Life is Strange with Magic

Chapter I

March 5th 2010

Arcadia Bay

'You've gone lazy Harry Potter' Harry told himself as he slowly got out of bed. A stretch here a long yawn there. 'Clearly, the days of waking up unassisted had come and gone' he added as he stood up sluggishly. "I need coffee!" he exclaimed in a vain hope that he'd hasten his slow amble towards his kitchen. 'Well hell' he thought as he entered the kitchen. The lack of any coffee tins on the counter reminded him rather harshly that he was out of the black gold. He mentally shrugged in defeat before reading the time from the kitchen clock. 'The Two Whales then and a bonus I get pancakes, well decent pancakes.' A quick shower and a fresh set of clothes later he headed out his front door toward the diner just a block away. The chilly spring air did more to wake him than any cup of joe could ever do. So by the time he entered the little eatery he was more interested in a stack of fluffy heaven than coffee.

"Good morning Harry, the usual?" Joyce asked as he sat down at the counter in front of her.

"I would love the usual Joyce thank you," he said giving her a warm smile.

She returned the smile before calling out his order to the cook. She moved away pouring him a cup of steaming hot coffee before placing it before him. "Your early today?" she asked making small talk as the diner was nearly empty.

Harry took a quick swig of coffee before answering her. " Yeah, my supply of coffee has sadly been depleted at home."

She chuckled at his rather forlorn look down at the cup clasped in his hands. Suddenly things picked up as more customers filled in from the spring chill.

Harry watched her as she moved about the eatery deep in thought. He'd been living in Arcadia Bay for a little over two and half years. He'd only met Joyce about a year ago when he moved from his old studio into the quaint two-story just a block away. The Two Whales was a little hard to miss and its 24 hours operation made late nights sessions bearable. He'd spent more mornings here than in his own home working on one book or another. Many days they spent downtime chatting about anything from the weather, his book, and her daughter. The fact that he fell in love with the older women didn't surprise him as much as he thought it might. It had taken longer to get her to agree to go on a date with him than he'd like. Their first date was just last month and since they had gone out a few more times.

Joyce thought it was time he met her daughter before thing progressed any further. He'd agreed and planned to cook them dinner tonight at his home. Chloe who he'd only met once or twice at the dinner was rumored to be a bit of a wild child. His mind drifted after that on his unfinished work. Of the three books, he was currently working on the defense text was close to completion. His treaties on the convergence of ley lines had just begun. His third book the one he wrote for entertainment was half finished. His love of science fiction was relatively new in his life. In the ten years since he'd left the United Kingdom, he'd used his name and fame to apprentice with wizards and witches the world around. Samatha Long of Salem Mass. was a Trekkie and all around sci-fi fangirl. The six months he'd lived with her she'd converted him as well.

The book he wrote as entertainment was all about the cult of personality. It was inspired heavily by Dune the sci-fi series by Frank Herbert and his own experiences with Voldemort. He looked up as Joyce placed his Belgium Waffles before him. She gave him a smile and a wink before she returned to her work. He ate slowly sipping his coffee every once in a while. Harry looked down at his ticket before taking out his wallet. He paid and left a few extra for a tip before writing 'see you tonight' on a slip of paper. He stood giving her a small wave she smiled and shooed him toward the door. The chilly walk home was thankfully short as the morning sun had little effect.

The day after that was a blur til three. At three he started making supper for his guest due in just under two hours. Cottage pie was one of his most requested dishes during his traveling years. For dessert, he planned to make some treacle tart and a cornmeal and vinegar pie. After prep, he had time to scan the house for anything that screamed magic. To his surprise, the only thing he'd missed the day before were a few photo albums. A little spellwork later and things were perfectly mundane just in time as he heard a car coming up his driveway. He made his way out into the front lawn to welcome his dinner guest.

Chloe watched the world pass by from her seat beside her mother. She would have preferred spending her evening alone but no. To avoid another argument with her mother she had agreed to eat dinner with her and her new boyfriend. 'Honestly after that douce David. You think she'd give dating a break.' she thought as she messed with the loose fibers of her holey jeans. She looked up as the car slowed turning into a driveway. The smallish two-story house looked well-maintained and the yard while brown from the winter months had flower beds surrounding a modern looking gazebo. She dismounted the car as Harry exited the house to welcome them.

"Joyce, Chloe welcome to my humble abode" he called as he walked across the lawn to join them.

Chloe wrinkled her nose at the fading English accent and his stuffy clothes. 'Really who wore slacks and polo to eat dinner at their own house? Squares that's who.' she walked around the car to join her mother as they met him halfway. She rolled her eyes when he kissed Joyce's cheek. Harry took her hand in his and led them into his home.

"Dinner is almost ready if you'll excuse me. Please feel free to poke around if you like I'll only be a moment." A quick squeeze of Joyce's hand and he was gone.

Chloe looked around the large living room as Joyce sat in a comfy looking setee. A minute later and she was snooping around one of his bookshelves. She removed a leather-bound book that turned out to be a photo album.

Joyce gave her a dirty look before patting the seat beside her. Chloe smiled haughtily at her before joining her on the settee. The two opened the album to the first page. The first few pictures were of people who could only be Harry's parents. His father was oddly a younger looking version of the man who'd left to finish dinner moments ago. His mother was a gorgeous woman with his eyes. They turned the page to find pictures of Harry when he was just a few years younger than Chloe. Joyce found the jump odd but didn't think much of it. Chloe, on the other hand, was disgusted at the school uniforms the children in the photo were wearing. 'Robes what fucking decade is it in England?'. She shivered at the mear thought of wearing mandated clothes 'Just fucking no!'.

"Found my album that quickly ah?" Harry asked from the doorway.

"Yup, if you were hiding it you did a shit job, Harry" Chloe answered turning to face him.

"Chloe!" Joyce said warningly.

Harry just laughed. "Come on you two." He took a bow winking a Joyce "Dinner is waiting for my guests. Bring the album if you like I'll entertain you with stories of my youth."

Chloe gave an eye roll but stood with her mother all the same. With the album in her hands, she followed him into the kitchen. The kitchen was clean and bright in the evening sun that streamed in thru the open curtains. On the table set the nights meal that smelled amazing as she took a seat across from Joyce with Harry at the head of the table to her right.

"I present to you my cottage pie, please dig in," Harry said passing a serving spoon to Chloe.

Chloe took it and dug out a serving for herself before passing the spoon back. One experimental bite later and she dug into one of the better meat pies she'd ever had. "This is delicious Harry." She admitted as she added seconds to her plate.

"I'm glad you like it but save some room. I've got two desserts to try later." Harry replied squeezing Joyce's hand under the table. Joyce smiled at him once Chloe's attention was firmly on the pile of pie on her plate. A few minutes later Harry retrieved the chilled treacle tart and pie to serve his two guests. "Now this" he started indicating the tart "Is my personal favorite, and this" he added pointing out the pie "Is something I picked up on my travels in North Carolina.". He served them a small slice of both before sitting back down.

Chloe found the pie visually unappealing. So she started on the well-dressed tart which tasted amazing. So much so that she considered thanking him again, and she would have too. 'If tonight had been anything else then them gauging my reaction to their relationship.' She thought as she played with the remnants of the tart on her plate. She gave up on the rest of dinner pushing her plate out of her way as she took out the photo album again. She lazily scanned the pages as Harry and Joyce made small talk and shared loving glances at each other. She turned a page and looked at the full page photo. Of Harry who looked ragged but happy sat in a cemetery with his female friend. Inbetween them sat a gravestone decorated with a floral wreath and roses. Chloe didn't have to read the names to know who's graves it was. A dull ever-present ache in her chest sharpened and twisted driving the air from her lungs. She closed the book loudly getting the attention of the adults in the room.

"Chloe whats wrong?" Joyce asked worriedly.

"I've got to go, mom, I'll catch the bus and see you later." She said in a rush. She tore out of the room before they could stop her.

Harry was shocked everything was going so well until a second ago. Joyce stood to go after her. He got up following her to the front door. They kissed for a brief moment before he shooed her out after Chloe. "I had fun we'll have to do this again sometime."

Joyce laughed lightly. "I'll see you

tomorrow?" backing away into his yard.

"Miss breakfast at my favorite dive? Not on my life." he joked as she turned away.

He watched her drive away before returning to the kitchen. 'I wonder what picture caused that reaction. If I have to guess it was the one at my parent's gravestone.' He sympathized with the teen to lose your father at such a young age was heartbreaking. He loved his parents dearly. Still, he'd never known them personally. To have a father one day and not the next was something he couldn't quite imagine it would have broken him at that age. If you add in that whole mess with Voldemort well death might well have been a better option. He moved along gathering dirty dishes before doing the dishes the manual way. A while later he took the album back to the living room. He placed it where it belonged before doing a final check of the house. Doors closed and locked, lamps off and curtains were closed. Once satisfied he headed upstairs to his office.

A few items arrived by post while he was entertaining his guest. Not remotely tired he picked up the envelopes before sitting at his oak desk. He retrieved his letter opener a gift from Ron and Hermione some years ago. A miniature version of the sword of Gryffindor was Ron's idea If Hermione's eye roll was any indication. Still, it was a useful gift that he'd grown to enjoy using. He opened the first letter from the Salem Wizarding Bank. A few thousand dollars in income from royalties, the monthly withdrawal to his muggle bank in Arcadia Bay, and a few hundred from his investments. His balance of two and a half million was steadily growing. Compared to his family vaults it was paultry, but he'd forfeited that when he broke into Gringotts. A price he'd happily paid to get his hand on that cup. He slipped open the next later arrival to find a letter from one of his old mentors. Alexandria or Alex to her face was a mistress of natural magics who dedicated her studies to the ley lines and their convergences. He'd studied with her when fell in love with this town several years ago.

Harry, I thought you'd like to know that the Arcadia Bay convergence has begun. The small free traveling ley lines are starting their journey back towards the town. We expect the event to start and end by the middle of May. I'm afraid the team can't make it out this cycle or the next. Funding has become an issue for the time being, and no this isn't me asking for money.

Harry chuckled at that part.

Anyway, I expect you to keep me informed of any oddities in the area. If you are ever back Carolina way stop by we'd all love the see you again.

Harry folded the letter putting it back in the envelope slipping it into his desk.

Chloe walked briskly toward the two whales as her mother's car came up behind her. She wiped the tears from her eyes before the car pulled up beside her. She opened the door slipping into the passenger seat before slamming the door.

"What has gotten into Chloe?" Joyce asked worriedly.

"Did you know his parents are dead?" Chloe asked softly.

Joyce looked at her surprised for a moment before looking back at the red light in front of them. "No, I didn't know."

Chloe closed her eyes. "When I saw that picture all I could see was dads smiling face. I couldn't breathe I had to get out of there."

Joyce pulled the car over into the parking lot at the two whales before pulling Chloe into a hug. Chloe to her surprise started to cry in front of her for the first time in years. She started rocking back and forth gently for a moment before speaking. "I miss him too Chloe."

"Then why, why are you dating again?" she asked heartbrokenly.

Joyce swayed with her a moment before finding the right words. "William was the love of my life. His death left a hole in my heart no one can fill, but maybe someone can fill it enough to dull the pain."

Chloe was silent for over a minute before she asked. "Do you even love him?"

"Yes, I do. I wouldn't have suggested tonight if I didn't." Joyce answered quickly.

"Does it work?" the young teen asked as she dried her eyes.

"Yes and no." was the simple answer.

Notes

So after recently playing Life is Strange Before the Storm I've come to the conclusion that Chloe is one of the most tragic characters in video games. As usual when something has me I write fanfiction about it. I have plans tonight and I so want to cancel so I can start on chapter two.

Also, I am a man nearing the big 40 so I'm not gonna be that great with Chloe's raging teenage wit forgive me.

Hey review positive reinforcement is a drug and I'd like a hit, please.