A/N: I claim none of the characters except Jim and Billy as well as some
that will show up later on in the story. When they appear you'll know. This
is my first HP fan fic; sorry if the characters may seem OOC, bare with me!
(
CHAPTER 1
Harry lay on his back, in the heat of the night, wishing desperately that he could be back at Hogwarts again. Oh the Dursleys treated him all right since coming home but there was a definite note of incitement to rebellion while they served him. Even if he did have to do almost everything himself at school, he would rather do it himself than the way the Drusleys did it. Although, he must admit at least to himself, it was rather nice to see them cringing with fear and immediately obey his every command. But there were other things that he missed too, not just the school, endless amounts of homework and - shudder - Snape. What he missed most were his friends. You see Harry was quite unusual. In the last class of the last day of school, most kids are bouncing off the walls with excitement just waiting to leave the grounds and happily vacation in some island off the west coast in the United States called Hawaii. But oh no, not Harry. He always dreaded the end of the year, for that would mean separation from his friends for about three months and in that time he had to be with the awful Dursleys. There was a soft tap at the window and Harry looked up at it only to see Hedwig with a letter attached to her foot. Harry opened the window to let her in and reached out to take the letter. He ripped it open in desperation, hoping against hope that it would be from one of his friends. Sure enough, Hermione's writing was looped all over the page.
Harry, So sorry that I haven't been in contact with you earlier. I've been on vacation in Germany for the past few weeks and before that in Hawaii.
Figures, Harry thought.
Victor and I had a wonderful time with our parents in Hawaii. but that's not important is it? What I really wanted to talk to you about is that Dumbledore's finally consented to let you visit! We're all to meet at Grimmauld Place on the 22nd. I expect he'll send for you in his usual way but I couldn't wait to tell you. Ron says hello and he's very excited that you are able to come. Oh, and I'd quite appreciate it if you didn't mention my vacation to Hawaii with Victor and all our parents to Ron. You can only imagine what it would do to him; or me for that matter. See you on the 22nd!
Love From, Hermione
Harry sighed happily. The 22nd was only three days away and then he would be off to stay with all of his friends. What did Hermione mean that Dumbledore would send for him in his usual way? He guessed that meant that Dumbledore would either use some advanced magical method of transportation or that members from the Order would be sent to accompany him. Truthfully, Harry would have been more than happy to go even if he would have had to travel by Floo Powder. Harry glanced at the clock. It read 2:27 AM. Even as he read it the numbers began to grow blurry and Harry's eyelids started to droop. He was so tired. but it was hard to sleep now with the good news and all. Despite his excitement, Harry fell into a blissful sleep and was not disturbed until late in the morning by the smell of sizzling sausage and scrambled eggs.
The smell was just too strong and Harry couldn't stand it anymore. His stomach was aching something fierce and he just had to get out of bed to partake of the tasty breakfast he knew was cooking for him downstairs. Harry rolled onto his back and inhaled deeply. It was just so good! Throwing the sheets off, Harry lazily slipped out of his bed and into his new clothes. With his new special treatment came new clothes, which meant no more of Dudley's circus-tent-sized hand-me-downs. Harry leisurely stepped down the stairs and into the kitchen where Aunt Petunia was bustling around. "Breakfast is ready for you Harry." She muttered, obviously perturbed that she should be serving Harry instead of it being the other way around. "Sleep well?" Harry could tell she didn't give a moose's backend whether he slept well or not but he decided to answer as if she did. "I slept so well that I was tempted not to come down and eat the magnificent breakfast that you have slaved away on. Oh, and I got a letter from my friends. You know, the wizard and witch that I hang out with?" he watched Aunt Petunia recoil at the words. "I'm going to visit them and I won't be back before school starts. They'll be coming to fetch me on the 22nd so do prepare a special meal incase any of them are hungered by their travels." Aunt Petunia looked as though she were about jump with joy that Harry was leaving early but her joy was dampened with the fact that those wizards or whatever would be coming to get him. And that woman with the colored hair? She was the most disturbing one of all. She and perhaps that grizzled one with the large, electric blue eye. Aunt Petunia was even more deeply disturbed to be informed that she must cook for these freaks! Well, whatever it took to be finally rid of the boy. Dudley had waddled down the stairs and sniffed the air. A smile spread across his pudgy face, his eyes dulled with stupidity. He jumped the last step causing the house to tremble and waddled as fast as he could into the kitchen. He looked over his mother's shoulder and once again sniffed the air. "Sorry, Diddy Dinkums but these are for Harry." She had said Harry's name as if it were a dirty word. One of those dirty words that would cause your mother to wash your mouth out with soap for saying. Dudley glared at Harry before turning back to his mother. "But why," he whined. "I'm hungry to and I'm your real son. Harry's only here because no one else wants him. It's his parent's own fault they got blown up and he had to come here so I think I should get to eat first!" Aunt Petunia tried to hush him before he made Harry angry. Dudley had always made it a point to throw in the fact that Harry's parents were dead somehow, Harry guessed, to make sure Harry knew what an outcast he was in the Dursley home. Harry just rolled his eyes and sat at the table ready to eat. Aunt Petunia tipped the pan of sausages onto Harry's plate, followed by liberal scoops if the delicious scrambled eggs. Harry lifted his glass in Dudley's direction. "Orange juice it you please, Dudley." Dudley whirled around. If looks could kill, Harry would have died on the spot. Harry, despite Dudley's hideous face, smiled and waited for Dudley to retrieve his glass. When the glass was finally taken from him, Harry watched Dudley sulk over to the refrigerator and pull out the carton of juice. He poured a full glass and trudged back to Harry, holding the glass out. "Why thank you my good man. You've been of great service to me. That will be all." Dudley looked murderous. He took no orders from anybody and that included Harry most of all. Even in Dudley's little gang of friends he was the only one who bossed anyone around. Dudley balled his fat fists and looked ready to knock Harry out. Once again, Harry just smiled and Dudley stormed away up the stairs not caring that he hadn't even eaten yet. Harry swallowed the last bit of his breakfast before returning his plate, glass, and silverware to the kitchen and stepping outside. The morning was already warm and Harry could tell that the day was shaping up to be a hot one. No matter, later on in the day Harry would sneak over the fence to the community pool and go for a swim. He never had learned to swim and never had wanted to after the swim he had taken in the lake during the second task his fourth year. It was just so hot these days that he couldn't stand it anymore and had taken to teaching himself to swim. The little kids often laughed at him while he struggled in the shallow water but he would soon learn and it would all be worth it. Harry found a particularly inviting shady spot underneath a large tree in the park under which he took refuge. It felt ten degrees cooler at least in the shade and it was exceptionally relaxing. Harry wound the grass around his fingers absentmindedly and pulled. In just three days he would be able to see his friends. How exciting that was! He regretted not being able to live in the wizarding world. He always missed so much when he was not there and he felt like a fool when something major happened and he didn't know about it. But soon he would know all that was happening and he could enjoy himself again. The Dursleys were all right now a days but the tension and intense dislike was still tangible whenever Harry was around. Harry's back rested comfortably against the tree's trunk and his eyelids felt so heavy. He shouldn't have stayed up so late last night but he did obtain some exciting news while staying up. And besides, falling asleep under the tree wasn't so bad. It was comfy and no one was around to bother him. It wouldn't hurt to take a little snooze..
"Do ya think he's dead?"
"I dunno. Why don't you poke 'im?"
"I'm not gonna poke 'im. You poke ''im."
"All right, all right. Be quiet so de doesn't wake up." The voices were whispering but it was still loud and clear in Harry's mind. What was that about some one dead? He hadn't been dreaming about Voldemort again had he? Did he go back into Voldemort's mind again? Somehow he didn't think so. Harry was just about to ignore it all and go back to sleep when something hit his cheek and stuck. Instinctively Harry's eyes opened and his hand went to what had stuck to his face. Two little boys stared back at him, their eyes widened in fear. One of the boys had groped for the other boy's arm and was still looking at Harry. "Hey Jim?"
"Yeah Billy?
"I'm a thinkin' he ain't dead."
"And I'm a thinkin' you're right."
"Let's run you idiot!"
Both the boys turned and ran down the grassy field, screaming something about dead guys coming back to life. Harry gave a small laugh and whipped what appeared to be a slobbery gum off the side of his face. He flung it aside and stood up, brushing himself off. Harry began to wonder what his childhood would have been like had he grown up with Ron and Hermione. Certainly he would have had loads of fun. He would have still lived with his parents because little kids should have never have to grow up without them. No one should have to grow up the way Harry had, with insensible relatives and all. Harry was staring to fell a very real hate toward Voldemort. Strange thing was, it felt good to hate so much. Harry had never hated some one so much, not even toward Snape. Though perhaps to Malfoy. But Malfoy wasn't the one who had destroyed Harry's every possible chance at a happy life with his parents.
Harry's scar began to burn, but not with the same burning that it wad when he felt Voldemort's strong emotions. No, it was his own hate he was feeling. The revelation of this frightened Harry and he quickly tried to force the thoughts out of his mind and think of happy things. In three days time, Harry would be reunited with his friends back at Grimmauld Place. Dudley wouldn't be able to bother him there and there would be happiness rather than all of the hate that filled the Dursley home. He could go back to school and be absorbed in classes - even if that did mean homework and Snape - and Quidditch and not have to worry about a thing.
Harry slowly walked home and let the sun warm his face. That felt much better. He was calm again and felt like going for a swim now that he thought about it. Harry abruptly changed directions and walked to the community pool. He was glad he had planned ahead and wore swim trunks under his shorts.
After checking to see if anyone was looking, Harry vaulted the fence and tore off his shirt and shorts. He was still a little too skinny for a boy of sixteen but he was much taller and he had a little but more muscle than he had earlier in the summer. Harry dipped his big toe into the water and, deciding that it was the right temperature, cannon balled into the water, spraying everyone within a seven-foot radius. He did a couple of lengths, which was much more now than during the first part of the summer, and stopped at the side to rest.
In a few minutes, Harry had caught his breath and was ready to do a few more laps. But something suddenly didn't feel right. The water was. strange somehow. Harry wasn't sure if water could feel stranger than it was but it certainly did now. He glanced at the deep end of the pool and saw a dark shadow. The water was rocking and beginning to cause mini waves. Those mini waves quickly became larger and larger until they threatened to wash out the few occupants in the pool. The shadow in the deep end seemed to be what was causing the disturbance but no one else but Harry seemed to have noticed it. He started to panic and wished that he had his wand on him, which would have made his feel less vulnerable.
Harry scrambled to the edge of the pool and pulled himself out of the water and looked back at the shadow. It had just barley swam by his feet. The shadow appeared to be a greenish brown color and had a long tail like thing trailing behind it. Harry was almost in shock and didn't know what to do. He quickly ran out of the pool entrance, not glancing back until he reached it. Looking to the pool again, the waters had ceased moving and the shadow was gone. What was the shadow? Why had no one else panicked? Harry knew full well that everyone present was not use this pool generating its own waves. Harry glanced at it one more time before leaving.
Harry walked home at a fairly fast pace and his first thought was to write Ron and Hermione to give them an account about what had happened but he was going to see them in three days anyway so what was the point of wasting the parchment? He would simply wait. Three days wasn't that long anyway.
*Okay, now that I've written the first chapter what do you all think? Should I keep going?
CHAPTER 1
Harry lay on his back, in the heat of the night, wishing desperately that he could be back at Hogwarts again. Oh the Dursleys treated him all right since coming home but there was a definite note of incitement to rebellion while they served him. Even if he did have to do almost everything himself at school, he would rather do it himself than the way the Drusleys did it. Although, he must admit at least to himself, it was rather nice to see them cringing with fear and immediately obey his every command. But there were other things that he missed too, not just the school, endless amounts of homework and - shudder - Snape. What he missed most were his friends. You see Harry was quite unusual. In the last class of the last day of school, most kids are bouncing off the walls with excitement just waiting to leave the grounds and happily vacation in some island off the west coast in the United States called Hawaii. But oh no, not Harry. He always dreaded the end of the year, for that would mean separation from his friends for about three months and in that time he had to be with the awful Dursleys. There was a soft tap at the window and Harry looked up at it only to see Hedwig with a letter attached to her foot. Harry opened the window to let her in and reached out to take the letter. He ripped it open in desperation, hoping against hope that it would be from one of his friends. Sure enough, Hermione's writing was looped all over the page.
Harry, So sorry that I haven't been in contact with you earlier. I've been on vacation in Germany for the past few weeks and before that in Hawaii.
Figures, Harry thought.
Victor and I had a wonderful time with our parents in Hawaii. but that's not important is it? What I really wanted to talk to you about is that Dumbledore's finally consented to let you visit! We're all to meet at Grimmauld Place on the 22nd. I expect he'll send for you in his usual way but I couldn't wait to tell you. Ron says hello and he's very excited that you are able to come. Oh, and I'd quite appreciate it if you didn't mention my vacation to Hawaii with Victor and all our parents to Ron. You can only imagine what it would do to him; or me for that matter. See you on the 22nd!
Love From, Hermione
Harry sighed happily. The 22nd was only three days away and then he would be off to stay with all of his friends. What did Hermione mean that Dumbledore would send for him in his usual way? He guessed that meant that Dumbledore would either use some advanced magical method of transportation or that members from the Order would be sent to accompany him. Truthfully, Harry would have been more than happy to go even if he would have had to travel by Floo Powder. Harry glanced at the clock. It read 2:27 AM. Even as he read it the numbers began to grow blurry and Harry's eyelids started to droop. He was so tired. but it was hard to sleep now with the good news and all. Despite his excitement, Harry fell into a blissful sleep and was not disturbed until late in the morning by the smell of sizzling sausage and scrambled eggs.
The smell was just too strong and Harry couldn't stand it anymore. His stomach was aching something fierce and he just had to get out of bed to partake of the tasty breakfast he knew was cooking for him downstairs. Harry rolled onto his back and inhaled deeply. It was just so good! Throwing the sheets off, Harry lazily slipped out of his bed and into his new clothes. With his new special treatment came new clothes, which meant no more of Dudley's circus-tent-sized hand-me-downs. Harry leisurely stepped down the stairs and into the kitchen where Aunt Petunia was bustling around. "Breakfast is ready for you Harry." She muttered, obviously perturbed that she should be serving Harry instead of it being the other way around. "Sleep well?" Harry could tell she didn't give a moose's backend whether he slept well or not but he decided to answer as if she did. "I slept so well that I was tempted not to come down and eat the magnificent breakfast that you have slaved away on. Oh, and I got a letter from my friends. You know, the wizard and witch that I hang out with?" he watched Aunt Petunia recoil at the words. "I'm going to visit them and I won't be back before school starts. They'll be coming to fetch me on the 22nd so do prepare a special meal incase any of them are hungered by their travels." Aunt Petunia looked as though she were about jump with joy that Harry was leaving early but her joy was dampened with the fact that those wizards or whatever would be coming to get him. And that woman with the colored hair? She was the most disturbing one of all. She and perhaps that grizzled one with the large, electric blue eye. Aunt Petunia was even more deeply disturbed to be informed that she must cook for these freaks! Well, whatever it took to be finally rid of the boy. Dudley had waddled down the stairs and sniffed the air. A smile spread across his pudgy face, his eyes dulled with stupidity. He jumped the last step causing the house to tremble and waddled as fast as he could into the kitchen. He looked over his mother's shoulder and once again sniffed the air. "Sorry, Diddy Dinkums but these are for Harry." She had said Harry's name as if it were a dirty word. One of those dirty words that would cause your mother to wash your mouth out with soap for saying. Dudley glared at Harry before turning back to his mother. "But why," he whined. "I'm hungry to and I'm your real son. Harry's only here because no one else wants him. It's his parent's own fault they got blown up and he had to come here so I think I should get to eat first!" Aunt Petunia tried to hush him before he made Harry angry. Dudley had always made it a point to throw in the fact that Harry's parents were dead somehow, Harry guessed, to make sure Harry knew what an outcast he was in the Dursley home. Harry just rolled his eyes and sat at the table ready to eat. Aunt Petunia tipped the pan of sausages onto Harry's plate, followed by liberal scoops if the delicious scrambled eggs. Harry lifted his glass in Dudley's direction. "Orange juice it you please, Dudley." Dudley whirled around. If looks could kill, Harry would have died on the spot. Harry, despite Dudley's hideous face, smiled and waited for Dudley to retrieve his glass. When the glass was finally taken from him, Harry watched Dudley sulk over to the refrigerator and pull out the carton of juice. He poured a full glass and trudged back to Harry, holding the glass out. "Why thank you my good man. You've been of great service to me. That will be all." Dudley looked murderous. He took no orders from anybody and that included Harry most of all. Even in Dudley's little gang of friends he was the only one who bossed anyone around. Dudley balled his fat fists and looked ready to knock Harry out. Once again, Harry just smiled and Dudley stormed away up the stairs not caring that he hadn't even eaten yet. Harry swallowed the last bit of his breakfast before returning his plate, glass, and silverware to the kitchen and stepping outside. The morning was already warm and Harry could tell that the day was shaping up to be a hot one. No matter, later on in the day Harry would sneak over the fence to the community pool and go for a swim. He never had learned to swim and never had wanted to after the swim he had taken in the lake during the second task his fourth year. It was just so hot these days that he couldn't stand it anymore and had taken to teaching himself to swim. The little kids often laughed at him while he struggled in the shallow water but he would soon learn and it would all be worth it. Harry found a particularly inviting shady spot underneath a large tree in the park under which he took refuge. It felt ten degrees cooler at least in the shade and it was exceptionally relaxing. Harry wound the grass around his fingers absentmindedly and pulled. In just three days he would be able to see his friends. How exciting that was! He regretted not being able to live in the wizarding world. He always missed so much when he was not there and he felt like a fool when something major happened and he didn't know about it. But soon he would know all that was happening and he could enjoy himself again. The Dursleys were all right now a days but the tension and intense dislike was still tangible whenever Harry was around. Harry's back rested comfortably against the tree's trunk and his eyelids felt so heavy. He shouldn't have stayed up so late last night but he did obtain some exciting news while staying up. And besides, falling asleep under the tree wasn't so bad. It was comfy and no one was around to bother him. It wouldn't hurt to take a little snooze..
"Do ya think he's dead?"
"I dunno. Why don't you poke 'im?"
"I'm not gonna poke 'im. You poke ''im."
"All right, all right. Be quiet so de doesn't wake up." The voices were whispering but it was still loud and clear in Harry's mind. What was that about some one dead? He hadn't been dreaming about Voldemort again had he? Did he go back into Voldemort's mind again? Somehow he didn't think so. Harry was just about to ignore it all and go back to sleep when something hit his cheek and stuck. Instinctively Harry's eyes opened and his hand went to what had stuck to his face. Two little boys stared back at him, their eyes widened in fear. One of the boys had groped for the other boy's arm and was still looking at Harry. "Hey Jim?"
"Yeah Billy?
"I'm a thinkin' he ain't dead."
"And I'm a thinkin' you're right."
"Let's run you idiot!"
Both the boys turned and ran down the grassy field, screaming something about dead guys coming back to life. Harry gave a small laugh and whipped what appeared to be a slobbery gum off the side of his face. He flung it aside and stood up, brushing himself off. Harry began to wonder what his childhood would have been like had he grown up with Ron and Hermione. Certainly he would have had loads of fun. He would have still lived with his parents because little kids should have never have to grow up without them. No one should have to grow up the way Harry had, with insensible relatives and all. Harry was staring to fell a very real hate toward Voldemort. Strange thing was, it felt good to hate so much. Harry had never hated some one so much, not even toward Snape. Though perhaps to Malfoy. But Malfoy wasn't the one who had destroyed Harry's every possible chance at a happy life with his parents.
Harry's scar began to burn, but not with the same burning that it wad when he felt Voldemort's strong emotions. No, it was his own hate he was feeling. The revelation of this frightened Harry and he quickly tried to force the thoughts out of his mind and think of happy things. In three days time, Harry would be reunited with his friends back at Grimmauld Place. Dudley wouldn't be able to bother him there and there would be happiness rather than all of the hate that filled the Dursley home. He could go back to school and be absorbed in classes - even if that did mean homework and Snape - and Quidditch and not have to worry about a thing.
Harry slowly walked home and let the sun warm his face. That felt much better. He was calm again and felt like going for a swim now that he thought about it. Harry abruptly changed directions and walked to the community pool. He was glad he had planned ahead and wore swim trunks under his shorts.
After checking to see if anyone was looking, Harry vaulted the fence and tore off his shirt and shorts. He was still a little too skinny for a boy of sixteen but he was much taller and he had a little but more muscle than he had earlier in the summer. Harry dipped his big toe into the water and, deciding that it was the right temperature, cannon balled into the water, spraying everyone within a seven-foot radius. He did a couple of lengths, which was much more now than during the first part of the summer, and stopped at the side to rest.
In a few minutes, Harry had caught his breath and was ready to do a few more laps. But something suddenly didn't feel right. The water was. strange somehow. Harry wasn't sure if water could feel stranger than it was but it certainly did now. He glanced at the deep end of the pool and saw a dark shadow. The water was rocking and beginning to cause mini waves. Those mini waves quickly became larger and larger until they threatened to wash out the few occupants in the pool. The shadow in the deep end seemed to be what was causing the disturbance but no one else but Harry seemed to have noticed it. He started to panic and wished that he had his wand on him, which would have made his feel less vulnerable.
Harry scrambled to the edge of the pool and pulled himself out of the water and looked back at the shadow. It had just barley swam by his feet. The shadow appeared to be a greenish brown color and had a long tail like thing trailing behind it. Harry was almost in shock and didn't know what to do. He quickly ran out of the pool entrance, not glancing back until he reached it. Looking to the pool again, the waters had ceased moving and the shadow was gone. What was the shadow? Why had no one else panicked? Harry knew full well that everyone present was not use this pool generating its own waves. Harry glanced at it one more time before leaving.
Harry walked home at a fairly fast pace and his first thought was to write Ron and Hermione to give them an account about what had happened but he was going to see them in three days anyway so what was the point of wasting the parchment? He would simply wait. Three days wasn't that long anyway.
*Okay, now that I've written the first chapter what do you all think? Should I keep going?