Title: In the world of strangers

Author: So Yun

Chapters: 1/3

Rating: M

Warnings: Language

Summary: Sequel to "In the arms of a stranger" Can Harry's new family adapt to his strange world?

Note1: I suggest you read the first story before reading this, you won't understand whom the characters are if you don't.

Note2: Alex, Ben and Josh Goodwell are mine, steal them and you die.

Chapter one: Just a blur

Harry waited outside of Dumbledore's office until he was permitted to enter. Dumbledore sat behind his desk his fingers arched and he looked inquiringly up at Harry.

"How many I help you my boy?" He asked graciously and surveyed the teen.

Harry stuttered for the right words and said, "I was wondering Professor Dumbledore, whether you could grant me permission to perform magic in front of some muggles over the break"

The headmaster nodded vaguely then smiled up at Harry, his eyes twinkling, "Why of course Harry. I'm sure the Goodwells will accept it, they are your…-"The headmaster frowned as he tried to search for the right words.

"'-They are almost like your family, but remember your Aunt's protective spell as well though"

Harry beamed and thanked the headmaster saying he would remember it. Not. Before leaving his office and bounding down the stairs two at a time.

Harry waited nervously at the station, Ron and Hermione had long said goodbye with broad smiles. They had both been so happy that Harry finally had someone to go home to on Christmas.

He was tingling with excitement, this would be his first ever Christmas away since he started Hogwarts and his first ever muggle Christmas at that.

He was starting to get twitchy and nervous as he clutched at his trunk and Hedwig's cage. He feared that the summer holidays had just been a dream and the Goodwells didn't really like him at all. Or maybe they had forgotten they had ever known him.

But he was snapped back when two pairs of large hands clapped over his eyes, "Guess who?!" a familiar voice said cheerily, the other one laughing.

Harry beamed and turned around but said timidly, "Hey Josh, hey Ben".

He was facing the two brothers, each wearing a large smile. Their father Alex stood beside him and walked up resting a hand on Harry's shoulder, "Welcome home for Christmas Harry".

Harry smiled shyly and went to pick up his trunk he had sat down but the two larger men did it for him and clapped him on the back.

"Man, this is going to be one awesome Christmas" Ben said brightly and the four started walking to the car.

Harry nodded as they got in, he felt an ebbing sense of dread as they drove, the two other boys babbling, Alex smiling along. Harry didn't know how the hell he was going to tell the Goodwells he was wizard.

He thought in the back of his mind that they'd hate him and toss him away, think it was freakish.

He was so deep in thought and unmistakable fear of abandonment that he didn't notice Alex watching him the review mirror.

When they got home the boys left him to unpack in his room. He still relished loving the feel of having his own room and found himself smiling. It was his and no one could take it away. That's what he thought in his own mind.

He was interrupted by Alex knocking on his door gently, they smiled at each other, "Dinner's ready, although be careful Josh cooked it" He said with raised eyebrows, Harry laughed lightly and followed him downstairs.

He was still smiling gently as they entered the kitchen with the two other boys in the household already eating in a ravenous pace.

Harry raised his eyebrow like Alex had and everyone laughed, including Ben who sprayed them with mashed potato. Harry felt so content, so happy, so much like this was his real and proper family.

He knew at this moment that he should tell the Goodwells his secret, his world. So when they were all full and in stitches over Josh's vulgar joke, Harry fingered his wand which lay in his pocket.

There was a content silence and no one moved to pack up, Christmas time was for laze abouting as the boys said all the time.

Harry broke the silence first, "I have to tell you something".

All eyes were upon him and he suddenly felt squeamish and nervous, he still felt that dread residing in his stomach. Alex, Ben and Josh all nodded at him to go on, "I-I-" He started dryly then pulled out his wand, they said nothing still.

"I need to show you this-"He waved his wand at the fake apple sitting in the fruit bowl at the middle of the kitchen table, "Wingardium Leviosa!".

The apple levitated and he made it do a loop around each man's head before letting it fall back gently into the bowl. He ducked his head but looked up uncertainly through his fringe; he was ever so scared of what they would say. Freak echoed in his head.

Ben was the first to speak and he exclaimed, "That's was plain freaky Harry!" His brother and father's mouths were still agape and Harry felt a brick drop in his stomach.

He pushed his chair back so fast it slammed into the ground with a dull thud, he stood up and before the Goodwells could react he bolted clear out the house.

He was a running blur as he ran and ran down the street, not looking back. He had been right, they thought him a freak and they didn't want him.

He was running to fast in the dark and to his horror angry tears dripping down his cheeks, another rejection.

It was dark and the sky was starry, the moon was luminescent and his legs pounded the road in sharp thuds. He kept running until someone in black robes solidly tackled him.

He untangled himself off the person, but whomever it was held him securely and tightly and he felt himself dreading as the person spoke, "Did you really think, idiot Gryffindor, that just because you have a new found surrogate family-" The person spat the word, "- that the Order would not be tailing you?"

Harry tried to wrench himself free of the person and he elbowed only to find the arms gripping tighter, "Don't even try it Mister Potter" The deathly cold voice whispered.

Harry resigned himself, and spat back, "Fine, Snape".

Please review, no flames. Consider this first chapter a teaser of a sort; I hope you have enjoyed it. There will be three chapters just like the last one.

This story will include more of the magical world and of course Snape this time round.

Thanks,

Yun