July 30th:
"Anastasia Potter, you will have your medicine or I will not let you out!"
"No! It's yucky!"
"I know it's yucky but you must have some! It's for your own good!"
"No! Yucky!"
"Sigh...fine, if you have your medicine then I'll let you play outside in the forest...agreed?"
The snake popped her head out of the locket on the ground before and looked up in awe, "you mean it?"
Harry sighed and nodded, "yes Annie, I do."
"Yay! Deal!" she jumped out of the expandable locket and practically teleported to the bowl of milk mixed with the magical potion Scamander had given Harry.
"Don't expect this to be a regular thing young lady! Do you hear me?"
"Yes," the basilisk replied offhandedly and once more Harry found himself regretting not finding a way to convince Scamander to take the slithering snake away from him when he had the chance.
But it was too late now. Anastasia had bonded to him and he had bounded to her...regrettably. She even took his last name, after Harry explained the concept of a second name being the family name of an individual, Anastasia insists on being called Anastasia Potter as, in the snake's mind, she was his child.
The snake lapped the bowl of milk, shivering every time she swallowed the potion down. Harry chuckled, shaking his head, for a child, she really was such a driven thing. In a few seconds she was done, licking her lips and giving a snake grin.
"Done! Now we play!" she cried out.
Harry rolled his eyes, "alright, fine come on Sleepyhead, let's go explore the forest a bit," she rushed up his leg and curled around his arm for support. It was an odd feeling at first, but by now Harry had gotten used to the tiny thing using his body for support.
Harry had taken Annie to his treehouse in the forest. He added a new section into the place just for the snake, placing a cot with a warming charm near his own bed, a place to hang the locket-manager Scamander had give him, and a bowl of water by the cot's side.
Harry climbed down to the forest floor and the moment he stepped down Annie practically jumped down and slithered away, "freedom!"
Harry chuckled, "go too far and you'll get lost Annie. Stay close."
"I'll always be able to find you daddy!" she cried out, lunging into bushes, slithering across fallen logs. Harry had finally taught her the difference between genders, it took a while, but she got it eventually. At least now she didn't call him 'mommy'.
Harry spent the whole day following Annie around, it became dark soon and the basilisk, under much protest, returned back to the magical menagerie Harry carried on hand. He stuffed it into his pocket and made his way back to the Tonks for dinner.
It was the end of July, Harry had spent most of his vacation time so far doing what he did last year. He returned to Sensei Hardwell's dojo,while, sadly, Harry was still a blue belt; the others had progressed, leaving him behind.
They thought he had thought this meant he was weaker. They were wrong. The exercises he had done in the Room of Requirement made Harry faster, stronger and a total master of every single skill he had known at the time.
He managed to knock down even Andrew this time around. The others had progressed further, true enough, learning more and growing more skilled. But what they knew they hadn't master, they hadn't taken the time to do so. Harry had.
It took Harry two weeks to jump up to brown belt. His occlumency allowing him to learn skills faster while his physical powers allowing him to grow stronger quicker. And this year's region tournament was just a few days away, Harry was looking forward to fighting in it again.
Other than that Harry's results from last year had come in. He had scored outstandings in all subjects, DADA notwithstanding. He maintained his title as top of his year, though according to Hermione it was barely such as her marks were right next to his, Harry beating her only in the practical portions.
Harry and Hermione frequented letters to each other now, until the girl left for France that is. He told her about his day with Scamander, or rather a heavily altered version of said story. She was ecstatic that Harry had gotten to meet the Newt Scamander, she even begged him to get her a signed copy of 'Fantastic Beasts', Harry of course refused.
But with the promise of a new year coming soon Harry had one thing to look forward too. The additional classes required for study that began the coming year. Harry had been given the choice between Arithmancy, Muggle Studies, Divination, Study of Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures.
He had been told to select at least two of the given subjects. He of course selected Runes first, his mother was a rune expert, it was only right he followed in her footsteps like he had done so in potions.
The others however were a choice to be made. Muggle Studies was useless, Harry could probably teach the professor a thing or two. Divination was also something he didn't care for and Arithmancy was...well, boring.
After meeting with Newt Scamander though, Harry had to admit his interest in magical creatures had peaked. One just doesn't visit the god of magi zoologists and come away not being influenced in the slightest manner.
After discussing it with Andromeda he found that one can take more than two classes, if only the problem being a slightly increased workload. So Harry went ahead and selected Arithmancy, Care and Runes, deciding that if it proved to be too much for him, he could always drop Arithmancy.
"I'm back!" Harry called out as he opened the front door to the Tonks' home and walked in.
"Harry! In here!" Ted called out from the living room.
Harry walked in and to his surprise, found all the members of the Tonks family there along with the guest. Amelia Bones sat on the couch before him, sitting prim and proper, her monocle in place and her face official like always. And by her side was Susan Bones, the young girl who had been possessed by Tom Riddle's diary.
"Susan," Harry called out almost on instinct upon seeing the girl. She was...a sore spot for him. He was the reason she had been possessed in the first place and it hurt to remember what had happened.
Though if one looked at Susan Bones now, they wouldn't realise she had seen such a terrible fate as she did. The girl was a far cry from the sewer water covered girl Harry remembered saving from the Chamber. Her cheeks were full, she looked healthy, she had even grown a lot over the time they had last seen, judging by the way her clothes seemed to hug her softly.
"Harry!" Susan smiled, the cheer in her voice pulling Harry out of the depressing memories from the Chamber.
"Mr. Potter," Amelia nodded.
"Susan, what are you doing here?" Harry turned to Andromeda for an explanation, only to find the woman distracted, fidgeting with a locket around her neck, focused on the floor instead of anyone else.
"Oh, well, my aunt really, ah," Susan looked confused a she turned to Amelia who remained silent.
"Perhaps it would be best if you and Harry talked for some time Susan," Amelia said pointedly, "isn't that right Andromeda?"
"W-what?" Andy looked up, now realising that she had been asked a question, "yes, of course, Harry show Susan up to your room. Please give us some time."
Harry looked unsure, he turned to Ted who nodded in agreement. Harry sighed, "right, come on Susan," Harry motioned her to follow. The girl looked unsure, but followed him up the stairs.
The moment they were out of sight Harry stopped and turned around. He crouched down on the steps and leaned down, enhancing his ears to try and pick up some sound from downstairs.
"What are you doing?" Susan asked, his voice causing his sensitive ears to roar in pain.
Harry flinched, he covered his ears and sighed, "trying to listen in on what they are saying. Some silence will help Susan."
"Oh...sorry," she replied sheepishly.
Harry focused back on listening in and tried to pick up on only a few words, "...Sirius Black...Azkaban….Last night….."
"What were they talking about?" Susan asked curiously as she leaned forward as well, pressing her chest up against Harry's back to try and lean in closer.
Harry jerked his head up as he suddenly realised something, something very important. Susan was a girl. And by the feeling on his back, a very, very healthy girl.
For a second, his face turned red and his hair began to change as well, he was losing control of his powers due to the intense stab of lust he felt strike him.
"Harry? Harry?" she called out, pushing up behind him again and again.
"I-I-"
"Harry?" Nymphadora's voice called out. Harry snapped back and found said metamorphmagus looking down at him and Susan from her door frame, looking very confused, "what ah...whatcha doing there Potter?'
"N-nothin!" Harry cried out, his quick response came out in a blurted hurry, so much so that it caused Nymphadora to slowly get a sly smile on her face.
"Oh...nothing...I see," she grinned, "and who exactly is this fine young lady you have pressing up against you Mr. Potter?"
Susan suddenly realised what she had been doing and jumped back, "eep! S-sorry Harry! Didn't realise! I'm Susan by the way, Susan Bones! My aunt is downstairs with your mum! I think they are having a chat, we weren't trying to listen in! We weren't trying anything! Honest!"
Harry looked at the bumbling mess that was a blushing Susan Bones and sighed, "you Hufflepuffs really are the worst liars."
"Maybe," Pinkie said with a grin, "so, your Susan Bones, the bird you saved from the Chamber huh Harry?"
Harry sighed as he stood up, now regaining full control over his emotions, "yes, this is her."
"Oh, no need to sound so down Harry," Nymphadora smiled once more, "if you want me to leave so you and Susie here can have some private time I won't mind you know."
"W-what?!" Susan cried out, the blush coming out with even more force, much to Nymphadora's joy.
"Bite me Pinkie," Harry hissed, "you're going to give the girl a heat stroke."
"What? It's just if a bloke had saved my behind from a Dark Lord I would be head over heels in love with him," Nymphadora shrugged before smiling at Susan, "well Bonsey? What do you say? Think about throwing all Potter there a bone?"
Harry groaned as he planned his face, "oh Merlin, that pun."
"Ep!" was all Susan cried out in response.
"Enough of this, don't you have some studying to do Pinkie?" Harry snapped. The girl had been locked in her room practically the whole summer. Her exam was a few weeks away and the girl took every chance she could to not study for it.
"Meh, I'm on a break," Tonks replied with a defensive shrug.
"Counting the ones you took this morning before I left that's ten breaks you've taken," Harry shot back, "do you even want to be an auror...Nymphadora?"
"What did you call me you brat?!" Tonks cried out as she drew her wand.
In response Harry grabbed Susan and placed her before Tonks wand, "ah-ah, do you really want to jink the niece of your soon-to-be new boss Nymphadora?"
"Stop hiding behind a girl!" Tonks cried out as she tried to change her aim, only for Harry to pull Susan along like a rag doll.
"I'm not hiding, I'm strategizing," Harry cooly replied, "now, can you please shut up? I'm trying to listen in on Andy and the others."
"Fine," Tonks grumbled as she lowered her wand before pointing a stiff finger at Harry, "but this ain't over, punk."
"Sure it isn't," Harry snorted as Tonks slammed the door shut, "crazy pink haired monstrosity."
"I heard that!"
Harry shook his head and turned to Susan, "you alright?"
"Y-yes, I think," Susan replied nervously.
"Sorry about her...she's special," Harry shrugged as he turned back to listen to the adults downstairs only to hear nothing, "damn it. I can't hear them anymore."
"They must have gone outside," Susan replied, "aunty always says that the best way to have a long talk is by having an equally long walk."
"Hm..." Harry nodded, not really paying attention to the girl. He recalled the few bits of information he heard and turned to Susan, "Susan...who is Sirius Black?"
Susan's eyes winded, "oh...no wonder aunty wanted to come here personally."
"You know him?"
"Well, yes, there isn't anyone from the wizarding world who doesn't know Sirius Black Harry."
"If you two are going to flirt, do it away from my room!" Tonks' voice suddenly cried out.
"Put up a bloody silencing charm! You're a witch aren't you?!" Harry cired back.
"...shut up."
Harry sighed, "follow me Susan," he called her over as he guided her to the steps to the attic. He brought her upstairs to the dark room and nodded, "she won't interrupt us here."
Susan looked around, immediately spotting the mattered and several books scattered around in one corner of the attic, "Harry...do you sleep here?"
Harry noticed what she was looking at and shrugged, "yes. I don't like big fancy rooms. I prefer cozy places."
"Meow," Susan cried out in shock and jumped back, Harry having to grab her to hold her steady. Out of the stacks of boxes in the attic Godric popped his head out of one of them and gave a lazy wave before jumping out and walking away.
"Sorry, it's just Godric, the stupid cat was probably asleep," Harry sighed as he looked down at Susan still holding his hands for support, "you okay?"
"Y-yes, I," she stopped, looking at Harry before a small blush came across her cheeks. She gulped and nodded, "I'm fine. Thank you..."
Harry nodded, he let go of Susan's hand and motioned her to follow. They walked up to the giant skylight in the attic, from said window the light from the night moon came down and light up the dreary and dark place.
"So...Black?" Harry prompted.
"Oh...that's right, well you see..." Susan began to fidget, playing with her fingers, "he's….he's a wanted man."
"I'm guessing he was tossed into Azkaban?" Harry guessed, Susan nodded in agreement. Harry frowned, he always thought the Blacks had all died out, Andromeda never spoke about her family, always boasted about being a Black, but never spoke about it. He had assumed it was because they were all dead, but it seemed that wasn't the case.
"So your aunt came here to tell Andy that this Sirus fellow died?" Harry clarified.
"No," Susan replied, "he didn't die….he escaped."
"W-what?" Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing, "he escaped? No one has ever escaped Azkaban!" It was something Nymphadora had reminded Harry about constantly, teasing that if he returned to his thieving ways they would lock him up and he could never escape.
"But he did," Susan whispered, "somehow."
"Is Andromeda and the Tonks in danger?" Harry snapped, coming to the logical conclusion.
"No...I mean...yes, but not because of him..."
"Then?" Harry asked, Susan looked unsure, "Susan please, what's going on?"
"Well...you see, Sirius Black was...is Vo-Vo...Riddle's most loyal follower," Harry was amazed she was trying to speak his name, it really was something that spoke to just how much Susan had changed.
"So...he's escaped...because he heard Voldemort might be alive?"
Susan shrugged, "your guess is as good as anyone else. I'm sorry I can't be of anymore help, it's not right you have to hear this from me but… I really don't know all that much more than you do."
Harry blinked, she was right. She didn't have to tell him but she did. He didn't know why...maybe he felt like she owed him, but if that was the case then...there was something she needed to hear from him as well.
Harry took a deep breath and began, "Susan...there is...something I need to tell you."
Susan looked surprised, "what is it Harry?"
"I...Tom Riddle..the diary..." the guilt was eating away at him...she deserved to know, "I found it first."
Susan blinked, "what?"
"Last summer, I found Riddle's diary in my cauldron from Diagon Alley. I don't know how it got there or what it was but… eventually, I figured it out. I didn't know who Tom Riddle was at the time, I thought it was just someone who could help me learn more magic… it wasn't until Christmas that I even realised who Tom Riddle really was...and by then, he had somehow found a way into your hands… Susan… I'm sorry, everything that happened to you last year it...it was my fault."
Harry dropped his head, shame, guilt coming down on him like a brick house.
"Harry… I...I understand."
The words, the sheer honest and openness in her voice made his head snap up in surprise. He looked at her, a look of understanding and sympathy on features, "w-what?"
"I understand...I know what he's like...how charming he is. When I first found the book with me I wanted to tell my aunty what I found and the next moment...I was telling him all of my deepest darkest secrets. I understand how it felt Harry...it must have been a battle, everyday, fighting to keep your mind sane...to keep him out."
"I...I found a way."
"What? How?" Susan asked almost desperately.
"It's a technique called Occlumency, it guards the mind from magical attacks," Harry explained, "it helps you keep calm and it helped me keep him out...I think that's why he gave up...that's why he ran, to find someone else…."
"Harry… I never thanked you did I?" Susan whispered, "for saving me."
"Susan, you don't need to thank me. It's because of me that-"
"-Harry, no offence, but you really have to get off that high horse of yours," Susan snapped making Harry blinked in surprise, "you think you're the only one V-volde-Riddle has tricked? You think you were the only one he's manipulated? Harry I've heard the stories from my aunty, she told me how he manipulated and used hundreds thousands of people. I don't blame you for not knowing something no one else did. You aren't a God Harry Potter, you are just a man...like the rest of us."
"Well I can't afford to be!" Harry snapped back.
Susan narrowed her eyes, she moved closer to him, "why? Why not?"
"He's tried to kill me these last two years, so even if I don't go after him...he'll come after me,"
Harry replied, "and...because...he killed my parents...how could I let him live?"
"Harry...he killed my parents too," Harry turned to Susan in shock, the girl looked out the window a tear running down her cheek, she wiped it away quickly, "he killed a lot of parents Harry...you aren't alone...you don't have to fight him by yourself..."
"You're volenturing?" Harry snorted at the idea.
"Yes. I am," Susan snapped with more strength in her voice than Harry expected.
"You're joking," he replied.
"No, I'm not," she replied back, "I'm serious Harry...after what happened to me last year I...I can't afford to just think it won't happen again. If you hadn't saved me when you did then I would be dead right now and Riddle would be..."
"And you aren't mad at all that I was the reason the diary came into Hogwarts in the first place?" Harry couldn't believe the sheer size of the girl's heart. She was being just so...forgiving. Was this the quality in a Hufflepuff that Andromeda saw in Ted?
"No, I'm not..." then slowly, a smile came on Susan's face, "so thank you Harry Potter...for saving me," she leaned forward and before Harry even realised she was doing it, Susan planted a chaste kiss on his cheek, an inch away from the beginning of his lips.
For the first time ever, Harry could almost hear his mental barriers shattering into nothing. His face began to heat up, his eyes widen to a comical degree as he felt himself blushing red.
Susan pulled back and smiled, a carefree innocent smile. She had the audacity to smile at him like nothing had happened.
"Susan! It's time to go!" Amelia Bones called out from downstairs.
"Coming aunty!" Susan called back. She turned back to Harry, curling a strand of hair behind her ear, "it was nice meeting you Harry...and thank you. Again..."
Harry in return could say nothing, choosing instead to nod his head almost violently. They stay rooted to that spot for another second before Susan left, Harry could see the tip of her ears turning red as well.
The moment she went down the stairs Harry dropped the last iota of control he had over his metamorphmagus abilities and exploded into an array of transformations. His hair grew and shrank on a whim, passing through a rainbow of warm and bright colour, frequenting a shade of Valentine red.
Even Harry's eyes began to shift. Ten seconds after Susan left Harry dropped down onto his floor mattress and bagged his head against the attic walls, "oh fuck."
The next day:
Ted looked around the Tonks dining table and noted just how...different the rest of his family acted that morning.
Andromeda was staring out into the unknown, her eyes locked onto a wall clock that she had inherited from her father before his passing.
His daughter had her nose in a book, every other spoon of cereal she had missed her mouth, lucky she didn't spill it over herself.
And Harry...well, he wasn't doing much better. A spoon of cereal was in his hand, but never moved to his mouth. He too was staring absently out the window, distracted beyond belief as Ted noted the boy's abilities were jumping around without his notice.
His hair grew, shrank, turned red, lime green, yellow, blue, black, purple. It began such a distraction that slowly even the other two distracted members of the family began to notice, first with Nymphadora, who was now trying to control her laughter and then Andromeda who seemed startled more than anything else.
"Harry," Andy called out, gaining the boy's attention, "is everything alright?"
"I...I don't know," Harry blinked, "I think so but….I...I….Andy, what is love?"
"Baby don't hurt me, no more," Nymphadora replied instantly. They rest turned to her and she shrugged, "it's a new song that just came out. Quit popular in clubs these days."
"And how do you know what's popular in clubs these days young lady?" Andromeda asked, "aren't you supposed to be locked in your room? Studying?"
"Ah...thats..."
"Ladies, can we please focus on Harry," Ted prompted, saving his daughter and turning the attention back to Harry, who still had no control over his abilities.
"Harry dear, what exactly prompted this question?" Andromeda asked.
"Well, it's just..." Harry looked at Nymphadora for a second and sighed, "I thought I knew what love was. I thought I had it all figured out because I had someone else I liked. But now… I don't understand. What exactly is love?"
"Well, it depends," Ted replied as he sipped his morning cup of tea, "do you mean love between friends, family or someone special?"
Harry blinked, "there's a difference?"
"Of course there is Harry," Nymphadora snorted, "the feeling you get for your family is different from the feeling you have for someone you want to date."
"But it's both love?"
"Yes, but a different kind of love. Like how you have different flavours of ice cream, you have different kinds of love."
"I see…."
"Harry," Andy spoke up with a gentle smile, "this other person you liked, did you trust her?"
"Yes."
"Did you believe you would be safe with her?"
"...Yes."
"Did you want to spend every second with her trying be close to her all the time? Get angry or sad when she isn't around?"
"No...she had other things to do. I didn't mind..."
"Then you didn't love her like I love Teddy honey, you loved her like a friend, maybe more so if you knew her well," the Tonks woman explained.
"Then the other kind of love...the kind you feel for Teddy...that's real love?"
"Ah, in a manner of speaking I suppose," Ted replied, "I frankly believe the love you feel between family members is much stronger, you don't really ever break such a bond."
"But how can one tell the difference between family love and… love love," Harry whispered the last bit.
"Well...do you want to be with that person right now at this moment instead of being here with us?" Pinkie called up.
"No...I mean…yes, but only because I want to talk to her some more, try and understand..." Harry's powers slowly settled as he slowly turned to his original form, black hair and green eyes. He wanted to understand what Susan meant by joining him...willing to help him...why she forgave him.
"Well then honey, it's obvious that you're in love," Andy smiled.
"Yeah, in love with Susan Bones," Pinkie called out.
Immediately Harry's head, skin and eyes turned Valentine red, "s-shut up Nymphadora!"
"Ha! Look that that! Mr. 'I'm always in control' Potter just turned into a giant lollipop!" Tonks cried out, throwing her head back and laughing.
"Shut up!" Harry cried out once more, his hair standing up straight like a cat's wound when frightened, "if the only reason my powers are a mess is because I'm unfocused, what does that say about you?!"
"I should be offended by that, but I'm not...you're in love!" Tonks threw her head back and laughed.
"Nymphadora! That is no way to behave, it's clear this is a sensitive matter to Harry and you best act respectful," Andromeda scolded her daughter before turning to Harry with a smile the boy came to associate with a Slytherin about to execute a brilliantly thought out plan, "so Harry, would you like me to call Amelia and ask her to bring Susan over? You could take her to town and show her around."
"S-shut up!" Harry cried out, his hair now wiggling around like an out of control octopus, "I hate you all! I'm going to karate!"
He grabbed his already prepared duffle bag and bolted to the door, "make sure you have some control over your powers before you reach there or else you'll look like a tomato!" cried Nymphadora.
"Fuck you!" Harry cried, slamming the door behind him. He pulled his hoodie up over his head and ran, he was not in love with Susan Bones. Not at all. There was nothing about that caring, forgiving, understanding, beautiful and determined girl that he found attractive, nothing at all.
July 31st:
It was his birthday. This time it was Andy who took Harry to the Potter grave for his annual tradition.
"So...that's the whole year," Harry replied with a shrug, "fought the Dark Tosser...learned his name was Tom, can you believe that? Plus I found a cool sword, but that's really not important. Came first, again. Yay. Taking Runes like you mom...oh and I think I might be taking up Care as well...got a new pet...things are...nice."
Harry placed a laurel of flowers on their graves and smiled, he turned and walked back to Andromeda who smiled, "ready to go?"
Harry nodded, "yup."
"Good...did you tell them about your new girlfriend?"
"Andromeda!" Harry hissed, his hair briefly flying through colours before turning back to normal.
"Oh, you aren't any fun to tease anymore," she huffed, "I thought this time you would turn your hair into a full rainbow."
"I hate you."
"I love you too sweetie."
They returned home and sat down for breakfast as they had went to visit Harry's parents early that morning. As they ate, a few owls seemed to drop by, giving Harry letters, much to the boy's surprise.
One was from Hermione, it had her well wishes along with a promise to buy him a gift later. The second was from Susan, who also wished Harry a happy birthday, but attached to this one was a box of chocolate from HoneyDukes.
And the moment Andromeda found out, "you know Harry, they say chocolate given by someone you love taste much better than the normal kind."
"Shut up Andy!" Harry cried out. However he refused to share said chocolates with anyone, much to Andromeda's smug satisfaction.
Harry however had also gotten a third letter, one Andromeda didn't know about. This one was from Delphi Malfoy, she wished him a polite happy birthday and wrote that she had found a buyer for the harvested basilisk body parts, though not so bluntly.
She agreed to set up a meeting with a buy on the 16th of August, if Harry was still interested. He quickly replied that he was.
August 9th:
Harry at down at the second most comfortable couch at The Loney Roads comic book come game store and surrounding him were a dozen comic book issue. It was everything he had missed out on while at Hogwarts, and needless to say, it was a bit much.
"This is bullshit!" Harry cried out, slamming the current issue of Adventure comics down, "utter bull!"
"Oh, Harry, what's seems to be the problem?" Mr. Ten asked as he walked over from behind the counter.
Harry held up the issue he was reading and pointed at the cover. It was of Superman's cape torn apart and on a stick, hosited like a flag, "Superman's dead?! How long was I gone?!"
"Oh yeah, you were away huh?" Mr. Ten sighed, shaking his head, "came as a shock to all of us really. When we first read the issue we thought DC had lost their minds, but apparently they were serious, no more Superman."
"Damn it! And I was just getting into it!" Harry cried out, "and what's this I hear about Bruce Wayne being replaced as Batman?! Who the hell is Azrael?!"
Mr. Ten chuckle, "you missed a lot Harry, here, let me help you get filled in," and after that small tantrum, Harry walked out of the store a few pounds lighter, but with a huge stack of comic books inside his backpack.
He wanted to go back to his treehouse and get some private reading time, but as he was heading off, he noticed something following him in the distance. He noted that it was a dog, a big one sure, but still just a dog.
Harry stopped and turned around. The dog that had been following him since the comic book store stopped as well. Harry narrowed his eyes, the dog looked wild, it's fur a mess and it's frame...tiny.
It looked starved, almost dying. Harry never noticed any dogs unchained around the town, it must have been a stray, or it ran away from neglectful owners. And Harry bet the reason it was following him was because of the snacks it could smell coming from Harry's backpack.
He sighed, in the past, he would have just walked away or hit the dog with a stone if it kept following him. But now...after raising Annie he gained a new found love for animals which he really couldn't ignore.
So Harry removed his backpack, took out the tupperware filled with the biscuits and toast Ted had made for him in the morning. He took it out and held it out, "if you want it, come and get it."
The dog blinked, looking almost surprised. Harry shook the bowl once again and it practically bolted across the street into Harry's side. It skidded to a halt and began to eat into snacks Harry gave it.
Harry waited patiently, watching the dog eat happily after what Harry could only assume had been a long time.
"I'll get you some milk tomorrow, your body probably won't be able to handle solid food too well," Harry replied as he reached out and picked at the knots in the dog's fur. The dog said nothing, much to entranced with the bowl of food before it.
After it was done, Harry packed it up and left, the dog wagging its tail behind him. Harry was worried it was going to follow him all the way home, but luckily by the time they approached the Tonks house the dog turned and left.
From that day forth, Harry always carried with him a little extra food. Some days he would see the dog he began to call Sir. Eats-a-lot, some days he would not. But it didn't matter, because from then on, the dog began to look a little more healthier every day.
August 14:
Today was the day. Harry could feel it in his bones. He woke up bright and early. He left Annie at his tree house with enough food and water for days. He explained to her what was going to happen and she had only one thing to say.
"Win daddy!"
He arrived at the dojo early and Sensei Hardwell was there to greet him. The man made Harry go through several katas and practise matches while they waited for everyone else. By now, Harry felt ready as he ever could be.
The bus that was taking the entire dojo to the tournament was early by a few minutes, though they were all already ready and waiting. Every single one was waiting for a rematch, even Andrew.
When they arrived at the gymnasium where the tournament was going to take place Harry turned to Andrew, his rival come...friend, and said, "if you lose this time, I'm kicking your ass."
"Don't' worry Potter, I don't plan too," the boy replied, and in his eyes Harry could see a spark of determination.
They entered and soon enough, the matches began. Harry could tell the rest were nervous, most having to go to the loo several times as a result. But he felt calm, compared to the Chamber, this was nothing more than a test of his skills.
He was the first one to fight from his dojo. His first match was against a kid that was shorter than him and smaller. The moment he saw Harry the kid got a look of fear in his eyes. The match had already been decided at that moment.
One after another, the fights kept coming and Harry kept winning. His blows were powerful, his attacks each finding a mark and blowing his opponents several steps back. He advanced the team, nearly always guaranteed a victory is made to fight.
But the others weren't slacking either. Theo and Andrew were back this year with vengeance. Their kicks and punches had been tested against Harry's body, and when you fought a metamorphmagus who harned his muscles and skin secretly in order to test you, you tend to come out being able to strike anyone hard enough to get a victory.
Harry had taken the role of a practise dummy this year for that very reason. But allowing people to hit him, he trained himself to take the pain and allowed them to get used to hitting something unnaturally hard. It was sensei Hardwell's idea, he saw how unnaturally tough Harry was, he used said skill to the dojo's advantage.
Soon they came to the finals, and sure enough, they were facign once more the dojo that Johnny Croaker hailed from. And said boy way looking out at Harry with the eyes of a determined fighter. They had made a promise to each other last year, they both intended to keep it.
"Andrew...I'm going first this time," Harry called out.
"Harry you have no right to make that choice," Hardwell informed, "Andrew is your senior in this dojo and he-"
"-No sensei...Harry's right. He never got the chance to fight last time, it's his right," Andrew backed up Harry's call, nodding to the boy, "don't lose."
"I won't," Harry nodded in thanks as he stepped into the ring first and to his surprise, Croaker did not. Instead it was some no named black belt Harry didn't care about.
"Is Johnny not coming to play?" Harry asked as he stepped up to the mat.
"You ain't fighting him until you beat me," the blonde short haired boy replied as they bowed to each other.
"Begin!" the referee called out before stepping back.
The boy leaped forward with a kick. Harry blocked it with one hand before moving his torso to push the kick aside and send a punch into the gut of the boy's exposed stomach.
"Bah," the boy coughed as he dropped to the ground, holding his gut in pain.
"Stop! Body shot, half point!" the referee jumped in as he helped the other boy get back up.
They began again, and this time Harry lead, pushing his advantage with a kick, a left and a right punch at pushed the boy further to the edge. And when he had no where else to go, Harry gave a kick to his shin, sweeping him to the ground, pinning the boy down with a bone lock.
The second match began after that. Once more, Croaker didn't step into the ring, but another one of his team members. This one was taller than Harry himself. He was dark skinned and well built.
"Begin!"
The dark giant came at Harry with punches faster than his own and a kick that almost connected to Harry's temple. But the one thing the boy lacked was speed. And that was something had in spades. So with a quick doge Harry got under his defenses and drove a fist into his gut.
"Off!" the boy cried out as he was dropped like a sack of potatoes. He began to dry heave, and after a moment spent with the judge, gave up.
Harry ignored all the looks, he ignored all the cheering his own dojo was giving him. Only one thing mattered. And it Croaker who was now entering the ring. No, even he was just stepping stone. What mattered was the title of strongest, Harry wanted it.
And so finally the match began. They fought with equal speed and range. Croaker was a bit shorter than Harry, but his skill and technique made up for it. He began with a flurry of kicks and punches that almost connected, while at the same time dogging Harry's own strikes.
It was a battle of wills, Harry and Johnny began to slowly circle each other, the other waiting to see what their opponent would do. The tension began to rise, Harry was patient, his mental exercises helped in that regard.
Croaker broke first, charging with a punch and a sweeping roundhouse kick that Harry just managed to avoid. He ducked backwards before changing his footing and bringing his left hand for an uppercut.
Johnny brought his right hand down to a lower block to push Harry's hand away, exposing Harry's left side, but before Johnny could make use of the exposed defense, Harry moved, rotating his hips and bringing down his right hand like a hammer.
It connected to Johnny's quickly raised left hand, but Harry had a third strike already ready. With all the weight on his left leg now, his freed right came down low and swept Johnny's feet. It didn't trip him down, but it startled the boy enough to lose balance for a second. And in that second, Harry's new redrawn left fist exploded outwards into a canon of a punch that connected with Johnny's midriff.
The resulting effect was Croaker being punched out of the ring, tripping and falling down.
He did get back up, he refused to give up. He was the champion for a reason. He came at Harry again and with a surprising left jab, connected with Harry's body.
They began trading blows, blocks seemingly a lost aspect of the match. Time was slowly ticking away, Harry could feel it, Johnny was on his last leg, if it came down to a matter of points then he would win due to the more connected hits. Harry had to push for a knockout.
And so they came at each other one last time. Johnny attacked with a flurry of punches that Harry doged backwards. He hit back with a punch of his own, only to suddenly feel Johnny's foot try and sweep him away.
Harry's right foot was swept off, all his weight was now on his left. He moved with the change in momentum, spinning, exposing his side, Johnny was going for another flurry of body shots to cement his victory.
Harry refused to let that happen. So without even thinking, acting on pure instinct alone, he moved, going with the change in momentum until he was full turned to Johnny. He planted his foot down into the mat and raised his left foot, bringing it upward.
A spinning hook kick was a difficult move to master, even more so to do in combat. In that moment, Harry didn't even realise he was performing such a move, it just came to him, an instinct. He felt the hell of his foot connect to Johnny's chin.
When he looked down, he saw the boy had been laid down on the mattress, completely knocked out.
Harry was breathing hard, he didn't even hear the referee call out a point to his favour. All he remembered was the feeling of overwhelming excitement deep within himself as he achieved something amazing for the first time in his life by his own skills.
He barely remembered the celebration the dojo had at a local pizzeria, he barely remembered everyone congratulating him. All he remembered was going back to corner of the attic he called his room and placing the cup by the window sill over his mattress.
He remembered smiling, victory had tasted...sweet.
August 16th:
"You realise I could have done this myself yes? I know how to shop in Diagon alley by now Andy," Harry sighed in annoyance as he was lead into the wizarding shopping district by an excited Andromeda.
"Oh I know dear, but I just..had to get a few things today, so I thought I would accompany you," she replied with a smile.
"Fine, but we aren't sticking together, I'm going to go ahead and do my thing, you can do...whatever it is that you do," Harry shrugged.
"Of course, that won't be a problem at all. You can have all the privacy you want Harry," she said, actually giggling at the end.
Harry turned to her with a worried look, there was no way she knew why he really was here today. There was no way she knew about him trying to sell basilisk parts to Delphi's contact today because if she did she wouldn't be giggling.
Harry had tried to go on his own, to make her stay back, but Andromeda insisted, why he didn't know. She was up to something...something big. And it made him nervous.
"Oh, would you look at that! Don't you just meet the darndest people!" Andromeda said suddenly and very loudly as she grabbed Harry by the shoulder and began pulling him through the crowd, "over here!"
Harry wondered who she was trying to call, but once the crowd broke through, he realised exactly what was going on. Susan Bones and her aunt were waiting by Ollivander's, both dressed in witches robes. It took Harry all of two seconds to figure it out.
"You evil witch," Harry spat.
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean Harry," came Andromeda's giggling reply. Again, the grown forty year old woman was giggling. Joy.
"Andy, Mr. Potter," Amelia greeted them both, nodding pleasantly, though still no smile.
"Madam Bones," Harry greeted before turning to Susan, "Susan..."
"Oh Amelia! What a coincidence!" Andromeda cried out with the grace of a failing actor with dialogue that sounded more fake than the look of surprise she wore on her face.
"Indeed, are you shopping for Harry's third year material as well?" Amelia asked, looking far more convincing than Andromeda ever did.
"No no, Harry's much too old to need my help, say, Harry, why don't you and Susan go around Diagon alley and shop for a bit huh? Amelia and I can catch up with you two later, what do you say?"
Harry sighed, "I don't suppose I have a choice?"
"Go on Susan, Andromeda and I need to speak some more," Amelia prompted her nice.
"Ah...if you're sure," Susan replied, still looking partly surprised, guessing the girl hadn't figured out this had all been a setup from the beginning.
Amelia and Andromeda practically vanished, leaving Harry and Susan alone. Harry sighed at the former Black woman's antics, rubbing his head he turned to Susan, "so, what do you need to buy?"
"Well, just about everything I guess," she replied, "uniform and all. Had a bit of a growth spurt over the summer."
Harry looked down at Susan's chest and felt a blush come up. 'A bit' was an understatement if he ever heard it. He cleared his throat, "right, then Madam Malkin's first and then the books."
"Right," Susan agreed as they began to walk through the crowded alley, silence coming down between them.
"So," Susan began, unable to stand the awkward silence, "how was your summer?"
"Good, I guess," Harry shrugged, "read up on the coming year...what additional subjects did you take?"
"Oh, I took Care of magical creatures and Divination," Susan replied, "what about you Harry?"
"Care, Runes and Arithmancy."
"Three subjects?" the girls replied, surprised by the choice.
Harry shrugged, "seemed the most useful. Though I'm not to sure about arthmacy, might drop it if it continues to hinder me."
"Oh...well at least we'll be sharing a class, that's nice," Susan smiled.
Harry nodded, "yes….so, what did you do all summer?"
"Oh nothing special?" Susan rubbed her neck nervously, "I was in and out of St. Mungos. Aunty insisted I got and get regular check ups because...well, you know."
"Yeah, I do...still getting over the fact you don't blame me."
Susan chukled, "please Harry, you are far too serious. You need to relax now and again, you know? I told you, I can't really bring myself to blame you."
"That's...nice...so...other than seeing the healers how was your summer?"
Susan shrugged, "like I said, didn't do nothing else. This is actually the first day I'm spending doing something fun."
"Oh...well...do you...want to get some ice cream?" Harry asked. Susan looked confused and he felt another blush coming on, "a-after we finish shopping that is."
"Sure, that sounds nice," Susan replied. Harry sighed internally, he really didn't like how little control he seemed to have. Damn hormones.
They finished buying a new set of robes for themselves and also got all the required books. There was an incident with the Monster book of Monsters, where it tried to bite Harry's fingers, off, but after learning how to use it from the store clerk, it was settled peacefully. Harry was an inch away from blasting the thing apart.
Soon Harry found himself at the Flourish ice cream parlour, enjoying a sunday with Susan Bones. They had ordered a sunday each, but it seemed the scooper had misheard them because she had instead brought them one sunday with two spoons, winking at them to enjoy.
It seemed women on a whole found enjoyment in pushing things that was better left alone.
"S-so, the ice cream is delicious huh?" Susan stammered out as she scooped some of the chocolate covered banana sundae, "y-you should try some."
Harry hated the fact that for some reason he didn't want to disappoint Susan. Before, he would have insisted on his own sunday. But now...he took the extra spoon and ate a small bite, nodding in approval, "it's good."
"I know right!" the girl said cheerfully, looking happier than before, "s-so, did you really just spend the whole summer studying?"
Harry shrugged, "among other things."
"Oh? Like what?"
"I...I fought," Susan looked confused, "in a tournament."
"A...dueling tournament?"
"No, muggle one."
"Oh...how?" Susan asked, clearly confused due to a lack of exposure. So Harry spent the rest of their time at the ice cream parlour explaining to her how exactly muggles fought, and then he explained to her what karate what and why it wasn't a type of muggle dance.
All in all it was… a pleasant day. And so obviously it had to be interrupted.
"Potter?" the back of Harry's neck came alive with goosebumps as the voice of Delphi Malfoy rang out. He turned around and found said girl looking at him from the alley street, an eyebrow raised.
He had forgotten about the basilisk trader, the moment Susan Bones came into the picture...he had completely forgotten he was supposed to meet up with Delphi today.
"Malfoy," Harry nodded, pulling up his mental shields to remain calm, "I was just about to...meet."
"Oh? Really? Because it seems to me that you and Bones were busy giggling over a sunday," Delphi noted as she eyes the empty sundae bowl before them, "did you forget?"
"Andromeda insisted on coming with me and then she invited Bones as well," Harry replied promptly, "I didn't forget," he lied.
"H-hello D-Delphi," Susan said, sounding much more scared that she looked, "what are you doing here?"
Delphi looked at Susan, she narrowed her eyes pointedly before relaxing them, "how are you Bones?"
"I'm fine...thank you for asking," Susan smiled.
"That's good..." Delphi turned to Harry and narrowed her eyes, "so, are you coming or are you going to stay here sharing another sunday with Bones here?"
"I'm coming," Harry replied as he stood up, turning to Susan he gave her an apologetic sigh, "Susan, I'll be right back, give me ah, ten minutes, order another sunday and I'll be right back."
"O-oh...okay," Susan replied, nodding shly as Harry was practically pulled away by Delphi who set a very quick pace.
Harry followed Delphi down to the Leaky Cauldron, the girl setting a very quick pace. "Delphi," Harry called out, only for her to ignore him, "Delphi slow down."
"Why Potter? I thought you wanted to finish this as quickly as you can to return to your date," Delphi hissed.
"Listen, Amrodemda and Amelia needed to talk and so Susan and I shopped together. I couldn't risk telling her what we were really doing now could I?"
"Do you know how hard I worked to arrange this meeting Potter? Did you think it was easy to obtain the information of a seller who won't betray us to the ministry, or worse, to my father? All that, and instead you sit around and share ice cream with Bones!"
"I didn't..."
"Shut up Potter, let's just get this over with."
Harry sighed, they entered the Cauldron and Delphi looked around, "is your guy here yet?"
"Don't know, never met him," Delphi replied.
Harry grabbed her arm and made her turn towards him, "you've never met him but you trust him to sell basilisk parts for you?"
"Don't touch me Potter," she hissed, pulling her arm away, "and unlike you, I know how to read people. He's trustworthy. At least until we stop being useful."
"...Fine, does he know who we are and what we look like?" Harry asked.
Delphi shook her head, "no. I got in touch with him anonymously. He's a fence my father uses, he doesn't know I'm the one who asked him.."
"Then we still have time, come on," Harry motioned to follow and after a huff of annoyance Delphi did so. They went into the back and Harry drew his wand, Delphi grew tense for a second but watched as Harry waved it over his head and turned his hair blonde while his eyes became brown.
"Cosmetic charms?" Delphi asked in surprise.
"Yes, and while we are in Diagon alley the ministry can't tell we're using magic," Harry replied as he pretended to apply more charms to himself, while in actuality he just used his powers to transform. He now looked older, greying blonde hair, plenty of laugh lines around his face and wrinkles on his body.
"Useful," Delphi took out her wand and applied it on herself as well, managing to turn only her hair black and her eyes brown. She noted her change in the reflection of a nearby window and groaned, "seems I'm not as skilled as you with it."
"Then we say you're my daughter, play it off like that," Harry replied as he put his wand away, "ready?"
Delphi looked annoyed, which she seemed to be very much so today, but nodded. They walked back in and waited. A few minutes later a man in a red cloak walked in, gaining Delphi's attention. She tapped Harry's shoulder and he nodded in understanding.
When the man sat down Harry and Delphi approached him. The man wore his hood up, only his mouth and nose could be seen. Harry took out a small bottle of basilisk venom and placed it on the table.
The red robed man took it, wave his wand over the bottle and smiled. "We're in business Mr..?"
"Galleon," Harry replied before motioning over to Delphi, "this is knut." The girl looked annoyed.
And a little over ten minutes later the negotiations were over. The red robed man called himself 'Sickle', keeping with money themes aliases. They agreed upon a P.O. box for the transaction and a bank account at gringotts. With a promise to get all of it set up by the next time they meet, the two parties left, promising to meet up next week to begin properly.
When Sickle left Harry and Delphi returned to the back and removed their disguises.
Harry sighed, "that went better than I thought. Didn't think selling the body parts of a XXXXX magical creature could have been this simple."
"That's because I managed to get hold of a professional," Delphi snorted, "trust me, it could have gone a lot worse if it had been someone else You owe me Potter."
"I notice we're back to last time names Delphi."
"Shut up Potter...go back to your date, I trust you can handle this business on your own from now on."
"I-" Harry began, but she refused to listen, leaving before he could say anything else. With a sigh, Harry rubbed his temples, girls were...so confusing.
He left and quickly made his way back to Susan, who was packing up and leaving, "Susan?"
"Oh, you're back," Susan replied with narrowed eyes, "what did you and Malfoy get up to?"
"Well...you see..."
"You know what, forget it," Susan snapped, "I have to go, I'll find my aunty and get out of your way Harry. Don't let me get in between your and Malfoy's secret randevu."
"What?!" Harry blinked as Susan also left, leaving him alone with a very big check. It seemed Susan ate when she was angry, because right now the bill in Harry's hand looked like it could feed five people.
The boy-who-lived sighed, girls really were such annoying things.
August 25th:
"Wand! Wand! Where's my wand?!" Tonks cried out as she stuffed her bag full of all the notes she had taken over the summer.
"Here!" Harry called out, passing said wand over to the girl who caught it effortlessly, "it was in the dryer by the way."
"Thanks squirt! Alright, I think I'm set!" Tonks grinned as she twirled her wand with a grin.
"Oh Nymphadora do your best alright?" Andromeda said as she and Harry followed Tonks outside, "don't panic, and make sure you answer all the questions even if you don't know the right answer."
"Yes mom," the woman rolled her eyes, "thank you mom."
"Good luck at the auror exam, copper," Harry smirked, "looking forward to seeing you in those ridiculous robes."
Tonks grunned back, "right back at you my delinquent freeloader! Make some fried chicken tonight mom cause I'm going to be a winner!"
She twirled on the spot and vanished with a crack. Harry chuckled, shaking his head, "excitable isn't she?"
"Oh you know how she is," Andromeda smiled as they went back inside, "she's been working so hard, it'll be nice to have her take a break after this."
"I guess ... hey Andy...are' you worried?"
"Hm? About what?"
"Well...you know...being an auror, it isn't a very safe job, just look at what happened to my dad. What if...I don't know...I just don't like the idea of Nymphadora getting hurt."
"Oh don't you worry about that Harry," Andromeda replied, ruffling his hair, "Nymphadora can take care of her own. She's as much a Black as she is a Tonks you know. You however should be worried about more important things, like getting Susan Bones to forgive you for leaving her alone for another girl on your date."
"It wasn't a date!" Harry snapped, "and I had no choice! I had made a promise and I needed to keep it!"
"Oh? And who exactly is this mystery girl you just had to meet?" Andromeda asked, "Amelia told me Susan refused to speak her name, apparently the girl was so upset she began to mumble curses every time Amelia brought up the topic."
Harry sighed, rubbing his head, "damn it...I think I prefered getting attacked by a sixty foot snake to this..." he muttered, he doubted Andromeda heard him because if she did he was sure to never hear the end of it.
"Oh don't worry Harry," Andromeda replied, "trust me when I say, you men rarely ever understand women, it's just your nature. But you know, a letter saying sorry wouldn't hurt. And Susan's birthday is coming soon..."
Harry blinked, "when is it?"
"On the 30th," Andromeda smiled, "unfortunately it seemed they already have plans this year, apparently Amelia needs to visit France for business...but maybe a little early surprise gift with an apology note attached? You could use the family owl, oh, maybe a shirt out a scarf! I heard she likes yellow and black."
Harry considered it for a moment before he turned and left up the stairs.
Curious Andromeda called out, "where are you going Harry?"
"To get my jacket," Harry replied, "also...a scarf?"
Andromeda smiled, "or chocolates, either or."
Harry sighed, "right..." he also made a mental note to maybe send Delphi a similar apology note, explaining how he didn't have much of a choice and he appreciate her help. Yes...maybe.
September 1st:
Sometimes, it felt like Harry didn't understand humans at all. He grew up in the sewers of London, dealt with scum, fought monsters and could understand the evils of the world. But normal humans? Witches and wizards? They were just… strange.
Susan had just given Harry a glare when they bumped into each other on the Hogwarts Express. She was so cold even Smith and Abbott looked surprised as she didn't even bother greeting Harry.
And then came Delphi Malfoy, who also ignored him, only now she joined her friend Daphne in glaring a whole into Harry's skull, while Tracey Davis just looked confused as Harry did. Witches, what a mystery.
So, with no choice in the matter, Harry sat down once more in the luggage carrier, his private cabin for every trip to Hogwarts so far and came to an epiphany.
A simple truth, so what if he was in love? So far it's been nothing but a brother and a pain caring about the feelings of others and their opinion of him. So he came to the simplest of solutions: just ignore it.
Ignore the crush and put away deep inside his head, hidden behind several other more fascinating things like magic. Susan Bones was a distraction, says she wanted to help but the moment he doesn't give her attention she hates him.
Sure she forgave him for his actions, accepted his role in her kidnapping and promised to help, but she was bipolar if nothing else.
Delphi Malfoy wasn't much better. Sure she jumped into the Chamber of Secrets to save him, and she did keep his secrets, the few he trusted her with, but she was equally a volatile person. He shouldn't rely on her more than he had.
Yes, being alone was much better than being surrounded by...people. People were stupid and crazy.
Just then the door to the luggage cabin opened up and Hermione Granger walked in, looking down at Harry laying down on a stack of trunks, "Harry, why is it that Susan Bones and Delphi Malfoy just asked me to sit with them and to ignore you if I see you?"
Harry sighed, "Granger...Hermione….just don't."
Hermione blinked, "I think that's the first time you ever called me by my first name."
"Yeah well, don't get used to it," Harry snorted, "get inside and close the compartment door, I don't want anyone figuring out where I am."
"Right," Hermione closed the door behind her and she stepped in, "so this is where you go on the train. Always searched for you, never could find you."
"Yes well, I don't like being disturb," Harry sighed.
"Meow," Godric called out.
"Plus the cat likes a quiet place to rest,' Harry shrugged.
"Oh hello Godric, how are you this fine day?" Hermione asked, scratching the cat behind the ear as it purred in her hand, "mind if I sit here?"
"Wouldn't a cabin be more comfortable?" Harry asked.
"Maybe, but I think if Susan and Delphi find me again, they'll be more...convincing. Why are they so cross with you? Did you say something to them Harry?" Hermione asked as she sat down next to him, taking out a newspaper from her shoulder bag.
"Don't ask me Hermione, I really don't' know," Harry sighed, rubbing his nose, "honestly people are strange. One minute Bones and I were sharing a sunday, I tell her I had to go help Delphi with something, next thing I know they both hate me!"
Hermione looked at Harry with unfocused eyes, "Harry...for someone so smart, you really are stupid, you know that? Tell me exactly what happened, and don't skip any details."
Harry sighed, "fine. You know how I saved Susan from the Chamber right?" Hermione nodded, "well..."
By the end of it Hermione Granger did something Harry had never seen the girl do. She laughed, "wahahahaha! Oh my Magic! That's priceless! Oh-Oh my stomach, I think I pulled something, oh-hahahaha!" she held her stomach, laughing so hard Godric hissed in annoyance as he was woken up from his slumber.
"Granger! Quit laughing and tell me why this happened!" Harry cried out, his annoyance and irritation slowly rising.
"S-sorry, I-I, oh Merlin, I needed that," Hermione chuckled, wiping away a lone tear, "Harry, don't you get it? They're angry because they think you abandoned them for the other girl. Susan thinks you left her because you wanted to spend time with Delphi and Delphi thinks you would rather be with Susan than help her...choose a new trunk was it?"
Harry nodded, "okay, fine, I understand that, but why is it such an important thing that I spend time with them? They never acted like this before other times I ignore them."
"Well, that's because both girls thought they were on a date...with someone they have a crush on," Hermione leaned in and whispered the last bit.
"Wait...what?! Crush?! I'm not in love with anyone!" Harry cried out.
"I don't mean you Harry, I mean Delphi and Susan," Hermione shrugged as she opened up her newspaper, "I mean, clearly both girls have some sort of affection towards you...can't you tell?"
Harry opened his mouth to argue back, to deny it to his last breath. But as he did he found himself frozen in shock. Because the truth was...he couldn't deny it.
Delphi Malfoy acted in such an emotional and irrational manner, a way he had never seen the girl act like before in his life. She usually was uncaring and didn't give a damn about the activities of others.
And Susan...well, she must have kissed him for some reason and Nymphadora was right, him saving her must have made her develop a crush on him. Or rather enhanced the one she already had, if Hannah was to believe.
"So I had two girls interested in me?"
"Yes."
"And in one day I managed to make both of them dispise me?"
"Yes."
"Hermione...what do I do?" Harry gulped, fear at the unknown situation before him gripped his heart.
"Well, that's really up to you now isn't it Harry?" the girl cooly replied, "do you like them? In that manner I mean?"
"No… I mean I thought I liked Susan Bones but after the way she acted I don't think so anymore. I mean what kind of person acts like that when we aren't even… for the love of Merlin Hermione I didn't even know the meaning of love until a few weeks ago! I'm not equipped to handle this barrel of mental gymnastics!"
"Oh my god," Hermione whispered.
"Yeah, you get it!" Harry cried out, turning to her, only to find the girl look at the front page of the Daily Prophet instead.
"No Harry, not that, look," she turned the paper over and displayed on the cover was a headline Harry didn't think would be repeated ever again.
'Escape from Azkaban! Bellatrix Lestrange escapes prison!'
And below was a picture of the mad woman herself. Harry couldn't help it, for a second, he thought he was looking at a demented, white haired Andromeda who was laughing like a maniac.
"Oh...great...I just know this is going to come around to bite me in the ass," Harry whispered.
I probably won't be able to keep this level of output chapter wise, so feed me compliments to keep me energiesed.