Summer was coming to an end, which meant it was time to stock up for the new school year. This time, the trip to Diagon Alley was uneventful. Except for the fact that there were wanted posters for a fugitive criminal, Sirius Black, plastered all over the streets.
Sirius Black was one of Barry's favourite characters in the saga. Watching the situation unfold in real life, all he could do was feel sorry for him and wait for the day when he would be able to help Sirius.
Arthur Weasley, whom Harry met at The Leaky Cauldron, added fuel to the fire. He told him what a bad person Sirius was and that he should be afraid of him. The only question that was spinning around in Barry's head, but which he never voiced, was, "Do you know who Sirius Black really is?" Of course, to maintain his image, he had to keep quiet.
***
"So Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban?" Ron asked.
"Yes," Harry shrugged.
"But they'll catch him, won't they? Everyone's looking for him!" Hermione wondered.
Barry and Caitlin didn't answer, just nodded to their friend. The sleeping man in the corner of the compartment said nothing. Everyone thought Sirius was a criminal. But it didn't matter, the time would come and everyone would learn the truth.
Suddenly, the train stopped. It was dark all around, and the lights suddenly went out, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.
"What?" Caitlin asked fearfully. "We're not there yet!"
"I don't know, maybe the train broke down?" Harry said nervously.
Suddenly, it became very cold. Harry and Ron left the compartment to see how the other passengers were reacting. Like them, the others had no idea what was going on.
The train jerked and stopped immediately, causing Harry and Ron, who were standing, to fall to the floor. Everyone froze, and something terrible began. A depressing, gloomy atmosphere formed around them. The compartment door opened, and a black figure in a robe entered.
"The death of my mother... The death of my father... The ever-mocking Thawne. Zoom. Savitar. The Thinker. Cicada. Crisis..."
All of Barry Allen's worst memories came flooding back. He screamed, covering his head with his hands. The Dementor flew towards his face and began to suck the life out of him. The boy began to lose consciousness, and the only thing he could see before slipping into oblivion was a huge bright flash...
...He woke up on the sofa in the compartment. The train was running as usual, only the sound of rain could be heard outside the window.
"Eat this," he said, and the first thing he saw was the face of a man holding out a chocolate bar. Now "Harry" recognised him — it was Remus Lupin. "This will help you."
"Oh my God, Harry!" Hermione immediately rushed over to hug him. "We were so scared for you!"
"Oh," was all the boy said. "What was that?"
"Dementors," Lupin replied. "They came here for Sirius Black, thinking he might be here. But everything's fine now, they've gone. And I need to go now too..."
The man stood up and headed for the exit, but suddenly turned around and pointed at the chocolate bar.
"It will help you.
***
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