Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling.
A/N- Hello everyone! This Chapter is a rewrite, and while a good deal of it remains the same, it was pointed out that I seemed to be forcing the characters to what I wanted as an end result. So I've gone back and changed some things, while building this into something that looks like an actual story rather than a bunch of oneshots that have been forced together. That said, the next Ch. won't even be recognizable as to what it was before, with one exception, of course. I'd also like to extend a public thanks to Warslasher for the wake up call.
'Thought' - "Spoken" - "Parseltongue" - Written Text
Chapter 2: Dursley's Dominated
oooooooooo: Summer 1991 - Litte Whinging, Surrey
Ten year old Harry Potter, or boy as his family called him, was behind his relatives house weeding the flowerbed and considering his future. Normally this would be odd, a child already contemplating his life. For Harry though the knowledge that he, and his excessively large cousin, Dudley Dursley, had finished Primary School was a source of joy for young Harry. Just this morning his relatives, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, had received an acceptance letter from Uncle Vernon's Alma Mater, Smeltings School, for Dudley. And for Harry that information was golden, because he would be attending the local Stonewall High. For the first time in his young life Harry wouldn't have to intentionally keep his grades lower than Dudley's, and with the pig gone he would have the chance to make friends without the fear of Dudley finding out and chasing them away. It was here that Harry's thoughts faltered. Friends, it was such a foreign concept to his young mind that he began to worry, 'What if no one liked him. What if everyone else thought he was a freak just like his family?' pushing these thoughts away he started to focus on finishing his chores, 'Maybe if I finish early I can sneak into the kitchen and get a snack.' Just as he started to pull a particularly difficult weed from around Aunt Petunia's treasured rose bushes there was a blinding flash of light, and Harry Potter fell forward onto the rose bushes, his last thought before losing consciousness was, 'Oh, no' which was oddly answered by another voice saying, 'Oh, yes.'
For the next hour there were some decidedly odd events going on within the mind of Harry Potter. These mental proceedings were the only evidence that his soul had merged with....his soul? The only reason that he was aware of, and could understand, what was going on was from the rush of knowledge that had flooded his mind after the light. Knowledge that was terrifying in content as he watched horrible things happen to strangers that he loved. Strangers that he knew better than his own family, but he could also remember himself doing things to people that didn't seem possible. As these memories began to play through his mind however, he felt the sensation of his own mind expanding. His ability to process information speed up. Finally, he could see the gradual shift in personality that wasn't wholly him, or the other him. Harry Potter, Second Wizarding War veteran had successfully merged soul and mind with Harry Potter, the unknowing Boy-Who-Lived. Two had become one, and Harry Potter the Chosen One emerged.
When the Dursley's arrived home, the merger had been completed for just under half an hour. Harry, was still unconcious on the rose bushes though, so when Petunia had gone to check on his progress and discovered him sleeping, and on her precious flowers no less, she flew into a screeching fit that would have made a banshee flee in terror. It was this that finally roused Harry from the realm of Morpheus. Just as he was getting his bearings he found himself being hauled to his feet by his Aunt, and pulled into the house, Harry knew he was being led to the cupboard under the stairs and went without complaint as that would give him the precious days needed to recover his strength and formulate a plan to bend his 'family' to his will.
oooooooooo
'I did it! It bloody well worked!' Harry crowed in his mind while he lay on the small bed in his copboard. 'I half expected to end up in Purgatory at best, but it worked!' Of course he would never allow Ginny to know that he had doubted the results of the ritual that they had poured so much time, and effort to develop. Not unless he wanted to lose his reason to call himself a man, that is.
'Yes, it would be best if she never knew.' He thought with a grimace. 'Now, what should I do about my dear family?' And with that question in mind, Harry began to think of idea's that would grant him the kind of treatment he desired from the Dursley's before stopping himself. Why should he try and change how the Dursley's treated him when he could just come up with a plan that would allow him to be rid of them for good? That was the reason for coming back after all, to change events in a way that he could make a differance right? So with his mind focused on a new objective he began making a plan that would put him in charge of his destiny, and allow him to alter the course of events as he saw fit.
oooooooooo
Harry was locked up in the cupboard for the next two weeks, and was only let out the morning of Dudley's birthday. This was only due to the fact that the bacon needed to be tended while, Aunt Petunia continued to insure that Dudley remained as pampered as possible.
'They've effectively destroyed that kid's character.' was Harry's thought as he watched Dudley throw a temper tantrum about the fact that he only had thirty-seven presents. Of course the elder Dursley's immediately stopped this with the promise of two more presents. 'Oh, I can't wait for today. These bastards are going to rue ever crossing me.' at the notion of his plan Harry smirked darkly.
Just at that moment the telephone could be heard ringing in the sitting room, and Aunt quickly made her way to answer it.
'And so it begins.' Harry quickly masked his face into an image of subservience, afraid the Dursley's would pick up on his thoughts by reading his face, thick as they were he wasn't willing to leave anything to chance.
Just as Harry was placing the bacon on the table Aunt Petunia came back into the kitchen looking upset.
"That was Mrs. Figg, apparently she broke her leg so she can't take him." she spat while jerking her head in Harry's direction.
As Uncle Vernon, went on to suggest one of Petunia's friends, who was apparently on vacation, and then his sister who Petunia refuted knowing that her hatred of Harry would keep her from doing so. Harry was suddenly curious what was going on in their minds, and so he reached out with Legilimency to discover to his horror that they were contemplating leaving him at the house, locked in the cupboard naturally.
Knowing that they would never go along with one of his suggestions, even one they had just been thinking it themselves, he was quick to say, "You could leave me here."
Uncle Vernon immediately balked at the idea and screamed, "I will not leave you here to find the house....blown up when we return."
It was Aunt Petunia, who had no other idea's that finally said it. "Well I suppose we could take him with us, and leave him in the car."
Dudley upon hearing this immediately broke out into loud, fake sobs while his body shook from his supressed laughter, while at the same time Vernon declaimed in a loud tone of voice, "That's a brand new car Petunia, I'm not leaving it in there."
'It?' was Harry's indignant thought as he watched his cousin direct a nasty smile at him from beneath his mother's arms, while she made promises that would never be kept if Harry had anything to with it.
All of a sudden they all stopped at the sound of the doorbell.
"Dear God, they're here." shreiked Petunia as she sped from the room to answer the door.
oooooooooo: London Zoo, Reptile House
So far Harry's plans had gone off without a hitch. The next part was going to be the most difficult however. After learning Occlumency in the Past, he had rock solid control over his emotions, and there-in lied his problem. Accidental magic only happened when one lost control of their emotions. He knew that wandless magic was possible, he had seen Dumbledore use it on occasion in the Past. But those were only minor charms that, granted would be helpful now, were unrealistic to his needs of fighting a war. By the time he had gone into hiding, the idea of wandless magic had already been pushed to the recesses of his mind, so he had never even considered learning it. That only left him with one alternative, figure out how to force some accidental magic.
'Well I deal with that after I've made my choice,' Harry thought with a mental sigh. 'Now to find the perfect snake.'
Leaving the Dursley's and Piers at the glass of a large Boa Constrictor, he headed straight to the section housing the venomous snakes. It only took about three minutes, and an impatient question to the Keeper of the Reptile House, and he located it. Wanting to make sure it was the one the Keeper had directed him to he read the plaque next to the terrarium.
Inland Taipan, a.k.a. the Fierce Snake
Drop for drop the most venomous snake in the world. It's Neuro-toxin is 50 times stronger than that of most Rattlesnakes, and 150 - 200 times more potent than that of the Common Cobra.
While normally docile it will attack if cornered.
'Just like me.' Harry thought before continuing to read.
Capable of killing an adult human in 45 minutes if no anti-venin is administered.
'Much slower than me though.' this thought actually got a dark chuckle in response.
Can grow up to 6 feet (2 meters) in length.
'Damn it, even it could potentially be taller than me.' thinking back to his 5 foot 9 inch adult body he used to have.
Looking towards the tank Harry recieved a jolt of surprise to see a four foot brown serpent rearing on the other side of the glass. It's small black eyes glittering as they locked onto his, for a moment Harry had the intense urge to give up on his plan, and get the hell away from the snake. Then he glanced towards the Dursley's and thought of all the times they had starved, abused or locked him away in the cupboard. Having reinforced his will to break them to his desire's he looked back to the snake.
"Hello, my little beauty." Harry was intensely aware of the great throng of humanity around him, so he tried to keep his voice as low as possible.
The snake dipped a six inch portion of it's body in a strange reflection of a courtly bow. The grace of the movement however made Harry wonder if it wasn't humans that had stolen the gesture from serpents.
"What is your name, what are you called by?" Harry asked, not knowing if the snake would understand the concept of names.
"I have no name, I am called by nothing." Came the serpent's hissing reply.
Pleasantries exchanged, or near enough, Harry decided that the time had come to get to the point of the conversation. "I would have you serve me. I will release you from that prison, but only in exchange for your services."
"So you would have me leave this prison, only to be imprisoned by you? I think not."
"Not imprisoned, you would have your liberties. You would be required to obey me however, and perform any tasks that I needed you to." Harry spoke in a reassuring voice.
"What kinds of tasks?"
"That will come later, now make your descision. Stay here or have freedoms, my time is short and my patience even shorter."
The icy quality of Harry's voice caused the snake to dip it's head towards the ground before replying, "I submit to your will...,Master."
"Good, when I remove the glass you need to enter the sleeve of my shirt, and coil yourself around my arm. You will have to move quickly. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master."
"Excellent, move as soon as the glass is gone."
And with his orders given, and the bargain struck Harry focused on the hardest part. Getting rid of the glass enclosure. This time he would have to force himself to lose control, most powerful spells required emotion as the driving force behind them, whether it be hate, love or whatever. Bringing these emotions to the surface of his mind would pose no difficulty, after years of casting the most powerful Light and Dark spells known to the magical world. All while watching the movements of his enemies, and dodging incoming spells. No that wouldn't be a problem, but losing himself to them might be though. So letting his Occlumency defences fall for the first time in over thirteen years, well technically, and focusing on the glass in front of him. Harry brought forth every bad memory he possessed, summoning every feeling he had ever had of pain, hate, anger and despair. But after twenty seconds, with no results he quit focusing on the glass and turned his full attention within himself, he kept drawing on these emotions, falling ever deeper into their control until it seemed as though he would drown in the vast tempest raging within him.
The effect was instantaneous, every window in the reptile house exploded with the force of a tsunami making landfall, and the building was plunged into darkness as the lights shattered. People were screaming as they were hit by slicing shards of glass. But the real chaos erupted when the dinizens of the tanks that had previously been safely secured behind the glass, were felt moving around the feet of the terrified visitors, climbing up the legs of petrified Muggles or striking out at those that got to close. Harry felt his newly aquired servant wrap itself around his arm, it's body of corded muscle gripping his arm as tightly as an steel band.
"There's that done. Now comes the fun part." Harry said softly as he began to calmly make his way towards the exit of the veiwing gallery, whispering instructions to his new familiar the entire way.
Once Harry got outside the building he was grabbed by frantic zoo worker's, who began bombarding him with questions about his health. Harry delivered the required answers in a frightened tone, saying that he was fine and that he just wanted to find out if his family was unhurt or not. And the foolish zoo keeper told him in a bracing voice that he was sure they were.
'Yeah, that's what I was afraid of.' he thought, but looking to the zoo keeper he said "Are you sure?"
The zoo keeper gave him a strange look before nodding his head, and wandering off to see if anyone else needed assistance.
'Damn, guess I couldn't keep the disappointment out of my voice.' thought as Harry went to search for his family.
It didn't take long as the voice in which Aunt Petunia was carrying on in, could have raised the dead. Uncle Vernon was spouting some nonsense about how proud he was at the bravery the two boys displayed. It was after about five more minutes of Petunia checking both boys for any damage, and Vernon continuing to mutter about bravery, and "holding the line", that Piers noticed Harry.
"Mr. Dursley there's Harry!"
It took a second for Vernon Dursley to fully understand what Piers meant, but once it did he spun on the spot to fix Harry with a beady-eyed stare that just screamed 'I KNOW IT WAS YOU!', which Harry found amusing as even if it wasn't he would have been blamed. Harry however now had his trump card, the most venomous snake known to Muggles. That along with the knowledge that Vernon wouldn't make a move against him in public had Harry raising his eyebrow and smirking in an insolent manner while crossing his arms, seeing this Vernon took a step in his direction before stoping at the thought that he would wait until they were safely secured behind the doors of Number Four, Privet Drive before dealing with the brat.
oooooooooo
During the ride back to Surrey, Harry was thinking about the events of the day so far. Or more specifically on the results of his 'little' experiment. He had meant to only get rid of the glass in front of him, not blow up every bit in the building. He had tried to focus on just the glass, but it seemed even that small amount of outward concentration had kept his magic firmly tethered to him. When he had gotten rid of that focus his magic had responded sure, but it was uncontrolled, and far more powerful than any other magic he had ever seen without the aid of a wand. Did that mean wandless magic could indeed be more powerful than he had known, or was it just his magic responding to the deluge of memories that showed him to be almost always surrounded by Death Eaters or their subordinate's? There were no answers only questions, but at Hogwarts there would be answers. He would have one of the largest libraries of magical knowledge at his disposal when he arrived. He would find out the secrets of wandless magic, and then push them to their limits.
Pulling into the drive way of Number Four, Uncle Vernon ordered everyone to the living room and the small family of three rushed into the house. Harry however had no such rush, no he wanted to enrage the others, that way when he put them in their place it would be much more satisfying.
Entering the house Harry found himself being grabbed by the arm and slung into the sitting room where Petunia sat on the couch coddling Dudley. Harry however had spent most of his life fighting in a war that made dodging, a key means of survival. So for a moment there was a stunned silence as Harry twisted his body into a landing roll that brought him to his feet.
"Keep your hands off of me, you fat ass bastard."
Petunia gasped.
Dudley stared in wide-eyed amazement.
And Vernon, exactly as anticipated, bellowed like a wounded rhinocerous and charged forward, raising a meaty fist in preparation of striking Harry for his disrespect.
"NOW"
At the command two and a half feet of brown scales and hissing snake erupted from the sleeve of Harry's outstretched arm, looking for all the world as though he were holding a sword.
Petunia let out a shrill scream.
Dudley mirrored his mother, even managing to get the same pitch. Harry noted this with amusement.
And Vernon, seeing the two inch long fangs, dripping with venom, tried to backpedal so fast that his legs were swept out from under his body and he collapsed to the ground with an earth-shaking thud, and was instantly crawling backwards with Harry following him every step of the way. Harry relished the fear that appeared on the face of his Uncle as the wall stopped any hope he was entertaining of escape.
"Get up." Vernon's face blanched at the tone of his nephews voice, but his body seemed unable to comply with Harry's demand as the fear coursing through his veins seemed to have paralyzed him. "I said get up, NOW!"
With great effort Vernon slowly rose, his mind screaming in protest and warning him not to do anything that might provoke the snake that was gazing at him with fangs still bared.
"Good, now go join your family on the couch." It was an order that he hastened to obey.
"Now I'm going to talk and you WILL listen." Harry said while raising the snake higher to emphasize just why they should do as he commanded.
"I think the first thing I'll start with is to let you know that I know everything." seeing the looks of shock on his Aunt, and Uncle's face caused him to give a humorless laugh, and launched into his prepared story. "You see, about three years ago I was still wanting your love and acceptance so bad, that I was desperate to know how I could get it." He had to pause here as a wave of nausea swept through his body at the remembrance of once wanting that very thing.
"I was being yelled at by you, Aunt Petunia, for something I had no control over. Something that I hadn't even done, but I've always been blamed when Dudley does something haven't I!" Harry paused and took a steadying breath. "But as I was saying, I was desperate to find the reason you could never seem to love me."
"Imagine my surprise when I found myself witnessing things I had never seen or done. When I saw a childhood version of my mother looking at me, and calling me Tuney." Petunia's face went ashen at this. "I didn't realize at first, but I eventually came to understand that I had been in YOUR mind, seeing YOUR memories. Once I figured that out I knew I had to learn how to control this power if I ever wanted to learn anything about my Mum, after all I've never been allowed the basic human right of asking questions have I?"
"I started practicing on the other kids at school, it took a long time but this year I finally got so good that I could find anything I wanted with no difficulty at all. Yes, I can invade the minds of others, but you were the surprise. After all the times that I wondered why you could never seem to love me, I discovered the reason why you hated me. Me and my parents can use magic, and you can't. You made me suffer, because you were JEALOUS! Until that moment I had never realized just how petty you were!"
Seeing the two adults starting to become angry, and indignant under his verbal barrage he knew it was time to reinforce who was in control.
"Which one would you like to eat?"
The reply was swift in coming. "None, they're all disgusting creatures."
"True, but I'm going to have to put you on one of them, stay near his neck and face."
"Yes, Master."
As soon as Harry started to speak to the serpent the foolish thoughts of defiance fled from them, and they all tried to sink into the couch as Harry approached them.
"I haven't introduced my friend yet have I? Well, I haven't named her yet but she's an Inland Taipan, the most deadly snake in the world. Her venom is 200 times more deadly than a cobra's. She only listens to me, and I just ordered her to attack if any of you even attempt to put your hands on her, understand?" at their hurried nods he said, "Good" and in a swift movement he wrapped her around Dudley's neck. The three Dursley's all gave terrified yells, but made no movement to reach for the snake.
"If you do decide to make a grab for her she'll attack the main artery in Dudley's neck. Her bite will kill an adult in 45 minutes if the bite isn't in a vital area. As it is he's not an adult, and his jugular would spread the venom throughout his body in a matter of minutes. But please don't take my word for it." the forlorn looks on their faces caused Harry to give a short burst of cold laughter that struck out at them like a whip.
"He's just as guilty as the two of you. Always beating me up because you allowed it, and knowing that if I tried to fight back all he would need to do is tell you and I would be punished." Harry's face was begining to take on a demented appearance as his eyes started to glow with the raging fire burning inside him.
"Or even worse, beating up the other kids who tried to be nice to me, that way he could make sure I had no friends. You know, maybe I should just order the attack now and be done with it, taking away your precious Diddykins would be the perfect way to get my revenge on all three of you in one swift moment!" Knowing even as he said it that they would never call his bluff.
By this point even Vernon was crying in fear, knowing that his son was an instant from death, and that the only thing keeping him alive was the boy who's life they had turned into a living hell.
Petunia however was looking at Harry with tears streaming down her face.
"Please....please don't do this!"
Harry's eyes bored into her's and he said in a voice that would chill the dead.
"And why shouldn't I, what kindness have you ever given me that would cause me to grant you one?"
Hearing these words, and knowing their truth, Petunia began to sob with renewed force.
Seeing that his moment was nearly upon him Harry looked to his family with a look of reluctance. "Don't worry though, there's still a way for you to come out of this situation unscathed."
The Dursley's heads snapped up at the mention of salvation, and Harry knew that his liberation had already been acheived in all but deed.
"Yes, I thought that might get your attention. Like I said, when I went through your memories, I discovered alot of interesting information. I know I'll be receiving my Hogwart's letter sometime around my birthday, when that happens you're going to take me to get my school supplies, and then you'll take me to the train station from your memories when I need to." after seeing their hasty nods of agreement he continued.
"Now in the letter from that Dumbledore fellow, he said if you took me in willingly, then blood wards would be activated right?"
Petunia, who was staring at him in shock at the fact that he really did know all this just nodded her head.
"Good, because I have a hunch that on the day you drop me off at the train station, if we agree that this is no longer my home and we both know and accept that I won't be coming back, then the blood wards will break and I'll never have to return here again." He smiled when he saw the looks of understanding etched into the lines of their faces.
"Do you think you can ALL agree to this plan?" Harry asked, though everyone knew it was actually an order.
The Dursley's however couldn't speak so they just settled for nodding which Harry accepted just the same.
"Great, I'm glad to hear it." came his scathing response, at the return of hatred to his previously reasonable voice, the little color that the Dursley's had regained over the past few minutes, once again fled into the night.
"There's just one more thing." and at this he gave a smirk that many Death Eaters had learned to dread whenever he came back into the room to continue an interrogation. It was a look that promised pain, and suffering.
"As you now know, I can enter someone's mind with no problem at all. But observing your memories isn't all I can do. You see I can turn the worst moments of your lives against you, I can implant nightmares so deep in your subconcious that for the rest of your lives, whenever you close your eyes, you'll dream of the most horrific events known to man. Your waking moments would be filled with dread of the sleep that must come, and you'd be slowly driven to insanity by that fear, and by the nightmares."
As he watched this news settle over the Dursley's he finished by saying.
"That will be your fate if you try to break our agreement, or if you even once treat me as you have before."
Harry reached over and took the serpent from around Dudley's neck, and started to leave the room when Petunia's voice called out from behind him. Turning around and meeting her gaze he waited for her to speak.
"Please take Dudley's second bedroom for the rest of your time here." Harry bit back the response that came to his mind when she said that and just settled for nodding his head. Just as he was about to leave the room he thought of one more thing to say. Not for their sake, but for Dumbledore's when he came to investigate the falling of the wards. An investigation that was guaranteed to include Legilimency, it wouldn't do to have him think that Harry was another Voldemort. He already knew that this little show tonight was going to bring an uncomfortable type of scrunity down on him. He knew that in the past he had always been watched closely, but Dumbledore had never had reason to doubt him before.
"I didn't enjoy this, but had I not discovered this mind magic and found out the truth I would have been painfully ignorant and completely unprepared for my future. That letter said Lord Voldemort was gone, not dead." sighing and shaking his head he looked back at them. "I will kill him, I'll stop him from hurting others like he did my family. You've helped by forcing me to learn this magic, however unintentional it was, so I can forgive you for keeping me in the dark. I can even forgive you for the way you raised me as I think I'm a much stronger person for it. But, you defiled the memory of my family, your own blood, and for that I hope you burn in hell." with that he left the room, while his relatives sat in stark terror at the thought of his return. They would later be told by a Muggle psychiatrist that they were suffering from a severe case of Post Traumatic Sress Disorder.
Harry was now in the smallest bedroom of Number Four, lying on his bed and thinking about how the days events. For the most part his plan had gone exactly as he intended, though he did admit to getting a little carried away towards the end. Not that he would be apologizing for it anytime soon, he'd join Voldemort before that happened. Now all he had to do was wait for his letter that he remembered having arrived sometime before his birthday, once that happened he would go and get his school supplies, his wand and Hedwig. Then he would return home and study all of his books, that was also something that he was looking forward to surprisingly, although if you thought about it, the last nine years of his past were spent in hiding, reading theory's and studying the most arcane branches of knowledge that wizards had ever seen.
But this would be simple basics, which while he knew them, he hoped that he would find even greater insights into them this time around. He had no intentions of being 'honest' with his work, granted he might not deserve the credit he would receive. His other life had proved that, but this time he would play the child prodigy so he could learn things that truly interested him. He knew after today that wandless magic was going to be a top priority, and as appealing as a return to the Quidditch pitch was to him, he wasn't in any hurry to join a house team. After all, that would only give his enemies a more visible target. No, he would rather do his flying at his own leisure. And if he decided later that he wanted to play, then he could always tryout. After all, the only person who had skills as good as him at Hogwarts was Ginny, and even she had nothing on his capabilities.
Ginny, his NINE year old wife. True they might not be married here but that was only a technicality. At least that was one thing he knew was a certainty in this life, this time there would be know akward stage, no that had been taken care of long ago. That led his mind to thoughts of the Past Ginny, it was odd wanting someone, and not having your body respond when you could clearly remember it doing so before. Merlin, he must be the only boy his age looking forward to puberty, well maybe not all of it but the rewards at the end were definitely something to look forward too.
"Master, I hunger." said a hissing voice in his ear, that broke him out of his thoughts quite nicely.
Rolling his head to the side Harry once again found himself staring into the eyes of the Muggle-world's most deadly snake. He wasn't able to maintain eye contact this time though as he laughingly rubbed the end of his nose that had been tickled by her tongue.
"Will you be able to find your way back if I let you out to hunt?"
"Yes, our memories are great in length Master."
"Very well, I have no problem with that, and I have decided on a name for you by the way, how does Manasa sound?"
"Manasa, it is acceptable Master."
"Good, I'll take you outside there's some dangers you need to know of that I'll show you, one is called a road and the other is a car." As Harry picked Manasa up and walked to the door while describing the danger they posed.
oooooooooo: Diagon Alley
Harry had waited until impatiently for weeks for his Hogwarts letter to arrive, and finally on July 24 it had, but Harry also knew that Hagrid wouldn't be picking him up this time which brought up the problem of his key. No key, no money. No money, no supplies for Hogwarts. So asking the owl two wait he attached a letter to his acceptance letter inquiring about funding, as his relatives were unwilling to pay for his tuition. Two days later his key arrived by owl, and he immediately found his Aunt and made plans to go to Diagon Alley on the first of August. While he would have rather gone sooner he knew that his relatives had already made plans, in order to get away from him for awhile, so he suggested the first which Petunia gratefully latched onto. So for the first time in this life Harry Potter was going to make his entrance into the Wizarding World of Great Britain.
Stepping out of the car in front of The Leaky Cauldron, Harry turned back to his Uncle and said, "Thank you for the ride, but you don't need to stay. I'll find my own way back."
Vernon accepted this with a grateful nod and hurriedly got back in the car, and driving away so fast he was almost hit by another vehicle. Laughing at his Uncle's antics he turned around walked to the door and entered the pub. Quickly making his way through the room, while staring at the floor to keep anyone from catching sight of the scar on his forehead, he exited the back and waited next to some old rubbish bins for someone to show up with a wand to open the archway. After an almost ten minute wait his patience was rewarded as an exqusitely dressed old witch exited the bar and made her way over.
Stopping before the wall she looked over at him and sneered at his appearance.
'Great, a Pureblood that thinks I'm some poor Muggleborn' Harry thought with an inaudible sigh.
"What are you doing here boy, and just what are you wearing?" came the disdainful query.
'Well time to get on with it.' Casually running a hand through his hair giving the witch a breif veiw of his scar, and smiling inwardly as he caught the slight widening of her eyes he said.
"I was waiting for someone to come by and open the archway ma'am. I'm starting Hogwarts this year, so I have to purchase my school supplies." Harry responded in a neutral tone. "As for these rags." he sneered with a sweeping gesture at the clothes he was wearing. "My horrid Muggle relatives seem to think that if I'm not allowed to wear descent clothes, then I won't get any ideas of self-worth. I was planning on getting a new wardrobe and burning these later tonight"
"So you are here by yourself then?" came the thoughtful question. 'Shit, what if this woman supports Voldemort? I don't have a wand yet!'
"Yes ma'am, I have no desire to be around my relatives any more than is required." was his guarded response. Harry waited for her response, while preparing himself to move at the first sign of aggression.
This proved unnecessary however, as a moment later the witch said, "Very well, in that case I shall escort you to get your supplies." and seeing that he was about to protest she forestalled any argument by raising an imperious hand in a silencing gesture and said, "Children should not wander around on their own, and you'll need to have someone that will keep you from being taken advantage of. Most shopkeepers seeing a young wizard by himself would try to rob them blind, but I can keep that from happening." she drew her wand and started tapping out the sequence to open the archway. "We'll head directly to Madame Malkin's, forgive me, but I can't allow myself to be seen with you dressed as you are."
As the brick wall was rearranging itself Harry realized he didn't yet know the witch's name, even though she knew who he was. So he decided that it was time to introduce himself properly.
Holding out his hand he said, "My name's Harry Potter."
Taking his hand she looked him in the eyes with an odd gleam in her eyes, it wasn't threatening, just odd.
Before replying, "I know who you are Mr. Potter." her eyes still had that look in them before they snapped back into focus and said.
"My name is Cassiopeia Black." and with that she started walking down the Alley. Had she waited a moment longer she would have seen the shock and recognition sweep over his face at her name.
He couldn't believe it, he had just met and been forced to accept the help of Cassiopeia Black, the Great-Aunt of Sirius Black, Andromeda Tonks, Narcissa Malfoy, and Bellatrix Lestrange. The question was why. Did she have more in common with Sirius, and Andromeda than anyone knew, or was there some other motive for her helping him? He wasn't sure but he was intending to find out, he knew from the Black Family Tapestry that she had died in 1992, so she wasn't around to see the return of Voldemort, so he didn't know what she would have done had she still been alive. What would she have thought of the attempted defection of Narcissa, and her subsequent murder at the hands of her husband for her betrayal of the Dark Lord? How would she have responded to seeing her Great-Great Nephew publicly execute his father the next day in retribution, and anounce his true loyalties? There was only one way to find out, with these thoughts running his mind he followed her into the doors of Madame Malkin's.
Two hours later, Harry Potter and Cassiopeia Black walked out of Madam Malkin's with the former wearing a freshly made, and tailored suit that Harry couldn't believe he was wearing. Never in either of his lives had he worn such nice clothing. That was just the beginning though. Once the outfit was completed he was ordered to change and bring the clothes he had been wearing back to the front which was promptly burned as per his wishes.
Ms. Black had then looked him over and said in a satisfied tone, "Now you look like a proper Heir of Dorea Black."
Harry's insides froze. He knew that Dorea Black had married Charlus Potter thanks to the Black Family Tapestry, he and Ginny had even speculated that they could be related, but no one had been left that could tell him, but if what Ms. Black had just implied was true, then they were his grandparents. She couldn't know that however, so with confusion written across his face he asked.
"Who's that?"
The look of anger that crossed her face was intimidating, "You don't know? No one's told you?"
Shaking his head Harry waited for the vebal confirmation that Dorea Potter was indeed his grandmother. He was sadly dissappointed.
With a frown, Cassiopeia said, "Well now's not the time," and seeing his crestfallen expression, hastened to add. "After we're done shopping we'll talk over dinner."
Immediately Harry's spirits soared.
"So where to next?" she asked looking at Harry with a delighted smile.
"Gringotts, so I can make the rest of my purchases and pay you back for my new wardrobe."
The smile vanished.
"I think not Mr. Potter, all purchases today will be taken care of at the expense of the Black family." she said in that lofty tone of hers, and seeing him opening his mouth to protest she silenced him with one look and an arched eyebrow. "Don't worry child, you'll understand after dinner." Seeing his stance shift to one of defeat she said, "Now that we're agreed Gringotts isn't in play, where would you like to go?"
"To get my wand!" he replied with conviction.
"Ollivander's it is then."
oooooooooo
As the feeling of power rushed through him as his wand chose him, Harry couldn't help noting that it was significantly less powerful than the feeling the Elder Wand had given the day he had won it's allegiance from Draco Malfoy. Harry and Ginny had responded to the alarm of Death Eaters attacking an orphanage they had placed wards around the month before. When they arrived they found six cloaked figures torturing the terrified children and mutilating the corpses of those they had already killed. Of the six, only the five wearing the skeletal masks of junior Death Eaters were participating. The sixth however, was wearing an intricately engraved silver mask that signified his position in the Inner Circle. Harry immediately engaged him, but after feeling the wand not respond correctly to his first three curses he knew he was facing Draco Malfoy. So he stowed the Deathstick, and drew his holly wand. Armed with a wand that wouldn't resist him, he quickly had the younger Malfoy disarmed and stunned. After helping Ginny subdue the three remaining Death Eaters theywalked over to Malfoy's unconscious form and quickly woke him. After a round robin game of the Cruciatus Curse between Harry and Ginny that had the orphans cheering in retribution, Harry had told him that he would be spared since he had lowered his wand instead of killing Dumbledore, but that next time he would die. He was allowed to Disapparate, while wondering who the cloaked figure was that seemed to know so much. Harry and Ginny for their part were relieved later, when they learned he was working with Neville, and had only been there as part of his charade for Voldemort.
Harry was snapped from his musings when he heard the voice of Ollivander muttering, "Hmm... curious, very curious."
oooooooooo
Two hours later, Harry was sitting in a private room in The Leaky Cauldron having just finished eating dinner with Ms. Black, who had been sitting patiently for him to finish his meal before starting their conversation. Seeing Harry turn his attention she started.
"Well Harry, I think that this would be easier if you ask a question, and I'll answer it if I can. How does that sound."
"It sounds good to me ma'am."
"Okay, now I think that your first question was who Dorea Black was correct?"
"Yes ma'am, it was."
"Good, that's an easy question to start with, though one that you should have been told long ago, because you see Harry, Dorea Black was your grandmother."
The smile on Harry's face was one that he didn't have to feign as the joy of hearing this spoken aloud for the first time nearly overwhelmed him.
"My grandmother?"
"Yes, she was your grandmother. Dorea Black married an Auror named Charlus Potter."
"What's was she like?"
"She was a caring person who always tried to help the people she felt deserved it, but if someone tried to hurt the one's she cared about she would make that person rue the day they were born." she said this with a small smile of remembrance.
Harry nodded in understanding, and asked, "How were you related?"
"She was my sister, that makes me your Great-great Aunt. That's also one of the reasons why I purchased all of your school supplies."
"What was the other reasons?" Harry asked genuinely curious now. This curiousity was intensified when he saw the look of hesitation on her face.
"Well, one is the that the only other Great- great nephew I have is as arrogant, and pompous as his father. Despite his mother's best efforts to prevent it, he'll be starting Hogwart's this year as well so you'll see what I mean. His name is Draco Malfoy by the way, and through your grandmother he's also your second cousin. You only have one other cousin near your age although she's still seven years older than you. Her name is Nymphadora Tonks."
"There is only one other reason. It pains me to have to be the one to tell you this story, but you have the right to know." she took a deep breath and stared at the ground for a moment. When she looked back up there were unshed tears glimmering in her eyes. "My Great-nephew, your father's one time best friend, and your Godfather, Sirius Black."
"Why is he a reason?" Harry asked putting as much confusion into his voice as possible.
"I'll get to that in a moment, but first I want to tell you a story. Throughout the entire line of our family every Black has been a Slytherin, including your grandmother. That all ended though when Sirius went to Hogwarts, you see he didn't hold with the ideals of Blood Supremacy that his mother Walburga had been teaching him throughout his childhood. On the train to Hogwarts he met your father and they became the best of friends, so when it came time for Sirius to be sorted he broke all the rules and got sorted into Gryffindor. Let me tell you, my neice was furious, but there was nothing she could do about it. Finally the summer after his fifth year Sirius ran away from home and stayed with Dorea and Charlus for awhile. I was very proud of him for standing up for his beliefs and defying Walburga, so I gathered some money and sent it to my nephew Alphard who had just been disowned for giving money to Sirius, and asked that he pass it along discretely to Sirius with my compliments. The next thing I heard was that he along with your parent's were actively fighting against the Dark Lord, you know about him I'm sure?"
"Yes, ma'am"
"The last thing I heard is something, I never expected. The day after your parents were murdered, and the Dark Lord was destroyed Sirius was found by another of his and your father's childhood friends.
"He...he accused Sirius of betraying your parents and tried to capture Sirius...., but Sirius killed him along with thirteen Muggles with one curse, he had been a servant of the Dark Lord." as she finished she had tears spilling down her face and she was shaking slightly as the memory of this betrayal dug into her heart. "He betrayed my sister's only son, and forced you to live with muggles because of it.....I'm so sorry."
"It's okay, it wasn't you." he had to keep himself from telling her that it wasn't Sirius either as he looked into her pain filled eyes, and in an attempt to change the mood he moved to a differant topic.
"You said my grandfather was an Auror, what is that?"
She seemed to understand his move and replied in with a grateful smile. "An Auror is a highly trained wizard that works for the Ministry. Their main purpose is to hunt down, and defeat Dark Wizards, as well as discovering any Dark Artifacts that are floating around. They usually handle anything that Hit Wizards can't."
Harry put on a look of wide-eyed amazement. "How do you become an Auror, and what's a Hit Wizard?"
His Great-Aunt got a pensive look on her face as she tried to remember the requirements to become an Auror. "Well if I remember correctly you have to get N.E.W.T.'s in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions, Transfiguration, Charms and Herbology. It's a very difficult career choice so if you're thinking of following Charlus' path you'll need to study hard. And a Hit Wizard is a watered down version of an Auror." she finished with a dismissive wave of her hand at the thought of Hit Wizards.
"It's late, I should go. Thank you for everything."
Cassiopeia Black looked at Harry with hopeful eyes and said, "I understand, and please...if you have any questions feel free to write."
Harry gave a large smile and said "I will Aunt Cassiopeia, good bye!"
"Good bye Harry." she replied.
oooooooooo
The car ride to King's Cross was filled with an atmosphere that was close to joy as Harry, and the Dursley's thought of the fact that this would be the last time, they would ever have to see each other. Arriving at the station the four of them stood facing one another as they made the agreement, and then seperated with no tears shed. So it was with a joyous heart, and a soaring spirit that Harry walked away from his relatives and walked towards the gate that would grant him access to the Hogwarts Express. But first he had to re-introduce himself to his true family. Stopping next to the platform he waited for the family of redheads to make their appearance, and as he waited his mind drifted off to one of the last conversations he and Ginny had in the Past.
oooooooooo
"You know Harry, when we get back....we're not going to be able to be in Gryffindor." She said this in a clear, whispered voice.
Harry, who had only been listening with a token of interest snapped his head around and peirced her with a stare that clearly said, 'Explain!'
"I've been thinking about this for awhile, and I've realized that it's the only way to keep everybody safe." Her voice which started off softly began to grow in strength as she went on. "We both know that when we get back it's going to be difficult seperating who our friends were with who they will be, do you honestly think you'll be able to be around Ron, and Hermione all the time without telling them everything? I'm not saying that we can't have our friends back, hell...their the reason we're doing this! But, I think we have to distance ourselves from them somewhat."
"But we can train them! Teach them what they need to know!" He had replied, but Ginny had heard the note of desperation in his voice. She knew the cold hand of logic was getting through, but his heart was putting up a fight.
"You think we can teach them what they need to know!" she scoffed, "You think Hermione, the smartest witch we'll ever know, wouldn't realize what was going on? Or that Ron, the boy who thought all Slytherins were evil, just based on their house, would just start learning the Dark Arts? I don't think so, and you know I'm right! Besides, how would you explain your knowledge of Hogwarts, or your disappearances when you go off to take care of Horcruxes or possessed teachers, or whatever else?"
Nodding his head in defeat he said. "I understand."
"Do you, or do I need to make a list for you?"
"Yes, I understand" He said climbing to his feet. "And Ginny?"
"What is it Harry?"
"Your a bitch!" He said sprinting from the room, with Hexes chasing him down.
oooooooooo
Harry was torn from this memory as he caught the voice of Molly Weasley cutting through the crowd. Laughing under his breath when he heard a nearby Muggle ask his friend what a Muggle was, he grabbed his luggage and headed for the platform. Meeting them outside of the gate he stopped Mrs. Weasley from directing anyone into the gate by asking how to enter the magical portal.
"I'll show you!" Ginny said quickly, and before Mrs. Weasley could say anything she had taken his hand, and together they ran onto Platform 9 3/4.
"Time for introductions you think?" Harry asked once they were on the other side of the wall.
"Yeah, we'll act like we've already done it." Ginny said hurriedly as Percy came through, followed quickly by the twins, Ron and finally Molly Weasley herself. All of whom approached the two time travelers.
"Hey everyone, this is Harry. Harry meet Percy, Fred, George, Ron, and my Mum." pointing to each in turn.
"Hello everyone, it's nice to meet you." this was said as he shook everyone's hands.
"Hello Harry, is this your first year?" asked Mrs. Weasley and at his nod she smiled saying, "How wonderful, it's Ron's first year as well."
"Really! That's great, maybe we'll be in the same house." He said, ignoring the warning look in Ginny's eye. "What House do you want?"
At the mention of the Houses Ron looked sick, and taking a look inside of his mind he saw a troll with a club raised high in the air, this had Harry struggling not to burst into laughter. "Gryffindor" came the response.
"Oh, well good luck." Turning to Ginny he said. "Thanks for showing me how to get on the platform."
"Your welcome, I hope you have fun at Hogwarts."
"Thanks," and then putting on a hesitant expression. "Would you mind if I wrote you, while I'm at school?"
"Um, sure." she said putting her head down in an image of perfect shyness.
"Great! I'll talk to you later then," he said in a happy voice, before turning to Mrs. Weasley "It was nice to have met you, ma'am."
"You to Harry." she said smiling down at him. "Best run along now, the train's about to be leaving."
"Oh, right! Well bye again." He said grabbing his things, and running off to start his jouney.