Chapter One: Friends of the Past

I got to my feet as the train started to slow to a stop. Frowning, I tried to reassure myself that my plans weren't known. I looked up at my friends (being that I'm shorter than both; one by three inches, the other by a foot it seemed) and went ahead and gathered my things. I started hauling them (my trunk had a weightless charm on it) out just as the train pulled to a complete stop.

My friend's parents were waiting for them while my own relations were waiting on the other side of the barrier that connected the two worlds. I disappeared into the crowd just as the three of us headed into their direction. I didn't feel up to playing the meek and innocent boy they all thought me to be. I'm quite jaded compared to their idea of who I am, but they may be right on with a certain few subjects.

I noticed everyone greeting their families and I started to scowl. Gods, I couldn't be more jealous of them at this moment. I hated being the orphan who may still have relatives, but it was harder for me. My relatives hated me and still I tried to please and be loved. That was my innocence. My naivety.

With them, I saw through rose-tinted glasses.

Too bad that had faded a couple years before.

I hurried my pace, hoping not to be caught unsuspecting. It was when I was a few feet from the barrier that I bumped into someone and fell back. I scowled up at the person who blocked my speedy escape only to be shocked.

"A-Amar?" I whispered in disbelief.

The same old Amar stood in front of me, smiling like the devil himself. I noted the white V-neck shirt under the beaten up leather jacket, stark light blue jeans, and black biker boots. His sunglasses were tinted red and glinted in the stray rays of sunlight. His teeth were under a glamour, I noticed. Probably used to not shock people with his pearly white fangs.

"Though I know of your lack of manners, I do hope you can close that mouth of yours," he stated in Arabic with a solemn voice.

I closed my mouth and glared. I replied in Arabic, "You're blocking the exit, Amar."

"Am I?" he asked in English with a mock voice. "I guess that makes me the uncivilized being here."

"Your guess is as good as mine," I replied with a grin as I got to my feet and shook his offered hand. "Where's Mira?"

"I'm here!" I heard her familiar voice cry as she appeared suddenly next to her brother.

Her outfit consisted of a light violet dress with sequins of gold beads designed at the hem and neckline. She wore a pair of black jeans underneath it along with her usual array of gold jewelry. I was only two inches shorter than her now. When we both noticed this, we both started to laugh and greeted each other with a warm hug. Amar reached out to ruffle my hair, making it even more messy than before.

"Aw, shucks," I groaned as I tried to flatten it. "You just made it worse. I had it almost relaxed a minute ago."

"I highly doubt that," Mira laughed as she hooked her arm with mine as Amar grabbed my trunk and bird cage.

I looked at them with a wiry grin, "What's going on exactly?"

"Nothing is going on," she sang to me sweetly, her lip lifting to reveal a long fang.

"Mira, not here," Amar hissed. "There're wizards about."

"Like it does any good to hide what we are," she muttered. "It's not a sin. It's a privilege."

"Yes, yes, children would kill their parents for much less," he remarked, interrupting her effectively. "But you would do well to stay silent."

"Who are you to order me about?" she hissed, reeling back to look at her brother.

"Not good," I murmured as I unhooked my arm from Mira's and took several steps back.

"I'm your older brother, Mira," Amar stated through gritted teeth. "That alone should give me the authority to order you about."

"Oh, you're going to use the older brother trump card, are you?" she hissed, teeth clenched.

"Not good at all," I muttered as I took another step back. Then I suddenly stepped forward hurriedly, snatching Mira's wrist with surprise. "What is that?"

A cross-shaped burn marred her small wrist. I looked at her with sudden worry. I couldn't even reel in my expression of complete fear and concern for her.

"Oh, drat," she muttered as she gently pried my hand from her wrist. "I didn't mean for you to see that."

"She's quite fine, little one," Amar stated with a soft smile. "It happened a couple of years ago. No need for you to worry."

"It was well deserved, to tell the truth," she laughed softly as she touched my cheek gently. "It was kind of a me or you situation."

"You and I," Amar corrected with a growl. "Speak properly, little sister."

"Bigoted giant," she muttered in affection. "Always referring to us as little."

"Can you blame me for pointing out the obvious?" Amar asked with a warm smile.

"You two are acting like you weren't even arguing seconds ago," I sneered jokingly.

"We'll argue later," Amar promised as Mira's eyes glinted wickedly.

"Harry, who are your friends?" I heard everyone's favorite over coddling matriarch ask.

"Damn, they found me," I muttered under my breath before turning around with a sudden beaming smile. I could hear Mira snickering behind me. "What?"

"Who are your friends?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she eyed the two behind me with something akin to suspicion.

"I'm sorry," Mira apologized suddenly as she stepped forward and wrapped an arm about my shoulders, pulling me to her side. "My name is Mira Singh. The man holding the trunk and bird cage is my brother Amar Singh."

"Wait," Hermione gasped. "Mira Singh... as in Mira Singh of Singh Catering?" She turned to Amar. "Amar Singh, the cynical free-lance journalist?"

"Yes," Amar and Mira agreed with an indifferent tone like it was no big deal that they were both very popular in their own right.

"Oh, Merlin!" Hermione gasped, her eyes widening excitedly as she turned to me. "Why didn't you tell us you knew them?"

"Ms. Singh, it's nice to see you again," Mr. Granger stated with a smile.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you," she laughed. "Hello, Mr. Granger. It's been a long time since we've seen each other. Suren, my childe, do you remember when we catered at the Granger's Christmas party when you were eight?"

I vaguely recalled something, but then my eyes widened. "Oh, shoot! I forgot about that."

"You mean to say you're that boy?" Hermione squeaked with horror.

I suddenly grinned. "Oh, how could I have forgotten that?"

"Oh, shush!" Hermione growled while blushing a bright red. Then she frowned. "How could I have forgotten about that?"

"Well you did lecture me until I made that decidedly horrid remark that embarrassed the both of us thoroughly," I replied with a smile and a roll of my eyes.

"One question: Why aren't you in Slytherin?" Hermione asked with a slight smirk.

I smirked, "One answer: I asked the hat not to put me in there."

"Wait, the hat wanted to put you in Slytherin?" Ron asked with surprise.

I noticed Ginny handing money over to the twins with a frown. "George and Fred seemed to think so."

"Like it--"

"--Wasn't obvious."

"That reminds me," I muttered before flashing the group of redheads a smile. "Mira, Amar, this is the Weasley clan. The two look-alikes at Fred and George. Identify them at your own risk. The women of the group is Ginny and her mother Mrs. Weasley--"

"Call me Molly, dear," the elder redheaded woman stated.

"--The younger guy by me is Ron and the one trying to frown discouragingly at us all is Percy."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Mira stated cheerfully, eyes dancing with mirth. She glanced at the watch hidden amongst the golden bangles for a moment before flashing the group about us with a charming albeit sheepish grin. "As much as I'd love to continue this discussion, we really need to be going. I've got to supervise tonight at one of the parties my company is catering to." She looked over at Amar and I with a soft smile. "And I do believe Star Wars is on the menu tonight along with pizza and pop."

"Star Wars?" Hermione giggled.

"Like you haven't quoted it various times during our years together," I muttered sheepishly, shooting her a wolfish grin. "I've heard one liners in the library from you."

"I honestly have no idea what you are talking about," she stated with a grin. She turned to Mira. "Are you offering any mentoring this summer?"

Mira gained a thoughtful expression before slowly nodding, "I think we can work something out." She flashed another winning smile. "Suren will most likely join you."

"Go figure," I muttered with a grin.

"Well we really ought to head out," Mira stated as she glanced at her watch again with a pointed gesture. "Maybe we can chat later?"

"Yes, that would be lovely," Mrs. Weasley agreed with an affectionate glance at the darker woman. She seemed to take a great liking toward my pseudo-guardian. "Good day to you all."

"Likewise," Mira stated before tugging me toward the barrier after I waved at my friends with a quirky grin.

I noticed the Malfoy Duo watching us closely. No doubt trying to discern the situation. Couldn't really be blamed. I never had anyone greet me on this side of the barrier who wasn't a friend's family member. I waved unreservedly at them, receiving a sneer from both guys. I laughed as I followed Amar through the barrier.

"How was America?" I asked after we made it out to the vehicle.

"It went extremely well except for a few minor incidents," Amar replied with a slight grin as he put my trunk and bird cage in the back.

Now that we weren't being watched, Mira pulled me into a hug which I returned gratefully. "I've missed you so much." She put me at arm's length and looked me over. "How have things been since we left? I hope you're getting your work done. I won't tolerate a slacking Suren. Have you read the novels I sent you via mail?"

"I devoured the novels," I laughed. "I couldn't put them down." She ruffled my hair in affection. "And that book on psychology was absolutely fascinating. Do you have anymore on the subject?" She nodded. "And I'm sorry about the slacking, but it'll pick up with you, no doubt, badgering me. I have an idea that I need to discuss with you guys though, if that's all right?"

"Whatever it is should be worthwhile like always," Amar stated. "Have you continued writing that paper you started about the differences between the muggle world and the wizarding world?"

"I still haven't finished," I replied with a frown. "There's so many differences. It's been horrible just trying to see which ones are more important than others." I shrugged. "I don't know if I should mention all the differences or specific ones." I shot him a wiry grin. "With the progress I've been making on it, it'll sooner be a novel rather than a simply article."

"I'll help you out," Amar replied with a smile that showed no hint of fangs. Not that he took the glamour off anywise.

"By the way, Suren, you do remember how to make those fruit tarts?" Mira asked with hesitation.

"Yeah," I replied with a confident grin. "Do you need help with the catering, too?"

"We'll see about the catering," she replied as she tried not to look amused. "You'd probably distract the people again."

"We're working for Sherwood again?" I asked with a grin as she frowned darkly.

"Don't even think about it," she growled. "I swear had I not been watching you, they would have stolen you away." She growled again. "I've never seen so many old bats flocking about a child before and I don't intend to repeat it."

I remembered I couldn't help her with the work due to the old ladies paying attention to me. I couldn't have been more embarrassed at the fact that they kept me by their side so I didn't have to work. They didn't find it proper for such a small child to work. Drove Mira up the wall, it had.

"We should get going," Amar stated with a frown.

"Yes, I suppose we should," I stated as I followed their lead and got into the vehicle.

Once we got settled into the vehicle and were heading toward Surrey, Mira whipped around to look at me, "So spill. What was it you were thinking about?"

"I don't think I want to continue going to Hogwarts," I stated bluntly. "I want to complete my studies at home. Here in the muggle world, that is."

"That's an interesting proposal," Amar sighed as he drove. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes," I replied evenly. "I know I'll miss my friends, but I feel it would be better to do home study. Maybe in a couple of years I'll go back, but not now. I'm just going to follow my gut instinct." I looked at Mira with a frown. "Do you think I should do so?"

"I've always believed in following instinct," she stated softly. "If this is your desire, then we'll help make it possible."

"I don't think it'll be as easy as I plan for it to be," I stated softly. "I think they'll demand that I come back to the school." I growled, my fists tightened. "My relatives are too cowardly to say no to them."

"Which brings about the topic we were going to ask you later," Amar replied evenly, a smile in his voice. "We were going to ask about adopting you." He chuckled. "We all know your relatives aren't the best people to care for you." That was an understatement.

"And you practically lived at our house when you were younger," Mira followed with a warm smile. "If we don't get custody, then I'm planning on doing something rather risky."

"And what are you two planning?" I asked suspiciously.

"Don't include me in this," Amar chuckled. "I'm new to Plan B also."

"It's just a simple aging potion," she stated simply as if it was no big deal.

"Aging potion?" I asked with curiosity.

That didn't sound too bad.

"They can't order you around if you're of age," she answered defensively.

"What does this potion entail?" I asked.

"Depending on the dose, it'll age you faster," she explained with a smile. "Your normal mental and physical state will be sped up and you'll skip over your teenage years. However the hormones might be shocking at first." She looked over at Amar. "Maybe I should explain the birds and the bees to him?"

"No need, I'm sure he already knows all that nonsense," Amar chuckled. "He does go to a boarding school. There's no doubt in my mind that he knows more than he ought to."

"Considering that Seamus is a sex feign in the making, I'll have to agree with that," I stated lightly before laughing. "If it's not liquor, then it's sex with him."

"I feel we should worry now," Amar stated in a conspiring whisper to Mira. "The other boy could've rubbed off on him."

We arrived at the house and put my things upstairs in the guest bedroom where I normally slept when I stayed over. I walked over to the desk and picked up the drawing that I had done years ago. It was art child-wise and it was nice to see that it had survived over the three years it sat there on the desk.

I smiled. Things were going to be good from now on.

Preview of Next Chapter:

"I was thinking," Amar began suddenly.

"Never a good thing," I muttered before grinning and listening to the older vampire.

"Perhaps we should do home-schooling for your muggle school?" he stated evenly. "I think you'd be able to take the standardized test to graduate early if you spent it studying here. You do tend to get bored easily because the material is too simple. You always did say they went too slow for you."

"Yes," I replied. "I suppose I did say that." I nodded thoughtfully. "I do like the sound of that."

"And then you'd be able to get a job," Mira stated after a moment of thoughtful silence. "It'd keep you out of trouble."

"It's not like I intend to get into trouble," I muttered feeling very defensive.

Note:

Okay, I love to see that I am already getting hits on this story. And thanks for the comment! You're the first! Love is beaming in your general direction! Okay, well I really have nothing to say, but the story is going somewhere as you can see.

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