Chapter IV
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Author's Note- Thanks for the reviews, they are amazing and very helpful. I'm still not decided on the pairing. It will def be het, but I'm still considering who. I have decided though, Harry will def not be paired with Elena. At the moment I am leaning more towards Davina Claire in New Orleans. I almost can't wait till Marcel tries that "I'm the King," bs on him. I think his reaction will be a bit different. Also, I will try to make paragraphs smaller...it just does not come naturally to me. This story is also more so about some of the underdeveloped characters. Frankly, I don't like Elena, and I don't care if Klaus was abused and misunderstood. That does not give him a free pass for his behavior. Similar to Snape in the Harry Potter world.
Harry's POV
Harry had been staying at the Salvatore Boarding House with his Uncle Elijah in Mystic Falls, Virginia for the past six months. They had left Europe not long after Harry's run-in with his 'beloved' uncle Niklaus. After looking around the town, they had decided to stay at the Salvatore House until the crews could finish construction on the property Harry bought that was just at the edge of town.
The Salvatore house was run by a Zac Salvatore. He appeared to be in his late thirties, and was a member of the 'Town Council', that spent all their time thinking up various and quite numerous ways to end his kind. However, thanks to his connections to the Gilbert's, he and later his Uncle Eli were well aware of not only who was on this council, but generally what they had planned.
Harry had begun correspondence with his American cousins several years previously, and was quite pleased to finally meet them. Jenna and Miranda were the daughters of his mother Lily's much older sister Thalia; whom his mother had never even gotten to meet. His Aunt Thalia was killed in a car accident several years previously, but her daughters and grandchildren had been delighted to meet Harry.
They were at least aware that he was a wizard, as they already knew about magic; their mother being a squib and all. Though Miranda's husband Grayson was polite enough, Harry didn't particularly trust the man. There was something about both him and his brother John Gilbert that unnerved him.
They appeared very leery of magic in general, and both had seemed quite put out when Harry proved that his cousin Jeremy was in fact a wizard himself. While America did not have a large population of wizards, there were enough that magical schools existed there.
When Harry announced that he was certain of Jeremy being a wizard, the elder Gilbert brothers had been forced to confess that Grayson had declined all of Jeremy's invitations to the various schools. Miranda had been especially put out as her son received his wizarding genes from her bloodline. As the daughter of a pureblood squib, she was excited that her son received the gift of magic.
Harry did not doubt that Grayson spent quite a few nights on the couch as a result of his duplicity. As Harry had been receiving tuition in wizarding studies for years, he offered to begin his younger cousins lessons in magic. Jeremy himself was enthralled with the idea of magic. He absorbed Harry's lessons like a sponge. Jeremy's powers were surprisingly similar to Harry's own magic. While Harry was definitely the more powerful of the two, he found his cousin had a great deal of potential.
Beyond magical studies, Jeremy was the first person to truly show Harry what it was like just to be a normal kid. It was through him that Harry discovered the wonders of video games, dvd's, the full range of the Internet, and even American football. Harry had been best friends with the older and beautiful Fleur Delacour since he was six years old. He had also been close to his riding partner Philippe.
However, he had never truly had what you would call a real male 'best friend' before. Within a few months of moving to Mystic Falls, Jeremy had quickly filled that role in his life. Harry in return, taught Jeremy how to ride, as well as helped him embrace his artistic side in which Harry thought the boy showed a great deal of promise.
Jeremy's sister Elena was a beautiful young girl about Harry's own age. She seemed to light up any room she was in, and drew people towards her. His Uncle had behaved rather strangely after meeting the girl, and wouldn't discuss what bothered him. He thought perhaps she reminded him of someone important to his past.
Harry noticed that Jeremy often seemed overlooked when Elena was around, even by their parents. It was as though she had to be at the center of things at all times, and everything else was simply unimportant.
It was for that reason that Harry tried to make a point of showing his younger cousin that he valued him, and that he was just as important as his sister; more so in Harry's opinion. Though he liked Elena well enough, Harry thought that perhaps all of the Gilbert's family and friend's lives revolved around Elena a bit too much. He had met some interesting people through her though.
Elena's best friends Caroline and Bonnie were both attractive young girls. Caroline Forbes had been all but stalking Harry as soon as they moved to town. She seemed to be very bubbly and out-going, if not trying too hard be a bit of a 'mean girl.' Caroline, Harry noticed, seemed to take most things in life as a competition of sorts. Caroline acted as though she had something to prove. Again, Harry suspected that it had something to do with Elena.
Bonnie Bennett on the other hand, was at first glance somewhat like both Elena and Caroline. She also had an out-going personality and was very friendly, but she was far more laid back. To Harry, she was the most comfortable in her own skin of the three. Also, from what he was able to deduce after spending a few months around her, was she was a truly caring and selfless person. She was the type that would do anything for those she cared about, but if she ever did, she wouldn't be the type to go around talking about it. She seemed to prefer to be just ever so slightly in the background. Also, Bonnie Bennett was a witch.
Harry had been able to sense that upon first meeting the girl. She was a wiccan, and a rather powerful one at that. However, if she knew about it, she certainly did well hiding it. His Uncle had informed him that her grandmother Sheila Bennett was the 'resident witch' of the town; though the Founder's Council was unaware.
Apparently, that group of overly self-important provincials were rather medieval in their beliefs. Harry had vowed to himself to make sure the bunch of pompous idiots were never able to turn their sights on anyone Harry cared about less they find themselves six feet under. Being wary and able to remove a ripper or some rogue vampire on a bender was one thing, and Harry would even support and help in dealing with such a matter. Killing someone who was merely trying to lead a normal life, and avoided causing harm to others, was another thing entirely.
Harry had been exploring the Salvatore residence in secret not long after arriving. His Uncle had already informed him of all he knew of the infamous Salvatore Brothers; a pair of well known vampires famous for their love hate relationship of each other. Damon was the wild unpredictable one obsessed with some whorish vampire that was burned in the church fire of 1864. His brother Stefan on the other hand, was the bunny drinking pacifist that strove to be a do-gooder type; that was of course when he was not off the rails at barely the faintest hint of human blood that turned him in to the 'Ripper of Monterey.'
If there was one thing that Harry despised, it was a seasoned vampire with no self control. It was somewhat understandable in a newbie that had not had someone there to show them how to be a proper vampire. It was another thing entirely to reach the age of Stefan Salvatore, and be unable to control yourself. Harry had already put down mercilessly several out of control vampires in Europe, and he would not hesitate to do so again here.
As much as he shared some personality traits with his infamous father, Harry could not abide seeing human life snuffed out for no apparent reason. While Harry himself just drank from blood bags, and even then he still did not have the hunger a normal vampire possessed; he was a firm believer that if a vampire wanted blood straight from the source, then the practice of 'snatch, eat, and erase,' was the way to go. Besides, the last thing any member of the supernatural needed was some of their number to expose them to the muggles.
Harry intended for the Mikaelson family, with Elijah's agreement, to take responsibility for any rogue vampires out there wreaking havoc and risking their exposure. If they could not give an explanation for their actions or at least have the excuse that no one had ever properly trained them, they would be put down as one would a wild dog.
All vampires descend from his family and it was their responsibility to ensure they did nothing that risked the safety of the rest of them. He was certainly not suggesting they become something similar to the Volturi of those damnable Twilight novels, but Harry could not and would not allow the indiscriminate killing of innocents.
After scoping out the rooms that he was certain were reserved for the Salvatore family's sometime resident vampires, Harry had discovered a massive stash of vervain in the basement. Personally, he thought the term 'dungeons' was more of an apt description than 'basement'. While vervain had no effect of him, he made sure his Uncle was aware. One of Harry's little tricks was his own immunity to vervain. His compulsion was also immune to vervain. No one save Elijah was aware of that however.
He had already compelled most of those around him to never allow vervain to be served to his uncle. He had allowed numerous members of the Council to witness him consuming vervain, and done a number of switching spells on drinks to make it appear as if his uncle had consumed vervain in their presence.
By the time their new home was ready, all of the Council with the exception of his cousin's husband Grayson Gilbert had welcomed the wealthy two Mikaelson's with open arms. None of them had the foggiest notion that their town was now home to two of the most powerful and dangerous supernatural beings on Earth.
Their new home was about five minutes outside of town. It was still close enough that running any little errand in town was a non-issue as far as time and distance was concerned; but it was far enough away from large numbers of people to allow them their privacy. As a avid student of both history and architecture, the property he had bought was a true historic gem. It was initially built in the middle of the Eighteenth Century, the records indicated about 1758. This was a full one hundred years before the founding of Mystic Falls. The estate was a rare and magnificent example of a Georgian-style manor in colonial Virginia.
The central block was a large structure made of red brick and limestone. The massive size of the rooms with their soaring ceilings, large fireplaces, and leaded glass and Venetian windows were all preserved from the original structure. Harry had then imported antique and intricately carved English oak and mahogany paneling, Eighteenth Century in-laid flooring, Italian marble, and French fireplace mantles.
The central block which now contained the reception rooms, library, and dining hall was doubled in size with matching salvaged brick and freshly quarried limestone given an aged look, to match the original structure. Two large galleries now extended from center of the house which led to an east and west wings that contained a ballroom, art gallery, and large bedroom suites; all constructed mainly from imported materials salvaged from various European estates.
Though the mansion was without a doubt one of the most opulent and impressive estates in the entire region, the over all feel of the house was understated. Unlike Niklaus, neither Harry nor Elijah were much for ostentatious displays of extravagance. One merely had the feeling they were entering an elegant English country estate.
The landscaping and gardens of the estate also lent to the feel of a noble's country manor. With over two thousand acres of grounds there was ample room for riding to his hearts content. He was even hoping to purchase some pegasi from Europe.
For extra privacy there were several guest 'cottages' on the estate. With Elijah's blessing Harry had convinced his cousin Jenna to move in to her favorite one. It had taken little convincing truthfully as it was rent free, and the commute to her college wasn't bad. He taken a great liking to Jenna, and found her to be a great person to talk to and relax around. Her care-free nature was such that you couldn't help but love her.
So, when fall rolled around, Harry found himself attending his freshman year at Mystic Falls High School. This was his first time attending school of any kind since he was still a small child in Surrey. He was surprised to find he enjoyed himself. He got along well with most everyone, and soon became a rather well-known figure on campus. It was in school at first, that Harry became friends with his first completely normal, all muggle, non-supernatural friend, Matt Donovan.
Matt came from a rough home background, but Harry had never met a nicer person who had no ulterior motives. With him, what you saw was what you got. He introduced Harry to more people, and Matt soon found himself hanging out at Harry's place often to escape his mother and sister. After meeting both of them, Harry had to admit that they scared him somewhat. They both looked at him is if he was something they wanted to eat.
Matt was also hopelessly in love with Elena. Personally, Harry did not see the appeal, but thought that a guy as nice and normal as Matt would be good for Elena. It was with a small bit of strategic planning on Harry's part that saw Matt and Elena thrown together in numerous encounters that led to Matt finally working up the nerve to ask her out. With the time she spent with Matt, Harry began to see a side of Elena that he liked. When she wasn't trying to impress anyone, she could be a fun and even mischievous girl that was hard not to like.
Under Matt's urgings, Harry also played freshman football. This was most amusing to Harry, as he had to work exceptionally hard at the sport. Not at playing well as one might think, but at making sure he was slow and made mistakes. This was far harder than anyone would think. Still, it was not long before Coach Tanner's eyes would light up at the mere sigh of Harry.
All in all, playing for the team helped Harry to blend in better, as well as make more 'friends'. He was one year below Matt and Elena, and one year above Jeremy, and made a large number of friends in all the surrounding age groups. Although he really did not care for most of them, he was able to perfect his acting skills. There was one boy he particularly disliked; Tyler Lockwood. He may have been a good friend of Matt's, but Harry couldn't stomach his presence for long. His head was so full of his own arrogance it merited its own zip code.
The future werewolf also seemed to have it out for Harry. Apparently he felt Harry had 'upstaged' Harry was popular, he did not go out of his way make himself stand out of a crowd. For some reason, the boy still felt threatened by him. He decided to bring Harry down a notch by starting a rumor that Harry was in a secret gay relationship with his cousin Jeremy. As Harry still made time almost every day after school to help his cousin in learning and training his magic; some people took the slander as fact.
Normally, Harry could not have cared less what idiotic thoughts some people had; and as he was not homophobic, the insult meant little to him. However, he could not abide by anyone saying anything that would hurt his young cousin. Jeremy had quickly come to be as a younger brother to Harry. Jeremy and Matt were some of the few true friends Harry had ever had. It was because of this that led to a bit of revenge from Harry to the arrogant Lockwood prat.
Harry was in the parking lot making his way to the car that was always sent to pick him up after school. Tyler Lockwood was coming out of the building with several of his 'friends'. This was another sore spot with the young Lockwood; as he soon found not many others were willing to share his dislike of Harry, who was well-liked by just about everybody.
Harry heard the football Tyler threw coming towards him at high speeds and aimed straight for his head. With lightning-fast reflexes, Harry turned abruptly and caught the ball mid air with only one hand.
'That was it.' Harry thought.
He was not going to take any more of that pompous ass's inferiority complex.
Tyler looked stunned that Harry had somehow sensed the ball's approach and managed to turn the tables to make himself look even better while Tyler merely looked wanting. He knew the golden boy that everyone in town was so enamored by would not want to resort to a physical fight, as he seemed to always avoid it. Tyler was even certain the bastard was holding back in football.
'Let's see how he handles verbal humiliation,' thought the future werewolf.
"Are you off to see you boyfriend?" Tyler asked seemingly innocent.
Tyler and his friends drew closer to Harry as a number of other students began to notice and look their way. It was like sharks smelling blood in the water as the adolescents gathered.
Harry tilted his head in a curious manner as he raised a single eyebrow questioningly.
"Pardon?" Harry asked.
To most everyone Harry would merely look curious and totally unaffected by Tyler's innuendo. To anyone who truly knew the boy however, they would be able to tell by the look in his emerald green eyes that the other boy was treading on dangerous ground. While it was true that Harry could really care less what was said of him, he would allow no one to hurt the boy he had come to think of as his little brother.
Like the idiot Tyler Lockwood was, he continued on with his incredibly stupid actions.
"I said Mikaelson, are you off to see your boyfriend. You know, Baby Gilbert? I'm just curious, which one of you is the one that takes it? I would think with how quiet he is it would be Little Gilbert, but with you there who can say. With your pretty looks, you look like the type that would enjoy having something hard shoved inside you. No normal guy looks or talks like you do," Tyler said both loudly and cruelly.
Tyler became somewhat unnerved by the devious glint that entered Harry's eyes.
To anyone that had ever seen him, they would immediately recognize the look of the infamous Kol Mikaelson at his most dangerous.
To Tyler, Harry next spoke softly and slowly; as if he were talking to a particularly dim witted small child.
All the while, he was weaving what was essentially a variation of the Imperious Curse on the group in front of him.
"Lockwood, I wasn't aware you watched me so much. While I realize that I am quite a stunning specimen of male flesh, I never suspected you had these...feelings for me. I'm truly flattered of course that you think so well of me, but I'm a bit worried. Just how much time do you spend thinking of how I would like to..."take it?" did you say?" Harry said slowly.
Tyler looked like a floundering fish trying to think of what to say to this unexpected comeback.
Meanwhile, Harry went for the figurative kill.
"Maybe you should talk to someone professionally about these...urges, Lockwood. This fantasy life of yours truly can't be healthy. Again, while I'm flattered you think so highly of me, you really just don't do it for me. Let's just say you've got the wrong...equipment, so to speak." Harry said glancing down at Tyler.
To his utter horror, Tyler was now sporting a full on erection.
An erection that was also considerably smaller than it should have been. Tyler had no idea in that moment that untill he changed, he would forever remain...'small.'
When Tyler looked downwards as Harry indicated he should, his face grew as red as a tomato. Tyler looked around and noticed everyone was now staring at him in varying looks of shock, disgust, amusement, and other looks he didn't want to think about.
He was especially disturbed to see his buddy Brent Tremont was looking at him with a glazed look of lust in his eyes.
Harry decided to finish Tyler's humiliation.
"Now, both myself and my cousin Jeremy are very much interested in the ladies," Harry said as he glanced over to his right and winked at a group of particularly fetching varsity cheerleaders who were soon blushing over the charming smile Harry had thrown their way.
"But don't let this bring you down Tyler. I'm sure there are plenty of boys out there who are just waiting on you. They just haven't had the same courage as you have clearly shown us. I salute you for being brave enough to step out of the closet and go after what you really want."
"You know..." Harry said slyly as he glanced at Brent, who was a douche bag nearly on par with Tyler himself.
"I think Brent here would be more than happy to spend some...'quality' time with you. I'll just leave you two to it. Good luck, and I'll be sure to get the pair of you some tee-shirts for your bravery." Harry said patronizingly.
Meanwhile Tyler Lockwood could do nothing but stare on in mute horror as Brent Tremont stepped towards him. His horror was furthered when he noticed Brent was now sporting a matching boner. Tyler could not move; it was as if some unknown force was keeping him not only in place, but forcing his own body to betray him by being more than willing to accept Brent as he swooped down on Tyler and claimed his lips in a fierce kiss...with tongue...and a boner.
He had thought his mortification complete when he let out an involuntary moan that would put even the most wanton of whores to shame.
That however was nothing compared to his utter shame and terror when he spotted both Carol and Richard Lockwood, along with most of the Town Council, standing there gaping open-mouthed at the sight of Tyler and Brent about twenty yards away.
As his parents approached him, Tyler could no longer remember feeling as if he wasn't in complete control of his actions mere moments before. All he consciously recalled was feeling the desire to explore his sexual boundaries, as well as being left with the foreboding thought that he should never, under any circumstances, attempt to challenge Henrik James Mikaelson ever again.
Tyler was convinced he was hearing things when he thought he heard a slightly demented cackle reverberate through his mind as his parents were standing there yelling and berating him for making a spectacle of himself as well as trying to start up anything with such a fine young man as Harry Mikaelson.
Jeremy's POV
Jeremy was at the manor waiting on his cousin when he got out of school. News truly traveled fast in Mystic Falls as he was already aware of the confrontation with Tyler Lockwood.
"Did he really try to screw you right there in the parking lot?" Jeremy asked.
It amazed Harry how stories would warp and change with each re-telling.
"Did the varsity cheerleaders really gang up on Lockwood for trying to take you away from them...as apparently they are all members of you harem?" Jeremy asked much to Harry's amusement.
"Alright Brat. Come over here. This is called a pensieve. It allows you to remove memories and enables others to watch them as if they were really there. They just can't interact." Harry explained as he drew the memory of his 'confrontation' with Tyler the Douche as Harry referred to the Lockwood boy.
Jeremy watched as the silvery strand of memories left Harry's mind on the tip of his finger. He then placed them in the stone basin.
"Now, just place your finger inside the liquid and the magic of the pensieve will transport us to the 'show'." Harry told him.
Jeremy eagerly placed one hand on the pensieve and one finger inside the opalescent substance.
Several minutes later, the youngest Gilbert emerged from the pensieve and was immediately on the floor; laughing his ass off. He had tears of mirth in his eyes as he mentally replayed Lockwood's utter humiliation. He glanced over to his cousin who was now sporting a rather devious smirk.
"That. Was. Epic!" Jeremy exclaimed.
"Yeah, it was pretty good. I don't think we ever need to worry about that dick ever bothering either of us again. I may have added a little compulsion to him that whenever he even thinks of causing any trouble for us, he'll remember that, and remember the consequences of angering us." Harry told him while smiling brightly.
Jeremy was thoroughly impressed. This just added to his outlook of how awesome his cousin was. While he had never said it, his cousin had come to mean a great deal to him. He looked up to Harry as the big brother he had always secretly wished he'd had. Never before Jeremy had someone in his life who took so much time out for him, and was always interested in his thoughts and opinions.
He had grown used to being in Elena's shadow, and not being overly noticed. Harry though never made him feel like he wasn't as special as his sister. If anything, Harry didn't seem to think all that much of Elena. He loved his sister, he really did. However, that did not mean he appreciated always playing second best in their family. He like that someone as brilliant as his cousin thought so highly of him.
Jeremy was also curious about how Harry could have possibly sensed that football coming at him from behind and moved so fast to catch it single-handedly. This was only one of many things he had seen his cousin do that shouldn't really be possible. Things that even with the aid of magic, didn't really add up. The questions must have been obvious on his face.
"Your curious about something, I can tell. Just ask Jeremy. I don't mind, and if I don't want to answer I'll tell you," Harry said.
That was another thing about him, Harry was very intuitive, and told him to never hesitate to ask him of anything he was curious about.
"That football...you caught it with one had and from behind. At the speed and velocity it was flying at, that shouldn't have been possible to catch with one hand. You moved quicker than anyone should be able to move as well," Jeremy told him questioningly.
"This wasn't the first time I've seen you do things like that either. From what you've taught me, magic would not make some of the things your capable of possible. So, I mean...how do you do it? I know your different. I want you to know that doesn't make any difference to me. You've been a better friend to me than anyone else in my life. If you don't want to tell me though, I won't press you." Jeremy explained.
He had noticed small things that were different about his cousin within the first few weeks of him moving here. Over time, the questions in his mind just grew. Once for example, he was sure he had seen Harry seemingly flash to his manor across the many acres of gardens around the property. Harry hadn't known he'd seen him, but Jeremy knew no human should be able to move that fast. He was like a blur.
Harry looked at him with a penetrating stare for a long moment. It was clear to Jeremy that he was debating whether or not to tell him the truth. However he knew Harry would not lie to him. If he didn't want to say, he would simply say nothing.
Jeremy was about to tell him to forget about it and let it go when Harry broke his stare.
"Jeremy, I will tell you. You have to promise me that you will never speak of this to anybody else unless I say it's okay. I consider you to be my brother and you deserve to know, but this is dangerous." Harry told him.
Jeremy knew what he had to do to put his cousin's mind at ease.
He got out the wand that Harry got for him to train with and held it tightly in his palm.
"I, Jeremy Jacob Gilbert, swear upon my life and magic that I will not knowingly reveal the secrets of Henrik James Mikaelson unless given leave by him to do so. So Mote it Be," he intoned the words Harry had taught him about making oaths with magic.
His wand lit up with a golden light, magic herself accepting his oath.
"You didn't have to make the oath. I would have told you anyway because I trust you. Regardless, I appreciate it." Harry said.
His next question threw him completely off guard.
"Do you believe in vampires Jeremy?" Harry asked.
With those words, Harry began to explain exactly what he was, and what it meant to be an Original Vampire-Wizard hybrid.
Harry even used his pensieve to show him his memories that were important or pertained to what he was.
The whole process took over an hour before Harry had finished his explanation. Jeremy's mind had been completely blown away. Even with the knowledge that he himself was a magical wizard, he had been overwhelmed by what he learned. It was truly a lot to take in. He noticed after he finished that his cousin, who had trusted him enough to reveal his most important secrets, looked at him warily. It was as if he was expecting Jeremy to suddenly reject him for something he had no control over; something he was born with.
Jeremy couldn't stand to see the boy he looked up to and thought of as a big brother look so dejected. To see him as anything other than his normal, confident, and care free self seemed wrong somehow.
"I'm glad you trusted me enough to tell me everything Harry. It doesn't change anything. We're still family, and I still think of you like a brother. So get that damn look off your face," he told him mock sternly.
He knew without a doubt he made the right decision when Harry suddenly beamed the widest smile he had ever seen on the older boy. He could however have done with the near strangulating bear hug Harry gave him as well as when he lifted him off his feet and tossed him a good ten feet into the air before grabbing him and ruffling his hair good naturedly.
Harry just smirked down at his younger cousin's indignant look at the treatment of his person before he too broke out in a grin and began to bombard him with a thousand and one questions. As far as Jeremy was concerned, that was that, and there was nothing more to it.
Harry's POV
Harry had been eternally grateful that Jeremy had accepted the truth so easily. Frankly, it made his life far easier as he no longer had to hide so much of himself. He endured Jeremy's endless questions as well as he could, and answered truthfully to the best of his ability.
Time moved on and life at Mystic Falls High School continued forward. With a careful measuring of his strength, Harry helped the football team win one victory after another. It was a most daunting task, trying to make sure he never showed any inhuman characteristics and that he never hurt anyone unintentionally. He seemed to not be the only star player however. Matt Donovan found himself a wildly popular member of the team as his efforts on the field appeared to be almost as great as Harry's. For some bizarre reason, it was not uncommon for opponents of Matt's on the field to constantly make mistakes that Matt was always in the perfect position to take advantage of.
During and after football season, Harry tried his hand at dating for the first time. The first girl was actually Caroline Forbes. They went out several times after he had finally agreed. At first it was merely in the hope it would end her more than obvious crush on him. After spending time with the girl away from her friends and other people she was constantly trying to impress, Harry saw a different side to Caroline. Underneath her attempted mean-girl exterior, Harry found her to be a remarkably kind girl. Apparently between her divisive home life, and spending the majority of her adolescence in Elena Gilbert's shadow, she attempted to over compensate and make everything a competition.
After getting to know the real Caroline Forbes, Harry found a girl he liked and tried to bring that girl out for the rest of the world to see. While he was attracted to her, he told her he was not looking for anything serious. They were both too young for that, and he had far too many secrets. That did not stop them from exploring one another's bodies however. She knew and accepted that although what they had was casual, she had also gained a real friend she did not have to put on any type of an act for. That, and the fact that she found Harry to be the most gorgeous boy she had ever laid eyes on, made for some interesting explorations. All in all, one could even call it a learning experience.
Alexandra or 'Alex' Fell, was another girl that had caught Harry's interest. She was two years older than he was and had stolen him away after a party one night. She had dark brown near black hair and bright blue eyes. Being older, she had a body Harry swore was made for sin, and she was not shy about using all of her assets to get what she wanted. Apparently she had every intention of using Harry as her personal man slave for the rest of her high school career.
Harry had absolutely no objections to being used thus.
Harry had noticed the Jeremy had taken to following Matt's sister Vicki Donovan around like a lost puppy dog. Harry did not like the girl in the least. She brought her brother nothing but pain and heat ache; much like her so-called 'mother'. She was also very much in to drugs. Harry did not wish to see Jeremy start down that particular path.
Therefore, he put Jeremy on a bit of a training regimen. Ostensibly, it was to improve his magic with fitness. While it was true that the more fit a wizard was, the better their magic would flow and work for them, that was not the true reason.
Years ago, Harry and Elijah had conducted a number of studies on what exactly the effect of his blood would have in any number of circumstances. No one but them had ever been made aware of the staggering results they found.
When drank by or injected on a magical human, Harry's vampiric and elven blood would not only give the person's magic a boost in power, but would also improve their body. If taken in conjunction with a work-out routine, the properties of Harry's magical blood would aid in bringing that person's body to their peak physical condition. The blood would also improve certain physical characteristics. It was not much, but in an already attractive individual, it would add just that something extra to make them stand out as a cut above the rest.
So it was no surprise to Harry when Jeremy suddenly began to attract many more young teen age girls than before. For a fourteen year old boy, Harry's blood also worked better than any dermatologist on earth to give perfect skin as well.
Suddenly, Vicki Donovan was no more than a mere afterthought when Harry introduced Jeremy to Alex Fell's younger sister Aria. Unlike her elder sister, Aria was not as forward as Alex. While she made it clear to the youngest Gilbert of her interest in him, he had to work for it.
Work for it he did. Jeremy began doing everything he could to prove to Aria that he was worthy of her. With Harry's help, it was not all that long until the girl was just as smitten with Jeremy as he was with her.
With him barely being aware, Harry's first year of high school came to an end. Time had a way of moving remarkably fast when you weren't watching it. In the third week of June, Harry received some disturbing news from Europe. The Dark Lord Voldemort had been resurrected. While this was worrying news, it was not entirely unexpected. Elijah had long ago explained what the goblins told him of this so-called Dark Lord's horcruxes; his anchors to life.
Harry had no intention of getting involved in England's internal civil conflict. Frankly, he despised the sheep of Magical Britain. His godfather Sirius Black had escaped Azkaban two years previously. The goblins had tried to force the British Ministry of Magic to grant the man a trial by exposing the Potter's will as well as leaking to the papers that he had never been given a trial.
The people of Magical Britain however were so set in their own ways of thinking that they chose to follow their Ministry and ignored the truth. Harry felt no sympathy for people who wouldn't even help themselves.
His Uncle Eli had discreetly got in contact with Black, and apparently the man could not accept that Harry had no desire to go to Hogwarts and follow the will of the 'esteemed Albus Dumbledore'. Harry wrote him off as a lost cause after that. He would not help someone that felt more loyalty to a psychotic old man than to his young kin that he had sworn an oath to protect.
No, what had Harry worried was if the maniac Dark Lord took it in to his head to try and find him.
Well, he would face that bridge when he came to it. He had a life to live, and he would not put it on hold for two crazy old men with delusions of grandeur.
Tonight, he was on his way to a party held just outside of town. It was actually not all that far from his own house. Matt had wanted him to come. Apparently he was worried that Elena was pulling away from him. From some of the things Jeremy had overheard his sister talking about, Matt was right to be worried.
He wished he didn't have to go through that. Matt was a great person, and frankly Harry thought Elena was lucky to have a guy as truly good and kind as Matt was.
If there was one thing about parties he did not like, it was the coming and going. He could easily use his speed to flash home in seconds, but that would look suspicious if done much at all. He still had one more month until he could get his driver's license.
Normally, his Uncle would pick him up if asked, but Elijah was away on 'business'. He believed he was getting closer to finding Niklaus and their family. Harry could hardly wait for that to happen. He had been dreaming of meeting his family and his father especially for years. For some reason, Elijah was especially careful do make sure they did absolutely nothing that could possibly call Niklaus to Mystic Falls. He knew there was something he was not being told, but knew his uncle would tell him in time.
Besides, by this point in time, Harry was in no way afraid of a confrontation with Niklaus. He would easily be able to hold his own. It was not as if he could dagger Harry anyway.
That night, he was staying with his cousins as he usually did when Elijah was out of town. They were all planning on staying in that night and having a 'Gilbert Family Night'. Harry didn't mind as he always found them highly amusing. His elder cousins Jenna and Miranda were especially hilarious when they were in their cups. Grayson had finally even come around somewhat and had begun treating Harry as family after Jenna had pointed out how much Jeremy had grown and changed for the better under Harry's influence.
That night though, Elena had bitched and moaned until her parent's finally agreed to take her to the party. Miranda had asked Harry to go with her to make sure she stayed out of trouble. Harry had reluctantly agreed after Matt had also called asking him to come.
Elena got in to some type of argument with Matt though, and called Miranda and Grayson to come get them early.
Harry had seen something odd while they were awaiting the Gilbert's. He could have sworn he saw Elena talking to someone he thought bore a remarkable resemblance to the infamous Damon Salvatore. When she returned, he was certain he hadn't imagined it. After a quick scan, he discovered something highly unusual. Elena had just been compelled.
That was worrying indeed.
He had little time to ponder on it though as the Gilbert's had arrived. He was surprised to see Jenna had come with them. He didn't know why, but he suddenly had a foreboding feeling. It was as if a chill had ran down his spine.
The drive seemed peaceful enough, if one managed to ignore Elena's constant complaints to her mother about how Matt just essentially "didn't do it for her anymore".
Harry felt that spine-tingling chill as they began to approach the Wickery Bridge.
That was when it happened.
Harry was unable to see what caused it, but Grayson suddenly swerved the car as if to avoid something in the road. He must have been going too fast however, as he was unable to get the car back in place. Harry's brain and time itself seemed to stop as the car plowed right over the guard rails and into the recently storm-swollen river below.
Terror gripped his heart as he found himself submerged with his cousins at the bottom of the river, water quickly pouring into the vehicle removing all traces of air.
He suddenly felt like a child waiting for his Uncle Eli to tell him what to do.
He knew he would be fine; he could not drown. His cousins and Grayson however could very easily drown. If Harry did not pull himself out of his shock, he would lose all of them.
Anger coursed through his veins.
He would not allow any of his family to die if he could help it.
He did not care if he was exposed as non-human; they would just have to get over it. At least they would be alive to do so.
With a strengthened resolve, Harry ripped his safety-belt off. As quickly as he could manage with the water surrounding them, he ripped off both Elena and Jennas's safety belts. He turned back towards the door. It didn't want to budge, so Harry used a blasting curse to blast it off its hinges.
'If only I could apparate the whole car', thought Harry.
He used his strength to toss both Elena and Jenna into the surrounding waters as he turned back and blasted the passenger door beside Miranda. Harry was frantic when he saw she was already unconscious.
He quickly yanked her safety belt off and grabbed her. He made a move to grab Grayson, but the man was shaking his head frantically; urging him to get the girls to safety first. He made to ignore him and take him anyway when he pointed to an already unconscious Miranda, begging him to help her first.
Harry hesitated for the barest of moments before his common sense returned and he grabbed Miranda around the waist and swam to Jenna and Elena. Both were unmoving and he was scared to death he was too late. That was when he saw the most bizarre sight he had seen in quite some time.
Fast approaching them at speeds only a vampire was capable of was what seemed to be a teenage boy. He had his teeth bared at Harry and his vampire face was showing as he approached him.
He cursed this vampires stupidity for daring to think to challenge him at this moment in time. He had no time for some jack ass vampire's antics. The filth probably was just looking for a free meal.
With his anger fueling him, Harry threw his arm forward and flung out a powerful reducto curse at the vile beast that dared approach his family with bared fangs. Due to Harry's greatly heightened emotions at the time, the power of the spell was such that the vampire was flung out of the water, into the air, and was further shocked to find himself impaled through the stomach on a tree branch at least thirty feet in the air.
All thoughts of the interloping vampire fled his mind when grabbed the hands of a now unconscious Jenna and Elena. While having Miranda wrapped securely in one arm Harry attempted something he had never tried before in his life. With a supreme effort of concentration on the banks of the river, Harry forced his magic to surge around him and with a pop that that sounded more like a bomb blast; Harry and his three cousins side-along apparated to the river banks.
Jenna, who had regained consciousness, urged him to return to retrieve Grayson while she performed CPR on her sister. Elena was breathing on her own, but was still unconscious. Harry suspected that Elena hit her head on impact. With a deep breath, Harry turned on his heel and apparated again with a pop; straight into the swirling depths of the river.
As Jenna frantically fought to save her sister, Miranda's eyes suddenly flew open and water poured from her mouth as she eagerly took deep gulps of air into her oxygen-deprived lungs. Jenna cried tears of joy as the rock that held her family together breathed once more. Because of Harry's presence in their lives, fate was changed yet again.