Title: Just Harry

Author: Black, White, and Shades of Grey

Characters: Harry Potter, the Dursleys, Tom Riddle, others as added.

Rating: PG-13 for future chapters and mild violence/cursing.

Summary: A.U. Growing up with a very different Dursley family, Harry learns new and interesting things, and makes decisions and friends one wouldn't expect.

Just Harry

Chapter One

By Black, White, and Shades of Grey

It was a clear, darker then usual night on Pivet Drive when Harry Potter was brought to the Dursley's house. He was left on the doorstep, a note attached in his baby blanket. He was crying softly as Mrs. Petunia Dursley opened the door to look around. As she found the source of the cry she gasped, horrified that someone would just abandon a child like that, but also happy that it had been her, for she felt that this was a very special baby. She picked up the little boy and quickly read the note, frowning as she did. Tears welled up in her eyes at the news that her only sister had died, and she hurriedly wiped them away. This was no time to morn. She had to bring the little one inside and wake Vernon up. Explain to him what was happening, maybe even convince him to let her keep young Harry and treat him like a son, a younger brother to their little Dudley. Even if her sister did use magic, she wasn't going to abandon what was left of the person she secretly admired.

Yes. She could morn later.

So, as it goes, Harry Potter grew up in a very loving, yet stern, environment. Just like his older 'brother', he was made to do chores (which had to be done before he could have his free time, but after homework), maintain good grades, and generally have fun as a child. He was a quick learner, breezing by his brother and most of his friends academically, and was often bored at school and home.

At the age of four he was told about his parents, and that he was the only one to have ever survived the 'killing curse' (or so the note said), and that he was supposed to be a very powerful wizard. They also told him that, though he could do whatever he wished to with his magic around his family, outside was not a good idea. It is because of this that Harry did his best, in his free time, to try and summon this magic, and to do with it what he wished.

After many months of trying with no success, he decided to do some research. He had found some muggle books describing his kind of situation – trying to find energy within. It was often said that meditation was a good way, and that through martial arts a person could find there center more easily, and find balance (not to mention learn to defend themselves).

So, on his 5th birthday he decided: As his present, he would start Tai Chi.

Nine years later, Harry was still doing martial arts in his free time. It was summer time between his 3rd and 4th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in the month of August, on the 7th. There was a competition, ages fourteen to twenty – one, and anyone who wanted to test their skill could. Harry – being the eager teen that he was – decided to enter.

And that is where Harry's most interesting adventures begin.

None of Harry's opponents moved like he did. The man – who looked to be about twenty, maybe twenty-one, had chocolate brown hair, clear sky blue eyes (not like his Godfather's stormy grey-blue eyes), and a leanly muscled build (not that he noticed any of this) – he was almost like a dancer. He moved about Harry with a practiced ease, something that only an experienced fighter was able to do, and at times almost seemed to be mocking him with all those smirks. Harry was starting to become very frustrated with this; he cleared his mind, found his center, and started fighting back more. It was time for him to focus on winning the match, not just fighting for enjoyment.

It was a slow turn of events, but Harry was eventually able to win the match. It was not easy, and neither left unscathed. Harry's shoulder somehow came out of the socket (to which he put back in mid fight, much to many people's disgust and his opponent's grim amusement), and the other man had a badly bruised wrist. They shook hands, both congratulating the other for a fight well done, smiles on there faces. It was the 2nd to last round of the finals, so while the man did not win, he did receive 3rd place. Harry had to fight one last opponent, and would either receive 1st or 2nd place.

As Harry fought his last challenge, he couldn't help but think that it was less challenging then his previous fight.

After the fight was over (Harry being the winner), the man from earlier approached him.

"Hello. I just wanted to congratulate you on your win today. It must have been very difficult to earn that level of skill at your age. How old are you? Sixteen?" The man asked, eyebrow rising as he sat across from Harry.

Harry chuckled, took a swig of his bottled water and set it on the table. He was relaxing at the 'competitors only' refreshment area. "I turned fourteen not too long ago, actually. You look to be about twenty, right?"

The man nodded. "Twenty-one. I've been doing this a good many years myself, though, and I've never seen you in a competition. There are a lot over the year, so I'm awfully curious. Why haven't you competed before?"

Harry looked uncomfortable for a moment before the man answered the question for him, "You were at Hogwarts, right?"

Harry's eyes widened and he coughed up the water he was sipping on at the time. The man gently hit his back, looking concerned for the younger man. "Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you. But you do go there, right?"

Harry weakly nodded his head and croaked out, "But how do you know…?"

The man gestured toward Harry. "You're a strong wizard, so I was able to sense you. I'm a wizard as well, and the only school around here is Hogwarts. I was a Slytherin, in case you were wondering. So, what house are you in?"

Harry laughed, "Well, strangely enough, I am in Gryffindor, though the hat wanted to put me in Slytherin. Ravenclaw was also a close choice..."

The man's sky blue eyes narrowed, "You convinced the hat to put you in Gryffindor? I didn't think that it took orders from anyone but the headmaster."

Harry shrugged, "Well, I asked him, and though he said I'd do great in Slytherin, he said Gryffindor was okay. So I went there. One of my current friends was being a prat before we all got sorted, and once I saw his house, I didn't want to be there. He was a Slytherin. My other friend knew he was going to be in Gryffindor, so I decided I wanted to be there, too."

Smirking, the Slytherin poked Harry, "And how does a Gryffindork befriend a Slytherin?"

Snorting, Harry snapped his teeth at the finger, and it was jerked away, "By not acting like a Gryffindork, that's how. Just because a person's sorted into a house doesn't mean that that's all they are. Are you telling me you never had any friends outside of your house? I'm friends with a few Slytherins, many Ravenclaws, a Hufflepuff, and a lot of Gryffindors."

"Nope, never." The man shook his chocolate locks wildly, tangling his hair.

Giggling, Harry reached over and moved a lock of hair that was sticking up like a horn back into place. "There. Now it doesn't look so bad."

Rolling blue eyes answered that, and he stood up. "Thanks for your help. Now, I'm afraid I'm going to have to end this conversation." He checked his watch, "I should have been home half an hour ago. I have a lot of stuff to do, and not enough time to do it in. It was nice meeting you." He turned away, then just as suddenly turned back. "My name's Tom Grimoire, by the way."

Harry smiled, "My name's Harry Potter."

Tom's eyes snapped open all the way, and his jaw dropped. "I don't believe it… Where's your scar?"

Harry's frowned worriedly, "I hid it with a bit of magic. Please don't make a commotion. I hate it when that's brought up. I'd rather forget I'm the Boy-Who-Lived while I'm here. Please."

Tom's mouth snapped shut and he took a deep breathe. He closed his eyes and turned around. "Well, that's fine with me." Turning back around, he was once again smiling and composed, "I'm sorry I reacted that way. I just didn't expect to be meeting you here of all places. And, in spite of acting like a fan, I was wondering if you'd like to hang out again? It was interesting talking to you about Hogwarts, and I'd honestly like a rematch sometime. Just… without the bodily harm." He gingerly held his bruised wrist. "I'd rather not have to go home and heal another injury, or possibly heal one of yours. Will you be okay? Or do you want me to heal it for you?"

Harry stood up and stretched, wincing slightly, "I think I'll be okay. It's just a bit sore right now. And I'd love to hang out again. I don't have too many older friends anymore since I started Hogwarts. I was working on a college degree when I received my Hogwarts letter. I lost contact with the friends I made there."

Tom blinked, "College degree? At eleven?"

Harry nodded, blushing slightly. He started walking towards the entrance, Tom following him, "Yeah. I finished high school when I was nine, did a year of independent study, then decided a college degree wouldn't hurt, and I wouldn't be as bored as I used to be. After all, college is supposed to be harder then high school."

Tom shook his head, astonishment on his face, "Wow, Harry, wow. So I just made friends with not only the boy-who-lived, but a genius as well."

Harry ducked his head to let his long raven hair cover his fierce blush, "So, when do you want to hang out? Anytime in the afternoon is good. I get my chores done early."

"How about…. one o' clock. We can go to the park not far from here. Would you like me to pick you up, or just meet me there?" Tom asked.

Harry stopped just inside the entrance, "Could you pick me up? I live at 4 Pivet Drive. It's about 5 miles away from here."

Tom nodded. "Sure. I know where it is. How did you get here, anyhow?"

Harry glanced off to the side, "I ran. Helps loosen me up before my matches."

Tom put a hand to his face in mock frustration, "What am I going to do with you? Intelligent, handsome, athletic, and has a great personality. You're just too perfect. Would you like a ride now, too?" He glanced through his fingers to see a blushing Harry look away and smiled lightly.

"No thanks. I'll just run home. Work off this extra energy I have." Harry cleared his throat. "I have to go now, my aunt is expecting me in half a hour. See you tomorrow, Tom!" Harry said as he ran off to his house.

Tom chuckled back where Harry left him, "This will be interesting. Now how to go about this … development."

The next day Tom showed up right at one at Harry's house. He parked his motorcycle in the driveway and turned it off. As he took of his helmet, he realized that there was a face peering out the window looking at him. The face quickly disappeared, and Tom was a bit startled to realize that it was Harry's. Chuckling, he approached the house, helmet under arm.

He raised his hand to knock, but before he could, the door was yanked open, and Harry rushed out. He was about to close the door when a shout of his name was heard. Harry cringed and looked crestfallen.

Harry backed up and held the door open, "Come on in, Tom. My aunt and uncle would like to meet you before we go out today. "He sighed dramatically and pouted, "I almost got away, too."

Snorting, Tom walked in and messed up Harry's hair with his hand as the door was closed, "Eh, don't worry. 'm sure they're doing it cause they love you, is all. Now lead the way, young savior of the ungrateful!"

Smirking, Harry lead the way to the living room, where a rather thin woman sat next to a large, but not fat, man, and a muscular child who looked a bit older then Harry.

"You can sit there," Harry gestured to a loveseat that was adjacent to the couch and sat on it himself after Tom took a seat. "Everyone, meet Tom Grimoire, Tom, meet Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and Cousin Dudley. Now, can you three get the interrogation done with so that we can go?" Harry added, already growing impatient.

Tom rolled his eyes and nudged Harry, "Sit still, will you? It'll only take longer if you keep talking." He focused on the family in front of him, "Well, Ma'am, Sir's, I promise while I am out today with Harry that nothing will harm him, so long as I am alive. I know how important Harry is to not only you, but to many others as well."

Harry interjected, "He's a wizard and a martial artist – though I did beat him in hand to hand – so he is more then adequate enough to protect me. Don't worry."

Tom just shrugged when the Dursley's gaped at him, "It's true. Though I met him at the martial arts tournament, he recognized my name when we introduced ourselves. It seems he graduated Hogwarts the year before I entered."

"And then I had some training by an Auror friend of mine."

Harry's eyes widened, "Which would make you even better then I thought."

Tom nodded proudly, a smirk on his face.

Petunia got a hold of herself, "Al… alright then. Just be back by ten. Though it is summer, you are still fourteen. Martial Artist Wizard or no." She turned to Tom, a dark expression on her face, "I may only be his aunt, but if he gets hurt because of you, no protection on this planet will keep me or my family from finding you, and killing you."

Tom met the gaze head on and replied, "And as I said, I would give my life to protect his. If I am somehow still alive and he is not, I will offer you my head myself. Now come on Harry, lots to do today and all." He stood up cheerfully and held a hand up to Harry.

Harry accepted the hand with a put – upon sigh, and stood, "Alright. See you later, everyone!"

As they exited the Dursleys' heard from the living room a loud, "Bloody hell Tom! Stop dragging me! And what kind of motorcycle is that, anyway?"

The door shut, and it was silent.

"Well, that went well." Dudley said to his parents, "At least his new friend seems to be as protective as all the others."

Petunia and Vernon only nodded in agreement.

A.N. – Yo! Uh… this is my second story to be posted here. First was a Doctor Who one shot… Anyway… coughs I had this brilliant (in my opinion) idea about a Tom/Harry fic I could do! Of course, I'm going to wait till Harry's 2-3 years older, at least, to pair them, but till then – hints, and lots of 'em! I haven't heard of the plot I'm thinking of writing in the stories I've read, but I'm sure I haven't read them all. How many of you can guess who Tom Grimoire is?

But I digress. This is going to be A.U. His first 3 years in Hogwarts were basically the same, only because of his upbringing and choices in life, certain events and situations happened differently. But you'll see as I write more.

Can someone beta my story? I'm pretty damn sure I have mistakes somewhere, but I can never find them after the first few times I reread the chapter.

Cheers, everyone!

And please review. It makes the author feel better. .