WARNING: This is a SLASH/GAY/HOMOSEXUAL/BOY LOVE/YAOI/YURI/LESBIAN/GIRL LOVE. Harry is to be paired with another guy (OMC). Hermione with another girl(Undecided as of yet). Other characters, both original, and JK's will be paired with the same gender. Some will be Heterosexual, but not many (I.E. Ron/Lavender). I will delete any review that is sent in if it slanders gay couples. As a Pansexual, I take offense as well. Why should there only be Heterosexual couples in fiction, or tv? Get real people, even in the animal kingdom, there are homosexual relations. There are a slew of gay relationships in our histories, including Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions/talk of child abuse and rape. I don't believe it's too graphic, but it is still a trigger for some people to even read someone talking about their abuse. If you are one such person, please hit the back button, or exit the app.
Any review with helpful tips on how to further my writing are welcomed! I don't mind people pointing out my flaws, so long as they are polite, and respectful. For all you know, I'm a thirteen year old child whose only method of therapy is writing. I'm not, I'm twenty-four, but you didn't know that until I told you, did you? While reviewing, keep in mind that if you wouldn't mind reading the review you're writing, then you should go ahead and post. If it's something that would upset you if you read it while going through your own story's reviews, then it should be tossed out, and started over.
I do not own Harry Potter. If I did, then the story would be completely different. As I don't make money off of what I write on this site, that means I can play with them instead.
I hope you enjoy my work!
CHAPTER ONE:
America
Harry Potter was a teenager. Somewhere between a boy and a man. He wasn't fully grown yet, but he was also not as innocent looking as a child. At fifteen, his looks were settling into that of an adult. He looked neither as a man nor a woman should, earning him the whispers of being androgynous. He wasn't even developing an Adam's apple. It made his voice a higher pitch, even after puberty started. His skin was a nearly flawless pale milk coloring, besides the odd scar on his forehead, and his arms. His eyes were a brilliant green that was only matched by shamrocks. His hair was inky black, and was silky despite that shag that was how it was cut. The only thing that took away from his looks, was the worn and baggy clothing he was forced to wear around his so called family.
That would change today. Harry was in the United States with the Dursleys, due to Dudley begging his parents to go to New York. They were going to be there for the whole summer, and Harry was instantly excited, telling Petunia, his mother's sister, that he would provide his own shelter and food, if they provided him a ticket home. She had agreed, signing him into a nice four star hotel close to her own. Paying with the money that her nephew provided her. Once she was gone, Harry decided to go shopping. If anyone asked, he would claim that he was a rich brat (truth) who just got emancipated (lie).
Harry was instantly in love with leggings and tunics. When he flashed his black executive credit card from Gringotts, he was nearly thrown at the sales and other such items to accessorize his outfit. He also got a new pair of glasses, and contacts. He got a strange look when he told them where to deliver, or where they could bill him, but ignored them to continue his shopping. He was having too much fun to just stop buying things that had been denied to him long ago.
He walked out wearing a green tunic and black leggings, and brown boots that ended just below his knees. For the first time, he felt like he was himself, and not putting on an act. It was freeing, and he was happy.
Stumbling upon a magical enclave ensured that he got his hair lengthened enough so he could braid his hair back. Thanks to being smart about it, Harry had hidden his scar beneath putty and make-up. It was a trick that someone at another store had taught him, commenting that it was a shame that his face wasn't perfection, but everyone was imperfect in their own way. The man was kind in teaching Harry what to do, especially upon learning that people looked more at his scar, than him as a person.
"Well aren't you cute?" Harry paused, as a few men blocked his path. "Where are you heading sweetheart? Maybe you'd like some company?"
"Excuse me?"
"Ooh, a Brit? Visiting with family, sugar?" Another asked, smirking.
"Not interested." Harry turned to walk the other way when one grabbed his shoulder. Harry reacted by slamming his elbow into the guy's gut. "Bloody Hell, are all Yanks this stupid? You're old enough to be my father! I'm not legal, and not interested, so leave me alone!"
"Now now, no need to worry that pretty little head. Girls-"
"I'm not a bloody girl!" Harry's eyes widened when their's narrowed. Squeaking, he spun around and sprinted, thankful for years of Harry Hunting. Spotting a group of teens his age, he dived behind the largest. "Help!" He managed just as the men arrived. The whole group converged to protect what was obviously a tourist.
"Get lost." The guy Harry was hidden behind snapped.
"That ain't no girly, boys! It's a fag that needs to be taught his place!" The leader of the men sneered. Harry flinched, anger crossing his face.
"Come at me one at a time, and I will show you who is a wet fag!" Harry spat, moving to go around the one he'd been using as a shield.
"Not happening kid." The large teen smirked, pushing Harry back behind him. "Now gentlemen, you have five seconds to beat it, or I'm calling my dad to let him know that there was an attempted hate crime that we got involved in. Tell me, does the name Jackson Hale mean anything to you?" Harry watched in awe as the men nearly apparated with how fast they moved. "You okay kid?"
"Fine. Thanks for the save."
"Think nothing of it. Can I ask where your parents are? You shouldn't be wandering alone." Harry sighed, rolling his eyes.
"My parents are dead. I recently got permission to use the money they left me."
"You're alone? That isn't safe kid!" Harry glowered at the nickname.
"I'm almost sixteen!" The group cracked up laughing after a heartbeat. "I'm serious!"
"There is no way you're sixteen!" The green eyed boy twitched. "You're at least three years younger than us!"
"Almost sixteen. Merlin you people are idiots."
"Merlin? You're a wizard?" The smallest of the group of friends asked, leaning around another that had his arm around his shoulders. In fact, he wasn't that much taller than Harry's 160 cm. "Henry, get off of me." The boy whined, poking his friend's side. "Don't worry, these guys all have relatives with magic. I'm Cole, a squib!"
"Nice to meet you. I'm Basil." Harry smiled shyly, giving the first flower related name he could think of.
"Do you want to hang out with us? We were just about to get lunch." Harry hesitated, "please? You go to Hogwarts, right? I want to hear about it, and Harry Potter." Harry exhaled carefully.
"Okay."
Harry followed beside Cole, who was pointing out popular haunts of the local kids, and where some of the best food or stores were. He learned the mountain of a teen he'd hid behind was Sam, the geek of the group was Liam, and Toby was their jock. When they arrived at the pizzeria and asked Harry what he wanted, Harry could only stare hopelessly back.
"Basil, have you had pizza before?" Harry shook his head no to Liam's question. "Cheese it is then." A large cheese, and a large pepperoni was ordered, and they claimed a table. "When is Cade supposed to get here, Cole?"
"A few minutes more." Harry noticed Cole holding a watch that was similar to the clock in the Weasley home. The name Cade was pointed to traveling. It came to a rest on eating just as the door opened. "Cade!"
Harry stared at the boy that walked in the small restaurant. He was older than the group, around seventeen or eighteen. His hair, like Cole's, was a chocolate coloring, skin lightly tanned, and his eyes were a deep purple that he'd only seen on Tonks when she got mad at Sirius. A scar marred his right cheek, going up over his nose, and resting just shy of his eye. He wore a tank top, gym shorts, and trainers. He was built between Toby and Sam. Harry felt himself flush when purple eyes met his own green.
Harry felt breathless.
"Who is this, little bro?"
"Basil! Basil, this is my brother Cade. He's a member of the Pukwudgie House at Ilvermorny." Basil tilted his head. "Cade, this is Basil, he's visiting from Britain!" Cole paused, frowning. "What house are you in, anyway Basil?"
"Slytherin." Harry snickered at his confused look. "I believe your house is similar to Hufflepuff, the Wampus and Thunderbird Houses are the equivalent of Gryffindor, and Horned Serpent is a combination of Slytherin and Ravenclaw." Harry shrugged, "at least, that's how my friend explained it to me back during the Triwizard. I was curious about other schools. Was tempted to leave Hogwarts after the Dungbombs that happened since I started with Harry Potter."
"What do you mean? Isn't Harry Potter a big shot hero back in England?"
"Maybe, but he's still just a kid being tossed at Voldemort at every turn. How would you feel, being famous for something that cost you your parents?" All the children flinched, besides Liam, who snorted.
"Good riddance." Harry gave him a sharp look, before noticing the bruise poking out from under the shirt collar. Harry nodded.
"Yeah, some adults shouldn't have kids. Or take them in." Harry picked at his pizza, appetite disappearing. Liam frowned, leaning across the table to gently grab his hand.
"Eat, Basil. No one will be mad for you eating, you don't need to starve yourself. They can't touch you here." Harry snorted, stilling his hands beneath the larger boy's. "We don't deserve their actions. I'm out by the end of next week." Liam grimaced, "how long until you can leave?"
"Next summer. I go to Hogwarts, so I'm only there during summer." Harry shrugged, "as soon as I turn seventeen, I'm leaving, and nothing anyone says can stop me."
"Did they beat you too?" Harry stiffened, shaking his head.
"My magic has always been strong. The only times he was able to get his hands on me, I was weak from hunger or ill." Harry sighed, looking up. "It was mostly mental, and emotional. I was neglected too. I'm fine though. I made friends that I can trust, and I'm almost considered an adult." Harry blinked when suddenly bright amethyst eyes were staring up at him from where he was looking down. He gave Cole a confused look.
"You're not lying."
"No, I'm-"
"You lied about your name, so I was surprised." A choked noise left Harry's throat, and the others shot him a questioning look. "Given what I know about you so far, I can't blame you for lying."
"How?"
"Hm? I'm basically impossible to lie to. All squibs have a sort of magic that they have access to. We just can't do much with a wand. I have a friend that can talk to animals."
"Oh." Harry relaxed some.
"What is your name then?" Cade asked, making Harry stiffen. His breath caught at the thought of telling them who he was.
"You don't have to answer that, kid." Liam soothed, shooting the others a glare. "I get it. It's a chance for you to be who you want, and not what others want you to be, right?" Harry nodded slowly, unable to look away.
"Freak?" Harry stiffened instantly, looking around Cade to see Dudley standing with his parents in the door of the pizzeria. "Mum, make him leave! I don't want him to be here when I'm eating!" Cade turned slowly, arms crossed over his chest. Harry was surprised to see a wand peaking out from his sleeve. His aunt must have noticed, because she paled.
"Sweetums, lets find a better place to eat."
"But I'm-"
"Thanks for the food guys, but I've lost my appetite." Harry murmured as he stood to go out the back door.
"Where do you think you're going, Potter?" Vernon sneered, and Harry paled, glancing at the shocked Cade and Cole. "You have money, so pay for our food. You owe us."
"Owe you?" Harry snarled, spinning around to point at Vernon. "I owe you nothing. If anything, you owe me! I found out that you've been given a check each month I lived with you! Guess what, all of that money is coming back to me. I've already started the investigation. Gringotts doesn't take too kindly to thieves, uncle."
"How dare you talk to me like that, boy?" Harry's lightning fast reflexes reacted as his uncle went to hit his head, catching the hand. His magic subconsciously, and wandlessly, augmented his strength. Vernon looked like a radish, he was so red.
"Leave me alone. You are nothing to me. The only reason I even came back to the hell I'm forced to call home is the stupid war." Harry hissed darkly. "I hope the day that the wards fail, that Voldemort finds you. Did it make you feel in control when you hit a child too sick to even stand?" Harry shook, "or when you raped me while your wife was in the next room?" Petunia gasped in horror, while Vernon paled. Harry flung the now bruised arm away from him. "Stay the bloody hell away from me, because I'm done taking your shite."
With that, Harry stormed from the small eatery. Patrons were staring at Vernon. Some were on the phone, likely to the police. Harry didn't give a damn. He had to get away before he lost control of his magic. Something he couldn't do around muggles. He couldn't excuse himself on foreign lands, especially with former warnings on his record. Even if he wished he could attack Vernon with all his might and magic ability.
Footsteps, quick and loud, followed him out.
"Wait, please, Basil?" Cole called, not even attempting to touch the boy. Harry stopped, eyes closed as he shook.
"You know who I am."
"You chose the name Basil." Harry shook as Cole walked around him, eyes understanding.
Understanding, not sympathizing.
"It gets better." Tears welled up in Harry's eyes as he let his anger flee, and sank to his knees as he started to cry. Adults sneered at them as they walked by, a few gave him worried looks, but left them be. A woman went to stop, but continued when Cole knelt before Harry as well. "I promise. It gets better, Basil."
"It hurt so bad." Harry whispered brokenly. Sirens in the distance alerted him to the fact Vernon was likely being arrested. "I feel so dirty now."
"You're not dirty." Cole shook his head, giving a sad smile. "They are, for stealing away something pure. Our first times should have been with people we love." Cole opened his arms. "May I hug you, Basil?" Harry's lip trembled before he flung himself at the older boy, sobbing the earnest. "You did nothing wrong, Basil. You're a child. He was supposed to protect you, not hurt you. Magic or no magic, fear or no fear. He's sick, and that's all you have to remember. He's sick, and he can't hurt you now. You're stronger than him."
"Excuse me, are you the boys that left Antonio's?" A woman police officer asked as she walked up. Harry stiffened, hiding his face.
"Yes. What precinct are you from?" Cade asked softly. He got the information. "Can this wait until later? He just confronted his abuser. He doesn't need to go in just yet, seeing as he left many witnesses."
"Of course. Just bring him by soon." Cole coached Harry up. "Do you kids need a ride home?"
"We've got this." Cole assured, waving her away. Her eyes widened causing Cole to sigh, "yes, I'm Cole Bishop." Harry jerked in his arms.
The Bishops were infamous even in the UK. On both sides. One doesn't forget the largest Witch Trials of all time. Especially when you learn that it was all true, and that the Bishops were a wizarding family that had fled to America after a falling out over the goblin wars. They had been for agreeing with the creatures. Hermione looked up to them for her S.P.E.W campaign.
"Come on kid, I bet you've never had a piggy back ride, right?" Sam asked as he knelt in front of Harry. "Come on, we'll take you back to Cade's." With a push from Cole, Harry wrapped his arms around Sam's wide shoulders, sagging against the back offered to him.
He fell asleep to the rocking motion of being carried.