Hey all! I know it's been a while, but my computer has been playing up big time - no excuse, I know. So I'm trying this in Notepad, dunno how well it'll turn out, guess I'll find out soon enough.
Oh- and another thing: Thank you to all of my wonderful reviewers, I'm sorry I can't reply to anyone at the moment, but you won't be forgotten in the next chapter. Here we go,
Chapter 10 - The Burrow
'Thomas appears to be a very strange character. Ever since he appeared on our doorstep a week ago, we have been learning new things about him all of the time. He refuses to mix with other children, is very bright and has a rather unnerving fixation with myths - especially subjects involving magic.
Thomas maintains the belief that he is five-years-old. He has the physical capabilities of this age and yet, his intellect is at a much higher level. However, due to the fact that we can find no records of a 'Thomas', we have collected what data we could and have used this to try to fill in the blanks.
When questionned, Thomas keeps mentioning 'September 2nd'. Having been able to discern nothing of this date, we have taken this to be Thomas' birthday. When the subject of family is approached, Thomas clams up and refuses to speak. Could this be a sign of domestic violence? If so, has Thomas run away to avoid conflict within the household?
As concerning Thomas' attitude towards staff, in particular our chief residential carer, Wendy Smith....'
"Harry, we're here mate, c'mon!"
Harry shut TJ's psychological report that was in amongst the rubbish....sorry \forms\ that the Barbie had given him and climbed out of the car. He had been so immersed in reading the file again, just to try and understand what TJ's life had been like, that he'd been seated in the Weasley's car for ten minutes, not realising that they had reached their destination.
TJ's high pitched yells of delight floated across the grounds to where Harry was stood. Harry smiled happily, feeling slightly alarmed at how quick TJ had grown on him for the short while he'd been around.
'A boy is for life, Potter!' He thought to himself.
Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts, it wouldn't do well to be declared mad and sent to St Mungo's now, would it? And talking - or at least thinking - to yourself was definately considered madness. He shut the car door and ambled up to the house.
(The next morning)
"More food dear?" TJ nodded frantically and grinned through a mouthful of bacon as he watched Molly Weasley scrape a mountain of breakfast onto his already groaning plate. Molly then whipped around and started piling up more food onto Harry's plate, muttering darkly under her breath about 'those blasted Muggles'.
"So Thomas -" TJ scowled. "- looking forwards to seeing Hogwarts in all of its majestical glory?"
TJ looked at Percy like he'd gone mad. "What do you mean, Weatherby?" He was cut off by the twins sniggers through the name they'd introduced Percy as. Harry and Ron swallowed giggles from the sidelines.
Percy carried on as though he'd not heard what TJ had called him. "Hogwarts. It's the most prestigious magical academy-"
"Oh stop waffling, Weatherby!" The twins cut in, and Percy's ears turned red at their comments. They proceeded to explain where and what Hogwarts was, with much curtesying and bowing to TJ, who was in hysterics at their antics. Harry and Ron purposely avoided looking at each other to try and fight their laughing fits. Mr Weasley looked mildly amused and Percy looked ready to either hex the twins or storm out, humiliated.
Mrs Weasley stepped in and hit the twins with her ladle. "Boys! What sort of an example are you setting to TJ? And Fred, don't belittle your brother like that!"
"Fred," George put on a high falsetto. "Don't belittle you brother like that-" He caught his mother's murderous look and trailed off. He decided not to push his mother any further and apologised to Percy.
Fred apologised to Percy not long after, sending a huge wink towards TJ as he did so.
"So what are you planning on doing today?" Asked Mr Weasley.
"We thought we'd go up to the orchard later, maybe play Quidditch or just relax up there, you know." Replied Ron.
Mr Wealsey nodded and breakfast continued in silence, save for the occasional polite comment. One by one, people finished their breakfasts and left the kitchen area until only Harry and TJ were left at the table. TJ finished his breakfast and picked at Harry's plate, intending to help him finish quicker.
"So, you're playing Quidditch later?" TJ asked, already knowing the answer. On Harry's nod, he continued. "And if I was gonna play, I'd need to borrow a broom or something -"
Harry cut him off. "TJ, how many times have I been through this? There is no way that I'm letting you near a broom until you can actually fly!" TJ's face dropped and Harry felt extremely guilty. TJ's face changed and help the 'puppy dog pleading look' until Harry gave in. "Alright, if you're good, I might ask Ron if I can borrow his Shooting Star to teach you - but no promises!"
TJ's face brightened up and he scampered up the stairs. Harry barely had time to wonder what he was up to when TJ came crashing down the stairs, Ron in tow, clutching the Firebolt and the Shooting Star.
Harry opened his mouth to question what was going on, but Ron beat him to it. "Someone-" He motioned at TJ "- is very eager to be good and get on a broomstick."
TJ stuck his tongue out at Ron, Ron stuck his tongue out in reply. Harry rolled his eyes and pushed the remains of his breakfast at TJ who wolfed them down.
Harry stood up, took his broom from Ron and grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair. "Quidditch anyone?"
"YEAH!" Screeched TJ and shot out the door.
Ron watched him go, astounded. "Does he even know where he's going?"
Harry shook his head. "Doubt it, he'll yell for us in a minute so he can follow."
As if on cue, TJ yelled for the two. "C'mon, Harry, Red, c'mon!"
Harry gave Ron an 'I told you so' look and went outside. Ron laughed, slung his broom over his shoulder and trudged out, shutting the door behind himself.
***********************************************************
"Up...up.....UP!" TJ was having no luck in getting Ron's Shooting Star to jump into his hand.
Ron, TJ and Harry were in a secluded area of the orchard away from prying eyes. TJ had only let the two teens play Quidditch for half an hour before he started whining and clamouring to be taught to fly. Ron had been given Harry's Firebolt and was currently hovering twenty feet up. The idea was, that if TJ managed to fly off somewhere, the Firebolt would overtake the Shooting Star and Ron could fly TJ back down, but nothing had happened for the past ten minutes and TJ was getting frustrated.
"UP! Why won't it work?" TJ looked close to tears, so Harry took the broom from him and laid it on the ground.
"Up." The broom jumped straight into Harry's hand and TJ's jaw dropped.
"How-"
"If you hold back, even the slightest bit, it won't work." Harry placed the broom in front of TJ. "Now try again, but don't hold back. Nothing can happen, that Shooting Star cannot get even half the acceleration of my Firebolt. Any sign of trouble and Ron'll be right beside you, okay?"
TJ nodded and stuck his right hand out. "UP."
The broom jumped into TJ's hand with one smooth movement. TJ grinned and looked at Harry for a complement.
"Great! See, no problems. Now, hold it like this." Harry showed TJ how to mount the broom and adjusted his grip, only to re-adjust it when he remembered that TJ was left-handed.
"After three, kick hard from the ground with your foot." Harry waved to Ron to show him to get ready.
Ron nodded, dropped five feet and lowered himself to the broom, ready to move fast if needed.
"1 2 3 - go!"
TJ kicked hard from the ground. Instantly, the broom started to rise very quickly. TJ yelped and threw his weight onto the front of the broom, leveling it out. He came to a stop in line with Harry's head.
Harry reached up and pulled TJ down a little so he could talk to him. "Fast reflexes, I think Ron was getting ready to chase you." TJ grinned and waved at Ron, who looped around and waved back. "Anyway," Harry continued, "have a fly around, but don't go too high. I'm going to sit over there and watch you."
The next two hours were passed with Ron chasing TJ through the trees. There were points when Harry worried that TJ would hit a tree or fly to high up and be in sight of the Muggle village below. Luckily, Ron always managed to pull TJ away.
"Oi, Ron, mum wants you and his Royal Highness inside." Fred and George appeared behind Harry, who jumped as he hadn't heard them approaching.
Ron landed and dismounted very gracefully whilst TJ lost control and fell in a heap at George's feet. George laughed and bent down to pick him up, brushing mud and dirt off his robes.
Ron gave Harry his Firebolt back, mounted his Shooting Star and waited for TJ to climb on the back before flying back to the Burrow.
"Get on your broom, Harry, and follow us." Fred and George were hovering on their brooms that they must have hidden in the trees.
"Why?" Asked Harry, getting on his broom and flying up to hover beside them.
"We have to talk things further over, and we can't do that here." Was all Harry would get out of them before they flew in the opposite direction to The Burrow.
Harry sighed and turned his broom to follow the twins.
********
Next: Weasleys Wizard Wheezes makes a detailed apearance and Hermione comes to the Burrow.
Okay, I have two things to say:
1) This is obviously going to be an AU now, since it isn't going to follow Order of the Phoenix in ANY way. (By that I mean plotwise. Certain details may apear, but no major spoilers)
2) The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Who do you think it should be?
* Remus Lupin (An old favourite)
* Mad Eye Moody (The real Mad Eye)
* Nymphadora Tonks (For all the Tonks fans out there - myself included)
* Someone else? Who? (Anybody who mentions Umbridge WILL be shot!)
Oh- and another thing: Thank you to all of my wonderful reviewers, I'm sorry I can't reply to anyone at the moment, but you won't be forgotten in the next chapter. Here we go,
Chapter 10 - The Burrow
'Thomas appears to be a very strange character. Ever since he appeared on our doorstep a week ago, we have been learning new things about him all of the time. He refuses to mix with other children, is very bright and has a rather unnerving fixation with myths - especially subjects involving magic.
Thomas maintains the belief that he is five-years-old. He has the physical capabilities of this age and yet, his intellect is at a much higher level. However, due to the fact that we can find no records of a 'Thomas', we have collected what data we could and have used this to try to fill in the blanks.
When questionned, Thomas keeps mentioning 'September 2nd'. Having been able to discern nothing of this date, we have taken this to be Thomas' birthday. When the subject of family is approached, Thomas clams up and refuses to speak. Could this be a sign of domestic violence? If so, has Thomas run away to avoid conflict within the household?
As concerning Thomas' attitude towards staff, in particular our chief residential carer, Wendy Smith....'
"Harry, we're here mate, c'mon!"
Harry shut TJ's psychological report that was in amongst the rubbish....sorry \forms\ that the Barbie had given him and climbed out of the car. He had been so immersed in reading the file again, just to try and understand what TJ's life had been like, that he'd been seated in the Weasley's car for ten minutes, not realising that they had reached their destination.
TJ's high pitched yells of delight floated across the grounds to where Harry was stood. Harry smiled happily, feeling slightly alarmed at how quick TJ had grown on him for the short while he'd been around.
'A boy is for life, Potter!' He thought to himself.
Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts, it wouldn't do well to be declared mad and sent to St Mungo's now, would it? And talking - or at least thinking - to yourself was definately considered madness. He shut the car door and ambled up to the house.
(The next morning)
"More food dear?" TJ nodded frantically and grinned through a mouthful of bacon as he watched Molly Weasley scrape a mountain of breakfast onto his already groaning plate. Molly then whipped around and started piling up more food onto Harry's plate, muttering darkly under her breath about 'those blasted Muggles'.
"So Thomas -" TJ scowled. "- looking forwards to seeing Hogwarts in all of its majestical glory?"
TJ looked at Percy like he'd gone mad. "What do you mean, Weatherby?" He was cut off by the twins sniggers through the name they'd introduced Percy as. Harry and Ron swallowed giggles from the sidelines.
Percy carried on as though he'd not heard what TJ had called him. "Hogwarts. It's the most prestigious magical academy-"
"Oh stop waffling, Weatherby!" The twins cut in, and Percy's ears turned red at their comments. They proceeded to explain where and what Hogwarts was, with much curtesying and bowing to TJ, who was in hysterics at their antics. Harry and Ron purposely avoided looking at each other to try and fight their laughing fits. Mr Weasley looked mildly amused and Percy looked ready to either hex the twins or storm out, humiliated.
Mrs Weasley stepped in and hit the twins with her ladle. "Boys! What sort of an example are you setting to TJ? And Fred, don't belittle your brother like that!"
"Fred," George put on a high falsetto. "Don't belittle you brother like that-" He caught his mother's murderous look and trailed off. He decided not to push his mother any further and apologised to Percy.
Fred apologised to Percy not long after, sending a huge wink towards TJ as he did so.
"So what are you planning on doing today?" Asked Mr Weasley.
"We thought we'd go up to the orchard later, maybe play Quidditch or just relax up there, you know." Replied Ron.
Mr Wealsey nodded and breakfast continued in silence, save for the occasional polite comment. One by one, people finished their breakfasts and left the kitchen area until only Harry and TJ were left at the table. TJ finished his breakfast and picked at Harry's plate, intending to help him finish quicker.
"So, you're playing Quidditch later?" TJ asked, already knowing the answer. On Harry's nod, he continued. "And if I was gonna play, I'd need to borrow a broom or something -"
Harry cut him off. "TJ, how many times have I been through this? There is no way that I'm letting you near a broom until you can actually fly!" TJ's face dropped and Harry felt extremely guilty. TJ's face changed and help the 'puppy dog pleading look' until Harry gave in. "Alright, if you're good, I might ask Ron if I can borrow his Shooting Star to teach you - but no promises!"
TJ's face brightened up and he scampered up the stairs. Harry barely had time to wonder what he was up to when TJ came crashing down the stairs, Ron in tow, clutching the Firebolt and the Shooting Star.
Harry opened his mouth to question what was going on, but Ron beat him to it. "Someone-" He motioned at TJ "- is very eager to be good and get on a broomstick."
TJ stuck his tongue out at Ron, Ron stuck his tongue out in reply. Harry rolled his eyes and pushed the remains of his breakfast at TJ who wolfed them down.
Harry stood up, took his broom from Ron and grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair. "Quidditch anyone?"
"YEAH!" Screeched TJ and shot out the door.
Ron watched him go, astounded. "Does he even know where he's going?"
Harry shook his head. "Doubt it, he'll yell for us in a minute so he can follow."
As if on cue, TJ yelled for the two. "C'mon, Harry, Red, c'mon!"
Harry gave Ron an 'I told you so' look and went outside. Ron laughed, slung his broom over his shoulder and trudged out, shutting the door behind himself.
***********************************************************
"Up...up.....UP!" TJ was having no luck in getting Ron's Shooting Star to jump into his hand.
Ron, TJ and Harry were in a secluded area of the orchard away from prying eyes. TJ had only let the two teens play Quidditch for half an hour before he started whining and clamouring to be taught to fly. Ron had been given Harry's Firebolt and was currently hovering twenty feet up. The idea was, that if TJ managed to fly off somewhere, the Firebolt would overtake the Shooting Star and Ron could fly TJ back down, but nothing had happened for the past ten minutes and TJ was getting frustrated.
"UP! Why won't it work?" TJ looked close to tears, so Harry took the broom from him and laid it on the ground.
"Up." The broom jumped straight into Harry's hand and TJ's jaw dropped.
"How-"
"If you hold back, even the slightest bit, it won't work." Harry placed the broom in front of TJ. "Now try again, but don't hold back. Nothing can happen, that Shooting Star cannot get even half the acceleration of my Firebolt. Any sign of trouble and Ron'll be right beside you, okay?"
TJ nodded and stuck his right hand out. "UP."
The broom jumped into TJ's hand with one smooth movement. TJ grinned and looked at Harry for a complement.
"Great! See, no problems. Now, hold it like this." Harry showed TJ how to mount the broom and adjusted his grip, only to re-adjust it when he remembered that TJ was left-handed.
"After three, kick hard from the ground with your foot." Harry waved to Ron to show him to get ready.
Ron nodded, dropped five feet and lowered himself to the broom, ready to move fast if needed.
"1 2 3 - go!"
TJ kicked hard from the ground. Instantly, the broom started to rise very quickly. TJ yelped and threw his weight onto the front of the broom, leveling it out. He came to a stop in line with Harry's head.
Harry reached up and pulled TJ down a little so he could talk to him. "Fast reflexes, I think Ron was getting ready to chase you." TJ grinned and waved at Ron, who looped around and waved back. "Anyway," Harry continued, "have a fly around, but don't go too high. I'm going to sit over there and watch you."
The next two hours were passed with Ron chasing TJ through the trees. There were points when Harry worried that TJ would hit a tree or fly to high up and be in sight of the Muggle village below. Luckily, Ron always managed to pull TJ away.
"Oi, Ron, mum wants you and his Royal Highness inside." Fred and George appeared behind Harry, who jumped as he hadn't heard them approaching.
Ron landed and dismounted very gracefully whilst TJ lost control and fell in a heap at George's feet. George laughed and bent down to pick him up, brushing mud and dirt off his robes.
Ron gave Harry his Firebolt back, mounted his Shooting Star and waited for TJ to climb on the back before flying back to the Burrow.
"Get on your broom, Harry, and follow us." Fred and George were hovering on their brooms that they must have hidden in the trees.
"Why?" Asked Harry, getting on his broom and flying up to hover beside them.
"We have to talk things further over, and we can't do that here." Was all Harry would get out of them before they flew in the opposite direction to The Burrow.
Harry sighed and turned his broom to follow the twins.
********
Next: Weasleys Wizard Wheezes makes a detailed apearance and Hermione comes to the Burrow.
Okay, I have two things to say:
1) This is obviously going to be an AU now, since it isn't going to follow Order of the Phoenix in ANY way. (By that I mean plotwise. Certain details may apear, but no major spoilers)
2) The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Who do you think it should be?
* Remus Lupin (An old favourite)
* Mad Eye Moody (The real Mad Eye)
* Nymphadora Tonks (For all the Tonks fans out there - myself included)
* Someone else? Who? (Anybody who mentions Umbridge WILL be shot!)