Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. The Characters belong to J.K. Rowling
Author's Note: I'm not one to follow the actual Harry Potter time line. Thus this story takes place in present day not 1997. Just remember that.
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Chapter 3: Autobiographies
Harry placed the frame on the corner table and stood back. This was it. He had his own place away from the abusive Dursleys. He threw himself down on the couch and let out a relieved sigh.
There was a knock at the door. Puzzled as to whom he knew that could possibly be coming over to visit him at 10:28pm Harry snatched his wand and crept toward the door. Unfortunately his front door was not of the kind with a spy hole, so bracing his self safely behind the door, he pulled hard at the handle and exposed only his head to the person standing on the other side.
It was his landlady. And she was holding a tray of quite appealing baked goodies.
"Oh my! Sorry if I gave you a fright my dear boy. I was baking some bread for the week and thought you might like some 'welcome to the neighborhood' sweets," she said in a timid nervous voice. Harry stepped aside and let her into the flat. She scurried over and laid them on the table.
"Sorry Mrs. Tuck, I just wasn't expecting anyone so late," he replied apologetically
"Yes, well I was on my way to bed myself when I remembered I had to bring these down to you."
"Thank you very much. You didn't have to do this. I appreciate it."
"Oh I do hope you like them. Well I'm off. See you in the morning Mr. Potter." And with that she was gone again. Harry looked over the tray before laying them in the fridge. As good as they looked, Harry just didn't feel like it was the right time for a cookie. Instead he shoved on his trainers and headed out for a walk.
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There she was. It was definitely her; he could tell. It wasn't the lit cigarette that she so casually puffed on, nor was it her unique violet hair color that shone so magnificently in the light of the dying sun and already arisen full moon. It was the mysteriously graceful peace that over took him when she was around. That was how he knew. She sat there on the swing, left of his usual place. Gently, back on, she swung, oblivious to his presence.
'Don't be stupid. She wouldn't mind if you joined her. Then she can drill you about your life. Harry Potter single handedly gives away the secret of the wizarding world.' Harry thought viciously.
'What is wrong with you! You were raised by muggles! I bet Hermione has plenty of muggle friends. Besides, you're not thick enough to let the secret go. Plus, they have spells to erase her memory. Go talk to her!'
Harry thought again. A feeling of new courage lapped over him and he trudged over and took his usual place.
"Never thought I would see you again," she muttered.
"Yea, well this was my place to get away from my family. Sorry about before, I'm not really used to people wondering about me." Harry felt his cheeks getting hot. Lying to this girl made him feel strangely horrible.
"So, now that you're willing to talk, who are you?"
"My life story or the basics," Harry asked with a laugh.
"Both," she replied somberly.
"Well, my parents died in a car crash when I was one, so I live with my aunt, uncle and cousin. When I was eleven went away to attend a boarding school in southern Scotland. I was expelled last June so I'm not going back. I have two best friends named Ron and Hermione who I met while away. My godfather died when I was 15 and my teacher – and friend – died three weeks ago. I dated Ron's sister for a few weeks but broke off when the teacher died. I'm 17 on the 31st of this month and my name is Harry James Potter. And that's it," he answered. She gaped at him, then turned her gaze to the ground.
"Where do you stand on all that," she asked quietly.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean everyone who tried to guide you is abruptly pulled away."
"I guess I keep going. That's what they wanted, I think," replied Harry. He looked at her as she nodded in understanding. "Anyways, what about you," he asked, desperate to change the subject.
"I was born in Newfoundland. Then I moved to Wales when I was 4. Then my father moved us to London when Mom died. I had 3 best friends, Thatcher, Oliver and Sebastian, but I don't know where they are now. Last month I graduated from University with a Psychology degree and minored in Mythology. I'm going back to do Biology next year, but I need a break for now."
"Wow. I thought you were younger. Why do you need a break?"
"My father died six months ago of a brain aneurism. Well that's what they said. The doctors I mean. There was an argument that broke out between the consultants saying what happened. Apparently they couldn't determine what it was. Dad didn't show any symptoms. Anyways I own everything now until my older brother, Malcolm comes home. He's been missing for five years now.
When dad died, I moved to Little Whinging. And, I'm two days older then you," she replied. Harry gave her a puzzled look. "My birthday is on the 29th." She stated.
"No, no, it's not that. It's just… I mean yes, wow for being so young but…" he trailed off.
"But what?"
"Well… um… you see…" he stumbled. She looked at him eagerly.
"Idon'tknowyourname," he blurted out. She laughed.
"It's Artemis, Artemis Violet Windsor. But I've been called every possible nickname in the book so choose what you want. I really don't mind," she replied looking slightly embarrassed.
"I'll stick with Artemis for now," said Harry noticing the look on her face. She nodded and threw the cigarette in the sand.
"Oh, and one more thing," she said nervously.
"I love magic." Harry could feel his face go pale.
"Well the concept anyways. I have since I was a little girl. Dad had a friend that could do magic." Harry was sure his stomach was somewhere around his ankles at this point.
"He only did magic tricks but I was always sure he could do more. You must think I'm the strangest girl in the world," she finished chuckling.
"No, it's fine. I was raised not to believe in it so it seems a bit foreign to me," He said giving a half-hearted chuckle and hoping she didn't notice his panicky tone.
"Oh. Well that's rotten luck isn't it," Artemis muttered. He only nodded in response. "Welly well well, it's 11:37. I must be heading home. It was nice to meet you Harry," she said as she stood up and walked backwards out of the park. "Maybe I'll see you around again some time." She turned and headed on her way. Watching her go Harry suddenly felt the urge to walk her home. He leapt off the swing and ran after her.
"Thought I should get an idea of where you live," he said panting. "Just in case I need a friend." She giggled and nodded. And the two headed off into the darkness together.
"You're a pretty cool kid Harry Potter. I don't think I'll mind being your friend."
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Artemis lived in a ground level bungalow, three streets away from Harry's new flat. It had four bedrooms, two bathrooms, an office, a living room, and a kitchen.
"You not really the struggling, emancipated teen type, are you?" Harry asked looking at the clearly expensive looking technology in her office. A shiny new desktop computer sat in the center of a dark mahogany desk. Next to it sat a laptop, that look about the same age.
"I'm orphaned, not emancipated." She replied.
"But what about your guardians?"
"Mr. Lupin is my guardian, but he and I made a deal that I would live on my own for now. He does have a room here though. It's in the basement."
'Remus Lupin,' Harry thought quickly.
"Mr. Lupin?"
"My father's friend. You know the one that could do magic," She replied.
"How do you know he could do magic!"
"I saw him do it." Harry gaped at her for a few moments.
"Do you want the full story?" she asked smiling. He nodded.
"Well when I was about seven, he came to live with us."
"Why?"
"Um, because it was one year after my mother had died and Dad had been the only one taking care of us up until that point. There was the rare occasion of a babysitter but not very often. Dad wasn't ready to leave us alone yet. One winter night Remus, er, Mr. Lupin showed up at the door, begging for a place to stay until the morning. A blizzard started that night and lasted two days. Do you remember that night?"
Harry nodded again. The Dursleys made him shovel the walk when the storm cleared off. It took him the whole day and he almost had frost bite in his fingers and toes.
"Over those two days, him and dad became friends. Malcolm and myself especially like him. He would show us magic tricks, tell us myths and legends of dragons and wizards. Dad asked him to stay and take care of us as a sort of nanny I suppose. He ended up staying for two years. Every now and then he had to leave for a day or two but other then that he lived with us around the clock."
"But how do you know he could do magic?"
"I'm getting there. Don't interrupt."
"Right. Sorry."
"One night, when dad was away, he showed us this new magic trick. I begged for him to tell me how he had done it, but he preferred to keep it a secret. So being as curious as a seven year old can be, I snuck into his room and started going through his trunk."
"So you didn't actually see him doing magic." He interrupted again.
"Do you want me to finish this story?"
"Sorry. Continue."
"Where was I?"
"You were picking through his trunk."
"Right. Well I found a cleanly carved stick and an old school notebook. On the page I opened it to there were directions for a summoning charm. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get it to work so I took the book downstairs and into the kitchen where-"
"He showed you!"
"Harry! Stop. Let me finish the story!"
"But you're taking so long!"
"I went into the kitchen where he was doing the dishes and humming to himself. He didn't hear me come in so I snuck up behind him and stuck the stick in his back pocket. Then I memorized the saying on the page.
How do you say A-C-C-I-O?" I asked him.
"Akkio" he replied barely paying attention.
"Cookie Accio. Is that correct?"
"Accio cookie." He muttered. He still wasn't paying any attention.
Then a cookie flew across the room and hit him in the arse. He whipped around with a look of shock on his face. I was grounded for two days for going through his things. I wasn't allowed to tell Dad or Malcolm. And when I asked him about it he would dismiss the question and send me off to do something else."
Harry gaped at her again. "So, that's all. Right. Well. Ok." He said more to himself then her. She chuckled and walked into her bedroom.
"Ok, I'm going to head home. I'll talk to you later." Harry called heading back to the door. He needed to send Hedwig off right away. He wanted to hear Remus' side of the story.
"Wait! Here," she said handing him a small piece of paper. "That's my phone number. Catch me if you ever need to talk to anyone."
Harry nodded and left.
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A/N: Yep. That's it. I'll have the next chapter up soon. Read and Review please.
