Hagrid's first class went smoothly without Malfoy there to mess things up, and the bookstore employee knowing how to calm the books. Most of the students thought the Monstrous Book of Monsters was pretty awesome when they didn't have to fight it. Hagrid may have unwittingly been a tool for Dumbledore, but Harry still felt a warm glow from the smile on his friends' face.
Harry had a hard time being around Hermione. Seeing her pop up constantly through the day due to the Time Turner was starting to grate on his nerves. Luckily, he didn't have Potions or Divination until the next day. Having to deal with Snape, Trelawny, and Hermione would have been too much. The first day of the year was almost complete. All he had to do was get through the meeting with Dumbledore.
"Luminous lollies." Harry said before the gargoyle could ask.
The statue gave a little huff as the passage appeared. Harry looked up at the gargoyle.
"I'm sorry." Harry said. "I shouldn't take my frustration out on you. Would you like to hear a riddle?"
The gargoyle flopped down to sit cross-legged on its perch. "Proceed."
"There are two groups of horses, one in a paddock and one free." Harry held up his index finger on each hand. "One group starts singing 'Don't Fence Me In' and the other begins to sing 'Wide Open Spaces'. Which group sings which song?"
Harry headed up to the stairs as the gargoyle began to mumble to itself.
"Come in." Dumbledore called before Harry could knock.
"You wanted to see me?" Harry stepped into the office.
"Take a seat." Dumbledore gave a warm smile as he motioned to the open chair. "Lemon drop?"
"No thank you." Harry sat. "I would say that it's a record to get called in on the first day, but last year I was in here before the feast was over."
"Indeed." Dumbledore chuckled.
Harry felt something press on his mind. His years as an auror had taught him to recognize the signs of Legilimency even without the protection Death had given him. A rush of heat sparked within him. Using mental magic on a minor was not only frowned upon, but illegal.
Dumbledore stared at Harry for a moment longer.
"Did you need something?" Harry felt the pressure once more.
"Yes." Dumbledore said the word slowly. "What do you know of Sirius Black?"
"He is my godfather." Harry lifted up his hand to show the Black Heir ring. "Also, the head of the Noble and Ancient House of Black."
"You claimed your Heir ring?" Dumbledore sat back in his chair.
"Yes." Harry willed the Potter ring to appear as well. "Now that I'm thirteen, and the last living Potter, I am now Lord Potter as well."
"Are you sure that is wise, Harry?" Dumbledore leaned forward.
Harry could feel the pressure on his mind increase.
"These last two years have taught me that I need extra protection." Harry nodded. "The rings provide defense against magical and legal attacks."
"You are not old enough to take the Potter seat." Dumbledore's eyes glanced at the two rings. "I can help you chose a proxy until you are seventeen. Arthur Weasley, for one, would make a great representative."
"Thank you for the recommendation." Harry gave a short nod. "I need to arrange a meeting to get everything settled. I'm still learning how to deal with the political side of things."
"Of course." Dumbledore smiled, his grandfather act slipping back into place. "I'm not overly fond of the bureaucratic aspect of our government myself. Since you are a student, we can handle that for you."
"No thank you."
The words wiped the smile off of Dumbledore's face. "Pardon?"
"As Lord Potter, I need to learn how to take care of these things on my own." Harry said. "If the papers are to be believed, my parents' will is sealed, and I will need to work on that."
A brief flash of frustration crossed the Headmasters face. Dumbledore schooled his expression with impressive speed.
"Ah yes, the papers." Dumbledore straightened up in his chair. "It is rather disappointing such news of Hogwarts has been spread so publicly. Did you have something to do with that?"
"Disappointing?" Harry tilted his head to the side. "It should be old news. The basilisk was last year. Parents and students would have been talking about months ago."
"The news changes quickly and the public can forget just as fast." Dumbledore waved the train of thought away. "Digging up the past will unearth old wounds. Rita Skeeter is doing the wizarding world no favors."
"Except for getting the Kiss On Sight order for Sirius Black removed." Harry was beginning to tire of this conversation.
"The dementors. Yes." Dumbledore nodded. "Many students claim to have seen you singlehandedly slay a dementor on the train."
Harry laughed.
"There is no truth to it then?" Dumbledore gave a jolly smile. "Even Professor Lupin said something of the kind."
"Professor Lupin was asleep in the cabin." Harry shook his head. "I admit that I stepped out to protect my friends, I couldn't let them get hurt." He sighed. "Killing a dementor. I didn't even know what they were called until this summer. That would mean in the past few weeks I somehow came up with a spell that no one else has created to kill that creature. I doubt even Hermione could do that."
Dumbledore studied him for a long moment. "I can understand you wanted to protect your friends, Harry. However, I must caution you against facing a dementor. They are some of the most fearsome creatures that are known to exist."
"Facing a basilisk was more than enough monster fighting in my life." Harry stood. "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
"Of course." Dumbledore stood as well. "Just because the papers say that Sirius Black might be innocent doesn't mean you don't need to be careful. He spent years in Azkaban, there is no telling what that has done to his mind."
"Hogwarts is the safest place in the world." Harry paused in the doorway. "Right?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Right."
Harry headed back down the stairs. A small hand tugged on his shirt collar as he got to the bottom.
"The horses in the paddock are singing, don't fence me in and the wild horses are singing, wide open spaces." The gargoyle crossed their arms. "Right?"
"Nope." Harry smiled up at the gargoyle.
The stone creature blanched. "But… how?"
"Horses don't sing, mate." Harry winked before he turned and walked away.
Harry laughed at the gargoyle began to curse loudly.