Disclaimer: This will be the only disclaimer for this story and it goes for every chapter, The Characters you recognize don't belong to me, they belong to J.K, and I make no money off this fic. I'm just playing around in her world adding a little of my own imagination.
Changing Pasts, New futures
Chapter 1
It's been two years since I've seen my friends. Two years since I've been in the wizarding world. Two very long years since I killed the most feared Dark Lord of existence. Two years since I turned my back on everyone and walked out of their lives. Every day I think back wondering if I should have stayed. Every day I tell myself my reasons for leaving. There was no choice. I saw them. If my heart could break, I believe it had Shattered that long summer night two years ago. I turned around, expecting to feel the arms of my friends wrap around me, comforting me, supporting me. Instead I see her in his arms. I shattered. I didn't notice the crowds surrounding the decaying corpse of my greatest enemy. All I could see is the darkness filling in and the pain of loss drowning me. So while they were occupied, I picked up my meager belongings I had been carting around with me, and I walked out of their lives, out of the wizarding world. I never went back once.
XXXX
"Hey James! Get over here!" I heard someone call. Turning around I could see a guy waving me down. Propping the shovel up against the wooden wall, I walked towards the man. He was in his early thirties, he was in great shape, tanned, and he wore a pair of worn jeans and a lose fitted plaid shirt. His jeans were tucked into some cowboy boots, and his sandy blond hair was covered by a camel coloured cowboy hat. As I got close, I saw him talking to someone else. This man was taller, with light brown hair, his clothes were tailored more to fit his body, and it looked like they were expensive and definitely not the type you wear out on a ranch. Not seeing him before, I approached cautiously.
"Yeah Boss?" He clapped me on the shoulder as he pulled me up beside him.
"I'd like you to meet Dr. Collins. He's just starting today, he'll be the new Vet tech, and will be here once a week to check on the horses. Since the unfortunate loss of Dr. Marks, we had to find someone fast." I turned and pulled off a glove and shook Dr. Collins' hand.
"Good to meet you sir." I said politely.
"And you as well." The Doctor replied back. Nodding, I turned back to the barn where I made my way over to the stall I'd been working on. Putting my glove back on I picked up the shovel and began the labour of mucking out the stalls and putting fresh hay on the floor. I grabbed the wheelbarrow and pushed it to the back compost where I dumped my load, and put the wheelbarrow back into the shed.
When I was done with mucking out the stalls, I pulled off my gloves and stuffed them into my back pockets. Wiping my sweaty brow with the back of my hand I took a look around. The place was well kept. It was kept clean, and smelled decent considering it was a horse stable. Smiling to myself at a job well done, I left the Stable, and headed over to the paddocks where they were running the horses. Climbing up on the fence, I swung a leg over the top and straddled it, watching them work the horses out. It was a beauty to see. They were beautiful creatures, and powerful. They could run for a long time, and they just seemed so free doing it. I dreamed of one day feeling like that. Here, right now, knowing that the people I know here aren't friends with me, or respect me, because of something I did when I was a baby, but because I worked hard, and got where I was honestly. It was freedom to me. To know that I proved myself worthy of this place and these people.
"James! Grab a horse and get on!" I smiled at one of the other ranchers. He was a little shorter then me, tanned skin, everyone here had tanned skin, even me. He was built though, which made him a good breaker, since he was strong enough to told himself on the horse when it started bucking and rearing. I noticed my favorite black stallion off in the corner without a rider. I climbed off the fence and made my way towards him.
"Hey buddy" I called softly. The horses ears pricked forward and then back against it's head. I slowly reached a hand out to pat it's nose, The horse huffed a breath at me, nudging my hand. Smiling I grabbed the reigns and pulling them over his head and held on as I put my foot in the stirrups, and lifted myself up to straddle the saddle. I could feel the horse shift his weight beneath me for a second. I grabbed the reigns and steered the horse away from the fence and out in the running grounds.
When I rode the horses, it almost felt like I was flying again. The wind in my hair, the ground and trees flashing past me. The freedom of the air or in this case of the wide open land. It didn't take me long to join the other guys in the ride, there were quite a few of us. We usually exercised the horses for a good hour or two, before we brought them back to the stables for a wash and brush down. So I rode, and I stopped thinking about the things I missed back home. It was out of reach, and I couldn't be happier with where I was. I sighed at the lie.
XXXX
There was one thing I could never regret when I came here, and that was the food. Annabelle was an exceptional cook. She enjoyed cooking, and always made plenty for the men. I always appreciated the work she put into providing food for all the ranchers. She was fairly young, mid twenties. She had bright long blonde hair that she kept plaited down her back to reach her hips. Her eyes were a rare purple colour, mesmerizing. She was slight in stature, narrow waist and hips, small but proud breasts and an apple shaped butt. She walked like she use to be a ballerina, very elegant and straight. Annabelle was sweet tempered, and always had an ear for anyone who needed to talk.
Dinner was a must for all the ranch hands. The guys made it a tradition, and the Boss, Annabelle's husband, wanted everyone to eat together since it made Annabelle happy. All the men were fine with it, I sure was. I wouldn't miss Annabelle's cooking if I could help it. Annabelle and I had a truce going, which worked out well. She liked sleeping in during the mornings, So I'd make everyone breakfast, making sure to save her a plate wrapped up in the fridge. She always appreciated it when I did that, made it easier on her. She always made dinner for everyone. Lunch was a free for all. Most of the guys, including me, headed into town for the restaurants there. I've got this thing with their pizza, always ordering it. Never the same slice twice in one week, I love the different flavours, and I go in so regularly, that the owner tries to make up different kinds of pizzas just for me to taste, its a blast.
Since coming here my life has changed so much. Everyone only knows me as James, Not Harry Potter. I'm not famous, or the savior of the world, I didn't kill a man to live a life free of being hunted and tortured, to watch others die in my place. I'm known as a man who traveled from England to pursue a life of ranching. It's a good life, not a whole lot of money, but enough adventure to leave one never bored.
There was the group of us guys, Randy the boss, and Annabelle's husband. Then Dustin, one of the ranch hands, and also who I consider my best friend out here in the country. There was Brett, he was the breaker, small but really muscular, and then Chad, our Horse Trainer. He was a little more uptight then the rest of us, but he was a great guy when we're able to get him to loosen up.
All the guys, except for Randy, were single, which made most of us partiers, even Chad went out drinking with us on occasion. Dustin and Brett were serious players, and loved picking up different women every time we went out. They always teased me when other women would come up to me trying to hook up with me, but I always turn them down. In the beginning they thought I might be gay, but when I explained about her they understood that I just couldn't hook up with random women. My heart belonged to someone else, and I'm still not over her.
XXXX
It was the weekend, and the guys were going into town. I decided I'd go along, figured I'd just have a few drinks, then when things got crazy, bail and take a walk to the park nearby. We all climbed into Chad's red pickup, I was going to end having to drive them all back, they had no self restraint when they went out drinking, but that's okay, I never minded driving. I'm good at it. We got the bar, amusingly called The Randy Ranchers. It was fairly packed. Lots of girls out on the dance floor, and plenty of other men all drinking at the bar. Looking at my friends I noticed how well we fit in with the crowd. We were all wearing faded blue jeans, and cowboy hats. Chad was wearing a simple black tshirt, which was slightly tight, and showed off his muscles. Dustin and Brett wore plaid shirts, and they had their sleeves rolled up to their elbows and the top three buttons undone to show their collarbones. I was more conservative wearing a black button down shirt, my sleeves were rolled up a quarter of the way, and the top two buttons were undone, showing off my collarbone, the shirt was untucked, and it was slightly fitting against my body showing off how lean and fit I was.
Girls were eyeing us as soon as we walked into the bar. Dustin and Brett grinned at each other (Reminding me a lot of the Weasley twins) before they made their way towards them. Chad looked over at me and rolled his eyes, I smirked at him knowing what he was thinking. They were so predictable. Chad lead the way to the bar, away from the two degenerates. I ordered a beer and leaned against the bar table, Chad doing the same next to me. I observed the crowd, sipping at my beer. I could see Brett and Dustin in the crowd, dancing really close to a couple of hot blond chicks in short skirts and cowgirl boots. I watched as they playfully took of the guys hats and wore them, Brett and Dustin smiling easily and grinding up closer to them. I couldn't help but laugh at them, sometimes they seemed like such teenagers. I turned around slightly, leaning on my side to talk to Chad. He had been watching the same thing, though he wore a disapproving frown on his face. Chad was older then the three of us, but only by a few years, so he always felt responsible for us. Though once he got to know me he has admitted that he never really worried about me to much.
Chad had looked me in the eyes, and said quite seriously that he felt I'd been through hell at some point in my life, that it had made me stronger somehow, not physically, since when they'd first met me, I didn't look like I could pick up a shovel without breaking something. But mentally. There was some kind of glint in my eyes that gave me away. My eyes held a darkness that only happens to someone who has seen unspeakable horror and survived. I shrugged back, not willing to admit to anything. Chad dropped it, he wasn't the type to pry, but there were times I caught him staring at me curiously, like I was some tough puzzle he was trying to figure out. I didn't stop him, I knew he'd never understand me, none of them would, but I was fine with that. I didn't want them to understand where I came from, just to accept who I was now.
Chad and I talked about work mostly, a few comments on the patrons of the bar, for a solid hour before I noticed a leggy brunette walk into the bar. She headed straight for the bar, pulling up beside me. At first she didn't see me, or if she did, she didn't make any indication that she knew I was there. She ordered a Vodka Martini, and as she waited for the bar tender to visit she took a look around, finally looking over at me. She gave me a warm friendly smile, and I smiled back, tipping my hat to her. She blushed at the gesture and as the bar tender handed her the Martini, she took a large sip. I studied her, she seemed nervous, maybe even a little out of place in her tight black cocktail dress and her black strappy heels. I leaned towards her, slightly curious, "New around here?" She jumped at my voice and turned around to look at me. She shook her head, I just raised my eyebrow. Blushing she shrugged and nodded. I nodded back, then turned back around to my beer satisfied to know that she wasn't making a statement that could get her hurt, just lost and unsure of the area she was in. I could still see her from the corner of my eye, she was biting her lip nervously, fidgeting with her half empty martini glass, as she looked around the room.
I knew I'd regret it as soon as the idea popped into my head, but I couldn't help it. She was making me nervous with all her twitching. I drained the last dregs of my beer and placed the empty bottle on the counter before I leaned towards her once again. "Want to dance?" She looked over at me gratefully and nodded. I held my hand out and she wrapped her fingers around mine as I led her onto the dance floor. I was going to get hell later from my buddy's I knew that, but what the hell, I needed to start living again. I slipped my arms around her waist and pulled her close. I felt her hesitate before she slipped her arms around my neck. I smiled down at her in as friendly a way as I could. She seemed to relax after a little while. She was a slight paradox to me as I slowly danced with her on the floor. She was dressed for a good time, yet she seemed scared and nervous. So, being my old curious self I bent down to whisper in her ear, "What brings you to Texas?" She glanced at me, letting me know she heard me even over the loud music.
She leaned forward, her arms pulling my neck down so she could reach my ear, "I'm looking for someone" I raised an eyebrow at that.
"And your looking for this person in a country bar because?" she blushed.
"I was told he would be here." Ah, she was looking for her boyfriend, or lover, or ex whatever. That was when I started to realize I would regret getting involved. Figures, things like this were bound to happen to me.
"What's his name? Maybe I know him" It was highly doubtful, there were only a few guys I knew, and none well enough to get all over their personal life-
"Brett" Oh, shit! I sighed, now what could this women want with fun loving Brett.
"And who are you?" She pulled away slightly, her face showed her insecurity, but she needed my help, and we both knew it.
"Amanda" She replied softly that I almost missed it. Amanda, now who was Amanda to Brett. "Do you know Brett?" she asked. I nodded my head. She beamed up at me, I could feel her excitement thrumming through her body.
"What do you want with Brett?" I asked gruffly. I didn't know this women, and Brett never mentioned an Amanda to me, So I was trying to be careful that she wasn't someone out to get him for some misguided youthful indiscretion he got involved with at some point that had involved her.
"I'm his sister. There's been an...accident in the family" She said shakily, like she was trying to hold back sobs. I nodded and let go of her. Her eyes went wide, but I motioned for her to stay there, and I disappeared in to the crowd of gyrating dancers. I located Brett dancing up behind a cute little redhead, and sidled in beside him, and quickly whispered in his ear about Amanda. Brett dropped the beer he was holding on the ground, the noise of the shattering glass deafened by the music. The red head stopped dancing to look at him curiously, he bent to her ear and quickly apologized before he followed me back through the crowd to find Amanda. She was still standing where I left her. I watched as Brett wrapped Amanda up in a hug, and the guided her off the dance floor to somewhere more quiet where they could talk. I scratched the back of my neck and then followed suit, going to the bar instead of a quiet corner. I found Chad still leaning against the bar. He was on his third beer, I signaled the bar tender for another beer, and reverted to my old stance. The beer was slid over to me, and I picked it up and quickly took a gulp. The cold liquid was refreshing going down. I glanced over at Chad and smiled, he was busy talking it up with a dark haired, dark skinned beauty. I left him to it. I dropped a 20 on the counter and after chugging the last of my beer, I left the empty bottle on the counter and headed out in to the breezy heat of a Texas summer.