Chapter Two

The next day Harry quickly did his business and showered and left the house as soon as he could slip away. It was just after seven, and by the time Harry got to the Scotts' it was nearing seven-thirty. Harry wasn't sure if that was too early; they had just told him to come over any time after breakfast (which he hadn't been able to snag before he left). However, there were lights on in the house and he saw Daniel pass by in the living room.

The boy must have noticed him because he appeared at the door a moment later. "Come on in, Harry!" he called out enthusiastically. "Mum's just making breakfast."

Inside Harry was tackled by Karen. "Harry!" He nearly fell over as she clung on to his skinny frame. Again, he had to adjust her so she would not break his wand as she wrapped her legs around him. "I thought you'd never come!"

"She's been pining after you since you left," Daniel told him with a grin.

"I have not!" she protested.

"Have too!"

"Not!"

"Too!"

"I think that's sweet," murmured Harry as he set her down, affectively ending their fight. It was weird to hold someone who was almost as tall as himself. Plus, even though he knew never to say it, she was heavy. Then again, he probably weighed just about the same as the ten-year-old, and she was nowhere near large. "I don't think I ever had someone... pine for me. It's cute."

Karen stuck her tongue out childishly at her brother. "See? He thinks I'm cute. So nyah~!" She clutched onto Harry so he couldn't possibly escape her. "Can I trade you for my brother?"

Harry shook his head frantically; he really hoped she was kidding. "I don't think so. I couldn't condemn Daniel to the Dursleys'. That would just be unfair."

Karen and Daniel shared a glance Harry didn't miss. He had said too much. Daniel, again catching his unease, smiled and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Let's go get some breakfast, yeah? Mum is a brilliant cook. We've always told her she should be a chef, or work in a bakery, but she doesn't listen."

Karen jumped onto Harry's back as they turned to make their way to the kitchen. Surprised, Harry would have fallen to the ground if it hadn't been for Daniel catching him. Harry panicked, hoping his wand hadn't broken. He checked on it when he moved to adjust her leg to hold her properly. It was fine. He released a sigh of relief at that. As long as his wand wouldn't break or they found out, he was alri-

"What's that in your pocket?" she asked.

Harry laughed nervously, trying to come up with a good excuse. "Well, er, you see, it's uhm... Just a stick my friend gave me."

"A stick?" she asked, her tone clearly indicating she very much doubted his words.

"It has sentimental value," he defended, pretending to be affronted as they entered the kitchen. He would have to be more careful about keeping his magical side hidden. If he could just tell... Harry would have to remember to ask Hermione later.

"Hello, Harry!" Sarah said from the stove, surprised to see him there. "Good morning! You're early."

Harry smiled sheepishly at her. "Yeah... I was just excited to come back." Not exactly a lie, per se, yet not the whole truth. "It smells wonderful, Mrs. Scott."

"Call me Sara, please," she insisted with a soft smile. "Would you like some? Even if you've eaten, you really should eat more!"

Harry's smile softened; she reminded him of Mrs. Weasley. "That would be great."

After breakfast Harry helped Daniel and Sarah set up the last room upstairs. Half was to be their small library slash 'office' space and the other half was to be made into Daniel's art studio. The room was divided by a screen to give Daniel a sense of privacy as he worked. While Harry and Daniel worked on the back half of the room Daniel told Harry about his love for art and that he had been painting and drawing since he was in the first years of primary school. Harry was awed at the amount of passion Daniel had for art- he'd never been any good the few times he had tried drawing. He wasn't very good at anything, as far as Harry could tell, and he told Daniel so.

Daniel just smiled, as if he knew something Harry didn't.

Several times throughout the day Harry caught the two siblings sharing odd looks he couldn't decipher. At one point he could have sworn Karen had said to her brother, "Just say something to him!" but he hadn't caught Daniel's hurried reply.

Just after lunch, which had been eaten on the back patio in the warm June summer air, Harry was approached by Leslie. He asked if Harry would come with him to the store, because he wasn't sure of the way, while the others cleaned up lunch. Harry, quite nervous, nodded hesitantly because he wanted to return the kindness the Scott family had shown him.

Leslie didn't hesitate to dive in with his true motives once they were in the car.

"I'll be honest with you," Leslie said, turning down the street at Harry's direction. "I didn't just want to take you with me to get directions."

"I didn't think so," Harry replied just as bluntly. He could guess what the man wanted to talk about, especially after the looks he had sent to his wife whenever Harry talked about his relatives all day yesterday and today. "You really don't need to interfere with the Dursleys. This is my last full summer with them. I'm fine as long as I stay out of their way."

"Can I just ask one question?"

"Er, sure. Turn left here."

Leslie was silent until he had made the turn. Harry was nervous about which question he would ask, and if Harry would be able to answer it truthfully. "Why do you not want anyone to take you away from them?"

Harry sighed sadly. Of all the questions he had to ask, Leslie just had to ask him the only question he could not answer truthfully, partly because he, himself, did not know the whole answer, and partly because the reason dealt with magic. So, Harry settled with, "They are the only family I have left. Turn right at the next block." Harry fell silent as they waited for the opposing traffic to clear. Once they turned, he added, "I would rather stay with them, with family and be protected, than somewhere where I could leave a paper trail."

"Why would that matter?"

"My parents were murdered," Harry replied quietly. "The man didn't get a chance to kill me, too. My godfather was the one blamed. That's really why he went to jail." That had been just a spur-of-the-moment reason, but it was actually pretty close to the truth when he thought about it. "He could find me if I left the Dursleys, and the situation was explained to them. That didn't mean they couldn't treat me however they wanted."

Leslie remained silent as they pulled into a parking space. He was still silent for several moments as he contemplated Harry's words seriously. Harry had never really been taken so seriously like this before; it was refreshing. "You're welcome to our home, Harry," he said, just as quiet as Harry had been. "I'm sure Sarah would agree. You should come straight to our house in the morning and stay all day." He was quiet for another several moments as he studied Harry. "It was neglect, wasn't it."

Not really a question, but not really a statement. Either way, Harry nodded. "I lived in the cupboard under the stairs for ten years," Harry confessed, wondering what he was doing. He hadn't even given his best friends this much information, and here he was, spilling his guts out to a man he hardly knew. "They took away food as punishment. That's why I'm so small." He laughed self-depreciatingly. "And no matter what I just don't get bigger. They are also the reason- or at least they have a part- I don't cry much, or show much emotion. I wasn't to make a sound. Out of sight out of mind, yes?"

"That's horrible."

Harry looked up, suddenly afraid. "You won't tell anyone, will you? I really can't leave them, not until I'm seventeen, at least. And... I don't want Mrs. Scott... Sarah... to worry. Or your children. Please, please don't tell them."

Leslie nodded and placed his larger hand over Harry's scarred one. "I promise, Harry. May I ask another question?" Harry slowly nodded, just as afraid as earlier. "Do they ever beat you?"

Harry snorted, despite the seriousness. "Dear Lord, no," he replied carefully, remembering to stick with the muggle version. "They wouldn't dare touch a freak like me. Well, Dudley was allowed to 'hunt' me and if he caught me he could beat me up if he wanted, but my aunt and uncle never touched me if they could help it."

"Harry-"

"It's fine, Mr. Scott," Harry said, raising his voice to cut off the older man.

"Leslie, Harry," he admonished. Harry nodded slowly, unsure. "So that means you were never sexually abused?"

Harry stared at him in horror. "What? No! They would never touch me, and they try not to if they can help it."

"It's still not right, Harry."

Harry's shoulders slumped as he sighed again. "I know... Leslie. But it's fine. I'll be back at school in September and I won't have to come home for the hols."

Harry could tell Leslie hardly believed him, if the calculating look he gave him was any indication, but he couldn't do anything else about it. Unbeknownst to Harry, however, Leslie was planning (read: scheming) a way to get his wife to agree on a particular matter with him. Leslie liked Harry, he would admit that, better than he liked most other boys Daniel's age. Back in their old town most of the teenagers were arrogant and rude to their elders. Harry, on the other hand, was the personification of polite, never a toe out of line.

Leslie wondered if that had something to do with how he was raised.

If Harry knew Leslie's thoughts, he would have been doubled over in laughter and telling the man that Severus Snape would definitely not agree.

"Can we change the subject now?"

Leslie smiled crookedly at the boy and ruffled his hair. "Anything you'd like, Harry."

And then Leslie proceeded to make Harry pick foods he would like to eat at their house while he was there. Harry, even through all his protesting, appreciated the concern and the olive branch Leslie was (metaphorically) holding out. Harry grasped it and finally gave the man a short hug to show his gratitude.

Harry couldn't help but notice that Leslie had a brilliant smile the rest of the afternoon.

OOOOO

When Harry got back to Number Four Privet Drive just after nine o'clock his aunt met him at the door. She shoved a knapsack into his arms. "You'd best leave," she hissed, looking over her shoulder. "Vernon is very upset with you."

"What? Why? What did I do?"

"That ruddy bird that's been trying to come in all day," she hissed back. "Vernon burned the letter. Leave! Before he sees you! He might be better tempered by the weekend. You can come get the rest of the things you might need tomorrow while he's at work."

Harry stepped back quickly as the door was shut (quietly) in his face. What was his aunt getting at? Was she... afraid? Harry was sure he had seen fear in her eyes when she saw him. And she was protecting him from his uncle. Was he really that angry because of a simple owl? Why hadn't the owl come over to the Scotts' to deliver the letter? Harry was teeming with questions he had no answers to- and he was unlikely to get the answers at that.

Perhaps he could ask his aunt when he got back.

So, having nothing better to do, he walked back over to the Scotts' place. He was better protected there than out in the open.

He smiled sheepishly at Leslie on the man's doorstep ten minutes after he had left their home in the first place. "Apparently I've been kicked out until the weekend," he said to the unasked question. "You don't mind, do you? You said I could come in the morning, but I wasn't sure if you meant I could come in a situation like this. I... have nowhere else to go."

"Leslie!" Sarah reprimanded her husband, pushing him out of the way. "Let the poor boy in! Oh, you poor dear. What happened?"

Karen and Daniel stepped in from the living room to see what all the commotion was about. They stared wide-eyed at Harry. Harry just shrugged back. "My uncle was angry for some reason- at me- and my aunt had a bag for me when I got there. She said he'd be better tempered by the weekend. You... You don't mind me staying here, do you?"

Sarah pulled him into a hug. "Of course not, dear. We would never turn you away."

"Thanks," Harry replied sincerely. "I can sleep on the couch-"

"Nonsense!" declared Karen. "We're having a slumber party! Dad, is the telly hooked up so we can watch a movie?"

Leslie patted her head, as if she was a puppy. "Not yet, but I can do that now."

Twenty minutes later the three children were lying on their backs in front of the television, Harry in borrowed sleeping pants (the only thing his aunt hadn't packed for him) and the shirt he had worn all day. Karen wore a pink nightgown and Daniel only wore sleeping pants. The movie Karen had found was an animated film called Once Upon a Forest. Karen snuggled right up against Harry's side and refused to leave. She made Daniel lay on her left side as she rested her head on Harry's shoulder.

"You're very bony," she told Harry gravely.

"Yes, I know," he replied, bewildered. He had no idea where this could possibly be going.

"You should eat more."

Harry laughed as the previews on the tape finally came to an end and the movie started. "My friend's mum says the same thing to me all the time. She shovels food on my plate and makes me eat seconds but I never get any heavier."

She fell silent, her attention focused completely on the movie in front of her as she snuggled as much as she could into his side. Harry carefully moved his free right arm to make sure his wand was still under his pillow. He thought it weird, this... snuggling. He'd never been cuddled in his life- at least, not that he could remember. He wasn't too sure what to make of it. The sensation wasn't altogether unpleasant, now that he thought about it. He pulled her closer to his side, reveling in the moment. It was a nice feeling, he decided, and he wanted more of this... snuggling. He decided he would steal some from the little girl as often as he could because, let's face it, he adored sweet little Karen- and now her cuddles.

Harry wasn't really paying much attention to the movie. What he had noticed, though, as he was paying half his attention to the screen, was that the movie was rather dark for a kid's film. However, most of his attention was on Karen and watching her fall asleep thirty minutes into the movie. His arm had fallen asleep along with her, but he didn't want to wake her; she just looked so... innocent as she slept, and Harry marveled at that. Daniel spoke up ten minutes afterward and asked if Harry was even paying attention to the movie. Harry, in return, flushed and told him he actually really wasn't.

"I just don't watch the telly all that often," Harry admitted quietly, careful not to wake the sleeping girl. "And movies even less. I just don't see much of the enjoyment others find in it." That, and he had never been allowed to watch television as a child and never had gotten into the habit once he had attended Hogwarts.

"You are a strange teenager," Daniel told him blithely as he turned the television and VCR off with his toe.

"So I've been told," Harry quipped back.

Daniel turned on his side so he could talk to Harry better. "Are we friends?" he suddenly asked.

Harry was startled at the question. Were they friends? He turned to the ceiling, hoping for an answer. Harry wasn't even sure how to make a friend. With Ron and Hermione, it had just happened; one moment they were strangers, the next they were best friends. With a few members of the DA, though... He could call them friends, yeah, but that was after knowing them for years before they became such. And he'd only known Daniel for only two days... Did that make them friends, then? Harry knew he'd like to get to know Daniel more, and spend more time with him like he did with Ron and Hermione, but...

He didn't want to leave him behind in September.

"I mean," said Daniel hurriedly when Harry didn't answer, "it's just really hard for me to make friends because... because I... I'm different."

"Aren't we all?" Harry replied vaguely. Daniel was sounding incredibly nervous, something Harry hadn't seen on the boy even once since he'd met him. "It's hard for me to make friends, too," he admitted, turning his head to watch the other boy, shifting to get a little more comfortable without waking Karen. He couldn't tell the boy the reason he couldn't make friends was because he was famous. "I don't really have a lot of friends, just Ron and Hermione, really."

Daniel sighed and looked away. Harry thought he looked a little disappointed, but he wasn't sure why. "That... wasn't exactly what I meant." He looked back at Harry, took a deep, steadying breath, and said, "It's hard for me to make friends because they're always disgusted when they find out I fancy blokes."

Harry blinked in surprise. He wasn't exactly expecting that. It only took him a moment to think about how he felt about the admission. Love was love, wasn't it? Just like if a pure-blood loved a muggle-born, or even a muggle. Blood didn't matter, so gender shouldn't matter, right? He'd never really thought about it, really... Harry didn't even know if it was alright in the wizarding world. He decided he would have to ask Hermione, later, when he asked her about telling muggles.

"So?" he finally said once he'd gathered his thoughts. "Love is love. It shouldn't matter who you fall in love with as long as you love them for who they are."

Daniel breathed out a sigh of relief. "Really?" he asked, showing his skepticism. "It doesn't freak you out?"

Harry shook his head with a light laugh. "Not much can freak me out anymore."

"You aren't disgusted."

"Should I be?"

Daniel grinned, and by the way his eyes lit up Harry could tell that a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "You aren't worried I'll make a move on you?"

Again, Harry had to think a moment to give Daniel a truthful answer. Was he worried? Not particularly, no, he wasn't worried. And if he really thought about it, the prospect was actually... exciting. Girls were always giggling when he passed by in the hallway and guys generally ignored him. And after the fiasco last year with Cho...

So, again, he said with a grin, "Should I be?"

Harry hadn't ever thought about which gender he liked best. He had always assumed he fancied girls because that was what was expected. He had never given a thought to dating a boy, and now he thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to try.

It didn't do well to think about his sexuality in front of his new friend, especially when that friend had just told him he was into blokes. Hermione was smart, he decided. He would see if she would meet up with him soon so they could talk and he could ask her then all his questions.

Harry fidgeted a moment before deciding to throw caution to the wind. 'Oh, what the hell,' he thought. "Since we're sharing secrets... Can I confess something to you and you won't freak out?"

Daniel nodded a bit too enthusiastically, in Harry's opinion. "Of course!"

Harry took a deep breath. "I'm a wizard." He hurried on at Daniel's disbelieving and hurt- hurt because he thought Harry was messing with him when he had been serious- look. "I kid you not. I just... can't prove it because I'm underage. But I can show you my wand." Harry pulled the magical stick from under his pillow. He hesitated in giving it to his new friend. "Just... Be careful; don't break it. It's the only protection I have if I get attacked."

While Daniel inspected his wand- carefully, just as Harry had asked- Harry told him everything, about Voldemort and Dumbledore and some of his classes. It was easy, with Daniel, and he could tell his side of things without his fame or prejudices or lies getting in the way of his explanation. It felt amazing, telling Daniel about his world, about himself. A weight lifted off his shoulders the more he shared about his world. Words came tumbling from his mouth in a rush to be shared. His mood only brightened when Daniel's eyes widened in realization that Harry wasn't lying. Harry showed him the scar Umbridge had given him last year from her detentions, he showed Daniel the scar on his forehead, and on his arm from the knife from the third task during the Triwizard Tournament.

The clock chimed midnight when Daniel handed Harry his wand back, who stashed it back within easy reach under his pillow. Harry was still not done with his tale.

Harry then told Daniel why wizards hid from the muggle world, and why muggles were not allowed to tell. Harry told Daniel the real reason why the Dursleys hated him, and then he confessed everything he had told Leslie, adding in the parts about magic.

"Why'd you tell me?" Daniel whispered after several minutes of just staring at Harry who stared right back, waiting for any type of reaction.

"Why'd you believe me?" Harry asked back. He sighed, apologized for being rude, and said, "Because..." But in fact, Harry didn't really know why. "You told me a secret that could make me stop being your friend. You trusted me not to betray you by leaving you."

"I find it hard to believe you'd trust anyone, anymore. Not after what you've been through."

"I don't," Harry replied with a slight sneer. "A lot of people lie to me, and spread horrible lies about me. But..." His face softened into a small smile. "I think I can trust you. You won't tell your family, will you? I really shouldn't have even told you."

Daniel smiled. "Yeah, I got that part. And I won't tell anyone. I promise." He reached across his sister to brush his knuckles over Harry's cheek. "Thank you."

Harry smiled back and blushed, hoping the darkness would hide it from the other boy. "You, too."

And as Harry studied the ceiling above him, listening to Karen and Daniel sleeping next to him, Harry was certain that he really needed to speak with Hermione- tomorrow.

A/N: Aww! Such positive feedback! Thanks, guys. (: I don't usually like OCs... But I felt inspired to do this after reading Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan (my new hero). And it will be about a week until I can even try to write the next chapter because I won't be near a computer until then. This also turned out a lot darker than I expected it to... And I don't really expect this story to be very long. Hopefully it'll be longer than ten chapters.