Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Even though most of us wish it did.
Ok, so this is my first fan-fiction that I am writing. Constructive criticism is welcome.
thoughts = i cant believe im about to do this
parseltongue = Hello my pretty, ill get you and that little dog too.
talking with familiar = ""hey dude where's my car""
Chapter One: Remembering the Past, Hope For the Future
Smallest Bedroom
Number Four Privet Dr.
Little Whinging, Surrey
June 1994
Listening to the rain hitting his window, Harry looked out into the night sky lightning flickered into life as it spider-webbed across the clouds, the neighborhood brightened. Looking out into the street Harry saw movement out of the corner, that disappeared as another flash of light occurred.
"Must be my handlers, god forbid I am able to do anything without Dumbledore knowing." Sighing Harry moved away from the broken desk with its wobbly chair and laid back on the decrepit bed that was in the room he lived in. Thinking back to when he found out about his handlers, he had a feeling that one of them wanted Harry to discover what Dumbledore was doing. He could not help the smirk that graced his features as he remembered what Tonks had done for him to gain the knowledge of his micromanagement.
Flashback
"Mundungus, wake up. Why are you asleep on the job? You know what Dumbledore told you the last time this happened" Tonk's hair started flashing random colors in her irritation towards the situation they were faced with yet again.
Speech slurred and the smell of alcohol on his breath, Mundungus replied, "I was up last night all night sorting out some items I found."
"Well with the racket you are making with your snoring I am perplexed as to why Harry has not found about the order watching him!"
" You should be one to talk Nymphadora, aft."
"Tonks the name is Tonks, I swear Dungus if you call me that one more time I will turn you into the ministry for all the stolen goods that have magically found their way into your hands and hex you all the way there," her hair began changing deep red as her anger began to rise.
"As I was saying before, you should be quiet as well darling, after all you swear up a storm after tripping on air and that little display doesn't help you either dearie. Besides, the boy is still asleep. What does it hurt to make a few deals on the side while I'm waiting! What are you doing here Tonks? I thought Snape was supposed to have watched the street for the rest of the day and tomorrow morning."
"He would have if he was not called by You-Know-Who. I am here to cover for him. You can go on your way Dung."
Up in the room Harry laid on the bed with his eyes closed listening to the conversation. After a few minutes he heard an auto backfire. Jumping from the telltale sign of apparition Harry slowly dozed off again after waking from his nightmare of Cedric's death.
End Flashback
Smiling at what Tonks had done for him to subtlety tell him that there were problems afoot, Harry looked out of the second window that was open waiting for Hedwig to get back from her delivery of his letters to Hermione and Ron. He had sent letters before and Hedwig always returned without a reply. Disheartened, he rolled over in his bed and dozed off into slumber.
Waking from a sound coming from his headboard, Harry looked up after putting on his glasses and saw Hedwig with empty talons. Sighing he asked if she had gotten a reply. At the shake of her head, Harry cried out in frustration," what the bloody hell is wrong with them? I guess they are not my friends after all. What should I do Hedwig?"
Hedwig turned her head out the window and hooted slightly to get Harry's attention.
Harry looked at Hedwig and looked out the window. "You think I should escape?" Hearing an affirmative hoot Harry chuckled, "but my life is here Hedwig". Receiving a swat to the back of the head by a wing as Hedwig flew to her stand she squawked and glared at her master. "I know Hedwig it's not much of a life, but it is all I have. I am however sick and tired of my life being threatened every time I go to Hogwarts". Thinking back to his years in school Harry was not impressed with what he had to do to survive.
First year I had to deal with the stupid troll that Quirrell let into the school. I would not have to do that if Ron was not such a git to Hermione in the first place. Then the whole Fluffy the cerebus issue that was caused by Draco's duel. That made me want to leave school right there. I had to stay since I finally made friends that Dudley could not do anything too. The baby dragon was just annoying and relatively foreshadowing as well. The trip into the forest though, ugh, why would anyone send first years into a forest that has dangerous creatures anyway? And finally the stupid Philosopher's Stone and killing Voldemort/Quirrell and ending up in the hospital bed should have been the last straw.
The second year should never have happened in the first place. I would think the castle would have dark magic wards or something like that in the ward scheme. And Ginny being a twat and writing in a book that had its own mind was just more proof damning wizarding England. Ginny was raised in the magical world, she should have known better. Shaking his head he just scoffed at her stupidity. Dobby wasn't too bad other than the whole stopping the mail, the barrier, and the evil bludger he was controlling. Dobby did save me from Malfoy Sr. after I tricked Malfoy Sr. in to freeing Dobby. On top of that he had a plonker for a defense professor who only cared for his looks and fame. And finally the damned spiders, basilisk, and Tom Riddle drama was enough for one year.
Note: the castle did have wards but it's like having a burglar alarm when the burglar is already in your house, useless. Also once again changing from first to third person narrative.
Third year was the easiest by far since I didn't have to worry too much and would not have been an issue if the bloody Ministry was not so inept at doing the job properly. Sirius would have been able to raise me in the wizarding world if they had followed their own laws. I believe Dumbledore was Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot back then as well. What happened to his everyone gets second, third, and fourth chances at being a productive member of society. If it weren't for the dementors, Snape, Remus's timely change, and Pettigrew's escape, life would be great.
And last year, the thrice damned tournament should have killed him. Taking an egg from a nesting dragon is just asking to die. The chase of course was thrilling, sarcasm laced through his thoughts. Nearly drowning in the second task was really the only worry on my life. The third task had been dangerous but manageable until the cup had whisked Harry and Cedric to Voldemort. Tears began forming as he heard kill the spare be said once again in his head. And the revival and duel with Voldemort was the icing on the cake and Harry came to his decision. "Alright Hedwig, I agree I need to escape, but where would I go?"
Receiving a hoot he saw Hedwig fly over to the indented globe Dudley had gotten as a present from one of his father's clients. Dudley had dented it within minutes after the clients had left the driveway in a fit of anger over the lame present. Harry got off the bed and slowly walked over to the globe being careful to not step on a squeaking floorboard. So what country should I go to Hedwig?" He watched as she turned the globe over and set her talon on a single country.
Looking down at the globe "United States of America, hmm they do speak English. That will make the transition easy. I don't know a thing though about the magical community over there girl. All I know is that it has to be relatively young". Hearing a hoot Hedwig flew back to her perch and looked at Harry expectantly. "Okay I agree but how should I get there girl." Watching as Hedwig jumped into the air and flew around the room Harry nodded in agreement to her idea. "Yes flying would be the best route and I could get away faster. I doubt I could get an international portkey from the Ministry currently, with the slander campaign that is running its course in The Daily Prophet. Fudge and the rest of the Ministry would also want to keep the hero of Wizarding England in England and control the damage I could cause if I went elsewhere. Thinking on what he could do to best damage Fudge's and the Ministry's reputations abroad would be amusing during his flight across the pond. Hmm I'll have to make a list on what needs to be done. Walking over to the desk Harry pulls out a pencil and paper. "Oh how I have missed thee modern technology."
My list of Things Must Get Done
Get trunk and arrange what I need in it
Find passport Sirius sent to me (should be in trunk)
Talk with Uncle Vernon about leaving forever
Evade my handlers at all costs and trick them into thinking I am still in the house
Write letters to Ron, Hermione, the Twins, and Sirius
Get flight to the Colonies
Gain Citizenship so Dumbledore and England have no say over me.
Finish my schooling
"What do you think Hedwig anything else I need to add?" Looking over Harry finds her asleep with her head tucked under her wing. "I guess I should get to sleep as well. It will be a fun day tomorrow talking with uncle Vernon. Laying down in his bed he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, dreaming about his escape plans.
Hearing a buzzer from the alarm he had fixed he got up and stretched. He walked out of his room and went downstairs to start making breakfast. He pulled out bacon, eggs, bread, milk, and the other ingredients to make pancakes. After making the first seven pancakes and eating three of them himself footsteps were heard coming down the steps.
"Boy where is my food at?"
"It's right here Uncle, the bacon has to cook for a few more minutes but I have some pancakes and toast ready." Harry fiddled with the bacon as he worked up the nerve to speak with his uncle. "Uncle Vernon, can I talk with you about something important today?"
"It doesn't have to do with those other freaks, does it boy?" Uncle Vernon growled in warning.
"No sir, I am trying to escape from them, sir. I was wondering if you would be willing to help me." Harry twisted the spatula in his hand waiting for his Uncle's reaction or lack thereof.
Vernon slammed down his paper and bellowed "AND WHY SHOULD I HELP YOU OUT BOY!", his face turning a shade of tomato from anger.
"Well if you help and everything works out you will never have to see me again. If it doesn't work out then I will be dragged back here unwillingly", looking at his Uncle he watched as he calmed and saw a smile grace his features. Harry was getting nervous when suddenly his Uncle spoke up.
"Yes that would be a good idea. I shall listen to your plan as you cook breakfast for Dudley and your Aunt."
Harry sighed in relief and put the bacon he had made on his Uncle's plate. Adding more bacon to the skillet, and making more pancakes as he talked, "well it won't be right away as we have some of my people watching the house to make sure I don't leave." Hearing his Uncle getting worked up he quickly explained that there was only one chance to make his escape unnoticed. "Uncle there is only one way I know how to escape. One of the people watching me likes to get drunk. I will need to watch for the next few weeks to figure out the rotation and times they come and switch. If I leave during one of the switches during the drunks watch I will get away."
"Freaks I knew they were good for nothing's. Drunks the lot of them.", Vernon growled out after taking a bite of his toast.
Harry rolled his eyes at his Uncle's bigotry, "If we do this it will anger quite a few of them and is a great prank as well. You will be able to pull one over on Dumbledore."
"Carry on boy. Be glad it's the weekend and I don't have work today" Uncle Vernon managed to sound irritated and pleased in the same breath.
" Yes sir. Once I figure out the rotation of my handlers, I will tell you when I'm leaving. This might happen at any second sir. So I will ask if you can take a day off work. I will need to be dropped off in London. You could take Dudley and Aunt Petunia and have a day out yourselves. When you get home I will not be here." Harry knew this might not work, but he played on the hatred his Uncle had of him and to spend time with his family.
Looking at Harry he took a bite of his bacon, "hmm, we haven't been to London since we got you and there is a new store Petunia wants to go to as well as Dudley. Yes that is a good idea I will have to tell Pet about my idea."
"What idea Vernon?", Petunia asked walking into the kitchen.
"Oh Pet, I figured out a way we can rid ourselves of the boy and the freaks." Uncle Vernon beamed at his own genius.
Harry brought some fruit and a few pancakes over to his aunt as she sat down after getting a kiss from her husband.
"Oh Vern that is amazing. Oh I will be right back I need to go phone Marge and tell her the good news," rushing from the table and almost spilling the coffee that was in the center ready for use.
Bringing over some more pancakes and bacon, Harry thought to point out his unfortunate weight issue "sir I will be traveling through Heathrow and well they might notice how skinny I am and start asking questions."
"Yes you're right, from now on you can eat what you want. I'll tell Pet and Dudders when they get down so they don't get angry. I will tell Dudley to leave you alone as well."
"Thank you Uncle Vernon." Receiving a grunt he heard another set of footsteps on the stairs and put a plate down for Dudley. Dudley walked in with Petunia behind him and sat down and start gorging himself on pancakes.
"Pet, I told Harry he could eat as much as needed from now on." Looking at his wife she was making a lemon jealous as her lips disappeared, Vernon explained what Harry had said to her as quickly as possible. Seeing her calm down quickly he turned to Dudley, "you are to leave him alone Dudley, your friends as well. We are getting rid of the boy and he needs to be in good shape so the police don't ask questions about the condition he is in.
"What why, that's not fair father!", Dudley whined like a toy had just been taken from him.
Harry listened to Dudley whine until his Uncle told him that if he left Harry alone, he would take Dudley to the new store he wanted to go to and buy him anything he wanted from the store. Dudley quieted down in an instant. Eating his own food as quickly as possible, Harry cleaned up the kitchen and excused himself, "I will be upstairs checking the times for when my handlers come and go Uncle Vernon."
"Good stay in your room boy." mumbled Vernon.
"Sighing he ran up the stairs and sat at the desk with a pen and paper, he jotted down the day. He began reading one of his school books, after two hours he heard a crack close to the house and jotted the time down after looking at the alarm clock by his bed and wrote eight P.M. Walking cautiously to the window he listened carefully to figure out who was outside watching the house. The whispers were too low to hear, so he walked away and went to sleep at ten P.M.
Waking to the sound of a crack, Harry ran to the desk and jotted down time as seven forty five A.M. on Monday. He walked over to the window and quickly leaned back. The smell of alcohol was strong enough to knock a cow out. After fifteen minutes he heard another crack and swearing underneath his window.
"Every bloody time"
Harry jotted down eight am and went to work around the house doing the chores he was given. He got done mowing the lawn and walked into the kitchen to get a drink. Ever since he had made the deal with his Uncle he had started filling out and no longer looked like a walking stick. He looked at his body and saw the lean muscles underneath the skin and smiled. A week passed and now in the middle of June, Harry woke to a crack again at seven forty five, only to have another crack arrive fifteen minutes later and then he heard a snarl he finally recognized as Snapes, "not again".
Harry walked downstairs and started making breakfast as his Uncle walked down the steps. "Uncle Vernon it seems that we will need to leave by seven forty five am on Monday. That is when the shift changes, were lucky as the night guard also leaves fifteen minutes earlier than he should."
"Lazy the lot of those freaks," Vernon barked.
After feeding himself and his family, Harry ran back upstairs and pulled out some parchment and pen, he began writing his letters to his friends and Sirius.
Dear Ron and Hermione,
By the time you have gotten these letters I will be gone and in a safe place. I am leaving. I am sick of all the danger that going to Hogwarts causes and the danger on my life as well. The danger on your lives that occurs because of our adventures is too much. I want you both safe. However, that won't occur while I am around. I'm sick of the handlers that keep watch over the house and force me to stay at the Dursley's. I am always in my bedroom. You will be happy to know Hermione that I already finished my homework before I decided to leave and I spent my summer reviewing last year's material. I am mad however as I have sent multiple letters to all of you and have not heard back from any of you. I guess you aren't true friends anymore. Tell the twins I said hello and that I hope their dream comes true.
Good bye
Harry
Reading over the letter he had just written for errors he placed the parchment off to the side and grabbed another piece of parchment to start his second letter.
Dear Sirius,
Make sure you read this in private and don't show it to anyone other than Uncle Moony. Make him swear on his marauders oath to not reveal this letter and its contents to anyone else.
See you around
Harry
Harry looked down at the parchment and waved his hand muttering the spell he learned from Remus and Sirius last year. Turning to Hedwig he walked over and started stroking her feathers. "Girl, after I leave I need you to deliver these letters a week late. Can you do that for me?" Receiving a hoot in reply, "I will have to get Vernon to attach the letters to your legs though." Getting a undignified squawk and a wing buffet to his face he chuckled, "I know you do not like him, but he will do this for sure." When his Uncle got home Harry approached him about the letters, "I have to letters that need to be sent a week after I leave. I need you to tie them to Hedwig's legs. One on each and tell her to deliver the letters to my godfather. I will also leave the window open for her so she can fly in and out as needed for her food and water. She won't leave a mess other than a few feathers. After she leaves with the letters the window can be shut and locked permanently."
"Okay boy but that's the last thing we do."
"Actually there is one more thing. I am leaving a note pinned to the door to inform Snape that we went shopping for clothes in London for the day. It's a lie on my part, but when they find out that I am gone, Snape will be pissed that he lost me on his watch when he finds out I'm missing. You will need to return home before eight P.M. so they do not think anything is wrong. Also until those letters are sent, you'll need to call out my name or any term they know means me randomly and assign a chore that can be done inside."
"Hmmm I take it this is to keep up pretenses then? Yes I will do it since we are getting rid if you finally," Vernon smiled again at the thought of no longer having the freak in the house.
June twenty seventh (A/N: I totally guessed this date and then went to confirm the actual day was the 27th and it was) finally came as Harry woke to the alarm he set to wake him up at half past six in the morning. Ten minutes later and he was downstairs cooking breakfast. The smell of food cooking woke the occupants of the house as they all raced, well one raced and two waddled, downstairs to eat quickly.
"Today we get rid of you boy" Uncle Vernon smiled and talked excitedly between bites. "Just another hour and we take you out of here for good."
Harry nodded in agreement thanking whatever deity was on his side today that everything went smoothly. Cleaning the dishes he heard his family getting ready for the events of the day. At seven thirty everyone was waiting by the entrance as Harry pulled his trunk out of the cupboard under the stairs and quickly shrunk it after pulling out his cloak and passport. Whispering to himself about thanking Remus for teaching him the shrinking spell, he walked to the front to wait with the others. Looking at his watch Harry waited for the sign of apparition. Seven forty five rolled around and still no sign of apparition was heard. After three minutes Harry was getting nervous when finally he heard the crack.
"Okay we need to go now quickly." Opening the door everyone rushed out and went to the vehicle. Harry shut the door as he heard the car engine roar to life. Pinning the note to the door he sprinted to the back seat and closed the car door as he got in. Ten seconds later they were all leaving privet drive and headed to London. Harry sighed in relief as they turned the corner of the block and left surrey behind.
POV CHANGE
Snape sighed as eight A.M. rolled around. "Here I go again, having to watch the spoilt brat again. I better get going." A crack of apparition later and he was dusting and straightening his robe as he walked up the road to number four privet drive disillusioned. Seeing that there wasn't a vehicle in the driveway when he knew Vernon didn't leave his house until half past eight he walked up to the door swearing as once again Mundungus had left his post early. As Snape stalked his way up the sidewalk, he saw a note on the door. Grumbling to himself about watching the Potter brat he ripped the note off the door and read the note.
Currently out. Went to London for a day out and some shopping. We will be back around eight tonight.
The Dursley's
Spoilt Potter brat, probably needed a new toy or clothes." Snape spun around and walked off the property back to the alley he arrived in as his robe billowed out behind him from his paced walk. A crack of apparition later and he was at the gates of Hogwarts making his way to the headmaster to inform him of the impromptu trip made by the Dursley's.
After five minutes of fighting with the gargoyle outside of Dumbledore's office and a threat of using muggle means to destroy said statue, Snape guessed the password. Growling as he passed the gargoyle, he quickly made his way up the spiral staircase and knocked on the door to be let into the office.
"Severus, my boy, come in" Dumbledore closed a book he had on his desk and stood to gesture Snape to a chair on the other side of his desk.
Pushing the door open Severus walked into the office and saw the dam Ned twinkling eyes of the headmaster staring at him.
"Shouldn't you be watching Harry at this time, my boy?" Twinkling eyes gone as he stared directly at Severus
"I would if he was at the house headmaster". Thrusting the note into the headmasters face, "the spoilt brat is headed to London today with his family to go shopping. He obviously must have needed something new. The brat had the audacity to leave on my shift as well."
"Now Severus this is good, but I will check to see if that is the case. He should be tracked in muggle London for a day with the tracking charms he has on him." The twinkling was back as he eyed the potions professor and chuckled at his anger.
"I am going back to my potions since I won't be needed today. And Headmaster, change your password. Everyone knows you use candy as your passwords," Snape said with clearly increasing irritation showing on his face.
"Ah but Severus, I do enjoy watching people trying to guess what they are," mirth clearly showing on his face.
"The point is Headmaster is that you use muggle candies such as snickers today. No one can get those in a timely fashion," Snape said as his left eye twitched in anger
"The muggle-borns and half-bloods do," Dumbledore argued back with ease
"That's because they start with those candies before moving onto wizard candies." Snape sighed knowing he would not win this battle with the headmaster.
Smiling at Severus, the Headmaster tells him he can go back to brewing his potions again. Waiting until Snape leaves his office he begins activating the tracking charms on Harry and looking at some of the silver, whiring instruments the Headmaster smirked, "Hmm he is headed to London with the Dursley's. Good, I better go and talk to Gringotts to withdraw some more Galleons. I need a new robe."
(A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter and i am looking for reviews. This chapter was proofread by a close friend of mine. I added a few things here after she sent my story back to me)