Author's Note: I do not own Harry Potter
It was with a sense of relief when Harry breached the portal, with the sights, smells, and sounds of Platform 9 ¾'s infiltrating his senses and flooding his system. 'Finally... I'm coming home.'
There was much to be excited about, and not just for the thrill of being able to practice magic freely once more. A smile lit up his face like a firework – Angelina had spotted him, Fay, who she was speaking to, turning and seeing him too.
"Harry! Over here!"
A part of Harry missed the shy, silent girl he met almost 2 years ago, but as much as he had changed, so had his friends, and he wouldn't alter it for a single thing.
He trundled his trolley, Hedwig now pride of place atop his trunk, towards his two friends. Unfortunately, the offer of Auror protection was restricted to him moving solo within Diagon Alley. He was irritated by the gilded cage but realised that his then-current state of imprisonment was far greater for him than residing at Privet Drive. Unfortunately, that meant that he was unable to receive guests, and therefore could not see his friends, much to his consternation.
"Angie, Fay," his tone was perky, and he slid easily into their hugs, to some surprise, as he willingly moved his arms around their bodies in a receptive manner. "I missed you guys."
"What's this about not being on the team, Harry?" Angelina ribbed. "I've already had to deal with Oliver moaning about it."
Fay had kept her arm around Harry's shoulder, as she grinned broadly at the return of her best friend.
"Well," Harry began, rubbing the back of his neck in slight nervousness, "I've actually got a plan for that, which I think Oliver would be okay with."
Angelina hummed, the corner of her lip twitching. "If you say so, Harry. You better win England the Cup if that's the case."
"I do believe there are rumours of you being pulled from Tutshill too, Mr Potter." The voice was unfamiliar and possessed a light, Scottish lilt similar in inflection to Fay's.
He turned to see a man and a woman approaching them, to which Fay quickly slid her arm away from his person and moved slowly towards them.
"Mum, Dad, this is Harry. Harry, these are my parents."
"Er, a pleasure, Mr Dunbar. Mrs Dunbar." He stood in place, fidgeting as the mood became slightly awkward. "And, yes, they want me to focus on the Cup before everything else."
"Well," began Fay's mother, smiling tightly as she elbowed her husband's frown away. "I can only hope that you do your nation proud.
It hit him suddenly, and he wanted to laugh out loud. The woman had an obvious Cornish dialect and must, therefore, be a supporter of his team. However, Mr Dunbar was a Scot, and though they had managed to best England in their second qualifying match, they were still out of the running, for now, to move on to the final 16's match-ups.
Harry's mood lightened, and bid a fair farewell, shaking the Dunbar's hands. He gratefully thanked Angelina for helping him lift his luggage through the train door and turned to the family.
"It was a pleasure meeting you."
"Of course, Harry," Mrs Dunbar said, "I'm sure we'll see more of you at some point. Fay here does write about you quite often."
"Mum!" her daughter squawked, while her husband simply grunted.
Harry shook his head, smiling, "We'll find a compartment Fay, come find us when you're ready."
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"Um, Fred, George, is there a particular reason we're in a cabin with some guy?"
Harry had to admit, Angelina's question was a valid one, though he was joyful at seeing the Weasley twins once more.
"Ah, ickle Seekerkins," Harry groaned good-naturedly at this, "Tis always good to see you."
"Of course it is Fred, to see his highness of the golden ball. Such an honour." George bowed low.
"Right you are, dear brother, a true honour." Harry giggled when Fred joined his twin.
"Come on you two, sit down and shut up." Fay joined the group, followed by Neville, Alicia, and finally, Katie.
Harry sat back, next to the man sharing the cabin with them, watching ruefully while his friends waved their goodbyes to their families. "So, why are we in this compartment?"
Fred sat down as the station disappeared from sight, careful not to jostle the bench too much. Ginny, refusing to make eye contact, was sat in the compartment with them, and he could see her scratching at her arms while she stared at the ugly scar adorning his own.
"I'm going, to... go find Luna," she squeaked. Harry hoped she was okay. He had written her in the summer, and she had reciprocated in kind; she, it turned out with no physical meetings, was a fiery, kind, girl who was quite easy to get on with.
Fred, pretending that that did not happen, began to answer Harry's question. "It was mum's idea," he griped. "Thought that with him in here we 'wouldn't get into as much trouble on the train.' Rubbish, if you ask me."
"Which we don't," Katie interrupted, shoving Fred away so she could pull Harry to her side.
"Which you don't." He blinked stupidly for a second as he registered what was said. "Hey!"
The conversation flowed like water in the compartment, though they remained at a sedate enough noise and energy so as not to wake the unknown man sharing the space with them. All of them noticed the change in Harry, now that they had had time away from him, and they collectively had feelings of pride at the new confidence he was exerting that was the opposite of the Harry they once knew.
"I'm telling you," Fay spoke as she chewed on a chocolate frog, "He must be the new Defence Professor."
"He doesn't look like much," Alicia said warily. "Besides, I don't think I can really name a single, competent teacher in that class."
"We can't judge him yet, we don't know him," Harry muttered to the group. Katie's hand was gently stroking his arm, letting him know that she was there for him. "He might be okay."
Katie nodded her head in agreement, "He is right. None of us can judge anybody by what they look like." The pressure increased in her ministrations, and she nestled Harry a little deeper into her side, but her gaze was on the man.
Harry felt like he wanted to put it out of his mind – the sky was darkening, and the air felt cold – as everything just started to feel wrong.
The lights flickered and the glass grew frosty. Harry unconsciously dragged his body closer to Katie's, pushing himself deep into her embrace as pure sorrow overtook his senses.
"K-Katie," he whispered desperately. His only response was to be pulled even tighter – her hands clawed at his shoulder and side, squeezing him in as close as she could. "W-w-what's going on?"
"Lumos. Everybody quiet." The man was awake, allowing Harry to get a good look at his shabby clothing, ragged looks, and scarred face. "Prepare yourselves."
The door slid open, the crack widening an inch at a time as pure silence enveloped the compartment.
The light seemed to vanish in an instant, but Harry could see it. It was as though a void had appeared in the gap, as the air around is shimmered with black light. A voice whispered in his ear, with words he could not recognise, from a voice he could not understand. He felt his body go slack, slipping forward to the floor, catching his knees as he prostrated before what was gliding into the cabin.
He tried to rise, and when he managed to finally see what was causing his distress, he wished he hadn't.
It was cloaked, hovering above the ground, and staring at it was as if he was viewing the beginning and the end blend together simultaneously. His eyes rolled back into his skull, pain flared in his head, his hand, and his arm. He hugged his torso tightly as the thing swept down to him; a gnarled, clawed hand grabbed his chin harshly, and a smell of rot smacked his nostrils viciously.
But the worse of it all was the feeling of complete hopelessness that trailed along with the creature holding him. His lungs emptied, and his breath quaked. Harry could feel his heart slow to a steady beat marching to a different drum. Visions of times gone swirled about him followed sharply by a sudden blast of the negativity permeating his essence. All ideas of any good vanished before it could form. He could feel himself tearing – though not painful, it erupted a notion of destruction inside.
He knew naught from whom the scream came. His throat ripped raw, as he was pulled and pushed yet not physically. The horror in his mind – a woman's death roar as 'not Harry, PLEASE not HARRY!' joined him. Numb though his body felt, the force came, bringing him into warmth, but the ice remained... tearing... tearing... he was being ripped in two! It was coming out! A spark – more – 'what would you sacrifice?'
He felt different. There was something wholly wrong now, as a bright light returned him back to the Hogwarts Express.
"Here, Harry, sit up. Eat. Eat up."
The voice was calm, soft, soothing. A silky flavour, sweet, topped his tongue. 'Chocolate.' He opened his mouth, trying to talk, but nothing came out. No sound, no croak, no... nothing.
"Rest, your friends will care for you. I need to see to the other students. It will be fine, Harry. I know you will be in safe hands."
All he could think of was the screams.
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It was a much calmer Harry that entered the Great Hall hours later. Katie and Fay hadn't let go of him – they kept him in their sights, witnessing him stare blankly off into space as they brought him back from the brink of whatever dread event he had endured.
The mocking was brutal the moment Draco Malfoy caught him.
"Fainted, did you, Potter," he guffawed childishly, "Once a coward, always a coward!"
Katie's grip on his hand was stopping his circulation, and blood dripped slowly down his hand as his own clawed into hers. The Circle tightened around him, placing him down gently at the Gryffindor table as they waited for McGonagall to return with the potential first years.
"Mr Potter, come with me," she had said to him the moment she spotted him enter the Entrance Hall. "Miss Bell and Miss Dunbar," she glanced at Harry, trapped in the two girls' vice-grip, "You may accompany us if that would please you."
Poppy Pomfrey was waiting in a side room, and the moment she saw him, she turned as white as a sheet. "Harry, here, now!"
Harry was pulled forcibly over to a hastily conjured bed, pushed down hard enough to lose contact with his girls, and within seconds, Poppy Pomfrey was speedily waving her wand about him, incantations spoken at a speed he'd never heard before.
"Dementors," she spat, a fury so palpable that even McGonagall had to take a step backward, though Harry was so out of it, and it didn't even register. "What happened? Word was sent over that you had an adverse reaction to one of those things but I need to know exactly what occurred." She was getting redder as the amount of magic she was exerting into his body was starting to take its toll.
"It...It came in the cabin. Harry... It went straight for him. Everything was so... cold." The tears came freely to Katie, the base of her palms rubbing at her eyes as she remembered what transpired. And the overwhelming guilt that sprung up at the fact that she did absolutely nothing to help him until the man – Lupin – did something to it. "Mr Lupin shot a big, white thing at it. He... he was the one who made sure Harry was okay. He gave him some chocolate too, said it would help."
"Hmm, looks like we have a competent one this year, Minerva," Pomfrey growled. Fay and Katie had never seen her so angry before.
"Will... will he be alright?" Fay squeaked.
"I can't be completely certain, but I think this may be enough to warrant the removal of those things from the grounds."
"Poppy?" Minerva stood rigid.
"I'm not specialised in any singular form of Healing. But I've treated Azkaban releases in the past during my Mungo days." Her wand stopped moving, and Harry appeared more peaceful. "How close did the Dementor get to him?"
Katie hesitated, unable to speak, so Fay was the one to answer. "Close. The thing touched him." She sounded hoarse, her speech raspy. "He looked... I don't know how to explain it. His screams-"Minerva had to run to Katie's side as she collapsed to the floor; the gulps of air and rattling breathing as her guilt finally overcame her forced her to the ground.
"Listen to me, Miss Bell, Katie, it'll be okay. Hush now child, hush now."
"I just sat there," she wailed. "I just... didn't move. Harry was suffering, I could feel it. The thing was... tearing him apart. His soul. I know what they do. And it was taking it. It was taking away my Harry!"
There was a snapping sound from behind as Lupin, Dumbledore, and Snape appeared at the door.
"Professor..." Lupin started.
"Severus, Lupin, care for the boy," his tone was calm, but the hurricane in his eyes belied the truth. "I must quickly attend to the Ministry." The air crackled, invisible lightning cracking the glass and raising the hairs on everyone's bodies.
Lupin waited hesitantly by the door, glancing at Harry's prone, but conscious form.
"Hnn, pathetic, Potter," Snape grunted. "Too much like his father. Has to be the centre of attention no matter what." His stride to the side of Harry's bed was quick and determined. He roughly grabbed the boy, receiving a startled yelp and a full-body cringe. "There is nothing wrong with you, boy. You think you are the first to be-"
He never got a chance to finish, as Remus Lupin and Minerva McGonagall had jointly drawn their wands and performed overpowered banishing charms to blast him across the room.
"Severus Snape!" she shouted. "How dare you! For too long I have listened to Albus! For too long I have turned a blind eye! But no longer. For not another second will I care for your deal!"
Lupin looked taken aback at the events going on, but internally he was ripping at his bindings; Snape was still the petty bully he once was, it seemed.
Poppy directed Katie over to Harry, their combined aura's soothing their emotions down to bearable levels. "We will remain here for the time being, if that is okay with you, Minerva. Harry needs to calm down. I have used some charms to that effect, but it may take some time to begin to function. He is lucky that it was only a brief connection, otherwise, the healing could take days or weeks, rather than hours. I am, however, afraid for his long term mental health."
"What do you mean, Madam?" Lupin asked, his wand still trained on a bleeding Snape, who was giving an evil glare to the room.
"Prolonged contact has been shown to have long-lasting effects, but Harry's response seems too strong. I fear that the creatures will be continuously drawn to him like moths to a flame. They have a taste of him now."
"I can do something about that," he returned. "Just let me sort something out with Professor Dumbledore, and I think there may be something I can do to help him."
"I... I feel a lot better now," came the meek voice from Harry's bed. "I just feel really tired."
Madam Pomfrey proceeded to pour an ungodly amount of potions down his throat before she okayed his release from the makeshift hospital, with promises that he would come see her daily for the next few weeks.
"Mr Potter, Harry, I need to keep seeing you to make sure that there will be no longstanding issues with what happened to you. How you described it... that was not a normal reaction."
But for now, Harry simply wanted to put it all out of his mind as he took in the later than normal sorting ceremony. As he, Katie, and Fay had walked in late together, the Hall rightly assumed that their growing hunger was their fault. Positive attention was a fickle mistress it appeared, as they collectively forgot what was endured the previous year. Yet there were only minor grumblings shown audibly, as even the dumbest of them could see how ill he looked.
Of course, Draco Malfoy and the rest of his cronies had to add in their consummate opinions; any gripes faltered instantly when they saw a dishevelled and beaten-looking Severus Snape enter the Hall to sit at the staff table, quickly followed by a furious Dumbledore.
Harry was wedged between Fay and Katie, with Ginny opposite, sandwiched amid her brothers. Each one of the Circle clapped heartily when a new Gryff entered the Lion's Den, with Harry's demeanour becoming more and more like the norm as each nervous face lit up from each student's cheer.
By the end of the feast, where Harry filled his plate to the shock of many, enjoying the tantalising flavour and odour of the culinary masterpieces before him, Harry was back to his normal self, albeit slightly more pale if that was even possible.
"Now that we have enjoyed the broth of delight, and our bellies are full, I would like to make a couple of announcements to end our night. Once more I have been asked, and shall fulfil the request, to let you all know that the list of banned items shall be found within Mr Filch's office. It has increased by a few this year, so please, be up to date in such matters." Harry caught the sly look he sent to the grinning Weasley twins. "Also the Forbidden Forest must remain such, forbidden, especially this year.
"The Ministry of Magic has deemed it necessary for the stationing of Dementors this year in light of recent events. I implore you now. Do not go near. Do not attempt to communicate. They are not your friends. They are not your allies." His face took a pained look, and once more, even in his exhausted state, Harry noticed his age. "But, on a lighter note. I am pleased to welcome our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher for this year: Professor Remus Lupin."
The applause was polite and measured, but Harry's countenance took on a pleased and content appreciation for the man. He had saved his life – his soul even – and therefore accepted his position with wild acceptance.
"I would also like to introduce our new Care of Magical Creatures Professor, due to Kettleburn's retirement and wish to enjoy his remaining limbs, Professor Rubeus Hagrid."
If anything could have made Harry happy at that moment, the great smile gracing Hagrid's proud face, was more than enough to destroy any remaining funk he had left.
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"Why are you apologising, Hermione? He got exactly what he wanted," Ron said bitterly.
Harry did not care, he had had a tiring day and just wanted to get to bed. It would have been funny if the situation was not so dire, but a barely restrained Neville and Alicia had to pull Katie and Fay away from the steps to the boys' dormitories, otherwise, they would have been bunking with Harry for the night.
"Shut up, Ronald," she hissed back angrily. "It was because of us that he nearly died, or have you forgotten that in your bouts of stupidity? He saved Ginny's life too, remember?"
"Yeah, and because of him, we lost the House Cup! And England lost too because he was, what? Too sad?" The scene was developing a crowd, and Harry's patience was starting to wear thin. He needed his bed, if at least just to put the miseries to rest for the time being.
"Are you completely insane?" Hermione shrieked.
"Do you know what my mum said to me because of him? How much trouble I was in? And we can't go to Hogsmeade! And not just for this year, but banned for years!" Ron was getting visibly upset, his knuckles were clenched tight and his appearance almost manic.
"Oi, Ron, I didn't know mum and dad adopted a Malfoy."
Fred was just behind his brother, fury spilling out into the common room. "Your friend, at least, is trying to make amends. Is there a chance you could not disappoint us anymore?"
"Ginny," he turned desperately to his sister.
She hesitated, not seeking the attention she knew her brother craved. "No, Ron. No."
Ron's anger came full force, and he tried to yank his wand out in a show of... something. But the reception of multiple people reacting in kind was enough that his ignorance ladled mind to retreat into itself. He huffed despondently and stomped off upstairs. He took one longing glance behind him, only to see the faces of his disappointed housemates. His shoulders sunk, and he walked off and out of sight.
"Thank you, Hermione. I know it wasn't your fault." Harry was barely audible, but he was heard, as evidenced by the fact that Neville had to step in front of him to stop her leaping bear hug.
"I- Ronald will come around," she said, but Harry could tell that she did not believe her own words. "And... we deserve every punishment we were given."
Harry simply nodded, giving a tired smile as he brushed passed her; he gave his friends their goodnights, escorting guffawing twins up the stairs after they had to physically pry him out of being manhandled by Katie and Fay.
"It's okay, Hermione, he'll realise how stupid he is soon..."
Harry heard Hermione and Ginny move up to their own rooms, and was glad that he was now doing the same. When he had finally changed, his soft pyjamas and sheets covering him, the welcoming darkness of sleep took over, and he knew no more.
Author's Notes:
Yup, the Dementors are here, and they've screwed Harry up royally. He won't let it get him down though, as it's just another thing he has to deal with. This will only strengthen his resolve... possibly. And I do apologise, but now that lockdown is being relaxed, I'm less likely to be able to write as much, which, luckily, I have scheduled in my writing time to have chapters released in a greater distance than before. I really do apologise for those of you who have seen me hand out chapters.
Some may wonder why Hermione isn't given the time-turner. I wasn't actually going to mention it in the story, but it isn't utilised as an option due to McGonagall and Dumbledore refusing to acquiesce as part of her punishment from the year before. Hope you also liked the way I introduced the Dementor too. I feel that with Harry's background, they would harm him more than actually in canon. Not only that, but I find it ridiculous that after Harry is consistently assaulted by them, and how famous and iconic he is at the time, that the Ministry wouldn't decide to, maybe, get rid of them for doing more harm than good. Especially if Sirius Black could get into the castle anyway.
Okay, so from this point on, there will be (hopefully) a chapter released once a week.
Next Chapter: Electives