Title: Anywhere, pt 2
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Previously:
The three people touched the dusty item before feeling a pull to their navels and exiting Faith and Harry's home.
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"Here we are, London England." Remus said once they landed in an alley.
"You have a thing for alley's dontchya." Faith mused before following the wizard into the bright streets of London. They walked down the sidewalks until they got to a bookshop and a record shop that magically had a dusty bar in between.
The trio walked inside to see a lot of witches and wizards, wearing pointed hats and robes, sitting and talking within the smoky room.
"Aunt Willow would be surprised." Harry muttered to Faith, who chuckled softly.
Remus led them further into the bar where Harry was stopped by a lot of people, all wanting to shake his hand. Faith's eyes darted around as everyone was calling him the 'boy-who-lived' and wanting to meet him.
"Potter." A man wearing gray robes with a purple turban stuttered. "So good to finally meet you." He declined shaking Harry's hand.
"This is Professor Quirrell, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor." Remus said before leading them on their way.
Faith felt her skin crawl as she walked past the professor, but didn't look back. She'd talk to Harry when they were alone, after of course they found out about this "boy-who-lived" nonsense. She wasn't sure if she wanted to throw Harry into this world alone, but she had to let go sooner or later and hope that the lessons she taught him would keep him safe.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley." Remus said after tapping the brick wall five times, three up and two across, causing the wall to slide apart. The world seemed to open up to them as they stepped through the doorway. "What's on the list first?"
"Remus?" A loud voice called out over the crowds of people.
"Hagrid." Remus greeted the half-giant. "This is Harry and Andralyn."
"'Ello, 'Arry." Hagrid said. "'Ello, Andralyn."
"Hagrid will take the two of you around the alley, but I've got to pick some things up so I'll meet up with you later."
"Bye." Harry and Faith called to the retreating brunette wizard. The pair turned to the very tall man before he waved for them to follow him. Faith and Harry glanced at each other before shrugging and began to walk down the alley, earning odd looks.
Faith felt Harry tense up at the prospect of being on display and put her arm around him. "It'll be okay, runt." She affectionately told him.
"Runt?" Harry scoffed, gesturing at their slightly mismatched height. "I'll be taller than you before summer." She was taller than him, but she knew instinctively that he'd be taller than her someday.
"I know." Faith grinned, ruffling up his hair even more as they climbed the steps into the large white building. "Beware." She mused. "Looks like something I should put up on your door."
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"Platform nine and three-quarters is where ya need ta be." Hagrid told them. "Look at da time." He said before disappearing.
The pair shrugged and headed towards the terminals only to find there were only Platforms nine and ten. "Odd." Faith muttered glancing around and moving towards a train station worker, who plainly told her off.
Harry spotted them first, the family of redheads that look oddly like his own luggage and waved for Faith to follow. "Um, excuse me." Harry began approaching the older woman with red hair. "How do you?"
"Get to Platform nine and three-quarters?" She finished for him. "All you have to do is walk through the wall between nine and ten and you'll get there." She instructed before adding, "You'd best take it at bit of a run if your nervous."
"Thank you." Harry said turning to Faith who nodded. "Come on, Aunt Andralyn."
"Go on, Harry." Faith instructed. "Have a good year. Do what your gut tells you and please stay out of trouble."
Harry launched himself at his aunt, giving her the biggest hug that he could muster. He felt the butterflies in his stomach and never wanted to let go of the safety of his aunt's embrace. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Harry." She whispered. "Now go on." She ordered softly. "You don't want to miss your train."
"Bye, Aunt Andralyn." Harry said before running at the wall between nine and ten and disappearing.
Faith sniffed sadly before turning and exiting King's Cross Station, activating the portkey that Remus had given her to pick Harry up and drop him off. Appearing in her living room she glanced around finding little signs that screamed Harry had been there and allowed the feeling of complete despair – which she was usually able to suppress – over take her as she lay on the couch.
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"So it's true, Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." An upscale voice replied causing Harry and the surrounding students to glance at the speaker. "This is Crabbe and Goyle." He continued before approaching Harry. "And I'm Draco Malfoy."
Harry laughed out right. "You remind me of a wantabe aunt Cordelia." He informed the blond. "And for the record, the name's Harry Potter-Black."
Draco faltered for a moment before returning to his haughty attitude. "With a name such as Black, whether be by choice or punishment, you'll need someone to guide you and keep you from sullying the name of Black."
"I've done fine on my own." Harry retorted. Just then McGonagall joined the group of first years and lead them into the great hall. Harry walked next to Hermione and Ron stopping in front of the whole school.
"Potter, Harry." McGonagall called out, reading her list of first year students.
Harry heard the whisperings of the students and felt every eye in the room on him as he walked up towards the Deputy Headmistress. "Actually, Professor." Harry whispered to the woman before clearing his throat. "It's Harry Potter-Black."
Several gasps were heard within the room as McGonagall glance back at Albus who nodded slightly allowing Minerva to call out once more, "Potter-Black, Harry."
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"Ah, Hogwarts new celebrity." Snape said, his dark gaze landing on Harry. "Tell me, Mr. Potter-Black, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry glanced at Hermione, whose arm shot straight up into the air. Rolling his eyes he answered, "I believe that it makes a strong sleeping drought."
"Lucky guess, Mr. Potter-Black." Severus mused. "Tell me where would you look if I told you to find me a bozoar?"
Harry again saw Hermione's hand shoot up, leaning forward in her chair as he thought about the answer to the potion master's question. "Stomach of a goat?"
"Impressive." Severus granted. "One more." He stated. "What's the difference between monkshood and Wolfsbane?"
"Never seen it as its not frequent where I come from, but isn't it the same plant?" Harry answered after a few moments of serious thought. He remembered reading about it within one of the books Aunt Willow had, but he'd never seen it.
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Harry had been sneaking around the library and stumbled into a room trying to hide from Filch, Snape and Quirrell. The room held a large mirror, that drew him closer to it with a hidden rope. When he got close enough, he gazed into the mirror seeing many things passing through the mirror.
One image was of his parents, his father and mother. They were staring at him with pride and happiness in their eyes. His mother reminded him of Aunt Willow with the red hair and green eyes and his father of himself in looks.
There was also a shadow image was of Andralyn in the background.
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"I don't think its Snape." Harry replied as he and Hermione sat beneath the stars. It was the time that they could get away from some of the hypocrisy of the school. "Sure he dislikes me, but –"
"Harry, listen." Hermione pleaded. "It's just an assumption, I'll grant you that, but we need to suspect everyone."
"What about Quirrell?" Harry asked. "He seems slightly unbalanced and I've seen some of the things that he claims is his cover story."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
"I've seen Vampires, Hermione." Harry answered. "Sure their scary, but their not that damaging. Besides he probably would have been eaten if he responded to them like he did with the troll." Hermione remained silent causing Harry to turn towards her. "What are you thinking?"
She sighed. "You're right. We should look into him too."
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It was June and Faith got the town house ready for Harry's return. He'd written her nearly every week about school. He told her about the blond boy who was a snob and made fun of Harry's mostly American accent. He'd written her about his two friends Ron Weasley (son of the mother who helped him at the train station) and Hermione Granger.
The alarm buzzed signaling the time to pick up Harry and she grabbed the portkey and disappeared only to reappear in the bathroom at, what she hoped, was Kings Cross. Exiting the bathrooms she walked towards platforms nine and ten and waited.
The minute, almost on the dot, of the arrival time, Harry raced out of the barrier and into Faith's waiting arms nearly knocking them both down. "Aunt Andralyn!"
"Harry." She smiled holding him at arms length to get a good look at him. "Looks like you're still Harry but you're cleaner." She laughed.
"Harry?"
"Hermione." Harry greeted. "I'd like you to meet my aunt." He smiled. "Hermione Granger meet Andralyn Black."
"Harry speaks of you constantly." Hermione smiled. She was a lovely girl, with rather large front teeth and hair too big for her body.
"I must admit, all the letters Harry writes me are 'Hermione and Ron' this 'Hermione and Ron' that." Faith grinned.
"Mr. Potter-Black."
"Professor McGonagall." Harry greeted anxiously, feeling Andralyn's stunned gaze that she was giving him because of what the professor called him.
"You must be the aunt, Mr. Potter-Black cannot stop speaking of." The professor turned her stern eyes towards Faith.
"That would be me." Faith nodded pulling her eyes away from Harry. "Andralyn Black." She noted that the professor's eyes got really wide, but before she could sputter anything Faith continued, "I know what you're thinking, professor, but I've raised Harry to the best of my knowledge."
"But – "
"Alright, my brother is Sirius Black, yes I know what he did." Faith added sensing the fear. "C'mon Harry, it's time to go."
"I cannot allow –"
Faith stepped forward raising herself to her full slayer strength, knowing it was impressive and growled, "Watch me take my son." With that challenge hanging thickly in the air, Faith stepped back handing Harry the portkey before grabbing his things and portkeying out of Kings Cross and into their home.
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"Oh Harry, you didn't." Faith sighed as they materialized in their living room.
"Didn't what?"
"Harry, your name is Harry Potter." She said softly. "Not Potter-Black."
"It doesn't matter, Aunt Andralyn." Harry replied. "It's just the name I want to be known by, just like you like to be known by the name Faith when you told me it's Andralyn Black."
"Harry, from what I understand the Black name isn't something you'd want to be associated with." Faith sighed. "It's a dark name, you saw how your Professor McGonagall responded to my name."
"It's just a name, Aunt Andralyn." Harry repeated. "And I'm going to keep it."
"Alright, Harry." Faith replied holding her hands up in surrender like fashion. "I'll stand behind you."
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August 27th came causing the pair to pack their things. Remus had written Faith explaining about the shock that Minerva McGonagall expressed. He told her that Harry would be able to continue attending Hogwarts, should he want to, though the staff members wanted to meet her so she would be escorting Harry on the train.
When the time came, the pair grabbed a hold of their things and the portkey, which activated a moment later taking them to Diagon Alley. They stopped off in Gringotts to pick up money before hitting the streets to buy his things.
"Excuse me." A man inquired.
"Yes." Faith and Harry said in unison.
"I'm Auror Shacklebolt, and I'm looking for a 'Andralyn Black' who is escorting Mr. Harry Potter." The man introduced. He had a clean-shaven head and his eyes were a friendly brown. He was taller than her and Harry, but not by much.
"I'm Andralyn." Faith said putting her arm around Harry, who now reached her shoulders, and noticed that he wrapped one around her waist.
"Come with me, please."
"Where?" Faith asked not moving from her spot.
"The ice cream shop around the corner." The man answered. "Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, and the Minister of Magic want to meet you."
"Minister of magic." Faith repeated in hushed tones to Harry. "If I go to jail, I can keep my brother company." She mused earning a dark glare from the boy at her side. "I'm sorry, Harry. It's just they're going to take one look at me and assume I'm the bad sort of lot."
"Been with Uncle Rupert?" Harry teased.
"Shut it, runt." Faith scolded playfully. "Excuse me, Auror Shacklebolt, am I in trouble? Is that why the Minister of Magic wants to meet me?"
"I wouldn't worry about it, Miss. Black." Shacklebolt answered. "They just want to meet the woman who took him away from his aunt and uncle."
"Horrible lot and I didn't even meet the uncle." She muttered darkly. It was then that they stopped in front of the ice cream parlor. The trio entered, Faith and Harry following Shacklebolt towards the corner where four people sat talking quietly.
The first person Faith saw was McGonagall, the woman who tried to take Harry away from her two months prior to now. Faith instinctively pulled Harry closer to her as she gazed at the other members at the table.
Next was a man with a long beard, who was wearing purple robes with gold stars and a matching hat on top of his white hair. He looked at least a hundred years old, but had an air of youth that surrounded him along with the sense of great power.
Finally, her gaze landed on a man with balding brown hair. He reminded her of someone, though she couldn't decide whether it was Snider, the Mayor or perhaps Flutie – who she saw a picture of a couple years back. He wore a brown suit robe thingy and looked deceivingly friendly.
"Minister, Professors." Shacklebolt greeted. "This is Andralyn and Harry."
"Hello Professors." Harry greeted.
"Mr. Potter-Black." Minerva greeted. "Have a seat."
Harry sat while Faith stood behind him placing her hands on his shoulders. "I've heard so much about the school that you've accepted Harry into." Faith began. "He speaks of nothing more."
"Miss. Black, it is alright." The older gentleman said. "We're not here to judge you."
"Please call me Faith." The slayer pleaded. "I'm not used to being called anything other than Faith and Aunt Andralyn."
"Please to meet you, Faith." The bearded man said. "I am Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. This is Minerva McGonagall and Minister Cornelius Fudge." He indicated the people sitting at the table.
"What seems to be the important?" Faith asked. "It seems that everywhere Harry and I go, we get the 'Boy-Who-Lived' stuff."
"How about you explain to us how you heard about young Mr. Potter." Fudge suggested.
Not one to sell Remus Lupin out she said, "I was approached by someone who asked me to care for him about eight years ago. I traveled to Surry where I meet his aunt, which convinced me to take him in."
"I see." The minister sniffed. "So you've cared for him."
"You do see him sitting here, don't you?" Faith jeered. "Why not ask him? I'm sure he'll give you a detailed explanation about how his life has been. Won't you Harry?"
Harry looked up into Faith's brown eyes and dryly retorted, "You're not helping."
"I didn't know I was supposed to." Faith hissed playfully. "Why don't you tell me these things?"
"You're nuts, Auntie." Harry cooed earning him a non-amused glare from the slayer above him. "My life since moving in with Andralyn has been one of the best things that's happened to me."
"Are you sure it's been a positive change?"
"Yes." Harry said without hesitation. "I have a family, who cares about me. Andralyn feeds, clothes and teaches me."
"What's your job?"
"I'm a slayer." She dryly answered. "What sort of job do you suppose I have? The reformed counsel pays for everything." At their look she sighed. "I look after a group of slayers, I train them and keep them alive."
"There is only one slayer."
"Actually, fourteen years ago there was a battle on the hellmouth." Faith began. "A powerful Wicca called forth the power of the slayer awakening all the slayers around the world. Before that, there was one. She died; a second was called but the first was brought back to life. The second died, calling me."
The table was silent for a long while, though Harry knew of her life before him, but it was still amazing to him. Headmaster Dumbledore didn't seem as shocked as the other's around the table. Harry always wondered about him, he always seemed to know everything.
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Faith hugged Harry before releasing him into the magical world. The Headmaster decided that she was capable of taking care of Harry and there was no need for her to accompanying Harry to Hogwarts. The Minister had been shocked and practically stormed out of the ice cream parlor, after he was sworn to secrecy to not reveal where Harry lived.
Albus had pulled her aside informing her about knowing Remus' actions. She'd asked him why he didn't say anything and he told her it was for the same reason she didn't. She knew at the moment, she respected and trusted the kind Headmaster.
"Be good." She said.
"I'll try." Harry teased.
"Keep your wits about you, Harry. Surprises are around every corner and you need to prepare yourself for them."
"I know." Harry said. "Bye, Aunt Andralyn."
"See you in ten months, Harry."
"Can I come home for Christmas?"
"Talk to the Headmaster." She answered. "If he'll allow it, I'll welcome you home with open arms."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." She smiled. "Go get your train."
End pt 2