Harry Potter and Changing Destinies

Chapter 2

Harry lay in his bedroom at #4 Privet Drive. He sighed after everything he had gone through this year he had to come back here.

“Ugh,” he groaned flopping down on his bed as he thought, “I want nothing more than to get out of here. I miss Mione and Ron. I need to see Ali. Poor Ali’s stuck with that prat Malfoy.”

Harry smirked thinking of Malfoy with his best friend, “Ali is going to chew him up and spit him out. She won’t let him get away with anything.”

Harry’s thoughts were interrupted by the vibrating of his mirror.

“Hey Ice what’s up?”

“Harry James Potter! What did I ever do to you to deserve this!”

Harry winced as Ali’s scream reached his ears.

“Ali calm down. I really don’t want to put a silencing charm up just so I can talk to you. Now what did Malfoy do to you?” He watched in horror as her face turned red. “Oh crap Ice you like him don’t you?”

“No!” Ali denied quickly. “He just isn’t what I thought he would be. I just want to know why are you helping him and why my house?”

“First off Dumbledore asked me to when he and Severus told me the plan. That’s all I can tell you right now. Second of all the reason he is at your house is because no one knows about you or where you live. As I built your wards it was the only place that I could guarantee his safety. What can you sense about him?”

Ali sighed, “His aura is strange. He doesn’t have the Dark Mark and instead of being dark he isn’t.”

Harry was shocked. Amazement shone through his emerald eyes. He knew that the darker a person’s aura the more evil resided in a person. He expected Malfoy’s aura to be a dark color like Snape’s was. “What color is his aura Ice?”

“Silver pure silver. He is the only other person besides you that I have ever seen with such a bright metallic color. The only difference is yours is pure gold. Harry not even Dumbledore had a pure color. His aura was white with darkness scattered through it. Most if not every person has some darkness in them. You and Draco are the only ones that I have ever seen without it.”

Harry couldn’t believe what he was hearing Malfoy, his archenemy for six years, the very epitome of Slytherin House had no darkness in his aura? How was that even possible? He didn’t know he had spoken out loud until Ali answered him. “I don’t know Harry, I really don’t. So what is the plan now?”

“ I’m going to Hermione’s shortly and then she and I have to go to the Burrow for Bill’s wedding. After the wedding Mione and I will be arriving at your place.”

“Alright have fun with that Ash,” Ali laughed as a blush came over his face. Harry was clueless to his feelings about Hermione. “I’ll see you when you arrive. Are you bringing Ron?”

Harry grinned at the look of disgust in Ali’s eyes. His best friend had never liked Ron or any of the other Weasleys besides Fred and George and she did not hesitate to let him know it.

“No I’m not Ali. You know it’s a good thing you can’t do magic because otherwise you would have hexed Ron into next week long before now, wouldn’t you?” Harry replied with a smirk.

Ali grinned, “Of course. I’ll see you later Ash. I love you.”

“It will be after my birthday but I will talk to you everyday. I love you too.”

With that Ali’s face disappeared from the mirror.

As Harry set his communication mirror down on his bedside table all he could think was, “Why did Ali’s comment about me enjoying time with Mione bother me so much? You’re supposed to enjoy hanging out with your friends. It’s not my fault I’m closer to Mione than Ron.”

Harry pushed Ali’s comments and the thoughts they brought away from him and readied himself for bed silently sneaking to the bathroom to run a shower before he finally dressed and went to bed. When finally in what the Dursley’s called a bed, which was more like half of a cot that had become mildew infested, all Harry could seem to think about was how Ali was handling Draco Malfoy being in her home and how glad he was Hermione had gotten permission from her parents and the Order for him to come to her place and stay before they headed off to the Burrow for Ron’s older brother Bill’s wedding; to the 3/4 witch, 1/4 veela Harry had met during the Triwizard Tournament in his fourth year from some French magic school he couldn’t remember the name of at this time of night, named Fleur.

Just as he thought of not being able to remember the school the voice in his head, he conscious he hoped, which somehow had taken on his best friend Hermione’s voice said to him, “Harry how could you forget something so important and interesting to magical history. That you could learn so much about.”

This thought left him with a chuckle and a smile as he fell asleep. Only to lead him to dream of the day he and Ron had saved Hermione from a mountain troll on Halloween of their first year. How that year she had literally jumped in feet first to help him with the sorcerer’s stone encouraging him when he thought he couldn’t go on, that he wasn’t strong enough with her simple but full of complete trust comment of, “Book and cleverness…there are more important things like friendship and bravery and…Harry just be careful.”

For the first time since Voldemort had come back to full power Harry slept peacefully with no nightmares to haunt him thinking of how even when one friend had abandoned him he still had Hermione at his side.

The next day he found himself waking to a tapping noise. He woke slowly from a very deep sleep and reached blindly for his glasses, putting them on he looked towards the window to see his snowy owl Hedwig along with another owl he’d never seen before waiting to be let in. He quickly rose up from bed and opened the window letting them in. Hedwig and the other owl flew straight to his desk and sat with their left legs stretched out so he could untie the letters. He grabbed a couple of owl treats for Hedwig and the other owl.

As he took the letter from Hedwig he gave her a petting and a scratch between her eyes like she liked. She hooted happily and flew to her cage going to the edge of her resting bar so once Harry had taken the other owl’s letter it could join her inside to drink and rest. Harry found this a little weird seeing as Hedwig didn’t like sharing her things, but he put this thought out of his mind when he saw the letter Hedwig had was from Hermione and the one that the other owl had carried was from Remus Lupin, the last Marauder and the last living friend of his parents. He knew Peter “Wormtail” Pettigrew was out there somewhere with his master Voldemort, but Harry hated him with an all consuming passion so he didn’t count Peter at all. Remus was Harry’s last true link to his parents and now Sirius.

Harry could hear the clock in the hall chiming softly with a sense of hearing honed from life and death situations for the past seven years of his life. It was 4 AM, he could probably grab a quick shower and then head to start his daily chores given to him by his loving family. Though before he headed to shower he wanted to read his letters so he quickly opened Hermione’s letter and read:

“Dear Harry,

How are you doing? Oh what am I thinking your with those horrible Dursley’s, they’re probably working you to exhaustion and nearly starving you! You’re probably also blaming yourself for what that horrible git Draco Malfoy planned to do and Professor Snape – a teacher of all people and Order member – actually did. Well, I’m telling you don’t! Don’t blame yourself, blame those idiotic prats! Blame Voldemort! That cruel, evil snake of a man! More snake than man really from what you’ve said.

I can’t believe the rest of the Order actually gave you permission to come to my place. Yes, I know there will be more protection because you need it but its amazing! We’ll have so much fun Harry! Finishing our summer homework, yes I know I’m nutty no need to tell me. I know we won’t need to finish because we’re not going back this year because of…well you know what, but Harry it’s important and it could help. Plus once we finish it we can focus on…well we can just focus and there’s a park near where I live so we could go there sometimes.

Oh, I have to go Mom’s calling for my help. See you soon Harry. Be careful, be safe. Don’t let those people get you down or blame yourself you hear me or so help me…I’ll hex you to next week.

Love your friend,

Hermione”

For the first time this summer Harry found himself smiling at his friend’s simple and heart felt words with the smile still on his face he read Lupin’s letter which told him Lupin himself would be coming for him in two days at 11 PM so the muggles wouldn’t know and they would be traveling by portkey to Hermione’s home.

With this knowledge and a small smile on his lips he went to the bathroom and took a quick shower, headed back to his room and got dressed in a tattered pair of jeans which thankfully though big on him only slipped down a bit to show a bit of hip and a stretched t-shirt of a dull red color as if from to many washings. Then at 5:30 AM just as he was slipping on his old worn out shoes his uncle Vernon pounded on the door with his normal, “Get up Boy! You have work to do!”

All Harry could think was, “Like I don’t everyday, oh dear Uncle.”

As Harry was coming down the steps his elephant of a cousin Dudley came down the steps bringing an earthquake with him and shoved Harry down the steps with a passing, “Freak!”

Throughout the day he did every chore imaginable inside and outside the Dursley’s home trying to hide his grin of joy from the knowledge he would be out of here soon because he knew if he showed any signs of actually being happy something would be done to him he wouldn’t like. He did this sneak a shower, get dressed, do chores, hide smile, go to bed exhausted routine until the night Remus was coming for him.

~ Song: The Red by the Chevelles starts scene ~

That night as Harry was packing up the last of his meager belongings a quarter to 11 Dudley barged through his door and he pivoted ready to fight, but before he could do anything his cousin shoved him down hard to the floor with such force he slid a foot to lay below his window and sneered, “Where you going, freak?”

Harry rising slowly from the floor with a glare said, “None of your business Dudders.”

Then Dudley said something that had Harry seeing red, “Going to see that freak whore I saw kiss you a few years back. Gonna go screw her, are you? That why you been smiling so much for the past few days. How did you get her a spell or something, nobody, not even someone from your lot would like you.”

As Harry got his feet under him he growled, “Shut up Dudley! You know nothing about me or my life!”

Dudley just continued, “So, is she good? Maybe I should have a go at her?”

Harry was charging him ready to strangle the breath out of his fat pig of a cousin when he was suddenly held back by a pair of thin, but wiry arms and a soft voice saying, “He’s not worth it, Harry. You know what he says is just to anger you, let it go.”

Harry calmed himself against the arms that held him as if ready if he tried to get at his cousin again, but he didn’t. He just turned to face the pale and worn face of his ex-DADA professor and dear friend Remus Lupin. Harry hugged him once quickly taking a steadying breath of Remus’ familiar scent of tea, woods, and something else he could never quite place and went to ready his trunk and Hedwig who was now alone in her cage to leave. Once this was done he went back to stand by Lupin and grabbed on to the red and gold scarf he held out. When Harry felt the familiar pull under his bellybutton he couldn’t help smile because he knew he was on his way to Hermione’s home. ~ Song ends ~

As they appeared in a yard a little bigger than the Dursleys with trees and flowers and bushes lining the borders he couldn’t help but get the sense of peace and joy instead of fear or of trying to keep others out. As Harry turned slowly around in a circle seeing the yard and neighborhood Harry could easily see Hermione here, it was peaceful and structured, but also had a sense of freedom and joy he knew she tried to keep under wraps. Just as Harry was coming full circle back to face the house he was hit with amazement that Hermione actually lived in a pretty nice sized house. It wasn’t huge, but it wasn’t small either. The color couldn’t be told because it was dark out, but he could tell it might be a light color in the daylight. The house looked to be a couple stories.

Just as Remus led Harry to the front door it flew open and a blur of dark brown and pink came flying out straight towards him. Harry looked to Remus and found him walking to the doorway where Tonks stood with another woman and man. So, he turned and acting on basic instinct that his Quidditch training had honed to catch the person who was running at him before he was knocked down. Though the person’s momentum still made them both spin in a dizzying circle. Once his vision stopped spinning he could see bushy brown hair spread all over his chest. He could feel himself begin to smile even more. He put his finger to the chin he could almost feel was quivering and lifted the face of his dearest friend to face him.

Then he found himself saying the truest words he had said since Dumbledore’s funeral at the end of his sixth year at Hogwarts, right before summer, “Hey there brightest and might I add prettiest witch of her age. Thanks for inviting me, Mione.”

Hermione moved away from Harry and smiled saying, “Thank you, Harry. Now, come in, come in. I’ve talked to my parents they said you could let Hedwig out at night, but I think we should change her color because almost everyone in our world can recognize her.”

With this said Hermione helped Harry and a smirking Remus carry Harry’s stuff inside the house. Before Harry could ask Remus what the smirk was for Harry found himself inside the walkway. Harry found a home that was clean but not ‘dirt is a sin Aunt Petunia clean’. It was more of a clean because its organized but a mess is okay because a family lives here not statues. As Harry walked around he found himself standing looking up at a stair that split and went two ways on the second floor.

To his left was a nice sized living room and to the right was a dining room. Before Harry could look closer Hermione and her parents he assumed were leading him up the stairs and to his right. As Harry walked behind the family trio but in between them and Remus and Tonks with his things, he observed Hermione’s parents. Hermione’s dad was a big man, not in height really, he was maybe a bit taller than Harry himself, but big in that he had an air about him saying he would fight to protect even if outnumbered. He might look like a normal man with a light tan, dark brunette hair that had slight gray mixed in. He couldn’t see his eyes because he was facing ahead. Hermione’s mother looked to be an older version of Hermione, her hair was a bit slicker than Hermione’s but her hair was definitely Hermione’s curly waves.

Finally, Hermione opened the door and led Harry and Remus in who carried his stuff. Harry couldn’t believe such a nice room was for him but before he could eye it for long Hedwig began to squawk in her cage so he looked to his beautiful, pure white snowy owl and saw that she was looking away. So he looked in the direction she was and saw the big bay window/doors with no bars on them and he knew instantly she wanted to fly because he got the sudden urge himself.

So he turned to her and said, “Hedwig, I know you may not like it but we have to change your color so your not noticed. Will you let us?”

She eyed him like she was really considering what he had said then she blinked her eyes and gave a soft hoot as if to say, “very well”. At this Harry let her out of her cage letting her walk up his arm to his shoulder. Then Remus came over, touched Hedwig’s head with his wand. She shook herself as she slowly turned from white to black. She hooted and jumped to Harry’s head there she began to pick at Harry’s hair as if to say, “Well, how do I look?”. So he brought her to his arm so he could look at her closely and after a moment he said, “Black definitely brings out your eyes, Hedwig. Ready to go flying?”

At this she hooted and he opened the windows fully and Hedwig flew off his arm and into the night, free to fly like an owl should. Harry stood on the balcony right outside the windows just breathing in the air and looking out at the yard. He could hear Remus and Tonks who had followed them up moving his trunks to the end of the bed while talking to Hermione’s parents. Hermione’s father had a deep but kind voice. Her mother had a warm, tad bit deeper voice than Hermione herself did. They were all laughing over something, but he wasn’t focusing on it.

He knew the instant Hermione came onto the balcony and stood by the door/windows. Just when she was going to turn and go back in he spoke so only she could hear, “Mione, stay…just for a bit?”

Hermione was frozen to her spot but turned to him saying, “Okay, I’ll stay.”

Harry with a small smile replied, “Thanks, I’m sorry I’m being rude…I just…just needed some air. You should get to bed its late.”

Hermione sighed and leaned against the banister he now stood at, “Oh but Harry I want to stay with you until you’re settled.”

When she didn’t get a reply to this she went on trying to cover up the pain she felt for her friend’s pain saying, “I think if we start researching a bit now, we’ll have more of an idea of what we’re doing. Then we can relax and take walks to that park I told you about. Mom usually takes the late morning/afternoon shift at their practice. Dad’s usually earlier morning. We can hang out playing cards or something at night, if you want…”

When she got nothing she just watched Harry’s face for a moment and sighed heavily, “Alright, I’ll go to bed but only if you do. You need the sleep more than I do.”

Harry replied with a tired laugh, “Alright, Hermione I will. Goodnight.”

Hermione walked up to him and gave him a hug before she pulled away giving him a kiss on the cheek saying, “Goodnight, Harry,” with this said she turned and left the balcony looking back a second and then left the room taking everyone with her yelling back, “Bathroom’s right across the hall. My door’s down the hall fourth door on the left, my parent’s room second door in the left hall.”

After taking another breath of fresh air he also went into the room that was his for his stay. Now that Hedwig was flying Harry got to check out his room fully. It was a good sized room compared to his room at the Dursleys. He could see he had about a foot or two until he reached the big king sized bed against the wall straight from the door with a nightstand on the right. He had a closet to the left of the door and dresser to the right of the door with a full mirror on the wall above it.

He loved the room’s light blue sky color, but he wanted a shower. So he grabbed his night clothes went to the bathroom, ran the water super hot and let it burn away his worries and pains. Then he dressed for bed, took off his glasses and fell into a dreamless sleep. The next day he woke up to the sun in his eyes trudged down to the dining room to find Hermione and her mom setting breakfast. So he spent the morning talking with and getting to know Hermione’s mother.

After breakfast he and Hermione did the dishes together. Then they spent the rest of the morning looking things up like spells or charms to help with their hunt to come trying to make it seem like studying for her parents’ sanity. In the afternoon they walked a block or so with members of the Order they knew were there covering them to the park and just played like little kids and talked trying to get back their childhood for just a few hours at least. About an hour before supper they walked back and had supper with both Hermione’s mom and dad. During supper he got to know Hermione’s father. After supper they all hung out together in the living room talking and laughing. Harry liked these times and this was how his two weeks with Hermione and her parents went until the night Harry told Hermione he wanted to go somewhere but couldn’t tell her yet, but asked her to come along anyways. She instantly agreed.

As he left Hermione’s room for his he saw Hermione’s dad in the hall. He froze at the glare her father threw at him. Her father called him to him and Harry went fearing what would happen. They went to Harry’s room, once inside Hermione’s father shut the door and stood staring at Harry who now sat on the bed facing him. Hermione’s father looked grim and said, “How do you feel about my daughter, Harry?”

Harry gulped and stuttered, “I care for her a lot, Sir. She’s my best friend.”

Hermione’s father now glaring more, “Just as a friend Harry?”

Harry now confused, “Yes, Sir?”

Hermione’s father smirking now, “I’d rethink that if I were you young man and I warn you…you hurt her no power on earth magical or muggle will save you!”

Then with a smile he said, “Goodnight, Harry.”

He left Harry confused, so confused he didn’t sleep well. After breakfast the next morning Hermione and Harry packed up their trunks and Hedwig and with a simple thought they appeared into Ice’s living room at Safehaven.