Harry mentioned that he had been looking into his family's lands, but had found only ruins. He did not mention the surprise in the dungeons or explain how he intended to transform a ruin back into a home.
Several hours into the journey, the skies outside darkened and the train stopped. And coldness descended on the compartment.
Something opened the compartment door. Harry felt a pull on himself, on his mind. He felt fear. He felt like sicking up. He felt rage.
That last started when Harry laid eyes on a creature or a demon. The Dementor, for what else could it be, was taller than the doorway. The hood of its cloak snagged as it entered, but when the cloth fell away, only an outline of blackness emanated from where a head should have been. The hands it possessed were darkened, like flesh burned in a fire. All it was missing was a scythe and a booming voice or even a soft one.
Dementor. Death. Demon.
Harry could hear faint screaming and he was suddenly extremely tired.
He had never gotten the Patronus Charm to work, still he had to try.
"Expecto Patronum."
He saw a little wisp of hazy white emerge from his wand, before it collapsed in on itself.
The demon was reaching for Neville and lowering its head.
"Ignis Solis."
The small, hot ball of fire lodged inside the Dementor. The chill of the room ended and it became very warm very quickly. The Dementor shrieked and it was as sickening a sound as looking upon its almost featureless face. It fled the compartment taking its brethren in the hallway with it.
The last Harry saw of it, one Dementor still had a gut of fire. Ignis Solis shouldn't last that long, but this one did. How?
That was the last thing Harry was able to think of before he lost consciousness.
....
"Mr. Potter? Harry? Harry Potter. Mr. Potter?"
The voice was insistent and prodding.
Harry opened his eyes. He could see he was still on the train. Who was calling his name?
He turned his head. Perenelle Flamel was in his compartment on this train. How?
The train was moving again, Harry could feel.
"Are they gone, the Dementors?" he asked.
"Yes. My apologies. I was on board, but dealing with some foulness a few cars back."
Harry smiled. "I'm glad they didn't hurt anyone."
"They tried. Oh, they tried. I am going to flay Cornelius Fudge and see if he had a lick of sense anywhere in his body."
Where that might be hyperbole from someone else, Harry thought that this woman, far older than she looked, could actually do it. As in, had the skill and the stomach to use a knife in that way.
Harry chose not to dwell on it.
"Do you feel well?" she asked.
"I'm fine. Where are my friends, though?"
"I asked them to step into the hall until I had seen to your care."
"So they're fine?"
"Jittery, but fine."
"Even Neville? That demon was reaching for him."
"Then he has the worst unresolved memories of anyone in the compartment. Perhaps I shall chat with him next."
"Please, Professor."
"You're aware of Dementors, then?"
Aware of, but useless against, them. "I tried the Patronus Charm. It didn't work."
"But you drove one off with fire..."
"Yes, I think so."
"That's known not to work."
Harry shrugged. It had been desperation.
"As old as I am, I still try to learn something new every day. Good work, Mr. Potter. I'd never thought to try to burn one of those creatures, given it was known not to work. And I've never heard of anyone doing it damage as you have managed. Very good work."
"So why did this fire work if others have tried and failed?"
"I will be trying to figure that out myself. Ignis Solis, I believe?"
"Yes, Professor."
"It's not one I know well. I never was much for needing to burn things. I shall investigate and let you know what I discover."
"Thank you, Professor."
"No, my thanks are for you. Disproving several centuries of dogma as a third-year student in a desperate moment. You've a good mind, Potter. Continue to use it. And that spell must have been one you worked on steadily."
"For almost two years."
"You've made it formidable, to say the least. Your hard work shall not fail you in the future."
Harry resolved to continue working on his adventuring spells even more. He had used three of them now to save his own life – and the world didn't seem to be getting any safer.
Harry had a long way to go before he could go on a real adventure. It was hard enough just getting to school some years.
"Well, I shall attend to Mr. Longbottom in another compartment. I will allow your other friends to return here."
"Thank you."
"I should give you a warning. One of Nick's good ideas has been soured already by various forces."
"What idea?"
"He decided upon restoring several courses that had lapsed over the years. He managed to get one set up for this year as a core class, although it will split time with your Astronomy course. One week Astronomy, one week traditions, although the Board of Governors insisted on calling it Wizard Culture."
"Well, that sounds good."
"It was good until Lucius Malfoy, who was dismissed from the Board, called in some favors. The Professor of Wizard Culture is a rather unsavory character who was sacked from the Ministry. Madam Umbridge is one I will be watching with care."
"She was fired from the Ministry, but Hogwarts took her on?" Harry asked.
"Lucius Malfoy experienced a reversal of fortunes, as perhaps you're aware."
Harry nodded. He had seen Malfoy and Headmaster Flamel exchange words, and more valuable things, last year.
.....
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