Harry doubted it. Dumbledore hadn't been wrong yet.
Dumbledore also gave him something for his sight, which was atrocious even with his glasses due to the poor prescription. It would seem that his constant war to keep his damaged glasses on his nose hadn't gone unnoticed by the professor.
Harry had sent Dumbledore a thank you, hoping beyond hope he was using his owl properly. He wasn't sure that he was, but it seemed innocuous enough even if he was doing it wrong.
After a few days he had finished several books meant to introduce muggleborn witches and wizards to the magical world. Touching on laws and expectations and unique customs which separated the worlds both literally, through the statute of secrecy, and metaphorically, through the differences in greetings and exclamations. Harry thought anyone who shouted things like 'Merlin's beard!' had to be at least a little odd.
Finally, he had received a ring as the head of the Potter family. It made sense, given he was the only survivor, who else could it be? Although, it didn't really let him do anything, nor access any vaults save his trust vault. The Potter family owned several properties which could now only be described as vacant lots. Voldemort had razed Potter Manor, the Scottish cottage and a French estate in his pursuit of Harry's parents.
Since then, he had been anxiously awaiting the day he would board that famous train. He had read multiple introductions to magical theory in the meantime, and the first several chapters of his school books. The theory seemed difficult to him. When he compared the manner he performed and thought of legilimency, to the way it was introduced in the book, it was vastly different. He could only hope that, in practice, magic would be easier than these books made it out to be. He understood the principles from his own experience. He had to desire something and push his will into it. The clearer he wanted it, and the more he tried, the more likely it was to work.
It seemed similar to the idea of intent and power for spells. Which he understood was important for transfiguration.
He hoped he would do well and the teachers would like him. He wanted to at least have that over his old school, even if he didn't think he would make any friends.
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When the day for the train ride came Harry felt unprepared. He had visited King's Cross Station so that he would know where to go when the time came but he had been unable to find the platform. Dumbledore assured him that he should walk through the pillars between platforms nine and ten but when he attempted it he had made something of a fool of himself. He guessed that the platform wasn't always there and that when the time came, it would be ready.
He willed himself into an alley he had selected when scouting the station, the way he used to do. Apparition, he now knew it was called. He knew it was illegal for him to apparate but there was no way to track him. It was something they registered wizards and witches for so they could receive help if they splinched themselves, mostly to protect the Statute of Secrecy. He felt confident that he wouldn't splinch himself. Admittedly, he was carrying more than he usually did. But, he had practiced beforehand to make sure he would be able to do it; especially with Hedwig.
He arrived with a snap of displaced air. He immediately felt anxious and attempted to clear his mind, but failed repeatedly. He pushed on and made his way to platforms nine and ten.
He watched a gaggle of red heads push through the crowds ahead of him. The eldest redhead, a plump woman, said something about muggles which he could hear from where he was. The tallest redhead had already pushed through the barrier. It seemed simple enough. Enter the platform by walking through the wall, just like Dumbledore had said.
Do I risk doing it without help?
He considered attempting the platform without assistance, and eventually decided to wait until the family of redheads were through. It helped to remind himself that it was likely others would come along, should he need help, and he could just ask them. It was unlikely he would be the last to show up for the train.
He braced himself as he strode forward, not knowing what was on the other side.
Its crowded.
Dozens of people were pushing their way towards the train and then away. Waving parents, excited children, and a whole menagerie of pets. Harry nearly panicked and apparated back to his cupboard. He steeled himself and kept his head down, aiming for the closest entrance to the train that he could see. He wasn't spotted, which was nice. His heart beat frantically in his chest. He tried to calm himself with some basic exercises, but it did little of use. He chose the first available empty compartment, which happened to be by the door he entered. It seems that his fellow students didn't like to be near the entrances and exits to the train. He closed the door behind him after lifting his trunk up to the rack, and pulled the curtains.
He sank into the seat with a sigh of relief, his heart finally slowing down from its staccato beat. It still jumped when people passed his compartment though. He wanted to lock the door, but he wasn't sure it would be allowed. He really didn't want his teachers to hate him on the first day.
They should at least get to know me before they decide to hate me.
He relaxed a little and found the mind exercises worked better. He pulled out his wand and grinned. It was time to finally cast a spell. He ran through the first motion of the levitation spell. It was the first charm in the book, so it seemed like the best place to start. He had arrived early enough that he had plenty of time before the train was supposed to leave.
He performed the wand movement as he had practiced and spoke the incantation flawlessly.