Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

His fate was decided on his first day of school, that morning his aunt pulled him aside. She told him his name was Harry, apparently this was information he was supposed to know but didn't. Aunt Tuney said he'd be a freak if he didn't know these things and little Harry didn't want to be a freak, besides, Harry was such a better name to have.

His first day in a classroom Harry felt lost, he was surrounded by more children then he had ever seen, even when Aunt Tuney had to bring him to the park when her Wittle Dudders wanted to go play and there was no one to watch the boy, but he is not Boy anymore, he is Harry now.

The boys and girls sat in a circle on the carpet as the teacher, Ms Landy, gave instructions. They went around the circle saying their names, something they liked, something they disliked. These kids liked all sorts of things from TV shows to games, but they all disliked vegetables for some reason. He was lucky if he was given anything to eat but here these kids were complaining about it. Not before long it was his turn, the teacher gave him a little nod.

"My name is Harry, and-"

"What is your last name Harry?"

Right everyone gave their full name so she could mark the roll, but he couldn't remember what Aunt Tuney said his last name was, actually in his excitement he was unsure if she even told him what his last name was, he knew he had to say something or he would be called a freak here too. "Umm '' He thought quickly back to all the things Aunt Tuney had told Dudley this morning, suddenly he smiled brightly when he thought of the answer.

"My name is Harry Evan, Evan is the name my aunty had before she got married. I like to garden because the flowers are pretty, and I'm not picky about vegetables, so I don't understand why you don't like them."

"Thank you Harry, now does anyone have any questions?"

One little girl asked why he didn't have his dad's last name. Harry barely hesitated before answering. He would use his uncle's explanation for everything.

"That's easy, I'm a bastard, I don't know what it means but apparently it is why I didn't get his name."

There was dead silence in the class before Ms Landy swiftly changed the subject. The class of twenty 5 year olds learned a new word, and Aunt Tuney would be called to speak to the teacher after class.

Petunia did not like that she was called into class on the first day of school, especially since it was about the boy. After hearing what happened Petunia didn't want to put in the effort to change his teacher's line of thinking so she went with it, explaining that Harry couldn't express himself properly, that he was a troubled child, that his father was drunk driving when he died and his mum did drugs, so now Harry is now labelled as a problem just like his parents, easy as that. At least Harry got to keep his new last name, updating all of his records. Dudley helped reinforce this concept, Harry Evan struggled to make friends because his cousin drove them away. Dudley would break things like he did at home and then blame it on Harry, Dudley and his friends would beat Harry up during recess so he came to class dishevelled and bruised, and Harry couldn't say anything about it because Aunt Tuney would always believe her son over him, in the end he was labelled a delinquent and a liar. At the end of year he was asked politely to transfer schools as they 'did not tolerate that kind of behaviour'.

At age of seven Harry went to a different school, he was quite pleased with this as he didn't have Dudley to push him around, maybe he would make a few friends, but no, his report card came with him, his new teacher liked to gossip so word got out that he was a cheat, a bully, and a problem. Kids were wary of him, the older kids would pick on him since he was fresh meat, and none of the teacher's would help him, he turned into the scapegoat for all the unexplainable issues. Some local thug set fire to one of the old abandoned classrooms, Harry of course got the blame and was expelled from that school too. It didn't help his case when he was found on the school roof, the principal assumed it was to get a better view of the blaze but no, the fire was on the other side of the school, still, why believe him. He didn't even know how he ended up on the roof, he must have done something freakish like use magic. Harry was not an idiot; he understood that Vernon hated anything to do with magic, even Dudley couldn't convince them to buy games or books that contained it. Everytime Harry did something freakish Vernon would explode and try to beat the freak out of him, try to beat the Magic out of him. Harry learned to hide that part of him, learned how to control that part of him.

The next school he went to was a little further away and Vernon would refuse to take him. He had to take a bus, then the train, then walk a few blocks to get to the school. He started delivering newspapers around the neighbourhood to pay for the bus and train tickets as his relatives weren't paying a cent. He worked out that it was cheaper to get a Go Card (concession or travel cards) so that he could save up the extra cash on the other things the Dursleys refused to pay for, like underthings that Dudley hadn't worn, or shoes that didn't have holes in them or a sewing kit so his clothes actually fit him. He would have bought new clothes too but buying food was a bit more important to him than looking presentable so fixing the clothes he already owns is better for him. He learnt how to sew from stolen library books that he had stashed in his cupboard. It wasn't the best but at least he was learning and even enjoying the new skill.

Chapter Text

At this new school Harry decided that he wasn't going to try and change everyone's preconception of him, why bother try to be good when it does nothing for you, it was better to try and stay as unnoticeable as possible and then maybe he might get to stay at this school longer than a year. He cooked breakfast when he woke up, he left the house while everyone ate, he did his homework to the bare minimum on the train, and he did his paper route in the afternoon. He managed to avoid drawing attention to himself for some time, that was until some girl sat with him at lunch.

"Can I sit with you, you are always by yourself and I don't think I have introduced myself yet. I'm Hermione Granger-"

"-top of the class and isolated from her peers. Look, I appreciate the gesture but we will be more easy to target if we sit together, it is safer for us to be outcasts."

"I'm just trying to be nice, you look lonely here by yourself."

"Perhaps, but it's easy to draw less attention on my own, if I sit here with a book and appear bored most ignore me, just like they ignore you but now we're drawing attention and I would prefer to avoid it if possible."

“Why?”

"Because the teacher's think I'm a delinquent and any incident can be blamed on me, so go back to you little world and I will go back to mine-"

"Oh look what we have here." An older student jeered

"Looks like two losers are trying to make friends, how sweet."

"Leave us alone!" Hermione tried to look stern but on an 8 year old face she just looked childish.

"Leave us alone," the bully mocked, "what could you possibly do if we don't?"

"What are you going to do, bookworm, tell the teacher?" The other bully said as he smacked the books out of her hands.

There was electricity buzzing in the air, Harry could feel it on his tongue, it tasted like the smell of rain, magic, but he knew it wasn't his, Harry turned to Hermione as he watched her hair puff up like a lion, then he said with no tact at all in front of these bullies, "You're a freak too."

Just like that the air snapped, the bullies were on the ground laughing, and Harry tried to back peddle. "No, wait I didn't mean it like that." But she had already run off.

It took weeks before he managed to find her again, he picked a nearby weed and floated it carefully towards her, she looked up shocked before taking it from the air, "I didn't mean to call you a freak, I just don't have any other word for it, what I meant was you were like me, I'm sorry."

"How did you do that?"

"You think about it really hard. Your powers feel like petrichor so it usually helps if you imagine that feeling."

"Really, is your power the same, does it feel like rain too."

"No, my power feels like a coiled snake, only striking when necessary."

"Wow, when I was little I would summon books and get them to read out loud when my parents were busy."

"My hair would grow back overnight after a bad haircut, now I keep it long so my aunt can't complain that it is too messy."

"It's just like magic from my story books"

They sit at opposite ends of the table during recess quietly reading together each day. Hermione tries to initiate conversation but Harry didn't like talking about himself, he had low self-esteem thanks to his relatives' constant belittling and lack of any support when at school. Why should he try to be better when everyone else looks at him like he is some criminal, parents would herd their children away from him while warning them that he was a dangerous boy, teacher's would give him a failing grade if he got higher than a C average, automatically assuming that he cheated so he stopped trying. Hermione didn't understand why someone would underachieve, or why he didn't try to make friends like she did. She would try constantly to make friends but was hardly successful since she was too bossy and too much of a know it all for kids her age to understand her, she tried making friends with the older kids but they didn't like someone younger being smarter than them, it hurt their pride.

Chapter Text

Harry managed to keep his head down for most of that year, it wasn't until he accidentally knocked one of the seniors lunch trays from their hand did things start to turn downhill.

"You are so dead"

With the older kid's threat in the air, Harry was constantly on edge and watching his back, the other student could sense it too, they tripped him in the halls, destroyed his belongings, gratified his desk with permanent marker, slurs that he didn't dare repeat out loud as he didn't fancy getting his mouth washed out with soap. Hermione offered to help clean his desk, but Harry knew from experience that he would need something stronger than bathroom soap and paper towel, no the only thing he could remove marker with was this most acidic lemon scented floor cleaner aunt Tuney always forced him to use without gloves ripping his hands to shreds. He could technically bring it to school tomorrow, but by time then it would be too late. Besides he didn't want his aunt to catch trying to sneak it to school, then he would be in serious trouble, like Vernon would find out, kind of trouble. No, he would prefer to reap the consequences of his messy desk then deal with Vernon.

As it turns out he was only given a warning, Harry would have sighed in relief but he knew better than to jinx himself, especially with the jerk's threat still hanging in the balance. The following week the senior boys laid their trap, catching Harry off guard at the open display. Every Thursday during lunch the senior class would unpack the chairs for the full school assembly in third period, the boys who helped set up sawed the legs of each chair during their shop class, once the chairs were set up they attached clear fishing line that attached to the automatic door that could could open when someone pressed a button, it would pull the strings pulling the broken legs of the chairs, causing them to collapse, the boys were glad that each student sat in the same chair each assembly.

The prank worked like a charm. During the assembly the chairs collapsed leaving all the students and teachers flat on their backside, well everyone except Harry. It was clearly a frame job, even Hermione stood up for him, telling the teacher's they spent all lunch break together, but the teachers thought that Harry had threatened her into being his alibi, and with him having been given a warning just last week he was fed to the wolves.

Vernon had been called to the principal's office from his work to tell him in the simplest terms that the boy was expelled and they required compensation to replace the vandalised chairs. It couldn't have happened at a worse time too, Vernon lost a client, so when news of Harry’s Expulsion reached him, he was beyond furious. The whole school stood and watched as Harry was dragged out by his furious uncle.

"We have given you enough chances boy! There are no more public schools in our district, so we are sending you to Saint Brutus and that is final!"

Vernon dragged Harry from the car into the house by his wrist, holding him such a way that Harry scrambled for purchase, but his too short frame couldn't reach the ground so he just dangled and thrashed helplessly against Vernon's tight grip.

"I didn't do it. Please uncle!"

Harry’s pleading was stopped abruptly with a sharp cry as Vernon started hitting his dangling body, he couldn't curl into himself like this, he couldn't defend himself from his uncle's harsh blows before he was unceremoniously dropped to the floor.

"Shut up, no one gives a damn about you, you won't step foot in this house ever again. Now gather your things, we are leaving."

Harry scrambled to his cupboard putting all his belongings in one of Dudley's old backpacks, all his money, his clothes, his cheap sewing kit, the library books and fashion magazines he wasn't likely to return, his toy soldiers that he stole from Dudley, everything that he kept hidden in his cupboard could fit in his backpack, it wasn't much but it was his.

They drove silently out the city to the next, the adrenaline that Harry felt earlier had worn off and now he was very aware of the pain his body was in. He could see the bruises forming on his face in the rear view mirror and was sure the others on his torso were there as well. His shoulder felt tender from being pulled and his ankle was swelling up from when he was dropped on it awkwardly.

They arrived at a gate that had guards stationed at the front, they asked Vernon some questions, checked his ID then let him through, they pulled up in front of one of the grey buildings on the property - St Brutus Youth Detention Center otherwise known as the school for criminal children, it was the place Vernon always threatened to send him, and now here he was - it was a dreary looking building where hopes came to die. Harry was pulled from the car immediately tripping on his swollen ankle. Vernon pulled him through the doors and threw him down in front of one of the guards who sneered at Vernon's handling of the boy. Vernon went up to the reception desk telling them to keep the boy indefinitely, they asked about the boy's injuries which caused Vernon to smile viciously before explaining that the boy got into a fight with the local thugs before they came here. Vernon threw the boy's report cards onto the desk before he yelled one last insult at the boy, who still hadn't moved from being thrown at the guards feet.

Everyone assumed that this was a scare tactic, they had seen it before with rebellious children, parents would drop them off, leave them there for a week then pick them up again. Especially since that man didn't do any of the paperwork for the boy. The only oddity of the situation was that the child was not crying, he was not begging his guardian to not leave him here, in fact the child looked resigned to his fate. With a heavy sigh the boy stood and limped towards the reception desk picking up the paperwork, his report cards, and a pen before limping to the nearest chair, he flopped down and began filling it out.

Harry filled out the form easily, writing out his guardians names — crossing out the word parent for the section that said parent/guardian, that way no one would mistake them — their phone number, Vernon's work number. Everything else about them he just put a N/A for non applicable, why fill out irrelevant information that will never be used. He filled out his information, his name, birthday -which he placed a random date on, as a joke to himself he chose his birthday to be 30/02/1980- he immunisation status, allergies which he had none, his schools and how long he spent at each, he wrote down all the meaningless data till his hands cramped. He left the place Vernon was supposed to sign blank, then he folded his report card into the form before limping back to the reception desk passing over the information, as he waited patiently for what to do next.

The boy's bag was checked and deemed safe. They did debate whether or not to remove his sewing kit but since they only contained safety needles and that the boy would be gone in a week they let him keep them. The guard he had been dropped at led the clearly injured boy to the infirmary, not before intimidating him to behave, he sat him down with several ice packs and orders to stay off his ankle. That is where he stayed for the week, Harry was up and walking on the third day in the infirmary, but the boy wasn't allowed to leave, so he read the comics and newspapers provided, wander the hall, and sewed some more of his shirts up, even using the scrap to make a patchwork teddy bear, that he gave to the nurse. He didn't think there would be anyone younger than him, but if there was they might like some comfort while they were in here.

Chapter Text

At the end of the week when the staff realised that the boy's uncle wasn't coming back they moved him to a different room. He was given a single bunk in a four bedroom cell, he was given his schedule, a bag of toiletries, a towel, blanket, fitted sheet and a pillow. After his bed was made his things hidden and put away, there was a knock at the door. Thinking that it was his roommates he opened the door, but he was greeted instead by an adult male wearing a button-down shirt, slacks, and a pair of cheap sneakers he saw half the kids here wear.

"Hello Mr Evan, my name is Chappy Dan, mind if I come in?"

Harry held the door wider in invitation. The chaplain walked in and sat himself down on the bed across from his own, before gesturing for Harry to join him.

"Now, we were under the assumption that your uncle was going to come back for you by now, but he hasn't, so we are at a loss on what to do with you."

"Why did you think he would come back? I can assure you he won't."

"Well some parents do it to scare their child into behaving." He shrugged. "Regardless, he didn't sign your form, so you have the option to stay here or go back to your relatives."

"I would like to stay here. Thanks."

"Are you sure? You don't have to decide right away-"

"I'm sure, here is better."

Chappy Dan sighed sadly, "you are not the only one here that has that opinion, your roommate, in fact prefers it here as well. His name is Trapper – that's not his real name but he won't respond to anything else – he's 14, he is a bit older than you but the other rooms are either full or not suitable for you to stay. He is pretty chill on his own but he acts tough around his peers." Harry nodded along to show that he was listening, but really he just wanted the man to get to the point. "Okay, so since you are here by choice and Mr Dursleys didn't sign your form admitting you here, you have certain privileges that the other students won't, I see on your form you said that you worked as a paperboy, if you would like you can continue doing so, we can help map out a route in the area for you."

"Yea, I would like to do that." He liked having money, he liked having things that he could call his own, he was selfish like that.

"Good, good. Now it is likely to get out that you can leave when you want so some of the students might offer you cash or protection in return for a few errands for you to run, I will leave it to your discretion, but please try not to get caught with anything illegal, or your privileges will be taken away."

Harry nodded in acceptance as he thought about all the things he could do, he could easily pick up junk food and drink from the corner store on his own, buying smokes and other contraband products he would have to either steal or trade with the older kids that loiter around street corners, he would scope out those kids on his mail run. There was another knock at the door, breaking Harry out of his thoughts.

"That will be Trapper, so I'll leave you to get acquainted. Have a good day Mr Evan."

"You too, Chappy."

The teen who walked in was a boy wearing a muscle shirt and khaki shorts, his arms were littered with scars, some self-inflicted, his eyes were a greyish blue and his hair was a dirty blonde with the ends dyed black.

"What are you in for?" He asked straight off the bat, his voice deep from recently hitting puberty.

"I got expelled from my fourth school and my uncle decided I was too much of a burden to keep around, so he beat the crap out of me then dumped me here."

"So that's why you didn't have a room straight away-"

"No, the staff thought my uncle was going to come back for me since he didn't sign any of the paperwork, that's why they didn't bother finding a room till now."

"Huh, got a name kid.?"

"Harry Evan."

"Lame, do you have a nickname?"

"The only ones I have are freak and boy and I don't like them very much…"

"Well I'm going to call you kid until you get a better name. So, with your uncle not signing the paperwork, you're a walker?"

"A what, oh yeah, I can leave to do whatever I want. I'm going to scope the area on Monday when I do my paper route, I'm happy to do business."

"Cool, it's nearly lunch, let's go out on the quad and I'll introduce you to the guys."

The quad was a fenced in outdoor seating area, like most schools the younger kids would play handball out on the cement while the older kids hung around in cliques. The Goths, the jocks, the mean girls, the stoners, except this school had a few more you had to be wary of which Trapper happily pointed out.

"To your left is the group of bipolar kids, they have a tendency to swing violently between 'really fun to be around', to 'can't get out of bed cause life is too hard'. To you right we have your average sociopath/psychopaths, the scary ones stay in isolation. Over here we have your petty thugs and thieves, and over there we have your reformed and less active murders. Now up ahead is our group, we are a mixed bunch of misfits but we are skilled at our craft and can provide ample protection for a runt like you."

Harry had never tried to interact with more than one person, and the only reason he did interact was when they were persistent. He remembered meeting with the school's guidance counsellor an hour every day for two weeks. It would not have been for long if they gave up on him when they didn't believe what he said the first time.

“Hey Trapper! What are you doing bringing a kid over here"

"Don't worry Mac, this is Harry Evan, he is my new roommate and he has something to trade."

Everyone nodded, the kid was spoken for.

"So kid, let me introduce you to the gang, Mr crabby pants here is Mac." Mac glared at them from where he stood. "The boy sitting next to him is Powder, he is two years older then you and no longer the baby of the group" Powder beamed quite happily at that. "There's Eddie, he will talk your ear off if you let him but makes him good for distracting the guards. Ink is the boy with his nose in a book. Lance is the one throwing rocks at the fence to see if they will bounce off. Goldie is the good looking blonde sitting there. Jerome is the one trying to flirt with Goldie and failing miserably. Bernadette is the girl sitting on the table, and Monty has Joey in a headlock. Got all that good, I gotta break that up before it draws attention."

Harry stood there awkwardly before taking a breath and stepped towards Powder, obviously trying to avoid making eye contact with Mac while he was at it.

"Soo, Powder, how long have you been here for?"

"A few years, your new right, don't worry you'll adjust, especially since you found a group so quickly, it took me months before I was claimed and it was rough."

A few others chimed in about their experience, how long they had been there, and what to expect. Not before long they were called inside, some had classes, some had free time, Harry had a meeting with Chappy Dan.

Trapper walked him to Chappy's office so he wouldn't get lost, pointing out classrooms he would use in the following week. Trapper knocked on the door before pulling it open and pushing Harry inside standing awkwardly with an amused Chaplin looking up at him.

The room was brightly coloured with artificial lighting, the walls were painted yellow, there were orange and red beanbag chairs dotted around the room, the walls were covered in drawings much like a kindergarten except these drawings looked a lot more sinister like whoever drew them was trying to vent as much anger as possible.

"I know we met informally this morning, but that usually doesn't happen. I meet with a number of students for an hour a week until they decide they want to meet with someone else or they finish their stay here. We can sit and chat for an hour, we can play cards, you could sit in the room while I do paperwork, it doesn't matter provided we meet an hour a week, and if you enjoy my company we can meet for more than an hour."

"What do you want to talk about?"

"How about we get to know each other, what do you like to do for fun?"

"I like to sew."

"Really."

"Yea, my cousin is the size of a baby whale and I would get his hand-me-downs, it started as just making the clothes fit me, then I started using the larger pieces as fabric to make things from scrap, I have a book that teaches me how to make certain shapes and styles."

"Well we have a lost and found, filled with unclaimed items, if anything looks interesting feel free to take it."

Chapter Text

The weekend past quickly and it was suddenly Monday, Harry woke up early for most and hopped on one of the schools bikes that had been loaned to him -it used to be one of the kids before it was confiscated- and began riding round the block, delivering papers and subscription magazines to the houses and nearby streets, he waved at the milkman as he passed before turning towards the corner store.

He locked his bike up, put on his backpack and entered the store. He nodded at the owner as he grabbed a basket and went straight to the candy isle, he chucked ten of each that he heard the kids like or he had seen Dudley eat, then walked towards the soft drinks picking up two heavy cartons and taking it over to the counter, the owner watched him the whole time he was in the store, and was quite sceptical that this boy had good intentions, but sure enough the boy pulled out his wallet and told him a story of having a party at his school, said it cheered his friends up Monday morning.

With the goods bagged and balanced on his bike Harry rode back to St Brutus. The guards checked his haul before letting him in. One of them rips the bag from his hands to check it. No one is impressed.

Trapper met him at the doors and began helping him carry his load. They walked out to the quad before Trapper stood on the table calling for everyone's attention. As it turns out the group had already begun spreading the word, quite a number of students came and bought their favourite candy for triple the price Harry bought it for, orders for harder to get items were organised and within the hour everything was sold.

With that done everyone dispersed for class, Trapper walked Harry as they talked about the local area and what he found.

"There are two street corners that I saw where to get basic goods from." Harry said quietly.

"I know the ones you're talking about, they are pretty easy to find, there are two more less known guys, one of them meets behind the big mall three streets away, he can get you regular smokes for a good deal, the other guy sells pills by the bottle. I can write a list of types that will sell, he is found at the front of the alleyway by the adult shop, if there is another guy with him you can request some things from that shop."

"Alright, but what would we need from an adult shop?"

"Oh, kid. You have so much to learn."

So this is how it went: Harry would go out in the morning, deliver newspapers, get paid, visit one of the locals, pick up the stuff, take it back to Trapper, who would be surprised that he managed to sneak it past the guards who were quite rough with him, the two of them would distribute it for cash that Harry would hide to the point even Trapper couldn't find it.

Harry met weekly with Chappy Dan they would talk, usually about school or the group he had been accepted into. Harry became close to Eddie who taught him how to pick locks, Powder because they were similar in age, and Bernadette who would read fashion magazines with him.

Harry was able to buy some fabric and made a simple t-shirt dress for Bernadette who was quite appreciative with his work, Harry of course didn't notice. Harry was currently working on a skater dress with a ruffled edge. He had just finished the hem when he held it up to show the group.

“What do you think?”

“It suits you.” Powder happily teased.

Harry looked at the dress then himself then back at Powder. "Do you think so?"

Powder stopped snickering and looked at him. At this point Bernadette chimed in.

"Of course."

Harry turned to her next, "I thought I wasn't allowed, it would make me a pansy?"

"No no. You can wear whatever you like. Put it on."

Harry shrugged before pulling off his shirt and throwing the dress on. He stood awkwardly as he waited for the group to laugh at him, but to his surprise they didn't. The girls complimented him and the guys whistled. Obviously Harry had to take it in as he made it for one of the girls who was already developed in the chest and he was an emaciated child but that would be simple enough.

Eddie beamed as he saw Trapper approaching the group when he saw the teen stop dead in his tracks as he stared at Harry.

"What do you think, Trap? Doesn't Harry look nice?"

Trapper looked away before saying in a hesitant voice "I think it's too low at the back."

At this Harry quickly threw on his shirt before bolting away.

Trapper looked at the group before turning to the girls. "Do either of you have a dress that he can borrow?"

"Trap, what was that?”

"Kid's got abused by his uncle. The dress would need to be up to here," he said as he pointed to a spot on Powder's back.

He nodded. "I have one, I'd be glad to get rid of it."

"Good, grab it while I find Harry."

As it turns out it was easy to find Harry.vThe boy was sitting on his bed with the crumpled dress on the floor. Trapper waited by the door for the girls and for some reason Eddie showed up too. Harry was in his own little world so he didn't notice them piling into the room.

"Hey kid, there is nothing to be ashamed about."

"Yea we all have crappy lives, so who cares."

Harry looked up, his voice strained, "so you don't hate me even though I'm a freak?"

"Hey, you are not a freak. Who told you that?"

"Vernon"

"Isn't that your deadbeat uncle?"

"Yea."

"Then you don't need to listen to him."

"Yea, and now I will change the subject so you can't argue. We brought you something." Powder pulled out a dress from his bag.

Harry started shaking his head when Trapper explained that the dress had a higher back and that Powder hated the thing as it was sent to him from his evil stepmom.

"I prefer boy clothes anyway, that's why you shouldn't worry about wearing girl clothes, just wear
what makes you comfortable."

Harry carefully took the dress to the bathroom and put it on. He looked at himself in the mirror and was pleased with how he looked before stepping back out into his bedroom to show his friends, he twirled feeling safe.

Chapter Text

Chappy Dan was quite pleased with the progress of his students. Most of the younger students loved Monday when Harry brought in junk food, even he bought a candy bar off the lad, now Harry would give him that particular sweet when he had meetings with him. For some reason Chappy always accepted it even when he didn't indulge himself often, but now he had a drawer filled with chocolate for the rainy day he did want it.

There was a knock on the door, ah speak of the devil, "Come in. Hello Mr Evans"

"Hi Chappy."

"That's a nice dress."

"Thanks, Powder gave it to me since the one I made had too low of a back and they thought I'd suit it better then them."

"Why couldn't you wear the one you made?"

"The back was too low, I just said.."

"But why is that an issue?"

Harry sat there biting his lip he wasn't sure he should tell Chappy or not, honestly adults have never been reliable, but he liked Chappy Dan, he was easy to talk to, none of his friends seemed to care perhaps it was alright to be freakish here and it was undeniable evidence of what his uncle had done.

So with a breath Harry stood, turned, and unzipped his dress, it was a very vulnerable position to be in, but he didn't have to wait long to zip it up after he heard the chaplain gasp.

"What happened to your back Harry?"

The sudden switch to his first name caused Harry to look up. It was a simple answer but it kept getting stuck in the back of his throat but Chappy was patient and Harry managed to choke out the word "Vernon."

Chappy looked righteously angry for a split second before masking it, "did you get into a fight with some local thugs before you got dropped off-" Chappy stopped asking when Harry started shaking his head, "I see…"

Harry sat catatonic for the rest of the hour but Chappy Dan would bring it up again soon, this had to be dealt with. Chappy reached into his desk passing Harry a bar of chocolate, "eat it, you'll feel better."
Christmas was rapidly approaching and some of the students were being picked up and signed out by family members to spend the holidays. Harry didn't even bother wondering if Vernon would come, even for free labour he knew he wouldn't be welcomed in the house. Trapper was staying too, apparently he grew up in the system, bouncing homes before he got sent here, the school that was essentially a juvenile prison was better than any orphanage, hands down.

Harry was sitting on his bunk happily sewing squares of colourful fabric together, he was working on a Christmas present for Chappy Dan, basing it off of a children's bible story Dudley was told. Harry was currently using Trapper as a pin cushion since he and Chappy Dan had similarly sized broad shoulders, and Trapper was not appreciating it.

"Couldn't you have let me get high before we did this, or maybe something stronger."

"I wouldn't be able to get anything done, you wouldn't sit still with your constant fidgeting, and leaning."

"Hey, at least it would be fun."

"I'm almost done," Harry made the inside layer one solid colour so that he could easily draft up the shape and fit of the coat. "There we go, if you can slide your arms out of the sleeves without disturbing the pins you will be done."

"Thank Frick," the coat jacket was actually a nice fit so Trapper had no problems removing it from his person. "Don't know how you can spend hours doing this."

"I like repetitive movements, it requires enough focus that I can block the world out,"

It took two days to sew the scrap fabric into large enough pieces for the pattern to be cut out. It then took another day to sew the lining - which was a nice light blue fleece material that had been a blanket from the lost and found before being turned into fabric - to the outer layer together. Harry was putting the final stitches on the sleeve cuffs and double checking the pockets were pressed neatly.

Harry was quite pleased with his work, he folded it up neatly, setting it on his bed as he went looking for something to wrap the present in. He found some brown packing paper, not very Christmassy but it would do. With years of practice wrapping Dudley's presents he painstakingly wrapped the present to a Dursleys level neatness. Now he just needed to give the present to Chappy Dan.

He knew it wasn't his meeting day, but he also knew that Chappy said he could visit any time, so without further faffing about he grabbed his present and headed to his office. Luckily Chappy had no visitors so he didn't feel as bad knocking on the door.

"Mr Evan, what a surprise, come in, come in, what can I do for you."

Wordlessly Harry passed over the wrapped present.

"Oh why thank you, may I open it now or would you like me to wait til Christmas?"

Harry had already sat down to watch but mumbled out an affirmative that he could open it now. Chappy Dan efficiently unwrapped the present, he looked surprised by the colours until he unfolded it.

Chappy smiled brightly, putting the coat on and laughed, "Hopefully when my brother sees this I won't be left abandoned in a ditch."

At Harry’s confused look the chaplain explained the story of Joseph and his many brother's.

"Ah it makes sense now. Aunt Tuney told that story to Dudley and when she had finished I asked her why I didn't go to church with them, she turned to me and said that I was going to hell then she shoved me into the cupboard." Harry shrugged. "I think that my parents had a different religion and she didn't want me to bring the building down if I went."

"I see, can I ask about the cupboard?"

Harry opened his mouth to deny anything about the cupboard, but realised it wasn't like Vernon would find out if he told anyone, on the other hand he still felt ashamed about his living conditions and didn't want to explain it. So after some debate Harry shook his head, "it doesn't matter" he said, "I won't be going back" He said.

"Well" Chappy decided to change the subject if he was unwilling to disclose more, "this is a lovely coat, I'm going to be the envy of them all at my church."

"I'm glad you like it, I'll leave you to your work."

"Merry Christmas Mr Evan."

"Merry Christmas Chappy."

Chapter Text

The new year past by and Harry was taken further under Trapper's wing, some of the tougher boys had planned to rough Harry up when he wouldn't give them a discount for one of the more maturer items he sold under the table, Trapper passed him to Eddie when he had asked what a condom was. Eddie gave him The Talk, in graphic detail, he then said that he shouldn't involve himself until he was older. Honestly he had no intention to. Regardless, Trapper protected him from the older students, who mysteriously ended up in the hospital wing to be treated for stab wounds.

After a few more talks with Chappy, Chappy Dan realised why Harry was doing so poorly in class, and after speaking with his teacher's Harry started moving away from the mindset the Dursleys drilled into him, he was actually encouraged to do better without fear of being called a cheat or a lair, that didn't matter as much here since they just preferred that the students were engaged.

Some of the staff did not enjoy making extra work for him to complete while others felt it was brilliant that someone in their class was willing to learn, not that he showed he was willing, it wouldn't do to show interest in something he could achieve.

With a job and steady grades Harry showed great promise for a better future if he managed to get out of there. Yes he attended the school by choice, but that didn't mean much in the scheme of things, when adults looked down to any resume and saw that he attended St Brutus in big capital letters, they would immediately dismiss any opportunity that he might have. But that was okay, in Harry’s child-like brain he planned to be a paperboy for the rest of his life, well until he could afford a car and grew up to be a mailman. He was a really good paper boy so of course he would be promoted when he grew up and make as many pretty dresses as he pleased.

~~~~

Eddie waylaid Harry in the corridor between classes asking if he and Trapper could join him on his next paper run, wanting to pick stuff up for the weekend.

"Write a list and I can get it for you…"

"No, kid they won't sell you this stuff,"

"Alright, do you need me to help sneak it in?"

"No, we can manage."

So the next morning Trapper followed Harry out the door while Eddie chatted with the guards, he had been doing so on and off for weeks so the guards didn't get suspicious. Trapper walked with Harry till the end of the street before the boy got on his bike, wishing him luck before parting ways. It was another one of those things that he would be told when he was older.

It was a Friday so after Harry delivered the last newspaper, Harry rode his borrowed bike to the convenience store, buying himself a drink and a pack of suckers (lollipops) as his last packet was almost empty. He had a habit of starting projects and forgetting the time so his sugar levels would always be low by the end of the day. Trapper would make sure he ate dinner and went to bed at a decent time only to wake him up early and drag him to class. Harry nodded at the store clerk, before jumping back on the bike riding back to school, Eddie gave him a thumbs up to show that Trapper got back safe.

Friday night was wild. Harry managed to sneak a beer, which he didn't really like but drank it anyway, happy with the little buzz he felt, Eddie was high cuddling with a bunch of girls, a few people were passed out in the hallway, there was a table where a group was dared to snort 'sherbet'. The music was loud and honestly Harry wasn't at all surprised when the guards came and sent everyone off to bed.

Trapper threw his trench coat onto Harry's bed when he stumbled in. Harry watched the clearly high teen fumble around for something in his drawer before walking off to the bathroom.

"You alright, Trap?"

"Yeah," the teen gulped, "go to sleep kid, I'll be out in a bit."

Harry nodded, laying down as he heard the tap turn on, slowly his eyes shut, and he drifted off to sleep. When Harry awoke he turned to Trapper's bed and noticed the boy wasn't there. It was late so Harry brushed it off, he got up slowly rubbing sleep from his eye as he stumbled towards the bathroom, only to stop in the doorway at the sight that greeted him.

Chapter Text

Chappy Dan was walking down the hallway. Today Harry had an appointment scheduled to meet with him, now usually when someone skipped a meeting he would leave it alone, catching them another time to see if they were alright, but today, today was different. Chappy heard about last night's party and felt compelled to check on the lad. He had a feeling that something bad had happened and prayed that the young boy didn't do anything that would lead him to trouble. He knocked on the door, receiving no response, worried he unlocked the door and pushed through, there in the doorway was Harry staring blankly into the bathroom with a tear stained face.

"Harry?" He stepped past the boy into the bathroom, there lying on the floor unresponsive was Trapper, sick covering his shirt, empty pill container at his side. Chappy dropped to the floor checking his vitals. Nothing. Chappy pulled out his phone, calling for help.

"Code Blue, yes, Trap- Travis Day, yes, 14 year old male. No, no signs of life. Alright I'll wait here."

Chappy hung up, turning to see Harry still standing there.
"Harry" he said, ushering him away, arm wrapped around his shoulder for comfort. "Harry, would you like me to call for Eddie or Bernadette?" Harry shook his head, leaning in slightly for comfort but obviously hesitant. "I won't reject you Harry, I won't leave." Chappy Dan placed his hand on the boy's head pushing him close, embracing him gently enough that he could back off if he needed but firm enough to provide comfort for the child.

Harry was overwhelmed with emotion, filled with grief at the sight of his friend; he was shocked when Chappy drew him in and held him. Without his consent a sob slipped out, then another, and another. All while Chappy soothed him, and rubbed circles on his back. At some point a guard escorted a pair of paramedics into the bathroom. They asked questions which were answered by the respected person.

"He went to the bathroom around one in the morning, he was slightly high but coherent enough to tell me to go to bed." Harry paused. "Do you think he planned to wait until I was asleep, or was it an accident, like he misread the bottle?"

"No, Travis has been my patient for the past few years, this is not his first attempt, so it was most likely premeditated."

"I don't understand, he was happy, he was looking forward to the party, he even asked me to help him sneak out to buy stuff- oh that's why he said I couldn't get it for him, he went and bought those pills, right?"

"Yes, he was happy because he had a plan. It happens sometimes when someone's perception becomes so narrow that they feel like they have no other option. I didn't take note of it since he skipped his meeting this week, I was going to follow up with him during lunch today but-."

Harry curled into himself further, stopping Chappy from saying more, the paramedics left with the body, leaving them alone. They had been sitting in silence for half an hour lost in their own thoughts, when Chappy stood.

"I have to go back to my office, I would prefer that you join me since I don't want you left alone right now."

Harry hesitated before he reluctantly stood to follow. Chappy led him out into the bustling hallway, in the direction of his office only to be waylaid by a hyperactive Eddie.

"Harry! there you are, I have been looking everywhere for our group, so far I have only found Mac and he’s being a pain. Something happened this morning and everyone is freaking out, oh hi Chappy Dan, you wouldn't know what happened, would you?"

"I think you should come with us Mr Connor"

"Sir I told you to call me Eddie, Mr Connor is my sperm donor"

"Of course, my apologies."

"Nah, it's cool. You usually get it right, today must be bad, so what happened?"

Chappy didn't respond until after he rounded the corner and opened his office door and gestured for him to sit. With a huff he did just as Harry claimed into the beanbag in the corner.

"I'm sorry to say that Travis passed sometime last night."

Eddie gave no outward reaction for a minute just looking slightly confused, then it dawned on him, Travis meant Trapper, Trapper died during or after the party last night. It didn't take a genius to figure out how he died, he most likely took something, that something he probably snuck out to get. Trapper was the leader of the group, with him gone Mac would be in charge, which means he was in charge of all the decisions. Eddie looked towards Harry – the poor kid — Mac didn't like the runt in the group, he didn't see the potential the kid had. The kid would be completely defenseless by the end of the week. Shit.

Eddie stood quickly stealing a pen and paper from chappy's desk and began furiously writing down as many tips and instructions as he possibly could. Rules of life he called it.

Don't try to please anyone, always watch your back, don't outwardly show weakness, stand up only for yourself… The list went on and on. What to do when you're outnumbered, what to do if you have been stabbed, how to avoid being noticed, how to steal, how to bargain, how to avoid getting caught. All the things he had yet to teach him. With great hesitancy he wrote what to do during and after being raped, he prayed to god he didn't need to use this information but it would save him if he did. At the very end he apologised, begged for understanding, and explained that he and the rest of the group would likely never be able to stand by him for a while but that doesn't mean that they would stop caring. He was going to try his best to stick up for him without getting caught, and he was sure Bernadette and Powder would too. After writing all he could he stood and faced Harry feeling absolutely grieved for this child. With a shaky step he passed him the notes, whispering out a quiet "I'm so sorry." Before he quickly fled the room.

Slowly Harry unfolded it to skim its contents before bursting into tears. He was alone.

Chapter Text

After walking back to his room Harry found out that it had been cleared of all Trapper's belongings, the bathroom had been cleaned and his bedsheets stripped to a bare mattress. The only thing left was his trench coat, he had thrown it onto Harry's bed last night. The cleaners probably thought it was his, so Harry draped it over his shoulders in a mock attempt at comfort. In the end it just made everything worse, so when everything crashes around him, when he needs to feel safe, safe from bullies, from thugs and thieves, from his teachers, safe from Vernon, he curled up in the wardrobe, knowing that no matter how hard he tries, he will still be the boy in the cupboard. He can't get any lower.

Harry woke up feeling worse, his face was damp, he felt dehydrated. His limbs were stiff, he had to stretch until his bones popped. He stumbled to the bathroom drinking water straight from the tap. Once done he leaned over the sink and glanced at himself in the mirror, damn he looked like shit. He had bags under his eyes, his hair looked as messy as it was when it was short, the coat he had still draped over his shoulders was wrinkled. He paused. Brushing the wrinkles from Trapper's coat before putting it on. It was a bit big on him but Trapper was taller and hadn't suffered years of malnutrition. Impulsively he wanted to put darts in the fabric to take it in, but on the other hand, he would eventually grow into, wondering if he was capable of filling out the expectation, the legacy that his friend left behind. He brushed imaginary lint from the fabric before putting his hands in his pockets. His fingers brush something cold, pulling it out he found a switchblade, he looked at it knowing what it was used for, Harry was untouchable because Trapper was there to defend him, he was alone now, he would have to learn to protect himself. He re-read the rules of life Eddie gave him in a detached manner, he had a week to adjust, after that his life was forfeit.

Harry struggled to survive the world outside his room, in the hallways he risked being attacked daily, teens would trip him, push him, and spit at him. There was a disagreement with one gang, apparently Harry slighted the leader and now, now Harry was running for his life as a group of fifteen year old guys chased him, he managed to lose two by running fast, flashbacks of Harry hunting reminded him that this wasn't new. Now only three guys were on his tail, he needed to lose them, if only they would trip. Suddenly the guy's shoes stuck to the ground causing them to fall flat on their face, Harry stopped to chuckle but decided self preservation was better and kept running.

He was often jumped and beaten on the way to the hallway bathroom, leaving him on the ground to be found by a guard doing patrol, a few guards choosing to get a few kicks in while he was down before sending him to the nurse. Even in class he wasn't safe, there's just not enough supervision. At his old school he would be hit by spitballs, at this school they threw rocks, and he didn't mean pebbles, he meant goofball sized stones, he had bruises and laceration all over. The only good thing that happened was when Bernadette bumped into him in the hall, quickly hugging him before running away just as quickly, it was suicidal to ally with a weakling like him, he understood, but he was grateful that at least one of his friends supported him from the sidelines.

Harry continued doing his paper route, but never stopped to buy anything, not from the street vendors, not from the corner store. Those who were addicted to substances were now suffering withdrawal, since he didn't supply the product he became the target or their rage, they had stabbed him in the side and when they went to attack again Harry deflected their attack before going on the offensive. The guy had four wounds in strategic places, he nearly didn't survive the trip to the hospital, Harry only had one, which he dealt with on his own, that way no one found out who to charge. He patched his wound with superglue so the wound wouldn't get infected while it healed. It scarred quite badly but, hey, it was just another to add to his collection.

Harry had just finished delivering the last paper, sitting on his bike he rubbed his face tiredly, he didn't want to go back to school yet, it had been weeks since Harry had been to the corner store, not feeling sense of wonder and joy that came with sharing normality with his peers, but he was out of lollipops so he decided to suck it up and go back to the shop.

The owner of the store saw him park his bike, "hey kid, haven't seen you for a while. No longer doing your Monday thing?"

"No, not likely." He tried once to keep the sense of normality, the kids stole the items and pinned him to the ground. They trashed the place leaving Harry to clean it up, which he did with Dursley level efficiency.

"What happened?"

"The friend who helped me set it up, he uh, I think the word is overdosed."

"Geez kid, surprised I never heard it on the news."

"Yea, shocker." It wasn't really a shock, no one cared about St Brutus, they were ostracised from the community. Outcasts and criminals who will never succeed. "No one wants to do parties anymore, let alone allow me to enter the quad on my own."

"The quad?"

"The quadrangle, it's an outdoor area where students usually eat lunch or hang out with friends."

"Why can't you go there?"

"My friend would protect me from bullies, with him gone I'm free game." Half truth, half lie, he wasn't being bullied, he was getting into fights daily, he had to fight back as though not to appear weak, but there was little he could do three on one. "It's fine, no Monday parties means I can save my pocket money."

"Well if you're strapped for cash I can hire you for manual labour, real struggle to do the things I used to due to my bung knee."

"Sure, I can work."

"The store runs from 6am to 6pm, you obviously don't come in when in school but I'll pay you for the hours that you do work."

"Sounds good."

So Harry organised a schedule with chappy, waking up at five to deliver papers, helping open the store at six and returning to school at eight for class, at three he would spend an hour doing homework before heading out for the next two hours then closing the store, he worked all Saturday but took Sunday off, that day he either spent with Chappy or hid in his room to sew.

Harry got into less scrapes by spending less time at school, this does not mean he avoided all confrontation. After showing up to work for the third time with a black eye, his boss had enough of it. "You can't let them pick on you, you need to fight back!"

"I can't, they are so much bigger than me."

"Then be smarter than them, faster than them, better than them. There is a martial art joint down the way, I'm going to take you there."

The old man closed his store, doing one sweep of the building to ensure all doors were locked. They walked down the street before turning right, there was a white brick building with their doors left open. They were greeted by a man in the same age bracket as his boss.

"Hey Abe, is he one of yours?" The man pointed to Harry like he was a lost child.

"Yeah, Mark. He's one of mine, keeps getting hit at school, and needs to learn how to fight."

"Sure Abe, I'll get him a kit." The man left, headed for the back room.

"What did he mean? I'm one of yours, Who else did you bring here?"

His boss sighed at the defensive tone the child had. "Kid, I took my children and my grandchildren here, he assumed you were one of my kids, that's all."

Harry learned to block, to disarm, he learned that cool move where you pick up someone twice your size. He learned pressure points, and he then learned how to fight with his knife. Abe had nodded approvingly at the weapon, teaching him how to clean it.

"This knife is your friend, it is the difference between your opponent dying or you dying. In a fight, if your life is at risk you aim for the thigh, the wrist, or the throat, they will be too busy trying to save their own life that they won't care about yours."

"And if they don't?"

"You knee them in the crotch – hurts no matter who you fight – then you run like the devil is at your back."

Everyday for a month Abe would close his store an hour early and take Harry to his lesson.

"Why did your family learn to fight?"

"My family are required to do 2 years in the military, if you are deployed at that time you have to fight or you die, when you're older I'll teach you how to fire a gun, for now keep your knife on you at all times."

Chapter Text

Things started to improve for Harry, With him not only fighting back but winning as well, he was no longer an easy target. He began climbing the ranks and even began trading cigarettes again. It was a sink or swim life, and he finally was able to float on his own, until he made the fatal mistake thinking people would accept him.

~~~
Harry had just spent the past month sewing himself a pinafore dress, he was happy, it was a dark blue over a light blue sweater, he was almost ready for class grabbing his notebooks and pen. He didn't make it to class. Several guys jumped him, dragging him round the corner, he tried to scream, to fight back. They jeered and yelled, spitting on him, cursing him, hitting and kicking him. One pinned down his shoulders as another guy dropped his pants, they stepped towards him. He needed to get away, He needed somewhere safe, God, he would even take his cupboard back, please, Please, PLEASE!
~~~

Harry landed with a thud, he was breathing heavily unsure where he was. He tried to assess his surroundings but it was pitch black, he felt around and found that he was in an enclosed space, a cupboard, he didn't know which cupboard but a cupboard no less, he was safe, he was hidden, he could cry. The adrenaline wore off and Harry started to sob, quietly at first but it eventually became much too overwhelming.

The influx of light suddenly appearing startled Harry as he fell out of the filing cabinet, he immediately put his hands defensively, whimpering audibly.

"Harry? Hey, hey, it's okay. Harry, open your eyes, you're safe."

Harry blinked confused at the feeling of a blanket being placed on top of him, he clung to it as he looked around, the colourful walls and bean bag chairs meant he was in Chappy's office. Harry looked up, finally identifying the voice of the person talking. Harry pushed himself up against the wall, blanket draped over his knees, he was safe, it was okay now.

Chappy Dan was startled out of his paperwork by the most heartbreaking sobs coming from the cabinet, cautiously he opened it, surprised further when one of his students literally fell out of the cupboard, the boy was dishevelled and bruised. His outfit was torn and askew. Chappy covered him to provide a sense of dignity. He didn't need to ask what happened, he spoke calmly trying to bring the child back to the present.

"Harry, look at me, you are safe."

Harry nodded, he knew that, but it didn't stop the lingering fear.

The boy suddenly covered his mouth feeling ill, Chappy shoved the waste bin under him in time as he emptied his stomach of its contents.

"Do you need medical attention?"

"No, no, they didn't get that far, I managed to escape before they…." Harry trailed off, he didn't want to say it.

"Alright, take a breath, that's it. How did you get into the cabinet?"

"You wouldn't believe me."

"You have never lied to me Mr Evan, and if you have I.. it does not matter, I will believe you regardless."

Harry took a breath, "when I was getting attacked, I kept thinking 'I need to get somewhere safe,' I thought about my cupboard how no one could harm me when I was inside, suddenly I was no longer surrounded, I had teleported to the safety of the cabinet, somewhere I subconsciously felt safer than all the way to my cupboard at the Dursleys." Harry looked up, meeting Chappy Dan's eyes begging to be believed.

"I am a man of God, Mr Evan, I believe in many miraculous things. I am glad you feel safe here."

"Thank you, Chappy."

They sat in comfortable silence before Chappy spoke again. "Tell me about the cupboard Mr Evan. You have made reference to it several times now, I can't dismiss it."

Harry looked down ashamed and defensive, not at Chappy Dan, he didn't do anything wrong, but he was angry at the Dursleys, they were negligent at best, abusive at their worst, still he trusted Chappy. "It was my bedroom, the cupboard under the stairs."

"I see."

"I won't be going back, I have been saving up, you see, I have over a two thousand pounds now from my jobs and trades, I can and have been looking after myself, I know how to cook and clean, I can budget, and I can now do well at school, I don't need them, not for anything."

"And I will help you since they won't."

"You will?"

"I will, I will be an adult you can rely on. I promise."

…I promise…

Chapter Text

Harry had started the day normally, he woke up, got dressed to avoid disturbing his new roommate — yes he has a roommate, that story will be told in a minute — and delivered his papers in the neighbouring streets, it was only when he was buying trade items did things take a turn, four guys in a Black Mercedes Benz pulled up, pointing their guns out, they fired, Harry hit the ground after being shot in the arm, but two of the guys he was standing with were shot dead, the car took off and Harry got up walking over to the men he quickly looting their wallets and other stashed products. Of course he knew better than to stick around for the cops to arrive, not when he was an orphan delinquent attending the local youth detention center. He jumps on his bike quickly fleeing the scene, heading straight for Abe's shop. He dropped his bike and stumbled in clutching his bleeding arm, Abe is instantly at his side, sitting him down to take a look at his injury.

"What happened?"

"I had just finished delivering mail and was riding on the corner of Lupus St, when some gang did a drive-by, killing two guys standing on the corner, I got caught in the crossfire, hit the deck before anything serious hit me."

"It's a clean wound, no shrapnel or bullet under the skin, surprisingly deep, I'm gonna have to treat it with betadine, it stings like a bitch but it will kill off any infection."

"Go for it."

Harry hissed when Abe began dabbling the cotton ball on his wound, he wasn't kidding about the antiseptic hurting, when that was done the wound was quickly wrapped and set in a sling as an extra precaution.

"Thanks Abe."

The man waved the thanks away. "Don't know why you came to me instead of a hospital, they would have treated ya."

"They are legally obligated to contact my guardians."

"So?"

"It is not the most ideal option."

~~~~
Harry arrived back at the school gate without much trouble, dropping off the bike he swung his bag with his spoils over his good shoulder before walking up the main path, news must have travelled fast since Chappy Dan was standing in the entrance looking worried.
"Hey Chappy."

"Mr Evan, are you alright? The news said there was a shooting in the nearby streets, a bystander reported they saw a kid go down ...."

"That was a tactical decision, and I only received a flesh wound, a small graze at most." He reassured the man.

"I'm glad you are okay Mr Evan. Now, get some rest, and please try to avoid getting in a fight with Mr Vargas".

Harry waved him off, Jude Vargas, his new roommate, was the most temperamental person Harry has ever met, and that included the bipolar manic students at this school. They hated each other, no they despised each other. The moment Jude was emitted he held some sort of vendetta against him. He was quite an angry teen. He was dealt a bad hand but hey, so were most of the kids in here. The guy would destroy his belongings and since Harry had so little he was possessive of what he did have, he became quite pissed at the behaviour, he got increasingly better at hiding his belongings, unconsciously using magic to do so. He didn't take the teen's behaviour sitting down either, being quick to retaliate when slighted was the way of things at this school. Harry became violent to show dominance, thus leaving Jude in the infirmary for a month and him being placed on a behavioural plan, Chappy is mildly disappointed that it escalated so far.

Harry's magic is constantly on alert, Jude was a lot bigger than him, the kid reminded him of an unloved version of Dudley, just slightly more twisted, finding sharps in his bed, chemicals in the shower head, and worse of all was the sexual advances, it usually ended with one of them in the infirmary, Jude would leave screaming with unexplainable burns covering him, and Harry would escape with scratch marks, bruises, and an uncomfortable feeling in his soul. Honestly the bleach filled showers were welcome at this point.

Harry meets with Chappy Dan during his scheduled time, Chappy notes that the lad is constantly angry at the world, that he had finally reached the point most students got being here too long, the attitude of others rubbing off and dampening the spirits of everyone else, he knew that the boy could succeed, only if he managed to get out of this place, sadly there wasn't much he could do other than support and encourage the boy, hopefully soon something would change, hopefully before the boy broke.

Harry is breaking the bank, despite no longer selling items out in the quad. He had managed to sell all of the looted items discreetly in between classes and during his paper run for those in the neighbourhood. Some of them traded items that he would sell for a higher profit, it made some of the locals angry that he was raking in so much cash but he was getting good at evading them when they tried to jump him. He kept a bottle filled with coins, and small notes that he had hidden inside one of the pot plants vases after discovering the plants were fake, several hundred pounds stashed in one of his old socks, and another hundred pounds in his wallet, it was becoming a terrible addiction, but he knew if he wanted to get anywhere in life he knew he needed the money. But when he was feeling guilty, like after pickpocketing one of the older guys, he would give some of the stolen money to Chappy Dan to donate to his church or he would stop by one of the local charities to give them money. He was pretty sure Chappy figured out that he didn't get the money by legal means but never pushed him on the subject when he asked, knowing that the behaviour was something he did to cope. There was no point telling him that it was wrong to steal, to fight, everyone here was guilty of something, no use repeating yourself.

The day finally comes when Harry is being tailed by a local gang, he is dragged to a nearby alleyway where a group of guys block his exit, the leader of the group steps forward and spits on the ground. Apparently Harry had been encroaching on their turf, Harry pleads ignorance, but the guy won't hear any of it. The dude draws a knife and Harry waits patiently for him to strike first, quicker than anyone realises Harry drew his own knife and as he dodges the attack manages to swipe his opponents arm, the guy hisses before getting angry. Harry takes two jabs to the side before knocking the guy onto his back and slitting his throat. He gurgles and the rest of the gang watch on in horror, someone draws a gun and tries to fire but Harry is already on the move, kicking the gun out of the others hands, he fires the gun in the air causing them to scatter quickly. The owner of the gun stood there until someone else dragged them away. He quickly fled the scene, destroying all evidence that could be traced back to him. Harry decided to not see Chappy that week.

Jude continued to torment him, but this time brought in reinforcements, the guy obviously did not learn his lesson to leave him alone. They had a brilliant plan to get Harry to smoke a pack of cigarettes and put them out by burning them onto his skin. The burns were circular and placed in various locations around his body, his arms, his neck, stomach and back, during one fearful moment they dropped his pants and burned a nasty welt onto his privates, relishing in the sound of his screams. It will take a while to get the nicotine out of his system; it will eventually become a lifelong habit. Harry felt weak, trying to fight back, one of the guys holding him loosened their grip ever so slightly allowing him to strike Jude in the face, the victory didn't last however as they pinned him further.

"You are going to regret that," his roommate spat , his nose broken.

The teen reached forward, tugging harshly on his recently burnt appendage, Harry cried out, vision turning white. Jude continued the harsh treatment to his front, while his buddy began to take pleasure from his behind. Without any preparation he was slammed forward, the guy thrusting harshly, Jude the sadistic bastard seemed to be enjoying himself, pulling out his own dick to stroke at the same time he yanked Harry's. They coated him with semen that cooled and dried on his skin. He laid there until a guard found him and was taken to the infirmary. The nurse saw his sunken eyes and handed him the bear he made when he first arrived, Harry placed it down and stumbled towards the bathroom to take a shower that he would not return from til all the water got cold. Chappy Dan sits with him when he wakes, he doesn't speak, but hums gently when he begins to shake, soothing him like a child. It takes weeks until he can manage to get out of bed, and it was only after Jude got put into solitary confinement.

When Abe sees him weeks later, he looks at the boy up and down before closing the shop and taking him back to the martial arts studio down the street. Harry likes it in a way, the old war vet cared without saying it. Arming him with skills to protect himself. Harry stood a street away from saint Brutus taking a drag from a cigarette, thinking, hoping, wishing that his life would change, that his circumstances would get better, he just hoped that those two adults in his life would remain.

Chapter Text

Hogwarts staff were in a tiff, as they prepared for the new school year. The school letters had just been sent but one owl refused to budge. With a huff Minerva took the letter from the owl, flipping it over to look at the recipient. Printed in cursive dicta-quill font was the name Harry Potter, except it had no forwarding address, concerned she took it to the headmaster, who assured her that he would look into it. The following day she started receiving replies from the incoming students she also started taking note of the muggleborn students that required home visits, she also noted that one particular student was a problem that she would bring up in the next staff meeting.

"You have all submitted your lesson plans for review, Severus has agreed to restock the hospital wing, and now we will discuss the concerns about the incoming first year students, Minerva would you like to speak?"

"Thank you Albus, I have split the list of muggleborn students between myself and Pomona but one student we do not feel comfortable with visiting, Mr Evan attends Saint Brutus school for criminal children, so I was wondering if one of the male staff would be able to attend?"

Filius couldn't do it, while he was an excellent dueler, he had to uphold the Statue of Secrecy and would not be able to defend himself in an all muggle school, Severus opted out because of the many tasks he had to complete, and the few jobs for Albus. Quirrell the previous muggle studies professor was still taking his sabbatical and would not return til the week before school started. Silvanus would have equal trouble blending in with his many missing limbs, so the only male staff willing and able to go was Hagrid, which everyone was quite skeptical about, but say la vie.

"Next on the agenda was what to do about Harry Potter," Albus informed the staff how the owls couldn't locate him, the headmaster explained how he personally went and checked his last known resident and found that his relatives hadn't seen him in the last two years, after getting rid of him because he was too much trouble, when he ask where the boy was the most peculiar thing happened, no one in the house could recall what he asked, forgetting what they were going to say, what they had been doing, and most importantly forgetting he had been invited in, he had to introduce himself six times be before he gave up that line of questioning.

At this point he hoped that the boy just moved countries which was why the owls were not taking flight, he knew this reason had many flaws but it was the best conclusion, the next obvious event that could have happened was that the boy had passed away and that was why he couldn't locate the boy, but truly he didn't what to think about that.

Severus tried a point me spell that just kept spinning like it wasn't sure what was asked. Trelawney mumbled about fate, and how the child's life is a constant battle, fighting no matter the cost because if he doesn't fight he becomes easy prey. No one really listened to her, not believing the 10 year old boy to be fighting any creature that could eat him. Filius offered to get in contact with his cousins so if the boy stepped foot into Gringotts he could be notified, Albus sighed and said he will speak to one of his contacts in the ministry.

~~~~

Harry had just finished with his career counselling with Chappy Dan, with all his hard work, his decent grades and excellent behaviour (what they don't know won't hurt them), they were able to discuss transferring his schooling to Stonewall High boarding school, he would stay year round then come back to saint Brutus for the summer, honestly he didn't know how to feel about being thrusted into a new environment, but he knew he would adapt.

On his way out to do his daily postal deliveries he found a letter addressed to him in the basket of the bike he used. He huffed, opened it and immediately threw it in the bin, magic school, yeah right. When he got to the corner store there was another letter waiting for him, which did kinda freak him out since his boss Abe totally saw the address to his school, shame faced he took the letter and threw it in his backpack, Abe was very understanding and told him he already figured it out, he just wasn't too concerned. The relief made him forget about the letter in his bag.

Back at school Harry couldn't enter the quad without being swooped by owls and he would have made a run for it if it wasn't for Powder stepping in front of him and holding out his arm for the bird to land on. With the letter in hand, Powder dragged Harry by his shirt collar to somewhere slightly more secluded.

He handed the letter to Harry who looked at it and sighed. "It's not a prank, I recognized the letter from when my brother received his, have you ever done something you couldn't explain?"

"I teleported inside Chappy's filing cabinet to avoid getting raped."

"Right… elevated emotions cause accidental magic. That must have been very scary for you."

"Mm." Harry sat and opened the letter. Reading it then re-reading it before humming again.

"A teacher from the school will come to help you get your things, but I recommend speaking with Chappy, he should be able to organise your file and do what adults do…"

"Right, thanks Powder."

"No prob, now you go left I go right, and I'll try to catch you before you leave, might test the waters with the gang as see if they will send you off."

"I don't know if I even want to go!"

"You have to, all magical children must go or they lose their magic and get their minds wiped leaving you insane."

"What!"

"Keep it down! I don't know if you truly go insane but losing a huge chunk of your memory can't be good for you. So talk to Chappy and see what he thinks, especially if he has witnessed your magic, I got to go. Good luck."

So here Harry stood letter in hand in front of Chappy's office, he knocked hoping he wouldn't be rejected, even if chappy was preoccupied he would usually tell him to come back in an hour, but he wasn't sure if he could wait that long. When chappy Dan opened the door, relief flooded him when he saw the room was devoid of other occupants.

"Mr Evan what can you do for you, is something wrong?"

Chappy gestured letting the lad in, who sat in the 'I'm not Okay chair'. Harry kinda just sat there looking at his acceptance letter, before he handed it to Chappy Dan.

Chappy sat, read it then asked, "do you want to go?"

"Powder said it was compulsory, said I need to learn to control my outbursts."

"I see, it says you have to reply by owl, Where are we going to get an owl?"

Something fluttered past the window, Chappy undid the deadbolt letting an owl sit on the open window, "huh, that's handy, can you wait till we write a reply?"

It seemed silly to talk to an owl but in most fairy tales the main character would speak to animals, and this whole experience felt like a fairy tale. Sure enough the owl nodded. Chappy Dan walked over to his desk grabbing some spare paper and a pen. He gave Harry a page and told him to write that he accepts and any questions he has, while he did the same, introducing himself who is in relation to Mr Evan and asked whether he needed to send any of the boys paperwork, asking if he could have additional information to make the transition between schools easier, and where to get his supplies. Before signing it. Harry had also completed his so Chappy, efficiently folded it and stuck it in an envelope, taking note of Harry's letter to figure out the format. He sent it off to a Minerva McGonagall at Hogwarts and prayed someone would receive it.

Chapter Text

Chapter 13

The following day a large man was stopped in the reception hall, he was confused why the guards wanted to check his coat, and the guards were equally confused by the things he pulled out, this was until Chappy Dan walked through the door, he took one look at this strangely dressed man and knew that this was someone from Hogwarts.

"Good morning sir, are you here to speak with Mr Evan about the new school?"

"Yeah, Rubeus Hagrid," the giant greeted.

"Chaplin Dan Dubble, " he turned to the guards dismissing them, "alright if you would follow me to my office, you can wait there while I retrieve Mr Evans."

Hagrid quite liked the colourful room and sat down on the red beanbag chair. Which was a sight to behold. When the door opened again the two assessed each other, Harry taking in the man's large yet harmless appearance, whereas Hagrid looked at the ten year old boy in confusion, the boy had long hair fitted clothes like he hadn't ever seen from muggles, and the scars all over him, particularly one impressive scar that went across his face.

"Rubeus Hagrid, keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts."

"Harry Evan, so can you tell me about the school, what does the school teach, how do I get there and-"

"Hold up lad," the half giant said. Hagrid pulled out a stack of books, "I'm not usually the one they send, but none of the staff felt comfortable coming here so they told me to give ye these, all Muggleborns get this pack, it should answer all your questions before we head off to get ye supplies."

Harry sighed disappointed but not surprised that the staff at his new school was already delegating someone else to deal with him, why would a magic school be any different?

"What's a muggleborn?"

"Someone with magic who has muggle parents, and a muggle is someone who doesn't have magic. Someone with one magical parent and one muggle is called a half blood, same with some with a muggleborn parent, and someone who has a long line of two magical parents is called a pureblood. It's a bit complicated but that is the general idea."

"Did you know if your parents had magic Mr Evan?"

"No, they died in a car crash when I was really little. I doubt they had magic." He handed one of the books to Chappy and began reading another.

"What were their names?" Harry raised an eyebrow at the personal question but Hagrid continued unaware. "The magical community is pretty small so if they had magic they probably went to Hogwarts."

"I don't know, my aunt never told me."

Chappy Dan, knowing how Harry felt about his relatives, quickly moved the discussion back. "This book says that five pounds equals about a galleon, and you exchange it at Gringotts bank, it is recommended 500 pounds for school shopping, however second hand stores are available." Harry looked over to see the list of second hand stores.

Harry nodded before continuing to skim through his book, completely ignoring the part of the book that stated it was a very exceptional school who welcomed students no matter the background. That was an obvious lie, if blood was segregated with different labels then it was likely there would be disputes between each group declaring one group better than the other. He closed the book, this would not help him right now but he would have a look at it at a later date. He sighed at the 'Latin for dummies', 'how to use a quill' and 'Calligraphy and you’ books, again he would have to read them later.

"Right, let me put these away and grab my wallet, I'll be back shortly."

It was silent in the chaplain's office before Hagrid looked up to the sound of a drawer opening.

"I made copies of his file, his medical file and his grades. He's a good kid and deserves better than the lot he has been given, his guardian kicked him out when he was eight, left him here with a goodbye present that kept him in the medicine bay for a week while he healed, he adapted quickly and I'm certain he will again, but transitioning from this school to a private school will be rough, adding in the culture shock…"

"I wouldn't worry too much, even the Slytherin have someone that cares for them."

"What is a Slytherin?"

"It's one of the school houses, the mascot is a snake."

"Ah, fair enough, why are they maligned?"

"Slytherin had a few bad eggs, gave themselves a reputation of being evil and whatnot."

"I see,"

Harry re-entered the room, dressed in Trapper's coat — taken in at the sides to give him the illusion of an hourglass figure — a light grey turtleneck with a beaded necklace sitting under the collar he had made in art class, double button knee length shorts, and a pair of second hand doc martens. His shaggy hair was brushed into a high ponytail creating a small poof on top of his head while his fringe sat just above his eyebrows covering half of the scars on his face.

Chappy Dan stood pulling an envelope from his pocket. Inside it contained 200 pounds.

"I can't take this."

"I promised to support you, let me help pay for the boring stuff so that you can keep the money you saved for the things you want."

"No one has ever cared before."

"Well I care now."

~~~~

The bus trip there was strange, Hagrid seemed to have little experience in the non-magical world. Most questions Harry asked Hagrid didn't know the answer to either, some of his classmates were like this, slow with most topics of conversation but once you found their niche then you could get them talking for hours with varying levels of excitement.

"So you are the grounds keeper? "

"That I am."

"What do you do then, what does a magical groundskeeper do?"

"I look after the denizen on the grounds, tend to matters in the forbidden forest, grow prized pumpkins for Samhain and grow spruce trees for Yule. I help set up the thestrals so they are ready to pull the carriages and the boats for the first years."

"Thestrals?" Curious.

"Skeletal winged horses that can only be seen by a few individuals, they are sweet creatures, but are often misunderstood."

"Hmm, so you look after a lot of animals?"

"Yea, unicorns, acromantula, hippogriffs, Bowtruckles, we had six mooncalf born last winter, and the giant squid."

"Okay I know what a unicorn is, the giant squid is pretty self explanatory but can you explain the rest."

"Yea, sure. Acromantula are large venomous spiders that live in the forbidden-"

"How large?"

"About the size of one of those automobiles…" he said pointing to a family car.

"So there are spiders the size of cars?!"

"Yep, neat ain't it. I raised Aragog from an egg, you know, sweet little fella, he is."

"Right, what's a hippogriff?" He thought it prudent to quickly change topics, Hagrid didn't notice.

In no time at all they made it to the leaky cauldron and Harry's creature knowledge significantly expanded, not only did he learn all about Hagrid's pets, but about centaurs and goblins too. They walked through the pub, greeting Tom as they did so, he was surprised that Hagrid was bringing in a muggleborn, this is when Harry learned something new about Hagrid, and that was that he was way too honest and could not lie. A great resource for information but he doubted anyone would trust him with anything important. Tom seemed hesitant after being told why Hagrid was escorting him but he didn't really care for any stranger's opinion, so they left for the alley shortly after some more meaningless conversation about some celebrity.

The space outside the pub was filthy, it was littered with scattered boxes and debris, surely magic could be used to clean up a bit. Hagrid stepped over to the wall and tapped his closely guarded pink umbrella in a particular pattern.

"Welcome 'Arry, to Diagon alley. Come on, let's head to Gringotts to exchange your muggle money."

Through the bustling cobbled streets Harry looked around observing the people and places, everyone was dressed strangely and Harry was glad he wore Trapper's coat since it allowed him to blend in better with those wearing… robes? They walked up the marble staircase into Gringotts and entered the correct line for currency conversion. They reached the teller quickly.

"Name?"

"Harry Evan."

The goblin looked down. "Are you sure?"

"It's what I was told."

The goblin huffed. "Fair enough, purpose for being here?"

"I would like to exchange 400 pounds, please."

Harry took out the 200 pounds gifted to him from Chappy and 200 from his own pocket from his odd jobs, handing it to the teller. A small bag appeared out of thin air that was handed to him.

"80 Galleons, 5 Sickles and 13 Knuts."

Harry heads to the second hand clothing store, he finds 3 robes in various sizes not caring if they fit since he would tailor them to look how he wanted, he of course wouldn't tailor them until he was aware of the fallout first however. He found a black capelet with silver buttons that had a warming charm sewn in with runes. He also found the protective gloves and pointy hat that were on his list. At the next stop was equivalent to a junk shop but found a decent set of brass scales, a telescope that someone painted with the Starry Night and a book on household spells. He bought a trunk brand new since he would use it every year and found it had expansion charms that could be added for a couple of extra sickles if you bought it new, he didn't buy a school satchel since he already had his trusty backpack. He then went to the second hand books store and bought all his school books and one on jinxes and hexes, and the other two were sewing related, one being charms and the other wizarding fashion. A quick stop to the apothecary picking up his starter kit — surprised they trusted children with knives — a pewter cauldron and glass vials.

He saw a shop called Needle & Thread: magical supplies for all your crafting needs that he entered without hesitation, he browsed some of the stock before ultimately deciding it would be best to just look through their catalogues and owl order — learning how to do so from one of the staff – to get supplies when needed, he had self control after all.

His final stop was for a wand asking Hagrid if there were any other wand shops other than Olivanders but other than a seedy one down knockturn alley there wasn't, so they went in. He would check out knockturn when he didn't have adult supervision.

"Hello, who might you be?"

"Harry-"

"Potter!? I remember when your parents-"

"Sir, my name is not Potter, it's Evan."

"Ah my mistake, are you a muggleborn then?"

"Yes sir."

"Rights then, which is your dominant hand?"

"My right."

His arm was measured and boxes started piling up. Harry was asked to swish the wands around to see how they would react. After two explosions, one avalanche, and several rejected wands, Harry found his wand.

"Aspen and dragon heartstrings, a mighty fine wand if I do say so myself. Aspen wood is white and fine-grained, and highly prized by all wand-makers for its stylish resemblance to ivory and outstanding charmwork. The proper owner of the aspen wand is often an accomplished duellist, or destined to be so, for the aspen wand is one of those particularly suited to martial magic, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. Now as a muggleborn you need to know about the trace, due to the statue of secrecy you cannot perform magic in front of muggles, you can bypass the trace by either hiring a tutor during the holidays or spend time in the alley, there is so much ambient magic that you won't be able to be detected."

"Okay thanks."

They made it back to the Leaky Cauldron and Harry stopped Hagrid at the door.

"Hey Hagrid, I was thinking of doing some more shopping in the muggle district nearby before heading back to Saint Brutus, I am fine on my own from here."

"If you're sure?" Harry nodded, "alrighty I'll take the floo back to Hogsmeade." Harry watched as Hagrid's massive form stepped into the fire before disappearing in a flash of green.

Harry tapped the rune on his trunk allowing it to shrink down — another handy feature that only cost a sickle — before stepping out into the bustling streets of London. His first stop was a charity shop that was larger and better quality than the one near school, he bought a few white button ups and a pair of slacks that he would tailor to fit his form. A set of wool winter wear that was a slightly faded black blending in with his uniform. He then walked a few streets to the nearest mall and picked up some notebooks and a packet of pens for just a few pounds. His final stop was to buy his own soaps, towels, new toothbrush and a very soft blanket he could not walk past. With that done he headed back to Saint Brutus to put his things away before heading to work.

~~~~

"Ah Hagrid, how did it go with Mr Evan?"

"Alright, he's a sweet kid, asked a lot of questions about school, oh and the Chappy there gave me his file for behaviour and such."

The headmaster accepted the stack of paper finding his medical records and handed them to Madame Pomfrey who was the school matron, before tucking the rest away.

"This 'Chappy' who was he?"

"Oh he is one of the staff at Harry's school, religious fella, real nice bloke, he was worried about Harry adapting to a new school, they were preparing to transfer him the following year but it wouldn't be such a drastic change as it would be here."

"So he was informed about magic?"

"Yeah, he even read the books to help Harry figure out the expenses."

"I see, I will handle it from here, thank you for informing me." Hagrid nodded and the headmaster cleared his throat again drawing the attention from the rest of the staff. "I have spoken with Mr Potter's relatives, the reason the letters is not reaching him is because there is no one named Harry Potter, upon reaching the residents I was informed they got rid of the boy when he was 8 after he was expelled from school due to a prank gone wrong" — Severus scoffed at this — "none of my scrying seems to work and my careful questioning has been fruitless, I do not know whether Mr potter is healthy yet hidden, or if his health has been compromised, for now it would be best to see if Hogwarts herself collects him in time for school, if he has yet to show by September I will personally notify the authorities."

Chapter Text

During the led up to Hogwarts Harry read as many of the books as possible, he learned about the houses and what they stood for, he read about Dumbledore and his political power, he read his fantastic beast book, finding he quite enjoyed talking to Hagrid about his various pets, he read the spell books next. He traded smokes twice a week instead of just once and tried to limit his own usage in time for school. He taught his magic to flow and tested it by pickpocketing 12 of his bullies, stealing their wallets without them noticing. He took their money without remorse and dropped their wallets before fleeing the scene. He raided the lost and found bin one more time, thinking hopefully magical schools had a lost and found too, and they didn't just vanish items with magic.

He quit his paper route, and swung by Abe's shop for a final goodbye, the man gave him a box of his preferred snacks. Harry promised he would come help in the shop during the summer before quickly leaving before he did something embarrassing like cry in front of the old war veteran.

Chappy Dan offered to drive him to Kings Cross and he accepted, so waking up bright and early Harry dressed in his uniform without the robe, instead he wore Trapper's coat planning to swap it out on the train, he kept his tie loose and his top button undone, his backpack was swung onto his shoulder, he thought about shrinking his trunk but decided against as it would look weird to be leaving without bringing his belongings.

He walked to the front of the building, where Chappy was waiting for him at the entrance. He was in for a surprise when he saw Eddie and Bernadette standing with him.

"Hey mate, we are here to see you off, Powder couldn't join for some reason…"

"He said he didn't want to deal with 'those people' but he won't elaborate on who he was talking about."

That hurt a bit, "It's fine, perhaps another time."

"Oh, look at you, I heard you were going to some snobbish private school, making it big in the world." Bernadette cooed, "don't kill them because they get on your nerves, stuck up rich kids are easy enough to ignore."

"And if you do kill them, make sure that there are no witnesses-"

"- I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that Eddie." Chappy Dan interrupted.

"Right, sorry, anyway this is for you." He said, passing Harry a stack of paper with more rules of life written down. "Life here is different from life out there and we wanted to help you adjust as best as we could. It's a big thing to be released from here so here's hoping you make it in the real world."

"Thanks. Well I have to get going, see you around?"

"Bye Harry, take care!"

Chappy took the boy's trunk and popped it into the boot of his car while Harry slid into the backseat. When they were both buckled up, Chappy pulled out of the car park. Harry read the papers Eddie passed him, feeling better than he did last time. Once he finished reading, Chappy started a conversation, asking him what he was looking forward to and what he was dreading. They talked the entire trip until Chappy parked the car again. He took the trunk out of the boot and held it all the way to the platform.

"Do you know where you are supposed to go?"

"Uh, the ticket says 'platform 9 and ¾', but I don't know where that is, or if it even is a real platform."

"Well, let's head in that direction and see if anyone can direct us."

They stood in front of platform 9 and 10, watching people walk past, Harry sat on his trunk while Chappy tried to talk with an official looking bloke only to be laughed at. With a huff, Chappy returned to wait.

"I can wait by myself, you know."

"I know, I want to wait with you, so I shall."

"Fine,"

It wasn't long before a large family of redheads made their way to the barrier, the loudness of the mother alerted them that they were probably a wizarding family, especially with the strange words she used when talking with her children.

"Excuse me, ma'am? Can I ask you something?"

"Sorry, I'm terribly busy." The woman tried to turn away.

"My charge is a wizard-" he continued.

"Oh does he need help getting on to the platform?"

"Yes, thank you? Mr Evan?" Harry stood dragging his suitcase over to the family. Chappy held out his hand to the lad giving him a firm handshake, "good luck Mr Evan I'll come and meet you here when the school year ends, be good, I will be keeping you in my prayers."

"Thanks, Chappy."

Most of the family had already gone through the barrier, the lady, Mrs Weasley instructed him on what to do, Harry stepped forward walking through the brick wall, feeling a slight chill go through him he tightened his coat when he reached the otherside, the sight of the steam train made him pause momentarily but he brushed it off it wasn't time to show weakness, this was his life now and he could do nothing to change it. He would do this, only because he had no other choice.

It was easy to find his own compartment, not wishing to socialise with the other children, he took off his trench coat and swapped it with his closest fitting robe, not putting it on but having it out so that it was ready, he put his trunk up onto the rack and grabbed his bag taking out a sucker and a magazine to wait out the train ride.

It wasn't long before he was disturbed, one of the redhead children looked in, Harry was not impressed with the child nor did he wish to make small talk. Especially when the first words out of the boy's mouth were about the scars littering his face, he glared at the child till he left to find a different compartment. Next was a blond first year looking for a boy named Harry Potter, Harry didn't know who he was and when he said as much the blond boy looked at Harry with barely concealed disgust. A pureblood then, he knew there were bigots everywhere, this was going to be a long year. The boy left and Harry sighed in relief only to be stopped when the compartment opened again,

Oh for the love of- "I'm going to stab the next person to open that door." There in the doorway was someone he never thought he would see, Hermione Granger stood in the doorway with her bushy hair and overbite looking frightened and furious at the threat, behind her was a boy cowering meekly, oh sheltered child, he was going to get eaten alive.

"Excuse me, it is very rude to threaten people, and against school rules to carry a weapon."

"I hate to burst your bubble Hermione but nowhere in the school rules does it say I can't carry a weapon, otherwise they would have to confiscate our wands."

"How do you know my name?" She looked surprised, curious, "is it a spell?"

He supposed that it was fair that she didn't recognise him, it had been two years since she last saw him and he did look completely different. He even had a growth spurt.

"We went to the same school two years ago. You kept pestering me with this strange concept of friendship."

"Harry?"

He nodded, suddenly he was pulled into a hug that he wasn't prepared for. She pulled back immediately when he tried to push her off, "I was so worried when you were expelled, what happened, your uncle was yelling about sending you to Saint Brutus-"

"He did. Vernon practically abandoned me there. I haven't seen him since."

"Oh Harry-"

"It's fine." Harry looked at the doorway where the meek boy was still standing. Hermione turned.

"Neville, come in and sit." Hermione turned back to Harry, "Harry, this is Neville, he lost his toad and we have been asking everyone if they have seen it."

"I heard croaking in the bathroom, it probably hid there because of how damp it is."

Neville stuttered out a thank you before rushing to the bathroom, he returned seconds later with a toad clutched in his hands.

"No wonder he ran, you're holding him wrong, and really you shouldn't hold him for long periods of time since his skin will dry out."

"Harry, be nice."

Harry huffed, taking his box of sweets, emptying the packets into his bag before handing the box to Neville. He also quickly showed the boy how to hold the toad by the back of his legs. Neville stuttered out another thank you which Harry promptly ignored.

"So what is Saint Brutus like?" Harry raised an eyebrow at Hermione's question. "I mean it must have been tough staying there, you have a scar…" she reached her hand slowly to his face, he pushed it away.

"The first few months weren't so bad, I had sufficient protection from my roommate, but after that I learned quickly, I held my own, and I never got caught. What about you, how was your school?"

"I still didn't make any friends, but I stopped raising my hand in class as much, I didn't see any point because the teachers never listened to what I said. Do you think it will be the same here?"

"Most certainly, I read the books, 'promoting equality' then why do they separate us by blood type."

"Not e-everyone i-is like that, i-it's only a-a few families that e-emphasize blood."

"It doesn't matter, I still recommend that we lay low, observe for a while, no need to make any enemies this early."

"Can we still hang out, like we used to?"

"Give me a week, and I will let you know. Perhaps stick with the wallflower-"

"Harry!" Hermione crossed her arms in disapproval.

"What, I'm right."

"It's still not nice."

"Whatever." He went back to reading his magazine.

Chapter Text

Albus Dumbledore sat in his office flicking through stacks of parchment that had accumulated on his desk when a folder caught his eye. It was Mr Evan’s school history, he stroked his beard in thought before deciding to pay this ‘chappy’ a visit.

Chappy Dan was used to seeing a wide range of people from all walks of life, the old man in a brightly coloured robe however was still a surprise. Still he invited him in for tea after being introduced as Harry’s headmaster. The two chatted politely before the old man stood, wand pointed towards him, Dan blinked confused at the two cups in front of him on the kitchen table, he was sure he had forgotten something important.

With a heavy sigh he collected the dishes to place in the sink, he had a big day at work of reviewing which students were ready for transfer to new schools, his students would look at him confused, some would ask him how he was feeling, some staff commenting on him being overworked and needing time off.
…..

During the boat ride, Hagrid called out to Harry telling him to stick his hand in the water, Harry being the cynical person he is, immediately questioning why, before Hagrid answered, tentacles sprouted out of the water making all the children scream. Harry grinned manically, standing up to reach out and touch the gentle giant, the squid shook his hand much like a trained dog, it was a wonderful experience.

They made their way up to the great hall for the sorting ceremony. Hermione kept muttering about all the information she had memorised, while the wallflower stood next to them shaking and looking like he was going to faint any second. He glanced at the other children, he wasn't sure what magic was capable of yet so it was harder to decide whether someone was a threat or not, he would have to learn quickly.

Students started getting called to sit on a stool and have the singing hat placed on their heads, honestly how lame, even the rude boy's idea of fighting a troll was more imaginative, he just wanted this evening to end. Finally his name was called. "Evan, Harry." Harry walked to the stool with zero hesitation, sitting down with his vision obstructed by the brim of the hat.

'Hmm, difficult, very difficult, plenty of courage I see, but lacking in daring and chivalry. No, Gryffindor is not for you, you had undying loyalty but they died and you turned to self reliance so Hufflepuff isn't for you either, you are intelligent, constantly absorbing knowledge for your own needs, but your experience has provided you with a different kind of knowledge, something that cannot be taught which would only be self destructive if I placed you in Ravenclaw, which only leaves Slytherin. In Slytherin you would be able to use your cunning and intelligence to its fullest potential, you would be able to achieve the highly driven ambitions that you have been striving for, but your heritage will cause unneeded conflict that you will have to overcome.'

'I can defend myself just fine from a bunch of bigots, I'm not weak.'

'Of course you aren't, I just don't like causing undeserved stress, your life thus far has already been difficult enough. Still Slytherin will help you achieve greatness.' "Better be Slytherin!"

There was a smattering of claps around the hall and two boisterous pairs making as much noise as possible. He sat down with his back facing the wall so he could survey the people around him, eyes flickering to the head table checking what type of adults he would have to be up against. It wasn't often an adult took his side especially in a mainstream school, the way the dark haired man was glaring at him made him think it would be the same here as well.

He was distracted by the students muttering and craning their necks to the front of the room, Professor Mcgonagall had called a student forward, but no one came up, huh. "Harry Potter!" The professor called again, that was the name the blond boy was looking for on the train. Strangely, the professor looked out over the sea of students looking for her obviously lost student, before looking up to the headmaster who prompted her to continue with the other students.

After the last student was sorted food appeared on the table, he was surprised but hopefully did not outwardly react. The meals at Saint Brutus were bland but filling, here they were rich and heavy, it would take some getting used to. Although he said the same thing when he started at Brutus, you had to eat everything off your plate to not waste food, it was a real struggle for his malnourished body, being put on a dietary plan for the first month did help but it was still embarrassing. Harry sat and observed how those around him took their portions, wondering if it was monitored, he looked up at the head table and while the staff were watching they didn't seem to care, although the man in black kept scowling in his direction. Pity, it seems he must have drawn the short straw and ended in his house, the man probably felt the same. Harry started his meal, listening in to the conversations around him but not engaging, it was going to be a long year.

The first years followed behind a senior prefect – they didn't have prefects at Saint Brutus, it was decided that they shouldn't give power to those who were likely to abuse it — Harry remained at the back of the first years, watching and taking note of his surroundings, these were the students he would be stuck rooming with, he had his rules for life folded in his pocket, he made it out of Saint Brutus a challenge in itself, he could make it out of hogwarts as well.

The meandering group finally made it to a blank stone wall, there were very few portraits on the wall in the dungeon, whether it was due to the damp atmosphere or the prying eyes was anyone's guess. However this blank stone wall was different from the rest as this section of wall had a beautiful etching of a snake.

~password~ the snake hissed.

Harry looked to his prefect in confusion, why haven't they given the password when the snake asked?

The prefects drew the attention of the first years, quickly explaining that the password would change each fortnight, that it was not their job to remind them, nor would they help if the first years ever got left outside if they forgot. "You are to not share the password with those outside of Slytherin, not even siblings, the punishment for those who get caught doing so will be dealt out by our head of house." Some of the first years flinched, obviously scared of whomever it was. "Now the password for the next two weeks is aconite."

The snake carving nodded before the wall swung open like a door letting the students through. The room had the same dark stone as the rest of the dungeons but that was the only similarity. The room had vaulted ceilings that were supported by beautiful pillars that had stone snakes carved around it. The walls were covered in a Cathedral Windows that looked out into the black lake, four arches looped around on opposite sides of the main sitting area obviously leading off to the dormitories. Harry focused back to where the first years were told to line up near the main fireplace that had a similar snake motif as the entrance had except it also had a carving of a man sitting on an old fashioned chair, he sat observing the students as he petted the snake that slowly began to curl up on his lap.

The prefects finished their speech about the rules, house etiquette, and hierarchy – honestly, this was shaping up to be more like Saint Brutus than he thought, of course he would be put in the most officious house – when the head of Slytherin stepped out of the shadows.

"Welcome to Slytherin, I am your head of house Professor Severus Snape, unlike what Professor Mcgonagall said, this house will not be like your family I will not coddle you, nor will I harm, as Slytherins we will stand as an united front, I do not want hear from other staff that you have been caught fighting among yourselves, all disagreement will be solved here in the common room, first years have immunity from dueling any grade and shall not be out rightly attacked while in the dungeons. Are we clear?" This was said for one student, he knew the muggleborn would be targeted which is why he had the rule implemented years ago.

"Yes sir." The students called.

"Very good, now we have the dungeons to ourselves, which means we have been provided with more space. This allows each of you to have your own rooms to set up how you so choose. You may pair up if you wish, but I want to be clear that the room you choose will be yours for the next seven years, if you do share you will not be able to change that when you get older. Now here is the 'fun' part." The man grimaced. "I hold a competition every year on how well you have designed your room. Each room has a bedroom, bathroom, and walk in wardrobe, it is your job to decorate and clean your own space. Routine inspections will occur each term as well as the occasional random inspection, so keep your room tidy. You will not be able to use expansion charms on your room until you reach third year and not until your charms work has been cleared by me, if for whatever reason you room is too small as it currently is you can try to curry favour with the sixth years otherwise I don't want to hear of any imploding rooms. Finally you are not to use the castle elves, they already have enough jobs and nothing you say will convince me that you need a house elf to put your dirty laundry in the hamper, you are quite capable of the that task, you may however speak with them if you are looking for a specific item until you learn to transfigure it yourselves. Lights will turn on at 7 automatically each weekday and if you are not in the great hall by 8 for breakfast you will be having detention with me. Now go pick a room, you have an hour before lights out."

The first years dispersed, Harry walked down the long hallway before finally reaching the section labelled for first years. They had their own seating area and fireplace as well as a study table. It was their own miniature common room, which sat in front of 12 doors, 6 on the left for the girls and 6 on the right for boys, leading off into a room for each of them. Apparently warded to prevent the opposite gender from entering the claimed room. Malfoy, acting superior, tried to select a room first only to be knocked down by the supervising prefect that informed them each room was exactly the same. Without further protest Harry calmly entered the one closest and shut the door.

Just like Professor Snape said, the main room was a bedroom with a little side table, a bookshelf and desk and comfy seat. Two doors led to a luxurious bathroom, and the other led to a walk-in closet that was the same size as Dudley's second bedroom. Harry stepped back into the main bedroom grabbing his belongings and moving it into the wardrobe. He would hide his belongings in the wardrobe until he learned the proper spells to prevent others from entering, Harry would later find out that he had been using the notice-me-not spell to hide his belongings and eventually the doorway to the closet preventing others from taking and destroying his things.

Chapter Text

Harry woke before the sun illuminated the windows through the lake. He was certain no one else in his year would be awake at this time, but this was routine for him, waking up at five to deliver papers then going to Abe's shop. It felt weird to not be doing just that, still he had time to kill and until he learned how to navigate the rest of the castle he might as well stay in his dorm until breakfast, unpack first then read for the next hour… yeah, that sounds like a plan. Harry did unpack his things but he did not remove them from the wardrobe still worried about the security in the room. His roommate made him slightly more paranoid, slightly more possessive. He didn't have many things at Saint Brutus so when Jude breaks the few things he did have, well it is best not to repeat the same mistakes. He hid his belongings before exiting with his backpack, doing his best to conceal the doorway to the wardrobe with magic as well. Harry sat on his bed flipping through his charms book, skimming for spells that might be useful.

Levitation charms, shrinking charms, colour changing charm, while useful would not help him in this moment, ah, locking charm. Harry grabbed his wand out from his sleeve pocket practising the locking and unlocking charm on his wardrobe, now said door will only open with a password and wand flick. Putting his book down, Harry quickly throws on his recently adjusted robe, his backpack and his boots, he walks over to the door to the common room, he notices a snake on the door that he didn't notice last night.

"Excuse me?"

"Speaker?"

"I was wondering if you could tell me if anyone tries to enter my room. I'm going to try and lock the door but I don't know if it will be strong enough."

"Of course, speaker, I won't let anyone other than the Head Snake enter, I shall bite anyone who tries."

"Cool. The password to enter is 'protection' okay." It was a lame password but he was only eleven, he would come up with a better password in the future.

"Of course, speaker, I shall await your return."

Harry waits in the common room until there is another student to follow to the great hall. A few of the students sneered at him but sure enough the moment they stepped out of the common room, they put on a mask of indifference, snot nosed teens with their nose so far in the air they would drown when it rained, seriously was everyone here like this or just his house.

He follows a group to the great hall, sitting at the end of the table, his back to the wall and his front to the rest of the room, he pours himself a coffee — feeling jittery from the lack of nicotine — normally he wasn't someone who ate breakfast, since the cafeteria at Saint Brutus was a minefield, but he composed himself and ate a piece of buttered toast as he observed those around him. Several Slytherin kept glancing his way, like they didn't want him sitting with them but couldn't say anything since they were in public. He looked to the teachers table and found them barely concealing their dislike of him also. The other tables while not singling him out he noticed they didn't like Slytherin in general, Gryffindor especially were quite vocal in their complaints hearing the words slimy snake in three separate sentences. Great. He continued to look down the table until his eyes found Hermione, her nose stuck in a book. He wondered if she had found the library yet. Beside her was the wallflower, Neville Bottom or something, who surprisingly heeded his advice and stayed with Hermione. He knew her social skills were low so having someone be her partner in class would be essential, Harry wondered how much she changed since he last saw her, she said that she had stopped pinning for the teachers attention but that habit was so ingrained he wondered by how much or whether it would be the same here.

Professor Snape swept past handing out the class schedule, he nodded at most of the upper years and Malfoy, but barely glanced at him. With the class schedule each of them received a note with a date and time to see the school nurse and a planned meeting with his head of house afterwards, apparently it was something to catch health concerns early and to plan for the school year. He also received a map with all his classes, the kitchen, great hall, staff room, and staff offices marked in highlighter. Not wanting his Slytherins to lose points over something as mundane as being lost. He stood ready to head to transfiguration, he dodged someone trying to trip him and kept walking. Really they should try harder than that.

He claimed a seat at the back corner of the classroom, it was the safest place to sit in any room. On the teacher's desk sat a cat watching the students enter, a judging expression on its face. He sat back in his chair book open on the table as he fiddled with his quill doodling on a nearby parchment. Most of the students ignored him, others however either scowled or made some unkind comments under their breath. Hermione hesitated to sit with him but heeded his warning and opted to sit in the front row. Just as the class started three Gryffindor boys ran into the classroom, rejoicing that the teacher hadn't arrived. At that moment the cat sitting on the desk transformed into their teacher. The lesson was theory based, starting with the basic principles, how it was all about intent and will. Harry began flipping through the list of spells they were going to learn this year, he wondered why he would prefer to carry around matches and beetles over the desired material, how would transfigured objects be better than the original.

Lunch was predictable, the Slytherin cohort — whether it was the first year's idea or the older students — had sat in a way that prevented him from joining them, it was subtle enough, he would give them that if he stepped forward it would cause a scene which violated the house rules and the blame would fall on him for starting it, so with a shrug he swiped two pieces of toast from a neighbouring table and left before anyone else noticed. He was itching for a cigarette regardless.

Harry had arrived at Charms early, but the door had been left open so he decided to find his seat before the others arrived — again at the back corner of the class — he opened his book and began skimming through it as he took out a pocket square that he decided to fiddle with, he started sewing down the raw edge by pressing the seam before turning the page and continue reading. He had completed two sides when he was interrupted by the sound of someone approaching, his hand slipping into the pocket of his robe fingertips brushing against the metal grip of his knife, relaxing incrementally when he looked up to find the charms professor standing beside him, standing back far enough to appear less threatening despite his stature. The professional duelist recognized the posture of his defensive student and steered clear of any attack; his student didn't know this however. Harry had the page of his text book resting on the theory of the colour changing charm. The professor beamed excitedly before explaining a bit more in depth than the book had, showing Harry the wand movements, Harry attempted it on his pocket square changing it to a royal blue that faded in certain places the spell didnt reach, he shrugged, thinking it would be easy enough to cover the areas with delicate embroidered details. When class started he put the fabric away and began taking notes that he probably would never read again due to the chicken scratch that was his handwriting, he wondered how Hermione's handwriting fared with the change in stationary or if her perfectionism bled over to that as well.

For the next hour Harry had a free period and his scheduled Health check with the school matron, hoping to get it over with, he headed towards the infirmary where a lady named Madame Pomfrey greeted him with a no nonsense attitude, he flashed her the note that brought him here, her eyes lit up in recognition.

"Sit on the bed dear, your previous school sent over your records and I would like to scan you fully to make sure they haven't missed anything considering your circumstances. I would like you to sit still as possible please."

She flicked her wrist frowning as the parchment filled with text, she kept her composure admirably despite what he knew was being confirmed, they all made the same face, one filled with pity at the thought, not meeting his eyes as she cleared her throat again and again. When the text finished bleeding onto the parchment she scanned it once more before rolling it up like she didn't want to look at it. The matron rushed off to outside the curtained area, Harry could hear the clink of glass and her shuffling feet as she reappeared into his view with what looked like various potion bottles and containers of paste.

"Now, these are your magical inoculations, a vitamin potion for what you seemed to be lacking, these are healing balms for scar and muscle tissue, it wont remove it completely but it will fix the lingering damage they cause."

He drank the potions under her supervision but was allowed to take the balms to apply in his dorm, and was told to see her immediately if it caused any skin irritations or rash. She will gather her report to pass on to his head of house by the end of the week.

With that done he escaped the matron's clutches and headed back to his dorm room, first however, he had to manage to survive the walk through the common room. Stepping through the threshold caused those in the main area to look towards him, the atmosphere was thick with loathing, it was clear that no one wanted him here. Quickly he made it to the hall leading to the dorms, hearing a few shouted slurs and a few tripping spells hitting him as he briskly walked passed. Despite Snape declaring the first years off limits didn't stop them from casting a few spells his way. He whispered the password to the snake guardian before slipping inside his room. He opted to take a shower so he would be able to apply the balms to his skin. He liberally coated the cigarette burns and the scars from Vernon but left the rest, not caring about the scars littering his face, his stab wounds, or the time he got shot, the only one on his face he chose to cover was the tiny lightning bolt that he has had for as long as he could remember, the one left by his drunken parents, he wanted it gone.

As he sat waiting for the balm to soak, he grabbed out his charms book ready to try working on his room, hoping to make it more secure.

The room his bed was in honestly felt too open, there was too much space to try and protect against, the walk in wardrobe however was big enough to fit a bed across its width. Perhaps he could rearrange it to suit his needs.

With that thought in mind he began practising the shrinking charm, in hindsight he should have practised on something other than his bed first as the first real attempt collapsed in on itself. Huh. Hopefully he could find a replacement otherwise he would be sleeping on the floor tonight. Didn't his head of house say something about elves helping if he needed to find something, and since it was likely that he wouldn't be allowed to sit in the great hall during dinner, he could easily visit the kitchens to ask.

The walk down to the kitchens was simple with the map, however students who passed him along the way caused issues, another thing to add to his list, how to defend himself and how to fight back. Although most back away when he threatened them with a knife, some dumb brute didn't seem to get the message, fortunately or unfortunately one of the professors walked passed, seeing the obviously bigger student claim that the muggleborn first year attacked them was the wrong thing to say, Harry adopted his most innocent expression as the older students got in trouble. Before Harry could slink away the professor turned to him and forcibly told him to go to the great hall, he could not backtrack as she matched him back to the main area, intending to go there as well. With slumped shoulders he followed behind before casually stepping towards his table, his housemates bristled but didn't outwardly react, intending on ignoring him, but when murmuring arose from the other tables and their head of house glaring in their direction they finally moved. The entire school was watching him – a muggleborn – sit at the Slytherin table. He only stayed long enough to eat something substantial then fleeing before desert was brought out.

He made it back down to the basement with little fanfare, the rest of the school still eating upstairs. He is now standing in front of a portrait of a bowl of fruit, the instructions say to tickle the pear…. What. He looked back and forth to make sure no one was watching this stupid action but did as instructed and tickled the pear, he watched confused as it began laughing and the portrait swung open like a door. Stepping inside he was greeted with hundreds of creatures preparing dishes and running about like scattered mice.

One elf squeaked upon seeing him before meandering over. "What can Igzy be doing for you?"

"I was practising spells in my room and destroyed my bed. I was wondering if there were any spare lying around?"

"Hmm, you need to go to the come-and-go room, it is on the seventh floor across from the dancing trolls, just bes thinking about all you need as you walk by until the door appears."

Right… magic castle, strange doors, what's next, hidden treasure? Monsters you fight with swords? Honestly he could care less, all he wanted was to find a bed so he could sleep tonight.

Traversing the castle at night was difficult especially outside of the dungeon, most students felt that he was trespassing their domain, he kept walking, after travelling up so many stairs he finally made it to the seventh floor, now he just needed to find that stupid portrait the elf mentioned, why couldn't they just have a normal supply cupboard.

Barnaby the barmy was obviously missing a few screws when he decided to teach trolls ballet. He thought about finding what he needed hoping there was a bed in storage, honestly what does a magical school storage even look like? When the door finally appeared and he stepped through he realised why he couldn't be sent to a simple supplies closet, the room he stepped into was massive, stacked piles of furniture, book, clothes, bedding, it was organised chaos, overwhelmed he slowly stepped towards the beds – it was what he needed right now — and began testing to see how sturdy they were. After finding one that suited his needs he shrunk it down, this time having practised beforehand, and put the bed in his pocket like it was doll furniture, he then began to wonder through the stacks of furniture to see if he could claim anything until he learned how to transfigure what he wanted himself, actually there was so much here he doubted he would need to. Although he would have to take multiple trips since he didn't want to overwhelm his magic. After looking through the pieces he decided it best to wait for Saturday to do this, it was late and while he didn't care about curfews he knew better than to try his luck before he built a rapport with the staff.

He made it back to the common room with no issues, and even to their common area before his dorm, however standing in front of his door was Malfoy and his sidekicks, apparently Malfoy had been bitten by the snake guardian and was complaining loudly.

He grinned, using the gymnastics and techniques he learned with Abe, he knocked Goyle into Crabble leaving them sprawled out on the floor and unconsciously using a sticking charm like he had done many times before, he turned facing Malfoy – knife removed from his pocket – pinning him against the wall. It had only been a day and he had learned all he needed about the boy, he was spoilt and relied heavily his father's influence, flaunting his wealth and blood type, while Malfoy had political influence in the school it was only of use if you had control over him or was close to him, and while Harry wasn't going to try the latter he could easily threaten him into behaving.

"Here is what's going to happen, little prince, you and your two friends will leave me alone for as long as I remain at hogwash (the bastardise name is purposefully spelt incorrectly), and I will let you continue strutting around, unless you need my services involving my knife here, we can ignore each other for the next few years."

The pale blonde looked ashen, the smell of urine permeated the air. He turned, stepping over the fallen brutes to stand in front of the snake motif, petting it gently, before stepping into his room. A threat only worked with minimal instructions, all Malfoy had to remember was to stay away from him. Once the door closed the spell he held on the boys was broken and they scrambled away from his door, he knew there was a chance they could run and tattle but he didn't care, it was their word against his and besides there were no witnesses.

Harry walked over to the excessively large wardrobe and removed the lower back set of shelves before placing the bed down and enlarging it to fit the space. He would fill the shelves later, right now he was tired and just wanted to sleep. He opened the wizards fashion magazine and began to read before bed.

Chapter Text

Whoever thought to have History in the morning should be stabbed, especially whoever thought it was a good idea to have a ghost who doesn't even know which year it was, teach. The monotone voice droned on making it difficult to pay attention, Harry gave up and pulled out another pocket square – the blue one he used the colour charm on – and started to embroider the off coloured edges, he had no plan in mind but started with leafy details that swirled into flowers, on the other side he sewed thorns and tiny skulls, before long the kerchief was done and he stashed it back into his pocket.

The defence classroom stank like mould and garlic, and oddly enough death, it felt like death to the point he didn't want to enter, the professor saw him in the doorway and asked him why he hadn't taken a seat.

"It smells like someone died in here."

Murmuring arose at his statement.

"Don't be r-rid-iculous." The professor stuttered.

Harry looked around scanning the room carefully, the smell was wafting off the professor. It was a magical school, he reminded himself, he had no clue what he was up against, although it begged the question how many people did you have to kill before you began smelling like death. He sat down in the back of the class furthest away from his professor, he kept glancing toward Hermione who had sat up the front close to the teacher, not liking the idea one bit. Class couldn't be over quick enough.

Lunch was spent outside. He had packed a lunch that morning so he could have a cigarette by the lake. This is where he met one of the Hufflepuff seniors, who traded one for a few sickles. Hufflepuffs were considered the stoners of Hogwarts, but they only got that reputation from their head of house, Professor Sprout, who was growing medicinal weed in greenhouse 8, very few students were allowed in thus making it difficult to get their hands on the stuff, however there was a seedy guy who would acquire them stuff for the right price during hogsmeade weekends. It was an interesting bit of information and if he wanted to start trading at Hogwarts he knew where to start.

Next he had Magical theory, actually all the first years had to take the class, it was a 4 hour long lecture given to them by the runes and arithmancy teachers – at least he knew who had intervened with the fight he had the night previous – after the basics were given they allowed a time for questions and this is when the Hermione he always knew began to come to the surface, she had been writing down questions all lesson and even had some prepared before class, she was clearly excited and would have made a joke of herself if she tried to ask all of them. He had to stop it, he wrote down a note and scrunched it up before throwing it onto the desk in front of her, she scowled at the sight before turning around to look for the culprit, he waved before pointing to the parchment. Curious now she straightened it out and read the note, blushing til her ears went red.

______________________
Hermione
Only ask a few questions,
No more than ten,
Otherwise you will ostracise yourself
You can research the questions you don't ask later
Or perhaps speak with the professors after class.
-yours truly.
______________________

One of the professors saw the interaction between the Slytherin and Gryffindor students and quickly acted, taking the note and reading it herself, she raised an eyebrow at what was written before taking a look at all of Hermione's questions and her blushing face and Harry's shit eating grin. The professor took her list of questions and began writing down book titles to help her research, and even answering some she thought the class would like to know out loud.

"I knew you hadn't changed." He stated after class.

"Shut up Harry."

Dinner as it turned out was compulsory attendance unless you were strapped down in the hospital wing you had to come, luckily for him Malfoy was still scared of him and made room. This caught the attention of the upper years who knew better than to question it in public. He had expected them to react when they returned to the common room, but surprisingly they didn't, they still scowled and spat at him but none of them called him out. How lame was that, were they still trying to suss him out, or were they actually scared of a first year. Oh well it gave him more time to figure out the hierarchy, he already noticed a few clicks, he also found out who came from predominantly Dark, Neutral and Light families from what he read and overheard. He had swiped a few books from the come and go room that were an interesting bit of information and fully intended to fill up his bookshelves that way. For now he just wanted to finish tailoring his uniforms so they fit comfortably on his form.

Chapter Text

Harry woke up early and flipped through his potions book, he had overheard the other students speak of how strict Professor Snape was, Harry being the only muggleborn in Slytherin made it likely that he would be called on despite house allegiance, he didn't know much about his professor, but class time would give him opportunities to observe the man, he already knew he would not enter a room alone with him until he was certain that it was safe. Chappy Dan also had to go through the same process, Harry being on edge constantly in his office until the man learned to keep the door open. He never cared for privacy, self preservation was more important.

He arrived to class early, surveying the layout of the desks and choosing a seat — for once not in the back of class, but more off to the side — there was an obvious divide for the houses to sit whether that was for the safety of the classroom or for the students he didn't know, next to arrive was Hermione and the wallflower, Neville looked extremely nervous to be in this room, Hermione looked around before she began speaking, aware that Harry had trouble interacting when others were around.

"Harry, can you help me convince Neville that Professor Snape isn't evil-incarnate, he is afraid that a melted cauldron will turn him into potion ingredients."

Harry bit down that sarcasm he would usually provide, he looked to the wallflower who was pale, almost green, before he looked back to Hermione.

"I haven't seen much of the professor to gauge how he would react in any situation, some say he is just strict, where others tend to exaggerate, I think both options are likely and will not be caught unawares."

Hermione huffed, "at least you were honest. Neville, a teacher won't harm a student just because of a bad grade."

It was Harry's turn to scoff, "they don't need a reason to."

"Not helping Harry."

Harry turned back fiddling with his pocket square, this one was an emerald green and he was trying to decide what to embroider onto it. What the trio didn't know was that Snape had been standing disillusioned behind the door listening to their conversation, he raised an eyebrow at his Slytherin student, curious about his behaviour, well he would find out more at the planned meeting he scheduled tomorrow.

Other students arrived and the professor swooped in, slamming the door making some unfortunate students scream. Mr Evan looked just as alarmed as some of the Gryffindors but he masked it quickly, huh. He also noticed how he kept reaching for something in his pocket. Curious indeed.

The second class was over, Harry bolted from the room, he stepped out into the dreary weather outside, not particularly fazed by the small amount of drizzle, he lit a cigarette, tension leaving him in slow increments. He walked calmly to the next class, today he would be doing the spell he had learned. Although he wondered how versatile the transfiguration was, could he change it to different types of sewing needles or would it just be the one.

He sat in his spot embroidery on his desk, thread hanging from various places. He felt something brush against his legs and looked down to find his professor in her cat form playing with the string.

"Professor?" The cat looked up. "You can play with the thread but you can't undo any of my work" — here he showed her his piece — "now this string is not being used, you can have that to destroy.

Students began arriving and watching curiously as the sewing boy was dangling thread for the professor to pounce on, when it was time for class he quickly rolled up his thread making the professor yowl unhappily.

Harry raised an eyebrow before pointing to the other students who were watching. No student dared to say anything when she transformed, her stern expression set in place.

"Turn to page seven in your book, we will be starting shortly." She began handing out match sticks to the class, who eagerly began trying the spell, it had no incantation only relying on intent, he had several needles beside him: one plastic, one beading needle, one curved, and the standard, he had the visualisation down now he just needed intent.

Professor Mcgonagall walked around the room, she stopped at him to look at the different types of needles out on the desk. He had successfully transfigured the standard needle, and the beading needle after some concentration, but the plastic one didn't feel right and the curved needle wouldn't bend, she raised an eyebrow when he snapped the match stick in half and tried again this time the curved needle formed but after attempting to sew with it it felt brittle and broke after the fifth stitch. Fair enough.

Harry looked up, "why can't you transfigure something into plastic? Or can you and I'm not doing it right?"

"Plastics contain too many impurities making it difficult to transfigure, you also cannot transfigure plastic into other objects."

Harry nodded and spent the rest of the lesson sewing with his transfigured needles, changing it slightly to suit his stitch.

Herbology was next and he finally got a chance to meet the professor who grew her own weed. She was a plump lady who looked harmless and unassuming enough to get away with anything, he would have to research the laws surrounding drugs, and other substances. Class was mostly a tour of the seven greenhouses and when someone asked why they don't get to see greenhouse eight, the professor smirked and stated that those plants have a tendency to eat curious youngsters. They were given a pop quiz to test their knowledge about plants.

Instead of going back to his dorm, Harry went to the library. The librarian took one look at him and told him firmly not to destroy the books, lucky for him Hermione swooped in and took him to her study table, apparently with her vouching for him was enough, bibliophile code or something, he browsed through the first year section but he wasn't really looking to study, no he wanted to find useful spells he could use to defend himself but have plausible deniability with knowing, he found a book on household charms, cleaning charms, here we go, the cutting charm, he could use it when cutting fabric and if he ever got into trouble and he lost his knife, well he would be prepared.

Late that evening the first years had Astronomy, why they had it so late he didn't know, he grumbled as he climbed the stairs. Perhaps he could embroider stars onto a square, maybe he could get extra credit and be allowed to take a nap. He yawned through the whole class, trying his best to stay awake, but the pin pricks in his fingers told him that he wasn't very successful.

Chapter Text

That morning at breakfast a note appeared on his plate. Professor Snape scheduled a meeting during his spare time, this put Harry on edge, he had no clue what the meeting was about or if it was normal to meet with a professor outside of class time, at Saint Brutus teachers usually just held you back after class and that was only if they could catch you. One teacher had a particular habit of holding students back after and it would usually end with said student getting molested, you knew when it was going to happen since the same guard would be stationed out front of the class. He had been called to stay behind three times and each time was worse than the last, he was eventually done in by a guard who refused to accept a bribe, still he refused to close doors now if he was alone with an male adult.

Charms barely held his attention, he had arrived early and sat there rubbing the thread of his new pocket square. This one was pink and he intended to sew a book onto the front. Flitwick took note of his behaviour and planned to speak with Severus about it at lunch, each time someone would step near him he would become hyper aware of their movements. Even Miss Granger had trouble approaching him, despite their attempts to conceal it he knew they were friends.

Lunch he smoked, hoping the nicotine would calm him, it soothed his trembling hand but did not reduce his fear.

Defence just compounded his anxiety, he kept his head down but his eyes up, observing the room through his fringe, he tuned out the stutters from his professor, at the end of class he stepped up beside Hermione.

"Will you be in the library all afternoon?"

"I have class but after I might."

"Right, I have a meeting with Snape. I'm not sure how long, and if I don't meet with you before dinner can you get help?"

"Harry, Professor Snape isnt going to do anything, Dumbledore hired him, it is probably just to see how you are adjusting in Slytherin. I had A meeting with Professor Mcgonagall this morning."

"Fine whatever." He rushed off, having dawdled enough, despite Hermione being too trusting he hoped she was right.

He knocked on the door and received a curt command to enter. Harry opened the door barely hesitating over the threshold. He was halfway towards the desk when the man in front of him spoke.

"Close the door please."

Harry stopped in his tracks, "I'd rather leave it open. sir."

Harry sat uncomfortably on the wooden chair, bouncing his leg as he waited for his professor to start. The man sat quietly observing his student, he had been a master spy and had noticed the boy hesitate, and after a brief word from Flitwick made him aware of how much the boy was concealing. He also noticed the boy fiddling with something in his pocket again.

"Have you been adjusting to being in a new school?"

"Yes sir, although Saint Brutus is not that different from being in Slytherin."

"How so?"

"It has a fend for yourself mentality. It is also the most officious house, I doubt I would have survived anywhere else."

"Very thought out, you have also made it clear that while uneducated in our ways you are smart enough to survive and are immersing yourself quickly."

Harry said nothing at what he supposed was a compliment. The man continues.

"The house has a study group held for each year. For the first years it is just a suggestion to attend, however after that it will be mandatory, I recommend you start interaction with your peers to help ease the transition. Now-"

The man stood from his desk, towering over his student, Harry fled his chair standing up defensively, his eyes flicking between his professor and the door. Severus wondered how far he could push this, what reaction he might get. He pulled out his wand and the boy in front of him pulled out a weapon – a knife – and held it ready to strike. Severus disarmed him letting it clatter to the floor away from them. He watched the boy try and pull his wand out of his pocket but too that flew across the room, in a last ditch effort Harry bolted to the open door but before he could reach it it was slammed and locked. Harry tugged at it fruitlessly to no avail. Severus slowly stepped towards the boy who was becoming more frantic by the second. On his last step the boy did something that surprised him, instead of lashing out the boy went limp, shocking him out of his experiment, the man quickly retreated til Harry came back to himself.

Harry blinked and looked around. "You didn't do anything…"

"Do what, Mr Evan?"

"You didn't touch me."

"And why would you believe I would."

"You're a male who is stronger than me…"

"I believe Hagrid took you school shopping, were you afraid of him?"

"No, during the trip we were in public the entire time, and I noticed within 30 minutes that while large, he is harmless, naive even."

"You are correct, Mr Evan, Hagrid would probably cry before he harmed someone. But I am your head of house and we need to be able to interact without animosity or fear between us."

"I'm fine if you leave a door open. I'm sure there are spells to prevent eavesdropping."

"As I demonstrated, the open door policy won't always work and you will still be on edge in my presence regardless of what I say to convince you otherwise." The man pulled out his wand again making Harry flinch but not retreat.

"I swear on my life and my magic that I will not intentionally harm Mr Evan nor will I touch him in an explicit way, so mote it be." Magic around them felt oppressively heavy, the man summoned his knife and wand handing both back before hearing the distinct sound of a door unlocking. "Come see me if you need anything."

Harry walked distractedly towards the library, plonking himself down beside Hermione.

"How did it go?"

"What happens when someone swears on their magic and life?"

Beside him Neville squeaked, looking wide eyed.

"What?"

"That is a magical vow, if someone vows not to do something they physically can't or they die."

"What brought this on?"

"He vowed not to harm me," he didn't elaborate further.

"P-prof-fessor Snape? W-why did he do that?"

"Don't know, he said we need to interact without animosity, and my trust issues weren't helping."

"See, I told you he wasn't evil."

"What were the exact words of the vow?" When Harry glared, Neville stuttered out a "i-it might help t-to know if there are any loopholes"

"There weren't, believe me I thought it over, I just don't understand why."

Chapter Text

On friday Harry received a note by owl, untying it, he found the note was from Hagrid, asking to meet for tea in his hut, he shrugged before writing a reply. The owl grabbed it before flying off.

Harry had little experience with plants, having only started tending to his aunt's garden before he got kicked out, and he was able to skip the recreational activities that took place in the morning at Saint Brutus by having a job. Despite reading his book he watched as his plant tried to strangle itself, whoops.

Flying class was being held during lunch but he chose not to attend which he was glad as he hated to see what the sheltered children considered fighting was, the Malfoys and the Weasleys apparently had a feud going back generations, the red head grew up on a farm which made him stronger, so all bets were off when they broke into fisticuffs, Malfoy will be milking his injury for weeks, especially when Madame Pomfrey said it would heal on its own. Seriously, it was just a bruise. He didn't understand what the fuss was about.

No, instead of going to to flying class he walked down to Hagrid's hut, as he approached the door he could hear barking, a boarhound bounding out the door and tackling him to the ground, he put his arms up defensively but calmed when the large dog just wanted to lick him, Hagrid called 'Fang' back inside before helping Harry up to his feet.

"How are ya 'Arry? How's your classes been?"

"They have been alright, I guess."

They sat down on the handmade wooden chairs as Hagrid started serving tea, piling Harry's plate with burnt biscuits. The home was cramped and filled with clutter, it was cosy but much too small for the half giant, Harry had to wonder why no one made it a decent living space, or at the very least make the roof taller.

"No one givin ya trouble?" The man asked, crunching through his biscuit.

"Not that I can't handle," he shrugged, "I'm not an easy person to target, most bullies don't like it when I fight back."

"Well that's alright then but tell your professor if they are mean to ya, don't want you to get into any trouble now."

"I'll be fine Hagrid, now tell me about the animal you have been tending to."

Hagrid beamed excitedly, making Harry regret his choice of topic. "Let me show ya."

Harry arrived just in time for Potions theory, having run the whole way to avoid being late. He was covered in dirt, his clothes were askew, and his hair – no longer in a ponytail — was filled with twigs. The Gryffindor side of the room sniggered at him but we're quickly silenced by Snape. The man levelled Harry a glare but it held no heat, just slight exasperation. "Page 11, Mr Evan."

"Thank you sir," Harry looked around and there was only one seat left and it was next to Ron Weasley. Harry purposefully hesitated before taking his seat, he knew he couldn't look eager to sit next to a Gryffindor, and a Weasley at that. He shifted his chair away from the boy so he was closer to the Slytherin side of the room; he did contemplate taking the chair and moving it to another table but remembered that most of his grade didnt like him nor would they willingly sit with him in this state. He opened his book reading and took efficient notes about the potion they would be trying next week, however he noticed that Weasley kept shooting glances in his direction, copying his work, he flipped his parchment over before continuing to read, making the boy whine. The farm boy obviously did not take the hint as he tried to reach for his work but subtly was not a Gryffindor trait. Harry slammed his book on the red head's hand causing him to pull back clutching his bruising and possibly fractured fingers with a yelp, everyone looked at him. "Sorry, I dropped my book. How clumsy of me."

"Why you little-"

"Is there a problem Mr Weasley?"

"He just slammed the book onto my hand!"

"What was your hand doing all the way on his side of the desk?" Weasley flushed at getting caught red handed. Literally. "20 points for cheating."

The boy sputtered, "but it's not a test!"

"Another 20 points for copyright and plagiarism then." Snape took the boy's parchment and told him to start over. Harry sat back pretending he was reading quietly but he watched in fascination from under his fringe how Weasley turned from red to purple much like Vernon used to. Before he could point his wand, Harry was out of his chair and had the boy's arm pinned behind his back, wand clattering to the ground after applying a bit too much pressure.

"Weasley, how dare you pull out your wand in my class, detention with Filch." His professor turned to Harry and changed his tone. "Mr Evan, you prevented this idiot from causing a volatile explosion from occurring with the next class who is brewing. The ingredients are quite sensitive to magic and would have made it impossible if Weasley cast a spell, 10 points." This was all said as Harry pinned Weasley to the desk, his arm bent behind him at an uncomfortable angle, Weasley cried out from the pain, Harry let go when Snape told him to, it was nearly the end of class anyway. Harry gathered his things and was out the door as the metaphorical bell rang. He needed to get cleaned up.

Entering the Slytherin dorms, some of them looked at Harry in a new light after being awarded points and fighting against a blood traitor, some of them tried to get the full story but Saint Brutus taught him that information was never free, one of the third years traded to transfigure a sky light (or a lake light) in his room, something his family was good at, He accepted, Harry propped his door open as the older student started to work, the entire room had been cleared out for tomorrow so there was nothing for the other to use against him, Harry told him that Weasley tried to copy his work so he slammed his heavy potion book on his fingers and when he went to retaliate he reacted defensively pinning him down to stop him from whatever he intended, unfamiliar with the colours of spells. The older boy nodded, satisfied with his story. Obviously he was sent to gather intel, but Harry doesn't mind, he had set his boundaries so others knew he would disclose for the right price.

Chapter Text

September 7th Saturday

Harry wakes up bright and early, so early the sun had yet to rise on the Scottish highlands, he dressed in clothes he didn't care for, and emptied his expanded school trunk and backpack to take with him, before creeping out of the dorms. Curfew was still in place despite it being the a.m. He stopped by the kitchens, surprised to see the elves awake and working, they were starting to prepare breakfast for the castle. They piled him with food to keep him going through the day, happy that he was claiming some of the junk in the room of hidden things. One of the elves suggested he learns the summoning spell, but another elf warned him of the dangers of being crushed under the weight of everything, best not to do it with anything big.

Harry climbed up seven flights of stairs just as the first ray of sun began peaking through the castle windows, he paced in front of the hidden door until the room he desired appeared. Stepping through he was met with a slightly more organised mess, some of the things he liked were stacked at the front of the room whereas the broken clutter was pushed to the back.

Placing down his bag and unshrinking his trunk, Harry got to work claiming work tables, desks, bookshelves, chest of drawers, a squishy couch and armchair in mismatched colours, all of it was shrunk down to fit in his trunk. He took a break to eat an egg sandwich to replenish his magic, he wandered through the piles of things, wiping his hands, Harry started looking through the piles of discarded and forgotten clothes, he pulled out faded old uniforms, dress robes, muggle clothes, frilly dresses, and oddly enough leather armour, he found lace curtains and blackout curtains, table cloths, bed sheets, blankets, he hit the jackpot and found spools of fabric behind a large pile of debris, he shrunk it all down happy with his haul. He discovered a few antique mirrors in okay condition that he claimed as well. Harry went back to shrinking shelves, knowing he would need a lot of storage, some of the bookcases were full and he was happy to discover that the books would shrink with the bookcase.

He wandered the stacks again claiming knick knacks and things before finding something he had been saving up for since he started sewing, he had found not one, but two Singer sewing machines, oh man, he could not contain his excitement, he carefully placed them in his trunk ensuring that they wouldn't get damaged on the trip back to his dorm, he browsed though some of the remaining books before calling it a day, he had a room to decorate before he could get distracted.

On the walk down he made sure he was seen by as many people as possible, it wouldn't do for others to start questioning his whereabouts. Down in his dorm he began laying out the deep set bookcases and shelves along the walls leaving spaces for the windows where his work benches and desks were placed. In the middle of the room he placed down what was going to be a large square table, and off to the side he arranged his couch and chairs. Hmm, he really needed a rug on the stone floor. Harry searched through his fabric spools and found a green one with gold embellishments, it was a beautiful tapestry when fully laid out. He then began the task of unshrinking the furniture and shifting it slightly to fit into place, now he just needed to fill the shelves.

The neatly folded fabrics and spools were placed on the ground to be sorted, the curtains were hung up and tied out of the way, the clothes he looted were in a pile also. The knick knacks were placed on the table to be strategically placed around as clutter. Crystals, a broken pocket watch, vials, a sand timer, vases filled with dead flowers, candle sticks, small photo frames, matchbox cars, ceramic creatures – one he intended to give to Hagrid – loose wizard chess pieces that would fight but fail to destroy each other, and the last item was a tiara he had been unable to leave in that room, all of it would be arranged in between books or on the desks.

Harry kept fiddling and rearranging things until it was just right. The fabrics had been folded accordion style and sorted by colour on the shelves, even the ones on spools just to see how much he had, while the empty spools were stacked in the corner to reuse in the future. One of the sewing machines had been placed down on the desk while the other had been put next to the table – having come with its original stand – could be moved around to suit his needs. He pushed a chair under his table with his latest project on to deal with later and he had a box of fabric squares and thread placed by the couch to do when he was resting. It was now dinner time and he had to make an appearance before his head of house gave him detention.

Sunday ended the last day of his first week. He had done a lot but he was still unsure where he stood with his classmates. He was a muggleborn student and would likely face ridicule just for that reason, him spending time with another muggleborn would not change that, however the fact that the muggleborn he wanted to spend time with was a Gryffindor and her only pureblood friend was from a predominantly light family was still a bad idea.

He knew that he would gain a lot of flack from the Slytherins if he was just spending time with them for only their friendship, if he could get his house to believe that Hermione was worth something, her brilliance with knowledge for one, then maybe he could get away with it, life was all about trading one thing for another and if he could convince Hermione to join well maybe he could buy her loyalty with books.

Harry had yet to realise that you couldn't buy someone's friendship, despite having bribed and fought his way through life this was not how the rest of them saw the world.

He walked to the library with this week's homework in hand, he sat at the hidden table behind the bookshelves, a comfortable little hideaway for your average bookworm. Here he waited, lazily doing his school work for next week, when Hermione and the wallflower joined, sitting at the opposite end of the table like they used to, Neville floundered for a moment unsure where to sit before Hermione told him to sit in front of her.

" W-why do you sit like this? I-I thought you were friends."

"It draws less attention from your enemies."

"W-who are your enemies?"

"I don't know yet. Now, this is for you," he slides a book towards Hermione. It was one he nicked from the room of requirement. He had read it twice and was quite happy how it explained the nuances of politics and believed that Hermione would also benefit from reading it. However Hermione grew up differently to him and became increasingly more outraged the longer she read.

"This is how you think? That you have to buy friends, that you have to prove you are worth something?"

"No, you buy alliances, friendship has nothing to do with this."

"Really, well I'm glad we got that cleared up." Hermione stood with a huff and quickly left carrying her books instead of putting them in her bag. Harry sat there for a moment watching the space she left confused by her reaction, a squeak reminded him he wasn't alone and quickly replaced his mask.

"What do you want, wallflower?" Harry snapped at him.

Neville stammered for a moment before he too left in a rush.

Chapter Text

The following weeks are the same, students outside of his house continue to attack him in the halls and some even daring to attack him in class when the professor's back is turned, it was mostly stinging hexes and tripping jinxes, still it was annoying. He continued to sew squares in class, preferring to keep his hands busy only stopping to write down a particular note to remember for later, some of his Professors didn't like him doing so in class, but they were quick to discover that his behaviour was worse when he had nothing to distract him.

Hermione was determinedly ignoring him, despite him joining her in the library to pass over interesting books, slowly chipping away at her anger, Neville still followed her around and occasionally explained some of the passages in the books she would read.

Harry had also stopped by the first year's study group. A seating area much like a small common room just with more tables and desks. The other first years bristled at him when he entered but most of the grade deferred to Malfoy who was still afraid of him so Harry easily sat down to study silently for the next hour, he listened to them whisper not being at all subtle, this however led to him gathering a few pieces of information that he did not let on that he heard.

He continued sorting his room, folding fabrics and sorting out his bedroom space, the length of his bed was perfectly sandwiched between the shelves on either side of his wardrobe. The curtain on the bed frame made the area a cosy nook, with under bed drawers for him to stash things, one particular drawer he was going to charm like a cold box so he could store food and snacks in. On one side of the room the shelf that used to be for folded clothes he put his books and school trunk, on the other side he hung up his uniforms and outfits he found in the room of requirement that he claimed.

He was glad he had everything sorted since the following day the first year's had a room inspection. Standing in front of his dorm his professor cast a muffling charm, which he had done with each student before him, since the rest of the grade was told to remain outside their dorms while the inspection took place.

"Can you tell me the password to your room in case of emergency."

"It's hasseth"

"Has eth?"

"No, hasseth."

"Speaker, he won't be able to say it, it is a different language, just tell him to speak to me and I will allow him entry."

Harry told Snape to ask the snake on the door to allow him to enter, "just don't bring any guests since he is trained to bite." The snake bared his fangs in agreement.

There is a small mess from Harry's sewing however that is not what Snape notices. The man slammed his occlumency shields up, before looking at Harry with concern.

"Mr Evan, do you know what a compulsion charm is?"

"No sir."

The man scanned his eyes over the many trinkets before landing on a tiara,
Harry tries to stop the man from touching or taking it, Harry's eyes glow red and he launches himself at the man, Severus is forced to stun him.

Severus takes out a potions bag for his more sensitive ingredients and levitates the cursed object inside, it whispers desires to him but he ignores it. Once the Diadium is safely locked away he revives Harry, who is skittish and defensive. Snarling and scrambling back from the figure standing over him.

"In your possession was a cursed object, I merely stunned you to stop you from attacking me."

The man sits down on the couch giving Harry a minute to compose himself, he takes note of the boxes of square fabric next to the chair, Severus was impressed just how skilled Mr Evan was with sewing, perhaps he could ask the runes professor to look at his skill.

Harry eventually throws himself down on the opposite couch. "What is a compulsion charm?"

Severus sits thinking the question over. "You know how sirens lure sailors to their death by singing beautifully, well compulsions do that, it compels you to do something – a thought not your own – not being able to resist its charm, most do fall for it.

"The tiara wanted me to keep it safe, it had a soul and it just wanted to be kept-"

"Objects don't have souls, Mr Evan."

"This one did. No it did, I can feel it, just like I can feel the defence professor is a murderer."

"Firstly if that object had a soul we would be dealing with black magic, secondly I don't think professor Quirrell is capable of hurting a fly let alone murder, he is afraid of his own shadow."

Harry huffed "Quirrel smells like death, it radiates off of him in waves of black, seeping into the spaces around him."

Severus looked shocked by that description, before considering it in magical terms. "And the Diadium has a soul?"

"A bit of one, not enough to live off of otherwise it wouldn't need protection."

"So the compulsion I felt would have either killed me or absorbed my magic, the compulsion you felt was to protect it… whatever it is it is dangerous."

"How many people do you have to kill before you reek of death?"

"Depending on what you mean, to you, do I 'reek' of death?"

"No, there is a swirl of magic around you, but it is not oppressive, it's not even dark in colour."

"Then my guess is that it is either intentions when killing someone, or Quirrel is living a double life and has killed thousands of people."

"Have you ever killed someone?"

"I lived during a war, Mr Evan." The professor decided it was best to change topics, "now tell me why I can't seem to find your sleeping area."

"Oh, so my spells work then, "

Harry unlocked his bedroom door, before quickly stepping back so the professor could take a look.

"What was wrong with the bed you were given?"

"It collapsed when I tried to shrink it."

"I see,'' Snape read a few of the titles of books he had on display. "Where did you acquire these books?"

"The come and go room, I just took whole bookshelves not really caring what they contained."

"Hmm, Some of these books are illegal, do not get caught with them."

Snape stepped out from the room before checking the state of the bathroom, not much had been changed, only a few personal toiletries had been added, but nothing was on the floor, he was the neatest out of all the students.

Chapter Text

Harry hung upside down spelled silent and his shoes stuck to the ceiling. Now how he got up there, well he opened his mouth when he shouldn't have. Earlier that day. Harry had been walking the halls of Hogwarts, minding his own business and staying out of trouble, honest. Okay he might have started a fight and left before it could escalate, but that is not the point. The story starts with him fleeing from the scene of the crime only to run smack bang into a ravenclaw upper year. He intended to play it off, be a remorseful dumb first year, but words escaped him when he took in the raven's face.

This kid looked exactly like Powder. The cheekbones, the hair, the eyes wow. So he did the dumb thing and stated the obvious. "You're Powder's brother."

The boy in front of him confused for a second before scowling. "Oh, is that what she is calling herself now? and how would you know?"

"We, uh, he went to the same school…."

"Ah, that school. Well I don't associate with criminals."

Quicker than Harry could react, the boy pulled out his wand and now he was stuck. He couldn't call out for help, and even if he wasn't silenced his pride wouldn't let him, he could easily untie his shoes but he would rather not drop head first that far onto the ground below since it was a really high ceiling.

Luck would have it that when the blood started rushing to his head – becoming increasingly more uncomfortable – his saving grace began walking past. The dungeon bat was out on a stroll, his boots echoing off the stone floors. Harry didn't have many chances to get the man's attention but he had little choice, fishing out his knife he dropped it, the sound ricocheting through the hall. Just like planned the man stopped and looked around, he was more wary than most but eventually approached the fallen weapon. Now his wand, hopefully this works or otherwise Harry will be left completely defenceless. Harry dropped his wand hitting the man's shoulder before it bounced to the ground setting off sparks. The man looked up and saw him, his eyes widened slightly.

Harry watched as the man pocketed both his belongings before pulling out his own wand. "Finitė incantium, levicorpus"

Severus Snape was surprised to find one of his Slytherin first years attached to the ceiling. The reddish face indicating that he had obviously been up there all through dinner, a decent excuse to skip a meal and yes he did notice. When the boy was safely on the ground he helped him sit down, knowing what it did to the body, the boy would be instantly dizzy. It didn't help, Harry instantly turned green and began heaving onto the floor. Snape banished the mess with a wordless flick.

Severus led the boy down to his office and onto a couch where he could lay down for a few minutes, "bloody hell, and here I thought Powder was vengeful, guess they had to learn it from somewhere."

"Elaborate, I do not know who you speak of."

"Uh, I think the word is squid? One of my acquaintances from Saint Brutus is a squid and has a brother who goes here."

"Squib, someone born into a magical family but has no magic."

"Yea, their brother is in ravenclaw 4-5th year, didn't like me bringing up his criminal relative, or whatever."

"Actually I doubt it has anything to do with criminal history, or not the focus, most squibs are cast out of the family and never spoken about, I bet your friend was sent to Saint Brutus when they didn't receive their Hogwarts letter. Thus your assailant likely reacted to you speaking of information no one else knows. You will be lucky if he chooses against writing home, and what family you are up against."

"Powder's last name is Jennings but I haven't come across that name in any book."

"No, cast out squibs rarely keep their wizarding name. Can you describe the student for me?"

"I ain't snitching, I can take care of myself."

"You have already informed me that your assailant is from Ravenclaw, and therefore have already taken points, any further information you provide will be to your benefit and will only prepare you."

"Short black hair that looks dyed, hazel brown eyes, tall for his age, and has freckles on his nose and arms." Harry recited.

"And likely to be in fourth or fifth year?" The man confirmed

"Yea"

Severus thought over all his students a few matching the description, only one of them had freckles. "Wyatt Ronen, the first born son to a neutral pureblood family, explains why they cast the squib out of the family rather than taking more drastic measures. He excels best at charms, as his family base their business around charming watches and clocks."

Snape called a house elf to bring up dinner for the boy once he stopped looking green.
~~~~

Hermione cornered him after one of his classes, wand in hand so no one thought that this would be a friendly chat, the Slytherin's snickered as he backed away into an alcove, leaving him to his fate, the wallflower stood awkwardly nearby not wanting to intrude but was told to follow.

"Okay, what was that about?" Harry asked

"You don't like people knowing you have friends but I needed to speak with you." Harry waited for her to start. "Look, Neville explained some of the books you have given me, and I need you to explain why you got me to read them, their purpose, and depending on your answer, your answer will decide whether we will remain friends, alright?"

'No it was not alright,' Harry sighed, most of him didn't care enough. "It benefits you, Slytherin is a very officious house, there are many rules to follow and you need to understand that before you try and interact with anyone from that house, nothing is free, so to ensure that you won't be taken advantage of you need to establish that you are willing to trade. study notes, guides, timetables, you could trade for sickles or more knowledge, we can't interact like friends in public due to house conflicts but if you start trading it would be assumed I'm using friendship in the guise of study help rather than the opposite. You won't be treated like you are beneath them if you do this.”

"So you want to protect me, but what does that have to do with me learning about barbaric rituals and history?"

"We have entered a new world, Hermione, it's like traveling. There is a different culture here, a history we have yet to learn that most have grown up knowing all their lives, and until we learn everything we won't be accepted. You don't have to agree with it, but you need to understand it.

“Alright, I will try, but you need to focus on your studies more. No slacking.”

“yeah, yeah."

The weekend arrived which gave Harry ample time to begin refitting his uniforms, having completed all his homework late Friday night. He stayed up even later, seam ripping each part of his uniform, sometimes just cutting the pieces apart and laying them across his floor. Eventually though he crashed on the couch to wake up when the lights of his room automatically turned on the next morning.

He got up, dressed in a dark green turtleneck, slacks, gold chain, and coat. He sat down for breakfast after arriving promptly at the great hall, the majority of the school was still sleeping in their dorms but all of Slytherin was awake no matter how grudgingly.

Snape nodded at his house, a pride shining subtly behind his eyes. Harry ate slowly, matching the pace of his peers, the etiquette he had learned through another book he acquired from the room of requirement.

Eventually he had sat long enough to be dismissed, quickly making his way back to his dorm to begin sewing, he knew that once he started wearing the more stylishly fitted uniform he might hopefully get requests but he was fine with that, he checked out shopping catalogues to set a price, he had also decided on a good marketing scheme that he would implement at the first Quidditch tryouts of the session. Hopefully he wouldn't get hit for even suggesting the idea.

Harry worked through lunch, pinning and sewing pieces of fabric together. He stitched recoloured bias tape along the hem of his robes, made a waistcoat to go over his slate grey button up with embroidered snake motif on the pocket, his tie was turned into a cravat creating a more refined look. His slacks also had similar trim detail along the cuffs as his robes did. Dinner time chimes as he completes the final detail, he says farewell to his door snake before making his way to dinner.

Chapter Text

Monday arrived and Harry dressed in his comfortably fitted robes, his clothes neatly pressed, his bag slung on his shoulder. He stepped out of his room and made his way to the common room, the early rises barely glanced in his direction, he made it out into the school, walking swiftly to avoid any unwanted conflict, he had more self preservation than his peers.

Harry entered the great hall and sat down close to his year, serving himself a cup of unsweetened coffee and some porridge, pacing his intake against the senior students, at Saint Brutus you ate quickly to avoid having your tray upended, now however he had to be conscious of his manners, something that was a struggle to him.

His housemates glanced over to him, his year mates especially took interest, most however didn't dare speak to him because of his status, the first year girls however didn't seem to care, they eyed him up and down like he was a piece of meat, he raised his eyebrow at them.

“Evan, how much did you pay to get your uniform altered, and by who?”

“Nothing, I altered it.”

“Oh. Why is that?”

“While my uniform fit me, I wanted something to show off my waist since an hourglass figure is always in style.”

He casually turned the page of his wixen fashion magazine that arrived that morning. Pretending he didn't care for their conversation. He knew better than to show any interest in his hobbies, he sewed in class to keep his hands busy, he made his uniform fit him to look nice, for his benefit alone.

Pansy stuck her nose up at his nonchalance but Tracy was intrigued.

“Would you be willing to make cuter uniforms for us girls?”

“I don't know,” he turned the page again without really reading, “it would be a lot of work and I don't really have much free time, nor enough material, it wouldn't be worth it.”

“We could pay you?”

Harry smiled, bingo. “I'll think about it.”

Harry knew that only he could support himself, he didn't want to rely on Chappy's generosity, he fully intended to pay him back, or at least make a donation.

For now however he needed to improve his spellwork, there was no way he was doing commissions by hand, he also thought it best to speak to their head of house on actually making it an in-school business, something with credibility and he could run side gigs through, but that was in the future.

~~~~

In Herbology one of the Hufflepuffs at his table was bragging about the high end school he attended and how he nearly went to Eton, no subtly or tack was used and all the Slytherins despised the boy for it.

“Where did you attend school?" the boy asked, wanting to compare.

Harry smiled just too wide, “oh, me, I attended St Brutus, have you heard of it?”

The muggleborn boy of course had heard of it, it brought him joy when he stepped back in fear.

“We are polar opposites, you and I, the best at our respective schools, muggleborns playing in the dirt, your name means nothing here. You impress nobody.”

“Boys!” Professor Sprout came over, spade in hand, “those bulbs won't bury themselves.” She stood by fiercely protective of her badger who looked close to tears, Harry just smiled politely, knowing that half the staff at this school didn't want his presence in their classes, frankly he didn't care either.

Harry sat in the first year study area choosing to write a letter to Chappy, he didn't know how sending an owl to a muggle area would go but writing felt cathartic, and he could give the man the letters in person. He missed their weekly chats, the solid company, the listening ear, that was why he wanted to pay the man back.

However his writing was interrupted by professor Snape's looming figure. “Mr Evan, Follow me to my office.”

His professor marched away leaving him to follow, Harry made sure not to look worried, in fact held his chin up. “Sir?”

“Why did you inform your fellow students of your school history? The staff had worked hard to provide you with the same opportunity as everyone else.”

“Same opportunity?” his voice raised in indignation “Then why did I hear half the staff sigh in relief when I was sorted into Slytherin, why do grown adults look at me in fear, talking about me in hushed tones behind open freaking doors. That boy was bragging, he was spoiled rotten, his parents paying for fancy private schools while I saved pennies and tried not to get killed every day of my life. I thought it would be different, that I got a chance to be a regular kid with a clean record, but then they sent Hagrid saying no one else wanted to come get me-” Harry trailed off, getting frustrated at his life, he guessed it was something he could write about in his next letter to Chappy.

“I see, I will speak to the staff, this prejudice needs to stop. The next thing I wished to speak to you about was your uniform.”

“There is nothing in the rules that says I am against the dress code, I checked.”

The professor smiled, “good, you tell any professor who tries to give you detention or points.”

“Really, that's good, I wanted to see if it was possible to start a reputable business once I got better with my spellwork.”

“Write down a plan and I will run it by the headmaster. You are dismissed.”

Harry went to his final class for the day.

~~~~

At the next staff meeting the headmaster asked the staff about how the first years were adjusting, everyone spoke positively.

Severus how is Mr Evan adjusting to a proper school. The condescending tone irked him.

Well headmaster, he has been keeping his head down as he adjusts to Hogwarts, he is learning quickly from what I have witnessed-

He doesn't participate in class and takes subpar notes?

Evan is a muggleborn, in Slytherin, he likely won't take notes until the middle of the year like a few students in previous years. No, instead he is learning politics, history, and most importantly how to defend himself.

Has he figured out his place yet?

Place?

Slytherin is a very officious house, we have a hierarchy, and yes he knows he is at the bottom, apparently his previous school had a similar system on a larger scale, he knows who is incharge and noted those surrounding-

Who is incharge?

Severus smiles. That's an in-house secret. He decided to change the topic. It has been brought to my attention that with the rumors of his previous school circling, that he is aware of more than the dislike from more than just the students….?

What do you mean severus? Minerva looked around at the rest of the staff looking away in shame or without a care. What happened?

He threatened one of my puffs-

“Your puff,” he sneered “is spoilt, from what I know of Mr Evan is that he has never been anything but self reliant, when you came to the defence of your student you ostracised mine as he knows adults only see the worst in him, that he will never amount to anything, nothing more than a trouble maker and a delinquent, he has been told it his whole life and will not fight it, denying this perception is too much effort.”

Fillius chimed in, now that the staff had been thoroughly chastised, “the boy is quite skilled with detailing his little fabric, he even picked up the colour charm quickly with minimal instruction.”

“He is also friends with that Gryffindor girl, Granger.” Septema informed them, happy to talk about the lighter things.

“I didn't know that, did you Severus?” Mcgonagall was shocked as she hadn't noticed beyond a couple glances.

“I have seen them meeting in secret, likely cautious of the house rivalry. They also made eye contact at the sorting, likely seeking approval from the other.”

“Were you not friends with a Gryffindor-”

“Yes, and my yearmates made it clear that our friendship was unacceptable, as it will be now with Mr Evan.”

Dumbledore proceeded with the meeting now that the first years were settled. “Moving on, I'm sure you are all aware that Harry Potter had never made it to school. I have contacted the headmasters of other magical schools and none of them claim to have him in attendance. The goblins are unwilling to disclose any information about their clients. The ministry is aware of the situation but remains quiet to avoid panic, they have a team of Aurors on lookout-”