Disclaimer: Err, I guess I don't own the adorable little munchkin but then again J.K brought him to us at 11…he's four now…#rubs chin thinking before grabbing him# MINE! MINE! MINE! Muahahahahahha!

Rejected Runespoor

Chapter 12

Hagrid came back with Potty looking quite bloated in a crate.

:Oh, the horror, the horror! Five grown mice. Five! I won't be able to look at another for a…day: The right head hissed lazily.

Harry snorted, amused. :I'm sure you didn't have to eat all five.: He replied, oblivious to the look of terror that flitted over Hagrid's face.

:Child how have you been:

:I taste magic on you.: The left head inquired.

Harry shrugged. :I do not like this place. I wish to return home but the old man claims they have destroyed our den and alerted the authorities there. And I've had some potions along with a few spells put on me.:

The left head paused. :Okay.:

Harry looked up as the snake settled back down into the padded crate and focused on Hagrid. "Thank you for taking care of my snake." He said flatly.

"You're welcome 'arry. Perfectly. Welcome. But…err, you. You speak...the snake language."

Harry narrowed his eyes. :I'd think there was something against the way I speak as all these wizards mention it.:

:Oh about that.: The right head hissed bloatedly. :It's considered dark magic. You know, evil and all that. Like the King's counsellor guy in that book you were reading.:

Harry blinked surprised. :Wow. I never knew you were reading with me.:

:Nyah. You go too slow. I'd say I was skimming.: Harry laughed softly.

:I'm glad we're back together.: He put his hand into the crate and stroked each head softly. :I missed you Potty.:

:You've GOT to get me a new name.: The left head muttered.

"Err, 'arry?" Hagrid asked choked. The emerald-eyed boy looked up offhandedly.

"Hmm?"

"You speak…parseltongue." He whispered like it was a curse.

"Yes I know. My snake just informed me it's rare. And not a good thing supposedly." He shrugged.

Hagrid shook his head hard. "It isn't! The only other…that speaks it is…" He paused and looked around before leaning forward over the table. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

Harry smiled widely and almost flippantly though no mirth reached his eyes. "You mean VOLDEMORT?" He grinned caustically at the flinch.

"Don't say the name!" Hagrid shuddered. "Anyways, you…should try not to…do that in front of other people. In fact, maybe you should leavethe snakehere with me. Wizards don't trust people with that 'gift', only Dark wizards have ever had it and we know you ain't dark Harry but some…"

Harry false grin had faded off his face until it was a dark cloud. "I will not be something I'm not." :If I feel like speaking to my snake I will! And…: "…no one will stop me…:If I wish it:

Hagrid seemed to sense he was on fragile ground as he smiled weakly. "Just…do it in private alone with your snake alrigh'?"

:Fine.: Harry ground his teeth together before lifting Potty from the box and wrapping it around his wrist. "I'll be going now."

"Ah," Hagrid cleared his throat as Harry headed for the door. "Professor Dumbledore asked me to take you to Diagon Alley tomorrow to get your school things and such. To visit your vault."

Harry paused and looked back over his shoulder. "I have…things?"

Hagrid grinned on familiar ground now. "Oh yeah. Your parents left you a bunch of stuff. They loved you, you know…tragic, what happened…"

Harry turned away with a snort. "Life's not fair. I'll see you tomorrow then." And left.

Since he was outside and had his snake back Harry decided to take a little walk to see…well the grounds. Out towards the gate. The paved path looked quite interesting.

:I want to leave here so bad Potty.: Harry said tiredly. He didn't know why he was tired. It wasn't even afternoon yet and he'd spent the morning sleeping in the Hospital wing. He didn't need as much sleep as a normal person even but the closer he got to the gates…

:Oww: Harry swore under his breath as he felt magic repelling him harshly. He reached out a hand to the place he'd just been standing and felt magic pushing him backwards. He wondered at it peering interestedly right in front of his face but seeing nothing. He stepped forward and once again was shunted back.

:Stop it hatcling. You're just hurting yourself.:

:What is it: Harry poked at the spot again fighting a yawn.

:Wards. And there is magic on you little one. And not just your speech spell. You'd better get further back on the grounds.:

It was amazing, the further behind the wards got the more he perked up. By the time he made it back to the castle doors Harry was fuming internally. He stomped his way back to the Headmaster's office, face calm as he entered.

"Professor."

"Yes Harry? Back so soon. And ah, with your snake. You might not be able to keep it with you during classes you know..."

He couldn't shout. He wanted to shout and scream and rage but… "Then I will keep her in my rooms during classes but she will be staying with me." He replied tightly.

Dumbledore frowned slightly before lifting himself back up. "As you wish, lemon drop?" He pushed forward a tin.

"No thank you." Harry sneered.

"You really shouldn't twist your face like that." He said cheerfully. "It will stick. Severus didn't believe me and look what happened to him…"

Harry resisted the urge to sneer again. "Who is Severus?"

"I believe you met him. The man who found you in your tree."

"The pale guy. With the parseltongue kink." He couldn't resist sneering this time, blowing a raspberry internally as Dumbledore frowned again.

"The Potions Master at this school. You should meet the teachers as you have an advantage here with two weeks before school begins. Meet your teachers. Get a head start on your work if you wish. Has Hagrid told you of your outing tomorrow?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes. Anyway, I took a stroll around the grounds to acquaint myself…your magic…"

"The castle magic. I assume you are inquiring about the wards?"

"I'm sure the castle doesn't normally try to stop students leaving by repelling them. Or making them drowsy as they approach." Harry asked silkily.

Dumbledore inclined his head. "It is true you cannot pass the wards. I've made sure." The Headmaster then leaned forward over his desk, twinkle in his eyes gone as he asked seriously. "Do you really want to leave Harry?"

He struggled with himself. This wasn't his home. And he owed these people nothing! They had left him alone for eleven years and now this man needed him he was supposed to be at their beck and call! He wanted to say yes so badly inside. But he couldn't. He just couldn't.

"No Sir."

"Good boy." The Headmaster's twinkle returned. "Now go run off and find some people to practice your English on."

AN: I'm trying to be subtle but some readers are dense so...this chapter is merely one of the #hint hint# ones. By the time I finish Harry's first yr, if you people haven't got it yet I'll just drop a giant anvil on your heads...