Chapter One
A/N: This is a modern Harry Potter AU story started out with a thought 'What would it be like if Voldemort hadn't rose to power until after Harry was already in school at Hogwarts.' So I took that thought and stretched it out into a remarkably detailed story and so many ideas were bouncing around my head that I decided to reward them by putting them on paper. Later I decided to post what I've written. And this is what you get. There are several thing you will notice that seem off. No worries, I'll post another note at the end of the chapter to answer any questions I believe should be answered rather than wait to find out in the story.
Edit: I was not happy with how this story sounded so I went back and revamped it better in my opinion. Doesn't matter much I suppose seeing as how this story has- 2 followers? It might have changed since then I'm not sure.
Disclaimer: I own nothing that shows within this story. Please support the official release.
"Honey please! Just for dinner, it will mean so much to your father if you could come by just for an hour or so."
"Mom," Harry sighed into his cell phone as he walked down the crowded street in downtown London, " I'm sorry, the workload has nearly doubled since last semester, and you know how busy last year was for me, and if I want to keep up with my grades I can't let even a second go to waste!" Harry heard his mother giggle from the other line.
"Sweetie, you've gotten straight O's in everything so far. I'm certain one hour won't kill you. It might even help. Your old mother was ranked first in the whole school back in Hogwarts you know!" She laughed lightly. Harry let out a slight huff. His mom did have a point. She wasn't known as one of the most intelligent women that he knew for nothing. "I've also been talking to Neville," Harry tensed up at the name of his best friend. What did Neville tell her? "And he said you haven't been taking care of yourself! Honestly Harry, you're not sleeping or eating properly! That's not healthy sweetie!"
'Of all the things to tell her! Jeez Nev! You are trying to get mom to kill me!' Harry silently cursed at his friend's inability to lie when it came to Harry's mom, Lily.
To be fair to Neville, his mother did have a very endearing personality. Add that to being a very beautiful woman, and her relatively small stature she was the epitome of loving, adorable mother; And it was more than slightly annoying that even Harry himself could not lie to her when she used her, as Neville affectionally called it, "Mothering Worried Eyes". However, no matter how annoyed Harry got with her for managing to pry the truth out of anything he did, Harry still loved her more than anybody in the world.
"Look Mom, I'm about to walk into the flat, I will let you know in an hour if I can. Is that fair?" Harry said, fumbling around for his keys, which was easier said then done with his phone in one hand and his laptop and books in the other.
"Of course honey! I will see you tonight at 8! Don't be late!" Lily chirped into the phone.
"No-Wait Mom! I didn't-" The click and subsequent dial tone spoke on the end of the conversation. Harry growled in annoyance before shoving his phone in his pocket. She had planned that. Now, there was no way out of it without getting a rather irate phone call from his father and texts from his brother saying that 'Mom's been crying all day, you need to talk to her!' and that was not a situation he felt like dealing with ever again. With his right hand free, it was remarkably easier to grab the right key and shove it into the lock of his apartment.
Opening the door, Harry was right away smacked in the face with the smell of food.
"Pizza? Again? Really Nev, you couldn't have thought of something a little more-oh I don't know- different?" Harry called to his roommate and best friend, Neville Longbottom.
Neville popped his head around the corner with a indignant look smeared on his face.
"It wasn't me this time, I swear! I tried telling Bill we had pizza last night but he wouldn't bloody listen!"
Neville had been his friend for as long as he could remember. Their mothers had been best friends in school, and while many of their friends had lost contact after school. Lily and Alice had stayed connected to the hip, as it were. So, it was only logical to assume that their sons, who had been born in the same month, (James and Frank were still adamant that the two mothers had schemed together. When asked, they would merely give a coy smile and proceed to change the subject.) would go on to become the greatest of friends. Brothers, even. Yes, Neville and Harry became quite inseparable over the years. However, the duo found a friend their very first day at Hogwarts that. Bill Weasley.
Bill was the eldest brother of the red headed Weasley clan. With no more than a "How do you do, I'm Bill!" he had inserted himself into Harry and Neville's friendship, and neither were quick to complain. They became such a close-nit group that they had all decided to attend the same university after Hogwarts.
Bill let out a bark of laughter from his place in their living room/kitchen.
"If I recall correctly Harry, just yesterday you had said the same thing, and lo and behold you ate it! It's a miracle in itself, I know, but believe it or not if you're hungry enough you will eat whatever is available."
"That's right I did eat yesterday didn't I?" Bill eyed Harry curiously and a little suspiciously, as he had just made his way into the room. It wasn't like the young wizard to forget what he had done the day before.
Scratch that. It wasn't like Harry to forget anything at all. The man was a walking textbook it seemed like.
So to hear Harry so casually announce that he had forgotten something was odd, and not the least bit curious.
"Yes you did?" Bill said eyes narrowed. 'Where's he going with this?'
"Hmm, yes I do remember eating, so it's rather curious how I get a phone call from my mother telling me that I haven't been 'eating or sleeping properly'. Care to tell me how she happened to come to that conclusion Neville?" He replied, shooting the last remark at his other mate.
"Can't say it rings a bell Harry!" Neville laughed out, quelling towards the end when he saw the murderous glare in Harry's eyes. "I might have said you weren't sleeping very well, but I promise you that was all! I didn't say anything about eating! Honest!" Harry's eyes softened slightly. He knew his mom-loved her- but he still wouldn't put it past the conniving witch to twist Neville's words to suit her own needs.
"Come now mate, you're mum's just worried for ya, yeah? She's always been like this. At least your mum isn't as bad as mine! Think of that!"
Harry let out a sigh, nodded to Bill's words, and proceeded to turn on his heel and head left into his room. The trio's flat was a modest three bedroom affair. As soon as one walked through the door there would be a hall spanning left and right. In the middle of said hall was two doors that housed the bathroom and a bedroom. Left would lead you to a moderately sized bedroom; While right would lead to a bedroom on one side of the hall and a door to the kitchen and sitting area. Nothing too special, unless one was to count the multiple 'odd' trinkets laying everywhere. These objects did things that would have engineers and physicians everywhere pulling there hair out attempting to describe what was happening. However, their investigation would turn out fruitless as the group of friends had a secret.
They were wizards.
Harry continued to backtrack through the flat to reach his bedroom where he laid his laptop bag on his desk and proceeded to flop down, none to gently, on his bed. It had been a very long day of classes and trekking through UCLM or University City London 'Magi'. Luckily, the weekend brought a much needed break from his 6:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m schedule. Harry swung his arm over to cover his forehead in a vain attempt to quell the growing headache that came from such a long and tiring day.
"Now, when did you want to start on that homework from Prof. Engles?" Bill asked from his spot leaning on Harry's doorframe.
"Which one the mock test? Or the essay?"
"Essay's," Bill was quick to correct him, " Five runes, four pages each, all due by this Monday. Shit, I thought Prof. Abul was messing with us last year, but if anything he downplayed Prof. Engles too much. The man's a bloody slave driver! And we've only had him for two weeks!"
"Brilliant." Harry let out a small defeated groan at the info, before sitting up in a more dignified manner. Raising his left arm to glance at his watch he uttered a curse.
'Shit, it's already 6 o'clock. I need to start getting ready so I can just leave here before 8 and not rush myself.' Harry thought with a grimace. Harry let out a shiver at the thought of what his mother would do should he show up late.
"Well, I need to go take a shower first, before we do anything. Went to the gym after classes and I can't imagine my body smells like sunshine and roses at the moment."
"I was gonna be a good friend and not say anything but..." Bill's voice drifted off to the end, wrinkling his nose. Harry rolled his eyes at his friend before shooting him a glare.
"What are you even doing here? Shouldn't you be out snogging one of your 'girlfriends'.
"Why would I need to do that? I've got you two dunderheads for that!"
"No thanks." Harry stated blandly. Bill grinned before jumping on his friends bed and puckered his lips attempting to claim Harry's. "Bill get the bloody hell off me! Neville! Control your mutt!"
"Down boy, don't want to claim little Harrikens first kiss now do ya?" Neville spoke from the hall.
"Oi!" Harry sounded indignantly after pushing the redhead of his lap. "I've had loads of kisses!"
"Your mum doesn't count." Bill snorted derisively, "Though she would be quite the catch." He said looking thoughtful. Harry sent a dirty look at his mate for even thinking of such a scenario. "Oh don't get so miffed mate. I'm only taking the mickey on ya!" Bill exclaimed throwing his arm around Harry in an exaggerate manner.
"So, are you guy's working on homework tonight then?" Neville spoke to Harry, who was currently attempting to pry the energetic red head off of him.
"Yeah. Well, I've also got to be at my parent's house by 8 -thanks for that by the way- so I'll have to leave you here with this prat until I get back. How was your classes today?" Neville's eyes brightened has he went into a detailed explanation on his Muggle Herbology Study seminar.
"Oh! Prof. Sycamore even brought in a Datura and a Brugmansia for us to study." Neville said finishing his recounting of the class. Bill raised his head and eyebrows at Neville's statement.
"Wait. So you just sat there and took notes on a plant? Blimey, we're in the wrong class Harry!"
"No need to shout damnit, I'm right here." Harry snarked rubbing his ear to get rid of the ringing sensation. "And those plants are deadly, I'm good studying ancient runes."
"Tell me your taking the piss! Your fine studying runes that can make your insides be on your outside! But a plant. Oh no, that's where you draw line! Much to dangerous for ol' Harry."
"Professor Engles has never brought in a rune that can damn near take off a finger." Neville let out a nervous chuckle. Bill smirked, piecing what was going on.
"You're still upset that Neville's 'harmless plant' managed to ruin your date with Meredith Jones, aren't you?" Harry gave Bill a downright murderous glare. "Oh ho! Neville you dog! Tried to get a piece of that tight little blonde for yourself huh?" Bill let out a bellow of laughter while Neville's face tried it's best to turn as red as Bill's hair.
"They did start 'connecting' after what happened." Harry remarked sending a smirk towards Neville. Neville started to protest when Harry raised his hand, effectively cutting him off. "Relax Nev, if I had really been mad you would have known." Neville let out the breath he had been holding. Harry felt a stab of guilt hit him. "Besides, she wasn't my type."
"Oh Harrikens has a type? Is it your hand?" Bill smirked dodging Harry's half hearted swipe at his head. "Well, you did have quite the Oedipus complex growing up maybe you should be looking for a redhead." The next blow actually managed to get Harry's complete attention, and henceforth connected on the side of Bill's head. Bill scowled and looked up at Neville for some help. Neville meekly help up both hands in a show of 'You're on your own.'
"He's still mad at me for the whole snitching to his mum thing. I'm not getting involved."
"Smart."
"But don't you guys have homework to do? Don't you think you need him alive for that Harry."
"Not really."
"Oi! I'm right here!" Bill said, grasping his heart in mock pain.
"That's the problem, don't you guys have your own rooms?" Harry shooed them towards the door. Neville chuckled and grabbed Bill before making his way to the door.
Harry followed them down the hall, after grabbing fresh clothes, and proceeded into the bathroom. He paused, frowning and placed his clothes on the counter and headed towards Bill's room at the other end of the hall.
"Hey, grab your stuff, bring it to the living room, and get started on that mock test. I'll be out in fifteen minutes, I'll join you when I'm done." Harry said popping his head in to speak to his friend.
"Sure, I'll go ahead and do all the work, yeah?" Bill called to his friend over his shoulder. Harry's only response was a snort from down the hall as he had already made his way to the bathroom before Bill had turned.
Harry stripped naked and couldn't help but look himself over in the mirror. He looked good, at least better than he used to that for sure. When he was back in Hogwarts, Harry had been a scrawny little thing. While cute for some witches, others had wanted a man, or at least as much a man as one could get when they were all only for the aforementioned Ms. Jones, no witch ever came knocking on his parent's door, which had drawn the ire of his mother for some time ago. So, after some much needed persuasion from Bill and Lily, Harry started going to the gym with Bill at Hogwarts in the beginning of his 6th year.
And the changes were noticeable. Very Noticeable. After he started eating healthier and working out on a daily basis, Harry had started gaining muscle tone and getting bigger over his last two years. With the help of a late growth spurt, he was now standing at roughly 6'1 and weighed about 190 lbs. Added to the fact that Harry had inherited his mother's beautifully eyes and his dad's pitch black hair, and you had a lean, mean lady killing machine. In the looks department, at least. However, with Harry's intellect and general dislike of things that weren't Neville or Bill, many girls found themselves to intimidated and overwhelmed for more than a one night stand. While Harry was fine with a fling here or there, he wasn't Bill. Since coming to the University a little over a year ago, Harry had two hook ups. Neither went anywhere and that was fine with him. He wanted an equal. Someone who wouldn't just want him for his parent's money or his looks, and he would wait as long as it took to meet her.
Harry let out a sigh. 'It is a pain in the ass that Mum won't get off my back about it though.' With that last thought Harry drew back the curtain and started his shower.
Harry walked out of the steaming bathroom shirtless, and proceeded into the kitchen where he found Bill muttering curse words under his breath, Neville was looking at Bill in quiet bemusement from his spot on the couch. Harry raised an eyebrow in questioning at the scene and grab some orange juice out of the fridge.
"Hey, Harry?" Bill called from the couch.
"Yeah?"
"What's the application of the Dagaz rune in conjuction with a Fehu and Gebo Rune on a overlapping double triangle relay ward?"
"So, there's nothing else in the question but that? That's not much information. Does it say it say what the formula is?"
"Yeah, Dagaz is before the Gebo Rune, but after the Fehu. However, it also says that in between the Fehu and Dagaz is-"
"One of the points on the triangle? Yeah-wow that's some dark magic warding they are covering. The Fehu is easy, it's used to strengthen the ward's base. The other two get trickier. Gebo usually means the it's used to take away one's soul or magic depending on what you plan on setting as a sacrifice in return. If you want to drain someone's magic within the ward, your magic would henceforth be taken; Like wise with the soul. That kind of stuff." Harry paused a moment to take a drink from his glass of orange juice. Neville looked up from his book in intrigue at Harry's impromptu 'lesson'. " However, with Dagaz in front, it reverses the effects of the Gebo. So, instead of taking-"
"You'd be giving." Bill looked disturbed for a moment, seems his mind had finally caught up with what Harry was describing. "That's- Harry is this an Inferni Trap Ward!?" Harry raised his glass in a salute to Bill, most people wouldn't deduce the effects of giving your magic to someone.
"Bingo. I belive it's called the ομάδα-στόχος or Group Target ward. The Greeks were the first to use it in war and they weren't the last that's for sure. I'd imagine that if the Prof. had put more description into the ward you'd find four more runes and seven sacrificed lambs at each intersection within the triangles themselves. Oh, and crushed black rose petals at each point as well. The other more common runes to use are usually Laguz-Trick runes to pass the sacrifice unto one of the unlucky members of the target group Neville-, and the a fire spell triggered to go off when nothing 'living' was still in the circle to ensure no one or nothing in this case escaped afterwards. Very nasty stuff that, but it's definitely an ingenious design. Not something I'd enjoying going against." Bill ran a hand through his hair after Harry's explanation.
"Well, while I wasn't expecting such a terrifying answer for such a simple question, I do appreciate the help Harry."
Harry hummed his acknowledgment around his glass of juice. He glanced over at the oven clock and nodded to himself, before covering his lean muscle with a tight, dark grey polo.
"Alright mates, I'm gonna head over to my parent's. I'll be a little over an hour, hour and a half at the most."
"Yeah," Bill sighed, stood up and stretched his legs a little. He made his way over to Harry and bumped the offered fist from his friend. "I'll try to keep the house from burning down. Say hi to your family for me, will ya?"
"Right." He remarked dryly. With a look towards a smiling Neville to show he wanted him to look after Bill, Harry made his way to the door. Neville stood up and called to Harry.
"Hey, try not to piss your brother off, yeah? And say hi to Lily and Ash for me!"
"No promises and will do." With that final goodbye, Harry walked out the door, and proceeded to apparate to his parent's manor.
Harry stared up at the large, but comely home. The house was just the way he remembered. Except for the newly painted front door. It really had been to long since he'd been here. But that wasn't all his fault! His father had been rather adamant on Harry focusing on his studies and now James had completely switched his view on the whole situation. 'Though, Mom probably had a lot to do with that situation.' Which was almost always the truth, she could be rather scary when it came to her 'babies' even if the only baby of the house was his 9 year old sister, Ashley. He sighed and leisurely walked up to the door.
"Time to get this over with."
A/N: Alright, first off this section will be used to answer any reviewers questions for future chapters. However, due to the fact that I have no reviews I will go over the first chapter to alleviate any confusion. First, Harry and Neville are older, are they the only ones from there age group? No, but I won't say who. You will find out if not next chapter then the chapter after that. I'm sure you've noticed that, they are also going to a University for magic. This is where my imagination came in. It's already been established that the Prime Minister knows of the Magical Community so I could see there being (For the more prestigious and well-known Universities) another division of the school primarily used as a magically school. Diagon Ally is hidden by a wall. I'm sure you could manage to hide other classrooms. I don't see why wizards don't have some form of secondary education or maybe they do and it was never covered by J.K. Rowling. In any case, there is higher education requirements for certain jobs in this world, which we will be covering next chapter. That should about cover the basics right now. So, until next chapter friends.