July 31st 1991
Harry Potter walked in to the kitchen to fix breakfast. He began with the bacon as Kreacher appeared and reprimanded his young master. Harry had learned to cook at a young age. He had loved it. It helped him relax. People had assumed his life was that of a pampered prince. They were wrong.
He wasn't abused or anything of the sort, but he did work himself to exhaustion. When he was six, his now father Sirius had informed him of Voldemort and his minions. The existence of a prophecy that led Voldemort after him. The contents of which Dumbledore would keep secret until Harry's mind was protected. Voldemort's eventual return, as Dumbledore believed would happen soon. Peter's betrayal, pretty much all that led him to be orphaned at 15 months old.
This led harry to begin his training eagerly. He had begun to study magic. His cousin/sister "Don't call me Nymphadora " had given him her course books from Hogwarts. Aside from his muggle school work his mother Andromeda had taught him potions early on and began his study in Occlumency. Andromeda tirelessly worked to raise Harry with the manners befitting the Lord Black. Sirius had laughed at Harry when Harry asked him if he was a lord now. Sirius had told him no. There are no lords in the wizarding world, he had said. He explained that the rich old morons whose families belonged to the "Sacred-28" liked to set themselves above others. Over time some wizards began calling the heads of those houses lords.
His uncle Ted was charged with teaching Harry Herbology. Not an easy task. He loved Ted. Ted loved nature. He was an outdoors man. He would take him camping. They would hunt for their food, all without magic of course. Ted told him that this way he'd learn to be self reliant. He loved those trips. Sirius and Remus use to accompany them all the time. Lately it was just Ted and Harry. Sirius hadn't the patience for fishing without summoning spells. Harry also studied Astronomy. Ted had a telescope he would bring with him on their trips. On one trip Nymphadora wanted to go, but Andromeda refused. Andromeda said it was a guys only holiday. Sirius had looked apologetic alongside Ted. Dora simply morphed into a man and caused Harry and Sirius to break down laughing. Andromeda was not amused, but consented. It was during that trip that Harry made a discovery. He began talking to the snakes that lived near their campsite. That had shocked them all. Harry of course knew how being a parselmouth was viewed in magical England. His dad advised him to keep it secret. Harry just nodded, he planned to anyways.
Ted had taken him to the muggle London a couple months ago as a reward for completing muggle primary school. After shopping he came across a clinic near a mall. It was there that Harry learned of laser eye surgery. It was a new procedure in the UK. It took a lot of pleading but Sirius had agreed. God bless uncle Ted he thought. With the glasses gone he only hoped the scar would disappear soon.
Harry recalled his uncle Moony and his history and defense lessons. Harry's parents had gifted Moony a cottage and a substantial amount of money. Remus had been reluctant to accept, but Sirius had convinced him to respect their last wishes. He saw Remus once in a while. He liked the man, but he was a downer. Harry had no problem with Remus being a werewolf. In fact as a kid he thought it was cool. Remus responded with a grim smile when he told him so. He could be fun, but these last months Remus kept his distance. He was sure it was his sister Dora's fault. She eyed Remus whenever she thought no one would notice. Andromeda had no problems with it per se, but she hoped Nymphadora would wait a few more years before actively pursuing the man. Harry wondered why his sister liked Remus. Sure he was smart, but the "oh pity me/emo vibe" he presented was grating. Maybe she'd outgrow her crush or Remus would lighten the fuck up.
Sirius had taught him to duel with basic shields and stunning or disarming spells. He also created his own spell chains. He was very creative with charms. He was also taught hand to hand combat. Sirius had provided Harry with an old wand he had found stashed among others. It wasn't a perfect match, but it let him get acclimated with wand movements. Most importantly it avoided the trace.
Sirius was the best in his opinion. He treated Harry like an equal and valued his input. There were times when Sirius also spoiled him like the child he was. He remembered when he was eight Sirius had asked him about blood adopting him. Harry felt very happy and agreed. He loved Sirius. They had gone to the goblins to perform the ritual. After using dashes of Sirius' blood to draw runes on Harry's body, the goblin led him to the center of a rune circle. He was given a goblet containing the rest Sirius' blood. The runes on his body began to glow. Shrugging at the smell of blood he gulped it down and his body began to burn intensely. He passed out. When he woke he was in Sirius' arms. The ritual was complete. He took his glasses from Sirius and looked himself over. He no longer looked like the carbon copy of James. He still had the messy black hair, but with Sirius' features on his face. Lily's eyes stared back at him. He liked what he saw.
Harry didn't have many friends. He was a hard worker who loved to study. That didn't mean he didn't appreciate a good laugh. Sirius constantly joked around. They played pranks on each other occasionally. Harry was just more focused than others. You had to be when a deranged killer was coming back from the dead to kill you. People were put off by his straightforward attitude. He had no time for idiots. He had made friends in primary school but felt those friendships were doomed. He couldn't justify lying about himself to them. He didn't have any wizard friends. The kids his age he did meet were awestruck or would be obvious about their intentions to befriend him.
He had cursed the bloody Boy-Who-Lived moniker. To make things worse the goddamned Harry Potter adventure books were tremendously popular. They had sprung out of nowhere, a quick meeting with Sirius' barrister and the publishers were forced to award Harry 30% of sales and label the books as fiction. The wizarding public had made Harry a cynic. He realized no one would see him as himself. He often told himself he didn't need friends. He alone would fight Voldemort upon his return, but deep down he hoped to make true friends at Hogwarts .
The smell of burning bacon brought him out of his thoughts. " Bloody hell".
"Silly master" said Kreacher. " This is why Kreacher told young master he has no business doing elf work".
Harry sighed. "I just have a lot on my mind today is all" ,but he relented and allowed Kreacher to perform his duties. He picked up his Hogwarts letter that arrived a few days ago. It was addressed to Harry James Potter Black. He perked up reading his new name again. He had inherited his dad's good looks he thought. He was also a "partial" metamorph. He could only shorten or grow his hair on command. His sister Dora would tease him, but he didn't care. His mood dictated the length, while his preference was the short messy style of the Potter's. He was tall for his age with plenty of muscle on his lean body. He wasn't vain but he worked hard for his body and was proud.
"How's it going munchkin?" said Dora as she ruffled his hair. "What's that smell?" asked Dora.
"I burned the bacon, Kreacher took over" said Harry.
"I don't know why you bother. Kreacher is a much better cook"
"Only because he has more training than I do. Plus he cheats, he uses magic"
Dora rolled her eyes "Anyways, Happy Birthday kiddo".
"Thanks" responded Harry as his plate of food appeared. He heard noise coming from upstairs. His dad was awoken by the smell of food he assumed. His mum and Ted made their appearance. Andromeda embraced Harry and wished him a happy birthday. "Thanks mum" he responded. They all began to eat when Sirius finally joined them.
"What house do you think you'll join?" asked Sirius pointing to the letter next to Harry.
"I don't have a preference to be honest" answered Harry.
"It'll be Gryffindor like your parents and me"
"If that's what the sorting hat decides"
"How do you know about the hat?" questioned Sirius.
"I'm not an idiot dad. I read Lily and James' journals before. Lily wrote how the hat almost placed her in Ravenclaw".
"I wish you'd stop calling them that. They're your parents"
"So are you and mum. It just gets confusing. Using their names is easier. Plus reading their journals gives me a connection to them. It's like I've known them forever, and I'm positive they wouldn't be sad I call you two mum and dad" said Harry to Andromeda and Sirius.
Sirius just accepted and teases with "I just pray you don't end up in Hufflepuff".
Nymphadora immediately responded "What's wrong with Hufflepuff?" this was her last year at Hogwarts.
"Nothing" barks Sirius playfully as he sees his cousin's glare.
Andromeda stopped them from continuing by announcing the shopping trip to Diagon Alley. Harry had Dora's old books so he didn't need to buy any of them. There was one required book he assumed was an error. Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them was listed as a requirement but he knew that care of magical creatures was a 3rd year elective. Harry knew he had money, but only an idiot would waste it for no reason. He made a shopping list with Andromeda. He would only need his robes, potions supplies, and his wand. Maybe a pet, he wasn't sure.
As the group arrived Nymphadora took off to meet her friends. Sirius was secretive and took off running like a child. Ted would collect the potions supplies for Harry as his and Andromeda's supplies were low. Harry followed his mum to Madame Malkin's for his robes. Arriving he sees a boy seated on a chair. The Madame informs Harry about the wait.
"First year?" asked the boy.
Harry turns to see the boy. He had a pale pointed face. He nods.
"What house do you think you'll join? I hope I'm in Slytherin. All my family's gone there for years" said the boy.
Andromeda recognized her nephew but kept quiet.
"I don't know" said Harry. "Don't care".
The boy nods ignoring the bored tone. "The name's Draco Malfoy" he boasts.
Upon seeing no reaction Draco exclaims "You're not from around here are you? Most people know who my father is. The Malfoy name is respected among decent wizards. " Harry just stares ahead. Draco continues on about how he'll bully his father into buying him a broom. Finally he asked Harry "What's your name?"
Thinking about James and Lily, Harry responds "James Evans" .
"Evans, Evans" repeated Draco. "Never heard Evans before, you must be a mudblood".
Andromeda's eyes widen at her nephew's crass behavior. Harry stands up and ask his mum "Can I leave my robes up to you? You know my sizes ". Andromeda agreed and Harry left.
He made his way to the wand shop. As he opens the door to enter he abruptly stops upon seeing a woman about to leave. She was simply beautiful to him. Her blonde hair tied in an elegant knot. Her pretty blue eyes. He made contact with them and felt as if he was drowning in them. Her deliciously plump ruby-red lips parted ever so slightly. His chest began to ache. He'd been unknowingly holding his breath. He'd appreciated a woman's beauty before, but this was different. Something stirred within him. Harry noticed her womanly curves covered by modest robes. He felt it was an insult to hide them.
Narcissa Malfoy was looking at wands waiting for her little dragon. Lucius had sent her to Ollivander's to get Draco's wand while he took him to get robes. He must be an idiot she had thought. Draco needed to be present for the wand to choose him as old man Ollivander would say. She assumed Lucius was conducting "business".
As she went for the door she saw him. The boy. She felt she'd seen him before. They made eye contact. She felt his gaze upon her body and was inwardly pleased. She was still beautiful and with a body most women half her age would envy. She asked him if he could step aside. The boy remained where he was, silent.
Harry spied her breast, once more lost in her beauty.
Narcissa stopped herself from laughing at his behavior.
Her kissable lips parted once more bringing the gift of sound to his world once more.
"Pardon me my lady" Harry said. "How may I be of service?" he blushed. He chastised himself over the "my lady" bit. He never stumbled in front of women, but this vision, this beauty unnerved him rendering him into a silly child. A smile touched her face.
The lips parted once more "What's your name"
"HarryJamesPo.." he rapidly fired.
"Harry. just Harry" he responded nervously
"Well Harry just Harry, I was hoping you could do me a favor and let me pass".
"Of course" he shuffles to the side.
"Have a nice day" she says lifting her hand for a handshake.
Harry grabs her hand and brings her knuckles up to his lips and kisses them softly.
Narcissa couldn't hold it in any longer and began to chuckle covering her mouth with her left hand. She thought he was too cute.
Pleased with the sound of her laugh, but embarrassed, Harry patted down his shirt as to wipe away dirt. He smiled at her and begins to properly introduce himself when his mother calls him as she walks up.
Andromeda noticed Harry with some woman and approached them. After calling his name the woman turns and Andromeda's face visible hardens. She's momentarily speechless and greets in a neutral tone "Sister".
Narcissa turned to look at the woman who called out to her small companion. She never expected an impromptu family reunion. She hears Andromeda greet her and she remains silent.
"Sister?" asked Harry.
Andromeda looks at him and says "Yes Harry, a lifetime ago I had a sister".
Narcissa tensed at the response and looks between Harry and Andromeda. She now recognized the boy. He looked so much like her cousin Sirius. "It was nice meeting you Harry, but I must take my leave". She turned to her sister and looked like she was going to say something, but left.
Andromeda watched her sister leave. As did Harry for other reasons. Her rear drew his gaze and he couldn't look away. Her long shapely legs assisted her quick departure.
"Come on let's go get your wand" said Andromeda. Harry followed but didn't pay attention to anything. He recalled meeting an old man and his prattling on about wands, greatness, terrible things, and something curious about some wand that didn't work for him. He walked out with a 13" Dogwood wand with Thestral tail hair.
Meeting the gang for lunch they were heading to Fortescue's ice cream parlor. Sirius was visibly jumping at the chance to show Harry his gifts. He handed him a snow white owl. He called Kreacher to take the owl and set up its perch. Sirius also gave him a broom. It was the new Nimbus 2000. Harry leapt to hug his father. He always wanted his own broom. He'd never ridden one. He'd learn soon enough
"A boy should receive his first broom from his father" said Sirius. "I know I can never truly replaced what you lost" continued Sirius, but was abruptly stopped by Harry who grabbed him in a hug once more.
As they sat, a woman with strawberry blonde hair and a beautiful face with a rather stern demeanor approached them. She greeted Sirius and Andromeda. He learned her name was Amelia. Behind her was a girl with beautiful red hair. She was very shy at first but after visibly debating with herself she approached Harry.
"Hi there I'm Susan" she said
"Hi I'm Harry. Sit down" he pats next to him removing the broom and resting it on the floor among the day's purchases.
Sirius watches and teasingly mocks while wiping away a nonexistent tear "My boy is all grown-up. He prefers girls over brooms already"
Ted and Andromeda laugh while Amelia smacks Sirius on the shoulder.
Susan's face reddens to an impressive degree. "Ignore him" says Harry. He leans close to Susan and says "Sometimes I forget who's the father and who's the son".
Susan laughs at that and begins to open up to Harry. She's shocked when she learns he's Harry Potter but doesn't act any differently. Curious he asked her and she said her aunt always taught her to think for herself. She also knew no child could possibly go on all those ridiculous adventures. She also admitted her aunt had told her some of the things she saw during the Trial of Pettigrew as it became known. Seeing Harry's face, she told him of losing both her parents to Death Eaters as well. Harry hugged her and offered her his condolences. She was someone he could definitely relate to. Susan was person who was down to Earth with a proclivity to think critically. A rare find among wizards and witches.
How's your shopping been going" asked Harry. She told him about meeting a gang of red heads and Malfoy senior and junior at the broom shop. She was a fan of quidditch. She was looking at brooms to pass the time. She mentioned meeting Hagrid at the bank who greeted her aunt. Apparently the BFG was retrieving something from vault 713. Apparently it was supposed to be a big secret, yet the way the man kept announcing Dumbledore had trusted him with the retrieval of an important object made the secrecy moot in her opinion. Harry quietly agreed.
"So what house are you looking forward to join" asked Susan. As Harry was about to answer an alarm begins to blare from the direction of the bank and armed goblins appear and close down the bank. Amelia Bones who'd been chatting with his mum and dad quickly made her way to Susan. She said she had to take Susan to the ministry to investigate what happened.
Andromeda told Amelia to leave Susan with them and collect her at their home. Sirius immediately seconded the motion. "She'll be bored out if her mind Amy. She'll just be alone waiting for you"
Amelia glared at Sirius over the use of Amy, but turned her attention to Susan who looked hopeful at what was suggested.
"I guess there's no point in asking, but do you want to go with them Suzie?" asked Amelia
"Yes auntie" Susan chirped. Harry grabbed Susan by her hand and stood up and faced Amelia.
"She's in good hands" Amelia smirked but consented and apparated away. Andromeda began to gather their things. Sirius and Ted apparated away with everyone's stuff as Nymphadora joined them. They collectively walked to the Leaky Cauldron to floo home.
At home Harry invited Susan to his room. They went over their books. After a while Susan looked around Harry's room and found it very bare. The bed was comfortable enough. A bookcase containing various spell books and on the floor in a corner were weights for lifting. Something was hanging from the ceiling which Harry explained was a punching bag. He picked up a pair of gloves and showed them to her.
An owl was perched in the corner. She thought it was rather beautiful. She asked Harry for the owl's name. He told her she didn't have one yet. They spent the whole day relaxing on Harry's bed looking for a name. Susan was the one who came up with Hedwig. Harry asked the owl if she liked the name and Hedwig hooted approvingly. They continued talking about their lives. Nymphadora had walked in to tease them.
"Aww little Harry found a girlfriend".
Susan became red once more. "Yeah, so what?" said Harry. Nymphadora just laughed.
"Who's your girlfriend Harry. Does she have a name?" teased Nymphadora. Harry waited on Susan to respond.
"Susan" she whispered. "She CAN talk right?" asked Nymphadora mockingly.
"SUSAN" exclaimed Susan whose face became even redder. Harry grabbed her hand and looked at his sister. "Her name is Susan. Susan this is my sister Nymphadora" said Harry knowing what was going to follow.
"DON'T CALL ME NYMPHADORA" bellowed Nymphadora. Harry laughed loudly under the glare of his sister.
"She prefers Tonks or Dora as I call her" said Harry to Susan. Susan nodded and addressed Nymphadora as Dora.
"Usually I only let close friends or family call me Dora, but since your my baby brother's girlfriend I'll let it slide" teased Tonks as she walked away. It took Susan a few minutes for her face to clear. Harry offered Susan a go with the punching bag. She nervously accepted at first. After an hour or so that's where Amelia found them. Susan loved it. After a few questions Amelia had told them about a break-in at Gringotts in vault 713. Susan asked Harry if she could owl him. He responded in the affirmative.
AN: Now i know it might sound like I'm going to make an OP Harry,but I'm not. He will be stronger than his contemporaries for sure, but the inner DE's will be stronger. I always thought it was stupid how 100 or so individuals could cripple a community unmatched if they could easily be defeated by children. Harry will have to be ruthless to match them. Sure there will be weak amd stupid DE's, but in an organization where every member wants to be the big fish, you'd expect some ruthlessness and intellect beyond normal.
I don't know it's just my thoughts on the matter. Like i said Susan will be Harry's rock. Thinking more on pairings i think I'll have Harry date around. The boy was raised by Sirius Black for God's sake. He also won't be meek like in canon.