A/N: Oops, forgot the disclaimer.
Disclaimer: Though it pains us, we are forced to disclaim the rights to all things you seek to read about on all these lovely virtual pages. However, article 3, section 5382…er…something declares outright that the plotline concerning and/or relating to our original characters is off limits. And any new spells, potions, you know, smoke and mirrors are ours as well.
Yes we are possessive, thanks for asking.
2nd A/N: Well, ladies and gents, here you have it. The long-awaited chapter that actually has Harry Potter in it! I know, amazing, seeing as we never thought it would happen, bit I will let you in on a little secret of ours…its magic! In any case, please enjoy.
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TEN YEARS LATER
Harry Potter, regrettable resident of number four Privet Drive, gazed at the ceiling of the box he lived in, the very same one his so called relatives claimed to be a bedroom. It was as if the sordid amounts of cobwebs were the most fascinating and captivating substances Harry had ever seen, he put so much effort into staring at them mindlessly for hours upon end.
That is what he spent every afternoon doing, for he was not allowed to leave his room but for a few exceptions. His box was stripped bare with nominal amounts of light provided by the rare presence of the sun. How Harry wished that something exciting and adrenaline pumping would occur so he could vent his anger at being forced into solitude by his heartless family.
No sooner than he could have imagined did he hear a few noises from outside. Harry stiffly slid off his lumpy mattress and went over to the window, peering out of the small areas that had yet to be boarded up. He let out a moan when dark cloaks scuttled across the perfectly cut grass that he had prepared earlier. Not for the first time did Harry question the reliability of the protective wards around the Dursley's house, and now there was proof in the most unlucky of ways.
Harry began to contemplate the variety of ways to escape his room, for he had no inclination to be trapped unarmed, and groaned when he came up empty-handed. Sitting once more on the bed, Harry started to thump his palm lightly across his scar, hoping to come across an idea to rid him of the problem. His head lifted in alarm when he saw shadows beneath his door. Accepting his fate one way or another, Harry shuffled to the corner of his room, preparing himself for the worst.
As if his prayers were answered by the devil himself, in walked Lucius Malfoy with Snape and Avery in tow. All three sneered at Harry like he was some caged bird and they were the cats waiting for the door to swing open for playtime.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" Lucius drawled. A flicker of movement caught Harry's eye from within Snape's robes as the man fiddled with something.
"It seems, gentlemen, that we have opened a door of opportunity for ourselves. The Dark Lord will be most pleased with our discovery, of course. What do you have to say for yourself now that we have you within our reach, eh Potter?"
Harry let out an undignified snort in response to Malfoy's little speech. Off in the distance he could hear Dudley shouting in anger at him. No doubt Death Eaters were now surrounding the house. He felt, rather than heard, the stair's protest as his abnormally large cousin stomped his way up. How on earth he could still be roaming free, was the question of the day that Harry was determined to answer.
The door swung open, knocking Avery off balance, and sent him tumbling to the floor in an ungraceful heap. Dudley, without a care, trotted into the room, unaware of the body beneath him or the danger he was getting into. The room's previous occupants looked at the newcomer with apparent confusion and then perverse amusement as the fat boy abruptly tripped over Avery, thus careening him forward and onto Malfoy, who landed underneath the large mass of weight.
Snape and Harry just looked at the hullabaloo before them with wide eyes before turning to each other with mirrored shock. Malfoy started to gasp, making everyone aware of his difficulty to breathe in his current position. Avery, finally clear of all falling whales, stood up in a huff and wiped his robes off.
"Despite two thirds of our team down, Potter, you were still unable to get away. Tisk, tisk, boy. Your reputation precedes you." Snape scoffed.
He is stalling, Harry thought.
"What? My reputation as The Boy Who Lived? Who cares about that? It isn't me!" Harry all but yelled, hoping to cause a reaction.
He was not disappointed. Malfoy, who had yet to be removed from underside of the unconscious oaf's body, began to snicker slightly as he attempted to get up.
"How very tragic. Potter is unhappy with his fame. Very…predictable. I must say you have reason. After all, you killed your parents, your mutt of a godfather, a fellow student, and now that faithful werewolf that was guarding you downstairs. All ties to your family are gone. That should give you reason to hate yourself."
Malfoy's words triggered a formerly dormant emotion in Harry. Remus couldn't be dead! He clenched his fists in seething rage at the accusations that he spent long hours trying to erase from his mind, and now he had a new death to add to the list. He looked to the doorway, praying help would come soon. From the floor Dudley began to stir, grunting at the effort it took to get up.
"Too bad your relatives could care less about you. Hope you feel the same," was all Avery said as he whipped out his wand and muttered a curse. Before he could finish, however, a red streak of light made contact with him and Avery fell for a second time to the floor. Three new people were now standing within the hallway, just having taken off invisibility cloaks. Malfoy growled in fury and began trading spells with the order members while Snape stood there, an observer, sending curses both ways and purposely missing.
Meanwhile, Harry slithered his way out of the room, grabbing a portkey from Snape on the way. With a pop he was gone from the chaos.
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Harry blinked his eyes in focus to gather his bearings. Magical devices were twirling this way and that all around the room, an unfamiliar place to him. Without knowing how long before someone was to arrive, he found a chair to sit in off to the side and took advantage of it. A clock struck eight, vibrating the room with its overpowering chimes. More tired than he thought, Harry's eyes began to droop until they closed shut, offering him the much needed sleep.
A door slammed open, causing Harry to snap awake with alarm. His breathing resumed its normal pace once his gaze rested upon the familiar potion's master. The man looked worse for the wear as he struggled to gain his composure. Harry, upon seeing the distressed state of his least favourite professor, immediately jumped out of the seat, silently offering it to the man. Snape grunted his thanks as he lowed himself gently onto the vacant chair.
"Are you alright, sir?"
Unexpectedly Snape did not sneer or present Harry with an uncouth response. "I will live. Although you may make yourself useful and grab me my box of potions on the desk."
Harry did as he was told and stood awaiting further instruction.
"The headmaster will be arriving shortly. He was held up at the attack."
Harry nodded in acceptance. He watched, fascinated, as the man gulped down various colored liquids. At that moment, the life of a spy did not appear to be so grand, and Harry, albeit grudgingly, began to look at the dour professor in a new, respectful light.
"Stop staring at me like a ninny, Potter. One would think if you enjoyed staring at me so much, you would not fail so miserably at potions."
Well, that did not mean Harry had to actually like the old bat.
Harry's ears were greeted by ten chimes of the clock as the headmaster swept through the door. He gave Snape a grave look before conjuring himself a chair, two once he noticed Harry's lack of seating arrangements, and settled into it with alarming relief. To Harry, Dumbledore had never looked so old and fragile. Said man exhaled noisily before attempting to voice his thoughts.
"Harry, by now I am sure you are wondering how it is that Voldemort was able to breach the wards at Privet Drive. As to that, I can only imagine that he is continually gaining power, much more so than his last rising, which is unfortunate for us, obviously. The Death Eaters are no longer lying low, so to speak; Severus had provided me with ample information pertaining to the planned attacks of the next few weeks. Also, many raids have already taken place against muggles and muggleborn families." Dumbledore paused in his speech; mainly to catch the breaths he lost in explaining it all.
He continued, "We fear that your relatives will not be able to provide the protection that is needed for your wellbeing. Keeping that in mind, I have contacted an old friend of mine, and if you accept, he will take you under his care."
Harry thought about all the information he just obtained, and then his features molded into an obscure grin. "I won't have to go back to the Dursley's, sir?"
"No, Harry, you will not. But I must warn you that my offer is not as simple as it seems. Were you to accept, you would no longer be in England, or this continent to be precise. My friend lives in Japan, off the Shirakami Mountains, in a very beautiful but secluded area. This would be the most secure place for you to stay for the remainder of your summer holiday."
"If you think it wise, sir, then I will go," Harry said without deliberation.
"Excellent, my boy. Excuse me for a moment while I make the necessary arrangements."
Dumbledore stood up and swiftly walked over to the fireplace and began having a silenced chat leaving Harry and Snape by themselves.
"Professor, where are we?" Harry asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
The Potions Master sneered. "We are in the study of one of my properties. That idiot minister of ours decided that today would be a perfect day for a surprise inspection of the castle. The headmaster thought it prudent we switch our location immediately, lest we wish to be bombarded by the ministry minions."
Harry held back a chuckle; usually the man's contempt was aimed at him, and for once he was disappointed that Snape had such skill in holding back his ire.
The Boy Who Lived sat quietly, gaze transfixed on the carpet design. His voice trembled as he spoke, unsure if he wanted to hear the answer. "Sir, did Malfoy really kill Remus?"
Snape squinted his eyes, a tell-tale sign that he was tired. "No, Potter, the mangy wolf is still alive and as annoying as ever."
Harry took in the information was audible relief. Silence ensued for a few moments longer.
"You would do well, boy, to take note of whatever you come across in your travels."
Was Snape giving him advice? To Harry, it seemed as if his professor knew more than he was letting on.
"And why would that be, sir?"
"Kenichi Tai is a very experienced man. Only the temptation of a quiet and content life after the first war led him astray from Albus' side. You could benefit greatly if you are serious about learning his ways."
Harry nodded, perplexed as to why his usually sneering potions master was offering him words of recommendation. All in all, the night seemed to be a peculiarity. Clearly the man had other thoughts on his mind; otherwise civility would not come as easily between the two of them. But perhaps there were stranger things…like Loony Luna Lovegood and her disturbed fascination with imagined animals. But for now, Harry was going to accept the changed behavior and prepare for what was to come next.
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A/N: We just have one thing to say, and that is…..REVIEWS ARE LOVELY! So please add to the beauty of the world and throw a comment or two our way.