Harry sat in the back of the car with Rook beside him. Vernon and Petunia were in the front to see him off. Dudley was at the house, enjoying a rare day of free reign over the SNES. Dobby had already moved Harry's trunk to the dorm.
His aunt and uncle walked with him up to the pillar.
"Are you sure about this?" Petunia looked at the pillar.
"Yes." Harry nodded. "I just walk through it."
"But." Vernon motioned to the brick pillar. "It's solid."
"Trust me." Harry smiled. "Rook, want to show them?"
The dog let out a little woof and trotted over. He disappeared through the pillar. Harry smiled at the shocked expressions on his relatives faces.
"And no one notices?" Vernon asked.
"Not unless they are looking for it." Harry replied. "Thank you for coming with me." He hugged his aunt and shook his uncle's hand. "I'll see you in June."
"We're doing something special for your birthday this year." Petunia said. "No arguing this time."
"The cake was nice." Harry said.
"I'm sure you have friends to invite." Petunia ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe a lady-friend?"
"Love is the one magic that has eluded me." Harry pressed a hand to his forehead and looked up to the ceiling.
"Be safe this year." Vernon stepped forward and patted his shoulder. "I have many, many years to make up protecting you."
Harry found it hard to talk. A lump had quickly formed in his throat. He pulled his uncle into a hug. Vernon stiffened for a moment before patting Harry on the back.
"You're a good lad, Harry." Vernon cleared his throat. "We'll miss you."
Harry wiped his eyes. "I've got to go, or I'll miss the train."
He hurried through the barrier without another look back. Even after a couple of months the change in his family was hard to identify with his past. His family. Not once in his old life had he thought of the Dursleys as family. It lit a fire in him, seeing another part of his life that Dumbledore had stolen.
The old man would pay.
Harry pushed the thoughts away as he made it to the train. He tracked Sirius/Rook down. It didn't take long; the big black dog was sitting in the cabin with Hermione and Ron. A sleeping Lupin rested in the far corner. Sirius/Rook stared at the resting werewolf.
"Harry!" Ron yelled as Harry entered the cabin. "You didn't write me back. Did your relatives burn the letters? This dog won't leave the cabin."
"You've been crying." Hermione cut in. "Did they hurt you?"
"No." Harry shook his head. "Got some grit in my eyes and that's my dog." He nodded to Remus. "Who's that?"
"Remus Lupin." Hermione read off the briefcase. "I think he's a professor."
"Never heard of a professor riding the train." Ron said. He had already gotten a sandwich out from his bag and started to eat.
"Where did you even get that?" Harry asked.
"My trunk." Ron patted it. "Do you want one? Mom made three."
"No thanks." Harry replied quickly. He didn't trust anything that Molly Weasley made.
"How was Egypt?" Hermione cut in. "Did you see the tombs? What about the museums? Did you take the tour of the pyramids?"
"Let me breath." Ron snapped.
Harry sat back and watched the exchange. The brief moment of nostalgia shifted to a sour feeling that grew with each passing word. He started to absently stroke Rook as he stared out the window. The conversation blurred into white noise as the two began to argue without even noticing his silence.
He couldn't blame Ron for his part in things. If anything, Ron was just as much as a victim as he was. Hermione, though. He still had no idea how to deal with her. This was the year she had the time turner, maybe he could use that to push her away. Question her about her classes and push until it became an issue. It wouldn't be out of character for him to rush into things without thinking. A skeleton of a plan began to form. The time turner, that was the key. He could steal it from her, claim he was protecting her from herself, and just let things go from there.
"Why are we stopping?" Ron asked. "It's too soon to be at Hogwarts."
"There's something moving outside the train." Hermione said.
Harry stood and drew his wand. "Stay here."
He stepped out into the hall and waited. It didn't take long for the first dementor to appear. Harry felt the dread and fear pressing into him. He pushed it away, focusing on the love he had felt in his life. Much to his shock, Vernon, Petunia, and Dudley came to mind.
"Serenitas Ferrum." Harry growled out the spell.
A lance of pure white energy ripped through the air, tearing a hole through the dementor. It let out an ear-piercing screech. It twisted in place, trying to flee. Harry pushed more magic into the spell. He flicked his wrist, adjusting his aim and decapitating the creature. The cloaked form crumpled to the floor. Harry spun around, facing the dementor that had come to investigate.
The fear he felt from the dementor was directed at him in a completely different manner.
"Come and have a go, if you think you're hard enough." Harry gave a predatory grin.
The dementor fled. He waited a moment to see if it would return, or call for reinforcements. When none came, he walked over to inspect the dead dementor.
"By right of combat, I claim my prize." He scooped up the corpse and tossed it over his shoulder.
"Dobby."
"Harry Potter, called?" The elf asked popping into the space nearby.
"Take this to the goblins." He held out the dementor. "Ask them to process it."
Dobby looked from the dementor to Harry. "Master is great and powerful."
"Not 'Master', but I'll settle for 'boss'." Harry chuckled.
"Yes, boss." Dobby took the corpse, then disappeared.
Harry looked up to see the cabin doors open. Everyone was watching him, including Remus and Sirius/Rook. Harry dusted off the frost that had gathered on his shirt.
"Anyone seen the trolley?" He asked. "I could go for a spot of chocolate."
"I have some in my briefcase." Remus said.
"Thank you." Harry walked over to him and held out a hand. "Harry Potter."
"Remus Lupin." The werewolf shook his hand.
"How did you do that?" Hermione yelled.
"That was bloody brilliant." Ron was just as loud.
"I did a lot of reading over the summer." Harry shrugged.
"Harry James Potter." Hermione snapped. "That is not an answer."
Harry felt that fire building from within. He set a cold glare on her.
"Do not treat me like a child." His voice came out flat with no emotion.
Hermione shivered and shrank from his gaze. "Sorry."
"It's a bit cramped in here." He stood up. "I think I'll see if I can find an open cabin." Harry looked to his godfather. "Want to come, Rook?"
The dog looked from Harry to Remus.
"Catch up when we stop." Harry looked to Remus. "Careful, he's got huge pads for feet. Mud and grit cling to them."
Remus flinched. The man took a closer look at the dog beside him. Harry stepped back out into the hallway. He took a deep breath, pushing that fire down. It needed to be contained for now, letting it out now would ruin things. Killing the dementor would already cause some issues.
"Dementors, check." He mumbled as he walked down the way. "Hermione, possibly check."
He looked in to see a mostly empty cabin with a couple of stunned Gryffindor students in it. The trio of Katie, Alicia, and Angela seemingly just started at each other. Harry knocked on the door. They jumped at the sound.
"Mind if I join you?" Harry asked.
"No." Katie scooted over. "Feel free."
"Thanks." He smiled at her and took a seat. "So, how was your summer?"
They stared at him blankly. He started to laugh.