Blanc et Noir

A/N: Hello! This is my first HP fanfic that I've posted, and I really hope you like it, and please review! This will be a longer paced fanfiction, though of course if I get advised to speed it up, or whatever, than I will. Also about relationships and such….. I hope you like!

Chapter One: The Most Terrible Poverty

"The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved."

― Mother Teresa

Number Four, Privet Drive, Surrey

Harry Potter breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the tell-tale sound of the Dursley's car disappearing down the street. Vernon Dursley had received some sort of work bonus, and so they were going on a vacation to the Isles, thankfully leaving him home. Of course, they had locked the food pantry, leaving out only the worst of what was left for him to eat over the week. But Harry Potter would've been long dead before his ten years of age if he had neglected to learn how to pick locks.

So Harry put on his shoes, which he had "borrowed" from a store in London, as Petunia refused to purchase him another pair when he'd "lost" them. But everyone in the house knew that Dudley and his friends had ripped the shoes to shreds. Harry was going to go outside today, and play. Unfortunately, he would have to play by himself, as any friends that Harry could've made had been scared away by Dudley, who told them he was a trouble making, weird cheat, among other things.

A few weeks ago, Harry had found a ball beside his bed in his room. There was a note attached to it that said, 'To Harry: Enjoy the ball! From: a friend.' Harry had felt a few different emotions. He was surprised, and very happy, because he'd never received a present in his life. He was also a bit wary, because how on earth had the person gotten into his room! But besides that, what he'd felt most was sadness. Harry never had a friend in his life, so how was he supposed to play ball? He wished more than anything that the person who had sent him his first and most wonderful gift would reveal themselves to him.

But that of course could not be helped, and Harry took the ball outside with him. He hadn't a goal, so football would be positively pitiful. But what else could he do? Harry kicked the ball back and forth, dribbling it between his feet. He wasn't very good, as he'd very rarely came in contact with toys.

Playing by his lonesome had suddenly grown boring, and in a fit of frustration, Harry kicked the ball, hard straight into the street right into the path of a moving car. He covered his eyes in horror, but when he heard no crunch of the car or his ball, he opened them. To his great surprise, across the street was a girl, who held his football firmly in her hands. "Now that's no way to treat my gift, is it?"

Harry nervously crossed the street. The girl was older than him, but couldn't be older than twenty-five. She had long reddish blond hair, and bright blue eyes. Harry thought he saw a glint of pointed teeth of some sort, but it was gone before it was really even there.

When he stood a few feet in front of her, Harry began to profusely apologize. "I beg your pardon, miss. I hope that I didn't hit you!" he said somewhat frantically, as he didn't want word to get back to the Durselys, who'd surely lock him up for good!

The girl laughed, eyes sparkling. "No problem, Harry! You didn't hit me, in fact I caught it."

"Really?" Harry said. "Wait! You gave me the gift!" When the girl nodded, he smiled for the first time in a long time. "Thanks a lot, it's amazing! I've never gotten a gift before!"

Her eyes darkened. "Never?"

He shook his head. "Nope."

"Not even on your birthday?'

"I didn't know I had one. My aunt and uncle said I didn't deserve one. My cousin gets one though. Last year he got thirty something gifts. "

"The fat one?" a trace of amusement reentered her face.
Harry looked thoughtful. "He is quite round, isn't he?"

The two laughed. "Hey," Harry said. "You know my name, and I don't know yours."

'smart kid.' she thought. "How rude of me. My names Pandora. But you can call me Pandy, if you wish."

Harry inclined his head. "Lovely to meet you Pandora."

"Harry, would you mind coming inside? I want you to meet my brother. He should be home from the store soon."

"Um." Harry looked to be contemplating his options. "I feel like I can trust you, so sure."

Pandora smiled, taking his hand gently, and pulling him inside. 'I hope I don't regret it.'

The inside of Pandora's house was sparsely furnished. It looked the same as it did four years ago, when he accompanied Dudley to the birthday party of the kid that used to live here. He was never aware that the family had moved away. To his surprise, some of the furniture seemed to still be there.

The two had sat in a semi awkward slience, until harry decided to speak. "I suppose your mum or dad was a bit of a mythology freak."

She cocked her head to the side, looking totally confused. "What do you mean?"

"Your name. Your name is Pandora. As told in Greek mythology Pandora was the one to open the now conveniently named Pandora's Box, freeing the evil plagues on the world, and of course, hope."

"I guess so." She said, smiling softly.

After that, the conversation flowed freely, until there was the sound of a key turning in a lock. Greeting's were exchanged, and as much as Harry tried not to eavesdrop, the whispered conversation could be still heard.

A male voice said, "Pandora, vous avez apporté à la maison un autre parasite, je vois." (1)

"pas n'importe quel parasite, mais celui qui est choisi, le garçon qui a vécu!" (2)

"et qui est censé faire la différenc?"

"même si ce n'est pas qu'il a besoin d'un ami. Il a été maltraité, Zane! Il n'a jamais eu un cadeau de sa vie!"

"Fine."

Harry couldn't understand what they were saying. But he slowly approached the kitchen, to find the siblings putting food in the refrigerator.

"I can help." Harry said, grabbing a few things and putting them away.

"You don't need to do that." A voice said.

Harry turned around, and immediately sucked in a breath. The man standing behind him looked to be about the same age as Pandora, maybe a bit older, and was even more beautiful than his sister. He had curly dark hair, and golden eyes. He was tall but not scarily so. He was lithe, but powerful looking.

The man extended a hand to the boy. "I'm Zane. And who are you."

Harry did his best not stare any longer. "H-harry." He stuttered. "Harry Potter."

Behind him, Pandora gasped.

"It's nice to meet you, Zane." Harry quickly looked down at his feet.

Zane gently lifted Harry's chin. "Never look down when someone is speaking to you. It shows blatant submission, and could be considered rude to the person you are talking to. Always look the person in the eye."

"I'm sorry." Harry said, taking care to look Zane in the eye, but still shying away from his touch. "i-I wont do it again."

"Childe, why are you nervous? Did you think I was going to hit you or something?"

"Well, sometimes my uncle and aunt do."

Zane's eyes flashed dangerously. "Well, Harry Potter, I will never raise a hand to you. Ever."

Harry Potter looked up, his green eyes boring straight into Zane's gold ones. "I believe you."

And that was just the beginning of their friendship.

A/n: I hope you like! Please, please review, as it would make me happy, and give me the drive to update sooner! :)