A/N: Hey guys, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I'm sorry it's not as long as the last one, but I still feel that it is a step up in word from previous chapters. Hopefully I can string together another 5,000 word chapter next week or so. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. And by the way, thank you for all the reviews! I am glad to see that I have over 100 reviews, and that this story is being so well received! I'm trying to update as quick as possible and I look forward to hearing new ideas from everybody! They really do help me, especially now, in coming up with my rather dynamic plotline I am working with.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything in regards to the Harry Potter Universe.
Love in a Shadow
Chapter 05: An Accepted Understanding
Last Chapter
Dumbledore stated, in regards to Harry's story, "It seems his story checks out."
James audibly harrumphed.
"However, I do not feel comfortable with your stay here at Hogwarts."
A new voice interrupted Dumbledore. "You cannot deny the boy his right to a fair education, Dumbledore."
Dumbledore quickly turned around; surprise written all over his face, and Dumbledore was rarely surprised. "Godric?"
"He is right, Headmaster. He may not be a pureblood, but in your rules he has every right to his education." This time it was Salazar who spoke; Rowena and Helga nodded their approval.
Dumbledore knew that he could not defy the portraits. They were the founders after all, and this was a decision that even Salazar and Godric agreed upon. "It appears that I am put in a rather precarious situation, Mr. Potter, and you have been granted the right to attend here."
Harry's face quickly broke into a huge grin, nearly reaching both of his ears. "Really! I can?"
"He can?" James and Victoria both jumped in, exclaiming in rage, disgust.
Dumbledore sighed heavily. "The founders have spoken. It is their school after all. And while this has never happened, I have no choice but to obey them. However," Dumbledore looked at Harry, "You are required to give me your wand after all your classes, and it will be returned to you at breakfast in the morning. You are also not allowed to participate in any school activities, and I will be keeping a constant watch on you." A serious tone clearly present in his voice.
Harry nodded enthusiastically, and he swore he could see the founders smirking in their portrait at Dumbledore's rules. Harry quickly handed over his wand. He didn't care about his wand, he could do wandless magic if need be. He just wanted to be at Hogwarts. After all the stories from Godric, Rowena, and Salazar, it was like a dream come true.
"Well, don't expect any sympathy from me." James said angrily. "Come on Victoria, I will take you to your common room."
Lily looked at Harry for a second, apparently she couldn't find it in her to speak to her son. She simply turned away from Harry and left.
Dumbledore looked sternly at Harry. "Do not get in the way of Victoria, Harry. And do not let jealousy get the best of you. She is more important than you, and I will have no problem evicting you from Hogwarts if you try to interfere with her destiny for your own glory. Now go back to your common room."
Harry had no idea where the common room was, but he wasn't going to ask Dumbledore that. He quickly left the office. However, it would appear that he still hadn't escaped hell.
Harry had been wandering around for a good hour, when he finally exclaimed, "I'm totally lost! How am I supposed to know where the common room is?"
As soon as he finished that statement, a golden path seemed to light up in front of him. It looked as if it were directing him. Harry decided he had nothing to lose at this point, and quickly followed the path back to the common room.
It wasn't long before he arrived at a portrait of a fat lady. "Great. A portrait. That doesn't help me. I need to get into the Gryffindor common room!" And with that last statement, the portrait of swung open, revealing the common room.
Harry was exhausted. He headed over to the stairs he assumed were to the dorms. However he was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Where were you? Your sister got back over an hour ago!" Hermione exclaimed.
"I thought I told you not to wait for me." Harry said quietly.
"I was worried about you." She said. "How was your meeting?"
"It was fine."
"What did you talk about?"
"It's not important." Harry said stiffly. "I'm tired. I'm going to bed. I will see you in the morning." Harry quickly left and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Harry spent the next few weeks, going through classes just as planned. Receiving his wand at breakfast, and handing it back after classes. By now the rumor on Harry's wand control had spread throughout Hogwarts. Every single student knew about how Harry had his magic locked away, and how he didn't live with the Potters anymore. This had left little Harry with few friends, and many enemies. In fact, Harry only had one friend at Hogwarts, Hermione. But she asked too many questions about his life for them to be close friends. He was happy, however, that she was still willing to talk to him, even if briefly, after hearing the rumors about him. The relationship had been strained from that, but it was still there, hanging by a thread, and that was enough for Harry, who was desperate for love, friendship, and acceptance, even though he was somewhat scared of it (after his experience at the Dursley's).
Harry remembered the first letter he sent to Ginny, his only real friend in the world.
Dear Ginny,
Hello. It's Harry. I hope you are doing well. I promised you that I would write, so here is my letter. I don't really know what to say because I have never written anyone. We used to have pen pals in my school, but my Aunt and Uncle wouldn't let me have one. And yes, I wasn't at summer camp like my mum told you. I was living my Aunt and Uncle, who are muggles. But I don't think it is a situation I can explain in a letter. Maybe next year, when you are at Hogwarts, I can explain it all to you. And also, there is a rumor that I am an evil wizard, but I'm not Ginny, I swear! I don't know why people think I'm bad all the time, but I really try not to be. But if you don't believe, and you don't want to be my friend anymore, I understand. Most people don't believe me.
Hogwarts has been a lot of fun so far. I got sorted into Gryffindor, the same house as your brother Ron. We haven't had classes, but I'm really excited to learn all about the different subjects. I think I have missed a lot of the wizarding world since I have been living with my Aunt and Uncle for the past three years.
I hope everything is going well for you! I look forward to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Harry Potter
Dear Harry,
Harry, I know your not an evil wizard. You were so nice when I met you, and I knew you were sincere. I swear I can feel that your not lying, I'm sorry if that sounds weird but it's true. So, unfortunately, I guess we are stuck being friends. You can't get rid of me that easily!
Anyways, it sounds extremely interesting, living with muggles that is! I can't wait hear all about it next year at Hogwarts. It's so exciting that you got sorted and are in Hogwarts! I can't wait to go there next year. I'm so bored here at home. My mum is making cook with her and do all these chores around the house because it's the only way she can keep me busy. I really miss all my brothers, especially Bill. He is the oldest, and he works in Egypt. So I hardly get to see him because he is so far away, and he is always the nicest to me! Hopefully something exciting will happen around here though. I am about to go out of my mind because of this lack of activity!
Write back soon!
Your Friend,
Ginny
Dear Ginny,
You have no idea how much that means to me. And I know what you mean. I can feel that you believe me.
Anyways, not much has happened here. Classes are really fun for me. Except transfiguration is really hard. But I am doing really well anyways. I spend most of my time studying in the common room, but I have heard some pretty interesting stories. Apparently, someone put a permanent sticking charm on a toilet seat, and a third year Ravenclaw was stuck to the seat for hours. The professors couldn't go in because the student was too embarrassed about the situation! I'm not sure how they finally got the person off the seat in the end, but I don't think the student was very happy about it.
I hope everything is going well back home.
Your Friend,
Harry
That was the last letter he sent Ginny. He tried not to mention the fact that he didn't have any friends, or that he couldn't really do anything exciting because of his restrictions. He wanted Ginny to be excited to come to Hogwarts, not afraid. Hogwarts was a great place, he was just a unique exception, destined to live his life in Hell, it seemed. And the only reason that his transfiguration class was hard was because his father taught it every other lesson because of external commitments Professor McGonagall had made, something having to do with the Wizengamot.
On Halloween night, as Harry was eating dinner alone, at the end of his house table, Professor Quirrell ran into the Great Hall, fear covering his features. He ran up to the table of professors, and exclaimed, "There is a troll in the dungeons!" He paused, catching his breath. "I thought you should know." And he promptly fainted after that, hitting the floor with a resounding thud.
Harry's mind immediately went into overdrive. Previously, he had seen Hermione heading towards the dungeons whilst crying. He didn't know why she was crying, but he did know he was the person who could help the least.
"Everyone to their rooms!" Dumbledore boomed, his eyes connecting with Harry for a minute, and Harry gazing right back to show he had nothing to hide. However, as soon as Dumbledore looked away, Harry made a discreet exit form the large group heading to Gryffindor common room. He rushed to the dungeons while the teachers were caught in the mayhem.
As soon as Harry was about to pass the bathroom, he could hear a loud crash, and Hermione scream. He immediately turned and rushed in to find the giant troll standing in front of a cowering Hermione, with his club raised over his head.
Harry sprung into action, casting a powerful shield over Hermione as he watched the troll try to strike Hermione. Hermione screamed in horror, waiting for her life to end. However, when it never came she looked up to see the troll's club stuck against an invisible barrier.
Harry took this opportunity to incapacitate the troll. He conjured thick ropes that wrapped around the troll's ankles, and then cast Wingardium Leviosa on the club, and swung the club into the troll's head, knocking him into the wall behind him as he toppled over, and successfully removing the threat.
Hermione quickly looked over to see Harry standing there. She would have hugged him if her body had not been immobilized from the trauma and shcok of the experience. Right as she was about to say something, she saw him put a finger to his lips, and disappeared with a small smile painted on his face. She didn't know what he was doing, but before she could think about it, Victoria and Ron Weasley came running into the room.
Harry watched with contempt as Victoria and Ron surveyed the room. They were clearly surprised to find the troll incapacitated. Then the two looked at Hermione. "Thank goodness we found you Hermione!" Victoria exclaimed.
Before Hermione could say anything, Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall walked in the room. Professor Dumbledore quickly surveyed the scene, and turned to Victoria. "Did you incapacitate this troll, dear?"
Ron answered for her. "Of course she did! You should have seen it!"
"Yeah, it was really easy professor!" Victoria quickly agreed. "We saved Hermione from the monstrosity. She was so lucky Ron and I got here in time."
Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing. But she was in too much shock to say anything.
"Indeed she is, Victoria. I will award 25 points each for your exemplary bravery, you two!" Dumbledore.
"And 10 points for sheer dumb luck." Professor McGonagall added.
"Thank you professors!" Ron and Victoria chanted.
"Now, let us head back the common room." Dumbledore said, and then looked at Hermione. "Do you need to go to the hospital wing, Ms. Granger?"
Hermione stood up and shook her head. "No, I'm fine professor."
"Excellent." Dumbledore cheered merrily, and headed off back to the Gryffindor common room.
Harry quickly followed along.
As soon as the group reached the common room, Harry snuck in with them, and sat on a couch in the corner and made himself visible again, pretending he had been there the entire time.
As soon as the got into the common room, Dumbledore began searching for Harry again, and Harry expected this. He got up from his chair, and headed over to a table by the fireplace to get a different book, and look like he had been there the entire time.
Once Dumbledore found Harry, he bid his farewells, and him and McGonagall left. Everybody began swarming Victoria and Ron to ask what happened. Of course, the two of them launched into an elaborate story of how they valiantly battled the troll to save Hermione's life. And during all of this commotion, Hermione quickly made her way over to Harry, who was still sitting in his corner, reading his book.
"Harry?" Hermione asked softly.
Harry looked up from his book to see Hermione. "Yes?"
"Thank you."
"I'm sorry, but I don't seem to know what you are talking about."
"Harry!"
"What?"
"This is important!" Hermione exclaimed. Harry quickly cast a privacy and silence charm. "And…why did you help me? I haven't been much of a friend to you lately…"
"I don't want people to get hurt, so don't take this personally. I would have done it for anyone…except for Voldemort and his followers." Harry said softly. "And, just because everybody thinks I am some evil, soon to be, dark lord doesn't mean that I actually am."
Hermione nodded. "Fine. But how did you disappear?"
"I cast a spell." Harry said, and quickly began reading a book.
"And where did you learn this spell?" Her curiosity was killing her.
"A book." Harry said. It wasn't far from the truth. Merlin was a walking encyclopedia of spells and techniques. "It's been a long day, and I think I am going to go to bed. I will see you tomorrow." HE quickly strode off to his bedroom. Having to disillusion himself with a spell powerful enough, such that Dumbledore could not see his magical aura, had drained Harry of his energy.
Hermione huffed in frustration. She was perplexed as to where Harry learned these complex spells, but it seemed that he wasn't willing to share. She did know one thing, however; Harry Potter was not an evil wizard.
As soon as Harry woke up the next morning, he rushed down to the owlery to send a letter to Ginny.
Dear Ginny,
I had my first real adventure at Hogwarts yesterday! There was an escaped troll in the dungeons, and I saved Hermione from it. She was using the bathroom when the Troll came. I got there just in time, and knocked it out. It was really scary. Hermione almost got injured. After I dealt with the troll, Victoria and your brother Ron showed up. I quickly disappeared after that, and Victoria and Ron got all the credit. But it didn't matter to me. I don't care about that stuff. I'm just happy that Hermione didn't get hurt. She is my closest friend here at Hogwarts. You can meet her when you come next year! I think you will make really good friends.
I hope everything at home is good!
Your Friend,
Harry Potter
The response arrived the next day.
Dear Harry,
WHAT WERE YOU THINKING! You are the most ridiculous, stupidest, most inconsiderate prat I have ever met! What do you mean you're happy Hermione didn't get hurt? YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN HURT!! I have no idea what is going through your head mister!
Anyways, we got a letter from Ron saying how he beat the troll with Victoria, and mum sent him a nice howler—
Harry soon heard a loud voice shouting at Ron.
RONALD BILIUS WEASLEY! NEVER EVER DO THAT AGAIN! THAT IS WHAT THE PROFESSORS ARE THERE FOR! LISTEN TO THEM AND DON'T GO TRAIPZING AROUND LOOKING FOR TROUBLE! IF I FIND OUT YOU DID SOMETHING LIKE THIS AGAIN, I WILL REMOVE YOU FROM HOGWARTS MYSELF!
Now, your father and I look forward to seeing for Christmas.
Love,
Mum and Dad.
Harry continued reading his letter.
–so hopefully that will be a little bit of excitement for breakfast. He really needs to learn how to keep his big mouth shut. I can't believe he would also say he defeated the troll just to be famous. He is so pigheaded sometimes. I hope classes are still going well.
Your Friend,
Ginny
Harry felt terrible after the letter. He realized he had made a big mistake by trying to take on the troll. He made Ginny angry, and he didn't want to do that.
Dear Ginny,
I'm sorry for being so stupid. I understand that you don't want to be friends with someone like me. I'm sorry I made you so angry.
-Harry
Ginny frowned as she read the letter. Sure she was mad at him, but she was mad because she cared about him. Couldn't he see that?
Dear Harry,
What are you talking about? I still want to be friends with you! I was just worried about you. I don't want you to get hurt Harry! Once again, don't you dare think you can get rid of me that easily Mr. Potter! Just because I got mad at you does not mean I don't want to be friends with you. Besides, if we weren't friends, I would have nothing to do! Ron never writes me (not that I care), Fred and George are too busy playing pranks on kids, Percy has too many prefect duties, and Bill and Charlie are in Egypt and Romania. Without you, I feel like I am all alone. Everyone else seems too busy to pay attention to me. So please don't stop being friends with me when I want to keep being friends with you so badly!
Love,
Ginny
Harry was extremely relieved to read Ginny's response. Ginny was his only friend. She was the thing that kept him going. She was the one person that he could turn when things were getting tough for him, and he would never purposely jeopardize that relationship.
Dear Ginny,
Thanks. I guess I just didn't realize what I was doing. I am sorry I made you worry. I'll try not to do that again. And I would never want to get rid of you Ginny! You are my best friend!
Your Friend,
Harry
After the troll incident, the year continued like before. Harry turned in his wand every day, and never did anything social aside from sending letters to Ginny and avoiding Hermione's pestering questions. The year passed slowly after the troll incident for Harry as the days turned into monotony for Harry as the end of term approached. He just wanted it to be second year so that Ginny would be there and he would have someone who he could talk to, and not someone who would constantly pester him. Until then however, writing letters to Ginny and studying for his final exams would have to keep him occupied.
Exams had just finished. Everyone in Gryffindor was packing his or her bags in preparation to finally go home for winter break and have a nice vacation with their family. Ginny had been telling him how excited she was to see everyone coming home for Christmas. Harry, however, was dreading his holidays. He had a few very long weeks ahead of him with absolutely nothing to do. He told Ginny that he was very excited for the holidays, but in reality he was being forced to stay at Hogwarts, not that he had anywhere else to go, under the every watchful eye of Albus Dumbledore.
The Headmaster had taken away Harry's wand for the entire winter holiday, and limited his roam of the castle to Gryffindor common room. If he were to go anywhere else, he had to get it cleared by Professor McGonagall, whose office was right next to the portrait of the Fat Lady. All Harry could think about was this was going to be a very long and very boring few weeks…
A/N: And now for a few quick answers to reviews:
Nyeshet: First off, thank you for the wonderful review! You have helped me see so many of my flaws in my plotline! As time passes, I am hoping to fill some of the holes in here, and I will probably have to repost / rewrite chapters soon with some minor changes and additions to help fill out the story. Right now, I am just trying to get this story out. Next chapter I will focus on teacher student relationships more. Right now I just did some building with Hermione and Ginny.
Comet Moon: The reason he hides the abuse is because of embarrassment, and he doesn't want people to think he is weak and so on and so forth. I think that it's a psychological thing and many children who do suffer from these horrible and heinous acts are often times embarrassed about their situation and would rather not have people find. I'm really kind of trying to paint Harry as the 11 year old, not that strong 16 year old in an 11 year old body that is prevalent in many fics. He is still young, naïve, and vulnerable in these early years of Hogwarts. This should partly answer Jabarber69's review as well. I had him stumbling in the interview to show adolescence. He isn't supposed to be the strong character you see in the seventh book just yet. He has a lot of growing and experiencing left to do before he can reach that level of maturity.
Once again, thank you for all the reviews! I am glad to see that so many people are enjoying my story. I'm enjoying writing it, and I really did not expect to receive such a welcoming and supportive group of readers. However, I do feel like this is my weakest chapter, and feel free to tell me that in your reviews. I think that I am going to have to come back and flesh this out a little bit later on, but I wanted to at least continue the story, rather than not do anything with my story. Hopefully you will accept it for what it is.