A Life Not Worth Wanting
Chapter 8
A/N: Yah! Next chapta!!! Sorry this took so long!! I had school, projects, school, little to no sleep, school. I think you guys get it. This chapter isn't very long, but it'll do.
A/N2: I would of had this up b4, but whenever I logged onto ff.n I logged onto my other name, without realizing it. Lol. Im so stupid. I just now realized it!! Well, I appologize for the lateness, and also, I read twinkle's review, but it was too late for me to put it in here, so thanks twinkle for the review!!!
Warning: This chapter makes no sense whatsoever. Sorry!!!
Reviewers:
Carey Miles~thank you!!! Someday, ill go and read your story!
Xirleb70~ Sorry it took so long!!! You know how it is, school and all. I dropped by and read your story, leaving a review for Harry Potter: Never the Same Again, so look at that!! I just started reading your other fic, I love your stuff!
Child-of-the-Dawn~ s'ok. At least you reviewed, and guess what? You're my 25th reviewer, so I am dedicating this to you! Lol. See, I had forgotten completely that Dumbledore said his brother couldn't read, but I decided to make this whole thing an AU, cause nothing is like the book. That's just me. *huggles*
Shadow Raven- yah, thanks!!
Briesmile~ hey. Thanks for your review, and when I have time, ill stop by and read your story. I appreciate it.
Kemenran- I luv ur name! Lol. Well, you have to read to find out what will happen, I cant just tell you! Thanx.
Disclaimer: Ugh, u know it already. Blah.
Status: Part 2,3/3
On to the chapter...
For some, Christmas is a joyous time. For one Harry Potter, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.
"I'm going home, im going home!" He sang, as his carriage pulled away. Laughing, he settled in for the ride.
*~*
Harry arrived at the best time. Dinner at the Great Hall was just about to start, as Harry stepped inside of the doors. Every child, adult, and ghost turned to look at him, as he stepped inside. Whispers were heard by him, as Albus Dumbledore stood.
"Hello, Grandfather." Albus smiled, as he rushed to the 12-year-old, and wrapped his arms around him. "Hello, little one." Together, they walked to the Head Table, as the adults made a seat for the young Potter. Harry smiled, as he took the seat next to his grandfather, both still standing. "Merry Christmas, all. I would like to welcome back my grandson, Mr. Harry Potter, who has returned from University for three weeks. Thank you." Everyone cheered, as Harry took his seat, and the feast began. Hagrid looked over at Harry, a smile on his face.
"Ullo, 'Arry." Hagrid greeted. Harry smiled, and returned to his plate in front of him. He shared a smile with Maddy, who laughed when she saw what he had done. A few other teachers turned to look, a smiles appeared on their faces. Harry, with his boredom, had drawn a snitch with his mac 'n' cheese. Even Dumbledore found humor in that, and soon, the whole table was smiling.
"How's University?" Professor Snape asked, as dinner wrapped up. Harry smiled widely, and began to talk excitedly about it. "I love it, it's so much fun. The teachers are incredible, the topics are sooo much fun," and on he went. Professor Snape frowned, but listened intently. Harry went on for awhile, until a chuckling Albus stopped him, saying it was time for bed. Harry pouted, but left Snape alone, who looked extremely grateful.
The next morning, the black haired child jumped out of his bed, and went to the room over, where his grandfather was sleeping. Harry wore a grin on his face, as he climbed onto the King-sized bed, and began jumping. His grandfather opened his eyes, and pulled down the pre-teen. Albus wrapped his arms around the child, and held his tightly, smiling. "Happy Christmas, Harry." Harry smiled in a childish manner. "Heppy Christmas, Grandfather. So, where's the presents?" Just in time, there was a knock at the door, and entered was Professors Snape, McGonagall, Remus, Maddy, Flitwick and Sprout. They all greeted the two, saying Happy Christmas as well. Harry hugged them all, as Hagrid entered, carrying a rather strange looking Christmas tree. Harry waited for Hagrid to set the tree down, before giving him a hug, whispering Happy Christmas. Hagrid returned the hug, and cheerfully told him the same. Together, the family sat down, a stack of gifts appearing at their feet. Harry was told to open his first one, which turned out to be a potions book. "A rare potions book." Professor Snape told him. Harry smiled gently, although a book didn't excite him.
Harry opened the next few, a book on the most famous ghosts, a few pranks, and tons of toys, especially brooms. Harry had two presents left, and gently opened the first, as everyone watched. It was a photo album, he realized, as he gently tore off the rest of the wrapping. He looked at the front cover, which was a photo of himself, and his parents. He smiled, as the staff watched in awe as the baby Harry lifted up a wand, giggling, as blue light came out of it. James spotted this, and took the wand away, laughing. Harry turned to the first page, and saw a photo of his mother and himself, at the age of three. Harry watched as the younger version of himself waved, or rather, his mother waved his hand, as the mother and son hugged. Harry turned the pages, tears in his eyes, as he stopped at a photo of him and the Weasley Twins, mischievous grins on their faces. He had been 10 in that picture, he recalled, as the twins wrapped arms around their friend, and posed for the picture. There were many more pictures, some from his first few weeks at hogwarts, and others that were recently. He closed the album, and looked at the group.
"Thank You." He told them, "thank you for giving me a family, and memories." And so Harry reached for the last package, and shook it, as he heard a sound from inside. Harry recognized the sound, and opened the package, which grew once it was opened. Inside were four different animals: an owl, a snake, a small little furry animal he recognized as a hamster, and a black cat. Harry gently picked up each animal, smiling. He let the snake coil around his neck, he placed the cat in his lap, the owl perched on his shoulder, and the hamster in his hand. He smiled innocently at Hagrid, who laughed. Sure enough, Hagrid had given him all of the animals, as well as Dumbledore joining in. Harry held his new animals, thanking both of them. Later that night, you could find our friend naming his pets.
The black cat became whiskers, the hamster became Marta, the owl became Hedwig, and the snake? Well, our beloved boa constrictor, with a strange greenish color, became none other than Salzar. For Harry, these new pets were not pets to him, nor were they his slaves, but they were his friends.
*Well, it's not as long as I expected, but hey, I wont leave it here. This is just my break, to skip forward in time. Get over it.*
Christmas Break was over, and Harry was back at university, making mess, and having as much fun as 12-year-olds have at boring old schools. Ok, so it wasn't boring. More like, entertaining. Well, Harry survived his first year of University, and passed the end of the year exams with flying colors. Before leaving, Harry managed to say bye to all of his friends, before boarding the carriage that would take him to his new home, which was bought recently for him, and him only.
Harry waited patiently, as the carriage pulled up to a medium sized house, and the door opened. Harry climbed out, and took his carriage, stepping inside of the house. His eyes opened wide, as he viewed the house. The outside was wonderful, but nothing compared to the inside. The inside was like a mansion, with maids (and house elves), and a circular staircase. Harry was greeted by a man dressed in a suit, who took his trunk, and instructed him to go upstairs. Harry gave him a cautious look, but did as he was told, and took the stairs to the top floor. When he stepped on the last step, the child could not help but gasp as he looked at his new home. It was beautiful, absolutely beautiful. Harry walked to the first room he saw, and immediately jumped onto the rather large sofa that was in there. A muggle tv was set up as well, with a VCR and a bunch of movies. Harry got up from the couch, and walked around the rest of the house, in awe. Once he had finished, he walked to the final room, and pulled open the door.
"Welcome, Mr. Potter." A voice said, as Harry peered at the person. "Do I know you?" The person appeared to have smirked, as they stood up from the couch, and walked towards him. "Arabella Figg, your caretaker and mentor until you graduate from University. I knew your parents, and they would be proud. Now, there's only a few rules. First off, I will be training you during your breaks, and you cannot return to Hogwarts Academy. And the other rule is that you must be aware, since there will be people coming here, and I will be warning you if they are dangerous. Any questions?" Harry shook his head. "Good. Now, your room is the one decorated in the green, and I will be staying in the balcony room across from yours. If you need me, you can get me there. Dinner is at 6 o'clock sharp, don't be late. I've invited a few guests for dinner. Dress nice." And so Arabella left, as Harry walked off to find his room.
Hours later, it was 5:30, and time to get ready for dinner. As Harry slipped into the nearby bathroom, he heard the doorbell ring, and Arabella talking to the guests. Harry took a shower, and dressed in his best robes, Emerald Green. He ran his hands through his hair, grabbing a bottle of gel that was on his dresser, and using some on his hair. Finally, he was ready, as he took the stairs to the dining room, where Arabella was waiting, along with the guests. Harry took a seat next to a rather plump lady, with curly brown hair, who looked to be in her 50's.
"Harry,, this is Duchess Brown, and Duke Williams, as well as her royal highness, Princess Diana." All three greeted him politely. "Harry, there's something you need to know. There's many reasons for Voldemort wanting your family. I need you to listen to what I have to tell you." Duchess Brown told him firmly, as he nodded. She continued. "Your father was a Duke, Duke Edward of Scotland. James was his first name, but his parents chose for him to go by Edward, his middle name. Duke Edward, was one of the few to become a wizard, although he was a full blooded wizard. So, he went to Hogwarts. However, it was later discovered that Sir Salzar Slytherin was a duke, as well as Godric Gryffindor, and both shared blood with Duke Edward. At the age of 13, all Dukes are required to go through special training, which will last two years. Now, before we can agree, we need for you to understand that if you do this, Young Duke Harold, that you will not be able to finish your education at Hogwarts University, but during your free classes, you will be able to study on wizardry ideas. We will be giving you time to think about this, but please, consider it. Being a duke is an incredible experience." Duchess Brown explained, before dinner appeared in front of them.
"Duke Williams, sir, how did you become a duke?" Harry wondered, as the group started on salad.
"Well, Harry, I was in the same position as you. I was a student, attending Hogwarts Academy, when my father told me I was to drop out, and go to an academy for future dukes. I was frustrated, and I loved Hogwarts. However, my first year as Duke at the age of 15, was incredible. I loved it, and even being a wizard means nothing compared to being a Duke." It was then that Harry had his answer.
"Duchess Brown, Duke Williams, Arabella, and Princess Diana, I will do it." Cheers erupted the room, as Duchess Brown smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Potter. Now, your 13th birthday, somebody will be sent to pick you up from here. I need to make sure you understand, that you cannot, no matter what you do, you cannot tell anyone else about this." Harry agreed, and dinner finished, as Harry went up to his room, and promptly fell asleep.
*~*
There was a knock on his door weeks later, and Harry, dressed in smiley faced pajama pants, and a yellow t-shirt, answered, hair looking funky. The girl on the other side burst out into laughter, as she saw his incredible horrid appearance.
"Nice look. Listen up. I need you to pack your trunk as fast as possible, seeing as it's time for us to go to the training academy."
Harry blinked, as the girl pushed him into the bathroom nearby, with a towel, and a bathrobe. "You have 10 minutes, get busy." She told him, as she flipped her hair tiredly. She shut the door behind her, and he took his shower.
When he got out, he spotted the same girl sitting on his bed, legs crossed, as she held out a bag for him. He took it, and left for the bathroom again. When he returned, he wore a white robe, like the one used for muggle karate, a white belt, and of course, white tennis shoes. The same girl was throwing the last of his things in his trunk, a smirk on her face as she shut it, and then proceeded to help Harry. First, she fixed his belt, which was uneven. Then, she folded up the sleeves of his robe, seeing as they were too long. Once satisfied, she grabbed his trunk, and took it downstairs, as he followed like a lost puppy doggy. She headed outside, and down the steps, into the awaiting black limo. A man came from the front, and placed the trunk in the trunk of the car, before shutting the door behind them.
"So, Harry, I guess an introduction is in order. I am Alexandra Smith, Ali for short. I am Princess Ali, if you want to be correct. My rank is 84th in line for the crown." Harry just nodded, trying to suck all of this in.
"So, why am I going with you?" Harry wondered, as the limo pulled up to a rather huge building, where a man walked up to the door, opened it, and said, "Hello, Princess Ali. Good morning, sir." As Princess Ali stepped out of the limo, motioning for him to do the same. He did so, as Ali spoke to the door-opener.
"Matthew, this is Young Duke Harold." Matthew bowed, as the couple stepped through the doors that were being held open.
"Welcome to your home for the next two years." The inside of the building changed dramatically, as Harry watched in awe. The building was bigger inside, which Harry guessed was a magical thing. As Ali entered the elevator, Harry shuffled inside quickly. Those few moments, as he waited for the elevator to stop, all he could think about was whether to use the name Duke Potter, or Duke Harold. Chuckling, he turned to look at Ali, who smiled gently back at him, as a ding could be heard. "This is it. The next chapter of my life." And so it was, for Harry Potter was no longer who he believed he was, but he was in fact Young Duke Harold.
Well, a bit of an odd twist, that believe nem I didn't plan!!! Next chapter will indeed be longer.. I just need to start writing it.. Let me know....
Just to let y'all know, I know nothing about Dukes, Duchess, or whatever, so if anythings off, don't stress. This isnt what you think...
