Hiya everyone!

As always please Read and Review. I will try my best to reply to all reviews promptly, but know that they are always appreciated. Criticism, advice is welcomed but any Flaming of this story will just be binned!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all its characters belong to J.. I don't own anything.

Okay so this story is the sequel to both my Privet Drive fics, however it is not fully necessary to have read those first. Reference made to events in those two fics, explanations will be given here (hopefully/usually). This fic is related to them but can also stand alone (I think).

Warning: Mentions of severe past abuse.

A somewhat Manipulative Dumbledore (undecided on how bad he will be!) Ron/Ginny/Hermione/Bashing! Molly/Bashing (they will be bashed for different reasons). Maybe other characters as well, depending on how it goes.

Story includes some of my own Original Characters.

Should people prefer it or become confused then I will place a character list/guide to be included at the end of every chapter. Let me know if you feel this is either necessary or will help in the reading of the story.

Also Harry does not consider himself to be Harry Potter anymore he goes by the name James Grey. (name given to him at age 7 in Privet Drive Summer Farewell)

P.O.V shall be in Harry/James' unless otherwise stated.

Story begins with summer after Fourth year and will continue until end of Fifth year.

AU for HP Timeline, some events happened but Harry/James has yet to attend Hogwarts. He and the Greys live in America. They've had no contact with British Wizards until now...


Chapter 1: The Grey's

It had been over seven years since he had been rescued and yet the nightmares and terror of back then remained. Over the years he had become an insomniac, getting at the best of times about five hours once a night, and then only rarely. Though he had seen several specialists in both muggle and wizarding world nobody had been able to help, they along with the love of his new family - now the only ones he considered family - in particular his elder sister - had eased the fears and trauma of that time, but it would never completely go away.

A small upturn of his lips occurred at this thought. A family! He now had a family who loved him and cared for him, people who chose to love him, who welcomed him into their house, made him a part of their family. They gave up their old lives and moved across the country so that they could all start fresh with him.

He remembered the day he first met them at the airport, once off the plane, Amanda Grey welcomed him with a warm hug like only a mother could do. She told him that it would all be okay now and that she would take care of him. She also called him 'sweetie', a nickname he has never outgrown with her. Then again there were worse endearments she could have saddled him with. She was a tall woman with a heart-shaped face and warm welcoming smile with dimples and shoulder length wavy brown hair.

Despite her welcoming nature and unobtrusiveness, he never warmed up to her as much as she would have liked. Sure he liked her, respected her, treated her as a mom, barring the usual teenage angst, attitude and rebelliousness, which she was very understanding and accepting of, really it was very difficult to get on her bad side or do something she truly disapproved of. Yet with his past he found it hard to be truly satisfied with her open way of expressing herself and way of wearing her heart on her sleeve. Her motherly nature was appreciative and amused him to no end but he can never be truly satisfied with that way of living.

He was a much more reserved, guarded person and liked his privacy. He was not a very talkative person preferring to give the minimalist of verbal responses. In truth he knew all too well he was very difficult to read and a rather intimidating figure to approach. A small curve of the lips, slightly parted, occurred at this thought. He quite enjoyed the way people did not like to approach him.

It took a lot to earn his trust and if a person were to break it they would never be fully forgiven, sure he'd apologised to people over the years but he then tended to be distant with them. It was better this way, it was a lesson he'd soon learnt with the... er... with them.

His eyes clouded in remembrance. Although most of what was inflicted there, the emotional, the physical abuse had healed and faded, although he now no longer believed he needed to do all chores, to barely eat, no longer feared being beaten by those he lived with. Although he was okay and knew that doing well in school wouldn't mean a beating; that he was allowed to make mistakes, to argue points, to voice his opinion, even encouraged to do so. Although in many ways they were now a normal enough or rather a healthy enough family and bonded, a lot of what he learnt about people, about the terrible crimes and darkness of the world remained with him. The deeply ingrained harsh lessons that he had incorporated and taken strength from remained with him shaping his character, which had made him into the person he was today.

It was nights like these when he was feeling reminiscent of his live to date that he despised the most. It made him so melancholy.

It wasn't like his life was difficult these days, in fact many would say it was charmed.

Amanda was a wonderful woman and had a lovely inviting home. It was her kind compassionate nature which made her suited for her job. She ran a small veterinary clinic, the only one in the small but not too small town they lived in and their house was actually an old Victorianesque farmhouse equipped with stables and horses and plenty of land to roam in, including his favourite part a lake all their own. He loved it out there, it was relaxing and temperature charms had been added to the little boathouse and dock so he wouldn't freeze when he went there in the winter nights. This was one of his favourite places to think and ponder, in particular on nights like these when he found himself trapped in considerations of how the past had shaped him, how he had been forever changed by it and how instead of crumbling into insanity he had grown into who he was.

He would forever remain broken and haunted by then. Over the years he had become accustomed to it and designed the wards of his room to allow him to make as much noise as he desired in the dead of night without disturbing his family. As well as cultivated his clothing style and public mask to prevent outsiders, strangers, or those he did know or trust that well from being able to see or to realise how damaged he was by it all. In fact he could even fool those who knew of his past such as professors, doctors and the townsfolk nowadays. A long way from the traumatic bruised mess he was when they first arrived in this little town miles from anywhere.

A larger smile and a small chuckle escaped his full pink lips, crinkling his dark green eyes slightly. A shake of his head sent his long black hair spattered with lustrous permanent silver streaks flying.

Despite all the depravity of this little town he could not help but enjoy the small town charm and natural beauty of the landscape. The rustic townhouses, the rich red oak trees, rolling grassy fields, rocky cliff with its sparkling waterfall, the deep pools of natural rock formation and water, the high mountain range; all of it was true beauty. The only drawback was the locals – or yokels – who were far too warm-hearted, too close-knit and happy to help, people who loved to stick their noses in; fully believing that they were doing the right thing and were only trying to help. They were the perfect sort of people for Amanda and even for Amanda's Father who lived with them. For him though, they were too much to handle on an everyday basis. Mercifully their home was located outside of town; part-way up of one of the lesser mountains, around a 25minute drive from the town. Not much, but more than enough to spare him their small talk and blinding white smiles on a regular basis.

Ah, ole Grandfather Grey, or as he was once known as the War Vet of Number Nine Privet Drive. He owed so much to the Residents of Privet Drive who – almost eight years ago – freed him from his abusive life, who gave him a fresh start. But it was ole Mr. Grey or Grampa Nick who had truly saved him. It was because of him that he had a family now, that he was happy with his life, hell; thanks to him he had a life today! It was this hardened War Vet who had saved his life, who had spent hours upon hours healing him, picking up the broken pieces of his body and mind, putting them back together. Not perfectly but functionally, like many people in the world; he was not whole but he was alive; he was living his life, making his mark on the world. He had the chance to be whoever he wanted to be.

Grampa Nick had passed on much wisdom to him; had taught him how to not worry about what people thought of him. It was because of Grampa Nick that he had the mask he wore in public; that he was as strong as he was today. That unlike other wizards he could fight hand to hand just as well as he could duel with a wand or a sword. That he was as hard-ass as he was but yet also humbled and in control of his abilities, yeah he was powerful and intelligent but that didn't mean he should flaunt it or allow himself to become arrogant because of it. Afterall everyone was flawed and everyone had a weakness just as everyone each had their own strengths and skills.

On the other hand perceptions were important and hiding beneath a mask of arrogance could be effective so long as one remembered it was a mask. Just as one remembered to be cautious in their treatment of others; always be a step ahead; never enter and agreement unless you understood all the terms and could profit from it in some form.

These subtle tricks and attitudes to acquire for certain people was taught to him first by... them and later elaborated and intensified on by his elder sister – nine months older – Skylar.

Now a full blown if sheepish grin graced his high cheekbones, thin slightly curved nose and lightly tanned face. Locks of black and silver elegantly and stylishly framed and enhanced the natural beauty and allure of his eyes and mouth. Lean shoulders and muscles shook ever so slightly with silent amusement as he thought of his elder sister.

She was the one person who he knew he could fully trust and did so without question. She could always bring a smile to his face; could lift his darkest of moods; raise his spirits without ever trying to do so. She was also the only one who could read him like a book, know exactly what he needed and how. She could persuade him to do things he did not want to do and do so in a way he respected and loved her for. She interfered in his life but did so in a way which left him smiling or arching an eyebrow at her gall.

Skyler was Skyler, which was the only way he could ever explain her. Many would believe her to be his weak point, several boys at school in his first year had tried to exploit and blackmail him through her. That was their gravest mistake; she was never a weakness and needed no man to protect her.

Skyler was intelligent; the two of them were two of the top three students at their school. They were on track to be the few elite to ever graduate from Covenant Academy. Yet, like him, Sky – as he often called her – had also been taught by Grampa Nick and taken the same lessons on board as he had. But due to their upbringing and personalities in general they had come to different conclusions and forms of acceptance. However neither one of them were arrogant or exploiting their skills or at least not in any way which would make Grampa frown or upset Amanda. They combined intelligence with magical ability and verbal manipulation tactics to succeed, often they would work in tandem on an opponent or task at hand. Skyler taught him the social tactics and power-plays along with etiquette and history; political, social and economical. She taught him how to act in the different environments he would find himself in and how to handle those who would believe them better than him just because of wealth or blood status and a number of other situations.

Skyler also helped him with fashion and style, though these days he did not need it, he still fondly recalled the days in which he let her choose his clothes and give an amusing explanation for it all. Her tone and attitude never took on the form of a lecture and always remained instructional but vibrant and interesting. It helped that in those days he did not have the edge or strength he now had and was completely at her mercy. Mercifully she never took advantage of this and always helped him, much like an elder sister would but without all the fighting and agro most siblings seem to have for one another and hide their love for one another under.

He shook his head slightly as he tried to imagine him and Sky fighting or feuding like most siblings he knew did but it was impossible to do. Try as he might that was just not them. They were too deeply bonded and close for that to be possible. Sure they would disagree or disapprove of one another's actions – mostly concerning whoever Sky was going out with; they were never good enough for her or suitable for her – but they would always agree to disagree and carry on as always.

He sighed; Sky had just broken up with her more recent boyfriend or admirer. She had plenty of them and was often given tokens of affections, even several offers of marriage had been sent by some very prestigious wizarding families. None of it had taken; but it was still ever present; they were growing up and one day she would not be just his elder sister anymore. He never really minded anyone she dated because he knew that their closeness would remain no matter what and that so far nobody who ever stood a chance of lasting longer than a month had come along. She was far too pragmatic and quick to be taken in by fancy clothes and gold or by the rush of romance. But the fact remained that one day she would find someone and she'd want to let him in on family matters, extend trust and faith to him which in turn would mean he would. This nice little shell he'd built around his life here and at school would soon be in need of altering of letting more people in and he wasn't sure he was ready for that. He knew those around him and knew where their loyalties lay and how far he could trust them. He didn't want that to change; even if he knew change often led to good things.

He sighed again. He really should go back to bed, try to get some more sleep, he'd need it. Since Sky had broken up with whatever-his-name-was she'd want to go shopping tomorrow – or rather later today – she'd also include their friend and the final person he truly trusted. Not as much as Sky but it was a very close call. Their best-mate and fellow wizard, from the Native-American Reservation a few miles north of the town, though the Rez was closer to their home if you cut across a field and swam across the lake. Something they had done many times, well before they had the floo installed at his house, even then they often met this way as it was more secret. They'd become friends with him almost as soon as they moved here. At first he was surprised at how quickly he trusted the boy, it was as instant as when he met Sky at the airport. Their friendship quickly developed into what it was today, flourished under different backgrounds, the Academy, magic powers, teenage angst, dating. Nothing had dampened it and doubtless nothing would. They were too crafty and close to allow anything to stand in their way.

"You should try to get some sleep", a tenor voice behind him said. Only two people could move as swiftly and silently as that. Well there were a few others who could but they couldn't sneak up on him without him sensing it. His senses were extremely fine-tuned. Should others try to sneak up behind him the hairs on the back of his neck would stand up, but these two; his sister and best-mate could.

Since the voice was female and came from the direction of the house that meant it had to be Sky.

A resigned habitual sigh came from beside him. "Move over then."

For a while they sat in companionable silence, her shoulder pressed against his bicep. Her head was tilted upwards watching the stars and moon. "Full moon next week. We should do something."

Idle comments like that would be all she'd say for a while, until she felt enough time had passed to try and press him to talk about why he was out there or to just talk in general.

Afterall she knew all too well the reasons why he was out here. She could read him better than anyone and knew better than most what kept him up or which nights he'd be up more than normal. He'd long since given up trying to figure out how she knew, she just did. It was instinct.

He figured it was perhaps some sort of magical bond they shared; but he had never done any proper research into it. They'd both learnt from school that instant or instinctual bonds cannot be annulled and don't usually come into full fruition until all parties of the bond turn sixteen. Nothing they could do about it. In all honestly he didn't really want to know what bond they share.

There was a small splash not too far off.

"Appears we have company." He remarked in a drawling quiet voice. He received the barest of nods in return.

Why wasn't he surprised?

As often as Sky ended up out here with him, their best mate from the Rez – Kota Grayson – came just as often. They both knew him far too well sometimes.

Of course he'd at first thought Sky called Kota up to come join them. But the timings were all wrong for that. That and her surprise the first time it occurred was completely genuine not that there's a lot of difference with her facial expressions.

Girl could really act. Good thing she was a witch otherwise she would definitely have fallen prey to the world of acting or worse modelling. Good thing Grampa didn't let her become vain.

"Hey, you know you guys could help me climb out." A falsely outraged voice said as a tall but lean teen hauled himself up out of the water. Long, normally thick and wavy dark hair; which always made him look just shagged; flopping into his deep hazel eyes; which if you looked closely were flecked with blue.

Even in the height of summer this lake remained quite chilly in the nights. Not an ideal place to go swimming, then again that's what warming and drying charms were made for. Or at least they were in Kota's world.

Of course Kota always swam with very little clothing on, meaning they would now get a full view of his well-developed six-pack and chiselled torso and strong arms as he flexed himself and walked over to them, water dripping off his hair as he shook it out and droplets trickling down his perfectly masculine chest.

Not that James was bad to look at, on the contrary he too was lean with a strong nimble athletic body, with far quicker reflexes than his friend. No that was never the point and any competition or rivalry was always just friendly or no matter the outcome would end with them being mates still. Besides they were all pretty evenly matched with very little points between them in anything and to the outside all three appeared to be the embodiments of perfection; not that they particularly cared about that image. Well maybe a little.

No the point here was the way that Kota loved flaunting his wonderfully sculptured body, just shagged looking hair, deep chocolate puppy-dog like eyes and lightly brown skin in front of them.

Now those deep eyes which were very tempting and difficult to resist were staring at him in almost full force. Oh dear... trouble!

"Dude, you listening?" Soft laughter from Sky meant he'd been absorbed in his own thoughts again and missed something.

"Sorry, I zoned out, What were you saying?" Well not like they don't know him if the increased laughter and headshake was anything to go by.

He found himself smiling widely as Kota sat down beside him and placed him in an all too familiar one armed hug. A moment later a Sky had rested her hand on his knee from her side.

"Never mind, I was just wondering how you were and what the plan is for today?" Here he turned to Sky, knowing she'd make the plan and that James wouldn't answer. Because they knew him too well, most of this now was just rhetorical questions or idle comments and small talk. What else was needed for them at this point?

Sighing contentedly, his body lent into Kota's more, revelling in the warmth, eternally thankful that this time he'd remembered to cast a drying charm before sitting down.

"Well I thought we'd go to The Plaza do a little shopping, have lunch with Zeph, Sam and Bree in Cosmo's at noon and then go to Spellbinds Book-signing." She spoke softly and calmly knowing that they'd stick with that plan besides its not like there was anything they'd object to... well at least not until her little bro discovered just what she had in mind for him clothes wise.

"Sounds good, what's the book- signing on?" Kota's velvety deep voice brought Sky out of her devious plans for Jaime's new wardrobe.

"Hmm... oh it's to do with Equality focusing on werewolves this time. There'll be a new book there on them and their history and folklore about them, books written by werewolves and a lot more. " She replied, thoughts turning sour.

"Okay, but why has that got you in such a bad mood?"

"Because Kota if you had taken Internationl Politics you'd know that we're the only Country with the Were-Laws, in fact we're the only Country that does give equal opportunity to all period! I mean Canada is pretty close and parts of Asia aren't too bad in some cases. But Europe! Urgh... They make me so mad, there just so far behind the world, trapped in the dark ages, okay so some countries are pretty good. But prejudice there is completly insane and blood purity is still a major influence. There not like at all." By the end of that she had stood and begun too pace and wave her arms in exasperation. A side of her few had seen; the passionate but untamed side.

"Not surprising, they never did evolve, they just went further into hiding and are slowly becoming stagnant, and especially Britain, there Ministry and School-system is nothing but a joke."

At this Sky paused and closed her piercing amethyst eyes as she regained control and calmed her breathing.

Kota turned to James - or Jay as he was most often called – "Yeah, I knew that I mean everyone knows the Brits are but lambs joyfully heading to their own slaughter, but I didn't know that such a huge part of the world still lives in prejudice oblivion." Turning to the stars he added, "Merciful Mother thank you for allowing me to live in such an open-minded, modernised, egalitarianised environment."

Shifting his face back to his two friends he found Sky was smiling softly, her eye sparkling in the moonlight. Whilst Jay was shaking his head at his antics before standing; holding a hand out to him.

"Come on if we don't head in we'll never make it to the Plaza on time."

Nodding in agreement Sky added, "Yep and I don't want to miss meeting the British werewolf whose just had his book published – though she muttered the last part – not that anyone in Britain will ever see it."

With that all three headed up towards the ole farmhouse as the moon slowly began its descent.


Okay so that's all for now.

I realise that not all of it is Harry/James' P.O.V but I believe it is still quite understandable.

Phew what a relief to be done, I never imagined this chapter would become soo long! But I think it all works and doesn't run on too much. Can't seem to find anything I'd cut out or change and I feel pretty satisfied with it.

Also Remus Lupin was the winner of the vote I held. So Remus will be the first one from Britain to see Harry/James

Anyway by all means drop me a review and I hoped you liked it and thank you for reading it.

There will be more in August.

Bye!