Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or its characters.
AN: I know, I know, I'm a horrible person for taking so long on updates. In my defence, had no computer the last couple months, it decided to end its life warranty early. Anyway got a new one now so back in the game, yes I could have used phone... but that would have taken far too much time, sorry to those that were waiting for new chapter.
As to clichés in the last few chapters, I did state I would be taking ideas I liked that I've seen from random stories and changing it to the way I wanted them to go, plus look at how many fics are around, clichés are basically more used than canon, for obvious reasons if you've read my previous rants... If there is certain clichés people would like to see in this story, send a pm or review with your suggestion, I might consider adding it, ditto to things you really don't want included. I like to think one major change in my story is Hermione and Ginny aren't in the main character pairing.
The Goblin power play might seem stupid, but the Goblins will play a significant role when the war starts up. It also makes everybody nervous about doing anything to Harry even more so, killing him might provoke another Goblin rebellion, since the insinuation that Harry is close to the nation was clearly evident. It also shows the sheer amount of influence he holds in their world, for someone who has been missing for 11 years, to suddenly have such influence. More than respected members of their community, surely it would make certain people rethink their allegiances, make moves against him earlier or back off completely.
As for Lucius, like Draco, Harry isn't sure where his loyalties lie. But he didn't slip the diary in to some random, blood traitor or mudblood, he gave the diary to Harry after that display of power. Harry has initially taken this as some form of allegiance, when we all know the old snake thinks the diary might give his master a powerful host. No, I won't have Harry being influenced by it as other fics have done, he's not that stupid or weak minded, plus his mind is heavily shielded by Merlin, it is doubtful Riddle in the diary will even be able to breach his mind unless Harry lets it, considering the mind in the diary is only 16... Saying that, he won't just destroy it out of the blue...
Now I'm sure some of you wanted to see what happened after the Dursley incident, I didn't see much point in showing what happened as we can all imagine it well enough. If you guys really want it though, I might put it as a separate outtake upload. Anyway, I've set up what I wanted for the new year, so now we continue with the actually story, enjoy the new chapter... hopefully.
Harry saw the curious looks coming his way as he approached his relatives home in Privet Drive two days before returning to Hogwarts. Shock, curiosity and the single mother from number 8, giving him a look he decided to put to the back of his mind... permanently. It was clear that whatever lies his Aunt had said about him during his recent absence had gotten the neighbours in gossip mode. He highly doubted either she or his Uncle would have gone bragging that he had broken his Uncle's arm, let alone magically blown up the cupboard under the stairs, somehow without any neighbours hearing a sound.
Not even bothering to knock, he dug in his pocket as if searching for a key, than wandlessly unlocked the door. Truth be told, after his display in Diagon Alley, he was genuinely surprised that Dumbledore had not made an appearance at either his relatives house or confronted him at the Leaky Cauldron. Surely someone would have notified the man of where he was, or the old manipulator had eyes on him at all times. Yet he had not made any attempt other than perhaps being the one responsible for blocking his mail still.
Closing the door behind him he put up the sound charms as he knew what would likely happen in a few moments. "Vernon dear, I thought you were working late" His Aunt came into the hallway and froze upon seeing him, Harry just smirked and gave her a wave. He started towards her and she began backpedalling. "You, what are you doing here? After what you did freak"
Harry sent her a glare as the word freak left her mouth and she squeaked immediately after. For some reason it made him very satisfied seeing the pure fear from seeing him, it wasn't just fear of what he was and could do, it was deeper than that. The kind of fear they put into him over the many years living in their house. "Whatever do you mean Aunt Petunia, I did state I would be back I believe, granted I did say 5 days ago I'll be back, but I thought it best to put it off a little while. You really should start listening, oh and just a reminder -"
His eyes began to glow eerily, he knew he was using it that too much, but for some reason it made whoever he did it too nervous, it was perfect in intimidating people, as they say, what you don't understand, you fear. Since for whatever reason, Dumbledore hadn't made an appearance, he didn't have to worry about word getting back to him. He briefly wondered if he could turn the colour of his eyes with a wandless charm, making them black like Morgana's or maybe even red, which would get a even stronger reaction from people. Gathering his thoughts again he snarled out "Like you stopped me from saying anything to do with Magic growing up, if I hear boy or freak again in my presence, what happened earlier this summer will seem pleasant in comparison"
After seeing his Aunt's frantic nod he let his eyes fade and smiled in a carefree manner as if he hadn't just made a deadly threat. "So, did Uncle Vernon get the promotion?"
He nearly lost control and burst into laughter at seeing the struggling self control, it was clear that his Uncle didn't get it. It was also highly likely from the look in her eyes that he had been the blame for it the entire time he was gone, thus nothing unusual in that reaction. "Hmm, such a shame, perhaps he should work on his people skills. Now the arrangement stands, leave me be and I'll leave you be. By the way, has there been anyone looking for me while I was gone?"
Harry was fully aware that it was unlikely anyone magical could get past the goblin wards undetected. But Dumbledore was very old and skilled, for all he knew, the old wizard could have studied to be a professional cursebreaker in his youth, or have some means to bypass the wards as if they didn't exist. Knowing this, even if the man had got past the wards, his relatives likely wouldn't know because they would have been obliviated, well assuming Dumbledore would do such a thing to a muggle. Although after the headmaster's reaction from seeing his memories, Harry had a feeling the man would have no qualms of doing it to them.
"Only that batty Mrs Figg, lord knows why she cares about you, just because she took you in when we were out of the house, I do not see–" Harry tuned her out, there was always something odd about Mrs Figg, now that he thought about it. The odd woman seemed almost in awe of him whenever he would go visit her. She would be nervous and giddy whenever he asked her a question, it made him so uncomfortable that usually he would just sit and daydream, while she would prattle on about her many cats.
Then something suddenly clicked in his head, on the mantelpiece was powder, she lived with many cats, she dressed and acted as if she lived in poverty, when she clearly didn't. A thought of the caretaker Argus Filch popped into his mind and his cat Mrs Norris, even though he lived in the castle, had food and shelter, the man still dressed like he lived on the streets, thus the pieces fell into place. Dumbledore had been watching him all this time, not just recently, but since he was small. He used someone that neither muggle nor magical worlds would bother with, a squib, the woman was a squib.
"That sneaky bastard" Harry groaned out realizing the answer was in front of his face the entire time. Ignoring his Aunt who seemed to have found her zone in ranting about Mrs Figg, he went upstairs to his room, not bothering to lock or silence the door, entered his trunk and opened up a butterbeer. Suddenly he realized Dumbledore truly might have been unaware of his upbringing, truthfully Harry thought that the man was fully aware and wanted him weak for some reason.
But if it was a squib watching him, likely being paid for it too, by a very famous wizard, to keep an eye on another famous wizard, why would the woman ever want to reveal Harry was being mistreated? Assuming Dumbledore was the caring old man he appeared to be, he would have removed Harry from the Dursleys and placed him with someone allied with his cause, like the Weasleys.
Not only that, but why would Figg tell him that Harry was not where he was supposed to be, what use would the squib be then? Clearly Mrs Figg was playing the only card she was dealt. The anger at knowing he could have been taken away from this hellhole made him quite angry though, even if his mind would have been warped to practically worship Dumbledore and the light, so he entered into his training trunk to burn off some magic.
What angle was Dumbledore playing? "REDUCTO" Was he really the manipulator he appeared to be? "LUMOS" Pausing when the spell failed, he stopped his train of thought and repeated "LUMOS MAXIMA" With the exact same amount of magic, this time smiling at the bright ball of light that formed. Considering he had left Harry alone all summer, regardless of the fact he went against the man's wishes by not staying at Privet drive. "STUPIFY" The spell lit up red as he expected but fizzled out before firing, he let out a sigh before lowering his magic output and trying again, this time the spell leaving the wand and performing as expected. The only thing the headmaster seemed to have done was send out his Hogwarts letter only when he went to the Weasleys.
"PROTEGO" Again he frowned when the spell didn't work as expected, he decided to attempt a more advanced protego spell with the same amount of power, to test it as a measure "Protego Totalum" Blinking when a bubble like shimmer launched from him and travelled to the walls of the room. "Well that could come in handy, like a second barrier"
Getting back to his thoughts, he figured the headmaster could be possibly blocking his friends mail, but that could also be the ministry. After all, some higher officials might not want him mingling with Amelia due to her beliefs being uncommon in the wizarding world. Daphne's blocked mail, possibly because fools like the minister thinking the Greengrasses are a 'dark family' or at least not willing to pay them money to do as they please.
Harry kept this up for quite some time until he actually felt tired from the effort, sweat dripped off him like he had just worked out continuously in the sun. After the first few failed attempted at spells not working, he ended up just firing off random spells repeatedly, adding more power to it each time, interestingly, the more power he added to low level spells, would cause many to work incorrectly or fail completely, regardless of the intent behind it. It was obviously why spell incantations added maxima or similar when more power was needed, at least with wands anyway. It was used to strengthen low level spells. Closing his eyes he thought back over the last few weeks.
After the little meeting with Morgana and Katie, he had made the decision not to hide his power in the magical world. The earlier he made a strong presence, the easier he would be accepted when he claimed his titles. After the battle with the girls, he knew he had shown he was more skilled then he let on, but didn't exactly show what he could really do at all. The Hogwarts staff will be pressuring him to move up, as well as the girls, maybe. On the other hand, it will benefit him, in keeping some of the more power hungry individuals away from him, or show who would become his enemy early on, so he could take them out before they got support to take him down.
Not to mention Ragnok lectured him on putting the Goblin nation in a difficult position, he was now on good terms with the Minister and the Ministry in general. But if something were to happen in that relationship, the Goblins would be caught in the middle, the problem being, many of the older generation would be siding with the Ministry. Possibly leading to a new Goblin war, Harry assured the Goblin that it wouldn't come to that, unfortunately the director was not so easily convinced.
But still acknowledged Harry's words at the very least, if a war did break out, many of the younger generation would follow the boy who lived, in a way the ministry had set Harry up to overthrow them. Probably expecting him to be weak and easily manipulated when the time came for his return. Many adults wouldn't strike down their own heirs so it might not happen as Ragnok said. The director also stated he was undergoing clan discussions to see if Harry could visit the Goblin king, if that succeeded, perhaps through the king, the dwarfen nation. Who Harry was shocked to hear still existed, just kept to themselves in deep underground cities made of stone.
According to the books Harry read, the dwarves were believed to have left with the original elves, when he voiced that thought, Ragnok simply stated "There is magic far greater than you realize Harry, also some creatures don't see wizards as superior but do see them as a threat to be avoided". That wouldn't happen until he claimed his titles however, as the king would want a guarantee Harry had the power to back up any requests the leader might have. He was fascinated now though and vowed to look up more on Dwarves and elves, if the dwarves remained, perhaps true elves did too.
There was something extremely odd about that Diary Malfoy gave him, he had not opened it, or tried to write in it, something told him he wasn't ready for it. The fact Morgana's Diary was practically identical to it, made him cautious too. It couldn't be a coincidence, surely, knowing the woman as well as he thought he did, it was a means to make him lower his guard. When he had not received any tips in her diary for some time, he had tried to write in it. The young wizard was shocked when he got back a response. From there he began a question and answer session with the diary, it would ask a question and he would respond as best he could. Not only that, but the diary had pulled him into some sort of memory too. He closed his eyes and entered his mindscape to watch the memory again.
Flashback
Harry had just spent the last hour answering questions in Morgana's diary and he was beginning to get annoyed at some of them. A question like 'Two opponents, one has a hostage, the second is the greater threat and leader of the army. You only have time to get one of them, target the second, the first will kill the hostage, save the hostage and the second escapes. What would you do?'.
Harry would like to think he would save them both, but if he was facing an opponent that could move as quickly as he could, it might not be an option, it would also depend on who the hostage was as well. Sacrifices are sometimes needed to reach the greater goal, however if it was say Susan as the hostage, he had no doubt on what he would do, consequences be damned. He answered the question as such. Another question was 'A choice to get information, you can get one by seducing a lord's wife, the second by torturing said lord. What would you do?'
Harry found this question interesting, if she was referring to a magical marriage, he couldn't get the woman without killing her, unless he killed the lord first due to the bond. So in that case, the only option would be either getting the lord's favour to allow him to bed the wife, through her, getting the information, torturing the lord and getting the information, or if that failed, killing the lord and taking the woman after regardless.
After some time of this continual process, he got a question that peaked his curiosity after many more situation like questions the diary gave 'You read what you may face, but do you truly believe you are ready to face any such situation? If you believe so, state it and I shall show you a scenario I have faced'
Pondering the question briefly, he decided to see what he would get out of it and wrote 'Alright show me' Suddenly he was wrapped in darkness and he assumed he had been summoned by Morgana. When it faded he was confused when she didn't answer him. She was looking intently at a large map, it was like she didn't know he was there, she was also wearing what looked like battle armour. It quickly became apparent that he was in some kind of memory when his hand passed right through her.
"Milady, word from the capital, we have our orders. We are to charge a large force before they get any closer to the city, it isn't the main horde, but it is still a large force" A man stated running into the tent she was in, Harry watched Morgana eye the man that entered the tent like she eyed him many times before, looking into his heart, but the look in her eyes a moment later sent shivers down his spine.
Morgana let out a scoff "So who sent this word, my lord would not send us on such a mission, even if he knows I would be fine, he hates losing his men, regardless. No, this is her doing, she is trying to get me killed, stupid bitch, she underestimates me once again. Very well, then charge we shall, if they serve our enemy, then they are already dead as fate has decreed. Gather our warriors, we leave immediately, those mindless creatures will die this night"
The scene shifted to show Morgana's in the middle of a fierce battle, slicing down her opponents like they were lambs to the slaughter. They might as well have been, considering they didn't even appear to be completely human, they were humanoid at least. They had rotting flesh and came in assorted shapes and sizes, their skin was dark and their blood was pitch black. Harry thought he should have felt sick, seeing these creatures having their guts spilling out of their wounds, crushed skulls, dismembered bodies scattered around. Black blood dripping from Morgana's blade, blotches of the dark liquid, over her armour and skin. The look of satisfaction on her face as she cut down each creature that foolishly charged, for some strange reason however, he felt a rush, almost as if he subconsciously wanted to join Morgana in her attack. That or he wanted to ravage Morgana herself, he shook that thought away as soon as it came though.
Another odd thing he noticed, was some of the enemy appeared to be throwing spells, others fighting like muggles would with swords, bows and arrows. He honestly thought they might have been inferni, but if that was the case, magic should be impossible for them, even if they are difficult to kill. These creatures died though, albeit with a bit more effort than it would take to strike down a human. Yet Morgana and her soldiers did not use magic, only blocked the spells with manmade shields, with interesting symbols 'Runes, I guess'. Then they got up close and personal, taking out each creature physically, not magically. He knew this was a lesson, clearly more direct then Merlin's. Harry knew wizards relied on their magic too much, that their physical prowess, well, was pathetic to say the least.
Despite being greatly outnumbered, Morgana's company tore through the enemy in a short time. Once it was over, the warriors gathered the bodies of the dead human like creatures and piled them up. Morgana raised her hand and a staff appeared, she then waved it in an odd pattern once they were done and a raging inferno of flame surrounded the bodies, the flames rose far into the sky and her men began yelling and celebrating. A large pop instantly put them all on guard, Harry turned to see a large group of armed wizards, clearly reinforcements when Morgana ordered no attack. "Already finished, now what will I do? I was delayed so I could collect your corpses... HAH, foolish.. Cleary the old lion is too worried about you, my presence was not needed, though here I was hoping to test my skill at least"
Harry took in the features of the man who spoke, he looked like a noble from the way he was dressed, his long dark hair blowing in the wind, goatee trimmed and dark brown eyes gazing around the remains of the army with a hungry like demeanour. Almost as if he wished he had slayed the creatures. His build clearly showing he trained physically, leading the men who arrived, he was clearly strong magically as well. The sword on his right side and what looked like small knives on a belt wrapped along his torso. Harry took note that he wore green and black, his attention shifted back to Morgana's when she spoke. "Now now, you almost sound jealous all these men got to see my talents and you did not. I can always show you personally young one, although you have shown a talent for my arts already" She turned to the flames once more and clicked her fingers, the flames dying away immediately.
The memory ended and Harry was once more looking down upon the book again, he couldn't help but wonder why it ended when it did, it could have ended after the battle, but it continued to show the man. He would have to check the history books, something about the man bothered him. Also the creatures, were they even from this world? Or was it from one of Morgana's many adventures elsewhere. Clearly the memory was shown to him for a reason. Harry just couldn't figure out what it was.
End flashback
Who was that man? What were those creatures? Were they of another world? Why would Morgana show him? He was also furious that she didn't listen to his calls, clearly she literally would only come if Katie agreed. The problem with that is he didn't want to ask Katie to take him to harass the ancient witch for answers. Katie was probably chosen since she could see through his bullshit, he had done many things to her after all, she could read him like a book, as could Daphne, and Susan to a degree. However they would be drawn to find out the answers to their own questions, Katie would just wait it out.
Harry let out a loud groan and cursed the woman under his breath, he could have sworn he heard her chuckle barely in the distance. His sensitive hearing picked up something else however. "NO, I am sick of this love, that, that freak needs to learn his place. Look at my arm, he did it with ease, the little shit is too dangerous, now where is he."
Curiosity getting the better of him he began to walk to the stairs to get out of the trunk as he heard his Aunt exclaim "What if what he said is true, if you do anything, the freak police might come for us Vernon"
"Nonsense, those protections that stop them knowing he's doing his freakish talents, will stop them knowing this. I'm sure of it love"
"But Ve –" She stopped when the trunk lid suddenly opened and Harry began to walk out of it.
He made a show of yawning with his eyes closed as if they had just woken him up as he stepped out of his trunk and asked "What's with all the noise, I thought we had an agreement" Harry heard the whizzing of something and his eyes darted open to see his Uncle swinging a metal bat towards him. Narrowing his eyes as the bat neared him, he acted instinctively and caught it, he saw the shock in his Uncle's eyes and he snarled "Bad move fatty"
Moving quickly he yanked the bat out of his Uncle's hand, noticing the other was in a cast and then held his healthy arm in his grip. The fat bastard yelled out "NO, please, don't do it"
Harry cocked his head to the side and gestured the bat in his other hand "Exactly what were you planning to do with this Uncle Vernon, it's only fair that you get the same treatment" Raising the bat, he smirked when he saw the man pale and heard his Aunt's scream and sobs, the recent memory of the bloody battle was still fresh in his mind, he wanted badly just to punish his Uncle for his foolishness, but he fought back the urge. His blood was still boiling but he knew that he still needed them where they were for a while longer after all.
Squeezing the metal as hard as he could, the pressure caused it to make an odd noise like a compactor, he then dropped the bat in front of his Aunt and Uncle. Their eyes went to the bat that now had an imprint of a hand and both paled considerably, not bothering to loosen his grip. Harry focused his eyes to glow and told the now quivering duo "You stupid FAT SHIT, are you really so thick that you don't get it yet. I AM NOT that pathetic BOY you tormented over the years, either you learn YOUR place or the next time YOU do something like this-" Harry threw a wandless diffindo into the wall, causing it to go straight through. "-That might be you I throw that at"
Harry threw his uncle so he landed a metre away, sent the stupid man a glare, sent another to his Aunt for not controlling the fat bastard, and went back into his trunk, maybe he should have set an example, but it took all his self control not to kill his uncle last time. He didn't know whether he could manage it this time, he had a feeling when he returned from Hogwarts in 9 months that his Uncle's attempts might be more deadly. It was a bat this time, next time it might be a gun. Which meant his reactions would be harder to contain as well, he hoped that he was wrong.
A few hours later Harry repaired the wall, noticing that the spell had carried to his Cousins room, luckily for the fat shit, he was terrorizing the neighbourhood so wasn't in the spells way. That might have messed up Harry's plans greatly, as who knows what his Uncle would have resorted too. He didn't bother to fix the damage to Dudley's door or the desk that caused his new computer to fall to the ground, breaking the monitor.
September 1st 1992
The following two days passed quickly, Harry didn't even bother to leave his trunk during the time, except to let Hedwig out for a few hours. He had the food and materials in the trunk, not to mention it was probably bigger than the Dursley's house anyway. The beautiful owl didn't seem to mind the trunk much due to the size she had to fly around, but she still preferred open flight in the night sky, compared to the boring white ceiling. Harry made a note to somehow get the roof of the trunk apartment enchanted to look like the great hall at Hogwarts, reflecting the current state of the sky nearby.
Dressed in black jeans and a tight dark green T-shirt with the words 'Want to see my magic' on the front and a lightning bolt on the back, he got it from a Harry Potter shop during his stay at the Cauldron. He couldn't believe that they actually had a shop full of Harry Potter items, anyway, he bought it specially to wear in front of his 'family'. He made his way downstairs, after shrinking and pocketing his trunk, letting Hedwig fly to Hogwarts instead of enduring the train ride. The reaction was worth the wait, as all talk suddenly stopped when he entered the room. They all looked at the words on his shirt, his cousin paled, Uncle turned red and oddly his Aunt frowned, but she wasn't looking at the words.
Confusion hitting him, he looked down to where she was looking to see the shirt was tight enough that it showed his toned muscles underneath, realizing that caused her reaction he laughed loudly. "I'm off, see you in 9 months." Just to freak them out a little more, he activated his speed and left the living area in style, he heard his cousin gasp when he saw it making him grin broadly.
Harry walked down Privet drive and took notice that people were appearing at every window he passed, he realized just how sad these people were, housewives who are so eager for anything out of the ordinary to happen, yet cling onto normality for dear life. As he passed number 13, his ears caught onto yelling coming from within, he stopped when he heard it was a man's voice yelling at what sounded like a girl, he took a look and tried to remember who lived there.
Unfortunately, number 13 was too far away for him to really notice when he was forced to weed the gardens over the years, plus school was in the other direction. The front door opened and a girl around 13-14 stomped out, yelling followed her abrupt exit, her response was to slam the door loudly and scream at it. "I DON'T CARE IF THEY SEE ARSEHOLE, I'M NOT A CHILD ANYWAY"
She turned and spotted Harry and snapped "What the fuck are you looking at huh?" Harry blinked at the feisty attitude, not really expecting it from such a petite looking girl, she had dyed her hair a dark red, was wearing a mini skirt and a sleeveless top, very revealing and he made a note of the design, a present for his friends perhaps.
"Just admiring the view" Harry stated with a smirk, purposefully eying her chest before walking off again. He didn't slow his pace at all when he heard her shout insults after him. He also heard her say his name, but he ignored her, briefly wondering how the muggle knew him, possibly from primary school or knowing his fat cousin. Once he made it to a secluded area, he flicked his wrist and held out his wand, the familiar bang of the Knight bus preceded its arrival as usual.
He sighed immediately noticing all talk cease when he walked on and he couldn't help himself. "What, is there something on me?"
Everyone just kept staring at him and he was about to yell when a girl stated "They must be worried about all the Heliopaths around you. They are very difficult to control you know, you should really be careful or someone might get burned"
Everyone's attention shifted to the girl who spoke, most in confusion, a few in disgust after looking her over. She was a small petite girl with waist length dirty blonde hair and grey eyes that seemed to be focused on something in the distance. Even though she was looking at Harry, he felt that she was looking through him, in a way similar to how Morgana did when reading his mind. She had a very unique appearance, in that she wore a necklace made of what looked like butterbeer corks, pentagram earrings and very bright green robes, if he didn't hear what she said, he would have pinned her as a fangirl.
More than her odd appearance, was the words she spoke, he had no idea what a heliopath was, but clearly she somehow picked up on his affinity to fire. "Whatever Loony, why don't you sit with us Harry?" A particularly confident witch Harry vaguely recognized from Gryffindor stated with a bright smile.
Harry however wanted to find out more on what this girl meant from what she said. The fact she didn't react to the insult in any way surprised him too, it was like she didn't even hear it, or she just didn't care. He had been bullied all through his childhood, so to see no reaction either showed a strong person, or complacent, someone who was so used to it, they didn't know any better. "Hmm, nah that's okay" He saw Seamus and Dean and didn't want to make this girl a target before she started Hogwarts from the fangirls, since he couldn't pull her face from his memories. Also the fact she was on her own, so she didn't come to see a sibling off either, meaning she would be a first year more than likely.
He sat next to the two dorm mates as they began a conversation, Harry was only paying slight attention, he was racking his brain trying to figure out the odd feeling the odd girl was bringing forth. "-mam couldn't believe ya went en did that in public Harry. Says you're a no good show off and told me to stay away from ya, I don't care though, that was cool. I 'ad no idea you were that good, two wands too"
Harry turned and gave his mate a smile at the statement, Dean asked what likely everyone was thinking "So how come you're getting on here anyway Harry? Wouldn't your family take you to the station?"
Harry laughed loudly at the thought that they would even consider getting in the car with him in it. "Nah, I don't exactly get along with my relatives, figured I'd come like most people do, besides, I'm a regular here"
"TOO RIGHT, Mr Potter here as bin using our services all summer. Quite a privilege its been, right Ern" Stan the conductor stated, this got the girls all whispering and Harry cursed himself and Stan mentally, now fangirls would be on the bus all the time next summer. He would have to find a new means to get around.
Many questions later, about what the fight was about in the alley, which Harry naturally shrugged and avoided answering, a few more pick ups and the bus finally arrived at King's Cross station.
Harry couldn't believe how the magical world got away with what they did every year, he was certain that the stations had security cameras installed for safety reasons. So surely the muggle security would be curious why so many odd people entered the station, but simply vanished before getting on the train. The only thing that made sense was obliviate teams worked constantly on days like today.
Wanting to get away from the excited muttering and the fangirls, Harry took off to the barrier straight away while the rest were getting their luggage. Another thing that baffled him, why the hell didn't they use shrinking charms, or at least their parents or get an adult to do it. Shrugging his shoulders, he ran towards the barrier at a speed that wouldn't gather too much attention and turned to look over his shoulder, he saw the blonde girl humming and skipping towards the barrier, but suddenly stopped and said "You best look out Harry".
BAM! Harry had run straight into the wall, not passing through it as he expected, He cursed to himself and glared at the wall as if it had wronged him. "What you think you're doing then?"
Startled by the random voice, Harry turned to see a security guard looking at him suspiciously, it confused him though, since the barrier has a muggle repelling charm on it. So why would he react to him hitting the barrier, unless something was affecting the charm too. With a sigh he responded "Sorry, sir, I wasn't watching where I was going"
The guard scoffed but moved on, not seeing any reason to bother with him anymore than necessary. The girl caught up to him and stated "Seems the Noglopiths don't like you either, they usually aid house elfs. I don't know why they don't like you though, are you hurt?"
Harry just looked at the girl oddly for a few moments before his brain caught up to him "Uh, hi, you clearly know who I am, but who are you?"
The girl looked around the area in fascination before turning back to Harry with the same distant look, "I'm Loony" Harry looked at her with narrowed eyes, instantly believing the name was given to her like boy and freak were given to him. She seemed to pick up on his hidden rage and stated "But I don't like that name much, my real name is Luna Lovegood, you're not what I expected Harry Potter"
Harry ignored the statement, now he had a name to a face, he thought about what she said. "Dobby" He muttered under his breath and glared at the wall, taking a random shot before the crowd caught up he stated. "Remove whatever spells you put on, or I'll tell a certain blonde male what you are doing Dobby"
Waiting a few moments, he put his hand to the barrier and his eyes widened when it went though 'SO perhaps he isn't an ally after all' Harry thought before looking to Luna and offering his hand. "Shall me Madam?"
Luna looked at him with confusion clearly in her eyes "Why are you being nice to me?"
The question threw Harry's smile right off his face, he considered abusing whoever made Luna as she was, but instead said "Because you don't treat me like everyone else" Yes, he knew that it sounded very corny, but the bright smile that made its way on her face, pushed away those thoughts instantly. She closed the distance and kissed him on the cheek, took his hand and pulled him through the barrier.
"HARRY, WHAT IN MERLIN'S NAME TOOK SO LONG?" Harry cringed at the voice, as Luna seemed to try to pull away to sink into the background. Naturally Harry wouldn't have it and kept her hand in his, despite the confusion on her face.
"I don't know what you mean Daphne, the train hasn't left yet"
The blonde beauty scoffed before responding "They-" While pointing at her family, Damien at least looked embarrassed "-convinced me to come an hour early. Merlin knows why though"
Astoria looked like she was about to speak but a glare from her loving sister surprisingly made her hold her tongue. "Mr Potter, I expect you to look after my heir"
All three of the Greengrass girls sent the man a glare, to his credit he didn't flinch, just kept his gaze on Harry. Harry for his part, also didn't flinch. "With my life if need be"
Two squeals later and a mutter of "Why so fucking dramatic" from a pretty blonde had the three Greengrasses apparate the area. With them out of the way Daphne inspected the girl trying to fade into the background next to him. She was failing miserably, considering what she was wearing though. "Uh, who's this Harry?"
Harry looked at Luna, who looked back to him, this time with a shy gaze. A gaze he recognized from the mirror. It was obvious that the girl expected him to ditch her to the side as he had happen to him many times before, to her obvious surprise, from the widening of her eyes he said "This is Luna, something tells me she will be important down the road"
The meaningful look wasn't lost on Daphne and she sent the odd girl a very intense look. Before Harry intercepted it however a body impacted him from behind and rubbed against him, Daphne didn't look annoyed so Harry realized who it must be. "Tracey, you're bigger than I remember"
A giggle later and she let go and seemed to apparate in front of him, but he knew it was because he was watching Daphne intently. "You noticed they grew! I knew it, mother wouldn't believe me. Daphne my-"
"DAVIS" Daphne hissed harshly, Tracey had a mischievous look though, than noticed Luna next to me. She opened her mouth to speak but the Weasleys made that moment to come through the barrier. We all turned to them wondering why they looked so flustered and out of breath. Granted he had come an hour early, but why would they look like that.
Ron suddenly, like a sixth sense seemed to locate Harry and run over "Harry, what you doing with Loony Lovegood, whatever. You should have told us you were getting the knight bus, we took Dad's you know what car"
Harry looked at Luna as soon as he said loony, the reaction was minor but he saw it, the Weasleys clearly gave it to her. More so, the young wizard wanted to know why Ron knew he was with her, as if they were notified. Harry gave her hand a slight squeeze and she looked up at him in surprise "Don't call Luna that Ron, she's my friend" Ron looked at him like a gaping fish as his family approached. Ginny sent Daphne, who had moved to his right side, Tracey and especially Luna, who Harry had his hand still attached a hard glare.
Harry noticed Luna trying to slip out of his hand again and he looked at her, she looked him in the eye, but this time she did not have the distant look. She just looked like a girl who wanted to get away, a girl who feared the attention, however, for some reason, Harry ignored his feelings and kept his hold, sending her an encouraging smile.
The train horn sounded so Harry made his way to the train, Luna, Daphne and Tracey with him. Ron made to follow but his mother held him up. They walked through the train looking for a compartment, as expected, Harry was offered a seat in practically ever door he passed.
Not interested however he ignored them all, even if they were from his year, until of course he heard a bold voice state "Here now" Harry stopped his march and turned to see Susan, Hannah and Neville. The compartments were built for 6 people average, but Harry figured he'd just sit one of the girls on his lap so entered. That and they weren't exactly too big.
Luna was still trying to get away, until he practically pushed her into the seat next to Hannah, the girl sent him what he assumed was her version of a glare, but it quickly passed. The three in the compartment sent her a curious gaze before one to Harry so he decided to introduce her. "Guys this is Luna Lovegood, Luna, the pretty redhead is Susan Bones, next to her is the sexy Hannah Abbott with her crush Neville Longbottom next to her. Daphne Greengrass is the blonde from the station likely glaring at me right now because she wants me, the other looking like she might rape me is Tracey Davis"
Luna somehow managed to take the information in a stride and nod seriously before pulling out a magazine out of nowhere. Harry was hoping for some sort of reaction though, to get his statements from getting any rage on him, so when he realized that wouldn't happen he looked around and chuckled nervously.
Luna started humming a dark tune to herself while reading her magazine, Harry noticed the small smile on her face though, for some reason it made him pleased until he realized the situation he put himself in.
Hannah and Neville were both red in embarrassment and glaring at him, Susan just looked like she might curse him. Tracey had a smug look about her, as if she was pleased Harry described her as he did, while Daphne had her wand out and was glaring daggers, noticing it was her new wand, though he shouldn't be surprised considering how much better the wands were.
Harry held up his hands and said "You're beautiful too Daphne" She kept glaring at him as if trying to see if it was a lie, an over the top dramatic reaction had her slowly sit down next to him and smile way to sweetly. She kept her wand on him for a few moments longer before it vanished, presumably back into her holster.
The train began to move and not so surprisingly no one looked out the window since none had family to wave too. Luna looked shocked momentarily from this before the airy like mask reappeared, Harry realized that it must be a defence mechanism and vowed to break her out of it. Harry suddenly realized who he had targeted as true friends, detached pureblood children, children who's parents were killed like his during the war, a halfblood who also didn't seem to care for her parents and now an odd girl who seemed to be alone. Was this all part of Merlin's plan too?