Dis Lexics vault of Secrets
Ideas, plot bunnys that won't let go, possible future stories. feel free to pick up the stories if you like them.
And the Vault is now open once again! This time the idea is another answer to DZ2's Friend or Foe challenge, rules below:
DZ2's 'Friend or Foe' Challenge
Plot: For as long as they knew, Hogwarts had been forced to put up with a certain redhead calling himself Harry Potter's best friend, but the truth is that he's nowhere near that level. In fact, Harry made his choice of a 'best friend' a long time ago.
Rules: All affinities are welcome
Harry's best friend MUST be someone that he somehow meets before Hogwarts or - at the latest - over the summer of his first year.
His best friend CANNOT be Ron or Hermione, but they MUST be someone in Harry's year
If Harry met and named his best friend before Hogwarts, he must be smarter (not prodigy-smart, but not-naive)
There must be some reason for BOTH Ron and Hermione to have doubts about the best friend (what happens as a result is up to you)
All pairings are welcome EXCEPT Harems
Somehow, Harry's best friend MUST take part in any adventures Harry has at Hogwarts (and not just the main end-of-year adventures either)
Guidelines: Harry's best friend is a member of a Dark family
Harry/best friend
Harry's best friend are best friends (Twins)
Crossovers
Soul Bonds
Sirius gets his name cleared before third year
Slash
Somehow, Harry's best friend helps Harry learn/master a new magical skill/power NOT taught by Hogwarts (e.g. Parseltongue/Animagus/Metamorphmagus etc.)
Creature-best friend
Forbidden: Ron or Hermione as Harry's best friend
Naive Harry
Harems
If before Hogwarts: Harry can't be meek/naive/dumb
Other than that, it's up to you...
I actually have a couple of ideas for this one, but whether or not they both get out remains to be seen. Anyway, enjoy this one!
Friends Lost and Found
17 year old Harry Potter slumped against the wall of the alley, feeling his limbs shake as the adrenaline from his latest crazy ass stunt faded. He and his two friends, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, had just teleported away from Rons brothers wedding after it had been crashed by the Death Eaters, who had managed to assassinate the Minister For Magic and take of the Wizarding World.
"Come on, I think we ought to keep moving," said Hermione, breaking Harry from his thoughts.
The Golden Trio left the alley they had taken refuge in to change out of their Dress Robes and began to make there way in a random direction through the city, making small talk to keep their nerves from becoming too frazzled. Well, Ron and Hermione did, Harry was more interested in the odd feeling he had in his gut since they had arrived. He got the distinct impression that something was about to happen that would throw off all the plans the three had made.
Harry was snapped out of his thoughts as someone brushed past him, leaving behind the scent of rosemary and the ringing of a tiny bell. Harry froze, his eyes widening as his mind went back to the last time he had experienced such a combination.
"Cassie," he whispered.
"What?" asked Hermione, "Did you say something Harry?"
However, Harry ignored the bookworm in favour of turning and sprinting after the person who had brushed past him, pushing his way through the crowd as he looked around desperately. He was about to give up when he caught sight of the tip of a black ponytail tied with red ribbons vanishing around a corner.
"Wait!" he shouted, dashing after the figure.
"Where are you going Harry?" shouted Ron as he and Hermione dashed after there friend, "Wait for us!"
Once again, Harry ignored his friends as he dashed through the twisting maze of alleyways they had been led into, following the slight glimpses of his query. The tip of a pony tail, a flash of white skin, the tail of a coat, on and on they led him until he burst out into a small courtyard where a three story, tudor style building stood, shadowed by the taller buildings that surrounded it. The entire area had an odd sort of peace to it and seemed to exclude an aura of calm. It was run down, with peeling paint on the beams of the building and grass growing through the many cracks in the courtyard, yet somehow still managed to give of a feeling of home.
Harry slowly made his way towards the odd building, taking in its peeling facade, especially the symbol that had been painted onto the doors. It looked like an arrow pointing up with an arch underneath.
Ting.
Harry stiffened as he heard the familiar ring, his hands instinctively snapping up to catch the blade of the sword that was arching towards him between his palms.
"You've improved brat," said a voice that was achingly familiar to Harry, "Nice to see those Wizards haven't turned ya soft."
"Didn't stop them from trying," said Harry, his voice slightly strained as he struggled to keep the blade back, "And who are you calling Brat?"
He shoved the blade to the side and pulled, causing its wielder to stumble slightly, straight into Harrys snap kick that knocked them off their feet. Harry leaped forwards and landed on them, pinning their sword arm to the ground with his knees and pressing the tip of a knife he'd pulled from somewhere against his attackers throat.
"Not bad," said the sword wielder, "But not good enough."
Harry blinked, before something flashed up and caught him in the face, making him fall backwards with a cry as blood started to run from his newly sliced open lips.
"God damnit Cassie!" said Harry as he held his bleeding face, "Is cutting me really necessary?"
"Well how else will you learn?" asked Harrys opponent as she got to her feet and stowed the dagger she'd used in her jacket.
She was a 17 year old girl of with long, black hair tied back with red ribbons with a small bell attached, pale skin and an aristocratic face. She was wearing dark blue jeans and a black, hooded jacket with the same logo as was painted on the door of the house on the breast that did an excellent job of showing off her full figure and a pair of running shoes. All of her clothes looked extremely sturdy and allowed great freedom of movement. Strapped to her wrists was a pair of matching, elbow length leather armbands with the arrow symbol stenciled onto the leather. In her hand she held a short sword with a stylized snake head acting as the pommel.
"Harry!"
Harry turned as Ron and Hermione finally caught up, gasping for breath from all the running.
"Oh hey guys, what kept you?" asked Harry.
"How...did...you get...so fast?" gasped Hermione, before looking up and letting out a startled gasp, "Oh, you're bleeding!"
She hurried forwards, pulling out her wand as she did.
"Don't worry about it," said Harry, "I can sort it."
Hermione ignored him (as usual) and tried to cast an frowned as nothing happened and tried again.
"Don't bother, magic won't be able to heal that cut," said Cassie, drawing Harrys friends attention to her for the first time.
"Who are you and what do you mean sword?" asked Hermione coldly.
"Cassiopeia Black, at your service," she said with a slight bow, "But most people call me Cassie. And you are..?"
"These are my friends from school," said Harry before Ron and Hermione could speak up, "Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger."
"Weasley huh?" muttered Cassie, glaring at Ron who was staring at her impressive bust.
"If you're a Black, does that mean you're related to Sirius?" asked Hermione.
Before Cassie could answer, the door of the house slammed open and a black blur shot out, slamming into Harry and knocking him off his feet, before going about covering his face with slobber.
"Gah, get of Sirius!" shouted the boy without thinking, shoving the dog away.
Half a second later what he'd said registered and he froze, staring at the very familiar mutt that was stood in front of him, tongue lolling out of his mouth.
"S-sirius?"
The dog blurred, shifting into the form of Harrys supposedly deceased Godfather. Sirius was looking none the worse for wear, despite seeming to be dead. His scruffy robes he'd worn at Grimmauld Place had been swapped out for black robes with a beaked hood and a shoulder cape, leather bracers and a large belt with the arrow symbol acting as the buckle. His beard had also been trimmed, revealing a small scar on the left side of his lips that were twisted into a wide grin.
"Hello Pup," said Sirius, "I was wondering when you'd make your way here."
(Now, this would be a good place to end it, but this isn't the biggest reveal I have planned.)
"B-b-but how?" stuttered Harry, "I-I saw you die!"
Sirius gave a barking laugh.
"As if something like that could kill me off!" he scoffed, "Nah, that was staged so I could get out from under the Old Geezers thumb and back into the field."
He turned to Ron and Hermione, who were both gawking at Sirius.
"As for you two, I guess I owe you a thank you for keeping Harry sane over the past year."
Finally, he turned to Cassie.
"Cassie, go tell your Mother we have company and get the first aid kit."
"Got it Cuz," said Cassie, snapping a quick salute and running inside.
"Now, why don't you come in," said Sirius, "We've got a lot to discus."
"Ah, no, we really should be going," said Hermione, grabbing Harrys arm and trying to drag him away, "We've got a lot to do…"
"Like hunting Horcruxes?"
Hermione froze.
"What, your suprised?" asked Sirius, looking, well, serious, "Don't be. We have an extremely efficient information network. We can find out anything if we so desire, such as the locations of each Horcrux, the best way to destroy them and where Riddle is holed up."
The Golden Trio gaped at Sirius.
"H-how…" started Hermione, but before she could finish the question, a woman appeared in the door with a first aid box in her hand.
Harrys jaw dropped as he recognized her, unable to quite believe what he was seeing.
"Sirius Black, stop being rude and bring them inside!" said the woman, making the Dog Animagus cringe slightly.
"Sorry Bella," he said.
Bellatrix Lestrange huffed.
"Well hurry up! Connor wants to talk to him."
She vanished back inside, leaving three very confused teens and one amused looking Marauder.
"I think we need to talk," said Harry.
And thats the end. *pauses to duck rocks, spears, cannon balls and a few AK's* Yeah yeah, I know, I'm horrible, but I couldn't resist. I doubt I'll continue this, but if I do, it won't be a long story, likely only a few chapters. I wonder if anyone can guess what direction I'm going with this? Probably with all the mentions of the symbol and Sirius new outfit.
I have a few more answers to this challenge in the works, but there fighting me every step of the way. Still, heres a little something to chew over. Please leave a review!