Disclaimer:

I do not own Harry Potter. Obviously...

Summary:

Ever since first year, Harry's had a problem.. He's just to darn photogenic and no matter what he seems to do there's always a photo the next day in the newspaper calling him the next merlin.

This fic is slightly Au and will get increasing Au as the story progresses.

Chapter 3: The First Interlude

It was a dark and stormy night. A tall man with broad shoulders was sat in an old leather back chair. His robes though of fine quality looked ruffled and haggard from a very long day. His eyes were cast in shadow from the fire burning in the small hearth at the front of the office. He took a long draw from his pipe when suddenly a loud bang was heard from the door to his office. A woman looking just as haggard as the man behind the desk rushed in with a scroll in hand.

"Sir, sir we've got another one!" the woman said. Quickly shoving the scroll onto the desk in front of the man.

The man let out the smallest of gasps before picking up the scroll and replying, "Another one?" as he glanced over the document he continued "How bad are we talking?"

"Another full production slate by the end of the year sir" replied the woman.

"Well then it's official" the man said with a grim but determined look in his eye.

"Call in the team." The woman rushed out to gather the remaining members of the group into the office.

As they gathered the man reached down under his desk and pulled open a hidden drawer. The man really did not think he would have to do this so soon, but he was left with no other choice.

As he pulled out a small wood box and multiple glasses, he placed them on the desk as the gathering team members eyes widened in shock.

He bent down again and then stood from his desk revealing a very large and expensive bottle of Champaign.

"Ladies and gentlemen thank you for gathering so quickly" he said with a small smile forming upon his lips. "We have just received an additional order from the United States, an entire production slate in fact." Many team members let out small gasps.

The mans smile was truly spreading upon his visage as his excitement grew. He continued "Ladies and gentlemen, WERE RICH!"

A cheer was let out from the whole management team as the CEO of the Nimbus racing broom company popped the cork off the top of the Champaign bottle.

After filling up a glass for each member he raised his own and said, "A toast, to Harry Potter and the big fat bonuses we shall all be taking home this Christmas!" A loud rendition of cheers was heard as the glasses clinked and the team celebrated. As the managers drank their Champaign and passed around the cigars they knew it was going to be a very busy year. Trying to fulfill all of those recent orders would be a great challenge and they all knew that Harry Potter and his wonderful front-page photos were to thank for it.

"We've got another one" said a healer in a lime green cloak with the ST. Mungo's hospital crest sewn onto his sleave. Next to the healer floating on a magical stretcher was a young boy. Probably around 10 or so and was groaning in pain with a clearly broken arm that had been set in a stasis.

Head Healer Andromeda Tonks of the pediatrician ward gave a great sigh. She did not even bother to reprimand the incoming healer for his inappropriate comment. At this point they all knew what he meant when he said another one. Because they had been having the same problem ever since those damn articles displaying those death defying stunts that Harry Potter pulled riding his broomstick. Nearly half of their recent cases had been young patients who wanted to imitate their hero.

Broken bones, concussions and plenty of scrapes and bruises were to be had in her ward. Usually caused by all these young patients trying and failing to pull out of steep dive at the last second or riding their brooms standing up. Of course, that was also just her ward, and she knew that quite a few adults were in a different ward nursing similar injuries. Although, she suspected alcohol might have a bit more affect on those patients then her own.

As she cast the necessary diagnostic charms and reassured the worried mother that her child would be okay, she couldn't help but be a little bit annoyed. These rise in accidents were totally unnecessary and a strain on her department's resources. Not to mention she had to work several late shifts, much to her poor husband Teds chagrin.

As she finished her diagnostics and administered the required potions she wondered if Harry Potter even knew about all the trouble he was causing with his little stunt. She gave a sign and conceded to herself that he obviously wasn't to blame for this situation. However, she did dearly hope that these cases of imitation would fade away soon. Barely had the thought left her head when she heard the door swing open again to reveal a different healer with another young boy cradling his broken wrist.

As Andromeda glanced at her watch and realized she would indeed be working another late shift. She couldn't help the unbidden thought that came to her head

'GOD DAMNIT HARRY POTTER'

Oh, how she hoped there wouldn't be anymore dangerous photos in the paper of Harry for people to imitate in the future...

Ginny Weasley felt like she was on cloud nine. She had just come back from a shopping trip with her mother when her friend Luna Lovegood had come to visit. Luna Lovegood was a strange girl, but a good friend none the less. She would often come over to play and hangout after school or on the weekend and today she brought something amazing!

Ginny was a well-known Potter fan even before his return to the wizarding world. She owned a copy of each of his Harry Potter children's books and ever since she was little, she could remember everyone talking about how thankful they were that the war was over and that it was all thanks to Harry Potter.

Then she had actually met him! Well, her brothers had anyway. She was in the train station with her mother. Escorting her many brothers to platform nine and three quarters so they could board the train. Right as they arrived at the portal entrance, they finally met HIM! Short messy pitch-black hair with gorgeous deep green eyes. She was just sure it would have been a story of love at first sight... Unfortunately for her she didn't actually recognize him at first.

It's not like it was her fault she assured herself. No one had seen Harry in over a decade, there were no photos of him, Just artistic depictions that could vary wildly in her children's books. On top of that his muggle disguise was top notch. His clothes had obviously been chosen for maximum effect. Baggy so as to hide his frame, not to mention old and worn to help him stand out less in the crowd. His bangs were just long enough to strategically cover the famous scar. As such she had just assumed he was just a lost muggle born looking for tips on how to get onto the train.

It wasn't until she was waving to her brother Ron as the train pulled away that she had looked up into one of the cabins and seen that boy from earlier with his hair parted and his scar clearly visible that she realized her terrible, horrible, no-good mistake. Needless to say, tears were shed that evening.

However, she was quite pleased when she learned that not only had Harry become a member of Gryffindor where she would surely end up just like all of her brothers, but he also had become best friends with Ron.

That was almost perfect as it meant not only would they share a house at Hogwarts, but Harry was likely to be visiting a lot in the future to hang out with his friend. The only thing that could have been possibly better is if she had only been a year older and could have become his friend first instead.

After that life had continued on as normal until early November when a certain daily prophet article about a troll arrived. Reading that article had proved everything she knew about Harry. Cleary he was a hero just like in her books and even took down a mountain troll in his first year all by himself!

She wasn't nearly as happy that he had done it to save a girl. But the picture made it all worth it in her mind. The way he rolled into that heroic pose, his green eyes so strong and determined with wand in hand. She had spent many hours looking at that particular photo.

Now though as she held the awesome gift Luna had brought her, she knew that photo was no longer her favorite. What she held before her were three poster sized images taken from the various magazines about Harry's first quidditch game. If there was one thing that rivaled Ginny's love of Harry Potter, it was her love for the sport of quidditch.

She dreamed of one day becoming a world famous quidditch player. Hopefully on the Holly-Head Harpies team. This wasn't just fantasy either as she worked hard for that dream. Ever since her mother allowed her to play quidditch with her brothers she took every opportunity to do so. She would also often sneak out at night to keep practicing just to get that extra edge. She felt at this point she was an excellent chaser and seeker easily superior to Percy and Ron. The twins though were great beaters and her older brother Charlie had been the best seeker at Hogwarts in his time. However, that only drove her desire more and pushed her to practice more.

Anyway, what really mattered were these three glorious posters that combined her hero and her passion! She only half listened as Luna explained she had created them using her fathers magical printing press.

As she excitedly posted them around her room, she just new deep in her heart that all her dreams would come true.

Dan and Emma Granger were returning home from a busy day at their dentist practice. They were parking the lorry in the driveway when they saw a beautiful snowy white owl sitting on the lamp post outside their home. As they got out of their car and approached their suspicions about it's origin were proven correct when they spotted a letter tied to it's leg. Quickly so as to get the letter before any neighbors might get suspicious, they carefully approached the white owl so as to hopefully not startle it. As they got close the owl it's sharp yellow eyes seemed to look right through them before giving a short bob of acceptance and extending it's leg with the letter attached.

After carefully untying the letter, the owl flew up onto the roof before ducking it's head under it's wing obviously preparing to get some sleep. Looking at the cover of the letter it was clearly their daughter's handwriting. The excited parents rushed inside to open the letter from their only daughter.

As they sat down at the table and opened the letter several photographs fell out. Dan picked them up and began to look at them as Emma began reading the letter.

It seemed that Hermione was doing better. Both parents had been very concerned as her letters at the beginning of the school year had turned from bright optimism and excitement at all the new educational opportunities to expressing her sadness and loneliness.

Oh, sure she never went into great detail, but the lack of talk about friends and the general tone and small comments had made it clear to the sharp parents that she was struggling socially. But then miraculously late into the first week of November they had received a letter with a completely different tone.

This letter unlike the last was full of energy and while it did talk about some of her educational pursuits, the main factor seemed to center around two boys. Or if they were being honest, one boy named Harry Potter. Hermione finally admitted that she was struggling with friends and had been very upset on Halloween. At least she assured, until Harry came to comfort her. He had even apparently fended off some kind of school bully though she left the details about that frustratingly vague...

Anyway, while the note did mention Ron and his many brothers nearly half the letter was dedicated to the topic of Harry. Apparently, he was an orphan and was raised in the muggle world just like her and thus they were able to talk about a lot of things other students didn't get. He was also intelligent according to Hermione and was always excited to talk or learn more about magic. He had black hair and green eyes and was slightly shorter than her. She also briefly mentioned that he was some-what famous because of his family and some sort of magical event that had taken place nearly a decade before.

She also mentioned that Harry had joined some sort of magical sports team at Hogwarts involving broom sticks and that he was a natural at it. He was even the youngest quidditch seeker in Hogwarts for over a century! Which she emphasized was a big deal.

Finally, she had promised in that letter she would write them again the following week.

Sure, enough this letter had arrived late into the second week of November just as promised.

As Emma read through the entire letter and then again just to make sure she didn't miss anything. She was pleased to see how much happier her daughter seemed to be.

This letter like the last started about her educational pursuits before once again diving into the topic of her new friends. Ron did a little better this time with Hermione discussing his loyalty, amazing chess skills, and with some of the professions his older brothers and parents pursued. But once again a decent chunk of the letter was reserved for Harry who was clearly her daughter's new best friend.

It talked about some minor interests they shared, their continued shared love of the library. One joke they shared which her daughter apparently found quite hilarious despite Emma not quite getting it. Finally, the bulk was dedicated to the quidditch game. She seemed confident they would find this interesting. Particularly Dan as his love for sports among their family was well known. There was a brief summary of the game's rules and objectives as well as a short version of what happened and how Harry had beat an upperclassman.

She finished off saying a photographer had captured some images of the game which she included for her parents to see, but that they should destroy them whenever they were done. She claimed it was required by the statute of secrecy.

As she finished her second reading Emma was more certain that her daughter had made a very good friend and maybe even had the beginnings of a crush she thought with a slight giggle.

Looking over at Dan, she noticed he was slightly frowning at the pictures he held in his hand. As they switched Emma thought she knew why. The three pictures were very good. They clearly showed what must have been Harry in his sport uniform. The first one nearly made her gasp watching as the boy nearly crashed! Only to narrowly escape and for the upperclassmen to plow straight into the ground. The next one was almost as heart stopping, seeing the boy fly into frame STANDING on his broom and his fingers reaching out and around the flying gold ball. Finally, the last photo was much more relaxed but showed Harry with a large proud smile his green eyes twinkling and waving to the crowd.

Oh yes thought Emma, she could definitely see why Hermione was so excited about this boy. She also now thought she understood Dan's frown. Speaking of Dan, he was gripping onto the letters a little to tightly and his frown had gone from slight to full. His eyes glared daggers onto the page, specifically at the sections that Emma new to be all about Harry. Feeling a little playful she decided to tease Dan a little.

"Is something wrong dear?" she said her voice only slightly showing the smirk she was trying to hide.

"I don't like it" he replied looking up from the letter.

"Don't like what?" She teased "The lovely letter our daughter wrote us, or our daughter's new best friend?" the smirk was cracking through her façade now despite her best attempts.

Dan looked at her incredulously and replied. "Surely, you're not happy about this?" He then continued with a huff.

"Clearly this "friend" of hers is dangerous! Did you not see those stunts he pulled? Could have broken that other guy's neck, or his own!"

"Oooh I'm sure that's why you don't like him" She replied smirk in full force. "Do I not hear you cheering every time players get into a fight or those race cars crash on the telly?"

Dan Scoffed and was about to reply when Emma continued and cut him off.

"Plus, we both know that's not why you're worried." She sang, enjoying getting under her usually unflappable husband's skin for once. "I think its pretty clear your worried your little girl might be getting a crush on that boy."

Dan Spluttered indignantly before opening his mouth and then thinking better of it. He took another moment before replying with a much more worried tone "Aren't you? She's our only child, and you know she's always struggled making friends"

Deciding she had teased her poor husband enough for one day she reassured him

"Of course, I'm a little bit worried, what parent isn't? But Hermione has struggled all her life to find friends and now she seems to have made two perfectly good boys that will make excellent friends and I'm very thankful for that" she then continued "As for a crush, she has barley been friends with this boy for two weeks, I'm sure she wouldn't do anything rash and besides it's natural for a girl her age to start getting crushes on cute boys, I know I certainly did."

Dan gave a small groan at that which made Emma laugh before finishing "Besides you haven't even met the boy yet, you should at least give him a chance and meet him before you go trying to influencing her decisions."

She then scooped up the pictures and made her way to the stove "Now Hermione made it clear after we were done looking at these they needed to be disposed of"

Dan then quickly stood and grabbed them from her hands and said "Ill take care of them he said" Glaring down at the pictures.

Emma rolled her eyes but let her husband gleefully get down with his destructive work. Hopefully this little work of vandalism would help settle his nerves a bit.

Dumbledore was sitting in his office when several owls swooped down with some magazines. After looking at all the pictures of Harry plastered across the front, he gained a very serious look. He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers deep in thought. Plans upon plans swirled through his mind as he considered the many vast implications this could have for survival of the wizarding world. Slowly he turned to his wardrobe and with a great big sigh spoke to his familiar. "I don't think I have the proper attire to attract enough attention away this time Fawkes"

Fawkes the phoenix in question, looked up at his bearded companion before looking at the wardrobe and closet full of some of the most eccentric dress known to wizard kind and beyond. He then looked at Dumbledore and let out a trill that sounded very sarcastic to his old ears.

"Everyone's a critic" Dumbledore Grumbled. "It's not my fault people have no sense of fashion these days"

Authors Note:

Hello everyone,

I know a new chapter in only 2 days! Don't expect this often lol. Anyway, this chapter as I'm sure you can tell is a little different from the others. Originally I was going to try and fit theses little interludes entirely into the regular chapters, but it got to big and unwieldly. So every once and a while we may have one of these little interlude chapters in between the regular chapters when a new photograph is taken.

I hope you found this entertaining and I do hope to read more of your reviews and comments. They really are what motivates me to write so if you want more then make sure to Follow / Favorite and leave a review.

A big thanks to those of you who have already favorited and followed and to those who left wonderful comments. I look forward to hearing more from you along with your wonderful suggestions. I did not have a beta reader / editor for this chapter but I have done my best. If you want to volunteer then please DM me.

Thanks for reading!