Dally's POV

Damn. That was all that was going through my head as I heard screams. Painfilled and scared. Pony's screams.

Quickly I run as fast as I can to the screams, uneasy images of him laying in a pool of his own blood, beaten and bruised, or on a hospital bed, going through my head. I don't like that stuff, dig? I may have this harsh tuff act; you have to have it in N.Y, but it does turn my stomach to see such a nice kid, who digs sunsets and books and is probably the only one who will become something in near future, lying dead in a cold street such as this.

I feel my heart poundin' in my chest, blood rushing to my ears, like in those movies where a dude is taggin' along after a bad guy.

I quickly rounded the corner and blenched at what I saw. There, standing proud and tall, were a few Socs, but that didn't disgust me. What disgusted me was one was on top of a small, reddish ebony haired boy, crushing him, his han ds roaming the smaller form, and his lips tightly locked to the young teen, whose green eyes were tearing with pain and shame was another Soc.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing to the kid?!"I shout the words, angrily running to them. They run, the boy on top of Pony whispering somethin' in his ear before leaving. I chase after 'em a bit but then quickly run back to Pony as they ride off in their fancy car. Greasers don't have cars like those.

Kneeling down next to the kid, I see he's in a daze, tears still welled up in his eyes, as he looks at me in confusion, surprise, and the deepest shame.

"Golly Pony," I say. I help him up and hope he gets himself dressed, but he stands there in a daze. So, ever so slowly, knowing I might spook him, I zip up his pants and give him my jacket.

Picking him up I make my way to the Curtis' house, which is just a few blocks away from here, steamin' 'bout Socs bein' in our turf in the firs t place and beaten' on Pony. Gosh. They had just beat on Johnnycakes a few weeks ago. Thank God they hadn't actually tried to do anything sexual. I walk into the Curtis house and entered the living room, calling Darry's name. He of all people would need to see Pony. He's the gaurdian. Also, I want to go with him and the gang to hunt down those dirty, rotten, nasty, dick holden Socs.

To my content, but not my surprise, I see everyone there. Two-Bit's eyes go from their natural carefree look to one of hardness. Soda's slowly fill with tears, and Darry's eyes were firey. And poor Johnnycakes; I know he and the kid are close. Gee, you would think they were lovers or somethin'. Johnny was shaking, pale, sweating,and obviously upset. I finally look to Steve. We have a silent understanding, you dig? I mean, Steve and I, not to brag, are the tuffest ones of the group. We know what it is really like, I mean they all do 'cept maybe the kids, but we have actual experience in living around things like this. He gives a slight, sad, nod. Funny, you wouldn't think he would be upset. But then again, he's like me. Tuff guy act, you know.

I slowly put the kid down. It was time for me to recite my part of the story, or at least that was what Darry's cold gaze and flaring nostrals 'n tense muscles told me.

"It was Socs. In our territory." I didn't know how else to start the tale.

~~~Normal P.O.V

Darry put a hand over his face as Dally finished his story. Soda was sobbing into Steve's side, glad that Pony had not been raped or sad that he had been open to this kind of stuff, Dally wasn't sure. Two Bit looked angered, steaming mad, Johnny was sitting near tears, and Steve, who was holdin' Soda, was looking to Dally who was giving the same piercing gaze.

"What do we do?" Soda's broken voice echoed throughout the silent room.

"We protect him, make sure he is ok, and beat the shit outta those Socs,"said Steve. Everyone gave him a surprised look, 'cept Sodapop. He glared. They looked away.

Johnny, Dally noticed, was giving a depressed gaze to Ponyboy's face, while brushing away the dark strands of his hair, and sometimes giving a quick hateful glance out of the window. Suddenly, a wave of jealousy overcame Dally. He wished that it was 'him' holding Pony. That made him feel strange.

Sudde nly a moan came from the couch. Everybody looked at Pony, who was slowly moving, and Darry briskly walked over while Soda slowly unattached himself from Steve and came over.

Slowly green eyes met their own, and Pony gave a look of confusion. Eyebrows scrunched together he slowly lifts a hand to his bandaged head. A wince and hiss of pain, and he shot up.

"How the heck did I get here?"

Darry slowly sat down as Soda had stopped crying and was looking tuff for his little bro.

"Don't you remember, Ponyboy?" Ponyboy looked to Darry for a while until the truth finally dawned on him. His sholders slacked and he trembled slightly.

"Sorry," he said once he had gotten over his small bout." I. . .I honestly tried to fight them. They just-"

"Hush Ponyboy,"said Soda tenderly,"we know that. Why, we wouldn't expect much more out of ya. You did a good job. Thankfully, ol' Dally was there."

Painfully innocent green eyes turned to meet Dally's. "Thanks, Dally."

"Don't mention it, kid."

~~~~~~~Two months later*sorry I just need to skip some time.

You would never have thought an arrival of a person would cause such a commotion in the Curtis house. Well, the morning of May 1st, the arrival of Albus Dumbledore did cause havoc.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE DUMBLEDORE?!" Everyone looked tense; all but Darry, Soda, Ponyboy, and Johnny had knives out.

"Please calm yourself, Darrel." Dumbldore looked over his half moon specticals patiently. Darry breathed deeply. "May we please talk about why I came?" He slid his eyes to Ponyboy who was holding Johnny's hand in slight fear. Johnny himself was feeling oddly brave and protective of his best friend, and was standing in front of him slightly, while Dally stood in front of them, his knife out. Two-bit was beside Dally a few steps away, his knife also in hand while Sodapop and Darry were standing pointedly in front of Dumbldore.

Sodapop, who was beside Steve, growled and stepped in front of his kid brother. "You just better leave MY kid brother out of it."His words were firm and his eyes were glinting.

Dumbldore sighed. "You can't hide the truth from him forever. He's bound to figure it out." A frown made its way to his face. "And it is about Ponyboy's brother, Sodapop Curtis, that I am worried about."

There were sudden looks of confusion throughout the room, besides the angered ones from the two eldest Curtis'.

"Now listen here, Dumbledore, he is not to know of that until he is older!" Darry's voice was warning, angry, and was in no place for argument.

"What?!" Ponyboy's sudden angered yell surprised the adults, not to mention scared the devil out of Johnny, and he turned emerald eyes to Dumbledore. "What are you talking about?"

Dumbldore sighed, and motioned for everyone to sit while he did so himself.

"Ponyboy, you aren't a Curtis." This got curious, and not to mention shocked looks from everyone in the room besides the two Curtis'. "You are a Potter. The, besides your twin, only one left. You also happen," he posed with a dramatic air about him, his audience seeming to wait in anticipation for him, "to be a wizard."

Breaths were let out and suddenly Two-Bit cracked up. "You are high aren't you? The robes, pointy hat, and and the ol' long wizard beard! You're just some crackpot, aren't you?" The others looked unsure of what to say, until Darry said in a angered voice, nostrals flaring like they always do when he is angry, "It's true." Everyone shut up at that.

Ponyboy, while the discussion continued, looked unbelievingly into the distance. Why hadn't he been told, more so why hadn't he noticed?

Tuning back in, leaving his surprise and depression to go unnoticed, he listened to what Dumbldore wa s explaining.

"--Uncle, who was abusive, and is now in need of a home in which can take care of him, yet still be a blood relative. You, the Curtis's, who are his second cousins, along with Ponyboy will be able to do the job. That is, if you accept."

There was silence.

"How's the kid?" The simple question from Dally started them.

Dumbledore sighed a heavy sigh and suddenly he looked very old, a weight weighing him down, and replied, "I am sorry to say that he isn't in a good condition. Never was. He's walking about now, yes, but, like always, he's people shy. He's not very good at handling crowds, and is surprised easily. I wouldn't like to say scared, maybe that so, but he will be able to fight if needed."

There was a tight silence in which everyone stared and thought, which was broken by Dumbldore. "Will you take him?"

Darry adamantly nodded. "'Course but," He glared, "You are not to bother Pony."

Dumbldore nodded."Of course not."

Silence returned and everyone stared at one another.

"Ponyboy," whispered Johnny so no one could hear. Pony looked to his side slightly to Johnny. "Yeah?"

"You okay?"

Ponyboy sighed and rubbed his temple,"Yes. Yes I'm fine." Johnny smiled and felt a blush tanged his cheeks; he was glad Pony wasn't looking. He knew it wrong to think this way. But he couldn't help it. That he liked Ponyboy, that is. Everytime he looked to that feminine face, the soft green eyes, the full lips, soft skin, slim hips. . . he shook himself out of his thoughts. The man, Dumbldore was his name, was staring at him in a somewhat amused way out of the corner of his eye. Looking back to the young Curtis-Potter, Johnny couldn't belive that he, of all people, was something he had only read of in fairy tales,and dreamt of. How amazing. . . magic.

"But, of course, the young Potter will need training,"said Dumbldore suddenly, "in magic."

"NO!" yelled Soda,"You agreed he wouldn't go! I don't want him to lea-"

"It is his choice. I shall lend him the opportunity when Harry comes; hopefully his younger sibling will supply the information he will need."Dumbldore stood "I should be leaving now. I hope Harry will be here by plane within a day, if not less."

And, with a thundering sound, as if a gun had just went off, Dumbldore disappeared into thin air.

Now, as the whole of the Greasers stood, open-mouthed and wide-eyed, they only had to wait to see what was to come upon them.

If only they knew the half of it.

~~~~Two days later

Harry wandered around aimlessly in the airport, holding his luggage, and with Hedwig on his shoulder, it made him recieve a few stares while waiting for his cousins and elder brother.

Harry had restlessly tossed and turned every night ever since he heard he was most likely to go to his cousins. Why wasn't he put there in the first place, more so, why wasn't he moved? Why hadn't he been notified? Why?

But Harry was to shy to ask any questions, yet hot anger raged in his veins so he wanted to yell, scream, shout, do anything to get through to them that he wanted answers. And that he wasn't happy that he hadn't been told.

Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair, turned, and made his way to the door. He didn't want to be in the crowd, anymore. Maybe those guys in the fancy shirts standing around a blue mustang would help. . . ~~~~

Darry quickly pulled up into the parking lot of the airport while Two-Bit and the others pulled up a few spots away. They quickly piled out and briskly made their way to the airport. They had recently been notified by a woman who sounded very strict that Harry would be arriving -- if he hadn't already.

They all had been given one picture of Harry. In this pictu re they wished he was always laughing and happy as he was, but he was not. He stood on one side of the frame, a slight blush tanging his cheeks, with a redhead's arm swung arond him. There were also his shy-looking eyes glancing at a brunette girl who was on his other side, and in the background, a large medieval castle with snow falling elegantly onto the trio. He was shy, hidden fears showing only through his emerald eyes, a scar on his forehead in the shape of a bolt of lighting, and a small shuffle of his feet in a shy manner.

If only they knew what he was like now.

~~~~~

"Harry Potter," Harry introduced himself, as one asked him his name. Another guy looked to the side at his friend, a strange look on his face.

"And you said you were looking for a place where your brother, Ponyboy, would be?" Harry nodded. The Soc smiled. "We know your brother. We met him a few weeks back. I don't know whare he lives, but he and his gang should be here to pick you up. But tell him this: Even though his friend was there for him a few weeks ago, he won't be next time we meet him." Then, finished telling their message, they got in their car and drove off.

Harry, stunned, looked after them.

"Strange."