A/N: Ok, I probably should have done this in Chapter One but as you probably surmised, this story will be set during Half Blood Prince. There are several plot changes that I will make to HBP but the story will focus on the relationship between Harry and my character, Natalie Malkae. I'm trying to keep all of the canon characters within character. Ron and Hermione will have major roles and Ginny, Kalissa, McGonagall, Dumbledore, Snape, Bellatrix and Tom Riddle will also have significant roles. I have written 27 Chapters with 175 000+ words and I will updating at a relatively fast speed. But I intend to use the reviews to gauge whether and how I should change/edit future chapters. So please review because it is my first fanfiction and I need all the feedback I can get.
Chapter Four- Meeting Harry
Natalie stood alongside Dumbledore in front of number four Privet Drive The house and the entire street, she noted, were rather plain and stagnant. Each home on the street was identical. They all had tidy boxlike shapes, all painted in a bland, parched white. All the plants and trees stood erect and rigid, side by side in straight horizontal lines in each well tended garden. It seemed as if any overhanging tree or slightly crooked stem had been quickly and ruthlessly cut off and eradicated. Variety and exoticness were clearly alien concepts. Even the beautiful sunset occurring behind her and Dumbledore appeared to be dulled by the homogeneous arrangement she stood among. The neighbourhood was simply too normal to hold one of the most storied wizards of all time.
Dumbledore peered at her over his glasses. "Privet Drive is not one of the most engaging places you'll see. I forgot to tell you that Harry's aunt and uncle are not exactly very fond of magic and you may find them to be rather unreceptive. It would be tempting to erm let's say scare them but I advise you to hold your words and wand until we depart. Now that's settled, shall we go in?"
Natalie nodded silently. She was surprised that Potter's family did not embrace the idea of magic but it was not unusual for Muggle parents or guardians to be hesitant about family members being part of a completely different world. She followed Dumbledore as he walked to the door and rung the doorbell. Once the door opened, she realized fully why Dumbledore had warned her.
A pudgy man with a short, round neck opened the door. As soon as he saw Dumbledore, the man's eyes narrowed in suspicion. His mouth twitched unpleasantly and he looked anxiously around the street. He seemed to be too shocked to say anything or even just open his mouth.
"Ah, it's been a long time since I have been here. Your flowers I see are blossoming very nicely, " said Dumbledore conversationally. Natalie was amazed by how he could be at ease in such a tense moment.
A woman with a haggard, bony figure and a horsey face joined the man. Natalie took this to be his wife. She too stared at them in alarm and glanced worriedly around to see if any of her neighbours had noticed these strange visitors. Natalie's first impression was that these people were not merely hesitant about magic but that they absolutely hated the entire concept.
"Very nice to meet you, Petunia. We've kept in contact before."
The woman, who Natalie presumed was Petunia, looked appalled that this man knew her name and recognized her.
When neither answered, Dumbledore continued in his calm, pleasant manner. " Judging by your looks of stunned disbelief, I gather that Harry has not informed you of my visit. This is Natalie, another student at Hogwarts, who has chosen to accompany me. Seeing as neither of you have welcomed us into the comforts of your house, I shall introduce ourselves in." He stepped across the threshold. Natalie followed with a smug look on her face. The man, likely Potter's uncle, looked like he wanted to object to the presence of either Natalie and Dumbledore in his house but obviously had sensed Dumbledore was not someone to cross.
"Ah, Harry. Good evening to you, my boy. This is Natalie, a new student at Hogwarts who has come along to get a breath of fresh air."
Natalie rapidly turned around to see the boy standing at the foot of the stairs. Once she saw him, she realized that this was definitely not the brash and confident Harry Potter she had envisioned. The messy hair, green eyes and lighting bolt scar on his head were all attributes recognizable from the many pictures she had seen. But Potter had the distinctive air of a boy not well taken care of. He was quite skinny and gaunt for a teenager. His clothes were extremely baggy, drooping over his body. The slumped shoulders, slightly bowed head, swollen eyes and hunched stance created an image of somebody who bore the weight of the world on his shoulders. He nodded in acknowledgement at Natalie, giving her a weak smile. Natalie, still stunned by this exhausted and burdened boy, could only stare at him.
"That must be your son, Dudley. Do come out and join us." said Dumbledore cheerfully, waving to a blonde head peering at them from behind the kitchen door. As he entered the living room, Natalie noticed with disgust that he was the spoiled brat she had expected Potter to be. He was overly large and chubby and like his parents, gaped at Dumbledore with a mixture of shock and fear.
"Aren't we leaving now?" asked Potter anxiously.
"Not yet, Harry. I first would like to clear up some small but significant details with your aunt and uncle."
Potter gasped and the Durselys let out a shriek. They all had noticed Dumbledore's damaged hand. "Sir, your hand, its destroyed."
"Yes, I know, Harry. That's another story for another day. It feels much better than it looks," said Dumbledore in a business-like manner.
She and Dumbledore took their seats on the couch without invitation. As Dumbledore talked with Potter's stricken aunt and uncle, Natalie took to watching Harry Potter. She supposed that his aunt and uncle did not treat him very well. The entire house had the looks of a prison. His summers would likely feel like days of confinement and restriction. She began to feel herself soften almost against her will for Potter. She herself had led a privileged existence, being tended to and loved by Kalissa.
But there was a certain shyness and innocence about Potter, unexpected in a boy who had triumphantly faced the darkest wizard ever multiple times. He looked amused at the frightened state of his aunt and uncle but also slightly nervous that they might do something to irritate Dumbledore. It was this tenderness that for some reason, fascinated Natalie immensely. She conceded that she may have been wrong about him.
"And if such an enchantment exists, then it is likely for ownership to pass onto the oldest of Sirius' living relatives which would mean his cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange," commented Dumbledore, bringing Natalie out of her musings.
Natalie felt a surge of fear pound against her chest. Her knees weakened slightly but she forced herself to remain composed. Dumbledore's eyes had briefly flicked towards her but she knew he did not need to worry about her. She tried her best to suppress the trepidation by concentrating on the actual meaning of Dumbledore's statement rather than the shock it held for her. So, Sirius Black was her mother's cousin and he had left a house behind: the former headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. For practical and strategic incentives, Dumbledore likely wanted Potter to inherit the home as Black's godson instead of her maniacal mother.
Dumbledore called for Black's house-elf. The house elf appeared, a pitiful and feeble creature. It seemed to loathe Potter vehemently. However,when Potter requested for it to keep quiet, it did so rather grudgingly, deeming that Potter was the new master of the house.
After Dumbledore had chastised the Dursleys for their poor treatment of H arry, frightening them much to Natalie's pleasure, she, Dumbledore and Potter set off to complete Dumbledore's second task for the evening. She and Potter gripped Dumbledore's sides as they apparated alongside him to his desired destination.
Once they appeared on an unfamiliar, dimly lit street, Dumbledore swiftly walked, searching the street with Natalie and Potter behind
Potter extended his hand toward her. "Nice to meet you. Sorry about my relatives. They aren't exactly the nicest people you'll meet," said Potter pleasantly.
Natalie reached out to meet his hand. Her dislike for him was starting to diminish. "Erm, that's fine. Are they always like that? Anyway, how they are related to you?"
"Erm, that woman, Aunt Petunia, is my mom's older sister. So they're pretty close in the family line but that does not stop them from being such gits," replied Potter with a tinge of bitterness.
"Oh really, so shouldn't your aunt be used to magic then especially if your mom was a witch?"
He looked slightly taken aback at her directness. "Er, I don't really know why. I guess my aunt was always jealous of my mom and that's why she sort of hates magic."
Judging by the tremor in his voice, Natalie gathered this was a topic he did not feel comfortable talking about. She was surprisingly very curious about Potter, partly because he did not meet her expectations at all. She became embarrassingly aware that in her curiosity, she might come off as rude or even worse, an obsessive fan.
Potter turned his head toward her, his eyes now focused intently on her. "So where are you from? You're a new student, right? Which year are you going into?"
Natalie looked at Dumbledore to see if he was going to answer those questions but he merely twiddled his thumbs. Obviously, he was indirectly telling her that she should choose how much of her past she wanted to disclose to Potter.
"Erm, I'm actually from Durmstrang. My mother and I have decided for me to pursue my sixth year of education at Hogwarts. It's er more convenient for my mother if I go to school in Britain and Durmstrang is getting a bit too much of the wrong crowd, especially with his return."
"Oh, you'll be in the same year as me." He gave her a warm smile which reassured Natalie slightly. "But you said you're from Durmstrang?" asked Potter apprehensively. He glanced curiously at Dumbledore, trying to catch the old man's eye.
Much of Natalie's resentment for Potter that had dissipated quickly reappeared. "So, now, just because I said I'm from Durmstrang, I'm some sort of alien. You know, not everyone who attends that school is a pureblood lover and supporter of Voldemort. It would interest you to know that I do not support that lunatic at all nor do I think the wizarding world should be only pure blood. I'm in fact like you, a half blood," snapped Natalie.
Potter looked completely bewildered. "Listen, I wasn't thinking that. I don't believe in that stuff. I know from experience, people are usually different than what they're made out to be," he stammered. He then stared at her with a look of astonishment and admiration. "You said Voldemort's name. Not many people can do that. "
Natalie shrugged but she was slightly pleased. "My mother says his name so I thought it was harmless. What's the point of trying to fight him when you can't even speak his name without flinching? "
Potter grinned. "Yeah, that's right. Hey, how come you don't have such a heavy accent if you come from Durmstrang?"
Natalie felt the urge to roll her eyes. So many people at both her old school and the teachers at her Hogwarts had posed the question. "My mother's from Britain so she has an English accent and as a child, I just copied her voice. Also, during the summers, we go to England to visit my mum's family so I've kind of picked up an accent that's a mixture of both English and Bulgarian."
Dumbledore interrupted their exchange, pointing to a spot ahead. "Here's the house. It looks to be in quite a mess," said Dumbledore grimly
His wand lit upon a tidy, stone house ahead with a well tended garden. But above the house, Natalie saw a skull with a serpent tongue protruding from it. It was the Dark Mark. Her body went rigid with shock. She saw Potter clench his fists and reach inside his pocket. Surely, Dumbledore would not bring them and especially Potter to a place targeted by Death Eaters. She noticed the mark was very blurry at the edges and the skull was disproportional in size compared to the tongue. It seemed to be a crude imitation rather than the actual sign.
They walked into the house. She gasped. The place was a complete mess. Clothing, books and papers were strewn across the floor, desks and chairs were overturned and blood covered severely cracked and broken walls. Dumbledore led them into the living room which like the rest of the house looked badly ransacked. In the middle of the room, an extravagant, cushion armchair stood.
Dumbledore gave a hearty laugh. "Oh come out, Horace! You really overdid yourself this time," he bellowed at the room. Both Natalie and Potter stared at him in alarm. He casually flicked his wand at the armchair. The cushion came apart and a plump, sweaty faced man with an enormous walrus moustache fell onto the floor. He wore a maroon vested jacket over a pair of lilac silk pajamas. Natalie's initial thought that he was a very colorful balloon. He quickly picked himself and started rubbing his stomach, unabashed for a man who had just been discovered hiding in an armchair. His aggrieved and watery eyes glared at Dumbledore in irritation.
"Horace, I have to admit that was rather crudely orchestrated. The Dark Mark should have been directly over the house and your home looked a bit too messy, "commented Dumbledore amusedly.
"Well, you didn't give me much time, Albus. It was quite a good rouse with only two seconds to think, "muttered the other darkly.
"Would you like my assistance in clearing this mess?" asked Dumbledore politely.
"I should very think so since you're the reason it's such a mess," answered the man grumpily.
Both men took out their wands and waved them in identical sweeping motions at the house. The books, papers and clothing all zoomed back to their original positions. The walls mended themselves, erasing the cracks and the blood splattered across each wall disappeared.
Once the house had returned to its clean state, Slughorn finally looked at Natalie and Potter. He immediately took in Potter, his eyes drifting to Potter's scar. Potter shifted nervously under the man's gaze.
"Oho! Look who we have here. Dumbledore, you haven't introduced me to your two companions."
Dumbledore stepped forward to make the introduction. "This is of course Harry Potter and that is Natalie Malkae, Kalissa's daughter. Natalie and Harry, this is Horace Slughorn, one of my former colleagues at Hogwarts."
Slughorn stared gleefully and almost hungrily at Potter. "It is a pleasure to meet you m'boy. It has been far too long. Oh my, you do have your mother's eyes. I taught your mother, if it interests you. She was one of my best students. "
He then smiled at Natalie, also with that hungry glint in his eye. "And you, my girl. Your mother was a brilliant lady. Quite an extraordinary class she came from as well. How is she now?"
"She's doing fine, " answered Natalie evenly, not trying to reveal anything about Kalissa. She and Potter exchanged astonished glances. She did not know what to think of this man; he seemed to regard the two as trophies.
Dumbledore tapped his fingers on the armchair. "Horace, as nice as it is catching up, the purpose of this visit was to request for you to take a teaching post at Hogwarts. We would very much welcome your presence again at the school. And of course at Hogwarts, one of the main benefits is that you would receive the highest quality security and protection." He raised his eyebrows at Slughorn. "You would not need to be running among Muggle houses to escape the Death Eaters."
"What makes you think that I'm running from the Death Eaters, Dumbledore? I haven't done anything to upset them," stated Slughorn sharply.
"Horace, a few moments ago, you were hiding in a stuffed armchair in what I presume is a vacant Muggle house with an artificial Dark Mark conjured above your house. What do you expect me to believe?"
Slughorn took out a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his profusely sweating face. "Oh, ok, Dumbledore. I am a bit on the paranoid side but in these dark times, it should not be unexpected. However, I shall decline your offer, as tempting it is. I'm planning to travel around and explore the world."
Potter and Natalie smirked at one another. Slughorn was clearly a terrible liar. Merely his constant fidgeting and twitching showed that he was on no holiday.
"Very well then Horace. I'm just going to go to the bathroom. I've been nursing a full bladder for a long time, " said Dumbledore casually, his eyes sparkling. He left the room, leaving Potter and Natalie alone with Slughorn.
Potter glanced confusedly at Natalie. She too did not have any idea why Dumbledore would come to seek out Slughorn only to be easily turned away by one refusal.
Potter cleared his throat uneasily. "Erm, sir, so how long did you teach at Hogwarts?" he asked awkwardly.
Slughorn looked positively delighted at the fact that Potter had shown some interest in him. "Much longer than you can imagine, my boy. I taught Natalie's mother, Kalissa, almost sixty years ago. She and Minerva McGonagall were my best students. But I have to say your mother, a Muggleborn which makes her even more remarkable, was an extremely talented witch."
"One of my best friends is Muggleborn and she's the best witch in our year," said Potter defensively.
"Oh no, you must not think me to be like that. Did I just not say that your mother was my favourite student? There was also Dirk Cromwell, another Muggleborn in her year. He now heads the Department of Magical Artefacts. Comes by occasionally to visit," reflected Slughorn affectionately.
He pointed at a row of glittery photographs on the dresser. "In fact, if it interests you, those are my former students. Many still keep in contact with me. You'll notice Barnabas Cuffe, the editor of the Daily Prophet, he's always interested to hear my take in on the latest news. Then there's Ambrosios Flame from Honeydukes who sends me a hamper of sweets each Christmas. Of course, at the back, Gwenog Jones of the Holyhead Harpies. I'm on first name terms with the name and can get free tickets anytime I want," he said, bouncing up and down on his feet.
"Which house did you belong to?" questioned Natalie. She wanted to change the topic of conversation because Slughorn was starting to irritate her with these vaunts about all his connections.
"Slytherin. Was Head of the House for over fifty years," stated Slughorn briskly.
Natalie let out a disgusted snort. "So you've basically been head of the house that contains the worst wizards and witches for the past half century," she found herself blurting out. As she soon as she made the comment, she flushed in embarrassment. She did not want to make her aversion for Dark Magic so blatantly obvious.
Slughorn gasped. Potter grinned at Natalie from behind Slughorn's back. "Oh my, you really are a fiery girl. Obviously, Kalissa has left her mark on you. But you should know that not all Slytherins back You know who and we have done some good in the world," he stated, looking slightly unnerved.
Natalie did not believe a single word he said but she just nodded in response. She did not want to start a fight with somebody who might be a future teacher at Hogwarts.
"Professor Slughorn, why don't you want to come to Hogwarts? I reckon it's the safest place right now. Isn't Dumbledore the only one Voldemort ever feared? " said Potter with feigned politeness. Natalie could tell he wanted to keep the conversation away from dangerous waters.
"Well, I suppose you're right on that point. He-Who- Must- Not-Be-Named never sought a fight with Dumbledore. And I really haven't angered the Death Eaters…so the Dark Lord can't count me as an enemy…. But I can't pretend that what happened to Amelia Bones has not frightened me….If she with all her connections can be found, then who knows?" muttered Slughorn worriedly.
Dumbledore re-entered the room, startling Slughorn. Dumbledore smiled expectantly at the unsettled man.
"Horace, last one time, do you want to return to Hogwarts?"
"No, Dumbledore. As I said before, I'm too old for teaching and I am not in any danger from the Dark Lord. Did you really think that my answer would change over the last ten minutes?" responded Slughorn. The anxious undertone in his voice betrayed the brisk firmness he was trying to maintain.
"Very well, then. I did not think that either. I do wish you the very best in your traveling. Come along Natalie and Harry. We shall leave you to your indulgences, Horace."
Both Natalie and Harry were not at all reluctant to stay any longer. As they reached the door, Slughorn called out frantically.
"All right, all right Albus. I'll come back. Is that alright? Does it satisfy your wishes? But don't think you persuaded me."
Dumbledore swiveled his head to face Slughorn, his eyes twinkling amusedly . "Thank you, Horace. We will delighted to have you back at Hogwarts. I'll see you in September."
While they returned along the street to the same spot they had apparated onto, Dumbledore asked them curiously, "What did you two do to change his mind?"
"Don't know. We just talked with him and he got more nervous and nervous," said Potter.
"Horace always struggled with his nerves, especially with two such promising students in his presence, as you two witnessed," contemplated Dumbledore.
"Why did you accept his refusal so easily and what was the entire point of the toilet break?" asked Natalie unabashedly.
"Ah you caught me there my girl. In fact, I had expected Horace to refuse initially. I did not actually need to go to the toilet. I merely used it as an excuse to exit the room and leave him with you two. Horace erm can be persuaded very easily by students as you shall see this year."
Natalie felt slightly miffed at being used without her direct permission. But then again, it was somewhat exhilarating to be an integral part of one of Dumbledore's adventures as minor as it may have been. Another thought crossed her mind and she became eager to express herself. "Sir, what do you think of him? I personally thought him to be a very insecure and narcissistic man. He treated both of us like we were collectible items."
Potter nodded along. "Yeah, he was very odd."
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at Natalie. "I believe you have called someone else selfish as well." Natalie blushed. "But you are right Natalie. When he taught at Hogwarts, he tried to attach himself to what I would call were the most notable and famous students. He formed a club for these students. I know it's very unusual. But I believe Horace valued the relationships he made with these students and he maintained these contacts throughout their lives. Their gifts and favours to him over the years have been what you would refer as a sort of drive and incentive for him."
Natalie curled her mouth into an unpleasant smile. Before she could stop herself, she turned to Potter and said scathingly, "Potter, I expect you'll be part of his club, being the Boy Who Lived and Lord Voldemort's proclaimed destroyer."
Potter frowned at her. "Why did you say that? I don't want the attention and its not like I go around, saying I want to kill him. Do you think that I actually enjoy being the person who he targets the most?"
Natalie detected the first hint of bitterness and frustration in his voice. She immediately realized she had been foolish and pretentious in her implicit statement that he was an attention-seeker. Almost subconsciously, she felt a strong urge to apologize to him. Again, incapable of preventing her emotions from controlling her actions, she said quietly, "Sorry about that. It just came out. I didn't mean what I said."
Potter looked at her with a strange expression on his face before nodding. "No worries. Please call me Harry."
Natalie thought it would be rude and unnecessary to address him as Potter so she nodded, mentally calling him Harry. The three of them had reached the spot where they would apparate to whatever other destination Dumbledore had in mind. Natalie thought she heard Dumbledore give the slightest chuckle after her apology.
Before they latched onto his sides for the apparition, he turned towards both of them with that intent, penetrating gaze. " About Horace, I should say that he likely shall target you two to be a part of his 'special' group of students. Obviously, Harry, because of your past, and Natalie, you too, because of Kalissa. She was one of his most prominent students. Treat him with caution. He is a pleasant man but one who sometimes lets his own desires and needs overpower himself. Now, shall we go? I think Harry, it is time to drop you at the Burrow."
After they had apparated and appeared behind a very odd building, Dumbledore guided them to a barn nearby the structure.
"Natalie, will you mind if I talk to Harry for a few moments? I have to go over some personal matters with him."
Natalie nodded and walked off to a distant corner of the barn. She was slightly annoyed and envious at the very close bond Dumbledore and Harry seemed to share. It was almost a father-son interaction. But she was fully aware that Dumbledore and Harry knew each other for much longer than she and Dumbledore. As they talked in low murmurs, she gazed at the house outside through the barn's windows. It certainly was very eccentric and unorthodox. The structure resembled more an unclean piece of clothing with lumps, creases and stains rather than a house. But again like Hogwarts, the house gave off quite a welcoming mood. She supposed the people inside were very nice.
Her attention turned again to Harry. Through her first interaction with him, she had come to see that he was like Dumbledore had said, a quiet boy placed in a terribly difficult situation. Her initial cynicism towards him had been replaced by sympathy and intense fascination. But her practical conscience kept countering that she should not change her entire outlook of him on the basis of a single encounter. An even more pessimistic voice darkly pointed out that he would despise her if he knew her identity. This last thought sent jolts of anger, disappointment and dread down her spine.
Dumbledore and Harry were walking towards her. She presumed their conversation had ended. Harry appeared to be a little more upbeat and optimistic while Dumbledore beamed. They left the barn and traveled towards the house.
Once they had reached the door to the kitchen of the house, Dumbledore put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Harry, have a nice summer. I'll see you when you get back at Hogwarts."
Harry nodded his head at Dumbledore and then at Natalie. "Thanks, sir for picking me up. Nice meeting you, Natalie. Hope you'll be in Gryffindor."
Natalie's stomach took a small dive at the mention of her name. The reaction took her completely by surprise. She quickly reasoned it to be a nervous offshoot of the complete change in her emotional reply to Harry. She composed herself and said briskly, "Nice talking to you, too. See you at Hogwarts."
Harry knocked on the door and was greeted by an anxious, red haired woman. She smiled at Natalie and Dumbledore, gesturing for them to come in as well.
Dumbledore waved his hand at her. "Oh no, thank you Molly. I have some other things to do tonight. I'll have to enjoy your hospitality another day."
They apparated back to Hogsmeade and began walking back to the castle. Natalie glanced suspiciously at Dumbledore. "What other things do you have to do?"
"Some ventures that I have to undertake. You'll eventually find out about them," replied Dumbledore casually.
Natalie rolled her eyes. Occasionally in the last two weeks, Dumbledore went away for a afternoon or evening on one of these adventures. These tasks he remained very protective about. Not even Minerva knew precisely what he did.
"What did you think of Harry, Natalie?"
Natalie sighed. She expected him to ask the question but did not know how to answer it. She would have to tell the truth and endure Dumbledore's triumphant smile. "He's nice. You were right. I'll admit I was wrong about him."
In the dark, she could make out the outlines of a smirk on his face. "But he looks extremely exhausted and burdened. He doesn't seem like the type that can defeat Voldemort."
Dumbledore paused for a moment, contemplating her statement. "Yes, the boy has lived a terrible life and he has a very dark path ahead of him. But he has lost so much to Voldemort. And as a consequence, I think he views it as obligation to avenge his parents' deaths."