Disclaimer; I don't own the rights to Harry Potter. Actually to tell the truth, I'm a fan in denial. Every time a book comes out I pray that it will be bad, so that I am lifted from this curse. Damn them and Rowling, they just keep getting better!

Author's Note; just so any fans know, I'm re-writing all of the chapters. I will edit and add things. And when I'm finished I will start adding new chapters.

Hidden Bridges

By Ryoko Porter

Part One

'The godly is the affair of God, and the human that of humanity. My concern is neither the Godly nor the Human, is not the True, the Good, the Right, the Free, etc., it is individual, as I myself am individual. For me there is nothing above myself.'
Max Stirner

The night sky seemed as though it were at war with itself. Lightning striking out akin to a snake at its prey, an elegant power quick to finish. The rolls of thunder, loud like the galloping hooves of the seven steeds that guided god's chariot. The rain danced about with the wind, soaking everything. All of them sights and sounds so common in storms like this one. A violent, yet appealing show of nature's holy magic.

The show was watched by the eyes of a lost man, from a window in a far high tower. The dim light of only a few candles shrouding his likeness. His silence a powerful draw for attention, such as that of the old man observing him. And through the dark, he could see the young man, only in his late twenties, but with an air of someone much older. His long white-blonde hair that curled around his shoulders and back. Tanned skin, stretched over his thin frame. Conflicting eyes, harsh and strong, yet quiet and dispirited.

'I always hated it when it rained on the first night of school. It seemed only to take away from the magic of this place,' the man finally spoke. His voice was quiet, though it demanded attention. Aristocracy filled it will authority, which seemed of arrogance. And Dumbledore simply listened and watched, patient for the man to explain his thoughts.

'I do not care if what I did was moral, or not. I will save myself, no matter what it takes. And you will help me. You owe me that, whether you know it or not. No…' the man shifted his gaze, and Dumbledore knew that he saw the students entering the school's grand doors. 'No, you owe them that.'

The headmaster knew that he was defeated, doomed to helping this man. Without even the lighting of a candle, he knew this man was much stronger in magic than he. The stream of power rolled off of him in waves. The way it does with wizards who had nothing else in their lives did. The old man could clearly tell that everything that this man once had and was, had been lost. Nothing but growing magic in a broken husk was this man.

Moving from his place, Dumbledore walked to the door, ready to leave. 'Come, we should get there before the students,' he said, turned to the man for another moment. Then he left the room, leaving the man to follow when he saw fit.



Harry watched the great magnificence of his school slowly come closer from the window of the carriage he occupied. He listened the wheels run through the mud, and the tap of rain against the outside of the carriage. When he turned his attention, he saw that Luna next to him was still reading the latest issue of the Quibbler. And he couldn't help but smile at the change of her hair to thick dreadlocks. Across from him, Hermione was trying desperately to smooth her own hair. She wasn't vain, but with the moisture in the air, it seemed that she would do better bald. And even with her vast knowledge of spells, she couldn't get it to simply fight nature. And Ron, well Ron was just Ron. Unsure of what to do or say at such a situation. So he talked to Luna whenever she found something interesting to share.

Last year the Golden Trio had turned into the Golden Quartet when Luna had joined. The entire school had thought Harry and her were dating, since they all knew that Ron and Hermione were meant to be. But they were only friends. Close for each their own social oddities. Both accepting the other for what they were, and treating them no more special than any other student.

Harry just wasn't very attracted to anyone. He knew it was his subconscious trying to protect him from hurt. Yet he didn't have much want to change it either. Not because he was afraid of being hurt. But because he was content in being the lone outsider. It was all he knew, everything he'd ever been. With the Dursleys', his friends, the entire of Wizarding folk. It wasn't as if he didn't want love. But until he knew that someone would or could always be with him...well maybe it was simply about the hurt of loss. Like Sirius.



'Now that all of the first years have been assigned to their houses, there are a few things that I would like to say before the meal we all are looking forward to,' the headmaster spoke as usual, standing at his place at the head table. The Golden Trio at Gryffindor barely paid any mind, since they had heard everything six times over. Well, at least Hermione had. Yet Harry did notice that Dumbledore seemed even older, if that were even possible. The stress of the war was obviously getting to the man. For even with his scheming and power, the Dark Lord was still a heavy threat upon the world. Stealing some the glow innocence the old wizard always seemed to keep. Everyone was suffering of the like, from the growing war.

'The usual rules regarding the forest still apply, and Mr. Filch is rather eager to catch any student about the castle at night. The regard of that rule has been at a loss, as of late.' Dumbledore looked in Harry's direction, though no one noticed. 'And secondly, instead of myself teaching the Defense Against Dark Arts classes as planned. A new teacher has joined our ranks. I present to you Mr. Julian Grey.'

'He looks like Malfoy!' Ron harshly whispered as he saw a man enter the hall from behind the head table. And it was true Harry noticed, though his hair was longer. With eyes of the blue night sea, looking directly at him.

'Julian I'm glad to see you finally join us, I have just introduced you,' Dumbledore smiled as the new young teacher took a seat next to a surprised Snape. Mr. Grey nodded his head ever so slightly to show his understanding to the headmaster, and then proceeded to ignore all as he waved a cigarette into existence.

'Mr. Grey! I must protest your behavior in front of the students! Smoking is most certainly not accepted here,' McGonagall said as if she were speaking to a mere student. Her voice a shrill though dignified noise.

'Ms. McGonagall, you will quickly learn that I will do as I please.' Julian looked away from the witch he was speaking to, arrogantly lighting his cigarette with wandless magic as he spoke. 'Further more, you will find it in your best interest to get used to it. I will not be forced away from this place; I will only leave when it is time for me to leave.' He then turned to her direction and blew out the smoke from his lungs, magically pushing it into her face, two seats down.

The entire hall was silent as McGonagall nearly hissed her displeasure. She watched the man's face closely, contemplating whether or not to curse him. Never had she been so insulted by one so young. And Dumbledore was watching her as though she had been in the wrong! How dare he. That little cur should be taught a lesson. Maybe if she...

'Now I think that it is time for the meal to begin. Just one more thing first; mukluk!' Dumbledore announced surprisingly loud, drawing all attention away from the feuding teachers and back to him. And as usual, there appeared before every student a great mountain of food.

End Part 1.

AN. Well what do you think? I promise that I will focus more on our beloved characters in the next chapter. I'm not sure how long this will end up. But at least I know where it's going...for once.
Ryoko Porter