Author's Note: Well, my papers were finished. Sylvia and I have the same classes, so when she's swamped, I'm swamped. It's done. I received a perfect score. Thank you to all who wished me luck with them. Also, to everyone who reviewed, you guys are awesome. You encourage me to keep going, even when Sylvia is off in her own little Hogwarts world and neglects me. "I'm talking to YOU, Sylvia!" Thanks for all the help, guys. I do appreciate it.
Harry changed in record time and made it to the floor in time to stretch with the rest of the class. Sensei eyed him, but didn't comment. Harry now felt comfortable in the class and eagerly lined up at Sensei's direction. They were going to do break falls, which was just a fancy way of saying "how to fall without hurting yourself". Harry stood in line and waited for his turn. He had found something he was good at, and more importantly, did not require magic. He remembered when he had first learned how to break fall. He had been rather nervous, but Sensei found a way to help him.
(Flashback)
"Evan. Stay after." Sensei said to Harry as the class ended. Evan waited while the reset of the class filed out. Rick smiled at him, so he doubted that Sensei was going to yell at him. Sensei pulled out a mat and called him over. "On your knees." Harry knelt and fought to stay that way. He couldn't see where Sensei or Rick was standing. A hand pushed him forward and he caught himself as he fell. Sensei grunted. "Rick." Rick came over and ruffled Harry's hair. "Most injuries," Sensei knelt down next to Harry, "happen when you catch yourself as you hit the ground. Broken hand, wrist, elbow." Sensei looked Harry in the eyes. "I'm going to teach you how to fall without hurting yourself." Harry nodded uneasily. Rick knelt next to Harry. "We are going to help you until you get the hang of the position you need." Help him? Help him how? Hands closed over his wrists and he stiffened.
"Relax, Evan." Sensei's voice counseled. "Relaxation is important." Harry took a deep breath and tried to follow his directions.
"Don't hyperventilate." Rick said, laying a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"We won't hurt you, Evan." Sensei told him, turning Harry's face toward him.
"I know," Harry said.
"You know, but you don't trust us. Yet." Harry tried to pull away, but Sensei's grip kept him from moving. "I will not hurt you. You need to learn how to do this if you want to continue the class." Sensei said, meeting Harry's eyes. Harry wondered when he had started shaking. "Please let me show you." Sensei sat there with Harry while he tried to come to a decision. He had no idea how long they waited, but Harry had a feeling it was a while.
"Okay." He said. Sensei gave him a brief smile as Harry held out his hands.
"Turn your head to the side. We'll control your fall. Breathe out on impact. We'll keep you from hurting yourself." Sensei paused. "Relax." Harry nodded.
"No, I've changed my mind. I definitely do not to do this. I can't do this!" Harry felt himself hit the mat. "Oof!"
"You forgot to breathe out. Let's do it again." Harry felt himself lifted off the floor and back onto his knees. Harry found that each fall became easier. "Good!" Since that day, he could not only break fall, but enjoyed doing it. Everyone else called him crazy.
Sensei gave Harry a small smile as Harry stepped up. Harry held out his arm and Sensei took a firm hold. Harry felt himself tossed. He rolled when he hit the mat and popped up in a fighting stance. "Good!" Sensei called out. "Back of the line." Harry jogged to the back of the line. "Front rolls!" Harry grinned. He loved this class. He heard the door open behind him but didn't look. It was almost his turn, and Sensei demanded a focused attention at all times when on the floor. Too many injuries came from carelessness. He rolled and popped up. As he was returning to the back of the line, he saw his Aunt Petunia and Hermione standing near the door. He nodded to them and rejoined the line. Rick hopped out of line and steered the two of them to seats out of the way of the students. Harry forgot about their presence as class went on.
"Rei!" Harry bowed with the rest of the class and turned for the locker room.
"Evan!" Harry turned and saw Hermione. Oh yeah. He smiled and allowed Hermione to tackle him in a hug. "Ugh, you're all sweaty!" She said, pulling away.
"Sorry." He said. "Hello, Aunt Petunia."
"Go get changed. Hermione and I are taking you out for a while." Harry smiled, thanked her, and dashed to the locker room. He took a quick shower and found Rick waiting for him.
"Hey, kid. There's this beautiful girl out there, and she gave me this bag for you." Harry smiled. "I don't know if I should give it to you. Its clothes and you might be better looking than me if I let you have them." Harry rolled his eyes.
"You're a lady killer, Rick. Please, just give me the bag." I stand no chance." Rick handed the bag over with a "we'll see" look and headed for the shower himself. Harry wondered why Hermione felt the need to bring him clothes, but decided to try them anyway. He pulled them on and found a green shirt, black jeans, socks, and shoes. Like black, Hermione? He faced himself in the mirror.
"Un-tuck the shirt." Rick said from behind him. "Much better." Rick circled him. "No. It's the hair. Come here." Rick went over to his locker and pulled out a jar. "Try some of that in your hair." Harry eyed it. "Oh, here. Watch." Rick took some in his hands and ran it through his hair. Harry mimicked his movements with the gel. Rick pulled out a hair dryer and started drying Harry's hair.
"Ack! Rick! This isn't necessary! People are waiting." Rick pushed Harry onto the bench.
"Quit squirming. Sensei's entertaining them. You have an extra minute." Harry sighed and let Rick continue. Sensei did love visitors. "Okay, come here." Rick led Harry to the mirrors. "Use a brush on gelled hair. Brush the top like this." Rick stepped back and smiled. "No more bird's nest. Man, I've wanted to do that to you since day one." Harry pushed Rick away when Rick threw an arm around his shoulders. "You'll thank me later." Rick said. "Roll your sleeves almost up to your elbows and you might be able to compete." Rick did not let him leave the locker room until he rolled his sleeves.
"I have to go!" Harry said, dashing from the locker room when Rick tried to tweak his hair.
"Unbutton the top button!" Rick called after him. Note to self: Stay far away from Rick when it comes time to start dating. You'll never leave the bathroom.
"Whoa! Julie, look!" Harry saw two girls staring at him. "I saw him first!" The first girl, Harry remembered that her name was Michelle, said to Julie. Harry jumped as Hermione's arms went around him.
"Told you he had a girlfriend, Shell!" Julie said. Harry blushed. "You had my hopes up!" She complained to her friend. Michelle pointed at Harry when she saw that he was looking at her. Julie squeaked, turned red, and started pulling Michelle from the room.
"Friends of yours, Harry?" Hermione asked as she released him from her hug.
"Not yet." He said, fighting the flush from his face. "Sorry to keep you, but Rick wouldn't let me leave until he did something to my hair and he had to approve how I put this on." He gestured to the clothes. "Did you pick this out?"
"I helped. Your aunt and I did." Petunia came over and smiled at him.
"Hello. Happy Birthday." Harry nodded. "Ready to get out for a while?"
"More than. Thank you for the clothes, Aunt Petunia." Petunia nodded stiffly.
"Let's go, you two. I hope you're hungry." Petunia took them to restaurant in the neighboring city. Harry was allowed to order anything he wanted at Petunia's insistence. "Your uncle and coursing told me to tell you "Happy Birthday". Dudley and Vernon are at the doctor's office." Harry nodded. The meal passed quickly for them, filled with Hermione's chatter about O. W. L. scores. "That reminds me." Petunia took out a parchment envelope. Harry's mouth went dry. "One of two I have for you." Harry reached out with a shaking hand and took it. He stared at the official seal and took a sip of water.
"Go on, Harry." Hermione urged. Harry took a deep breath and slid a finger under the seal and broke it. He skipped the congratulatory letter and looked at the next sheet. "How'd you do?" Hermione asked. Harry turned pale as he stared at the sheet. "It can't be that bad!" Hermione said, straining to see the sheet.
"I don't know what you did to me last year, Hermione, but it worked." Harry said. "I passed everything. Nine. I've got nine OWLS." Hermione squealed and hugged him while he passed the note to Aunt Petunia. "Snape's going to kill me. I've gotten into his class."
"An 'O' in Potions? How did you manage that?" Harry shrugged.
"No idea, but he's going to kill me." Hermione smiled and hugged Harry again. Harry sat back in the seat and thought about his scores. True, he had just managed in Astronomy, Divination, and History of Magic with Acceptable. Herbology had an Exceeds Expectations, while Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Potions, and Transfiguration all earned Outstandings. What had happened?
"Five Os, one E, and three As. Those are great scores, Harry!" Hermione said, hugging him again.
"Thank you, thank you. I know I'm brilliant." Harry said, mostly to get her from around his neck. He grinned as it worked and Hermione promptly smacked him behind the head. "Ow." He complained.
"Your mother had the same amount." Petunia told him, handing back the parchment. Harry was shocked that she had just offered information about his mother. "She was very surprised. She had beaten a friend of hers by one."
Conversation drifted to school subjects at St. Jude's. Hermione offered any and all of her assistance with finding information Harry felt was lacking in his education as well as her services as a tutor. "That's what Sky is for." Harry complained. Hermione could only smile. She loved teasing her friends about their schoolwork. Harry did manage to surprise himself by admitting that he liked the classes offered and that he wished Hogwarts offered some of them.
After lunch, Petunia dragged the two teenagers to the optometrist. She said it had been quite a while since his last check-up. Harry refrained from commenting on her remark and followed. He was more than surprised when she let Harry pick out a new pair of frames and ordered contact lenses for his prescription.
"I talked her into the contacts." Hermione whispered while Petunia spoke to the eye doctor. "She mentioned taking you to the eye doctor and I said that you would look older in a different pair of glasses and that contacts wouldn't break if you continued to be clumsy. We both know the kinds of accidents you get in to." Harry thought about it and gave an evil grin.
"Old Snake Face won't know what hit him." He said to Hermione. She matched his grin with one of her own.
"I know." Harry elected to wear his new glasses out and kept wondering who the strange boy was every time he passed a window. Once they returned to the car, Petunia decided that all three of them needed ice cream and started for the nearest shop. Harry gave scared faces about his aunt's behavior and Hermione found herself stifling giggles. She slapped Harry on the arm several times in between gasps for air from her silent laughter. "You're horrible." Harry only shrugged.
Once in the parlor, Hermione and Petunia both produced gifts for Harry. Harry stared at the three boxes in front of him, unsure of how to proceed. His aunt and uncle, as well as his cousin, had given him a gift? He decided to start easy and open Hermione's first. Harry opened the box to find two packs of drawing pencils and several pads of drawing paper. Hermione, true to form, had also included a book of drawing tips. "Thanks, Hermione." Harry said, giving her a hug.
"You're welcome. I'll encourage any hobby that doesn't involve Bludgers." She said with a smile.
"I like hobbies with Bludgers." Harry answered. He turned to the two remaining packages.
"One is from Dudley and Vernon, the other from me." Hermione gave him a sharp kick under the table.
"Thank you." Harry was afraid that the gifts were going to be something along the lines of a tissue or coat hanger. He didn't want Hermione to witness this. He opened the one from Dudley and Vernon first. He was surprised to find two books. One was called The Art of War and the other Jeet Kun Do. Harry found a note sticking out of the first one.
Hi Harry.
I've been going to a doctor too. I've realized a lot of things in just the last two weeks. I was wondering if we could write each other? Just write me at home if you do. Dad and I picked out these books because Mum said you were studying karate or something. Well, hope you like them.
Happy Birthday!
Dudley
Harry knew that at that moment, he had officially entered an alternate universe. He wondered if Voldemort wore pink bunny slippers and ran a Muggle orphanage in this one. That would be highly amusing. Harry slid the note back into the book. He needed to think about it. The other present could only get worse. He opened it and blinked in surprise when he saw a bunch of small books. Journals.
"They're mine." Petunia told him. "So you can understand." Harry wasn't quite sure what Aunt Petunia wanted him to understand, but thanked her anyway. After they finished their ice cream, Aunt Petunia took them back to the hospital. Harry had hoped that his things would have been gathered while they were gone and he would be going back to Privet Drive. He was disappointed to find that that was not the case.
"Listen to your doctor. I'll be by for a visit next month." Petunia gave him a quick one-armed squeeze and left after signing him back in. Hermione asked if she and Harry could go outside and the nurse on duty said that that was fine, so long as they stayed in sight of the window. Hermione dragged him to a bench and sat down.
"I thought she was going to take me back to Privet Drive." Harry said, putting his presents down. "When are your parents coming?" He asked. Hermione pulled her legs up.
"Another hour or so." Hermione shrugged.
"It's dangerous out here." Harry said, motioning back to the hospital.
"No, it's not. Aurors are protecting you on the Continent." Harry looked at her self-contented smile.
"And where did they get that idea?" Hermione laughed.
"Bravo, Harry. I have a bug in a jar and I also have an acquaintance with a girl whose father is the editor of the Quibbler. A few well-placed words took care of everything." Harry rolled his eyes.
"Ah, Hermione. Ron and I have corrupted you beyond all reason. You should have been in Slytherin." Hermione slapped his arm and snorted.
"Slytherin?" She asked. "That's horrible." Harry grinned.
"Ron said you were scary. Brilliant, but scary." Hermione shrugged again and toyed with her hair.
"He's right." She said after a few seconds. "I am brilliant."
"Careful, Mi. Your ego will knock me off the bench." Hermione missed the nickname but glared at Harry for the ego comment. "Wow. You've been taking lessons from Snape. Hermione Death Glare." Harry hid his face behind his hands. Hermione responded in the only way possible. She messed up his hair.
"Rick is going to be so mad at you. He spent a few minutes on it, to make it perfect." Harry tried to smooth it back in place. He had actually liked his hair today.
"He'll get over it." Hermione paused. "I received a letter from Ron." She sighed. "I have something to tell you, but please don't get mad."
"Mad about what?" Harry asked, looking at her face. It was very important, whatever it was.
"Ron wrote me about being asked to spend the rest of the summer at Hogwarts, as a summer studies student." Harry went numb. How could Dumbledore do this? Harry had asked to stay at school every summer. Why? "I did some research and found that the summer studies program is never used unless certain students need training in something special, extra-curricular." Harry nodded. He followed what she was saying. "Ron included a list. Every person on the list, except one, was in the DA." Hermione told him. "Ron mentioned something about them being like Junior Aurors." How dare Dumbledore do this? Harry took a deep breath like Paul had taught him and sighed.
"Who was the one not in the DA?" He asked.
"Draco Malfoy." Harry lost control of his jaw. He made a mental note to pick it up from the ground as soon as he ranted.
"That pompous, arrogant…" Words failed him as he attempted to understand that idea. Dumbledore had allowed Malfoy to come to the castle and not Harry? "Why?" he asked, trying, but not succeeding, to keep the hurt out of his voice.
"I'm not sure. Not quite." Hermione told him, rubbing his back. "I have an idea, though." Harry looked up. "It's just an idea." She said, seeing his face. "I think that Dumbledore is making them into bodyguards for you." Hermione wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"He's endangering my friends, whether he's training them or not." Harry said woodenly. "Don't expect me to believe that Dumbledore is doing 'what he feels is best', Mi." He told Hermione. "Please don't."
"I wasn't. I don't agree with it either. Defense is one thing, but training them for this?" She shook her head. "I don't like it."
"Good. I'm tired of him meddling with my life." The two teenagers sat in silence, each in their own thoughts, until Hermione's parents came. "Take care, Mi." Harry said, hugging her.
"I hate nicknames." She informed him. "You take care, okay? Write me?"
"I will. Oh wait." Harry grabbed his school reading list and handed it to Hermione. "Will you pick up my school books?" He asked.
"Sure. You can pay me back later. I know you're good for it. I'll bring them to you here, so you can get started." She told him.
"Don't your parents get tired of bringing you here?" He asked.
"No. They encourage it." She hugged him and gave a quick goodbye. Harry waved until she was gone and went back in the hospital. He said good afternoon to the nurse on duty and went up to his room to put his gifts away. Today had been surreal. New glasses, contacts, presents, and ice cream with his aunt and best friend. Surreal. He lined the books up on the shelves and put the art supplies in his desk. He had some time to kill, so he picked one of Aunt Petunia's journals and started reading. Dudley. Joys of motherhood. Challenges of getting bottles clean. Not much to read, actually.
When he reached the date of his parents' death, he perked up and read faster. November the second gave him what he was looking for.
It's happened. My sister met her end from that horrible wizard. She died. I
warned her that nothing good would come of her magic. Now she's dead.
My nephew appeared on the doorstep, as though placed there by her magic.
It's not fair. He should still have parents. He's here beside me. He's such
a quiet baby. I wonder if he remembers what he has seen? He looks like his
father, with black hair that will be messy one day, no doubt. His eyes are Lily's.
I feel like she's watching me.
Dumbledore wrote a note telling me to explain what happened to Harry when he
is old enough to understand. When is a child old enough to understand that an
evil wizard killed his parents and then tried to kill him? Two? Three? Eight?
How can I tell him that his parents were murdered? Killed? In front of him?
How can I tell him that he is a wizard? How in the world am I going to raise
a magic child?
Harry closed the journal and considered what he had read. Aunt Petunia sounded scared. He looked up when he heard someone knock.
"Hey, kiddo." Harry smiled and put the book on the shelf. "How was your day out?"
"It was good. Yours?" Harry asked, going over to Paul.
"Eh. Boring. Lots of paperwork." Harry smirked.
"Sorry to hear that." He knew that that paperwork was about him, but he didn't mind. He didn't seem to mind Paul writing about him much now. Only if he shared it with anyone else did he mind.
"You ready to eat some pizza?" Harry nodded and started off down the hallway. He stopped and looked at Paul.
"Coming?" Paul rolled his eyes and came up beside Harry.
"Smart aleck." He said. Harry shrugged. Paul led the way to the recreation room and allowed Harry to enter first. Sparky was still wearing the crown. He was tackled from behind. Harry threw up his hands and hoped that his magic didn't obliterate the person. He wanted to ask a few questions.
"Hi, Evan!" Oh, it was Bug. Back, magic, back! Harry lowered his arms and mock-glared.
"Are you always this enthusiastic?" Harry asked.
"Only when we get birthday cake. Come on, let's eat." Harry rolled his eyes and got up.
"Pizza's here." Harry worked his way through two and a half slices, Sparky had one and a half, while the rest of the hall acted as though they would never see pizza again in their natural lives.
Harry jumped as the lights went out. He pulled up his pants leg and was ready to draw his wand when he heard singing. Oh, the birthday song. It was all that talk about Dumbledore. It made him paranoid. "And many more!" They finished. Harry fought away a blush and thanked them as Jack slid a huge cake in front of Harry with sixteen candles in the icing. He saw the inscription and snorted. It read "007" in frosting.
"Make a wish and blow them out." Jack instructed. Harry closed his eyes and thought about his wish.
I wish that none of my friends die in this war. That we beat Voldemort. Well, while I'm wishing, I would like my parents and god-" Harry took a deep breath and blew out his candles. The room erupted into applause. Jack picked up a cake cutter and handed it to Harry.
"Here you go, birthday boy." Harry cut the cake and helped serve it out while Jack dished out ice cream. After everyone had at least two pieces (including Sparky), Paul set up the VCR.
"You guys ready for the first part?" The entire floor crowded onto two couches and appeared ready for the movie. "Now, Evan hasn't seen this yet, so no vital plot giveaways." Paul hit the play button and darted out of the way. Harry jumped as the music started. He didn't move at all throughout the movie. The end credits rolled and he blinked. That had been awesome!
"You still there, Evan?" Paul asked.
"Yeah, I'm here. Kind of want to join the rebellion and train as a Jedi, but I'm here." He told Paul. The entire group laughed.
"I felt the same way." Paul told him. "I got to see it in the theaters." Harry smiled when Bug and Chef dropped to their knees.
"We're not worthy! We are worms!" The two chanted. The rest of the floor threw pillows at them.
"You two are so weird." Sparky said in the most serious voice he could muster. They shrugged and returned the pillows. Paul stepped in before a pillow fight could erupt.
"All right guys. Bedtime." Everyone, including Harry, groaned. "Go on, little Jedi. Lights out in half an hour." Harry thanked everyone again and went to his room. He had just enough time to write Hermione and tell her about his first Star Wars experience. He wondered if he could use wandless magic to pose as a Jedi. The mind trick was a little too much like Imperius, but the rest could be fun.
Dear Hermione,
Star Wars is the best movie ever! I can identify with Luck. He was an orphan, sent to live with an aunt and uncle, mentored by an old "wizard" who introduces him to new parts of himself, got involved in a war he doesn't fully understand but does it because it's right, instant hero, people saving thing. He's like my twin brother from a galaxy far, far away. I can't wait until I see the next two. Oh yeah. Darth Vader. Scary guy. That breathing freaked me out. I think I would like to be a Jedi, if they existed, that is. It's an overwhelming idea. You've let a genie out of a bottle. I need to see the rest of them.
Write me back,
Harry
Harry collapsed into bed, thoughts firmly centered on the movie he had seen. He fell asleep listening to the theme song in his head. He had fallen asleep before Paul came to give him sleeping pills. He dreamed of Jedi.
"Ah, Harry. Welcome back."
Author's Note Part 2: I know. I know. I'm evil. And Petunia was out of character. But she needed to be. If you feel the need to make a suggestion, just review. Love you all!