So this, as promised is my sad, sad attempt at back-story, which ended up in the completely crack beginning of next chapter, just remember: you can only blame yourselves

Also a short reminder, this is really AU …on that note I hope you all enjoy, and I hope I've cleared a few things up without giving too much away, but do be sure and let me know what you think

Intent, the Fifth

The dreams had started one morning when Harry awoke with no memory of who his cousin, aunt, and uncle were. He couldn't remember a thing that had happened, nor what he'd done to inflame such wrath. He could remember magic though, he could feel it pulsing around him, indignant about everything, he could feel magic in the runes that could be passed off as unusual birthmarks, and most importantly he could feel the spells on the tip of his tongue demanding, with each slap or angry word, to be released.

And at night when he'd been thrown into the cupboard, magic flaring to protect his little body from the impact, he'd curled up on the lumpy cot, confused and hurt and angry.

Then he'd dreamed, he'd dreamed of riding a horse, placed before a woman he could feel magic roiling off of, safely saddled on the beast. He'd dreamed of sleeping on grounds that held do much magic that it rattled Harry's brain while he lay on the ground, close to the woman, Harry knew enough at that point in time to know she wasn't his mother, but he didn't know enough then to know who she was.

He'd dreamed of how he'd come to her, the strange circumstances of his birth that he was far, far too young to understand, and most importantly he'd dreamed of the magic that was so deeply ingrained into his very being that he was almost a completely different species.

Every night he'd dreamed and dreamed, and they'd slowly taught him more information and more of his thoughts and more of his memories and then when he was nothing more than an incredibly immature seven year old he'd dreamed of his death, and then woke before he could remember anything of the secrets beyond, he couldn't even recall the last failing moments of his life.

Then he'd torn off his clothes and stared at the marks littering his body…and realized what it was, and why he was here once more when he should be safe and sound with those he'd loved when he'd lived.

He'd wanted to end it, but there was an 'if' clause, as a spell of intent, the spell could only be destroyed by the maker…

And so here he was stuck until he'd been destroyed or he'd destroyed the one who'd crafted the spell.

Harry really didn't work well under ultimatums.

Harry was pointedly not paying attention in Transfigurations, he'd asked Lisa for her Ancient Runes workbook and she'd handed it over, graciously telling him which one was her homework assignment.

He was poring over it, filling out the spells and answering the questions instead of taking notes, his illusion dutifully making it appear that he was being a good boy and taking notes on Transfigurations like everyone else.

Then Hermione poked his arm through his illusion, he'd rolled his sleeves up and since they were closest to the window it was rather hot. He covered the ancient runes workbook and quickly moved into the proper position so he could drop the illusion without it being noticed.

"I didn't know you had a birthmark," Hermione commented softly, "it's a funny shape, reminds me of something…maybe a rune…?"

Harry glanced at his arm and replied, "I guess so, I never really paid much attention to it."

Hermione tapped her finger by the mark, biting her lip, thinking, her eyes flitted up and down his arm and of course she caught sight of something else.

"Here's another one…well, it's different, but…" She grabbed at Harry other arm and studied that one closely too, "Here are more! Why didn't I ever notice before?"

Harry shrugged and looked at his arms and replied, "They look like freckles to me."

She huffed in annoyance and replied, "Boys! I think they're interesting, we should see if they are actual runes, wouldn't that be fascinating if they were?"

"Completely captivating," Harry agreed, blandly.

Hermione giggled and returned to her note-taking, it took several moments after he'd erected the illusion to realize it was the first truly civil conversation they'd had in a long time.

Lisa stretched languidly and Harry's eyes were riveted on her, how was it fair to his education that they should end up in the same NEWTs level Charms class. God, the way her back arched and the way her breasts curved out of her chest made him want to do things that would land him in detention (at least) and get Lisa in trouble (Harry used that word very, very lightly) with her father.

Lisa's eyes slid over to meet with his and she grinned brightly and picked up her quill. Her friends twittered and giggled which made Lisa blush and Harry felt a goofy, self-satisfied grin spread across his face.

Ron leaned over and whispered, "Mate, not to say she's ugly or anything, but you could do better."

"Right now," Harry replied, "I couldn't find anyone more right for me than her."

"I'm just saying mate," Ron replied, "especially her blonde friend," Ron hissed, "I think you could find someone more agreeable in the facial area."

Harry turned at stare at Ron and asked with a smirk, "Why Ron, are you jealous?"

Ron choked and then began laughing.

Harry returned his attention to staring at Lisa's hot, hot body.

Lisa waited in the hallway for him after class, saying completely smugly: "Way to look like a complete and utter teenager."

Harry waved Ron and the other Gryffindors along before he tilted his head thoughtfully and replied, "You know, strangely enough, that's exactly what I was going for."

Lisa giggled and explained, "I'm allowing you to escort me to my next class."

Harry's eyebrows shot up and he said, "Wow, so we're almost, sorta, almost kinda, maybe about to start dating."

"See this whole pureblood courting thing isn't hard at all," Lisa replied laughing, and the two of them headed down the hallway.

"Am I doing well?" Harry asked her curiously.

"You're far too forward," Lisa replied. "Father, if he finds out, will probably have to send you a letter saying it's inappropriate to make me laugh the first time you've escorted me to a class."

Harry laughed.

"Now, I'll made out to be the slut of the year because I made you laugh," Lisa added, "far, far too forward for a young lady of my stature."

"Political or physical stature?" Harry asked, turning to look pointedly at Lisa…even though it was probably one of the worst lines he'd said to her. And he'd said some pretty stupid stuff to Lisa.

Lisa cocked her head at him and grinned disapprovingly replying, "That's too forward a question for me to answer during the first time you've escorted me to class."

"Well, would asking to be able to escort you to another class be too forward?" Harry asked with a grin.

"Technically, you're supposed to write my father for permission before you ask," Lisa replied, smiling. "But, I think that will be fine."

"And you know my willingness to thwart authority figures," Harry added, "so I'll walk you again on Wednesday?"

"Sounds good," Lisa replied with an almost coy smile.

"Ten?" Harry asked, hoping that he was out of earshot of the other students, mainly Ravenclaws and Slytherins.

"Eleven would be better," Lisa replied, "do I need to bring anything?"

"Just yourself," Harry replied. Then he wrangled the Ancient Runes workbook out of his satchel and held it out to her, "and I think I owe you something."

"You owe me a bit more than this," Lisa replied, holding the book in her arms, "but we can go into that later."

Later that night, Harry sat on his bed, sorting through some papers he'd copied from various Morton's files earlier this year, Lisa's head pillowed on his lap.

Harry's lit wand was tucked behind his ear as he read through Morton's curriculum, a list of books on the founders he'd recently acquired, and various correspondences the man carried on with some historian friends.

The man really had no interest in anything beyond the founders; it was rather pathetic…though he was writing to a rune specialist that currently lived in Iceland, the pair appeared to be old friends.

The rune specialist had some interesting, but not entirely incorrect ideas about runic magic which was certainly a new concept to Harry; most people who studied runes couldn't even comprehend the sort of effort and intent that had to go into creating the simplest spells. This man seemed to have some wariness about practicing magic using the ancient languages he studied, and Harry was glad to see some respect still existed.

Harry's fingers softly flitted over one the runes on his upper arm, if only certain people could comprehend the sort of power encased in these tiny words a letters, then…

Well, then…Harry wouldn't be here.

Lisa snuffled a little bit in her sleep and one of her legs slid up and over one of Harry's. Harry glanced at his watch and then smoothed over Lisa's wiry hair, placing Morton's papers aside. Harry then picked up a book he'd been wading through, a recently published book of higher magics that didn't discriminate between dark and light magics.

He'd read until three and then go to sleep.

Harry'd made it through a couple of chapters before he heard the door creak open, Harry quickly darkened the tip of his wand and slipped down into his bed as quietly as he could, tucking the book under him. He gently pulled Lisa flush against his chest, pulled the covers up over both of them to save Lisa's modesty, and closed his eyes and not a moment too soon apparently.

The curtains on his bed fluttered and a draft hit his face, the bed dipped as someone sat down, carefully on his bed.

Fingers carded through his hair, and Harry knew it must be Remus. He would often come by for a minute or two after a meeting with Dumbledore, it made Harry feel like he had a parent…for once. Harry also didn't think this was creepy, but he knew others would disagree. Harry often had too much faith in people, which would probably come as a surprise for some.

"I hope you've been sleeping well," Remus whispered, and Lisa snuffed and cuddled a little closer to Harry. "And I won't tell anyone about the girl," Remus, combed through Harry's hair once more and then sighed saying, "Take care of you…and be responsible, please."

Harry tried hard not to smile and then Remus left quickly, Harry felt disappointed that he hadn't gotten tucked in as was normal for these visits. But Remus probably didn't because he wouldn't want to wake Lisa, or do anything that Harry would consider inappropriate.

Seconds after Harry was sure Remus was gone he again propped himself up in bed and Lisa stirred, her mumbled voice asking him…something…

"I'm just reading, it's okay, go back to sleep," Harry told her soothingly, and he opened the book, his wand held lightly between his thumb and forefinger. He wouldn't light it until Lisa had her eyes closed.

But always a true Ravenclaw, she asked what he was reading.

"Some thing I stole from the incoming library book folder," Harry replied, "I'm not sure about the title, but it's rather theory-oriented."

Lisa mumbled something and drifted back to sleep, and Harry lit his wand back up and again placed it behind his ear.

He'd made it through a couple of chapters when he'd heard some conversation in the hallway and prepared to pretend to be asleep, but more likely it was just one of the lower years trying to sneak back in after having it off in the astronomy tower.

"Miss Granger, I'm afraid I don't quite recall what you're describing."

"Fuck it all!" Harry hissed and quickly hid the book, cast a silencing spell, lay down once more, and pulled the covers over Lisa. Then he activated his illusion, tweaking it as well as he could to this situation, and was pleased to see it adapted well enough.

"What's going on?" Lisa demanded sleepily, tossing the cover from her head.

"Dumbledore," Harry replied, "keep quiet, and still."

Footsteps crossed the room and Harry's curtains were opened for the second time tonight.

"Now, Miss Granger," Dumbledore whispered, "do point out the marking you were describing."

"This one here," Hermione replied pointing to the illusion, luckily she didn't attempt to touch it or it probably would've collapsed. "And there are more, they probably cover his whole body."

Dumbledore stroked his beard and stared down at Harry's arm and then said, "You must mean Harry's birthmarks! He was born with rather peculiar, runic markings all over his body—rather strange, really. Worried Lily and James for a short while, but they're nothing but strange birthmarks, really."

"Oh, thank goodness," Hermione sighed, "I wasn't quite sure what they were and then I wondered if it wasn't…you-know-who trying to do something to him."

"There's no need for alarm at this moment, Miss Granger," Dumbledore gently assured her, "but I do appreciate all you've been doing for Harry. Your efforts have kept me informed of things I wouldn't have otherwise noticed."

"I'm glad," Hermione replied bashfully, looking down at her feet, "I'm sorry for getting you all riled up about nothing."

"Think nothing of it Miss Granger," Dumbledore chuckled, "what is it Alastor says? Constant vigilance?"

Hermione giggled.

"Now, I'll escort you back to the common room," Dumbledore told her, "You'll need your rest for your classes."

"Thank you sir," Hermione told him, and the two made their way back across the room, closing the dorm door shut behind them with a soft 'snick.'"

Harry let out a sigh of relief and twisted his ring, gently, letting the illusion fall.

"That was freaky," Lisa commented moments later. "Do they sneak into your room a lot?"

Harry nodded, exasperated.

"Weird," Lisa told him, "and Hermione watches you?"

"Like a hawk," Harry replied. "Ron's a lot more lax, but he isn't supposed to be. Hermione got the better end of the brainwashing, I think."

Lisa snickered, but it was half-hearted, and she asked, "Why don't you do anything?"

"What would I do?" Harry asked, "I'm a bit trapped right now, I can't leave Hogwarts and Dumbledore's a bastard."

"Why can't you leave Hogwarts?" Lisa asked, "There are plenty of other schools."

"I like this one," Harry replied, "Besides there's a bit more to Hogwarts than meets the eye."

"So…birthmarks?" Lisa asked, creeping up to look at his arms, "Runes, they said? Funny considering it's your favorite subject that you never took"

"Not just a hobby," Harry told her with a grin. "A body ornament too."

Lisa traced a line up and down his arm, and Harry shivered. She tapped on the rune once she found it and asked, "A starter rune, huh?"

"Not technically," Harry replied, "that sets of a secondary reaction," Harry pointed out the other four runes on that arm, "the actual starter rune is on the bottom of my foot."

"Wait one minute," Lisa exclaimed, shocked, "you mean—"

Harry nodded and finished, "It's an actual spell."