Harry Does Different CCCLXXXVIII

Boltboy

Dudley Dursley was the pride of his parents. Praised as big and strong. The only vice he had obvious to his parents was a love of comic books. He read them constantly when he wasn't out roaming the neighborhood. It might be more precise to say he collected them. He might read a page or two, looking at the pictures, then jump to the end when he got bored. His favorite characters were the Justice League superheroes. He fancied himself as Superman. As he understood it Chase the bad guy, catch the bad guy, jail the bad guy.

On Privet Dr, nobody could be found to say something good about Harry Potter. He was a layabout spawn of a layabout. If anything good was said about Mrs. Dursley's sister, it was obviously ruined by the father.

As a result of these facts, when young Dudley and his gang played Superfriends, naturally his smaller cousin was the villain that needed to be chased, caught and jailed. And while it could be said that Dudley collected comic books, it might more accurate to say he showed them off then let them collect dust in his second bedroom.

With little else to do when locked in his cupboard, Harry would avail himself of comics 'borrowed' from his cousin. Because Dudley especially liked Superman, and because he was quite clever, Harry became fond of Green Lantern. It was never in a comic, but he noted that Kryptonite was green, and so he imagined using his ring to create some of the deadly substance. So things changed one day the gang chased him after school. Malcolm was more dangerous to Harry than Dudley. While his cousin's punches hurt far more, the tall lanky boy was faster and smarter. Desperate to avoid another beating, the victim turned down a blind alley to hide. It didn't work "HEY DUD! GOT IM!"

"No please!" the 9-year-old pleaded against another beating. In size he was more like a 6-year-old. He grunted in pain as he was slammed against a brick wall. A fist was coming at his nose. He cried '"HELLLLP!"

Malcolm didn't hit the whiny dweeb. His fist didn't even leave knuckle-marks on the solid red wall. It hurt so much he couldn't even cry, it was more of a whimper as he fell holding his wrist.

"How did I get on the roof?" asked Harry of the air. He looked around, then down. Would anyone blame him for enjoying his tormentor's misery? Not wanting to climb down near Malcolm, he went looking for another way. A mistake almost cost him his life as he tripped too near the edge. But Harry didn't splat on the sidewalk, he landed with barely a thump beside a tree in Wisteria Playground. Almost a mile from where he was.

Life taught Harry something unusual would only anger his relatives, so anything Dudley told them he would simply deny. Any punishment would be less that way. The young comic reader's next conclusion was only logical under the circumstances Harry Potter is a superhero. That knowledge reenforced the need for silence. Also a curiosity as to what else he might do. That was the moment Boltboy was born.

Other abilities seemed to appear just when needed. As a side-effect, Dudley's gang left him alone. This suited Harry fine. Bullying became less of a problem at Surrey Primary. There were some other incidents in this ordinary London suburb. A teenage girl's cat rescued from a telephone pole; an errant soccer ball changed direction for no apparent reason, avoiding traffic; even a bank robbery thwarted, the shocked criminal would declare there is no possible way he could have missed when he shot the little boy who brazenly walked up and took his gun.

Abcij

"Ye're a wizard, Harry." Said the cheery giant by way of explanation of the letter he presented "And a thumpin goodun I'd wager. Once ya train up a bit."

The recipient eyed his relatives suspiciously. Things had changed in the past two years, even if Boltboy's true name was unknown, Harry was more confident and quite able to defend himself. Vernon and Petunia Dursley cringed. The answer to his question was obvious "You knew. All this time you knew."

"Isn't it wonderful? We have a witch in the family. Never good enough for my parents." Petunia sneered.

Harry shrugged at her then looked at the giant "Nothing more to say. Let's go mister."

Abcij

"This is Scabbers, pathetic, ain't he? Fred gave me a spell to turn him yellow. Wanna see?" the redhead boy across from him held up his pet.

Harry giggled some "Just a little bit. Yeah!"

"Sunshine daisy butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow." And the wand fluttered at the rodent. The only reaction was a orange-yellow flash.

Arriving on the scene just in time to see the flash, a bushy-haired girl commented "Are you sure that's a real spell? Well it's not very good is it? I've only tried a few but they've all worked for me. For example Occulus reparum!"

"Bloody hell!" exclaimed Ron as the spell seemed to splash inches from the glasses.

Harry gave a slight tip of his hat and offered, slightly condescending "You'll find, miss, that people tend to not appreciate having a wand pointed at their nose."

"Holy cricket!" exclaimed the girl "You're Harry Potter! I'm Hermione Granger. And you are?"

Before the redhead could swallow and speak, the compartment door slammed open revealing two hulking boys led by a smaller blond one "So it's true. It's all over the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts. This is Goyle. Crabbe. And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. You'll soon find that some wizarding families are better than others Potter. I can help you there."

"Well thank you for the offer." Harry stood smoothly and took the proffered hand "I'm not opposed to making friends among many groups. Crabbe. Goyle. Pleasure. I am new to the whole magic world, so I do have lots to learn. I'll take you up on that, thanks. Though where I'm from it would be rude to walk out on a conversation. Talk to you at school, then?"

"Indeed." Draco looked at the other two occupants of the compartment as if looking at something under his shoe, then departed.

Hermione was unaware of exactly what just transpired, but didn't quite like it. Ron liked it less "You can't be friends with him, mate. He's a Malfoy! They're evil!"

"We're too young to be evil, Ron." Said Harry, though he thought of his cousin "Well, not completely true. How about too young, unless they've been taught it."

Hermione, however, was more interested in "How did you do a shield without a wand? I read what there was in Charms on it. That alone is real advanced. But wandless? That must be all but impossible."

"Eh." Grunted Harry with a shrug "Been doing it for years. It's not hard."

Ron was awed "Blimey! I don't even think Bill could do that! Think you could show me?"

"Mostly, it's just about concentration, but I can show you both." Replied Harry. He was actually pleased to be around people just like him and didn't mind spreading around knowledge.

Both grinned, but the girl's brows furrowed "Hang on a minute. Didn't I read something about a bulletproof boy? You're not just The-Boy-Who-Lived! You're Boltboy!"

"I've been keeping it secret back in Surrey." Harry sighed "But I guess everyone here will figure it out. Yeah."