"I'll miss you, pup." Sirius hugged Harry tightly. "Do you have everything? Trunk, wand, sword?"
"Funny." Harry rolled his eyes. "I'll miss you too. Don't get in too much trouble while I'm gone."
"I would never." Sirius clutched his chest in shock. "At least, I won't get caught."
The two looked very much like father and son. They were both dressed a muggle style with slacks, dress shirts, and oxfords. The shoes were made of dragonhide, and their clothes were made from acromantula silk. Sirius was dressed all in black, save for a pair of red cufflinks. Harry had a bit more color going with slate gray slates, brown dragonhide shoes, and a sky-blue shirt. Sirius had taught him the wonders of high-quality clothing during their time together.
"Are you going to show up for the tasks?" Harry asked.
"And miss a chance to see you?" Sirius scoffed. "Of course, I'll be there. Shame they aren't doing quidditch this year."
"You'd think they'd do something about that." Harry shook his head. "How many seventh years are going to lose out thanks to this stupid tournament?"
"I can pull some strings and get something for this summer arranged." Sirius rubbed his chin. "Merlin's nipples, we could make it a weeklong tournament for the House Teams. Like the world cup, but for the amateur division. People could use some fun these days."
"Remind me to introduce you to Fred and George Weasley." Harry said.
Sirius looked interested. A rush of students passed by.
"No time to talk." Harry sighed. "I need to find a cabin."
Harry gave Sirius one last hug before he got onto the train. His trunk was the size of a matchbox in his pocket. It was sealed there until he activated a rune for extra security. He didn't think someone would try to actively steal it, more that he didn't want to lose it.
He slipped on the back of the train and slowly made his way forward. A mixture of first and second years were scattered through the first car he explored. The next was mostly third years with a few second years mingled in as well.
Harry found Luna sharing a cabin with Ginny, which was shocking because the Weasleys usually were one of the last students to arrive. There was a slight twinge of sorrow when he saw the look on Ginny's face. He had to fight the urge to comfort her. Luna met his gaze. His hand hovered over the latch to open the cabin. She shook her head. Luna raised a small hand, pointed the direction he was going then held up two fingers. She shot him a wink as she shooed him away.
He shrugged and moved down two doors. The shade was down. He knocked and opened it to find Hermione. She looked up at him, her eyes going wide.
"Harry." She squeaked.
Harry closed his eyes. Luna had set him up.
"Please." Hermione's voice was high and desperate. "Please. Don't leave."
Harry sighed. He stepped in, closing the door behind him.
"Please, talk to me." She scooted over, trying to give him as much space as possible. "I know you were upset last year, but you haven't talked to me in a year. I tried to send you letters."
Harry settled into the seat. He stared at the floor.
"Look at me." She was crying now.
"Why would you do it?" He finally looked up at her. "Why?"
"What did I do?" Hermione pleaded. "I'm sorry, please tell me."
Harry stared her down. His magic flared with as his emotions raged.
Hermione froze. "Are you really Harry?"
He chuckled. "I'm Harry."
"I don't understand what is going on." Hermione tried to wipe the tears from her eyes.
Harry's hand sliced through the air, fingers pointing at the door. A bolt of magic vanished the seams, making it a stretch of wall rather than a door. Hermione gawked at the display of wandless magic.
"You betrayed me. Played with my memories for years." Harry took a deep breath. "You helped her steal my life."
"How did you know?" Hermione whispered.
Harry tilted his head to the side. "How did I know what?"
"Misses Weasley, she asked me to give you potions during school when she couldn't." Hermione began to cry again. "She said Dumbledore told her to do it. That he knew what was for the best."
Harry leaned back. He chuckled. It turned into a mad laugh that could rival any dark lord. His eyes welled with tears as he continued. Hermione stared at him like a cow looks at an oncoming train.
"I didn't know that." He wiped the tears from his eyes. "I was talking about my old life."
"You're not making sense." Hermione said. "I'm sorry. I was just doing what I was told."
Harry took a deep breath then let it out. He had to concentrate on holding in more laughter. Seeing Hermione staring at him like he was crazy. Hearing about how she had already began to warp his mind even before working with Ginny. He pulled his magic back, setting it carefully in place to continue his charade.
"I killed him." Harry said after a moment.
"Who?" Hermione tucked her legs up onto the seat.
"Voldermort." Harry smiled at her. "Cut him in half with a sword. I killed a lot of Death Eaters too."
"You attacked Azkaban." She whispered.
"And Snape." Harry added. "Can't forget about him. Cut his head off right in his living room."
"Why are you telling me this?" Hermione didn't bother reaching for her wand. "Are you going to kill me next?"
Every single ounce of emotion drained from his face. He locked eyes with her. Staring so deep through her that the primal part of her brain was screaming.
"That would be too quick." His voice was cold, calculated. "Anything I torture I could think of wouldn't be enough." The Elder Wand appeared in his hand as he pointed it at her forehead. "I'll let you ruin your own life."
Three drops of clear liquid emerged from the end of the wand. They pooled together before stretching out in a thin line. Hermione watched in horror as it extended toward her. The liquid touched her the side of her brow, sliding through her skull, and coming out as a massive, swirling tangle of silver.
The terror on her face faded, replaced by wonder.
"Memories." Harry said. "Three drops for three years."
Harry flicked the wand, sending the silver liquid out the window and scattering it to the wind. The few droplets that remained were taken back to an ant nest. For years afterwards the colony had perfect recollection of the time Ron vomited slugs.
The Elder Wand made returning the door even easier. With that done he banished it to wherever it went when he wasn't using it. Hermione stared out the window. She blinked slowly for a few seconds. Harry watched as she shook her head.
"Harry, right?" She asked with an eyeroll.
Harry nodded.
Hermione sighed. "I'm trying to read. There should be plenty of open cabins elsewhere."
Three years of memories. Every moment they spent together as friends. Gone. She was the Hermione before the troll again. Harry was impressed by the Elder Wand. It had taken the moments that made their friendship but left everything else. To her, Harry was just another member of Gryffindor.
He stepped out into the hall. The lock clicked the moment it closed behind him. Harry moved to the next car. He found an open cabin and dropped down onto the seat. Harry pressed his forehead against the glass, closing his eyes. He didn't want to cry.
That didn't stop the tears.