I would like to thank Wanamaker, chaser1, jeangab057, Animegril06, Kamorie, Shea Loner, DARKMARK33LV, SheWolfe7, Kage Mirai, and Shania Maxwell for reviewing
Swordoftheshadow: yes, Dumbledore has to be evil, that's the way I see him, that's the way he's going to be...I've made my one more chance with Ginny this fic. Also I think it's unrealistic when Dumbledore is really good.
HoshiHikari: /gasps/ what happened to the rest of your name? As for the agreement /gives HoshiHikari 'the look'/ now, honey, you know I can't tell you that...read A/N.
Darkangelgep: Sin's on Harry's side too.
Athenz: i apreceeate ur compleemints and hav deeciddid to up date 4 uoo.../giggles/ I'm flattered that you like my story so much, and I couldn't resist.
Blummberry: /blinks/ I probably should go fix that.../shrugs/ typographical happen. You know, you can't help forgetting a word...major error. Sin wants to win the war, but he does care about Harry, he wants best for him and that's what he's plotting for...the best for Harry, in the end.
Yana5: Sin's plotting...that's what he's doing. /laughs/ you'll catch on when I figure out how to write it.
Ivin Artemis Draconis: /grins/ you're gonna help me write the Harry/Voldie action?! Wow, I have never gotten so many offers to help in one story. Minions? /raises eyebrow/ I want some...can you share?
E.A.V.: Character development?! Wow! When did this happen?!
A/N: A lot of stuff will happen in this chapter, I hope you all catch on to the changes, but if not, I'm open to questions, as I always am...hopefully I won't end up using the 'I can't tell you, because of the plot' line.
Chapter Thirteen
Harry had a light reddish sheen covering his skin when Sin returned.
"You've gotten burnt," Sin commented, running a finger along Harry's red check.
Harry grinned and pulled out of the touch, Sin frowned still upset that Harry didn't like being touched.
"I didn't want to go back inside," Harry explained, "it's so nice out here; I haven't seen daylight in weeks."
Sin leveled a knowing look on Harry, "You fell asleep didn't you?"
Harry smiled sheepishly, "Yes," he replied, "am I that obvious?"
"Only to those who don't know you better," Sin teased, "now, I don't suppose you've managed to stay awake long enough to think about your classes?"
"I thought a little bit," Harry said after a moment, "and I want to drop divination, take ancient runes, normal potions, advanced charms and defense, normal transfiguration—because I'm not all that great at it—, astronomy, care of magical creatures—"
"Why," Sin interjected, "surely you aren't that interested in animals?"
"Well," Harry began...
"Easy A," Sin asked, "or you feel obligated to?"
Harry flushed and looked away, "both..."
Sin nodded and asked, "What would you rather take instead?"
"I don't know," Harry replied.
"Okay so we've got one free period," Sin murmured as though making a note of it, "continue."
"And I wanted to drop history," Harry finished.
"Two free periods," Sin concluded, "you shall send for a course booklet right away, while you inform the school of your class decisions."
"They have course booklets?" Harry asked amazed.
Sin closed his eyes and sighed in exasperation, "and the lost shall see light..."
"I had no idea," Harry exclaimed. "So back in second year, Hermione didn't sign up for all the classes?"
"Well," Sin sighed, "that depends..."
"But I don't hear about anyone taking any different classes than the ones I heard about," Harry continued like he hadn't heard Sin.
"Harry," Sin said, "you haven't heard about them because you are in a strictly controlled environment."
Harry blinked and murmured, "You're making it sound like I'm in a terrarium."
"And you might as well be," Sin replied.
Harry gaped.
"All I'm saying," Sin did say, "is that you only get course booklets if you ask for them, and you wouldn't have known to ask, because you had everyone pitching these great classes to you. Why should you think to ask for a course booklet when you already want to take classes your friends have taken?"
"I suppose that makes sense," Harry sighed, "did you go to Hogwarts?"
"Unfortunately," Sin replied with an odd grin.
"What classes did you take?" Harry asked.
"Well," Sin said thoughtfully, "I took Archery for a semester; it's very popular, actually. I took Horseback Riding the next semester. I took Healing and Enchantments and Illusions sixth and seventh year, and third through fifth I took Ancient Runes and...I believe I took a study hall...no, I'm sure I did," Sin grinned wickedly, "had it first thing all three years."
Harry looked surprised at several of the classes.
"Now, then," Sin exclaimed, "we really must get you inside before you fry, and then we'll send for that course booklet."
"Oh my gosh!" Harry exclaimed as he flipped the page a few weeks after writing, requesting, gently complaining, rioting, and finally threatening to get the stupid book, "they have teachers for this?"
"Yes," Sin replied, "and if not they'll send you elsewhere for the classes, like healing, for example, they can't teach it there...well, they can teach basics, but for seventh year teachings they'll send you St. Mungos—at least that's what they used to do, I haven't noticed much change in policy."
Harry was paying no attention to Sin as he turned the page and scanned the many choices for classes. He didn't know which ones to take!
Harry's eyes suddenly focused on a class he read its descriptions, a look of intense interest slowly covering his face. "I want to take that!" Harry exclaimed, pointing at the class.
"Magic?" Sin murmured, reading the class description, "I can't believe they still teach that."
"Why?" Harry asked carefully writing the class into and empty square on his class registration form.
"I imagine it would have been outlawed or they wouldn't be able to find anyone to teach it...however, I'd be inclined to believe it was the former," Sin replied, still reading, suddenly understanding filled his eyes, "Ah," He murmured, "I see, now."
"What?" Harry asked returning to the book to see if the page he'd found Magic on would yield up any more treasures.
"The same teacher that taught it while I was at school is still teaching it," Sin replied, "apparently Auntie Carrie is either immortal or a vampire." Sin grinned and added,
"Knowing her she's still alive because no one can kill her."
"Auntie Carrie?" Harry asked in obvious disbelief.
"Oh yes," Sin replied, "refused to be called any else by her students, she's a good teacher, I imagine you'll actually learn something from her, rather than theory."
"And it'll probably be a small class considering how far back in the book it is," Harry added, beaming at his amazing class choice, even though he wouldn't be able to take two elective courses because this one took up both class periods. It was worth it though.
"Hmm," Sin murmured, "It says you'll also be learning animagus transformations in addition to elemental and sympathetic magics...Sin read through the rest of the curriculum, "Sorcery, woodland magic, and I know for a fact you'll be dabbling in black magic—not dark magic, black magic," Sin added seeing Harry's shocked face, "and it's not really black magic, that's just what muggles called it. Auntie Carrie doesn't let anyone know because then they'd remove the class for sure and prudes wouldn't sign up."
"How come I've never heard of this class or this teacher?" Harry asked closing the course booklet.
"Auntie Carrie's too young to settle down and let people realize she actually teaches at Hogwarts," Sin replied with a huge grin, "goodness, I imagine you'll love her... I've had the distinctive pleasure twice." Sin laughed and stood up stretching.
Harry grabbed his class registration form and also stood up, then suddenly he stopped and stared at Sin, "What did you do to Hedwig?"
Sin turned and gave Harry the funniest look.
"My owl!" Harry exclaimed, "What did you do to her?!"
"Oh," Sin sighed looking relieved, "I believe she flew off somewhere, perhaps to someone she trusted. I do believe I gave her quite a scare—beautiful thing, snowy white?"
Harry nodded claming down mentally cursing himself for forgetting about Hedwig like that.
"Oh, calm down," Sin urged him, "she'll come back and she won't hate you."
Harry sighed and shook his head visibly relaxing.
"There we go," Sin said rubbing a reassuring hand over Harry's back, "now let's mail off your schedule."
"Harry," Sin sang softly, and Harry whimpered most pathetically as the blankets slivered off of him.
"No," He whimpered sprawling on the bed.
"Yes," Sin replied, "you get to see all of your friends again."
"No," Harry whimpered again, this time more forcefully, "don't wanna."
"Oh, but Harry," Sin added, "you get to take all of those fascinating classes..."
"Don't care," Harry replied then, "damn, I'm awake now."
"Poor dear," Sin mocked rolling his eyes, "come on, Harry, get dressed you have to catch the train."
Harry rolled over in the bed groaning.
"It won't be that bad," Sin persisted.
"Yes, it will," Harry replied opening his eyes and staring at Sin, "it's always that bad, and I've only just now realized it...everyone's always staring at me like I'm an exhibit at a zoo and I can't be myself." Then Harry blinked and asked, "How are you going to feed me?"
"I'll work on that," Sin replied, "don't you worry, however, I have to ask that you not eat anything...at all." Sin placed a hard look on Harry, "no food, not even meat, no drinks, not even water—"
"What about blood?" Harry asked with a mischievous grin.
Sin gave him "the look" and said, "I don't think you'd like the flavor of normal blood just yet. That and you'd have a fun time drinking it, considering you have no fangs...yet."
Harry's face scrunched up in disgust at that thought, drinking blood with no fangs...must look gross, he decided. Like slitting a throat and seeing blood gush out and get all over everything.
"Now," Sin exclaimed standing up, "we've got to get you on that train!"
"Do I have to get dressed," Harry whined waving a hand at his boxers.
"It's up to you," Sin replied, clearly amused.
"Wonderful," Harry replied, sitting up, "I am packed right?"
"Yes," Sin replied, "Ginger Snap, lovely creature that she is, has packed for you, she's also taken a liking to you, asked if she could go along, to take care of you. I thought it was a wonderful idea, but I don't guess it would go over well, would it?"
"I don't know," Harry replied honestly, "I've never heard of someone bringing a house elf to school before."
Sin shrugged, "I told her she could go anyway, so I don't guess it really matters."
"What will she do?" Harry asked looking confused.
"Your laundry, keep you organized, deliver your books to your classes—speaking of books, did you ever get them?" Sin asked Harry.
"Yeah," Harry replied, "but I guess they've been packed.
"Excellent!" Sin declared clapping his hands, "Now, we'll go."
The train whistle blew again and Ron, Hermione, and Ginny shared worried looks. Harry hadn't shown up yet.
The airbrakes on the trains slowly began releasing and the rain began moving.
Ginny glanced out of the window of the compartment and stared for a moment before saying, "Um...guys look at this."
There, standing on the nearly empty platform, was a boy with his hands covering his face, and then he turned around when a man appeared and then the boy made angry gestures at him. The man however laughed, said something, grabbed the boy's wrist and ran over to the train; when they disappeared from sight Ron ran over to the door of the compartment and threw the door open. A couple of other people were looking down the hallway as well, waiting to see if they made it on.
They did. All of the people laughed at them before going back into their compartment, a few stayed out to see who they were.
"There," the older one said, "see that wasn't so bad."
The boy remained silent.
"What's wrong?" the man asked, "you've been so pessimistic lately."
Then he started laughing at something the boy said or his facial expression.
"Shall we find your friends?" he asked once he stopped laughing.
"I'd rather not," the boy huffed in reply, tossing his curling chin length hair out of his face. "Where's Ginger Snap."
"I knew it!" The older one exclaimed, "I knew you two liked each other for a reason." The he leaned over and studied the boy's face. "Harry," He exclaimed in shock, "you're developing a tick!"
"SIN!" Harry exclaimed in outrage.
"Well, you are!" Sin replied. "I don't think that's healthy."
Sin leaned down and studied Harry for a moment. "Actually it's more a twitch, because that whole side of your face will go with—"
Harry finally just struck out and punched Sin. Sin barely moved as his fist hit him, didn't even reach for his cheek, it was like he'd only felt a little bit of the force and hadn't been hurt at all.
"There we go," Sin said smiling, "first unbridled reaction I've ever gotten out of you."
Harry's face tinged pink and he looked away from Sin, embarrassed and guilty.
"Oh, no reason to be upset with yourself," Sin assured Harry turning to look at the children watching them curiously. "Very mean right hook you've got there, as well."
Harry let out a light nervous laugh.
"I've been trying to get you out of that shell of yours," Sin told him, "and I figured the best thing to d would be to provoke you to violence. That's why I've been so annoying lately."
Harry just raised an eyebrow.
Sin nodded answering Harry's unspoken question about that being the truth.
"Harry?" Hermione asked as she slowly walked toward them.
Harry turned around and slowly nodded, chewing his lower lip.
"You'll hurt yourself," Sin whispered to him and added, "just relax, they'll accept you for who are you are, if they're real friends."
"Who's this," Hermione asked softly, looking at Sin.
"This is Sin," Harry replied.
Sin waved enthusiastically at her, and carefully nudged Harry.
"Oh," Harry said turning around to look at Sin and then said, "This is Hermione."
"Interesting name," Sin told her, "creative..."
Hermione mumbled something under her breath.
"Yes, it's unusual and no one can say it," Sin repeated scoffing, "but imagine having an incredibly common name," Sin waved and hand at Harry, who sent him an indignant look. "Well, it is common." Sin added.
"I'd be proud of a name like that," Sin told her, Harry could feel Sin's displeasure at Hermione's dislike of her name.
Then Ron and Ginny ran towards them as well, and Ginny made to throw her arms around him, but Harry flinched away from her, going over to stand by Sin.
Ginny flushed and looked generally awkward. "Sorry Harry," she murmured softly.
"It's...I...it's not your fault," Harry replied, fidgeting and unconsciously leaning closer to Sin for safety.
Sin looked at the four of them and decided it'd be best he remained until Harry began feeling a bit more comfortable around them.
The train ride had gone down hill from there, Sin finally ended up kicking Ron, Hermione, and Ginny out on the pretense that Harry was tired and wanted a nap. As soon as they were gone Harry turned to Sin a desperate, needing look on his face as he begged to go home. Home.
Sin's house was home to Harry, and that made him feel as though he was doing a disservice to Harry by helping him out. When Harry asked to go home, it was all Sin could do to tell him to wait it out and if they still bothered him then tell them to piss off.
Harry grabbed Sin's shirt and began softly crying shaking his head into Sin's chest saying, "No," over and over again.
Sin closed his eyes and drew Harry into his lap, rocking and shushing him.
"Don't make me," Harry whispered, "please don't make me."
"Give it a month," Sin whispered, "give it a month, for me, and if you still can't handle it you can come home."
Harry thought about this for a moment and nodded into Sin's chest agreeing, "Okay, one month."
"It'll work out, Harry," Sin told Harry, "It'll all work out, at least for you."