Rock stepped out from the trees of the forest, Harry held close against her chest. She had barely put him down for the past few days, wanting desperately to make him feel wanted.

She looked around when she saw they had come out of the forest. They were now in a small town. Maybe she could scrounge up some good food...

Upon entering the town, she got several strange looks, mainly older women who seemed rather taken aback by her appearance. She realized that she would need new clothes as well. But how was she going to get them?

She saw a nearby building that said "Clothing Store" on a billboard on top of it. That seemed like the place where she would get a shirt...She peeked in through the window, and frowned when she saw a man exchanging a few pieces of green paper in exchange for the clothing. She didn't have any of that paper...

Hmmm... this could be a problem. Time for a bit of stealth and slight of hand. She brushed against into the man as he left, and neatly picked his pockets. she found a square piece of brown leather containing the green paper, and a brown, polished stick. She paused for a moment wondering what to do next, when a hand landed on her shoulder. She quickly looked up to see the red haired man she just stole from.

"Where do you think your going young lady?"

She easily slid from the man's grasp, afraid of capture. The man saw her fear and frowned, "Hey, it's ok. I won't report you. The name's Arthur, Arthur Weasly. What's your name, and who's the kid clinging to you, your son?"

Rock froze at that. Why would he think that? Harry peeked around Rock's leg and the man got a good look at his forehead.

"Blimey!" he grabbed her again, and with a sharp snap, they disappeared.

Rock blinked in confusion as they appeared somewhere else in the town in a flash of light. She looked back and forth. How had that happened...?

Harry flinched. "S-Sorry, Miss Rock...I used the freaky stuff again..."

"...It's okay." Rock's eyes widened, and she brought a hand to her mouth. ...Had she just...spoken?

Harry, for his part, looked around in confusion to see who had talked. He even looked up at the sky to see if it was God.

"...I talked..." Harry snapped his head to look into Rock's eyes. "...Whatever that flash of light was...It must have had some effect on me...I can speak freely..."

It was difficult to tell who was more surprised. Rock looked down at her young charge, and saw that it was he who was speechless.
"Y-you can t-talk?" Harry looked at Rock, unable to process tne fact that words just came out of her mouth. Rock nodded.

"Yes, little one...I can talk..." Then, she realized. She had been caring for this child for days now, and she had no idea what his name was. "...Tell me...your name..."

"Um...I-I'm Harry... But...What's your name, Miss?"

"...I am Black Rock Shooter." Harry smiled at her.

"...Hi, Miss Rock..." He said softly. Rock rubbed his head.

"...Hi, Harry."

"Freeze!" Rock spun around to see a group of men with sticks pointed at her. At the head was a rough looking man with a single eye, and the other eye being replace with some sort of revolving eye. "Step away from the boy, dark witch scum, before we blast you to kingdom come!" Rock's eyes widened briefly before narrowing dangerously.

"I'm not a witch." She said lowly. "And I will not leave Harry. He needs me. Leave, or I will defend us."

The scarred man nodded with grudging respect, "Stunners, full power on my mark. Aim for the chest and head. Execute." A loud chourus of "STUPIFY!" was heard and jets of red light slammed into Rock, forcing her back. She gasped from rhw dizzying effect that passed quickly. "That, was a big mistake." The strangers looked at her in confusion and then panic as she summoned her gun, in cannon form, in her right hand, and her sword in her left. "Stay behind me Harry."

Harry stared at the gun in awe, then shook his head and did as he was told. Rock narrowed her eyes into mere slits at the men in front of her.

"...You won't take him from me. I promised to protect him, and I don't care who I have to kill to do it. You made a big mistake attacking me...You'll be lucky if you survive the first shot." And with that, she pulled the trigger.

Alastor knew something went wrong when the stunners failed to make a mark on her. He quickly used his staff to make a personal shield charm and watched in awe as the girl destroyed his best team. Using a bit of occulmency on the boy, he found that the girl was actually protecting him. Using a quick Sonorus Charm, ne bellowed, "Cease fire, girl! We're on the same side!"

Rock heard the man's words, and reluctantly released the trigger of her weapon. She shot the man a suspicious glance.

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" She said, a violent undertone in her voice.

"Just trust me, and allow me to speak." Rock hesitated, then nodded.

"...Fine."

Alastor dropped the shield charm and looked at tne girl warily. "Young lady, do you have any idea who you have in your possession?" The girl shook her head. "That there is Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived. Right now, we need to take him back to his aunt and uncle, and detain you for questioning, do you understand?"

Rock stared at the man for a few more seconds. Then she went right back to shooting at him and his followers.

Alastor slammed the butt of his staff into the ground, causing Rock's gun to Vanish. "That's enough girl!" He pulled out his wand and was about to curse Rock, when an old voice called out. "That is enough, Alastor."

Dumbledore had arrived.

Moody turned to the old wizard.

"Albus, this girl is resisting arrest, and attacking our allies! Do you mean to tell me she's in the-" Dumbledore interrupted him by handing him a newspaper article.

"...We should be thanking this girl, Alastor." Dumbledore said somberly. "...Had it not been for her, our saviour may have died." Moody raised a brow, then looked down at the article.

The headline read "Psychotic Fat Man arrested for child abuse".

You must be absolutely mad if you think I am going to trust this girl!" Albus gave Alastor a tired smile, "Then call me a hatter." He turned back to Rock. Madame, is there any assistance we can provide you?"
Rock paused for a moment, before asking, "Are you the one who place Harry at his aunt and uncle's?"

Dumbledore smiled sadly.

"...Guilty as charged..."

Rock stared at the man impassively. Slowly, she approached the old man. Then, without a word, she slapped him right across the face, snapping his head to the side.

Alastor's mouth hung open in shock, stunned by what had just transpired. Dumbledore slowly turned his head back to Rock.

"...Thank you. I deserved that."

Rock turned back to Harry, who was looking fearfully at the men with their sticks. She walked up to him, picked him up, and turned back towards the wizards. "I will not leave Harry. You may try to take him from me, but I will not hold back if you attempt to ambush me again."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, and he smiled warmly.

"I wouldn't dream of taking young Harry away from a young woman who cares for him so much. If you wish to raise him, then so be it. I will not prevent it. It's only right that the boy who lived is raised with love and care, after all. Can I trust you to raise him right?"

She raised ner chin and glared defiantly at the old man. "Of course I-"

"There is no way you can take care of that child on your own!" interrupted Alastor. "You don't even have a place to live!"

Albus turned to Moody, "That has been arranged." He looked at Rock, "You may come with me to Hogwarts, or stay with a close friend of mine.

Rock narrowed her eyes in thought. She didn't think she had met this man's friend...And he seemed like a nice enough human...But...

"...What's a Hogwarts?" Dumbledore chuckled.

"Hogwarts is a school where we teach witchcraft and wizardry, my dear. Magic, if you will."

"B-But...there's no such thing as magic..." Harry said quietly. Dumbledore smiled.

"Oh, but there is, child. And you have the ability to harness this magic."

Rock hesitated, she knew she needed help, and bad. However, she didn't trust this man, much less his 'friend'. There were too many unknown factors in this world and she had no idea what to do.

She gave Dumbledore a stony look. She needed some time to think it through. "...Can I have some time to think about it? ...I don't fully trust you."

Tne old man gave a grandfatherly smile,"Of course, but until then, allow me to let you stay at the Leaky Cauldron. It's an inn located in London."

Rock thought for a moment, before slowly nodding, "If you betray me old man, there is no second chance."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Of course, of course. I'm glad to know that Harry is in such capable hands. Come along, Alastor." Dumbledore turned to leave. The man with the fake eye turned to glare at Rock.

"...I want to make one thing clear, girl. I don't trust you one bit, and if anything happens to Harry, anything at all, my blame will be directed at you."

Rock just stared at the man. He wants to intimidate me, eh? She blinked and shot some flame from her eye, causing the crazy, erm, crazier man to jump in surprise, before turning and disappearing with a snap. Once they were gone, she noticed that the old one left a boot. It was glowing blue and there was a note that said: "This is a portkey, it will take you to the Leaky Cauldron. Make sure both of you are touching it. Ask for Tom and say that Albus sent you."

Rock wordlessly tucked the note away in the pocket of her shorts.

"...Harry. We have to grab the boot at the same time."

"Um...Okay, Miss Rock..." Harry replied softly, obeying her words. The two grabbed the boot...and then everything seemed to spin...