Short I know, but hey it's an update, I promise that the next one will be longer. But judging by how short this chapter is that's not saying much.
Okay I think I got the pairings that I want. But I'd like to make everything clear to everyone.
This is an Action/Drama/Adventure story first and foremost. The Romance comes second and it's mostly there for plot. This will NOT be a smut story. If there was going to be a sexual scene(A BIG MIGHT!) I would post it on AdultFanfiction and give everyone the link, at least to those who want it.
I won't tell anyone just yet who the pairings are, at least not until they become important. Which won't be for a while. I will say this, there will be BOTH Slash and Het.
Harry wondered if he was doing the right thing by talking to the strange man. But it wasn't like he had much of a choice, besides maybe talking a bit about himself to a total stranger would help, it wasn't like he could talk to his friends. They wouldn't really understand, oh of course they'd sympathize and maybe pity him but that wasn't what he wanted. He wanted someone who wasn't bias about the whole Boy-Who-Lived nonsense.
"Alright kid, give me your best shot."
Harry snorted at the grown man's childish ways. On one hand it reminded him of Sirius when he was in a more playful mood, one the other hand it also made the man seem terribly juvenile.
Well let's see if this talk helps or hinders
"Right well…"
Harry began by telling the man a small portion of his life at the Durselys. Not enough for the man to get suspicious-though Jack already was because of the bruises he'd seen on Harry's stomach- but enough that he got the gist of their feelings for him.
After that he told him about his trip to the museum, Harry couldn't help but enjoy telling Jack about all what he'd seen and learned while he was there. For some reason talking to the man wasn't hard at all. In fact there was a strange feeling of familiarity that Harry couldn't help but find puzzling.
He kept talking about the museum and since the only thing Jack did was listen with a smile Harry continued. He didn't really have anyone who he could just vent to so Harry couldn't help but feel a wave of gratitude for the man.
"-and well I lost track of time and before I knew it was closing time and I hadn't thought of where I'd stay the night at. I didn't really feel like sleeping outside so…I found a small corner to sleep in. I planned on leaving the moment the museum opened up but I had forgotten that it was going to be closed the whole weekend. So I was trying to find someplace I could escape from but I got caught. Tasered too! That really hurts you know, still can't believe that security guy actually had the nerve to zap me like that."
"After that I found myself here, they were trying to find some evidence that I had stolen something or at least had the intent to steal. But come on! I mean really do I look like someone who had planned some huge heist? I don't have any equipment on me, no backup, no escape plan-not to mention that they couldn't find any evidence at all!"
Jack nodded his head in agreement.
"From what it sounds like it's an open and closed case, if they can't find any evidence or intent then they should have no choice but to let you go."
"I know…but apparently because I'm still a minor they have to contact my parents-not like I got any-but they can't so they're thinking of sending me off with some social worker. I'm sorry but there is no way I'm going to some orphanage. So to make a long story short I was escaping captivity from nosy people."
Jack had a thoughtful look on his face, it looked like he was contemplating something. What that something was Harry didn't have a clue.
"So to make a long story short you didn't do anything wrong but because of circumstances that were out of your control you are stuck between a rock and a hard place."
Harry blinked at the man's antilogy of his troubles.
"I…guess so?"
"hmm well I don't think you're a danger to anyone and I'm the last person to want to put a child in an orphanage-"
"I'm not a child!"
"-as I was saying I don't want to drag you to child services and you seem like a capable young man. I don't think you'd stay in an abusive home if you had any choice in the matter."
Harry looked down as Jack's blue eyes bore down on him.
"Well there are several factors that forbid me to leave them just yet. I'm sorry but I can't tell you what they are no matter how nice you seem. But I will be leaving soon. I'm already sixteen and the moment I hit seventeen I'm so out of there no matter what anyone says."
"Good lad."
Jack's smile was beaming and Harry couldn't help but return it tenfold.
It was nice…to have someone who seemed to be on his side for once-without knowing that he was The-Boy-Who-Bloody-Wouldn't-Stay-Dead.
"Ok here's the plan, you follow me and I'll lead you out of here."
"Not much of a plan sir."
"It's Jack, and what are you talking about? It' a brilliant plan!"
Harry rolled his eyes.
"Right of course what was I thinking oh wise one."
The smirk that Jack shot him was almost enough for to want to hit him.
"Hey don't knock it because of its simplicity."
"But what happens if we run into the cops that brought me in? I don't want you to get in trouble on my account."
"Don't sweat it kid I know what I'm doing, it'll all be ok. Hey I know, I'll even drive you to your relatives home so you won't have to catch a taxi."
Harry paled slightly, he hadn't even thought about how he was going to get all the way back to Surry.
Man me and my plans. I can't even think everything through, now I won't have a choice but to take Jack up on his offer, if I refuse he'll want to know why and how I plan to get back myself. Which I have no answer for. Nice, real nice Harry.
"Umm thanks I guess."
Jack shot him a beaming smile which didn't manage to entirely hide the glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
Great just great.
"No problem kid. Now let's leave this popsicle stand."
Jack stood up from his place on the ground, seemly not to even remember that he had a head injury.
Or at least had a head injury Harry eyed Jack's blood incrusted head. There seemed to be no sign of a wound. The only giveaway that the man had even been hit in the head at all was all the dried blood incrusted in his hair.
"Um sir?"
"Hmm?"
"Um I don't mean to be rude or anything like that but, well, you have some blood still in your hair and on your face. You don't think anyone wouldn't question that do you?"
The surprise in the man's eyes showed exactly what Harry had calculated. Jack had entirely forgotten that he'd been hurt in the first place. This told Harry many things about his new acquaintance.
One-Jack no longer had kind of wound and since Harry didn't believe him to be a wizard though with his choice of clothing it is still possible he had some kind of magical ability that gave him quick healing powers but not enough magic to be classified as a wizard, and since Jack hadn't reacted to his name in any kind of shocked or pleased manner he didn't know Harry's status in the Wizarding world.
Two-This must have happened before. Judging by the man's reaction to being hurt it had happened many times, many, many times.
Wow this man really needs someone to take care of him, he's like a little kid.
Jack's face adopted a sheepish look as one of hands started to feel around his head. He made a face when he accidently pulled on some of the blood stained hair.
"Ah I see what you mean, well we can make a quick pit stop I guess, and I believe they have a bathroom somewhere around this floor."
Harry nodded in agreement, while they were in there he'd also take a quick sip from one of the bathroom faucets. Who knew when he'd get another chance at getting some water in his system? The Dursleys were probably already pissed at him for not being in front of the museum earlier. When he got back to their house he was looking forward to a long spell locked in his room without food and minimal water for at least a few days.
Jack just gave one last look at Harry, as if he could almost tell what Harry was thinking, before he practically strolled to the door and opened it with all the air of a very important person.
Harry just followed after him bemused at the situation that he'd gotten himself in.
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