Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own it.

AN: Thanks for the response. Um…I lied! There will be 3 chapters now. As with my other short stories, I'm hitting the high spots and moving along instead of writing a bunch of stuff that draws out the story. Which means, telling me that the story is rushed will serve no purpose. Sadly, things in Harry's life are never happy for long.

Chapter 2

It took a week for the Parkinsons to be able to correct all that was wrong with Harry. The scar proved to be problematic and caused Roger and Faith to call in some old friends to help with it. The procedure ended up taking two hours but in the end, the scar would shrink until it was barely visible on his forehead. Despite their best efforts, some of the scars remained on his back even though they managed to reduce their presence dramatically. They were helped a lot by the fact that when the scar was removed, Harry's magic began to flow more freely and assisted in healing the young man they had taken in.

Pansy proved to be a good nurse and only left his side when she was forced to by her parents which helped the two youth grow even closer. The month of August went by really quickly for the two friends as they spent every waking moment together. Even while Harry was being treated and healed, Pansy was there giving him support and comfort. It took another week but Harry was back up on his feet and after being given a completely clean bill of health, the two were traipsing all over Diagon Alley and having the best time of their short lives. They both had found that friend they always needed and wanted and they weren't going to let anything get in their way.

In the eyes of her parents, the closeness shared by the two pre-teens was a little unnerving as it seemed to go far beyond friendship. They had the sneaky suspicion that they may be looking at their future son-in-law provided nothing bad happened. They knew it would be considered odd in the other world for parents to think this way but magic was both a wonderful and terrible thing. It could do so much harm but at the same time, it could tie two people together for the rest of their lives which was the greatest of magics. It was for this reason that betrothal contracts still existed so that the possible young couple would be protected as they developed the romantic bonds to compliment the magical bonds they had formed. Under normal circumstances, they may have approached the head of House Potter to bind the two in a contract but with Harry's unique situation due to the steps they had taken on August 2nd, there was no one who could legally enter Harry into such a contract. Due to the things that had already been done to Harry, Roger and Faith knew there could be problems and planned to watch the situation as best they could.

**HP**

During the last week before school started, Harry and Pansy made multiple trips to Gringotts to handle things that Griphook gave him to look over. With the help of Mr. Parkinson, things were looking better for House Potter and Harry. Among the things Harry had to deal with were many contracts that were presented to the bank for consideration of the Head of House Potter. Since that was Harry by default, it was left up to him to decide how to handle them. One particular stack brought tears to Pansy's eyes and caused her to run out of the room.

It confused Harry and he turned to Mr. Parkinson and asked "Why did she run out? She's been helping me go through all this stuff this week and never did that before?"

Roger smiled. "Well, she's your friend and cares a lot about you. What made her upset is that stack is made up of marriage contracts."

Harry looked at him confused. "What? Why would that matter? It's not like I know any of those people and are going to accept them. I mean…I'm only eleven for God's sake. I just got over the girls are yucky stage."

Roger chuckled. "It's alright Harry. She just doesn't want to lose her friend."

Harry huffed. "Like she has anything to worry about. The day I stop being her friend is the day she doesn't want me anymore."

Roger smiled again. "That's good to hear. Now, why don't we get through all this so you can have the next few days to enjoy yourselves before school starts?"

Harry nodded and picked up another stack of parchment. The change in Harry impressed Roger as it seemed his mind was working much faster than when they first met. It was a good sign for Harry's permanent recovery from the effects of the scar and a reminder of just how bad things could have been if they hadn't removed it when they did. He then had a horrifying thought of 'what if that's what Dumbledore wanted? What if he wanted a compliant and obedient young man he could manipulate into doing whatever he wanted?' Those thoughts sent a shudder up Roger's back as he thought about the possibility of the man doing that and being in charge of a school full of children.

**PH**

On September 1st, Harry and Pansy were escorted to the train early since her parents had an appointment at 10 am. After getting them settled, Mrs. Parkinson hugged both children and wished them a good first year at Hogwarts. After giving his daughter a kiss, Mr. Parkinson took Harry's hand as he thanked them once again for their hospitality. Before they left, Mrs. Parkinson said "Harry, I expect you to come home with Pansy at Christmas so that you can spend the holidays with us."

Despite all the work the Parkinson family put into Harry's emotional well being, he was still an emotionally abused child who had trouble thinking anyone would want him around. When she saw him slipping back, she gently cupped his cheek and pulled his eyes to hers. "I mean it Harry. We want you there."

"Yes Ma'am."

As they departed, Faith grabbed Roger's arm and leaned into him. He said "They've got each other now. They'll be fine."

"I know. I just need to know one thing."

"What's that dear?"

"Are you going to speak to Amelia or am I?"

"I'll let you lead the initial meet. If it doesn't go to your satisfaction, then I will step in but I'm sure that won't be necessary. She likes you more than she likes me."

"I imagine so. I didn't go through her knicker drawer in that panty raid at Hogwarts."

"Yeah, that was eye opening. I never expected Ami to wear stuff like that."

"You know, she ate it up every time you stopped and stared when she walked by."

"More like she laughed at me. Still does to this day."

**HP**

The ride to Hogwarts on the Express went pretty well for the two new first years. As they did for the last month, they spent their entire time together and were only away from each other long enough to go to the loo. Both planned ahead and already had on their school clothes so that all they had to do was slip their robes on and they were ready. Pansy thought he looked nice in his new clothes after having grown several inches and getting rid of the glasses. The scar was still present but not as noticeable as it had faded a lot over the last few weeks.

Over the course of the journey, they were interrupted several times by different people; the most noticeable was Ron Weasley and Draco Malfoy. Ron immediately set Harry off by calling Pansy dark and not someone the Harry Potter should be associating with. Harry kindly asked him to leave as he wouldn't put up with anyone talking bad about his friend. Draco wasn't as bad as he could have been even though he was a little cold towards Pansy. When he stuck his hand out, Harry grabbed it and told him "Pleasure to meet you."

"Since you have tossed Weasley out and have already met Parkinson, it seems you are heading in the right direction. I'd like to help with that if you would allow me to."

"I'm not apposed to meeting new people Draco but I hold my own counsel on who I befriend."

"As it should be. Anyway, I guess we'll see you around the castle Potter. Enjoy the rest of your trip."

"And you"

As soon as he left, Pansy said "You did really good with him despite the fact that he oozed slime."

"Yeah, hey do you have one of those hand wipe things from your mum. I'd run to the loo but I don't want to be cornered again."

She smiled and reached into her pocket before handing one to him. They sat in quiet conversation for a while before a bossy little bushy haired girl stepped in. Once she learned his name, she looked at him strangely for a minute before starting to spew all of the 'facts' that she read about him. About halfway through, Harry held up his hand.

"I don't know where you got all your 'facts' from but I can assure you my life was nothing like what you just described. Miss?"

"Granger and you must be mistaken as that is what the books say and books don't lie."

"No, books don't lie but the people who write them sure do."

"But…"

"Miss Granger, just because you read about me in some books doesn't mean you know me. Harry Potter is not some character in some book. I am a real person."

"But…"

Pansy said "We were having a nice conversation until you interrupted. I don't want to sound rude but if you want to be Harry's friend, then you need to take the time to get to know him like I did. Those books are nothing like the real Harry."

The girl huffed and left the compartment. Harry and Pansy looked at each other for a minute before breaking out into giggles.

The end of the trip found Harry and Pansy getting into boats for the trip across the lake. Since they were the last in line, they were left to a boat of their own which was fine with them. They never let go of each others' hands until they were escorted into the Great Hall to be sorted but they still stood very close.

They watched as everyone was sorted until the 'P's came up. When her name was called, she gave him a glance and then stepped forward. It took several minutes before the hat finally shouted "Slytherin". When she walked past him to the house table, she gave him a pleading look.

It wasn't long before Harry's name was called and the Hall grew quiet. As he started to walk forward, he heard all kinds of whispering ranging from 'that's not how he looked on the books' to things about him being a hero and how they all hoped he was in their house. He also noticed several professors lean forward in their seats as he made his way to the stool. Once on the stool and with the hat pulled on his head, he heard a voice.

"Ah, Mr. Potter. Your sorting has been much anticipated. I dare say I've had way too many conversations about you recently. In order to get some relief, let's get this over with. Ah, I feel that you could fit into any house easily. You have a fine mind. You are loyal to those who are loyal to you not that there have been many. You are cunning and ambitious with a thirst to prove that you're not just the boy-who-lived. And you are brave to a fault. You step into the unknown without a second glance just because you use your nobility and morality to determine what is right and wrong. I dare say that is your most dominant trait and think Gryffindor would be the best place for you."

Harry laughed "You've got to be kidding me. I'm terrified here and you sit on my head telling me how brave I am. Please put me with Pansy."

"In Slytherin, no…my own counsel I'll use. Bedsides, I'll have to listen to the old goat prattle on and on about why I didn't place you there."

"Please…I'm begging you."

"I'm sorry Mr. Potter but even I answer to someone else. Just be careful as you have more to worry about in the house of lions than you do the house of the snakes. They would accept you but the lions want to use you and your fame."

Pansy watched as the sorting was taking so long for Harry. She could see the pain on his face and watched as a tear ran down his cheek. She knew they wouldn't be together and found she was once again alone. She waited with baited breath for the hat to make its announcement.

"Please Mr. Hat. Why are you doing this? Aren't I allowed to be happy?"

"I am truly sorry Mr. Potter but it is as it has to be."

"BETTER BE… GRYFFINDOR!"

As the students began to clap, he noticed that the Gryffindor table was going crazy while the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables were politely clapping. When his eyes turned towards Slytherin, he was met with nasty glares from the whole house and when he sought out Pansy, her head was bowed and she wouldn't look up and make eye contact with him. It was then that his stomach lurched and he knew he was alone once again. He made his way over to the Gryffindor table and sat quietly away from the others. He was allowed to be with his thoughts until Ron Weasley was sorted and immediately set up camp beside him.

He sat and listened as the man who had affected his life so much up to this point made a few comments before the food appeared on the table. The thoughts of his life excluding the last month along with his separation from Pansy by being forced into a house he wanted no part of made his appetite disappear quickly. When the food appeared on the table, he placed very few things on his plate despite how hungry he was earlier.

It was like something in him snapped when he was taken away from Pansy and placed where someone else wanted him. He had no doubt that it was the work of the Headmaster just continuing to try and control his life even more than before. Inside, he felt a new determination rise up. If they wanted him to be something other than who he was, he would give them something they never expected.

As he ate in silence, he tuned out everything that was said to him until a slimy hand covered with food grabbed his arm. As Harry looked down at the hand print on his robes, he noticed that Weasley was talking a mile a minute which was just as fast as he was shoveling food into his mouth. Harry recoiled when some of the food sprayed back out and on his robes. As he looked on in disgust, he shoved his plate away and slid down as far away from the boy as he could.

Several professors caught Harry's reaction to Ron and watched the scene unfold. When Ron scooted down to continue his assault on Harry, he did the only thing he could and stood. His eyes scanned the Gryffindor table for another empty spot but couldn't find one. He then did the only thing he could think of and went and stood beside the wall as Ron Weasley glared at him.

The eyes of the professors grew wide at his display and with a nod from Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall got up and went to him. "Is there a problem Mr. Potter?"

"No ma'am. I just needed to stretch my legs."

"You need to retake your seat for the end of feast announcements."

"May I sit at another table?"

"You most certainly may not."

"Then I prefer to stand."

"May I ask why?"

"I prefer not to sit beside the eating machine. His eating is unsettling and I refuse to have to deal with that."

"Be that as it may, you need to sit back down."

"Could you conjure a chair for me here?"

"I…I suppose I could do it this time but after the feast, I want you to wait for me so that we may have a talk in my office."

"Yes ma'am."

Once the feast was over, Harry was led out of the Great Hall by McGonagall. When they got to her office, she pointed him to a chair.

"Now Mr. Potter, what seems to be the problem other than Mr. Weasley's atrocious manners? Which, I promise you, I will address at once."

"Madam, I mean no disrespect but I have just heard that I was sorted before I ever got to the school. Despite my pleadings, the hat placed me in your house against my wishes."

"I see. I'm sorry but the sorting hat's decision is final."

"Even when he was told to place me in your house? I'm sure Gryffindor is a fine house but it would not have been my first choice."

"I don't understand. Your parents were some of my favorite lions. You are a legacy for Gryffindor house."

Harry sat thinking about how to say what he needed to. Professor McGonagall watched him as he thought. "Madam, while I can appreciate the fact that my parents were Lions, I was raised believing they were drunks who didn't care enough about me to see to my needs. Since I was brought back into this world, the only thing I have learned about them is that I look like my father and have my mother's eyes. You say I should be in Gryffindor yet I could not have learned any of their traits since I wasn't raised by them and know absolutely nothing about them. The people I was left with were not kind and despite extensive healing, I still have scars from my time with them."

She sat back in shock. "I didn't know. I was told you were being well taken care of and were completely aware of this world and your place in it."

"Madam, the extent of my exposure to this world has been at the hands of some people who were kind enough to teach me as much as they could in so short a time. I know my reputation as a hero of the light and that may have been true had I been raised differently but the truth is, I wasn't and if I were to classify myself, I think it would be more neutral than anything else. I know I'm not dark but don't see myself as light either. That more than anything tells me that I am a bad fit for your house."

Harry was impressed that his logical argument came out as well as it did and managed to impress Professor McGonagall. "You make a good point which was well reasoned. For a first year, it was impressive but I can't change the hat's decision."

"Then I guess we are stuck with each other."

"It seems so. Out of respect for James and Lily, I promise to help you as much as I can while you're here Mr. Potter but you'll have to help yourself as well."

"Would it be possible to keep Weasley away from me? He insulted me and a friend on the train and didn't help his case by what he did in the Great Hall."

"I'll try. May I ask a question?"

Harry nodded.

"Which house would you have preferred?"

"Slytherin"

She gasped "Why?"

"That's where my best and only friend is."

"May I ask who?"

"Pansy Parkinson. She is the first friend I've ever had and now your school has taken that away from me."

"You're just in different houses. You can still remain friends."

Harry looked at her for a minute before asking "Do you really believe that?"

Her only reply was to look down. "Will you escort me to the dorm? I guess it's time to get acquainted with my housemates."

As soon as they got into the common room, McGonagall called over a prefect. "Mr. Baxter, will you see Mr. Potter to the first year dorms?"

"Yes Ma'am."

As he was led upstairs, the prefect didn't say much except to stop at a door and say "Well, here you are. Welcome to the house of the brave."

"Thanks"

As he walked into the dorm, it was obvious that Ron had already turned the group against him by the glares he got. He found his trunk by the bed furthest away from the door and a little away from the others. It looked as if someone tried to get into it and failed badly. When he looked at the hands of the others, he smirked when he saw burn marks on the hands of Ron and a boy named Seamus. He then turned back around and placed his wand against a rune on the trunk, when it flashed with a blue light, a boy named Neville came over and asked "What was that?"

"A security rune. I just turned up the power. The next time someone messes with my trunk, it won't be so pleasant."

He heard Ron say "See I told you he was a dark wizard."

"Not dark Mr. Weasley. Just someone who doesn't want someone messing with my stuff and if I was so dark, why were you slobbering all over me at the feast?"

Ron sputtered and turned around. When there wasn't a response, he started undressing. When his shirt was removed, there were several gasps as they saw the scars on his back.

"Blimey mate. Which adventure did you get those scars from?"

Harry laughed. "You mean those books?"

He got several nods.

"No adventure. But it was a monster that gave it to me."

Ron asked "What a dragon? A manticore?"

"Nope, my fat uncle."

With that said Harry went to the loo and then returned to his bed where he pulled his curtains as he laid down. He buried his face in his pillow thankful that Faith told him that there were silencing charms on the curtains. He then let go of his emotions and cried himself to sleep.

**PH**

While Harry was speaking with Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape was giving his welcome speech in the Slytherin dorms. As soon as he turned the meeting over to the prefects and left the common room, the seventh year prefect named Rosier took over the meeting.

"This is for all you first years. Slytherin House stands on its own in this school. You may be friendly with members of Ravenclaw House and may even socialize with members of Hufflepuff if you have the desire to lower yourself but there will be no associating with members of Gryffindor house whatsoever. If you are found being friendly with them, we will make your life miserable for the next seven years. Just so you understand the reality of the situation, there's no way to be resorted so this will be your house until you graduate. As Professor Snape said, there will be no dissention once you leave this dorm. To do so will place the rest of the house against you."

Once they were dismissed, Pansy made her way to her dorm room where she got ready for bed and pulled her curtains as she climbed in. Once they were closed, another student made use of the silencing charms and cried herself to sleep. The only thought running through her head was why Harry chose Gryffindor. She would have to find a way to talk to him to get her answers but her first reaction after a lifetime of rejection of the other kids was that now that he had other people to be with, he pushed her aside.

**HP**

The only time they ever saw each other was in class and neither had the opportunity to talk as they were always under the watchful eyes of their housemates. The only thing they were able to do was share glances every once in a while. In Gryffindor House, Harry was getting just as much pressure to conform to their ways as Pansy was in Slytherin. Another rule she was subjected to was the one that required her to travel around the school with her Slytherin year mates. Once Draco remembered who she traveled with to the school, she was placed under even more scrutiny and was not allowed to speak to anyone outside of Slytherin House.

She watched as Harry bucked the system at every turn which did not earn him any respect from either his house or the professors. During class, many of them were especially hard on him and as a result, others in the school saw it as an opportunity to taunt and harass their savior. As a result, Harry was slowly changing back into the introverted boy she first met and it broke her heart.

One thing she knew was that Slytherin House was made up of opportunists and no where was it more evident than in Draco Malfoy. As soon as it seemed that it was open season on Harry Potter and no Gryffindors were willing to stand up for him, Draco forgot all about the offer of friendship on the train. For the purebloods, it was like blood in the water and they were the sharks. Since Harry moved through the castle alone, they began to track his movements so that they could have a shot at him. A few days before Halloween, they caught him unaware and began a ruthless verbal assault that took in a broad range of insults. The most hurtful to Harry were the words about his parents. People he didn't even have the chance to get to know and who he had only heard vague references too.

He was becoming used to the taunts as he got even more inside his common room. The thing that shocked him the most was when he saw Pansy standing among his tormentors. It wasn't that she said anything bad to him, it was just she stood there as they said all the things that would hurt him the most. A lot of what he was tormented with hit pretty close to the mark as some of the things he had only told her as they lay on either one of their beds talking late into the night.

It was the sad look in his emerald green eyes that hurt the most. The look of hurt and disappointment was the worst and something that she would have to live with for the rest of her life. What hurt even more was when he turned and walked away while the rest of her housemates continued to taunt the boy who was her friend and who she should have stood up for.

That was the night that she realized just how far she had fallen. It was out of fear of what her dorm mates would do to her that caused her to just stand there but deep inside, she knew she had allowed the most precious thing in her life to die. There were many times from that day forward that she would try to catch his eye but he would not even look at her. When she was allowed some free time to think, she knew that Harry thought she had betrayed his confidences. It was something she would never do but with them being unable to talk to one another, he didn't know that.

Halloween came a week later and she didn't see Harry at the feast. She later learned through the rumor mill that he stayed in his dorm for the evening as he didn't feel like celebrating the death of his parents. She realized it was another failure on her part because she should have been there for him. She was brought out of internal berating she was giving herself by the door to the Great Hall slamming open and Professor Quirrell running in and announcing that there was a troll on the loose in the castle. The students were quickly escorted to their common rooms where they remained for the night. With no way to escape, she was forced to endure Draco's bragging about what he would do if he faced a troll and how disappointed he was that he would not get the chance to show everyone in the school the power of the Malfoy line. As she glanced around her housemates, she was shocked that so many of them were actually buying his crap. She imagined Draco coming up on the troll and crapping his pants at the sight and had to fight back a snort at the thought.

The next day, she learned that the bushy haired girl from the train had been in a toilet all day thanks to being ridiculed by Ron Weasley. When the troll was announced, Ron thought he'd show that he was just as heroic as Harry Potter and went in search of it. They heard screams and went to see what was going on and found Miss Granger curled up in a ball under the sink as the troll bore down on her. The mere sight of the troll made Ron panic and in an attempt to trap the beast, he locked Miss Granger inside the toilet with the troll. The rumor mill said that the professors were alerted to its whereabouts by her ear piercing screams. Even though she only met the girl once, she felt sorry for the girl and her parents as she was transferred to St Mungos and they didn't give her much of a chance to live. She learned a week later that she died from her injuries. Pansy was disgusted by the fact that Ronald Weasley was not punished for the part he played in the whole thing.

**PH**

The first term came to an end as well as a letter she should have known was coming. In it, her mother asked why Harry was declining the invitation to spend the holidays with their family. That statement destroyed her hopes that would allow her to explain everything and apologize to him.

She had watched as her mother's owl delivered letter after letter to Harry only for him to never open them after that incident in the hallway. It hurt her to know that she was going to be a part of the pain her parents would feel at Harry's rejection and she had subtly picked up each one out of the waste bin after he had thrown them there. The guilt at what she caused was eating her up inside and knew that it would be confession time with her mother soon.

On the day that the students were returning to London, she searched the Great Hall for him as breakfast was being served. She looked at him with pleading eyes only to have him turn away and make his way back up the stairs towards Gryffindor tower.

She found a compartment to herself and wasn't disturbed as she cried all the way to London. When her mother picked her up at Kings Cross, it was obvious that something was wrong. That entire night was spent between mother and daughter as Pansy poured out her heart over everything that had happened. It was also how they put together that the time when Harry stopped writing to her was around the end of October which was the same time as the confrontation that Pansy stood there silently for.

Faith told Pansy that at the beginning of the term, Harry sent her regular letters but never said anything about the separation of the two friends. She told Pansy about how Harry wrote to her telling of how free he felt when he was on a broom. He even told her that everyone said he was such a natural flyer that he was offered the position of seeker on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. The news thrilled her as she knew he was struggling to be accepted by the house and this would help him make friends. At his request, she went to Griphook and showed him a letter from Harry asking her to get the money from his vault and purchase a 'good' broom with it. That was the last time he mentioned it so she forgot all about it as Griphook said he would handle it.

Pansy told her that Harry began practicing with the team but then quit and refused to fly anymore or at least that's what the rumor mill said. Both of the Parkinson girls were confused at the sudden change and wouldn't learn of what happened until much later.

The truth was that at his third practice, the Weasley twins brutalized him with the bludger at the urging of their younger brother while the rest of the team watched and said nothing. After being completely bloody and bruised and having several broken bones, Harry limped off the field carrying the two pieces of his Nimbus broom and never returned. Gryffindor House had to scramble for a last minute seeker and lost horribly to Slytherin in their first match. Not wanting to be anywhere near the team, Harry stayed in the library during the match and didn't hear of the disaster until later.

After their horrible performance, the entire house watched as Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch captain, approached Harry and begged him to come back to the team. The laughter that came out of Harry didn't endear him to the Quidditch crazy fans of the house and was seen by all as dishonoring their house. They watched as Oliver had tears in his eyes as he walked away from Harry carrying a bill for one destroyed Nimbus 2000. His parting words were equally as harsh. "You know, I wanted to play with you guys more than anything but after what happened in practice, there was no way I would play a match where I had to trust in you to protect me from the other team."

Harry walked out of the common room as many members of the house turned and started asking the questions that the entire team didn't want to answer. It wasn't long before the Weasley family was beginning to have problems in Gryffindor House thanks to their actions towards Harry.

**HP**

On Christmas morning, Hedwig soared into the house and landed on the arm of Faith's chair. As soon as she untied the letter, Hedwig was back in the air and flying out of the house despite Pansy's pleading for her to stop. When she opened the letter, she read it and then sighed.

"What does it say Mummy?"

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson,

I wanted to take a moment on this holiday and thank you again for all that you did for me. No one has ever made any kind of effort on my behalf and I will be eternally grateful for that. I wanted to apologize for not coming to your home for the holidays but I felt that my presence would have been disruptive during a time dedicated to family.

I wanted you to know that I remain healthy which is due to your efforts. And despite the arguments I know you will make to the contrary, I have asked Griphook to take care of compensating you for the tasks you performed while I was under your care.

I'm sorry things haven't worked out better but this term has taught me a lesson I learned growing up. At its essence, I learned to never trust or let anyone inside since it only leads to pain. It also taught me to never be in anyone's debt.

Again, I wanted to thank you for your efforts on my behalf and say goodbye as we will probably never cross paths again.

Respectfully,

Harry James Potter

Pansy bolted out of her seat and ran to her room sobbing. When Faith's eyes met Roger's, the only thing she could say was "If things keep going this badly for him, he won't stay much longer."

Roger sat there for a minute before he said "Can't say as I really blame him."

"Me either"

**PH**

Harry woke up Christmas morning to four presents at then end of his bed. The first was obviously a broom which he looked at with disdain. He read the note as one of his roommates and his brothers looked on and recognized the handwriting of his head of house. Before he even looked at the other presents, he picked it up and carried it through the common room as those who remained at school watched. He turned right as soon as he cleared the portrait and quickly found himself in front of Professor McGonagall's office. When he knocked and she bade him to come in, he walked to her desk and placed the broom on top. He spoke evenly the whole time as he made his argument.

"I thank you for the gesture but I cannot accept this Professor. Go get your money back."

She waved him off. "Nonsense, it replaces the one you bought that was destroyed."

"Yes ma'am it would but you were not the one to destroy my other one."

"It was still the Gryffindor players who did it. I feel somewhat responsible for what happened. You only took the position after I talked you into it."

"Yes ma'am but if you really wanted to do something about it, you would have punished them for it instead of trying to buy their way out by using your own money to get a new one. I'm sorry but the only replacement broom I will even consider will be bought and paid for by those who allowed and caused it to happen."

"I'm sorry but they won't do it."

"Very well, my broom was bought for 8000 galleons as it was special ordered and not an off the rack model. I am formally demanding compensation for the incident. I think that if I demanded their brooms as compensation, I might get enough for them to replace my broken one but I doubt it."

She half pleaded. "Mr. Potter, that is completely unreasonable. I have offered you a replacement broom in compensation."

"Yes ma'am but if I may, you bought an off the rack model whose value is 3000 galleons less than my original one. You expect me to pick it up, go back to my room, and be happy with something less than I had."

"But…"

"Madam, I can tell you it's not the money. I have more than enough to buy a thousand more just like the one I had. What it boils down to is I had nothing growing up. I showed up in Diagon Alley in my cousin's hand me down clothes. The glasses I used to wear were bought at a second hand shop and were barely acceptable. I was forced to live as a slave because you people thought it was what was best for me. I have scars all over my back due to the loving attention of my 'uncle'. You may say that those things happened in that world but I say it was all due to things people in this world did. …I guess what I'm trying to say is that I grew up with nothing and treasure everything I have now. I find it insulting that I am held accountable for every little thing I do but others can destroy an 8000 galleon broom or taunt me anytime they feel like it and know that they won't be punished for it. I also find it insulting that you condone their behavior by trying to buy me off."

Her hackles were raised and she huffed out. "That was not my intention Mr. Potter."

"Yet they remain unpunished. Ma'am, contrary to popular belief, I am not stupid. I know I am as much of an outcast as Miss Granger was. I'm just surprised I haven't been killed for it as well."

"MR. POTTER!"

"Merry Christmas Professor. You can tell your little Quidditch team that they will be hearing from my solicitor in the near future to work out an appropriate settlement."

"It was an accident."

"Pensieve evidence says otherwise. Oh and Professor, I may be eleven years old but I have some very good advisors."

When Harry went back to his dorm, the presents that were on his bed looked as if they were shredded with a knife. He picked them up and walked back to McGonagall's office. When he knocked and she reluctantly asked him to enter, he walked in and threw the packages on her desk.

"What's this now Mr. Potter?"

"These are what remain of the presents I left lying on my bed when I came to see you a few minutes ago."

He reached over and ripped open the first package that she recognized had the Headmaster's writing on it. "Let's look at the note….ah a family heirloom that was kept from me and returned only to be destroyed. Let's see, from what I've been taught, heirlooms of the old families are usually considered priceless. I guess this was an accident as well."

She winced as he ripped open the next package. He pulled out a cut up dragon hide jacket. She knew it was an expensive piece of clothing. His scathing tone barked out "Hmm…another expensive accident I think."

As he got to the last package, she reached out and said "Enough Mr. Potter. You've made your point."

"Will the people responsible for this be punished or will I be sent back to my room and be expected to just accept things as they are?"

Her biggest mistake was that she had no answer for him. As he grabbed up the packages, he turned towards the door.

"What are you planning on doing Mr. Potter? I will not tolerate retaliation."

"That's rich coming from the lady who allows things like this to go unpunished. If you must know, I think I'm going to do what I should have done my second week at this school."

"And what is that?"

"Don't worry about it."

He slammed the door on his way out and made it back to his dorm only to see people smirking at him. He made his way up the stairs and into his room where he packed the few items he allowed to remain outside his trunk. He got dressed and then closed up his trunk. His next step was to touch his wand to the rune on the trunk that shrunk it down. Once he pocketed it, he strolled out through the common room and into the corridor. He followed the few others heading to the Great Hall but when he got to the entrance, he turned and heading out onto the grounds. Before he knew it, he was outside the gates and heading to the town he saw in the distance that he knew to be the magical community known as Hogsmeade.

**HP**

One use of the floo later and he stepped out into the Leaky Cauldron where he casually waved at Tom before opening the archway and disappearing into the alley. He stepped into Gringotts and approached a teller.

"I know its Christmas but I really need to talk to Griphook. Would you see if he is available?"

"Name?"

"Harry Potter"

"Wait just a moment."

"Thank you"

A few minutes later, Griphook walked into the lobby and asked "What can I do for you Mr. Potter?"

"In private please?"

"Of course"

Once they were back in his office, Griphook asked again "What can I do for you Mr. Potter?"

"Did you make those other arrangements in case things didn't work out at Hogwarts?"

Griphook's eyebrows rose. "Of course. May I ask why?"

"Things aren't working out and I need to go somewhere else."

"The Salem Academy in America has held a place open for you." He pulled a piece of paper from his desk and looked it over. "I can have you on a plane heading there at two pm. Will that be acceptable?"

"Yes Sir and thank you."

"That's what I'm here for. You will need to go to our Salem branch and they will have everything arranged for you. I will contact them at once."

"Again thank you"

"May I ask whether Miss Parkinson will be joining you?"

"Um…not that I know of. She's not even aware I'm doing this."

"You were very close. May I ask what happened?"

"She found better friends."

"I see. I'm going to send a notice to your new Headmaster to have you see a mind healer once you get there."

"Why?"

"I think it would do you good to talk out your problems with someone. From what I know, your childhood has left scars not only on your body but on your personality as well and quite frankly, I don't really want to see you go dark because of all you have been through. Even if you don't agree with me, please at least give it a try."

"Why would you care?"

Griphook smiled. "Well, don't tell anyone this but I like you and I would like us to have a long and profitable working relationship. It's good for both of us and to be quite honest, if you were to be classified as a dark lord, I would lose all this money you allow me to play with."

Harry sarcastically said. "Thanks for caring."

Griphook smiled. "Harry…James and Lily were good people and I see a lot of you in them. They would want you to get help. I want you to get help. If you would speak to the Parkinsons, I'm sure they would want you to get help. Have you even spoken to them about what you are doing?"

"No I haven't. Their daughter has decided I am not worthy of her attention anymore so as far as I am concerned, their opinion no longer matters."

Griphook shook his head. "You are way too young to be as jaded as a Goblin towards the wizarding world. I think you will be happier away from your reputation."

Harry sighed "Oh yeah…my reputation."

Griphook placed a hand on his shoulder. "Would you like to talk about it?"

Harry shook his head but said. "It was nothing more than I expected after my life growing up. All I ever wanted was the chance to have a real friend and even that was taken away from me. I'll give the mind healers a try."

"Harry, you have lived a hard life for being so young. I can understand how you feel at this time but things will get better as you gain more control over your life. Don't let the actions of the people here cause you to not let anyone else have a chance. Even a Goblin cannot live a solitary life."

"I will try. Thank you Griphook, for everything. Oh, tell Mr. Screwem to proceed with the case. All they wanted to do was sweep it under the table so he needs to take everything he can from them."

"I'm sure he will enjoy it immensely."

He expanded his trunk and pulled out the shredded Christmas gifts which he then laid on Griphook's desk. "Tell him that he can add these to the damages. I'm sure the coat was a gift from the Parkinson's and I'm not sure about the cloak. It says something about being my father's."

Griphook gasped and picked up the package. He ran his hands over the material and took notice of its shredded state. "I am familiar with the cloak and the legend surrounding it made it priceless. I…I am sorry for all they put you through."

Harry nodded. "It would have been nice to have something that belonged to my Dad. Oh well, its just something else that world has denied me. You can tell Mr. Screwem that Professor McGonagall tried to buy me off by offering a lesser broom as a replacement. To me she all but admitted their guilt and the staff's knowledge of it. She told me that there was nothing that could be done about the Christmas packages as there were no witnesses."

Griphook growled out "Of course."

Harry sat there for a minute before he looked up. "I hate to ask anymore of you but I have another request."

Griphook motioned for him to continue.

"Could you set up another school for me in case things don't work out in Salem? Maybe a non-magical boarding school somewhere that I won't be found?"

"I will but I hate to see you walk away from the world you were born into."

Harry laughed "That's the problem Sir. I may have been born into that world but it feels like they have done everything they could to make me feel like I'm not welcome in it. You can tell me it's the reactions of an unhappy child but…"

"I understand Harry and in a way, agree with you. I could fall back on my heritage and tell you that the Goblin way was to fight for what is ours but at the same time, it takes a mature mind to realize when the fight is unwinnable."

The two of them sat and talked for a while before it came time for Harry to get to the airport. Throughout the discussion, Griphook guided the conversation so that he could gain certain knowledge that would allow him to help Harry more in the future.

When it was finally time to leave, Harry said "I apologize for taking up so much of your Christmas but I do appreciate it."

"Think nothing of it. It is just another day for my people. We have a similar holiday that falls in little over a month so you haven't taken anything from me."

**PH**

At two pm, Harry was sitting on a plane that was taxiing down the runway of Gatwick airport on his way to a new life in the Americas. Griphook planned his trip in two legs in case anyone tried to follow him and Gatwick was the hub that British Airways used for flights to the Caribbean. It was from there that he would catch a flight what would take him to Boston and the Salem Academy. Due to his age, Griphook already arranged for a liaison from the Salem branch to pick Harry up at the airport and take him to their branch so that all their business could be handled. He also made a point to contact the Headmistress at Salem and inform her that her new student would be arriving within two days. As soon as the plane lifted in the air, Harry breathed a sigh of relief that it was finally over.

**HP**

At the same time in the Headmaster's office, McGonagall was finally getting the chance to talk about her conversation with Harry Potter. As was his routine, he normally left Christmas morning to visit old friends and attend family business. Minerva has known him for a lot of years and knew that family business meant spending time at the graves of his mother and sister. He had a shock on this particular visit when he saw a wreath of white roses laid on the grave of James and Lily Potter. What caught him off guard was that this was the first time it had been done in the ten years since they were murdered. He couldn't help but think it was more than a coincidence that this as the year that Harry Potter also returned to the wizarding world.

As they sat drinking tea in silence, he finally looked up and asked "Did you have a wreath placed at James and Lily's grave?"

"No…it never occurred to me. Some friend I have turned out to be. I don't honor their deaths at holidays and alienate their son in the first few months he is at Hogwarts."

"Whatever do you mean? I'm sure you a have done your best for young Harry."

"I'm beginning to think we have all failed Mr. Potter and this year has been the icing on the cake."

"I'm not following you."

"This is a conversation that could take hours so I have a better idea." She put her wand to her temple and pulled a long strand of white vapor from it. Albus was already moving towards his pensieve and got it ready for her memory. Once she placed it inside, they both went into the memory.

Once they were back out and in their seats, all Albus could say was "That was one angry young man. He blames us for everything?"

"Yes, with good reason. He knows we placed him in that house when he was a baby and he sees his life as one redeeming month before that too was taken from him. For God's sake Albus, you should have let him go into whatever house he wanted."

"He needed to be in Gryffindor to learn the traits needed for his future."

"And that has worked out so well. Tell me Albus, do you know how many times he has been injured since he came back?"

"No"

"And neither do I as he never goes to see Poppy. Even after the Quidditch incident where he was bloody and had broken bones. He never once was treated. That doesn't even cover the times he was hurt while being hexed in the hallways."

"But why?"

"It was quite clear to me that he has no faith in anyone in this castle. If he had left for the holidays, I would be pretty sure that he would not have returned."

"Perhaps we need to go speak with Mr. Potter."

Needless to say, Harry couldn't be found and his missing trunk never even registered with them. The only other first year to remain in the castle was Ron Weasley and he wasn't about to answer any questions about Harry knowing the large part he and his brothers played in the destruction of Harry's presents. The staff kept a look out for Harry for the rest of the holidays and it wasn't until he failed to show up for classes that they realized something was wrong.

When Albus received the reports, he went over to the devices on the shelf that kept track of Harry and as soon as he touched them, they fell apart since there was no longer any enchantment holding them together. A visit to Gringotts told him all he needed to know when all that was said was that Mr. Potter had sought his education away from the shores of Great Britain.

**PH**

Over the holidays, Pansy made the decision that no matter what her housemates said, she was going to repair the damaged friendship between them. On the night of the return feast after the holidays, she scoured the Gryffindor table looking for her best friend and grew nervous when she didn't see him. She suffered the same problem during breakfast the next morning and really began to panic when he didn't show up for classes. In her anxiety, she skipped the next class and used that time to write a letter to her parents. The pain she felt in her heart grew even more when she went to the owlery and saw no sign of Hedwig.

The letter from their daughter set Roger and Faith in motion. Roger knew that if anyone knew what was going on with Harry, it would be Griphook. One look to his wife and she said "Go, I'll handle things here."

As roger was escorted into Griphook's office, the Goblin looked up and said "I was wondering how long it would take for you to come."

"I know it violates your confidentiality clause but do you know where he is? Is he safe?"

Griphook shuffled some papers on his desk. "Yes, I know where he is and he is in good hands."

"Will you tell me where he went?"

Griphook shifted in his seat. "I'm sorry Mr. Parkinson but I will not. Mr. Potter made it quite clear that he wanted nothing to do with the British magical world from this point on. If I were to violate that trust and he were to be brought back, I fear it would damage not only my reputation and that of Gringotts but my relationship with that young man as well."