A/N: I would like to say thank you to my first two reviewers Kucarrie and Setsuri. I hope this chapter answers both of your questions.

Ignorance Isn't Bliss

Chapter 2 - Realization

Harry set up his belongings around his hotel room and relaxed in front of the television. No thanks to his relatives, he had never really gotten to watch what he wanted. This was his chance. Harry was watching some Muggle show about these warriors that killed each other by cutting off their heads. The motto seamed to be "There can be only one." 'Seems rather much like my situation doesn't it?' he mused, 'Kill or be killed.' He wondered how many people knew about the prophecy all along. Did Remus? The Weasleys?

After settling in, Harry sent Hedwig off with a subscription to The Daily Prophet and was surprised to get it that afternoon. He also wasn't surprised by the front page.

The Boy-Who-Lived Missing!

There was a picture that looked like it was taken after one of the first two tasks of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. The story went on to say that his Muggle relatives reported him missing late yesterday. "We were so worried when we got home. I hope he's okay." said Petunia Dursley. Which Harry knew to be a lie. They would never care that he was gone. Someone from the Order must have reported it to Dumbledore. The article also pointed out how mentally unbalanced he could be and to not approach him alone.

Harry let out a laugh and threw the paper to the floor. He was sure that the entire order would be out searching for him. But he wasn't going to hide himself away completely for a month, so he used his fringe to cover his scar and bought blue colored contacts, a convenience he never would have gotten from the Dursleys. Now, while not completely disguised, but enough to throw people off, he headed back to the Leaky Cauldron for dinner.

Harry continued this routine daily. He liked hiding in plain view wearing his new black fitted robes with silver trim. He completely changed his entire wardrobe, and enjoyed shopping in Diagon Alley or Muggle London often. Harry was especially proud of his new Muggle clothes. Most people didn't even know he was still a teenager with the way he had shot up. He enjoyed the attention he received because he looked good, rather than because of a damn scar.

On his birthday he received the usual owls, and the letters were what he had expected. His friends were worried. 'How bloody nice.' Harry expected that, but he couldn't bring himself to care.

Harry pondered how owls could find him but their owners couldn't, and decided he should look into that. When he received his Hogwarts owl he was pleased, in a not so nice way, to see a personal letter from the headmaster.

'Harry, I know you ran away. When we searched your room and found your trunk gone we knew you had left of your own free will. Let me know where you are. I'll make other arrangements. It's not safe for you to be by yourself.

Albus Dumbledore'

Harry pondered the letter. 'Yea, he'll put me with Snape next. What fun that would be. Not safe eh? I feel safer now than I have in years. Safe from you, Albus!'

Harry thought about writing back but decided it wasn't worth the risk to contact anyone, he would save his ranting for when he got back to school. So, he put on his favorite robe and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron for his birthday dinner.

He sat in his usual corner booth and tossed back a firewhisky. Nobody knowing he was a student was working out well. Harry smirked as he ate his dinner quietly, thrilled to be on his, but a little upset that he was alone. He hugged his arms around himself as the last of the firewhisky warmed him. It would be nice to have someone on his side, whatever that was, not Dumbledore's.

He headed back to the hotel, but felt, for the first time, that he was being followed.

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