Sorry guys! It's been forever sense I updated and I'm soooooooo sorry!!!!

I'm writing a novel that I hope to get finished and at least edited by the end of the year. Hopefully published. So, I have chapter 5 typed and part of 6 but there might be a greater gap between each new posting. Hopefully not, but this is just a warning.

Anyway! Here's the next chapter you're all waiting for.

Chapter 4

Harry yawned as he sat up in bed, wondering where he was and why it wasn't his room in Privet Drive. His memories slowly came back to him: they'd run away and they were free. Looking around the quiet room, he noticed the closed door that led to the girls' adjoined room; they were still asleep, then. Knowing he had time, he got out of bed and went to the loo to wash. The girls still weren't awake when he came back so he worked for about ten minutes to conjure a mug of coffee, as it was a bit stronger than tea.

Outside of his window, the sun wasn't up yet, though it would be soon. Harry sat on the ledge and sipped his coffee silently, enjoying the silence. The sun was about halfway up when he began to hear movement from the other room. The girls poked their sleepy heads through the door about ten minutes later and looked surprised to see him awake.

"Hey, sexy," Ben said groggily, rubbing sleep out of her eyes. Harry blushed, that was something else they were trying to cure him of: his shyness. The girls said that the only way to overcome it was to be complimented at all hours of the day. "What 'choo doin' up at this hour?"

Harry shrugged, "I don't know. I usually get up at this time. I was just really tired yesterday."

The girls nodded, blinking and stretching. "Well, day two. What're we going to do today? We've got the freedom to do anything."

Harry shrugged. "I dunno. I guess I never really got the time to think of what I wanted to do."

"Well," Kaede prompted, "Now that you can think, what do you want to do?"

Harry turned back to the rising sun. What did he want to do with his free time? What did he like? Well, flying for one. Flying always brought a euphoria that nothing else could. He liked . . . what else did he like? He liked a challenge; a good challenge. A challenge where he defied what everyone else believed and his broke all boundaries. He liked . . . "Is there anything that doesn't involve a broom that makes you feel entirely powerless, but in complete and utter control at the same time?"

Ben smirked, "Oh, will you love skateboarding."

Five hours, two decks, and fifty million falls and scrapes later, Harry had finally gotten a hang of skateboarding. He had to admit, once you knew what you were doing, it was a thrill of its own. The girls had put him through half pipes, rails and every other possible object he could pop the board or wheels onto. He'd caught on really quickly – another boundary he enjoyed breaking. Ben and Kaede were rather surprised that he could manoeuvre the board so quickly. In fact, the majority of the falls themselves came from the stunts that Harry had later tried to invent and perfect.

The skate park gradually began to fill up and Harry found himself having to look out for other people. This seemed to help his swerving skills quite a bit, though he wasn't infallible. After crashing into another kid, he realized that he really needed to practice around other people.

"Sorry about that." Harry said, getting up and holding out a hand.

"No problem," the other kid replied, taking his hand. The boy was Harry's age with long, curly, dark brown hair that fell to the bottom of his neck. His black eyes reminded him strongly of Professor Snape; but he couldn't be related. "I'm Andy Snape." Apparently, he could.

"I'm Rhett Aryor," Harry said with a grin. He didn't know how much this kid knew about the wizarding world, so it was best to use their fake names, even if he didn't have his disguise on. For all he knew, Andy could hate the wizarding world because his father left him or something. "Nice to meet you. Do you skate often?"

"Yeah, almost every day," He grinned. "My mum hates it, 'cause I come home with scrapes of all kinds. She hates almost all of my hobbies, come to think of it. I play the drums, too. She hates the noise."

Harry raised an eyebrow, "So, you're family doesn't get along well, then?"

"Oh, no," Andy shook his head empathetically, "No, I know she doesn't mean it. It's sort of one of those things she doesn't like much, but puts up with because I like it."

Harry nodded. "What about your dad?" He asked carefully. Now was a good time as ever to figure out what the hell happened to the senior Snape.

"Not sure," Andy shrugged. Harry was surprised, as the Snape he knew wouldn't give up on a responsibility. Sure, the man was nasty, but he saw things to the end. "Mum doesn't like to talk about him. He probably ran or something." He finished with a bitter tone. Harry highly doubted that, but you never know.

Harry nodded anyway. He looked to his watch and saw it was close to dinner time. They had spent almost the whole day at the skate park. It was close to five and Harry's stomach was complaining. "Well, it's about time to eat. Maybe you'd like to come with us for dinner?"

"Who is 'us' and where would we eat?" Andy asked, flipping his board into his waiting hand and already unclipping his helmet.

"My friends, Ben and Aeda, are here with me. We're hanging together for the summer. They're Yank's, but Aeda is my cousin and I'm showing them around London." Harry said, sticking to their story. "We're probably going to just eat at the first place we can find." Harry led Andy across the park, looking around for the girls. "Kaede has short blonde hair and Ben's a redhead."

No sooner had he said that, Harry spotted the duo. "Here they are."

"Ben's a girl?" Andy asked, surprised.

"What?" Harry looked at the girl in question. She was definitely a girl. She was wearing tight jeans that cut off halfway down her calf and a shirt with only two straps holding it up on each shoulder. "Of course she's a girl."

"Oh, well you gave me the impression she was a bloke." Andy replied. "Ben is, after all, usually a guy's name."

"Well, I suppose it's a nickname for something else." Harry shrugged, waving the girls over when they noticed the two guys. "She's Aeda's mate, so I don't know her that well. Yet, at least."

Andy's gaze took on a teasing look. "Oh, yet, you say. So, you planning on roping her in?" He asked. "If you need any help, I'm the master of flirting."

"Yeah?" Harry raised an eyebrow, keeping his voice down as they approached the girls. "I might have to take a rain check."

"Hey Harry," Ben said, showing off their American accents to Andy. "Who's your friend?"

"This is Andy Snape." Harry was relieved that neither girl's face showed any of the recognition that he knew they had. He'd told them stories about his favourite professor, so they'd be familiar with his family name.

"Nice to meet you," Ben said with a nod of her head. "I'm Ben."

Kaede stepped forward with a half-lidded gaze and a sensual half-smile. "Hey there," She ran her gaze tantalizingly down his body. "I'm Aeda." She stepped up and ran a finger down his sweaty chest. "Might I have the pleasure of your name?"

"Anthony Snape." Andy said, taking the hand she'd ran down his chest and kissing her knuckles. "Enchanté Mademoiselle," Andy said in French, meaning 'nice to meet you, miss.' What little of other languages Harry knew, he could recognize. Of course, it couldn't hurt that it was almost a universal phrase.

Kaede laughed at the phrase and immediately dropped the act. She linked her harm playfully through his and they walked out of the skate park. Ben walked up to Harry and pushed her shoulder gently against his. "Hmm, they make quite a pair."

"I suppose so," Harry replied, "Though I think Andy's a bit frivolous with dating – him and Kaede both. They're probably just playing with each other." He suddenly got an inspiration and spun to face Ben, sweeping into a bow with his hand out. "May I accompany you, fair lady?"

Ben flipped her hair out of her face haughtily and pretended to scrutinize him. "I suppose," She put on a rather poor attempt of a British accent. Harry just laughed as they linked arms and followed Andy and Kaede out of the skate park.

"So, is it safe to assume that Andy is related to your Potions teacher somehow?" Ben asked as they dropped their arms, as well as the act. If Harry was honest with himself, he didn't want to let go of her arm.

"I think so," He replied. "He said he doesn't know his father. His mum doesn't like to talk about him, so either Snape left her or Andy's mum left him." He tilted his head and quirked his mouth in a smirk. "This is assuming Snape is actually Andy's father. They could simply be cousins or relatives some other way."

"Right," Ben nodded her head. "But you're the one that knows what your teacher looks like; not me. You'd be the one to know if they look anything alike."

Harry nodded. Looking over at Andy, he realized there was a huge resemblance. Andy had to be Snape's son. Ben grabbed his attention – literally, as she was pulling his arm – and Harry looked up to see Andy and Kaede waving at the next corner. The two caught up and Kaede immediately began to tease them.

"I know you two just want to sneak off and make out, but we've found somewhere to eat." She said, laughing at Harry's light blush.

"It's a really good place to eat." Andy said, brushing off Kaede's taunting for Harry's sake. He led the group to the pizza shop across the street. "I go here all of the time. It's some of the best original pizza in London." They all went in and picked a booth, waiting to order. While waiting, they sat and chatted about themselves.

"I go to a boarding school in Scotland." Harry was saying, "Ben and Aeda should be getting an acceptance letter this summer, as they've just moved here."

"Neat," Andy replied, "I'm home schooled by my mum and Uncle Matt. Do you play any sports?"

"Er – yeah. I play on the school team – it's sort of like football. Who's Uncle Matt? Is he your mum's brother?" Harry asked.

"No, but he's not on my dad's side either." Andy said, "We actually don't know anyone from my dad's side of the family. Uncle Matt is more of an honorary Uncle. He's known my mum since I was four, maybe five. I go to a karate place that he runs. Usually, he teaches me at home, but I think he wants to sign me up so I can test myself against some other kids my age."

Harry nodded and absent-mindedly waved his hand over his tea, warming it up again. He froze, realizing what he'd done in front of Andy. But Andy's face wasn't one of confusion or suspicion. It was one of eagerness and joy. "I knew it." He was grinning at Harry like an idiot. "You go to Hogwarts, then?" Andy and the girls, who had been previously having their own side conversation, burst out laughing at the look of shock on Harry's face. Harry had assumed that Andy knew nothing about the wizarding world – he didn't go to Hogwarts, so what other possible reason could he have aside from the fact that he simply wasn't knowledgeable.

Harry finally got over his shock and listened to what Andy was saying, "- was muggleborn, so my grandparents loved everything to do with magic. My mother didn't want me going to Hogwarts for some reason – I assume she doesn't like their system or something." Or something, Harry chuckled darkly to himself.

"Well, if we're coming clean," Harry said, "My name isn't Rhett Aryor. It's Harry Potter."

Andy raised an eyebrow and looked him up and down. "You don't look like Harry Potter." He commented with a playful sneer.

Harry grinned wryly, "Yeah, the girls dragged me through a few shops yesterday. Anyway, I want you to still call me Rhett. I'm sort of in hiding – from Voldemort, obviously." Andy nodded.

The group ate the pizza when it was dropped off by the waitress and Andy sent a joking wolf-whistle as she walked away – though judging by the girl's glare, she didn't know he was teasing her. They continued joking and teasing with each other until a shadow fell over their table.

Andy looked up and smiled, "Hey Uncle Matt." Andy's uncle pulled up a chair between Andy and Kaede and looked around the table.

"You going to introduce us, kid?" Matt asked with a chuckle. Harry froze. That voice, it brought out memories. Memories he had wanted to forget; memories of his father's last words. Uncle Matt's voice was probably exactly like his father's.

"Oh, yeah," Andy said, pointing out the girls, "That's Aeda, and that's Ben." He turned to Harry, "And this is -"

"Harry Potter," Harry said firmly, putting out his hand and watching his face intently for any reaction. He was disappointed when the only thing Uncle Matt did was smile and shake his hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." The man smiled. "I've read about you in the Prophet, though I suppose you can't trust everything you read." Harry was almost upset, but what was he thinking? That he had a long lost relative of some sort; yeah right. He was Harry Potter. These things didn't happen. "You can just call me Uncle Matt." He continued, "Just about everyone Andy knows does."

Andy rolled his eyes and the girls grinned. "Andy said you run a dojo?" Harry prompted, hoping he got the terminology right. When Uncle Matt nodded, Harry continued, "I don't suppose you could tell me how much it is to get in?"

Uncle Matt looked from Harry to Andy and said, "If you can get my nephew to come with you, I'll let all three of you in for free." Harry and the girls immediately turned to Andy with pleading looks on their faces.

Andy groaned and turned to his smirking Uncle. "You evil, vile fiend," This only served to make the man's smirk wider, "You will pay for this, I assure you."

"I have no doubt of this." Uncle Matt then turned to Harry and the girls, all business, "Your parents or guardians must sign the papers, of course." Harry exchanged an uneasy look with Ben. "I thought so." Uncle Matt continued when they gave him a surprised look. "If you need a place to stay, my apartment has two guest rooms."

Harry shook his head quickly, "No, we're fine sir. We have a hotel room – we're fine."

"Nonsense," Uncle Matt scoffed, "And none of this 'sir' stuff. Only in the dojo."

Andy nodded in agreement, "You can stay with Uncle Matt, or with me and my mum. We have a guest room."

"How far away is Uncle Matt from your house?" Kaede asked, already planning to change living arrangements.

"Down the hall," Andy replied, grinning.

"In the same apartment?" Ben laughed, "I don't suppose that was prearranged or anything?"

"It's actually how mum met Uncle Matt." Andy replied with a smile to the aforementioned family member.

"Well," Uncle Matt said getting up, "Selena wanted you to come home to wash the dishes." Harry could only assume that Selena was Andy's mother. "She also said that you need to turn on your mobile phone."

"Why?" Andy said grumbling about the first request and completely ignoring the second. "She could just charm the brush to do it for her." He stood up and put some money on the table.

Harry looked to Uncle Matt and saw the grin on the man's face. "Yes, but it creates morals." The girls hid their grins as Andy continued to gripe and moan. Uncle Matt only smiled and led them out of the shop.

"Can we meet you here tomorrow?" Harry asked, looking to sky to find that the sun was slowly setting. "It's getting a bit late."

"Sure," Andy nodded. "We'll meet back at the skate park at eleven. Bring your bags – shrunk preferably. We can move you in later tomorrow afternoon."

"Cool," Kaede smiled and waved. "See you guys."

------------------------------------------------------

It was morning, and the dew and fog were glistening in the sunrise. People were just beginning to get up for work, though one particular van was already at their destination. Daniel and Rachael Granger parked their car next to the run-down park at the end of Grimmuald Place. Rachael unbuckled their youngest – Annah – from her car seat and they stood and waited for their Hermione and one of the school Professors to come and lead them to the invisible safe house.

Rachael looked nervously around the ragged and dangerous looking road, hoping their escorts would come along soon. Five minutes later, two figures came hurrying from the right. Rachael picked out her daughter's wild hair almost immediately, though it appeared to have calmed down a bit. Hermione ran forward and gave her parents each a hug before scooping her little sister into her arms. Rachael recognized the woman that was still walking towards them as the professor that had explained about Hogwarts and magic when Hermione had first gotten her letter.

"Hello Professor McGonagall," Rachael said when the woman finally got to them. "Thank you for going to the trouble."

The professor waved it off, "It was no trouble at all." She shifted her gaze down the street. "It's best we get going. You can never be too careful."

When the Grangers got into 12 Grimmuald Place, they found a frenzy. There were people running from room to room with objects that looked like a stone bowl and other papers while some people toppled from a green-flamed fireplace and some appeared out of thin air! Professor McGonagall was whisked off by a sandy-haired man while a tall gangly boy of about fifteen or sixteen ran to Hermione.

"'Mione," He said, "There you are. Dumbledore wants a few memories before the meeting starts." The boy stopped and finally noticed the three behind his friend. "Oh, sorry," He put out his hand, "Ron Weasley. You've probably seen me before fourth year and at the train station every year."

Rachael smiled and nodded, remembering that her daughter had a crush on the young man and she shouldn't embarrass her. "Right, I remember you now. This is Annah, our youngest. You probably haven't met her before."

Ron smiled and nodded, "You'll want to hurry in. Put you bags next to the stairs and we can take them to your rooms later. Right now, you'll want to head to the kitchen." Ron led them hurriedly through the bustling hall, stopping to silently tiptoe past a moth-eaten cloth, to the loud and disorganized kitchen. Hermione, who was in the room at the time, was led out to give another memory to Professor Dumbledore.

The Grangers were sat down at the table and watched as people began to steadily flow in and take their seats. Annah was watching with wide eyes as things were levitated around the room and chairs were created out of nowhere. Rachael recognized Molly and Arthur – the two that had taken Hermione to a sports game two summers before. Hermione came back in at one point and Ron came not long after to sit next to her. The last person to come in and silence the room with his presence was the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

Dumbledore stood at the head of the table and smiled when he saw Hermione's family. "Good, the Grangers have made it fine." The twinkle in his gaze suddenly went out and he looked around the table. "I realize not all members could be here last night and that we also have minors here this time, so allow me to explain why we're here this morning. At the train station, Harry Potter was told to send a letter every three days. However, yesterday was the third day and we had no note. A few Order members, Ms. Granger, and young Mr. Weasley accompanied me to Privet Drive to find something disastrous." Dumbledore took a shaky breath that scared the Order witless. "Harry Potter was abused." There were gasps of outrage from those that didn't know and sobs from some that did. "We've come together this morning to try to piece together the past of this poor child and find where he's run away to. You are all gathered because some are bound to see this differently that others and perhaps pick out what we missed."

Dumbledore sighed and waved his hands, dimming the lights slightly. He waved his wand over his pensive and the memory of what they must have found in Harry's room played like a slide projector on the wall behind the Headmaster.

"Professor!" The memory Hermione cried when she opened the door to Harry's room. There was dried blood over the floor and sheets and a pile of splintered wood under the window.

The memory Dumbledore waved his wand over the shards of wood as memory Ron asked what they were. "These are the remnants of Harry's wand."

"What happened to the rest of it?" memory Matthew asked, noticing that the entire wand wasn't there.

"It's in the boy's arms." Petunia Dursley said stiffly from the doorway. The four in the room turned to see a pale and tightly masked face. "Vernon snapped the thing and used it to put splinters in his forearms."

Dumbledore was almost shaking, Hermione had tears running in rivets down her face, and Ron looked about ready to puke. "The blood?" Ron asked in a shaky voice.

"That was the first time Vernon ever used the belt. Twenty-five lashes across his chest, back and legs."

Petunia then turned away and the memory ended. "We have the memory of Vernon Dursley actually beating Harry," Dumbledore said with a tear stain rolling down his cheek, "but that won't be shown. What will be shown is the time Hagrid picked up Harry to go to his first year and the times he was dropped off and picked up from King's Cross to see how much damage there is. We are trying to find out how much damage was done and at which age things started."

Dumbledore played the memories and people began to notice the hard-to-find signs of neglect and abuse. Through the entire thing, Harry was strong and took it all. That was the part that worried Dumbledore the most – Harry didn't seem to have a braking point. He hadn't told anyone and he kept everything bottled up. How long would it have been before he snapped?

"Mummy?" Annah asked, looking up from her drawing on some spare parchment to watch the latest memory. Her voice broke the quilt of silence upon the kitchen. "Mummy, is that Harry?" She asked innocently.

"Yes," Rachael replied, eyes still on the memory, "Annah, shush. Mummy's trying to watch."

Annah nodded and went back to her colouring.

Reviews please!!!!