A/N: Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts! IT IS TIIIIIIIIIIIIIME! Whew! What a journey it has been so far. What honestly started as a lazy sunday writing prompt I'd been wanting to try for a while has turned into this dark and honestly a little angsty freaking wonderland for me. I've learned so much from this journey that I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for following alongside me on this adventure. Each review is read and responded to, unless of course your name is AvidReader2425 who has taken me past 200 reviews with a staggering 15 reviews so far back to back and I just couldn't respond to them all, and whenever I hit a block you all have blown wind back into my sails with some of the reviews I've seen. Seriously, thank you all for coming with me through this and leaving such awesome comments.

And away we go!

Chapter 17: Hogwarts Express, Hannah Abbott, and Helping Hands.

The red steam engine puffed black smoke into the air, alongside a slightly smoky smell, and the buzz of activity and excitement for a new year radiated all around them. Like every year the platform was busy as all families of attending students were present and greeting old friends and new. Astoria looked around in wonder. She had never seen so many people, the closest experience she could remember was when she had attended her first and only gala at the age of 5. That was dwarfed both in size and energy with the crowd around her now. Only her hand, held firmly by Daphne once the group had arrived by Portkey, kept the girl from running off.

Hermione headed off to get a compartment, a strong desire to get back to her book prompting her to leave the group. Harry looked around, noting some faces that he remembered from both of his lives. There were a lot of them, and the infectious excitement on Platform 9 ¾ was palpable.

"What do you think, Astoria?" Harry grinned at the younger sister whose wide-eyed wonder was adorable.

"This thing takes us all the way to Hogwarts? How does it move?" Astoria looked up and down the train.

"It uses coal and water to power the engine, instead of petrol," Harry explained, the girl now knowing what those meant after reading the books that Harry had leant her, "And also a fair bit of magic. It's honestly one of the better magical accomplishments over the past 150 years, and a rare moment of Muggle favouritism when Minister Gambol put the Express to use."

Daphne noted the history of the Express, which she had never bothered to learn before, and the information was easily absorbed by the sponge that was Astoria's mind. While they didn't subscribe completely to the Pureblood Supremacy movement, they had been shaped by its presence whether they were aware of it or not.

"I'm going to mingle some, there's Lord Abbott over there and I never got a chance to send him a letter thanking him for the other day." Harry commented to the girls, and Daphne nodded approvingly at Harry in response.

"Did you want to sit together? Or find your own compartments?" Harry wondered aloud. He was fine with either option but hadn't asked Daphne about it before.

"I think sitting together would be best, for Astoria. I'm sure Malfoy would relish the chance of some revenge against my sister" Daphne observed idly.

"That's a good point. Hermione probably already picked out a compartment" Harry ignored the urge to mess with Astoria's hair and instead placed a warm hand on her shoulder.

"Ooo, I hope she's near the front. I want to meet the conduck guy" Astoria commented, starting to overflow with energy.

Daphne led the excited sister onto the train with a small smile at Harry, and Harry walked over to Lord Abbott.

"Lord Abbott! Hello, I never got a chance to check in on you with how crazy everything was. It's so good to see you once more in good health." Harry shook the man's hand when Lord Abbott turned around excited to see Harry.

"Lord Potter, as I live and breathe! Dreadful business, that whole duel, but you handled it most capably. Thank you for tending to my injuries." John Abbot replied jovially.

"Hannah, lovely to see you. I hope it's a good summer for you." Harry leaned down and kissed Hannah's hand. The girl had been fairly supportive of Harry amid the whole Heir of Slytherin business, so he chose to greet her more formally than her station required of him as a sign of respect.

Hannah blushed at the contact to her hand. She was still shocked that this was the same Harry Potter that had left last year. It was like a whole new person, even if you ignored the change in haircolor. Harry had seemed to have grown 16 centimeters, and gained a stone at least in weight. Hannah admitted privately to herself that she had found the younger Harry scrawny and goofy looking, but this Harry? Why he was positively hunky.

"Thank you, Lord Potter. And thank you for saving my father. I don't know what my mother and I would have done if anything had happened to him," Hannah looked up at her father, smiling.

"Of course. I couldn't have lived with myself if I had let any harm come to him, and that would have paled in comparison to your loss. I should be off though, if you'll excuse me. Maybe we'll get a chance to have a butterbeer in Hogsmeade, Hannah?" Harry smiled at the girl, slightly flirtatious. Hannah blushed and nodded and Harry continued down the Platform.

Flirting Skill has increased! It is now 45!

Harry shook hands left and right, exchanging pleasantries with various Lords and Ladies, and keeping a mental calendar at the many invitations for visits, meetings, deals, and parties. Already his next summer, and even some of his holidays, were shaping up to be busy. Everywhere he went he seemed to leave smiles and good impressions, and even some blushes from Ladies taken in by his easy charm, though there were a few more tense exchanges with people taking offense at him breaking the status quo with his actions thus far.

Diplomacy Skill has increased! It is now 29!

Diplomacy Skill has increased! It is now 30!

Diplomacy Skill has increased! It is now 31!

Intimidation Skill has increased! It is now 31!

Etiquette Skill has increased! It is now 35!

Etiquette Skill has increased! It is now 36!

Etiquette Skill has increased! It is now 37!

Etiquette Skill has increased! It is now 38!

Flirting Skill has increased! It is now 46!

A call of, "Harry!" broke him from his route and Neville Longbottom called him over.

"Neville! Good to see you, mate! Madam Longbottom, a pleasure" Harry said once he made his way over. He bowed low to the old yet still intense woman. She didn't smile at him, but her eyes softened just a hair.

"Lord Potter. You did an old woman proud, Jackson Greengrass has been a thorn in my side for over a decade now." Madam Longbottom thanked the boy, in her strange way.

"Old woman? Marchbanks?" Harry joked, and finally got a small smile from Neville's grandmother when he named one of the few witches older than the Madam as if she hadn't been talking about herself.

"Are you excited for a new year this year, Harry?" Neville chimed in.

"Of course. I've been wanting to come back to Hogwarts almost since I left" Harry admitted, and it was true. As good of a home as he now had, the Castle would always hold a special place in his heart. Of course, Harry hadn't been gone from the Castle as long as his classmates but they didn't need to know that.

"Agreed! I can't wait for Herbology this year. We're going to be using Greenhouse 5!" Neville's one true love, plants, was always interesting to Harry who had never really considered Herbology the most fun class. The rare times that he had paired with the boy had definitely numbered among his more liked lessons in the class, though. Some people had a green thumb but Neville seemed to have a green arm.

"Hopefully I'll get to pair with you some more this year. I could use some good marks in that class, and you're always good to go to if I'm lost in the lesson," Harry praised the boy. Neville looked sheepish at the praise, but also thankful as it brought out an approving eye from his grandmother.

The warning whistle from the train broke them from their small talk, "Well, I should go find Hermione. It might be a bit crowded but you're welcome to sit with us if you'd like Neville, so we can catch up. I'll catch you on the train though. Madam Longbottom, would it be alright if I sent you a few letters? I'm looking to keep apprised of the Wizengamot meetings in preparation of my attendance and from what I hear you haven't missed a session in 25 years. No small feat" Harry spoke, easily mixing friendship, etiquette, praise, and diplomacy.

Diplomacy Skill has increased! It is now 32!

"I would think that quite alright, Lord Potter." Madam Longbottom agreed. A look of approval was clear on her face. Her boy Neville could learn a thing or two from Lord Potter, she thought, and hoped her grandson would look to learn them.

With a nod to the woman at her words, and a wave to Neville, Harry dashed off to the train. He ably dodged through the crowd, even surprising a few people with quick turns and once with a jump over a moving trolley.

Jumping Skill has increased! It is now 19!

Harry made it to the train before the 2nd warning whistle, and started off down the corridor.

***Break***

The train was no less busy as the Platform, the hallway crowded with students lugging heavy trunks and wrangling feisty pets. Crookshanks, whom Hermione had purchased during her time in the Alley with the Weasleys, had been scared of Balto and stayed in Hermione's room in a crate but was now likely accepting pets from Hermione while she read her book in whichever compartment she had chosen. Harry knew from past experience that the Golden Trio had usually picked a compartment in the back but that was largely due to Ron's preference and the typically late arrival from the Weasley Clan. They had gotten there early though, so Hermione could now be anywhere.

Harry exchanged pleasantries with a few people who recognized him and were brave enough to talk, receiving compliments regularly for his new clothes and his more confident personality. Any student that had been at his party greeted him more enthusiastically than they normally would have, and Harry knew that he had likely built a lot of bridges that his previous life had lacked.

"Oh, Katie, nice to see you. Here let me help with that" Harry greeted his teammate Katie Bell, who had been trying to get her trunk into the compartment. Harry smiled at the girl and without waiting for her reply easily levitated the trunk up into the rack.

With a grateful smile Katie replied, "Thank you, Harry. I can't wait to be able to do that next year after OWLs."

"It's definitely taken some getting used to. I almost forget that I'm allowed to use my wand sometimes, and will just lift up trunks without even realizing it." Harry admitted to the girl, reminded of his lifting Hermione's trunk. He really needed to remember to use Magic more often.

"Just don't let it make you lazy, or Oliver will have us doing extra practices to keep us in shape" Katie joked, and they shared a laugh at their Quidditch Captain's obsessive nature.

"Nonsense. One look at you, and Oliver can't say that at least one of us isn't keeping in shape." Harry grinned mischievously. He gave himself a pat on the back when the older girl blushed at his compliment. It was true, Katie Bell, who impressively joined the Quidditch team in her 2nd year, was one of the few true sporty type girls in the school.

"Watch yourself, Potter" Katie grinned at the boy, and swatted his arm. She almost wanted to reach back out to the arm in curiosity though as it was significantly harder than Katie would have guessed.

"Will do, and you can watch me too, Katie Bell," And Harry walked away with an absolutely ridiculous sashay in his hips making the girl behind him guffaw at his antics.

Grinning, Harry continued his quest down the aisle. He saw a few more opportunities to help out some people, even earning some wide eyed looks from some First-Years as he ably hefted their trunks up into their racks. He made sure to let the firsties know that if they ever needed anything just let him know. They were in awe of Harry's easy confidence and friendly disposition, and agreed to take him up on it.

Weightlifting Skill has increased! It is now 17!

Weightlifting Skill has increased! It is now 18!

It was as he was making these rounds that he came on to a bit of trouble. Malfoy. The greasy ferret was apparently taking offense at a group of 2nd year Slytherins that wouldn't vacate the compartment he wanted to use.

"Heir Malfoy! So good to see your face! I was running low on buffing oil for my Firebolt so I was wondering if I could use some from your hair?" Harry jovially walked up to the blonde boy, even putting his arm around Draco as if Draco was an old friend.

"Potter!" Malfoy spat, trying to move the arm away from him but finding that he could not.

"Malfoy!" Harry replied, the same jovial tone in his voice but his arm tightening just a bit. Crabbe and Goyle, the 2 meatheads that they were, looked confused by Draco's inability to remove the arm.

"And Crabbe and Goyle. Hello. Did you have a good summer?" Harry asked. The 2nd years in the compartment were watching in awe as a Gryffindor of all people was stopping the harassment, though in a weird way.

"Yeah, actually," Gregory Goyle started to stupidly reply.

"Don't talk to him idiot! Get him off me!" Malfoy cried, the arm around his shoulders wouldn't budge. The train hadn't started moving yet either so magic was still largely forbidden for underage students. He was stuck.

Finally realizing their boss was in trouble, the two boys rushed at Harry who looked largely unconcerned. Crabbe's meaty hand came down as if to punch him and Harry just rolled his body until.

"OW! YOU STUPID IDIOT! PUNCH HIM, NOT ME!" Malfoy raged at his henchman, who hadn't noticed Harry's movements in time to stop his fist from hitting Malfoy's face. A large grin was on Harry's face, he would definitely be putting more points in Strength. This was fun.

Goyle tried to rush at the boy as well, but Harry just stepped around Malfoy and again used the blonde boy as a shield. Goyle's tackling rush knocked the wind out of Draco and Harry let the boy go in time to send them both tumbling to the ground.

"What is this nonsense! Stop, or you'll be putting your houses into the negatives before we get to school!" Penelope Clearwater had shown up at the sounds of the scuffling. Harry smiled at the curly haired girl, while Goyle and Malfoy tried to untangle themselves.

"Malfoy! What do you have to say for yourself?" The 7th year ordered the boy, having recognized the pompous boy's loud voice when he had ordered his henchman to attack Harry.

"Me? Potter started this!" Malfoy seethed, and finally succeeded in standing up.

"Moi? I was merely greeting a dear friend. Your boyfriends seemed to have taken offense though and tried to accost me!" Harry joked at the boy. One of the 2nd years inside snorted heartily.

"Is that true, Harry? Did you start this?" Penelope asked Lord Potter.

"Absolutely not. I saw Malfoy here talking to some 2nd years, and wanted to greet him. Crabbe took offense at what he must have thought was infidelity, and in his outrage punched his boyfriend! I was shocked, of course, and when I stepped away thinking I had caused offense Goyle seemed to be of the same mind and tackled Malfoy!" Harry spun the facts to his favor, doing his absolute best to hide his grin.

Penelope too, though knowing that Harry was probably lying about a few things, especially the boyfriend part, seemed to be doing her best to hide a smirk. Ever the proper Prefect though, she stuck her head into the compartment seeing 3 2nd year Slytherins inside.

"Is all of that true?" She asked the group, 2 girls and a boy.

It was the boy that spoke up, "That's how it looked to us. Lord Potter put his arm around Heir Malfoy and Crabbe and Goyle just exploded on him! Lord Potter never threw a fist!"

"Detention, all 3 of you. I'd remove points if not for these 2nd years choosing honesty over House loyalty. Go to your compartments, or I'll be having a word with Professor Flitwick when we get to the school." Penelope warned Malfoy and his cronies. Malfoy was seething, but knew he couldn't press his luck. He shot one last look at Potter, promising revenge, before he straightened his collar and strutted away with Crabbe and Goyle.

"Thank you, Ms. Clearwater. I had no idea what I was going to do there, to think I may have ruined young love!" Harry quipped and once more the 2nd year girl inside snorted. Harry sent the girl a grin, earning him a blush.

"That's quite enough out of you, Mr. Potter. Run along now, and no more trouble" Penelope warned, though she only half meant it. Harry nodded, smiled, and continued on his way.

***Break***

Hermione looked up when the compartment door opened for. She was curled up with Crookshanks, who seemed to be enjoying himself based on the loud purring, as both Hermione and Astoria gave the cat as many pets as the proud Half-Kneazle would tolerate.

"Harry! Glad you found us before the train started moving. Can you help us with these?" Astoria's puppy dog eyes looked at him.

Harry looked down at the trunks that the girls had left on the ground, Daphne's as well, though the noble girl looked apologetic from her place by the window.

"Not a problem." Harry grinned and opted for physical prowess over magical. Astoria watched closely as her Head of House easily lifted each trunk and secured it in the rack. She would never get tired of watching Harry manhandle things, Astoria thought to herself. Daphne was shooting her sister a warning look at the younger girl's wandering eyes, only receiving a stuck out tongue in response.

"That ought to do it. Can I sit here?" Harry motioned to the spot next to Daphne, always keeping up an air of propriety for the girl's sake. Daphne nodded and Harry sat down on the seat.

"What took you so long Harry? The train is set to leave in a few minutes." Hermione chided the boy, but didn't look up from her book.

"I was making some new acquaintances, no shortage of Lords and Ladies on the platform. Then once I boarded the train to look for you all I kept running into people. Helped some first years, bugged Malfoy, and finally made it." Harry explained for Hermione, knowing the girl would want all the details.

"Bugged Malfoy?" Hermione looked worried, already the start of a fresh year and Harry was picking fights?

"Don't worry, I was the definition of professionalism. Malfoy and his 2 pals received detention though," Harry made sure to omit just enough to draw Hermione deeper into her curious nature, and when she requested more details Harry gave them all the full story.

"Hahaha! Oh I wish I had been there to see that. That's the boy that was rude to you, right Daph?" Astoria laughed and looked at Daphne.

"Yes." Was Daphne's only response. Never one to use more words that needed, Harry noted.

Hermione seemed appeased by Harry's story and returned once more to her Transfiguration book. Her attention was broken once more when a knock came at their compartment door.

"Neville! Here, mate." Harry hefted the boy's trunk up to the rack. Harry glanced around for a moment, there was just enough room for the boy between Hermione and Astoria, both girls being slighter than most, and he motioned to the seat after confirming that it was okay with both of them.

"Thanks, Harry. That trunk seems to get heavier every year" Neville smiled shyly at Harry, impressed by the boy's strength. Neville hadn't even had time to offer to help him.

"I know what you mean. I keep mine shrunken, right here, now that I can do Magic outside of school," Harry patted his chest pocket.

"Yeah, and you won't do the same for the rest of us, you meanie," Astoria huffed in annoyance, her shoulder was still a bit sore from pulling the trunk. She wasn't used to much physical exertion.

"All part of the tradition, Astoria. But where are my manners. Neville, you know Hermione and Daphne, but this lovely bundle of sunshine and rage is Astoria Greengrass. She's starting this year" Harry introduced them all and Neville nodded to each of them in turn. Astoria glared at Harry for calling her a bundle of rage, only earning her a cheeky grin from the redhead. She made sure to smile in welcome at the Longbottom heir, who she admitted that while kind of chunky still had a cute face.

The train let out its last warning whistle, the 3 minute warning, and the activity still on the Platform seen through their window seemed to double in intensity as goodbyes were hurried along and students rushed the train. Like clockwork, the Platform's entrance admitted the Weasley Clan to the Platform. Harry chuckled quietly to himself when he saw Molly pushing her kids along, looking like a shepherd who was cursed with rowdy sheep. Ron's eye seemed to be clearing up nicely, Harry noted.

***Break***

Opportunity Lost! Failed to fully explore the Alley by the end of Summer! Hidden Reward: Map of London and 10 Skill Points Lost!

The train was rolling along, and the atmosphere in the compartment was relaxed. Astoria had seemed to win over Neville quickly but lose points from Daphne, as the precocious girl had her feet up on Neville's lap and was buried in a book where she could ignore Daphne's disapproving look. At least the girl's long skirt was adjusted properly, Daphne thought to herself. Crookshanks had moved up into the rack, Harry easily able to decipher the cat's look it had sent him and letting the cat use his leg as a springboard, once Crookshanks realized he wouldn't be getting a double helping of pets anymore. Hermione had settled in comfortably.

Daphne, though, Harry couldn't believe that the girl could sit up so straight for such long stretches of time. They had been on the train for about an hour now, and she hadn't once dropped her posture. Even Neville, who had gone through much of the same training as the Greengrass Heir, was slouched in his seat and chatting with Harry about some of the stuff they were set to learn this year.

"Puffapods can actually cause dizziness, and are needed to be handled with care as they will bloom on almost any hard surface. They're wonderful plants though" Neville seemed excited to be talking about plants, as always, but Harry was the only one really responding with 2 readers and a girl that seemed more interested in the scenery rolling by.

"That's true, they're used in a variety of Potions for their traits of spontaneity and accelerated growth" Harry agreed, shocking Neville with his wealth of knowledge that he had seemed to acquire in preparation of taking extra electives.

"You've worked with them before?" Neville eyed Harry jealously. His grandmother had not let Neville get a seedling of the plant as it would cause disasters if dropped and Neville wasn't known for his grace.

"I haven't worked with the blooms, but I've done some brewing this summer to try and get Snape off my back this year and used some of their seeds. They were dried, so I didn't get to observe any traits" Harry explained to the boy.

"Get Snape off your back? Mate, if you figure out how to do that please let me know. I can't stand Potions class" Neville admitted, Harry remembering that the boy's boggart was the Potions Master.

It was as he was putting together 2 and 2, dread building in his heart at remembering how he had met Remus Lupin, that the train slammed to a stop. Astoria tumbled into the floor, dislodged by the sudden movement. Harry was up in a flash as he quickly helped the young girl up.

"Everyone get behind me." Harry said as he looked up and saw frost beginning to form on the window. Hermione looked up at Harry worriedly at the firm tone that he had.

"Harry, what's going on?" Daphne said, looking at the window in puzzlement. Frost in September on a sunny day? And growing quickly?

"They've stopped the train. Hopefully just a routine check." Harry tried to keep his tone light, but he knew what was going to be coming down the train. His head ached for a moment, as if something was trying to affect it, but blessedly the Gamer powers seemed to make him immune to Dementors.

Neville wasn't quite so lucky, "Who is laughing like that?" He asked, fear clear in his voice. There was no laughter that Harry could hear.

"What do you mean? No one is laughing," Hermione said to her fellow Gryffindor, looking worried as Neville was looking around them in a fright.

The only sound they could hear was shouts of fright and crying that seemed to be building up in volume. Daphne clutched her arms tightly, and squeezed into the corner of the compartment. She was so cold, and dark memories of her father wouldn't stop coming up in her mind. Astoria too seemed to be clutching herself and shivering, her mind cast back to the time that she had been told that she would die from her illness.

"What's happening, Harry?" Hermione asked through tears, memories of past failures running through her mind. She was less affected than her other traumatized friends in the compartment, but not immune to the effect of the magic around her.

"Stay low and get behind me. Everything will be alright, I promise," Harry sent the girl next to him a warm smile, wishing that the smile would fight back the cold his friends were all feeling. He gently pushed Hermione behind him and stood facing the compartment door with a steely gaze. He didn't know if he'd be able to use the Patronus Charm, memories of his past life as to the difficulties of that spell clear in his mind, but he knew he was going to try. Harry just hoped that a 58 in his Charms Skill would be enough.

The crying of the other students on the train, some more affected than most by the negative effect that a Dementor has on the mind, seemed to be getting closer. After a tense minute the door of their compartment rattled and then opened. Astoria screamed in fright at the sight of the creature on the other side of the door and Neville collapsed as the Dementor's presence hit him fully. Daphne was motionless and wide eyed while Hermione was covering her mouth to contain her breath, thinking in one naive moment, that since the creature didn't seem to have eyes that she could hide by staying still.

Harry though, like a beacon of light, stood proud and strong. "Sirius Black is not in this compartment. Leave."

The creature didn't listen, too drawn in by the delectable feast of emotions before it. It floated in and Harry growled in defiance.

"Expecto Patronum" Harry intoned, his mind cast back to the night in Spain he had shared with Tracey. The thought was too clouded by anger at his ex-girlfriend's reaction to his duel and the Game let him know what he already knew. It also bolstered him though.

Spell Failed! Catalyst insufficient!

It said nothing of his Skill being too low. His mind raced through past memories, and he struggled for a moment to come up with something. His worried eyes cast out over the group behind him, until he saw Daphne. The girl was shivering violently and staring off into space. Her eyes were wide, afraid, and full of tears.

Like a storm, Harry's rage at the creature grew. Then his eyes saw Astoria, who was curled up on the floor shivering as well. The small blonde, who up until that moment had been a bundle of joy and energy, looked defeated and lost. Trapped in her own mind and sobbing.

Harry's protective instinct flared to new heights, and he remembered. It had been a little thing, making breakfast for Astoria and Daphne, but the girl had been laughing. Balto barking in happiness at the bacon the girl was taunting him with, desperate for a treat. Daphne looking on with a warm smile. And Harry remembered what he had felt in that moment. Nothing but happiness in the face of what was to come, emboldened by the signs he was seeing before him that the 3 of them would get through whatever came their way. It bubbled forth, and his wand came up once more.

"Expecto. Patronum." Almost a whisper.

Harry looked on in shock, as the Patronus that erupted from his wand was not the Stag that he had gotten so used to seeing. It was a large, very large, Basilisk. The snake reared up, still connected to his wand, and struck the dementor. It sank its ethereal fangs into the dark creature, and a wail of pain sounded from behind the hooded visage of the Dementor. The noise was eerie and ear-splitting, but Harry did not let up. He walked forward and his Patronus easily pushed the Dementor back, but maintained the bite. The Dementor writhed in agony and tried desperately to dislodge itself. Harry, however, did not let up his spell. The noise from the Dementor shattered the windows nearest him in the compartments. Harry's Basilisk was blocking the negative effects of the Dementor and prompted some students to step out into the hall to investigate.

What they saw amazed them. Harry's eyes were glowing and magic seemed to swirl around him. A large ghostly snake, something that would usually strike fear in its appearance, instead warmed the student's cold hearts as the warmth the thing radiated was astounding. It was not as astounding, however, as the fact that Harry Potter was pushing a Dementor back, almost manhandling the beast with his Patronus. Harry's hand waved, and a door leading outside opened. Like a whip, Harry waved his wand and his Basilisk extended and shot forward, pushing the Dementor out the door. It retracted back into Harry's wand with a snap-like motion.

"Stay out, or I'll do that again." Harry warned the creature who seemed exhausted after its struggles. It made no motion to come back onto the train and with another wave of his hand Harry slammed the door.

The hallway was silent as Harry walked back to his compartment, eyes still glowing and hair almost fluttering in unseen wind. His mind raged at the Dementor but also at himself. How could he forget that Dementors would be coming onto the train? Harry's wand waved through the air like an afterthought, and glass tinkled quietly as the windows in the hall all repaired themselves. His compartment door was closed much more gently when he stepped back into it. None of the students that had been watching were exception to the release of breath they had all been holding at the sight they just witnessed.

***Break***

Harry dove into his Inventory and pulled out some chocolate. He had bought it long ago but the way his Inventory worked made it seem as though the candy had been bought just that morning. Harry looked at Hermione, still standing, the only one inside who had seen what transpired.

"I'd appreciate you waiting until later to ask me about that," Harry knew that it killed Hermione to wait, but the bushy haired girl also understood through his warning tone that now was not the time. Harry handed her a piece of chocolate that he had snapped off of the brick in his hand.

"Eat it, it will help," Harry said. The girl looked doubtful, until she nibbled at the chocolate and felt warmth returning to her limbs instantly.

Harry looked at Neville next, the boy still unconscious. With a wave of Harry's wand and a soft word the compartment expanded and Neville was levitated onto the bench with a conjured pillow under his head. Crouching down, Harry knew that Daphne would never forgive him if he did not tend to Astoria first.

"Tori," Harry said gently, using the pet name that until this moment he had not used. His arms went underneath the girl and Harry picked her up and held her close. The girl was sobbing and shivering but slowly the warmth of Harry seemed to reach her and she slowly uncurled. Once he was sure that the girl could stand on her own Harry put some chocolate in her hand. It took a bit of coaxing, but color began returning to the girl's skin once she was able to be prompted to have some of the high-quality chocolate Harry had given her. Astoria smiled just a bit at Harry as he led her onto the bench and conjured a thick, warm comforter for her to curl up under. The blanket was shared with Hermione next to the girl who put an arm around Astoria and let the girl cuddle up next to her.

Daphne was still staring off into nothing, shivering violently, and Harry was surprised that the girl wasn't making a sound. Ever so gently, his hand came up onto her arm. The contact seemed to shock the girl, and her head whipped around to look at him. She appeared to be looking through him, however, and Harry's concern grew.

"Daphne," Harry spoke softly, "you're okay. Astoria is okay. You're safe now"

Harry repeated the words, never raising his voice, and the mantra seemed to slowly bring Daphne back into the compartment from whatever dark corner of her mind she had been trapped in. Harry sat next to the girl, still speaking softly, and handed her some chocolate.

"Eat some, it will help you I promise." Harry broke off a small piece for her and Daphne finally put the piece in her mouth. Instantly her shivering lost some of its violent movement, color returning to Daphne's skin much like it had for Astoria. Harry glanced at Hermione and Astoria, and cocked his head to indicate Daphne. Hermione seemed to catch on to what he was implying and they left the bench that they were sharing with Neville and Astoria quickly curled up next to Daphne. Hermione stayed close, and the comforter that Harry had conjured easily covered the three girls.

Hermione looked up at Harry gratefully, only to ask "Where are you going?" when she noticed Harry by the door.

"To check on the rest of the train. Most people don't know about chocolate's countering of the Dementor's effect. I'm going to buy out the Honeyduke's Express and pass some around." Harry explained to the girl. He wanted to stay, but knew that Daphne and Astoria would be all that the 2 needed for each other at this moment. Hermione nodded at Harry and he opened the compartment door once more.

***Break***

The train had begun moving once more, Harry noted, as he stepped into the hallway. He headed first to the front of the train where he knew that the sweets trolley, Honeydukes Express, was kept. The trolley wasn't due to make its way down the train for another hour.

"You can't be up here!" A woman, the trolley lady, said to Harry as he opened the door to the storage trolley that held her stock.

"I know. Hello, my name is Harry. I was actually here to buy out your supply of chocolate," Harry said calmly to the woman.

"What?" She asked. She was still shivering a bit at invasion by the Dementors, and looked shocked when Harry smiled at her warmly.

"Chocolate counters the effects of Dementors. I wanted to buy out your stock and pass it out to the students. Here, try some," Harry offered the woman some of his own chocolate, and she looked at him doubtfully. She had a fondness for sweets though, the reason she liked her job so much, and popped the chocolate into her mouth. Her face took on a delighted look at how the warmth spread through her. Together, the woman brought in by Harry's easy charm, they agreed to a discounted price for her stockpile of chocolate. She needed to make a profit after all but also wouldn't forgive herself if she kept the wonders chocolate had made her feel in face of the Dementor's effect away from the students.

Negotiation Skill has increased! It is now 74!

Diplomacy Skill has increased! It is now 33!

The woman looked on in amazement when Harry walked through the storage trolley and the chocolate stockpiled there seemed to just disappear before her eyes. She smiled at the boy though, when he spoke once more, "Thank you so much. I'll be sure to let everyone know of Honeyduke's generosity."

Harry exited the compartment and set off down the aisles. Prefects were walking down the aisle as well, and Penelope recognized the young Lord from his troublemaking ways from before.

"Mr. Potter! You shouldn't be out here." Penelope chided him. The students were understandably restless after the Dementor's visit, and the Prefects were having to run damage control on every train.

"Ms. Clearwater. Here." Harry dropped a chocolate frog in the young woman's hand. "Try some of that. I just came from the Storage compartment and have bought out their stock."

Penelope looked at him quizzically but decided to see what he was going on about. She popped open the packaging and with a practiced hand caught the frog as it tried to make its escape. She nibbled on a bit of chocolate and looked at it in surprise.

"That's amazing!" She was impressed at the sudden effect, "Where did you learn about that?"

"Well, we haven't had many good DADA teachers, but it's my best subject. Chocolate is a good cure for exposure to Dementors. Can you let Percy or the Head Girl know that I'll be passing these around? I don't want to get stopped at every turn." Harry explained to the girl, lamenting the lack of consistent good DADA teachers over the years.

"Of course! Thank you, Mr. Potter." Penelope walked toward the Prefect's compartment where Percy was heading up the damage control the Prefects were running.

No longer harried by the Prefects, Harry knocked on each compartment door and passed around the chocolate. Grateful faces replaced doubtful eyes wherever he went. Harry conjured blankets left and right for the scared students who were still shivering after the Dementor's visit. Understanding smiles, and reassuring words, left everyone that he visited in a better mood.

Harry knocked on the next compartment, "Oi! You already checked on us, can't you leave well enough alone."

The voice was familiar to Harry and he groaned quietly. But his good guy ways were flowing strong still so instead he just opened the compartment. Inside sat Malfoy and his posse of Slytherins. Pansy was practically on top of him, her cuddling and weird worship of the boy both prompting the girl to coddle the spoiled brat.

"Potter! What do you want?" Malfoy warned the redhead, still annoyed at how the earlier confrontation had played out.

"Heir Malfoy. I come in peace. Dementor exposure is no joke, and I'm handing out chocolate, a little known cure to the effects, to all of the students." Harry explained diplomatically. He might not like the ferret but he could still see that Pansy and oddly Crabbe were both still shivering despite their attempts to hide it.

"We don't want your chocolate, Potter, now piss off!" Malfoy cursed at the boy. Harry merely looked at Draco like he was an ant.

"Lord Potter, Heir Malfoy, and you hardly speak for everyone. Here. If you change your mind." Harry levitated the chocolate into the compartment and closed the door. That boy would never learn. He heard packaging from behind the closed door and smiled to himself, at least someone saw his gesture for what it was.

It was a few more compartments before Harry came upon the Weasley brothers, Fred and George, who were sharing a compartment with Lee Jordan, and the 3 Chaser girls from his team.

"Harry! How you been, mate?" Lee Jordan happily greeted Harry. Harry grinned at the dark-skinned boy, knowing that Lee's happy attitude probably did wonders for this compartment in the wake of the Dementors.

"Been better, what with the Dementor visit and all" Harry said. He had been immune, but his heart still hurt at the remembered sight of Daphne and Astoria.

"Is that what that was? Bloody creepy buggers" Lee cursed them.

"Too right. I'm actually here for another reason though. I've been passing out chocolate to everyone and was here to drop some off" Harry appreciated the boy's candidness, but knew he shouldn't stay and chat too long. Also, Alicia seemed to be the most affected in the compartment, sandwiched in a hug between Katie and Angelina as the girl cried at whatever memory the Dementors had brought forth.

"Chocolate?" Lee Jordan asked, and once Harry explained its use everyone in the compartment accepted a piece.

"Thanks, mate" and other variations therein came from those inside and Katie looked at Harry gratefully when Alicia stopped shivering once she had some of the sweets. Harry just waved it off and continued on.

***Break***

The compartment door slid open, and Harry came face to face with Ron as the boy angrily opened the door. Whatever words were on his lips died at the sight of Harry, and not the Prefect Ron had expected. Instantly Harry could tell that the boy was angry and worried, and the sound of sobbing inside the room brought his attention to both Luna and Ginny who Ron had been sharing a compartment with.

Of course, Harry thought to himself, both the young girls' had more past demons than most. Harry nodded at Ron and easily shrugged off the hand Ron had tried to use to stop him from coming in. Harry got on one knee in front of the girls who were clutching each other in a vain attempt to calm down.

"Oi!" Ron hissed warningly, brotherly instincts coming to bear.

"Quiet, Ron," Harry chided his friend. Annoyance at Ron for his crude comments aside, Harry still considered the fellow redhead a friend even if best friend would probably be a stretch.

Harry gently got Ginny's attention, and the girl looked scared at being caught crying by her crush.

"Ginny, here. Eat some of this, and I promise you'll start to feel better" Harry handed the girl some chocolate and was actually grateful, for once, that the girl's crush on him made her readily compliant. Her tears slowed as she nibbled on the chocolate frog and Ginny looked at Harry gratefully for his actions. The tall boy ignored her though and was with Luna by her side, the girl still sobbing uncontrollably at the memory of her lost mother.

"Luna, hey. It's Harry Potter. The Dementor is gone. Can I get you to sit up a bit?" Harry gently coaxed the girl away from Ginny's robes, and finally Luna met his eyes.

"Hey. Here, have some of these. They'll chase the Nargles away for you," Harry's words were gentle, and surprising both to Ron and Ginny, as he casually mentioned one of Luna's imagined creatures.

Prompted by his words, Luna ate some of the chocolate. She devoured 2 frogs before she could speak though. "Thank you, Harry Potter. She wants me to tell you that you're doing great"

Shock and a cold feeling rushed through Harry, as Luna's odd words registered in his mind. She? Who was she? He knew that Luna had a lot of oddities, but the words rang a chord within him that couldn't be denied. Just how much did the girl in front of him know? Did she know about the Game? Did she know just who he was? He wasn't able to divine anything from staring into Luna's eyes however.

*Fin*

A/N: Oooooo, little twist at the end there for you all. Cliffhangers are fun! MUAHAHAHAHA!

Review answers below.

Phineas Garcia-Shapiro Flynn: You'll just have to wait and see how Hermione and Harry play out. He can't deny that Hermione holds a special place in his heart, and its hinted that Hermione might have some feelings of her own. Who knows where it might lead.

SeranoirStarfall: Some interesting theories and ideas! Thank you for the review! I'm not sure what direction I'll go with Astoria quite yet, but Harry is very empathetic towards the loveable girl. We'll see if he decides to try and help her out!

Beccasullivanwrites1: I loved that scene, as well as the other wholesome scenes I was able to sprinkle into that monstrosity of a chapter. We get to move a bit along now, but it was definitely a fun little arc.

Frankieu: Harry has no luck lol as seen in this chapter.

Greye05: Thank you for the review! I replied to this a couple replies up, but it's been taken into consideration. Thank you!

Dragonhitter: We get to explore a bit more with Ron while i tangle with the merits of either teaching him or tossing him. Still not 100% sure either direction. Thank you for the review!

Chunnin33: Thank you for the review!

Kayleneproctor94: I'm trying! This one was a little more Harry and a little more Gamer. I hope you all enjoyed. Thanks for the review! Both of them! Balto will be missed, but shall be featured during holidays and maybe some other parts.

DesertSandBox: We'll see! Seems you all want Harry to save her. Its in the realm of possibilities! Thank you for the review!

AvidReader2425: Like I said at the top of this one I read all of the reviews! Thanks for your continued support! Ron may come back may not, we'll see.

Nina0116: Thank you for the review! We get to see a cool and confident and caring Harry interact with some students alongside some flirting. We'll see how it goes.

Firetemplar415: Thank you, and thanks for the review!

Squoitle: Thank you Thank you! Thanks for the review, too! Means a ton!

Ratchetx7: Don't worry, I have no idea either! Thank you for the review!

TheGreatBubbaJ: Mama Harry don't take no shit. Others might be able to help him stay out of trouble but he has no problem smackin' people. A little confused what you mean about the Boons so I'll just lay out how I have them working. Every 25 points Harry get a Boon, that can either be a bonus to the Skill itself OR enhance how that Skill interacts with others. At 100, well, it will be a surprise. He has the option to hold onto those Boons for a later date, and may realize that Boons aren't set in stone like he thinks. He hasn't touched his Handbook in a long while, as Gamers are want to do, so can sometimes miss the implications. We'll see how it plays out.

Fang723: Thank you! And thanks for the review!

Adrian King1: Sometimes friends fight. Sometimes that punch to the face increases tensions for a while and then serves to temper the friendship into an even closer one. Or it ends it. We'll get to see which of these scenarios plays out for Harry. Astoria, and Harry's care for the girl, is influencing him more than he realizes right now.

Guest: Hey, we needed to build up those personalities :P I'll be moving along at a quicker click now though. Not every day of school will need to be a chapter, you know?

Gouravsilentreader: Thank you for the review!

Kairan1979: 3 reviews! I love seeing chains of reviews from readers as I get to see what you guys think as the story takes its twists and turns. Thank you so much!