Revised: June 17, 2021

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"HARRY? HARRY, CAN YOU HEAR ME?"

Fred waited for a response, and when it came, it was much quieter but still perfectly clear. "Fred, there's no need to shout."

"ARE YOU SURE?" Fred shouted.

"If you want me to go deaf, then yes." Fred could picture him rubbing his ear and lowered his voice sheepishly.

"Sorry. Muggle phones are so weird."

Before Harry could reply, there was a scuffling sound, followed by a new voice. "Who is this?"

"Fred Weasley. I'm a student at Hogwarts."

Beside him, George winced, and it took Fred's brain a second too long to realize who he must have been talking to. "Wait, I —"

"THERE IS NO HARRY POTTER HERE!" Now the other person, Harry's uncle probably, was screaming. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT SCHOOL YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT! NEVER CONTACT ME AGAIN! DON'T YOU COME NEAR MY FAMILY!"

Fred heard the phone slam down, cutting off the connection. He slowly turned to George. "You think he heard me?" he tried to joke.

George clapped his hand over his face.

So much for being a piece of cake.

The twins didn't try to contact Harry again after that, leaving him bored and missing the wizarding world more than ever. Sometimes, when he was lying in bed, he'd find his mind straying to some of the more pleasant aspects of it. Levitating the feather for the first time, Fred teaching him how he bewitched the snowballs to hit someone, the dueling club, Fred and George deliberately mixing up their sweaters... They were such idiots, Harry thought fondly.

On the day of his birthday, a reporter on the television talking about an escaped convict caught his attention.

"... the public is warned that Black is armed and extremely dangerous. A special hot line has been set up, and any sighting of Black should be reported immediately."

"No need to tell us he's no good," snorted Uncle Vernon, staring over the top of his newspaper at the prisoner. "Look at the state of him, the filthy layabout! Look at his hair!"

He shot a nasty look sideways at Harry, but Harry barely registered it. He was staring at the gaunt man on the television, feeling like he had seen him from somewhere but not knowing what.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when Uncle Vernon mentioned Aunt Marge. Oh, how he hated her.

Harry had hoped that he could use Aunt Marge's visit to persuade Uncle Vernon to sign his permission form for Hogsmeade, but when she insulted his parents, he couldn't take it and ended up blowing her up.

Afterward, Harry had taken the Knight Bus — he regretted that immediately — and went into Diagon Alley. He caught sight of a new broom in the window, the Firebolt. He had to admit that it looked tempting. But since he had no interest for Quidditch, he moved on.

He ran into the Weasleys, who greeted him enthusiastically. Percy shook his hand as if he were speaking to the mayor. "Harry. How nice to see you. "

"Hello, Percy."

"I hope you're well?"

"Very well, thanks —"

"Harry!" said Fred, elbowing Percy out of the way and bowing deeply. Just the sight of him made Harry feel lighter. "Simply splendid to see you, old boy —"

"Marvelous," said George, pushing Fred aside and seizing Harry's hand in turn. "Absolutely spiffing."

"That's enough, now," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Mum!" said Fred, as though he'd only just spotted her and seizing her hand, too. "How really corking to see you —"

"I said, that's enough," said Mrs. Weasley, while Harry laughed. "Hello, Harry, dear. I suppose you've heard our exciting news?" She pointed to the brand-new silver badge on Percy's chest. "Second Head Boy in the family!" she said, swelling with pride.

"And last," Fred muttered under his breath.

"I don't doubt that," said Mrs. Weasley, frowning suddenly. "I notice they haven't made you two prefects. "

"What do we want to be prefects for?" said George, looking revolted at the very idea. "It'd take all the fun out of life. "

Harry shook his head, grinning a little. God, he missed them.

As they began to move, Fred and George fell into place around Harry. "So you blew up your aunt, hm?"

Harry sighed. "Yes. She was saying how my parents were drunks that got themselves killed, leaving me to be with my decent, hardworking relatives." He said this very bitterly, and Fred threw an arm over his shoulders.

"Don't worry your pretty little head about it," he said. "You have me and Gred here."

Harry grinned. "Shouldn't I be more worried?"

"Oi!" Fred removed his arm, feigning hurt.

Just before getting onto the train, Mr. Weasley pulled Harry aside to warn him about Sirius Black. Hearing the full name reminded him exactly who he was, but he did not share this with Mr. Weasley.

Hermione, Ron, and Ginny found an empty compartment and sat together, but Harry, never one for social interactions if he could help it, kept looking. Eventually, he came to the last compartment, which was occupied by a man with a shabby set of robes. His hair was brown, though it was flecked with gray.

The man's case had the name Professor R. J. Lupin on it. "Remus," Harry murmured out loud longingly.

It seemed as if Lupin wasn't really asleep- either that, or he was a very light sleeper- for his eyes shot open and he stared at Harry in astonishment. "Harry? You remember me?"

Harry nodded slowly. "Sort of. You were my dad's friend."

Lupin nodded, pain flashing across his scarred face. "I was." He looked as if he wanted to say more, but he looked down at his lap.

Awkwardly, Harry sat down across from him. "How have you been?"

Lupin — or should he say, Remus? — shrugged. "It's been quite rough," he admitted.

Harry nodded sympathetically.

At that moment, the compartment door opened and Luna Lovegood appeared. "Hello, Harry."

"Luna," Harry replied, smiling. "How was your summer? Meet any new creatures?"

"Oh, it was wonderful," Luna gushed. "Daddy and I went looking for the Crumpled-Horned Snorkack in Sweden, but we were unsuccessful."

"Well, you're not always successful on your first try," Harry said sympathetically.

"Very true." She noticed Remus. "Who are you?"

"Remus Lupin. I'll be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year."

Luna smiled. "That's nice," she said.

Mid-afternoon, the train started to slow down. "Are we there already?" Luna wondered.

"We can't be." Harry shivered. "Why is it so cold?"

Suddenly, the lights went out. Harry's mind flashed back to the cupboard, and he flinched. Luna, who sensed his fear, grabbed a hold of his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "What's going on?" Harry tried not to panic.

"I don't know."

"Quiet!" Remus said. He stood up and lit the compartment up with a handful of flames. "Stay where you are," he said.

The door slid open, and Harry could only stare at the dark cloaked figure with hands that looked to be decaying. The coldness Harry had mentioned suddenly intensified, and there was screaming, terrified and pleading. Harry felt his grip on Luna's hand slacken and felt his body give way...

"Harry! Are you all right?"

Someone was shaking his shoulder.

"W-what?" Harry opened his eyes to see that the lights have come back on and the train was moving again. Luna stood over him, her usual dreamy expression gone and replaced with anxiety. "What was that thing?"

A very pale Remus answered, voice wavering slightly. "A dementor. One of the dementor from Azkaban." He snapped off several pieces of chocolate. "Here. This'll make you feel better." He stood up. "I need to speak with the driver. Excuse me." He disappeared into the corridor.

"You were shaking," Luna said.

"Who was screaming?"

"No one was screaming, Harry. Dementors make you relive your worst memories."

Harry shivered. "Who could've screamed?" he murmured.

Remus reappeared. "I haven't poisoned the chocolate, you know..."

With a start, Harry realized he had completely forgotten about it. He took a bite and felt warmth return to his body.

"We'll be at Hogwarts in ten minutes," said Remus. "Are you all right, Harry?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks, Moony." His eyes widened when he realized what he had said.

Remus' eyes also widened. He cleared his throat. "Of course, Harry."

When they got off the train, they climbed into a carriage. Harry assumed they were pulled by invisible horses since they couldn't see what was in front.

They stepped off and were halfway to the giant oak doors when someone called Harry's name. Turning, he saw Fred squeezing past people to reach his side.

"Are you okay?" he demanded, gripping his shoulders. "I heard you fainted."

"I'm fine, Fred." Harry squeezed one his hands in return. "A little chocolate goes a long way."

"Right." Fred cleared his throat. "Good to hear."

"You actually fainted, Potter?" Parkinson sneered. "Scary old dementor frighten you?"

"Is there a problem?" Remus had gotten out of the next carriage.

"No, sir," said Parkinson, eyeing his patchy robes with disdain. She pushed past Harry with her nose in the air.

Remus saw with mild interest that Fred's hands were still on Harry's shoulders. As if realizing this himself, Fred pulled back. But he didn't move from Harry's side until they were safely inside the Great Hall.

I kinda felt like Harry and Fred's feelings kinda sprang out of nowhere, so I decided to try and add some moments. I'm hoping to add more (though they won't be explicitly romantic in Years 1 and 2.)