Year of Discontent

By Kateera

Disclaimer: I own only the original characters and themes. Everything else is from J.K. Rowling herself and I hold no ownership over. (Though if anyone knows how to get her to relinquish her hold of Tom Riddle, let me know.)

Chapter 1: All the Worlds a Stage…

London Airport

Arriving at the London Airport, Victoria sighed in unrestrained relief. The flight from Detroit was horrendous and she never wanted to step foot on a Muggle flying contraption again.

Tom, if there isn't a good reason why I had to fly Panic Airlines, I am going to force feed you Cockroach Clusters.

Looking around at the caffeine high Muggles bump and swerve their way through the crowded airport, Vic slowly calmed her nerves. She finally spotted Lucius Malfoy holding up a sign with her name in bold print. He did not appear to be too happy about his assignment but Victoria couldn't find it in her heart to blame him. Slipping her wand into the recesses of her floor length cape, Victoria squirmed her way to the blond man's side.

"Hello Lucius. I am Victoria Eldir."

A bit taken aback by her memory of him as well as her atrocious American accent, Lucius recovered and bowed to her before turning to where the luggage carousels were sluggishly starting to turn.

"Lets make this quick shall we Miss Eldir? I wouldn't want to loiter here any longer than needed."

Victoria smirked at his discomfort, "Well then, you should know that I have my entire luggage shrunk into my carry-on so we can leave now, Mr. Malfoy."

"Indeed."

Wow. That whole stiff upper lip thing isn't just for Muggles is it? She thought as Lucius led her outside to where a black limousine waited. She sighed at the extravagance and slid her small frame into the large back seat. Sitting across from her was the man who had just dragged her halfway around the world for a reason she had still yet figured out. Sitting stiffly in the leather interior, Victoria sniffed at his presence.

"Hello Victoria."

"Hello, yourself. I am mad at you so you had better start talking or I am going to find a way back home."

"There is no reason to act like a five year old Victoria. I know that you don't like being kept in the dark but I didn't have a choice. Legimency at your school is heavy and if anyone had picked out why you were leaving then you wouldn't have been able to come. That's why I kept you in the dark and that's why you traveled by Muggle transportation. This is important Vic, so please forgive me and listen to my idea?"

Victoria glared at him for half a second before shrugging and leaning over to wrap her arms around her adopted father. Nothing could keep her angry at Tom for long and she knew that he had to have a good reason; she simply did not like being left out of the loop.

"Okay, so why am I here and not getting ready for my next year at Salem School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"

"Because I already enrolled you with Hogwarts."

The shocked look on Victoria's face was soon replaced by glee and she leaped over to give her adopted father another hug.

"I get to go to Hogwarts!"

"Yes, you do. Now if you would calm down I will tell you the reason why."

Victoria cuddled up to Tom Riddle, her own personal guardian angel as Lucius turned the limo into traffic and her father outlined his plan for her placement in Hogwarts.

Dursley House

"Harry! Get down here this instant!"

The shrill sound of Aunt Petunia's voice cut through the groggy August morning haze and Harry sat up in bed abruptly. He turned to the nightstand and slipped his glasses on. He hurried to get dressed and ran down the stairs to answer his aunt's call.

"Harry, what have you been doing all summer? I have never seen the house in such a state. I am sick of seeing you moping around here. We are going to the store to buy Dudley more clothes. I want this house spotless when we return. Do you understand me boy?"

"Yes Aunt Petunia."

"Good."

The Dursleys all marched out of the house and left Harry to his cleaning. Walking into the kitchen in a sleepy stupor, he bent down and looked in the cupboards for his cleaning supplies before shaking his head and grinning at his oversight. Laughing at his mistake, Harry drew out his wand and waved it at the dirty kitchen. The dishes were wiped spotless, the floor became shiny and the countertops were sanitized. Still grinning to himself, Harry quickly cleaned each room in the same manner. Soon he had a spotless house and plenty of time to himself. Grabbing his windbreaker, he headed out to the nearby park to play with Hedwig.

The snowy owl had just finished eating her morning meal of mice and voles when she heard her master calling her to come to him. Jumping into the air from her windowsill perch, she flew on silent wings towards her master's voice.

"Hedwig, there you are."

Harry handed her a gummy worm to chew on as he groomed her snowy white feathers. The owl had been his constant companion with the Dursleys. Bracing himself for her launch he watched her soar into the sky. Harry knew she preferred the night but she never hesitated to come into the daylight if Harry had need of her. They played in the park until Harry realized that he had been out for almost 3 hours.

"Uncle Vernon is going to kill me."

"I don't doubt that he will," sneered a voice behind him.

Harry turned to face his cousin as Hedwig settled on his arm.

"Go away Dudley. I am on my way home now."

"Ooh, Harry thinks he can tell me what to do does he? Let's teach him a lesson on manners boys."

Three of Dudley's friends came out of the shadows and Harry cursed before dropping his wand into his hand, "Watch it Dudley, I don't have to worry about doing magic now.'

Dudley paled but his friends didn't understand the threat and came forward. Without warning Hedwig launched herself at Dudley as Harry hexed the three brutes trying to overpower him. A sick hoot caught Harry's attention and her turned in time to see Dudley grab Hedwig's neck and twist.

"No!"

Dudley smirked until Harry pointed his wand.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Dudley fell to the concrete with a loud THUD but Harry paid no attention. Running over to where Hedwig lay twitching, Harry pulled her into is lap as tears spilled out of his green eyes. Clutching her tightly to his chest he walked back to Privet Drive. When Harry walked in Vernon was standing at the doorway turning every shade of purple possible until he saw the dead owl in his nephew's hands and Harry's grief stricken eyes turn to anger. Without a word Harry gathered up his belongings, put Hedwig in her cage and shrunk everything to fit in his pocket. Walking down stairs, he found his aunt and uncle talking quietly to themselves.

"I am leaving. If you inform the wizarding community that I left, I will do more then petrify Dudley."

The two adults nodded in fear as Harry brushed past them and left Privet Drive.

He stared at the street before him and waited for the Knight Bus to appear. He didn't know where he was going but he knew that he had to get away from the Dursleys before he killed someone. He couldn't believe that the only friend he had had with him no matter where he went was dead. As the Knight Bus pulled up Harry had made up his mind about where he would go.

"Take me to the Muggle Street outside the Leaky Cauldron."

"Yes, Sir!"

Harry paid the fare then rolled his way to the back of the bus as it sped off.

Magic Castle Hotel

"This is where we live? Cool! Can I order room service?"

Tom shook his head at his adopted daughters slang but smiled to himself at her enthusiasm, "Lucius, if you would show Miss. Eldir to her room. I have pressing matters to attend to."

"Yes Master."

"Vic, I am going leaving you with Lucius. We are dining in the hotel lobby so don't be late."

She smiled up at her father, "A wizard is never late. They arrive precisely when they mean to."

With a laugh she scampered away from her fathers grasp and followed a smirking Lucius up the stairs. She smiled at the room she was led into. The fabric was rich and luxurious and the bed was huge. I could get used to this. She wandered to the window and looked out towards the river. She missed her friends from her previous school but she wouldn't miss Hogwarts for the world. She wanted to know all about the school that Tom went to. A knock at her door interrupted her musings and she silently cursed the intruder. Opening the door she saw a tall blond teenager lounging outside her bedroom.

"What do you want?"

"Well that is rude. I was just coming to escort you to dinner."

"I was daydreaming and you interrupted me and that makes me cranky."

The young man bowed and she grabbed his arm smiling, "I forgive you though. I am Victoria but I prefer Vic."

"I am Draco."

"So, you still go to Hogwarts right?"

"Yes, I am in my last year."

"Good, I am starting there this year and I need all the allies I can get. You get to be my best friend."

"Oh, lucky me."

"Hey! I am an awesome person!"

"I'll take your word for it."

"Are you making fun of me?"

"Depends."

"On what?"

"Whether you are going to tell your father I am being mean to you."

"Why would I do that? I like arguing with people. It keeps me in practice for when Tom wants me to do something."

Draco smiled at the young girl's logic and led her to her seat. Vic sat down and slouched into her seat.

Tom frowns, "Vic, please sit properly."

"I am."

"You are slouching."

"So I am."

"Sit up."

"I am comfortable."

"I don't want to tell you again."

Sniffing her disapproval, Vic sat up and put her elbows on the table.

"Victoria!"

She smiled at her father and sat properly in her chair displaying perfect manners. Tom sighed at her antics and went back to his conversation with Lucius. Draco stared at her in disbelief. She winked at him and they both burst into laughter as the adults looked puzzled.

Harry scowled at the owner of the hotel. The man was falling all over himself to please him once he found out about the wealth Harry was carrying with him.

"Go away. I am quite capable of caring for myself," he said, finally snapping at the man's fawning.

"Of course sir," the owner said with a final bow.

When the man was finally gone Harry looked out his window towards the river. He had delivered Hedwig's body to the pet cemetery and had said goodbye for the last time. He still couldn't believe she was gone but her cage was sitting empty on his bed and he felt like crying.

Knock Knock.

Harry turned toward the door and frowned, "Who is it?"

"I am a doorman sir. I was told to inform you that unless you want room service, the hotel lobby is open for dinner now."

"Thank you,"

"Very good sir."

Harry pulled himself from the window. Moping is doing you no good. Go get some food and try to cheer up. You never have to see the Dursleys again. With that thought in mind he went downstairs for dinner. He turned the corner and stared in shock. There before him sat Tom Riddle, Lucius Malfoy and Draco. A young girl turned towards him and smiled.

"Hi, why are you staring at us?"