Chapter all starts with a dream
Well, here's the first installment of my try at a Harry Potter Fanfic. I've written some fanfiction before in the past, long-long-ago, when Merlin still dwelled the earth probably. However, having said that... I'm totally looking forward to writing a great story! I have several goals; they say it shows ambition. Now I only must be cunning to get you, poor souls, reading every word of it.
Enough notice here! I do have a few things I should say. This will be a Hapne story, so for those who aren't familiar with that, it means our poor boy-who-lived gets paired with the Daphne Greengrass from Slytherin. I wonder how long the poor boy survives with all those bad luck charms he carries. While I like the ice-queen Daphne lots of authors use, I want to try on another setting for Daphne. What that is? You'll read later on. On a more Sirius note: I'm not afraid to make changes to cannon, kill off characters or let characters live who are expected to roam the place of dead (Pun is always intended!). The story starts at the Dursleys, after receiving a chewing out about the stamps on the letter from Mrs. Weasley. Expect some (mild) Weasley bashing! Not all characters may be as you remember them to be...
I have only one other request! Please enjoy, read, and you would make me happy if you sent a token that you read the story. A review or PM would be great. Just a small hint.
Number 4, Privet Drive.
Harry slowly chuckled while lying on his bed. He found it extremely funny that Mrs. Weasley managed to put the envelope full of stamps, and quite ironic too. He did very well remember the hand-me-downs that that family frequently wore and used. But she managed to spend quite a lot on stamps. Ironic, but funny he thought. Even funnier was the reaction that his uncle had when the mailman rang the door. His uncle gained a purple hue and was seething from embarrassment.
His thoughts wandered to the content of the letter, and the letter that his best mate sends with that tiny hyperactive owl of his. He couldn't help but grin at the antics of the small owl, the tiny thing had a huge personality for his small size. Though very active, he liked the little ball of feathers. Glancing at his own owl, Hedwig, who seemed to sense what he was thinking glared at him. Causing him to softly smile towards her, "but, you will always be the best, Hedwig." Earning him a small but approving hoot in return.
His grin returned at the thought that he was going to watch a professional Quidditch game! The final game of the World Cup, it would be great. He imagined how it would be, it sure was exciting. Wondering if it would be anything like a muggle game of football. It would be different for sure, 'because of magic' he thought. He fell asleep while looking forward to seeing his friends again for the last month of summer.
That night he felt restless, his dreams being haunted by a shrill but evil laughter, Harry woke up several times bathing in sweat. Finally, he managed to catch some uninterrupted hours, only for his dreams to be about piercing blue eyes.
Meanwhile at the Greengrass Estate
Unbeknownst to him, several hundred miles away, a witch who currently studies at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry dreamed of emerald green eyes. She felt safe looking at those warm eyes.
Daphne woke up startled, thinking about her strange dream. First, she was dreaming about a strange, evil laughter. Electing feelings of dread and fear of her. Suddenly those eyes appeared, she drowned in them. Suddenly feeling very safe and comforted. With a small sigh looked at her bedside clock, and noticed that it was just past 7 am.
'I might as well get up,' she thought to herself. While walking from her room to sit a bit in the upper drawing room at Greengrass Manor, she ran through her dream again. Just as she was opening the door, she gasped, suddenly realizing why those eyes looked so familiar. 'They were Potters! Gryffindor's golden boy'. Slowly walking in, she failed to notice that her mother was sitting in a secluded corner, silently watching her daughter. A curious frown passing on her face.
Daphne walked to her favorite spot, a reclining armchair from which she had a magnificent view across the Greengrass estate, with soft flowing fields of grass, the occasional patch of trees dotted those fields. In the distance, soft glowing heals gleamed in the early morning light. A truly beautiful sight to behold.
Sophia Greengrass watched her daughters face carefully, finding a troubled look in her daughter's eyes. Slowly walking towards the window, Daphne didn't notice her until her mother sat down across her. "The view never stops to amaze me," she told her daughter. Her daughter looked at her mother, deep in thoughts. She sighed. "It remains beautiful" she whispered before looking out of the windows again.
"Daphne, what's…" Sophia started, before noticing that her daughter wasn't paying attention to her.
'What do I need to tell her?' Daphne's mind raced. 'That I've taken a fancy at Potter? Imagine what the rest of Slytherin would think!' Daphne snorted a bit. "Mom," she began, hesitating. Her mother kept silent, just looking intently into her daughter's eyes. 'Something is bothering Daphne. But what can it be? I just hope it isn't a boy. She's still so young, and already behaving so grown up sometimes. But now she needs me,' Sophia thought. A comfortable silence ensued between mother and daughter.
A Greengrass house elf popped in, "Mistresses, breakfast is being ready." "Thank you, Lugo," Sophia replied while standing up. Lugo bowed and popped away. Looking at her daughter, "Are you coming, Daphne?". Without replying Daphne got out of her chair and gave her mom a hug. "Thank you for keeping me company" she softly whispered, causing a soft smile to appear on her mother's face.
Breakfast was, as usual, a dull affair, if only for her dad to make a surprise announcement that he managed to get tickets for the Quidditch world cup that took place in a few days on Monday night. Daphne found her face contorting into a groovy grin, not many people knew, but she was a vivid Quidditch fan. Her younger sister managed a small smile, while she watched the games at Hogwarts, and found them a passable pastime. She was, however, glad for her sister, who she knew was a great fan of the Holyhead Harpies.
As Astoria never showed much interest in the game, she didn't know between which countries the game would be. Hence, she asked her father, earning an amused smile from her mother while her sister glared at her. Her father just sniggered, and with a smile "why don't you ask Daphne, I'm sure she is just dying to tell you!" he chuckled. Earning him a glare from his wife which told him to stop joking and an earnest glare from his older daughter. "Bulgaria versus Ireland; It will be an interesting game," Daphne said in a serious tone. Astoria gasped, and blushed a bit before exclaiming to no one in particular, "That's where Victor Krum plays!".
Daphne couldn't help but tease her sister about her small crush on the star Quidditch player from Bulgaria. She couldn't help but wonder, he was handsome, yes, but he would look even better with emerald green eyes. 'NO! I do not fancy Potter', she frantically thought, 'but his eyes...' her mind wandered.
Astoria watched her older sister with an amused smile. She was thinking about something, or was it, someone, she wondered. However, before she could give it any more thought. Her father told them they would be staying at a camping field during the night. Which elected a new discussion at the breakfast table...
When Harry finally decided to come out of his room, he was glared at by his uncle when he walked into the kitchen. He greeted his uncle and his even fatter and more useless son. Harry looked at the table and saw wat was for breakfast today, half an orange. He still chuckled at the sight of Dudley coming home with a letter from the school nurse. After a huge fight between Petunia and Uncle Vernon, it was decided that only healthy things were allowed in their house. He was glad that he had a secret stash under a floorboard. A diet consisting only of a piece of fruit and some salad would be something he wouldn't survive. He quietly started eating his half of the orange, while being eyes by Dudley, who already finished his, and wanting more.
"Freak," Uncle Vernon glared, "how are they coming here, I don't want any freaks at my door. A freak in my home is already more than enough. "I truly don't know" Harry replied. "They used to have a car…" he started, thinking about Mr. Weasley's car he and Ron wrecked in their second-year journey to school. He gave a small shudder at the thought the whomping willow that banged at the car. "USED TO?" Uncle Vernon spat. "What did they do with it? Magic it away?" Harry cringed under the glare of his uncle, "no," he whispered, barely audible, "we destroyed it." "To. Your. Room. FREAK!" Uncle Vernon all but screamed, Harry scrambled to get out, just noticing that Dudley grabbed the remaining quart of his orange.
Arriving at his room, Harry quickly grabbed a piece of parchment and wrote a quick note to Ron. Explaining that his uncle didn't want any `freaks,' or wizards he explained in front of his home. While also asking at what time they would be picking them up. He walked to Hedwig.
"Hey girl," he said while ruffling her feathers a bit, "up for a bit of flying?"
Hedwig hooted happily, accepting the small owl threat he gave her. "Please fly as fast as you can to Ron. I don't want an angry Uncle Vernon". Hedwig gives an undignified look as if saying that she was the fasted owl there was. Electing a small smile from Harry. See you soon girl he whispered as she flew out the window towards the Burrow.
Harry decided to have a more proper breakfast. Remembering the first day he came to the Dursley's and finding out that he would be eating fruits and salads. He quickly wrote to his friends and received a load of candy from his best mate Ron, and of course some more tooth-friendly snacks from Hermione, with her parents being dentists. He just didn't dare to take a bite from Hagrid's infamous rock cakes. Harry grabbed an oats bar and started to clean out the little possessions he has into his trunk. Knowing the Weasley's, the could be here anytime. Harry barely managed to pack his trunk and was making sure he didn't leave anything lying about when he heard a small bang and a scream from the sitting room. His best guess? 'The Weasley's have arrived!' he thought excitedly.
When Harry entered the sitting room, he couldn't help but laugh. His aunt was hysterical, closing the curtains to keep her spying neighbors from seeing those freaks. His uncle was in a screaming match with Mr. Weasley, who was covered in dust and soot. While Dudley was looking like a fish out of the water, his mouth closing and opening without a sound. Harry chuckled and greeted Mr. Weasley.
"I think you broke my cousin, Mr. Weasley" Harry smiled. "Ah, Harry! As I was trying to tell your uncle, I'm sorry for the inconvenience. How come you never told us that the fireplace was closed off?". Harry facepalmed himself, "you didn't get my message, Mr. Weasley," he asked?
"We did get your message," Mr. Weasley replied. "I was first planning on simply apparating to your home. However, I thought that should be a big shock to everyone. And it's quite rude too. So I decided to come by floo. I know someone in the floo-office who owed me a favor, so he hooked up your floo for a few hours to the network." He explained. This ticked Uncle Vernon off again, as he began ranting about the state of his sitting room. Earning him a small smile from Mr. Weasley, who with a wave of his hand restored the sitting room to its former impeccable state.
"Oh boy, is that a tele-box?" Mr. Weasley said in an excited tone. And what's that? While pointing at the remote, that was lying on the small table. Harry sighed inwardly remembering Mr. Weasley's fondness of all things muggle. Harry gestured to Mr. Weasley while mouthing "later" to him. To which Mr. Weasley nodded.
Harry glanced at his aunt and was surprised to so her face conflicted. Her expression was one of anger of magic being used in her house, while her eyes betrayed something else. A wistful look Harry deduced. He blinked, but the look in her eyes was one of anger. Anger directed at him, but mainly at Mr. Weasley. He must have imagined it.
"Harry," Mr. Weasley said while looking at him. "Are you al packed?".
"Yes my trunk is upstairs," Harry replied while pointing to the stairs. "Splendid! Say goodbye to your Uncle, Aunt, and Cousin. We will apparate from your room to the Burrow." Mr. Weasley told him.
"Bye," Harry said while looking at his family. Turning on his heels, and leading Mr. Weasley towards his room.
Mr. Weasley followed him silently, taking in everything in the clean and orderly house at Privet Drive #4. When they arrived at the smallest room, Mr. Weasley let out a sigh and looked at Harry. "I don't see how you can live in this Harry." Harry just blinked his eyes, looking hurt. Mr. Weasley noticed this and nodded to the room. "It's so clean and Spartan! Where's your stuff?" Harry didn't want to talk about it and replied dismissively. "It's all in my trunk."
'Strange. No photographs, no personal things. I need to ask Harry about it.' "Are you ready to go to the Burrow Harry? Hermione is already there, they are all looking forward to seeing you." Mr. Weasley told him. He waved his wand and muttered something, Harry's trunk shrank till it was no smaller than a matchbox. At a gesture, Harry picked his trunk up and pocketed it in his jeans. "If you're ready, please take my arm and don't let go!" Mr. Weasley said with a stern look on his face.
Harry grabbed Mr. Weasley's arm. Barely ready, his vision blurred, and he felt as if he was being pushed through a very small and tight rubber tube. Just as sudden as it started, the squeezing stopped, and Harry dared to open his eyes just in time to a bushy haired witch running at him.
The burrow, a few seconds before Harry arrived.
Hermione looked at the window, 'I hope they arrive soon. It's quite boring her without him. Ron just wants to play chess and Quidditch. She barely saw Ginny, and she even had read all her book for the year already!' She saw Mr. Weasley appearing with her friend, Harry. She couldn't bear her excitement any longer and ran outside to hug him. 'Oh, how did she miss him. They had written letters. Quite a few actually, more than she did with Ron.'
"I missed you," Hermione whispered to Harry while hugging him. 'I missed you too.' Harry thought while awkwardly hugging her back. Their hug didn't go unnoticed. Mr. Weasley had a soft smile on his lips. However, in the Burrow, while sitting in her room, Ginny Weasley softly cried. He was hers! Mom told me so. Unbeknownst to Ginny, Molly Weasley was watching from the kitchen with a disapproving scowl on her face. 'That boy should be hugging her Ginny, not being with that know-it-all witch, she surely not worth the Boy-who-lived. I only want what's the best for both of them.' she thought to herself.
She was so lost in thought, plotting to get her daughter together with the Boy-who-lived, she failed to notice the kitchen door opening. Harry and Hermione entered, followed by Mr. Weasley. "Hello Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, "thank you for allowing me to stay here for the rest of the summer." "Ohh Harry…." Mrs. Weasley began. "That is no problem at all! Ron! Harry's here!".
"Harry?!" came a surprising answer from the stairs. "He's here already?". Ron came storming into the kitchen and clasped his mate since first-year on the back. "How are you mate?"
"Never better… Never better" Harry replied with a soft smile. 'This will be the best summer ever!' Harry thought while looking at his friends.
A/N. This is it! The first chapter is done. Don't worry, I like to have a head start. I've already written the next on, just finishing up the last words. Please let me know what you think! I like to follow the rough outline in the books, but change them when I want to. As you can see, I adapted scenes from the book and changed them. I also put in the first seeds of doubt. I wonder if Harry will return to the burrow next summer? What do you think?
I've planned out the first few chapters. And have a rough storyline where I want to go. Though I'm always open for suggestions. Just to let you know that this story won't be tab bonded after the first few chapters as often happens! I intend to finish it. With a regular update schedule. I'm trying out what works for me. But it will be either every week or either another week. This is all depending on my work schedule.