Disclaimer: I don't own anything apart from the characters you've never heard of before.
A/N: Little bit about this chapter. I'm very upset about the fact that J.K. Rowling has completely destroyed my storyline, but it doesn't matter that much. I'm just gonna try and keep this going as if there were never any other books written, therefore completely ignoring the fact that Ginny doesn't fancy Harry anymore. Or that Sirius is dead.
Reviews: Oh so many to say thankyou to.
Blue Eyes: Oh come on, they so obviously will, though by the end you may not think so yourself.
Jenova101: Okay I'm sorry I didn't take heed and update soon, but that was a mistake i'm gonna rectify now.
Gin&har:4eva: For someone everyone seems to like the idea of a Goth Harry Potter. Maybe you guys should send some fan mail to J.K. and tell her about it.
Kristina Parrillo: Thanks hope this makes up for it. The girl who doesn't want to sign in: SIGN IN!!! Come on I need your input and support.
Blingbling: love the name, thanks for the advice, it was your review that actually made me start it up again.
NavyDevil: If you wanna see how they react read on.
Voltor: You Hurled? Why?
Harrysgirl: I'm really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, sorry. I didn't actually, get a life as have one forced upon me, but now, after months of struggle I've found my way back into my old one, and I'm ready to show my creativity to the world once more. Thanks for being so loyal and waiting so patiently and I am really sorry for making you wait so long. So anyway, I'm really sorry for making you all wait so long. SO without further ado, "Hello World! I'M BACK!!!"
Chapter 11.
My own Summer.
"Fuck, Fuck, Fuckety Fuck, Buggering Shit!" mumbled Harry to himself, as he ran with the bike at his side, towards the front door of the castle. The engine had cut out about a minute after he had miraculously found himself in the grounds of Hogwarts. 'So much for my spectacular entrance!' he thought, as the light of the Entrance Hall, got closer. His entrance though, however subdued it was, was still inexplicable. One moment he had been sitting out the back yard of the Leaky Cauldron, talking to a picture of Merlin, the next he had blinked and found himself transported about eight hours forward in time, and next to Hogwarts lake. He felt the book in his knapsack, it's corners digging into his lower back, but promptly forgot about it as he felt the grass beneath his feet, change quickly into gravel. He pushed the bike faster to the foot of the steps, and quickly kicked down the stand. Balancing it carefully, and unpacking everything he needed, he locked it magically; even though it wouldn't run anyway, and took four steps at a time to reach the open oak doors.
Just before he reached them though, his gaze was caught by a huge explosion of flame somewhere off to his right. He looked back slowly scanning the horizon for any sign of life, his wand at the ready and then saw Charlie being flung through the air at phenomenal speed attached to a very big leash. Over a grassy incline came Norbert the Dragon, Hagrid riding his back as Norbert tried to take off with his adoptive father on his scales. Hagrid was a bit too heavy for the young dragon just yet though and he had to settle for running his handler Charlie, into the now muddy floor. Harry suppressed a laugh and reminded himself to go down to see them later, and to try and find Bill so he knew where the traps were going to be. Bill had been employed as a teachers aide to Moody; the real one this time, he would cover the curse breaking side of Defence Against The Dark Arts. Harry knew better though, he knew that Bill was here to employ his knowledge in magical booby traps to make Hogwarts a fortress. He smiled at the lengths they were going to for his friends safety and pushed open the big door.
As he entered, he knew instantly that he was home. The smell of the torches burning around him, mixed with the musty smell that all old castles had, made him feel whole, safe. Now only if he had a full stomach aswell. He looked up towards the doors of the Great Hall, just in time to see them shut behind a group of first years. They had just gone in, which meant that if he hurried, he could just make the Sorting. Completely forgetting that he hadn't changed into his Hogwarts robes, he proceeded to leg it up the stairs. But as he got to the top; the third flight of stairs, the floor beneath him fell away. He found himself on a slippery slope akin to a waterslide, which after a couple of twists and turns spewed him out onto the cold, hard stone floor. He looked behind him as he got up; nursing his backside, and found that there were no steps to be seen, only a segmented slide of polished marble, that stretched up to where he had been standing moments earlier. The figure occupying that space now though was not a teacher or a transparent figure indicating a ghost. It was somewhere in between and dressed in the fashion of an adult that had never grown up.
"PEEVES!" he screamed as he tried to run up the slope. It was too steep however and he slipped forwards almost knocking his front teeth out as his face hit the floor. He got back up, licking the blood from his front lip. But this action, normally instinctual, sent his senses reeling, and his memories; no matter how much he willed them not to, back to that dreaded, forgotten summer holiday. When he looked back at Peeves the poltergeist it was with a fire in his eyes the likes of which had never been seen in a wizard before; well maybe Dumbledore. With that fire raging, he just stared at the poltergeist, as if willing him to cease his half existence.
"Potty... Pott... Merlins Ghost!" Peeves stuttered with a fear he had only ever exhibited in the presence of Dumbledore, and started to move away. But instead of righting the stairs before he left, he flew off at top speed towards the dungeons; where he was sure Harry would not go. That was the Slytherins domain after all, and if caught there, points would be stripped from Gryffindor before they had gotten any. The fire in his eyes died slowly as his predicament dawned on him. He looked up at the top of the stairs, three very slippery flights away.
Harry Also became acutely aware though of the pain in his back; probably from the fall, and took off his knapsack. As if alive in his hand the knapsack turned itself over and spewed the book out onto the floor. He could feel the dents in his lower back from the gold corners and motioned to pick it up. When he touched it though it jumped open and flicked through pages until it settled somewhere near centre. There was a picture of Merlin there again smiling, and these pages had writing on them.
"Hello again Harry, did you enjoy your trip?" He chuckled to himself, it was obvious he knew exactly what Peeves had just done. Now that he thought about it though, it was quite funny, and Harry found himself chuckling softly to himself.
"Fancy doing that trick again, to get me up the stairs?" The ghost of Merlin chuckled to himself for a long while until he finally settled down. At this rate Harry was going to miss the Sorting hat ceremony, but it wouldn't be the first time.
"I don't need to transport you Harry, you can do it yourself, Merlin smiled and walked out of view, the pages fluttered in Harry's hands and fell open on a page called 'Flight.' Harry read the page but could not understand a word of Latin until right before his eyes the words seemed to change into English. It was a spell he could learn which would allow him to fly like Peter Pan. But it was an impossible spell to learn, he'd never get it down in time. When Merlin walked back into view on the new page harry looked down at him disheartened.
"I'll never learn this in the next five minutes, cos that's all the time I've got. I'm never gonna digest all this information," but as soon as the words were out of Harry's mouth Merlin smiled. The page opposite the moving picture started to fold down and down and down until it was the size of a small pill. In fact it looked a little like excstacy, even with the little white dove on the front.
"Well you did say, 'Digest' mister Potter..." Harry plucked the pill from the book and put it on the end of his tounge. As soon as he had he wished he hadn't though as hundreds of images and sentences bombarded his mind all at once. When he felt like he would scream though it suddenly stopped. Harry felt lighter, like all his troubles were floating away, and trying to take him with them. He smiled at the glowing picture of Merlin and finally understood. Closing the book carefully and placing it back in his knapsack he looked up towards the landing he was meant to be on. Squinting, he imagined it to be closer, as if it was being pulled towards him and with a small ripple in the air he began to lift off. He rose slowly at first, in stops and starts, but as it became smoother it also became faster. Before he knew it he had flown straight passed the landing and on down the same corridor Peeves had flown down. Then he saw the poltergeist, trying to forcibly extract one of the suit of armor ghosts. He bore down on Peeves who was dumbstruck as he saw him and ducked for cover as Harry came careening overhead. With a loop he was bearing back down the corridor with a wide grin on his face, leaving a frightened Peeve's shivering in the warm corridor.
Harry finally came to rest on the outside of the door to the great Hall. Swinging his bag over his back he set his face into a charming grin and pushed the doors open...
Ginny was beginning to get worried, Harry had promised them all that he was going to do a couple of fly by's just to make sure they were safe. Of course he hadn't, she of all people would have noticed, what with her obsessive staring out of the carriage window in expectation of Harry's charming grin. Even the two exchange students couldn't turn her away. But why would Harry lie? Maybe he wouldn't, maybe Voldemort had gotten him, maybe...
"BANG!!!"
The Great Hall doors flew open and her head turned first, her expectation keeping her reflexes amazingly sharp. There in full view of everyone stood Harry, in all his decadent splendor with a lopsided grin on his face that made her feel tingly in places not fit to mention in a school dining hall. She smiled and was about to get up when she remembered where she was. The collective shocked gasp from the school and faculty snapped her head back to where Dumbledore headed the teachers table. He had been standing already the Sorting ceremony having just finished and had a rather peculiar look on his face. Lupin who sat at his side also had a peculiar look on his face, but one of understanding instead of anger. The rest of the teachers looked furious, all except Snape. She had expected him to be different, expected him to revel in the fact that the new head boy was about to get his title removed. But he was not happy, in fact he looked shocked and confused, and his eyes told of an old memory long forgotten, but one that troubled him greatly. Ginny forced herself to turn from Snape not wanting to miss what Dumbledore would do.
But Dumbledore merely smiled and clapped his hands together. He beckoned Harry to come forward and heads turned so fast the first years got whiplash as they turned to see what Harry was wearing. His long dragon skin coat whipped at them as he passed and the girls almost squeeled in glee if he looked in their general direction. Ginny felt a fleeting moment of self satisfaction then as she almost beemed at them. Only she knew that the love of Harry's life was her, and that he would never want them. She looked back at Dumbledore as Harry got closer to the space next to her and Ron.
"Welcome home harry, Glad you finally made it," at this Harry's grin changed and he blushed making him look so cute to her. She wished she could get up and kiss him but Dumbledore spoke again, "To the first years who don't know or have not already guessed, this is Harry Potter. Now normally I would never single him out as anything more than a normal student, but this time I feel the need to explain his absence. Do not believe for one moment that he is favoured by the faculty any more than you all because we don't punish him for his late entrance. The reason he is late is in fact the reason that you are sitting here this evening. You see Lord Voldemort (there was a collective shudder form everyone in the room apart from the new Marauders) seeks Harry whenever he can. I had a report that he meant to do something on the school train this year to get Harry, which would have placed all of your lives in danger. So Harry got to school by other means, which I'm sure you will all see and have a go of, before this year is out," he allowed himself a chuckle then continued, "But Harry, do sit please..." Dumbledore waved his hand at Harry in a dismissive way that did not betray his real feelings for Harry. He then righted himself and continued with what he was going to say before Harry had burst in.
"Firstly I would like to make it clear to all students, old and new that the Forbidden forest is STILL the Forbidden forest," he glanced quickly at Ginny and she blushed, but he continued, "Secondly I have a few more welcomes to bestow," He looked towards the door to his right, "I would like to welcome back Cho Chang," as soon as he said the words the door opened and in stepped Cho. Ginny suddenly remembered what it was like to hate. Harry had been besotted with her since his first year but Ginny could say the same for herself about him so she understood. But the way the bitch had toyed with his affections in his fifth year, and then just left last year was unforgivable. But what would Harry be like now that she was back? Would he forget what he had said to her in the Leaky Cauldron? Would he go back to treating her as Ron's geeky little sister? Ginny looked eagerly at Harry, hoping he would turn his head to look at her, so she could see into those eyes and know that he would never do that to her. But Harry just stared straight at the front, straight at Cho. She wished so much that she could see the expression on his face, but just then Dumbledore started to speak again.
"Now as most of you know; and I'm sure the one's who don't will find out in good time, Cho was given compassionate leave from the school last year. After all that she's been through, I'm sure none of us can begrudge her that?" It was a rhetorical question but Ginny almost jumped out of her seat to protest.
'What a crock of shit!' she thought to herself, making no sign to anyone of how she really felt, 'My little finger has been through more than her entire family put together, and if there'a anyone who deserves compassionate leave, it's Harry...' to this she did look around the table for agreement but then realized when no one was looking at her that she had been speaking in her head. She focused on Dumbledore again as he began again.
"Cho has been through much soul seeking this year and has come through it stronger, and in the faculty's collective opinion, a different person. To this end we hope that whatever house she ends up in will welcome her with open arms..." the words rung in Ginny's head like they had been uttered in a dream, but a very real one. Cho was a Ravenclaw, what did Dumbledore mean new house? Ginny was still thinking about it as Cho was lead to the sorting hat. What if the sorting hat thought Cho was braver? What if the sorting hat put her in...
"GRYFFINDOR!!!" the word had never before sounded so bitter and disgusting to Ginny. It had always inspired confidence in her up until now. Now she didn't know whether to cry or clap. Now Cho was in Gryffindor maybe she would make a move on Harry. HARRY! Ginny looked up at him to see him staring at the table, like he was deep in thought about something he had been avoiding for a while. Or maybe that was just Ginny's overactive imagination. Nevertheless when Cho sat at the head of the Gryffindor table Harry did look up at her, to give her a nod and one of his cocky grins. A cocky grin that Ginny had stupidly thought was reserved for her. Of course it wasn't, Harry had probably used it a hundred times over the summer, kissed a hundred girls who had melted to that smile. Ginny shook her head clean of the images before she started crying. What would she do if harry got together with Cho now? Her train of thought was broken by Dumbledore, who cleared his throat again to speak.
"As well as a joyful return we also have a few new additions, but they're a little older, I thought it would only be right that they were sorted into the seventh year along with Cho. Please welcome Precious," he gestured to the door off to his right and through it walked the first of Ginny's new friends. With her pretty cat like eyes flashing to her face, she gave Ginny a smile before progressing to the sorting hat. She looked quite stupid with the hat on her little head but Ginny forgot that when the hat shouted Gryffindor. She got up with the rest of the table and started clapping, happy that she had some good news today, she really liked Precious. But Precious was still standing there, without the hat on looking around confused. She looked back at the hat and shockingly the hat spoke to her in Chinese. She smiled wider then and bounced down the Gryffindor table to sit next to Ginny. Ginny gave her a hug and then turned back to the front with everyone else, missing Precious' gaze settling on Harry.
"And with everyone quiet our last new addition Lillith," Dumbledore again gestured but Lillith was already out of the room and walking towards the sorting hat. She looked around to see where Precious was but before her eyes settled on Ginny she stopped dead in her tracks. The look of horror on her face was possibly the most disturbing thing Ginny had ever seen, but when she looked behind her Ginny could see nothing to warrant it. Panning her head back round, she suddenly noticed what Lillith was looking at. Harry was looking back at her, the look on his face a complete mirror of hers. But he was shaking, violently and faster as he rose onto his feet and tried to back away out of the hall. By now everyone was looking at him, but when Ron put up and arm to ask what was wrong, harry let out a piercing scream which made everyone hold their ears. Ginny was about to move to him when he lurched back as if he had been struck in the forehead and collapsed to the floor unmoving. Ginny pushed to his side and just sat there holding him, wishing that he would just flash that cheeky grin at her one more time...
'Lillith? Here? At Hogwarts? What was wrong with the world? Whit Dumbledore? He had to be told...' It was finally at this point that harry forced his eyes open, only to find a large crowd gathered around his bed. Ron and Hermione sat on a chair next to his bed holding each other and staring out of the window looking worried. Sirius and Lupin were in the middle of a very heated discussion and they both looked worried too. Ginny sat nearest to him with tears in her eyes, but when she saw him wake she let out a squeal of joy which was almost immediately silenced by Sirius pushing her out of the way. Behind them all Dumbledore had been the only one standing there smiling.
"HARRY!" shouted Sirius as he almost crushed Harry in a bear hug, "Are you okay? Was it your scar? Where is he Harry? Who's he killing? Are you feeling better?" So many questions, Harry had forgotten the first one before the last came. Sirius reminded Harry of a dog when you shake a lead in front of it's face, how excited it gets, he was very surprised when Sirius didn't try to lick him. He was about to try and answer though, as best he could, when Dumbledore gently guided Sirius away and placed himself next to Harry.
"I believe..." he started in his soothing calming voice, "that this time, harry's blackout had nothing to do with Voldemort at all, but maybe more to do with a young girl Harry met this summer? Lillith if I'm not mistaken..." Harry wanted to scream at him, scream at them all to make them understand, but as Dumbledore spoke like he was going to explain everything anyway, he found himself settling down to wait until he had the facts of what lies Lillith had spun for him, For those of you who hadn't already guessed or didn't know, Harry met Lillith during the summer holidays. They entered a relationship of sorts," with this Dumbledore gave Harry a disapproving look before continuing, "not knowing that either of them were really wizards and witches. The combination of their powers and their ignorance of each others lives caused some rather nasty side effects, worse for Harry due to his past experiences," at this he looked only at Harry, "I can assure you now though Harry that those side effects have passed, your scar will no longer hurt when Lillith is around..." he placed his ahnd firmly on Harry's shoulder as if anticipating what was to come next.
"NOOOOOOOO!!!" Harry thrashed about under Dumbledore's grip, not noticing for an old guy he was pretty strong, "THAT'S NOT IT!!! THAT CAN'T JUST BE IT!!! SHE'S EVIL!!! SHE'S THE ONE!!! THE REASON FOR..." he stopped dead, not moving, not speaking, not even breathing. He had almost let it all come out, he had almost spilled about his dreams. He had almost told Ginny 'Everything' As he sat there unblinking Lupin was the first to jump in. "Reason for what, Harry? What has she done?" Everyone looked eager to know, apart from Ron and Hermione. They both knew enough to know that this was knowledge best not shared to this audience. They just continued to sit there and look worried. They had gotten really good at that over the years.
"You'd never believe me anyway," Harry grumbled, falling back into the pillows on his bed, "not that now that professor Dumbledore has had the last word..." There was a collective gasp at this, no one could believe he could speak to the headmaster like that, not even Sirius. Dumbledore was the only one who held a patient and sympathetic smile on his face. Harry didn't care, and continued despite everyone's shocked gazes, "I'm sorry Professor," he wasn't really, "but after this time what you've just said is a lot to get my head around. I've gotta change my whole belief structure so if you don't mind, I'd greatly appreciate you all leaving me in peace." He was a little happier when the headmaster moved to usher the adults away with not so much as a hint of resentment or protest. It was only as Harry watched them walking out though, that he noticed Snape getting up from his far corner, and moving to follow them. He must have been there for the entire conversation, so as he moved passed the bed, Harry decided to get a dig in.
"Bit conspicuous for an eavesdropper aren't you professor?" harry's small smile almost faded when Snape wheeled on him, but it was quickly replaced with a look of mild confusion. Snape had turned quickly to look at him, his bones almost snapping as he did every time, as if harry had spoken out of turn in his classroom. Harry had half expected to be docked of points, but was just shocked by Snape's behaviour. There was no malevolence in his stare this time, no malice, no contempt, only concern. In fact if Harry had not just suffered a massive head trauma he would have sworn that Snape had been staring into Harry's eyes with genuine care. Snape opened his mouth to say something but paused, like the words were stuck in his throat. It was as if looking at Harry Snape had been stopped dead in his tracks; something Harry had wished many times before now, but this time harry found himself wishing for a detention just so Snape would leave after giving it, this new type of look was extremely uncomfortable. Finally and with what seemed like a great effort, Snape spoke.
"Hmmm, nice hair Potter," and with that finally, Snape swished out of the infirmary door. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, but when he looked around was almost surprised to see Ginny, Ron and Hermione still there. They probably wanted to ask him all about Lillith, especially Ginny who knew even less than the other two. But Harry wasn't interested, he was still seething from everyone's casual disbelief of anything he thought. Ron made a move to say something but Harry turned his head away and closed his eyes.
"I thought I said I wanted to be left in peace..." he just let his words hang in the air and didn't open his eyes again until he heard the ward door close. When he did open them he was alone, not even a ghost disturbed the air in the infirmary. He screamed, and he screamed and he screamed. He screamed until he was blue in the face and his throat felt like he had been swallowing knives. With a lone tear falling down his face, taking a long black line of eyeliner with it, he got out of bed and put his clothes back on. He looked out the window as Hedwig did a fly by to look in on him. That's what he needed right now, that's what would clear his head. He moved towards the door of the infirmary, his wand in his hand as he got there. Just as he left Madame Pomfrey came out into the ward shocked to find that all of her guests were gone. She just missed the spell being cast down the corridor, barely a whisper as it reached her.
"Accio Firebolt..."