I know it starts off a little slow, but fear not! Read on, it get's better around chapter 4-ish (you still need to read 1-3 to get a feel for the story).

Thanks to 'lothmeldo' for inspiring me to give writing another shot, even if it is hugely shit.

DISCLAIMER: Before I start I would just like to acknowledge my serious lack of writing ability and assure you that your reviews make a huge difference to the quality of the story. There might be a mild slash scene in a later chapter, I haven't decided yet. As always, I don't own Harry Potter, JKR does. If you feel you need to flame, please do. I find them amusing. Hell, just enjoy!

AN: Summer after OOTP...

Petunia Dursley had been cleaning extra thoroughly today, her mind was elsewhere. Actually, it was on the letter which had been sent home shortly before they had met Harry Potter off the train. It had told her and her husband not to discuss the letter with the boy, but to be more lenient with him as something had happened shortly before the end of term which required a lot of healing. This was, of course, something which was deeply against the grain of usual treatment of the boy. Surprisingly, it was Vernon which had enforced this new style of handling, but only after the encounter with 'that red-haired family' and their accomplices at the train station. In fact, such was the level of reform that her little Dudley had been spending all of his waking hours out of the house. Indeed, something which Mrs-Number-Seven had mentioned only yesterday.

That was why when he stepped foot out of his bedroom, it was not Dudley's loose old clothes that appeared through the doorway, but a long pair of brand new black jeans and a big black T-shirt. Nor was it the sound of Hedwig's screeching which was the dominant sound echoing down the hall, but the angry roar of some heavy music. This wasn't The Boy Who Lived ambling into the kitchen to beg his Uncle, this was Harry Potter the goth storming in to confront 'that fat bastard' slouching at the kitchen table.

Harry's transformation was a complete shock not only to his Aunt and Uncle, but to himself as well. His hair was slightly longer than he usually kept it and he had done his nails black too. At last he was allowed to express his anger. His way of thinking had altered too, Lord Voldemort was no longer 'that bad man' to him, he was merely a piece of shit. A piece of shit that he was going to destroy. To be completely truthful with himself, Harry wasn't really that heartless and angry, this was merely his way of coping with the information. But anyway...

'You're takin' me to London on Thursday.'

'I'm doing no such thing if you talk to me like that!'

'Listen to me you fat fuck, you take me to King's Cross and you don't have to see me for eleven fucking months.' -Harry mocked a thoughtful expression- 'Unless you want me to stay, of course...' and with that he turned on his heel before his Uncle could speak and left the room, leaving a scarlet Uncle Vernon behind him.
'Harry! Hey, Harry!' At the sound of that voice Harry had cheered up immediately, you can laugh it all away with Ron. Harry had sauntered through the barrier to platform 9¾ with one minute to spare. Having half- dragged, half-kicked his trunk into the compartment where Ron and Hermione were sitting he sat down. The train had already left the station. Hermione had already remarked upon his appearance with mixed humour, disgust, and understanding. Ron had merely stated that he looked cool and continued trying to stuff Pigwidgeon into a battered old cage.

'Ron?'

'Uh huh?'

'How come I didn't see your parents on the platform?' There were more people than usual clamouring to see him on the station platform this year, but Mrs Weasley was not among them.

'Oh, Dad's nearly always working now, and Mum's at Grimmaul...I mean...um...'

''S OK Ron, I don't have a problem with Grimmauld Place.'

'Oh, good. I mean, you never know, do you? Whether someone'll be alright? With something like that?'

'I said don't worry'

The tone took a definite upturn after that. That was until a certain Slytherin turned up. It was not unexpected, but something was. Draco Malfoy was on his own when he slid the compartment door open and the usual sneer was not quite in place. Despite his long-lasting emnity with Malfoy, he couldn't help noticing that he was in a tight black shirt and had a silver choker, making him appear rather more attractive than usual. Harry though, knew that looks weren't everything.

'Fuck off Malfoy.'

'Fuck you, Potter!'

'What the fuck d'you want then?'

'Calm down, Potter, I only wanted to tell you that Professor Dumbledore wants to see you after the feast.'

'Why're you tellin' me?'

''Cause he got to me first. Otherwise you'd be tellin' me.'

'Whatever Malfoy, you can leave now.' Harry really wasn't in the mood for Malfoy's shit tonight.

'...'

'WHAT?'

-sigh- 'Nothin'...'

Harry slammed the compartment door shut and turned to see Hermione looking reproachful.

'Oh, Harry, why do you always have to be so aggressive? He wanted to tell you something else but you wouldn't let him.'

'Anything Malfoy knows isn't worth knowing' said Ron. Harry didn't say anything because of the way Hermione looked at Ron, but he privately agreed.

Okay! How was that? Or should I say, how shit was that? Please rr whether it's good or bad, how I can improve, etc. I know the chappie's are short but they'll get longer, I'm just testing the water really.