Alright, well, I've tried to edit this chapter, I've tried to write more, and basically run out of ideas for this chapter. However, (thank you Humber) I put my physics class to good use and am creating an outline for the rest of the story. Right now, I'm up to chapter 8 and the big stuff is only starting to happen. Well, anyway, I'm letting my betas try to do their best to fix this chapter, and am incredibly sorry that it was so late getting out. Try balancing Law, Chemistry, Physics, and an introduction to anthropology, psychology, and sociology in one semester; you'll understand how hard it is to find time to write. It'll be nice though – I've got two major projects due soon, then I get a bit of a breather. Hmm, I believe I am now babbling. Well, I suppose I should just let you all read. Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers – responses are at the end.
DISCLAIMER – If you recognize it, it's not mine. Promise – will think of something more creative next time, just really want to get this out asap.
Enjoy!!!
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The Grass Isn't Always Greener: Chapter 1Bright light.
A bright white light.
A bright white light so bright that it seemed like it was shining directly into his eyes.
And silence.
Pure and utter silence.
Well, save the sound of his own ragged breathing.
That was all Harry Potter was really aware of. His body felt like lead, his head like he had been held under water too long. His throat burned, and his skin prickled as it felt contact with something. Something soft, but crisp.
Sheets. His mind said. It's the linens in the hospital wing.
Slowly, his mind was becoming less and less muddled, and then it hit him.
Voldemort.
The last thing Harry remembered was Voldemort. Wanting him to beg, waiting to kill him. Harry did something. Something unexpected.
The pendant! Harry felt his pulse quickening as he tried to sense if it was there. He tried to lift his arm, but it felt too heavy. He could feel the beads of sweat on his forehead as he vainly attempted to move, to touch it. After a few minutes though, exhaustion was claiming him. It wasn't until now that he noticed the familiar coolness on his chest. It was there; they hadn't taken it. It was strange how comforting the cool metal seemed. After all, it was just a necklace, but to him it was like a lifeline.
"I just … understand!"
Harry's mind snapped to attention. He could just barely hear voices. They couldn't be very close, although he knew the fact that he was only just barely conscious could be affecting his hearing.
"… McGonagall … make sure he … threat." That was a different voice. Both were women. The latter sounded rather familiar, and the first vaguely, but he couldn't place them.
"… letting him … here? This is … school. … children … here. Jimmy …."
"…is fine. …owl … assured … James Potter …common …" James Potter? Harry thought. This was all very confusing. James Potter was my father, and he is dead. Isn't he? Where am I?
"He could … Death eater… looks … like him. Maybe … trap?" Were they talking about him?
"Found … dead… no reason …"
"Could … omen…Voldemort …to join …"
"…too much…DNA, physical appearance…."
"…more security…dangerous …"
"…Potter! …child…!"
They were so loud. Originally the women were trying to be quiet, but now they were almost screaming at each other. Harry wished he could hear all of what they were saying, but he still was not fully conscious. And another thing, he felt like he was in the hospital wing, but yet, something was different. He couldn't put his finger on it though, it still had the same smell of absolute cleanliness, and the linens felt the same, but something was very different. Besides all that, how did he end up here in the first place? Did the Portkey take him to Hogwarts? There had been something different about it though; it wasn't like the normal Portkeys. It had made him feel like he was falling, and being pulled apart at the same time. Yet, none of it had hurt. Or maybe he had been too pained to notice. But Harry was too tired for the amount of strenuous thinking required to discover what had happened; he just wanted to sleep. However, the conversation between the two woman persisted, and he felt it was just to tempting to miss out on.
"I want to see him." That voice was familiar, Harry thought. It's Professor McGonagall. He also figured that he must be getting a tiny bit better, that was the first full sentence he had heard yet. A door opened, and there was the sounded of muffled arguing, which dulled his hopes a bit, followed by a door creaking open, and footsteps walking across the floor. They halted nearby. Probably near the bed, Harry figured.
"He looks identical to Jimmy." The first woman said. The voice was still vaguely familiar, like he'd heard it a long time ago. "Poppy ran tests … DNA is identical. Even Polyjuice … do that." He was drifting again. Harry felt so tired, it had taken to much effort to stay conscious and hear parts of what was being said.
The last thing Harry heard before letting exhaustion claim him again was "…under tight security…", but he was far too tired to bother to figure out what was meant. Harry was asleep before the new spells being placed around him nor ever felt the wards being set up.
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The first thing Harry heard when he awoke was a very loud, annoying alarm. He slowly opened his eyes, to try and see what had caused that noise. He was greeted once more with a very bright light, flooding the room he was in. However, he couldn't tell where it was coming from, for he was surrounded completely by white. Actually, he couldn't see very well at all, everything was blurry without his glasses (which he realized were not on his head), but it looked a bit like the curtains that surround beds in the Hospital Wing. Yes, that was definitely where he was, he just couldn't figure out why. He would have given this more thought, but he heard the sound of feet walking across the floor to his bed, indicating someone was arriving. Sure enough, seconds later, the curtain was flung open, and someone appeared. She looked a bit like Madame Pomfrey, but he couldn't see clear enough to be sure.
"Well, you've given us quite a fright." Madame Pomfrey said, her voice had confirmed it was she.
"I'm sorry." Harry said quietly, missing the shocked looked on the woman's face. She hadn't been expecting an apology, instead a sarcastic remark of some sort. This boy left her puzzled; that was for sure.
"I don't suppose you will tell me your name." She said, surprising Harry. Shouldn't she know? Harry thought. What's going on here?
"Harry." He answered, his voice still quiet. Harry desperately wanted water, his throat felt so stiff and sore. "Harry Potter."
Madame Pomfrey gasped, and Harry heard her take a step back. Obviously that wasn't an answer she was expecting. Harry wanted to ask what was wrong, but he still felt so tired.
"I'll be right back." He heard Madame Pomfrey say, before retreating behind the curtain.
"Wait." Harry said, hoping to catch her. But his voice was so soft, almost a whisper. "My glasses." He finished, but the footsteps had already left the room. He was alone, his body aching, and everyone was acting so odd. Unknown to anyone, a single tear ran down Harry's check, splashing silently onto the pillow.
They always left him alone when they didn't need him.
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What do we think? Good? Bad? Sleep-inducing? I've already begun working on the next chapter, so I hope I can get it out sooner. And, I think it will be a bit better, especially the first part.
Now, to all my reviewers, I want to say thank you. It's a really nice feeling to know that there are people out there actually reading my work. To all those who didn't review, I encourage you to start. If you leave your email address, or have the email address on your ff.net profile, I'll send you notices when new chapters are updated. If you would like to not receive the notices, just tell me in your review^.^
Thank you to~
PrincessSerenaXavior – Glad to see you like it. By chance, are you interested in Sailor Moon and/or X-men (in case you aren't, I'm just guessing because Princess Serena and Xavior are main characters)? Hope you liked this chapter! Remus Is Mine – Much thanks for reviewing and being my beta-reader. And believe me, you'll be beta-reading all my chapters (and additional stories, including, yes the Harry/Hermione (hey – I read you're R/Hr, so no complaints (well, not too many;)))Susieq, baseballkid22, babyjayy, and ButterflyKisses – Pleased you enjoy it. If you leave you're email address next time, I can email you update notices.
Silvercrystal77 – Are you a Sailor Moon fan too? Again, I got that from the Silver Crystal part (I'm a Sailor Moon fan – can you tell? Much prefer the Japanese version though). You probably know by now, or at least have a hunch, on where this story is going. However, just wait till the revelation is, well, revealed. Me and a friend of mine came up with it, and when you think about it, it could very well be true. Well, now I'm just babbling (I have a tendency to do that).
charmedily – Hmm, well you're sort of correct there, but only on one part. However, that isn't the Revelation – it'll be quite a bit bigger then that. Keep guessin though!
Jaded Angel8 – Thanks for the correction, I never even noticed that (I'm not the best speller and rely heavy on my spell check). Glad you're enjoying it so far!
Tropic – I hope I'll be able to update more frequently in the future, but well, you know how it is. Glad
And, of course, thank you to my other beta, Chels, who didn't get a chance to beta this chapter because of a heavy workload, but was rather supportive and I hope she'll be able to help with the next chapter. Jax (Remus Is Mine) has her work cut out for her with this (well, at least in my opinion, she said it really wasn't that bad). Will try to send you both the next chapter much sooner.
See you all (and hopefully some new readers) next time^.^!