So sorry about the delay chaps. School is taking a bit more time and energy then I had anticipated, especially when paired with part time work.

Warning: Violence/abuse in this chapter

.-.

August 21st

Sunday

.-.

Harry woke softly and didn't bother opening his eyes as he breathed into his pillow. For a moment he basked in the warmth and comfort of his bed.

Finally he slid from his covers. A quick shower later and he was pulling on some loose clothing and straightening his glasses as he idly tugged his fingers through his long hair. It reached his lower back easily. Harry looked up as he heard a bark and smiled at Hedwig as she shuffled a good morning. Keiruim squawked at him before retuning to his sleep. Harry glanced to Lie's pot to see the tree half slumped in rest. A small orient cage hung above Lie, his large purple and black butterfly fluttering about. As it wasn't a real butterfly it did not need floor or water and only rested on the glass flower inside the cage once in a while.

Harry stepped up to the large vine-y plant hanging near his desk and brushed one of the vines. The thing had grown very quickly, long purple-green vines climbing all over his desk, his owl perch, and the filing cabinet next to the desk. It was just vines so far, no flowers or leaves, though buds had sprouted up all over the vines.

Harry let his magic flow into his finger tips and into the plant. The plant shifted at the input of magic and happily accepted it's 'food'. Harry smiled at it and headed off to do the same with the other two similar plants before going to get some breakfast.

.-.

"So she's a muggle-born?" Santinus asked.

"Yes."

"Hmm. I can not see any difference between a muggle-born, half-blood, or pureblood magic wise." He said gesturing to Cathy, Harry, and Harold.

"That's because there isn't one." Harold snorted. "We all have magic. Purebloods usually see themselves as better, but they're not."

Harry nodded agreement and watched as Dante, whom was crouched by Cathy, took the girl's teddy bear in hand and flickered his fingers, muttering to himself. A moment later the teddy bear was dropped. It landed on its feet and gave a salute as it marched about. Cathy squealed and chased after it, playing tag with the foot high stuffed bear.

Harry flipped an egg and turned off the frying pan. He dished out everything onto plates and slid them onto the table, which was set thanks to Harold. Loraine perked up at the smell of the breakfast and discarded her book on the couch to take a seat at the table. Sunday's were the one day she had chosen to take off. Soon they were all digging in, even Cathy who was there for the reason of 'being bored because her mommy and daddy were watching a 'yucky kissing movie'.

.-.

Harry set down the china cups with a gentle 'clink' and smiled welcomingly at the woman in the chair. She glanced at him and gave a hesitant smile in return. She was very beautiful but her skin was a white with blue tint and her lips were pressed in a firm line showing she had banshee blood. Cursed with a voice that could make people ill just at the sound and kill with volume.

Harry turned to his next customer and frowned as Lucius smiled back at him disarmingly.

"Hello Harry."

"How may I help you?" Harry asked curtly.

"Jasmine tea and a raspberry tart."

Harry headed off and fetched the order, setting it down with more force then necessary.

"Join me." Lucius invited.

Harry was prepared for such an invitation and had brought an extra tea cup. He poured himself some tea and sipped at it. Lucius had been coming by quite often and each and every time he asked Harry to sit. Harry couldn't say he disliked their conversations as they were actually quite entertaining and intelligent, it was just that Lucius ticked him off a lot of the time. Lucius dived into his dessert with relish and politeness.

"You do make such heavenly desserts." He purred. "I am addicted."

Harry ducked his head at the compliment hearing the truthfulness in his voice.

"Hmm. You have two new tattoos?"

Harry glanced at his bare left wrist. The blue band of Ugala's now had two more above it, one a smoky grey and one a light silvery silver that shone more then the other two. Dante and Santinus had both gave him said tattoos saying he was 'good enough'. Harry gave a bare nod as he looked at the bands that were a little over a thread in thickness.

Lucius glanced at them with him but then turned to a different topic and started to drag him into a discussion on the rights of certain dark creatures.

.-.

Harry was sitting at one of the tables talking softly with the lonely werewolf that had drank large quantities of his tea and eaten almost half a cake, when the door was thrown open.

Harry's eyes flickered up at the loud noise and he was surprised to see Hermione and Ron carrying back packs with pillows under their arms. Hermione spotted Harry first and brightened. Ron quickly followed her gaze and they, without asking, took seats on either side of him. Hermione's eyes flickered to the werewolf who blinked at the abruptness of their actions.

"Oh, you look tired." She cooed. "And skinny. You should eat more. Especially with the full moon coming up."

The man drew back at the accusation and blinked as Hermione started rattling off food that would be good for him. Ron rolled his eyes at him and Harry quickly shooed them to the kitchen, apologizing for the interrupted conversation and waving the man off when he tired to pay for a cup he'd broken earlier.

"What are you doing here?" He asked exasperated as Ron looked longingly at a pot of soup.

"We're sleeping over at your place." Hermione informed him. "I told my mother that I was staying at the Leaky Cauldron for some early shopping and Mrs Weasely let Ron come when she learned I would keep an eye on him."

"They believed you?" Harry asked with a smile.

"Well yes." Hermione said. "Because we're going tomorrow morning to get school supplies with you anyways."

"Oh." Harry smiled.

Hermione raised a brow, daring him to protest. He just laughed and told Fujita he was going home earlier.

.-.

"It's beautiful." Hermione smiled as she gazed at his house. "And your gardens are just wonderful."

"Come inside." Harry smiled. "But be warned I have house-mates."

"We know." Ron grouched. "You told us before."

"Ah," Harry said awkwardly, "But I didn't tell you that they're not all human."

They eyes homed in on him and eyed him a moment.

"Let's go see then." Hermione finally urged.

Harry led them inside and they were met with Harold's curious eyes. The man was sitting at the table with Santinus, standing over a bunch of spread out books. Ron and Hermione stared at the two in surprised.

"Harry?! I heard the door, is Harry back!" Came a yell from upstairs.

A loud clattering preceded Dante as he half fell down the stairs.

"Harry! I have a list of things I need you to get me! Harold refused to take me to get them!" The demon whined. "And the others won't talk to me because they said I'm being annoying."

Harry sighed and accepted the folded piece of paper. Ron and Hermione were gaping at Dante's large curved horns.

"Loraine, Valentine!" Harry called.

The red headed vampire glided from his room, humming to the classical music that drifted from his room and Loraine peeked her head down the stairs before following.

"Ron, Hermione, these are Harold, Santinus, Dante, Valentine, and Loraine." Harry introduced gesturing to each in turn. "Guys, these are my best friends Hermione and Ron"

"Hello." Valentine spoke first, flashing his fangs.

"H-hello." Hermione said shyly.

"Hi." Ron blurted out.

"What…what are all of you?" Hermione ventured after a moment.

"I'm a muggle." Loraine smiled cheerfully. "Valentine is a born-vampire, Dante and Santinus are Demon Creatures, and Harold is a pureblood wizard, a Necromancer to be exact."

For a moment there was a hesitant silence

"Bloody Hell Harry, you're running a boarding home of the strange." Ron blurted out.

Everyone snorted or chuckled at the red head who blushed at his own words.

"Nice to meet you." Hermione squeaked.

"Come on." Harry smirked. "I'll show you my room. You can bunk there."

.-.

Harry hummed cheerfully as he stirred the pot over the stove. After their initial shyness Hermione and Ron had snapped into place. Hermione was hovering around the table with Harold and Santinus, muttering with them over papers while Ron was battling Valentine at a game of Wizard Chess. Loraine was watching Valentine and Ron's game in fascination; they'd been at it an hour and were no closer to finishing.

Harry cleared his throat at the three around the table.

"I need the table now. Move."

They did so reluctantly, taking camp on the coffee table. Harry smiled and with a flick of his wand had set the table. By the time dessert rolled around every was contentedly full and Loraine and Hermione were poking fun at him teasing him about being able to cook better then any mother they had ever known. Harry just rolled his eyes at them and ignored Ron as he joined in after tasting the cake for dessert.

.-.

"It seems a bit…rough." Hermione said tentatively.

"I like it." Harry grinned widely, showing all his teeth.

Ron and Hermione hesitantly slid in the doorway while Harry strode in as if he belonged, and in some ways perhaps he did. More then a few eyes jumped to the trio as they were the only humans in the bar. A few gazes lit with recognition and Harry was quickly called over to a group of goblins, only two recognizing him from his last visit. He joined with a feral grin and twitching fingers, his knife loose in his boot.

He took a seat and joined in the game, sending a sharp smirk at a grumbling goblin.

.-.

"That…that was certainly a learning experience." Hermione stated almost blankly.

Ron giggled and Harry smiled at her, patting at the cut across his cheek with a napkin. It wasn't deep and would be good in a few days. Ron had hung out with a group of vampires in the corner whom had been playing their dice game, which appeared to have some sort of strategy or such as Ron had been winning spectacularly at it. Hermione, nervous as hell, had joined the only other woman in the bar; a veela. An in-depth discussion on charms had occurred before Hermione had joined Harry along with Ron.

The goblins had quickly learned that the two were not as strong as Harry nor as fast in reflexes. They hadn't much enjoyed the fights. The goblins had decided Harry was their 'guard' and as such took up all their arguments with him and fought him if they won. Of course Hermione had got started in on one goblin when he made a remark about her. She had screamed herself hoarse and had to be dragged off the poor mauled goblin by Harry, Ron, and a helpful werewolf. The goblins had avoided her, only staring in a bit of awe and respect after that.

Harry bit into his meal and sipped at the wine in front of him under Hermione's disapproving look and smirked.

.-.

"Hermione?" Harry whispered tentatively into the dark.

He looked at the two shadowed lumps that were his friends on their cots in the dark. The red letters of his alarm clock blared the time, showing it was quite late.

"Yes Harry?" Came another whisper.

Harry swallowed thickly and hugged his pillow to him.

"We're friends right?"

There was a moment of silence.

"The best." Came the answer.

"And you won't hate me?"

"Never." She whispered fiercely. "I will always support your decisions Harry. I may nag and yell and argue, but I shall never give you up."

He swallowed thickly and heard rustling. A moment later Hermione slipped under the covers with him and hugged him close. He held onto her like a life-line and buried his head in her neck.

"Promise?" Harry trembled.

"Promise Harry." She soothed.

A third body joined them, Ron slipping on his other side and throwing an arm around both of them.

"We promise Harry." He echoed.

"I…I…" Harry licked his lips nervously. "Hogwarts was the first place I would ever consider as home. It was so nice. But every year has been filled with pain and struggle. I should have been worrying about how to taunt Draco in the hall next, not how to stop a dark lord from gaining an eternally youthful body. I should have been worrying about quidditch and exams, not saving a girl from a chamber and a deadly snake the size of a bus. I should have been worrying about pranks and food, not my own godfather hunting me down."

There was a long moment of silence, but Hermione's hand never stopped stroking his hair reassuringly.

"I just…" Harry paused. "I'm not coming back to Hogwarts this year."

"We didn't think you would." She admitted as she hugged him.

Ron squeezed him reassuringly as he trembled, emotions flowing out.

"I just…I just want to be free." He muttered. "To choose and live and be happy."

"Are you happy here Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Yes. Harold is helping me with any troubles I have in my magical studies and Loraine and Randal have been helping me with my muggle education. Griphook said he would arrange for me to take some exams so I could get a high school diploma. And he said I could take my O.W.L.'s at the same time. I have an income and I have friends and I have my café. I'm planning to take some more cooking classes and spend more time in the café. I just… I just want to be normal. I want to be just Harry."

Hermione hugged him tightly and Ron hesitantly patted his back.

"You deserve that mate." Ron said uncharacteristically thoughtfully.

"You do." Hermione agreed. "And we won't hate you for it. But you have to promise not to forget us."

"I'll write every week." Harry whispered with a smile.

"Then live your life as you see fit." She kissed his forehead. "You're as mature as any adult and we know you don't like your life, so we trust you'll turn it into something you do like."

.-.

August 22nd

Monday

.-.

Harry laughed as he watched Hermione start in on Ron. One would think that the boy would learn to stop insulting her books. Valentine watched them from the sidelines with an amused smirk, his burgundy hair glinting in the light from the window. Santinus was browsing the shelves of the store with a thoughtful look. The store was empty except for them and the half asleep storekeeper so they had some privacy. They would not have had said privacy in Diagon, but Harry had led them to a large bookstore in the back of Knocturn.

Harry glanced up at the shelf in front of him and looked at Dante's list in confusion a moment. The other demon had not joined them as he was to 'excitable' as Santinus said. Harry had brought the list given to him the day before. He'd gotten most of the books but the last item was underlined. Dante wanted books written in every language he could get his hand be they dictionaries or story books. Harry shrugged at the odd request and tugged a few books from the shelf.

They paid quickly and set off into the alley again. Ron and Hermione had relaxed significantly with Santinus and Valentine accompanying them and in broad daylight. The next stop was an out of the way robe shop where Harry paid for new robes for the two for school. Under Ron's complaints he said the boy could work a day at his café to pay it off if he wanted too.

When robes, books, and potion ingredients were out of the way they migrated back to Diagon for the more fun shopping. Hermione and Ron had a brief argument before Santinus and Hermione headed for the book store and Ron for the Quidditch store. Valentine just chuckled and took on a bench.

Harry stood in the middle of the crowd for a moment and pondered what store to enter. Follow his friends or head for the sweet store….

An aged hand clamped on his shoulder and Harry visibly startled before looking up at the hand's owner. An icy pit of dread formed in his stomach and for a brief moment he felt his heart stop. Dumbledore was staring down at him with disappointed baby blue eyes.

"Harry, my boy." He greeted. "It was a very bad thing you did, running away from your aunt's this summer."

He knew. Oh, gods, he knew Harry had been missing.

"Your aunt was very worried."

About getting caught, Harry thought. He started to tremble.

"Where did you hide out Harry?"

Harry didn't answer, a touch of relief lighting up as he realized Dumbledore didn't know where he had been, where his home and store were, he'd only caught him by chance out shopping. Something brushed across his mind and he ripped his eyes from baby blues ones. He knew Legilimency when he felt it now. He didn't have the shields to stop Dumbledore though.

"Come along. I'll take you to your aunt's house now. We'll get young Ronald to get your things when he comes shopping." Dumbledore said soothingly, tightening his hand on Harry's shoulder.

Harry looked up, frantic for help. Valentine had seen what was happening and was quickly hurrying towards them, eyes narrowed. Santinus was weaving through the crowd, also having sensed his distress, hands ready with long claws. Hermione had grabbed Ron and was holding him back, dragging him out of sight. Smart ol' Hermione.

With a sharp crack they were gone. Harry stumbled and looked up. Terror sent his heart into overdrive. He was on Privet Drive number four. His magic rose to the surface, bubbling with his fright. Then something cold clamped around his neck and his magic vanished. Harry screamed as he felt his magic suck into his core and locked. He couldn't feel his magic! There was just a void that throbbed painfully!

He felt hollow as he frantically tugged at the metal band around his neck. Why wasn't their a seam!? A lock!? A hinge?! He couldn't even get his fingernails between the band and his neck. His breathing became erratic in his panic and hollow pain.

"Calm down Harry." Dumbledore said soothingly, kneeling beside him, hands on his shoulder. "That necklace will just make sure no accidental magic occurs. I will remove it when you return to Hogwarts. I worried about you getting another warning from the ministry like second year and third year."

Dumbledore gave him a reassuring squeeze and patted his shoulder as he stood again.

"Not the most fashionable thing for a boy your age but you won't even notice it I'm sure. It'll help keep you and your family safe my boy. Now, there are about two weeks till school, but it should be enough to get the shields fully charged for the year again. I know you don't enjoy it here my boy, but for yours and their safety, you just need to put up with it for the next while."

Harry moaned in terror and a pain that made him feel hollow. He felt so incomplete. He frantically tried to pull his magic past the barrier keeping it caged. He shuddered as hot fire burned through his veins, obviously from the attempts. He stopped and felt his magic roar and swirl beyond the barrier. It hurt so much. He couldn't feel his precious magic. He felt like something had been ripped away cruelly and hidden just out of sight. He shut down for a few minutes and only blindly followed the headmaster who had a hold on his arm. Harry wanted to collapse and scream.

A knock and the next thing Harry knew he was facing Vernon.

"I found him in Diagon." Dumbledore said good naturedly. "The necklace will stop his magic and I've put a ward around your house. He will not be able to leave the property. An extra ward will keep out any owls so not to bother you as you requested. Now Harry, you be good. Don't worry your family like that again. Have a good summer."

Everything was going to fast! He couldn't comprehend every action. He was only half aware of himself in his silent panic. His magic was gone! Anger wanted to erupt into white hot rage at those who had done this to him, but the fear and the pain kept the anger subdued for now. He half gasped half gagged as he felt his heart skip a beat and continue on erratically. His fingers and toes had gone numb and the world was far to tilted.

And then Dumbledore was gone.

Harry looked up through bleary eyes and saw his life flash by as he saw the anger in Vernon's.

.-.

Harry shivered as he lay on the floor. He took some comfort in the solidness of the wood floor beneath him, fingers gripping at the wood till splinters were in them. He was so sore. His body was battered and he was quite sure his right wrist was broken. Vernon didn't quite understand that Harry's body was as fragile as it looked, even more so against his own considerable weight.

Harry staggered into a sitting position and held his hand close to his body and tried to stop his trembling with will power alone. It didn't work. He was too conditioned to the fear that Vernon would return at any moment and hit him again. And there was still that empty void that was taking all his feeling away, he didn't feel at all fine, or normal, or okay. Everything was absolutely wrong.

He checked over his injuries in the silence of his dust coated room. Bloody belt marks marred his back and bruises littered his chest. When he breathed it hurt and some prodding led him to believe he had bruised or cracked some ribs. His right wrist was broken and one of his ankles felt sprained. His glasses were long since broken and his clothes were now bloody and torn. Even his hair was now tangled, and he hadn't regretted the length before Vernon decided it was a very good grip hold. Luckily he had not been carrying much on his person besides his satchel and that had been dropped when Dumbledore had grabbed him in the alley. With luck Valentine would have it.

Vernon had shook him pretty good to before kicking him around and even now Harry felt dizzy.

But he didn't quite find himself caring about anything but the hollowness. The bruises and bones felt like nothing compared to the emptiness he felt. He had this strange disconnected feeling that was so bad he sometimes forgot to breathe until he stuttered and gasped. It was as if he was far too small for his body now and his life support was gone. He could barely think of anything for longer then a few seconds before he zoned out.

He felt at the barrier around his magic and prodded it again; the familiar burst of fiery pain showed it was still strong. Harry whimpered. He prodded again. Fiery, glass-in-his-veins, red-hot pain. He couldn't get past the barrier. He tried to turn his thoughts away from the empty pain that had filled in for his magic.

Vernon had gone easy on him this time. The man had to go back to work and had only come home for a while as Dumbledore had contacted him. He would be back tonight though and Harry knew he would be in for a world of pain. The man had threatened to kill him if he was brought back. He'd been brought back and while Harry doubted the man would ever actually kill him, he might do so unintentionally when beating him. Vernon had a temper and his temper had always been focused at Harry. Harry had always had magic to make him more durable though.

Harry drifted back to his magic and took a breath before slamming into the barrier. Pain so intense rocked his body that his vision went white and when it cleared he was convulsing on the floor in agony, his body quivering without his numb mind to notice.

Harry looked to the heavy wardrobe but knew he would not be able to move. He pulled himself to his feet, limping and shaking badly from the effort and the pain (physically, mental, and magically). He grabbed the desk chair and jammed it under the door knob and hoped to god it would hold until someone could save him.

Then he collapsed and dragged himself under his bed to the far corner, feeling safer in the small space, before falling into a cross between unconsciousness and sleep.

.-.

END OF CHAPTER 25, AUGUST 21st AND 22nd.

I would also like to say for any who may have thought of it, I'm not making a stereotypical evil Dumbledore. I merely made him an old man who may make mistakes. He is unaware of the abuse or pain Harry is suffering. More will be talked about it later.