Ordinary

Disclaimer: I only own my puppies.

Chapter 9

Harry and Hermione parked at McKinley the next morning, both resolved to follow George's advice. Who knew one half of Hogwarts most illustrious prankster team would turn out to be such an insightful guardian? As they walked up to the school entrance they saw Will jogging over towards them waving as he came.

"Hey guy!" Will pulled Hermione into a hug and dropped a quick kiss on her forehead. "How's your first week going so far?"

Harry rolled his eyes, "Oh, it's been magical." Will laughed.

"Yeah, high school can be rough, but I want you two to know you can come to me at anytime, alright?"

Hermione beamed at her cousin, "Thanks, Will." As they were about to separate inside of the school, Harry grabbed Will's arm.

"Uh, could I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure, Harry. Come to my office, I can write you a late pass." Once they were settled into the office, Will looked expectantly at Harry.

"What's on your mind?"

Harry rubbed his scar, a nervous reflex he was trying to beat and looked up at Will. "Well, Hermione and I talked with George last night about how we were feeling and the best way to adjust. He, uh, he said that if we found an idea or people that made us feel good, that we should, uh, consider finding common interests?" Harry grimaced at Will at how weird this was all coming out.

"Okaaaay, well, have you found any ideas or people that make you feel good?" Will didn't seem to know where Harry was going with this, but had to make sure his encouragement wasn't going to give the green light to something self destructive.

Harry took a deep breath, "Yeah, I have. I, er, I've made friends with some of your Glee kids…" Will instantly smiled.

"So you want to join Glee, Harry?" Harry nodded. "That's wonderful! We are always looking for more members and would love to have you! Just show up for our next rehearsal on Thursday after school and audition!"

Harry was both comforted and a bit frightened at Will's overwhelming excitement. "They must be desperate," he thought.

"I do want to join, but I need to make it clear- Hermione, George and I are in Ohio for a reason. We had to get away from England and our lives, and part of that is living anonymously here. As much as I'd like to have a reason to belong with some really nice people, I absolutely cannot be in the spotlight." Will's smile dropped at Harry's serious words.

"I understand Harry. Actually, I don't understand. I have no idea what you three went though in England." To Harry's shock, Will started getting teary-eyed. "I wish to God I could have taken my smart, beautiful baby cousin away from all of that danger and pain. It kills me that I happily pondered her learning spells in a magic castle in a fairy tale when I could have taken her away from that Hell. I wish I could have saved you both." Harry wiped his eyes at Will's words. He hadn't had an adult care about protecting him since Sirius, and it felt unimaginably good.

"It's not your fault, we do whatever we can to keep muggles from finding out. And even if you had, Hermione wouldn't have left- she believed in our cause. Damnit, she was our cause. There was nothing you could do then, but you can protect us now. Help us stay safe."

Will moved around his desk to sit next to Harry and grabbed his hand. "I will do whatever I can to keep you out of the spotlight. I think the Glee club can help you learn about yourself and make some genuine friendships. Harry, I want you to be a kid, let me worry about this."

Harry laughed, "Me? Worry? Never!"

Will joined in his laughter and they both got up, "You know, this is the first time anyone in Glee has wanted to not be in the spotlight."

"At least Rachael will be happy?"


Harry got a late pass from Will and made his way to his History class where he slipped into the empty chair next to Kurt. Kurt instantly look relieved to see Harry and then gave him a dirty glare. When Harry pulled out his notebook ready to catch part of the lecture, Kurt slid a note over the desktop to Harry's side.

Where have you been Harry Potter? I have been worried sick! No one gives me wrinkles, I don't care how dreamy your accent is!

Harry chuckled and quickly wrote his reply.

My accent is adorable? Hermione warned me Americans would have this reaction. I guess I owe her $5. "5 galleons, more likely," he thought to himself.

Kurt let out a low growl and scribbled some more.

Don't avoid the question. I was worried about you yesterday. Did you run into Azimio? Wake up late?

Wake up late? I live with Hermione Granger- we would never show up to school late. If you must know, I was on time. I just needed to talk with Will.

Kurt shot Harry a suspicious look.

Who is Will?

Harry met Kurt's suspicion with confusion, wasn't Kurt in Glee club? The whole point of his future public humiliation was to spend time with the other boy, so he had best be there!

Will, you know, the Happy Choir teacher. Hermione's cousin.

Kurt instantly brightened.

Oh! Mr. Shue! Honestly, who calls teachers by their first names?

Er, their family?

Harry was pleased at the quiet giggle he earned from Kurt.

Haha. Is everything okay? Isn't he like guardian #2 or something? Harry liked that thought. He couldn't lay all of his problems on George, and Will seemed like he honestly wanted to be there for them.

I guess so. I was just ensuring his word that he will maintain my self-proclaimed wall-flower status. Absolutely no solos.

Kurt stared at the paper for a few minutes like he was trying to piece together what Harry said. When it clicked, a happy squeal made the class turn around and stare.

"Mr. Hummel, while I know Roman trade is an exciting topic, please maintain your composure."

"Yes, sir."

Kurt gripped a now smiling Harry's arm in a surprisingly strong gasp. His eyes shown bright and Harry knew he wanted to keep squealing. Kurt all of a sudden pushed Harry's arm away and went back to their note with renewed fervor.

YOU'RE JOINING GLEE CLUB? Kurt all but threw the note at Harry.

Yep. Will promises to keep me out of the spotlight. I'm to audition Thursday.

The silent squealing continued. OMG! Do you know what you're going to sing? Of course you don't, you sing ABBA at the mall and have no idea who Justin Timberlake is! This will take planning- you're coming to my house after school.

Harry finished reading what Kurt wrote as the bell rang. YES! Everything was perfect now in Harry's Lima World. Not only was he going to get to spend more time with Kurt in Glee club, but Kurt wanted him to be there in Glee club. And Kurt invited him over to his house! Non-school interaction! Harry made a mental note to himself to buy George a new broomstick or something for his spectacular advice.

Kurt was positively jumping up and down as they walked down the hallway.
"Oh my Gosh! You are going to join Glee club! This is perfect! We need to make our twelve person quota and you will be absolutely brilliant!" Harry couldn't help but feel elated and Kurt's shining face. He smiled back.

"Yeah, well, don't hold out for brilliance. I'll just settle for a not-horrible. It's just you guys have been so wonderful and I want to have more reason to belong than just pity, you know?"

Kurt's eyes softened and he pulled at Harry's arm to slow him down. "Hey, we don't hang out with you out of pity. While it would be fabulous if you joined Glee club, I would still want to spend time with you, okay? You still matter without the club." Harry looked down at his shoes. He was not going to cry again today! He just nodded, but kept looking down.

"Hey you, look at me." Kurt gently pushed up Harry's chin so he was forced to look up. "I mean it, you matter, not a club." Harry just nodded again, a single tear falling down his face.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, Ron," he thought to himself. When did he become such a girl? Harry stopped minding when Kurt smiled and used his thumb to gently wipe the tear away and pull Harry into a hug. God, he loved hugging Kurt. When the broke apart Kurt put his hand on Harry's shoulder and started guiding him down the hall.

"Enough Emo, let's talk music!" Harry laughed, the tension broken.

"I have no idea what that means." Kurt just shook his head sadly.

"That, Mr. Potter is why you are coming over to my house after school. You have much to learn."


After school, Hermione took their car while Harry accompanied Kurt home with promises that Kurt would return him in safe and musically aware. The boys talked and joked as they drove through Lima, Harry musing on how fabulous (geeze, is he turning into Mercedes?) everything has been. When they pulled up into a house that he assumed to be Kurt's Harry froze in terror.

No.

Not here.

Impossible.

But he was Harry Potter- he was powerful and aware. He knew he wasn't wrong. He sat frozen as Kurt chatted as he turned off the car.

Kurt.

No.

Harry couldn't let Kurt go in the house.

Not as long as Harry could sense it. How did this happen? In LIMA?

Harry couldn't deny the truth.

There was a wizard in Kurt's house.

Author's note: Dun dun DUN! OMG I'm super excited. I've been thinking about the next chapter for sooooo long. Well, maybe not the NEXT chapter, but the next few. Enjoy!

~Paris