Summary: A young abused girl Harry met during the summer between 6th and 7th year changes his life forever.

Warnings: swearing, slash, mentions of child abuse and spanking of minors

These Days Are Dark

Chapter One: Ivy Leigh

Harry Potter's summer before his final year at Hogwarts had started off just like the others before it. Long days doing chores for his Aunt and Uncle and lonely nights doing his homework which was in fact, one of the only parts of being at four Private Drive that he actually enjoyed.

That was how it had started at least, but now as he lay on the bed in his room at 'The leaky caldron' a not yet eleven year old girl staring at him. Harry had met the young witch on one of his many strolls through muggle London; she had been living on the streets for a little over two years after being kicked out of the orphanage she had been left at as a baby for being a 'freak'.

He has been instantly drawn to the girl, not in a romantic or sexual nature but in more of a paternal or brotherly way. Ivy was small for her age; very thin due to malnourishment she had long waist length reddish-brown hair and deep green eyes. She had been wary of Harry at first but after talking for a little while she had trusted him enough to buy her something to eat.

It had been almost a month since Harry had left his Aunt and Uncles and met Ivy, it was it seventeenth birthday and he had one big thing planned before he went to his Godfather's later to see the people he loved and considered family.

The piece of parchment in front of him could change both his and Ivy's lives forever "Ivy, how would you feel about me becoming your legal guardian?" he asked the young girl now that he was seventeen he was legally and adult in the wizarding world, meaning he could get married, buy a house, drink alcohol, aperate and do magick outside of school but it also meant he could become Ivy's guardian, something he truly wanted.

"Really, you want to do that?" her face lit up as she looked at him "I'll take that as a yes" Harry smiled as he signed his name on the parchment "I just need your full name and if you want to take mine?" he asked "Ivy Leigh Shelby and yes add Potter to it as my last name please".

With everything signed, Harry turned to his owl Hedwig and gave her the letter "takes this to the department of domestic affairs at the ministry of magic" he told the owl who hooted her understanding and flew off.

"Well come on Ives we've got some shopping to do before we head of to meet my friends" he said getting up and walking into the adjoining bathroom to shower and get dressed.

...

"Come on let's go in here" he lead her into the store "you can pick a pet out...anyone that's allowed at Hogwarts" Ivy walked around the store looking into cages and tanks at all the animals before coming across the tri-coloured black, white and ginger kitten who looked at her with wide green eyes "him...I want him" she told Harry who nodded turning to the shop keeper he said "we'll take the kitten".

The trip to pick up their potion ingredients etc for school had ended up with Harry leaving with two would be ingredients winding around his arms and neck hissing happily to him. They moved on to get their books, then robes and cloaks. Once the bulk of their supplies were bought they headed to 'Olivander's' to get Ivy's wand after nearly an hour of trying her wand had been found, 12inch willow and unicorn hair.

Ivy had asked to go into the twins' store but Harry had said no, promising that they would next time but right now they needed to go and get ready to leave for Sirius's house.

...

The two had decided to floo to Grimald Place having not told anyone about Ivy, Harry wasn't overly surprised when he was greeted on the other end by confused stares and Ron's question of "who's this, your girlfriend?...Blimey Harry she's a bit young don't you think?"

A/N: not really sure about this one but hope you enjoyed...review and let me know if I should continue.