A/N: A guest reviewer mentioned that they thought this story made it seem like Harry was a puppet on a string and that I took away from the story by revealing Harry's purpose in the new world. I see where they were coming from but I do have a plan for this story. If you feel the same way then I hope you can get past your doubts and give it a chance ;)
Leaving Albania was harder than Harry expected. He had become quite close to Jak, Loran and Dita in his short stay. Harry had enjoyed many conversations with Jak in the evenings over food, Dita had been a great gossip and Loran provided a joyful thump on the back when times got hard. They insisted that Harry should return if he ever need a holiday, they were adamant that he would always be welcome. Even though they said that, Harry couldn't be sure that he would ever see them again.
Harry was un-used to such kindness from strangers and was rather cautious about their intentions. However, after a lifetime of being suspicious and watching his back, Harry decided he wouldn't care.
Either way, Harry needed to continue on his quest. Getting rid of the horcruxes was his main priority. He hoped this quest would lead him closer to the person Death wanted Harry to dispose of. With a severe lack of guidance and Harry's strong inclination to disobey authority it would probably take a while to find the perpetrator. Also, considering the fact that Harry had always felt a resentment towards those in positions of power for their lack of help, it wasn't a surprise he wanted to do his own thing.
In the few days of rest after Harry had found the diadem he managed to piece together a plan of action. Or to be more accurate-time to order the horcruxes in terms of accessibility. Consulting said list, Harry found himself staring at a crude drawing of Slytherin's locket. He had decided that obtaining Slytherin's locket would make the most sense seeing as he knew where it was and would be able to access it with relative ease. All he needed to do was figure out a way to get past the inferi.
Once he had left the hotel/bar Harry took the portkey back to Diagon Alley, no matter how much he had enjoyed the Albanian countryside nothing could beat the unpredictable weather of Britain. Not wanting to spend too long in the Alley, Harry strode towards the only shop he knew of that sold magical tents. His time in the Weasley's tent had been both comfortable and convenient so he saw no reason why he shouldn't buy one for himself. Once that was done, he made his way towards Gringotts. Gringotts was the first building that he ever saw that he found stunningly beautiful, he hadn't had many chances to engage in cultural consumption with the Dursleys. No matter how lightly you stepped, you would not be able to muffle your footsteps on the white marble tiles. The matching marble pillars that stood either side of the entrance held up a glisteningly intricate golden ceiling with gold-plated mahogany desks lining the welcoming chamber of the bank. Well, as welcoming as Goblins could make it. As Harry made his way closer to one of the shorter queues, he extracted a handful of Galleons so that he could exchange them for Muggle pounds.
Taking in his surroundings with a more critical eye, Harry found that there was a disturbance at the front of the queue to his left. It appeared that the tension between Goblins and Wizards was actually far worse in this time than in Harry's. A man with very Malfoy-like hair was starting to hiss about 'filthy half-breeds' and 'discipline'. Even though Harry wasn't on the Hermione scale of creature rights, he still felt that men with such disgusting views were scum. It probably didn't help that he was most likely a Malfoy, even though he didn't resent Draco as much as he did in school he still found his Father a right twat.
Harry sighed, he hated his hero complex. This time he needed to rein himself in, he couldn't afford to get noticed this early in the game. However, that didn't stop him from sneakily casting a simple colour-changing charm on the blonde's hair. Malfoy's reaction, when he got riled enough that his hair moved out of his loose pony-tail, was priceless. Harry was just sad that he couldn't see his face when he practically wailed. Personally, Harry thought that Malfoy's hair was rather fetching. Such a lovely, fiery ginger.
Sirius would be proud!
It only took a few seconds for Harry's spell to be countered but the damage to Malfoy's reputation had been done. All those that had been drawn to the spectacle of a ginger pureblood, that wasn't called Weasley, were muttering and pointing. He was sure that he also heard a few muffled chuckles as well. Trying to remain inconspicuous, Harry didn't even glance in the ponce's direction. Oh, how he was tempted!
Luckily for him, Malfoy seemed so flustered that he marched straight out of Gringotts. Not before cursing the bank and all it's occupants, however.
In Harry's distraction, he barely noticed that the customers in front of him had been served so he was a little startled when he heard a goblin's unsubtle cough to grab his attention.
"Oh, sorry. I got distracted." Harry made a vague motion towards the counter next to theirs.
A raised eyebrow and a croaky reply of, "Let's get down to business, what is your purpose here?" brought Harry back to his senses as he deposited the necessary number of Galleons onto the desk.
"I wish to know the exchange rate for Galleons to Muggle pounds."
"Currently, a single Galleon is worth 5 Muggle pounds." Was the goblin's reply.
"Then, I require these to be exchanged for Muggle currency if you would," was all Harry could say before he was faced with a stack of Muggle notes and the disappearance of the gold from the table. A slight quirk of the goblin's lips seemed to suggest something that Harry wasn't sure of but he understood when the goblin muttered, "Orange seems to be the new blonde, don't you think?"
Harry could only smile as he said, "I do agree Goldwick (as the Goblin's engraved nameplate suggested), sometimes change is good. Especially in the case of pointless traditions and-outdated-laws. Anyway, thank you for your help." Harry smiled once again and turned on the spot which also meant that he missed the raised eyebrows of the goblin at being addressed by name.
Making his way out of the bank and towards the exit to Diagon Alley, through the Leaky Cauldron, Harry headed out into Muggle London. Harry wanted to stock up on some sturdy Muggle clothes and food so that he would be prepared for travelling in the wilderness, should he have to. It would be best, from now on, to stay away from people that might be able to recognise him. After all he was going to have to recover some significant items from upstanding members of society, he couldn't afford to be caught. It had already been a close call with Malfoy, if the diary had been left with any Malfoys before Lucius then he would need to get it somehow.
~Stupid freaking line breaks~
After Harry had purchased a few pairs of trousers, shirts, jumpers and jackets alongside the appropriate number of shoes and underwear (oh how he loved 50's Muggle fashion...) he was ready to go shopping for food. Mainly sticking to canned goods and long-life products, the Master of Death was pleased with his loot. Once he had exited the final shop, Harry slipped into an empty alleyway so that he could deposit the items he had bought into his trunk which he then shrunk and dropped in a hidden pocket.
To get the locket Harry would need to scope out the cave. He knew he could apparate to it-he had the cave pictured clearly in his mind. All he needed to do was get past the dead lurking under calm waters. Harry did have a plan, he just didn't think Hermione would appreciate it. He wasn't even sure it would work. First things first, Harry needed to set up camp somewhere so he could start the first phase of his plan. Apparating away from the shadowy alleyway, Harry landed by a grassy embankment.
Harry whipped out his wand (A/N Don't even go there!) to cast a few wards to hide his presence and location which then allowed him to set up the tent with ease. Harry dumped his possessions in the living room of the tent so that he would know they were safe should things go pear-shaped. Stepping out of the wards so he could commence the plan, Harry choked out the name of a house-elf that may-or may not-aid him.
"Kreacher!" Harry called.
Hearing the individual 'pop' of house-elf apparation gave him the dual feeling of hope and apprehension. Looking into the eyes of the house-elf that had appeared before him, Harry decided to ask some questions to determine whether or not it was the house-elf he was familiar with. He had no idea the life-span of elves so he would be cautious from this point on. It would be no good sharing vital information with a house-elf that had previous, and stronger, allegiances.
"Do you know who I am?" Harry asked, straight to the point.
"You bes filthy, blood traitor Master Harry Potter!" Kreacher spat, even as he bowed low to the floor.
"Well, that answers that." Harry muttered.
"Kreacher, I need your help with something. Do you remember when Master Regulus brought you to a cave so that you could get the locket?" When Kreacher shuddered and paled significantly, Harry had his answer.
"I need you to come with me to the cave and apparate us out when I have drunk the potion. If you agree to do this, I want you to promise me that you will not let me drink any of the water from the lake. We are in a different time so if you do this for me then Regulus will never have to, he won't end up dying in the cave. If you won't do this for me then do it for Regulus."
At this, Kreacher stiffened and looked up into Harry's eyes. "You bes telling Kreacher the truth?"
Harry nodded seriously and never broke eye contact with the house-elf to show his honesty.
"I will dos as you asks for Master Regulus." Kreacher gave a determined nod in Harry's direction.
"Thank you Kreacher. Now, I have a tent set up so if you would follow me." Harry walked towards where he had left the tent, easily by-passing the wards and letting Kreacher through too. "You will only have to stay with me long enough to get the locket and then make sure I get some water, then you can leave. These will be the only orders I will give, you must not try to contact anyone from this time, other than me, and you must not try to steal the locket or allow me to drink any water from the lake in the cave."
Kreacher grumbled over the first order but other than that was silent. It appeared that Harry was back in business.
~Stupid freaking line breaks~
Having a house-elf on his side was incredibly helpful in getting in and out of the cave (1). He didn't know why Voldemort, or Regulus for that matter, hadn't just apparated around the cave. It seemed like such a simple solution seeing as house-elves had apparated all over warded properties to answer the whims of their masters for generations.
It was 12 o'clock when Harry and Kreacher decided to set out for the cave. He didn't know how long the potions effects would last or how long they would be in the cave but he would prefer it was daylight when they emerged. Kreacher apparated them into the cave and onto the island. When no inferi crawled out of the water, they began. Harry summoned a chalice and scooped up a cupful of potion, he had seen the effects and how fast it worked. That only encouraged Harry to drink it faster, as soon as he had finished the first dosage, he filled the goblet again to chug it down also. By now he could tell it was taking effect.
Already he could see the faces of his loved ones as they died, Sirius falling through the veil, Ron and Hermione as they were hit with the Avada Kedavra, Neville and Luna and the Weasleys are they were incinerated by his magic. The guilt was starting to weigh him down-and he had only swallowed 2 glassfuls. Struggling to get back to reality, Harry felt around for the groove in the rock that held the potion.
"K-Kreacher, I need you to feed me the potion." Harry gasped out as he fell down to the ground.
Kreacher said nothing, this experience obviously brought back horrible memories, but Harry felt the goblet against his lips anyway. Harry soon lost any sense of what was reality and what were his memories. Every bad thing that had ever happened to him-and it was quite a significant list-flashed through his mind.
When he was 3 and his hand got stuck in the door of his cupboard after being forced there by his uncle.
Another goblet.
At Sirius' side whilst dementors swooped down over him to suck out his soul.
Second year when he saw Hermione petrified.
Another goblet
Sixth year when he cast Sercumseptra on Malfoy and watched him almost bleed to death.
The final battle where he killed everyone he loved.
Another goblet.
It was all so much that Harry wasn't sure he could cope. Gasping for breath and feeling his throat constrict, Harry wanted to cry. He felt so thirsty.
"T-thirsty. Kreacher, water!" he choked out.
"Yes Master," Kreacher said. Momentarily, Harry felt relief but then all that flowed down his throat was that vile liquid that just made him feel even more thirsty.
"Last one filthy Master Harry," Kreacher's strange attempts at encouragement couldn't get through to Harry at this point, he was too far gone.
Harry tried to turn his face away when he felt the goblet approaching but Kreacher had a strangely strong grip. Harry could feel tears ran down his face when the next chalice-full of potion was forced down his throat.
The next thing he knew, he was being flung through the air but he didn't care about that at all. It felt like there was a fire inside of him that was expanding and consuming him from the inside out. All Harry knew was that he had to get water. He just needed water. He knew that everything would be okay if he just got water.
Harry was on the brink of insanity when he tasted the most delicious substance flow down his gullet. It was pure and sweet-oh so sweet-water. It chased away the demons that dragged his personal horrors forward, simply washed them away. The Master of Death had not felt such relief since he was 11 and being saved by Fawkes' tears.
As soon as the engulfing flames had died down, Harry fell into unconsciousness.
~Stupid freaking line breaks~
It was dark, there were cobwebs and it was cramped. Harry knew this space well. Years of his life had been spent cowering in that cupboard, he could hear his walrus of a relative thundering around. His tiny little body was stuffed in a corner as he bent himself in uncomfortable ways to make himself even smaller. He wasn't hurt physically, apart from his stunted growth, just mentally. Neglect would be a better word to describe what he had suffered from the Dursleys.
"BOY!" Vernon Dursley bellowed.
It was haunting how life-like the echo of his uncle's voice was, it seemed to resonate around Harry's body. Reminding him that he was weak and worthless, just like his uncle had always told him.
It was too dark, too hopeless here. Some might consider his tiny bedroom a place of safety but it was just a reminder that he was unloved and a waste of space. How could he ever be safe here? Hogwarts was the only place he had ever felt safe and now even that was gone.
Destruction followed Harry everywhere he went, killing everyone he learned to love. Harry's cramped cupboard appeared to shrink even more-the walls closing in on him. It was constricting, his limbs were being crushed, the awkward angle simply made it easier for his bones to stretch and snap. His bones had always been brittle, the lack of care and nutrition meant that they didn't stand a chance against such extreme pressure. Harry whimpered but quickly cut himself off-his uncle had always hated whinging. He would force Harry to his cupboard for complaining about anything-noises were not tolerated from him.
Opening his eyes, he had not even realised that he had closed them, Harry was startled by the slit of light that peeked out from underneath his cupboard door. The longer he gazed at the light, the wider it seemed to get. Fascinated, Harry crawled forwards. The further he crawled, the larger the light source seemed to get-hopeful Harry called into the light.
"Hello? Is anyone there? Sirius? Anybody?"
"M-er -a-r" Harry could hear something, he wasn't sure. "F-y M-er -a-r! Fil-hy Mas-er Har-y!"
"Kreacher?"
"Wake up! Filthy Master Harry!"
Harry jolted awake as a tiny fist beat against his chest.
"I'm awake Kreacher, please stop hitting me." Harry murmured.
"Filthy Master bes thrashing in his sleep, I bes trying to wakes him up." Kreacher retreated, steadily bowing as he did so.
"It's fine Kreacher, thank you for waking me up. I needed it." Briefly, Harry smiled. "Why did you stay? I told you that you didn't have to. You can do whatever you want from now on, as long as you don't return to our time." Harry was genuinely curious.
"Filthy Master is not competent enough to bes taking cares of himself. Kreacher needs to do it fors him. I is already making breakfast when Master bes dreaming." Kreacher shifted, as if embarrassed that he was trying to help Harry.
"Thank you Kreacher. Oh, by the way, where did you put the locket?" Harry stiffened, he didn't remember anything after the first few chalices of potion.
"I is leaving it on your bedside tables. Kreacher not likes the feeling of the lockets, so Kreacher be leavings it to Filthy Master."
Harry's head swung towards his left where a simple wooden bedside table stood. The tell-tale shine of the golden locket drew his attention, the locket truly was beautiful, even though it had a piece of pure evil embedded inside.
All that needed to be done was to destroy the Horcrux, however; Harry wasn't sure that he should just yet. There was a very high chance that Voldemort would be able to sense when Horcruxes were being destroyed so he would prefer it if he could collect them all and destroy them in one fell swoop. That would most likely be a far bigger shock-to have them all gone would be a terrible blow to someone desperate not to die.
"Do you think that breakfast is ready yet Kreacher? I'm rather hungry." Harry sat up, leaning on his elbows to watch Kreacher scurrying about the kitchen.
"Yes, Filthy Master. Come to the tables and Kreacher wills bring it to yous."
Shifting out of his covers, Harry slipped on some shoes and padded over to the modest dining room. Kreacher had already arranged a spread of breakfast foods so Harry dug straight in, well not before checking it with a few spells. He didn't completely trust Kreacher yet.
Contemplating Harry's successes he realised that he had been rather lucky so far with the horcruxes, however; he knew things would be rather different with the others. The level of difficulty drastically increased, the places where the other Horcruxes were hidden would be a lot harder to access. Also considering the fact that he would have to get through powerful people and obstacles, he might have to break into Gringotts. The thought actually made him rather sad, he had felt rather companionable with the Goblin behind the counter. Maybe he would be able to make some sort of agreement-or he could set up some sort of scheme. He really should allow his Slytherin side out to play.
(1) In case anyone asks why this was so easy. When Kreacher was forced to drink the potion for Voldemort he managed to apparate out of the cave. Harry would have been aware of this so decided it would be safer than other methods. Hope this helps ;)
Also, if anyone questions Kreacher's easy access to the universe I shall explain later. Everything shall become clear~!
