A Grey Harry Potter
Rating M Universe: AU
AN: This is a darker Harry. Some may say evil. I do not see him as evil, but he will not respond to deadly force with stunners. In some instances, deadly force will be his first option.
Hey freak, Harry heard Dudley's voice from the hall. We're going to Aunt Marge's for the week. I hope you are still alive when we get back. Then he laughed and thundered down the stairs.
The house settled down into quiet. Great they are gone thought Harry. Hedwig gave a soft hoot. Walking to her cage Harry placed his fingers against the bars. Sorry girl. We are both hungry, but until they return there is no food. A week ago, he continued, you could fly from the owlery to hunt. Now you are stuck here with me.
Harry thought about being in the Chamber of Secrets a week ago. The school was saved from Riddle's diary. Now he was a prisoner with bars on his window, Dratted Dumbledore. Go back to the Dursley's for your safety. Enjoy your childhood. It would be good if he didn't starve to death over the summer.
He wondered how Dobby was enjoying freedom. Dobby, he softly said.
There was a soft pop then Dobby's voice. The great Harry Potter calls Dobby.
Harry quickly got over his surprise. Dobby how are you doing. Is freedom treating you well?
No. Dobby isn't enjoying freedom. No one wants to pay an elf wages.
I wish I could take you into my service, but I cannot get into my Gringotts vault to get the gold to pay you. I am stuck here.
The great Harry Potter would take Dobby into his service. When Harry nodded he continued. Dobby would work for the great Harry Potter for free.
That will not be necessary. Once I get to my vault I will be able to pay.
Ok. Dobby will bond with the great Harry Potter while looking at Harry expectantly.
How do I do it Dobby?
Is it ok if Dobby performs the ritual? At Harry's nod Dobby went ahead.
Dobby please. It is just Harry. Can you get me something to eat, the lock off Hedwig's cage, and my stuff out of the cupboard under the stairs?
Ok Harry. With a snap of fingers, the lock fell off the cage, and Harry's trunk was by his bed. A pop and Dobby was gone. Soon there was another pop. Dobby returned with a huge meal. After letting Hedwig out to hunt Harry sat down to the meal. It is too bad I am stuck here he remarked.
Why do you think you are stuck here? Dobby inquired.
Is there a way for me to leave? Harry asked.
Another pop and Dobby was gone. After a while when Dobby did not return Harry pulled out his books to start his holiday homework.
The next morning a pop and Dobby was back. A snap of fingers brought breakfast. Meanwhile Hedwig was in her cage with her head under her wing.
Is there somewhere else for me to go as you mentioned last night? Harry asked.
Yes. Would you like to go now? Dobby asked.
Harry merely nodded.
Dobby took his hand. With a snap of his fingers they appeared in front of a dirt path. We walk down this path Dobby said. After about two hours of walking there was a manor house on a hill in the distance. There were multiple pops and several elves stood before them.
I am Mimpy overseer of Cornwall Potter Reserve the female in front announced. Harry introduced himself. Then he asked why they had to walk all that distance. Wizards are lazy Mimpy responded. They need exercise.
Then Mimpy took Harry's hand and apparated in front of the manor. The inside was larger than the outside. A tour revealed three floors with a basement and subbasement. On the second floor was a library. The library had four floors. Hermione would love this Harry thought. Off to the side were tables with a large portrait on a rectangular column. The portrait had a middle age witch and wizard who were sleeping. Mistress Dorea and Master Charlus Mimpy called. Slowly they woke up. Dorea then asked if the elves could fetch Lily & James portrait once Harry introduced himself. The elves quickly placed Lily and James next to Dorea and Charlus. Harry asked Mimpy how they placed the portraits together when Dorea and Charlus' portrait previously took up the entire wall. Magic was the reply. After introductions Harry was calling his grandparents Gram and Gramps and parents Mum and Dad. The morning was spent getting to know each other. The adults were furious regarding Harry's upbringing at Durskaban, and the incompetence of some of Hogwarts professors. Snape and Dumbledore especially had their ire. Harry needed a lot of reassurance that they were not annoyed with him.
Over the next week the adults slowly worked Harry into a study regimen. It began with two hours with Grams of deportment, responsibilities of the scion of a noble house, French, Latin, mind arts, and the infamous other duties as assigned. Then an hour of physical exercise with the elf Mamie. It was mostly yoga but some swimming. Swimming was with the sprite Daisy. Harry was shown a plant called gillyweed, and how to properly harvest it. Gillyweed allowed him to breath under water for extended periods. After exercise was an hour of Harry time – mostly flying was what Harry decided on. After that it was lunch. On the weekday afternoons depending on the day was charms, transfiguration, potions, herbology, runes, arithmancy, defense, and again other duties. Then dinner, followed by another hour of Harry time – more flying, and finally reading ahead for the next day.
Rather than the afternoon classes being about regular school classes they had more fun topics. For example, making a certain map, Animagus transformation, various advanced charms such as bubble head and patronis. James and Charlus mostly managed the afternoon classes.
On weekends the mornings stayed the same while the afternoons were different. Lily and James journals were read. Lily's was lots of charms and potions notes, the normal teenage girl items were steered away from. In James journals were charms, transfiguration, and a pranking how-to. Snivelous being bullied was described in horrid detail. Harry knew that what his dad and friends did to Snape was wrong – even if Snape viciously gave back. He also knew that how the adult Snape extracted revenge on Harry was unconscionable. The adult portraits also guided him to understand how wrong it was for Slytherin House to be turned into a death eater prep school.
Harry was also quizzed about his adventures. The more stories he told the more alarmed the adults became. A solicitor's pensive was located and purchased by one of the elves. Harry was taught how to extract a memory. James and Charlus were amused watching Norbert being freed – Lily and Dorea less so. The confrontation with Quirrelmort and Tom Riddle had all of them seething. Dorea instantly recognized the diary as a horcrux when it was destroyed. She explained to the others that Voldemort would return.
Harry was coached on dealing with Snape and Dumbledore. Snape for his evil. Dumbledore for his manipulations. He was also taught how to deal with horcruxes. Fiendfyre, although Harry couldn't cast it yet, basilisk venom, they knew due to the diary, and possibly the AK which Harry was taught.
After Voldemort killed her Lily's ghost remained at the destroyed cottage. When Snape came in shortly after Voldemort's demise Lily did not want to cross over. His whining about loving her was nauseating. Sirius arrival after Snape's departure calmed her. He changed Harry's nappy and dressed him in clean clothes. When Hagrid arrived, he insisted on following Dumbledore's orders and taking Harry to Hogwarts. Sirius left Harry with him. Lily put together a list of notes to give to her portrait echo. The method was one she had studied. She knew then that her portrait had the information to warn Harry when he arrived.
Arithmancy and runes were subjects Harry had not had. When Lily found that Harry was not taking them next term she had a very disappointed look on her face. Harry promised to drop divination, and maybe care to be in runes and arithmancy. Lily was happy about that.
Harry was encouraged to write Hermione while being gently discouraged from writing Ron. The adults wanted Harry to study more and goof off less next term. After being there about two weeks Lily asked about Selene Lovegood. Harry didn't know a Selene but did know a Luna Lovegood. Harry didn't know much about Luna except that she had a reputation for being strange. Lily told Harry that Selene was strange too but was also a dear friend. At Lily's gentle prodding Harry began writing Luna. He learned about nargles, wrackspurts, blibbering humdingers, and many other doubtful creatures. Harry was refreshed with her unique view of the world. Hermione would likely go spare around her, but Harry thought that Luna would be a nice addition to the group. Luna was also very smart and liked to study.
The portraits encouraged Harry to be careful about mentioning them – especially to the Hogwarts professors.
Harry was writing Hermione. Sure, he talked to her about his flying, but he also mentioned studying. The portraits were not mentioned. The mind arts were mentioned. A spare mind arts book from the library was also sent. Hermione asked as a joke what Harry had done to the real Harry.
The summer had little muggle house elf duties, but much studies. Harry thrived on the praise he received when he did well. When he needed improvement, the criticism was gentle. In his mind the summer was the best of his life.
Lily and Dorea were clear to him that school was for learning. Goofing off was to take a back seat. He was also told that he was not to take bull shite from Snape. James and Charlus were, barely, able to persuade them to allow Harry to return to Hogwarts. The American schools were investigated extensively.
All to soon September first arrived. Mimpy flooed Harry to Platform 9 ¾ by ten AM. Luna was waiting for his arrival. Luna stepped in to hug him. Harry not used to physical affection awkwardly hugged her back. Soon Hermione arrived, more hugs, and they entered the train looking for a cabin. The one they found had a man sleeping in it. On the shelf above his trunk had the name RJ Lupin. From James description Harry recognized Moony.