See chapter 1 for disclaimers/warnings/summaries. See Note after A/N below, for general fic information.
PREVIOUSLY:
Harry's first day at Hogwarts has him hiding the fact that he does not have any magic. No one has noticed yet. The new DADA professor is named Terius and has an interesting teacher's assistant, a girl by the name of Calida. As the first day comes to an end, Hermione is curious about Professor Terius and they decide to visit the library for research.
The library smelled of dust, dirt and history.
Harry obediently followed Hermione and company through the doors, keeping his head down as usual. Things always worked best when he kept his head down, it was almost a guarantee that he'd be invisible.
Sometimes, invisible was a good thing.
A very good thing.
He listened half-heartedly as Hermione and Ron bickered in whispers and pretended not to notice Madam Prince's disapproving glare as the argument became a little louder than necessary at one point.
Eventually, he slipped out of his seat and trotted off to investigate the shelves on his own.
He didn't think anyone would miss him.
No one did.
After careful searching, Harry finally made his way to the front desk, hoping that perhaps, Madam Prince might be tending to more important matters than the desk and he'd be able to ask one of the older students about finding creature books.
The stern matron peered down at him from over her crooked nose with a gaze that seemed to pierce his careful mask. "What do you want this time?" She demanded, thin-lipped.
Harry squared his shoulders. "I was looking for books on rare magical creatures." He swallowed. "Any kinds of reference."
She sniffed, disapprovingly. "Such a broad topic? Nothing specific? Do you have any idea how many books hold references to magical creatures, much less the rare ones?"
"Well, it's for a-" Harry began.
"Spare me the lies." Her left eyebrow twitched, faintly. "I don't need to hear it. I hear enough of them already." She grumbled a bit more beneath her breath and then turned away. "Narrow down your subject search to a specific animal and then return."
"But-!"
"Go. Shoo!" She wrinkled her nose.
Harry hesitated, but retreated anyway. He doubted that she'd be of much help anyway. He turned his footsteps towards the study table where he'd left Ron and Hermione and as he rounded the corner, he smacked into something warm and soft, with sharp, hard edges. There was a muffled grunt and something that might have been a squeak, before he heard the speaker's quiet apology.
"Oh my goodness, Merlin, I didn't even see you, I was so busy working on—Harry?" Megan blinked over at him from where she'd been knocked to the floor, clutching a precious armful of books. "Hi."
Harry stared back and then caught himself. "Hi." He hadn't known that Madam Prince would take on a library helper, but there was a little badge on Megan's robes declaring her to be just that—a junior librarian.
The Hufflepuff smiled warmly at him and fluidly rose to her feet, accepting one of the stray floating books that Harry handed over. A softly scented hint of lavender seemed to surround her as she moved and the smile on her face lit it with a gentle glow. "Thanks for catching that. Madam Prince would have my head if it was anywhere but in my hands."
Harry almost smiled back. "You're welcome." He answered, out of habit.
"Here to study already?" She inquired, shifting the armful and carefully levitating the stack to a floating, hovering tower once more. "They didn't assign any homework for us yet." Her smile softened. "I don't think they should be allowed to hand out homework on the first day." Her conspiratorial whisper was accompanied by a wink.
This time, Harry did smile. "I agree." He murmured.
"Personal reading then?" She prompted, pausing by one shelf to extract two volumes and store them neatly on the shelf.
Oh why not? Harry thought, exasperated. "Actually, I was looking for a book on rare magical creatures, I don't suppose you know where they are?"
"Any editions or titles in particular?" Megan asked, cheerfully. She began to walk again, the stack of books floating easily after her.
"Er, no. I guess a really old one." Harry admitted. He hadn't thought that far and he didn't really want to give away anything.
"Anything in particular you're looking for?" She clarified.
Harry cringed inwardly. "No."
"Okay!" She flashed him another smile and made a sharp turn to the left. "How many do you want? There's an entire series by Eldeeria Lynth, on a collection of creatures considered partial, because there is some proof that they exist, but not enough for official, legal classification." She waved her wand at something on one of the upper shelves. A moment later, several thick tomes floated down to rest in her arms. She happily turned them over to Harry's surprised hands. "You can look through these first, they're the most comprehensive." She flicked her wand again and her everpresent stack of books began to shelve themselves. "If you find something you want to know more on, I'll be working over there." She pointed to a corner. "Or you can use the summoner, if you have a library pass."
"A what?"
"That's okay. If you don't know what it is, then you probably don't have one." She said, regretfully. "I can't really help you there. It's given to students who write consistently outstanding essays and require a great deal of research." She nodded towards a chained pedestal in the corner. "If you have a pass, then it's like a token, you feed it to the book and then write down what you're looking for and if it can't summon it directly to your hands, you're given step-by-step instructions." She grinned. "It is rather fun to use." She chewed on her lower lip. "But if you don't have a pass, it doesn't work. But never mind that, I'll be right over there if you need anything." She pointed again and with a slight wave, was off.
Harry watched her go, feeling a slight twinge at her absence. He brushed it off, mentally, and turned his attention towards the stack of books in his arms. They were getting heavy!
Three weeks passed before anyone noticed that Harry's magic was missing.
He was also becoming unnaturally tired again.
Quite frankly, Harry didn't know how he'd really managed to get away with it for so long. He'd expected Hermione to pick up on it first and most certainly, he'd expected to find himself in Dumbledore's office within the first week, where his unexplained fits of drowsiness had left him crabby, snappy and irritable. When neither of those realities had come through by the second week, Harry didn't know what to think.
He knew that there were eyes watching—goodness, he could practically feel it in his every waking moment—yet, somehow, the eyes hadn't gotten him into any trouble, nor had they given themselves away. Harry didn't know what to think. On one hand, he was grateful for the reprieve, because he honestly had no way to really explain it without mentioning his creature inheritance and that was one tidbit of news he was not willing to share.
On the other hand, he was definitely disappointed. He'd hoped that his magic would've come back by now and as far as he could tell, with what little information he'd gleaned in the library, there shouldn't be any reason why he was magic-less. He'd managed to work out a little bit of a routine and so far, he'd been managing. He'd used Pepper-up potion to strategically keep himself awake during the first week when he was all but tripping over his own feet for being so exhausted.
The second week had left him with little improvement and a very short temper, to the point where Ginny, Ron and even the twins had both teased him that all he needed was red hair to be able to claim the 'famous Weasley temper'. Harry hadn't found it very funny at all. Neither had Parvati, or Jennifer, which was rather odd, but Harry chose not to dwell on those sorts of details.
But of course, for his efforts, his temper had blown over and he'd had grovel in his apologies to Hermione and bribe both Ron and Ginny to keep their friendship intact. The twins had accepted his apologies with a few roundabout ones of their own, promising not to bother him if it troubled him so deeply. Harry tucked that away as yet another detail to puzzle through later.
He was surprised to notice a rather obvious change in his fellow housemates. They weren't as open and friendly as he could recall from the previous year, though of course, they had all generally been ignoring him for the past two years, but he'd thought things were improving. At least, he had kind of hoped. While it suited him just fine, after all, there were supposed to be advantages to being invisible, Harry thought he was starting to imagine things.
There were little moments, like being excluded from Seamus and Dean's private conversations, suspicious glances from the girls, Lavender and Romilda—an odd and somewhat frightening duo—if he considered it, and how their whispered conversations stopped when he entered a room. One moment too many and then, Harry'd had enough. No one would tell him what had been in the papers the other day and Hermione had been quite adamant that it wasn't any of his business to know. It didn't keep his imagination from running wild however and sooner than he'd liked, Harry scented and catalogued them each individually.
He was only mildly disappointed to find that apart from Parvati, Jennifer and the Weasley twins, there weren't any others that he felt comfortable enough to trust. He had suspected as much, considering their recent cordial manners towards him and his inclination to gravitate towards them when Hermione, Ron and Ginny's bickering became too much. The trio's scents were fading on him—fading into something that he didn't like at all.
What had started out strong at the beginning of the semester was now beginning to quite obviously wane.
Of course, apart from the inner house drama, there were other interesting things to note.
In the meantime, he'd learned that Professor Terius really did prefer Teacher or simply Terius and that he had the ability to run his classroom with an almost military precision. His assignments were standardized and he had students write down their questions to ask after the lecture—he didn't like being interrupted—something that bugged Hermione to no end. There was absolutely no messing around in his classroom and you didn't dare so much as think of sleeping. For some reason, whenever he entered the classroom, all thoughts of sleeping, exhaustion or hunger simply fled. Harry didn't know what to make of that, but it had begun to become a little bit of a safe haven, he liked feeling normal for the short class period and he longed for things to go back to the way they'd been.
Sometimes, it was a pain to realize things, such as the changing scents of his friends, how some people thought it was okay to lie straight to his face and how annoying it was to be cold all the time. He couldn't even cast a simple warming charm, though he had managed to coax Hermione to do it for him a few times. He'd considered buying clothes with charms installed on them, but then that had seemed like too much trouble and he knew when he returned home for the summer, his dear Uncle Vernon would either pitch a fit and get rid of them or both.
Harry also continued to keep his eyes and ears open. In doing so, he found that Meagan Jones was a very likable young woman and they'd managed to enter a suitable bartering system of chocolate frogs for the delicious skewers and snacks her parents sent from home. Harry was relieved to find that it helped with his cravings for raw meat and Megan didn't seem to mind at all. He often found his way to the library every other night of the week and he'd help her sort books and they'd laugh about things that didn't make any sense.
She was easier to keep company than Hermione and though she could be quite the serious student, Harry was relieved to find that it wasn't the smothering kind of overachieving notions that Hermione seemed to have ingrained in her very self. Megan had the patience of a saint and an endless supply of snacks that seemed to come from a bottomless little waistpouch she wore beneath her robes.
Harry decided that he definitely liked her. He also noted that she smelled quite a bit of chocolate and lavender and even closer in trustworthiness than the twins. It was a development he hadn't quite expected it.
Harry soon found himself running into said Hufflepuff on a regular basis to the point where he felt comfortable to ask about the family heirloom the brunette always seemed to have on her person. Megan had chuckled at his request and told him to ask the next time they ran into each other, before heading off to her next class. Harry had thoughtfully made a note to do so. Megan was quickly changing his opinion of Hufflepuffs in general and the more he looked, the more Harry found that they weren't really that different.
There were more things they had in common than he'd ever thought—Gryffindor loyalty might even pale beside the staunch comradeship among Puffs. Megan was friends with almost everyone it seemed, house rivalries meant nothing in her eyes.
That, Harry discovered, was wonderful.
On the other hand, Millicent Bulstrode became an incurable flirt. At least, that was the only excuse Harry could conjure for the pureblooded tomboy. While Harry couldn't deny that it felt, well, nice, to have someone actively paying attention to him in that way. Millicent had an uncanny knack for getting him flustered, embarrassed and aroused at the absolute worst possible times—in Potions class! Nothing Harry had been able to do or say convinced the Slytherin girl to turn her eyes elsewhere—not in the three weeks he'd been trying, anyway. Of course, the closer Millicent was, the less cold it was in the dungeons, as the girl seemed to be a walking personal heater. It was an internal tug of war as Harry alternately suffered from frozen fingers and toes or the heat of embarrassment. He didn't know how Millicent could stand to say such embarrassing things aloud.
Of course, Harry had suffered more than enough Snape Death Glares in the first two weeks it had taken to adjust to the Slytherin girl's brand of teasing. He didn't know how he'd manage the rest of the year, but at least, he was sort of learning something about potions. Millicent had immediately taken it upon herself to be sure that Harry did an equal and fair amount of work, even if it was just preparing the ingredients and reading the instructions out loud. Most of the time though, Harry had to admit that she really didn't help at all, at least, not where it would've counted.
It most certainly didn't help when she muttered to herself in that a rather sexy Latin tongue and when her wandering hands occasionally found themselves in places on Harry's person that left Harry red in the face just thinking about. He'd all but dumped their cauldron on the girl's head the last time he'd found her hands wandering a little lower than he'd liked.
How it had happened, he didn't even want to know!
Harry shook his head to bring himself back to the present of his thoughts. He was on his way to the breakfast table in the Great Hall and he couldn't afford to zone out so early in the day. He sighed to himself as he trooped along obediently behind Ron and Hermione. From their scents, he was easily piecing things together—the two were obviously dating or at least doing what some dating couples did—and he could smell it. He wondered why they hadn't said a word to him yet, but figured that perhaps they were simply waiting for something. He reasoned that they would tell him on their own time.
The past week, he'd also noticed a new change, scent-wise. Jennifer and Parvati now had drastically different scents from everyone else. Even Ginny's scent, which had been a bit murky for a bit, had also begun to change over the past week to something that Harry didn't know what to make of as yet. He tucked the detail away as a mental note to decipher it later—he'd gotten better at doing that. Jennifer and Parvati now reminded him of Megan, as they smelled rather acceptable and—for lack of a better word—delightful. Harry had caught himself subconsciously sneaking a few good whiffs whenever they were around and smiling a little more when happy buzzes sang through his body at the pleasing scents.
His Dragel-self apparently liked it quite a bit.
A blur of blond hair out of the corner of his eye caught his attention and Harry turned to see Draco Malfoy surreptitiously moving along with the shuffle of breakfast bound students—without his usual gaggle of cronies. Harry followed him with his eyes until Malfoy reached the Slytherin table and then, almost instantly, a seat opened up for him between Blaise and Pansy Parkinson.
Harry frowned. It was a common enough gesture for the Slytherins, they were careful and kept to their own, but it was Malfoy that Harry had his eye on. He hadn't been able to figure out the blond at all. Some days, it seemed as if Malfoy was on fire and every inch the cold, heartless bastard that Harry had pegged him for, yet, in other moments—small fleeting moments—Harry had seen him almost vulnerable, with a look on his face that he hadn't thought the Slytherin Ice Prince was even capable of knowing. He had wondered about it, Hermione's mention of Dumbledore's words making his mind do double time as to whether the pureblood could be on their side or not.
It was hard to tell.
There were too many mixed signals.
"…arry…Harry! Oh for Merlin's sake!" Someone exclaimed, exasperated.
"I thought boys always paid attention to anything food-related."
"Probably every boy but Harry."
A hand on his elbow guided him forward and to a seat. Harry snapped back to the present to realize that he was sandwiched between Jennifer and Parvati who had now become rather good friends. They both pinned him with a rather deliberate stare that promised a serious conversation somewhere in the future. Harry smiled weakly as his stomach rumbled. He snuck a good whiff and felt his clenching insides relax ever so slightly. He'd avoid their serious conversation as long as he possibly could, but he would definitely take advantage of being smothered with the lovely scents wafting off of them as long as they were close.
Hermione didn't seem to care that he was whisked away by the two girls and the twins winked at him as the duo tugged him further down the table than his usual place. He saw Ginny scowling and sulking at having to sit next to her brother and his bushy-haired girlfriend. She had taken to grumbling about nearly everything lately and now, the youngest Weasley sulked through the entire morning meal with only the occasional glower in Harry's direction. It was a glower that froze in fright when Fred matched it with one of his own and George followed up. Ginny resumed sulking and switched her glowers to her breakfast plate.
"You alright, Harry?" Parvati eyed him critically.
"Sleep well? You look a little tired." Jennifer sank gracefully down onto the bench on his other side.
"Have you seen Madam Pomfrey?" The Indian girl began to fill her breakfast plate. "She might be able to help."
"Especially if you're not getting enough sleep." Jennifer nodded in agreement. "Eat up. You need some meat on those bones." She gave Harry's bony shoulder a light squeeze.
"Ohh, lucky Harry!" The twins chorused.
Fred and George seated themselves opposite the mismatched trio, with identical smirks on their faces.
"You aren't sneaking out-" Fred began.
"-to cause mischief without us, are you-" George picked up. "-because if you are, we-"
"-certainly have something-"
"-to say about it." George finished. He handed over a breakfast dish and nodded towards Harry's plate. "Trying to fatten him up too?" He shuddered. "I pity you, Harry."
"Indeed." Fred smirked. "Once girls start to mother you, it's bad."
"Oh shut up and stuff your own mouth." Jennifer shot back. "And give me that cinnamon roll."
"Your wish is my ultimate desire, dear lady." George winked. He handed over the sweet.
Jennifer snorted. "Dear lady, now, am I?" She shook her head and turned her attention to her plate. "Of course, only now he remembers."
Parvati shrugged lightly and began to eat, having contented herself with the small portions she'd added to Harry's plate. Her meaningful look said more than her mouth would have and Harry made himself sample each helping on his plate beneath their watchful gazes. He hadn't been as invisible as he'd thought after all.
"I'm fine." He spoke around a mouthful of cubed fruit. "Really." He shrank somewhat when Fred pinned him with a look, punctuated with an arched eyebrow. Harry snuck a look at George, only to find the matching redhead sporting the exact same expression. He gulped and focused on his plate instead. The twins getting serious was serious! Harry forced himself not to squirm under their sudden scrutiny.
Loud shouts from the Slytherin table, drew the attention of every student, ending with a red-faced Pansy Parkinson towering over a certain blond Ice Prince.
A/N:~*~*~*~VOTES ARE CLOSED!~*~*~*~ To anyone who missed my note in the last chapter, Votes are now closed. The verdict has already been decided. Thank you, to everyone, for your participation! (and there will be other things to vote for in the future, to keep an eye out if you missed voting this time around.) ^_^
Thank you for the kind reviews/faves and alerts. I'm glad y'all are enjoying the story. Here's chapter 9, at last. ^_^ Harry and Megan find a way to spend more time together and we see glimpses of the other girls slipping in. The next chapters should be quite fun!
NOTE:This fic is different from the typical result of this type of genre, in terms that I am making this fic as realistic as possible. Harry is not immediately tumbling into bed with a gaggle of girls and having his wicked way with them. -_-' While he does have leadership and Alpha tendencies, he is the SUB(submissive)/Bottom, in this fic and as such, there will be an 'Alpha female' character present for his mateship circle. Also, just because Harry is a sub, does not mean that he doesn't have a backbone. He will be independent and discover a sense of self. This fic will be focusing on Harry and the changes happening to him and how he handles it. I like to torture my characters somewhat, because life is realistic that way, it's not all fluffy and perfect. There are quite a bit of adventures in Harry's future though, and many interesting subplots to come, so stick around for the ride if this is what you'd like to read. ^_^
Random Rant: :( I'm sorry the angst isn't quite your thing, but thank you for reading and reviewing, just the same. It does pick up in tone a little bit, but part of the reason for this is Harry's attitude towards his inheritance, (a specific point in his character that I address in a future chapter). I hope that makes some sense. :)
Call0013 & lordamnesia: Thank you both for reading and reviewing! I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Wish I could rewrite faster. :)
Durzokylar: No problem at all! It's because some of my readers were nice enough to ask for a "Straight" version, that I've actually started this fic. I understand that slash isn't everyone's thing and I'm glad that you're able to enjoy the story through this alternate plot. ^_^
Penny is wise : In the original version, I believe it took until chapter 13 for actual "action" in terms of the romance, however, since this is a rewrite to remove the slash aspect, there are different scenes added in, for instance, this would've been one chapter over there, but has become almost three, for this version of the fic.
Alex The Goth: *zippers lips* Not telling! :P That was the whole point of votes and all that. :) Thanks for reading and reviewing. I'm pretty sure I can weave them all in here in a way that y'all will enjoy. ^_^
Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed! I appreciate it. If I missed your review, my apologies! FF has been eating my alerts and reviews, so blame it on them. :(