Title: View from the Streets
Author: Knife Hand
Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated, flames unappreciated
Spoilers: Nothing Specific, general for first few books.
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I do not own Hermione, or Luna, or Ginny, or Cho, or... I would buy them all but I am broke.
Summary: The Dursleys do not keep Harry, so his life is very different and even tougher. Extreme AU
A/N: If you ever want an understanding of how Rebecca fells for Harry in this fic, just listen to 'The first time ever I saw you face' by Roberta Flack. I think it not only described Rebecca's maternal feelings for Harry and her devotion to him, but also how he changed her life when she rescued him and she would not have it any other way.
Minerva McGonagall was sitting at the head table in the Great Hall, watching the students for their first Saturday of the new School Year. It seemed that Harry, she admitted that for propriety's sake she should and did call him Mister Potter but she could not help herself from thinking of him as Harry, had some kind of argument with Miss Patil and Miss Li, or more accurately Miss Patil and Miss Li were angry at Harry for something, seeing as they were both alive and Harry had not approached her about wanting to kill them. There was an empty space between Harry and the two girls, and the girls were occasionally giving Harry dirty looks, but Harry himself seemed excited. Well, excited and vigilant. He was always aware of what was happening around him.
As always, Harry finished his small breakfast quickly and then sat patiently while McGonagall finished her own. When she finished her breakfast, she entertained the thought for a moment of making him wait but decided not to. Standing up she walked over to the Ravenclaw table.
"Mister Potter, please come with me." She said.
"Of course, Professor." Harry replied.
They moved into the courtyard where there was one of the school's carriages, which most students believe pull themselves. Harry however, immediately went to the front of the carriage and began to pet something invisible.
"These things are cool." Harry said, "What are they?"
"They are called Thestrals. For a long time, they were thought to be mythical as they can only be seen by those who have seen death."
"That is awesome." Harry replied. "Do you think Mum will be able to see them?"
"Unfortunately no. Only Magicals can see Thestrals." Minerva explained. "The carriage will take you directly to the Three Broomsticks. I have informed Rebecca and she will be waiting for you there. The carriage will also be waiting for you there at Six-Thirty on Monday Morning."
"Understood Professor." Harry said, before he climbed into the carriage.
The carriage ride into Hogsmeade went quickly. Outside was the beautiful Scottish Highland scenery but Harry was too excited to notice. As the carriage approached the Three Broomsticks Harry saw Rebecca standing outside the pub in a pair of jeans and a jumper, chatting with Madam Rosmerta. By the time Harry got out of the carriage, Rebecca's attention was completely focused on Harry, and for a second Harry saw a slightly sad smile on Madam Rosmerta before Rebecca enveloped him in a hug and by the time she released him Madam Rosmerta was gone.
Wrapping her arm around Harry, Rebecca led him down the street and Harry began to tell her about his Sorting, Ravenclaw House, his classes and his burgeoning friendship with Su Li and Padma Patil. Harry's recitation continued long after they had reached their small apartment, with Rebecca smiling at his enthusiasm. It felt to Rebecca as if a hole in her heart had been filled.
Su and Padma were sitting in the Ravenclaw Common Room, the sky dark in the windows as evening had fully set in. They were seated in one of the small tables reading ahead for Defence Against the Dark Arts.
"Li, Patil. Where is Potter?" Harding, the female Seventh Year Prefect, asked. "I have not seen him since breakfast."
Padma's faced became a mask and she closed her book and stood.
"Knock when you're ready." Padma said to Su before heading into the private corridor.
"What's that about." Harding asked.
"Potter is at home for the weekend." Su said. "Some kind of deal that was made with Professor McGonagall before the year started. He 'forgot' to inform Padma until yesterday."
"Why would…?" Harding began.
"Use your head." Su said in exacerbation. "Since he was a baby, Harry and his mum have faced things you can't imagine together, with only each other to rely on."
Su stared at Harding for a moment until she saw the light go on in the older girl's eyes, then Su gathered up her books and made her way into the private hallway, knocking on the door. Padma opening it quickly and Su entered. Padma had already changed into her nightdress and was ready for bed. As was her way, Su stripped down to her underwear in preparation for bed, causing Padma to blush slightly.
"Be glad I am not my mother, she sleeps naked." Su said with an even voice.
Padma struggled with it for moment before she burst out into a giggle. Su and Padma climbed into the bed, Su making sure to twist her hair into a semblance of a ponytail and tucked it under her to ensure that Padma did not choke on it during the night. Padma wrapped her arms around Su's bare stomach and they both slowly drifted off to sleep.
Harry woke up at five in the morning with Rebecca's arms wrapped around him. The weekend had gone by so quickly. Saturday had been spent simply sitting around the apartment talking. Sunday they had gone for a walk around the village, meeting up briefly with Madam Rosmerta, but most of the day had just been Rebecca and Harry, even having a picnic lunch just outside the village.
Rebecca awoke a few moments after Harry did, snuggling into him almost as if she was afraid that he would disappear on her. They both got up and had a leisurely breakfast before getting ready and making the walk to the Three Broomstick, arriving at around twenty past six, with the carriage already waiting. After a brief pet of the Thestral pulling the carriage, Harry gave Rebecca a final hug and climbed into the carriage. Rebecca watched as the carriage pulled away, waiting until it was out of sight before she turned and entered the pub and making her way to the staff locker room. Changing into the spare uniform she kept in her locker, in case of spills and such, she went out into the main room. There were only two patrons having breakfast, so grabbing a cloth she went to one of the dirty tables, not in her usual sector, and began to clean it with vigour.
"Rebecca, you're shift does not start for another hour." Jennifer Rosmerta said from just behind her.
"I… I have to work." Rebecca said. "It was… it's… I just have to work."
"Ok." Jennifer replied. "If you want to go home an hour early that's fine, if not that's ok too. But if you don't, you'll be getting overtime."
Harry walked in through the front doors of Hogwarts and began to make his way towards McGonagall's office when he was interrupted.
"Off school premises, were we? Oh dear, we are in trouble." Filch said, making a grab for Harry's arm.
On reflex, Harry grabbed the outstretched arm and in a single swift move, Filch was on the ground with a knife at his throat.
"Mister Potter." McGonagall's voice rang out. "Please release Mister Filch."
Harry let the caretaker up, took a few steps back and making the blade disappear.
"Professor McGonagall, Potter was off school ground and he attacked me." Filch almost whined.
"Mister Filch, Mister Potter has permission to be off school grounds during the weekends. Permission given by myself which I know you were made aware of, and I saw you grab at Mister Potter first. Again, I know you were given strict instructions not to make any threatening motions at Mister Potter." McGonagall scolded. "Mister Potter, please proceed to your dormitory."
Harry simply nodded and made his way towards the grand staircase.
"Mister Filch, report to my office for disciplinary action for your recent action." McGonagall said, before Harry was out of earshot.
TBC…