Web of Shadows

Chapter 02: Returning to School

Harry groans as his alarm clock starting to go off. He gets up and yawns. Stretching his arms until he felt the need to move.

Harry quickly jumps in the shower before getting dress and making his breakfast. He drinks his orange juice before going to his garage and entering his new Audi car.

Driving through New York proved to be a disaster. Harry had a hard time believe that everyone was attempting to get to where they were going.

In the end, Harry manage to get to Midtown High and parks in the front of the school. Harry notice a lot of the students were eye balling his ride and looking at him with questions on their faces.

Harry says nothing but grabs his bag and folder before getting out of his car.

Harry sighs and reminds himself that he was only doing this to appear as a teenager. He didn't want people asking unwanted questions.

Harry walks up the front and immediately sees the main office in front of him.

"Hello, I'm Harry Potter, I'm a new transfer student." Harry said to the school secretary.

"Papers." She said. Harry hands her his folder and she types his name up on the school computer. After several minutes of waiting she hands him his time table.

"You're all set Mr. Potter. Your homeroom is 209A, second floor on your left. Your homeroom teacher is Mr. Davis." The secretary said as she hands Harry his timetable.

Harry accepts his timetable and leaves the office and walks down the hall. He manage to find 209A rather easily as the classrooms were numbered.

Harry enters the classroom and looks around.

"I'm sorry young man, but are you lost?" the teacher said; who Harry could only assume was Mr. Davis.

Harry hands the teacher his timetable and he looks at it.

"Awe yes, you're the new student. Welcome Mr. Potter." A blonde boy snuffle out a laugh that he hid behind his hands.

"Mr. Thompson, you find something funny?" Mr. Davis asks.

"Who has a last name like Potter?" He said.

"It's an old family name." Harry said. "For one, I can trace my family back a thousand years ago before England was even discovered by the Roman's. I wonder if you can say the same." Harry paused to let his words sink in.

"Yes, now, Mr. Potter is going to need a partner to help him catch up with our work. Who would like to volunteer?"

A young blonde girl raised her hand.

"Awe Miss Stacy, Mr. Potter you can sit next to Miss Stacy in the back."

Harry nods his head and made to move to her when he notice Mr. Thompson stuck his leg out to trip Harry. Harry smiles and instead steps on his foot causing the older boy to yelp out in pain as Harry passed him.

"Is a reason you're disrupting my class Mr. Thompson?" Mr. Davis said.

"No sir."

"That's Flash. Not his real name, but that's what everyone calls him. He's somewhat like the school's bully."

"I hate bullies." Harry said as he sits down next to Miss Stacy.

"I'm Gwen."

"Harry." Harry replied shaking Gwen's hand.

"Alright, everyone look at the problem and solve the best way you can." Mr. Davis said.

Harry stares at the board carefully before writing down the math problem. He was surprise he was able to do it so well seeing how he hasn't done any math in about seven years.

"You're good." Gwen said as she checked his worked.

"It comes easy to me." Harry said as he finished.

Gwen nods her head and she finishes her own work.

The bell rang and Harry and Gwen got up.

"What do you have next?" Gwen asks.

Harry looks at his timetable and sees that he had bio-chemistry next.

"Bio-Chem." Harry replies.

Gwen looks at his timetable with a frown on her face.

"You have the same schedule as mine." She replies.

Harry raised an eyebrow and gestures her forward.

"After you my lady." Harry said.

Gwen smiles as him and she walks forward leading Harry to the other side of the school. Chemistry proved to be fun, as they were able to ice new material from basic elements. Gwen showed this was her element as she seem to be in her own heaven.

After bio-chemistry was done they had break. Which was thirty minutes allowing them to sit in the courtyard where Flash was bullying a freshman to eat his food upside down.

"Doesn't he understand what's he doing?" Harry asks. He was strongly reminded of what Dudley use to do to him for his own sick fun.

"I sometimes wonder if he even has a brain." Gwen admitted.

"It sounds like you know him." Harry said as he eats his sandwich.

"I'm not personally involved with him in any way. But I have been attending classes with him since the first grade. He has a major crush on me too." Gwen said.

"Really?" Harry said with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, but he's not my type." Gwen said with a smile. She looks at Harry and only grew a smile.

"Are you jealous?" Gwen asks.

"No." Harry said evenly, trying to make it sound like he wasn't being a perv to her.

"Oh my god, you are!" She squealed.

"I am not!" Harry said defensively.

Gwen smiles at him before eating her own sandwich.

"So what's England like?" Gwen asks.

"Very cold, it has its hot days but mostly cold. It has its unique history and sights to see, but overall very expensive. It's why I moved out here." Harry said.

"I've always wanted to go to Europe." Gwen said.

"Maybe one day I'll show you around." Harry said in a teasing tone of voice.

"You wish." Gwen replies.

The bell rang and Harry and Gwen got their bags before heading back to class.

Their next class was history. They were ask questions about events and how they came to be. In this particular case, they were studying World War Two and America's hero Captain America.

Harry was never really into history and after learning Voldemort's history he would be please if he never had to deal with history again.

The next class was Social Studies. Like history it dealt with facts of history but in a more political term.

Then was lunch.

Harry sat with Gwen as she silently ate her food.

"Don't you want to be with your friends?" Harry asks.

"I really don't have friends. I'm a nerd and people tend to stay away from me." Gwen admitted.

"That's rude." Harry replies.

"Yeah, I guess the only reason why Flash or anyone else mess with me is because my father is a cop." Gwen said.

"That must be tough." Harry said.

"It is. I do wish I could make some friends though." She said sadly.

"Who says you can't have friends?" Harry said as he smiles at her. She looks at him in surprise. "This year will be different for you you'll see."

If Harry had to say why he was willing to go that far for her, it would be because she reminded him of himself when he wished he could have friends but his cousin scared everyone away from him.

"You have a funny way of cheering me up." Gwen said.

"I guess I do." Harry admitted.

Harry immediately began to talk to her try to have her open up. She explain she was very into science and was hoping to get an internship at OsCorps but she was turn down because she was still in high school and not in college.

"You could work for me." Harry said as he pops some blueberry into his mouth.

"You, how so?" Gwen asks with a smile.

"I bought a couple of companies over the summer. I think you've seen my companies name over the course of the summer." Harry said.

"What company is that?" Gwen said that told Harry she didn't believe him.

"WebCorps." Harry answers calmly.

"You own WebCorps. You're funny." Gwen said.

"I can take you there after school." Harry replies. He could see she didn't believe him but for fun she was going to play along.

"Alright. We'll head to WebCorps. If you're really the CEO of WebCorps, then you can get me a job. If you lose, you have to buy me anything I want."

"Sounds like a fair deal." Harry said. Gwen smiles believing she had a sure win.

The end of the day could not have come any slower, but it finally did and Harry and Gwen walks outside.

"Get in." Harry said as he unlocks his car. Gwen stares at it and Harry couldn't blame her. This was the best car in the school parking lot as none of the teachers cars came close to Harry's car.

Gwen gets in and look around the inside to see it was just as beautiful as the outside was.

Harry gets in and starts the car before driving to WebCorps.

Harry pulls his security badge and shows it to the security guard who nods his head and allows Harry to park in the WebCorps Garage.

Gwen got out of the car and follows Harry speechless.

Harry walks into the elevator with Gwen beside him.

The elevator was fast and Gwen walks behind Harry looking in amazement to see everyone on their computers or focus on bringing their projects to life.

"Gwen, this way." Harry said as he opens a door. She walks forward and could see the sign on the door.

Harry Potter CEO

Gwen Stacy looked like she was going to faint. She went inside and sits down as Harry sits behind his desk.

Harry's office was by far, the largest she's ever seen.

"Do you believe me now?" Harry asks as she numbly nods her head.

"If you are the CEO of WebCorps then why are you in high school?" Gwen asks.

"Truthfully? I never got my diploma. I want to get a degree under my belt before going public." Harry answers.

"I can work here?" Gwen said in a soft voice.

"If you want, but you are seventeen right?" Harry asks. Gwen nods her head.

"Then I'm going to need your parents' permission to work here. I'm not allowed to employee anyone under eighteen. I know you are eager to start here, but I can show you around if you like." Harry said.

"Please." Gwen said as she tried to give Harry a sad eye.

Harry sighs as he has seen this look on girls many time. They've all done it to him Hogwarts during his sixth year there.

"Follow me, but first you're going to need this." Harry said as he hands her a badge. On it was the word visitor.

Harry walks through the corridors and could see one of his primary workers heading towards him.

"Hello Miguel, how is your project going?" Harry asks.

"Well, thank you Mr. Potter."

"Gwen this is Miguel Legar. He's the chief technician around here. Miguel this is Gwen, she's hoping to become an intern here."

"New blood is always welcome." Miguel said as he gives Gwen a warm smile. "Excuse me, but I have to meet Ted and make sure he's not slacking off again on your new project." Miguel said as he walks away and into the elevator.

"This place is heaven." Gwen said.

"For anyone into science it can be." Harry said. They went down one floor where Gwen got to see new medicine and vaccines being created.

"What are they doing?" Gwen asks.

"They are testing a new vaccine against the flu." Harry said as he watch the scientist worked.

"When can I start?" Gwen asks eagerly.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, I still need your parents' permission before you can legally start working." Harry said.

"Come on then, wait till you meet my folks." Gwen said. She grabs his hand and literally was dragging Harry through the corridors.

Harry never seen a girl get so worked up before. Gwen Stacy went super nerdy on him and he wasn't sure how to calm her down.

In the end, they took a cab to Gwen's place. The doorman attempt to stop Harry but Gwen brush him aside allowing Harry to go up the elevator to the twentieth floor.

"Mom, I'm home." Gwen said.

An older version of Gwen walks out of the kitchen and stares at Gwen before looking at Harry.

"Oh, I didn't realize you had company." She said softly looking between the two of them.

"Mom this is Harry Potter, Harry this is my mother Helen." Gwen said.

"Nice to meet you." Harry said as he shakes her hand.

"Nice to meet you too. So, how do you two know each other?" Helen asks.

"I go to school with your daughter and she was kind enough to show me around on my first day there." Harry replies calmly. Inside, he was getting the butterflies and had a feeling this wasn't going to end well. At least, not for him.

"Oh, where are you from?" Helen asks.

"England." Harry says.

"Is dad home?" Gwen asks.

"Yes, he is in his little study. Are you staying for dinner?" Helen asks Harry.

"Yes, he is." Gwen answers quickly.

"Gwen." The sound of a young male said as they came out of the living room.

"Hello, Harry these are my brothers, Philip, Howard and Simon." Gwen said as she hugs each one.

"Are you her boyfriend?" Simon asks.

"No, just a friend." Harry said.

"Right," Gwen said that look like she wanted to get away. "Let's go." Gwen mouth's as she motions Harry to follow.

Harry follows her to her bedroom and wasn't all that surprise to see her room was neat and clean. There was also books of chemistry and other that told him she was a reader.

"Your family is nice." Harry said.

"Yeah they are, but I sometimes feel crowded. It sucks being the only female here besides my mom." Gwen said. She throws herself backwards onto her bed.

"I wouldn't know. I don't have any siblings." Harry said as he sits down and watches her.

"No family?" Gwen asks as she looks at him. Harry shook his head.

"Sorry, I didn't know."

"It's alright. I'm well over it. I just sometimes wish I could have the life of having what you had. Siblings, and parents."

"I kind of want to move out. I know my brothers hate having to share two rooms together."

"Well if your parents agree to this job you want then you might be able to move out sooner than you think." Harry said.

"Yeah tell me about it." Gwen said.

"Gwen, dinner's ready." Helen said through the door.

"Coming mom." Gwen said as she gets up and walks Harry to the dining hall.

Harry walks in the dining hall and could see a very stern man sitting down at the table.

"Gwen," her father said.

"Hi dad. Dad this is Harry Potter, Harry this is my father Captain George Stacy of the fifth Precinct of Manhattan." Gwen said.

"A pleasure to meet you sir." Harry said as he shakes the Police Captain's hand. Harry once again had that feeling in his stomach and knew he was going to get the talk from the over protective father.

"I didn't know you were bringing a guest over Gwen." Captain Stacy said as he sits down.

Harry sits down next to Gwen and sees that it was spaghetti with meatballs.

"I hope we're not intruding on your dinner schedule." Captain Stacy said.

"Oh no, I'm actually looking forward to dining with you instead of alone." Harry said.

"What do you mean alone?" Captain Stacy asks.

"Dad!" Gwen said.

"It's alright Gwen. I'm sure your father will find out soon enough. I'm an orphan Captain Stacy. I was raised by my aunt and uncle but I left them the moment I became an adult. They never did like me." Harry said and he paused to remove their memory from his head. "I came here the moment I inherited my parent's will and sought to make something of myself out here." Harry said.

"So you're an outcast like Gwen." Philip said.

"In a way, I did have friends back in England, but we parted ways." Harry said.

"Philip." Helen said giving him a sharp look that silence him.

"So you go to school with Gwen. How was your first day at Midtown?"

"It was good, Gwen was kind enough to show me the school and help me with the classes." Harry said.

"You didn't need any help brainiac." Gwen mutters. Her entire family however heard her.

"So I take it your intelligent." Captain Stacy said.

"Dear." Helen said.

"I am." Harry replies as he begins to eat the spaghetti.

"Dad, please." Gwen said as she looks at her father. Her father sighs and looks down. Knowing he was beat by his two ladies.

"How do you take care of yourself financially?" Captain Stacy asks.

"Dear, that's enough." Helen said.

"Actually he touch base on the subject and reason why Gwen invited me over." Harry said.

The entire family stops eating and looks at Harry and Gwen stun. Gwen look like she wanted to sink in her chair. Her charisma and strength of character was fading.

"I am the owner and CEO of WebCorps." Harry said.

"WebCorps, you mean that new company that bought out Horizon Labs and Resilient?" Captain Stacy said.

"Yes, I bought both companies and merge them with WebCorps." Harry said. "As for the reason why I wanted to bring this up, well Gwen is interested in working there under an internship." Harry says, now Gwen physically tried to sink underneath the table. Her head was barely showing and she tried not to get stared at by her family.

"You would hire Gwen?" Helen asks.

"Yes, but I need her parents' permission to hire her as my company is not allowed to employee that is sixteen or seventeen without a parent or guardian's permission." Harry said.

"What type of work will she be doing?" Captain Stacy asks.

"Simple work. She won't be allowed to handle any of the company's projects. But she will be studying and learning from one of our employees. She will get a grasp of how my company is run. If she wishes to stay that will be up to her. She is free to leave as long as she doesn't sign a company contract." Harry said.

Captain Stacy sighs and puts down his fork.

"Say I agree, how much will she be paid?" Captain Stacy asks.

"Two thousand a month." Harry answers.

"That's generous." Helen said.

"Sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?" Captain Stacy asks as he narrows his eyes.

"No catch. If you wish to check up on Gwen while she is working there you may. I will even get security to give you clearance to see her." Harry said.

"This isn't a con is it?" Captain Stacy asks.

"I'm being serious." Harry says.

"What do you want Gwen?" Helen Stacy asks before her husband could throw another question.

Gwen sits up and looks at her mother.

"I really want to do it." Gwen said.

"Fine I'll agree to it. However if I find out you've been jerking around with my daughter, I'll throw you in jail and you'll never see the light of day again." Captain Stacy said in a very commanding tone of voice.

Harry pales and realized he may have put himself on Gwen Stacy's father radar.

Nothing else was said as everyone finish the meal in silence.

Author Notes: I tried to make this as long and detailed as possible. I am aware their are some mistakes but tell me what you guys think of the story overall.

You will notice Harry and Gwen are bonding, but they are not yet dating. They just met, but Gwen sees opportunity with Harry. She also wants a friend and Harry is going to be her friend in the beginning.