Hogsmeade

Prologue

A New Beginning

Walking along the wood panelled floor of the pier Harry couldn't help but realize something dumb about what was happening, well something dumb other than the obvious he thought grimly. He knew the pier wasn't actually made of just wood, but this one at Bournemouth tried to make it look like it was, and he couldn't think why. Wood crumbled when touched by water over time, and Harry knew this wasn't the look the designers desired, so why not choose a metal, and thus safer, look instead? The only answer he could think of was that it was in fact made of just wood, and thus if he stayed on it for long enough he would eventually fall into the water when it crashed back down. Harry didn't like the idea of that, not one little bit.

`This is going to be sooo cool!' his friend said. While both of his friends were excited about what was coming, he couldn't help but dread it, the idea was just plain out stupid from his opinion. But to back out now wasn't a path he could walk, he didn't want to be the coward amongst his friends, so here he was walking to what could be his death. He had to admit he probably wouldn't die, but there was a chance. However small.

As they approached the end all three of them stopped in silence, each of them viewing the sea as if an enemy who was standing in their way. Moments passed by like minutes, each one of them not willing to take action first. In a moment that somehow seemed to both last forever in slow motion, but be over so quickly that he would never remember it properly, the friend to his left took a step forward, went over the railing and disappeared in a fall from the pier, the sound of an excited scream being all that was left of her. Harry took a step closer and peered cautiously over the edge, expecting to see something that would scar him for life.

“Get in, Harry, its gorgeous!” the dark haired girl yelped as she treaded water, Harry however did not quite believe her words. A 30 foot plunge off a pier into freezing cold water seemed a lot of things, none of which we're gorgeous.

“Watch this!” his friend shouted in excitement as he threw himself over the barrier, Harry's stomach dropping as he saw him do a simple yet excellent turn in the air before he hit the waters top. Bouts of cheering from the on lookers dropped Harry's stomach even more than before, and as he looked around at them he got the sight he knew he would, all their eyes now watching him as the last of the trio of today's pier divers. Both of his friends had already gone, both having landed it well, and even Harry knew that at least one in three messed up their dive and was the butt of laughs from the gathered crowds, which had often had him laughing in it at others. And now Harry was the last of three, and so the odds laid against him. Harry looked over the edge to see his friends, both of whom were having a play fight as they treaded water awaiting his jump.

“Come on Harry!” the girl screamed at the same time as she was hit by a volley of water from the other guy.

“Yeah, don't be so chicken, just jump on in!” he shouted up, making Harry take a step closer to the edge, now half his body hanging over the edge. He knew he must look less like an Olympic diver and more like a suicidal man preparing for that final lunge, than he would think was ideal. Looking down he watched as her hair bounced up and down on the waters top, bobbing up and down on the pretty rough water that you had when you on the end of a pier. It's pretty much the ocean out here, Harry thought to himself. And that was the problem. With most people it was the 20 or 30 foot drop that made them pause for thought, Harry didn't only not care about heights, but positively loved them. He felt free when he was high up, looking down like a bird on its flight, or an angel from the heavens. The problem was the rough water smashing its way up against the wooden foundations of the pier. He watched as the waves smashed so powerfully against these large blocks of wood that they seemed to reach their entire heights. Harry didn't like the idea of being in that water, he didn't even really enjoy being in a swimming pool, and no one ever drowned in the Dolphin Centre swimming pool. Drowning was very much a chance out this far on the edge of England.

“Hurry up, Kate's getting lonely!” his friend shouted from the waters edge getting a hearty laugh from her.

“If you don't hurry I might just be kissing Mike here instead tonight!” she shouted up at him giggling slightly.

Looking back towards the beach front, he guessed that it was about a 150 metres back to shore, in a swimming pool he could definitely make that, out here he wasn't so sure. Harry just wasn't a very natural swimmer. He looked along the peer and saw that now the on lookers were either whispering among themselves or shouting out mild insults at Harry as his hesitancy was still getting the better of him. There was no way Harry could bear to just give up and walk back past all of them, most of who would be taunting him mercilessly. But still he just couldn't bring himself to actually step over the edge and let himself plunge into that water. Harry grinned as he thought of the possibility that maybe he could just live on that spot on the pier for the rest of his life, scavenging for food amongst all the seagulls, ever a constant source of enjoyment for the travelling kids who could laugh at the worlds biggest choker.

He watched for a moment as Kate splashed water, giggling her head off as she treaded water with ease. It was all her fault, Harry told himself. He had been going out with her for pretty much two years now, since the beginning of year ten at Poole High, the school he had just finished a few months previously. And it had been her idea the whole time they were together that once they got their GCSE results, and thus had fully finished with school for the rest of their lives, then the three of them would have to jump off this pier as a `right of passage', as she called it. Mike loved the idea, Harry hated it. The two of them together hadn't let the idea slip, and Harry had spent months just looking at the pier like it was some sort of horrible Dragon, a test that stood directly in his way of leaving adolescence behind and becoming a man.

“You!” he heard a mans' voice shout at him, instantly breaking him from his inner dialogue. He watched as a security man bustled his way through the crowd of spectators, lots of whom were now shouting for him to hurry. “Get away from that edge now!”

Time seemed to stand still for a moment, he watched as the security guard closed in on him in seeming slow motion. Unconscious of why he was doing it he lifted his right foot, tilted his body towards the edge, and after a shocking moment of realization at what he was doing, he pushed himself off the edge.

Falling through the air felt like he had actually moved to a new world, a world where the law of physics didn't apply, where he floated and fell according to the push of the wind. He could feel the quick wind pushing through his hair, trying to push hard against his eyes, but neither of this provoked any danger in him, it felt just like a cool fan. Moments seemed to pass into minutes as his mind relaxed in the beautiful feeling of free falling, all thoughts or fear evaporated completely from him. He could do this for the rest of his life and never feel anything other than joy. Suddenly, and violently, he was snatched from this new wonderful world as he felt the sting of impact, which for an instance he couldn't place, until he felt the cool sting of water flooding over his eyes and mouth, invading his ears like some cold sucking fog. The feeling of drifting, of falling, through the water as the gravity and speed pulled him down was infinitely times worse than the fall. When he was falling he felt free, no pressure or surface against him other than the exercise of the wind in pushing back his hair, now though water was on all sides of him, seeming to crush him with their presence. And as he kicked his legs he wasn't really doing it to surface, but on the hope that he could escape the prison of this water cage, and get back to the freedom of the air.

As his face broke through the dark of the water and out into the brilliance of air, he felt it coursing through his lungs, not like air but like life itself, and the sun with its bright light blinding his eyes, saving him from the infinite darkness that the water held. In that moment the brightness of the sun seemed like Heaven casting light down into the depths of hell.

And when he heard the cheers from the crowds that accompanied every single successful dive, he felt like each and every one of them was directly cheering for him, for his brief found heaven, for his freedom.

For his passage out of childhood. For his beginning of being a man.

And, Harry grinned, for one absolutely flawless dive.

*

That's chapter one, hope it was alright. Story starts next chapter, so go and read that before judging it. This beginning was more for symbolism than any story, so really it's a little prologue.

Seeing as none of the story will quite be like this, and is very plot and character driven, please review and let me know what you think.

Oh, and for you people who don't know the English Education system (I'm guessing most here!), you take your GCSE's at 16. So this means that this chapter is set during the summer before Hogwarts Year Six…

Jms Granger…

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A Life Sized Tony Adams

As Harry was rummaging in his pockets for his key he could practically hear Kate's discontent at how long he was taking. They were still damp from their jump and now that night was approaching it was starting to get a little colder, and by her slight shuddering he could tell she was ready for a cup of tea, a jumper and a sit down by the radiator for the evening.

“Get a move on Harry, Pleeeeease?” she said giving him a little tight hug in order to make him hurry up. She lived by the belief that a hug is the best incentive you can have in life.

“I am Hurrying…got it” he said as he opened the door, where Kate quickly nipped past him and skipped of quickly into the house shouting “Hi”, going in deeper she went in the direction of the kitchen.

Harry followed her slowly through the corridor towards the kitchen, pausing to retrieve a couple big jumpers for them from under the stairs, where the dry cleaning was always kept. He would of usually have gone up stairs to his room but he was in a bit of a hurry to make sure Kate didn't embarrass him to much with stories of his `near-choke fall', as she delighted in calling it.

Pushing open the door he saw that Kate hadn't started the story yet, but was busy making herself a cup of tea. He passed her the jumper, and after she put it on quickly she gave him a hug, his reward for doing it.

“So how was your day, my little Marauder?” his mother said, adding her pet name for him.

“It…” Harry started but Kate cut him off with an excited voice.

“Fantastic, Lily!” she said having finally made her tea she took a sip, smiled as the heat filled her before continuing “The beach was gorgeous! And most of those horrible holiday makers have already gone home, so it was quite empty!” His mother laughed lightly at Kate's excitement,# and her shudder when she talked of the tourists “Oh, and I just love those shoes! Where did you get them?” she practically squealed taking a step closer in order to look at them better.

“Oasis” Lily replied smiling “How much do you think they were?”

Harry looked at them, and had to admit to himself that he just had no idea. They just seemed like normal plimsolls, but with sequins.

“About £40?” Kate asked genuinely interested.

“£15 in the sale, you should go. They've got some gorgeous tops in there, if I was a few years younger I'd have bought the whole shop!” Lily explained, Harry might as well have been invisible while his mother and Kate gossiped, so off in their own world they usually became.

“You have sooo got to take me next week, we'll make a day of it!” Kate said helping herself to a seat.

“Maybe” his mother said. Harry doubted that Kate could tell but he knew something was wrong, his mother never gave just a maybe to a girly day of shopping. “So what else did you get up?”

“We finally got to do our pier jump!” Kate explained to Lily, who frowned like she did every time this subject was brought up, she favoured Harry's opinion to the idea.

“Are you getting my baby boy to risk his life again this week?” Lily said in pretend harsh, both Harry and Kate knew it was pretend because his mother absolutely adored her.

“You know that no one can get Harry to do anything he doesn't want to do, just look at his hair!” Kate said with a pretend sigh, like she his messy hair was the bane of her life and all she could do about it was sigh nowadays. Harry knew that if he stayed that both Kate and his mother would tease him for at least another half an hour, maybe all night knowing them.

“I like it” Harry said truthfully “People don't gawp at my scar like this”

“I think it's cute!” Kate said smiling sweetly at him “matches your lightning wit!” she teased gently.

“I'd love to keep listening to this, but unfortunately I need a shower” Harry said smiling.

“Dear, I've been telling you that for weeks!” Kate teased making his mother nearly choke on her tea as she laughed mid drink.

“You should of seen him when he was younger…” his mother started, Harry noticing that Kate inched herself closer in preparation of another embarrassing story of his youth.

“Bye mum” he said giving her a kiss on the cheek, and after giving Kate a quick kiss he went off upstairs to his room so he could get his clean clothes to change into after his shower.

As he walked into his room he smiled, he had always been allowed to do what he wanted with his room but that hadn't mattered to him too much when he was younger. When he started going out with Kate though that changed completely, Harry often joked that the only reason she said yes to him was because of his room. Within a month of getting together she was quickly adopted by his mother as a surrogate daughter, and she went to work on making the room her place. In the last year she had painted the walls twice, once a green that she said went with his eyes and the other a blue for hers. At the moment though she had done all four walls in one long, square Murial of the Vatican. She said this was because of the beauty and in no way because of the Catholicism, which she was eager to point out whenever anyone asked. Her mother was a strong Catholic and Kate had rebelled against her like the daughter of drunks often do, and thus the religion was vilified in her eyes because of her mother. But he still thought that deep down she was Catholic, just unwilling to let her mother `win' that one.

As well as the walls she had literally littered the room with allsorts of things from pillows to lampshades, which often had to be changed as her taste did, which was very often. Harry's favourite thing was the pull out couch that they had bought so she could stay over some nights. Naturally in such cases she never actually slept on it, but it was great to relax on reading a book, or to sit together and watch a film for the evening.

Harry chuckled to himself as he thought of once when Kate was ill and had refused to share a bed with him, and also refused to sleep on the couch. In this instance he ended up spending a restless night on it, which turned out to be slightly too small for his body, so his feet couldn't fit. Kate really was his boss, but luckily for him she was a nice and cute boss.

As he made his way over to his wardrobe he paused to look at the letter that was so central in his life at the moment, a letter that he hadn't yet told his mother or Kate about. Scanning the lines he had read so often over the last week he felt the flitter of excitement in his stomach at the thought of it, before he folded it up and put it away.

After retrieving his new clothes from the wardrobe he gave a little salute to Tony Adams. Tony Adams was a life sized cardboard cut out of his idol, the ex-Arsenal centre back. Not only was he captain of Arsenal Football Club for more than a decade as well as England, but he was also the bane of Kate's life. It was, as she said, the one thing that wasn't perfect in their lives, and she would never marry him if Tony came with him. Bidding him a small sad smile for his one day `death', Harry left to take his shower.

*

Harry sat on his bed, looking once more at the letter, he was wondering when he should tell his mother and Kate about it. He knew he should, but he couldn't hide the worry he felt as well as the realization that this was his first secret for a long time, which was probably the cause of his worry. He heard a tap on the door and he could barely stuff the letter under his pillow before Kate came bounding into the room, a suspicious look appearing on her face as Harry tried to plant a casual smile on his own.

“What was that?” she said eyes narrowing as she eyed him, and then the pillow that lay on top of hidden letter.

“Nothing” Harry lied, badly, making Kate's eyes got even more narrow, she wasn't use to Harry lying to her “So what are we doing tonight?” After a moment hesitation she sat down next to him giving a little hug and once again was acting normally.

“Nothing” she said with a little tut “Lily needs to talk to you about something. She wouldn't tell me what” she said with a shrug. Harry was confused, he had never heard anything like this, his mother actually setting out time for a conversation with him instead of just having one. Then he remembered how she was acting slightly weird before, not jumping at a girly shopping day, and thinking more on it he didn't think that she looked at him the whole time. Things didn't seem to add up, but at least he'd find out tonight.

“Penny for your thoughts, smelly?” she asked teasingly.

“I just had a shower!” he said indignantly to which Kate giggled slightly.

“Guess that means it's a real problem then, if it won't go away?” she teased more earning a little tickle in the ribs from Harry. As she squirmed out of his grip he couldn't help but smile. He grabbed her as she tried to struggle across the bed away but brought her face close to his.

“Have I told you I love you today?” he asked giving her a kiss.

“Nope” she said pulling away from his kiss “and that doesn't count!”

“Good, I'd hate to have lied to you” Harry said in mock relief watching as she gaped in, what he hoped was, pretend anger.

“You're terrible!” she said hitting him in the ribs to get him off her before climbing of the bed. Harry took a moment to pretend that the punch had hurt him before turning around to look at her. As he looked at her he noticed she was staring at something next to him, and as Harry followed her line of sight he saw that during their wrestle the letter had been brought out of its hiding place.

“What's that?” she asked curiously “And why would you be hiding a letter from me? And then lying about it?”

“It's nothing?” Harry said grabbing the letter and shoving it into his pocket.

“Why the hell are you lying about a letter?” she said suspiciously. Harry thought for a moment but couldn't think of a good excuse.

“Honestly, it's nothing important” he said looking away from her to avoid her stare. She walked up to him and sat down next to him.

“Is this something to do with that Lucy again?” she asked calmly, but Harry could tell that she was in fact just hiding her anger.

“I promise you it's not about her” he said looking into her eyes, earning a little nod of acceptance from her.

“Then what is it? Please tell me…” she said giving him a little hug, advance payment for him being honest.

“Ok, I'll tell you…but you have to promise you won't keep on going on about it, ok?” he said.

“I can't promise that!” she said indignantly, like Harry had tried to make her agree to kill someone. In spite of himself Harry had to laugh.

“Ok, you know Reading got promoted to the Premiership this year?” He started to explain, Kate nodded to pretend that she knew that information “Well since they got promoted they've put some money into their youth team, now they can attract better youngsters their taking advantage of it. I mean who know how long they'll be in the Premiership… they'll probably be relegated next year. So anyway, they've been scouting all around the country, especially close to them, and being in Bournemouth and all meant they saw quite a bit of me, and somehow they must have heard good things. Anyway they wrote to me to ask me to go to a trial next week. I didn't want to tell you because it probably means nothing”

“Means nothing!” she said throwing her arms around him in a done crushing hug “This is brilliant! Oh it's perfect! I'm so proud of you, Harry!”

“Don't get carried away, I doubt I'm good enough to tell the truth” He said trying not to get carried away with the possibilities.

“Nonsense!” she exclaimed “I know you'll do brilliantly at this… football… interview… thingy!”

“Don't get ahead of yourself” he said, even though her optimism was starting to rub of on him.

“There's so much to do!” she exclaimed in amazement “I've got to tell my college I won't be going! Oh, I better apply soon to one in Reading…”

“That's getting ahead of yourself!” Harry said kissing her, but she withdrew quickly in order to carry on talking.

“My Mother won't care, and if she does it won't matter. I can probably get a transfer of my weekend job to a Library in Reading, there all joint in someway or another” she said making a plan of what she had to do, all of a sudden though she let out a little high pitch squeal before laughing “Imagine me being a footballers wife! It'll be just like that TV show! Oooh, I hope I get to be that that evil bitch!”

“Honestly honey, please don't get ahead of yourself because you're taking me with you, and if I do I don't think I'd be able to take that rejection” he said simply, trying to calm his racing heart.

“I thought you would of gotten use to rejection a long time ago!” she teased giving him a proper kiss and pushing him backwards onto the bed.

“I'll let you know that I've never been rejected!” he said kissing her neck softly.

“Never?” she asked seriously.

“Never” he said kissing deeper just behind her ear, a place he knew worked wonders.

“Not even once, by a beautiful brunette?” she said seriously making Harry laugh

“That sooo doesn't count!” Harry said kissing the line along her jaw and listening softly as she murmured her agreement of his kissing technique.

“And why don't I count, Mr. Potter?” she said running her hand up the back of his shirt.

“Because I got you in the end. You knew it was the right thing” he said running his hand up her jumper and along her stomach.

“That's not it, I just felt sorry for you” she said undoing the buttons on his shirt.

“With a girlfriend like you, who wouldn't?” he said earning a scoff from her, and a slap on his now bare chest.

“How about you shut your mouth for a bit…” she said pulling Harry's mouth up from her neck to meet hers “and put Tony away, he's not allowed to watch”

*

That's the first Chapter, or Chapter two if you count the prologue. What did you think?

Are you wondering why not much has happened yet? Well I'm setting the context. Read the next chapter for plot development

Wondering why Lily's alive? I'm not going to tell you that one yet!

Please let me know what you think, and read the next chapter!

Jms Granger…

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Closing his Eyes and Ending his Life

Harry made his way down to the kitchen, the smell of the food his mother had prepared floating through his mind, growing more intense with every step he took. Kate had already left, and now Harry was interested in finding out just what was wrong with his mother.

Pushing the kitchen door open he saw that his mother was already sitting at the table, and that the food was already on the table. As she noticed his appearance she looked up in shock which quickly changed to a smile. Harry couldn't tell if the smile was genuine or not, but something felt very wrong about the situation.

“Why didn't you call me” he said giving her a kiss on top of her head before helping himself to a chair.

“Got lost in my thoughts for a moment, so how was your day?” she asked giving him a genuine smile.

“You know…” he said shrugging. He was eager to find out what was wrong with her, but he was also keen on being able to tell her his secret, about his trial. Kate had made him promise he would tell her tonight, and he wasn't brave enough to break a promise he made her.

“What's wrong, Harry?” she asked eyeing him suspiciously.

“Nothing” Harry lied, giving her a fake smile.

“I know you too well to fall for that! I can always tell when something is on your mind” she said looking closely at him.

“I could say them exact words to you” Harry said back. Both of them looked at each other for a moment in silence, before both broke into laughter.

“We make quite the odd couple, don't we” she said smiling.

“Odd, but great” Harry said with a nod.

“Of course we are!” she said taking a bite from her burger “So how was pier diving?” she added sternly

“Diving was fantastic” Harry said swallowing some chips “The water part was the problem”

“You know I can't understand why you hate swimming quite so much!” she said laughing.

“I think it's the fact that your completely covered” Harry started, he had in fact spent quite a bit of time thinking over this “It's kind of like a prison for the body, water on all four sides with nowhere to turn. While on land you usually only have one surface under your feet, or another if you lean up against something. So when I was diving and didn't even have the floor against me, then it was like my body was finally free. Falling through the air was brilliant, pure freedom”

“Except that you have to fall down!” she said seriously.

“No way around that one” Harry said sighing, but noticed that his mother watched him closely.

“There are…” she said softly earning a confused look before explaining “you've been on a broom, there's always that”

“Could you imagine me flying one around Bournemouth Centre! The old people would just love that!” Harry said laughing, but stopped as he realized his mother wasn't joining him “What is it?” he asked.

“Well, you could fly it… somewhere else…” she said, avoiding her eyes from Harry.

“Mum, your not making any sense?” he said in confusion which made her eyes come back to his. He watched as she took her time drinking her cup of orange juice before carrying on.

“You know when you turned Eleven I decided that it was better for you to reject Hogwarts and stay in Muggle school…” she started.

“Since when was Poole High called Muggle school?” Harry interrupted.

“I'm sorry” she said simply “Well, anyway, you know how we worked at home for your OWLS. Well, your NEWTS should be next year, and it'll be very hard to do it for them as well…” she finished, once again avoiding Harry's gaze.

“So?” Harry said realizing that his voice was filled with both dread and anger.

“Well, I've been thinking about how you could do next year at Hogwarts to get your…” but Harry cut her off.

“No way!” he practically shouted.

“So you could get your NEWTS” she carried on like he hadn't said anything “and I got in touch with some people to discuss it. Anyway , while I was talking I got offered a teaching post… and I accepted…”

“Oh!” Harry said breathing a sigh of relief at this news “That's great mum! Really good news, I'm really proud of you!”

“Harry” she said, and something in her voice made his insides freeze “I don't think you understand… I accepted for both of us… we'll both be going to Hogwarts”

Harry sat for a moment dumbstruck at this news, momentarily unable to believe that he had just heard these words said “What did you say?”

“Next week we'll both be moving to Hogwarts, me as a Professor, you as a student” she said simply, eyes straight on his. Harry paused in shock, a million thoughts crazing through his brain, unable to comprehend this, how this was even possible, he searched for answers to how this could happen to him, searching for the millions objections that existed.

“I'm not going to Hogwarts” Harry said simply, still having difficulty understanding what was happening, like this was a dream that defied reason.

“I'm sorry Harry, but you have to” she said, sorrow crowding her eyes and threatening tears, however the sight of this only managed to bring anger out in Harry

“I'm not going to some boarding school, like some rich arrogant son of a bitch!” he bellowed at her.

“Well, then I'll buy a house in Hogsmeade for us, that's probably for the best anyway” she said simply, like it was a negotiation and they were making terms.

“From what Moonys said that's not allowed!” Harry stuttered out in reply to her words.

“I'm sure they'll be prepared to do us a favour” she said so confidently and sincerely Harry had to believe that it was the truth, so his mind shot to the real issue.

“What about Kate?” Harry said, saying her name was painful and he felt a sting in his eyes.

“If it's meant to be, it'll still be meant to be in after Hogwarts” Lily said, eyes watering as she made herself say the words she must.

“Why can't she come?” Harry said almost begging.

“Because of the Decree of Secrecy. She's a 16 year old Muggle girl with no real ties to any wizard. I've looked into her family for you” she said, pleading in her voice for Harry to not feel pain.

“Then I'll marry her” Harry said confidently, but not really felling it.

“You're too young” she said plainly.

“I love her” Harry said, the first tears of what he guessed would be many falling onto his cheeks.

“Yeah, but her mother will never let her. She's 16, Harry, and she needs permission” she said consolingly.

“Screw the decree then!” he said hitting the table with his fist in anger.

“They'll just wipe her memory and you may even end up in Azkabam” she said moving her hand onto his clenched fist and holding it.

“They wouldn't do that!” He said quietly.

“I promise you they would, maybe not you being sent to Azkabam, but they'll wipe her memory” she said rubbing Harry's hand to ease his anger. Harry sat in silence for what felt like hours as he thought of Kate, the girl he loved.

“What am I suppose to do?” he said in a whisper, not even feeling the hundreds of tears streaming down his face.

“Tell her you love her, and you'll be back soon” she said softly and honestly making Harry snort in disbelief.

“You know she wont be happy about that!” he said laughing at the many ways he could see her killing him if he told her that.

“But she loves you, she'll have to understand… you'll have to make her” she said now holding both of his hands in hers.

“This is ridiculous, why the hell should I?” Harry said laughing and shaking his head.

“Because I'm your mother, and I said so” she said, temper rising slightly.

“Do you know that I have a trial for Reading next week, I could just stay and support myself” he said eyeing her in new found anger. He could see that this news had shocked her, and that new tears were forming in her eyes rapidly.

“Listen, I love you, you know that?” she said leaning closer to him.

“Of course” he answered honestly, he knew there'd never be any doubt of their love for each other, no matter what happened.

“Please believe me when I tell you that this is for you, and you will thank me one day, I promise” she said genuinely, her eyes pleading with Harry to believe her.

“But why does it have to be this way?” Harry said with tears, no longer pleading with his mother but with God.

“Because the easy choice is rarely the best” she said with a sad smile “You know that. Like I do. Like your father did” Harry knew the words she spoke were true, but this didn't lighten his heart. Like the truth usually did his heart was heavier, carrying the truth was harder than illusion.

“But why exactly?” He asked as he started to give up on arguing with fate.

“There are things you need to learn” she said simply.

“You and Remus got me threw my OWLS, didn't you?” he asked trying one last attempt to get out of this “Why won't it work for the NEWTS?”

“There are things that we can't teach you” she said, raising Harry's curiosity for a moment.

“Like what?” He asked almost interested in the answer, but his mind, as well as his heart belonged to Kate. He noticed as she shifted in her seat at this question, but he didn't care, he couldn't care.

“Just…things” she said. She watched him closely as he was silent for a moment.

“This is so unfair!” Harry said, his head falling into his hands on the table.

“I know, I know. But you and Kate will be fine. Nine months isn't that long, and then you'll be back for the summer…” she said as confidently as she could muster, and Harry almost believed her.

“She's going to kill me” he said sighing at the prospect of that conversation.

“Probably” She said with a sad smile making Harry laugh despite himself “but she'll understand” and Harry could hear the hope in her voice etched as deeply as the hope he felt in his heart.

*

Harry was sat on the edge of his bed, a strange position for him to be in his room, but then again leaving your girlfriend who you love for a school of witchcraft and wizardry and having to make up a reason to tell her wasn't exactly normal. Either way this strange position somehow comforted Harry, somehow like he was doing as many new things from his life before he gave it up as he could. He knew what he had to do, had rehearsed the script a million times over in his mind, had thought about all the ways it could go and was technically prepared for this conversation. However, the lurching in his heart like he was taking off on a plane told him he was going to find it hard going, and to expect the unexpected.

The sharp tap on the door told him Kate had arrived and the sight of her bounding into the room was both a joy and the most heartbreaking moment of his life.

“Lily is acting weird!” she said hoping down next to him after giving him a quick kiss, which she didn't notice wasn't brilliantly returned by Harry “Well, Lily's always weird, but even more so today! Great shoes though!” she said but stopping when she realized Harry hadn't yet reacted, “what's wrong handsome?”

“Just thinking about things… life, and stuff” he said truthfully, he was already having to do too much bad today to allow himself to lie when it wasn't necessary.

“I know!” she said a little giddy “it's well exciting! I was on the internet yesterday, checking out Reading, and it's awesome! They have a GAP, Mac Cosmetics, Sassoon, all the things a girl could want! Oh, and good colleges” she added the last part like an after thought, making Harry smile.

“I wasn't really thinking about it like that though” he said, yet again truthfully “more like how real everything will be this year. We're both of an age where the next year could make or break us…I mean your life could become everything you wanted or just fade away”

“True, I could meet my future husband” she said teasing “maybe he'll be a handsome professional footballer?”

“That's the thing, neither of us knows what will happen” he said looking at the happiness in her eyes and feeling his heart break even more.

“I'm sure I'll get the footballer part, but I don't think I'd call you handsome!” she said giving him a little hug before adding “What's gotten into you today?”

“You ever…” Harry started and paused, knowing where he had to take this “You ever have a really big decision to make, and you know what you've got to do, but it's the harder option?”

“Like moving your whole life away from your home so you can reach your dreams?” she said softly giving Harry a smile “Yeah, I know something about that”. Harry closed his eyes and held them tight as he literally felt the daggers stabbing at his heart at her words, and pleaded with God that the world could change, that life could be clean and simple, where love could beat any and all obstacles. But he knew the reply, just because he had his eyes closed didn't mean reality faded away. And as he opened his eyes he prepared to close his life.

“I don't think that you should move to Reading with me” he said controlling his face so he didn't show the sorrow that was stabbing at his insides, Harry was surprised though when all she did was smile at this comment.

“I knew you were going to do this” she said gently smiling.

“Oh…um…” Harry muttered confused, but decided to try and get the point home before he was sick in front of her with the pain he was feeling “leaving your whole life behind for me isn't right”

“And that doesn't matter to me, not one little bit” she said gently taking his hand “There's my drunk Catholic Mother, the Dad I hardly know, no brothers or sisters. The only real friend I have is you. So really there's nothing…only you”

“You can't move to Reading” Harry said looking away from her and snatching his hand out of her grip, his stomach lurching, his heart pounding, his eyes stinging with the beginning of tears, tears he had to banish.

“But I've already told you I'll move with you” she said confused.

“I just don't think that's a good idea” Harry said, having stopped the tears from coming he brought his eyes back to hers.

“I promise that I don't care about living here” she said, voice rising slightly and becoming higher pitched “my home is where you are!”

“But it's just not a good idea” Harry said, having to make his voice flat to avoid tears, he knew he must be sounding heartless.

“Give me one reason!” she snapped at him, standing up, with eyes blazing fury.

“It's a big thing for me, moving there and all. And I need to concentrate on my football” Harry explained, aware of how detached his voice sounded, but he knew it was better than letting the tears that he knew would come otherwise. He watched as the fury seeped out of her eyes as shock filled her face.

“You think I'm a distraction?” she said hurt, eyes filling instantly with tears, and by the end of that simple line they were already falling down her cheeks.

“Of course not…” Harry said weakly, looking up at the tears falling down her chin onto her top. He knew if he stopped those tears from falling he would just have to do it again, so he made himself watch helplessly as they fell free.

“You said it! Or am I just not good enough for you all of a sudden?” she said, pain and hurt etched in every word.

“Its none of that, I just need to work hard if I want to succeed” Harry tried to promise her, he couldn't bear the pain she was feeling, or how he had to make more come.

“And you think being with me would stop you? That's calling me a distraction!” she snapped nastily, tears mingled with anger.

“Whatever it is, I need to do this” Harry said quietly, pathetically.

“I can't believe you think I'd ruin your chances! I love you!” she said, her eyes searching him for some proof that he wasn't saying this.

“And I love you” Harry said earnestly, feeling the stinging sensation of tears that he had recently become use to.

“So why can't we do this together?” she said in a high pitch voice, begging Harry to reconsider. Harry paused, trying desperately to think so words that didn't exist, words to comfort and convince with lies. In the split second where his eyes were closed as he blinked to stop tears from forming, Kate had dropped down onto him, her open palms pushing softly against his cheeks as she tried to hold onto him, to let him know by her touch that she was here to stay.

“Please…” Harry muttered softly as she peppered his face, eyes and mouth with chaste kisses, kisses to show real love. As opposed to a want of any physical nature that kisses usually brought with them, her kisses showed a need for his soul, for the person she loved. Harry could feel the dams of his eyelids holding back the tears, anger mixed with the salt and sorrow, and with this he pushed her of him, watching as she looked down at him in shock.

“It's just something that needs to happen” Harry said painfully, feeling the first tear hit his cheek he scrunched up his eyes to make them stop “one season…it'll be over in may, nine months…and then I'll be back for the whole summer…”. Harry's eyes were reopened by the sting of the slap she gave him, and as he looked at her he saw fierce fighting anger in her eyes, a look of hatred in her eyes, not for him but for life.

“And why wouldn't I ruin your life in nine months” she spat angrily at him.

“Please don't say that” Harry pleaded, the pain in his heart making the pain in his cheek from the slap non excitant.

“Well it's true, isn't it?” she said and paused, Harry could tell a part of her hoped he would say none of it was true, that they would move together after all “What would be different in nine months?”

“Everything!” Harry said honestly, wishing to God once again that she would believe this.

“So I'll be good enough for you in nine months? You'll let me be with you when you decide?” she said, but the anger had temporarily faded, pain replacing it and Harry could tell that she temporarily was asking the question truthfully, not sarcastically. Before Harry could pinpoint this look though, anger had replaced it as she shouted “Don't do me any favours!”

“Please, Kate…” he said weakly.

“No. It's your choice. And you have to decide now. Am I good enough for you?” she asked seriously. Her face was filled with the stain of tears, her eyes pleading that he would take all of this away from her. Harry couldn't answer, he couldn't find the words to make her understand. After long moments of silence she spoke again, pain as well as acceptance colouring her voice “well, I guess that's your answer…have a nice life Harry Potter…” and with these words she left the room, and Harry knew right then that she'd never be back.

As he sat in silence, only the dull pain of loss for company he listened for the slam of her departure to echo as the final door on her way out would shut. And with that final slam the tears finally came, came as fully and entirely as they were meant to, tears that not only came from the eyes but seemingly from his chest, blocking his wind pipe as he had to fight for breathes.

“Harry…” he heard his mother whisper softly to him. He hadn't realized but she was next to him, her arms around him. He had to wonder how long he had already been crying, for the shock had taken away all grasp of time.

“What have I done?” he gasped as he burrowed his face into his mothers' fiery hair, now soaked and matted with his tears “Why did it have to happen like this?”, he felt as she just sat silent, knowing his words weren't questions but words that had to be posed to the universe. As he rocked her back and forth he noticed that evening was approaching, the dark of night was coming to spirit away this day. This day of pain and endings.

And as he closed his eyes, and his life, he was grateful that tomorrow would bring the light back.

*

So that's chapter 3, what did you think? Anyway, poor Harry. He has to go to Hogwarts for the Sixth year where he knows no one! And he also has a broken heart! I hope certain people are nice to him, don't you? Please review and let me know what you think. Hogwarts next.

Jms Granger…

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Albus Dumbledore, Pleased to Meet You

He knew his feet were moving under him, or at least he knew they must as he was willing them to, but he couldn't notice if the world moved with him, his eyes not noticing of even the slightest detail that went past. The last week had been spent entirely in his head, even as his body packed up his life and moved from one reality to another, from normality and the life he loved to Magic and, for him at least, emptiness.

Packing up his life had turned out simpler than he had envisioned, after the ordeal with Kate that still took centre stage amongst his night time dreams he felt a numbness that made him escape anymore sorrow. To him Kate was his life, not his other friends in Bournemouth or the places he knew, without her they all meant nothing. He hadn't even had the energy to tell most, the third of his trio was Mike and he barely received a `bye' as Harry phoned him the day of his moving. The world without her was darker than before, winter had seemed to reach England already and September had barely begun. Harry's stomach lurched violently as he remembered Kate's philosophy on the first day of each month, how they didn't really count as they were really just trials for the month ahead. If it didn't go well then you could just quit that month and stay home.

He hadn't spoken to Kate since, he had tried to phone only once and had received no reply and that took all his energy away from him. To actually hear her voice again would probably end up killing him, he thought. He hadn't asked Mike how she was but still he had felt the need to describe her pain in detail for Harry anyway. He heard, unable to speak, about how she had cried for a whole week, barely eaten, before hitting the town with anger, drinking her way to mental oblivion before she went home to cry herself to sleep. Harry couldn't help but sense a slight vindictiveness in Mike's voice as he spoke, but knew he must have been making that up as Mike had been his best friend for more than a decade, at least until Kate came into his life.

Now Harry found himself walking through a castle that would usually have amazed him, even blown his mind. Now though all he saw in the moving paintings was people who weren't her. The eyes of the cat that followed him weren't hers. The stars on the Halls ceiling were stars she had ever seen, and never would.

His mother had given him a quick tour that day, as the castle sat empty waiting for the children to arrive that evening. He had forced himself to make all the right noises during this as she became enthralled so passionately about a place that meant so much to her, and Harry didn't want to rob her of this feeling, he knew what it meant to be in love, and she very much loved this castle. She had been good to her word and had bought a small property for them in Hogwarts, Harry didn't want to live in the hustle and bustle of this castle, lessons would be bad enough, and he knew he'd need the solitude of his home to relax. Boarding school just wasn't a very good fit for him.

He approached his destination, and gave the password he had been told, a strange password but not interesting enough to bring Harry out of his thoughts. The Gargoyles sprang sideways to allow him through and he walked up the steps that were moving to bring him to a door. Without pause, or consideration for what lay on the other side, he knocked three times.

After a moment the door sprung open and he walked on into the strangest room he had ever been in. It was full of silvery machines that was whirling and moving, emitting little puffs of grey smoke as they did whatever they were supposed to. Harry couldn't help but allow his jaw to drop slightly as he looked around, seeing that every single one of the portraits on all the walls staring straight at him, evidently rapt with attention at his arrival. There was a large model of the solar system floating idly around the sun complete with meteors and shooting stars, Harry guessed that it was accurate. It was all too much to take in at one time and Harry thought that he could spend a week, or a month, in this room and still find new things to be amazed at.

“Ahhh, Harry” a voice called from behind the desk, snapping Harry's attention from a strange basin of silver to the speaker. As he looked at the man he knew immediately who it must be, Albus Dumbledore, the greatest wizard in the world. He had stood to welcome him and Harry could tell that he was over 6 foot, with his long white beard coming down at least half of that impressive size. He was wearing red and gold robes and had a smile attached to his face as he looked at Harry.

Harry smiled back and took the chair that he had been offered by a wave of Albus' hand. He waited for him to speak but all he did was lower himself down onto his chair and examine Harry for a few moments, he could see behind his half moon glasses that a glint was in his eye which made him seem young and vibrant for a moment.

“I'm very pleased to meet you Harry” Albus said kindly “and I am sorry it didn't come before today” Harry could see that he genuinely meant this. Thinking back on his old Headmaster at Poole High he couldn't help but be bemused. Mr. Short was a very angry, red, man who was funnily enough rather short. Nothing like the man before him.

“Me too, sir” Harry said back trying to smile as sincerely as he had, but realized it must of just looked a bit demented instead as he saw the hint of a smile appear on his face.

“So, Harry, are you looking forward to starting Hogwarts, even if it is under rather unusual circumstances?” He asked Harry directly. He couldn't help but be impressed, actually taking time to care if someone is happy, but to be honest with himself he wasn't. All he could muster was a shrug and a smile as he didn't want to lie to this man. For a moment he thought he could see a glimmer of sadness in his eyes but that disappeared so quickly that he wasn't sure it had actually happened “I hope you enjoy your time here, with a mother as a professor it must be quite strange?”

“I guess so…” Harry said shrugging again, wondering to himself where the tendency to shrug had suddenly sprouted from “but it's ok, really. I guess I'm happy I actually know someone here, even if it is my mother”

“True” he replied and seemed somehow proud at Harry's response. He sure was a strange man “I hate to do this to you, seeing as it's the first day here for you and things must seem overwhelming, but I need to ask you some questions…”

“Sure…” Harry replied, and as he saw the trepidation appear on his face he knew what these questions must involve.

“Trust me when I tell you this, that although answering the questions may seem hard or awkward, I only ask in order to prepare you. There are…people… here who may know things you don't, is this ok with you?” he asked, Harry could see he was nervous himself, but then again talking about the murder of a students parent can't be easy for anyone, especially if you were one of the people helping to keep them safe. Harry nodded to let him know it was fine for him to ask and received a warm smile from Albus in return “How much of, that night, do you know?”

“Sir, if you don't mind me asking… why didn't you just ask my mother, or Remus, what they've told me?” Harry asked as the question sprung to mind before the answer. Another part of the truth was that he didn't enjoy talking about what happened, even now.

“I'm sorry, Harry” Dumbledore started honestly “but I feel it much more necessary to find out what someone actually knows, rather than what they've been told”. It made sense to Harry, people did work out a lot of things by themselves.

“Well, sir, the truth is my mother has been completely honest with me” Harry answered truthfully “When I was younger certain things were withheld, but once I turned 11 and had to turn down Hogwarts she had to tell me the whole truth”

“Ahh…” Dumbledore said, Harry could tell he was working out if his mother had told him the whole truth or just part of it and he knew nothing of the rest.

“And I trust her” Harry continued to answer his unasked questions “Because she told me that I had been destined to defeat Voldemort because a prophecy was made about this… anything else that could of happened couldn't have been any worse, could it?” Dumbledore smiled but Harry could tell he was thinking fast, he just didn't know what about.

“I see she has told you everything. I must admit I am impressed, if I had been in Lily's position I don't know if I could have burdened you at such a young age” he explained smiling throughout, eyes shining with what looked like thought.

“But it's over now, there isn't any burden left. Voldemort's dead” Harry said shrugging “and there's no way I blame myself for what happened! Some freak tried to kill me as a baby, I'm not messed up enough to think it was my fault”

He watched as Albus eyed him purposefully, like he was trying to work out a lie here, like something was wrong with Harry's words, but this really was the truth, he didn't blame himself. It's true that it was bad he had lost his father, but he never really knew him in anything other than the memories of Lily and Moony, and if he could change things he would in a heartbeat. But he had his mother, who he loved without a doubt, Moony who was like a really close uncle and friend as well as a life that a lot of other people in the world would swap theirs for. He had always had people to love, and was loved back, and he knew that too many people in this world had a lot less. Kate was proof of this, her mother was a Catholic drunk, father left when she was young, had spent time in a couple foster homes while her mother was in rehab. Compared to her Harry's life had been a blessing.

“It's good to feel that way, Harry” Dumbledore said kindly “You really have become a fine and good young man” Harry didn't know what to say so he just shrugged, again. A few moments passed as the two men watched each other, before Albus broke the silence “Well, I guess its time that you were sorted”

“What?” was Harry's only available reply. With his family, Kate, Albus, Kate, Voldemort and Kate on his mind the ways of Hogwarts had been temporarily erased. Quickly he realized what was meant and gave a better response “Sure, why the hell not?” earning a chuckle from Albus.

“Usually this is done as a first year and in the main hall with the rest of the students…” he spoke as he walked across the room and took a large, weathered leather old hat from on top of a cupboard and brought it back, standing next to Harry with expectation in his eyes “…but given the…unique… situation at hand, I'm afraid you will have to make do with my office”

Harry felt the hat lowered onto the top of his head, where he felt kind of silly. A moment passed where he wondered what would happen, he knew it chose what house you were in, but he didn't know quite how this occurred. He nearly jumped out of his skin when a voice spoke to him.

“Oooh…Harry Potter…” he looked around the office quickly looking for the source before he realized it actually came from inside his own head “…good, good…a lot of talent here I see as well as practical skill…”

Harry listened slightly unaffected. He couldn't help but feel, well, a little lame. A talking hat that judged you after a couple seconds of reading your thoughts? He couldn't help but think a questionnaire and an interview might give a better reading of someone's character.

“…a cynical mind as well, I might add…” Harry didn't put much stock in coincidence, so for him it was obvious. The hat could read minds “…You are brave, I can see you have that in stock…but a certain disregard for the rules is strong in you…where to put you, where to put you…”

Harry had heard a lot about the houses and thought he knew which one he belonged in already. If truth be told he could only see himself in one house.

Ravenclaw, smart and studious? He was never destined for that one. Hufflepuff, with the hardwork ethic? Not that he was lazy, but that was pushing it a little too far. Slytherin? He killed the second most famous one of all time, be it as a baby. That only left Gryffindor, and although he didn't fit perfectly it was undoubtedly the better.

“…Gryffindor you think? Interesting? And only discounting Slytherin because of he-who-must-not-be-named?” Harry couldn't help it, he had to laugh at that one. How the hell could a hat be scared to say a guys name? As the hat continues Harry was surprised to find it not insulted at that most recent thought, but then again it was only a hat “…A man's choices can tell us more about him than his abilities, so it must be…”

The last word was spoken out loud in a shout, and unsurprisingly Harry was now a Gryffindor. He felt a release of pressure as the hat was taken of and looked up to see a beaming Albus looking down upon him. Obviously he had thought that the sorting might go differently.

“I'm sure your mother will be pleased with that one” he said cheerily replacing the hat on its cupboard “and the Marauders would be delighted”

“You mean Moony?” Harry said startled, slamming himself for using that name.

“Moony? I must admit that name has rather thrown me, Harry, and that is saying something. I was talking about your father and his old school friends, naturally one of which was Remus” Albus said softly looking at Harry. Harry was relieved beyond comparison when Albus didn't press anymore on the name Moony, he knew that even if Albus knew the name Marauders he didn't know the bigger of their secrets. And if he asked he would have no choice to lie, that secret must be kept.

“Remus told me you didn't know about the Marauders?” Harry asked, keeping of the topic of the Moony.

“In that regard, they obviously appear to have been mistaken” Albus said with a small laugh and a smile. Harry could tell from that one look that not much got past him in Hogwarts.

“Wait till I tell him!” Harry said laughing, knowing how embarrassed Remus would be.

“If you'll allow me to make a suggestion?” Dumbledore said, his voice dripping with conspiracy “maybe, over the coming months, we could have a little fun with that information?” Harry couldn't help but laugh out loud, he knew how nervous Remus could become if Dumbledore did that right, and he knew how fun it would be to watch.

“That sounds perfect!” Harry said still laughing, he realized that this was his first laugh for a week, but as he realized this he stopped. Laughing only a week after that day with Kate seemed somehow sacrilegious to him, he carried on however with the conversation the best he could “Sir, can I tell you something?” he wasn't sure if he could say it, Albus had put him at ease but he was still his headmaster.

“That completely depends on what the something was” Dumbledore said simply “but fortunately I have a hearing problem that sometimes plays up. So far I've been lucky and it has come at very convenient times”

It took Harry a moment of thinking about his words before he realized what they meant and smiled.

“It's just that you're nothing like I pictured you to be” he said perplexed, like this was actually a question.

“You thought I'd be somewhat more…” Albus started but Harry interrupted him.

“Boring” he said simple, almost putting his face in his hands as the word came out and embarrassed himself. Luckily though Albus just laughed heartily at this bringing Harry out of his misery.

“I think that a pretty good compliment for someone of my age, and a lot better than some of the things Filch informs me are written on the toilet walls!” he said chuckling which Harry shared with him. For a few moments they were like a pair of equals, friends, catching up, not the student and teacher they actually were.

“I think it's time you went down to the Hall, Lily will be awaiting the results of your sorting rather eagerly I suspect” Albus said seriously again making it clear, but not nastily, that the meeting was over. Harry smiled and nodded before standing up and heading for the door. Before he reached it however Albus had spoken again, making him turn to look at him again.

“Harry…” and after this Albus paused for a moment, like he didn't know what words he wanted to speak next “…Your always welcome to come by, and if you need to talk to anyone I will always be available”

Harry could tell by the kindness and honesty in his face that he was telling the truth, and as he shut the door behind himself he couldn't help but smile.

*

I hope that was alright, meeting Albus Dumbledore is probably the biggest thing that can happen to Harry, so I had to dedicate a whole chapter to it. Plus you have a few answers to what happened to lead them here, although a lot more is still to come out.

I just want to take a moment to say that the title `Hogsmeade' is picked for artistic reasons (however sad that sounds!) as this story is about Harry returning to the magical world and as it isn't solely based around Hogwarts I felt Hogsmeade was more adeptly named.

Next chapter will bring with it Harry meeting his year…and so the trio will sit around a table for the first time…

Jms Granger…

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Just like 1812

“Hey!” his mother called excitedly from across the hall. It was still empty except from, what he assumed was, some other teachers. His mother came striding straight up to him quickly and gave him a large hug when she was close enough, pulling him back she looked straight at him, examining him “You look better?” she asked curiously.

“Just a good chat, that's all” Harry said shrugging. He slammed himself for shrugging yet again and made a mental note to try and stop in future “How's things been?”

“Busy!” she said happily taking his arm and leading him up the hall, past the large tables that hadn't been their previously, Harry assumed they were somehow magical “There's so many memories here, it's like every few steps is a happy thought!” he could tell she was incredible happy, like she was for birthdays. He smiled as he thought of what a birthday freak she was. She positively loved them, lived for them. Not just her own and Harry's, but Remus, Kate and Mike all benefited from them, she even made time for the Dursleys during Birthdays. She brought him to a stop and smiled expectantly before saying “This is your seat”

“What?” Harry said confused.

“This is where the 7^th year Gryffindors sit, I asked for you” she said smiling expectantly still.

“Why do you think I'm in Gryffindor?” he said surprised, but then decided to have some fun and try and trick her “To tell the truth the sorting hat put me in Slytherin”

Harry had to use all his self control to stop himself from laughing as his mothers face dropped for a second, he had rarely been able to trick her. She was one very hard person to trick or prank, but then again so many years with the Marauders tended to do that to people. Either that or they had a breakdown.

“No way!” she said mouth agape, and she stayed that way for a few moments till she started to laugh, and Harry couldn't stop himself from laughing either “you actually had me going there! Imagine you not being in Gryffindor!”

As he was laughing and watching his mother he couldn't help but feel happy to see her so ecstatic, and he quickly brought her into a hug. He could feel her pushing back as hard as possible, almost like she was trying to break his back. He loved his mother and could have kept this hug going for hours, and it still wouldn't be enough to let her know how much he cared. After a few moments they broke apart as the doors to the hall were flung open and the students came pouring into the hall, each as drenched as the next. He looked back at his mother as she raised her eyebrows in excitement and smiled.

“I love you, mum” he told her sincerely, looking her straight in the eyes.

“I love you too” she said smiling, and just before she went to the teachers table she added “my little Gryffindor!”

Harry laughed at the joke. She had always called him `my little Marauder' and she said this in the exact same way. He knew she was calling him a Marauder, but under keeping their secret. Harry sat down on the bench, and as he watched the people come crowding into the hall he felt the first nervousness he had felt the whole time. He was amazed he had lasted this long without this feeling nervous, Kate had drowned it all so far. As the tables were filling up and as eyes shot constantly at him all he could do sigh.

“What you doing?” came a confused shock. As Harry looked up at the speaker he saw stood in front of him a tall, skinny boy with a head of flaming red hair, attached with a very confused look.

“New student” was all that Harry could think to say, but the red head carried on staring at him in bewilderment for several, torturous, moments. Just before Harry was about to repeat himself in case he wasn't heard another guy saved him from this.

“Don't mind him, that's just his usual expression” the guy said, offering Harry a hand which he shook. The guy was a bit shorter than Harry, with brown hair and a good natured face “I'm Dean” he added.

“Oh, I'm Harry” he said. He instantly realized he should add his surname, seeing as everyone would find out anyway but he didn't want to be gawped at yet, made to lift his hair so they could see his scar.

“Good to meet you, Harry” he said taking the seat next to him, and the other guy sat next to him.

“Harry?” the red haired finally said, obviously over his shock “I'm Ron, it's good to meet you” and as Harry was shaking his hand as well he added rather pointedly “Do you play Quidditch?”

“Kinda…well, not really” Harry admitted, he had enjoyed it when Remus had taught him to fly but Poole High, surprisingly, never had a team so practice had always been a problem.

“Oh” Ron said a little disappointed “we could really do with some new blood!”

“Ron's captain of the team” Dean explained “we haven't won the trophy for more than a decade, he's become a little obsessed” he said laughing as they watched him shout at some others about Quidditch.

“Hey Dean” a girl said throwing herself onto the seat opposite them, stopping stock still as she caught sight of Harry “who are you?” she said blushing slightly. She was a pretty girl, blonde hair tied into a bun at the back of her head although Harry guessed that was because of how wet it was more than the style. He would pin her for a long blonde hair swishing freely kind of girl.

“I'm Harry” he said smiling at her as she was joined by a friend. Harry was dreading the idea of saying hello to everyone who sat down.

“Harry this Lavender…” he said signalling the blonde pretty girl “and this is Parvati” signalling her friend “and this here is Harry, a new student”

“I've never heard of any students joining halfway through before?” Parvati said eyeing him a little suspiciously, and unnecessarily Harry thought.

“It happened in 1812, when the child of the Headmaster Travette's child was expelled from Durmstrung…” a new voice said, Harry stretched to see who it belonged to but was interrupted by Ron's voice.

“And this is our very own Little Miss Hogwarts: A History” he said jokingly, making the whole table laugh.

Harry didn't get the joke but laughed along anyway, only stopping as he saw the girl. She was a plain girl, no one could say anything else about her. She was the epitome of plain. Pretty enough, but very plain. Big brown Bushy hair, dark eyes from what he could see. And to tell the truth if it wasn't for her hair, and you only looked at her briefly, it wouldn't be shocking if you thought she was a guy, her over sized cloak barely even passed as uni-sex. But it was how she was blushing that stopped him laughing, she seemed genuinely a little hurt at the comment Ron had made. Harry was all for a joke, even gossiping about people from time to time, but hurtful jokes just wasn't right.

“Hi, I'm Harry Potter” he said, he didn't know why he had said his whole name like this, maybe he wanted to stop the laughter to make her feel better, maybe he wanted to make her feel better by making her the first he told. Or maybe it was just plain and simple a slip up, he had done it too quickly and without thought to ever be sure, and if he was honest it was probably just a mistake. As he knew would happen every person who had heard suddenly went deathly silent, all the laughter at her had stopped, the people passing had instantly heard the name Potter. It felt like someone had suddenly stopped time and the silence seemed to slide in around him suffocating him. He didn't know how much more of this he could bare.

“Hi” the girl said brightly back flashing him an honest smile “My name's Hermione Granger” Harry smiled back, the noise wasn't quite back, and even more of the hall was quieting down, like the silence that came from this area was really shouting out “EVERYONE, HARRY POTTER IS HERE!”

“And this is Hogwarts very own brand of awkward silence” Dean said with a wry smile pointing around at everyone like he was signalling Silence itself. Fortunately this seemed to break it, and like a cloud breaking with a thunder storm the noise was back, even greater than before.

“So that's how come you were allowed to join at the end? That's cool!” Ron said amazed, like Harry had somehow done something amazing.

“Didn't you hear Hermione, he's hardly the first” Dean said laughing before turning his attention to Harry “you'll have to do something better to impress me!”

Harry laughed out loud at this, and was incredible grateful to Dean. He knew Dean was purposely ribbing him, to bring him properly in the group, and after this the conversation became more usual. First class, what the teachers are like, all the usual things you get at school, be it Poole High or Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the end they were all the same, kids at school.

”So anyway my mother and Remus got me through my Owls” Harry explained, trying to tell the story quickly about how he got to be in this unique situation, but was interrupted.

“Remus Lupin?” Hermione asked. Harry was slightly shocked, this was the first thing she had said since he gave her name away. He could tell how she kept to herself that she wasn't the most popular person and, he guessed, who end up being a bit geeky. So he was surprised to realize she had been listening and that she spoke up at this point in particular. As his eyes moved quickly over the others they were obviously surprised she had spoken up as well.

“Yeah” Harry said a little lamely, not knowing what more he could say. Luckily Ron saved him the effort.

“You're friends with Lupin? He was cool!” Ron said looking off like he was remembering him.

“Only lasted a year like the rest of them though!” Lavender said like it was a conspiracy “What was his story?”

“He hadn't been well that year, and the job wasn't helping” Harry shrugged. This was true, but he did leave out that he was also a werewolf and that he became to worried about what could happen to the children if he stayed on too long. Harry decided to change the subject though, Moony didn't want people knowing about it. “What do you mean like the rest of them?” he asked Lavender who literally squealed at being asked this question, obviously under the joy of being asked to gossip. Ron however was the one to answer.

“No DADA… Defence against the dark arts… teacher has ever lasted more than one year” Ron explained “We had Quirrel first year…”

“Now that was one Garlic Smelling weirdo” Dean said so seriously that Harry suspected he had been underestimating it.

“He had an accident and died right at the end, that was weird” Ron said a little confused before returning to normal “Lockhart was second”

“He was Gorgeous!” Lavender sighed.

“Drop dead!” Parvati giggled.

“A fake” Dean added “he left to make more money from his writing”

“Third year was Lupin” Ron carried.

“Not so cute!” Lavender said sharing a giggle with Parvati, Harry shot them an angry glance that he suspected they missed.

“Fourth was Mad-Eye Moody!” Ron said with a strange look on his face “Now he was amazing!”

“Totally and utterly insane, but the best ever Auror the Ministry has had, he did a year as a favour to Dumbledore” Dean explained.

“And fifth was Umbridge” Ron said with a sour look on his face, like just by saying her name he was going to be sick “She was one sick and twisted cow! She even tried to ban Quidditch! Cow she was!”

“Anyway' Dean said slowly and mockingly making the table laugh “we're all not too sure who we have this year, but it can hardly get any worse than her”

“I know who it is” Harry said as he watched all the faces around him snap onto his instantly. For some reason the girl named Hermione seemed to stand out as her eyes narrowed at him in deep thought.

“Didn't they teach the great importance of sharing in your last school?” Dean said grinning after a few silent moments.

“It's my mother” Harry said groaning slightly in his head. He had no idea how every would take this bit of news, but he was hardly expecting miracles.

“Lily Potter?” Ron said, his mouth agape in amazement.

“Professor Potter” Hermione corrected.

“The woman who brought down you-know-who” Ron said ignoring what Hermione had said.

“I don't know about that” Harry said nervously laughing.

“She was there when you-know-who was finally defeated” Ron added, his mouth still wide open as if this was its natural position.

“Leave it, Ron” Dean said looking at Ron despairingly for which Harry was very grateful. He had taken an instant shine to Dean, who seemed to remind him a lot of Mike. Both shared a quick wit, and both had a very visible honest streak in them.

“You do seem to get through them, don't you?” Harry said trying to change the subject once again. He knew things like this happened, and couldn't help remember one year when he had actually had 4 different maths teachers at one point or another

“One of the many charms of Hogwarts” Dean spoke up “we don't like a teacher, and they magically disappear”

“Incredibly helpful” Lavender grinned.

“Every school should have a way to get rid of teachers” Ron said laughing “or just not have any in the first place would be ideal!”

“Their here for us, Ron” Hermione said tutting, making everyone in close proximity turn to face her, mouths agape in shock. After a few moments Hermione rolled her eyes, got out a book, flipped to a page and started to read, completely uncaring of all the eyes still looking at her as if she was crazy.

Slowly peeling his eyes away from Hermione, the oldest sixteen year old he had ever met, he looked up at the staff table to see how his mother was doing. He smiled as he saw her talking animatedly to a short guy and occasionally throwing her red hair back as she laughed. To the side of her he saw Albus who seemed to be looking out over the room as if somewhat proud of what he saw.

And then, as Harry looked to who was sat on the right hand side of Albus, he stopped.

“Who's that” Harry said urgently pointing up at a man dressed completely in black robes, asking the question even though he already knew the answer.

“Snape!” Ron said with an even worse face and voice than he had used for Umbridge. Harry however barely noticed thanks to the shock of hearing this.

“Severus Snape?” he said in anger, all of them looked at him in disbelief, he looked around them to try and get an answer but all looked in puzzlement except Hermione, whos brow was knitted, Harry could tell she was working something out.

“How do you know…” Ron started but was cut off by two louder than possible claps from the teachers table. Harry turned his head to look and saw Albus at the front of the table, ready to address the hall.

Harry barely heard as he explained the sorting, and hardly noticed as it took place. In what felt like mere moments the first years were sorted and the meal had started, chatter was abound him, but all his mind could think of that Severus Snape was his teacher. The enemy of his father, as well as all the Marauders, was going to be his teacher for a whole year. He couldn't believe his luck on this one, he would rather have put Kate in power over him than that slimeball. He could nearly hear his father laughing at this new development, and as he looked up at the teachers table he saw the man with his dark greasy hair, greasier than he had even imagined, and his hook nose. Harry knew that they would be having run ins, and Harry knew he would have to win them, not just for his sake but for his father. Here was the man who had told Voldemort of the prophecy.

“Harry, you ok mate?” Dean asked snapping Harry out of his trance, he could barely nod as an answer, so was the amount of energy it took to not go and attack that man. He watched closely, and saw Lily shoot him one too many glances to be natural. He knew how hard this must be for her, the only person more responsible for that night was Voldemort. Maybe Sirius Black was worse. But no matter what, Severus Snape was in the top three. And he would regret being there if it was the last thing Harry did.

“Hey!” came a new voice at the table, and looking up he saw a very pretty girl smiling at him, even in this new found anger she was pretty enough to grab some of his attention. Her flaming red hair swirled about her shoulders as she sat don next to Lavender “I'm Ginny”

“Hi” Harry said looking closer at her, she sure was pretty.

“You're Harry, aren't you?” she asked keenly.

“Amazing that you guessed that one” Dean teased earning him a fiery look from her before she turned her attention back onto Harry.

“I…” but what she was going to say was cut off by Albus who started his real speech. Thankfully Harry wasn't mentioned, he didn't want another run off the staring. Instead he tried to calm himself down, if he stayed this angry he would go overboard. He would end up accusing his mother of all sorts, he had always had a temper and always regretted the way it came out. Thinking about it he realized how tough this must be for his mother. She obviously knew about this, Moony must have told her seeing as he was here a few years ago, but she had still accepted for both of them. He thought he had known how much this job meant to her but he had obviously under estimated things, for her to do this, to work with Severus Snape of all people, showed just how much it meant. He loved hi mother, and couldn't bear to upset her. He promised there and then that he wouldn't mention it to her, it must be sore enough as it was, that all he could possibly bring was pain and tears with any words he spoke of it. He knew he must control himself and not go looking for trouble. But if trouble came his way? He was still the son of James and Lily Potter, what could she expect.

The sound of the end of the evening came with thunder, everyone breaking into speech and laughter, the scraping of benches against the stone floor and the heavy hitting of feet on as they stood up nearly made him jump out of his skin, as was the perfect precision that they showed, all moving at the same time. Harry however stayed seated.

“Follow us” Dean said signalling the exits “We'll show you the shortcut to the dorm”'

“Actually I live in Hogsmeade” Harry said shrugging. This time he nearly smashed his face against the table at yet another shrug, he couldn't understand why the hell he had started such a weak and rubbish tick. He looked and realized several people were all staring straight at him, mouths slightly open.

“I'm sure that one's never happened before!” Ron said in awe, before adding “Is that right, Hermione?”

`Never' she added brightly as she carried on walking past towards the exit by herself. As she reached the door she turned on her heel back to face Harry and added “hope you enjoy your time here”

Harry watched her leave as he waited for people to regain control of themselves.

“This is soooo cool!” Ron said in awe again making Harry's heart give a twinge. Somehow the way he had said that had reminded him of Kate, he wondered if these little things would still feel like his insides were being pulled out in six months. He wondered if he wanted them to.

He watched as Ginny eyed him like he was some possession she wanted. Harry was use to this look and knew exactly what it meant, and was surprised that he was flattered by her eyes on him.

“Well, Harry, I guess you did do better than just joining late” Dean said giving a little laugh “Well, I'll see you tomorrow when we get our timetables, night”

And with that they left him sat, quickly all of them were gone, only Ginny looked back to give Harry one last look. He smiled when he saw her do that.

Harry had to admit all in all things had gone well. Albus seemed a great man. Dean was looking like being a good friend as well as Ron. Who knew, he might even try out for the Quidditch. Ginny was cute, Lavender and Parvati were stereotypical girls, and they always tended to brighten some gloomy days for Harry at Poole High. Harry was a huge fan of giggling, it was a lot better than being too serious after all. Hermione seemed too serious, but then again not everyone can be friends. She seemed pleasant, he just doubted that he'd talk to her again, some people just weren't destined to be friends.

“Hey handsome” at these words his heart skipped a beat. It had started of as one of the many things his mother would say to him, not regularly but sometimes, and from the moment Kate had heard it she had wanted it. Eventually she took it and the word `handsome' would always be Kates in Harry's heart. As he waited a moment for his heart to get back to normal pace he turned with the best smile he could muster.

“Hey mum, pretty neat all this, aint it?” he said giving, surprisingly, a genuine smile.

“Pretty neat?” she said laughing sitting down next to him “I see you met some people”

“Yeah, they seemed alright” he said simply, his heart was still a little sore after the whole handsome thing, and getting too happy wasn't possible yet. But he tried his best for his mother.

“You'll be fine, I know you will” she said taking his hand in hers and smiling at him “Just do me one favour?”

“Anything” Harry said honestly.

“Don't get in too much trouble, I am you're professor so I can't favour you…too much” she added with a wink.

“When you say too much trouble does that mean I'm allowed some?” Harry said mischievously making his mother break out in laughter for a few seconds.

“Well…” she said standing up with him and looping her arm around his “Your name is Potter after all”

*

So that's chapter 5, hope it was ok. Obviously, as you should be able to tell, the story is up and running now. Harry starts class and the year and gets to know his new friends. Hope you like where it's going…

Till next time…

Jms Granger…

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What's She Gotten Me Into?

Harry had no plans to eat breakfast with the other students, that time of day belonged to him and his mother and probably always would. In his whole life he had only been unable to breakfast with her regularly twice, the first time was when he was about 7 and had gone away camping with Mike and his parents. The other was only a couple months ago when he had spent a week in Paris with Kate. The holiday hadn't been much, just a cheap ticket on the Eurostar, but it had been wonderful, walking hand in hand alone together he could actually picture his whole life as he explored the streets of Paris with the girl he loved. How things changed so quickly, he thought darkly to himself as he pushed the doors to the great hall open and walked on in for his first real day of Hogwarts.

He looked across the hall as he watched the older pupils working feverishly over their timetables, a part of today he hadn't even considered yet. He laughed as he wondered if they did English Literature at Hogwarts.

“Harry, over here” he heard Dean yelled, and walked over towards him as he spotted him amongst the crowds. He noticed that all the sixth years were together, even Hermione Granger was present, and they seemed to be waiting for something.

“Just gotta wait for old McGonagall to finish with them first” Ron said suddenly at Harry to spare him from asking “Then she hands out our timetables” all Harry could think to do at these words was shrug, immediately condoning it.

He watched as McGonagall worked her way through them all, seemingly to deliberately leave Harry till the rest was gone. He watched as most of the people he knew skulked off groaning hoping him more luck then they had. Soon all who was left was Harry and Hermione, and Harry instinctly knew that this had been planned. Harry wasn't surprised to notice himself sighing at his match up, no matter what the possible reason could be he figured Hermione wouldn't be the best partner.

“Mr. Potter” the woman said, her voice sharp and commanding instant authority, he could tell he would need to work to stay on the good side of her “Mrs. Potter…” but Harry interrupted her.

“Do you mind not calling her that? It makes us sound married” Harry said smiling, attempting to win McGonagall over with humour. He watched as her lips closed tight together, and he couldn't tell if his comment had hit the mark or if he had made an enemy for life. Hermione Granger didn't even move at his words, never a good sign.

“Professor Potter…” she carried on “informs me that you haven't decided what classes you wish to take yet, is this true?”

“Kinda” Harry said shrugging awkwardly.

“Well I've asked Miss Granger here if she would spend a few minutes talking you over your options, she has kindly agreed”

“That's brilliant!” Harry said, realizing that he had said this way too sarcastically, even the dumbest of people would of realized what he really meant and he felt embarrassed for his rudeness and felt his eyes fall uncontrollable towards his feet.

“That's nice, enthusiasm, Mr Potter” she said eyeing him beadily “I'll leave you two alone for a while. Call me over when you're finished Miss Granger”

Hermione readily shook her head in acceptance, smile attached and watched keenly as McGonagall left, before sitting down and signalling for Harry to join her. Sitting down next to her he sighed softly, this was probably going to be intense.

“So, what are you interested in?” Hermione asked him with a smile, looking straight at him. The question threw him completely, he didn't even know that you could be interested in magic, it was just something you did in his, rather lame, opinion.

“Not really sure…” Harry mumbled a bit pathetically trying to think fast “I guess Muggle studies would be good?”

“You think it'll be a doss, don't you?” Hermione said, a strange smile on her face.

“Well I have spent my whole life with them” Harry said laughing.

“It's not actually as easy as you think” Hermione said matter of factly “it's a study of muggles from a wizarding viewpoint… and as you have no idea how wizards think, it may be a little harder than you think”

“I'm pretty sure I can cope” Harry said raising his eyebrows at her words.

“Maybe I wasn't blunt enough before” Hermione said shaking her head softly bringing her hair slightly into her face “but you will struggle. I don't think you could possibly hope to pass that one”

“Of course I can” Harry said indignantly. Perhaps he had never been the most gifted pupil at school but he was far of being an idiot, he got good marks in all his subjects at GCSE, except French which he failed. He couldn't believe that this girl thought he was some sort of idiot “Put me down for it” he said strongly, noticing that she softly shook her head as she wrote it down on a piece of paper.

“I guess you'll be doing Transfiguration? Charms? Defence? Potions?” Hermione asked, receiving a nod to each of them, Harry knew he would be able to pass them fine enough. His mother and Moony had taught him all of the core subjects “how about Ancient Runes? That'll probably go as well as Muggle studies, after all” she said with a wry smile letting Harry know she was mocking him. Harry could feel his blood boil at this.

“I think I'll pass on that one” he said through slightly gritted teeth “How about care of magical creatures, does that fit in?”

Hermione eyed him suspiciously as he asked this, like somehow he was making a joke. Harry couldn't understand why though, dragons and things sounded like a hoot to Harry and he had been eager to sign up for that class. After a moment where Hermione deduced that he was indeed sincere she wrote that down to on the piece of paper.

“I think that'll do” she said giving him a smile “to be honest with you the other subjects are a bit, well, tedious, at times” Harry smiled at her words and understood that it was her showing him that she was trying to be nice.

“Thanks” Harry said simply, giving her a smile “So… what's your interests then?”

“Sorry?” she said, eyes widening slightly startled.

“You asked me what my interests were, and I answered rather elegantly” Harry said shrugging “so I was wondering what yours were”

“Oh” she replied softly, Harry felt sad as he realized that she wasn't asked things like this that often “well, everything really. But if I had to pick something, I guess I'd say…Runes?” she answered, unsure of herself for the first time.

“Runes?” Harry said laughing “You told me how that was to hard for me!”

“I only meant that, well, if you haven't studied it by now… that you might not be able to…catch up…with the rest of the class” she said blushing slightly making Harry laugh even more.

“Don't worry, Hermione, I'm only teasing you” he said with a smile as she calmed down, and smiled back at him.

“I'm amazed you were clever enough to think of that!” she said with a look on her face that let Harry know she was teasing him in return. And with that she strolled over to McGonagall, handed her the piece of paper and left the hall. McGonagall looked over the paper, nodded and came over to him.

“Good choices, Mr. Potter” she said smiling handing him the piece of paper “you have Potions now in the basements, then after lunch you have Ancient Runes”

“Runes?” Harry spurted out in shock earning him a suspicious look, his mind worked quickly to work this out and quickly realized what had happened, Hermione had added it to show some sort of faith in him. He had to admit that was rather sweet of her. “It's just that…um… I thought it was Tuesday?” he lied badly.

“No” she said simply pausing for a moment to eye him “After lunch”

“Thanks” Harry said flashing her the best smile he could muster.

“That's ok, Mr Potter” she said smiling softly “I'll let Professor Potter know how it went” and as she left Harry sighed. He could tell by how she had said Professor Potter that his earlier joke had worked, McGonagall was not an enemy. Standing up he ready to head down to the dungeons he laughed slightly. He was just about to have class with Snape, now that would be fun.

*

As he pushed his way through the door of his first class, his first lesson with Snape, he refused to look around, sure that the shock of seeing him stand before him would make him do something stupid. Instead he looked for someone he knew, and seeing Dean at the back he made his way silently and quickly over to him. He could tell that the whole class were watching in nervous anticipation, and Harry guessed that showing up late to a class with Snape wasn't a good idea. Harry though wished that he would start on him, then he could have an excuse. He looked around the dungeon and noticed how dark and damp it was, depressing to the point of the horror movies he had watched so avidly with Kate. Across the walls were gruesome paintings of people in pain, tortured and torn apart. Even with Harry's anger flooding through his brain he couldn't help but feel slightly disturbed at the surroundings he found himself in. None of his experience at Poole High had prepared him for this.

He sat down on a spare seat next to Dean and removed some paper and pen from his bag, along with his copy of the book they were studying. He hadn't yet become good enough to use a quill and parchment, so he had to be the only one with a biro. The room still laid deadly silent. Dean looked at him and gave him a grimace, before preparing to whisper him something, but the voice of Snape started before Harry could hear Dean's words.

“Potter…” his cold arrogant voice said, and as Harry looked up to see the man he came face to face with him. Harry's hatred was even more than he suspected, this was the man who had betrayed so many, had in effect killed his father and sentenced him and his mother to death “…Our newest celebrity…”

Harry could feel his anger boiling up, grabbing the side of the table in order to keep his hands away from his wand or making a fist

“…I don't know how it's done in muggle schools…” he started again making Harry's teeth clench with the contempt dripped into the word muggle “…but at Hogwarts we tend to arrive on time for class”

“It's cool…” Harry said as coolly as he could but hearing some of the anger in his own voice “…I'm only a few minutes late”

“I'll be the judge of that, and you will call me Professor or Sir” Snape sneered menacingly at him, Harry could tell that the nasty look in his eye would stop most people dead in their tracks. Harry, with his anger, though wasn't most people.

“I'm pretty sure that it's God who controls time, not you…” he said smiling sarcastically “unless, of course, I'm mistaken and you're God?”

He watched as Snapes' face became more tort, the skin pulled tighter across his hooked nose as his eyes widened, the beginning of red forming in his face to give him the only colour it had seen in decades.

“In this class room I am God” he sneered as evilly as he could, but this had the wrong effect. Instead of shutting up and cowering Harry couldn't help, and didn't want to help, laughing out loud at his words. The whole class room paused in dead silence as they watched this like a car crash, sure that Snape would attack him, but Harry was ready, his wand ready in his hand as he hid it in his pocket.

“You will stay behind class to receive your detention, a month should do it, don't you think?” Snape sneered using his ace as the teacher. But again Harry laughed, there was no way he was letting this happen.

“No” Harry said simply, shaking his head back and forth “I'll stay behind after class to have a word, but I can't accept your invitation to detention” he said with a wry smile. Snape just looked back at him in shock at his words, blatantly he had never been spoken to like this before.

“It was not an invitation” he sneered after regaining himself.

“Then I refuse your order” Harry said impatiently, playing heavily on tactics to annoy teachers “is that better?” Snape watched him for what felt like minutes in silence, and which probably were. No one moved an inch in the whole time and not a single sound penetrated the silence. Harry checked his watch, more to annoy Snape than to check the time.

“Get out!” Snape shouted at the top of his voice, the door to the classroom slamming open in his fury. Harry waited a moment, to make it clear he wasn't following his order, before standing up and leaving with his things. As he reached the door he paused.

“You should learn to control your anger, it makes you look weak” Harry said, the sound of laughter in his voice, and before he went he added “Snivellus” and closed the door behind him.

He laughed out loud as he walked down the corridor, hoping that they could hear it back inside the classroom, that it might even give Snape the stroke he deserved. Harry paused and leaned up against the wall, breathing heavily with excitement. He hadn't felt that alive in over a week, and he knew he couldn't get in trouble for it, at least not too much. For one he wasn't bothered if he was expelled, the only person he did this for was his mother, and he knew she wouldn't and couldn't blame him for anything he said to Snape. As long as he didn't attack him and wasn't too over the top in class then he was untouchable, in his opinion anyway. He knew he could be expelled, but meeting Albus he somehow doubted that he would. And even if he was wrong and was kicked out of Hogwarts today then he was ok with it. Actually he was better than ok, he thought it sounded good. He could go back to Bournemouth, convince Kate he was back for good, and even his mother would be happy with him, having given it his best shot.

Harry smiled to himself and started walking towards the great hall, for both the reasons of getting himself a much deserved coffee and of purposely being late for his `meeting' with Snape.

*

He was now about half an hour late to meet Snape, and he had arrived here because time was dragging. In the great hall, after class had finished he had seen his friends. Ron couldn't help but laugh continuously as he remembered Snapes' face and Dean was equally impressed. They had asked him why he had done it, but he had not told them, if it got out it would only hurt his mother for people to know. He didn't want to turn this into some sort of circus for her, where her husbands' death was school gossip once more. Not everyone was impressed though, Hermione Granger had refused to meet his eye contact the whole time, obviously in a disapproval of his behaviour. He felt a little sad to have let her down so quickly after she had showed some fate in him, but it wasn't really his fault, there was nothing else he could have done.

He strolled into the room, watching as Snape viewed him in anger all Harry did was smile back at him as he took a seat in front of his desk.

Moments passed where they just watched each other in silence, Harry wasn't willing to break this silence and just smiled back. He knew people like Snape, and he knew he'd see it as a victory if Harry caved first. At least two minutes passed, Harry wasn't even close to breaking point yet, when Snape caved in.

“Potter” Snape said harshly “I will not tolerate…” he started but Harry cut him off, pleased that he could finally say what he had come here to say.

“This isn't the way I want this to go” Harry said coolly “So I'll explain a few things first. The main thing is I know the truth about what happened. The whole truth”

Harry watched as the last tiny bits of colour from Snapes' face faded away as he turned even more white. Harry could almost have laughed at his response, but he knew if he let his emotions show he wouldn't be able to control himself.

“So here's the facts as I see them” Harry carried on “I will follow your instructions, but not you're orders. I will not be doing any detentions or any other punishment you can think of. And there is no way in hell that I will ever call you sir. If you choose I can just not refer to you instead, that's your choice to make”

“May I remind you that I'm the teacher and you're the student?” he hissed menacingly after the momentarily loss of speech.

“And may I remind you I'm a student as a choice?” Harry said coolly back “A choice I can easily change?”

“Are you threatening me Potter?” he said, eyes narrowed in preparation for an attack.

“You totally misunderstand me” Harry said laughing lightly “In no way I wish to leave Hogwarts, I'm reasonably happy here and desire my NEWTS. And to attack you would cause my mother even more pain than what you've already caused, and that I won't ever let happen, even if my desire to attack you is as much as it is. In short I just wish for you to realize that I'm here as my own choice, and wish to remain, but will not be taking your orders under any circumstance, and never will, no matter what”

And with that Harry turned his back on Snape in an act of defiance and lack of fear and strode purposefully from the room, leaving Snape fuming in his seat knowing fully that their was nothing he could do.

*

Harry had arrived a little early to Ancient Runes, intent on making this one go an awful lot better than Potions had. Harry sighed wondering if he would have to explain this to Albus or not, before shaking his head and trying to concentrate. He was sat at the desk now looking about the room. It was nice and comfortable but a little boring, similar to a library Harry thought. He could guess why it was Hermione's favourite. Thinking of the subject he wasn't sure if her faith was mislaid, he had done bits and wasn't too terrible, but didn't know if he could get his NEWTS in the subject. He watched as the door was opened and in walked Hermione, followed by many other students, none of which he recognized.

Hermione's eyes stopped in him for a moment before looking pointedly away, he couldn't believe that she could hold a grudge against him for what he had said to Snape. For one what did she care? For another what did he care.

Harry suddenly let out a loud groan as he realized something important. Having had no plan whatsoever to take this subject he didn't have a book, and that was important in Runes. He looked feverish around for anyone he knew, but no one was here. Both Dean and Ron had laughed at him for choosing it, he hadn't told them what really happened, as they explained how crazy he was.

That only left him with Hermione, and even though the girl was sweet, she was kind of mad, and evidently in a bad mood with him. He breathed in deeply, having accepted what he had to do he leaned over to her table, which only she occupied and smiled.

“Hey, Hermione” he whispered but she didn't react so he said it again, this time slightly louder “Hermione?” still no response, so he said it the third time even louder than he usually did “Hermione!”

This time it grabbed her attention and she looked at him, anger in her eyes as she looked at him.

“What?” she said quietly but threateningly.

“Um…” Harry said shocked at her reaction “Can you sit next to me?” he asked nervously. The look he got was the strangest in his life, part shock with the look that she thought he was joking, all mixed with suspicion. Easy to say that it wasn't the most attractive sight he had ever seen “So, um, will you?”

“Why?” she asked raising her eyebrow, her face looking more normal now but suspicious.

“I don't know anyone here” Harry lied lamely, receiving yet another raised eyebrow.

“No” she said simply, turning back to her book that was already open. Harry felt his anger rising at her indifference.

“Please?” Harry said quickly, but her eyes didn't move from the book even though Harry realized they weren't moving along the lines “Hermione! Please?”

She turned her face up and smiled at him before saying “I don't know if you know this, but you're a really bad liar” she said it nicely, and he could tell she was enjoying winding him up, Harry couldn't help but smile at this.

“I'll let you know that's one of my better talents” he said laughing.

“God help who you end up with then!” Hermione teased back, making Harry laugh out loud, attracting stares from the other pupils, and giving Hermione a blush at being noticed.

“Ok, ok” Harry said “I don't have a book, and need to share yours, is that better?” he admitted, Hermione smiled, picked up her things and moved to the seat next to his.

“Much” Hermione said, opening the book at what Harry assumed must be the right page for today's lesson.

The teacher came in, addressed the pupils and set a page to read, all in about the space of 10 seconds. Harry realized this was going to be much more difficult than he had first imagined. And with that he started reading the pages ahead of him.

After about an hour where they would read together, Hermione naturally finished the page before him but waited for him to catch up before continuing he started to get bored. Most of the words on the page looked like foreign language. In fact he thought they were, just had no idea which. Sighing he looked sideways at Hermione, he realized what a strange girl she was, 90% of the time she seemed to be an obnoxious weirdo, and the other 10 she seemed ok, even pretty sweet.

“Why aren't you reading?” she whispered, a little harshly but also slightly concerned.

“My eyes are hurting” he lied instinctly, earning a raised eyebrow yet again.

“If you say so” she said and carried on with the page. Harry looked at his watch and realized it was nearly over. His first day of classes couldn't have gone much worse. Kicked out of Potions and made to feel dumb in Runes. He wished tomorrow was better, otherwise he might just end up as weird as Hermione by the end of the week.

“Ok, class over…” the teacher said and then went about setting some homework. Harry copied the words down but the meaning left him. Hopefully his mother could help, otherwise he was screwed.

He stood up to pack his things, taking his time after a long day, when he realized that Hermione had already finished.

“Thanks” he said giving her a smile.

“That's ok” she said kindly and genuinely.

“I think your right though about my chances of passing this though” he said sighing, trying to fit his pad and paper back into his bag but having a bit of difficulty.

“You'll be fine” she said smiling, and Harry couldn't help but believe she meant it, he could however doubt if she was right “Do you mind if I ask you something?”

“Sure, why the hell not” Harry said shrugging having finished he stood and looked straight at her, wondering what craziness she would ask.

“Why did you act like that with Professor Snape?” she asked with genuine curiosity. Harry shrugged, not wanting to explain it “It's just I thought you were going to be, well, a `rebel'” she said using her hands to show the quotation marks over the word rebel making Harry laugh, she carried on anyway “but in this class you were fine, even when you were bored and struggling”

“Well, what you have to see is…” Harry started, having decided he might as well tell the truth, part of it anyway, seeing as Hermione could tell his lies pretty easily `…I'm not a `rebel', there's just some, history, between me and Snape” he said giving her a sad smile.

“That's a pity” she said with a matching, and honest, sad smile “He is a really good teacher” and with those words she walked from the room, leaving Harry wondering if she even had the slightest idea what people were suppose to say in situations.

Harry slung his bag over his shoulder and headed for the door. His mother finished later so he had to walk to Hogsmeade on his own, which was better than the Ancient Runes books he would have to read once he got there. Sighing, wondering what Hermione Granger had gotten him into, he walked from the room back towards his home.

*

Chapter 6 for you there, hope it was ok for you. Quite a bit Harry and Hermione there. Don't worry, she wont annoy him all the time…hope your enjoying it anyway, please let me know what you think…

These first six chapters were updated in about a day, the rest won't be that quick, sorry… I wrote the first ten chapters before posting it, and the only reason I've posted these this quickly is because I want the real story to start before people judge me! Anyway, hope u like what's coming…

Jms Granger

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