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The Shadow of the Wizarding World

By: Jamnaz79

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Note: I do not own Harry Potter for the book, movies, etc etc etc. Nor do I claim to. I also don't own Disney (well I own stock in them but I don't own the rights to things like pirates of the Caribbean). I do love all of the characters in the stories and well I just hope you all enjoy.

"Enough of that serious talk for now Harry," Nymph placed down his napkin unaware of the pun of her cousin's name she committed. She stood up from the table. She offered a hand towards the Gryffindor. "Care to take a night stroll along the beach?"

"I would love to." Harry took hold of her hand as they walked down the stairs into the sand.

Slowly they walked along the edge of the waters were the waves gently brushed against their toes in the moist sand. Neither commented that night about the fact that their hands may have been a little sweaty, nor did they mention any glances that might have taken place back and forth. Instead they merely walked and talked and enjoyed each other's company. It truly was one of the best nights in Harry's life.

~~~ SotWW ~~~

Harry sat on the ledge of the battlement of Castle Black looking down upon the island in the early morning light. The dawn had just broken gifting the island with her beautiful light as the sun rose over the ocean. The crisp clean sea air swept in from the stiff breeze carrying a freshness that the young man would only be lucky to wake up to each morn. He sipped in silence his cup of tea enjoying the sight.

The island had been changing this summer. The amount of work that had progressed over the last few weeks had been nothing short of amazing. There was a small town now on the middle of the island with a set of cobblestones leading towards the castle. The houses were centered on a large clearing like a park. According to what Harry had been told they would hold the old rites and rituals of the ancient religion there. Around that park was a series of larger buildings. The first of the buildings was a start of a school. The building was still being constructed but it was already huge. Five stories rose into the air of the large complex. It had been created with a number of special runes and charms. Eventually it would be able to house and teach all magical children that might wish to attend in their years leading up to Hogwarts. The idea was the students would learn muggle and magical knowledge so they would be ready for the world around them.

Next to the school was the orphanage. This building was not only complete but had some children already living there. Any muggleborn child found with parents determined to be a danger were rescued to safety. This building was built so that it could comfortable house up to a two hundred children from new born to age seventeen. Around these buildings in the town square a number of three story buildings had already sprung up. Some of them would have shops located on the bottom floor in the future and housing above. When completed this new magical settlement would rival Diagon alley for possible shopping. It had the added bonus of being safe and secure from magical and muggle threats.

There was only two ways onto the island. There was one location that allowed portkey and apparition for those that were not a member of House Black. That location was walled off and heavily guarded not only by witches and wizards but by squibs of the JP Foundation with machine guns. The only other way onto the island was the new large docks. There was a large set of docks running off of the shore near Castle Black. These docks had been built out deep enough and long enough to house multiple supertankers at once. It was doubtful that they would need such shipping for a long time to come but the possibility was still there for future growth. Currently there were a few smaller fishing boats at one of the smaller docks and the HMS Princess. It seemed that the HMS Revenge was somewhere still in the Caribbean. His godfather wouldn't say what happened but when he asked something was mumbled about misunderstood commands and missing the fun.

Fun that was an interesting word for Harry. Over the past few weeks had spent each weekend with a different friend of his having fun. First was Nymph who had taken him to the Caribbean for a weekend together. They had actually spent only the Friday in the Caribbean and Saturday gone to a World Quidditch Cup game. The Irish had thoroughly trounced the Japanese to win the right to go to the championship. It was an excellent game that only was topped off when the next day they had gone to the muggle theme park Walt Disney World. Besides the slight issue with some problem in the Small World exhibit being closed down and evacuated the rest of the day was amazing. It had ended up with the two of them watching fireworks explode above the castle.

The next weekend his father had gotten Hermione to visit. The pair of them had spent the weekend going through the library at Castle Black. It must have been the exact opposite of what his godfather wanted because the man interrupted them dozens of times trying to suggest ways for them to get out. Unfortunately the foolish man never considered the fact that has hard working and dedicated that Harry had become to his studies and future Hermione was still in a league of her own. While she didn't have the raw talent and was behind the young Potter Heir in the practical by a good degree she was determined to be the top in her grade level next year. The weekend wasn't fully about study, the pair had a long drawn out talk.

~~~ Flashback ~~~

"Harry…" Hermione looked up from her book that she been study about the history of wizarding Britain during the 1400s to stare at her best friend.

The youth looked up from his book which was study of runes used in expansion of private property. "Yes Hermione?"

"I have decided…" The words caused the emerald eyed boy to blink and study her closely. She continued under his suddenly intense gaze, "I have decided that I will not join your family officially. As much as I love you like a brother and will always care for you. I was born a Granger. I want to be remembered as a Granger and not lose who I am. I may be a first generation witch but hopefully others will remember the impact that an educated muggleborn can make."

If he was honest he was a little hurt by her words but he did understand them. He wouldn't give up being a Potter easily and his friend had always been a determined individual. It was a challenge to her to become someone special while being a muggleborn. If anyone could accomplish it then he was certain it would be Hermione Granger. A sad smile crossed the lips of the young man but he nodded in understanding. "While I can't say I don't regret getting to call you Ms. Potter, I can say I am happy as long as you stay always my friend Hermione."

"That is something you will always have Harry. I will always be at your side no matter what." Hermione reached forward and squeezed his hand as she spoke.

Harry met her gaze and couldn't help but smile back to his friend, though for the past year they seemed at times to be a bit distant there was something always going to be there. He turned his hand gently and grabbed her hand giving it a squeeze. "I will always be there for you too Hermione."

~~~ Flashback end ~~~

Harry drew his mind back from a week past at the feeling that he wasn't alone. It wasn't just a feeling that ticked him off but a smell. The scent of lavender filled the air. There was only one person he knew that loved that scent and wore it always at school. The raven haired youth swiveled his head to watch the newcomer with a smile, "Hello Daphne."

There were two things of beauty that Harry found himself looking upon. First, was the plate filled with freshly baked muffins and cinnamon buns that made his mouth salivate with hunger. The second was the way that the sun reflected off of his friend. Truly he had not realized this year how much she had grown up. Those horrible robes at Hogwarts hid her beauty from sight. Now that she was standing before him in a white summer dress that came down to mid-thigh Harry found little left to the imagination. She was still on the shorter side around five foot two in height. But her body had filled out the dress nicely while it hugged to her hips. Her chest had grown and if his training from Sirius was correct she appeared to be on the verge of a C cup. It was her face that truly drew the eye. The way the sunlight reflected off of her midnight black hair looked like a photo found in a muggle museum. Her ruby red lips looked very kissable as they turned into a smile catching him staring at her. But the spell was broken as she spoke up and Harry started to regain his self-control, "Potter, I was told I could find you up here. It seems your godfather believes you like to hide out up here on Saturday mornings."

"This is my alone time, but I think I can make an exception for such lovely company." Harry offered back with a quick smile.

A single elegant eyebrow rose upwards at the comment before she stared at him holding the tray of food and hot tea. Harry blinked and realized what she was waiting for. He flicked his wand and a table and two chairs were conjured for the pair of them.

Daphne slowly lowered down the platter and placed down two plates for each of them. Harry assisted with pouring out two cups of tea before holding out the chair for the Greengrass beauty. No comment was made at the gesture just a look of curiosity for the handsome young man. After they were seated the pair of them started to enjoy their breakfast.

"I take it your father is visiting the island today?" Harry asked before he lifted up his tea cup for a sip.

"No, I came because your godfather believes that you need more beautiful female company." Daphne made the comment spoken plainly as if one was speaking of the weather.

The result was Harry coughing and almost spitting up his tea. After a few seconds Harry trying to calm himself down he finally succeeded. It was only then that he noticed that his beautiful friend had her hand holding up a napkin to hide her smirk. Before he could speak she added quickly with the amusement disappearing, "You had asked me to accomplish a task for you when the school year starts."

The raven haired boy broke off a piece of a muffin to enjoy. He gave her a simple nod waiting for her to continue.

"Well, I will do what you asked but I want something in return." Daphne filled the silence with a firm statement.

"I had expected that you would want something for the work Daphne. Do you have any mind what it might be?" Harry quickly asked before taking another sip of his tea.

"You." The sky blue eye girl stated again far too calmly. The reaction was another burst of coughing as Harry was taken by surprise for her statement.

The emerald eyed boy glanced down at his cup as if determining if it was trying to kill him or not before placing it down. He cleared his throat before he met her gaze, "I didn't quite hear that correctly."

"I want you Potter." The lips of the beautiful teen twisted into a smile as he waited for the crimson that crept onto his cheeks to show. She didn't realize it but her own were turning a hint of point against her porcelain skin. "This year there will be a ball held as part of the tournament. I want you to be my escort to it. Last year I spent a large amount of time to help teach you to dance just so you could impressive the Delacour sisters at the ball. This time you will be my date."

The girl glared at him as if daring him to deny her request. A part of him was confused as he had not seen this determined side of her directed at him like this. A bit of him was excited at the prospect, after all what was not to like about Daphne? She was smart, beautiful, determined, and a bit dangerous. All of these were things that seemed to drive Potter men. But did he actually like her as more than a friend?

Harry wasn't certain how to respond to that. He had to admit he had a crush on Nymph but there was little chance anytime soon of that becoming anything. He couldn't seem to find the ability to admit which of the Delacour sisters he found more attractive to him mentally and physically. But they were in France and not there near him often enough to consider them. But wouldn't Daphne be just the same when he didn't go back to Hogwarts?

Harry realized he hadn't been speaking and the lovely teen before him who had dared make a difficult request now was starting to look a little worried. He quickly spoke up, "You know I won't be going back to Hogwarts next year Daphne?"

"I did know that." The girl stated as her eyes never left his face.

"I don't know if I would be the best of choices for a relationship considering I will not be around." Harry frowned as he commented.

The lips of the girl twisted into a smirk as mirth started to fill up her sky blue eyes. Those eyes for the briefest of seconds captured the sun and seemed to sparkle at Harry's expense, "You misunderstand me. I wasn't asking you to date me Harry. I was asking you to take me to a ball before the school."

Now it was Harry's turn to become bright red on his face. He opened his mouth twice before he found he couldn't speak. A reminder that this girl was a Slytherin, the saying always went a snake did everything to plan out the correct power plays. Seeing her at a ball before the school and linked on the arm of him would be a powerful incentive not only for protection for her but also for prestige. "Of course that is what you meant. I understand now."

"Perhaps but for a moment there the Great Harry Potter wanted to date me." She stood up with a teasing smile lightly up her face turning it from pretty to beautiful as the stern ice queen image was far from her look. This was the Daphne he had seen rarely but it seemed he had now earned the right to meet in private. In truth Harry rather liked this teasing minx instead of the dangerous distance princess.

Harry stood up from the table and lifted up his firebolt with a Potter family mischief filled grin, "You have a deal if you will fly with me today."

"A date and flying on Harry Potter's broomstick. Witches Weekly would be drooling at that prospect." The girl smirked as she stepped next to the handsome taller boy. The young man sat the broom and started to hover as she climbed behind him wrapping her arms rightly around his midsection.

The pair of them shot off from the parapets of the castle towards the town keeping hundreds of meters into the air above them. The view was beautiful watching the work be completed down below. Harry was more than a bit distracted by the developing body of the midnight haired beauty holding tightly to behind him. He turned his head towards her and smiled, "Want to take a flight around the island?"

"I would love to…" Daphne replied before the pair set a slow pace.

The broom shot them over the growing town and down a yellow brick road towards the forest, something that Sirius had demanded that they make, towards the depth of the forest. It was an ancient set of woods much like the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts. Sirius wouldn't comment what was found within it but supposedly it wasn't as dangerous or near as large as the Forbidden Forest. The forest surrounded a single mountain that dominated the landscape. It rose upwards reaching towards the clouds and just the tip breaking them. Slowly the pair circled the nicknamed 'Lonely Mountain' before making their way to the far side of it. The eastern side of the mountain was actually a swamp, not a huge one but a good size from the runoff of the mountain river and a few springs. They had named the swamps the Fire Swamps. According to what Sirius had told Harry his mother had loved a book by the name of the Princess Bridge which had the swamps within them. These swamps supposedly didn't have quicksand but they did belch fire from time to time which brought into question if the lonely mountain was actually a volcano. Harry hadn't been able to confirm the identity of the ROS yet in the swamp, but hoped to find out on his first training mission there.

The trip about the small island actually took them several hours at the pace they set. While the island only took up around five square miles in true land there were a number of special charms that the Blacks over the centuries had put up which hugely enlarged the usable space. This place was to be their home away, a place to retreat to in case their schemes truly backfired during the time of wars that swept the isle. Now it would serve a new purpose, a home for the magical people that wanted to get away from the politics of the mainland and just live a peaceful life.

The paid finally lowered back down to the parapets of the castle. Harry's windswept hair for once truly earning the reputation of a mess that often follows the Potter men. Daphne's own dark locks were an unladylike mess but she didn't seem to care with the smile on her face. It had been a remarkable and enjoyable afternoon. Before Harry could say anything the beautiful Slytherin leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Harry's lips. It was only a little peck but it caused the young man to go bright red in surprise. By the time he started to react Daphne had turned around and was walking away not looking back, "Thank you for the afternoon Potter. I expect you to arrange for trips like this during the Hogsmeade weekends."

Harry couldn't do anything except stare at the retreating firm backside of the beautiful young woman who seemed to always befuddle him whenever they met.

~~~ SoTWW ~~~

"Pup are you ready?" The voice of Remus came through the door of his room as Harry looked at himself in the mirror. He wore the required uniform for the tournament. It was a dark blue tunic and black pants. On his right arm was the House of Potter crest and the left sleeve had the JP Foundation seal. His chest was emblazoned with the crest of Professor Flitwick. Since his mentor was his sponsor for the event he would fight under his name and colors. It was tradition that a protégé would wear the crest of his mentor on his chest. One that Harry was happy to embrace. The crest was a battle axe dropping blood of it onto the pile of gold with a skull settled into the middle of it. It was a goblin crest, but then the diminutive Professor was part goblin and chose to honor his clan in battles.

"I am ready Remus." Harry spoke as he waved his hand and the door opened up to show his protector. The wolf had cleaned up his long grey hair tied back into a bundle along his back .The robes were new and fresh all midnight black with the JP Foundation crest on the front of them. It was Remus face that had changed the most since the start of summer. Since the middle aged man had become a part of Harry and Sirius family and joined the JP Foundation he had found peace with himself. He no longer looked haggard. It was the fact that he had a purpose now, a goal and he had embraced it. The man wasn't moving job to job instead he had become in charge of security for Harry personally and Sirius. They also used his impute with a number of werewolves that had joined their company. He seemed to feel he was making a difference something that he had never expected to get to do under Dumbledore and the British Ministries laws.

The smile that the man shot towards his adopted nephew could have lit up the room itself. The pride that filled his light brown eyes at the sight of the boy almost grown to a man could not be hidden. "Let's go then. Sirius will meet us there with the Delacour family after their meeting and we do not want to keep Professor Flitwick waiting."

Harry followed the man out of the room noticing that they picked up three more shadows. Harry gave a smile at Smith, Bill and Emma. Three were members of the Shadows protection squad that had been assigned to help Remus this day. The group of five quickly made their out of the castle and down the streets of the new town to the apparition and portkey location. After passing a rune covered wall that opened for them and a few heavy machine gunners watching closing the group came together to stand on an X on the ground. A rope was spread between them and a quick word spoken before the group portkey off to the tournament.

Author Note: I know. I have taken far too long for this story to update. I can't really give any excuse except that I found a few other stories that drew me in first. I promise I will start to update this more quickly. I hope everyone enjoyed this lighter chapter, the next one will be the tournament then things kick off for fourth year. I also have an omake for this with the lovable Captain Dobby that I will post up with next chapter.