Author's Note: Thank you to those who reviewed and added my fic to either your favorites or alerts. I was really shocked and amazed by the number of readers that added me for a story alert! I know these chapters are terribly and irritatingly short, but this is just the build up to the main part of the story and the chapters will get longer as we get closer to the real story.

Chapter 1: London

London was proving to be an interesting experience. Harry had never had the opportunity to visit London except when he passed through on his way to and from King's Cross Station. Needless to say, Hagrid and Uncle Vernon were not exactly tour guide material.

Deciding he did not care when he made his way back to Little Whinging, Harry continued to wander the streets of London well past sunset. Finding benches near a club with loud music and scantily clad patrons walking in and out the front door, Harry lit another cigarette, 'I am really going to have to get another pack', took a long drag, and closed his eyes as he pondered his next steps. Realizing forty pounds of cash, minus the cost of soon to be two packs of cigarettes, was not going to last him through the week, not to mention the summer, he knew that more funds were in order.

Harry cringed as he contemplated going to Gringott's. 'Well, I am more than able to go to Diagon Alley. Bugger, I left my wand at Privet Drive and I really should get a cloak and my key out of my trunk if I am going to go to Gringott's. I wonder how hard it is to pick a lock, I doubt uncle Vernon will just open the cupboard so that I can get into my trunk...'

So lost was he in his own thoughts, Harry never realized that he was no longer alone on the bench.

"So are you waiting for someone before you go in, or are you just here to brood on a bench?"

Harry jumped at the unexpected voice, promptly burnt his fingers on his still lit cigarette, and replied elegantly to the newcomer, 'huh?'

"I asked if you were waiting for someone or just brooding. If you are waiting for someone then I will leave you to it" Flashing a cheeky grin, the newcomer continued, "If you are brooding, why not do it inside in a better atmosphere and with better company?"

Silently spluttering, Harry looked wide-eyed at the man, 'oh Merlin, is he hitting on me', and continued in the same manner as his prior response. "Umm..."

Recognizing the potential for innocent and malleable company, the man decided to ingratiate himself with the teen as fast as possible. "Chatty one aren't you? I'm Michael, and you're interesting. How about a drink and a dance?"

Harry was having difficulty recovering from his shock. He was a bit giddy at the prospect of a quasi-date with a man. He knew that he was at the very least bi, but most likely gay. Any girl that he ever found attractive, namely Cho, was always flat-chested and on a broom. Males on the other hand, could almost always turn his head. Unfortunately, he had not had a great deal of time to actually explore that facet of himself as of yet. 'Why not find out, now is as good a time as any. Although, I have no idea how he determined that I am interesting. I have said two words and can't really look all that appealing being that it is the second day in these clothes. At least they are not Dudley's cast-offs.'

"Uh sure, I guess. My name is Harry by the way."

Grinning, the man sidled up next to Harry and took hold of his hand in a seemingly friendly gesture. "Fantastic Harry, let's see about that drink then, shall we?

Harry let himself be led into the club.