Title: Strings of Fate
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: Being raised only by his Aunt, Harry comes to Hogwarts not only knowing about the Wizarding World, but with a kind of training no one at the school is expecting.
Dudley Evans sat in his dorm room doing his homework. The rooms in his dorm were doubles, with two beds and two study tables. His roommate was out of the room attending one of his club activities, so Dudley had the door and window open to have a breeze flowing through the room, the freshening air was more than enough to offset the chilling outside temperature.
Occasionally other students would pass by the open door. One of Dudley's friends, who was on the Rugby Union team with him, stopped at the doorway, leaning against the doorframe.
"What you working on, Evans?" the boy asked.
"Nolan. Just working on the English assignment for Mr Keating." Dudley replied.
William Nolan simply nodded, before looking up at surprise when a tawny owl flew in through the window.
"Hello Diomedes." Dudley said, before realising that Nolan was present. "Bugger. Umm… the writer is an eccentric bird trainer."
William Nolan leaned back out the door, checking both ways before carefully closing the door.
"You know someone at Hogwarts?" Nolan said in a surprised whisper.
"My Cousin goes there, but the letter is from my… maybe girlfriend." Dudley said. "How do you know about it?"
"My aunt went there. My cousin is going to start next year." Nolan said.
"Oh thank god." Dudley sighed in relief. "Harry and I were raised like brothers and Luna… well I really like her. I would hate to have Amelia Bones on my arse for breaking the Statute of Secrecy."
"You know the Director of the DMLE?" William asked in awe.
"My cousin is Harry Potter." Dudley explained. "He's best friends with her Niece. I spent time at Bones Manor over the summer break. Frankly I think Harry and Susan Bones see each other as siblings, but I could be wrong."
It turned out that there were a number of students, and two staff members, at the school who had Magical relatives. They regularly met under the guise of the 'Mythology Club', which was an invite only club to which Dudley now had an invite.
Soon enough Nolan left Dudley to read the letter from Luna.
Harry was nervous as he stood in the tunnel waiting for his first Quidditch Match. He idly thought that he was glad he was a Chaser and not a Seeker. Sitting around on his broom waiting to spot the Golden Snitch was not to his taste.
Following the Captain and the other Chaser out of the tunnel, with the two Beaters behind him, then the Keeper with Cedric bringing up the rear. Taking his position as the right side Chaser, they faced off against the Ravenclaw Team. Their opponents were an experienced and cohesive team, except for the new Seeker who was replacing the banned Cho Chang.
Madam Hooch tossed the Quaffle into the air to start the game. In a lightning fast move, Harry claimed the Quaffle and sped towards the Ravenclaw goals. Drawing all three of the Ravenclaw Chasers into following him. Once the opposition Chasers were firmly committed to following him, Harry threw the ball in a high, loping pass to the captain who was open and had a clear shot at the left hand Goal Post thanks to a well-timed Bludger from one of the Hufflepuff Beaters, which scored.
The game went back and forth, with Harry in the thick of the action in offence and defence of the team, flying with energy and vigour. It was as tough and hard fought as any Rugby game that Harry had ever been in. The scores were close, 150 for Ravenclaw to 140 for Hufflepuff and Harry had the Quaffle and had just broken through the Ravenclaw Chasers and was lining up a shot when he heard Madam Hooch blow her whistle. Harry stared at her wondering what the penalty was.
"Hufflepuff wins." Hooch announced.
Harry looked around and saw Cedric holding up the Golden Snitch. Exhausted, Harry landed on the pitch, only to be swamped by a celebrating Susan and Hannah.
"Did I do alright?" Harry asked, once he was able to breath after the crushing hug. "It all became a kind of a blur after a while."
"You only scored half the goals for Hufflepuff, forced about forty turnovers and prevented about twenty Ravenclaw shots at Goal." Hermione said, standing back slightly from the trio.
When Susan and Hannah stepped back, Harry held up his arms and Hermione gave him the hug he could see she was desperate to give him. Soon the Weasley Twins, the Patil Twins, Luna and Daphne also converged on Harry to celebrate.
"So, Harry, what did you think of your first game of Quidditch?" Fred asked.
"Intense. Exciting." Harry replied. "But it does end a bit abruptly. I was about to score again."
The Common Room of the Hufflepuff Dormitories was decked out for a celebration. When the Quidditch Team entered the Dorms a cheer went up. A look around found that not only was Professor Sprout there to celebrate but also the Fat Friar and Myrtle were in attendance. Being so close to the kitchens, the food and drinks selection was extensive and of the highest quality.
"I would like to propose a toast." The Captain said. "To Cedric and Harry, sorry, Ambassador."
"Cedric and Ambassador." Everyone echoed, including the Ghosts.
The party continued and Harry began to wander around the room, chatting with the various other students, as Susan did the same. He spent a few minutes chatting with various small groups before moving on to the next group. After about an hour Harry found himself with his fellow Chasers, including Stevens the backup Chaser.
"Harry was amazing; I don't know how he saw some of the Bludgers to avoid them." Stevens said.
"Part reflex, part situational awareness, part instinct." Harry replied before greeting the other starting Chasers. "Williams, Watson."
"You'll find out in our next game against Gryffindor, Stevens." Williams, the Captain, said.
"I'll be playing?" Stevens asked in confusion.
"Yeah." Watson said. "I got hit by one of the Bludgers late in the game and it has thrown out my back again. I won't be well enough for the Gryffindor game, and maybe not for following one against Slytherin either."
"I'm sorry." Stevens said genuinely. "This is not how I wanted to get on the team."
"It's not a problem." Watson replied. "I love the game but with my injury history I was never going to be able to go pro anyway."
In the far corner of the room, two of the students had organised a surprise for the assembled students. The first chords of the guitar sounded, stilling the scattered conversation, and then a male voice began to sing slowly.
"I've paid my dues, time after time. I've done my sentence, but committed no crime." The Sixth Year Wizard began.
Harry and a number of Muggleborn and Half-Bloods who were familiar with the song joined in quickly enough. By the time the chorus came around for a second time, the entire Hufflepuff House was loudly and enthusiastically, if not always in key, singing a rousing rendition 'We are the Champions' by Queen.
"Alright everyone, time for bed." Professor Sprout said after the song was done. "I 1think that is enough singing for the night, so we will forgo Miss Bones' usual lullaby.
TBC…