Harry looked around the small room he had returned to not believing what was happening. The dream was already starting to slip away no matter how hard he fought the slippery strands of memory. Panic filled his being as he thought of forgetting what happened and living it all over again. It seemed as thought the air around the small room he was in condensed then and with the full force of his magic, years worth of occlumency he had refined were thrown back in place.
Harry drew blood from his lip as he refused to scream. Pressure built and minutes passed before the inky, yet peaceful blackness of unconsciousness claimed him once more.
The second time Harry awoke it was with a pounding head-ache. Now however he could remember everything so much better. The magical currents were still focusing on his mind, automatically reorganizing everything as it had been 'Before'. There was still a lot of work to do but it would get done eventually. Now he had to figure out what had happened.
That raised even more questions. Harry was still finding it hard to think strait. So much had gone thought his head. Was the entire thing a dream? Was it real and the prophesy shunted him back in time? Was this the 'Power the Dark Lord knew not'. There were hints that led to both questions being correct and incorrect. Hours passed as Harry tried to puzzle out the correct answer but he never came closer to it. The vision/dream could have been one last gift given to him by his parents. He did remember that short conversation. He had already actively perminately ingrained that part of the vision into his memory. It was the only time he could remember hearing his parents praise him, telling him that they loved him and supported him.
As the hours passed the sun began to rise. It was a clear morning, the sky turning an array of pinks, oranges and reds. Harry hoisted himself onto the edge of his window sill and watched the artwork of nature for perhaps the first time in years. He never had the time before. Always some pressing matter; people to kill, backs to be watched. For years, in his mind at least, he had been unable to enjoy the simple pleasures in life: a sunrise, childhood, laziness.
As the sun breached the horizon Harry decided that it really didn't matter if everything had really happened or not. It wouldn't happen again. Lost in peace he decided to label those memories as the Before. From now on would be the Now. He had lost the childhood notions of right and wrong. War had very different standards of those terms. He would no longer hesitate to eliminate an enemy perminately.
"So much has yet to happen." Harry whispered to himself as the sun inched higher. "I have so much work to do. I have to start all over again. I won't loose those I love again. I won't allow that to happen." Conviction filled Harry and he made a vow that he would protect and ready his closest friends this time. A slight breeze swirled around whipping the disheveled locks of hair around.
'Change what is yet to come Harry. Be the man we all know you can be.'
'We are so very proud of you Harry. We will always be proud of you never forget that.'
We love you...son.'
The words came back to him as if whispered on the wind. And with those last unbidden thoughts Harry knew it was time to get started.
"Alright, first thing I need to do is figure out what year I'm in." Harry moved to the broken mirror and nearly lost consciousness for the second time that day. Standing before him was a nearly deadly skinny and short boy. It was obvious it was some time before Harry's sixth year. 'We're going to have to fix this.' eying his body and clothing with disgust. The bulky glasses would have to go as well. He would need contacts until he could finish the eye correction potion he and Hermione had concocted as they were experimenting with alchemy.
That was another thing that confused Harry. He could remember everything from the past for the most part. Enemies, friends, everything he had studied but it seemed that he couldn't remember the feel of the magical spells he had learned. He remembered the incantation, wand movements and effects but the different feelings of the magic was lost to him. Harry didn't know what that might mean yet but he had a pretty good idea. This body had never cast those spells. Hell this body probably couldn't cast most of those spells. He had yet to go though magical maturity but there were rituals that could be done for that. He would have to get his hands on some of the books. That was for another time though. The potions he knew as well as the alchemy wouldn't need anything but his memory of the processes and that was all he needed for the time.
He moved over to his trunk and looked at the books inside. "Only up the third year. So it must be the summer before the Tri-wizard." Harry grinned, he would be able to see Amy again and maybe this time ensure their relationship started much sooner. "there is much work to be done."
Sitting down at the broken desk Harry took out a piece of parchment. He grimaced at the quill and ink bottle. Before he and Hermione had stopped using the cumbersum objects and purchased fountain pens. They produced better writing and still worked on parchment better than any quill the two had found and was decidedly less messy.
"I need to get to town. New cloths are a must." Harry mumbled as he jotted down what he would need. "Exercise equipment is a must..."
Three hours later Harry folded the two sheets of parchment he had. He tossed on a school robe after tearing off the Gryffindor badge then wrapped the invisibility cloak around him. He was pretty sure that Dumbledore would not have guards watching over him yet since Voldemort had yet to be resurrected, still he wasn't going to take any chances.
Thirty minutes later Harry materialized with a soft yet sharp crack, like the pop a bubble wrap bubble made, in the alley between the Cauldron and Diagon.
'It seems as though apperation is one of the things I can still do. Probably because if you know the theory behind it, it is a simple bit of magic. Glad the Ministry has no way of tracking it.' Harry thought as he tapped the bricks in the proper order to open.
The first stop was obviously Gringotts. Harry's face hardened as he remembered how the creatures had been conspiring with Dumbledore to steal Harry's money. It didn't help that he had personally killed dozens of the dastardly little shits that were in the service of Voldemort. His mind took him back as he continued his walk.
A dozen goblins had appeared in the French magical district armed to the teeth. He and Amy had been engaged for all of two days. She had never seen him fight before.
As Harry turned, Amy saw a side to the man she love she had never seen before. Gone was the tender man. Before her was a demi-god. Power seemed to pool around him. Green eyes sparkled with power untold.
"Stay her and make sure Gabby is safe." Harry whispered quickly as he gave her a kiss. Amy could only nod, praying her love would come back to her soon.
Harry didn't wait any longer before he slipped though the crowd. The goblins had made directly for the wizarding bank, one that was not owned or run by goblins but dwarfs. By the time Harry reached them the four guards had been killed and more dwarf were lined up ready to defend the entrance of the bank. As the goblins and dwarf stared down each other three dozen more goblins appeared in a swirl of portkey transport. The one thing Harry had learned about goblins is that they had one of the strongest magics. However it was more geared towards warding. It also took a long time for a goblin to do a spell. What this meant was that the creatures, like the dwarfs, used more conventional weapons with magic only occasionally.
A dark smirk graced Harry's face as he drew one of his long daggers from a hidden sheath. The blade was made out of the living metal he and his long dead friends had created. It was stronger than any other blade in existence and could respond to the users command.
In a blink Harry charged, magic assisting his speed and strength. Six of the goblins fell to his combination of magic and blade before the others even knew what happened. Four more before the goblins even started putting up a resistance. The ringing of metal on metal was some sort of silent signal for the dwarfs as they charged out with axes swinging. Harry avoided sword strikes or parried them with his own blade while he used magic to mow down little green creatures.
A blade made a shallow cut down his torso but the goblin never had a chance to land a second strike as the dagger shattered into five pieces cutting him and three others of his kind to shreds. Before anyone could blink Harry had his second dagger in hand and the battle raged on.
With Harry's help at splitting up the forces of goblins, the attackers were quickly overwhelmed. The few remaining tired to flee but a whip of fire removed their heads before their hands could even reach inside the armor. Harry would be damned if one of the little shits went back to report, leading to the discovery of Harry's where abouts.
Amy couldn't believe her eyes as she watched the final goblin's head drop to the earth. Amazement and pride blossomed inside her as she watched her soon to be husband stand victorious over his foes. He was battered and bruised, cut in a few places. The wounds were shallow but goblin weapons always left scars she knew. It was from where most of Harry's other scars came from. She would take pride in healing the wounds covering his body as they retired home. She vowed there she would never let her husband fight alone again. She would be there with him in all his future battles. She knew most of what she needed. Being the eldest daughter to one of France's most distinguished duelers and aurors had it's perks. Still she needed to learn fighting with weapons and some of the more deadly spells she had seen Harry cast. She was extremely interested in the spell that seemed to crush a group of four goblins with a huge steel slab. It had reminded her of the old cartoons she had once watched. Only then it was an anvil or a piano.
As Harry reached the doors to the bank he was lifted from his memories. A smile graced the young man's lips at the memories of what happed after he and Amy returned home. The first time they had made love together was definitely a time he would remember.
The smile couldn't stay in place forever though and by the time Harry left Gingotts he had nearly destroyed the office of the General Manager as well as quite a few goblins that were in the room. In the end though Harry had every knut of stolen money returned to him and a life binding contract of ten of the managers stating it would never happen again. Harry took great pleasure watching Griphook grovel at his feet before being executed for corroboration with Dumbledore. The old man would never find out what happened to his 'IN' within the bank. The only evidence of what happened were the dark stains on the bottom of Harry's shoes.
Money bag filled and a wad of pounds in his pocket Harry set off into the shopping district.
By the time Harry returned home that evening he was never happier for having a five compartment trunk. That had been the first thing he had purchased. It was just like the trunk Dumbledore had given him Before. He now knew it was called a Journeyman's trunk. There was a compartment for clothes. A large study like compartment for his supplies, brooms, cauldrons, books; it had a desk in a corner finishing up the comfortable room. The third was a potions lab and fourth a spell practice chamber. Then the final room was blank. Before Harry had turned this into a weight room but now with the ability to use the Room of Requirement he didn't know what he would do with it yet.
Not even bothering to organize his new possessions, Harry flopped onto his bed. Having eaten three large meals for perhaps the first time ever while he lived at Privet Drive while he was out shopping, Harry drifted off to sleep, his energy spent. The last thought that crossed his mind was how pathetic it was that he didn't have any energy left.
The next few days saw Harry organizing things to his liking. He had ventured out into muggle London again and bought a workout system as well as a host of free weights. He figured that there would be times he wouldn't want to travel all the way to the RoR or wanted to work out in secret. Knowing Ron he would do everything in his power to make Harry see the error of his ways and just relax and play games. Hermione would spend the time chastising him for not spending the time studying. As he looked around the study he nodded to himself. His school set of cauldrons were organized well and easy to get to. The automatic cleaning of the cabinet would help a lot. He couldn't really remember ever cleaning his cauldrons while in school. It was probably one of the reasons things didn't turn out as well as they should have. Four brooms now hung on the rack on the wall. His old Firebolt sat next to a new Firebolt and two Nimbus 2000. Two more Firebolts were still in boxes inside a hidden drawer to be delivered to Ron and Ginny for Christmas. No name would grace the gift. It would only lead to the two refusing them. His books were all set up on the still nearly totally empty book case. And his desk was stocked with mounds of parchment and fountain pens. The final two items were a large foe glass that even now had ghostly figures swimming in it. Probably Crouch Jr., Wormtail and Babymort.
Knowing Hermione's birthday was only a few days away he had a stationary shop send out a gift wrapped set of some of the best stationary, fountain pen and paper set. He hoped she would get the idea that the pens worked great on parchment as well. The high cost paper wasn't too different from it.
The potions lab was likewise set to standards as well as all the other rooms. His old trunk holding all his new wizarding cloths. Stepping out of the trunk he saw the pile of old rags the Dursleys deemed fit to throw his way and all the old Hogwart's robes that were now too small. Not knowing what to do with them he just left them in a corner for the time being.
The days passed slowly. He did his chores outside in naught but a pair of shorts, allowing the sun to darken his skin and bring back a healthy look rather than the sickening white he was now. His aunt nearly feinted as she noticed the accumulation of scars that riddled his body already. First year with the damned keys and Quritell, second with the damn basilisk and the third with the damnable willow tree and the dementors. Add that to quidditch injuries and he had a nice collection accumulated. The hot summer sun felt good though and working in the garden allowed him to use what little muscle he had.
Every day he would retire to his lab and make potions. Four times a day he drank the concoctions. Nutrient potions have him more than enough to fulfill the daily requirement of key vitamins and minerals. A calcium potions started to turn his brittle bones into strong ones. An protein potions he had concocted acted much like the muggle protein shakes without the unnecessary fats. Add to the list a series of vitamin potions other supplemental potions he was brewing and taking he would be back to normal by next summer. After all, even with magic it took time to turn around such mal-nutrition and neglect.
He had continued with his work on alchemy with his and Hermione's ultimate goal of creating another Sourcer's stone. The added gold to their vaults would have helped Before, since Dumbledore stole all his to pay for the Order. It had left the three friends in a real bind after the destruction of the Burrow. However it was the elixir that they were most interested in. Not only was it able to extend life but also heal even the most greiviously wounded. It worked even better than phoenix tears. Harry had long thought Dumbledore either kept the stone for himself or at least a piece of it before destroying it. It was just a guess but it seemed that the old man never aged after first year.
Still the secrets of the Stone were remaining secret for the time being. A batch of Living Metal was simmering in a man sized cauldron in the corner. It wouldn't be ready for another three months. His eye site potion he had created sat a good distance away but simmering as well, waiting for the next step. That potion would be ready just before he was taken to the Burrow. Being a creation of his own it had many enhancements. True it would fix his eyes but also give him great night vision. Everything would turn a gray scale in low light periods but he would still be able to see clearly even in the pitch black. He had never told a soul about that benefit. It was one of the ways he was such a deadly assassin. It also gave him what he called 'eagle eyes'. If he concentrated enough he could zoom in on a person or piece of parchment. It was great for intelligence gathering.
His other potions were going well also. A batch of Polyjuice was nearing completion. Harry and Hermione's brew of Wolfsbane was bubbling away. The only difference was that it actually tasted like Firewhiskey and only a shot size portion was needed instead of a full goblet.
That was all the room would hold with all the medical and nutritional potions he was brewing at the time but it would suffice for now.
After his brewing he went into the weight room and lifted weights to tone his muscle instead of creating bulk. He made sure that he didn't do to much and actually hurt himself or his growth. A punching bag, treadmill and an assortment of other items to work specific areas also gained use.
A few hours later and Harry went into the spell practice area and worked on his dagger techniques. He had purchased a practice pair while in the alley but upon trying to use them he found that he had lost much of his skill. He would have to train his body in the art all over again.
Finally after dinner he practiced yoga. Absolutely nothing was more important than flexibility and body control while fighting. The mental calming techniques also helped when in a tight situation.
So the days passed. It only took a few days of sparse dinner helpings for Harry to re-hire Dobby. The little elf nearly went catatonic with happiness when Harry asked him to be his bound elf. Too much was at risk to not have the binding protection. It was a good thing too that he had hired his long time friend when he informed his 'family' he would no longer cook for them.
"Boy get your freak face down here and start cooking our dinner!" Vernon yelled as he slammed the door open to Harry's room. He had just returned from work and it looked like it had been a bad day. "What have you been doing all day? Lazing about no doubt. You're a no good freak. Just like your drunk father and whore of a mother."
Harry only lifted a sculpted eyebrow above the rim of his glasses. It was the only indication he even listened to the rant his uncle have been on about. As he left his room after Vernon lumbered onward to his room to change Harry thought, 'this is going to have to stop.' A dark smile graced his face as he moved down the stairs without a sound.
After arriving in the kitchen the only thing Harry did was find a nice chair to sit in and wait for the confrontation to begin. It didn't take long.
"What do you think you doing you worthless pile of shit?" Vernon hissed well aware his voice would carry to the neighbors though the open patio doors. "I told you to start our dinner. Now get to it and no food for you for a week you worthless laze about."
By this time the rest of the Dursleys entered the kitchen.
"No, I don't think I will." Harry went back to reclining in the chair.
"What?" Vernon growled as his face turned purple.
"You heard me you fat tub of lard. If you want food you'll get your bean stalk wife to do it for you. If I cook then I'm going to be the one eating it. Not you. I'm tired of the constant abuse you've tried to heap on me." Harry's face turned to stone and his eyes glowed. "It ends now." Harry hissed only barely sounding human.
The others in the room back away with fear etched into every move they made. Vernon however bellowed like a wounded elephant and made to leap the table to get at the young wizard.
In an instant Harry had both daggers he had bought out ready to defend himself but it was unnecessary. A blast of blue magic blew Vernon backward, bending his body in half, and launched him though the kitchen wall and into the living room.
"You's is not be harming Master Harry Potter again fat noisy muggle! Next times Dobby is turning yous into a walrus and sending you to cold big water!" The little house elf's features were set in ridged anger that even took Harry aback for a second.
"AHH, Mum what is that thing? The freak has a Gremlin! We're going to die!" Dudley wailed, causing Harry to bust out laughing. Petunia only looked on in abject horror that something so abnormal had not only preformed the "M" word inside her kitchen but was still standing in it..
Harry decided it was time to introduce his friend. "This," He started, "is a house elf. He is both my friend and employee. As you can see he is also quite protective of me. I would advise you to give him no reason to follow though on his threat. He is well versed in magic."
"Come Master Harry." Dobby stalked over to grab Harry's hand. "We's be going to Master's room and Dobby is to bring food from Hogwarts. Master is powerful and good wizard and is needing his food to help magic be growing stronger." As the two left the ruined kitchen Dobby scowled fiercely at the broken form of Vernon.
True to his word, Dobby had brought no less than four meals a day for Harry to eat from Hogwarts. All house elf sized as well, meaning enough for a family of five. So far Harry hadn't even managed to eat half the food his devoted elf brought to him. Vernon was in the hospital still. He suffered numerous broken bones and more than a few ruptured disks in his back. It would take years to even get back to normal assuming he ever would. Dudley had tried to defend his family honor but true to his word Dudley was found in a tank full of killer whales days later in Florida. No one knew how the new whale had arrived or how a morbidly obese child seemed to replace it not three days later. The boy did the first smart thing in his life by not giving away the magical world as he was being questioned by the FBI and CIA. He was set to be returned to the British authorities the following day along with a rather hefty fine for crossing international boarders illegally.
Other than that the days passed by normally. He and Dobby were dreaming up plans on how to enter the Ministry and disabling the magical monitoring system around Privet Drive. Harry had told the devoted elf everything of his vision and Dobby ate it up, promising to do what ever he could to assist Harry. Just as he had done the last time. It was still so easy to see Dobby's grave beside Hermione's. He had managed to kill five deatheaters and wound several more before they were able to take the little creature out.
On the Friday after his birthday, he and Dobby decided to make a go for the Ministry. Even though they would get little use this holiday the next few years he had to spend summer with his only blood relations would be much easier. Both figured it would be easier to rig the system now, before the rise of Voldemort and the rift Fudge created with his slander, as security would be much more loose now than afterward. Dobby had spent the past week researching the wards. And, as expected, without the threat of Voldemort the security was horrible. Apperation wards only covered selected areas around the ministry. The Department of Underage Magic didn't even have any. In the process the two had traveled all over doing what ever it was that needed to be done. Fudge had even been tricked into signing a magical document stating Harry and all his friends could apperate legally. It was a nifty set of charms derived mostly from the Marauders and handed down to him from Remus. Fudge thought he was signing one of the numerous and continuous reports from Umbridge regarding the distribution of Ministry funds. Only after that did the writing change to reveal the real document.
That was a few days ago and only yesterday did Harry receive his brand new apperation license. He was sure he would be getting a few letters soon from his friends asking what the hell was going on. That night found both wizard and elf dressed in black, Dobby with a face splitting grin, they disappeared from Privet Drive.
Harry thought that the invisibility cloak he had was probably the best thing he had ever received. Both door guards for the department where sleeping soundly at their post. Dobby and Harry shared a knowing look before they set into action. After casting sleep spells on both to ensure they wouldn't awake Harry continued into the room alone while Dobby went to see what he could 're-distribute' form auror storage. In this instance he was glad that the Ministry could only detect magic use and not the person who cast the magic. In such a magic rich environment as the Ministry Harry really doubted that such low level charms as a sleeping or stunning spell would even register. After sneaking into the room with none the wiser all that was needed was another sleeping spell on the old witch manning the monitoring device. It wasn't a difficult task, the lady was half asleep and reading a romance novel. She also looked to weigh as much as Dudley. Harry was in serious doubt that the lady could move quick enough to put up any kind of defense even if she did register the attack.
'This must be Hopkirk. I wonder if she ever leaves that chair?' Harry thought as he moved over to the large map covering an entire wall. Every now and then an area would light up red indicating magic use in a non magical environment registered to an underage wizard or witch. It was hard not to know that as the directions on how to read the map were stuck to the wall beside it. 'Merlin the magical world was full of morons' Harry thought to himself as he read the instruction on how to work the device. He quickly made it so that the areas around the homes of known deatheaters flashed. Maybe Draco would be getting a warning once Hopkirk awoke. Petty, yes, but the more trouble he could cause the Malfoys the better.
After that the map just needed a few rather complicated charms to not light up an area, again courtesy of Remus from Before. It took a while longer than he thought it would. Even though he knew the charms and had used them Before for the same purpose, now though his body had to get use to the new magic. Eventually he finished and decided to disable both the Granger house, the Weasleys and Grimmauld Place residences as well just for the hell of it.
'If we are going to start early I better make sure they don't get caught. After this year Fudge will be after me. If I keep him alive.' Harry added as an after thought.
After sneaking out, when in reality a wounded bull wouldn't have been found, both Harry and Dobby met up where they had appeared earlier. Harry knew Dobby must have found a few good items as he had an even wider face splitting grin on his face but refused to speak until they had returned home. Quietly the two trespassers moved on to the same spot they had arrived at. Mission accomplished the two popped away, back to number four
Dudley was home by the time Harry got up the next morning. He looked terrible, seemingly loosing a bit a weight without his mother's constant stream of food into his mouth. He had yet to say a word to anybody and Harry thought it was just revenge for everything the brute had done to him over his life. He would not feel sorry for any of the Dursleys for any misfortune befalling them. They had it coming. To make things even worse for the Dursleys, better for Harry, the presss caught wind of the international incident the day before and the papers had been riddled with the scandal, further blackening the Dursley reputation and name.
Vernon was returned that night as well and Harry decided that maybe it was a bit much to perminately injure the sack of shit. So taking a vial of potion from his ready made stores he marched down to the special bed that had been constructed in the living room.
"Hello my loving family." Harry said in a joyous yet sarcastic tone as he entered the room.
Vernon moaned pitifully. "What do you want boy. Haven't done enough to our family?" Petunia asked scathingly. "You already ruined Vernon's life. We had to spend our savings for our vacations and house upgraded to pay for the fine your thing caused."
"Aunt, dear aunt." Harry shook his head. "You three have made my life a living hell since I was no more than a year and a half old. I don't feel the need to lecture you on it all now. As a matter of fact I am feeling rather beneficial." Harry held up a vial of milky white liquid. "Do you know what this is?"
Having the attention of the other three residence that lived with him Harry continued without waiting for an answer. "This is a potion I learned to make at that freak school of mine. You see, magical healing is so much better than the muggle kind. We can fix broken bones in minutes. Back injuries might take a bit longer. You see this is a potion called Skele-grow. As you can probably already imagine it will regrow bones and the like."
"Yea right. That's not even possible." Dudley sneered the first words he had said since his arrival.
"Oh I assure you it does work. I've taken it personally. Had to regrow all the bones in my left arm after a fool of a professor removed them all during my second year. It hurts like hell, feels like needles and pins inside your body. Tastes like sewage as well, but it works. Now would you like to have this or would you like Vernon to be restrained to a bed or chair for the rest of his life?"
Petunia quickly snatched the vial way and drained the contents into an indignant and struggling Vernon's mouth. As it emptied she clamped her husband's mouth shut to keep him from spitting it back out. After a few minutes the struggle ended and the pained moaning began, signaling the start of a rather painful night for one Vernon Dursley.
The potion had taken three days to fix the damage Dobby did to Vernon. The damaged areas were still sore but he was able to function again. He dared not attack Harry. The man fled the house any time he laid eyes on the boy wizard.
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With only two weeks to go until school started Harry finally received the letter he had been waiting for. Ron, the twins and Mr. Weasley were to pick him up in two days time. In a good mood he bounced down the stairs to give the news to his loving family.
"Oh Petunia, I'm going to be getting picked up by the Weasleys this Thursday. I won't be coming back until next year."
The woman glowered at the spawn of her sister. Ever since she had taken the potion from him he had called her by her first name. The same with Vernon and he always had that smirk on his face indicating he had something over them. She hated it and hated him more with each day that passed. "Fine as long as your gone. How will they be arriving. I hope it is the normal way. None of your freakish travel and showing up in perfectly normal neighborhoods wearing your freak clothes."
"No worries." Harry said smiling his knowing smile. "They're coming by floo. I would recommend you remove the electric fire. Otherwise they will have to blow it up to be able to get out. Could you image the amount of soot that would cover the living room if that happened."
Harry could only smile as he left and a stricken Petunia Dursley ran to the fire place, starting to remove one of their newest home improvements.
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"Hey Ron!" Harry yelled joyfully as the tall lanky teen emerged from the fire place. It had taken a lot of talking with Dobby and thinking but Harry would have to act normal with his friend. the letters they had been passing back and forth served to break the shock of actually having one of his best friends alive again.
"Harry mate." Ron crowed as he crossed the room leaving a trail of soot each step. They smiled at each other and Ron pulled him into a brotherly hug. "Blimey mate!" Ron said astounded as he took in the new looking Harry. "It looks like your finally growing out of your midget stage. And what happened to your glasses?"
Harry laughed. "Contacts Ron. A muggle contraption that fit on the eye that act like glasses." He didn't want to tell him about the potion he had taken already.
Before the two friends could converse further both Fred and George appeared.
"Gred, Forge, how splended to see you two." Harry went over to greet the two dumb struck twins. Harry had never acted like this before. As he pulled the two heads toward his he whispered. "Don't play any pranks. I have a fragile truce now. A magical prank would only set them off on me next summer."
Both nodded, looking disappointed. "But I will help you test them on Percy."
"Harry, son, are you ready to get going. Big day tomorrow. The World Cup and all. Only comes around once every four years and we have tickets for the top box." Mr. Weasley asked jovially.
"Yea, I'm ready. Could you get this George?" Harry and George moved the trunk to the fire which had turned green again. The twins left first with Harry's trunk, Ron next and Mr. Weasley following. As flames died Harry turned a menacing glare on his 'family'.
"I will be back next year and when I do come back your behavior will continue as is has this summer. You will not like the surprises I have in store for you if you should degrade back to your 'normal' selves."
With that Harry tossed a pinch of sparkling powder in to the almost extinct flame. Backing up into them and watching the horrifying looks on the Dursley's faces as the green flames licked his body, causing no harm, Harry called out 'The Burrow' and disappeared in a swirl of fire.
Floo travel was never something he would get the hang of Harry decided after slamming his elbows and knees on no less than three other grates on the way to the Burrow. At least now he knew how to keep himself from flying across the room upon exit though. Stumbling slightly as the ended the trip in the familiar house Harry turned to glare at the offending grate.
"What did that fire place ever do to you?" George asked with a laugh after seeing the scowl.
Harry grumbled under his breath but was unable to answer further as he was nearly tackled by a squealing bushy haired blob. "Harry, oh I missed you so much. You will never believe how wonderful Greece was. What have you been up to. You haven't really written much in you letters."
It was true. He still had the mindset of putting as little as possible in letters delivered by owl. It was a lesson hard learned after he found Hedwig never made it to her destinations. He never found out what happened to her. So other than telling them how he managed to trick Fudge into approving apperation licenses the letters had been pretty boring.
Hermione hadn't like the idea of tricking the Minister of Magic and had sent a ten page note on her new stationary, which Harry admonished her for because she opened her birthday present nearly a month early. Still after a week of corespondence he got her to agree with him.
"Well, you know I don't like writing all that stuff down. I much rather tell you face to face. Plus it's only a few months. We have the rest of the year." The answer astounded most of those who knew him. Harry always hated going to the Dursleys. Correctly interpreting the confused looks Harry elaborated. "Don't get me wrong, I hate those muggles but as I told Gred and Forge, we came to a truce this year. It made the summer much better."
"A truce? In what way Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Well to be honest I told them I would magic them all to pieces if they didn't feed me and leave me alone. Basically told them I wouldn't be their slave any longer."
"Way to go mate. Didn't know you had it in you." Ron crowed as he slapped his friend on the back. "OW, what do you have on under you shirt anyway?"
"Harry!" Hermione screeched, scandalized. "You know you can't do magic without getting expelled. What were you thinking!"
Harry turned his Avada Kadavra eyes onto his best female friend. Power and command seemed to fill his being as he spoke. "Do not lecture me on what I can and can not do Hermione. You didn't have to grow up in conditions worse than a house elf. You didn't have a broom closet as a bedroom until your Hogwarts letter came. You never had to cook every meal for a family that would only let you eat the scraps they didn't. You were never beaten, belittled and ridiculed by anyone who knew you. Don't dare lecture me on what I can and can not do. Dumbledore left me on the damn doorstep in the middle of the night right after my parents died. I could give a damn if those muggles lived or died."
The venom of his speech left little to the imagination of the horrors Harry had grown up with. The entire house was in the room as he said it and it was the first time he had ever let so much information slip about his life pre-Hogwarts in this time.
Those around the room couldn't believe what he had said. None could imagine growing up in an enviroment such as that. As the others stood frozen Harry lifted his trunk with one arm and marched it up the stairs.
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"I'm sorry Harry. I never knew." Hermione slipped inside Ron's room after Harry had removed some of the books Dobby had aquired from auror command and was reading them quietly on the cot that was to be his bed for the next week at the Burrow.
"I know you are Hermione. But you have to stop thinking you know better than everyone else and bossing them around. It's one of the reasons you had such a hard time making friends in first year. And also one of the reasons we three don't have many other friends."
"I know." She said as she slipped onto the cot with him, sitting at his feet. "I try you know. To loosen up."
"I know." Harry smirked at his friend letting her know she was forgiven. "Ron and I have had a good influence on you." They both laughed remembering all their adventures. "You know," Harry continued, "I've had a lot of time to think this summer. I've come to realize some things as well." once he had her full attention he continued. "Every year we have fought something. Twice it was Voldemort related. We know he's still out there, waiting to come back. He will too you know. Sooner or later, he will return and he seems to pay a rather unhealthy amount of attention to me."
Harry looked deep into Hermione's eyes, searching for something he didn't know. "We will have to fight him sooner or later and when we do he won't be firing stunning spells and tripping jinxes. Will you still want to be my friend when that day occurs? When the situation calls to kill or be killed? When being my friend puts everyone you love in danger, you parents, with no way to fight back? When your spell ends someone elses life?"
The silence was thick for a long time before the woman Harry knew Hermione would grow into appeared before his eyes. "I'll never leave you Harry. I will stand by you and be your friend no matter what. We've simply been though too much to put aside our friendship."
"Glad to hear it." Harry pulled his long time friend into a hug. She sniffed then kissed him on the cheek.
"Come on down stairs. Dinner is about ready and Mrs. Weasley is determined to erase those years of neglect."
"I have no doubt of that." Harry laughed as he pulled her up from the cot. "Plus I need to gather everyone up. I have some information that the twins will love to hear."
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"Blimey Harry, what is this all about?" Fred groaned.
"It's one in the bloody morning." George finished for him.
"If you don't want to know you are more than able to go back to bed." Ginny grumbled, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
Harry only smirked and pulled his wand. A second later the room was sound-proofed.
Eyes widened as the others realized exactly what Harry had done. "Just thought you ought to know, Magic isn't traced per wand." To prove his point he opened the window with magic and they all waited for the owls to arrive. None did after ten minutes. "Is that a good enough reason to wake you my devoted pranksters?"
"Blimey Gred, think of all the pranks we can make using our wands." Feorge whispered. The twins looked at one another before grins lit up their faces.
"Right now listen." Harry continued. "Magic is only traces by instance. If a burst of magic occurs in a muggle area with no know magical family they send people out to investigate it. Once we get our wands we are registered with our address. That way if a burst of magic occurs they send a letter if the person is under age. Now tell me, what happens if an of age wizard is in the residence?"
"They won't be able to tell who did the magic." Ginny whispered in an awed voice.
Harry smiled at the red head. "Right you are. That means while we are at the Burrow no owls will arrive for underage magic. Now you can see how that might just seem a little unfair to me. So before I reveal anymore I want oaths stating you won't reveal anything I am about to tell you to another soul, ghost or creature."
The others looked at him strangely but Harry's firm face let them know he wouldn't tell unless they did. One by one they stated the oath.
"Good, now Hermione don't freak out on me. I have a reason for doing what I did and I will talk to you about it later." After receiving a nod from the girl he pressed on. "Well a few weeks into the summer I hired Dobby on as my elf." As expected Hermione huffed and narrowed her eyes. "When I did tell my relitives I was no longer going to act their slave Vernon attacked me. He made it all of a step before Dobby appeared and blew him through the kitchen wall. He ended up breaking a couple bones and hurting his back pretty bad. That happening is what led me to thinking of the ability to protect myself." Harry then launched into his speech of how Voldemort would one day return. "So Dobby and I decided we had to change a few things." Harry stood and with a soft crack he was on the other side of the room. "The first thing we did was learn apperation. No one would thing that a fourteen year old could apperate but it is really easy once you know the theory behind it. I bet I could teach each of you in a few days. What's even better is that apperation can't be tracked. The only time you can be fined if if an auror sees you apperating without a licence.
"So after learning how to apperate the two of us snuck into the Ministry and disabled the underage map for Privet drive, your house Hermione and here, the Burrow."
Mouths dropped around the room. Obviously it was a little too much information for each of them to handle. Finally the twins dropped to their knees.
"Our hero. The great Boy-Who-Lived. Greatest prankster since the great Marauders. We worship you."
Harry laughed but the others were still in a bit of shock.
"Blimey Harry, you have been busy this summer." Ron said in a daze
"Are you sure this is alright though?" Hermione questioned. "I mean what if you get caught?"
"Don't worry Mione, the spells I used are untraceable. Plus who would think a third year would be able to break into the Ministry and trick their system. Even if they did find it they would deny it on sheer principal."
"Alright, if you think so. I have been wanting to show my parents some of the things I've been learning." Hermione smiled as she thought of the things she would be able to do.
'Same old Mione.' Harry mused to himself. She never did let something as silly as laws stop her.
"So what else have you been up to?" Ron asked now that everything settled in.
"Well," Harry rummaged though his new trunk pulling out two flowing silvery cloaks. "I did do a little shopping in Diagon alley. Talked to a guy who knew a guy that knew about a guy who had found a guy who was trying to get rid of a few extra invisibility cloaks; black market style. The price was so good I had to get them." Harry tossed one to the twins and the other to Ron.. As expected none of them wanted the items saying it was too much. "I figured the four of us could get by with two cloaks." Harry motioned between himself, Ron, Hermione and Ginny. "So you two need your own. I only ask that we not end up as part of the pranks you pull using it." The twins nodded, forgetting entirely to try to give the cloak back. In reality the two cloaks were found in auror storage by Dobby. They were the only two not currently in use which was ashame. It would have been nice to get one for each of them. "These might just save our lives in the coming future."
"Thank you so much Harry. We'll make sure to keep it safe." The twins said in perfect unison.
"I also have these for each of you." Harry tossed a wand holster to each person in the room as well as a forearm sheath for a dagger and a book on muggle fighting with daggers and knifes. "The wand holsters are charmed to blend into your skin once put on and have the same spells as the ones the aurors use. The books and the dagger sheath are for later. I just think we should know other ways to defend ourselves if we become wandless."
There was a general consensus around the room. It really was a smart idea.
"Now before you all run a muck with these I know Dumbledore can sense people even under invisiblility cloaks, Snape can as well. It's because both are Legilimens. Basically they can read minds and view memories out of peoples heads. The skill also allows them to 'sense' magic."
"Finally I need for you to pass this book around. You will all have to learn occlumency. A skilled legilimens can plant or alter memories in another's mind. While I was studying occlumency I ran across some events that seemed wrong. Further investigation found that they had been altered." Everyone had a look of minor horror on their face. Some from the shear notion of having Snape mess with their memories and other for the thought that their memories and minds were so vunerable. "You each received an apperation license in the mail. As I wrote you earlier, I managed to trick Fudge into signing the release for them. They are perfectly legal. Still after I teach you all we need to keep that skill under our hat. No sense giving away all our secrets."
The rest of the morning was spent, predictably in Harry's opinion, talking about Ligilimency and Occlumency and how to avoid being a victim of both. By breakfast time Harry had two branches of magic to teach the five in the room with him: Apperation and Occlumency.
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Harry mused that the others were picking up apperation fairly quickly after their one day of lessons. He did have to fix George up after he left his foot behind from lack of concentration. The grousome and painful scene sobered the rest up and real progress started to be made. Harry had fixed George up quickly explaining to the rest he had made sure to study how to correct splinching accidents before he ever tried.
As the morning came for them to leave for the World Cup came Harry found the hike to the portkey to be much easier this time around. It was obvious that Harry was getting himself into better shape. He would have to make sure he kept to his workouts, something he had not been doing since arriving at the Burrow. He and Cedric exchanged small talk as they left those of lesser in shape lagging behind.
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The scene was just how he remembered it. Magic folk from the world over were crowded into a too small open field. The Ministry employees were running around trying to stem the tide of blatent magical use and one even seemed to have taken to following around the muggle owner of the property and removing any instances of magic from his mind. Harry wondered how many times someone could be oblivated before perminate damage was done.
"We're over here children." Mr. Weasley yelled above the din while trying to round up all his wayward kids.
As they started walking to their camp site Harry moved to over hear Fred and George talking about their bets.
"Okay we've saved a hundred and twnety seven galleons. As soon as dad is starts trying to put the tent together we leave and find some place to make our bets." One of the twins whispered to the other. Of course Harry had overheard now that he was trying to listen into what they were saying.
"Agreed oh twin of mine. This should give us enough to start our own shop after graduation. I can't believe mum. We could have made a pretty sickle out of all those gags she ruined."
"All that time spent and she just goes and throws them out like trash. It took everything I had not to spell her face off. It might not have been a good thing for Harry to tell us we could use magic at home. If mum keeps this up I don't know if we will be able to hold back." The two twins nodded together.
"Well then you will just have to be more secretive then won't you." Harry stated stepping into the conversation. The twins jumped and reddened as they realized they had been caught. "You might just have to partner with someone she would never think of checking as well." Harry smiled a wicked grin none of his friends had ever seen before. He then pulled a rather large bag from the robes he was wearing. "I believe this could help you on your way to financial independence."
Inside the bag were all the Weezed Molly had collected before they had left. The twins stared in dumb shock for a second before two identical beaming smiles lit their faces.
"Brother of mine. I do believe our ickle Harrykins has a valid point."
"I agree. Mum wouldn't dare to even accuse a guest."
They turned to Harry and in unison as they were apt to do, "Thanks Harry. We'll have to do this more often."
Harry nodded. "Oh and if you want to get any money from your bets I would advise not going to Bagman. I overheard a conversation while in the Ministry that he was having all sorts of financial problems. He probably wouldn't be able to cover your bets if you won. I'd go to the goblins. They might not give you as good of odds but you know you will get any winnings from them." Harry looked to the twins seriously, letting them know he wasn't kidding around. "Also, put me down for a thousand galleons for Ireland winning but Krum catching the snitch. Oh and another thousand that Krum makes the Irish seeker plow into the ground two or more times." Harry removed two bulging money bags from the fold and handed them to the two shocked twins. "I would advise you bet the same way."
With that Harry left the twins to find the goblins he knew were taking bets.
Mr. Weasley was still trying to put the tent together when he returned and Hermione and Ron looked at their wits end at trying to help the older Weasley out. Ginny was already gone, looking for friends Harry assumed.
"Hey lets go take a look around. There's got to be tons of things to see with the Cup here." Ron said giving Mr. Weasley a look that Harry interpreted as 'get me the hell out of here mate'.
Harry and Hermione smiled and laughed as they walked through the crowds. Vendors for each team were selling their wears. Once again Harry bought each of his two best friends the omnioculars and a few other memoribilia.
After hours of walking around, seeing the sites, talking to friends or just goofing around in general, the Golden Griffindor Trio made their way back to the tents. It was getting dark after all and tomorrow would start bright and early.
As they relaxed inside the magically enhanced tent Hermione looked over to her dark haired friend. "Your different. You know that Harry. I've never had so much fun just walking around before. You seemed to drag us all over the place today."
Harry had expected this. He made the decision to be more open. Hopefully create more friendships and just to enjoy his time as much as he could. He knew what the future held and it would be dark. Why not use what time he could to have fun. To be the teenager he never was the first time around. "I made a decision this summer when I returned to the Dursley's. I've already told you some of the things I have done as a result of that decision. Another was to have as much fun as I can while still seriously study and train for the fights ahead. I have a feeling we aren't going to have too many more of these types of days before the bottom falls out."
Ron and Hermione nodded solomly. "Hey since when did you start using americanisms?" Hermione asked. Now that she thought of it Harry had been using a silghtly differant vocabulary then he had in the past.
Harry cursed himself silently. This would have to happen now of all times. It was impossible to revert to his old way of speaking simply because he couldn't remember that far back. Hell it was hard to remember how he had acted while he was this age Before.
"Don't know." Harry shrugged, not letting anything but confusion enter his expressions. "I've been reading a lot this summer. Mostly Dudley's old books he tossed in my room to get them out of his way. There is quite a library of fiction he has been gifted over the years. Most of the authors were americans I guess. I spent a lot of time reading Mark Twain. I guess I just picked some of it up."
Hermione's eyes danced as she thought about how much reading Harry must have done. "Oh I love Mark Twain. What book was it? What did you like best? Personally..." On and on she went and Harry happily discussed one of his favorite authors from Before. Ron excused himself early in the conversation. Literarly works were never his strong suit.
Harry eyes slowly fluttered open. At nearly the same instant his new water proof divers watch chimed the sixth hour. Whether or not the Before was a dream, it had drastically changed his sleep patterns. He couldn't sleep past six now if his life depended on it. It really didn't matter as he felt well rested. The nutrient potions he was still taking were probably helping that as his body was actually healthy now.
Fully awake Harry chugged his first dose of potions while everyone was asleep. He slipped on some work out clothes and left the tent.
The woods were peaceful at this time in the morning. The horizon was just starting to light up. The mist still clung to the ground. The world was peaceful and quiet. Something that in mere hours would cease to exist.
By seven Harry was walking back into the Weasley's tent. Sweat made his clothing stick to differant parts of his body. Even now no one was awake. Seeing a chance Harry removed his shrunken trunk from an overnight bag, resized it, and stepped into the last compartment.
By eight Harry came back out looking for all the world that he was ready to go back to bed.
"There you are mate. You had us worried that you ran off and got lost." Ron said as he moved the flap aside and entered their room.
"No, just getting my morning workout."
"If that's what you look like after working out you can count me out. You look exhausted."
Harry knew he did and he felt it as well. "Yea, well if you want to put some muscle on to your lanky frame I would suggest it. You just get exhausted for a bit after you finish but the rest of the day you feel great. Trust me, I've never felt better." Which too was true. It was amazing how stress relieving lifting weights could be. Not to mention spending ten minutes in front of the heavy bag, punching the living crap out of it.
"Well hurry and get cleaned up. Dad says were leaving in a few hours and you still need breakfast. Plus I want to go exploring again."
"Alright, just give me twenty minutes to get through with my yoga."
"Your Yoda?" Ron looked totally confused.
Harry burst out laughing thinking of the little green creature from Star Wars. He wasn't the only one who heard either as Hermione entered the room laughing so hard tears welled in her eyes.
"It's 'Yoga' Ron." She said between laughs. "It is an excersise that stretches the body and improves over all body and mind control. It is suppost to be very relaxing." She then turned an inquiring gaze to Harry. "Another thing you started this summer?"
"Yep." Harry grunted in the middle of his first pose. "It should really help in dueling not to mention reducing injuries."
"Do you think you could show me how to do it. Yoga is something that has always interested me but I never decided to do it. It does look rather interesting."
Ron looked between the two with mild disgust. Both caught the look.
"Sure 'Mione. As soon as I'm done I will get you the book. I'd let you look but I have birthday and christmas presents down there too and I don't want to ruin the surprise." Harry then shifted his gaze to Ron. Just before he spoke his back gave out a series of sharp cracks. "Oh that feels good." Harry moaned. Hermione looked a little green. "I won't force you to do this Ron. My guess is that before Halloween you will be begging me to help you get into shape. 'Mione and I will be leaving you in the dust. But you will have to do it by yourself as the two of us," Harry waved a hand at himself and best girl friend, "will be leagues ahead of you."
Ron looked uneasy for a bit. "Yea well it doesn't seem too important to me."
"Don't fool yourself." Harry snapped back, scaring his two friends somewhat. "The trianing I can give you will save your lives before this war is over. You have my word on that."
The piercing look he gave the other two spoke volumes. It was like he had seen it all before. Ron and Hermione nodded in silent contemplation and sat to watch Harry move through pose after pose.
It was a good thing this body was untrained in a way. It would have been hard explaining some of the expert poses he use to be able to do. It had taken years to train his body in flexibility and balance to do those. It would have been hard to explain it to his friends how he was able to suddenly do them.
On the way to the stands they had the inevitable run in with Malfoy. Harry had forgotten about the little ferret and as he continued to through insults Harry conjured a rather rude sign on his back, turned his hair a shocking pink and stuck his shoes to the floor. By the time he made it to his seat he had no shoes and a rather large green hat covering his pink hair. It did seem he had removed the sign though, but not before he offended someone judging by the red hand mark that resided on the side of his face.
The top box was a breath taking sight. It was really the highest and best placed seat in the house to watch quidditch. Already the Bulgarian, French and English ministers were there all talking to their aides. Harry had spent a great amount of time learning some of the more common languages Before.
He decided to make an impression.
"Good afternoon Minister." Harry said as he walked up to Fudge. The pompus man dropped his conversation turning his full attention to the newly arrived guest. A fake smile lit his face as he saw Harry.
"Harry my boy. How good to see you again. I didn't know I would be seeing you today."
"I came with Author Weasley. His son, Ron, and I are best friends." Harry figured it probably wouldn't hurt to try to build up the elder Weasley.
"Ah yes. Author is a good man."
"That he is Minister. And these gentlemen with you. Who might they be?"
"Yes, yes, pardon my oversight. They would love to meet you." Fudge took Harry by the shoulder and led him over to a rather sever and rotund man. "This is the Minister for Bulgaria. Minister this is Harry Potter. The one who slew the past Dark Lord."
The man turned his hawk eyes to Harry, sizing him up. Harry held the gaze unflintchingly. After a nod of approval he stuck his hand out to Harry. "A pleasure meeting you." He said in broken english.
"The pleasure is all mine." Harry replied in the man's native tongue. The conversations going on around them ceases and even his friends looked shocked hearing Harry speak another language. The surprised minister's face broke into a grin of apprecation.
"You know my native tongue?" The Bulgarian Minister asked.
"I heard rummers of what is to take place this year at Hogwarts and thought it might be a good idea to learn as much as I could." Harry replied but he purposely spoke brokenly as someone new to the language would. "I'm afraid I have nearly exausted my knowledge of your noble language with our short conversation." Harry forces himself to look embarassed and contrite.
The Bulgarian minister boomed out a laugh and clapped Harry on the back. "You speak quite well for a beginner and the effort is much appreciated. I will speak to Ingor to see if you could continue your lessons.
"That would be apreciated. Thank you Minister." Harry bowed slightly showing his respect then moved to the French minister preforming the same flattery as before and earning even more curious stares from those who knew him. Especially the Malfoys who had entered just as the show began.
"So you know what is to transpire at Hogwarts this year young Harry?" Fudge asked obviously overjoyed at the inroads Harry layed for him.
"Oh yes Minister."
"And how might I inquire as to how you found out? The event is suppose to be a secret after all. A surprise."
"My guess is that you or someone in the Ministry told Lucius here." Harry waved a hand in the elder Malfoy's general direction. He made sure to speak loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Undoubtedly he then told his son to allow him to have leverage over the other students who did not know yet. What he didn't expect was that Draco here has a problem keeping secrets. All the way here I could hear him telling anyone who would listen what was going to happen. He was obviously trying to impress some french girl who he was chatting up, trying to look important. I'm guessing he failed judging from the red hand print adonrning his cheek." No one seemed to catch the inconsitancies in his story. Harry then decided to drive another nail in to the Malfoy coffin. "You should hear him at school Minister. He constantly threatens others with his father's political athority."
Fudge turned livid eyes onto the Malfoys. "We will talk about this breach of Ministry silence back in the office Lucius. I would also recommend you bring your son to heel. I will not stand for students to be threatened in that way."
Lucius nodded then threw a furius glare at Draco. Harry smirked at both as he passed, though he doubted either saw as Lucius was currently berating his son quite severly and loudly. He was making even more of a fool of himself in front of some very important people.
As he moved back to his seat he noticed Winky and the invisible Crouch Jr. He made sure to have his wand secured in his holster. He had however filched Draco's wand and had it sticking out of his back pocket as he sat directly in front of the deatheater. He had to ensure things stayed the same path. For now at least.
"Not now." Harry said in way of an explanation when he was confronted by his friends. "It was something I learned of during my little trip this summer. I'll tell you more later." They nodded seemingly satisfied that they would get the rest of the story later.
The rest of the game went the same as before. Harry recorded the whole thing on his omnioculars for future perusal. He laughed until he cried when Ron nearly jumped off the railing trying to impress the veela. It took both he and a cross Hermione to pull him back down. It was then he felt the wand in his back pocket removed. He turned around to look but only saw a worrying Winky. Harry smirked inside, everything was going according to plan.
As the lepricans threw gold Harry told those around him that no matter how much they pocketed it would disappear in a few days. Dissapointed, those around him groaned and dropped the coins back to the earth.
Krum again out flew the Irish seeker, causing him to plow into the ground twice in under ten minutes. The twins gave him a queer look only to receive a smirk back. Over all the game was rather short for a professional quidditch match. Like Harry had predicted Irland won after Krum caught the snitch and Harry, Ron & Hermione were able to have both entire teams sign posters they had bought prior.
Talk that night in the tent was all quidditch. It seemed even Hermione forgot about Harry's performance before the game much to his releif. As the night lengthened the Weasley's moved off to bed, one by one. Harry, though, stayed awake planning. He knew that in just a few hours the deatheaters would start their attack. It pained Harry that he wasn't going to be joining in the counter offensive but he knew if he was able to bring down even a few of the deatheaters it would look incredibly suspicious.
'One good thing about all this is that I will be able to get another invisibility cloak. I should probably hire Winky tonight as well.'
Sure enough events occured exactly the same way they had before. The deatheaters attacked. Mr. Weasley, Bill and Charlie went to help with the resistance. The twins and Ginny were separated from Harry, Ron and Hermione. Then soon enough the three arrived in a rather familiar clearing.
"Wands out you recon?" Ron asked as he pulled his own out of the sheath Harry had givin him.
Hermione nodded and did the same. Harry kept his where it was. A disembodied voice filled the clearing.
"MOSMORDRE!" The Dark Mark had been cast once again.
It only took seconds before the woods were filled with the cracks of apperation.
"DOWN!" Harry shouted as he pulled his friends to the ground. Stunners flew from every angle above their heads then continued on into the woods.
"STOP, STOP, that is my son!" Author Weasley shouted as he ran to the three on the ground.
They all sat up more shocked than hurt.
"What is the meaning of this..." And with that the entire episode happened just like it did Before. Crouch accusing them then being put in his place. Winky was again found. This time though it was with another wand. Again Winky was given clothes and the poor elf just colapsed in saddness. This time though the wand was identified as Draco's and the prior incantatum revieled numerous spells that were considered the dark arts and not taught in Hogwarts or at home to one so young. Harry again smirked thinking of how much trouble the Malfoys were in for once they found them. Draco especially since he was now linked to using dark arts and casting the Dark Mark. As the others left Harry waved his wand and a shiny invisibility cloak flew into his hands with no one being the wiser. He then walked over to the crying Winky.
"Winky?" The little creature looked up with saddened eyes. "Winky I know of a few places you could work. It would depend on if you wanted to continue to be free or if you rather be bound to a family again."
"But Winky is discrace to house elfs. She is being given clothes."
"I know you didn't do anything Winky. After all how would you have gotten Draco's wand. You were probably just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Like we were." Harry said as he gestured to his friends. "What Mr. Crouch did was wrong Winky. He was upset and took it out on you since he had no other outlet. I know you love the Crouch family but until Mr. Crouch comes to his senses you need some place to stay."
The elf looked at Harry with wide eyes. "You is beleiveing Winky?"
"Yes Winky I believe you. I know the Truth." He put specific enficis on the word.
The elf's eyes widened in shock and fear.
"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. I swear." Harry whispered. "So what would you rather like in the time being? To be a free elf and you could work at Hogwarts. There are alway plenty of things to do there. Or you could come work with me and be bound to the Potter family. I already have one elf, Dobby, and although I don't have much for you to do now I'm sure we could find something to keep you busy. Plus if Mr. Crouch wants you back at some point I will be more than happy to release my bonds on you and you could go back to them if you'd like."
That night Harry bound another elf to his family much to Hermione's chagrin.
A/N: I know a lot of people like this fic but to tell everyone the truth it is on the very back burner. There will be tons of cliches and what not. I even tampered with the idea of abandonment because of it's lack of originality. I will try to plod though it though.
Here is a 22 page honker of a chapter and I have put down some thoughts about what I want to do for the next chapter. Only expect this to be a ten or less chapter story. I do hope you enjoy it.
Also, I'm not even going to attempt to have a beta go over this story so expect spelling a grammer errors from here on out. Lady Vamp is does exellent work but she is out of the country for the next month or so. Don't expect any of my other fics to be updated in that time. This fic was just thought up after reading a truly horrid back in time fic and I decided I could write a better fic in my spare time than that person did. Have fun reading.
