A/N: I apologize for the delay. I found myself caught up in reading 'Unsung Hero' by MeghanReviews. Not a bad story, however I am very disappointed that a sequel was created and then abandoned. Don't you guys hate that? You find a good fanfiction to invest time into and the author ends up saying 'fuck it, I quit'? I assure you all, this will not be the case with me for this story. It may take me years to finish it, especially if I lack motivation, but I WILL finish the story, all the way to the end. Now, a special thank you to Tyler'sPrincess and KingPlotBunny. KPB, I agree about the smut. Nothing wrong with it, however. I've found myself particularly drawn to anything involving Harry and the Black sisters, lately! Daphne will definitely be a pairing, but not a permanent one. Harry's a celebrity and I'm going to make sure he gets a fair share of teenage fun. TP, I will confess that the odds of a Harry/Ginny pairing are slim. I always hated Ginny as a character. She's a Mary Sue if there ever was one, in my opinion. Now! I believe I have a chapter to write, so here goes! Oh, by the way: we're doing a time skip.
Harry had just awoken from a terrible nightmare, only to be greeted by a seething Voldemort. Voldemort – or Marv, as Harry called him, had been in a foul mood since the beginning of summer break. After having to experience firsthand what the Dursley family was like, he had begged Harry almost on a daily basis to just kill the filthy muggles. When Harry adamantly refused, Marv suggested that Harry at least do something to get them off his back.
Naturally, Harry listened. It had occurred about a week into the summer holiday when Dudley decided to try beating Harry up. Dudley, having been obliviated of the events regarding his Aunt Marge, knew Harry could not use the 'm' word outside of school. Harry, after five minutes of running from his cousin, decided to enact the plan he formulated back at Hogwarts. He had slowed down so that Dudley could catch up to him, which did not take long; Dudley had been exercising as part of a regime designed for the miniature whale to lose weight. As Harry heard his cousin's footsteps approach, he turned and, with great force, slammed his fist into Dudley's nose.
There had been great satisfaction as Harry felt the bones in his cousin's nose shatter, and even greater satisfaction when Harry followed his assault on his cousin with a few well-placed kicks to the knees and groin. Marv had nearly pissed himself laughing as he watched Harry continued to kick his cousin in the ribs until he heard numerous cracks. As Dudley lay there, blood pouring from his nose and mouth, Harry warned him that if Dudley ever bothered him again, there would be one less Dursley around to feed.
Vernon and Petunia were, as expected, completely infuriated with their nephew. Harry dragged their unconscious son into the living room and looked, with hatred, at the two people who made his life miserable for so many years. Vernon tried throwing him out, but Harry had simply smirked and reminded Vernon that he only needed to live in the house with Petunia. Vernon was just as disposable as his useless turd of a son. When they threatened to call the police on him, Harry simply shrugged as if to dare them to do it. No police officer would believe such a scrawny, malnourished boy could do so much to a boy of Dudley's size. However, to ensure Vernon didn't try killing him, Harry had given Dudley the healing potions he'd stolen at the end of term.
Within hours (A/N: Yes, I know what you are probably thinking. Hours? Seriously? Harry took days to recover from less. I'm the author, I'm calling the shots. Besides, I'll just say that magic potions work a hell of a lot better on muggles. Muggles lack any magic to fight the effects of an outside force of magic.), Dudley was completely healed, but overall traumatized at the event.
From that moment on, Harry Potter was given three large meals a day and had free reign to do as he pleased. It certainly didn't hurt that Harry would brandish a large knife whenever Vernon tried threatening him. So, on that summer morning in mid-July, Marv was seething for a different reason. It was probably because Harry had been adamant about exercising, reading Ancient Runes textbooks, and practicing Herbology and Potions whenever he could. Herbology and Potions were the only two branches of magic that Harry could practice in the summer without penalty by the Ministry. He acknowledged that he could have practiced Divination and History as well, but he did not particularly care for History and he intended to drop Divination in favor of Ancient Runes.
He had sent a letter out to both McGonagall and Dumbledore requesting the transfer, confident that he would be approved. After all, he was the Boy-Who-Lived. The texts were sent to him from Hermione; her books from the last year. If he was refused, he would simply mention how it was unfair that they let Hermione take so many courses at once but wouldn't allow him the opportunity to change early on. He felt his Head of House would approve the transfer; her feelings on Divination and Trelawney were well known.
Harry got out of bed, ignored the seething Marv, and went to his dresser to get changed for the day. He admired his wardrobe full of fitting clothes, albeit random ones. He decided that if Dudley was going to be responsible for providing Harry's clothing, it should at least be clothes that fit. So Dudley, using his bullying ways, had managed to get Harry an assortment of clothing that all fit Harry. Some of them were even designer, though Harry didn't recognize the names.
An added perk of his plentiful meals during the summer was that Harry had plenty of nutrients to aid a growing teenage boy. No longer did Harry see the outline of his ribs when he gazed upon his reflection. No longer did Harry feel as if he resembled the dementors; skin stretched over bone. Quidditch did hardly anything for exercise, despite popular belief. One used a magic broom to move around. The chasers and beaters saw a bit more exercise, but they had to train off-field to see results. Keepers just relied on reach and mass. Seekers? They just sat on their brooms and used a hand to grab the snitch.
So Harry decided to exercise, if only to be toned. He didn't do anything spectacular and was certainly not some muscled god; he knew he was still growing and that too much muscle would most likely stunt his growth. He recalled reading something like that from a report issued to the Dursleys regarding Dudley's diet. If anyone asked Harry why he wanted to be tone, he would have said he wanted to be a better Quidditch player. The truth was far from that. He had two reasons to want to be tone and the first was that he was insecure about his appearance. Being beat down: physically, emotionally, mentally, and magically, had really done a number on his self-esteem. Growing up as a 'freak' and being beaten and starved by his guardians would do that. He was actually surprised he hadn't gone Dark by now.
The other reason for Harry's desire to be tone was related to his insecurity, in a way. Harry wanted to look good, especially for his bushy-haired brunette friend of his. He had begun to have more sexual thoughts and feelings following his third year, most of which were focused on his closest, and only, female friend. He had had multiple wet dreams involving her and other witches at the school, but felt shame when he would see their hands trailing his bony body. Why would any witch want some bony wizard? Harry decided to fix this instead of worrying over it. So he exercised and ate well, focusing on getting more protein in his diet.
As Harry dressed, he decided that he should practice some more potions today. When Marv had suggested this to him at the beginning of summer, he originally scoffed at the idea. Harry genuinely believed he was rubbish at potions, thanks to Snape's words over the years. When Harry tried explaining to Marv how bad he was at it, he was met with a logical argument so sound that he caved.
Marv had told him that if he was bad, then that was all the more reason to practice potion-making. He also told Harry that making a potion was not unlike cooking a meal, which Harry had plenty of practice of. You simply followed the directions given and, if you did everything right, you would end up with what you set out to make. Sure, it may not be the best out there, but not everyone could be a Chef or Potions Master. After all, Harry knew how to be precise when it came to following instructions. Snape would give detention or take away points for improper instructions; the Dursleys used to beat and starve him if he failed something.
So, for the rest of the day, Harry worked on a variety of potions with the ingredients he had available. It was challenging, because he had to avoid using magic to maintain the heat, but Harry had managed using a portable gas stove that Dudley got for a camping trip years back.
It was just past dinner and Harry was returning to his room when he found Hedwig there, holding a letter from Hogwarts. Eagerly, he ran over to the snowy owl and took the letter from Hedwig, earning a reproachful hoot as Harry ignored his pet. Harry quickly apologized, gave her a treat, and sent her off to go hunting. Opening the letter, he unfolded it to read the response to his request to transfer to Ancient Runes.
Dear Mister Potter,
I am pleased to hear you are taking your education seriously, especially this early before OWLs. I have spoken to Professors Dumbledore and Babbling and we have come to a group decision.
You will be allowed to drop Divination and transfer to Ancient Runes, under the provision that you maintain an Acceptable in the course. Should you fall below this grade, you will have certain privileges revoked for as long as necessary. If you haven't already, please acquire the textbooks assigned for the third year and study them. I'm sure Miss Granger will be more than eager to help you.
Mister Potter, we are taking a certain risk with allowing you to skip the first year of Ancient Runes. This is not a normal occurrence. Should any of your classmates ask, you will tell them in no uncertain terms that you had received tutoring over the summer and passed an exam allowing you entry into the second year of Runes.
We are giving you a rope, Mister Potter. Please be sure not to hang yourself with it.
Sincerely,
Professor McGonagall.
"Yes! I'm in! You hear that, Marv? I got in!" Harry celebrated, throwing a punch in the air.
"You do know that I'm a part of you, right? I knew you were in the moment you did, because I'm in your head!" Marv replied dryly.
Harry rolled his eyes at Marv's remarks before grabbing a fresh piece of parchment and jotting a letter to Hermione:
Dear Hermione,
How are you? Thank you for your last letter, and again for the textbooks. Speaking of which, I got in! I'll be in Ancient Runes with you! Ron's been mentioning the Quidditch World Cup in almost all of his letters, with little else on his mind. I'm hesitant to tell him that he'll be alone for Divination, but I'm sure Dean will help him out. Five Sickles says he throws a fit when he learns about this.
Yes, I've been doing my homework. You might be pleased to know that I've been practicing my potions as well. After thinking about it, potions is not that different from cooking and I've always been pretty good at that. I'm sure Snape will still say my work is sub-par, but we all know how that greasy git is. The Dursleys are actually treating me well this summer. I think Professor Dumbledore gave them a visit while we were on the train. Write me back soon.
Miss you,
Harry.
A/N: So there's chapter five. I kind of rushed this, so I apologize for any mistakes. I don't know the schedule for fourth year, but I am going to conveniently have Runes available for Harry. Don't fight me on that. And let me know what you guys think of me addressing the Horcrux as 'Marv' (short for Marvolo, by the way). I felt it would get rather confusing once Harry starts actually dealing with Voldemort. As always, please review. We have have a mutually beneficial relationship here. The more feedback I receive, the more motivation I have to jot out a new chapter. Which means more for you to read. Until next time! - NeoR