Hey! This is my first fic. I'm WARNING now! :::::THIS WILL
BECOME SLASH IN A NEAR FUTURE::::: You have been warned…I don't want flames
later on, complaining 'cause it's gross, ok? 'Cause I DID warn! Oh yeah, rated
PG- 13 for slash and language!
Summary: Harry and Draco both end up going to a muggle school…How you
ask?…read!
Disclaimer: I own nothing in this story except the plot, and the really
pathetic names (you'll see) later on in the story. Everything that has to do
with the magical world of Harry Potter belongs to the goddess of literature,
J.K. Rowling.
~Thoughts
~Emphasized
*****…***** Are flashbacks and when they end (duh. I explain it in the story,
but just to make sure…)
-Chapter 5-
When Your World Turns Upside DownIt was very early in the morning, and the Gryffindor Common Room was completely empty…except for the two teens sitting in a couple of armchairs, hidden within the shadows of the dawn.
The boy and the girl were worried…what in the world had happened to their friend? They hadn't heard absolutely anything from him all summer, and that wasn't a very ordinary thing.
They'd sent him letters; they'd tried calling him…it was as if he'd fallen off the face of the earth.
"Have you mailed your mum yet?" Hermione Granger whispered to the boy, as she looked through a mountain of newspaper clippings sitting in the small coffee table I front of her.
"Yeah," Ron Weasley answered. "I sent Pig to her yesterday…but I doubt she'll reply with anything useful. You know how it's been."
"I know," Hermione said. "I just wish we could figure this out!" She slammed her hands on the coffee table, making an even bigger mess of the clippings.
"Hermione," Ron whispered in a shaky voice. "What if something happened to him? What if he really is dea-"
"Don't even say it Ron!" Hermione whispered back frantically. "How could you even think it? Of course not…no-nothing's happened to him Ron. I'm sure he's fine." She tried to reassure him, though her voice didn't sound as convincing as she'd hoped it had.
Hermione sighed. "Let's just keep looking through these…there has to be something in here!"
The other occupants of Gryffindor Tower were beginning to stir from their dreams, and sounds of talking and laughter started to flutter downstairs.
As the sun took it's place in the sky, the light swept over the shadows in the room, and the contents of the articles became clearer. They all showed a picture of the same boy, but had different headlines:
"The Boy Who Lived: missing! What could this mean for the rest of us?"
"Harry Potter, still to be found."
"The mysteries of the Dursley household: could it be that our beloved Boy Who Lived lives no longer?"
Ron turned towards Hermione. "Lets start putting these up," he said. Then asked, as an afterthought, "do you think there'll be one today?"
Hermione looked over at him sadly, as she stuffed handfuls of articles into a folder labeled 'Homework'. "There's one everyday, Ron. I just hope they get a lead soon." She sighed again. "I just hope they find Harry…"
***
Harry was really nervous…how in the world was he supposed to invite someone over here?? He quickly looked over his shoulder at his uncle, who was currently sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast. Ok…might as well do this now…
"Er…Uncle Vernon?" Harry said shakily, turning back to look at the sudsy pan in his hands.
Vernon grunted…Harry took that to be a sign that he was listening.
"Um…well, the thing is…" Quick, like pulling off a band-aid…like a band-aid, that's it! Pain free…just get it over with already! Harry thought. "I have to do this project for Chemistry, and it's done in partners…"
Vernon looked up at him, clearly understanding where this was going. To say the least, the look he was giving Harry wasn't exactly heart warming.
"And?" His uncle forced out.
"And…I need to get together with my partner. We can't go to his place because…er…his parents are having it remodeled. So…err…could he come over today?" He finished washing off the pan, and picked up a spatula to wash next. Harry looked over his shoulder again, seeing his uncle turn a horrible shade of red.
"Do you really think we'll let you bring anybody over, boy?" He said, through gritted teeth.
Harry gulped. "Well…if I don't do this project, I'll get a failing grade in Chemistry…!"
"And that concerns me because?" Uncle Vernon interrupted.
"Because…because my partner's parents are really important, and if they find out that their son couldn't complete that project, they'd be really mad…" Oh crap… Harry thought. That came out sounding like a threat.
Vernon seemed to take on a strange look. "Important?" He said, somehow over-looking the 'threat'. "What do you mean, important?"
Harry had to suppress a sigh…you could always rely on the greedy side of Vernon Dursley! "They work in the Ministry." He couldn't believe how easy that came out. Then again, it wasn't a complete lie…Lucius had worked for the Ministry of Magic.
"Oh…" Vernon replied, his face losing some of its unnatural color. "Well then…I suppose it's ok. Are his parents coming over?"
"Er…no…we're just doing that project." Harry looked back down at the spatula he was holding.
"Well…you should invite them over some time." And with that, he stood up to leave, kissing Petunia and ruffling Dudley's hair.
Well… Harry thought. Thank Merlin that's over and done with!
He happily finished doing the dishes and headed out to school.
***
Draco sighed. He'd just shaken Cindy off 5 minutes ago, and she'd gone to the home. He couldn't believe her…she actually had the galls to ask him if she could join him and "Harry, dear" so she could help with their "project". She'd actually said it like that! And with a wink! What the hell did she think he was going to do?!
"Nasty minded whore…" He grumbled under his breath.
He was currently waiting for Potter outside the main entrance to the school. Draco couldn't believe that out of all the houses he could visit, he was going to Harry Potter's today.
Even so, he couldn't wait to go. Potter was probably the same pampered little bastard at home, just as he was at Hogwarts. He'd probably have loads of material to pick on Harry with by the end of the afternoon.
"Malfoy!" Potter, who was running his way from the right side of the school, interrupted his thoughts.
"Malfoy," Potter panted out, as he bent over slightly to control his breathing. "Sorry…I was in English, and that's way on the other side…" He used his hands to gesticulate over to the side of the school he'd come from. "It took a while." He breathed deeply and then shoved his hands in his pockets. "Well…er…let's go?"
Potter seemed to be shuffling his feet.
This ought to be interesting. Draco thought. If Potter's this nervous…maybe his house isn't all that great. He held in a snigger.
They'd already begun their trek towards #4 Privet Drive, and neither had spoken since their departure from school.
After a 15-minute walk, Potter finally stopped. "Well," he said, still sounding a bit nervous. "Er…this is it." He spread his arms out a bit, then turned to face the house and started walking up the small path.
As Draco looked at the tiny house, he felt like cackling. This is where Potter lives? I can't wait to see the inside…
***
Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.
This couldn't possibly turn out well. He just knew that something was going to happen…it was Murphy's Law, and Murphy's Law always had a way of applying itself to situations that involved Harry…always.
He took two very deep breaths to try and calm himself, then turned around to face Malfoy again. "Ok," he said. "We're going to work in my…er…room, so just follow me…don't wander off! Ok, Malfoy?" His hands suddenly felt like they had magnets in them, as they snapped together and his fingers started to wriggle about nervously.
Malfoy looked down his nose at him, a lazy smirk on his lips. "Sure Potter," he drawled out. "Whatever you say."
Harry gave him a slight glare, which didn't seem to have any effect on him, then turned back around and opened the door.
As they entered, Harry practically began pushing Draco towards the stairs.
"Potter!! What the-" Draco started to say, but was suddenly interrupted by a very high pitched, angry sounding voice.
"BOY!!! Is that you?!" Aunt Petunia came bustling into the room, her gaze finding Harry and her eyes narrowing.
Oh no…this was what he'd been waiting for. Harry felt his stomach drop.
"Er…yes, Aunt Petunia?" He said, very politely.
Her eyes narrowed further. "Vernon said that you might bring someone…some sort of project…?"
"Yes…for Chemistry." Harry felt like he was going to be sick…hopefully Malfoy wouldn't notice anything wrong.
"Well, you won't be running around, doing what you please just yet! I seem to remember you not doing all of your chores this morning before you left for school…why don't you go take out the garbage now, before you start on that project?" Aunt Petunia said, trying to sound as pleasant as she could.
"But Malf-"
"Now, Harry…dear." Her eyes widened slightly to symbolize that he should shut up and just go do as he was told.
Harry dropped his head a bit and nervously walked outside. To his dismay, Uncle Vernon's car came into the driveway at that moment.
Vernon quickly got out and looked his way. "Is the boy still here?" He asked, his eyes moving towards the house.
"Yes, Uncle Vernon, but –"
"Not now, boy…get back to whatever it was you were doing." He interrupted him, and then quickly walked inside.
Harry hurried to take the large garbage bag to the bin, then turned and ran towards the house. As he walked in, Malfoy looked at him oddly, and his uncle was fuming…you could practically see the smoke coming out from his nose.
"Er…" Harry said nervously. "Something the matter?" He started to wring his hands again.
"Your friend has just informed us that his parents are dead, boy. Care to explain that?" Vernon answered him.
Harry laughed nervously, then said: "Re-really? I had no idea." He was actually giving Malfoy a pleading look, which he didn't think was doing much since Malfoy just kept looking at him in a very strange way.
"Sure you did, Potter. Remember, Sunny Ray's Shelter for Orphaned Children? It's the reason we're here in the first place." Malfoy rolled his eyes.
Harry gulped.
Vernon turned to him very slowly, then said to Malfoy: "I don't think Harry's going to be able to do that project today. Go back to your…shelter. You'll do whatever the hell you're supposed to do for school some other day."
Malfoy looked affronted. "I actually walked all the way over here…I expect Potter and I to at least come up with an idea for the project!"
"Petunia, darling," Vernon's voice was icy, as he gave Harry the most petrifying stare he'd had thrown his way in a while. "Will you please show Harry's friend to the door?"
"Sure thing…boy, this way," and with that, she opened the door.
Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Malfoy glare back at him, then turn around and leave.
Aunt Petunia shut the door.
Oh God.
***
It was dark and disgusting, but he knew sacrifices had to be made. He needed to stay in hiding while he gathered his strengths.
That night in the graveyard had been the only time he'd been able to perform magic since the recovery of his body, and shortly after that pesky Potter had left (yet again, he thought with a snarl), he'd collapsed under the strain he'd put himself through.
Turns out, years without doing magic really did take their toll on you…especially if you'd recently grown back into your natural body.
Apparently, he was supposed to stay in bed until he felt he had sufficient strength to get back at Potter for the many, many times he'd been a nuisance.
He was angry.
Simply thinking about Potter made his blood boil. That brat…how did he manage to escape every single time? It was unheard of! He was the Dark lord, and nobody had ever been as lucky as that little bastard.
Luck…that's all it was. There was always somebody (or something) there to save him. Well, this time, there wouldn't be.
"Wormtail!" Voldemort's voice rang in the cold, night air.
Suddenly, a rat scurried in and transformed into a short, pudgy man, with beady eyes, and a balding spot at the top of his head.
"Y-yes, my Lord?" he said, in a trembling voice, but managing to bow low.
"How's my spy in Privet Drive?" He asked, glaring at the blundering man before him.
"Very w-well, my Lord. The report says that Potter's still w-with his r-relatives, my Lord." His head was still bowed.
"Mmm…very good. And my spy in Hogwarts?" He was currently examining his fingers, still amazed at having his normal body.
"Also doing well, m-my Lord. T-the report says that nobody has a clue as to Potter's wher-whereabouts."
"Good. Snape?" He was now examining his wand.
"Still clueless, my L-lord."
"And Malfoy?" He fisted his hand at this, anger seeping through his veins.
"We're s-still trying to locate him my Lord. W-we have suspicions that he's tried to c-contact Potter."
Voldemort raised his eyebrows. "You…have suspicions?"
"Yes, m-my L-lord. The w-wards have shown us that h-he might've been in-inside." He was stuttering more than ever now.
Voldemort's nostrils flared as he took in a deep breath. "Do you mean to tell me, that Lucius Malfoy has been inside the house we currently have Potter in…and that there's a possibility that he's told Potter, of our plans?" He'd sat up in bed now, glaring daggers at Wormtail.
The man before him gulped audibly, and said: "W-we t-think he's b-been I-in-inside, but he c-couldn't have t-told P-P-P-Potter of our plans."
"And why is that?" Voldemort had taken on a strangely calm tone.
"B-because he didn't know e-everything, m-my Lord. B-besides…P-P-Potter can't d-do anything, my Lord. The spell I-is still f-functioning p-perfectly." He said, in an attempt to calm the dark lord down.
"It better be, Wormtail. One hitch, and you will all be punished…severely." He waved a hand at him lazily. "Get me Hutchinson."
Hearing this made that rat tremble more…he knew what Voldemort used Hutchinson for.
As soon as Wormtail came back (accompanied by a tall, slim man, with a completely gray head of hair, and black eyes) he began pleading: "M-my Lord! I h-have supplied you w-with I-information! I-"
"You know what to do." He droned out to Hutchinson, cutting Wormtail off.
Hutchinson grinned wickedly.
"Crucio!"
Voldemort smirked, as screams disrupted the silence of the night.
***
He was literally in the middle of nowhere, but he didn't care…he had to get to Hogwarts, right now.
He'd been lurking through Scotland to help pass the time from here until the start of the new school year, when he'd see his godson again…then he'd come across a small wizarding village…and a copy of the Daily Prophet.
It couldn't be true…it just couldn't be.
As he saw the castle up ahead, he sped up, his dog form giving him more strength than his human form normally would.
He ran through the courtyards of the school, not caring that he'd startled the students that had been idling about on the surprisingly warm Sunday morning.
He ran…ran as fast as he could. What the paper said had to be incorrect…but he still needed to be sure.
He ran in McGonagall, who quickly recognized him and said: "What are you doing here?" In a disapproving tone.
The dog put down the Daily prophet, which had been in its mouth since it started its journey to the castle, and let out a bark.
McGonagall bent down and saw the headline on the front page. Her gaze and voice seemed to soften as she said: "I'll take you there."
Once they were in front of the familiar gargoyle, she said in a clear voice: "Fudge Flies!" This caused the gargoyle to hop aside, and they both entered, stepping onto the spiraling staircase, which led up to Professor Dumbledore's office.
The dog suddenly turned into a tall, thin man, who practically slammed the door (at the top of the staircase) open.
"Sirius! I've been wondering when you'd come." Professor Dumbledore greeted, a small smile on his face.
***
"You know…this is useless. D'you really think that if the Ministry of Magic had any idea of where Harry was, they'd publish it in the Daily Prophet?" Ron asked Hermione impatiently, as he skimmed over the 50th article featuring his best friend.
"That's not what we're looking for, Ron! Don't tell me you wasted all this time looking for that sort of information through all of these articles…" She said, gesturing her hand over the pile Ron had been reading.
"Er…"
"Ron!!!!"
"Well, what are we looking for?!"
"I've told you this before, Ronald Weasley! I know you hate hearing my lectures, but we're doing this for Harry! I thought you'd pay more attention to what me when what I had to say concerned our best friend!"
"I did…I just…argh!" He threw his hands up. "This is so stressing, Hermione!"
"You're not making it any easier, Ron."
Ron made a face at her. "Well?"
She glared over at him. "Well what?"
"What are we looking for?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh God…we're looking for any clues. See if they mention any kind of strange activity around Private Drive…if the Ministry's detected any magic around that zone, or –"
"But the Ministry still wouldn't publish that kind of information…didn't we just go over that?" He smirked at her.
"Ron! Just -"
But Ron's gaze had moved from Hermione, to some spot just behind her, and he interrupted her again.
"Snuffles!!!" He exclaimed happily.
"What?" Hermione turned around and saw that, indeed, 'Snuffles' was in Hogwarts.
"Quick! Pick these up!" She said, as she began to pick up the scattered papers. "We have to go see him!"
And once they were done, they ran inside the great castle.
***
It was Wednesday, and Draco hadn't seen or heard from Potter since last Friday. What the hell had happened to him? If he'd found a way of getting out of here, but hadn't told him, he'd wring his neck!
But suddenly, Draco had an idea. He knew where Potter lived…why not pay him a visit?
So that day, after school, he'd told Cindy to bugger off, and had retraced the steps he'd taken the day he went with Potter to (supposedly) work on their project.
As he stood in front of #4 Privet Drive for the second time in less than a week, he thought: That bloody arsehole had better not left yet!
He walked up the path and had lifted his arm to ring the doorbell when he heard a strangled noise from inside. What the hell was that?
He bent his body slightly to the side, just enough so he could see through the window (that was situated next to the door), and couldn't believe his eyes.
The strangled noise had been made by Potter.
Potter…who had a large bruise covering one side of his face and a long cut, running from the wrist of his right arm, to his elbow.
Potter…who who's eyes were shut tightly, as though he were expecting a blow to the face.
Potter…who was currently pushed up against the wall by the large man Draco recognized as his uncle.
Potter…who'd suddenly opened his eyes and, for some reason, looked towards the very spot Draco was standing.
He felt the world stop at that moment.
What the fuck is going on? Why is Potter's uncle beating him? Why is Potter just letting him do it in the first place? Does Dumbledore know? Is Potter…crying?
A million questions swam past Draco's mind and he couldn't seem to move.
But he had to…because at that moment, he noticed Cindy walking his way, and for some reason he couldn't allow her to see what was going on inside #4 Privet Drive.
Draco turned back to check on Potter one last time, to notice that his uncle was now literally dragging him further inside the house.
Bloody hell Potter… He thought desperately.
With that, he turned and bolted towards Cindy, practically pulling her behind him.
What was he supposed to do?
-End Chapter 6-
Author's Note: Wow! I finished another one! I hope you guys liked it…practically everybody who reviewed was talking about that scene in Privet drive…I hope you guys liked what I did! (Then again..nobody really likes that kind of scene -*sniff*-, but…you know what I mean.) *wriggles hands nervously* I'd actually planned it to go a different way, but then decided to change it at the last minute…so Draco now knows what Harry truly goes through, I would suppose. Poor Harry…I always feel terrible writing that type of evil scene, but I decided I wanted it to go this way.
I'd been looking over my story and realized that…I had a huge mess that made absolutely no sense! So…I thought…a lot…and came up with a way to smooth over some…err…mistakes and blunders. I don't know if you guys noticed, but there's one fixed ever-so-slightly in this chapter…or at least, the beginning of its…um, fixage?…is in this chapter. Well…you'll see soon.
Anyway…thanks soooo much to everyone who reviewed!!! I would name you all individually, but fanfiction.net is being a pain in the butt, and I can't get in (grrr!!). I love you guys, though…you really make my day! And it would be lovely it you guys kept on reviewing (hint hint! ~_^)!
Mmm…for the next chapter, expect more from Sirius, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore…and we'll see what happens with Draco and Harry.
See ya!!!^_^