Harry Potter challenged the Wetherby clan on the cusp of the break out of his godfather and his cousin the same week, a duel that drew much of the ministries attentions allowing the terrible duo of escapees to grow stronger and unleash their destructive wrath. But that is not the worst of it!
My interviews of several students have led me to the startling truth that the future Lord Potter is using Bellatrix Black as a weapon to destroy his enemies. Yes it is true! Neville Longbottom the future Lord Longbottom has lost his grandmother Augusta Longbottom to the vicious bitch Bellatrix who also destroyed Frank and Alice Longbottom with the cruciatus curse long ago. As well as Michael Wallace a fifth year Gryffindor prefect who was secretly investigating Harry Potter, this is a exert from his notes 'If Harry was a good person then why would he be in Slytherin house' another exert, 'We had set up an ambush for Harry the previous night to discover what he is up to but a group of Slytherin students had almost caught us, obviously on his orders.' Two of the fifteen that were killed in his loyal followers assault on the ministry.
There is more. At the end of his second year several students witnessed an argument between Harry Potter and Hermione Granger where Harry physically abused his longtime girlfriend. My sources tell me the altercation began because Mister Potter had decided his rather plain but kind hearted Girlfriend Hermione Granger a second year Ravenclaw muggleborn had refused to have sexual relations with him. Is it any wonder that Bellatrix would attack her over the summer killing her father and almost killing her as well? I am sure everyone out there will agree with me that this poor misguided girl should be kept safe from her violent and abusive boyfriend and more importantly why have the teachers allowed this to happen without doing something.
All I can say is when will the ministry step in and do something to keep our children safe from the obviously dangerous boy. You keep reading and I promise I will keep digging to find the truth.
"What a loud of crap." Hermione yelled as she threw the paper across the cabin and sat there with her arms folded and pouted. Harry sat there patiently and kept his hand hidden and counted down, when he got to one Hermione exploded, "That that bitch. You can't be blamed because Bellatrix came after me and besides we are not even dating... yet." Hermione mumbled the last bit under her breath before she continued, "And besides I was laughing and giggling the entire time I was telling you to stop. For god sakes you were tickling me not beating me, stupid, I swear I am going to find out who said that and beat them up myself." By now Harry could tell she was building up for a full rant and he also knew he should cut her off but when she got this way it was just too damn sexy watching her turn in to take charge woman, "I am going to find that woman and shove her quill right up her nose, then you know what I am going to do."
At this point Hermione was yelling and the entire train could probably hear her so Harry decided to distract her, "Hey Hermione would you like to go a date with me to Hogsmead."
It was an impressive sight, hell it was probably the only time someone had ever seen Hermione Granger speechless. To bring her out of it Harry reached out and cupped Hermione's cheek like he did two years ago and kissed her softly on the lips, it was soft and gentle and full of promises that one made with their actions not their words. With his other hand Harry pulled out a simple platinum band with the Potter crest and presented it to Hermione, "Hermione you are my best friend and I love you, please except my promise ring and know that I will always be at your side."
The promise ring was a pureblood tradition where the boy gave the girl a simple platinum band that would always shine brightly as long as the boy was faithful. Other than that it didn't require marriage down the line but it was a sign to all that the girl in question was spoken for.
Hermione let out a sequel of joy and jumped into Harry's arms. She had happy tears in her eyes as she hugged Harry tight, "Yes yes yes." Hermione screamed in joy as she held out her hand for Harry to place the ring on. Once the ring was on her finger a duplicate ring appeared on his letting all the ladies know he was spoken for as well. Unfortunately her screams of yes had reached a good half of the train and drawn several prefects and the gossip girls who were already getting the scoop out.
When they arrived the prefects looked inside and several sharply looked away at the sight they saw. Hermione was sitting on Harry's lap and screaming happily as continued to bounce up and down while Harry held her tight. Headboy Percy forced his way into the room and pulled his wand, his time to make Harry Potters life hell had finally come, being caught having sex on the train would see him in detention for the rest of the year and Percy would be seen as a hero for beating the bastard.
Unfortunately plans are like Ronald no name; they seldom survive first contact with the enemy. Percy forced open the door with a violent shove that shattered the glass as he stormed in the room and went for his wand, a really bad idea. The moment the door flew open Harry was on his feet, in a single fluid moment he spun around depositing Hermione on the bench seat and flung out his hand and summoned the attacker's wand in to his hand. Another of Alastor 'the bastard' Moody's creepy ass golden rules came it to play here, a wand is only dangerous in the hands of the enemy, Harry really needed to thank the old bastard for all his help.
By now Percy was pissed as he watched Harry twirl his wand between his fingers. For a moment he thought about grabbing for the wand but discounted the idea quickly, William had died because he was too overconfident. Instead he went to use his power as Headboy to get even with Potter. "Potter that will be fifty points from Slytherin for hexing your Headboy and three months of detention for both of you for engaging in highly inappropriate behavior."
Harry stood there and leveled Percy with a stare that would scare most anyone while Hermione blanched white at the thought of having to write home to her mom and dad about getting into trouble for the first time. The mere thought of her father had her in tears again and this time not so happy.
Fortunately for Percy, Harry cared more about Hermione then beating him into the ground. Before her emotions could overwhelm her Hermione felt a soothing feeling as Harry grabbed her hand. Throughout it all Harry never took his eyes off of Percy and remained completely calm to all outward appearance though his voice was the only sign at all that he was pissed, "Listen up Percy, I know that your brain is made up mostly of overstuffed food made by your mother and an inferiority complex from your father but I think it would benefit you to remember your manners." The other prefects broke out into laughter as Harry tore into Percy.
"Listen Potter, I am Headboy Percival Prewitt and I know what I saw you and your slut doing and it is against school rules." Behind Percy the other prefects blanched at Percy's casual insult of a young woman who had just lost her family and with a boyfriend who was rumored to be in league with Bellatrix.
If Percy hadn't made it bad enough by insulted the girlfriend of one of the most powerful and politically connected young wizards in all of Europe he was about to, "Alright Granger come forward we need evidence to take to the headmaster," Hermione stood up and stepped around Harry looking ready to rabbit, her tear soaked face and down trodden expression was probably the saddest sight Headgirl Penelope Clearwater had ever seen.
"Alright Granger now removes you're..." Percy never got to finish his order when a fist hit him in the nose and knocked him back into the crowd starting to form.
Standing over him was Ms. Clearwater her fist clinched, her face full of fury and more than a little spittle frothing from her mouth as she looked ready to kill. Even Harry was scared of her; her voice was filled with menace as she glared at her soon to be ex-boyfriend depending on his next few words. "First Mister Potter gives me Mister Percival's wand and then every male will exit this cabin in three seconds or they will lose everything that hangs between their legs."
Every man in the cabin and the corridor froze for a moment in fear for their best friend. When Penelope held up three fingers and screamed out, "Now." A mad rush to escape was the call to order as Harry Percy and the other male prefects rushed at the door. One unfortunate soul was still in the cabin when Penelope got to one and turned around, the young man screamed as Penelope took a step towards him and passed out. Harry was the brave soul who pulled the young man to safety.
With all of the boys gone Penelope turned back to Hermione and went from pissed off woman to supportive older sister, something she had done many times for the younger girls in Ravenclaw. Penny took a seat across from Hermione and gave the other three prefects with her a subtle hand signal that had them pulling out wands and throwing up a silencing and obscuring ward.
"Hermione honey," Penny began. It wasn't an easy question to ask and god only knows how many times that charlatan media whore has lied to sell a story, but her mother always told even a fool can find the truth on occasion. "I know you care about Harry but if he is hurting you or making you do things you're not ready for then you need to tell me."
It was only the fact the Penny had asked with genuine concern that kept Hermione from losing her cool. It took Hermione a few tries but she managed to not sound hysterical or angry, "Harry is great and he asked me to be his girl. Harry really cares about me and has never hurt me, last year we were, that's Harry and I were out enjoying a wonderful summer day by the lake when Harry got that look in his eyes and next thing I know I am in the air being tickled and Harry is carrying me into the lake." At this point Hermione had developed a far off look as she sighed at the memory washed over her. "Harry was all wet and with the water making his chest glisten in the sun while his strong arms held me close keeping me safe." Now every girl sighed wishing Harry was older or there was more the one of him at least.
Penny sat back and wanted to believe her but truly nice guys in a world dominated by men who considered women and muggleborns beneath them was a rare thing. In her opinion they were none existent. "Alright honey, but if you ever need to talk come to me. Now tell us so how big is Harry's wand by the way?" With the inquiry done it was time to gossip.
Meanwhile Harry stood outside the cabin and rolled a coin between his fingers as he waited. It wasn't too bad a place to wait and it wasn't like it was the first time he had been forced to wait for long periods of time, hell he had been on surveillance assignments that involved him sitting in a van and watching a building for twelve hours straight only to record everyone who entered or exited. Falling back on an old stand by while they waited Harry asked, "So anyone catch the Manchester game on the radio last night." All three purebloods looked at Harry a little confused and went back to waiting.
After a half hour had passed Penny finally walked out of the cabin and offered Harry a rather seductive wink. One of the prefects blew Harry a kiss while the other a Slytherin seventh year whispered in to Harry's ear before she left, whatever she told him had Harry blushing bright red and wondering if that was even physically possible. After Harry closed the door to the cabin and got his blush a little more under control he just had to ask what was with the look he got, girl talk was Hermione's only response.
"So, where were we," Harry asked trying to be suave as he walked up to Hermione.
That was a bad idea. Hermione understood Harry was trying to be serious and it was really cute but after getting grilled for half an hour about every facet of Harry and she just couldn't help it. It started with a chuckle and a grin that she tried to cover with her hand then Harry gave her a puppy dog look that had her rolling with laughter. When Harry huffed and glared at Hermione it was just way too much, "I'm sorry." Hermione began as she tried to stop laughing but it wasn't happening soon Harry got caught in the joke and began to laugh as well.
Once the laughter subsided Harry sat down beside Hermione and put his arm around shoulder. "So..." Harry began as he leaned in closer to Hermione to give his girlfriend her first official kiss as her boyfriend. Hermione was still blushing as she leaned closer to Harry to kiss him as well when again the cabin door opened.
It seems that no matter what certain things and people would never be smart enough to just shut up. "Hey Potter it's about time you taught your mudblood where she belongs and what she's good for." Draco would forever be one of those people.
The reference to where she belongs was obviously as Hermione was sitting on the floor and what she was good for was pretty easy to understand as well as the article made it sound like Hermione was just a piece of property for Harry to use as he saw fit. What Hermione didn't understand was what possible level over inbreeding could make Draco dumb enough to insult her right in front of Harry.
With everything that had happened recently Draco was feeling good about himself and considering the fact his slurs were against Hermione and not Harry, Draco was following the letter of his father threat to not antagonize Harry if not the spirit of what was told him. While Harry had only defended himself the past two years at school and never raised to any provocation Draco had always taken it as a sign of weakness and not self-control. The one major problem with Draco's argument was Harry was under orders to remain calm and not to stand out, until now that is.
Supported by his back up, Crabbe the idiot and new head of the Crabbe family, Theodore 'short as his temper' Nott, the newest member of the Slytherin whores Pansy Parkinson and oddly enough a very pretty first year who didn't even try to be intimidating and kind of took the bluster out of the group when she stepped forward and offered her hand to Hermione.
"Hi, I am Astoria Greengrass soon to be first year Slytherin and it is a pleasure to meet you." The friendly greeting and kind looks from the perky young girl made Harry smile while Hermione just extended her hand to shake the younger girl's hand.
In the spirit of Politeness Hermione made introductions, "Hi I'm...um Hermione Granger and this is my boyfriend Harry Potter." The hesitation at saying her name was only slight but Harry still picked up on it. Was there a connection that he was missing on the attack against Hermione's family, it was a small thing but any clue could be that one clue that helps so he planned on putting the geek squad on it in his next report?
Seeing as Hermione was so nice and Harry was making no move to make her leave Astoria took it as an offer to continue. Astoria grabbed Draco by the arm and pulled him close to her, she looked at him with more love and devotion then he probably ever had seen from his own family, "Well I just wanted to be nice and say hello and tell everyone the good news about mine and Draciepoo's betrothal. Well it's been fun maybe we can be friends, bye." The cute whirl of energy that has always been known as Astoria Greengrass led Draciepoo away so she could meet the rest of her school mates.
"By Draciepoo." Harry and Hermione called out in tandem.
The look of pure loathing on Draciepoo's face was even more comical standing next to the petite girl with the infectious smile. Hermione pulled her knees up to her chest as she leaned into Harry's side and broke into giggles again; Harry quickly put a stop to that by pressing a finger to her lips. They had already been an hour and half into the ride and every time Harry tried to kiss his new girlfriend something had interfered, not wanting to risk fate Harry leaned in to capture a kiss.
"Hey Potter you think you're so special because you killed my brother. Had you fought him fair like a proper wizard he would have killed you and I would have had all new stuff." Predictably fate decided to cock block Harry again making damn sure the next spell he learn above all others was a proper privacy spell, the kind that locks and silences as well as obscures a room.
"Well Ronny," Harry began.
"There is no such thing as a fair fight." Hermione finished for Harry.
As usual a logical argument went right over Ron's head especially considering he was backed up by his friends who thanks to the Profit believe Ron to be the victim. Ron opened his mouth to counter back with an argument but was running out of things to say, "Well just shut up mudblood, this is between me and Potter."
Before anyone could even blink Hermione had her wand in hand and ready to curse Ronald. The tip of her wand was glowing brightly as Hermione patiently waited for Ron to draw his own wand. After a few moments of checking his cloak pockets Ron remembered he now kept his wand in a holster that his brother Bill gave him for training before it was determined that Ron was not good enough to win a fight.
Ron flicked his wrist a little too hard so his wand nearly jumped past his hand. Once he had it righted, Harry flicked his finger at Ron and sent his wand flying out of his hand only to be caught by Scruffy when the dog thought they were playing fetch. Ron made his next mistake when he tried to grab the wand from the dogs mouth, Scruffy growled and bit down on the wand in his mouth forcing him to let go or risk having snapped by the dog's powerful jaws.
"Give me back my wand... dog." It was rather funny watching Ron give an order to a dog and expect him to understand. Certainly Scruffy could always understand Harry in the past but Harry could also recognize the funny look in his eyes whenever he played a prank on Sarah. Stealing Sarah's bikini top while she sun bathes or sneak into her room while she is changing or grab her bathrobe when she gets out of the shower, the more Harry thought about it the more he relieved about ninety percent of Scruff's pranks involved seeing Sarah naked. Shaking that disturbing thought from his head Harry turned back to the matter at hand
Before Harry could say anything Scruffy bound from the room with Ron's wand in his mouth, Ron and his pack of Gryffindorks fell to the ground and screamed as the dog jumped over them and ran off down the train. "Damn it Potter tell your dog to give my wand back." Ron ordered Harry which sounded more like a whine.
"Sorry Ronny not my dog." A good way to deal with the idiot was already forming in Harry's mind as he spun the tale, "Yeah he was just sitting in here and we joined him seemed so much better company then what we usually get."
Ron ran from the cabin chasing after the dog and totally not understanding that he was just the butt of another pot shot from Harry. Personally Harry actually like the Weasel, sure he was a sniveling coward and probably only advanced each year by the sheer grace of Dumbledore but every hero needs a disposable utterly useless side kick whose sole skill was entertaining the hero and his girl until it was time to throw him into the path of a bullet so he can have his moment before he dies. "God my inner monolog has gotten a bit jaded," Harry mumbled to himself only to notice Hermione was giving him an odd look.
Harry just waved it off as the door opened again.
For the next few hours dozens of people stopped by to say hi to the couple, most of them were Hermione's friends. The odd Slytherin would stop by and congratulate Harry on his duel against Weasel even if Harry killed the wrong Weasel; considering another blood traitor was dead they were still happy. Mostly the visitors were there to gab with Hermione about dating the boy who lived; apparently the negative aspects of the article were quickly washed over.
The sun had finally set by the time Harry and Hermione were finally alone, Hogwarts was less the two hours away and Hermione was in her usual spot for the last leg of the trip on the bench with her head resting on Harry's jacket while Harry sat back on Hermione's trunk and ran his fingers through her hair while Harry read the government file on the new teacher, a Remus Lupin.
Lupin's file was an interesting read to be sure; unlike most of his kind he wasn't on the kill on site list in fact he was on the reserved judgment list that gave Harry the latitude to decide his fate. His entire file was pretty short in comparison to most purebloods that were turned in to werewolves and resorted to crime in the muggle world to survive; it was a bit of a necessity for the government as putting a werewolf in general population in prison on the night of the full moon. While it was true Remus had a few questionable associations in his past it was nothing to serious. Oddly enough a search of public records revealed a connection to Harry, two months before Lily Potter had died she had a will written and notarized giving full legal custody of her son to Remus in the event of her death.
This fact more than any other fact put Harry on the fence about the man he would meet in a few hours, it would be easy to hate the man for never coming to him but could Harry truly expect the man cursed like he was to provide for a child when he could barely hold down a place to live or a job. As much as Harry wanted to ignore it and deal with his own problems he knew that this was one thing that he needed to resolve. It was part of growing of growing up like Sarah always told him, 'A man is someone who knows how to forgive.'
"So," Harry began as he gave Hermione a mischievous look. "We are finally alone."
Hermione looked equally mischievous as she leaned in closer to Harry and tilted her head just so as she closed her eyes, Harry mimicked her every reaction as he leaned closer to Hermione. Their lips were barely a breath apart when fate gave Harry a kick to the crotch he wouldn't forget.
The train gave a sudden lurch that sent Hermione flying into Harry and knocking both of them to the ground; Hermione's incredibly filled head smacked Harry in the nose hard enough to break it as Harry was nice enough to brake her fall. Across the train many people were in similar states of injury.
A loud grunt of anger was the only outward sign that Harry was pissed off. If fate wanted to fuck with Harry Potter then Harry Potter was going to fuck up fate. It was only the rage burning in Harry that was keeping the chills from effecting him and was about to have him walk into a fight he never expected to have.
"Harry." Hermione's soft voice came out in a timid way that surprised him, "look."
Harry followed Hermione's glance to the windows of the train. Every pane of glass was covered in a thick frost, Harry stepped forward and ran his fingers over the glass, and it was frozen solid. "Maybe a glacier spell designed to keep the train in one place," Harry mussed aloud as he stripped of his heavy coat and slid it around Hermione's shoulders to keep her warm.
"Listen Hermione," Harry began as he pulled out his pistol and made sure it was loaded and properly cleaned. "This maybe an attack from bitchy and seriously. Stay here and seal the door until I return I want to check this out."
Hermione looked like she wanted to say something but she just nodded her head and drew her wand. As Harry stepped out and closed the door every fiber of her being was screaming at her to tell Harry the truth about her parents to warn him about the danger he was walking in to. She wanted to tell him but she was too scared he would tell her to get lost and it was just too terrifying to be alone again after all she had suffered.
Harry stepped out of the cabin and made his way cautiously down the corridor, the strange frost on the windows in his cabin was also on the windows in the main passageway down the train. This told Harry he was looking for both of the Blacks if they hit the train from both sides at the same time. Only a few brave souls stuck their heads out of the doors of their cabin only to quickly duck back in at the sight of Harry Potter moving down the corridor with a look on his face that brook no arguments.
First immobilizing the train and then obscuring the view from the outside was a strategy that he would have done if he was hitting a target on the train. What confused Harry about the situation was the fact that Bellatrix didn't seem the type to care about collateral damage, what he expected was for her to hit the train carriages with repeated heavy blasting curses then AK anyone still twitching and call it a day. If she was going through all this trouble to avoid killing then she was obviously following someone's orders and any person that could keep that crazy ass bitch in line was someone Harry had no intention of fighting fair.
Every step filled Harry with an equal part fear and anger, memories of his past filled Harry with fear over some of things he had done. The same memories that made Harry afraid also filled him with rage, angry with himself for even questioning his mission and his beliefs. The whimpering fools barricaded in the cabins filled Harry with even more rage, what did any of these pampered and spoiled cowards know about real fear.
The more Harry moved down the corridor the more the memories seemed to take on a life of their own, every window Harry passed he could feel eyes on him. Out of the corner of his eye Harry could see movement beyond the frosted windows every time he tried to make out the shape it was gone. Harry had just placed his hand on the door and began to slide it open when suddenly a scream came from the end of the corridor.
Harry rushed down the corridor, making it just in time as a hunched over black cloaked figure tore open the door to the cabin he and Hermione shared. Harry rushed into the room ignoring Hermione's screams and grabbed the cloaked figure around the waist with one arm and threw the tattered cloaked figure out of the cabin with a strength born of hatred like he had never felt before. Spinning Harry thrust his pistol into the cloaked figures face and fired, three shots rang throughout the train like thunder causing many to scream as the cloaked figure slammed against the window of the train with enough force to shatter the glass.
Feeling confident Harry holstered his pistol and walked up to the cloaked figure and sneered at it, reaching forward Harry grabbed the hood of the cloak to see the face of his kill and asked, "Now which one are you...fuck." Harry shouted in surprise as the cloaked figure grabbed the front of his shirt and threw Harry the length of the train corridor.
Harry hit the door twenty feet away from the dementor and crumbled to the ground. The one up side was the dementor was not focused on Hermione any longer, the down side now Harry had a really pissed off demon that had never in the recorded history of magic ever been killed looking at him and looking really pissed off.
Moving like a shadow of death the specter rushed down the corridor faster than a man could blink. Harry had just made it back to his feet when a clawed hand pinned him against the door and lifted him off the ground. Icy cold breath blew across Harry's face chilling him to the bone as pale skin stretched tight over bone leaned in closer ready to give Harry the kiss. Desperation gripped his heart as death pulled closer to him, reaching down deep Harry found the strength to tighten his fist and slammed his fist into the creatures face.
The dementor reared back at the blow to his jaw. Before the dementor could fight back Harry slammed his fist into the dementor's face again. The force of the blow forced the dementor to drop Harry to the ground as it stumbled back a step.
"Kiss this bitch," Harry screamed and jumped up and grabbed the overhead bar then slammed the dementor in the jaw with his knee knocking the beast into a wall. Still hanging Harry snapped a heel kick into the dementor's head slamming the dementor in the wall with enough force to dent the wall. Again and again Harry slammed the dementor in to the wall making it screech in pain, the creature rocked back and forth on its feet from the beating. It might be a well-known fact that most magic had no effect and no weapon made by man could harm them but dementor's were extremely weak creatures with a fragile hold on their corporeal bodies.
The screams of the dementor continued as Harry beat the creature with the power of rage protecting him from the creature's greatest weapon its freezing aura of fear. Soon more screams sounded as more dementors heard the call of their brethren in trouble.
Without thinking Harry grabbed the dementor by the chain of its cloak clasp and pulled hard in an attempt to throw it out of the train. The dementor made a single attempt to claw at Harry in its fear its attack went wide when the clasp snapped in Harry's hand. Once the chain broke the dementor became as light as air by the time it hit the glass the only thing remaining was the cloak it wore.
"Nice," Harry said out loud as he picked up the cloak. The dementor seemed to have disappeared once the chain had broken, banished back to hell where it belonged for the time being. It was the true secret to their power; the dementor was created by an old wizard who tried to banish nightmares from the minds of the insane. The ritual had worked perfectly; the nightmares had been forced from the minds of the twelve men and women in the circle. Of course before the man could finish his happy dance the nightmares took shape in the forms of twelve wraiths that formed into one. The towering monstrosity grabbed the terrified wizard and pulled him into the circle and removed his soul turning him in to the first dementor from there the dementor king took the souls of every man woman and child on the island asylum, forever creating Azkaban island. The kings loyal servants could only survive on the material plane with a special garment created by the souls they took imbued in the garments of the nuns who worked on the island treating the patients if the chain was ever broke then the dementor would return to the minds of men.
Ignorant of the enemy he had just made Harry repaired the clasp and tossed the cloak over his shoulders and snapped into place. The bitter cold that rolled off the cloak vanished once Harry had the cloak clipped in to place; the silver cross that hung from the clasp was aged and tarnished but made of a style that hadn't been seen in over two hundred years. Supremely happy with himself Harry had just turned around when he found himself almost face to face with another dementor.