Summary: With the war going poorly, Dumbledore sends Harry off to Ohio, America to play the role of the muggle student, Blaine Anderson. Life is great as Blaine transfers to McKinley High. Until Voldemort finds him, that is. Harry/Kurt, Klaine.
Warning: Slash (though if you had a problem with that, then you probably wouldn't be watching Glee…)
A/N: This is going to be a long journey, guys! I fully expect this fic to end up being more than 100k words at the very least. Hope you enjoy!
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Chapter 1: Reasons to Leave
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"Stupefy!" Harry shouted, directing the spell to the Death Eater chasing him. He covered the back of three third years who had gotten caught in the middle of a fight while on a trip to Hogsmeade. As he ran, he yelled, "Guys, get to the Three Broomsticks. The professors will keep you safe."
The fleeing third years nodded, frantically scrambling over burnt pieces of rubble. Harry sighed in relief when they were pulled into the shop by Professor Snape. His distraction, though short, made him unaware of the burst of light off to his right, indicating a spell headed his way. It wasn't until a bench exploded, nearly taking off his arm when the chair leg flung his way, that Harry was brought back to the battle at hand. He ducked, peering out from behind the fallen roof of a building, his eyes searching for still-standing Death Eaters.
"Potter, behind you!" Snape shouted, from the door to the Three Broomsticks. It was a move that saved Harry's life… and thoroughly blew Snape's cover as a loyal Death Eater. Later, Snape (and possibly Harry, as well) would curse the action as a foolish show of Gryffindor stupidity. Right now Harry was grateful for the help, as an Avada Kedevra shot past his head.
Voldemort hissed angrily, directing his piercing, red gaze from Harry to Snape. "Severus, you dare betray me for the Light?" He asked, pointing his wand towards the spy instead.
Snape didn't respond besides a quickly cast Sectumsepra directed towards his former master. "Potter, get over here." He demanded. Harry scrambled behind Snape and turned to face Voldemort, his wand at the ready.
"Don't be an idiot, boy." Snape hissed, "Get to the Headmaster. He's in the Three Broomsticks along with the other professors." Harry didn't move. "Now, Potter!"
"But Professor, I can't leave you here against him." Harry protested, glaring defiantly at Voldemort, who was watching the exchange bemused.
"No, go on now, Potter." Voldemort rasped, "I would like to talk to Severus alone, please." He said in an eerie parody of politeness.
Snape narrowed his eyes, his gaze still fixated on Voldemort. "I'll be fine, Potter. We need you more than we need anyone else."
Harry pursed his lips, about to refuse again. Snape saw that, and with a flick of his wrist sent Harry flying until he landed with a thump! in front of the Three Broomsticks. Harry quickly found himself manhandled into the shop, leaving Snape standing outside, alone, against the greatest Dark Lord of their time.
Before he knew what was happening, Floo powder was being thrust into his arms. "Get back to Grimmauld Place." Dumbledore commanded, brandishing his wand and heading out the door without another word. Harry nodded, allowing himself to step into the fireplace now that he knew Snape wouldn't be dying today.
Dumbledore called Harry to his office the next day when everything had calmed down. "Yesterday was an unfortunate breech in security." Dumbledore said gravely, the twinkle that was once in his eye gone as he stared into Harry's eyes. "We can't be sure that Voldemort won't attack openly anymore—the simple fact that he could just walk into Hogsmeade without interference tells us plenty about his confidence as of now."
Harry nodded grimly, and asked, "What should we do about it, Headmaster?" He already knew, in part, what the response would be.
Years had passed since the re-emergence of Voldemort, and there had been countless threats to his life in that time. The reaction was always basically the same: a restriction of his freedom "for his own good". Whether that meant no Hogsmeade trips, or no more visits to the Burrow, Harry knew he would be stuffed somewhere safe like a prized pet that wasn't allowed to get dirty. He was right, but he underestimated the extent that Dumbledore would go through to keep his golden boy safe.
"You must understand, Harry, that you came an inch from dying yesterday. Quite literally in fact: if Severus hadn't blown his cover as he did, then you could easily have died then."
"Yes sir, I know." Harry responded, and obediently followed intoned, "And I'll be sure to thank Professor Snape."
Dumbledore shook his head, knowing that Harry wasn't getting the point. "Harry, we're losing the war right now." He said bluntly, "And until the tides turn, you won't be safe here."
Harry's eyes widened. "You taking me out of Hogwarts?" Harry asked disbelievingly. He knew something was coming, but not this! "But Professor, how am I supposed to learn, to prepare for battle—?"
"Harry." Dumbledore interrupted him calmly, reminding him of the seriousness of their conversation.
Harry took a deep breath and spoke again, his voice quavering at his effort to keep his tone calm. "Professor," Harry started again, "I can't leave Hogwarts. My friends are here; my whole life is here. Sir, if you take me away from it and stick me in some safe house, I don't think I would be able to handle it."
"No, my dear boy, we're not sticking you in some safe house." Dumbledore paused, trying to phrase his next sentence so it would have the least shocking effect. "We're going to relocate you to another school, somewhere in America, where Voldemort would never find you."
Harry sunk back into the chair, partially relieved, and partly stricken by the implications of such a move. "That's doable," He consented, "but what of my studies? You know I was thinking to become an Auror when I get out of school, and Professor McGonagall was just talking about how I need to keep up my Potions grades. And not to mention there must be an entirely new curriculum there; Hermione was actually just talking about it yesterday."
"I'm afraid your studies will have to be put on halt. It wouldn't be unreasonable to say that you may have to repeat your entire seventh year, my boy. But you have to understand, the risk that Voldemort poses to you as of now is too much to have you just stay cooped up in Hogwarts. While this school does its best to protect its students, it cannot protect its students from themselves. I hate to stereotype, but many of our Slytherins are potential threats to you."
"Redo my final year?" Harry asked, trying to comprehend what he was hearing. "But what about my friends? The Aurors? Ron and I were planning on taking the test together—"
"And that can wait." Dumbledore cut him off sternly. He leaned forwards, clasping his hands together and stared seriously into Harry's eyes. "I have just lost my main spy in the Death Eaters, Voldemort is getting stronger, and the Ministry is increasingly blocking my efforts to stop him. It wouldn't be unreasonable for Voldemort to storm Hogwarts simply to get to you. This relocation is as much for your protection as it is the other students' in this school."
Harry slumped in his seat, resigned. He was willing to risk his own life, but the life of others…? Could he really ask some innocent first year to die simply because the Boy-Who-Lived wanted to finish school with his friends? "Yes sir." He acquiesced quietly.
"Thank you. You know I wouldn't do this if I had no other option. Now, you will be headed to America, as I said before: to a small town called Celina in the American state of Ohio. It's a muggle town, and you will be forbidden from using magic until we come and retrieve you."
"Wait," Harry interrupted him, "you're putting me in the Muggle World? Why can't I just be relocated to a Wizarding town in America?"
"Voldemort is expanding, Harry." Dumbledore explained patiently. "He's attempting to recruit in all of the modernized countries. Sending you to a Wizarding town would be no safer than keeping you here—more dangerous, possibly, because there you won't be able to recognize the faces of your enemies. And sending you to a non-modernized country would just be plain dangerous, seeing as many of the Wizarding tribes in there are still nomadic and constantly feuding. No, a muggle community will do you some good."
Harry disagreed, but couldn't argue with the headmaster's logic. "Fine." He said almost petulantly, "Muggle community, no magic. Got it."
Dumbledore looked at Harry critically. He leaned back in his chair and the atmosphere in the room immediately relaxed. "I see this is a lot to take in. I do have some more news for you, news that you won't like. But let's talk more tomorrow, alright? I think you've had enough bombarded on you today."
Harry nodded and headed out the door, his mind racing. Just before leaving, he paused and turned around. "Can I tell my friends at least?" He asked hopefully. At Dumbledore's sad shake of his head, Harry sighed and made to leave again.
"Harry," Dumbledore called him back. Harry turned his head, looking over his shoulder at the professor. "If you could, please pack your things tonight… I know this isn't much heads-up, however since this is an emergency situation, I will need to get you out of here as soon as possible. "
Harry nodded, understanding, but not liking the situation one bit.
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A/N: Reviews are always welcome!
I will now take this opportunity to shamelessly advertise: if you enjoyed this chapter than please visit Elumicis' Luna Mendax(see my author's page for the link to Elumicis). It's Harry Potter fic taking place in the time of the Marauders, co-authored by me!
