Harry Potter shivered, huddled up in a ball in the alley he was abandoned in. It was so cold...It had snowed, and he was freezing...
He let out a soft whimper when a bitter cold wind blew through the air. Tears began to form, but he hurriedly wiped them away. He didn't want anyone to walk by, see and get angry...
He hated it here...He wanted it to be warm again...Snow was bad...Sun was good...
Shaking his head, he forced himself to stand. He made his way over to the nearby dumpster. Opening it, he peeked inside.
'Please let there be food...' He thought.
And much to his relief, he found a half-eaten sandwich.
He reached into the dumpster and picked up the sandwich. He took a bite. It was stale but he was used to it. He took another bite and heard a growl. He ignored it thinking it was his tummy but when he heard it again he paused.
He looked around his eyes wide and his legs shaking slightly. He gazed around till he heard it once again above him. He looked up and his eyes grew wide as he saw three pitch black dogs glaring at him their teeth out and growling. The boy took a hesitant step back and the lead dog jumped him pining the poor boy to the ground.
Harry let out a pained yelp as the sandwich flew from his hands and out of the ally way. The dogs surrounded the boy as the one who pinned him tugged at his hair causing him to wince. The other two lunged for his leg and arm and bit down hard ripping a pained scream from the boy.
'This was it…this is where I die…' he thought as he stopped struggling and excepted his fate but fate had bigger plans for this young wizard, and that fate came in a feline like woman who was walking down the street passed the ally way.
Nadia Fortune was on her way to visit her friends down at the restaraunt, when a peculiar sound caught her ear. "Dogs...Purrfect..." She muttered, rolling her eyes. She did not like dogs... All drooly and stuff...
However, when she heard a scream, she knew something was up. Eyes wide, she snapped her head to look into the alley. She let out a gasp. Then her eyes narrowed into slits and she clenched her fists.
"Hang in there, kit!" She called out before lunging forward, delivering a kick to the lead dog that sent it sprawling into a wall.
The feline fighter smirked and raised her fists. "They say dogs LOVE chasing cats. But me? Well, I'M usually the one doing the chasing, so unless you mutts wanna get hurt, I suggest you run."
The dogs snarled, not liking the smell of this woman, and began to approach slowly.
She smirked as her tail waged from side to side excited. She opened her hands and sharp claws could be seen at the tips of her fingertips. "So you wana tangle with the kitty don't you boys? Well this kitten's got claws!" she said.
The dogs lunched themselves at the feline fighter expecting to tear her to pieces. The girl jumped to the side and swung her tail like a bat and struck the lead dog sending it flying with a wine. She jumped over the other two dogs and landed in crouch behind them. The turned around growling. She smirked and charged at them with amazing speed as she sliced one dog in the face while kicking the other one away.
Her ears twitched as she twisted her body to avoid the lead dog lunging at her. However, winced when she felt one dog snap its jaw on her arm. She looked down at the dogs widened eyes and gave it a flat look. "Enjoying the taste big boy?" she asked. "ENJOY THIS!" she shouted as she lifted the mutt and started to use him as a bat and nailed the other dogs to send them flying out of the alleyway.
Hurt and dizzy the dog let go before getting nailed with a hardened tail before flying out of the alleyway with the rest of its pack. She dusted her hands and smirked. "Cats rule! Dogs drool!" she said pumping her fist.
She took a deep breath, then turned to see the boy staring at her with wide eyes. "Hey there, kiddo." She said, crouching down. "Not exactly the best place to be hanging out, now, is it?"
Harry stared at the woman for a few moments before looking down. "I-I-I'm sorry..." He replied. "I j-j-j-just...don't know where else to g-g-go..." Nadia raised a brow.
"Uh...I mean, your home sounds like a good spot..."
"I don't have a h-h-home anym-m-m-more..."
Nadia's eyes widened. "So you're out here...by yourself? With...NO ONE to take care of you?" Harry sniffled and buried his face in his hands. He was so cold...And hungry...And he felt weird...Sick...
The boy started to cough and groan. His bite marks were starting to heal thanks to his 'freakiness' and he felt tired.
Nadia realized something was wrong and moved closer to the boy and placed her palm on his forehead. Her eyes widened and pulled back quickly. "Your burning up! We need to get you inside quick!"
She scooped up the boy and rushed out of the alleyway and ran to find a place to help him. Being not a big fan of hospitals, she ran into one of her favorite restaurants instead. "YU-WAN! MINETTE! I NEED YOUR HELP!" she shouted disturbing those who were eating.
Harry was confused and startled when she had picked him up but was slowly losing focus as he started to cough harder. He snuggled into the girl enjoying her warmth and closed his eyes with a grimace, his tummy hurt and he felt so tired.
"Kid, kid stay awake..." Nadia said. "You go to sleep now and you might not wake up..."
"Nadia!" Minette exclaimed, rushing forward. "What is it?! You sounded scared, and...Oh...Oh my...What happened...?"
"I...I found him. He was being attacked, and I saved him...But now I don't know what to do. He's sick and he said he was homeless and..."
"Okay, calm down." Minette said gently. "Just relax. It's going to be okay."
"Right...Right, sorry..."
"Now...Let me see him."
Nadia looked down at the small child and handed him over to her friend. Minette gently took him in her arms and rocked him as she looked down at him. She rushed into the back with Nadia following close behind.
They saw Yu-Wan had prepared a small space and on the counter was a small bowl of sparkling water. Without any hesitation Minette took off the boys oversized shirt and promptly froze her hands moving to cover her mouth in shock.
Scars…so many scars covered the boys skinny frame. Some looked like they have scabbed over others looked fresh. He had light red and blue marks on his body in the shape of fists. The fish woman could not believe her eyes and froze as she felt a chill in the room. She slowly turned around to see how her friend was handling this.
Not well. When Nadia saw the old wounds her world froze. Her hands clenched her hair standing up, her claws digging into her hand went ignored. A light hissing could be heard coming from her. Who…who did this? When she finds them!
A small groan interrupted her thoughts as she and Minette watched the small boy curl into himself and moan in pain.
All anger vanished as sorrow replaced it as she approached the small boy, fighting the compulsion to pick him up and lick at his scars till they go away. She cupped his small face and ran her thumb over his cheek. He opened his eyes and gazed at her with dull green eyes.
"Help him…please" she pleaded.
Minette had never heard her friend sound so sad and it pained her heart to hear that sorrow in the usually happy fighter. She slowly walked up to her and patted her shoulder. Nadia looked up with tears in her eyes and nodded as she reluctantly pulled her hand away and took a step back.
The fish woman picked up the hurt child and gently placed him in the small bath. This was a healing liquid. It was able to heal almost any injury. It was famous among her kind and sought after by many but only those who are connected to her family can use it. She just hoped it was enough for the poor child.
"Okay, this might sting for JUUUST a second." The fishlike woman said gently. "But it WILL help. I promise." She carefully applied the liquid. The child squeezed his eyes shut and let out a whimper.
Nadia reacted to that sound immediately, grabbing him and squeezing him in a hug. "It's okay, kid." She said gently. "I gotcha..."
He looked up at her with big, sad eyes that melted her heart and broke it at the same time. She smiled and messed with his hair. "Heh...You got more knots in your hair than I do every morning..."
Minette smiled. "Now, he should heal quick enough..." Then the boy let out a sneeze. "But as for the cold...Well, all I can say is...He'll be needing plenty of rest.
Nadia looked thoughtful. 'Oh boy...This little guy's got nowhere to go...How's he gonna get any sleep out there? ...Wait...What if I...'
She smiled down at the little boy and nuzzled his head softly casing him to grin softly. "How about we get you dried off and into something warm…then you can rest at my place." She said.
Minette's and Yu-Wan's eyes widened at that. "Nadia are you- "
"He won't stay out in the streets!" she said sharply. "I won't have it…I…I want to help him." She shifted him so he was laying like a newborn in her arms and she started to rock him gently. Her tail had come up and had wrapped around him as well "You got a name kid?" she asked.
Harry sniffed and snuggled into the cat lady. He looked up with her his green eyes still a tad dull "H,,Ha..Hary…ma'am."
She ticked and stuck out her tongue at him playfully. "Ma'am makes me sound old! The names Nadia or as others call me Ms. Fortune" she winked at him.
Harry lowered his head sad. "I'm sorry…you can hit me now…" he mumbled.
Ms. Fortune grimaced when he said that. "No. No way. Not EVER." She said, stroking his head. "Why would I do that?"
"Cause I deserve-"
"Aaaand, that's where I stop ya, kid." She said, shaking her head. "Never think you deserve to be hit again. I'm not gonna hit you and neither is anyone else. That's a promise."
"Really...?"
"Yes. REALLY really." She began to purr lightly before asking a question. "So...why were you out there in that alley anyway?" The boy sniffled.
"Uncle Vernon...doesn't want me anymore..."
You could hear a pin drop. The two fishlike people and the catlike fighter realized the implications and were heartbroken. Nadia frowned sadly as she gazed at the sad child and lowered her head and started to nuzzle him purring softly as she did so.
The boy felt the tears start to fall but tried hard to fight them off…but when the cat lady started to nuzzle him he broke down. He clung to her tightly and sobbed quietly. The two fishlike people exchanged glances and the older gave his daughter a nod before walking out of the back room.
Nadia purred and licked away his tears gently not even realizing that her more animalistic side had taken over. She pulled away with a small blush and kissed his forehead. "He doesn't deserve you." She said softly.
Harry sobbed but nodded his head growing tired. Nadia smiled softly and rubbed her hand through his messy locks eliciting a small coo from the child. She gave into her urge and licked the boy's face once again causing him to giggle softly.
Nadia blushed slightly but gave him a smile. "Heh...Sorry, I should probably try not to do that." She said sheepishly.
"Wh-Why not...? I liked it..." He replied. She smirked.
"Oh yeah?" She replied. "Well then...Have another." She licked his cheek again, eliciting another giggle. "Heh...Looks like you're having a TONGUE of fun." He giggled again. "Like my jokes? Well, good, cause there's plenty more where that came from, squirt."
"I...I like your ears..." Nadia gave him a toothy grin.
"Thanks." She playfully poked at his ears. "I like yours too." He blushed.
"Thank you..."
Minette smiled warmly at the two. They were just so cute together, and she was glad that the little boy was going to a nice home…home…THAT'S IT! The fish like woman's smile grew wider as she walked up to the pare.
Harry's eyes grew slightly wide as he observed the new woman she was…fishy. Yet she had a smile on her face like the kitty lady…he waved shyly at her.
Minette waved back at the small boy. "Oh aren't you a cutie." She gushed earning a blush from the small boy as he looked down bashfully.
Nadia smirked "Get used to it kid, she and I will be saying that A LOT" she stressed with a wink. His face grew a brighter shade of red.
The two friends chuckled at him and Minette leaned into her friend and whispered in her friend's ear. "Adopt him."
Nadia stiffened and turned to look at Minette. "...I'm sorry, say again?"
"Adopt him." Minette replied with a grin.
"...I mean...I...I..." Nadia began to blush, looking at Harry, who was looking confused.
"What's...adopt?" He asked.
"Well, Harry..." Minette began. "If Nadia here adopts you, then that would make her your new mommy!"
"Minette..." Nadia began.
"...My...My mama...?"
Nadia gave her grinning friend a small glare before gazing at down to see the boys once dull eyes now alight in a brilliant emerald green filled with hope. The fighter's heart melted at that look and gave a small sigh but she smiled. "When you think you are ready…you can call me…that" she said.
Minette squealed and hugged her friend who blushed, "Hey! I'm holding a kid here!" she scolded her friend but couldn't help the growing smile.
"Mama…mama…my mama…mama" Harry mumbled his eyes still wide with shock. Nadia smiled down at the small child and cupped his cheek. "I think we broke him" she said.
"Why…why do you want a fr…a freak like me?" he asked sadly.
The two woman raised their brows at that. "Freak? Kid look at us…we are a fish and a cat… compared to us your about as normal as they can get." Nadia said.
Her friend gave her a light glare before giving the child a warm smile. "Why would you say something like that honey?"
"M-My uncle...He said I'm a freak-"
"Your uncle's a dead man." Nadia interrupted.
"Nadia!" Minette scolded.
"What? He is!"
"Well don't tell Harry that!"
"N-No...I don't want my uncle dead..." Harry protested timidly.
"Well, I mean, I'm not literally gonna kill him, just...beat him black and blue, scratch him up..."
"Honestly!" Minette scolded shaking her head with her arms crossed. "You're going to be a mother. Do you want to go to jail already!"
"Eh, they would never catch me!" she waved the threat off. "And I am acting as a mother. Hurting those who hurt my kit!" she said.
"Please…don't"
The two looked down at the child blinking.
He blushed and twiddled his fingers. "Please don't hurt him…he doesn't deserve…"
"Yes he dose"
"Nadia!"
"He dose!" she protested.
"Please!" he pleaded. They stopped their argument and looked back down at the small boy with wide eyes. "Don't be like him…don't be like them…"
Nadia froze on the spot as she gazed at the boy. "Please...Please don't." He pleaded. Nadia calmed down.
"...Okay...I promise you I won't hurt your uncle...But only if he doesn't try anything, okay? If we see him...and if he tries to hurt you...I WILL protect you. Even if...Even if I might have to hurt him..."
Harry nodded slowly. "Okay..." Nadia smiled.
"...Minette...Can I have some time alone with him?" She asked. The other woman smiled.
"Of course. I'll go make him some soup. He'll need it for that cold." As if on cue, Harry let out a sneeze, turning his head away so he didn't get it on Nadia.
"Good kid." She said, rubbing the back of his head.
Harry sniffed and leaned into her touch his eyes getting heavy. "Am…I allowed to…sleep…"
Nadia smiled softly at him and sat down on one of the chairs in the room and rocked him, "After we get some food in ya." She said.
She then frowned softly ran a hand through his hair.
"Harry…do you…want to stay with me…and maybe be your…well…mom?" she asked softly.
Harry looked up at her and thought about it. He did not fully understand why she wanted a stupid freak like him. Yet she saved him from those dogs, helped him feel better, and gave him hugs and those things she doses with her tongue…he liked her.
He nuzzled into her and saw the somewhat nervous look in her face. He leaned up and licked her cheek causing her eyes to widen. "I…want to stay with you…Ms. Fortune." he said with a small sleepy grin.
She gave him a chuckle and stroked his head. "Hey now, licking's my thing." She chided playfully. 'I need to make sure he doesn't make a habit of that...That would make for some very awkward moments...'
"I'm so-"
"I already forgive ya, kiddo." She replied. "And you wanna stick with me? You got it. I'm not going anywhere. I'll stick to you like glue."
"Yay..." Harry cheered softly before letting out a small yawn.
"Hold out for just a little longer, buddy. We just need to get you fed and then you can sleep as long as you want, sound good?"
"Mmkay..."
They sat like that for around half an hour. Nadia rocking him and giving him small licks here and there. Her tail had also found its way around him witch he hugged not to tightly to cause her pain.
The door opened stirring the two from their little daze. They watched Minette walk in with a steaming bowl in her hand. She smiled at the two and placed the bowl on the counter. "Enjoy…and no tip necessary. It's on the house."
Nadia smirked lightly and stood up with the child. "So generous." She joked.
"We try."
"Heh. Thanks Minette." Nadia said sitting down with the boy in her lap his upper body and head being slightly higher than the table.
"Your welcome." She said before walking out the door to give them some privacy.
"All right, kiddo." Nadia said, scooping up a spoonful of soup. She blew on it carefully. "Open wide." She moved the spoon down to his mouth.
"Ah..." Harry said, opening his mouth for the soup. She put the spoon in his mouth and he slurped it up. "Yummy..." He said softly. Nadia grinned.
"Pretty good, huh? The chef knows what he's doing." Harry nodded slowly.
"Ah?" He said, opening his mouth again.
"Heh...Right, here comes." Nadia fed him another spoonful of soup.
Soon enough, the whole bowl was gone.
Nadia smiled and patted his head while putting the spoon down. "You full?"
Harry nodded as he rubbed his tummy. He had never known full before…he liked it.
She grinned lifting the boy up and carrying him out of the back room. She looked around till she saw her friend drinking some water.
"Hey Minette?"
The girl put the glass down and looked over at the pair and noticed the sleepy look on the boy's face and smiled softly. "Upstairs, two doors to the left. I'll let papa know." She said.
Nadia smiled gratefully at her friend and walked down the room and up the stairs that were hidden behind some boxes. She came across the room and opened the door. She walked in and gently laid the child down and slipped in next to him holding him. "Night kid." She whispered to him.
"Goodnight…mum." He mumbled before drifting into a deep sleep.
Nadia's eyes grew wide then they softened and glistened. "Heh…kids making me soft." She mumbled before giving him a kiss on his cheek.
A few hours later Minette would walk into the room to check on them and see an adorable sight. Nadia curled around Harry like a mother cat to her kitten, nuzzling him while lightly purring. The boy had a soft smile on his face as he held her tail like a teddy bear.
"You're a genius Minette" she said to herself before leaving the two alone.