Harry Potter: Otherworld
Contract
***No own no sue. ***
*Twitter for updates, Angelslayer135
I will keep a running list of male to female names as characters are introduced at the end of each chapter.
***HP:O ***
Harry had assumed, correctly, that he shared a birthday with his sisters. He also assumed, again correctly, that this would be common knowledge as they were declared as being the same ages.
It wasn't their birthdays. This only drew further confusion as to why anyone, especially with the last name of Riddle, would be sending him a package in the mail. Amy had been incredibly interested, nosey, about the gift and even Harriet had eyed it curiously. The two adults, however, had understood his discomfort concerning the entire situation and distracted the two girls long enough for him to get away and back to the privacy of his room.
There he sat on the bed, three objects lying before him. A journal full of spells, a small package still unopened from the holidays, and the latest, which he would have bet his Firebolt was a book.
Both Flitwick and Dumbledore had assured him that the first item was safe, but he hadn't brought up the other two objects. It was frightening, knowing all three were from a female version of a monster who had tried to kill him multiple times. Now he was considering just opening the damn things to get it over with.
He had never allowed fear to rule his life before, never allowed uncertainty to dictate his actions in the previous world. Why should that change here? If anything, he should be more willing to take risks now that he had more support than ever before.
With that settled, he went with the, arguably safest, object. It was indeed a book on defensive spells, some simple, some far more advanced. Far more curious was the handwritten notes decorating each of the pages.
The scrawl was neat and efficient despite being in places clearly not meant for script. Suggestions, theories, ideas, modifications, and more he discovered through what he could only assume was Riddle's own comments.
It would likely take him a few months to get through, so he set it aside for the time being.
The next was also a known, and in his mind safer, gift. He unwrapped it slowly, methodically, before revealing the contents of what had arrived less than an hour prior. "A Guide to Elemental Magic" He muttered in confusion, jumping a bit when another voice spoke from the doorway.
"That's pretty advanced." Lily Potter, with James behind her, stood at the entrance to the room. "Sorry, we were a bit worried, and your door was open."
He shrugged off her apology, noticed they had remained in place, and suddenly recalled a conversation with James earlier in the summer. "You can come in." It had been the correct thing to say, and the boy noticed both adults seemed comforted by the offer.
They grabbed two nearby chairs and placed them across from where he still rested on the bed before sitting down. It was his turn to ask, and although he initially directed the question towards the redhead, he quickly shifted attention between the two, not wanting to offend anyone. "Do you know anything about it?"
The other man shook his head with a grin, "Sorry, unless you are asking about Transfiguration or Quidditch I'm not going to be of much help."
Lily patted his knee, "It's okay dear you just sit there and be pretty." His response was the most adult pout Harry had ever seen. "Elemental Magic is a subsection of Charms much like Defensive spells are."
"So why did she give me the book?"
"She?" Although it was posed as a question the boy-who-lived could see in both adults' eyes that they knew exactly who he was talking about. Still, if they wanted to play pretend, he could go along.
"Professor Riddle, she gave me a book on defensive spells too, so I figured it was the same person."
Lily nodded, "Makes sense," it was then that her eyes drifted towards the bed, and noticed another object placed onto it. "And that?"
Suddenly Harry Potter felt a bit embarrassed at his Christmas gift being noticed. He shouldn't, after all, but something about jewelry seemed private. "Oh, uh it was a Christmas gift, no name written down."
The mood shifted almost instantly, "We weren't sure what to get you." James almost frantically replied. "I… we had a bunch of ideas, but we weren't sure…" He trailed off, and Harry stared in confusion before realization smacked him in the face.
"Oh, oh no it was fine. I never received a lot for Christmas so what I got was great. This…" he reached out but paused before touching it. "I'm not really sure what it is."
"Have you opened it?" The man continued, earning the shake of the younger's head. "You should, at least you will know."
Seeing the wisdom, or perhaps just overcoming his stubbornness, the time-traveler relented, picked up the box and popped it open. He immediately frowned, before gently lifting a bracelet with what looked like several stones, complete with inscribed charms, at various points on the chain.
Before he could even ask, the woman in the room answered, "It's a Caster's bracelet. They are used for very effects, usually to either make spell work more difficult to encourage learning and growth, or giving analytical information."
Harry held it in his hand, before placing it back into the container, earning a bit of confusion from the adults. "Is something wrong Harry?" The man inquired.
"I just... don't feel comfortable wearing it."
The two adults shared a glance but said nothing.
***HP:O ***
It had been a bit of a surprise for all when a Floo call arrived inviting all five Potters over to the Weasley home for a picnic and a game or two of Quidditch. Upon their arrival James and Lily were still given a frosty greeting, with Harry and his sisters warmly welcomed into the home.
Still, it had been better than when they had met at Hogwarts, and at that point Harry would take progress between the family he used to think of as his own and the one he was still discovering.
"Harry!" Ron exclaimed, holding a broom but still standing on the ground. "You made it, Mum and Dad said you were coming."
Said boy nodded happily, "Definitely, so how has your summer been?"
He began a long-winded tale, one that Harry remembered from his own world. There was still homework, cleaning the home, helping his dad with housework while Molly went to the ministry for her job, and just generally lazing about.
Afterwards Harry gestured towards the object still in the other boy's hand, "And that? Did your parents finally buy you one?"
He flushed with embarrassment, but shook his head, "No this is just a broom that they rented for the day. We were going to start up a game, one for all the kids if you want to join."
Glancing over, and noticing his own sisters had both been handed brooms as well he nodded. "Sure, sounds fun."
And it had been, the teams weren't exactly balanced, but they had done the best they could. Instead of winning and outplaying the others it had just been about having fun, making sure everyone was involved, and just having a good time.
By the time Arthur had called up to them that lunch was ready they were all laughing with grins permanently plastered on their faces.
***HP:O ***
It had been like something out of a dream. Redheads on every side of the table, happy laughter and conversation, blue skies above, a gentle breeze, good food. The only thing missing from the picnic were a handful of faces, mostly in those of his other friends from school, but it was still enough joy that Harry had to discreetly wipe the happy tears from his eyes.
How often had he wondered what it would have been like if his parents had been around when he had met the Weasleys? "Harry, could you pass the potatoes please?"
The request knocked the boy out of his stupor, and he quickly located the bowl that had ended up next to him before handing it down the line. It was only then that he noticed something, or perhaps someone would have been a better term.
Ginny, youngest of the Weasley's was staring directly at him. He blinked, before focusing his attention back onto her, earning a bright blush as she quickly looked away.
Well, it wasn't as if something similar hadn't happened to him in his own time, it was almost comforting to know some things stayed the same regardless of the past. Ginny Wealsey being incredibly awkward around him was just one of those things.
***HP:O ***
Barely had Harry entered his room and flopped down on the bed with a sigh when someone knocked on the door. Giving a, he could only hope noticeably sarcastic, groan he rose before trudging over and swinging it open to reveal Harriet on the other side.
She blinked a few times as he stared back before shifting in embarrassment, "I uhm, didn't mean to disturb you."
Her apology earned a gentle laugh from the boy, "It's fine Harriet, do you want to come in?"
Nodding, she followed him in and took a seat on one of the chairs, looking around with a bit of a frown, perhaps noticing his lack of decorations or pictures. "Are you okay?"
Harry frowned in confusion, it had been a good day, perhaps a bit tiring, but still good. "Yeah, why?"
"I just… well I know you were friends with Ron's family in your own time and I, we, were worried."
More confusion was quickly followed by understanding. "Oh, no its okay. I mean yeah, I miss them, but Ron and Ginny are… well so far very similar. As for the rest, I wasn't super close to any of them but from what I've seen it is really close to being the same except for appearance. The twins are still pranksters, and all the older ones share similar qualities and interests to the ones I knew."
The concern evaporated from her posture, earning a smile from the boy-who-lived, glad he could have such an effect on his family.
"That's good, I was worried that you would be uncomfortable." She slowly stood, clearly intent on leaving, but still delayed glancing around as if searching for something else to talk about.
He understood, at least on some level. There had always been a part of him that didn't know how to make friends, didn't know how to create 'normal' conversation. It helped to have Ron, who could make anyone feel at home, and Hermione, who could talk about almost anything if there was a book written about it.
That thought gave him an idea, and he promptly reached over to grab the two books he had been gifted, "Harriet, would you like to read over some of these with me?"
She lit up in the same way he imagined Hermione would do in such a situation.
***HP:O ***
The time traveler had been reading in his room when James Potter poked his head in, "Harry, could you come down to the kitchen please. We need to talk to you about something." He blinked, before nodding and following the man down the steps and into the room where he found Lily sitting at the table with Grace Riddle. Grace Riddle was in their home, sitting with the adults that in another universe her alter-ego murdered in cold blood.
"Harry is everything okay?" the redhead's question rips him from whatever nightmares his mind had begun to construct and brought him back with a hasty nod. "Sit down, please, Professor Riddle just sent us a floo message and asked to speak with us and you."
The boy glanced over to the, thus far silent, woman, and took in her calm demeanor. The closest empty seat was next to the teacher. Thus, he chose to sit on the other side, putting himself closer to his parents.
Clearing her throat, Grace leaned forward, hands clasped on the table. "As I was just saying to your mother, I have an offer for you Harry."
"What… kind of offer?"
She smiled, gentle and disarming, which had the opposite effect in the boy. "The kind that can give you a career right after graduation." Her posture, her tone, her body language all screamed uptight, professional, pureblood asshole. Harry hated it, hated the way it made him feel like she was looking down on him, hated the way it felt like she was turning his life into a business arrangement.
Instead of replying, the boy-who-lived looked over to where his 'parents' sat. Clearly, they knew something.
Still, it was the guests offer, and she took charge once more, "An apprenticeship contract. I will tutor and instruct you in defense, dueling, and all the Magics and techniques involved in these things."
"No thanks" He quickly interrupted, earning a puzzled look on the redhead's face. "I'm not interested, thanks for the offer and all, but I'm good." With those words of finality he stood, leaving the room in silence behind him.
Minutes passed before James let out a sigh, "Just… give him some time. If he's anything like his sisters he will either want to research this himself or burn off some energy and clear his thoughts." The two Potters directed their attention to the woman who nodded in acceptance.
"Perhaps we can go over a few things, on the off chance he changes his mind or wants to know more in the meantime."
***HP:O ***
The second Harry entered his room he had a plan in mind. Grab Hedwig, throw on his Invisibility cloak, get onto his Firebolt, and take off for either the Weasley's or Grimmauld Place, either would give him a good place to regroup, to think about everything and maybe get some direction.
A few seconds later and he remembered that he had no broom, no Invisibility cloak, and didn't know where Sirius lived even if he wanted to find his former godfather. For the first time since arriving in this world he felt trapped. Almost as much as when he lived with the Dursleys.
He couldn't go anywhere, couldn't escape the situation if he wanted to.
***HP:O ***
It was only after he was certain Riddle had departed the home that Harry snuck down the steps and out to the back yard. He needed to get out and enjoy the fresh air, to clear his mind for a little and he almost made it to the wooden storage shed when he ran into another.
"Oh I didn't know you were..."
"Uh hi Harry, how are..."
The two stopped in their joint conversations before bursting out into laughter. Moments later Harry, humor still in his voice, gestured towards the broom in his sister's hand. "Thinking about doing some flying?"
Amy nodded excitedly, "I was hoping to try out for the Quidditch team next year."
He smiled broadly at her joy. "Well, if you are anything like me you will be a natural. I was Seeker my first year after all."
Awe mixed with just a hint of envy lit up the redhead's face. "Do you think uh, maybe you could show me..."
"I'd love to."
Soon the two were airborne on brooms, with Harry giving various bits of advice and Amy soaking it up with an almost fanatical determination. A few dives, sharp turns, and climbs later and the two took a short break, drifting lazily in the air.
"Do you miss it, Quidditch I mean?"
The boy floated a bit closer, before shrugging lightly. "Yes and no. I was never a fanatic of the game, that was always Ron. I just love flying. Plus, it was something I was good at, something that I received praise for because of what I could do, not who I was."
It looked as though she wanted to ask more, but instead remained silent.
***HP:O ***
Harry could almost guess who was at his door based on the quiet knocking that came later in the evening. Once more he called out for them to enter and moments later James slid into his room. "Hi..."
"Hey"
The two males fell silent, James shuffling his feet and looking around the room for something to break the awkwardness between them. He gave up seconds later with a sigh. "Harry I know this seems unfair, that we are forcing you into this but that couldn't be further from the truth. Your mom and I… well we know you don't need this."
That had been something the boy-who-lived wasn't expecting to hear, and his attention focused in on the man.
"You're incredibly talented Harry, for Merilyn's sake you cast the Patronus in your first year. We have no doubts you will succeed, that isn't what this is about."
"Then what is it for? Why were you both so interested?" he countered, voice lacking any real spite.
Leaning back against the wall he let out a sigh, "I was good in school Harry, darn good depending on who you ask. A 'Transfiguration prodigy' they called me, but even with that I wouldn't have been prepared without help. I lacked direction, lacked experience, lacked contacts and understanding of how the world worked. It's something Hogwarts doesn't teach you, doesn't teach anyone. Without McGonagall it would have been tough."
A previous conversation returned to the younger's mind, "McGonagall? She mentioned she tutored you, does that mean you went through an apprenticeship too?"
James nodded, "I did, and it helped. Of course my own talent was important but she gave me direction, which is really what this is all about. You aren't like others who need this Harry. Some students, will need this type of thing to get any real job after graduation, will need an adult witch vouching for them, giving them special instructions and training in order to find a career. You aren't one of those people. Instead this is to make your life easier. You remember the elemental magic book she sent you right?"
Upon seeing the nod, if hesitant, the man continued. "Think of it like that. I have no doubt you would have discovered this on your own, but how long would it have taken? A year? Two? Three? Would you have found it at Hogwarts at all? Think of how much more you will know just because you were pointed in that direction."
Harry agreed, at least in his mind, with what the man was saying. He didn't have a plan for graduation, hell he hadn't even begun to think of anything more than 'maybe Quidditch or helping people' back in his own world and he had been at the end of his fifth year.
"And its more than just 'here are some books you should read'. She would take you to social events with other duelists or defense experts, introduce you to colleagues or those in her field you would have never met otherwise, help you form connections and contacts that are so crucial to getting anywhere in this world, regardless of whether you are a man or woman."
Again, he agreed and the idea sounded helpful, amazing even. But it had been the way it was worded, the manner in which it was offered that bothered him. "What does she get out of it?"
James looked at him for a second, before snorting with laughter. "Sometimes I forget how mature you are Harry. Most of the time it is gold, the family pays for the tutors time and efforts after all. If the individual already has a job it can be other compensations. If they are new to the area maybe they are given free room and board or an introduction to a company the family might have ties to. In my case the Potters pushed to have McGonagall assigned as Deputy Headmistress far earlier than she likely would have been otherwise."
"And Riddle? What does she want?"
"From what we talked about after you left? Nothing, well apart from the usual things."
That had him on edge. "Usual things?"
But the man was waving a hand as if it were a minor inconvenience. "Nothing serious, more of the natural benefits both individuals involved receive. Just as you will be able to rely on her name and reputation so will she receive benefits from yours. Imagine if you make some amazing discovery a few years after graduation. People might say that her training helped you and would look favorably back onto her as well. By taking you to parties and gatherings she would have someone to accompany her as well. You might not realize this Harry but the Magical world can be very lonely at times, especially for a teacher. Having someone to talk to can be a blessing in itself."
"So I would be her date?"
The older shrugged, "Sort of, and can you blame her? You inherited my looks Harry. Who wouldn't want a drop-dead gorgeous young man to attend a ball with?"
This earned a stifled laugh from the boy, and a grin from the man. "None of that sounds too bad, but why does it have to be a contract? It sounds a bit too much like some sort of forced marriage."
The man blinked but nodded slowly in understanding. "Did you have a lot of experience with those in your previous life?"
"No, but I heard about them in passing. They just sounded like someone forcing you to do something you didn't want."
"Well, this situation is usually written out in legal terms, but thats for the protection of everyone involved. These are exchanges of good or services for services Harry, you don't really think it always went off without one side or the other trying to cheat do you?"
No, he supposed not, and the idea of a Malfoy trying to manipulate the situation sounded like an obvious outcome.
James continued on, unaware of the younger's thoughts. "Usually these types of agreements are specifically laid out so that everyone understands what is involved and there aren't any issues. In this case your mother and I don't think it's necessary, since Riddle isn't receiving anything, but the woman offered to have it put on paper anyway, if nothing else to assure you of the situation and what would be involved."
Silence fell, and seconds ticked by until Harry decided to clarify what he knew, "So that's it then? She would give me extra tutoring, help me pick a career path, introduce me to people and that's it?"
"Well, its a bit more complicated than that, but not by much. Part of the understanding is that since they are taking you out, since they are introducing you to strangers without a parent or guardian around, that they are responsible for your well being. They are a chaperone at times, helping to guide you through this time in your life and protect you if need be."
Harry frowned at the new information, "Then what about Snape?" The second the words left his mouth the boy snapped his jaw shut, immediately shaking his head to try and take them back. "Sorry, sorry don't answer that I didn't…"
"No, no it's okay Harry. Snape… Snape was complicated. I knew she wouldn't be able to do anything, that sort of behavior was just too ingrained into the older parts of society to be changed by a young professor. Your mom though… she expected more from McGonagall. It wasn't just that the woman was our Head of House, wasn't just that she was a professor and an adult, it was also that she was supposed to prevent this sort of thing, to ensure it didn't happen. When she couldn't do that, and then failed to take action afterwards it just sort of dissolved whatever faith she had left. Me? I never expected miracles."
He wasn't sure why the next question came to his mind, but figured since everything was being brought into the open it would be better to ask. "What about Sirius? Did McGonagall offer him lessons too?"
James shook his head, "I mean clearly I was her favorite, but even ignoring that his situation was different. Sirius is from a much older family with much older values. They aren't the type to accept an offer like that from a young teacher who wants to hone their Transfiguration skills. Sirius' tutor was a much older witch who taught him, and I am quoting Sirius on this, 'How to be a good, respectable, stuck up prat who knew how to be seen and not heard.' Naturally, he gave them all sorts of grief for this, but in the end he came around and did learn some actual life lessons."
"So he became an outstanding member of society, and a proper snob? Does that mean Sirius Black actually has… a job!?"
The mock horror and disbelief in his voice earned a howl of laughter from the older man, "As amazing as it sounds yes, well not a real job, not like me at least, but he does help out around the ministry with research and miscellaneous duties. Honestly, I think it's just so he doesn't go nuts staying home all day and prevents him from planning pranks all day. Can't imagine his wife would have put up with him this long otherwise."
"Which means you must have a very important job, right?" The innocence in his voice almost fooled the man, but he was wiser and more experienced in the ways of pranks.
"The most important. I work in the greatest profession there is, the one that guides our future, that ensures the continuation of our society. I am an instructor of young people, a bright star in the sky with which they can use to navigate their path through life."
Harry frowned, "I haven't seen you at Hogwarts… so are you like a tutor for spoiled rich kids?"
James promptly folded his arms in a pout, "I don't just teach rich kids, thank you very much." The boy promptly grinned, earning one from the man as well. "So, what do you say, should we go and talk to your mom about what you want to do about this Riddle thing?"
The boy-who-lived took a deep breath before letting it out as a sigh, "Yeah, I think I'm ready."
***HP:O ***
"I'm sorry" Lily looked up from where she was sitting at the kitchen table, attempting to do some reading despite being thoroughly distracted, to see her husband and newest member of her family standing at the doorway. "I was angry. I should have listened and talked it out rather than running away. I'm sorry."
Her expression softened as she noticed the relief in her husband's eyes as well. "Well, we should have talked to you about this in private first rather than springing it on you all at once. We forget that you aren't like Amaryllis and Harriet and that you are more independent and mature. I promise to do better in the future."
"As do I." James chimed in, "Would you like to sit down and talk about it a bit more?"
Harry nodded, before taking a seat across from his mother, while the man took an empty chair next to his wife.
***HP:O ***
A tapping at her window earned Grace Riddle's attention, one with a letter tied to its leg. It wasn't the snow-white one belonging to Harry, but she held out hope it would still be from his family giving positive news regardless.
Opening the glass she allowed the creature in, offering it a treat and watching it depart after removing the object in question. A second later and her eyes were scanning over the parchment, taking in what was written in the short, concise script.
It wasn't the news she was hoping for, but wasn't a refusal either. Harry was hesitant, but still open to the idea. Lily and James were suggesting a trial period, an opportunity for her to show exactly what she could teach him.
A smile formed on her lips, if there was one thing Grace Riddle thrived at, it was challenges.
***HP:O ***
A/N: I'm probably changing canon with how spells are classified but whatever, I think it's a bit silly to say that a spell used to clean, one used to invade someone's mind, and one used to create fire are all considered the same type of Magic.
Previous Name**************New Name
Tom Riddle*****************Grace Riddle
Albus Dumbledore***********Augustina Dumbledore
Draco Malfoy***************Cleopatra (Cleo) Malfoy
-*************************Harriet Potter
-*************************Amaryllis (Amy) Potter
-*************************Pandora Malfoy
Blaise Zabini****************Bliss Zabini
Theodore Nott**************Theresa Nott
Severus Snape**************Serena Snape
-*************************Marie Rosier
Percy Weasley**********Paisley Weasley
Bill Weasley***********Billie Weasley
Charlie Weasley********Charlene Weasley
Fred Weasley**********Frankie Weasley
George Weasley********Georgie Weasley
Remus Lupin*************Remi Lupin