1995

"Fuck off Fred." George grumbled, still asleep.

"You've slept long enough. Come on, mum's made breakfast. We have to get there before Ron or he'll eat it all!" Fred exclaimed, throwing another pillow at his twin brother. When that didn't move him, he stood and went to shake him when a sudden knock caused them both to look at the door. Fred stood and opened the door and saw a smiling Harry on the other side.

"Morning Fred. Up to no good already?" Harry teased, happy to see his favorite jokesters.

"Harry! We had no idea you were here, when'd you get in?" Fred questioned, not fazed at Harry knowing which twin he was.

"Late last night, didn't go too well. Would prefer not to talk about it." Harry said, still a bit angry about last night.

"Fair enough," Said George, joining the conversation. "It's good to see you Harrykins, been quite dull without someone trying to kill themselves around here." He joked.

Harry laughed. "It's not my fault really, it just happens. Anyway, I came here to ask if I could borrow any of your old school books? I read all mine and want to get ahead." He asked.

Fred and George looked at each other and shrugged. "Of course little Harry, we could do that." They said in sync. Harry shook his head at their antics, happy to be around them. George opened his truck and grabbed a handful of old textbooks.

"Here," He said, dumping them into his arms. "All of our old texts, some from fifth year but you probably won't use them, and all our sixth year wrapped up in there." Harry looked down at the mountain of books in his arms and stared at George.

"Really, any notes I should be warned about?" Harry asked.

Fred shrugged, "Everything we know, you should probably learn," he teased.

Harry smiled at them both and turned to leave. Stopping for a moment, he turned back and asked them, "Do you guys know how I can sneak out of here for a few hours later?"

The twins shared a look and shook their heads.

"We've tried everything, this place is locked down tight. Sorry." They replied, upset that they couldn't help their friend.

Harry nodded and looked at them, "I figured, thanks though." He smiled and left the room, shutting the door behind him. Fred looked at George and they both wondered.

'What's he want to go do outside?'

Same Time

'How long will he take?' Joanna thought. She had been waiting in the park for a few hours, watching everyone walk by, hoping to see the black-haired teen she met yesterday. She'd been anxious all day, excited for the meet up.

'We said four right?' She questioned herself, glancing down at her watch which showed a quarter to five. She leaned against the tree behind her and decided to stay for a bit longer.

'Maybe he's running late.' She thought, but she couldn't hide the sadness that crept up inside her.

After sitting for a few more minutes, she let out a sigh and stood up. Looking around once more and not seeing him, Joanna wiped her face and started the walk home.

Behind her a glimmer in the light suddenly vanished, their mission accomplished.

Somewhere hidden-Same Time

Lucius whimpered after his swift turn of torture ended.

Voldemort stood before a group of his most loyal servants, all crying and shivering after being hit by his torture spells. It was their punishment, the most powerful wizard who has ever lived was forced to roam the world latched onto those beneath him, all because his men were too scared to find him and restore him to his rightful glory.

The dark lord turned to the shriveling wimpy excuse of a man to his right.

"Wormtail, tell me again why it was you who found and restored me to my former glory?" Voldemort asked, knowing the answer. His quiet voice sent shivers down the backs of the men all around him, all silently begging for an ounce of mercy.

"Because I am only loyal to you, My Lord." He replied staring into the ground, wishing to be anywhere but in this room.

Voldemort let out a small quiet chuckle at the irony. His best servant was this sad man who would follow anyone for a slight chance at living another day. He stared at the men kneeling in front of him, and he wasn't satisfied. Without making a noise he swished his wand to the man on the far right, Walden Macnair, and started to pull his blood out of any possible hole there was. He couldn't make a sound, while the blood formed itself into the shape of a blade and flung itself into the man to his left, Thorfinn Rowle, killing him instantly. Walden after being completely dry of any blood, was picked up and flung into a opposite wall, crumbling into it and falling to the ground, not moving again. Voldemort smirked and turned his wand to the final two in front of him. The father and son duo. The Malfoy Lord and his heir. Lucius and Draco Malfoy.

Draco cried silently as the the reality set for him. The life he idolized was here, and he was terrified. He glanced to his left to look at his father and was struck at how helpless his father appeared. His thoughts were stopped dead at the sudden cold voice that spoke.

"Lucius, would you kill for your master?" Voldemort asked.

Lucius took a deep breath and replied, still looking down, "Yes My Lord, without hesitation."

Voldemort smiled and turned slightly, "My dear Draco, would you kill for your master?"

Draco whimpered as the attention shifted to him. "Of course, My L..Lord."

The dark lord's smile widened, looking back and forth between the two.

"Do you believe me to be fair Lucius?" He asked to the man.

"The most fair, My Lord." He answered, a cold chill sweeping through his back.

Voldemort chuckled again and walked to his makeshift throne. Sitting in the chair, he reached into his pockets and retrieved their two wands. Looking down at them, he tossed the two sticks towards the pair.

"Kill the other, the one who lives shall be my second in command." Voldemort declared, staring at them.

Draco let out a cry and Lucius set his jaw and stared at his son. Lucius understood instantly that the dark lord was not testing them. He was torturing them. One for the other.

"Draco, look at me." Lucius pleaded, hoping his son could get back under control.

"Draco! Look at me!" He shouted. Draco looked up, still crying and looking terrified.

"Pick up your wand Draco."

"No I- I can't father please!" He begged, not believing what was happening. He was dreaming, this isn't real. A chuckle brought him out of his horrifying thoughts again, looking up the throne at the man gleefully watching them.

"Draco listen to me, raise your wand and fire the spell, just like we practiced." Lucius said, trying to remain under control.

"Hurry on then dear Draco." He heard, coming from the Dark Lord. Draco still kneeled there, wand laying a few feet from him, not moving to grab it.

"DRACO! NOW" He yelled, losing his composure and not asking anymore.

Draco still didn't move, not believing what was happening.

Lucius stared at his son through tearful eyes and looked up at his lord. Voldemort stared at him, eyes full of amusement. Lucius, knowing there was only one way out, looked back down and made his mind up.

"Father, please," Draco pleaded. "I won't kill you, I can't!" He turned to the evil man watching them in glee.

"Please my lord, please let us go! We are loyal to only you! I will go back to Hogwarts, I will kill Harry Potter. PLEASE!" He screamed, but the man still watched, not moving to help them. Only laughing. Draco once again looked back at his father but he never saw him, only a flash of green.

"Avada Kadavra"

Lucius watched as his only child fell back without a noise, his empty eyes forever staring up to the ceiling.

What had he done? His son? His horror-stricken son laid back, his life snuffed from him for a man who would never repay him enough for this terrible deed.

His anguished cries were drowned out by the loud howling from Lord Voldemort.

"Good man Lucius, now I know where you're loyalties lie." Voldemort said with a slight smirk, looking at the scene before him.

Standing now, he quickly moved to the deceased corpse. He hid his hand as he rummaged in his pocket for an item. Pulling it out, a ring box, he quickly opened it and took his wand out.

Lucius still bawled as he stared into his son's eyes, not noticing the dark lords movements, or the words he chanted.

But he could swear, for a brief moment, his son's eyes flashed red.

Later

There was entire world of magic out there that so few recognized because of the effort of finding it, most of it was written down but the vast majority only read the few schoolbooks that they were required too. They were unknowingly ignorant to the potential of their magic use. Doing the bare minimum and never venturing out and doing more, simply because the basic wandwork they learn at Hogwarts or at home was easy. Why do more when you can do incredible things with a flick of your wrist?

Harry stood outside Flourish and Blotts was amazed at the fact that he only saw kids leaving with the same books, a new one here and there but not enough to change his mind.

He smiled anyway, relieved to have escaped his new 'home', it took a bit of effort but he was extremely happy regardless.

Earlier that day

Harry knocked on the bedroom door holding a plate with a ham and cheese croissant with a side of potato crisps and a cup of tea, her favorite.

'Had he been too rude? Was he actually justified in this actions?' His thoughts were cut short at the soft opening the door. She stood on the opposite side, hair tangled up into a mess, eyes red from extensive crying. She looked at him without saying anything.

"Hi." He said, cutting the silence.

Hermione continued to look at him, upset.

"I'm a bit busy Harry, we can talk another time." She replied while shutting the door, not wanting a response.

"Wait! I brought you a sandwich!" He said quickly. Hoping she would look. "Please." he begged.

She stopped a moment and looked down at his hands holding the plate. She hadn't ate in a while, but she also wasn't that hungry. Hermione looked up again and sighed, she opened the door more and moved away.

"Alright, come in." She said, moving to sit on her bed. He followed, glancing around at the room. Nothing of note on the walls but the desk in the corner was covered in paper. 'Homework' he thought. He moved over to her and put the plate on her bed and grabbed a chair. He sat in front of her and messed with his hands, now too nervous to look up at her. Hermione sat there and looked down at the food, her favorite. She had told him in passing once that she had a croissant sandwich in Sweden and now it was her favorite to eat anything with.

"Sirius told me you hadn't been down to dinner last night and again for breakfast. I figured I could bring it to you, and.. you know, apologize." Harry said, still looking down, ashamed of his actions from last night.

"I was rude, actually I was horrible. There was a reason, but its not important. You mean everything to me, and I was terrible. I'm so sorry. You may not forgive me, but I will try forever to try and get it." He confessed.

It was silent for a while, neither looking at the other. Hermione stood up and walked the few steps to him, Harry looked up in surprise to see her there, he stood too and looked at her. She immediately launched into his arms, holding him tight. Her head was in the crook of his neck, he could feel her crying.

"Im so sorry Harry, you went through so much and you needed us and we took you for granted. I should have wrote, I should have visited, I should've been there with you." She cried into his shoulder. He couldn't believe it, she was apologizing too. He smiled, tearing up. They stood like that for a moment then separated. Smiling at each other, happy to be with their greatest friend again.

They had stayed up there and talked for hours, eventually Harry convinced her to help him sneak out. She went downstairs and claimed that Harry was sleeping in her room and that he wasn't comfortable in his own, and that he needed comfort. She said to not make noise by her room, in case it woke him up.

"He hasn't slept in days Mrs. Weasley." She said when the older woman questioned why. Sirius quickly put a stop to anymore complaints and sent her back up with a quick smirk and knowing look. Smirking to him she went back up and put a stack of pillows under her covers and sat down at the desk to do some homework, smiling.

Harry used his invisibility cloak and stood at the front door, waiting. Suddenly Tonks opened the door loudly, slamming it into the wall. She cursed and the curtains covering the painting of the old bat shot open and started screaming, yelling insults to anyone who would listen. Harry quickly moved out of the door and saw the doll on the ground. His escape, dropped by Tonks of course. He took it quickly and was whisked away, Hermione's plan successful.

Present

Here he was now, outside and free, or for a few hours at least. Wearing a muggle hat covering his hair and low enough it shadowed his eyes, and a black cloak over his muggle attire, hopefully hiding his appearance. Now he needed to get a certain book for Hermione and a new wand holster for Tonks, his payment for their help in escaping. Looking down the street full of shops and people going about their own business, Harry felt a sense of wonder. Just like his first time down this alley, he couldn't believe what he looked at. A shop where you could buy your potion supplies, cauldrons, and potion-making apparel. Another shop full of normal animals along with some magic ones! He thought back on Hedwig, his beloved friend and gained a new respect for the store. A clothing shop, primarily robes of course. Madam Malkins Robes for all Occasions, it was called. An ice cream parlor, the bookstore he stood before, so many more and of course, Gringotts. The building was the stand out of the amazing alley, its appearance giving off the feeling of professionalism and power. It commanded respect and earned it.

Smiling, Harry turned and walked into the bookstore. Aisle's of bookshelves stacked full to the ceiling, each aisle named with its own genre. One for history, another for school, he walked past a fiction aisle and stopped. Wondering what they would write as fiction, he walked into it looking at the titles. 'A Quest for the Missing Veela' By Quinn Beckindorf, 'The True Works of Merlin' By Niel Payne. He chuckled at one called 'My Kneazle Stole My Hat!' By Steven Witherby.

Harry also noticed that there were a few that he recognized, 'The Chronicles of Narnia Series' was there, along with 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings' books. Harry loved those series, stealing them out of Dudley's room when he had brought them home from school. He noticed that the authors were changed, instead of C.S. Lewis it said Martin North, and instead of J.R.R. Tolkien it said John Withers.

Harry grabbed the books and read the back, reading the synopsis. He frowned when he saw that it was slightly changed from the original. He realized that those witches and wizards must've known of these books from the muggle world and brought them over, taking credit. He frowned, putting the books back, slowly seeing how much wizards are taking from their non-magical counterparts and getting away with it.

Harry left the aisle and looked for the history section, needing to grab a book for Hermione. Once he found it, 'A Study of Making Spells and Runes' by Natalie Schmidt, he grabbed a few higher level school books, a book on locations of historical magic sites, and for a laugh, he got a trilogy set of teen witches books, and then paid for it all. Luckily enough, the clerk offered to shrink the books down small enough that they would all fit into his messenger bag.

Now back on the street again, Harry made his way over to The Magical Menagerie to get some treats for Hedwig. Looking at all the shops as he walked, one made him stop.

A jewelry shop.

He'd never been interested in jewelry, but he new that Hermione occasionally wore rings and earrings, so he figured he'd browse and see if anything popped out to him.

Walking into the shop, he saw rows of glass cases filled with an assortment of rings, earrings, necklaces, piercings.

"Can I help you?" A voice asked, making Harry look up. Standing behind one of the cases stood an older man, smiling at Harry.

"Oh, no I'm just looking for right now." Harry answered, causing the man to nod and return to his duties.

Harry walked past the cases and looked at what was in stock, but didn't see anything special. Feeling like giving up, he began to make his way out of the shop until the older man stopped him again.

"Nothing catching your eye?" He asked, using his wand to level out a sign on the wall.

"Not really, sorry." Harry answered, looking back at the cases once again. At this, the man stopped what he was doing and walked forward, looking into the same case as Harry.

"Well who are you shopping for?" The man asked Harry.

"My friend, I know she wears rings sometimes and was hoping to surprise her with something special." Harry answered, looking almost desperately into the case now.

"Hmm, ah! I know. How about a matching set of rings? One for you and one for her! Each ring fitted with the jewel that matches your eyes!" The man said excitedly, rubbing his hands together as his mind raced.

Harry thought for a moment. That wasn't a bad idea, in fact, he loved it!

"Alright sure. Could I get a ring in my size that is a bright, warm brown. Then one in her size that's my color of green!" Harry asked excitedly, showing the man what his eyes looked like.

Seeing the striking color, the man gasped. "My, oh my, what gorgeous eyes you have. She really is lucky my good man."

Realizing he'd just let the man see his face clearly, Harry shrunk a bit and lowered his hat again, hiding his features.

"When do you think they'll be done?" He asked, now a bit cautious.

Hearing the question, the man waved his hand. Turning, the man walked quickly into the back, where Harry could hear him mutter a few spells, before emerging again, but with two ring boxes.

"Don't worry Mr. Potter, the spell I put on these are only activated once. They will activate when you place the ring onto your finger, where it will then shrink or enlarge to your fit. That's it." The man said, looking Harry again in the eyes.

Feeling unnerved, Harry began to backtrack his steps away. Wary of the man now that he knew who he was.

Seeing this, the man rolled his eyes and unsheathed his wand, pointing it into the sky.

"I swear on my magic that I did nothing to these rings or to Harry Potter in order to harm Harry Potter or anyone else." The man swore, a light from his wand glowing around the man, before fading slowly.

"Lumos." The man cast, showing he still had his magic.

At that, Harry's eyes widened. "You didn't have to do that sir!"

The man rolled his eyes again, before offering Harry the boxes again.

"I know, but I want to make a sale. So it'll be 26 galleons please." The man replied with a chuckle.

Paying the man, Harry grabbed the boxes and went to the exit, giving him a goodbye wave as he left.

Now out of the store and into the alley again, he walked over to The Magical Menagerie, needing some treats and food for Hedwig. Walking up to the front entrance, he looked at the name on the window as he walked and suddenly hit something, knocking him and the thing over.

Looking at what he hit, he recognized that he had run into a woman.

"Oh man! I am so sorry! I wasn't looking at all, are you alright?" He asked, quickly standing up and moving over to help her up.

"Im fine." She said, taking his offer to get up. "I wasn't looking either, it's my fault as well as yours." She joked.

Harry took a moment to look at her. She was a bit taller than him, but only just. Her hair was parted in the middle, but interestingly enough, one side was white, the other black. It amazed him. Her eyes were almost purple like and her smile was blinding.

"Wow you look nice." He said absentmindedly. Seeing her look at him confused, he realized what he said.

"Uhm, uh I meant that, uhm, well just that, uh. That you look nice as in… well not hurt! You are not hurt and okay. Thats what I meant!" He replied quickly.

She chuckled at that. Giving her another look to make sure she was alright, he determined she was and made to move around her into the store but was stopped.

"I'm Sarah." She said, sticking her hand out.

A bit shocked by the gesture, Harry took her hand and slightly shook it.

"I'm Neville." He lied, trying to hide his identity.

She laughed at that, making Harry nervous. He reached up and checked his hat, making sure they still covered his hair and eyes most importantly, his scar.

"Okay 'Neville'," she said sarcastically, "Whatcha shopping for?"

Harry really wanted to get out of this conversation but didn't want to be rude.

"Ah you know, just normal stuff. You know, wizard stuff." He said awkwardly.

She looked at him, then down into his open bag, then back at him.

"12 Items A Witch Needs For Hogwarts?" She asked.

Harry's eyes widened, looking down and seeing his bag was open. He quickly pulled the flap over it to hide the books Hermione wanted.

"It's for a friend, I didn't ask any questions." Harry defended.

She laughed at that, calming Harry down a bit.

"Well 'Neville', thanks for knocking me down then helping me back up." Sarah said.

"Of course, anytime." Harry joked, as he once again tried to walk towards the door.

"Here." He was cut off again by her saying something and then digging into her bag and pulling out a piece of paper.

Handing it over to him, he read it quickly.

Sarah Ingram

91 King Street

London

"So you can write." Sarah explained to him.

"Oh, uh thanks." Harry replied, stuffing the paper into his pocket.

"I'll make sure to do that."

"You better." She joked.

Harry nodded with a shy smile, then moved around her to make his way finally into the store.

Feeling the door close behind him, he quickly went to slyly look out the window to see if she was still there, but nothing. As if she never there to begin with.

'Strange'. He thought.

After buying all the items he needed for Hedwig, he headed to his final destination, Ollivanders Wand Shop.

Opening the door, it creaked and opened slowly, Harry entered and looked around the dark and spooky store. It looked the same from years before when he was last here. Harry was surprised that it was empty, considering many children should have gotten their Hogwarts letter already. The store should be abuzz with kids looking for their new wand.

"Eleven inches, made of holly wood and a phoenix feather core. Hello Harry Potter."

Harry's thoughts were cut short by the old wandmaker making his appearance, welcoming him. The man's silver scraggly hair framed his weary wrinkled face, staring intently at Harry.

"Hello sir, I'm looking for a wand holster. Do you sell those by chance?"

"Oh yes, let me go in the back and grab a few." Ollivander replied, disappearing into the back of his shop.

Harry stood there, glancing around the store when his eyes caught something. A slight shadow, hiding behind the counter. Harry moved slightly to the counter and leaned over wanting to see what it was, when the shadow suddenly moved quick around. Harry jumped back, scrambling for his wand. Whipping it out he looked down at where it moved and saw two glowing yellow eyes staring at him.

A low chuckling brought Harry's eyes back up, seeing Ollivander coming back in holding a few boxes. He put the items back onto the counter and kneeled down, coming back up with the owner of the shadow. A small gray kitten, with bright yellow eyes looking around curiously. Harry laughed, slightly embarrassed.

"I found him roaming around the alley. I gave him a small sliver of food and he never left." Ollivander said softly, smiling down at the cat who was nuzzling against him.

"Now, here is our inventory on wand holsters. Which would you like?" He asked.

Harry came back to the counter and looked down at them, deciding for a moment. Deciding which, Harry grabbed a light brown one.

"I'll have this one sir."

"Excellent." Ollivander said, looking at the holster. "Two galleons."

Harry dug in his pouch and retrieved the correct amount, handing it over to the shop owner. When their fingers met, Ollivander's eyes suddenly went white and he grabbed Harry's arm with his other hand, squeezing tight.

"Master of Death." Ollivander said in a deep dark tone of voice, unlike his own. He let go of Harry and stumbled back, holding his head in his hands.

Harry stood there pale and mouth agape, stunned at what just happened. He quickly turned and ran out of the store, scared. He sprinted to the Leaky Cauldron and ran through. Exiting the pub, he grabbed the doll out of his bag and said the activation word, disappeared into thin air.

He'd had enough of the alley for one day.