Name: A Different World
Author: VirginSuicide
Rating: R Just to be sure.
Summary: Magic doesn't exist. Harry and the Dursley's have just moved to Hogsmeade and will be starting at Hogwarts High School. Most likely going to be a Draco/Harry SLASH fic. You have been warned; so if this doesn't sit with you, don't bother reading it, then getting insulted and leaving a flame… I'll save your time for you… THIS IS SLASH!!!!
Disclaimer: I own the plot, (contrary to popular belief, I have not lost the plot – I still know where it is!), but I don't own any thing else! If I did, I wouldn't be in 'Fan Fiction'; I would be in 'Owner Fiction'!
Chapter 2Uncle Vernon was the only person who had seen their new home, so Harry, his Aunt Petunia and Dudley were looking around for the first time. The country-style house was set on acreage. The relatively long drive way was lined with huge trees, which would be great to climb, Harry mused. The old, black iron fence/gates added to the character and contrasted nicely with the lush, green lawns either side of the driveway, leading up to the house.
The house itself was a large two-story country house surrounded by beautiful, blossoming gardens Harry would no doubt have to tend to. Walking around the side of the house, green lawns, gardens, and trees came into view. In the distance Harry could see horse stables, a chicken coop, and to the right, a fenced off paddock; no doubt used as a cow pasture.
"Right down the back," Harry heard Uncle Vernon say, "there's a creek with a wooden deck. Beautiful, clear water so you can go swimming with your new friends in the summer time Dudders," he ruffled Dudley's hair.
Dudley swatted his hand away, "It'd be better if Piers was here," he complained. Piers Polkiss was his best friend back in Surrey. He was the one that usually held your hands behind your back while Dudley hit you. Harry wouldn't miss him at all.
They walked back around to the front door and Harry couldn't help the pang in his heart. This was very much like his parents Country Manor, only smaller. He wished he were back there, with them.
Entering the house through stylish double-doors, Harry stopped in awe in the foyer. Large, white tiles led you to the polished wooden, spiral staircase. To his right, a posh, open-styled living room greeted his view, which was littered with boxes and furniture needing to be sorted.
Walking through the house, Harry located the kitchen and dining, which was extravagant and beautiful, with wooden cupboards and marble bench tops. He also came across the laundry, a bathroom, toilet, guest bedroom and a second living room.
Heading upstairs, he saw the master bedroom, another bathroom and three other bedrooms. Harry stopped in the last bedroom, the one further from the master bedroom. The boxes of items in this room had his name on them. Did that mean that this room was his? Looking around, he thought there must have been some mistake.
The room was huge. Soft-green walls contrasted nicely with the thick, dark-green carpets through out the room. A king-size, wooden-framed bed with a fluffy green comforter was situated with its headboard against the wall and matching bedside tables were lined either side of it. A wooden writing desk was beside another desk, which was occupied by a computer. There was a matching wooden dresser with a mirror on top, and a gorgeous bookcase was lined against the wall, just waiting to be filled with books. A huge walk-in wardrobe could be found, and opening the door at the far end of the room, led you into his very own bathroom and toilet.
Heading back into the room, eyes wide and mouth agape, he opened the other set of doors. The balcony, for which the doors led, looked out over the back of the house. The green lawns, and gardens looked wonderful and he could vaguely see the creek his uncle had mentioned.
Entering the room again, he was greeted with the sight of his uncle standing in the doorway, looking uncomfortable and angry. They stared at one another for a while. Harry wasn't going to say anything first, he wasn't sure if this really was his room yet, he didn't dare hope. His uncle cleared his throat.
"You'd better have your things unpacked before dinner, or you go hungry," he said, as if that cleared the matter. Harry's mouth fell open again.
"You mean, that this really is my room?" his disbelief obvious. Uncle Vernon glared.
"It has your stuff in it, doesn't it? Besides, the stairs are spiral, they don't have a cupboard under them." With that he turned and stormed out, muttering loudly to himself. Harry only caught a few words like 'Damn government workers', 'we take him in' and 'expect us to move and give him a room', before his uncle was out of sight.
Harry frowned and closed his door. Flopping onto his bed, he thought over what he had just heard. The decision to move had been very abrupt that it didn't make sense. From what he had heard, it sounded as if his uncle had been in contact with government workers; his parents' boss and workmates from before they had died. Was it possible that they had contacted his Uncle Vernon? But why? His uncle had said that they had 'expected us to move and give him a room', could that be the reason for their sudden departure from Surrey? Harry had heard on the news that rumors were stating that some Death Eaters were starting to regroup, but they were just rumors. Or were they? Harry frowned again. Even if Death Eaters were regrouping; it shouldn't have any thing to do with him. Nobody but government workers knew his identity, so why did they have to move? Although, he thought with a scowl, just because they worked for the government, didn't mean they weren't also Death Eaters. He sighed. He didn't want to think of Peter Pettigrew, so he got up and started to unpack his things.
After receiving nothing but Dudley's hand-me-downs, that were ten sizes too big for his fit frame, Harry had decided long ago to get a summer job. With his earnings, and presents from his friends from school, he had acquired quite a lot of possessions. Something he hadn't really noticed until now when he had to put them all away. In Private Drive, all of his things had been stored in boxes in the garage, as they didn't fit in his cupboard, but now he had them all in his own room.
He had a lot of books, he was forever reading, and he treasured them deeply. He had a new stereo system that was still in its box. It had been a joint sixteenth/going away present from all his friends at school and he had yet been able to use it. He had been putting away money for years to buy a guitar, and by his fifteenth he had finally saved enough, and purchased his first very own instrument. He was lucky he didn't have to buy his own piano; the Dursley's had bought Dudley a piano for his six birthday in hopes he would 'fine tune' his 'natural gift' but that never worked. The piano had sat, unused in the living room. Harry used to sneak in and play it while the Dursley's were out.
He had a couple of boxes full of nice clothes, which he put away neatly into his new wardrobe. He also had boxes of trophies and awards for Karate, Football, Soccer, Performing Arts, and Academics. They had always been stored away in the garage. He had to argue and plead with his uncle not to throw them out, so now he put them on display in his room with pride.
Packing away the last of his things, he looked around the room in amazement. At sixteen, he finally had his own room for the first time since he was four. He couldn't believe it. After living in a cupboard for years or sharing a dorm with five other dorm mates, he finally had a place to call his own. He had never had furniture before either, and now he had his own bed, a dresser, side tables, a desk and a computer. This was too good to be true. Maybe living here won't be too bad, he thought as he picked up the boxes and went downstairs for dinner.
Due to the fact that the Dursley's had much more things then Harry, and they had all stopped for afternoon tea (of sandwiches they had bought at the town they had last stopped at), none of them were even close to finishing packing. That's why Harry found himself standing outside in front of Uncle Vernon's new company car, keys in hand, and a huge grin on his face.
After Dudley's loud complaints that he was hungry, and Aunt Petunia's shrieks for Vernon to move this and that all over the place quickly, as they were expecting the neighbors around tomorrow and the house had better be finished, there was no one but Harry left to go into town to get dinner.
Having just had his sixteenth birthday, he wasn't yet legally allowed to drive, not that he didn't. To call Harry a rebellious troublemaker would be an understatement. Every year the Dursley's got phone calls and letters about Harry sneaking out with his friends and getting into mischief. That included the time they were caught joy riding, Harry at the wheel. Madame Bunelli was strict, but quite fond of Harry, after teaching him since he was six. Although she had to call his relatives on his behavior, she did state that he was quite a good driver. This made Harry and his friends crack up for ages, they could just imagine that phone call; 'Sorry to bother you Mr. Dursley, but your nephew was caught joy riding with fellow school friends last night. Not to worry, he wasn't charged and he is an excellent driver.' Harry was no longer laughing when he got home though!
But it was worth it now, he thought. After being desperate to shut his wife and son up, and quite hungry himself, his uncle had no choice but to send Harry into town. Vernon rationalized that it was a country town, and the boy did know how to drive and escape getting into trouble. It would also get him out of the way for a little while. So after a half an hour lecture, Harry was driving slowly up the driveway, excitement and adrenalin running through his veins.
He had no doubts that his uncle Vernon was watching him through the window, so he was going slowly until he was out of site. He had directions to Hogsmeade memorized and the twenty pound note from his uncle for dinner in his pocket, so now he was going to have fun!
Turning left, he waited until he was past the corner before accelerating. He loved driving, being in control. And speed. Its almost like flying, he reckoned. Slowing down when he came into town, he found a park easily, outside a take-away store.
There seemed to be a lot of people around, for a town so small, Harry thought self-consciously as he got out of the car and many heads turned his way. He noticed that there were two groups of school children about his age, which he would have to walk between. He got the feeling that there was a lot of hostility between the two groups. Perhaps they were arguing before he arrived, he thought, and have stopped to look at the new comer. As they were indeed all looking at him. One group eyeing him curiously, the other suspiciously. It was the second group that looked foreboding. He wasn't too worried, as he was a black belt in Karate, but he didn't fancy causing trouble on his first night in town.
Walking with his head up, he was nearly at the take-away shops door when some one from the second group called out to him.
"Well, if it isn't a new kid," the boy taunted, "What's your name city-boy?"
Harry inwardly groaned as he turned around to face the bully.
"Harry. Harry Potter," he replied, with an obviously fake smile, "and you?"
"Marcus Flint," he grunted, "Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Millicent Bullstode; Vince's girlfriend, and Pansy Parkinson; my girlfriend," he said, pointing to each in turn. Time to end this conversation, Harry thought. He really hated bullies, and could already tell that these people would be Dudley's new friends.
"Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, but I must be going," he said, sarcasm dripping from his words. He turned to walk into the shop but a meaty hand grabbed his shoulder, turning him around and halting his progress.
"Maybe you don't get it," Marcus Flint started menacingly, "this is our territory, city-boy Potter, and you need to learn your place." With that, the three huge, muscular boys moved towards him, flexing their muscles. Before anyone knew what happened, the three bullies were on the ground, Harry standing over them calmly.
"Mark your territory some where else ya mongrels!" he said angrily, before turning on his heel and entering the shop.
So much for not causing trouble, he thought as he waited for his order. He didn't need Dudley to name him as a punching bag; he had done that all by himself. When he had his order, he left the shop hoping for no more confrontations. Luck was not on his side. When he got to his car he was approached again, this time by the other group.
"Hello, Harry was it? Nice moves back there, really awesome," said a boy with sandy-blond hair in a thick Irish accent. Harry turned to face the group. The boy continued, "I'm Seamus Finnegan," he said, putting his hand out, and very obviously checking Harry out. Harry opened his door, put the food inside, before turning back around and taking the offered hand.
"Nice to meet you," he replied, feeling slightly apprehensive. There were a lot more in this group, but he knew he could take them all on if he had to. He had entered many Karate competitions before and come out champion. It didn't appear as if they were going to attack him though, as Seamus Finnegan continued to talk.
"Your new here, I suppose you will be coming to Hogwarts?" he enquired. Harry nodded and Seamus beamed. "Excellent, I'll show you around if you want-" he was interrupted by a fake cough. A girl with bushy-brown hair stepped up to him, a warm smile on her face.
"Don't mind the rest of us Seamus, we don't want to meet him," she said, rolling her eyes, sarcasm evident. "Hi, I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, and this is Ron Weasley," she pointed to a tall, gangly red head with lots of freckles, "Blaise Zambini," pointing to an attractive brown-headed boy with a charming smile, who was looking at Harry appreciatively, "Lavender Brown," she pointed to a pretty girl with long brown hair, "and Draco Malfoy," she finished, pointing to an attractive blonde, who was standing at the back. "Welcome to Hogsmeade, when did you get here?" she asked, she seemed very talkative, but also came across as the 'mother hen' of the group. He hoped they would be friends.
"Today. Just finished unpacking actually," Harry replied, "My family haven't yet, so I got the pleasure of getting dinner." She looked past him at the car.
"You drive? How old are you, you don't look much older then us?" Hermione questioned looking back at him.
Harry hesitated, "er, yes, I drive," he answered vaguely. Really he wasn't lying, he did drive. "I should go before dinner gets cold, it was a pleasure meeting you all," he gave a winning smile, and got into the car.
"It was a great pleasure meeting you too," Seamus said, enthusiastically, leaning on the door after Harry wound the window down. "What year are you going into?"
"Sixth," Harry replied.
"Same as us," he said brightly.
Hermione frowned. "Did you get kept down?" she asked.
Harry smiled, he knew she was putting it together, and had a feeling he would get an earful if she did find out he was too young to be legally driving.
"No, I wasn't," he started up the engine, "Well, I'll see you around." He tried to make a quick exit, but Hermione wasn't going to drop it.
"If your in sixth year, and haven't been kept down, how could you possibly have a license?"
He grinned cheekily, "I never said I had my license." He winked, before quickly reversing and leaving a frowning Hermione behind.
Driving home, he decided that this really wasn't going to be a bad place to live. In fact, he was really going to enjoy living here.
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Beep Beep Beep Beep
Harry groaned and buried his head under his pillow. The alarm wouldn't shut up, no matter how much he willed it to do so!
Beep Beep Beep Beep
"Alright, alright, I'm getting up!" he grumbled as he reached over and turned the blasted, insistent thing off. Really, he thought, as he got out of bed and made his way into his bathroom, alarm clocks are a human error that should be banned. Whoever invented the damn things, he decided, was off his rocker!
He felt much better when he got into the shower. Yesterday, after he had come home with dinner, the whole family quickly ate, and then got stuck into moving all the furniture about. Lounge suites and couches, chairs and tables were moved. Paintings were put up, and then taken down, only to be put up somewhere else. Kitchen appliances were packed away into the kitchen, and framed photo's put on display. Everything was moved from the boxes, back into their appropriate place. They had finally finished everything at twelve o'clock midnight, where Harry sunk gratefully into bed. The only problem was, was that his Aunt had made him set the alarm for six. The house had to be immaculate for their guests and as his Aunt had to prepare food, Harry was labeled 'cleaner'.
At ten o'clock, he was finally finished. The house looked better then new and all boxes and other moving novelties gone from sight. He showered again, and changed, ready to meet the new neighbors. He had heard his Aunt telling his Uncle last night, that the previous owners had been very private, and that no one had actually been in the house or even on the lands before. So Harry hoped that some where today he would get to explore the grounds, even if it was 'on tour' with his neighbors.
The doorbell rang, and every body was ushered into the foyer to greet their guests.
"Get the door, Harry!" his Aunt whispered angrily, brushing invisible lint off of her skirt. Harry sighed before opening the door.
"Hello, I'm Gwen, and this is my husband, Amos and son Cedric, where the Diggory's from your right," said a very cheery lady, dressed conservatively.
Petunia came forward; a huge smile plastered on her bony features and grasped her hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Diggory, I'm Petunia, and this is my husband Vernon and son Dudley. Do come in."
Mr. and Mrs. Diggory were ushered into the lounge by Petunia and Vernon. Dudley had followed only because Mrs. Dursley had baked an Apple Pie. That left Harry standing there with their son.
"Er, come in," Harry started, "Your Cedric right? I'm Harry," he put his hand out which Cedric shook.
Cedric smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you Harry. Did you want to go for a walk?"
Harry and Cedric got along great as they explored the grounds. They visited all the huge gardens, the horse stables and chicken coop, before ending up at the creek. It was beautiful. Trees and gardens surrounded crystal clear waters. The wooden deck was great for sun baking and there was a rope to swing out on, over the creek. Harry loved it instantly. He found out that Cedric went to Hogwarts and would be in seventh year after break, among other things.
"Your parents seem nice," Cedric said as they lay beside one another on the deck.
Harry laughed. "They're not my parents, and they certainly aren't nice."
"They're not?" he questioned.
"No, they're my Aunt and Uncle from my mothers side. Her and Aunt Petunia were sisters. My parents are dead now," Harry said, with a shrug, as if it was no big deal. He didn't want to go into it, and he was hoping that if he made it sound unimportant, Cedric wouldn't either.
Cedric rolled onto his side, leaning on his elbow. He looked at Harry intensely.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," he said sincerely.
Harry shrugged again, avoiding Cedric's eyes. "It was a long time ago."
Just then they heard Cedric's mother faintly, calling Cedric to leave. Cedric looked back down at Harry, a hesitant smile on his lips.
"I'll see you around," he said, before leaning forward and capturing Harry in a kiss. He pulled away quickly, blushing, before he got up, and with a quick good-bye, jogged back up to the house.
Harry lay there stunned. Cedric had just kissed him! It had been a quick, hesitant kiss, but a kiss nonetheless. Harry smiled. He really liked Hogsmeade, he decided.
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Sorry! Draco had to have competition and he certainly is going to get it!!!
I don't know where I want to take this story so suggestions are greatly appreciated!
I'll probably update next weekend, most likely the same with my other story. I don't know where I'm taking that one either, it was suppose to be a one-shot, but people asked for more… *shrugs* Suggestions on that one appreciated too!