Prologue
Harry decided he was not looking forward to this Summer. He thanked Salazar that none of his friends (Ron, Hermione and Neville) noticed the look of dread he had become very good at hiding since first year. The first thing he had to do this Summer, was survive. Luckily, in order for Uncle Vernon not to lock up his Hogwarts things in the cupboard, Harry had taken to shrinking his trunk and keeping it at the back of his shoes, where he'd thought Vernon would never look. All he needed to do was to trick Vernon into thinking that he had left his things at a friends house. All Vernon would say is 'how does a freak like you have any friends' and that would be that.
Second thing he would do is change the electives he chose with Ron. He was not putting up with that stupid fraud any longer and he had become quite interested in curse breaking, when he had heard from Ron what his brother did.
Third thing would be to keep his wand with him at all times, he had brought a wand holder which he kept strapped around his thigh, which would be a less obvious place for Muggles like his 'family' to look for. He hadn't realise the train had stopped until Hermione nudged him gently. He sighed and thanked her, saying goodbye to the others he left without looking back at the train, only to bump into Draco Malfoy.
"Watch it, Potter," He sneered, Harry looked at him blankly, which he could tell confused Malfoy and his friend which he hadn't noticed until now, Blaise Zabini. Making sure there was no emotion in his voice, he said,
"As much as I'd love to stay on this train," He wasn't even being sarcastic, he actually would love to spend all summer on the Hogwarts Express, "Could you please move out of my way? I have family" Draco caught on to the fact that Harry practically spat out that word, Blaise caught onto that fact too as they both looked at each other, slightly concerned. "I need to get to,"
"We could make a Slytherin of you yet, Potter, don't you live with Muggles, I thought you'd be one of those who loved Muggles?" Blaise asked with raised eyebrows, Harry rolled his eyes and scrunched up his nose. Since when had he known any Muggles that were even remotely nice to him?
"You must have been informed wrong and has it ever occured to you that maybe I'm a snake in the lion's den?" Harry winked, not really knowing what came over him, "Have a good summer, be sure to write- I get ever so bored," Harry drawled as he moved passed them. Fuck Harry what were you fucking thinking? Harry paused as he got off the train, why did he suddenly not care about Slytherin's, he had always hated them before, maybe they weren't as bad as everyone said they were?
OoO
"Boy! Give me your stick thing and trunk!" He shouted as soon as he shoved Harry through the door. Harry started to go upstairs, half way he stopped to see an outraged look on Vernon's face.
"I left my things at a friend's house, Uncle. I will not be pushed around any longer, you want me out of the house? Well I don't want to be here either. I am going to be staying in my room for the remainder of Summer before going back to Hogwarts and expect owls, my friends and Godfather will be writing to me." He stated, Vernon's and Petunia's eyes widened.
"Godfather?" Petunia asked.
"Yes and if he were to find out that you are starving me he'd be writing to the authorities," He said slowly and they both paled. "So, I expect breakfast, lunch and dinner and I will even pay you for me to not do any chores, n-o-n-e," He said to get it in their thick heads. Petunia sighed and nodded to Vernon.
"Alright, we expect fifty pounds a month, and stay away from Dudley, he still hasn't recovered from that tail you gave to him. Dinner will be at six," She said and left to the kitchen. Vernon grunted to him before following after his wife. Dudley, who he hadn't noticed either- maybe he should get his eyesight checked, was looking at him with wide eyes and fear. Harry laughed at him, punched the air and shouted,
"FREEDOM!"
OoO
The first three weeks of Summer was brilliant for Harry, everyday he would wake up at five and go on a run around the town, always back at six on the dot, sweaty, using the shower for ten minutes before Vernon and Petunia even wake up. He had written to Professor McGonagall who approved his subject changes, he chose (along with the core subjects) Ancient Runes, Care of Magical Creatures and Arithmancy. He was surprised to find that he found Acient Runes to be easy, which he wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or not as he had finished catching up with the rest of the class.
Just as Harry came back from lunch, he noticed a dark brown owl sitting next to Hedwig on the desk, for a second he thought Sirius had written, but it was a slightly different bird. In fact, he hadn't heard from Hermione or Ron this summer, should he worry about that? He stroked the owl who hooted affectionately.
"Who do you belong to, birdy? Ouch! Okay, I'll open the letter!" Harry huffed in a whisper. He didn't even recognize the writing.
Dear Potter,
You were probably joking on the train, but I didn't miss the tone of your voice of the hate of your relatives. If you really dislike it there, why don't you just leave? Have you heard there is the Quidditch World Cup going on this Summer? Ireland vs Bulgaria. I think Ireland have a fair shot of winning, even if the Bulgarian's have Vicktor Krum on their team. Are you going? I realise you have no reason to trust me but I'm really just curious about you. I'm sure you know how Slytherin's work and you are probably thinking what do I want. Answers. And I'll give you information about what's happening this year at Hogwarts.
Yours
Blaise Zabini
Ancient and Nobel House Zabini
P.s Shadow doesn't take kindly to strangers. She likes bacon though. Don't ask why, I have no idea.
Harry chuckled at the end of the letter and grinned. He didn't care he wasn't friends with Zabini, it gave him something do! About time.
OoO
Blaise was sat in their house library when he jumped at the sound of his owl, he grinned, Potter must have been really, really bored. It had only been a day. He took the letter off Shadow and stroked her before reading.
Dear Zabini,
What would you say if the whole of the Wizarding world found out I'd died of boredem? Would anyone care? Probably not. To answer your questions, I can't leave. I told Dumbledork first year that I didn't want to go back to my relatives, that they are the worst and they sta- don't treat me fairly. Do you want to know what he said? 'I'm sure you are just exaggerating my boy'. Second year, told him the same thing again, you'd think after I killed a basilisk he'd let me make my own decisions, wouldn't you? But he said 'Its all for the greater good, Harry! You have to stay there, their love for you protects you against him.' He didn't like it much when I said there's no love in that house. Safe to say I didn't try again this year, it's been better and I've already completed all my homework, I bet Granger can't even say that. Not that I have anything better to do. Did you know Ancient Runes is quite easy?
Huh, I had no idea about Quidditch world cup, sounds decent. I would have thought Weasley would tell me about that, I haven't heard from him or Granger yet. Probably too busy to write. I'd love to go, but I will probably just watch the Football game instead. England had better win this time, there's no way they can loose against Iceland.
I've answered your questions, probably told you more than I should, but I seriously am so fucking bored, I even read a potions book. I think I may have swapped brains with Granger. Help. So, what's happening at Hogwarts? Judging by your wording it would be something like a big event... Is the Triwizard tornament happening this year? It can't be can it, it's been 250 years and with all those deaths - Is Dumbledork that stupid? Please, please tell me he isn't hosting it here, please!
Yours
Harry Potter
Blaise frowned at the letter. Everything anyone had told him about Harry Potter had been a lie. And what was that about dying, was he suicidal? Did they starve him, was that what Harry was going to say? And why didn't he call his best friends by their first names? Something was wrong here, very wrong.
OoO
The two months of Summer had gone by and Harry was confident for the start of term. He was actually glad he hadn't gone to the Quidditch world cup. There was a Death Eater attack on Muggles, Vicktor Krum caught the snitch, but Ireland still one and apparently the Weasley's and Granger had been caught up with the attack, having been accused of creating the Dark Mark. But he had still wondered why his so called friends hadn't written.
Shrinking his trunk, he put it in his black dragon hide leather jacket. After working out every other day he had grown, he was now five foot seven and he could proudly say he had a six pack. It was amazing how much food and running could do. He was wearing skinny jeans and a white shirt, getting ready to take the Knight Bus, not before saying goodbye to the Dursley's.
"Here's £100, I hope we can come to the same agreement next year?" He asked polietly, Vernon nodded, grunting while watching the news, Petunia nodded from reading her book and when Dudley looked up he actually smiled to him, which shocked Harry when he grinned back.
He had written to Blaise fairly frequently and learnt a lot from him, he might even go so far as calling him a friend, but Harry doubted Blaise would ever say that in public. He hopped onto the bus and paid Stan, he didn't see anyone from Hogwarts that he recognized and hopefully, nobody would recognize him. He had changed. And for the better.