Title – A Time for a Change
Author – Red Falcon
Rating – PG-13-R depending on the chapter and situation
Classification – Crossover JAG/Harry Potter
Spoilers – a bit of A Tangled Webb and ignoring season nine for JAG. Mentions, maybe, of the first four books of Harry Potter but I'm in denial over book five. Author's note – I'll likely say this a hundred times as I post stuff to this site. This is my universe and while the JAG characters belong to whom they belong to, Harry Potter, his friends and all that stuff belongs to whom they belong, everything else is mine and I shall do as I please with them. In other words: my universe, my rules.
Summary – Fourth year was hell for Harry. Once again he is stuck at Privit Drive but now he has a way out thanks to one of his classmates, a strange solitary girl with more power than Harry has ever seen. What secretes does she hide and will those secretes help Harry with what is to come?
Harm is still reeling from the events in Paraguay. Mac has made her choice and now all Harm wants to do is disappear. Harm will turn his back on one world and re-enter another in hopes of finding a place to heal.
Disclaimer: Standard stuff. All the know characters belong to other people. Anything you don't recognize is mine. This story may be archived as long as you tell me where you're putting it.
Author's further explanation: before reading this story you should understand why I'm not including Order of the Phoenix. First off I read the darn thing in two days, not real bright I had a major headache after that. Second, I refuse to accept the death in that book, I like him and will keep him very much alive. And finally, this was the first time that I actually had homicidal thought when it came to a character in a book. I don't know where they came from, seeing as how it was a fictional character, and I'm not gonna deal with the cause in any of my stories concerning Harry Potter.
A Time for a Change
By Red Falcon
It was the summer between the end of fourth and the beginning of fifth year and unfortunately it had only just begun. Nightly the events of the Tri- Wizard Tournament replayed in the young boy's dreams, especially the horrible conclusion to the third and final task. He had begged and pleaded with the headmaster of his school not to be sent back to his relatives for the summer as they would never understand what had happened nor would they believe him if he were to say anything.
"Alas, Harry, there is no other choice. You must return there for it is the only safe place for you. It is the only place where neither Voldemort nor the reporters nor even the minister himself can get to you. I'm sure your family will be understanding when you explain what happened, don't fret so." Dumbledore had said. So off to the Dursley's he went, off to slavery with the worst sort of Muggles in existence.
Thankfully, Dumbledore hadn't interfered and sent the Dursley's any letters informing them of the passed year's events. Uncle Vernon was still thundering around the house, when he was home, like a rampaging rhino. Dudley, in turn, was skulking around with his gang terrorizing the neighborhood kids. Aunt Petunia was once again doing her giraffe impression while trying to spy on the next door neighbor. All in all they were leaving him alone, for the moment.
Another summer's day was coming to an end when Harry heard the soft hooting of an owl as it soared through his open window. He looked up to see the amber eyes and white feathers of his faithful friend Hedwig as she flew into the room and landed in front of him. "Did you have a good day out there, girl?" Harry asked his owl. She seemed to nod then she held out her leg to let Harry see that she was carrying a message. "Thanks, Hedwig, you've always been good to me." He said as he stroked her feathers. Hedwig nipped his fingers and then hopped over to her cage to get some sleep. It was a letter from Dumbledore saying that he would be restricted to Number 4 Privit Drive for the summer and his school supplies and uniforms would be purchased for him.
"Bastard." Harry muttered. He reread the letter and noticed that while he was stuck at home till September 1st it appeared that he could still receive mail that eased his heart some.
Harry stared out the window of his tiny room just watching the clouds drift. He didn't notice another owl approach, but given its size he should have. This particular owl was probably the largest owl he had ever seen; it was even bigger than eagle owls that Slytherin's tended to favor.
"Hello, Ares, did you have a good trip?" Harry asked when he saw the Great Horned Owl sitting on the window sill. The great bird just hooted and held out his leg. "Thank you, why don't you visit with Hedwig for a while." He offered.
Harry was well aware of whom this owl belonged to and where he had to fly from. Ares nodded and hopped over to the now wide awake Hedwig. She greeted him and made room on her perch for him to rest.
Anyone looking through that window at the recent conversation would have thought it strange for a normal looking boy to be talking to owls but then again Harry is as far from normal as any one could be.
"Harry, I know that there is nothing I can say or do to make what happened last month any better for you so I won't even try. I will say that you are and always will be my friend and I want to help you in any way I can. I would like to continue our training from third year. I've spoken with my grandmother and she is more than willing to have you come and stay at the mannor for the summer. I'm sure Dumbledore has insisted that you remain where you are for the summer in hopes that you will be safe and protected. We both know that is not the case. I'll be coming to get you at week's end. We will prepare for what is to come and I promise you that the training we get will actually be of use. I know the headmaster means well but he is not only human but is getting old and is not willing to do what is necessary to see that we, you and I, are ready to face our shared destiny. There is something that Lady Pennillopy has made me aware of and I believe that it concerns you as well. She is willing to share it with you and explain it when you get here. I think Dumbledore is aware of at lest part of this 'prophecy' and is keeping it to himself in an attempt to hold it over you for his own aims.
On a brighter note, we have been invited to the exclusive opening of the new Magical Creatures exhibit at the Royal Zoo near London. I've heard that they even have a dragon or two. Perhaps we can find out what he/she knows if they are willing.
I will be there Friday midday. I bet I'll surprise your family."
Harry had almost forgotten that Eryn was also a parselmouth, like him. She had been the one that convinced him that it wasn't so bad, that it didn't make him evil just unique. During their third year, the year Harry first met Sirius, he and Eryn had found themselves in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom at the very sink that lead to the Chamber of Secretes. Eryn was going down there out of curiosity and Harry to get away from everyone and all the security measures. Together they cleaned it up and made it their spot to train and just be alone. Eryn had even found a way to change that annoying slide to stairs for ease of entrance and escape.
Eryn found Slytherin's library and Harry had found his potions lab and by the end of third year both Gryffindors were way ahead in that class, much to Snape's annoyance.
It was only through her early training and Hermione's assistance that Harry survived the tournament last month and he knew it. Harry knew he couldn't stay at the Dursley's for the summer and manage to survive till the new school year started. He would be a wreck, starved and beaten and nearly worked to death with no benefit other than the Dursley's nice yard. He was looking forward to Eryn's arrival on Friday, which according to the calendar was only two days away now.
Harry was grateful for Eryn's formality in her letter and the fact that she didn't even attempt to offer empty words of sympathy. She offered him a way to get his own back from the monster that killed innocent children and destroyed families for fun. Though he still didn't understand what made Eryn the way she was, he did know that she was a very powerful witch. Whoever was teaching her, Harry wanted to learn from them as soon as possible.
"Eryn, I'm looking forward to Friday. Anything to get away from these blasted Muggles, they are totally clueless. I can't wait to see this exhibit, I've only been to the zoo once when I was eleven and I got in trouble with my uncle when I accidentally set loose a South American Boa when my cousin pushed me out of the way so he could torment the poor thing.
Of the few letters I've received since being home, yours is the only one that hasn't set my teeth on edge. I know Ron and Hermione mean well but I don't think they even know the meaning of tact.
The offer of training is most appreciated and I look forward to it. For the passed several days I've had this rather unsettling feeling along with a nagging throb from my scar. Ever since Voldemort's return, that was so nasty, I've been on edge needing to do something other than think about watching Cedric die. I can't wait to see what you do to Vernon and Petunia. I flatly refuse to refer to them as my relatives or family, when you meet them you'll understand." Harry ended his letter to Eryn. He noticed that Ares was asleep next to Hedwig so he set the letter aside until the owls awoke.
Harry went to his trunk and after opening it, he pulled out the first of his summer homework, ugh Divination, blasted Trelawney. Although he didn't like the class, Harry found it too easy to give up at the moment and was done with it in a matter of a half hour. There was a ruffling of feathers and soft hooting as two owls conversed briefly. Ares hopped out of Hedwig's cage and sat in front of Harry. "Yes, I have a letter for you." He said as he tied the message to the great owl's leg. "Be careful." He whispered as Ares took flight, he also noticed that Hedwig was watching with what looked like longing in her amber eyes. "You'll see him again. Eryn is coming at the end of the week and we're going to Thornfield for the rest of the summer." Harry told her.
"Harry Potter! Get down here and make our dinner!" the shrill voice of Aunt Petunia demanded.
"Coming Aunt Petunia." Harry said though he knew she wouldn't have heard him.
Harry made a quick dinner and set the table while it finished. When he sat down to join them Vernon let loose with a vicious glare as his face turned several shades of purple but he said nothing. "A friend from school is coming by Friday to pick me up. She's offered to let me stay the rest of the holiday with her and her grandmother." Harry said as he continued eating.
"And just how is this freak friend of yours going to get here? Not through the fireplace I hope." Petunia said.
"A car most likely, though with Eryn I'm not sure. It is going to be a long trip to Thornfield and her grandmother will likely insist on security so like as not it will be one of their armored limousines." Harry said fighting back a fit of giggles.
"Thornfield? What pray tell is Thornfield?" Petunia sneered.
"That's where Eryn lives. According to her it's the ancestral home of the Gray-Thorn family. They're known in politics I think, not too sure though you'll have to ask her." Harry said.
"Well she better not make a spectacle of herself when she gets here or you won't be going and you'll pay for it." Vernon blustered.
Harry didn't say anything as he finished washing the dishes and then headed back to his room. He still had mountains of homework to do and keep him busy until Eryn arrived. He and his family kept their distance the last two days.
Friday morning dawned on what started as a really nice day. Harry had just finished packing when he saw a rather long black car pulling up to Number 4 Privet Drive, Eryn had arrived. This is gonna be good. Harry thought. He noticed that Hedwig was in her cage, "Eryn's here, do you want to fly to Thornfield or would you rather stay in your cage till we get there?" he asked her.
Hedwig seemed to think a moment then settled back and tucked her head under her wing to get some sleep. Harry picked up his trunk and carefully picked up Hedwig's cage and headed down the stairs to wait and watch.
"What are you doing, boy?" Vernon blustered.
"Eryn's here, I saw her car pull up." Harry said as the doorbell rang.
Dudley opened the front door and was face to face with an intimidating fourteen year old girl. The whale of a boy backed away as fast as his pudgy legs would carry him and dashed up the stairs, making the entire house shake.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Dursley, I'm here to take Harry to Thornfield." Eryn said. Her tone left no doubt that when she left Harry would be with her.
"Go on, take the brat, and be doing us a favor if you'd keep him." Vernon blustered.
"I'll see what we can arrange. Let's get out of here, Harry. This place is stifling. Bloody Muggles don't know when they've got it good." Eryn said.
Aunt Petunia was about to say something when Eryn caught sight of her. "Don't even think about it, we're just like you and that fat lump you married. Magic is just another gift like music or sports. You wouldn't put your son down if he played piano or was a boxer would you? Though knowing you and your husband you probably would." Eryn said as she followed Harry out to the car and then they were gone.