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Chapter Text

Freak of Nature – Chapter 1 (A Freak?)

Harry knew he wasn’t normal, and he didn’t need his relatives to tell him that. Though he found their description pretty accurate.

Freak.

He knew he was one. At first, Harry believed it was because of the scar on his forehead. He had found it a bit unusual and been told he got it in the car crash. The same car crash that had stolen his parents’ lives. The scar had never hurt him, though he wasn’t sure how a crash could have caused it.

He didn’t think he would ever have an answer for that. His aunt refused to talk about his family, except that they were freaks just like him. And he had gotten smacked for daring to ask a question. He figured it was better than being hit by one of her pans.

It wasn’t even performing accidental magic that would solidify that opinion. Though Harry wouldn’t realize what it was he was doing until years later. It would be several years later that would tell Harry he definitely was not normal.

It would come to be on a morning that the Dursleys actually left him alone in the house. He figured it was because they thought he was still locked inside his cupboard. He took advantage of that.

One of them was taking a bath for the first time. The Dursleys only allowed him to take showers so he stayed clean and didn’t smell. He wondered if that was his first mistake.

Harry screamed.

Because it wasn’t feet that was greeting him in the tub full of water, but a tail. He was a monster?! What was happening to him!?

He tried closing his eyes and pretending that he hadn’t seen what he did. But once he opened them back, he still saw it. Instead of skin he had scales. His upper body hadn’t changed any, so he was a bit thankful for that. There had been slight burning from when his legs morphed into a tail.

Harry felt his breath quicken in panic, eyes wide in horror. He forced himself to take a deep inhale. With trepidation, he lifted the tail just like he would if he had his legs. Surprisingly the tail responded to his whims like his arms and legs. The scales shimmered under the light in the ceiling, every small movement lit up different patches. Harry felt himself tilt his head to the side as he looked closely, even inside his fear he could see the beauty. The entire tail was made of scales of two different colours, a strong eye-catching emerald green. He recognized the colour as the one of his own eyes from the mirror. The other colour was the one he felt himself examining carefully like it was important, but he wasn't sure why. It was the deep blue of the ocean after a storm, dark and alluring. The scales didn't seem to have any pattern or reason for how they were spaced, some patches had more blue, others had more brown. But overall, it did appear to be even amounts of each in total. Raising a shaking hand, Harry let himself feel the rough tail, he let out a slightly hysterical laugh at the first touch. How on earth would he explain this to the Dursleys'? Lifting the tail into the air again, he took a look at the fin at the end, the shape was bizarre, he thought, like a half-moon crescent, the sides the longest part, curling in slightly. He had no scales on the fin, but the colours were the same, blending together where they met. He let the tail fall, making a splash in the water. He was a freak. It was official.

He resisted the urge to cry, he wanted to be normal like the Dursleys. Why did he have to be such a freak? He doubted that his relatives had a tail. Though it was a bit stunning to look at. It was kind of beautiful in a freakish sort of way.

What was he supposed to be? Some type of mermaid? Or rather merman?

Harry eventually had to tear his eyes away from the tail. He still needed to be clean though he wasn’t sure how he was supposed to clean a tail. But that didn’t stop him from washing his upper half and hair. Though he couldn’t really move the tail much in the small tub.

Harry frowned, it felt too constricting to him. He wasn’t sure where the thoughts were coming from, but he wanted something bigger that could accommodate him and his new tail. He knew that wouldn’t be possible at the Dursleys.

He was careful as he pulled himself out of the bath. Carefully drying himself so he didn’t drag water everywhere. With a tail, that was extremely difficult, but he managed. Though it was obvious that he really couldn’t walk back to his cupboard. He was just hoping that maybe the tail would go away.

It was painfully slow as each scale slowly faded and he had his legs back. It was a weird process to watch as his tail morphed back into working legs. To watch as scales morphed into pieces of skin returning. He wasn’t sure if would ever get used to that.

Harry breathed in a sigh of relief before scrubbing down his legs, refusing to get back into the tub. After that, he would hide back into his cupboard like he had never been in the bath. Hoping to forget this entire thing, like it never happened. But he never wanted to be in another tub again.

Unfortunately, Harry never realized how hopeless that thought was.

But getting his Hogwarts letter a few years later would tell him on how wrong he was. It would be years later that he would also find out about his accidental magic. 

Harry had gotten the scare of his life several months after the tub incident. He had started to notice the frequent headaches he had been getting. Taking quick showers had helped ease it some, but it didn’t completely go away. He ignored it because he couldn’t risk not getting his chores done. He didn’t want to imagine the punishment he would get if they weren’t done.

His Aunt Petunia could be very picky about that, especially if the kitchen wasn’t spotless to perfection and that the garden was taken care of. He didn’t mind the garden most times, it was soothing. But he could the heat irritating his skin, where it usually didn’t bother him. The thing about the stupid tail shouldn’t have done anything, right?

It wasn’t just the heated temperatures that Harry was feeling and the mind-blowing migraines. The pain slowly trailed over his tiny body. He knew he was small for his age but knew not to complain about it. Just like he knew it wasn’t fair that Dudley was able to eat more and while he was given the scraps.

At least the cramps were just tiny bits of pain that he was able to get through. Or he would just work through it while gritting his teeth. But soon the showers weren’t even helping him feel better, but he refused to get back into that tub. He didn’t want a tail, it showed him how much of a freak he was. But he knew that baths were not allowed at the Dursleys.

Soon enough, that decision would be taken from him. It was like the very bones in his body started to seize up on him. He could feel himself sweating bullets and he couldn’t get them to stop. He wasn’t sick… was he?

Then he collapsed.

Aunt Petunia had been the one to find Harry lying in the floor. Instead of leaving him where he was, she lifted him up in her arms. He was lightweight so it wasn’t a hardship for her to carry him. Not like it was for Dudley anymore, he was too big to pick up anymore. She felt an intense amount of guilt run through her. This was her fault…

"Foolish boy! You would have the gene and go past your own limit..." she lectured.

"Why are you helping me?" Harry asked weakly. He couldn’t recall someone ever holding him, it felt nice. But he was waiting for the moment for his aunt to drop him. He honestly thought he was hallucinating.

Petunia twisted her lips, "even though me and your mother didn't get along near the end. I could not bear to see her in pain. I had hoped it would skip you, but I am not as lucky."

“You hate me…” Harry mumbled. Had he been fully aware he may not have said that allowed.

“I—I may have let some of my past anger towards my sister get the better of me. I push that onto you while I tried to deal with that,” she admitted.

“I’m a monster…” Harry sobbed.

Petunia bit her lip, perhaps she had been a bit harsh whenever she had called him a Freak. It was how she coped with it. She still wasn’t sure on how to take her sister’s death and being thrust with taking care of a second child didn’t help. So, she had tried to push that to the back of her mind and distance herself. Knowing that this was her sister’s son didn’t ease the guilt she constantly had at her mind; Lily would never have treated Dudley that way. Lily always had a kinder heart than she ever had. Her parents would be disappointed in her.

But she couldn’t just let the boy… Harry just lay there. She knew what was happening, she had been there when Lily had gone through the same thing. She had hoped and wished it would pass by her son. That way she could keep pretending. There was a part of her that did care, but it was Vernon.

She recalled that Lily had fainted the first time she had seen her tail. She remembered feeling in awe of the tail. It was another thing that separated the two of them.

Vernon hated anything about magic, especially after meeting James Potter. She had learned to hate it herself, but it was more than that. She had hated herself. And pushed that hate forward.

She envied Lily and her magic, desperately wishing she could go with her every year. She knew that whatever sister bond they had was broken. She had quickly turned to hate her sister and now she was dead. She could never ask for forgiveness for her actions. Though she knew that Lily would never have held it against her. Why had she turned away from her?

Could she really continue hating Lily and push that onto her son?

Harry started to tremble and thrash in her arms upon entering the bathroom.

“No!” he cried. He could feel the fear overtaking him. He didn’t want to go back into that tub, he didn’t want to be a monster and freak.

Petunia had been used to Dudley fighting in her arms before, she didn’t drop him. But it was a close call.

“Harry,” she said, almost calling him boy. But she knew she needed to break that habit. That is probably what prompted that action.

Harry’s frantic eyes met her pale blue, but it caught him off guard. He had never been called by his name by his relatives.

“You will only get worse if you do not get into the tub,” she said.

Harry shook his head; he didn’t want to. He could handle the pain, he could.

“Would you rather I have left you in the floor and Vernon find you,” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Harry felt a shiver of fear run through him; he didn’t like his Uncle Vernon’s punishments. They hurt and scarred.

“The water will help,” she promised.

Harry knew that he shouldn’t trust his aunt, he had only known hurt in their home. Though his fingers shook too badly to undress himself. He only felt shame that his aunt had to undress him before easing him into the tub. He still felt terrified, he didn’t want that tail back. But he knew what was coming after the tub was slowly filled of water.

It hurt.

Harry felt his body wracked with pain as he twisted and turned.

Petunia bit her lips, she had never witnessed Lily go through the first change herself. Though her parents had been in the bathroom when it first happened. She didn’t know what to do, if there was anything she could do. But with amazed eyes, she observed as her nephew’s legs turned into scales and shifted into a tail. It was beautiful with the way that the green and blue merged all together. She thought she saw hints of brown as well. It looked like Lily’s…

The green had matched Lily’s eyes and she knew they would be the shade of Harry’s. She knew some about them, least as much as Lily had told her. Until she had refused to speak to her sister again.

She felt a twinge of guilt, Lily should be guiding her son through this, not her. She was not equipped to help her nephew; she had never been worthy enough. How could she help him with this, and she didn’t know anything about it?

Petunia watched as Harry slowly relaxed into the water, he seemed much calmer than before. She had been right? It had been so long since she saw the signs, but it was like she had never forgotten. For now, the tub would fit the size of Harry and his tail, but she knew that he would grow. Soon, the tub would be too small for him and his tail but for now, it did the job right. Her parents had a private pool that they had bought for Lily. She had remembered the jealousy that stewed because of that. Everything was for Lily, never her.

The floor was already a mess but for once it didn’t bother her. Water had splashed out from the tub and would need to be wiped up later. She couldn’t help but notice how young her nephew looked. Even with a tail.

When first Harry had entered the water in the tub, he thought this had made everything worse. He knew the first time that his legs transformed into a tail, it hadn’t hurt. It was like every bone in his body was breaking and every bruise he had was being pressed into. He had a scream at the tip of his lips but refused to make a sound. He could feel himself tossing and turning in the small tub.

As quick as the pain came, it faded just as fast. He was slowly able to relax, though avoided looking at his tail. He still didn’t know what he was but he still felt like a monster. He had a lot of questions, but he knew that wasn’t allowed. Why had his Aunt Petunia helped him? None of this was making any sense. As delirious as he had been, he still heard her. She had never helped him before, what changed?

Why was there hate between his mother and her? None of it made any sense and he didn’t know anything about his parents. Only that a car crash had killed them, and he had survived somehow.

Maybe he could fall asleep and forget about today. It was getting too much and none of it was making sense to him.

Chapter Text

Freak of Nature – Chapter 2 (Some Truths)

Petunia knew she wouldn’t be able to ask Lily or her parents about what her nephew was, they were dead. He looked like one of those mermen from one of those children’s movies. Though this was obviously the real deal, this was no child fantasy.

What did one of those creatures need anyways? She didn’t know, so she hoped that the attic would give her an answer.

The house had been her parents until they had passed several years ago. Many years before Lily had been murdered. And yes, she knew that her sister had been murdered by someone in her sister’s world. She had never known what to think about that. And it had been through a blasted letter. If they had known where she lived, why didn’t they tell her in person?

She may have not spoken to Lily in years, but she felt that she deserved that courtesy. But there was no point in dwelling in the past. And they obviously had no care for Lily’s son.

She even had the thought of sending him to an orphanage, but the letter had terrified her. She didn’t think she was equipped to take care of two children. Even at that age, Dudley had required all of her attention. So, she had not spared any to the other child. And so, she kept up that habit for years.

He did not deserve any of her ire for things she was not able to control. She doubted that the boy would forgive her. He would obviously be just out of depths as she would be.

Everything she had stored of her parents had been stored into the attic. Petunia also knew that Lily had stored a lot of her stuff there over the years. But she had refused to go up there for years, too many memories.

The light filled the dusty room, and the room was cluttered. Even with the mess that was there, she could spot Lily’s things. It was in a trunk, most likely the same one she had taken to Hogwarts. She wondered if Lily had touched it since she graduated from the school that she went to?

With hesitant steps, Petunia inched closer to the trunk. The top was covered in dust as she brushed it aside. There was an engraving of her initials before she had married that Potter.

L.J.E.

Her fingers brushed over the lettering as more dust fell. She could feel a tear fall. It was the same trunk that her sister had used since she was eleven until she was seventeen. She was sure of it.

Petunia didn’t bother to brush the tear away before opening the clasps on the trunk. She eased it open as it fell back. Even where her sister was dead, Lily had always been organized. On one side of the trunk must have been all of her books. They looked quite thick; she didn’t dare to touch them. There was an odd-looking paper and quills on the other side of the trunk, where clothes rested on top. It was the same clothes she had seen Lily wear before leaving each year. The odd papers were filled with her elegant handwriting. Lily had always had the better handwriting of the two of them. In the center of the trunk, she noticed several notebooks. She recalled Lily had sometimes taken to carrying them around. It wasn’t often, but it was enough to recognize them.

She cautiously extended her hand out, surely her sister wouldn’t have cursed her, would she? A thin hand curled around the journal. There were three of them that were centered into the trunk.

She slowly sat down on the dusty floor, not caring if it stuck to her clothes. They could always be washed and cleaned later.

Each notebook was a different color. The first one she had picked up had been blue, the next one was a dark green, with the last being a dark brown. The colors reminded her of the colors of the scales on her nephew’s tail.

Petunia turned to the first enjoy and saw familiar writing.

April 5, 1968

I am not sure why mum and dad said I should keep notes, but thought I should give this a shot. I am not sure what I am. Tuney was there with me and I was so scared. We were supposed to have our baths. But my legs were gone! I had a tail! I know Tuney didn’t know what to think of it either before running out of the room. There was so much pain.

Mum and dad hugged me even though I looked weird. How was I supposed to walk without legs? Though I eventually found out that once I’m dry, the scales disappear.

Weird!

August 9,1971

So, I got my Hogwarts letter! I’m a witch! I can do magic! Our neighbor, Severus, had told me too as well. I didn’t tell him about the tail since mum and dad warned me not too. Though Tuney was very mean and called me a freak.

It wasn’t nice at all, though I didn’t tell mum or dad. I don’t know what to say to her because she won’t even look at me. I don’t want her to be mad at me… Though Severus let a twig snap on her head. I don’t why he would do that.

I am supposed to be going to Hogwarts this September. Though mum and dad think this school may have the answers to why I have a tail. I hope I can find out why though I noticed that water keep me calm, there is this freedom I can’t quite understand. I hope there is someone at this school where I can bath without having to worry about someone seeing. I would love to see the library; they must have so many books…

Petunia skipped over several of the entries Lily had made during Hogwarts. Looking for something that Lily may have found out at Hogwarts. She knew that Harry would be receiving a letter from them in a few years.

December 11, 1974

I didn’t think I would ever find out what exactly I am. Everyday I try to find more information in the library, and nothing had given me the right answer. Until we covered creatures in Defense today. We went over the Selkies that lived in the Black Lake. They were the closest creature I could find. I was looking in the wrong section.

I know the Ministry considers the Selkies dangerous creatures, there is even given evidence of what happens when someone enters their territory. I have never tried swimming in the Black Lake, too much of a chance I may be seen before I can dry my tail.

There are several distinctions between me and Selkies. The tails are shaped differently and were a very pale grey color to match their skin. I know my tale looks nothing like that but does look quite similar. Maybe related to the Selkies?

Which I did find several books on those later.  Sirens and Merrows. I was able to cross off Merrows, as they are very similar to the Selkies in the Black Lake.

The only one that seems obvious is the Sirens. Its hard to believe that I may be somewhat part of them. But how does that explain the tail and how I can breathe underwater. I am kind of afraid to try to sing… does that mean I will have a voice like the Sirens?

Feels so much to take in and I don’t think there is anyone I can ask about this…

Petunia froze, her sister was a Siren? You heard about them in myths that were sometimes told to children. She had never imagined they were real. There were several entries that talked about how dangerous it was for her to tell anyone. She couldn’t believe that someone would hunt them down just because. If Lily had been one, that meant her son was one too. She had seen it with her own eyes. How had her sister lived with this? Did that mean the Potter bloke she married was one too? Perhaps her journals would tell that story as well.

She figured that her nephew was some type of merman from those fairy tale movies. She had watched them with her son, Dudley when he was younger. It seemed so much simpler than having to think about the entire magic thing. Which was still a bitter taste that she had to swallow.

She wasn’t part of that world and never would be. She had hoped that Lily’s son wouldn’t be either, but she knew he would be. The letter had said as much. She hated that letter too.

The boy would be back in his cupboard, that would be something she needed to change. So, maybe she had been more cruel towards him than she had intended. Though he doubted that Vernon would have been any agreeable to letting him have his own room. She didn’t even know how to approach that with Vernon anymore than she knew how to approach Harry.

“Why should that freak get a room!?” Vernon growled, instantly furious that his wife had brought up that freak.

Petunia’s nose flared, “Vernon, I am at least trying to come into grasp of my sister’s death. She may have been that type but that didn’t mean I didn’t totally hate her! How do you think they will feel if they ever find out!”

Vernon actually went slightly pale at that, “you think they’re watching us?”

Petunia actually didn’t know if they were, but she wouldn’t be surprised if they were. But when had her life ever been fair.

“They could be right now,” she replied.

“Fine, give the freak Dudley’s second room,” Vernon growled before marching out the door.

Petunia gave a shaky sigh; she wasn’t sure on how that may gone. But at least Vernon had agreed. It was hard to tell with her husband. She knew there would be a fight with her son, he wouldn’t understand why he would have to give up his room. But it would be something she would deal with. And perhaps maybe Harry would allow her to help him. Try to mend for all the mistakes she had made out of hate and bitterness.

She made her way up to Dudley’s second bedroom, maybe that is where some of her mistakes had come from too. Was she spoiling her own son too much? She hadn’t thought much about it. The thought occurred to her as she looked around at all the broken toys that she would have to throw away. The bookcase could stay, she didn’t have much need for it. She had forgotten she had stored it in here. Lily had always been more of a reader than she had been.

Was her nephew even a reader?

Petunia shook her head before gathering what was in Dudley’s second room. She had spotted the first television she and Vernon had bought for Dudley. Their son had never told them on how it got broken, only that he needed a new one. She had never asked on how and perhaps she should have. She could spot the broken video camera she had bought for Dudley a few months ago, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know how it got broken. There were various things that were broken in the room.

Though the room felt bare after she had gathered everything up. There wasn’t even a bed, she would have to get one. No doubt if she told Vernon about the need for another bed, he would claim that the ‘freak’ could use the one he had. Even she knew that she had done wrong with making her nephew sleep under the stairs. And she wouldn’t even call that a bed, so she wouldn’t tell Vernon on what she was doing. She debated on throwing that old bed out and there was the conversation with Harry about the room move to. He would be suspicious, she knew that.

But she figured that she could wait to tell him by the time the new bed got there. Though she may have slipped something about it to Harry while he was doing his chores. Vernon had already went to work for the day.

But thankfully it didn't take long for the bed to arrive. It was just a simple single, on the cheaper end so it was easier to explain to Vernon, but still comfortable. She had even managed to get a thick mattress protector to go under the fitted sheet to add some warmth and padding. She had even found memory foam to add some comfort. She had the same one on her bed and it made quite a difference. While shopping in the discount section, she found seen a startling red duvet that was the same colour as Lily's had been after she came back from Hogwarts. The fuzzy memory forcing its way to the forefront. Lily had been so excited to see the garish colour duvet and insisted on getting it with gold sheets.

"The colours of my school house Tuney!" She had cried happily, Petunia remembered it was one of the few times she had let herself smile at her sister's excitement about the magic school.

Without thinking, she grabbed the duvet for Harry. Maybe one day she could explain to him why and he would feel that connection even though his mother wasn't there with him.

But she had been so intent at watching a few guys lug up the boxes that held the mattress and box springs that she hadn’t realized Harry was standing by her.

Breaking one of the rules, Harry asked, “What is that?”

“What does it look like? It’s your bed,” Petunia commented, not really thinking on how she worded it.

Harry’s eyes went wide, “my what!?”

Petunia actually looked over to Harry, “Harry, you are not going to be staying in that cupboard anymore. That—that was very cruel of me and I wish I had spoken up sooner about it. I am doing something that should have been done, you will be moving into Dudley’s second bedroom, something you should have gotten the moment you were brought here,” she felt more and more guilty the more she spoke. She knew that Harry should have had that bedroom since the moment he was brought to them. But they had put him in the cupboard, ignoring his existence when they could. She hated herself for it, still did.

“But… the bed was fine…” Harry tried to say.

“That bed should have never been in this house,” Petunia wrinkled her nose. “I am not going to allow that filthy thing to be hauled upstairs”

Harry didn’t know what to say to that, so he said nothing. This new behavior from his aunt was strange to him, he didn’t understand on why. Not that he didn’t like the new behavior, but he was sure that she had a motive. But he kept his mouth shut, he had already broken the ‘no questions rule.’

Petunia was sure that she honestly would have rather had the conversation with her son about the bedroom while she was throwing the stuff out. Because she heard his yell through the house.

“Mum! The freak is in my room!”

Petunia sighed, this was going to be worse than explaining he couldn't have a dog because she was allergic. Unfortunately, because Marge would bring hers when visiting, regardless, her son had screamed for hours about her lying. Eventually they had settled him with his computer and a promise to visit other pet options when he was older. She secretly hoped he would forget that facet.

"MUM!" Dudley screeched again, she hurried quickly up the stairs when she heard Harry squeak and a soft thump. When she got to the doorway of the room, she was greeted with the sight of Dudley standing by the bed with tears running down his cheeks and Harry on the floor with a scowl.

"Ma…Make hi... him leave!" Dudley cried, added with the stomping of his feet extremely close to Harry's hands.

"Dudley!" Petunia heard herself snap in a panic as Harry rolled away quickly, only narrowing avoiding being trodded on. Her sharp tone shocked her son just as much as it had shocked herself.

"Oh Duddy," She hugged him close, although she was worried about spoiling him, and how she had treated Harry, she still hadn't meant to snap at him. He was only a child like Harry, he was only a few months older than him.

"Now, this is a change for everyone," She soothed her son before letting go and checking on Harry who stared at her like a mysterious puzzle box. "But this is Harry's room now."

"NOOO!" Dudley howled, Petunia stared as the tears vanished and were replaced with horrid anger. "I don't want him in here Mum! It's my room!"

"It was your room," Petunia kindly reminded him. Though she was starting to wonder if those were actually fake tears. "You still have a room; you don't need two bedrooms."

"What would you think if you didn't have a room? Don't you think Harry deserves a room as well," Petunia said. "And don't think I didn't notice everything that you broke! So, you will not be getting another camera either!"

Harry watched this exchange completely confused. 'Why was Aunt Petunia doing all this?' 'Was it a trick?' But from watching his Aunt discipline Dudley for what appeared to be the first time ever, he couldn't really believe it was a joke. But at the same time, nothing good happened for or to him, why would it change now? He watched as Dudley screamed himself hoarse at his Mother, his face going the ugly puce colour. Uncle Vernon did when Harry did something freaky. He watched in a stunned sort of silence as Dudley stormed out of the room screaming for his Father. He felt a flash of fear, unknown to him, not only was that fear visible but he let out an involuntary whimper. Petunia turned around at the sound to see her nephew backing up, deeper into the room, until he hit the wall in the corner of the room and sunk to his knee's making himself as small as possible.

She felt her heart tighten. Was this really what they had to done? She watched him flinch and raise his hands to protect his head as Vernon pounded up the stairs.

"Pet!" He thundered.

"Yes, Vernon dear." She smiled docilely, standing in the doorframe, blocking his sight to Harry.

"Why is Dudley upset about the Freak?!"

"We have to be careful dear; they may be watching the house. But I can't explain that to Dudley about why Harry is getting his own room."

Vernon let out a grunt of understanding, he didn't like it, in fact, he hated it. But he wouldn't put it past the freaks to be watching them. He wouldn't let them know anything, he was doing what was right by the freak, but he wouldn't risk them not agreeing. He had an image of a perfect Father, a hard worker and great businessman to maintain.

Unfortunately, Dudley had followed him back up and when he realized it wasn't changing anything, he let out a wordless shriek. He swung his Smelting’s stick as hard as he could at his Father's legs as many times as he could before the stick was ripped from his hands. The only thing left to do was to scream in his room and throw things about.

Petunia sighed, "I'll handle things from here, dear. Just let Dudley calm down."

She avoided looking towards Harry, not wanting Vernon to look over at her nephew. That would catch his attention.

She knew that Lily would be furious with her if she knew what they let happen to her son. Maybe it was too late to change things, she didn't know. But he had to make up for everything she never stopped. But there was a single question in her mind, had her husband harmed her nephew?

His reaction to her husband had been too obvious. Even when he had been in pain that night, he hadn't flinched from her. Maybe at the notion of being in the tub, but she hadn't blamed him for it. She had seen the pain Lily had gone through. She was always thankful that she never had to go through that.

Petunia crept forward after Vernon had gone back downstairs mumbling about a whiskey and the game. She frowned when Harry didn't move from his spot, even after Vernon and Dudley had left.

"Harry?" She called his name, keeping her voice soft, slowly, she saw his head lift up. Bright green eyes peering out her from behind his black messy hair, arms still folded over his knees hiding his nose, cheeks and mouth.

"Are you okay?" She asked as she finally reached him, sitting down on the floor beside him, arms and legs touching. She didn’t think she had ever asked him that.

Harry nodded quickly, almost like a reflex.

"I know this is a big change. I can't imagine how confused you are." Petunia started, she paused, unsure of how to ask what needed asking or explain what needed explaining.

"You know, your mother and I were extremely close at one point," Petunia sighed, she would start at the beginning and see how he took everything. He still seemed skittish and wary, asking him direct questions probably wouldn't get her anywhere just yet. Harry just blinked owlishly, had he always been this silent?

"We were best friends, only two years between us. We had our own secret language, we used to make forts with the blankets and sleep in them at night telling each other our secrets and dreams," Petunia sighed, it had been a long time since she had allowed herself to remember the good times before she threw everything away.

"I had always struggled with my jealousy over Lily, everyone would always talk about how beautiful she was, how talented and I was just there. Lily never let me pull away from her when we were young. She would drag me with her, treating me like her hero. Making sure I was never left behind. The day after she turned eight, I was talking to her about our plans for the park the next day as she climbed into the bath. She grew a tail for the first time." Petunia felt more than heard Harry's sharp inhale.

"I remember screaming and running to get our parents. We had no idea what was going on, but our parents made it very clear, it was a family secret. We couldn't risk someone taking Lily away. Strange things had always happened around Lily, from the time she had been a baby. But this was the biggest." She could see Harry hanging on every word, eyes wider than ever.

"It was shortly after that, that Lily made a new friend. Severus Snape. He was a foul little boy, he used to watch us from the bushes while we played at the park. One day Lily was on the swings showing me her new trick. She would swing as high as she could, leap off the swing and somehow float down. Almost like magic." Petunia whispered the last word like a secret and small smile as Harry gasped, arms moving away from his face and leaning forward.

"Snape told us that magic was real, that Lily was a witch like he was a wizard and that when they turned eleven, they would get a letter to go to magic school," Petunia let out a soft laugh as Harry whispered 'magic school' under his breath.

"I hated Snape, all of a sudden Lily was following him around, hanging on his every word like she used to do to me. But whenever she wasn't around, Snape would say the cruelest things. He would call me names, and finally one day, Lily was focusing on a dead flower. She managed to bring it back to life! I was so scared, Lily was doing magic just like Snape said, she would leave me for this school. In my fear and anger, I lashed out, I screamed at her, calling her a freak." Petunia wrapped her arm around Harry's shoulder as the boy flinched back, tears forming in his eyes.

"Snape used his magic to cause a tree branch to fall on my head. I managed to run home but ended up in hospital with a concussion. Lily lied to our parents and said I fell out of the tree. I was so angry that she would cover for the vile boy. He had told me that Lily hated me following her around, that she agreed with what he said about me. For me this proved it. After her letter came, I managed to send a letter to the Headmaster asking if I could come. One last chance to stay with Lily. He said no, I didn't have the active gene. But Snape and Lily found my letter. Snape made fun of me the minute he could. Laughing that a stupid Muggle like myself would never be allowed in. So, I allowed myself to hate Lily, it was easier than the pain of her hating me." Petunia startled when she felt tiny hands on her face, wiping away her tears.

"I am so sorry Harry. I will make this better. I will be better. I can be the person Lily believed I was even after all I said to her for so many years."

Petunia didn't know if this meant that Harry would trust her. But perhaps he would understand this was all on her, not him.

"Even after each summer, we never regained that closeness. I was still hurt and going to school. I didn't want anything to do with my sister. I am not sure if she ever learned why or not. But I kept pushing her away. My parents only seemed to notice precious Lily, never me. It seemed like moving away and going to school was the only thing that gave me comfort. Lily still kept in contact with me, but I usually threw anything she gave me away. I didn't know what to do when I received the letter that my only sister was dead. We never got to reconcile with each other. But I have her notebooks when you are ready," Petunia said quietly. "But I am sorry that I pushed all of my hate and bitterness onto you. You aren't your mother, and I am sorry I didn't realize that.”

"But magic isn't real?" Harry finally whispered, eyes darting to the door looking for a hidden enemy. "Uncle Vernon says so."

Petunia looked guilty at that; she had been the one that had told Vernon about her sister having magic. He hadn't trusted it that day and even less when he had met her sister's husband.

She hadn't thought Potter was all that bad, he had cared deeply for her sister. Even with all the hate in her heart, she had been happy to see that. Unfortunately, Vernon had taken an immediate dislike, Potter had held himself with a slight air of obnoxiousness and arrogance. Vernon's dislike turned to disgust when he had called him Potter and the man had smiled and responded with "Heir Potter or James" before disappearing with his best friend with laughter. Lily had explained how her fiancé was in fact the son of a Lord in their world and only heir to the fortune. Vernon had gone into a rant about trust fund kids and lazy no-good people who never work for anything. Unfortunately, it only got worse when Potter and his friend Black let off fireworks as a loud prank and spent most of the night messing with guests.

"I think, we had believed, no matter how ridiculous, that if you didn't know. You wouldn't have it. But Harry, there are going to be times that what Vernon says is not true. Before I may be agreeing with him. I had hoped that you may be normal, like me. But you follow after your mother, no matter how painful that is for me to swallow," Petunia admitted.

"What about Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked trembling, green eyes terrified.

"Harry..." Petunia hesitated. "What has Vernon done to make you this afraid of him?"

Harry immediately started shaking his head. "No, no, no…" Hands slapping to his ears.

He may have broken the no question rules, the talking when not allowed, or maybe even more. But he would not break this rule. Would not. Don't talk about punishments.

"Harry, stop!" Petunia cried, grabbing his hands when the child started to hit his head repeatedly.

Petunia used her strength to pull the boy over her lap, frowning when she realized how easy that had been. Harry proceeded to curl into her legs, wrapping his arms around her knees, head tucked into his own. Petunia sighed and started to rub his back soothingly, only to freeze. There were bumps under the shirt. Ridges over his back. Carefully she reached down to his shirt. Harry panicked and tried to leap up but because of his size, she was able to wrap one arm under his chest and hold him tight. The other arm lifted his shirt.

The gag and gasp of horror battled in her throat. Harry's back was covered in welts of various healing stages. Red, angry and only just starting to scab over. Purple bruising with fully formed scabs. Black bruises with dark healed lines. And finally silver scars of years old healed lines. Her nephew had been flogged.

What monster had she married!?

She would have never approved of this. No matter how much she had hated Lily. Her sister could have cursed her with her magic, not that she would. But she would never condemn this behavior to a child.

How could Vernon do this? They had a son as well and near Harry's age.

She could feel the tears falling on her as she wrapped her arms around Harry. He obviously hadn't wanted her to see. Did he think that she would have agreed with Vernon about this? Surely not!

She slowly rocked him in her arms, like she had done when Dudley had woken from a nightmare. There would need to be a conversation about this, but she knew she wouldn't be able to look at Vernon now.

It would only be a reminder of who exactly he was. Had Lily tried to warn her? She knew that her sister had never approved of her husband. She may not have said it, but she knew Lily. No matter how distant they had become. No matter how much hate she tried to muster. She still knew her sister.

Looking back at the crying child, she knew what she had to do. She had to protect Harry, and even Dudley. Vernon had to go.

Chapter Text

Freak of Nature – Chapter 3 (Changes for the Better)

Petunia was making the boys breakfast, pancakes for Sunday morning. Watching Dudley and Harry talking about the zoo trip excitedly for Harry's birthday.

It had been a big change since she had told Vernon to leave. She refused to have him in that any longer. Not around Harry and not around her son. To her, he was no longer Dudley's father.

The reaction he had was not one she was expecting.

Vernon had bellowed, "you!"

Harry had been behind her, hiding.

She knew that Vernon's target had been Harry as she had been striked, falling to the floor. She felt dazed and couldn't recall much what happened earlier. But Dudley had come to her defense against his own father. She didn't even know who had called the police.

But Vernon had been taken away in cuffs, though they had asked if she needed emergency care.

Petunia had declined but had thanked the officer. But she did have to make a statement about it later. Just as long as Harry and Dudley didn’t have to stand in front of a court, they were too young to worry about such things.

Though it was a relief when she had received the letter stating Vernon's sentence. They had pictures of evidence and he would not be getting out for a while.

But at least she could do this trip for Harry for his eleventh birthday. He was supposed to be getting his letter sometime today. She didn't know how she felt about entering that magical alley.

She had done so when Lily had been eleven. But that had been so long ago.

But it did seem that Vernon's lack of influence had done wonders for her son. She wasn't blind to the bullying, but without his father to show off for. He didn't seem to mind being around Harry that much.

She would be giving him the first journal from his mother. She had decided to wait and at least do one at a time. She didn't want to overload him with information.

Though she knew that he would be going to Hogwarts, so they did need to have a conversation about what he was. She couldn't imagine what it would be like knowing that you were another creature.

But she mused, 'I suppose it would be as shocking as finding out magic was real' letting out a chuckle

At least she didn't have to worry about Harry having trouble learning the signs when he needed to be in water.

She still made sure that Dudley didn't know anything about that. He was still too young to be able to keep a secret. And it would be best if her son didn't know this about her nephew.

But what she didn't expect was a knock at the door.

Turning the stove off, she sat Harry and Dudley's food in front of them. Placing a soft kiss on both their heads.

"Dig in, I'll be back."

"Thanks mum."

"Thanks, Aunt Petunia."

Petunia slowly opened the door; she didn't even have a chance to grab the mail yet.

"You!" Petunia hissed.

She hadn't seen Snape since she was a child, but she would never forget. He apparently still hadn't learned to wash his hair

That limp greasy hair, those dark empty black eyes, and large uneven nose. He was older, like herself, but it was still the boy from Spinners End.

He was the reason for her sister being dead. She knew it. It didn't matter how much hate she had for Lily. He had killed her and that was unforgivable.

"You aren't welcome here," she hissed.

"Tuney," the ghastly boy sneered. It was like she was in the past, it was hard to see the man instead of the child that destroyed her relationship with Lily. Who tormented her.

"You don't get to call me that!" She snarled. "You have no right!"

"I am here for the Potter spawn," Snape drawled seemingly bored, completely ignoring the fact Petunia had spoken.

"No." She shook her head furiously, pointing her hand to the street. "You need to leave."

"I am here to deliver his Hogwarts letter, " Snape glared at the woman, Dumbledore had mentioned he might have some struggle. Of course, stupid Muggles didn't understand the importance of Hogwarts. Let alone ones like Petunia.

"Give me the letter then and leave." Petunia stood her ground.

"The boy will attend Hogwarts." Snape tried to come across menacingly, but after all Petunia had been through. It was just flat, like a child playing the villain.

"You will get off my property before I call the police or whatever law you have. You are already responsible for Lily's death! You will not be responsible for his!"

"And I will love to see your precious Dumbledore rescue you from our police and explain why you decided to trespass my home," Petunia smirked.

Snape actually surprised her by bearing his teeth, like the animal he was, Petunia snorted. But she knew everything, everything Dumbledore had left out when he dropped her nephew off with a letter in the middle of the night.

Not only did Petunia blame him for being the vile little bat that sucked Lily away and into the world of magic. But Petunia had gone through the trunk from the attic fully over the years. Including finding letters addressed to her that Lily had sent and she never read. She had already known they had fallen out at fifteen. Hard to miss when suddenly he wasn't allowed over. But letters to Petunia revealed that he had become a Death Eater, one of the ones killing Muggles, Muggleborns and Squibs. Although Dumbledore had sworn to hide it, he had told Lily exactly who had come forward with the prophecy after telling Voldemort. She couldn't figure out why the old headmaster would've told Lily, but if Snape was here with the letter. It meant he was a Professor at Hogwarts. So obviously the headmaster was stupid enough to believe he had been reformed. She knew better. She smirked as Snape glared even harder at her threat.

"Dumbledore trusted me to deliver this letter and take Potter to get his schooling equipment."

"Not happening." She said furiously. She sighed as she heard soft footsteps behind her. Try as they might to be subtle, those boys were not good at sneaking. She closed the door slightly, leaning on the wall. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see both boys’ heads peeking around the corner from the kitchen door with wide eyes.

"He looks like a vampire" Petunia heard Dudley whispered.

"What do we do?" Harry whispered back in fear. Both boys unaware that both adults could hear them clearly, and Snape's pinched expression was extremely satisfying.

She wanted Snape to hurt as much as he had hurt her. She was even tempted to not let Harry go to Hogwarts if that greasy git was a professor there. Dumbledore was obviously not on her high list either.

"Just give me the damn letter before I pen a letter to Hogwarts and your precious Ministry, letting them know they have a murderer on the loose," Petunia gave him a fake smile.

Snape could feel himself pale, he wasn't sure how she knew, but by the look in her cold blue eyes, she did. He wasn't aware she had any knowledge of their world, let alone him. He narrowed his black eyes in anger, if that's how she wants to play it, he knew how.

"I guess I will just have to come back with the Headmaster himself and you can explain to him why you wouldn't let me in the door. Although, with how you treated Lily, I am not surprised you would stop her son from attending Hogwarts. But you don't have a choice. The boy will attend."

"You call him boy again, you will wish you were sentenced to Azkaban," she snarled "And you bring your precious Headmaster, I will make sure that he does not attend Hogwarts with the likes of you to poison his mind!"

"I will be back, and next time I won't be alone" Snape snarled before twirling away, dramatically. Petunia rolled her eyes, before hustling the boys into the car. She wouldn't let Snape or Dumbledore ruin their trip to the zoo. Harry had always had an affinity for animals, and it was the only thing the child had asked for his birthday. Even after two years he still struggled with asking for things. Her past behavior hadn’t help with that, but at least she had been trying to make up for it.

“Don’t think that I can’t see and hear you two,” Petunia turned around.

She had a grin on her lips, which was better the scowl that had been there since Severus Snape had been at her door. She had been very close to calling the police just to witness him trying to argue himself out of the muggle police.

But at least she had Harry's letter and she be damned if she would ever let Snape inside her home. But Harry could read that after their trip.

"Who was that?" Dudley asked boldly as she started the car.

"He is a Professor at Hogwarts. He brought us Harry's acceptance letter. Unfortunately, he is not a good man, Harry, if you do end up going, I need you to be careful of him."

"He said he would be back?" Harry asked softly, green eyes meeting blue.

"Yes, with the Headmaster. I want to talk to him before we make any decisions. You will both be there; we are part of this journey as a family." She swore.

The hour drive to London Zoo was surprisingly normal, the two boys in the back seat talking animatedly about their favorite animals instead of asking questions that Petunia couldn't answer.

She rolled her eyes as Dudley started hollering his love for Gorillas and Tigers, Harry was just grinning and nodding along. Since Vernon had left, Dudley and Harry had formed a formidable bond considering the first eight years. Harry worshipped his old tormentor as if he couldn't believe his luck had turned and his older, cooler, stronger cousin believed him to be worth his time now.

"Did you know Tiger stripes aren't just the fur, the pattern is on the skin as well?" Harry piped up when Dudley finally took a breath. Petunia smiled as they pulled into the carpark.

"NO!" Dudley cried excitedly, "Mum?! Did you hear that?"

"I did Duddy." Petunia nodded with a smile as they pulled into the car park. Harry had definitely inherited his Mother's love of learning and reading, although there was a secondary influence, she laughed.

"Look boys!" She said as she parked swiftly. "Uncle Remus beat us here!"

Harry's eyes brightened up, "Remy!"

Remus Lupin had been standing near the doors to the zoo before having his hands full of an eleven-year-old boy.

Dudley had been trailing right after Harry.

Remus had brought both of them in for a hug.

"Both of you behaving for your mum and aunt?"

They both nodded their heads.

Remus had light brown hair with green eyes, they weren't quite the shade of Harry's. His clothes were a bit worn, but not in tatters.

His eyes strayed over to Petunia, a silent question.

Petunia glanced over to Harry before nodding. There would be a conversation later, she knew that Remus was a wizard. But this was supposed to be Harry's day. No sense in ruining it before it started.

"Boys, go jump in line for tickets." She smiled as Dudley hooted and grabbed Harry's arm.

"The Headmaster sent Snape to deliver the letter." She growled under her breath as she walked with Remus slowly. "Can you come back with us after this? He said he would be back with Dumbledore and I don't trust your world, Remus."

"Of course." Remus nodded sharply. "Why would he send Snape, that is just asking for something to go wrong?" he rolled his pale green eyes.

"Surely that school has more than one professor," Petunia whispered

"That's the thing. It should have been the deputy Headmistress, Minerva."

"He hadn't changed in the seven years at Hogwarts," Remus nodded in agreement.

Petunia snorted, she at least believed that. She knew that much from their very short conversation. And she had been correct in not letting Harry go with him. Perhaps Remus would like to go with when she took Harry shopping. Maybe she could finally convince Remus to get some half decent clothes for once.

She didn't know how she would have coped without Remus. She had found out later that he had been there; the night Vernon had been arrested. She had tried to kick him out, Harry had been flogged and beaten and taught rules that had made her sick. But Vernon had blamed Harry for her finding out, he had proceeded hit her trying to get to Harry again, Dudley had gone on the defensive standing in front of her. She had blacked out at that moment when she came to it had been to flashing lights. Police lights outside, and an Ambulance medic's torch checking her eyes.

Immediately she had called for her children only to discover they were both being tended to. Vernon, the brute had smacked Dudley for standing in front of his mother and trying to attack him. He had then tried to kill Harry. Beyond all, they had been lucky that Remus Lupin had been watching the house, trying to gather the courage to visit when Dumbledore had told him not to. The man had heard Dudley and Harry's screams, yelled at a neighbor walking their dog to call the Police and burst in, subduing Vernon.

She had been worried when she first found out who he was and what he was doing there. But he had proven himself, answering any questions she had, taking two steps back when she was overwhelmed and felt threatened by his world. He treated Dudley with the same love and care he treated Harry. Maybe with her and Remus, Harry and Dudley could keep the bond her and Lily had lost with the two separate worlds.

It was different, before she had known about Remus. He was just there. She had recalled him from Lily's wedding, though she hadn't stayed long for it. It made her realize that maybe some of Potter's friends weren’t like him like she originally figured. She would have figured he would be more of Lily's friend not Potter's.

It had helped that Harry had seemed to briefly recognize him. So, that had elevated some of her worries. She wouldn't have thought Harry would allow someone near him, especially after Vernon.

It had taken Dudley a bit longer, but that was due to him not knowing the man. She imagined it helped where Harry knew him and didn't mind his presence.

Petunia was pulled out of her memories as they reached the till,

"Family pass," She said handing over the money, Remus sighed, he often tried to pay for himself. But she had won a year ago when they had to go to London's Natural History Museum, that it was cheaper to get the family pass than two different groups. He still made it clear he wasn't happy though, which always had her giggling. She felt a different person in the short three years. She was happier, laughing more, she barely recognized herself in the old family photos. She had looked so sour and angry, but in the new photos, she wasn't as beautiful as Lily had been, but she felt pretty now. To her, it felt like a vast improvement.

"Alright, boys!" Remus called out. "We will start with the orange path," he said as he looked at the map consideringly. "What do you think Tunes?"

She smiled, he never called her Pet, like she was lesser, he never called her Tuna like her classmates, but Tunes, like musical. He always asked for her opinion, never taking over, letting her decide if she wanted to lead. He was much better than Vernon had ever been and she liked it that way.

"You are better at those ridiculous maps than me." She laughs airily, freely. "Lead the way Professor Lupin." she joked, he had admitted that he had wanted to be a Professor at Hogwarts one day, and he was always ready to tutor Dudley and study with Harry.

"Right then! Fall in line boys" He grinned leading the two giggling children into a march as they made their way to the farmland exhibit.

Harry delightedly skipped by his Uncle Moony's side holding his hand. Dudley was beside him, holding Aunt Petunia's hand. They had been at the zoo for HOURS, he thought happily. The animals were amazing, with so many different species and so many facts to learn.

There were three paths throughout the zoo to follow, Orange, Pink and Blue. At the end of Orange, they had sat down with a lunch of hot chips, hotdogs, ice blocks, and drinks to recuperate and talk about their favorite animals on that path. At the end of pink, they sat down again with drinks and some snack bars, to keep their energy going.

Harry grinned thinking back, on the orange path his favorite had definitely been the meerkats. They lived in large groups of up to forty called a gang or mobs! They had lookouts to warn them of predators. They were a family.

The Pink route had Otters! He had squealed in delight and no one told him off but instead got him as close as he could be. Otters rested in large groups called a raft, they had been seen in groups of up to 1,000! Harry couldn't even count that high. They held hands so they didn't float away from each other, just like Harry was holding Uncle Moony's now. He had his own family like the animals here.

He grinned excitedly as they reached the Reptile House on the Blue path. Even more animals to learn about!

It was cool and dark inside the Reptile House; the walls were covered with lit-up windows. Looking through the glass Harry could see all sorts of lizards and snakes, crawling and slithering over bits of wood and stone. They were blissfully unaware of the many children pressing up against the glass.

Dudley ran up to the largest he could see; the Boa Constrictor was just curled up sleeping. It looked like it could wrap itself around the car twice! Harry thought to himself, he ran to join Dudley, reading the plaque in front of the enclosure.

"Dudley, no shoving," Petunia called out.

"This species is from Brazil, but this snake, in particular, was bred in the zoo." Harry read aloud, Dudley listening as he tapped his fingers on the glass.

"Dudley," Remus spoke. "Careful, animals don't like loud sounds on the glass," he explained, Dudley gasped and retched his hand back. A far cry from the boy he was. Today could have easily been Dudley smacking the glass and screaming at Vernon to wake the snake up.

Slowly, the snake blinked its eyes, and lifted his head to look at them.

"Mum! Uncle Moony! Look!" Dudley exclaimed excitedly, leaping from one foot to the other.

"Hey Mr. Snake," Harry spoke up leaning forward in excitement.

Harry was blissfully unaware of Remus and Petunia looking at each other in horror behind him. Remus' small gasp went unheard from everyone around him.

The snake’s head snapped to side to stare at Harry intently.

Petunia obviously knew whatever Harry had just spoke was not English. But she knew that he didn't know another language... She didn’t know how to react.

"Hatchling speaks" the snake hissed happily, uncoiling to get closer to the window. Dudley was looking between bewilderedly.

"You speak?!" Harry asked startled, green eyes wide. If possible, the snake seemed to laugh.

"Neonate, you are speaking snake." It said with what had to have been a snake's version of a smile. Could snakes smile to begin with?

"HARRY!" Dudley cried excitedly, gripping his arms and shaking. "What's it saying?!" he demanded. He knew about magic; Petunia had made sure he was aware of why everything had changed. But talking to snakes? This was beyond cool.

"Her name is Althea" Harry relayed, before turning back to the snake. "I am Harry, and this is my cousin Dudley, my Aunt Petunia and Uncle Moony."

"Nest mates are important to a hatchling," Althea hissed bobbing her head.

"Ah, Harry. It's time to go," Remus managed to strangle out. He had to shake himself out of his stupor.

"Nooo!" Surprisingly it was both Dudley AND Harry whining. Harry never joined his cousin in his whining or temper tantrums.

"No. You heard Remus," Petunia spoke, her voice slightly shaky. She didn't understand the significance of Harry talking to the snake. At first her fear was at a magical thing being revealed in public, Remus explained that they couldn't let Muggles be aware. But then she had seen Remus go white and gasp for breath for a moment. It was something deeper, she had to get them home, Remus could explain then.

Harry let out a cry, he was loving the zoo, he was talking a snake! for the first time in his life he stomped his feet in displeasure, Dudley right along beside him. A loud scream came from behind them, another child, a girl a few years older than Harry and Dudley had been leaning on the glass looking at Althea who had been moving her head looking at Harry and his nestmates. The girl was now inside the enclosures! The glass window is gone!

"Oh, Merlin." Remus groaned as Harry and Dudley watched wide-eyed as Althea slid out, she stopped to hiss a 'thanks' before fleeing the reptile house.

Oh, how Remus and Petunia hated accidental magic. Reacting to emotions often meant the most ridiculous form of magic happening. Harry had many instances in his past, appearing on the school roof, his teacher's hair turning blue, but they had increased since the acceptance of magic. Remus had explained that he had been suppressing his powers in fear, which was extremely dangerous and often deadly. So, they made sure Harry knew that he wasn't in trouble for the magic itself and made it clear it was normal. But that didn't mean it was frustrating cleaning up the aftermath. Not to mention about keeping his tail a secret. Magic was bad enough; his siren half was even harder.

Thankfully when Petunia made it back to the house, there were no wizards waiting for them. So, that meant that Snape hadn't followed his threat through, or nobody had stopped by yet.

"Am I in trouble?" Harry asked in a small voice.

Petunia's eyes widened in shock; she hadn't thought that Harry would think that.

"Not at all, Harry. We were just surprised. Though you know that your accidental magic will be hard to explain for those that don't know it. Cause of the secrecy rule for magicals."

"Why did the snake talk back? Was that because of my incidental magic?" Harry asked

Petunia looked over Remus, lost. She had no idea what to tell Harry. Lily had never spoken to snakes; she didn't know if it was a magic thing or not.

"I guess that's my cue." Remus smiled sadly. "Remember I told you that your parents James and Lily died at the hands of a Dark Wizard who wanted to rule the world?"

Harry nodded as Remus sat down on one of the single couches, Petunia in the other, Harry and Dudley on opposite sides of the three-seaters.

"I told you that I would tell you more when you got older, and I guess it's today." He muttered. "Now, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was raging a war on the magical and muggle worlds. He was so powerful that people were afraid to use his name." Remus started.

"What was it?" Harry asked curiously.

Tilting his head as Remus took a breath, back then James and Sirius gleefully and loudly shouted his name, Remus and Lily spoke it easily, just not as enthusiastically. Then he lost them all, then he became afraid.

"Lord Voldemort." He finally got out. "Now Dumbledore will always say fear of the name only increases the fear of the thing itself. He often encouraged people to use it. But, Lord Voldemort," Remus forced the name out again. "He placed a dark spell, a taboo on his own name. When someone was brave enough to use it, the spell alerted his followers, The Death Eaters of the speaker's location. Many brave fighters died because of it."

Harry was silent, just taking in all this information, he never really heard all the information. his Uncle and Aunt wanting to protect him from it before they couldn't anymore.

"Dumbledore formed a group to fight back, The Order of Phoenix. I was a member along with James, Lily, Sirius and Peter."

"The Marauders" Harry chirped.

"Exactly." Remus gave a sad smile.

"Now they were dark days Haz, we didn't know who to trust. Spies were being found week after week on both sides. High ranking Ministry workers were found the Dark Mark. A tattoo of a skull with snake coming out the mouth. It was their symbol. The Order of the Phoenix had a Phoenix as ours. James and Sirius actually had bright red shirts with Golden Phoenixes on them and would wear those shirts out fighting. Just to pis... annoy the Death Eaters." Remus only just caught himself when Petunia glared at him for his language.

Harry tried to hide his snicker before Petunia turned her glare at him.

"Then Dumbledore went to James and Lily, said he had dangerous information and to not share it. Of course, they didn't listen. They told us Marauders." Remus chuckled.

"There was a prophecy. None of us knew the exact wording. But it predicted the defeat of You-Know-Who. Dumbledore said it could only be two boys."

"Me?" Harry gasped.

"Yes, and your godbrother, Neville. You were born a day apart. I have already been in touch with his Grandmother, they will meet us at the train if your Aunt lets you go to Hogwarts."

Harry turned his pleading eyes over to his aunt. He had never known that he had someone that could have been close to his age and friend.

"How come I never met him?" Harry asked, turning back to Remus.

Remus coughed before starting again.

"His grandmother is hidden in the magical world; your Aunt wouldn't have known how to find them even she had known about them. Then we agreed to wait while you adjusted after everything that happened." Remus explained briefly.

"Now, James and Lily took you into hiding straight away." Remus continued. He already felt drained and wanted this to be over. But he knew that Harry needed to know this.

"Dumbledore suggested a spell to hide you. A Fidelius charm. A Secret Keeper would know the address, and no one would find the house under any circumstances other than being told by the Secret Keeper," Remus explained as simply as he could.

"Harry... Merlin, I never wanted you to know this stuff while you are so young. I know you are growing up, but this is hard for me. In mine and your Aunt's opinion, you are far too young to hear the dark details. But the rest of the wizarding world knows your story and we can't let you go in completely unaware. Dudley, you are only here because we know you will get it out of Harry the minute we aren't in the room. But you are still young, if you are uncomfortable or scared there is no shame, and you can leave the room."

Remus waited until he got firm nods from both boys.

"Where was I?" Remus hummed as he sipped on his tea. Merlin, Petunia made the best tea, that woman was a wonder in the kitchen.

"Oh yes, the Fidelius Charm. Now the most unfortunate thing about the Fidelius charm is that the Secret Keeper would become a target if it ever got out that they were one and protecting someone the Death Eaters wanted. Which is why James believed it would be obvious and dangerous to use your Godfather Sirius." Remus explained softly, pausing to let Harry digest the information.

"Uncle Padfoot right?" Harry asked.

"Yes, your mother, Lily and your father, James had named him Godfather before you were born. You were to go to him if something happened to James and Lily. Now we did think to use me, we talked it out. But Sirius refused to let me because, at the time, I was trying to go undercover with numerous werewolf packs. Trying to convince them to either stay neutral or join the Order."

Thankfully, Petunia, Harry and Dudley had taken the news of his inflection well. He had only revealed it, albeit reluctantly when he explained why he had listened when Dumbledore told him to stay away from Harry for the first seven years. He had believed he was a monster and a danger. But Petunia had then revealed that one of Lily's diaries had mentioned a werewolf friend and how he had helped her hide her siren side once. That was how she knew to trust him with Harry’s secret. If he had helped Lily with hers, perhaps he may have more knowledge than what she could give.

"Werewolves that live in packs in the forest, they shun their human side, mostly due to how the humans treat them. But some enjoy the hunt, enjoy hurting people, and if those ones found out I was a Secret Keeper for the Potter's. I would've been killed, very slowly and painfully. I don't tell you this to scare you, but so that you are informed." Remus sighed, hanging his head.

This was much tougher than he even thought it would be. He felt a warm hand brush his shoulders. Petunia was rubbing his back, sitting on the side of the armchair. He gave her a thankful smile.

"I ended up going back into the packs before they made their choice. I have no idea who ended up becoming the Secret Keeper. It wasn't like they could just send me an owl." Remus chuckled dryly.

"Whoever they chose, they betrayed you and your parents. They betrayed us and the Order. Someone inside the Order had been passing on information for years. They got many good fighters killed. They gave You-Know-Who the cottage in Godric's Hollow's location. He came for you." Remus could feel himself crying already. Slow tears on his cheeks.

"No one knows for certain what happened that night. But He killed your parents, James, at the bottom of the stairs, Lily in front of your crib. Both of them trying to protect you. Now, He liked to kill with a certain spell. An Unforgivable, The Killing Curse. Nothing can protect you from it. No shield will block it. But when he raised his wand at you and tried to kill you with it. It rebounded and hit him. He vanished. You were left with the scar on your forehead," Remus sighed the worst was over, he hugged Harry tight when he came over, looking for comfort. Dudley hugging his mum, blue eyes teary and scared.

"All I know beyond that, is that when I came out from cover at Dumbledore's announcement. James and Lily were dead, you had been taken away and bought here without me getting a chance to see you. And Sirius, your godfather, one of my best friends was in the Wizarding Prison, Azkaban, for giving You-Know-Who your location and the murder of our fourth friend Peter and twelve muggles. I am not sure if I believe he did it. But the evidence is all there, for years he had fooled us. Fooled me, fooled James, Lily, and Peter…”

"Why was I told they died in a car crash?" Harry looked up after clutching Remus.

"Car crash?"

Petunia looked guilty, "I had a letter telling me about what happened to your parents, to my sister. No matter how much hate I felt. I couldn't tell you that your parents were murdered. So, doing what the letter had asked me to say. I lied," she admitted.

"But Vernon said they were drunks who hated me so much that they crashed on purpose, so they didn't have to raise me," Harry whispered.

"Oh god!" Petunia gasped. Every time she found out something new her ex-husband had done or said she felt like being sick all over again.

"No, Harry, No. He should have never of said that." Petunia gasped with tears, pulling Harry into her embrace tightly.

She had never been so thankful to be rid of him. She could never have pictured herself saying that, to a child at that...

Remus had frowned at that and Petunia wished to know what he was thinking.

"I never doubted for a moment that James and Lily loved you," Remus whispered.

"Now back to your original question, Harry. Though, just like your tail, Harry. Your ability to speak to snakes is not common. It’s not a bad thing, but others will think it is. The last known Speaker of Parseltongue was You-Know-You." Remus said.

Part of it was hard to say and that was coming from a werewolf. He knew about the dark parts of magic. All throughout Hogwarts, anything to do with Slytherin was bad. But how could it be bad that Harry was speaking it? He was only a child. Though it still gave him shivers.

Harry gulped; he didn't like the sound of that.

"I don't know how you have this gift. Neither James or Lily could speak it. When I go back into the Wizarding World, I will look into it. Find some research books," Remus promised

"That doesn't mean it is a bad thing. But just know, a lot of bad wizards used it and most view it as bad," Remus comforted.

"So, just like my tail? Bad people will use that against me?" Harry asked.

"Sort of." Remus nodded. "With the Parseltongue, I want you to keep it a secret to protect you from hatred and fear from fellow students and the rest of the Wizarding World. Their fear of You-Know-Who is still prevalent and deeply rooted. Some stupid ones might try and say you are evil solely based on this gift."

"With the tail. Unfortunately, there are bad people in both the muggle and magical world. Muggles wouldn't understand the tail, would want to lock you up and study it. In the wizarding world, Magical creatures are classed in different levels of danger. Siren is pretty high on the scale. So, you could be treated like a lesser person but those that are prejudiced. I also fear poachers."

"Remus." Petunia gasped, was he really going to tell Harry about this?

"He has to be careful Tunes, and he needs to be aware of the dangers. I hate this as much as you do." Remus said firmly, Petunia sighed and nodded her assent. He was right, she knew it, that didn’t mean she liked it.

"Poachers won't hesitate to kill magical creatures and use them for potions, wands, dark rituals. Promise me you will be safe? Do everything we have taught you to hide it. If you feel like you can trust someone, let us know. We will revisit it then," Remus finished with a squeezing hug with all three of his family.

"Will you really show me where I'll be safe to be in water?" Harry asked softly.

Remus had been about to answer when someone knocked at the door.

Petunia grimaced before standing up, she shared a look with Remus before going to answer the door.

Chapter Text

Freak of Nature – Chapter 4 (Visitors)

Harry watched as Petunia rolled her eyes as the knocking persisted loudly and harshly.

"They haven't even given us a chance to open the door yet," Remus huffed as Petunia pulled the curtains back to peak at the door.

"It's them." She squeaked. "Snape came back with two others, an old man with an insanely long beard, and a stern-looking woman with a tight bun."

"Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall," Remus supplied as he stood up, brushing his shirt down.

"Why don't you make us some more tea for the guests while I shock them at the door," Remus smirked, the Marauder in him had come back alive with being back in Harry's life.

Petunia chuckled, rubbing Harry and Dudley's hair quickly before preparing the kettle.

"Uncle Moony. They won't hurt us, will they?" Harry asked, scrunching his shoulders down.

"I won't ever let anyone hurt you again, Bambi," Remus swore, Dudley nodded furiously, he had started boxing and rugby after Vernon had been taken away. First as exercise for his health, but he thoroughly enjoyed the sports and was now even stronger than before. But instead of hurting people, he, Piers, and Harry protected them. Well, Harry cheered them up, he was still a little shrimpy.

Remus straightened himself up and walked to the front door, where the knocking was still going.

"You know, most people knock once and then wait. It's called manners." Remus greeted the magical guests after swinging the door open. Their faces would fuel his Patronus for years. He swore he could hear James' hysterical gasping laughter, Sirius' barking chuckles and Peter's wheezing giggles beside him.

He could have sworn that Snape would have a permanent scowl if he tried any harder. No doubt he thought it would only be Petunia with Harry and Dudley. He was thankful that Petunia had asked him to stay longer.

"Remus, my boy!" Dumbledore cried joyfully, although he wasn't able to hide his confusion. "What are you doing here?"

Remus swore he wasn't imagining the anger or frustration just then.

"It's Harry's birthday, I went to the zoo with them. Tunes asked me to be here in case you came back after this morning." At this Remus glared at Snape.

"Well, how wonderful to see you." Dumbledore grinned, but it strained.

"Are we just going to stand here?" Snape drawled unpleasantly.

"Oh, do come in" Remus smiled as he turned around and lead them into the living room. "Tunes is making us some tea."

"We also have some biscuits." Petunia smiled as she bought the tray in and placed it on the small table in the middle of the living room.

Harry had situated himself in Remus' old chair, Dudley on the arm of it. Staying close to his worried cousin. Remus guided Petunia to the other armchair and sat on the side much like Dudley. Letting his hand rest on her back, giving her silent support. Leaving the unwanted guests to sit on the three-seater.

It would be interesting on to see what they would all say, especially concerning Snape's previous behavior.

With Dumbledore, you never knew. But Remus knew that Minerva had never let behavior like that slide. So, it was a surprise that she was here.

Remus was the first that wound up grabbing one of Petunia's biscuits, he could never turn down her cooking. He wondered if she had been making them since they stepped through the door.

"You see, Severus? Looks like young Harry already has an excellent role model in his life. Harry my boy. It is good to see you grown up." Dumbledore spoke first, breaking the tension that seemed to be rising since the door opened. He wouldn’t know how much he would regret that first statement.

Harry flinched he still hated that word.

"We don't use the boy word in this house," Remus said firmly.

"He is also a child, not grown up," Petunia added with a scowl.

Harry felt himself smile softly; they always knew what to say to make other people back off if he was uncomfortable. He loved his family. He watched Dudley scowl and flex his hands when the vampire man Snape scoffed.

"And if you have a problem with that, there is the door," Petunia threatened. She was not playing. She had refused to deal with it any longer with her ex-husband, so she was not going to let three strangers get away with it.

"Now why don't we discuss this absurd notion, of Harry not attending Hogwarts?" Dumbledore asked genially, moving forward. He wasn't sure why they weren't happy with him, but he wouldn't push it for now.

"I wouldn't call it absurd..." Remus muttered

"Why wouldn't you want him to attend?" Dumbledore asked playing innocently shocked.

"For one thing, he is gone for most of the year." Petunia snapped, "What if something happens? How will I get there or know he is okay?" It had been her own parents biggest worry about sending Lily all those years ago.

"Secondly, apparently you employ Death Eaters!" Petunia snapped glaring at Snape, who opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by Dumbledore.

"I don't know how you are aware of this, but I can imagine," Dumbledore said angrily staring at Remus. "But Severus was a spy in the war and has my full trust."

"Why should your word that you trust him matter?" Petunia sneered. "We don't know you. But it wasn't Remus who told me. I've to know Snape since I was a child, he was vile and cruel even then. Lily was the one who told me about him calling her a Mudblood and joining the man who ended up killing her!" Petunia could feel her voice getting louder and shriller, but she couldn't control it. Her anger was full blast. She wouldn't let them know about the diaries, so she would just imply her, and Lily had talked about all this before her death. What they didn't know, wouldn't hurt them.

"How many times did you call me ugly Snape?" She demanded. "How many times did you force your accidental magic to hurt me? That branch you dropped on my head? Put me in the hospital with a concussion. How many times did you try to ditch me when you wanted to be with Lily? When she would leave the room and you would call me a burden? A waste of space? the stupid muggle Evans?" Her voice was filled with rage, but most of all, hurt.

"How does it feel, Snape? That my sister finally wised up and learned who exactly you are and didn't want anything to do with you?" Petunia smirked.

Snape snarled at the dig, standing up as threateningly as possible.  What he hadn't prepared for, was for Harry to whimper in fear at his furious expression, and Lupin to respond to it. The werewolf stood up, his six-foot-four form towering over Snape's mere five-foot-eight. His eyes flaring amber and lips pulling back a growl, his canines larger even in human form.

"Severus sit down!" Minerva demanded fiercely, as she shoved him back into the couch. She hoped that Albus regretted bringing the Potions’ professor along. "Petunia, you may get through to Remus better than us right now."

Petunia nodded before standing up and grabbing Remus' hand. "Remy, listen to me, it's Tunes. I am here, your cubs are safe. Both of them are okay." Petunia spoke uncaringly of Minerva's soft coo, and Dumbledore and Snape's hissed breath at the word cubs. Instead, Petunia waved the boys over and got them to touch Remus' arm. Amber eyes snapped down to see his cubs, his hackles soothed as he leaned down to sniff his cub's scents. They were okay, they smelt nervous but unharmed and warm. He could smell the creature scent on Harry strong, it was soothing. They were safe.

Remus cleared his throat as his eyes changed back to pale green. He was slightly embarrassed, he had only really 'wolfed out' as the Marauders called it, once since being with his new family. The night Petunia sat him down and told him all of the abuse he hadn't figured out for himself from interrupting. Thankfully it had happened after she knew he was a werewolf and considered Harry a cub. She hadn't known what to do and on instinct grabbed Harry and approached him carefully, allowing him to see and smell Harry.

"Should have known that Snivellus would never change!" Remus growled as he sat back down.

Petunia snickered before asking, "Snivellus?" The smile was straining against her lips.

Minerva hadn't even protested about the 'nickname', most likely thinking that her colleague deserved it. She was not impressed by his behavior.

Remus looked slightly abashed. He had never joined in with James and Sirius will calling Snape that horrid name. But his restraint has snapped when Snape had terrified Harry. But he hadn't felt guilty about it either.

"I won't allow you to disrespect one of Hogwarts Professors," Dumbledore said sternly, looking over his half-moon glasses looking disapproving.

"But you will allow a Professor to terrify a child?" Remus snapped.

"Severus didn't mean to scare the bo..." Dumbledore was cut off from defending Snape by Petunia.

"Don't call him that." Petunia’s eyes narrowed.

"He didn't mean to scare the child," Dumbledore amended.

"Get out of my house!" Petunia was furious.

"Look. If you can't be trusted to make the right choices for Harry's Magical future. Maybe I made a mistake placing him here," Dumbledore said the threat clearly, much to the shock of everyone.

"Albus!" Minerva gasped as Harry cried and leapt into his Aunts arms. Remus placed himself in front of the both of them, Dudley by his side.

"Funny how you think you have any say in the matter," Remus' eyes narrowed as they flashed amber. "Last I checked; you weren't listed as guardians for Harry. And I'm sure that the Goblins would love to hear why you think you have such rights, Albus," Remus sneered as he said the headmasters' name sarcastically.

"Albus, for Merlin's sake. Leave this to me. I am the one who should've made the house call to begin with." Minerva interjected, she had the feeling this was just going to go around and around.

"You and Severus go back to Hogwarts. I will be back in time for the staff meeting tonight," She promised, ushering them both out the door, ignoring all and any protests. With a groan she sat back down and helped herself to another tea, politely letting Remus reassure Petunia and the children. It was good to see Remus so at home here, to see the bonds that were flourishing. She had protested heavily when Dumbledore left Harry here. Dudley had been an awful toddler, his Father seemed boorish and like a brute. But the Dudley she was seeing now was protective of his cousin and mostly muscle with some baby fat. Nothing like the overweight screaming toddler. She hadn't seen Petunia's husband at all, even the walls seemed to be missing photos of him. They were all of Petunia with the kids or the kids with Remus. If he had died, surely there would be a shrine or photos everywhere. She wondered what happened to the man.

"Now, first things first. How are you, Remus?" Minerva smirked at their startled looks, clearly expecting her to pressure them into letting Harry go to Hogwarts.

Remus let out a huff of laughter and a smile.

"I am doing well Minerva," He admitted smiling at Petunia and the boys as they situated themselves back into the seats.

"Good, good. It is a good look you, being happy with a family." She smirked knowingly, she didn't think the others had noticed, but she had. When Remus sniffed the boys to calm down, he had also sniffed Petunia. He was at ease sitting on the chair with his hand on her back. Not shying from her touch. Even now, he was blushing furiously at her words.

"Th—Thank you." He stuttered, oh how she loved embarrassing students, current and former.

"Now, I can understand your hesitance. It is extremely hard being away from a child for so long. Unfortunately, there aren't any magical day schools, and the only one in Britain," Minerva started, she noticed them relax when she kept her voice calm without threats or aggression.

"But I am sure Remus has informed you of how a magical core needs to be used. How it can become dangerous if untrained?"

"Yes, he has. I would never want that for Harry. But I just couldn't stand the way they were talking to me. Just because I am a squib doesn't mean I don't deserve to know everything that will affect my nephew," Petunia spat, she wasn't angry at Minerva, the older woman had been nothing but pleasant. But rather the situation, Dumbledore and Snape.

"A squib?" Minerva startled.

"Yes, Lily discovered in her fifth year, myself and Dudley are squibs, the gene came from my Father and it activated with Lily." Petunia wasn't going to mention which family or the Siren gene for now. She wouldn't risk Harry.

"How interesting," Minerva smiled without pushing it. "Now I can maybe help, I would be happy to send a letter once a fortnight with Harry's progress. I will inform you if anything happens, although it is a school so hopefully nothing beyond occasional detention." Minerva grinned, from the giggle from Harry and timber laugh from Remus, they knew she was making the joke about James' penchant for trouble.

"The good news is that Remus can easily apparate to Hogsmeade, the village down from Hogwarts. To visit for any reason. I will also do my utmost to keep him away from Severus beyond the Potions class." Minerva continued.

"I may not be his Head of House, although it is likely considering I was for his parents and Remus. But if I am not, Filius and Pomona will happily keep you informed as well."

"What about Slytherin? If Snape took over Potions, then Sluggy isn't Slytherins Head... No" Remus gasped as he figured it out himself.

"Yes, unfortunately, Severus is the Slytherin Head of House." Minerva nodded.

"Course he would manage to be the Head of Slytherin..." Remus grumbled.

Minerva's lips twitched; she knew the feeling of that all too well.

She wasn't overly fond that Severus was over one of the Hogwarts houses. He certainly hadn't made it easier for her as not only Deputy Headmistress, but Head of Gryffindor House as well. But like always, she had learned to adapt to her situations, even if that meant having to deal with Albus and Severus.

"Houses?" Harry asked curiously, he felt more at ease with this Professor. She seemed really strict but fair and kind. Remus liked her, and that was a good indicator usually.

"Yes, that's right." Minerva grinned. "There are four houses inside Hogwarts to separate the children by personality traits. Each house is named after one of the founders of Hogwarts and the traits they admired the most." Oh, she did love educating, even when wasn't classroom material.

"Gryffindor is the house of the Lions, and I am the Head of Gryffindor, I will also be your Transfiguration Professor. Godric Gryffindor favoured those who had courage, bravery, determination, daring, nerve, and chivalry."

Harry sat forward eagerly, he knew this was the house of his parents as well as Uncle's Moony, Padfoot and Wormtail.

"Yes, because putting the foolhardy and daring students together was a great idea," Remus rolled his eyes, he often wondered what the founders had been thinking whenever the Marauders had done something spectacularly stupid.

Minerva huffed a laugh as she continued.

"Hufflepuff is the Badgers, and the Head of the house is Professor Pomona Sprout, she will be your Herbology Professor. Helga Hufflepuff favoured those that were hardworking and just. Those that had patience, loyalty and modesty. She believed in fairness."

Harry thought he liked the sound of that house; he could make true friends there.

"Ravenclaw is the Eagles, the Head of House is Filius Flitwick, not only will he be your Charms Professor, but he was a champion dueler in his young years." Minerva smiled as Harry and Dudley gasped a ‘wow.’

"Rowena Ravenclaw wanted to nurture those who put learning, wisdom, intelligence, wit, acceptance, and creativity first."

"The hat debated Ravenclaw for both me and your mother," Remus admitted with a smile.

"That does not shock me." Minerva smiled, "You two were my brightest students in the years I've been teaching."

"Finally, Slytherin, now, unfortunately, Slytherin has gotten a bad reputation over the years, it was the house that some of the loudest and proudest Death Eaters came from. Not the most, Death Eaters came from all four houses, but they were the most vocal. It was also the house of Lord Voldemort was in."

Harry gasped at her ease with his name and her admittance.

"He is descended from the founder, Salazar Slytherin himself. Slytherin only wanted those who prided themselves with resourcefulness, determination, pride, cunning, ambition and self-preservation. Severus Snape is the Head of House and will be your Potions Professor. I would suggest you read as much as you can from your Potions reading book before starting Hogwarts. He is extremely strict and harsh." She sighed, running her hands over her hair and bun.

"I have spoken to the Headmaster about it, but he won't listen to me. If he is ever to give you a detention, you are to go to your Head of House, and you will serve it with them or me instead. With his attitude today and the things you have revealed of his childhood. I do not think he will treat Harry like any other student. I wish I could inform you otherwise to set you at ease. But I do not believe in lying when it comes to parents and their children.

"Thank you," Petunia smiled, for the first time since the witches and wizards had entered her home.

"Though I believe it will be Harry's decision on if he goes or not. It is still his life. As much as I would not like him to do so because of your Headmaster and colleague,” she begrudgingly admitted.

"Of course." Minerva nodded; she could respect that.

"Harry?" Remus prompted the small child with an encouraging smile.

Harry frowned as he looked between his aunt and uncle Moony.

"I want to go; I want to meet my godbrother. But I don't want to be a Slytherin!"

Petunia and Remus couldn't help the snort that left their lips.

"You know, Harry... I wouldn't want to be one either," Remus laughed.

“How is it decided? Can you not just say no to Slytherin?" Dudley asked, he hadn't spoken at all until now, preferring to be silent and watchful. Letting people believe he was either stupid or uninterested. But he was just taking things in, thinking it over. Sometimes it took longer for him to understand things, but Uncle Moony made it clear he was smart, it just took some time and that was fine. It made him glad that that Remus was in their lives. He hadn't had anyone tell him that he was smart. Harry and his mum didn't count, they were supposed to say that.

He had also noticed that Uncle Moony made his Mum happy. He wasn't sure what it meant and if he would be his dad in the future. But he liked it when mum would now hum when making breakfast. Her laugh was less shrill and sharp now as well, Harry said it was because Moony is funny. Dudley had agreed.

"Well, the way students are sorted is supposed to be secret. Like a rite of passage." Minerva teased.

Remus' lips twitched at that as Dudley groaned at the response.

"Though. Remus, I expect you to honour that. Though I am going to take you will take young Harry to Diagon?"

Remus nodded.

"Then I will see you on September 1st. I hope to see you in Gryffindor," Minerva stood before shaking hands with Petunia.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Dursley."

Petunia stiffened at the surname, "It's Evans," She said quickly, not wanting to dwell on it further.

"Apologies, Miss Evans." Minerva quickly corrected herself, with another "goodbye" she was on her way back to Hogwarts.

Chapter Text

Freak of Nature – Chapter 5 (Hogwarts Express)

Remus had been the one to take Harry to Diagon Alley when the day got closer. He had chosen a day where the streets wouldn't be crowded with students and their parents.

Petunia and Dudley had tagged along with them. Petunia had tried to see if Dudley may have wanted to stay home. She didn't want him to turn into how she had been. So, bitter about magic that she turned against it. But Dudley had fought and said he wanted to be there for his cousin. So, she agreed and went along with the pair.

Harry had been amazed by the alley and that had been just the entrance past the Leaky Cauldron. He had made sure that Harry had his scar glamoured, he didn't want his first trip be ruined by being crowded by unknown witches and wizards.

Their first stop had been Gringotts after leaving the Leaky Cauldron. You couldn't really buy supplies with muggle money. Well... you could, but they probably would give him a weird look before directing him towards Gringotts.

Remus had used his experience with Diagon Alley and took them on a Wednesday at lunch. Because of this, the streets were as quiet and empty as Diagon could get. He had done this so Harry's first experience in the magical world wasn't ruined with fans overwhelming him.

Petunia had insisted on going, she was not about to sit at the house doing nothing while her son and nephew went with Remus for the day. Even if it was just shopping for Harry's wizarding supplies. She hadn’t done so when Lily had gone to Diagon year after year, choosing to sit at home and sulk. She had been worried about Dudley; she didn't want him to see all this magic knowing he couldn't be a part of it. But apparently, he was better than she had been. He had stomped his feet saying he needed to support Harry.

Remus had escorted them Gringotts first.

The bank was run by goblins. "Don't stare, treat them with utmost respect and be straight forward. They don't those that are rude or try to suck up to them." Remus had warned his three companions. "They are vicious when provoked. But no one will guard your gold better."

Remus had taken the two boys on the cart ride down to Harry's trust vault. Petunia choosing to stay topside. It was a short trip and back.

After Gringotts, they had stopped by Ollivanders, though Petunia had sort of hung back, not quite going inside. Before mustering her courage and entering the old wand shop.

She could feel the magic hanging around, it was very intense. She was just thankful that Harry eventually got his wand so they could leave.

The next few shops were the Apothecary and getting Harry's telescope and scales. That had been a quick in and out. Though Petunia could feel the next shop would be longer.

It was a bookshop.

They followed the list to the letter, with a few exceptions.

"What are these all for Remus?" Harry asked.

"Don't you remember Professor McGonagall saying that you needed to study up for Potions, especially if you are to deal with Snape's teaching methods?"

Harry frowned; he did remember. He still didn't like that old bat of a wizard. Though the books did seem interesting, and he was always eager to learn.

But he did like Professor McGonagall, she was nice at least. Nothing like those other wizards that had talked to them. He wished Remus would be there at Hogwarts too.

At his Uncle Moony's encouragement, he picked out some easy reading books for his spare time. Quidditch Through the Ages, and Hogwarts; A History. He had even chosen some books on classes he would take as a third year.

Remus claimed it was to help Harry get an idea on what classes he may like. Though he was free to read them at his leisure.

Soon after, they finally left the shop. Thankfully there were only two stops left. Robes and getting an owl.

Remus had said that he needed to have a way to communicate between them while he was at school. Not even mentioning the fact that the school had an Owlry and they had school owls he could borrow.

Even if Remus and Petunia had tried, they wouldn't have been able to say no to buying that gorgeous Snowy Owl that was now perched on Harry's shoulder.

Harry had decided to make sure his owl had the perfect name. Unsurprisingly, it was Remus who had given him the perfect name. Hedwig. She had the appearance of being fierce, it was quiet fitting that her name meant battle.

Before any of them knew it, they were at Kings Cross on the First of September. They stared at the wall of brick between the signs that read Platform 9 on one side, Platform 10 on the other dubiously.

"You are kidding." Harry asked with a raised eyebrow, Remus just chuckled and nodded.

"I don't like this," Petunia mumbled with a shake of her head.

"Will I go splat?" Dudley asked, scarily enough he seemed like he wanted to test it.

"No, if you had been a Muggle, you would have to hold mine or Harry's hand to get through. But because of the inactive magic in squibs, you can get through, and also do Potions and basic Runes. Tunes, you will come with me. I know this is scary." Remus soothed.

"Auntie Tunia?" Harry asked, "You don't have to? You can say goodbye here?"

It was with her nephew's sweetness and concern that Petunia straightened up and braced herself.

"No dear. I am doing this for you." She said firmly nodding, blushing at the pride on Remus' face.

"Whoop!" Dudley hollered before running headfirst at the barrier, Harry blinked and suddenly his cousin was gone.

"Dudley! Oh, that child." Remus laughed heartedly. "Off you go Harry." with a grin Harry ran at the barrier, after seeing his cousin vanish, he had no reservations.

Harry felt himself tense as he passed through the barrier, although he could only tell he was through by the excess magic in the air. If Remus hadn't of been teaching him to meditate for his core, he wouldn't have noticed it. At first all he could see was white steam filling the station, but as it cleared, he felt his heart skip a beat.

Dudley was watching him with a wide grin, Harry's green eyes wide as he took in the massive scarlet train before him. A large sign with Platform 9 3/4 above the crowd.

"This is amazing!" He breathed out moving to stand at Dudley's side.

Students of all ages, sizes and races ran around them, he could see the various trunks and animals on trolleys. Owls, cats, toads, he even swore he saw a rat out of the corner of his eye before it was gone.

Harry jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. But smiled when he realized it was just his Uncle.

"She's magnificent, isn't she?" Remus asked like he already knew the answer, but Harry nodded eagerly. Petunia was silent but was taking everything in just as wide-eyed as the children.

"Remus!" A loud voice called out over the noise of children calling out to friends and family.

"Dowager Longbottom!" Remus greeted happily, waving over a woman dressed in the most bizarre ensemble. She had on a long green dress, tightly fit.  Topped off with a large stuffed vulture on her black hat, and a ferret scarf.

"I have told you to call me Augusta." Dowager Longbottom sniffed, she seemed like a strong woman, holding herself high. Shoulders back, eyes sharp, tone powerful.

"Of course, Augusta." Remus smiled.

"Neville! Where are you, child?" Augusta called, turning around, her stern and formidable expression softening slightly as her grandson made his way to her side.

"This is my grandson, Neville." She introduced.

Neville was a soft boy. Dark blonde hair brushing in a neat cut around his eyes and ears. Chubby, but not in an overweight way that Dudley had been once, but more baby fat and haven't grown into my height of kind of way. Baby blue eyes wary as he took in the people before him, shyly waving hello.

"Hello, Neville. Augusta, this is my family that I told you about." Remus greeted. " This is Lily's sister, Petunia Evans, she is the Mother and Aunt of my cubs. Dudley Evans and Harry Potter."

"So, this is Harry Potter?" Augusta asked, studying the boy intently.

"Augusta," Remus warned.

"Oh pftsh, relax, Remus. You know me, I don't believe in holding a child above the masses as an icon. He should be a child. But it is still an honour to meet Alice's Godson and the child behind the stories you have told me. But it is a pleasure to meet you all," Augusta smirked.

"So, are you ready for Hogwarts?" She asked Harry, peering down at him.

"Yes Ma'am," Harry squeaked.

"Oh, none of this Ma'am. Technically you are family. Augusta or Grandma will do." She said before turning to greet Petunia and Dudley.

Harry let out a breath once he was free from her stare.

"Sorry." Neville mumbled. "She can be scary."

"It's okay. Hi, I'm Harry!" Harry grinned sticking his hand out to shake like Remus taught him.

"Hi, I'm Neville." Neville smiled nervously as he grasped Harry's hand, as if expecting it to be retched back and laughed at.

"It is good to meet you both." Augusta smiled good naturedly before nodding her head in a greeting. Remus had informed her of his fear of how people would treat Harry. Though she couldn’t help but slip into remembering the stories about him. She at least knew there was a difference between what you heard and the truth.

She used that moment to quietly chat with Petunia and Remus while the boys talked. But then she realized the time.

"Neville, dear, as rude as this is. The train will be leaving soon, and we won't want dear Harry to miss it either," Augusta suddenly interrupted.

Harry let out a pained sound as Petunia grabbed him into a tight hug. "You need to write at least twice a week." She demanded, tears in her eyes.

Harry nodded quickly before returning her hug. It had caught him slightly off guard. Before diving at Remus into a hug. He almost didn't want to go; he knew he would miss them.

"As your Uncle and Co-Parent, be good," Remus whispered as he kissed Harry's head. "But as Marauder I expect a letter of detention in the first month. Though, I'm expecting you to be in Ravenclaw. But I supposed Gryffindor wouldn’t be too bad either," Remus teased with a grin.

Harry glowered at him before asking, "You sure you still won't tell me how we are sorted?"

Remus gave him a secretive smile, “enjoy your year, Harry. And remember what we told you.”

"Don't let anyone be my friend because of my fame. If they react to my name in a way that doesn't seem right or ask questions with excitement, then be careful." Harry quoted seriously with a nod.

"But I have Neville to help me!" Harry chirped up happily. "Family is better than friends." He declared grinning at the shellshocked blonde.

Despite his words, Harry's hand had hung loosely by his side. Where he knew his tail was hidden. He was hoping that Remus' words were right, and it was obvious that he wouldn't be in the girl's dorms. He wasn't sure on how private their baths would be. But he trusted Remus.

He knew that he wouldn't be able to hide it like his mother had been able to. But Remus had faith in him and that seemed to be enough. But unfortunately, according to Remus' words, the boys’ dorm didn't give off the same privacy his Mother had had in the girls’ dormitories.

With trepidation and some more waving, Harry and Neville climbed up on the train.

Harry didn't stop waving until Remus, Petunia, and Dudley were out of view as the train continued on the tracks.

Neville stayed by his side as they searched for a compartment. Thankfully they managed to find an empty one up the front of the train rather quickly.

"This one looks good," Harry chirped, "We should've asked Remus to lift our trunks up before we left the station," he grunted as they struggled to lift the trunks above their heads.

"Whoa, tiny. Don't hurt yourself." A voice came from outside, "Here, let me." Harry felt his trunk leave his hands and watched it settle on the racks above the seat. Harry looked to see who had helped him. It was a slightly older boy, maybe thirteen.

The first thing that Harry noticed about him was his hazel eyes and the fact he looked to be on the muscular side. He had dark brown hair that was brushed away from his eyes.

Harry watched, mesmerized as the boy before him, proceeded to lift Neville's trunk without breaking a sweat

"I would have thought first years would know better than trying to lift trunks up there," the older student remarked.

"We, uhh, we didn't know any older students to ask for help." Harry blushed.

The brunette raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"Better than a Gryffindor," he muttered.

That's when Harry noticed the Snake emblem and green trim on the robes. Remus had told him to be wary of Slytherin's but to be aware that not all of them were bad kids. His deceased Grandmother Dorea Potter née Black had been a Slytherin in her day. His Godfather's favourite cousin Andromeda had been a Slytherin who married a Muggleborn Hufflepuff. Unfortunately, it was the majority and loudest of Slytherin's he had to steer clear of. But this one seemed nice; he didn't have to help them. But he hadn’t expected to be faced so early with discrimination against other houses. He hadn’t even been sorted into a house yet.

"My parents were Gryffindors." He felt himself say, no, why did he say that? Harry could feel his cheeks heat up. Neville's nervous cough wasn't helping!

The Slytherin turned to look Harry fully, "is that supposed to mean something to me?"

"Uhhh..." Harry stuttered, he didn't know how to respond to that. He obviously didn't know this Slytherin, but he felt like he needed to say something. And now he felt stupid for saying something to begin with.

"You don't hate Gryffindors?! But I thought—" Harry felt himself respond.

"What that we are all evil and want to kill Gryffindors?" the Slytherin snapped?

Harry suddenly felt embarrassed and ashamed for his thoughts. But he felt he couldn't help it, not with everything that was said to him. Especially after the behavior of Snape.

"That's not what I meant! But what else am I supposed to think when you say something like that!" Harry couldn't help outburst.

If Petunia and Remus were there, they would probably be reminded of Lily and her infamous temper.

The Slytherin laughed, "I can see the Gryffindor right in you! Only a Gryffindor would get so defensive."

"I'm not defensive." Harry mumbled with a pout.

He snorted before crossing his arms, "Whatever you say... I could have easily meant that a Gryffindor would give you living hell just because you are struggling with your trunk."

"But what do I know... I'm just a slimy Slytherin, right?" he muttered sarcastically

"No!" Harry gasped.

The Slytherin blinked in surprise, whatever he was expecting, it wasn't that.

"My grandmother was a Slytherin, so I know not all of them are like that. That's like me comparing all Slytherins to Snape," Harry growled.

"You know Professor Snape already?" the Slytherin questioned, taken aback.

"You could say that..." Harry muttered sarcastically. "Seeing he was the reason I almost declined going to Hogwarts."

The Slytherin's eyes widened comically.

If Harry hadn't been so annoyed by the thought of Snape, he may have snickered. He still wasn't very happy at the notion of having to take Potions with that greasy bat. But at least he didn’t have to be in his class all day.

"Why would a Professor be the reason for you not to attend?" the Slytherin asked baffled.

"He bullied my Aunt as a child, then came with the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall to deliver my acceptance letter. His superior than everyone attitude is disgusting, and he was rude to both my Aunt and Uncle! Then he got angry when they wouldn't take it lying down. He never even explained anything, just demanded that I went to Hogwarts and expected to follow a stranger." Harry huffed out, frustration leaking out. He wasn't sure why he was being so open with this boy; he didn't even know his name! But he felt like he could be, felt relaxed and calm. He had only felt that way around his family.

"Why in Merlin's name would you have the Headmaster, and two Heads of Houses drop your letter off? Even Muggleborns should only be visited by Professor McGonagall," the Slytherin asked baffled. Although a pureblood and a Slytherin, he was sort of friends with a few Ravenclaw Muggleborn and Halfbloods in his year after being paired together for Charms and Runes projects.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Harry replied, though he knew exactly why. But he wasn’t going to tell that to him. The Slytherin obviously didn’t know who he was, and he rather keep it that way. He was enjoying his company and didn't want him to change like Moony warned him will happen.

But he knew it was going to happen and he didn't know why he felt so disappointed and downhearted by that.

The boy narrowed his eyes, "You know why, you just don't want to share." he said finally with a smirk. "I will figure out your secrets, Tiny."

"My name isn’t Tiny," Harry pouted, turning startled when Neville laughs behind him. "Oh, umm, this is godbrother Neville."

"Don't mind me." Neville chuckled; he had been enjoying this. So far Harry had seemed as shy as him, but he was volleying with the older Slytherin easily.

Harry blushed.

"I'm Graham, what's your name then Tiny?" Harry just gave a secret smile.

"Now that would be telling," Harry smirked, inside he was shocked, he didn't expect to say something that cool!

"OI MONTAGUE!!" A loud voice thundered from behind them

"Where the fuck did he go?" another deeper voice joined.

Harry blushed at the vulgar language; his aunt would be furious if he had heard such things. Which was evident from the number of times she had lectured Remus for it.

"I'M COMING! MERLINS BALLS!" Graham stuck his head out the door to shout down the hall. "That's my mates." He said softly to Harry. "They don't have a patient broom in the shed." He rolled those beautiful brown eyes.

Harry shared a look at Neville, resisting the urge to laugh.

They watched as the Slytherin stormed out of the compartment. No doubt to go after his mates that were yelling at him.

"Well... he was interesting..." Harry remarked.

"You seemed to like him." Neville teased softly.

Harry blushed, hiding his face into his hands. "I don’t even know what happened." He admitted. "I don't usually talk that much or get angry."

"He didn't seem to mind." Neville offered comfort. "He could've left straight after helping us with our trunks. But he stuck around"

"Yeah..." Harry mumbled. Trying to think on why Graham had stuck around. They were just first years. Shouldn't he have better things to do? And didn’t older students tend to not like those younger than them?

They were startled out of their seats when their compartment door swung open with a bang. A lanky redhead, covered in freckles with a long nose with dirt smudge, bright blue eyes and second-hand clothes burst in.

 "Er, hi!" He said loudly. "Everywhere else is full, can I sit here?"

Harry felt himself freeze on whatever he had just been about to say. He didn't like the way that red-haired kid was staring at him. He felt really uncomfortable and could already feel himself starting to close up on himself.

More than anything he wished that Remus or Petunia was there.

He also highly doubted everywhere would be full. This train was made for taking hundreds of students to and from Hogwarts. But he didn't like being rude, and from Neville's nervous expression he was the same.

"Umm, I guess." Harry offered tentatively.

"Great!" The redhead grinned, plonking himself down easily next to Neville opposite Harry. Neville carefully slid over slowly, giving them some space between them. It was then, that Harry saw he didn't have his trunk with him. When meant he must have found a compartment to store it... 'Hmm' he narrowed his eyes.

"I'm Ron!" The redhead grinned cheerfully.

Harry frowned; he didn't want to give out his name. He didn't like this boy, but he didn't want to be mean. He didn't even know why he had decided to barge into their compartment.

He wondered if he could pull out one of his books and read and just ignore the boy. Though he didn't want Neville to feel unwanted.

"I'm Neville," Neville spoke, noticing Harry's apprehension. Truth be told, he wasn't sure if he liked this redhead, but first impressions could be wrong.

"I am so excited to start Hogwarts!" Ron cheered, seemingly oblivious to the other two boys’ discomfort. "I will be in Gryffindor of course, with my best friend."

"Where are they?" Harry asked, if he had a best friend, why wasn't with them.

"I can't find him," Ron responded easily and quickly. "But Harry Potter is famous, so he probably is caught up with some fans" he rolled his blue eyes. "I will go look for him again later."

Harry sunk down lower in his seat; this is what Remus had probably meant. That didn't make it any easier to listen to.  Had it really been a good decision to go to Hogwarts? He had even felt a little less enthusiastic about being in Gryffindor if he was able to. His parents and Remus had been in the house and he liked where Professor McGonagall was the Head of House. It seemed like a good house, though he wasn't sure if he was very brave.

"What house will you guys be in?" Ron continued with a grin.

"We won't know until we get sorted," Neville said confused.

"Well yeah, but I know I will be in Gryffindor. My entire family has been for generations!" Ron shrugged. "It's the best house. Even Dumbledore was in it!"

"Great..." Harry muttered darkly.

The last thing he wanted was to think about the old coot right now. He didn't like the way he had been all smiles when Snape bought him to talk. He had then defended Snape bullying his Aunt! And then threatened his Aunt to remove him! A few years ago, he would've jumped at the chance. But he had a real family, who was some headmaster to take him away? Petunia had also admitted that Vernon hadn't lied about Harry being found on their doorstep in the morning. She had shown Remus, Harry and Dudley the letter that Dumbledore had left with a toddler, on the doorstep, on a cold night in the middle of Autumn! Anything could have happened to him! He came back to the present and Ron was still going on about how great Dumbledore and Gryffindor was. He felt his inner Marauder rise. It had been buried deep during his early years, but Remus actively encouraged it.

"I don’t know." Harry hummed. "Hufflepuff is a pretty great house, I mean Hogwarts own Healer was one. Uncle Moony told me that majority of Healers come from there. Healers are heroes, they save lives, bring lives into the world, and make the lives of those leaving comfortable." Harry rambled out, not letting on that he was smirking on the inside as Ron's face dropped.

"And while my Grandfather was a Gryffindor, my Grandmother was a Slytherin! Uncle Moony tells me stories about her all the time! She was a powerful Runes and Warding Mistress!"

Ron's expression went extremely sour at the mention of Slytherin. Neville smiled softly; he could feel his confidence rising just being around Harry.

"My mother and her family were all Ravenclaws!" He added with the same false excitement as Harry. "She was an Auror with my father and my grandparents were Obliviators, keeping our world safe from breaches against the statute of secrecy."

Ron sat quietly, mouth agape, blue eyes flickering between the other two boys in shock.

He tried to talk, but all Harry and Neville could hear was a few gargled sounds. They shared a look of mirth; it hadn't even taken that much to shut the redhead up.

It was then, that a knock came from the door before it was slid open. An old lady with grey hair, in a loose curly bun, and kind brown eyes peered in.

"Anything from the Honeydukes trolley dears?" She asked sweetly, a smile crinkling her laugh lines.

Ron scowled and shook his head, hand falling into his moss green jacket pulling out badly wrapped sandwiches.

"All set thanks." He grumbled. It wasn't fair, Percy, Fred and George had been talking about what sweets to get. But his mother said they earned their money, if he wanted to get sweets, he had to work for it beyond normal chores.

Harry and Neville stood with a grin each and made their way over, standing either side of the open door.

"I will take, two Chocolate Frogs, a box of Bertie botts Every Flavour Beans, a bag of Treacle Fudge, and Sugar Quills," Harry said gleefully handing over the coins. Remus had recommended what to get based on James and Lily's taste and what muggle food Harry liked.

"Two Chocolate Wands, a box of Ice Mice, and a Sugar Quill." Neville rattled off handing his own money over.

Harry and Neville sat down happily, arms full of their sweets. Completely ignoring Ron eying their food jealously.

He glumly opened the wrapping pulling out the four sandwiches that had been smushed.

"She always forgets I don't like corned beef." he bemoaned, eyes darting to Harry and Neville's sweets and back quickly.

"At least she remembered to feed you," Harry rolled his eyes, reaching up into his trunk, pulling out a muggle Tupperware container.

"Uncle Moony made me promise to eat lunch before the sweets," Harry told Neville with a chuckle.

"So did Gran." Neville laughed pulling out his own sandwiches, although unlike Ron's they were not flattened and were cut into triangles. "Eggs and Cress sandwiches," he said happily, Gran always made sure the house-elves made Neville's favorites for lunches.

"Yum," Harry grinned, "I've got a Steak and Kidney Pie. My Aunt makes them in small individual sizes for lunches. Uncle Moony places warming charms, so they don't go cold."

A loud sqwuak drew Harry's attention, Hedwig was in her cage beadily eying Harry's pie. "Oh, Hedwig." He laughed pulling out a large steak piece and placing it in her cage bowl. She hooted happily munching down her treat. He left the cage door open in case she wanted to stretch out her wings.

"Bossy girl," Harry grinned fondly. 

"She is beautiful," Neville praised Hedwig, preening at their attention. A second disapproving hoot had Neville laughing. "Yes, Beaumont you are beautiful too." Neville soothed the tiny male scops-owl. "You know, my Uncle Algie wanted to give me his toad for Hogwarts after my first accidental magic. But your Uncle reminded my Gran of how useful an owl is and how strong the bond can grow."

Harry grinned, Uncle Moony was the best, of course, Moony had mentioned when they were in the store getting Hedwig, that most students with Toads were bullied.

"Lucky." Ron glared at the two owls, both the snowy owl and the scops-owl were rarer than the other breeds. Of course, these two had one each, they probably never had to want for anything.

"I've just got Scabbers." Ron pulled out the old rat, laying him on his lap. "My brother Percy found him in the garden and kept him as a pet. Then when he made Prefect, he got an owl and I got this useless thing."

"It's not useless." Harry scowled. "All animals are wonderful; he is just old judging by his fur and size."

"Yeah well, Perfect Prefect Percy got an owl."

Harry and Neville shared another look, this boy was something else. Faking being Harry's best friend, being jealous over the small things, and now bashing his own brother to perfect strangers?

"Anyways, come on, share the sweets." Ron grinned leaning over to grab a chocolate frog from Harry's stash.

"Excuse me?" Harry cried batting his hand away. "I didn't say you could have my sweets!"

"What? You got plenty." Ron shouted.

"I got them for me and Neville." Harry stood firm; he was over being pushed around. Things were much better at home now, but he promised himself that he would never let that happen again.

"RONALD BILIUS WEASLEY!" A strong voice snapped from the doorway. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?" A tall wiry redhead stood in the door. Unlike Ron, he had a small button nose, thin round glasses and pristine robes on with a pin on his chest with a large P. The only thing they had in common was their red hair and blue eyes.

Ron stared at his older brother in shock. Of course, Perfect Prefect Percy arrived at this damn minute! He opened his mouth to defend himself, maybe he could leak a few tears about them bullying him. That always worked with mum. But before he could start, Percy carried on without waiting to hear his side!

"Mother taught you better than to steal from others and you best believe I will be writing to her about this," Percy frowned at his brother, filled with disappointment. Even Fred and George would have never done what his younger brother just tried to do. And Fred and George had never been the best role models to begin with.

Ron opened his mouth to defend himself again, he could feel his face heating up in his anger. His hands were clammy as they clenched tightly. Blue eyes were flashing darkly much to the concern of Harry and Neville. It was unnerving the amount of rage in front of them.

"IT'S NOT LIKE THEY CAN'T BLOODY AFFORD TO SHARE!" Ron finally burst out. "THEY HAVE BRAND NEW RARE OWLS EACH AND BOUGHT MORE FROM THE HONEYDUKES TROLLEY THAN WE GET IN A YEAR!" Percy looked on horrified as his brother just kept screaming, heads were popping out of the compartments up and the down the train.

"I guess the dark purebloods think they are too good for normal people." Ron sneered, voice finally lowering in volume, but now instead of petulant, he was venomous.

"RONALD!" Percy snapped, but before he could continue, Harry laughed, tears leaking out of his eyes.

"So, because I have money and won't share with a stranger, I am a dark pureblood?" Harry gasped out as he giggled. "I am a half-blood thank you very much, raised by a Squib Aunt."

Harry then leant over and glared at Ron, giggles gone and only a frown left. "You barged into our compartment, lied to us straight off the bat. Then got jealous at the sight of our sweets and familiars. And finally! You bashed your own brother and familiar to us without even knowing us for ten minutes. Your own brother is a sight better than you," Harry finished. "So please, do explain how that makes you the normal one out of us?"

Before Ron could shout again, Percy had heard enough and hauled Ron up by his ear.

"I apologize. I promise our mother will hear about this." Percy spoke to Harry and Neville.

"Thank you." Harry and Neville chorused. Thankfully Percy was extremely more likable than his brother.

Once Ronald and Percy had left, the rest of the ride was spent in peace and easy companionship.  Harry learnt Neville was in love with Herbology and even named his owl after the father of Herbology himself. Pulling out Beaumont Marjoribanks Chocolate frog card which he kept on a chain around his neck. It was his motivation and inspiration.

Neville learnt Harry loved reading books, about anything really. He also loved animals and couldn't wait until the third year when they could take Care of Magical Creatures. He had even talked about the time that the snake had escaped from the zoo that he had been at when he had turned eleven.

Before they knew it, the train was finally pulling into Hogsmeade station. Thankfully they had changed into their robes shortly after Ron was gone. That way they didn’t have to scramble for their robes at last minute.

Chapter Text

Freak of Nature – Chapter 6 (The Sorting)

Harry had wound up picking a boat with Neville when they sailed across the lake. It had been the first time he had taken a glance at Hogwarts and was stunned into silence. The castle was amazing to gaze at when it was lit up at night.

At least he hadn’t been the unlucky one to fall into the lake, that was the one thing that made him worry. Crossing the lake in an unsturdy boat? Not the best of ideas, so he tried to keep in the fear. He would not have got out of the water if that happened. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about freezing in cold water. But least he didn’t have to worry about that as soon as his foot touched ground. Trying to race away from the water without attracting too much attention.

Harry was at least thankful to see someone familiar when they ascended up the stairs.

Professor McGonagall.

He did listen to her speech, but he recognized her words when she spoke about the four houses. Like the others, he watched as she left the hall and then the room gathered into whispers.

Harry tried to ignore it; he really did. Though it was hard with Ron’s annoying voice about fighting a troll.

He tried to avoid rolling his eyes, did they really thing they would set a bunch of first years without much knowledge of magic against a dangerous creature? It was barbaric.

Though his attention peaked when the ghosts of Hogwarts started appearing, he had read about them in Hogwarts: a History. So, it was fascinating to hear them talk to each other before they realized they were in the midst of new students.

That was how Harry found out that Hogwarts had a poltergeist. Before long, all the first years were soon guided into the Great Hall.

Harry noticed the four long tables running towards what he would learn was the Head Table for the professors. Seeing that each table held students with different colored robes. It wasn’t hard to guess that each one was for each individual house.

Neville was standing by Harry’s side as Professor McGonagall walked forward by a stool and an old hat.

“That’s how we get sorted?” Harry whispered.

Neville had an excited look at his face as each name was called forth.

"How is a hat supposed to know where we should go?" Harry asked baffled, but grinned when he heard Ron complaining about his twin brothers had tricked him.

"From what Gran said, some type of magic or enchantment from the founders," Neville said.

"Hope we are in the same house. But we will stay friends no matter what," Harry whispered, squeezing Neville's hand. His body was encased with nerves as he waited for his name to be called. That was when Neville had been called up and made it into Gryffindor.

“Potter, Harry.”

Harry knew that everyone would be looking at him. Either in shock, surprise, distain, envy, the list was endless. He kind of wanted back the moment where everyone didn’t know who he was. He had no doubt that most everyone would now.

He already hated his fame as the whispers filled the hall. He didn’t need to hear what they were saying, he didn’t want to. He still didn’t know what house he wanted; he just knew that he didn’t want to be in Slytherin. He didn’t want Snape for his Head of House.

Slowly the hat was lowered over his head and all Harry could see was the inside of the hat. Then there was a voice in his head.

It was the hat.

"What do we have here?" The deep voice echoed in Harry's mind. It wasn't intrusive or loud, it was kind of like when he had thoughts or talked to himself, but it wasn't him.

"Had a hard life for one so young" The hat stated blankly, devoid of emotion. "Survived by any means, did what you had to do. Not a bad mind either." The hat continued to muse.

"Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin," Harry pleaded, despite liking Graham and being proud of who his grandmother was, he couldn't do seven years of magic under what was essentially a thin black-haired Vernon.

"Not Slytherin Eh? Are you sure? they would help you reach greatness. They would guide you to your goals," the Hat informed him. He wanted that, he wanted to nurture his ambition, determination and he wanted to be a leader for his own achievements. But he couldn't be in Snape’s house.

"Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin." He muttered again.

"Kind heart, loyalty is important, bravery standing up for those who need it. Determined to help others. Both Hufflepuff and Gryffindor would suit you well Mr. Potter. Eagerness to prove yourself and the nerve and bravery to jump in when needed. So, it better be... GRYFFINDOR!" the hat finally shouted the house aloud to the entire school.

Harry grinned happily as he took the hat off and ran over to the table that had erupted into cheers. He sat next to Percy with a shy smile, the older boy looked shocked since Harry was willing to sit with him. Whether it was because he was Harry Potter or because of his interaction with Ron, wasn't clear. But Harry didn't have any bad feelings about Percy and as Prefect he knew Percy would help him with anything.

Harry had also noticed a pair of identical twin redheads opposite Percy, they were shorter and stockier than Percy but still taller than most of their year mates. Cheeky grins on their faces as they chanted loudly "We got Potter! We got Potter!" They were clearly the twins that told Ron about battling a troll.

Neville was sitting across from him, a huge grin on his face.

“We both got Gryffindor!”

Harry matched his own grin, though the only downside is sharing at house and dorm with Ron, Percy’s younger brother.

"Why didn't you tell me who you were." Ron demanded as he pushed the twins to the side so he could sit directly opposite Harry.

Harry proceeded to ignore him.

"Percy, is it true that there is a poltergeist? I overheard some of the ghosts talking about it."

"Ah Peeves." Percy nodded. "Don't worry too much about him. He is a massive nuisance. But he doesn't actively try to harm. But he will lead you the wrong way, throw water balloons at you, that sort of thing." Percy nodded.

"Or give away your location to Filch." One of the twins grumbled.

"Well if you weren't out of bed after hours pranking people, he wouldn't have been able to get you in trouble." Percy sniffed.

One of the twins, Harry didn't know which yet. Had grinned at that, as if that wasn't an option for them.

"You wound up, Perce," one of them laughed.

"You have to learn that rules were made to be broken." the other finished with an identical grin.

Percy just sighed; it was a losing battle with the twins.

"Hi, I'm Fred." the first one to speak, suddenly introduced himself to Harry and Neville.

"I'm Fred!" the other cried. Harry and Neville chuckled at their antics, they seemed kind and funny.

"Who cares, no one can you two apart!" Ron snapped in annoyance.

Harry's sharp eyes caught the pain before they masked it with humour.

"Anything to annoy you Ronnikins," The second one cooed.

"Thing one is George, Thing two is Fred." Percy rolled his eyes, using his fork to point.

Harry tried to hide his snicker, not very successful though.

"Oh Perce!" Fred cried.

"How could you?" George continued.

"Giving away our secrets?!" was said in mock outrage.

"Our own brother!" With that the twins proceeded to sob on each others shoulders as Harry, Neville and their own friend Lee Jordan laughed loudly. Even Percy had a small smile.

From there, Harry easily chatted with Neville over dorming together, Fred and George over pranks, and Percy about his classes and workload, that was soon cut short when Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat.

"Ahem... just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you." Dumbledore started.

"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins. Both of them clutching hands to their chests, looking around innocently. Gryffindor laughed and those closest nudged the twins with winks.

Everyone knew that they liked to try to sneak off to the forest and how much they could get away with it before being assigned detention.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors," Dumbledore announced, nodding to the elderly frail man feeding his cat on his lap.

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch or the House Team Captain."

He continued, the well-built boy sitting on Percy's other side grinned and placed his arm around Percy's shoulder whispering in his ear. Percy just rolled his eyes and muttered 'Quidditch fanatics…'

Percy’s younger brothers, George and Fred looked offended by that as they made a huge gasp.

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death." Harry sent a startled look to Neville. The old coot couldn't be serious.

Harry barely remembered the school singing the school song, thinking over what Dumbledore had said. He would send an owl to Moony. He said to let him know about anything Dumbledore says or does.

Before he knew it, they were following Percy up to the Gryffindor Tower.

"Be careful, these staircases like to move" Percy said, voice loud and clear.

Harry honestly thought Percy was just joking when he said that, until he yelped when the staircase suddenly shifted. It was weird, suddenly feel the floor underneath you literally moving. But at least it wasn’t hard to keep up with Percy and the rest of the Gryffindors. Though there were moments when half them of them would be separated because the staircases decided to move. So, they would have to wait for the stairs to move back before continuing on.

And that was another thing, portraits! They actually moved! They didn’t just stay in one place like a lot of pictures in Petunia’s house. That was until Remus had started enchanting some of them to start moving. Petunia had started clutching at her chest, she hadn’t known that magic was able to do that.

But that was how they got into Gryffindor Tower. There was a large woman in a portrait, she was the guardian of Gryffindor Tower. But as soon as Percy spoke the password, the portrait opened for them.

The first thing that Harry noticed was the room they walked into was quite homey. He found he liked it. There were several portraits that were moving on the walls and chairs and tables spread throughout. They even had a fireplace; it was giving the room a steady warmth. He would later learn that this was called the Common Room.

That was when Percy went over to explain the rules while Professor McGonagall stood behind him.

"My name is Percy Weasley, and I am one of Gryffindor's fifth-year Prefects. We have two prefects for the fifth, sixth and seventh years. The rest of Gryffindor's prefects are to my left by the fireplace." Percy spoke calmly. The other prefects all waved hello to the first year students in front of them.

"We are here to help you. If you are being bullied, need help with homework, getting lost, miss your families or even just need to talk. We are all here for every student." Percy continued.

"Now, these stairs behind you? They lead to the dorm rooms." Percy said pointing, Harry and the other first years turned, behind them was a large entrance way with two staircases coming off.

"The girls to the right, boys to the left. Now, every year you are at Hogwarts you will move up a level. As first years, your dorm will the first level off the staircase." Percy rattled off. "Now I will leave you with Professor McGonagall.

"Hello Students. I am your Head of House and your Transfiguration teacher, Professor McGonagall." McGonagall greeted them. "We have rules in Gryffindor, and I expect them to be followed."

"The curfew overall is ten at night, you must be in the Common Room or in your dorm by this time. But I expect my students to be smart about going to sleep early and getting up in the morning. I do not accept tardiness and it will be your own fault if you don't get up in time. Breakfast starts at 6:30 and runs to 8:30. You will receive your schedules at Breakfast. I expect you to be in class by nine. Just because you are in Gryffindor House, does not mean you get any special treatment," Minerva said as she looked over all the first-year students.

"If you are struggling with your studies, you can find study group times on the notice board on the wall on the way out of the Common Room. Do not let your grades suffer. My office is always open, and I do expect the best of my students. If you are struggling, ask for help from the study groups, your prefects or the Professor of that class. But I do expect you to speak to a prefect first unless it is about an assignment, then your professor will be the best source of information for you,” Professor McGonagall continued.

"Now, I shall also inform you, any misbehavior will result in punishments from whoever caught you. Professors all have their own detentions. Prefects will usually assign you to their Head of House or the caretaker Mr. Filch. However, any cases of bullying someone. Will come straight to me. This behavior will not be tolerated, and I promise you, you will not like the consequences." McGonagall said sternly, eying each student one at a time.

"Now, it is late, you have had a long train ride. Off to bed and explore your new rooms."

For as tired as Harry felt, he still felt oddly awake. And that was after a long train ride, riding the boats to the castle, the Welcoming Feast. He would love to have some sleep right about now. But he followed behind the rest of the boys. And like Percy said, he saw the plaque that said, First Years.

The girls had gone in the other direction to their own dorms.

When the door had been opened, Harry chose one of the beds to the first left and Neville pick the one to the right of his. He noticed there was an open door to the side. Most likely that was the bathroom, feeling his curiosity spiked.

Harry went over to see what the bathroom looked like.

The first thing Harry noticed was how spacious the bathroom was.

The second thing he noticed was the small size of the tubs

When you walked into the bathrooms, you had this pathway that led into the bathroom. You would see a line of mirrors on the far right with toilets and urinals on the left. There was a line of showers just past the mirrors on the right. And if you turned around the corner there were tubs at the end.

The tubs were a bit bigger than the one that Harry had been using at his aunt’s. They would work though it would be a bit tricky to make sure nobody walked in. But he figured he would either use the days that Quidditch would take place on or use it really early in the morning when nobody would be awake yet.

And that was how Harry Potter spent his first night in Gryffindor Tower.

Chapter Text

Freak of Nature – Chapter 7 (The Announcement)

For the next four years, Harry had been growing more accustomed to having a tail. Which also meant becoming rather adept at hiding it from his dorm mates. He was still best friends with Neville, whose love of Herbology had only grown. He even got along with his other roommates, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan. They were both Quidditch fanatics. Which meant the dorm was almost always empty during Quidditch matches and training. Neville would either sleep, go to the library to study or go to the Herbology Greenhouses to help Professor Sprout.

Harry had never brothered on trying out for the team, despite he knew that his father may have been disappointed in that. Not that he ever told Remus about that. But he was content enough to spend his time in classes, homework, and with his friends. Even went to some of the Quidditch matches.

Remus had told Harry about the Prefect's bathroom and had given him the famed Marauders Map in his first year. It had taken him a few years to risk the Prefects bath though. He wasn't a Prefect and wasn't sure he ever would be. Although Remus and his mother had been Prefects, then his mother and father had been Headboy and Headgirl. He still wasn't sure he wanted the extra responsibilities on top of his O.W. Ls and N.E.W.Ts.

It was Harry's third year when he finally tried the Prefects bath for the first time. It had helped that Remus had been Professor Lupin, the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. He felt safe with Remus there. He had later found out that his godfather, the man that was the Secret Keeper for his parent’s safehouse.

That Sirius had broken out of the wizarding prison, Azkaban. He had never found out on the reason why that was either. Revenge on him living? He wasn’t sure. But wasn’t Azkaban supposed to be inescapable?

Remus had told him that Sirius had betrayed his parents, killed Peter, and countless of muggles as well. That apparently it had been him that James and Lily chose as Secret Keeper. At first, when Harry was eleven, he wasn’t sure if that was true. He knew that Lily and James had thought it too obvious, but perhaps they had gone through with that anyways.

Even knowing this, it terrified Harry. The fact that this mass murderer had broken out of an inescapable prison was scary. Even more so when you knew they were coming after you. Even with Remus there, he did feel safer and had taken up the guest bed in Remus’ office.

Though Harry never thought he would hear the end of it when Ron Weasley kept whining that Hermione’s cat, Crookshanks had killed his rat. He swore he saw a hint of a tail before the cat ate the thing.

 Despite the humor of that, Harry didn’t fully relax until Minister Fudge had declared that Sirius Black had been captured and was given the Dementor’s Kiss. At least now, Harry no longer had to worry about someone in Voldemort’s service trying to kill him for the death of their Lord. Even though Remus had moments of looking sad. Harry imagined he was just grieving for his best friend, or the best friend he thought he had. He couldn’t imagine what it must be like to realize that someone you thought you had trusted was really just a betrayer.

His second year had been completely normal, Professor Lockhart had been a joke. Thankfully the infamous curse meant he was gone at the end of the year. Harry had also met Ginny; she had been awkward around him all year. Every time he walked into a room she would squeak, go red and run out. Percy just rolled his eyes and explained his mother had read her stories of him since she was a baby. Harry had felt extremely creeped out. He already had enough people that stared at him because of being the Boy-Who-Lived, he didn’t need another obsessed fan of his.

The first year had been just as wonderful as he had hoped, beyond Snape's issues with him. He and Neville were at the top of their classes, they never let themselves slack off. Snape had tried every chance he got to question him or give him detention. But Professor McGonagall had kept her promise, when Snape gave detention, it was served with her. It almost always ended up being him just doing his homework while she watched. Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger had formed an odd sort of friendship. She bossed him around and he insulted her, but the minute Harry was in the room. They would pair up and try to be his best friends while trying to shove Neville away. Harry had snapped and shouted, defending Neville. They continued this every year. The biggest happiness and surprise was at the end of first year. Harry went home only to discover Remus and Petunia had started dating. Remus had been so nervous asking if he was okay with it. Harry had just laughed and hugged him asking when he would move in permanently.

And now, he was starting his fourth year. He knew that Professor McGonagall was probably still giving Aunt Petunia and Remus daily updates about him. She didn’t have to anymore for Remus since he was a professor at Hogwarts now. Though she was always asking what he was doing in his classes in her letters.

Harry was always happy to reply back to all her letters. Though she had been very proud of his progress in his classes. He knew that Neville’s gran was probably pleased as well, from what Neville said.

Even Dean and Seamus had been doing well and they did study sessions frequently. Even if it was just to chat about the day and lessons, not actual homework or essays.

Harry did wonder when Remus would propose to his aunt, they had been dating since the end of his first year. He didn’t know if Remus was looking to get his opinion of the matter. Since his Aunt Petunia was family. He didn’t see why that mattered so much, because Remus was family too.

Though he had been surprised when he saw Remus sitting at the Head Table again for another year. He had figured that Remus was only going to teach for a year. Had there even been a supposed curse on the position?

He grinned and waved at his Uncle Moony, of course, the Marauder had kept his return a secret. Harry giggled when Remus just winked with a smug grin. As usual, the Welcoming Feast was just as magical, Harry thought with an inward chuckle. He happily filled his plate with roast vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, and three different roast types of meat, Chicken, Lamb and Pork.

He allowed himself to be pulled into conversations with his friends about his summer. He and Neville excitedly told Dean, Seamus, Fred, George and Lee about how they went to New Zealand for a three-week holiday. They had gone with Gran, Uncle Moony, Aunt Petunia, and Dudley. Of course, making it back home for the full moon.

Of course, all of them had seen each other briefly at the Quidditch World Cup. Harry had even had the chance to catch up with the recently graduated Percy and Oliver. Mr. Weasley had won the tickets and Percy had been able to use a spare ticket to take his best friend. Ron had tried to use the other to take Hermione, but since her distaste for the sport was well known, Arthur had let Fred and George bring Lee instead.

Harry pouted as the meal vanished, of course, his dismay was short-lived as the desserts filled the table. Immediately grabbing himself a large slice of Treacle Tart and Vanilla Ice Cream. He eyed the head table as he ate. Narrowing his eyes when he noticed an extra person.

"Hey, who is that guys?" He asked.

"Merlin, what's Mad Eye doing here?" Fred asked choking on his chocolate.

"Dad only said a week or two ago the man was retired. He got called out to deal with his alarm dustbins," George added with an eye roll.

"He was an Auror. The Auror. Put away half of Azkaban." Neville whispered nervously. "My parent's trained under him." It had taken awhile, but Neville had opened up to their small group about why he was raised by his Gran. Harry had then told Neville his own secret. Neville had insisted on taking an oath to protect his best friend and godbrother. Of course, Remus and Petunia had been there for that. He did promise after all.

Neville had taken it much better than anyone else, although that was mostly due to him growing up in the Wizarding World. The Longbottom's had a few different magical creatures in the bloodline but hadn't surfaced in four generations.

Before it felt like this big, huge secret, which it still was. But it felt lighter somehow since his best friend knew that part about him. Something that didn't have to hide from him.

Remus had still exercised caution about being careful. He had taken one day to explain to Neville a bit more about it. Since Lily had been his friend too. He had a few books that were glamoured and keyed to him. Anyone curious would only see a regular Herbology book. But he could look it over and it would help Neville recognize any signs for land illness, scale deformation. There would be times that Remus couldn’t always keep Harry safe, so having someone else look after him, even though the boys were the same age, made him feel more at ease.

Harry was pulled from his fond memories as Dumbledore stood up and raised his hands. Slowly the Great Hall quietened.

"To our first years, welcome to Hogwarts. To our returning students welcome back. I am happy to inform you all, that Professor Lupin has returned to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts for another year." At this the students erupted into applause for a favorite Professor. Fifth and Seventh years hooting loudly at having a competent Professor for their OWLs and N.E.W.Ts. Harry and his group of friends also whistled and shouted out happily.

"Yes, yes, we are all pleased with that." Dumbledore grinned.

Harry giggled when Neville snorted and nudged him and nodded at Snape's sour expression.

"But as always I have some notices to give." Harry groaned quietly; the old coot always waffled on at the beginning of year speech. He had joked to Neville once that the wrinkled windbag spent all summer writing them.

"As always, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden to students," Dumbledore said sternly, glancing towards the twins yet again. Of course, he was well aware of the Gryffindor Tradition. At the end of every year, the Gryffindor students brave enough to try would go as deep as they dared. If you got caught or went back you lost. Fred, George and Lee had won their first, second, third and fourth year. Their fifth, Harry's third, Harry won. What the twins didn't know was Remus was under the invisibility cloak. He had partaken himself as a student and wanted Harry to experience the rush and joy of being a child. But too protective of his cub to let him go alone.

"The list of forbidden items are posted in each house on the notice boards." Dumbledore continued. "It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."

The hall was filled with shocked gasps, for a moment no one seemed to talk before the Quidditch players erupted into protests. For the first time Harry was grateful Oliver had graduated.

"This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy - but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts, we are to have the honour of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months. An event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."

"You're JOKING!" said Fred and George shouted in surprise. Harry felt his heart sink when he saw Remus' face. He clearly hadn't known, but he was looking, Harry couldn’t believe it, but he looked terrified.

Dumbledore chuckled heartily at the Weasley twins. "Now for those who don't know, The Triwizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. A champion was selected to represent each school, and the three champions competed in three magical tasks. The schools took it in turns to host the tournament once every five years, and it was generally agreed to be a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witches and wizards of different nationalities until, that is, the death toll mounted so high that the tournament was discontinued."

Harry gulped, death toll? How could Dumbledore say something like that so easily, Harry felt fear settle in his gut. Something this big happening at Hogwarts? Uncle Moony called him his little trouble magnet for a reason. Harry found himself crossing his fingers that there was a way to select the champions that he wouldn't qualify for. Now he could understand Remus' expression.

"The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their short-listed contenders in October and remaining with us for the greater part of this year. I know that you will all extend every courtesy to our foreign guests while they are with us.  The selection of the three champions will take place on Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school, and a thousand Galleons personal prize money." Dumbledore revealed, the hall once again burst to life.

Students from all houses claiming they wanted to go for it. Fred and George Weasley among them. But Harry had tunnel vision, unable to see or hear beyond Dumbledore, hoping, praying for something to protect him.

"But, to protect our students," Dumbledore continued yet again, silencing the hall. "The Heads of the three schools and our three Ministries, have agreed to an age limit." Harry held his breath. "Only those of age, that is 17 years of age can enter." Dumbledore finished.

"RUBBISH!!" The twins howled, they were joined by many others who were only just shy of the age limit, and a few younger students who didn't truly understand the danger.

"This is a measure we feel is necessary, given that the tournament tasks will still be difficult and dangerous, whatever precautions we take, and it is highly unlikely that students below a sixth and seventh year will be able to cope with them. I will personally be ensuring that no underage student hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them Hogwarts champion. Now, it is late, and I know how important it is to you all to be alert and rested as you enter your lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop chop!"

The students were slow to move, most caught up in their excitement. But Harry just felt this overwhelming dread.

"Neville." Harry gasped, grabbing his friend’s arm. "Let McGonagall know. Need Moony." Neville shot the message off to Dean and Seamus before guiding Harry towards Remus' private quarters. He wasn't going to let Harry go alone. Thankfully as Remus was down as shared Guardian for both boys, they had a shared room in his quarters, and as long as McGonagall knew where they were, they could stay there.

Dean and Seamus both had sympathetic looks as they nodded. At least they weren’t stupid enough to think that entering a tournament that was known for its deaths was a smart idea.

But Harry could feel his nerves and magic going everywhere. He just knew something was going to go wrong and he wanted Remus. He wanted Moony. He had never felt gladder that Remus was a professor this year. Like last year, he was going to need his presence this year.

Chapter Text

Freak of Nature – Chapter 8 (Selection of Champions)

Halloween arrived sooner than expected.

Harry was thankful for Uncle Moony shoving a calming draught down his throat that first night. Though he spent many nights there in his guest bedroom. Having Remus there in the next bedroom was a real sense of comfort. Though there had been moments where Harry would clutch Remus as night. He did not have a good feeling about this tournament. He knew that it would be their way of trying to kill him.

And like he said, Dumbledore had drawn an age line, even the twins hadn't found a way around it.

Harry knew he shouldn't have been so worried, but he hadn't been able to stop the panic attack the first morning.

Harry and Neville joined the Gryffindors at their table several nights later, he looked over those he knew had put their names in the goblet.

There was several… Angelina Johnson, Cassius Warrington, Graham Montague, Cedric Diggory. There were several other students from the other houses. Though Harry noticed that not every 7^th year was placing their name into the Goblet. There were a handful from each house, though he noticed that Gryffindor had the most. He didn’t even know the names of some of the Hufflepuffs or Ravenclaws. He didn’t try to remember the other Slytherins, but at least they were smarter than try to risk a death tournament.

And then there were the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. The only one that Harry recognized was Viktor Krum from the World Cup.

Durmstrang and Beauxbatons arrived early October as planned, the Quidditch lovers and players had gone mental when the Viktor Krum himself was walking with the Durmstrang Headmaster, Igor Karkaroff.

He of course had been the first Durmstrang student to place his name.

Beauxbatons had arrived shortly after Durmstrang. Their Headmistress was massive! Harry had gaped for a moment before remembering his manners. She had to be at least part Giant. Hagrid had been looking doe-eyed since she arrived.

Beauxbatons seemed to have only good-looking students, although not very smart judging on the fact none of them had bought jackets for Scotland’s cold. Fleur Delacour and her little sister Gabrielle had immediately smiled at Harry as if they knew something. He liked Fleur after she had introduced herself and sat next to him on the Gryffindor table.

In privacy she had informed him, Remus and Neville, that she was part Veela. Even though she couldn't shift, she could create fireballs and had the gift of Veela songs. She had also been able to tell what Harry was from the moment she saw him. She swore to secrecy and Harry had enjoyed her company, although now he had another friend who had entered their name to worry about.

He had never expected to become friends with anyone, since everyone seemed to care about his fame. But he had befriended Fleur and her little sister rather quickly. She just seemed so understanding and knew exactly what he struggled with. No matter how strong the friendship he had with Neville, which he would never change for the world. She knew the struggle of being half creature. Though he felt slightly jealous that she probably didn’t have to hide that half.

But now it was time for the champions to be called.

Moony had ignored Dumbledore and sat down with Harry, holding his cub's hand. Harry couldn't tell why his anxiety was so high, but he felt himself worried for who would be selected for the Hogwarts champion.

He had walked past of a group of Slytherins, he had recognized Graham Montague, they hadn't spoken since the train first year. That didn’t mean that he didn’t see him around the castle. But every now and then he would feel the Slytherin staring at him, trying to figure him out. He had flinched when Graham's friends had cheered and congratulated him putting his name in the goblet. That night had been filled with nightmares and panic attacks.

Bartemius Crouch stood before everyone, standing before the goblet.

It was time.

"As you are aware, we will be selecting the champions for each school representing their school for the Triwizard Tournament. After the Goblet of Fire spits your name forth, you will enter into the chamber down the hall to the left of you," Crouch began to speak.

"Once you have entered your name into the Goblet, there is no going back. There is no breaking the contract once selected and I hope you do your respected school proud."

He raised his wand and tapped the side of the goblet.

"This is it." Fred hissed.

"The moment we have been waiting for." George smirked.

The Goblet's fire turned blue and soared into the sky, and a small parchment floated down to Crouch.

"The Durmstrang Champion is... VIKTOR KRUM!" Crouch shouted to the crowd. Durmstrang went wild, cheering and shouting.

Harry clapped politely, eyes darting over the faces of the Hogwarts students who entered again, they started to look worried now.

He heard Ron comment, "Of course Krum is champion!"

The redheaded boy was obsessed with the Quidditch player. Harry had actually pushed Krum into an empty classroom when Ron had been stalking the man. He had no problem in faking that he hadn’t known what Ron was going about and continued to ignore the redhead.

He didn't know if Krum had appreciated that gesture or not. But he had dealt enough of Ron's stupid behavior. So, he figured if he could help the Quidditch player, he would try. He definitely didn't expect any thank you's from the Bulgarian student. And he certainly hadn't offered any, so he continued going about to his classes and doing homework.

Harry watched as the Bulgarian wizard got up and walked towards the chamber that Bartemius Crouch had been talking about.

The Goblet's fire turned blue again, reaching up to the sky. The parchment floating down slowly. Crouch grabbing it mid-air.

"The Beauxbatons champion is... FLEUR DELACOUR!"

Harry's heart sunk, Fleur got up from opposite him, kissing Gabrielle and grinning widely.

"How was that bimbo chosen?" Hermione Granger scoffed.

Harry scowled and tossed a scone at her head. It was childish but it made him feel better. He snickered when she turned around and all his friends pointed at each other, Dean at Seamus, Seamus at Dean, Neville at Lee, Lee at Angelina, Fred and George at each other. Even Remus pointed at Neville.

Hermione had hated the girl ever since Ron had dripped drool over her the first day.

Harry still didn't understand the fascination Granger had in him. All Ron Weasley had done was insult her, must be some type of kink of hers. Girls didn't make much sense to him.

The Gryffindor felt himself wait in anticipation as the Goblet lit up blue again. Harry found himself curling into Remus, Moony wrapping his arms around Harry's shoulders. Crouch grabbed the parchment.

"The Hogwarts champion is... GRAHAM MONTAGUE!"

Harry gasped, chest constricting. The hall was silent before Slytherin erupted into the cheers and stamping feet.

The Ravenclaws followed suit, Hufflepuff mourned for Cedric Diggory but still loyal to Hogwarts to clap politely.

Gryffindor was almost silent until Remus started clapping, followed by Fred, George, Lee, Angelina, Alicia, and Katie. The Gryffindor quidditch players actually didn't mind Graham or his friends, beyond the sport competitiveness. But that didn’t mean the rest of Gryffindor House felt the same. They would look at it that a Slytherin probably took what should have been theirs.

In fact, most of the Gryffindor faces were angry and disgust. Ron and Hermione were even protesting loudly. At least they were until Fred hexed them and George kicked Ron's legs as hard as he could. The twins had almost been in Slytherin, and their fear of Molly's reaction was the only reason the hat put them in their second-best house.

Harry didn't know what to feel about it, his feelings were all over the place. And none of them were making sense to him.

He could feel his Siren half screeching at him, he clutched his head trying to soothe the sudden headache. Letting out a low moan of pain as he pressed his face into Remus' robes. He wanted water but he knew he couldn't race out of here.

Remus forced a glass of iced water onto his lips, Harry glugged it down, ooh Moony was the best. He had even added salt to the glass of water. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to stop the shakes.

When had his body started to shake?

Harry looked up when he felt Remus tense and heard the hall gasp.

Oh, Merlin. The Goblet fire was blue again. Harry watched wide-eyed as another parchment floated down. Crouch was in shock, so Dumbledore reached out to grab it.

"Harry Potter," he said quietly but the silence meant everyone heard it.

"HARRY POTTER!!" Dumbledore shouted out. Everyone's eyes darted to the scared fourth year.

No... no... no..." Harry started muttering under his breath. This couldn't be happening. They had three champions... even a Slytherin.

He didn't want to!

Neville was white shaking his head, all his friends looked shocked and terrified.

"Cheater!" Ron shouted.

Harry felt himself flinching when everyone glared at him. He couldn’t handle the stares and hatred aimed at him.

"He's not even 15!" Someone one from Ravenclaw shouted.

Harry felt Remus help him to his feet, he could feel himself walking with Remus guiding him. He couldn't control his body or react. He was numb.

"It will be okay cub. I will do everything I can, I know you didn't put your name." Remus was rambling into his ear. It was a soothing hum. "We will get through this. Oh, Tunes is going to kill Dumbledore and burn Hogwarts down." Remus continued; it brought a weak chuckle from Harry.

They finally entered the chamber with the other champions. Fleur immediately ran to Harry's side, "What is wrong, mon petit frère?"

"Someone entered his name into the goblet," Remus answered for Harry, the boy was panicking. They were interrupted by Dumbledore bursting in, followed by Igor Karkaroff, Olympe Maxime, Bartemius Crouch, Ludo Bagman, Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall.

"There has been a mistake," Fleur shouted the minute she noticed them, her accent thick. "Harry cannot compete. He is too young, A child!"

Harry nodded furiously, tears on his cheeks. When had they started falling?

"Did you put your name in the Goblet?" Dumbledore demanded, he tried to push Harry against the wall, but Remus stepped between them. He was not going to let the Headmaster anywhere near Harry.

"How could he have?" Graham drawled; brown eyes narrowed. "Didn't you swear no underage child could enter their names because of YOUR age line? Seems the Headmaster does have a fallibility after all…"

"What is the meaning of this, Dumbly-dorr?" Madam Maxime demanded, watching with pride as her champion consoled the terrified child. " He is a little boy! Is this how you treat your own students here!?"

"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore," Professor Karkaroff added, looking disgusted. "Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions, or have I not read the rules carefully enough?" You could hear the sarcasm through the thick Bulgarian accent.

“You think I'm not aware of this, Igor,” Dumbledore said, exasperated.  

"It's no one's fault but Potter's, Karkaroff," Snape sneered, black eyes glittering with hate "Don't place the blame of the Headmaster for an insolent child's stupidity" Snape found himself cut off before he could continue his rant. 

"Snivellus I am warning you to shut up now!" Remus' amber eye flared as he growled, standing protectively in front of his cub. Fleur let her hands glow red with the urge to throw fireballs. These Hogwarts professors were not impressing her in the slightest.

"Is this how you allow your Professors to treat children?" Fleur demanded of Dumbledore.

"Everyone! Settle down." Dumbledore boomed. "Remus, stand down, you too Miss Delacour. Severus, thank you for defending me, but I do believe Harry is innocent. Igor, I do not know how this happened, but rest assured I will find out." Krum suddenly scoffed.

"Why should we trust you to find out? You swore the age line would protect the younger students. You stopped people whose 17th birthdays were after the first task from entering, but couldn't protect a mere 14-year-old?" It was hard to hear all of it under the thick accent. But his indignation was clear. He wasn't sure why this young child had helped him hide from the frothing redhead, but he did owe him. Plus, he was a child, clearly terrified. His friend, the quiet blonde was kind of cute, he always saw him in the library reading Herbology books. He had also helped Viktor hide from the frizzy brunette that he always saw with the redhead.

"If you cannot protect your own students. Why should we trust you?" He growled.

"How do we get him out of this?" Remus demanded.

"We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament." Bartemius Crouch said from the corner of the room. Enjoying the sight of Dumbledore getting a beatdown. Even those at the Ministry were not fans of the Headmaster of Hogwarts.

"SCREW THE RULES!" Remus screamed. "HE IS UNDERAGE, AS HIS GUARDIAN I DEMAND HE BE REMOVED! I DON'T GIVE CONSENT FOR HIM TO COMPETE."

"Remus!" Dumbledore scolded. "Let Bartemius speak. Do not take this out on those who did nothing to deserve this."

"MY CUB HAS BEEN ENTERED ILLEGALLY INTO A DEADLY TOURNAMENT AND YOU WANT ME TO CALM DOWN?!"

"Moony." Harry finally spoke, Remus whipped around, wrapping his cub in his arms.

"Oh Cub, it will be okay. I promise I will help you through every step."

"I don't wanna die." Harry whimpered.

Graham felt himself moving and before he knew it, he was placing his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Hey, Tiny." He whispered. Harry turned, green eyes meeting brown.

"You won’t be in this tournament alone. Since its despicable that none of the officials for our school will support anyone!" Graham’s voice was firm as he glared over at Snape and Dumbledore.  

Harry felt himself smile, his stomach was still churning, but the worry he felt wasn't fully for himself, but for someone else. He didn't know who, but someone else was in danger. He assumed it was the other champions he worried for.

"Me too, Mon Petit frere." Fleur grinned, Harry noticed even though she couldn't shift, her teeth were differently sharper.

"I believe too, I shall help," Krum added, his English extremely broken compared to Fleur who actually spoke it fluently despite the French accent and the occasional slips into French.

"Remarkable!" Ludo Bagman grinned widely. "International Cooperation right in front of us. The reason for this tournament to begin with." he laughed joyfully; his boyish face lit up.

Remus scowled, Harry was put into some death tournament and some stupid ministry official was more concerned about three schools in collaboration with another!?

“Does my cub have to participated in this damn tournament or not! And I don’t want any half ass answers either!” Remus snapped.

“Unfortunately, there is no way around it. The Goblet does not recognize if a witch or wizard is underage, only their magic,” Bartemius said. “When the Goblet takes a name and spits it out, it binds their magical signature to it until the Tournament is complete. Once it is complete, it is no longer binding. As much as I disagree with this unfortunate circumstance, our hands are tied.”

“Bartemius, you are not really considering making a fourteen-year-old compete?!” Minerva said flabbergasted.

She had stayed silent for the most part, unable to believe what was happening around her. The child wouldn’t survive, this was a tournament for adult wizards and witches, not a child!

"It is a magically binding contract, Minerva; the Goblet is an ancient and powerful artefact. It took the magical signature of all those involved with the ignition of the Goblet's fire!" Bartemius cried. "That includes Dumbledore, Karkaroff, Maxime, Me, and the French and Bulgarian Head's of the Department of International Magical Cooperation! We could all lose our magic like Potter if the boy doesn't compete!"

"His name is Harry," Remus growled. "He is fourteen years old. You all failed to protect him. What will you do now that he is forced to compete?"

"I... Um..." Bartemius stuttered.

"I think, in the case of Mr. Potter, we can agree to waive the rules on outside help. We will have to reconvene and discuss our safety measures over each task," Ludo jumped in, uncomfortably joyful over the situation.

"That is all you have to offer!" Minerva was furious. "We have a fourteen-year-old that shouldn't even be in this room and that is all you have to say!"

"It's my life on the line" Harry spoke up. "Kind of feel like I should be in the room for it."

“Mr. Potter, if there was a way, you wouldn’t be in this room at all and would be with your friends,” Minerva said shortly.

“But yet… You all act like you had this under control! Despite the death tolls in the years past. despite every attempt to revive it failing. But none of you know anything!” Minerva hissed.

"Now... wait a minute, Minerva," Bartemius Crouch tried to say.

"Do not Minerva me!" she hissed. "But I expect more than some pathetic excuse that bending some rules when we have a student that is not even supposed to be a champion to begin with!"

"We will have to make allowances for the boy." Bartemius conceded. "Ludo explain the first task." He waved the overly excited man on reluctantly.

"The first task is designed to test your daring," Ludo told the room happily, but looking at Harry, Fleur, Graham and Viktor, "So we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard or witch, very important."

"So, in this case." Bartemius interrupted before Bagman could carry on. "I think we should allow Mr. Potter to be aware of the task beforehand." Unfortunately, before he could continue Karkaroff made himself known.

"So not only does Hogwarts get two champions? But one of them gets a major advantage over the others?!" He demanded.

"Oh, shut up Igor." Minerva snapped. "This is for an unwilling 14-year-old boy, I would hardly call it an advantage."

"Might I also suggest, Tiny gets, an Emergency Porkey to use at any time during each task? It can be programmed to be for a certain part of the castle," Graham spoke up.

Minerva eyed the boy with respect, this was why he was Prefect. The way he unashamedly standing up for the golden boy of Gryffindor, she might push for him to be the Head boy next year. She doubted that Albus would be happy with that, but she didn’t care.

"Excellent suggestion! Snape, you must be proud of the brains on this one!" Bagman shouted gleefully. Snape seemed to ignore everyone else in the room, eying his student with suspicion.

"Each task, we can choose an advantage for Mr. Potter, and a way to make each task safer for him," Bartemius concluded with a nod.

"Now I am sure your schools and houses are dying to celebrate with you all! Off you go and remember the first task will take place November the 24th! Harry my boy we will discuss the first task options, and tomorrow we will join you in your Uncle's room to tell you what we have decided." Dumbledore interrupted cheerily, although Harry, Remus, Minerva and Graham all picked up on tenseness with the word Uncle.

"Harry, would you prefer to stay with me tonight or go back to Gryffindor?" Remus asked, Harry, looking up at him with a soft smile.

"With you Uncle Moony." Harry nodded. There was no way he wanted to go back to Gryffindor Tower, may as well postpone the inevitable.

"You got this, Tiny." Graham grinned, patting his shoulder as he left, Harry blushing at the touch and flutter in his stomach.

"We shall be by your side the whole way, mon petit frere." Fleur grinned, kissing his pink cheeks.

"Durmstrang stands with you," Viktor added with a firm nod.

Harry grinned at the unending support as he and Remus made their way back, unsurprised to find Neville already there waiting on the couch with tea and treacle tarts.

The night had been beyond horrible, now it was starting for feel slightly better. But he didn’t want to face Gryffindor Tower any time soon. He knew there was going to be fight over this. So, if he could avoid it, he was going to do it.

Chapter Text

Freak of Nature – Chapter 9 (More Than You Think)

The mornings always started with an easy sort of peace. Sun rising, light coming through the window that overlooked the Black Lake. The smell of breakfast, usually pancakes, bacon, fried banana, and maple syrup. The warmth from the long-dead fire in the lounge sweeping throughout all the rooms. The weight of the duvet giving both warmth and security. Yes, the morning peace was wonderful.

Harry smiled softly as his green eyes opened, blinking sleepily. It was a moment before he remembered, the horrors of last night came racing back. He sat up in shock, eyes wide, mouth agape.

It hadn't been a nightmare; it was all true. Harry flopped back with a loud groan; he really didn't expect a good reception today. He knew Neville believed in him; he had been there last night to assure him. Speaking of Nev, he wasn't in the bed on the other side of the room.

"Harry? Cub? I can hear you groaning and hitting your bed." Remus called from behind the bedroom door. "Breakfast is ready, Nev is still here as well, we will eat here instead of in the Great Hall morning." Harry couldn't help his grin; he loved his family.

"I am coming!" He called, climbing out of bed, coming out in his owl pajamas.

"Morning." He mumbled as he sat down, grabbing his plate and pulling it close.

"Are you ready for today?" Remus asked carefully. "It's a Sunday, so no classes."

"Do you think I can hide in the library?" Harry joked.

"If that's what you need," Neville said immediately, loyal as ever.

"No." He sighed, "I've got to face them. I am a Gryffindor and really, I just want to get this over with."

Remus and Neville nodded in understanding.

"Oh, these are amazing like always Moony." Harry smiled as he finished his last pancake. He could feel the nerves bubbling, but mostly he could still feel the unease of someone being in danger and annoyance at the situation.

"So, Harry, you know I have to go and try and explain these Tunes today." Remus started, Harry nodding with a slight flinch, oh his Aunt was going to be pissed.

"Will you be okay with Neville?" Remus asked, looking at Harry intensely.

"Of course, Moony, besides, I've got the other champions on my side as well. Knowing I've got support means everything. Everyone who matters believes me."

"That's my boy." Remus grinned proudly, kissing both Harry and Neville on the head. "I should be back before the meeting with the tournament judges which is planned for between lunchtime and dinner," Remus said before heading to the Floo. The connection had been set up since a wizard was a daily visitor in their house. So, since Harry had been eleven years old.

"Bye Moony!" The two boys chorused as they raced to their bedroom to get dressed. Harry already felt better about facing the day. He had his family and friends. That's all that matters right?

He was regretting that thought now that that he was out of Remus’ room. Everyone was staring or glaring as they walked through the castle.

"You know what? Let's head to the library for a bit." Harry grumbled as he saw Draco Malfoy swaggering towards them. They tried to duck down another hallway but it was too late, they had been spotted.

"OI POTTY!" Draco shouted, Harry rolled his eyes, wow the other boy didn't have great insults. Always using the same ones over and over again.

"Yes, Malfoy?" Harry asked resigned to his fate.

"How did you of all people cheat the age line and get your name in?" Draco scoffed. "I mean, it's not like you are any good at anything."

Harry had to snort at that, the only class Malfoy was better than him in was Potion's and there was a clear bias.

"What's that Potter? You think being the Boy-Who-Lived makes you better than everyone?" Draco sneered, grey eyes flashing. "You are a useless orphan! No one even likes you! You couldn't let Slytherin have the fame, could you? Had to hog it for yourself!" Draco screeched.

Harry would have flinched from high pitchness alone. But it was coupled with Crabbe and Goyle cracking their knuckles, and Parkinson pulling her wand out. He backed up with Neville, their own wands dropping, preparing for yet another duel with the loudmouth bully.

"Just what is going on here?!" a loud voice came from behind Harry, he watched as Malfoy paled.

"Of bloody course, it's you Malfoy!" The familiar voice groaned. "Ten points from Slytherin and detention with Filch for instigating yet another fight!"

"That's not fair!" Draco cried. "You don't know the full story, Montague!" Harry spun at the name, smiling softly with a blush as Graham stalked up to them, a friend on either side.

"I don't need to, I listened to you complain about Potter all night in the common room. Even after I confirmed he didn't put his name in. I am not even surprised you managed to stalk him to start something" Graham sneered. "Now run along, and report to Filch tonight." Draco sneered one last time before spinning away, his cronies following.

"You alright, Tiny?" Graham asked, brown eyes checking him over.

"Still not my name." Harry grunted, still blushing. "But I am fine, thank you."

“Graham!”

Harry turned to see who was yelling down the corridor. Though he recognized who it was.

It was Marcus Flint with Terence Higgs, they both were Slytherins.

Harry knew Marcus because of Quidditch, he was the Slytherin Quidditch Captain. Terence was the rival seeker for the team, or rather was. He had switched over to Chaser after Malfoy stole his position because he was being a jealous prat.

“You never said that you were hanging about with Potter,” Marcus frowned.

"Wait... was that the tiny Gryffindor you are always talking about?"

Harry looked from Terence and Marcus to over Graham.

"Did you seriously call me Tiny to them?!" Harry glared at him

Graham shrugged, "well... you are small..."

Terence's lips twitched as Marcus laughed.

"Well... I certainly didn't say that," Marcus remarked. "A Gryffindor for a champion, this will be interesting..."

"And just why will that be interesting?" Harry asked narrowing his eyes, matching Marcus' stare boldly. But the seventh year just laughed loudly.

"I like you kid." Most of his year mates couldn't meet his eyes or stand against him, let alone a tiny fourth year.

"So Tiny, have they told you what the first task is yet?" Graham asked with a wink.

Terence grinned and nudged Marcus when Harry went bright red and was looking at Graham from under his eyelashes shyly.

"No, Uncle Moony says the meeting will be before dinner." Harry smiled sweetly, no sight of the confrontational Harry that stood against Marcus.

"Wait... Moony?" Marcus asked, looking over to Terence and Graham. As if they would have the answer he needed.

Harry lit up, "Yeah, Uncle Moony, Professor Lupin."

Marcus still looked confused on why their professor would have the nickname of Moony. But he didn’t question it, this was a Gryffindor after all, most of them didn’t make sense to begin with.

"Oh, and thank you, Graham. Uncle Moony really appreciated you speaking up after my name came out and suggesting the portkey. Professor McGonagall was also impressed with your thinking too," Harry smiled, thankfully the heat was leaving his cheeks, but the fluttering stomach hadn't. Was that ever going to stop around the Slytherin?

Graham silently groaned with Terence and Marcus shooting him a smug knowing grin.

"Ohhh... Professor Minnie is going to be keeping an extra eye on you now!" Terence teased

"Oh, shut up Terence," Graham grumbled with an eye roll but that didn’t stop the grin on his face.

"Malfoy bother you too much, Tiny?" Graham asked ignoring the ribbing from his best friends.

Harry and Neville shared a look before giggling.

"He is more like an irritating bug," Harry chuckled.

"He tries, but hasn't had new material since our first year," Neville added.

"He’s a fucking moron," Marcus grunted.

"The older years have a drinking game at parties. Shot of Firewhiskey every time he says Daddy says this, or Father will hear about this," Terence laughed.

"And no one has died?" Harry asked with false innocence, the three Slytherins laughed heartedly.

Marcus shrugged, "did send some to the Hospital Wing. I don't want to imagine the look on Poppy's face at that one."

"Madam Pomfrey can be scary." Harry nodded.

"Remember when that idiot Lockhart removed the bones in your arm after Malfoy pushed you down the stairs?" Neville shuddered.

Harry groaned, "I thought she was going to march down and give him a piece of her mind..."

"Graham almost did!" Terence added wickedly, dodging Graham's quick punch. But Malfoy was stupid enough to do it in front of half the school just because Harry had bested him in Lockhart’s fake dueling training.

"Wait what? Why? Why would you care?" Harry asked surprised. He wanted to know about this.

"Well... you know... what kind of idiot removes a second year's bones instead of leaving it for the school's matron?" Graham stuttered, shoving Marcus when he snorted. "Besides, Tiny, you were very clearly a Gryffindor but didn't care I was a Slytherin when we met."

"Still don't understand that stupid stuff." Harry rolled his eyes. "I have friends from every house. I either like you as a person or I don't."

"Who are your Slytherin friends?" Graham asked curiously, he had seen Harry with Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw's from his own year, but he hadn't seen any Slytherin's near him.

“Mostly Theo and Blaise, though Tracey isn’t too bad. They are able to explain Potions better without having a professor that hates you, breathing down your neck,” Harry replied.

"We try to stick to the library, to avoid Malfoy and his goons. They have to share a dorm with them, and we don't want to make their lives harder." Neville explained.

"Decreases the chance of Blaise cursing Malfoy again," Harry shrugged with a grin.

"He cursed Malfoy?" Marcus chuckled, "Knew I liked that kid."

"What did Zabini do to him?" Terence asked excitedly.

Harry instantly started to crack up in laughter at the reminder.

He had recalled coming across Blaise all pissed off around the Great Hall. The Italian wizard had been cursing up a storm at the time.

"He may have cursed his lower regions," Harry laughed.

He had never asked Blaise if his mother had taught him that curse. It eventually wore off though.

The older Slytherin's hadn't been able to contain the surprised burst of laughter.

"Well, as much as I enjoyed this, and Graham was happy to rescue you from Malfoy, but we have got to get moving. Even though Quidditch is cancelled, we are going to keep training." Marcus spoke, smirking at the blush on Graham's face. Success. It was not an easy task.

"Oh, that's a good idea." Harry beamed, looking at Graham. "You don't want to fall out of habit and shape. Though, I’ve never been a fan of playing Quidditch myself, though I don't mind flying from time to time. It’s fun to watch though," Harry replied.

"The Slytherin team will be practicing all year if you find yourself missing the matches this year Tiny!" Graham called as he was dragged away by Marcus. Harry laughed as he and Neville waved goodbye.

"Want to go watch them instead of the Library?" Neville teased once the Slytherins were gone, Harry just rolled his eyes.

"So, you're a cheater and a traitor!" an unwelcome voice sneered.

 Harry groaned loudly; it wasn't his day.

"What are you on about now, Weasley?" Harry asked turning to face his second confrontation of the day.

"I saw you!" Ron screeched.

"Doing what?" Neville asked flabbergasted.

"Talking to those slimy snakes!" Ron's face was slowly going red in anger, spittle flying when he shouted.

"Oh Merlin, is that actually what this is about?" Harry asked wide-eyed.

"You cheated to put your name in the Goblet to keep your pathetic fame! Then I watch you talk to the Slytherin champion and his minions?!" From hearing Mrs. Weasley's howlers to the twins, it was clear where Ron inherited his uncomfortable high voice when shouting.

"There is no way a dirty slimy Slytherin was the best choice of those entered! He must have cheated to make sure his name came out! You helped him, didn't you? With the promise, your name would come out too!"

"Wow, there is so much wrong in that." Harry shook his head. "Graham is extremely worthy of being champion!" He snapped, the need to protect Graham surged, how dare Weasley say such a thing about him.

"Being a Slytherin doesn't make him slimy or evil. Yes, Malfoy is a prat. But so are you," Harry continued. "The Goblet is such a powerful magical object that I couldn't break my contract and get out of competing without losing my magic and possibly life. Yet you think a sixth year and fourth year managed to trick it?" He asked incredulously.

"You are betraying your house!" Ron shouted interrupting Harry. "They all cheat and play dirty tactics on the Slytherin quidditch team!" Neville laughed and clapped his hands sarcastically.

"Weasley, talking to someone on a sports team is not a betrayal!" Neville scoffed, "And seriously? Their tactics? I've heard you gushing about moves made by professional players since your first year, but if Slytherin's try them it's dirty cheating?"

"You only think that because of your bias against them." Harry shook his head. "You and Malfoy aren't that different."

"I AM NOTHING LIKE THAT DEATH EATER PONCE!" Ron howled.

Harry laughed at that, "Let’s see... you only see the houses for their color and not the person. You have the same prejudice because that is all you have been told and don't know how to grow up! Did you ever stop to wonder on why Slytherins got into the house? Maybe their parents would kill them if they didn't! Maybe because they actually want to succeed in life and not be nameless like some Gryffindors I know," Harry hissed at him, he could feel his anger rising as he said each word.

"And yet, it’s not Gryffindors that are helping me with Potions because of a bloody professor don't know how to keep his own prejudice and temper. Its Slytherins! Slytherins! Because they don't see just a fucking color on my robes! Maybe you should learn from them! Maybe even learn from your own brother! He at least knows that it doesn't matter what house you are in, because one day you won't be in houses," Harry turned, he wanted away before he cursed the damn weasel.

"Ron? What's going on?" A whiney voice joined the group.

"Granger." Harry nodded briefly before grabbing Neville's arm and the two ran for it. He couldn't take any more. He just knew she would side with Weasley and properly try to insult Fleur again. Which would make Harry lose it finally.

They would make it to the library panting, "I could almost swear you had a magical signature tracker on your body Haz." Neville groaned as he collapsed into a chair.

"It's the Potter luck. I blame Dad." Harry chuckled breathlessly.

"Oh, Sir Prongs how could you betray your line with the Potter luck?" Neville called dramatically.

"Sometimes, I wonder if he had it right with just cursing people to make them stay away." Harry rolled his eyes.

"It works for me!" A voice from behind Harry had him jumping.

"What the fuck is up with everyone and sneaking up from behind me today?!" He cried when Neville, Blaise and Theo laughed at him. "Just once! Could someone come at me from the front!"

Blaise's lips quipped, "that would only make your life easier, Potter. Why would I do that?"

Harry groaned, "I hate all of you..."

"So, why were you running? Wasn't the female Weasley, was it?" Theo wanted to know; he had sat his book on the table.

"Wait!? Who did you curse now?" Harry asked. "Blaise?"

Blaise held his hands up in innocence, "it’s not always me!"

"Theo!?" Harry said, shocked. The other Slytherin was more of the quiet one, always preferred the background, like Blaise. But he was more of a reader and ignoring everyone. Blaise always liked seeing people's reactions.

Theo huffed, “I’m not always the innocent Slytherin. They already ruined one of my books by spilling the entire ink well all over. They’re lucky I was able to save my Arithmancy essay. Madam Pince would be able to have a better punishment than I could do. Though they may need a visit to the Hospital Wing sometime soon…”

Harry winced at the thought of one of Madam Pince's precious books being ruined by another student. She definitely wouldn't be happy.

Theo narrowed his eyes, "You still haven't answered my question..."

"Ugh, No. Thankfully it wasn't the female Weasley." Harry shook his head. "It was a drama-filled morning." He joked.

"So, first Malfoy found us and had his usual fits. Tried to start something with Parkinson, Goyle and Crabbe. Then bloody Weasley showed up! He went on a loud and painfully high rant about me cheating and Slytherin's being evil." Harry rolled his eyes. "We ran when Granger showed up, "Didn't need her input as well."

"Wait how did Slytherins come up?" Theo asked shrewdly.

"Missing a bit after Malfoy there, Harry," Neville smirked.

"I hate you all..." Harry repeated banging his head on the desk. "Okay, Graham and his friends showed up, gave Malfoy detention and chased him off. Weasley caught us talking and accused me of helping Graham cheat to become champion." Harry rushed out as quickly as he could.

"You call Montague by his first name?" Blaise asked awed.

Theo narrowed his eyes; he was called the smartest in their friendship for a reason. His intelligence rivalled genius level and not just books, but people as well.

"Montague just jumped in?" Theo asked.

"Yeah, He believes me that I didn't put my name in the Goblet and offered his help." Harry blushed. Theo smirked and nodded as if Harry had confirmed something for him.

Harry fought through his blush, "McGonagall said something about wanting him to be Headboy next year, though I haven't told him that. But he knows that several professors were impressed on the night of the selection."

Blaise looked over at his friend suspiciously, he knew something he didn't. He would get it from him later.

"He ran off with Flint and Higgs, something about mandatory practice even though we aren't doing Quidditch this year," Harry shrugged, his blush slowly fading

"Yeah, Flint wants to play professionally, and this is his last year. He spent most of the first night screaming about Dumbledore cancelling Quidditch this year," Blaise nodded. "I thought he was going to kill Malfoy when he tried to complain about still having early morning training."

Theo laughed, "I thought for certain he was going to tell him that he could kiss his chances on being on the team next year goodbye!"

"He still might if Montague is rescuing Gryffindors from him now," Theo smirked. "I mean everyone knows that when Flint leaves, Montague will be captain."

"Wait?! He is?" Harry asked shocked.

He didn't really follow Quidditch all that much, but he hadn't known anything about that.

"Oh yeah," Blaise nodded excitedly. "Montague is amazing and could play professionally like Flint."

"I feel there is a but... in that..." Harry replied.

"He doesn't want to play professionally." Theo said. "Which Blaise and Flint think is a travesty and insult to the Quidditch gods."

Harry's lips twitched at that, he imagined that his father probably would have thought that if he was alive. Though Remus had never minded if Harry had played or not.

Apparently, Remus had never been real interested in the sport either, but he went to the games because James and Sirius had been on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. Harry had done the same for Dean.

"His talent shouldn't be wasted!" Blaise defended passionately.

"Blaise... your obsession is showing," Harry laughed

Blaise huffed with an eye roll. "Well excuse me for appreciating the sport like it should be."

"You remind me of Wood when he was still Captain," Harry snickered

"What does he want to do instead?" Harry asked, ignoring Blaise as he started another rant.

"He is insane with Runes" Theo supplied as Neville walked off looking for a particular book. "I heard him explaining to Flint once that he wants to become a Rune's Master and a Warding Master. I mean most Wards use Runes, Blood or both, but He wants to Master both which takes extreme skill and intelligence."

"Such a waste." Blaise moaned pitifully, ignored by both Harry and Theo easily. The Italian Slytherin was extremely dramatic, and they were well used to him by now.

"So how are you two?" Theo asked looking concerned. "We haven't had much a chance to catch up between Moody's lesson on the Unforgivables and then your name coming out of the Goblet last night."

Theo asked this while looking concerned as Neville rejoined them with a large herbology tome.

"Besides that everyone thinks that I'm a liar and cheater to my entire school... great..." Harry muttered sarcastically.

"Hey, most of Slytherin doesn't... if that helps." Blaise laughed.

"A few idiots like Malfoy and his friends, and Urquhart and his clan. But Montague was so certain that you were innocent after he came back for the party last night." Theo hummed looking at Harry's blush.

“He seems to be one of the few that does, I am not sure why though. Its not like he knows me, we only spoke a handful of times…”

"So, you have spoken before last night and today," Theo pounced with a smirk

Harry raised an eyebrow at Theo, he didn't know what his friend was insinuating but he didn't like it.

"Only when I was eleven years old. Haven't spoken to him since," Harry frowned.

"He had helped us get our trunks into the compartments on the Hogwarts Express,” Neville had recalled.

"Well, whatever you did or said, left a lasting impression." Theo laughed, dropping it for now. "He swore to the entire house you didn't put your name in, and you weren't trying to take the attention away from a Slytherin Champion. Then pretty much everyone got drunk to celebrate." He laughed.

"I don't think it was anything I said..." Harry mumbled before realizing something.

"And the house just believed him?" Harry was stunned.

"Well, no one really goes against Montague or Flint." Blaise shared uneasily; you weren't meant to discuss house politics with other houses. It wasn't that it wasn't allowed, but Slytherin's were just private people compared to Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Ravenclaw's understood them and their politics best.

"Is that why you were so surprised that I called him Graham?" Harry asked. Was it really that awful that he called him Graham and not Montague? He hadn't really thought it was that big of a deal... maybe it was?

"They pretty much run Slytherin, the highest of the student Hierarchy. It's a respect thing, most pureblood's raised in traditional ways use last name's until given permission to use their first name." Theo nodded.

"But... he never did..." Harry said out loud as if it just occurred to him.

"He's never called you Potter?" Blaise asked shocked sitting up from where he had slouched down to hide his chocolate from Madam Pince. She had always frowned at when students brought food into the library. He tended to try to hide it when Theo dragged him into the library.

"He doesn't call him Harry either." Neville snickered.

Theo's eyes narrowed at Harry's avoidance. "Harry…" He said questioningly.

"Neville!" Harry hissed; his face was back to red again.

Neville just shrugged unrepentantly.

"What does he call you?" Blaise smirked, Harry was bright red, it must be amazing."

"Not a word!" Harry growled at Neville.

Neville laughed and opened his mouth. "Neville No!" Harry cried.

"Neville yes!" Blaise cackled

"Do I want to know why Tiny is trying to hide in his chair?" Graham asked, his eyebrows were raised.

Apparently, nobody had noticed the additional Slytherin that had entered the library.

"Brilliant timing," Neville whispered in awe.

"Montague!" Theo sat up straight, nodding in respect, while Blaise just mouthed Tiny in shock.

"Graham!" Harry startled. "I thought you were going to the pitch."

"Well... I was until Marcus started to act all paranoid that he lost his training book. Forgetting that he had left it in my bag," Montague rolled his eyes.

"From what I have seen of Marcus, I am not surprised by that. And I thought I told you not to call me that!" Harry said before it turned into an annoyed hiss.

"You'll always be my Tiny." Graham smirked, completely unaware he had added my to Harry’s nickname. He enjoyed getting the rise out of the small fourth year, it was amusing, and no he wasn't going to admit that the blush on Harry's face made his stomach twist. Marcus had tried to get him to talk about why he always watched Tiny in the Great Hall or talked about him a lot. Marcus was a dick.

Harry though, heard the possessive note in the new addition and the flush of happiness soared through him. His Siren half was singing in the back of his head, his cheeks the hottest he had ever felt them.

Neville had stopped reading mid-page and just stared and blinked unable to register what just happened.

Theo's mouth was agape in shock, a leader of Slytherin had just essentially staked his intent to claim. But looking at Montague he wasn't sure if he was even aware of it.

Blaise choked on his Liquorice Wand and dropped his second one. His coughing made his eyes water as he suppressed the loudness to avoid Madam Pince finding the sweets or yelling for being loud.

"Besides, it suits you." Graham continued, oblivious to what he had said to cause such reactions. "You are still the smallest of your year and I met you when you were even Tinier."

"He's shorter than the year below as well," Blaise snorted.

"Not everyone can be insanely well built and tall," Harry shot back at Graham, taking a moment to throw a ball of paper at Blaise.

"Well built?" Graham smirked, leaning over the desk into Harry's personal space.

"I..." Harry squeaked, Blaise, sniggering, Theo watched interestedly, and Neville just sighed as his best friend once again managed to put his foot in his mouth.

"Quidditch does wonders for the body," Graham teasingly admitted.

"Graham you fucker!" Marcus growled as he stalked over.

"Stop trying to get your dick wet before the poor virgin combusts! Have you found the bag yet? You are the one who lost it so why the fuck am I looking for it?! I swear to Merlin if we lose even more time of training because of you!"

Graham immediately lost his cool, slipping his hand on the table and blushed, "I'm gonna kill him." He muttered. The only plus side to his embarrassment was the choking and innocent wide-eyed stare from his Tiny.

Neville had squeaked at the swearing and was now bright red in embarrassment for Graham and Harry. Blaise choked yet again on his sweets when Marcus had said "Dick wet."

He was starting to think that today was a sign to cut back on his treats from Honeydukes.

Theo was wide-eyed, he shared a house with the two older boys and had heard the way they spoke before. But seeing it like this? Firsthand and about a friend? This was new. 

"Well," Graham said returning back to his confident self at Harry's second choking squeak when he flexed, pushing himself back up.

"I have a Captain to murder, a book bag to find, and Quidditch drills to run. See you around Tiny!" He grinned cheerfully, messing up Harry's hair, if his fingers lingered for a moment. Who would know?

Everyone was speechless for a moment after Graham vanished around the corner and his and Marcus' shouting faded.

"What just happened?" Blaise asked in a soft horror.

"I think someone left out some parts of the story." Theo gaped at Harry.

"I didn't leave anything out." Harry defended; it was ruined with his shifty eyes not making contact.

"Sure, and Blaise can read." Theo shot back sarcastically.

"OI!" Blaise cried, "But he is right, you are hiding something."

"He didn't really leave out anything I know about," Neville said scrunching his eyebrows.

"I... Didn't leave out anything that happened." Harry tried again.

"So more something you think or feel?" Theo surmised quickly. Harry nodded reluctantly.

"I just feel a connection… I guess is the best word." Harry admitted, frowning when Neville coughed suddenly but kept quiet. Blaise and Theo weren't aware of Harry's creature blood.

"Are you going to ask him out?" Blaise asked bluntly.

"Wha..." Harry asked flustered. "No!" he cried embarrassed; he barely knew Graham. "He was just teasing. We don't like each other. There is just a connection there."

"And Theo can fly straight without falling off." Blaise snarked.

"Harry, we just watched him flirt with you enough that Flint noticed!" Theo shot.

Blaise just looked at him with understanding and nodded as Harry changed the subject to how he had the meeting about his safety in the tournament later that day.

Chapter Text

Freak of Nature – Chapter 10 (Startling Revelations)

Harry wasn't sure if it was a good sign that Blaise had this knowing look about him. It had been days since the day in the library. Blaise hadn't said anything, but he knew that his friend had wanted to say something to him. But he didn't know what it could be.

So, he tried to take his mind off things. He decided to use the Prefect's Bathroom, despite the fact that he knew that he wasn't allowed in there.

He supposed he could lie and said that he was allowed access to it. Technically, Remus had given him the password.

But he loved the bathroom because it had enough room to freely swim around.

The bathroom alone was definitely enough to make him reconsider becoming a Prefect. He wouldn't have to constantly keep an eye out for his dormmates and constantly be on guard. And those tubs could be pretty cramped where he just felt the overwhelming urge to swim and use his tail.

He also enjoyed the company of the Siren picture on the wall, although she didn't speak. When she was awake, would do tricks in her frame and he would try to mimic them.

It helped the massive pool-sized bath had over twenty taps to fill it quickly, he could even choose to turn on extra taps that let out pure bubble mixture!

Harry slowly undressed and placed his robes near the corner of room. You wouldn’t know they were there unless you were looking. The room was a bit darker on that side. He slid into the warm water; he could feel the slight tingle as his legs changed into his tail. It was nothing near the pain he had been in when Petunia had put him into the tub years ago

He sighed as he slipped into his form, it was relieving to relax and swim. He grinned as he gave a powerful flick and dived down deep, the warm water soothing his skin. He slowly resurfaced and pushed his wet hair out of his face. That was another thing, he could breathe underwater. He knew that his mother was able to, it was in her journals. He had also read the part where she had found out that she was a Siren as well. But no matter on how long he had been a Siren, his hair always liked to get into his eyes. It didn’t matter much when he was under the surface, but it was irritating when he was out of water.

He was glad he had chosen the weekend to use the Prefects Bathroom though. He liked to be in the water for most of the day if he was able to. Even though he only needed to be in the water for around an hour. And it wasn’t like he needed to be in water every day. But he still enjoyed being in the water, it soothed his Siren half.

Then his senses went off. His muscles tensed as if preparing for a fight. All because he heard the door to the Prefect’s Bathroom open.

Harry's eyes were wide in panic as he quickly dove to the bottom of the enormous bath. Not even paying mind that his tail would make noise as it splashed.

Even though he could breathe, he found himself holding his breath in his panic.

One of the first things that Graham Montague had noticed was the noise.

He had decided to use the Prefect's Bath. The Slytherin ones were nice. But he still preferred to use the ones for Prefects.

He listened carefully; it was obvious that someone was already here. Which wasn't hard to believe, any prefect was allowed to use the bathroom. Though he did prefer when it was empty and could use it all for himself.

The water was full, so someone definitely was here. But he didn't see anyone. He knew his ears weren't playing a trick on him.

"Hello?" He called hesitantly.

He listened for a reply, but there was no answer.

Odd...

It could be possible that someone just didn't drain the bathroom. But for some reason he knew someone was here.

He stepped more into the bathroom, glancing around absently. There was something off, he knew it. But he didn’t know what it was. Was someone really here?

Graham blew out a harsh breath of air, he definitely was losing it. He walked close to the water, kicking off his shoes, tossing them to the side. He dipped his foot in, it was still really warm.

Was he really imagining things?

"You're really losing it now..." he muttered to himself.

Deciding that he didn't care right now. His feelings concerning Harry Potter were still confusing. His mind was still on what happened in the library. Could that have gone better? Would have it been better if Marcus hadn't shown up?

He had cursed his best friend for it. He could have ruined... ruined what?

He really wasn't sure. But he knew that he enjoyed watching Harry go all shades of red when he called him Tiny and teased him. He had already told Marcus he was reading into things that weren’t there.

Marcus probably ignored every word he said. Why was he still doing Quidditch to begin with?

Graham shook his head before tossing his own clothes aside and sliding into the warm water.

He couldn't help the breathy sigh that escaped his lips. He had needed this. Thank Merlin he didn't have his NEWTS this year. The year had barely started, but the stress had kept building. Not just because of the tournament, but Marcus' insane idea of Quidditch practice when there wouldn't even be any matches this year. And on top of his Prefect duties.

He didn't even know what to expect for the first task and the anticipating was driving him mad. How could you prepare for something that you knew nothing about!?

He found himself grateful that Harry would know what the task was, and he had no intentions of trying to force it out of him. He had felt his heart sink when Harry walked with Professor Lupin hugging him. He had known what had happened before they had spoken.

He had felt an uncomfortable squirm when he watched the blonde Veela champion throw herself at Harry and embrace him. He wasn't sure why he was jealous, although Terence had said he just wasn't ready to admit it yet, he knew why. Then he had felt stark relief when she had called him, mon petit frere. As his grandmother was French, he had to be fluent in the language. My Little Brother, she had said. He didn't know how she knew Harry or how they had a strong bond. But he did like knowing she wasn't interested in him and would be looking out for him.

He had been furious with the Headmaster, he had sworn no one underage would be able to enter. He had admitted that night, when drunk, to Marcus and Terence that he was terrified of what will happen to his Tiny. He wanted to bundle him up, hold him tight and never let the world see or harm him. He could feel his protectiveness urge coming out…Whoa, where did that come from?

He was bought out of his thoughts when he felt something nudge him under the water, quickly he held his breath and stuck his head under. Only to let the air out in a scream as brown eyes met green. He reached forward and grabbed the student by their arms. Pulling them both up, heads above the water, he gasped in the air.

"TINY?!" he shouted in surprise when it registered which green eyes he was looking at. Harry was flailing around in Graham's grip. He had been trying to hide at the bottom of the bath and when the other student had settled comfortably and didn't seem to be moving, he had tried to swim past him so he could hide behind the massive tap in the middle.

"Graham?!" Harry gasped.

"ARE YOU CRAZY? YOU COULD'VE DROWNED STAYING UNDER THE WATER!" Graham felt waves of panic in his heart and stomach. "Are you really that worried about detention for being in the Prefect's Bath that you would risk drowning yourself?" He asked lowering his voice, the worry warbling it, his hands shaking as they moved up to cup Harry's cheeks looking at his terrified eyes.

Wait, why was he terrified? Tiny was never scared of him, he knew he wouldn’t be that scared of a detention.

“No!” Harry instantly denied.

“Then why else would you be at the bottom of this bath!?” Graham demanded; he did not like to be lied to. Which he felt that Harry was doing to him.

"Harry?" He asked, but before Harry could say anything, Graham slipped from the ledge that ran around the side of the bath that you could sit on. He felt his head smack the side of the bath and suddenly he was underwater again. Looking directly at a tail. He blinked, and then blinked again. No that was definitely a tail.

He was pulled up spluttering.

"Graham?! Oh no, Graham!" Harry was crying. "Please be okay." his long fingers running along his scalp. "Okay, okay, no bleeding, that's good, right? Could still have concussion though." Harry was mumbling.

"Graham how many fingers am I holding up?" Harry demanded, looking at him in the eyes, hand up before him.

"Tail." Graham managed to splutter. "Tail."

He was now positive that he was just seeing things. He did not just see that… did he? He could feel the beginning of a headache. He was in pain, wet, and now debating his sanity.

"Shit. Fuck. Shit." Harry panicked; he hadn't thought of the tail once Graham hit his head. His Siren half was just screaming at him to save him. Make sure he was okay.

"You can't tell anyone!" He gasped. "Please Graham, promise me? Please don't tell anyone." Harry felt tears falling down his wet face. "It's not safe for people to know, oh god Moony is going to wipe your memories and yell. Or worse, he won't yell but he will go all quiet." Harry bemoaned.

Graham found himself coming back to his senses at Harry's panic and fear. "Yo... You're a Siren." Graham said piecing it together rather quickly.

He loved magical creatures, although he wanted to work with Runes, Care of Magical Creatures was his second favorite class. It was a way to escape his horrible parents. They were Death Eaters who never got arrested, and were extremely abusive, mostly towards each other, but occasionally him. He used to go to his Grandmother’s to escape for days at a time. She had a massive Magical Creature healing reserve, and he loved to help out and feed them. Most Purebloods had creature blood as well, but not all inherited. Marcus had Mountain Nymph blood which was why he was so massive compared to everyone else even though he hadn't inherited the form or gifts. Malfoys had Veela, although they would deny it.

“Harry,” Graham said, using the Gryffindor’s first name to show the seriousness of the situation. “I know this is a big deal for me to know. But I don’t follow under the beliefs of the Ministry. Believe me when I say that your secret is safe with me.”

“I don’t understand why… But I believe you…” Harry whispered as he looked at Graham with trust and wonder.

“And who knew you had abs under all those clothes,” Graham teased, laughing when Harry blushed before splashing him with his tail.

“Why are you taking this so well? I’m a freak…” Harry whispered.

“Listen to me very carefully. You are not a freak!” Graham hissed. “You are a wizard with special abilities. Just like you are not the only wizard in our world that has creature blood in them. For some, it is more inactive than others. But that doesn’t make it any less true. So, what if you have a damn tail. You’re still the same Gryffindor I talked to in the library or was that a lie?”

Harry shook his head as if answering Graham’s last question.

“Does that make your friends freaks too? What about Fleur and her little sister? Does that mean that your friend, Blaise, is one?” Graham asked rather bluntly. Not realizing that Blaise had never told Harry about himself.

“Wait… What!? Blaise!!?”

Graham looked guilty at that, “guess that meant he never told you…

“He’s going to kill me for that one…” the Slytherin muttered.

“I know that I’m curious about what you just said and want to know more. But I am not going to take that away from Blaise. As long as you don’t tell him, I won’t,” Harry replied.

It made Harry think about to when they were in the library. Blaise had this look of understanding that came over him. Could that be what Graham had been referring to? Maybe he could mention to this Remus and they could have a conversation together. But he wanted to talk to him soon. Though it did make him wonder if he gave Blaise a reason not to trust him. He hoped not.

“But… you’re okay with this?” Harry asked as he flicked his tail.

“Its not what I expected when I came to take a bath… But that doesn’t mean that I hate you for what you are. I would be a hypocrite. Slytherins are used to be hated for our house. It would be something to get used to as I never knew that wizards and witches could have a Siren half,” Graham admitted.

Harry nodded before he realized something, “OH FUCK! WE’RE NAKED!”

He could feel himself flushing in embarrassment. Though he couldn’t really say that he was naked, he did have a tail. But he had entered the bath without clothes on. So, that meant when his tail was dry, he would be naked and definitely in need of clothes.

“Well… I didn’t intend to bath while wearing clothes,” Graham drawled before chuckling.

Harry laughed; the embarrassment forgotten as Graham laughed with him. He felt at ease with the other champion, even his Siren half was happily singing in his head. He felt a bit like a purring cat.

"I won't look when it's time to get out," Graham added with a wink. "How do you change back?" he blinked confused.

"When I dry off, I shift naturally." Harry smiled as he swam backwards slowly.

"That's actually pretty cool." Graham grinned, he was really looking forward to learning more about this, magical creatures were extremely private and not too much was known about those who inherited the bloodline.

"Yeah, I was freaked out as a child, but Aunt Petunia and Uncle Moony have been there and looked after me. I couldn't imagine my life without them." Harry smiled.

"Yeah, I got that when your name came out of the Goblet" Graham joked, "I thought Professor Lupin was going to curse someone. And I thought we Slytherins were bad!"

Harry laughed joyfully, tail splashing at the surface, "Aunt Petunia was worse when Uncle Moony bought her to our quarters for the meeting with the officials over my safety."

"Oh yeah, that was today! What happened?" Graham smirked, leaning back, arms stretching out and resting on the edge of the bath.

"Well, Neville and I made our way back to our rooms after lunch..."

FLASHBACK

"How well do you think Aunt Petunia will take this?" Neville asked as they let themselves into the quarters off the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

"Not well." Harry chuckled. "You saw her when Dudley broke his arm falling off the roof of his school last year because of a dare."

Neville shuddered with a nod and laugh. They sat down on the large couch in the lounge, kitchen behind them in a large open plan. 

"I hope Uncle Moony will be back soon." Harry muttered as he cast a 'Tempus' "The officials will be here soon." It was as if he had cast an 'Accio' though, the fireplace in front of them flared up green indicating the Floo being in use.

"Aunt Petunia?!" Harry and Neville cried as Remus came through with Petunia wrapped in his arms.

"Oh, Bambi!" She cried, detaching from Remus quickly and moving over to grab Harry into her arms and held him tightly. Harry hugged her back, unsure what to do when he felt her tears on his neck.

"I am okay." He whispered, green eyes peering out to stare imploringly at his Uncle.

"Tunes, honey, let the poor kid breathe." Remus chuckled, he pulled Petunia off Harry, giving her a kiss and a besotted look.

"What are you doing here Aunt Petunia?" Harry asked with a smile, he was so happy to see her, in HOGWARTS!

"She insisted." Remus laughed. "We arranged for Dudley to stay with Piers and his family for a day or two."

"I needed to be here, to see you." Petunia whispered, kissing Harry on the head. "And give these so-called officials a piece of my mind." She sneered. Harry and Neville laughed happily; they couldn't wait.

"Hello, Nev dear." Petunia grinned kissing Neville on the check before moving to make tea for the meeting. They could have used magic, but she always insisted on making tea the muggle way. It soothed her.

A knock at the door had Harry flinching, Neville jumping in shock. Remus leaped up to answer it and Petunia who was serving up tea and biscuits, started muttering with a scowl.

"Yes, come in, everyone is here." Remus was heard at the entrance, he walked into the room, followed by a string of people.

"Everyone, you already know Harry. This is my nephew Neville, and this is Petunia, she is my partner and Harry's Aunt." Remus introduced. "Family, you know Dumbledore, Harry you know the others. But Petunia, Neville, this is Ludo Bagman, Bartemius Crouch, Igor Karkaroff and Olympe Maxime."

"Hello!" Ludo cried happily as he skipped over to an armchair. Crouch just nodded politely, rolling his eyes at Ludo's childishness.

"Hello Petunia, Mr. Longbottom, I was not expecting you both to be here today." Dumbledore said cheerily, although his blue eyes narrowed behind his half-moon glasses.

"My nephew, who is under my care and guardianship, has been entered into a DEADLY TOURNAMENT and you thought I wouldn't be here?" Petunia sneered. "You were supposed to protect him, I heard all about your bloody age line. Apparently, you aren't as omnipotent as you like to believe."

Harry and Neville coughed to hide their laughter.

"My dear, even I couldn't have predicted these events." Dumbledore scolded, before smiling and sitting down in another armchair. "Everyone sit." He said joyfully as if it was his rooms.

"Firstly, Petunia, Remus, the Ministry would like to formally apologize for what has happened. We had taken precautions for underage students. But it was not enough, and Harry should not be in this position." Crouch spoke smoothly, taking control.

"DAMN STRAIGHT IT WASN'T ENOUGH." Petunia screeched.

Harry grinned widely, he loved how much his Aunt would take his safety and care.

"MY NEPHEW IS FOURTEEN YEARS OLD AND DIDN'T WANT ANY PART OF THIS!"

"We know." Crouch nodded, he kept his calm, there was a reason he had climbed the ranks in the Ministry so quickly and so young. Until his fuck up of a son who got revealed as a Death Eater.

"Although it is an unusual event, This is a great opportunity for Harry," Ludo spoke up carelessly, even Karkaroff was giving him a startled glance. "1000 Galleons prize as well as world recognition!"

"EXCUSE ME!" Petunia shrieked, wide-eyed as she turned to look at the idiot who had spoken. "MY NEPHEW COULD DIE AND YOU THINK HE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR SOMEONE ENTERING HIS NAME?!" She advanced on him furiously, hands waving, fully intending on slapping the moron.

"Petunia!" Dumbledore snapped, he pulled his wand, horrified, Remus leapt to his feet. How dare Albus use magic on someone who couldn't use magic. Let alone someone who he knew very well used to be afraid of magic. But Petunia saw the threat and changed course. She snatched Dumbledore's wand from his hand before he could even open his mouth. She threw it across the room and slapped him as hard as she could. His face going pink almost instantly.

"HOW DARE YOU!!" She screeched again, "I DIDN'T EVEN WANT BAMBI COMING HERE! YOU PUSHED FOR HIM TO ATTEND HOGWARTS! I WAS PROMISED HE WOULD BE SAFE!" Petunia was working herself into a mess. "YOU SHOULD'VE DONE MORE TO PROTECT THE STUDENTS!"

She threw at hateful glance over at him before trying to take a calming breath, “it seems that only the Deputy Headmistress actually cares about the students!”

Karkaroff was looking like Yule came early at the sight of Dumbledore's bruising cheek.

"Tunes, love." Remus interfered, despite how attractive it was to watch his woman take down Dumbledore. "You know I agree, but we do need to talk about how they are going to keep Harry safe and the adjustments they are making for him."

"Stupid old coot deserves more." She whined to Remus; Neville wide-eyed looked at Harry. The whine was identical to when Harry complained about something.

"I know deary." Remus consoled as he led her over to his couch, sitting down with her.

"Now." Crouch coughed, clearly uncomfortable. "We bought along Igor and Olympe, as they are not only the Headmaster and Headmistress of the other competing schools. But are also the other judges of the tournament, therefore are needed to agree on the adjustments."

"So, what are these adjustments?" Remus asked as he dished out tea into mugs for everyone.

Then the door slammed open, and Remus was surprised to see Minerva so furious.

She was normally very collected and the most you would see is annoyance. But there was a rare occasion where she would go cold and closed off. But never truly furious. He didn't know what had set it off.

Or rather... who...

"Albus Dumbledore!" She spat venomously

"How dare you try to make sure I miss this meeting! Even if I am not part of the Tournament, I am Harry's Head of House and his families point of contact when Remus isn't available!"

"I just didn't think it was necessary to have more people than needed." Dumbledore defended as he looked for his wand, he froze when he heard a crack. Bending over, he cried out when he saw his wand cracked under her foot.

"My wand." He croaked, picking up the two pieces. He looked at Petunia with accusing eyes.

"It's no less than you deserve." She sniffed with a huff. "Welcome Minerva, you are always welcome with our family."

"Right. Well, if we can get this meeting on track now." Igor snapped, thick eyebrows furrowed in frustration, although they lit up whenever they drifted over to look at Dumbledore's broken wand.

"Yes, continue." Remus smiled sipping his tea, thumb rubbing Petunia's hand, Neville leaning into his side, Harry leaning into Petunia's.

"We have agreed to give Mr. Potter a portkey for each task. He has to attempt each task, but if he gets injured, he can activate it and it will take him straight to the medical tent. If he is knocked out for any reason it will activate by itself, taking him to the medical tent." Crouch explained.

"We were very impressed with this idea from the Hogwarts champion," Ludo jumped in.

"Yes, as I was. Mr. Montague has really proved himself as Prefect and I believe he would make an excellent Headboy." Minerva added. Dumbledore opened his mouth to interject but they were already moving on.

"Now, some people threw up a fuss at this next point," Crouch admitted shooting Karkaroff a glare. "But we have agreed that Mr. Potter should be aware of the first task to help him prepare." Harry sat forward eagerly, but it wasn't Crouch to continue but Bagman.

"DRAGONS!" He cried excitedly.

"DRAGONS!" Petunia screeched, leaping to her feet, Harry falling sideways into her vacated space, face first. "AS IN FIRE BREATHING FLYING MONSTERS?!"

"Well, um, that is to say..." Bagman stuttered.

"Are you imbeciles trying to kill these children?" Minerva's deadly quiet tone and narrowed eyes matching Petunia's scary loud and flaring eyes in danger and anger.

"We must stay calm!" Dumbledore demanded.

"Oh, Merlin. Dragons. Dragons Uncle Moony." Harry muttered his face sideways on the couch pillow instead of moving.

"Oh Bambi, it will be okay," Remus promised, running his fingers through Harry's messy hair.

"What's the task?" Neville asked. "It involves Dragons, but what is the actual task?"

"Oh yes!" Bagman laughed, "We will be placing a golden egg, inside of a nest, amongst real eggs of a Nesting Mother Dragon. Your task is to retrieve the golden egg."

"I am going to be sick." Harry moaned, Neville nodding looking green and faint.

"ARE YOU MAD!!!? WHAT WOULD GIVE YOU THE IDEA THAT IS WOULD BE SAFE FOR A SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD, MUCH LESS A FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD!!!?" Minerva was furious.

"NESTING MOTHER DRAGONS?!" This time it was Remus shouting, face white and eyes flashing amber. "ARE YOU INSANE?!"

"That is what I said," Olympe huffed quietly, her French accent strong. "We only agreed to this revival of the Tournament when we were promised that all actions to prevent death are taken. Now they are bringing in Dragons, and this is only the first task!"

"Yes, well, we have arranged for no less than twelve dragon trainers to be out the outskirts of the arena for the task. They will be standing by, ready to jump in if needed." Crouch jumped in. "We are prepared for anything."

"Except a child being forced to compete." Petunia scoffed, ignoring Dumbledore's disappointed stare.

"Are there any other measures to be taken?" Remus asked tiredly, all this fighting and worry was exhausting.

"Yes, well of course we have a team of Healers who are all reporting to Poppy for each task." Crouch nodded. "Four Healers working with Poppy, and two trainee healers."

"Because of the nature of the task, Harry's uniform will be made from Dragonskin. Donated from the Romanian reserve that are supplying the dragons. It was from an old Antipodean Opaleye buck who passed away last year." Ludo added happily.

"Wait, shouldn't we all have uniforms made from Dragonskin?" Harry asked sitting up with a concerned frown. "I mean, I know they aren't supposed to know and think on their feet. But Nesting Mothers?! I think we should all at least have the protection to survive."

"Mr. Potter, why would you want that? These advantages are to help you win!" Bagman cried.

"They are to help me survive!" Harry snapped back. "I want all four of us to have Dragonskin uniform." He said with a firm nod, green eyes promising to be trouble if he didn't get his way. Petunia and Remus watching with proud smiles. Olympe and Igor watching, watching for Crouch's decision.

"Fine."

/FLASHBACK END/

"Dragons?" Graham choked. "Nesting Mother Dragons."

"Yeah." Harry nodded, "One for each of us, we have to get the golden egg from the nest. But we have the Dragonskin uniform."

"Why are you telling me this?" Graham asked baffled.

"Why wouldn't I?" Harry asked tilting his head to the side, eyes wide with confusion.

Chapter Text

Freak of Nature – Chapter 11 (Why Was This a Good Idea?)

It was the 24^th of November. It was the day of the first task for the Triwizard Tournament.

Harry was breathing heavily as he paced in the Champions tent. Half of the tent was an open area with couches and tea for the champions to mingle, waiting for the Judges to come and reveal the task. Unaware that Harry had already told Graham, Fleur and Viktor. The other half was the Medical Bay, four beds separated by curtains, the four Healers were starting to set up.

Harry couldn't focus on any of it, he only had two things to worry about. On one hand was getting past Dragons, on the other hand, GETTING PAST FUCKING DRAGONS!

"Tiny! You are wearing a hole in the dirt." Graham remarked, grabbing his hand and pulling him to sit down next to him. They were squished together tightly due to the fact all the couches were one-seater armchairs. "Breathe." Graham demanded, rubbing his hand over Harry's back roughly.

"It's not my name," Harry muttered half-heartedly as he sunk into Graham's side. Ignoring Fleur's knowing look with ease. She had been doing it since the four champions had started meeting to train for the tasks.

She was worse than Blaise sometimes, which he hadn't had a moment to actually sit down and talk to his friend about. He did at least mention it to Remus.

Maybe Remus had already spoken with Blaise?

But he didn't know how to talk about it. How did you reveal that you were half freak or half monster to one of your friends?

But at least Graham did hold to his word, he hadn't breathed a word to Blaise. Which he knew that he probably had several opportunities to do so.

He hadn't really expected that he could trust Graham. He was still a Slytherin. A very attracted one... but still a Slytherin

Remus had threatened to obliviate Graham for knowing his Siren secret, and also curse him for bathing with him. But something had stopped him from following through with that.

Harry still wasn’t sure on why that was. Because Remus had never filled him in on that. He was just thankful that Remus hadn’t. Even though he definitely went overboard on being protective. But he was at least glad that he gave Graham the benefit of the doubt, though he didn’t understand why.

Had Blaise said something?

"You know, the best thing about Slytherin?" Graham smirked. "I look amazing in green," He said dramatically waving at his Dragonskin uniform. Originally the judges had been going to put them all in black robes with their house or school colors around the rim. Until Harry had insisted on Dragonskin and pointed out snidely, that trying to get past a dragon, so the last thing they needed was to get tangled.

Now they were in tight scaled jackets that slid over the head as there was no zip or buttons and tight scaled pants. The jacket and pants had been charmed the colors needed for each champion.

Graham had an emerald body and black sleeves. Harry, scarlet red bod with black sleeves both with plain black pants.

Viktor had a light brown body, and maroon, red sleeves with dark brown pants.

Fleur had a shimmery silver body, with pale blue sleeves and matching pale blue pants.

Viktor rolled his eyes at Graham with a snort, the two quidditch boys forming a teasing relationship. Neither said much but enjoyed each other's company, nonetheless. Fleur smirked again as Harry chuckled nervously with a blush, able to feel the strength in the arms and body beside him.

The four champions startled when the tent's entrance flaps flew open, and the five Judges walked in with the blonde reporter Rita Skeeter. Harry hated her; she had tried to interview him without his guardians at the weighing of the wands. Then posted articles full of quotes that none of the champions had actually said.

"CHAMPIONS!" Bagman cried with his boyish excitement and a wide grin. "It is time for the first task!"

"Really?" Graham snarked sarcastically. "Would never have known."

"Graham." Harry snorted with a laugh.

"Now, gather around." Crouch called, "Miss Delacour here, Mr. Krum here," He said pulling them into a circle with him and Bagman, the Headmasters and Headmistress behind their students. "Mr. Potter over here, Mr. Montague with him, yes there you go." Dumbledore placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, only for Harry to shrug it off. Graham lowering his head to hide his snort and grin.

"Well, now that we're all here - time to fill you in!" Bagman chirped brightly. "I'm going to be offering each of you this bag" he held up a small sack of purple silk and shook it at them, "from which you will each select a small model of the thing that you are about to face! There are different... er... varieties, you see. And I have to tell you something else too...ah, yes...your task is to collect the golden egg!"

Harry watched with a secret grin as Graham and Viktor nodded as if hearing and understanding for the first time. Fleur forcing herself to look nervous, wringing her hands and biting her lip.

"Alright then, Ladies first," Crouch spoke, nodding at Bagman, who lifted the bag up in front of her. With shaking hands, she reached her hand into the bag and drew out a tiny, perfect model of a dragon. A Welsh Green, if Harry remembered correctly. The tiny model had the number two around its neck to symbolize their order of competing.

"Alright then, you next Mr. Krum." Bagman encouraged, shaking the bag before him. Harry glared at the stupid man, those poor dragons still in the bag. Viktor kept his face straight, not showing any of his nervousness. He pulled out a scarlet-coloured Chinese Fireball with the number three.

"Mr. Montague." Crouch nodded, Graham gulped, sparing a glance at Harry before reaching his hand out. Growling when Dumbledore tried to touch his shoulder like Harry before. He pulled out a tiny Swedish Short-Snout, the number one standing out. Harry felt his stomach swoop, Graham was first. Oh, Merlin, Graham better be okay, the anxiety started to fill his soul. He didn't even realize Crouch and Bagman had been trying to get his attention until Graham shook his shoulder lightly.

"Tiny," Graham called. "You okay." Harry couldn't speak, just nodded and quickly stuck his hand into the bag. Flinching when he felt the scales and hot breath. Pulling it out, he heard the other champions gasp. He had a Hungarian Horntail, one of the most vicious dragons of all. Graham was demanding to swap, but unfortunately, none of the judges were listening. Even Dumbledore was saying no.

He was going to die…

He was really starting to hate this damn tournament, Dumbledore, and the damn Ministry. He didn't want to think about what reaction Remus and Aunt Petunia would have.

Suddenly a loud whistle went off and Bagman was cursing before running out, "They were meant to be waiting for me! I am commentating!"

Crouch rolled his eyes before following the other man. Each Headmaster and Headmistress was talking to their champions quietly before leaving for the Judges panel.

Harry and Graham ignored Dumbledore much to Fleur, Viktor, Igor, and Olympe's amusement, and Rita's curiosity. The Hogwarts champions were not fans of their precious Headmaster.

That is when another professor made a new appearance. It was Professor McGonagall.

"Mr. Montague, if you will please head out of the tent as the first champion. After you have collected the egg, you will return to the tent and get your scores later."

The stern professor watched as the Slytherin nodded, gave a side glance to high, slightly squeezing his shoulder in comfort.

"Be careful," Harry whispered.

Graham nodded tightly, only to hear Bagman shouting with an amplifying charm. "Now everyone! Give a big cheer for our first champion!" With that was a loud canon like a bang. Graham stood up and started to move towards the entrance into the arena.

Harry lips trembled as he watched Graham leave the tent. He didn't like this... he didn't like this at all. How were they supposed to get past these dragons?

He had a stupid idea of course, didn't know if it would work to begin with. Though Graham had never said what he had intended to do for the task.

"Mr. Potter, if I may have your attention," Minerva said, slightly impatient. Apparently, she had called his name a few times.

Harry blushed in embarrassment. He felt like he was doing that a lot.

"This is the portkey that will transport you back to the Medical Tent. If you feel you are in peril that is life threatening, we would rather you use it. If you are injured, it is made to read any injuries. If it reads them as severe or life threatening. It will bring you to the Medical Tent. Any questions?"

Harry shook his head, even if he had any, he didn't know if he would be able to voice them.

"Very well, then. I wish you luck. Not just because you are in Gryffindor House, but for Hogwarts as well. But that also goes for Mr. Montague as well. I do hope to see him as Headboy next year," she gave him a sympathetic smile before turning and leaving the tent. Most likely to keep an eye on the students in the stands.

Harry stood there with the pendant in his hands. It was beautifully crafted with the creatures for each house. There was a lion, snake, badger, and eagle all intertwined. To represent Hogwarts. 

He undid the clasp and let it hang around his neck, feeling the magic run through him. Now he had to wait… That was before he jumped in surprise.

Harry was startled when he heard Bagman's shout. "Merlin's pants! Mr. Montague's showing his intelligence here people!" Harry sighed, fiddling with his hands, listening intently.

"Using his own blood to draw what looks to be runes on his Dragonskin jacket!" Bagman cried, Harry grinned, of course, he would use runes of some sort. They had all agreed to play to their strengths. Even though Graham had never told him what he was doing, he should have expected it.

"MERLIN! HE'S VANISHED!" Bagman cried.

Harry felt his jaw drop at hearing that. Runes could do that?!

"EXCEPTIONAL WORK FROM MR. MONTAGUE!" Bagman was screaming in excitement. "Oh, what is this? A levitation charm on the rocks, yes! It is working! The dragon is following the rocks away from the nest. Leaving the path clear."

Harry held his breath, please let Graham be okay. Please. Please. Please. Please.

"We may not be able to see him folks but look at the golden egg float away! He has it, nearly to the exit. THE DRAGON HAS SEEN THE GOLDEN EGG!" Harry felt his breath catch, no… no... no...

"AND THE GOLDEN EGG IS GONE! HE MADE IT PEOPLE!" Bagman cried jovially.

Harry let out his breath all at once. He was safe. The only thing he could hear was the shouts of the dragon tamers and the roar of the dragon as it was carted away.

"NOW TIME FOR THE JUDGES SCORES!" Bagman cried, unfortunately, he didn't read them out, they must be visible for the audience and Graham.

Harry had to wait before Bagman started talking again.

"ALRIGHT, VIEWERS! TIME FOR OUR SECOND CHAMPION!" Bagman cried; Harry was slowly getting sick of the man's eternal happiness about such a dangerous task.

A loud bang went off, and Harry quickly hugged Fleur tight whispering good luck before watching her leave.

"How is Brother?" Viktor asked nonchalantly, Harry snorted at Viktor's wide innocent look.

"Nev is good," He chuckled. "Nervous about the task, more than me this morning."

Viktor just smiled before resuming his pacing and muttering in what Harry assumed was Bulgarian.

"Miss Delacour is getting close to the dragon! What is her plan folks?" Bagman cried. 'Why would the viewers know more than you?' Harry thought annoyed.

"She is swaying! OH LOOK AT THIS! SHE IS USING THE VEELA SONG!" Bagman cried, over Fleur's delicate singing. But her beautiful lullaby even though soft, reached every soul near. It soothed the magic and nerves of everyone who heard it. Harry could almost picture her and the massive dragon dosing off.

"Looks like the dragon is asleep!" Bagman narrated; wouldn't he wake the dragon back up with his incessant yelling? "Oh, she is sneaking close, look at this! She has the egg! These champions are amazing!" Harry sighed in relief, his shoulders slumping.

"OH NO!" Bagman screamed, Harry flinched, sharing a look of horror with Viktor as the audience of students started screaming.

"THE DRAGON SNORED, SENDING FLAMES DIRECTLY TO MISS DELACOUR!" Harry let out a wordless cry, hands flying to his mouth.

"THE DRAGON TRAINERS AND HEALERS ARE IN THE ARENA!" Harry leapt to his feet, trying to run over to the Healing side of the tent. Unfortunately, there was a ward stopping him from getting there. Keeping the champions that had competed already and those who hadn't separated. Harry screamed angrily at the invisible ward.

"She will be okay," Viktor whispered, "Your Healers are good, no?" Harry nodded, wiping his tears. Standing strong, Poppy would heal her, and he would see her when he finished his turn.

"Alright, Miss Delacour has been taken to the Healers tent and we shall wait for her to be present for the scores!" Bagman's voice came through, Harry was pissed, the man was still fucking cheery.

"Now, we shall welcome our third champion!" Again, the cannon went off and Viktor nodded at Harry before leaving the tent.

"HERE HE IS FOLKS! WHAT IS HE GOING TO DO!" Bagman cried; Harry was going to wring his neck.

"WHAT SPELL HAS HE CAST?" Bagman asked, Harry, smirked, he had helped Viktor with his plans. Talking about their strengths, it had seemed obvious what to do.

"LOOK AT THAT! IT'S HIS BROOM FLYING TOWARDS HIM!" The crowd was silent before erupting into cheers, Harry figured Viktor had made it onto his broom. "LOOK AT THIS BOY FLY! OF COURSE, HE IS ONE THE BEST PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS AT THE MOMENT! ONE OF THE YOUNGEST EVER DRAFTED AS WELL!" Bagman continued as if no one knew this already.

"He is going up! look at this amazing flying, slowly teasing the dragon into following him up high away from the nest!" The students were still going mad.

"MERLIN! THE DRAGON IS FREE!" Bagman screamed, the audience screaming loudly.

Harry felt like vomiting, clutching his stomach tightly. How could they make them do this? What if someone died?

"MR KRUM IS TRYING TO LEAD THE DRAGON AWAY FROM THE AUDIENCE! WHAT AN ACT OF BRAVERY!" Harry felt like crying, he wanted Graham with him, why wasn't he here.

"MR KRUM HAS FLOWN BACK AND YES! YES, HE HAS THE EGG!" Finally, Bagman spoke again, it felt like it had been silent for twenty minutes. Just waiting to know if Viktor was okay and where the dragon had gone.

"THE DRAGON IS COMING BACK!" Loud screaming filled his ears, he could hear the Dragon's roar and the sound of stands being destroyed. Wood splintering, students screaming, dragon tamers and professors screaming spells. Suddenly it went silent.

"EVERYONE INJURED REPORT TO MADAM POMFREY AND THE OTHER HEALERS!" Dumbledore boomed. Harry's heart sunk, from behind the ward, he could see the Healer's hurriedly floating students into beds. Madam Pomfrey ordering for the Trainee Healers to get to Saint Mungo's and bring back more Healers. She and the three full Healers getting to work. Harry couldn't see who was there, clearly because of the curtains and amount of people.

All Harry could do was hope and wait.

"Mr. Potter." Harry turned to see Mr. Crouch standing there looking even more serious than usual. "We will be announcing you shortly, but there has been a delay."

"How can we continue?!" Harry cried, tears running down his cheeks.

"It's the contract Mr. Potter when we set the date, each competitor had to do their task today." Harry groaned, trying to wipe away the tears.

"How bad is it?" He asked dreading the answer.

"We don't know yet," He shrugged. "The Healers are doing what they can, but anyone who doesn't have Healing training or is a judge isn't allowed in the room." Harry nodded in understanding, but he was still furious and scared.

"FOR THOSE WHO ARE STILL HERE, IT IS TIME FOR OUR FOURTH CHAMPION!" Bagman cried out, finally, his voice sounding strained, Crouch nodded before rushing back to the judges stand. Harry took a deep breathe before standing up.

It was time.

At the sound of the cannon, Harry finally left the champion's tent. He quickly felt for his portkey, clenching it tightly. Looking up, he swallowed hard, the middle of the stadium seats was destroyed, a whole group of students missing, and the wood left behind was scorched.

Harry looked down to the small canyon below him, there in the middle, was the Hungarian Horntail, the Nesting Mother. She was huge, large deadly spikes running from her face down her back to her tail. She was curled around a nest; he couldn't see the eggs yet. He had two plans; Remus had helped him as well as the other champions.

He was going to try the most simple first, summoning the golden egg. He had suggested they all try it to begin with, but the older champions had refused, saying they wouldn't risk them having to do it again as punishment if they all did the same thing. This way the youngest had the best chance. If this didn't work, he was going to summon and levitate the real eggs away from the nest, hopefully, she would chase them instead of him.

He took a deep breath and took his first step, hoping to get a clear shot so she couldn't the block egg. Unfortunately, he knocked a small rock as he moved. He froze as it rolled down the hill, hitting other rocks as it went. Finally ending its journey, hitting the dragon's claw. The large head lifted to look at him, she bared her teeth before roaring. The sound going straight through him, he couldn't move his legs. Then she opened her mouth, and her throat began to glow red. He managed to force himself to dive to the left behind a massive boulder just as she let off her fireball stream.

"MR POTTER HAS TAKEN COVER! WHAT WILL THIS CHAMPION DO?!" Bagman called out. "Now Mr. Potter has slight advantages to the other champions, agreed to by all the judges. He has a portkey to get him out if seriously injured and he was aware of the task before so he could prepare easier." Harry rolled his eyes; he swore Bagman just enjoyed his own voice.

He could feel the boulder heating up, "Fuck, fuck, fuck." He cursed; he couldn't stay here forever. "Okay, Potter you have this."

He took a deep breath, looking to his left he saw another boulder, slightly closer to the nest than the one he was behind now. He steeled himself, before leaping up and running as fast as he could. Taking cover right as the dragon roared again, thankfully she hadn't tried to melt his new hiding spot yet. Peeking his head to the right, he could see her. She had moved! He inwardly cheered. She was prowling across to the path he had tried to move down. Moving to the left of the boulder, he pointed his wand, and with a strong prayer to magic, he whispered. "Accio golden egg."

"WHAT'S THIS?!" Bagman yelled baffled. "THE YOUNGEST CHAMPION HAS JUST TRIED SOMETHING I DIDN'T THINK WAS POSSIBLE!" Harry was holding his breath, and there, a faint whistling.

"HE HAS SUMMONED THE GOLDEN EGG!! THE EGG IS FLYING TO HIM!!" Bagman cried excitedly; Harry jumped up just in time to catch the egg.

Grinning widely, he could hear the crowd cheering for him. For a moment everything was good. He turned and started to sprint to the tent. He could make it. Almost there.

A loud roar, Harry screamed, turning around to see her flying above him. She swung her tail, he watched as it flew towards him in slow motion, unable to move he could vaguely hear people screaming. The four spikes on the tail were spaced out, two on each side, four inches between the pairs. Six inches long each.

He felt every inch of all four sets of six inches slice through his front. The Dragonskin was useless, it gave way as if a cutting charm on a plant. Two sliced open his chest, through his right nipple down to his left ribs. The other two horns angled down as it swept, sliced his belly button and hip bone. Harry fell with a choked gasp, absently he could feel the hooking sensation of the portkey. But he was unconscious before hitting the floor in the Healing rooms. Unaware of Graham's scream, Madam Pomfrey screeching orders as she ran to his side. Remus storming over to the tent in record time. All he knew was blackness and pain.

The golden egg rolled out of his grasp as he lost consciousness.

Someone shut that blasted egg so I can work!" Madam Pomfrey yelled.

The screaming of the egg was not helping matter and it was making her lose focus. Where were those blasted dragon handlers!?

One of the trainee healers quickly grasped the egg and shut it before rushing back over to Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott. Both boys had minor injuries but needed to apply burn paste every half an hour.

"Healer Starr! I need an Dracion Potion! Mr. Potter's wounds are festering and is going green, he is allergic to the Horntail's Spikes!" Madam Pomfrey yelled.

Graham flinched, tears rolling down his face. How could things go this badly? Fleur had fourth-degree burns, the burn had gone down to her bones on her left leg and hip. He said seen them for a split second, the bone had been black. He had almost vomited. Viktor had fallen from his broom as he tried to lure the dragon away from the students the second time. He had broken his spine in three places and was currently in a healing sleep like Fleur. Thirty students from all three schools had been burned or clawed during Viktor's turn. His own best friend Terence had gotten a broken leg and concussion. Cedric Diggory had taken a claw and tail hit to the head. Graham hadn't seen him since; he could only hope his fellow prefect was okay.

He had seen Viktor's friend, something Poliakoff, who hadn't looked too good either, burnt like Fleur.

"Healer Roberts! Miss Delacour needs another pain potion and burns paste application!" Madam Pomfrey shouted as she flittered around Harry.

Graham could feel himself hyperventilating.

"Mr. Montague?" Professor Lupin asked, placing his hands on his shoulder.

"Healer Johnson? I think we need a calming draught over here." Remus asked, walking Graham over to a chair, thanking the muscular male healer when he bought one over.

"Tiny?" Graham grunted after drinking the calming draught. Brown eyes searching for any sign of his boy. "Harry?" He clarified when Remus looked at him like he was crazy. The professor laughed; the nickname certainly suited his cub.

"Madam Pomfrey knows what she is doing. If anyone can save him it will be her," Remus soothed, he had been healed by her enough, he trusted her with his life. So, he knew that he could trust her with his cub’s life as well.

Graham watched as now twelve healers ran around monitoring and healing students. Finally, the judges arrived.

Karkaroff and Olympe immediately checking on their students with minor injuries before moving to sit by Fleur and Viktor's bedside.

Graham scowled as Dumbledore instead tried to interrupt Madam Pomfrey.

"ALBUS BACK AWAY!" She finally yelled, pushing him back before returning to Harry.

"We will never recover from this," Crouch mumbled looking horrified.

"WHO CARES ABOUT YOUR STUPID REPUTATION! THESE CHILDREN'S LIVES ARE IN DANGER!" Remus screeched.

"Albus, is you don't back up and let me work! I will curse you myself so that you won't be able to move from a bed for a month!" she threatened.

Apparently, the old man still didn’t know how to listen.

"That's it! Anyone that isn't on a bed needs to leave or I will curse you myself!" Madam Pomfrey yelled; she couldn't heal with all these interruptions. And she was not going to let these students die because a certain Headmaster couldn't understand English apparently.

"No!" Graham cried, panic in his brown eyes. Looking between Professor Lupin and Madam Pomfrey.

"I think Mr. Montague should stay here for treatment of shock," Remus spoke up calmly, ushering Graham over to a spare bed, next to Harry. He looked over at Harry's pale face, green inflamed and weeping wounds.

"You have to be okay Tiny." He whispered as Dumbledore, Karkaroff, Maxime, Crouch and Bagman were escorted out by a few healers who quickly returned to their work.

"Come on, Tiny. I am here." Graham whispered; he would stay by his side until he woke up.

It was hard enough to keep another student calm when he was struggling himself. But he knew why. It was the reason why he hadn’t obliviated the memory from Graham's mind of Harry's creature half. Blaise Zabini had been the one to tell him and he should have known.

James and Lily had been mates. And for whatever reason, Harry's Siren half had chosen Graham. So, he knew it was the bond speaking.

Remus carded his fingers through Harry's hair. He was worried, extremely so. He just hoped that Harry pulled through. But he knew that it would scar no matter what happened. No dragon wound would be one hundred percent healed.

Even Fleur's burn would never disappear completely. Remus kissed Harry's head. "I love you cub."

Hopefully the Ministry would learn from this mistake. Though mistake wasn't quite the right word. Catastrophe was more likely.

"He will be okay." Madam Pomfrey swore. "He is out of danger for now. We will monitor him for infections and keep applying the potion paste and he will be on potions for a few months. But he will live."

"He's okay?" Graham gasped, tears leaking out again. He reached over to grasp Harry's hand from where he was.

"He will live." Madam Pomfrey nodded. "Unfortunately, every student in here is in for a rough recovery. Dragons of all things." She scoffed, she was so tired, everything that could've gone wrong did. But the worst news could wait. The students needed to sleep. She and the other healers dished out sleeping and pain potions. She would be on the watch the rest of the night. But now, it was time to rest and wait for the next dosage times. It would be a long night.

Chapter Text

Freak of Nature – Chapter 12 (A Ball… Really?)

Coming to awareness Harry groaned softly, everything hurt. He could feel the padding of the bed below him; it wasn't soft enough to be his bed. The sheets were thin and soft instead of his heavy quilt, and there was only one pillow instead of his three. The smell of sterile cleanliness instead of the smell of book and plants. He was in the hospital wing.

He let his memories come back slowly, suddenly everything hit him. He startled awake fully, sitting up with the need to throw up. A bucket was thrust up under his chin just in time, he felt cold, and his body was shaking. The aches throughout his body more prominent than before, it wasn't a pleasant feeling. But just like before, his needs were interpreted, and a pain potion was lifted to his lips.

"I… Wait... I'm not dead?" He gasped out after finishing the potion. Green eyes looking up, Moony was beside him crying.

"Cub!" He gasped. "You're awake." He grabbed Harry's hand as if afraid to hug him.

"How long was I out?" Harry asked leaning back in the bed. He was exhausted and he had only been awake for a few seconds.

"Two weeks." Madam Pomfrey admitted as she waved her wand over him.

"Two... Two weeks!" Harry gasped in shock.

"I should go wake Mr. Montague." Remus grinned.

"Graham?" Harry asked looking up.

"Yeah, he hasn't left since you ended up here. He is asleep in the bed beside you behind the curtains.

Harry felt his cheeks heat up, which was better than the clammy feeling he was getting.

"Is he okay?!"

"He is fine cub. He didn't get a scratch." Remus soothed him. “It's you I'm more worried about.”

"Me?" Harry was confused. Sure, he felt really achy all over and he did happen to get sick a little. He did remember flashes of the dragon, he obviously got past it, right? That didn't stop the queasy feeling he got about it though. Like there was something he was missing.

He watched as Moony's eyes darted down to his stomach before he could stop himself. Frowning, Harry lifted the sheet and then his shirt. Gasping at the four long slashes down his body.

The scars were red and purple, raised and puckered like he had had muggle stitches in them. The rest of his body was black with bruising, which explained the overall body aches.

He had a flash of the dragon flying above him, his cry and flinch had Remus reaching for him.

"It's okay cub, you're okay."

"TINY!" Graham was suddenly shoving the curtain separating the beds apart. "You're awake!" He gasped, his lips widening into a large happy grin as he practically leapt across the space between them. He grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him into a hug, while being mindful of his wounds.

Graham!" Harry shouted in surprise, feeling himself get embarrassed. And now Remus was giving him this look.

"You're awake, you're awake." Graham chanted, pulling back to look him in the eyes.

"Yeah." Harry nodded with a blush. “At least I think I am..."

Remus laughed heartedly, "You are cub. We have been very worried."

"Alright, Mr Potter." Madam Pomfrey stepped in. "Your fever is almost gone; your vitals are stabilizing."

"What happened?" Harry asked, blushing when Graham sat down without letting go of his hand.

"The Dragon hit you with its tail spikes, which was bad enough with the damage down with the slices and how deep they went."

"I am sensing a but…?" Harry urged her on.

"You also had an allergy reaction to the spikes." Madam Pomfrey nodded. "They secrete an oil which keeps their scales and skin in good condition."

"Unfortunately, dragon scars or burns don't heal, even with magical means," Remus added. Harry looked down at his scars again. "They will heal from what they are now." Remus soothed. "But you will always have the scars."

"They make you look dangerous." Graham winked. Harry blushed as he shoved his hospital wing nightshirt back down.

"Wait," Harry breathed. "What happened with the others? Fleur and Viktor?" The memories of the screaming, Bagman's commentating and Harry's own fear for his friends.

"They are okay, they woke from their healing sleep in the first week. Both are still here, asleep a few beds down." Madam Pomfrey smiled, Harry was such a sweet boy, always worried about others.

"Fleur got fourth-degree burns," Remus admitted, "She is okay." He added quickly when Harry's eyes widened in panic. "We stopped any infection from taking root. Grew her skin back. Unfortunately, she got burned down her throat, body and leg on her left side. It won't ever go away but we managed to bring the burn scars down to look rather minor."

"And Viktor?" Harry asked dreading the answer, he knew this competition was bad. They got hurt just like he thought they would.

"The dragon got free, and he tried to lead it away from the audience. He thought he had lost it and came back for the egg and the dragon tamers. But the dragon had followed him, he tried to distract it again. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, and the dragon turned on the crowd of students. The tail smacking Viktor off his broom when it turned." Remus explained, he watched it all in horror.

"Mr. Krum broke his spine in three places from the fall,” Madam Pomfrey added softly as she lifted Harry's shirt to apply another healing paste.

"I healed his spine easily, but the physical therapy is going to be a long road. He is still struggling to relearn to walk."

"Merlin." Harry gasped, tears leaking. His poor friends. "What happened with the dragon and everyone else?" Harry asked, his stomach sinking when Moony and Madam Pomfrey shared a glance.

"It's not good." Remus finally admitted.

"We should let him heal before hearing this." Graham tried to intervene.

"I want to know." Harry shook his head. He needed to know.

"Thirty students were hurt." Madam Pomfrey said calmly. "Many only had a broken bone or two or minor burns."

"Why am I sensing another but?" Harry asked breath catching.

"Five students died." Remus let out quickly. Harry's eyes widened again, tears streaming down his cheeks as he shook his head furiously.

"No. No. No!" He gasped. "How? They... They said no one would die." He felt his chest caving in on itself. "They promised to keep us all safe."

"This is why I didn't want to tell him!" Graham snapped, hand running over Harry's back soothingly.

"Who?!" Harry gasped out, heading swinging between Moony and Graham.

"They were all Hogwarts students." Remus nodded. Graham moved from his chair to sit on the bed with Harry, holding his hand tightly.

"Cedric Diggory, 7th year from Hufflepuff." Remus started, "Adrian Pucey, 6th year from Slytherin." Harry snapped his head to look at Graham beside him.

"Yeah, we weren't close but got along and shared a dorm. He was a good guy." Graham whispered softly, He hadn't hung out with him often, but he had been funny and a good laugh.

"I am so sorry," Harry whispered as he laid his head on Graham's shoulder. Graham just silently wrapped his arm around Harry's back.

"Who else?" He asked Moony.

"Colin Creevey, third-year Gryffindor."

Harry choked on his voice. “Colin?!”

The boy had been annoying with his hero-worship but he had been a child, sweet and caring. He never meant to make Harry feel uncomfortable and when Harry had told him that he was, the poor boy had gotten so upset.

"Hermione Granger and Lavender Brown, 4th year Gryffindor's." Remus rushed out.

"Oh, Merlin." Harry gagged; all these lives lost so easily. They were so young and now just gone.

If he hadn't been a champion..., would he be one of those that lost their lives?

"Will we have a ceremony to say goodbye?" Harry asked wiping his tears.

"Yes, once everyone is out of the Infirmary, we will have a memorial for them,” Remus nodded.

"Although fucking Dumbledore is trying to push people to think about the Yule Ball." Graham rolled his eyes. Marcus and Terence filled him in about two days ago.

"The what?! What could be more important than this?!" Harry screeched.

"It's a dance for the Yule celebration." Remus filled in. "Albus is using it as morale booster."

"Is he mad!?" Harry yelled. "How could a bloody dance be a morale booster!?”

"Who knows how that coot's mind works," Graham grunted.

"Please stay calm Mr. Potter." Madam Pomfrey snapped as she bustled back into the room with some dinner. "You need to keep your body relaxed."

Harry snorted, "relaxed... right..."

The matron just gave him a knowing grin.

Harry wasn't fooled by the grin. He lost count of the times she had threatened to use a sticking charm on him to the bed.

Just because he didn't play Quidditch didn't mean he didn't get hurt from it. Happened when one of your friends were fans of Quidditch and on the team.

But she was also the reason why he didn't mind being in the infirmary. In his first year after tripping on one of the trick steps on the way up to Astronomy, he had ended up in the Hospital Wing for a night. She had played Exploding Snap with him when she had a momentary break. She was a laugh but just firm with her patients safety and health.

He supposed he could understand why. But he tried to force himself to relax. He knew if he didn't, she may force Remus and Graham to leave so he could be felt to a well-deserved rest. Knowing full and well that wasn't going to happen.

"Now, Mr. Potter, you are still recovering, unless you have any more vital questions, I would suggest taking a dreamless sleep potion and going back to sleep."

Harry thought for a moment, he knew there was more to know, he wanted to question everything. But he couldn't actually think of any questions to ask or how to phrase them. He was just feeling drained, sore, angry, sad and scared. He shook his head slightly, leaning back and letting his eyes droop. He opened his mouth when he felt the potion vial at his lips. Swallowing it down, he let himself curl into Graham's large frame, feeling safe and warm. He drifted into dreamland quickly, his body needing the sleep more than he thought. He could have sworn he felt Graham kiss his forehead, it definitely felt like he had moved slightly into him. But surely, he had imagined it, or it was Remus, not Graham. He was asleep before he could dwell on it.

The day that Harry got released from Madam Pomfrey’s clutches was a happy one.

Harry grinned madly as he waved goodbye to Madam Pomfrey, nodding as she told him to still take it easy. It was a week later, and he was finally being released from the Hospital Wing!

Fleur had been released two days after he had woken up, but she and Gabrielle visited him and Viktor every day.

Viktor was going to be in the Hospital Wing for at least another week for physical therapy. But he was walking again, just working on strength and distance. Magic making the recovering process faster but not removing it entirely.

Moony, Neville and Graham grinned as Harry walked out of the Hospital Wing after four weeks of recovery. He was let out just in time for the Memorial Dinner for the deceased students. Viktor would be escorted down for dinner with Madam Pomfrey, it would be his first dinner out of the bed to see how he coped. 

"Are you ready?" Graham asked gently.

Harry bit his lip and nodded, he was so happy to be out and moving back into Remus' rooms. He and Neville hadn't been back to the Gryffindor dorms since his confrontation with the youngest male Weasley. But he was also sad to be going to a memorial dinner. Hogwarts had lost five students in one task. They weren’t even champions for the tasks. That didn’t change that there were still two tasks to go, Harry couldn't quench the worry in his gut of what was to come.

"I will just be over at the Slytherin table with Viktor, Marcus and Terence," Graham swore. "If you need me, I will be over the moment you call me."

"I will only be at the head table as well, Cub," Remus promised. "Nev will be sitting with you and I asked the Twins to sit with you as well to help stop people from bombarding you with questions."

Harry grinned, he loved his family and friends, he didn't know what he would do without them.

The small group slowly made their way down to the Great Hall in peaceful silence. At least they were until as they got close to their destination that the silence was broken.

"HOLD UP FUCKER!" Marcus' deep timber rumbling down the hallway. Everyone turned to watch the massive teenager making his way towards them. Terence's tiny frame practically running to keep up with Marcus' wide strides.

"Language, Mr. Flint." Remus sighed, resigned to the fact that no matter how many times he would remind him, Marcus wouldn't stop. He had been unsure of the large Chaser at first, he had been his Professor for a year and a bit. Had heard the stories of his curse happy attitude from the other Professors. But Marcus genuinely cared about Graham, Terence and now Harry and Neville.

"Sure thing, Professor," Marcus smirked with a careless shrug. Harry chuckled as Moony simply rolled his eyes.

"How are you doing Harry?" Terence asked in concern.

"Better," Harry replied with a nod. "The scars are as healed as they can be now, only silver and black lines. The Dragon Pox shot I had to take as a precaution was bloody awful though."

"Yeah, I've heard that's nasty." Terence nodded. "My cousin is a dragon tamer in Sweden and has to get the shot every time he gets hurt on the job."

"Ugh, I never want to get it again." Harry moaned. "I had a fever for three days, vomiting for two, stomach cramps and body aches like the flu for the first nine hours." Harry shuddered in memory; he had only finished having side effects from the shots yesterday. Everyone had the side effects and would have the same reaction every time they got the shot. He didn't know how Dragon Tamers did it. Fleur and Viktor had complained just as much as he had. But none of them would have risked not taking it, Dragon Pox couldn't be cured once contracted. With the shot, there was no chance of it occurring, but nothing could be done once the spots showed up on your body. The spots looked like Chickenpox, but the spots were bigger, and the red spots had a pattern like scales in them that would slowly get bigger and bigger until your entire body was red-scaled. You could get a painful cough that would slowly get hot with each cough. It would end with the throat melting from fire coughing and the body shutting down.

"Well, here we are," Marcus grunted as they reached the Great Hall doors. "This is going to suck."

"Are you okay Marcus?" Harry asked concernedly, he had found out after waking up that Adrian Pucey had actually been one of Marcus' friends.

"Just pissed off at the fucking old twat." Marcus growled, trying to keep the anger out of his voice. He wasn't mad at Harry after all. "Dumblefuck keeps trying to skip over everything that happened. The only reason we are even having a memorial is because of the fact the French and Bulgarian Ministries are watching how the British Ministry handle this."

"I've gone temporarily deaf," Remus said blandly when Marcus shot a look towards him after his language and insults to the Headmaster, Remus' employer.

"I am sorry Marcus," Harry said genuinely, giving the hulking man a quick and tight squeezy hug before pulling back. Marcus just smiled and chucked his chin with his fingers.

"I will see you later Tiny unless you need me during dinner." Graham grinned, usually, he would've felt threatened seeing anyone being so affectionate with Harry. But Marcus was as asexual as you could get, as well as being one of the few people Graham trusted with anything. As well as Quidditch being Marcus' only love.

"Thank you, Graham." Harry grinned, he barely even argued over the nickname anymore. Blushing whenever Graham used it.

"See you after dinner Cub," Remus whispered giving him a hug and kiss to his head. Harry nodded hugging him back before waving goodbye to everyone as he and Neville made their way to the Gryffindor table.

"Hey Fred, George. Hey Lee." Harry gave a soft smile at his friends as they sat down opposite the twins and next to each other. Alicia on the other side of Neville, Angelina and Katie on Harry's other side. Blocking them in, preventing anyone from reaching them. Harry looked down the table only to see Lavender Brown's best friend Parvati Patil crying with her Ravenclaw twin sister comforting her.

Ron Weasley was sitting with his sister looking shell shocked and kept looking at a battered old book in his hands. Harry felt his heart sink when he saw it was Granger's copy of Hogwarts: A History. No matter how much he had disliked the two, no one deserved what had happened. He knew Ron had liked Hermione but didn't know if they had actually been an item. He also knew Ginny and Hermione had been extremely close since last year when Ron stopped talking to her because her cat ate his rat. Ginny had stood by Grangers side during the fight and had eventually gotten them to forgive each other and move past it.

He felt himself get angry when he heard a second-year get angry, it was enough to snap at the people around him.

"How the shit do you think Dennis is feeling?" He snarled, "Colin is gone!" Harry felt tears welling in his eyes. He had heard from Moony that Colin's younger brother Dennis had gone home. He wouldn't be surprised if he never returned, but apparently, people thought it was okay to harass Dennis' best friend for information. Thankfully one of the Gryffindor Prefects had heard and went over to put a stop to it. She ended up taking Nigel back to sit with her and her friends. Letting him mourn in silence.

It wasn't long before he noticed Viktor slinking into the Hall with Madam Pomfrey. He sat at the end of the Slytherin table, as close to the door as possible, with Marcus, Terence and Graham. Viktor's few close friends from Durmstrang moving down to sit with the small group.

Harry's attention moved to the Hufflepuff table, unsurprisingly most of the table was crying. Cedric Diggory had been extremely popular, and not just in his own house. The happy go lucky Prefect and Seeker had made friends in every house. He had been on good terms with Marcus, Graham, and Terence while being actual friends with Adrian.

It was when he was looking around at the devastation the tournament had caused, he noticed the decorations. The Great Hall was normally decorated with banners with the Hogwarts crest as well as the crests of each house. Tonight, however, there were black drapes on the wall behind the teachers' table and banners with the photos of the fallen students.

Cedric in his Quidditch gear, holding a broom and laughing.

Hermione holding a bunch of books walking out of the library.

Adrian Pucey playing chess with a serious expression that morphed into a smirk as he made a move.

Colin Creevey's photo was actually of him taking a photo himself, wide grin as his camera flashed.

Lavender Brown with a fashion magazine, looking up to the camera with a smile before going back to her article.

Suddenly Dumbledore stood up, everyone looking up and going silent, not that the Hall had been loud, to begin with.

"There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight," Dumbledore said softly, but his voice carrying, "but I must first acknowledge the loss of a group of very fine students who should be sitting here enjoying our feast with us." He sighed sadly, looking over the four tables,

"They were taken from us too young, we never thought something like this could happen here within Hogwarts. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses" Dumbledore lifted his goblet, looking at Gryffindor "To Hermione Granger, Lavender Brown and Colin Creevey," 

He turned his sight to the Hufflepuff table, "To Cedric Diggory." Then over to Slytherin, "To Adrian Pucey."

Everyone raised their glasses, many crying, some too hard to drink from their goblets.

"Tonight, we remember them, we share their stories, we think of the happy times. Try to think of them laughing, of being the amazing Witches and Wizards they were." Dumbledore seemed to take a moment, breathing in deeply. "Now, I have some news relating to the Triwizard Tournament. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the magical contract, we cannot cancel the Tournament."

"Therefore, the second task shall take place on the 24th of February. But to try and raise morale and to remove some of the tension around the tasks, we shall be keeping an optional part of the tournament. The Yule Ball!" He announced, arms wide as if expecting applause.

"It shall take place on the 25^th of December, usually it is for fourth years and above. But we have agreed in light of recent events, that third years will be allowed to attend, in addition to fourth year and above. But there will be a curfew in place for third years. Parents have been informed by Heads of Houses as to send formal wear."

Harry sighed; he wasn't even sure he would go yet.

"Now, our four champions will be opening the ball with a dance with their dates." With that Harry sat ramrod straight, eyes wide in horror. He had to DANCE?! In front of everyone! With a date?!

"Oh, Merlin." He choked. Fred and George let out a soft snigger at the fear in his eyes. Neville patting his back sympathetically.

"Now, my final point for the night, the Heads of Houses, or your Headmaster or Headmistress will be teaching you basic dance steps for the Ball. For Hogwarts students, the dates and times of these lessons will on the notice boards in your common rooms." Dumbledore smiled. "For now, eat this feast and remember your fellow students!" With that Dumbledore sat down and the tables filled with food. Students started talking amongst themselves about either the ball or sharing memories of those passed on. Harry found himself pushing his food around his plate more than eating. Neville nudging him every few minutes to get him to eat a mouthful. He was not looking forward to the Yule Ball, let alone finding a date. The fear of the next two tasks bubbling around in his gut. This year was the worst.

Chapter Text

Freak of Nature – Chapter 13 (The Ball)

"So, have you asked Harry to the ball yet?" Marcus asked bluntly as he sat down at the Slytherin.

 Graham, startled, hacking on his toast while Terence laughed joyfully.

"No tact," Terence snickered while watching as Graham glared at Marcus.

"This is Marcus after all," Terence quipped. "I don't think he knows the meaning of the word of being tactful."

"I just don't see the point of being subtle when people just end up confused." Marcus shrugged. "Now, have you asked him yet?"

"Marcus does have a point, you never did answer the question, even Viktor asked Neville," Terence pointed out.

"No, I haven't asked him." Graham groaned.

"Why the bloody hell not!?" Terence demanded.

"Coward," Marcus grunted, "you gotta man up and just do it. That boy damn near becomes a tomato when you’re around, not like he is gonna say no."

"If you don't, I will," Terence threatened.

"You wouldn't" Graham growled.

Terence smirked, "try me. Least then I wouldn't have to worry about a date because my best mate is too afraid to."

"I don't know Terence," Marcus thought aloud, "I think he is too scared to make his move."

Terence grinned, "I thought so too. And since Harry is already at Gryffindor table. I'm sure he won't mind if I ask..."

Graham leapt to his feet before his mind could catch up. "No!" he growled, shoving Terence as he walked past him. Walking to the Gryffindor table with purpose.

Fred and George noticed him coming with twin smirks, Neville and Viktor had been whispering to each other before making room for Graham.

Harry looked up and grinned. "Hey Graham... are you okay?"

"Terence didn't ask you anything, did he?" Graham practically demanded.

Harry's eyes went wide... "Umm... should he have?"

"No, that's fine." Graham shook his head, he could do this, it wouldn't be that hard.

"I need to ask you something" He rushed out nervously.

"Umm... sure..." Harry was slightly confused. It was obvious that something was on the Slytherin's mind.

"Neville had been talking about some plant that Remus was going to get him," Harry commented.

"It’s called a Mimbulus Mimbletonia, Harry," Neville rolled his eyes.

Harry gave a sheepish shrug, "yeah... that... Least I'm not the one obsessed with plants unless it’s helpful," Harry shot back.

"And like your obsession with spells is any different," Neville teased.

Harry struck his tongue out, "it’s not obsessed! I was curious!"

"So, what was the question?" Harry asked with a wide grin, as if he hadn’t just been debating with his best mate.

"So... um, I was wondering..." Graham stammered, well aware of Marcus and Terence sniggering back at the Slytherin table and Viktor giving him a knowing grin.

"Sit down Graham." Harry chuckled pulling him down by his robe sleeves. "Now, what's going on?"

"Oh well, um... you looking forward to the ball?" Graham asked, hoping that no one had asked him yet. But surely someone had, Harry was just amazing, how could anyone not have asked yet?

Harry just groaned at the mere thought. Why was he still required to go to a stupid ball?

Neville just snickered at him, "C'mon Harry, it’s not that bad."

Harry just glared at his best friend, "Says the wizard that got asked by his crush!"

Neville went bright red as Viktor chuckled.

"You think Professor McGonagall will let me skip?" Harry asked hopefully.

"And risk her wrath as she strings you up by your feet," Fred commented.

"Anyone asked you yet?" Graham asked trying not to sound too eager for the answer.

Neville laughed.

"Of course, he has been. Turned them all down too."

"Neville!" Harry cried before admitting with a blush, "they only wanted to go with a champion or the Boy-Who-Lived. Most of them I didn't know their names!"

"Although that Romilda girl looked like she would've eaten you," George cackled.

Harry grimaced with that thought, “don’t remind me…”

"Anyone asked you yet?" Viktor asked Graham with a smirk, "Or got someone you want to ask?"

"Well... he was going to—" Marcus' voice appeared behind them.

That was when Terence nudged his friend, hard.

"What!?" his voice thundered. "He was going to chicken out!"

"What is going on?" Harry piped up; brows furrowed with confusion.

Marcus gave an evil grin, "oh, just Terence wanting to ask you to the ball."

"What?!" Harry squeaked and Graham shouted at the same time.

Terence cackled at the expressions on Graham and Harry's face.

"I told you he would blush!"

Marcus rolled his eyes, "doesn't he blush at everything though?"

Terence shrugged, "he does when Graham is around."

Harry let out a wordless squeak at that, the blush getting redder.

"This is amazing," Fred whispered to George, who nodded in agreement. Both eating without taking their eyes off the scene before them.

"Wow, Marcus, you weren't wrong about earlier," Terence snickered.

Marcus shrugged while grinning.

"Though, did you notice he never answered my question," Terence brought up.

"Don't you mean, my question on your behalf because you didn't have a chance to ask. Since Graham doesn't know how to talk yet," Marcus commented rather bluntly.

"What?" Harry squeaked again; at this rate he didn't think his voice would ever go back to normal. "Terence, I... I mean you are great, but I just don't like you like that." Harry stammered, biting his lip. He hoped this wouldn't ruin their friendship, or more importantly take Graham away from him.

"Did you really think I was looking at it like a date?” Terence questioned him.

Harry didn’t know how to respond to that.

“Who said I can't take someone as a friend!?" Terence said in an offended tone of voice while grinning.

"Okay, I can't take this," Graham shouted suddenly, he felt like his inside was burning. He grabbed Harry by the shoulders before he could lose his courage, he pulled the small Gryffindor towards him.

"Graham?" Harry squeaked.

Without saying anything, Graham leant in and kissed him, pouring everything into it. Their eyes fluttered shut as they leant into each other. Harry's arms coming up around Graham's shoulders.

The entire Great Hall faded into nothing, neither hearing the hooting and cheering of their friends. The shrieks of anger or denial from those who wanted them for their own.

Graham smiled softly as he pulled back just enough to whisper, "Will you go to the Ball with me?" Harry nodded furiously pulling Graham back in for another kiss.

Terence high fived Marcus as soon as Graham and Harry separated.

"I told you it would work," Terence grinned.

"Shut up" Graham grumbled as he nuzzled Harry's check prompting a chuckle from the small boy.

"You planned this?" Harry laughed looking at Terence and Marcus.

"He didn't want to fucking do anything! What did you expect me to do!" Terence said, looking rather offended by that.

"Umm... you're taking after Marcus' bad habits..." Neville brought up with a laugh.

"Not our fault he was being a bitch. And Terence has always been foulmouthed, he just hides it better." Marcus grunted.

"At least I have a reason to hide it!" Terence pointed out.

"Hey, I asked him in the end, didn't I?" Graham defended himself.

"Not without us interfering. You would have sulked the entire time and refused to leave the Common Room!" Terence reminded him.

Harry laughed, burying his face into Graham's chest.

"Why are you laughing?" Neville asked, "You've been sulking about him not asking you since the Ball was announced."

"Neville!" Harry cried betrayed.

"Sorry Tiny," Graham smiled, "I should've asked sooner."

"Should have?!" Terence cries out. "You should have done it the first night! Then I wouldn't have to wish I could obliviate myself!"

"He turned into a fucking Gryffindor!" Terence whined.

"OI" Harry, Neville, Fred and George cried.

"Or Hufflepuff... which one do you think it was, Marcus?" Terence turned to Marcus.

"I wasn't that bad!" Graham cried, interrupting Marcus from answering.

Marcus looked unimpressed, "Sorry to say it, mate. But you were. Even I got my limits."

Neville snickered at that.

"He was clearly more Hufflepuff. The fucker was almost writing sonnets about his unrequited love." Marcus shot at Terence with a smirk.

Terence had a thoughtful expression, "you think he was sorted into the wrong house?"

"Oh, fuck off." Graham groaned hiding his blushing into Harry's shoulder. The Gryffindor laughed and patted his shoulder in sympathy.

"Uh ohh, Marcus. He's following after you now," Terence raised a hand to his mouth to pretend he was shocked.

"Oi! Don't you mean, YOU!" Marcus retorted without any heat to it.

"You are all as bad as each other." Harry rolled his eyes

Terence made a mock bow at that as he grinned ear to ear.

"I am so glad you finally asked," Harry whispered to Graham, leaning in for another kiss.

"I think we made a mistake," Terence whispered in horror.

"They are going to be unbearable." Marcus groaned.

"Harry... you should have said yes to me before Graham..." Terence whined. "Now I'm never going to hear the end of it from Graham..."

"What about me!?" Marcus demanded.

"You're not the only one that shares the dorm with him!"

"So, Terence have you asked anyone yet?" Harry teased as Graham rolled his eyes at his dramatic friends. He wasn’t about to mention about the earlier one, since it was obviously done on Graham’s behalf.

"Well... I did... but seems my good for nothing friend got top priority..." Terence pouted.

Harry laughed as Graham flipped him off. "So, no one to ask for an actual date?"

"Blaise," Terence revealed with a grin.

"Wait... then why did you ask me if you already asked someone?" Harry was dumbfounded.

"I was just kicking Graham's arse into gear." Terence laughed. "I knew he would snap out of it if I showed interest. And Blaise agreed that both of you were taking too long."

“Kill me. Kill me now" Graham groaned, "How many people knew about this?"

"About you being a coward?" Marcus grinned, "Just us, Blaise, Theo, the twins over there and Viktor."

"And Neville." Viktor added.

"Me and Marcus knew from the beginning. Pretty sure Harry's friends knew from the moment Graham and Marcus were in the library. If what Marcus said was true or not," Terence shrugged.

"Yeah, pretty much." Neville nodded. "He called him 'My Tiny,' kinda hard to miss that. Then I thought Blaise and Theo's eyes were going to pop out of their heads.”

"I didn't do that! Did I?" Graham asked going pink again, Harry nodded with a soft smile.

"Yeah, I wasn't sure what it meant though.”

Neville groaned, "We tried to tell you!"

"Practically staked a claim on him, is what he did," Marcus muttered.

"Even I knew that," Terence agreed.

"Surprised that Terence doesn't have a betrothal contract already," Marcus snorted.

"Even you know I have to meet his mother for that!" Terence growled.

"Wait, people still use those?" Harry asked wide eyed

Marcus shrugged, "depends. It’s easier if you have one so that you don't have to rush the eventual bonding. And it keeps everyone from asking you about them if you already got one. Once you are in a betrothal contract that is agreed on both terms. You practically are untouchable for those that may express interest in you."

"Oh okay." Harry nodded.

"It’s a very serious ordeal with older families. Most of it has to deal with the family fortune so that nobody takes advantage of it. Someone can't just draft a contract just because they want to."

"Well, that makes sense." Harry nodded, "Some people would try anything." With that, he sent a glare at the youngest Weasley.

"We've already pranked her twice." Fred grimaced.

"Still can't believe she tried to slip you a love potion." George scowled.

"She what?!" Graham gasped; his eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Yeah, thankfully her dormmate, Demelza caught her and went to Professor McGonagall," Neville nodded.

"We are making her pay." Fred sniggered as George sent a spell at her quickly, her red hair turning green before their eyes.

"That is another thing with betrothal contracts. Actual authentic contracts do a read on your magic and intent. It won't bind on greed," Marcus explained.

"Most wizards and witches enter contracts when they start serious relationships," Neville added, "Every family have standard contacts that then get edited and combined with the other family's contract to match the couple. It protects us from people with bad intentions and helps us bond with who could become our intended.”

"Would Uncle Moony have control of that over me?" Harry asked Neville curiously, with his status as a werewolf, the Ministry denied him a lot of rights.

"Yeah, Remus and Petunia would have full control over that." Neville nodded, Harry let out a sigh of relief, he couldn't imagine if someone like Dumbledore or Fudge controlling that.

"But you would have to be part of that and at least at the age of 13," Marcus reminded him.

"Speaking of Moony, we have Defense first." Neville grinned pulling his bag up, "Did you finish that essay?"

"Of course, I did." Harry scoffed.

Neville raised his hands, "you never know. You been freaking out about the Ball. You may have forgotten "

"I have not." Harry denied, laughing when Neville just gave him a flat look.

Leaning over, Harry kissed Graham again, pulling back with a stupid grin. He didn’t think he would ever get over that he could do. "See you at lunch?"

"Of course." Graham grinned pulling him back down for another kiss.

"Ugh, they are going to be disgusting," Marcus grunted, waving half-heartedly back when Harry just waved with a grin leaving them behind.

"Yeah, we are." Graham grinned widely watching as Harry left, eyes watching his body move as he walked.

Soon enough it was the night of the Yule Ball, that did not ease Harry’s nerves. His fingers twitched badly as he tried to put on his dress robes.

"Harry, relax." Neville chuckled as Harry changed nervously. "Graham is going to think you look great."

"What if he doesn't? Maybe he regrets asking me?"

"Oh, Bambi." Remus sighed, shaking his head watching his two boys get ready. "That boy is crazy about you.”

Harry bit his lip, "you think so?"

Neville facepalmed, "really? After all the time you guys kiss?!"

Harry went bright red, shooting a worried look at Remus.

"Oh, Cub, you made out in the Great Hall, you really think I didn't know?" Remus laughed.

Harry made a nervous laugh at that.

"Trust me, that boy will be here to pick you up and he will be excited and happy to go with you." Remus soothed; Harry nodded with a smile.

"I really like him Uncle Moony."

"He clearly likes you too, Bambi," Remus smiled; he knew he had to explain creature mates to Harry soon. But he wanted his nephew to enjoy tonight, to have fun and maybe fall in love without the pressure of knowing. He knew Lily had felt like her choice of a mate had been taken away from her when she found out. But the mate was so much more than that, it was the person they would've chosen. The one who was perfect for them in every way. They balanced the creature out, filling the need for safety and love. Lily had seen that in the end with James, but Remus wanted Harry to feel that love and happiness without feeling like he was losing control of his own choices and life.

Harry gave a nervous smile before begging his uncle, "can you help me with my tie?"

A sudden knock bought Remus out of his musing, watching as Harry panicked.

"He's here! He's early! How do I look? Moony?!" He cried Remus just laughed, fixing Harry's tie before letting him go.

"You look amazing Cub," Remus promised, eyes teary as Harry grinned as he rushed over to open the door with Neville at his feet.

"Graham!" Harry grinned as Neville greeted Viktor.

"You look beautiful." Graham breathed before kissing his cheek. 

"Just stunning." Viktor added as he kissed Neville's hand.

"You two better take care of my cubs" Remus stated, standing behind them, amber eyes flashing. Graham and Viktor gulped while nodding furiously.

"Yes Sir" they chorused.

"Moony, please don't scare them off." Harry teased, his hand instinctively grabbing Graham's hand.

"Oh Bambi, it is the prerogative of the parents to be scary and protective." Remus grinned, "Now, have fun and if anything happens to my cubs, you will regret it." Remus said, showing his teeth.

"Moony!" Neville gasped as Harry hid his face in Graham's robes. Remus chuckled as he left them, heading back to his room to get ready himself.

"I am so sorry." Harry gasped as he took the arm Graham offered to him.

"No need to apologize Tiny." Graham grinned.

"We were expecting it," Viktor promised Neville.

“Still…” Harry huffed. Though he was secretly glad that Remus was so protective of him.

From there, the four wizards made their way from Remus’ office down to the Great Hall, where the Ball would be at.

"There you are!" Professor McGonagall sighed as they finally made it to the Great Hall doors. "You are entering with your partners and dancing first. Go join Miss Delacour. I will come get you when it is time."

Harry nodded as they made their way over to others waiting to the side.

"Hey, Fleur!" Harry greeted with a grin, she looked stunning in her silver shimmery gown. A little girl was standing by her side, smiling politely.

Harry instantly recognized who she was. It was Fleur's little sister. The part Veela had expressed distaste in having someone fawn all of her. So, she decided she would be bringing little Gabrielle.

“Is Gabrielle your date?” Harry asked.

Fleur made a small laugh, “no, she just wanted to see me before the Ball started. Madam Maxine had escorted her here. But I am waiting on my date to arrive.”

It was a bit easier to understand Fleur through the accent after a few months. But Harry was surprised, he didn’t think she was going to be bringing a date. It had assumed that it would be her sister and she wouldn’t have one altogether.

 That was when Harry then had a double-take. He had seen someone walk down the stairs from the corner of his eye. "MARCUS?" He asked incredulously. "I didn't know you two were going together!"

Fleur's magical tinkling laugh filled the room. "I kept being harassed and men acting a fool." She scoffed. "Marcus here asked me to come with him as friends, without any expectations from the creature of love" She added with an eye roll. "He just wanted to have a fun night with friends." She grinned. "A night with a good friend, with no one wanting me for one thing only. My dream."

“One thing?” Harry asked, confused.

Fleur laughed with mirth, “I believe that is a due conversation with your guardian, young one.”

Graham groaned softly behind him. Harry gave him a quizzical look.

"Innocence killing you?" Marcus teased. Viktor snorting.

"You have no idea," Graham muttered back.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Nothing little one," Fleur shook her head before either of the Slytherins could respond. She didn't want to imagine the words that could come out of their mouths. It would not do well for a wizard's his age just yet.

Harry narrowed his eyes, before shrugging, Moony would tell him surely. But he was still confused about Graham's red face.

"I am not looking forward to dancing in front of everyone," Harry grumbled. "What if I stand on your feet?" he asked Graham.

"You will be fine." Graham chuckled. "Just follow my lead."

“That isn’t very comforting…” Harry mumbled. He was going to trip over his own robes, he knew it.

Graham laughed, "We practiced for this Tiny, it will be fine. Just forget everyone else is watching and focus on me."

"I am gonna hurl." Marcus snarked.

"Do it and I will curse you," Graham shot back.

"Honestly you two." Harry huffed with a laugh.

"Alright, Champions!" Professor McGonagall called, clapping her hands. "It's time!"

Harry gulped; he was not looking forward to this.

He clutched Graham's hand tightly as they fell in line. Viktor at the front with Neville, Graham and Harry, then Fleur and Marcus. The music filled the room as they entered, everyone's eyes on them. Harry felt Graham clench his hand back, supporting him.

"Breathe Tiny," Graham whispered smiling.

"Breath... breath... yeah... I can do that..." Harry muttered to himself, as if he was trying to reassure himself. He had to force himself to walk down the hall while avoiding everyone’s eyes.

The walls of the Hall had all been covered in sparkling silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The House tables had vanished. Instead, there were about a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people. Giant ice sculptures scattered around the room. It was breathtaking. For a moment Harry stopped worrying about putting one step before the other.

"It's beautiful," He gasped as they reached the middle of the room and Graham grabbed his hand and his waist.

"Yes, you are" Graham whispered back, brown eyes bright with happiness.

Harry felt himself blush at Graham's words, "I could say the same about you," he whispered. Then the music started for the first dance.

"I am so glad you agreed to come with me." Graham grinned as the tempo picked up both of his large hands gripped Harry's waist and lifted him off the ground entirely in a spin. His dark bottle green robes flying in the air, Neville's black robes and Fleur's silver dress doing the same. The three couples with moved with grace around each other, eyes only for their dates.

He could even see Terence from corner of his eye as the other students and professors joined the dance floor.

That was when Harry realized that Terence had indeed asked his friend, Blaise, to the ball as his date.

Harry laughed joyfully as Graham spun him again, as his feet touched the ground, he felt Graham kiss him briefly. Graham had been right; he barely noticed the others around them. It was just them.

Before he knew it, the first two dances were over and everyone sitting for dinner. Dumbledore smiling and greeting the four champions as they sat down at the top table with the five judges. Dumbledore was in extraordinary white robes with gold accents. Karkaroff looking sour and unhappy in his dark slate grey and white robes. Bagman, tonight in robes of bright purple with large yellow stars. Madame Maxime, in a flowing gown of lavender silk.

Mr. Crouch, Harry suddenly realized, was not there. The fifth seat at the table was occupied by Percy Weasley.

"Percy!" He cried hugging his friend tightly before sitting down beside him, with Graham on his other side. "How are you? Why are you here?"

"I can't just see my little brother just because," Percy teased.

Harry blushed in embarrassment at that.

"But if you must know… I've been promoted," Percy grinned "I'm now Mr. Crouch's personal assistant, and I'm here representing him. He hasn't been well, been pushing himself too far."

"And I got Remus' letter. So, I had to see who little of Harry brought to the ball.”

That was when Percy looked over to Harry’s date, “Montague," he extended a hand out to him.

"Weasley." Graham nodded as he shook his hand.

"You hurt my brother..."

"Yeah, I've gotten the kill me talk." Graham interrupted.

"Oh, I wouldn't kill you," Percy said glaring with a deadly look. "I would unleash the twins on you, before taking over myself. Trust me, the twins learnt from someone." He smirked darkly as Graham's eyes widened in horror. He nodded quickly.

"Of course, I would never hurt him." He swore.

Harry just rolled his eyes, "Is everyone going to threaten him?" Harry asked exasperatedly.

"It's what family does." Graham chuckled kissing the side of his head. Percy smirked when Harry blushed, his baby brother was very clearly gone on the Slytherin.

Harry smiled at Graham one last time before reaching for the elegant menu card resting on the glittering gold plates. He looked around confused, there were no waiters. Thankfully at that moment Dumbledore reached for his own menu and looked down at his plate.

"Pork Chops." He stated clearly looking at his plate, and suddenly the dish of pork chops and scalped potatoes and vegetables appeared on the plate.

Harry grinned as he looked at the menu, listening as everyone else ordered their own food.

Graham and Marcus both got a rich cottage pie with a crispy cheesy potato top.

Fleur ordered the Coq Au Vin with a happy giggle. Viktor ordered a strange potato dish called Moussaka. Neville happily got a roast beef with roast vegetables and Yorkshire puddings.

Percy ended up getting Pork Chops like the headmaster.

Harry was delighted to see they had his favorite, Steak and Kidney Pie.

"You know, I had this for lunch the day we met" Harry grinned at Graham. "My Aunt made me an individual serving like this and Uncle Moony charmed it to stay warm so I could eat it on the train to school."

"That is so cute that you remember that," Graham noted with a grin.

Harry looked embarrassed at that. He didn't know why he had remembered the day that he met Graham. It had just seemed important at the time.

He wasn't sure why it was important, but he remembered a lot about every interaction he had had with Graham. He smiled shyly at his date as they ate. He could hear Viktor and Neville talking just down from them,

"Well, we have a castle also, not as big as this, nor as comfortable." Viktor was telling Neville, it was the most Harry had heard the Seeker say, "We have just four floors, and the fires are lit only for magical purposes. But we have grounds larger even than yours, though, in winter, we have very little daylight, so we are not enjoying them. But in summer we are flying every day, over the lakes and the mountains"

"Now, now, Viktor!" said Karkaroff with a laugh that didn't reach his cold eyes, "don't go giving away anything else, now, or your charming friend will know exactly where to find us!"

Harry rolled his eyes,

"Yes, because we have nothing better to do than stalk a school," Graham snarked, causing the other champions and their dates to snort into their food or drinks.

"Suspicious much..." Harry muttered once the Durmstrang Headmaster stepped out of hearing range.

"He was a Death Eater, be careful around him Tiny," Graham muttered in his ear. "He got off because he gave up the names to the higher and more elite Death Eaters, including Crouch's son."

“A coward if I ever saw one,” Terence remarked as he came up to them. Blaise was there by his side. “And that is coming from a Slytherin.”

Harry gaped at Graham for a moment, Crouch's son had been a Death Eater? He was going to ask for more details when Dumbledore stood up.

"I hope you are all enjoying the Yule Ball!" He cried joyfully. "Now dinner has been wrapped up I ask you all to stand up," Once the students and teachers were all standing, he waved his hands and the tables all zoomed away and sat against the wall.

"Now let's enjoy the night!" He cried as the next song started to play.

“Think you can survive another dance with me?” Graham grinned.

"I think I can survive." Harry teased as he took Graham's hand being led onto the dance floor. So, maybe this night wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Chapter Text

Freak of Nature – Chapter 14 (Singing Voices)

Harry swore that the old table desks in the back of the Herbology section in the library was becoming their place. He laughed as Blaise recounted his lascivious and depraved night after the Yule Ball.

Theo was gagging playfully beside him, Neville pretending to ignore him by reading yet another Herbology tome.

Harry was just relieved that Moony had taught them how to place a local sound ward around them. It kept Madam Pince from kicking them out for being loud. Not like it hadn’t happened before, especially if you were friends with Blaise Zabini.

Finding that Blaise was a Veela had been a shock, he never knew that Blaise and Fleur had that in common. Thankfully with Remus being a mediator, Harry and Neville had told Blaise they knew he was a creature of some kind and about Harry being a Siren. It was probably a long time coming and the previous conversation with Graham had helped. 

But it was a relief that Harry didn't have to worry about needing to explain things to Blaise. Remus had taken care of that for him. He didn’t know what the conversation had exactly entailed though.

It had been at that moment that Graham had been right. His friend... his friend since his first year of Hogwarts had a creature that was part of him as well. He wasn’t alone in the school, and it happened to be one of his friends. It was something he couldn’t really always talk to Neville about.

But now it was a few hours later and they were meeting up in the library. Only two days after the Yule Ball, but it felt like forever since the group had just hung out just them. Harry watched Theo roll his eyes again. Blaise had said he could trust Theo and that the other Slytherin knew about his Veela side. But Harry still hadn't decided if he was going to yet, it wasn't about trust in Theo, but more him not ready to share beyond those that need to know.

"So anyway, I am exhausted and had to have an hour shower this morning to cleanse my body." Blaise chuckled.

"Disgusting." Theo scorned.

"Jealous." Blaise scoffed with a smirk, leaning back on his chair.

"So, how are things going with Graham, Harry?" Neville asked quickly, desperate to change the subject. He didn’t know how his friend could tolerate dealing with Theo and Blaise all the time.

"I am not being brought into this!" Harry shook his head.

"Oh, but we need to know how that is going." Theo chipped in. "You have been tight-lipped about everything since he asked you to the Yule Ball"

"And you made out in front of everybody." Blaise snorted.

Harry glared over at him, "like you and Terence were any better!"

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Blaise sniffed haughtily. 

"You literally talked about it. For most of the time we have been together today." Neville shot back.

"Sure…you don't," Harry muttered.

"Now, how far have you gone?" Blaise asked salaciously while wiggling his eyebrows dramatically.

Harry felt his face go red in embarrassment. Every time he thought about that, he would get so embarrassed.

"We aren't talking about this." Harry denied, shaking his head.

"Have you done anything?" Blaise asked suddenly seriously.

"Blaise, not everyone is a trollop!" Theo scolded.

"I'm not a trollop," Blaise remarked, offended. "I just like to show my affection for my man."

"So back to Harry and Graham." Neville intervened. "Are you guys dating officially now?"

Harry nodded, he could feel the grin spreading across his face, "I'll have to give Terence and Marcus my thanks. But he did stutter over it the day after he asked me to Yule Ball, making sure I understood he wanted to date and not just go on one date. Like I would think otherwise with that kiss." Harry blushed.

"He reminds me a bit of Remus, never knew Slytherins could be so protective."

"And he is dreamy and so handsome." Neville teased; the two brothers spent a lot of time at night talking in their bedroom.

Harry hid his face into his hands, his friends were taking enjoyment in teasing him.

"It’s… weird though,” Harry admitted. “I’m not used to someone not wanting anything to do with the Boy-Who-Lived. Even though I had pictured it to be hard to start a conversation with him. It’s quite easy.”

"Anything else?" Blaise prodded.

"What else could you possibly be looking for?"

"So how was your night with Viktor, Nev?" Theo stepped in.

"It was great, his English isn't great. But he is learning, he also doesn't mind when I ramble about Herbology." Neville grinned.

"He listens to your rants?! Marry that man." Blaise joked.

"What about you, Theo?" Harry asked, grinning. "Anyone special?”

All Theo gave was a secret smile, knowing that it would drive his friends mad.

Harry laughed at that; he knew exactly who Theo had gone with. But unlike some of his friends, he wouldn’t comment on who. He felt that Theo should be the one to bring that up not any of them.

"So, enough about all of that," Theo chuckled, "Have you found out what advantages you will get in the next task or what the task is yet?"

Harry nodded, "they already told me and are providing the stuff required for the next task."

Harry didn't mention that he wouldn't even be using the Gillyweed that the judges were going to give him.

"The egg was a clue for us to figure out what the task was, but due to giving me advantages they told me how to figure out the clue." Harry continued, granted the officials had told him to hold it underwater to hear the clue, but when he had opened it, he had been able to understand the Mermish without being in the water.

He couldn't imagine what Graham's reaction would be to that. He hoped it wouldn't be a bad one. After all, the Slytherin had been intrigued upon learning what he was.

"So, what is it?" Blaise asked eagerly.

"The egg had a song inside it, in Mermish. We had to hold it underwater to understand. From the song it sounds like they will take something, and we will have an hour to find it.”

"Not very direct of them, did they tell you what it would be?" Theo asked with a frown.

"Nope." Harry rolled his eyes. "Only that it will be something I will sorely miss."

"You would think they would be more helpful," Theo scoffed.

Harry let out a sarcastic laugh at that, you would think they would. He didn't know why they hadn't said anything. Especially after what happened during the last task.

"You would think… that doesn’t change that I’m pissed they made it so the contracts couldn't be broken. I am terrified of what will happen in the next task. Look at the last task and all those that died, and they weren’t even part of the task!"

His friends grimace at the thought, they hadn’t forgotten what had happened at the last task. How they had lost their fellow classmates. What had happened was horrible and many students weren’t coping.

Harry looked troubled; he knew it had to do with the Black Lake. What else would be in the water under those depths? Just like he knew what creature had been singing that riddle.

“What advantages are you getting?” Blaise asked. “Is there anything we can do to help for this task like we helped with summoning practices?”

“Oh, please don’t say I’m the target practice again!” Theo groaned

“Not my fault you didn’t duck when they came flying at you,” Blaise snickered.

“You shoved me in the way before ducking down to my feet!” Theo complained.

Blaise just shrugged with a smirk, before turning back to Harry. "So what help are you getting?"

"Well, like I said before, they have given me something for the task. I can't say and give away the task and ruin it for the viewers." Harry smirked at Blaise and Theo's groans, rolling his eyes when Neville joined in to cover what he knew. 

"I also have another portkey to take me to the medical tent if I need it. Plus, more protective gear, which I threw a fit at until every champion had the suits as well. Reminding them of what happened in the first task."

Blaise grinned, “they didn’t like that very well, I take?”

"Of course, they didn't, but Uncle Moony and Harry really went off on them until they caved." Neville scoffed.

"So have the other champions figured out the egg clue yet?" Theo asked curiously.

"Define figuring out," Blaise commented with a grin.

"Graham and Fleur have figured it out," Harry started, only for Neville to cough.

"Harry told them," Neville cut in.  

Harry rolled his eyes.

"I am sure Graham has blabbed to Marcus and Viktor because he gossips a lot for a Slytherin," Neville remarked.

"They are not alone there," Theo snorted with a tilted head towards Blaise.

"How dare you?! I am not a gossip!" Blaise gasped dramatically. "I am a passer of hidden information."

"I feel like whenever we get together, we can't stay on one topic for even a minute." Neville deadpanned.

Harry snickered under his breath; Neville wasn’t wrong. But he still had to figure out exactly what would be taken. And just like everyone in his group of friends, nobody had any ideas. And it wasn’t like anyone was being upcoming with information either. 

There was the possibility that they didn’t even know to begin with either. And the egg didn’t help much with deciphering the clue. Harry was able to figure out most of it on his own. Though he didn’t reveal that he could hear the voices without being underwater. It had taken him a moment to cover his ears like everyone else. Seeing that Blaise had been insistent to know what the egg had said. 

He was sure to complain to Theo about it later. 

Neville had been the one to suggest a cover of using Gillyweed and that was before the Ministry officials admitted that they would be supplying Harry with some for the task. 

But that wasn’t the part that Harry was nervous about. It was being in water in general. Because he knew what would happen the moment he stepped into the water. It was more luck that two of the champions were aware of his little secret. The only one who wasn’t aware was Viktor Krum, who was still undergoing physical therapy from the last time. 

It was possible that he could hide the fact that he had a tail but what about after the task… He had to eventually come back up even if he could breathe underwater. He had no idea what he was going to do at that point. 

Harry knew it was the Black Lake and there were all kinds of creatures that lived there. It was something he needed to study more about too. He knew a few creatures that lived there like the Grindylow. It was something that Uncle Moony covered in the lessons for his class. Which is how he also knew what a Grindylow looked like. It was easily his favorite class unless you counted Charms. 

But that didn’t mean that Remus knew any suggestions either. As a professor, he did learn certain things about the tournament. But he was probably more afraid of what might happen than Harry was. He was too well aware that the clue in the Golden Egg meant the Black Lake. Which was a lot of water. 

For Lily it wasn’t as hard to hide her creature half. But that was also because she wasn’t forced into a deadly tournament either. He wished she was here to get her opinion of what to do. Maybe she could have figured a way for Harry to get out of this.