Disclaimer: I'm now only using the disclaimer so the next chapter button up top doesn't push my story title over to your left to look untidy, but I suppose I don't actually own Harry Potter!

Harry Potter: 2013

Out of the Reign

Chapter III

The Arrival

Harry had actually gotten used to the new arrangements around the house. His room had been painted a smoky cream colour. He had gotten a new bed, which was a double, with new bedding. His carpet was fluffy and dark blue.

He had two closets, one new, but he kept the old one as there was nothing wrong with it to keep his trunks with notice me not charms. The new one was a little larger, one of those cheap flat pack deals he was forced to fix up himself.

The bed was like that too, and goddess-bless his mother and her silencer or he would have never managed to get either done. He hadn't put them up for several hours while studying the sort of charms he never would have before hand to put them up. He hadn't thought about such chore-like spells as being so useful before, but they had plenty of uses.

The new closet was larger than his old one, and full to near bursting point with clothes. His uncle might have gone quite overboard. He was complaining a little, but other than that wasn't being too vocal. His new school uniform had even arrived, and Harry had to admit when he had received the new Gryffindor patches to put on with some new spells he learnt that they were the smartest robes he had ever seen.

Harry had a new chest of draws he built up because the old one was in tatters, also full of tee shirts, track bottoms, boxers, and socks. He even had brand new curtains in his room. They were blue to match his carpet and bedding.

He had cleared out the room and threw most of Dudley's old crap away. He actually found a perfectly useable (once he fixed it) bookshelf the buffoon had broken. He had never been more thankful that the fixing things charm was so simple to use over and over again. It saved plenty of things that weren't electronic. It didn't seem to know how to deal with those things, they were too complicated.

The bookcase was stacked with books and comics of the muggle variety, which would add to the special school for smart kids look they had agreed to go for. Then he had plenty of things to read when not doing other things like reading his mothers journals. He had expected his father to lead an amusing life, but he had found that his mother wasn't a bore either.

Under the window looking out on the world of Privet Drive was his laptop on a nicely varnished wooden desk that he had fixed up.

It had taken him a while to figure out his computer and his phone. Setting up his first ever email address he realised that his laptop and phone could sync up, and this thing called the cloud with his Windows account could hold and secure useful files for him to access anywhere.

He had a blue-tooth printer attached (it had been Dudley's but he had apparently dumped it that Christmas in his room for some reason, likely too lazy to figure it out). It made him feel good to use Word 2013 (which surprisingly came as a free gift with his lap top) to do his school homework printed on paper.

Harry had gotten good at typing. It was easier and more fun than using a quill and inkwell. Not to mention not messy. It made his writing neater and easier to understand, not to mention he did more than he thought would be clever. He didn't get writers cramps while typing.

Playing PlayStation was fun, and he could watch TV as much as he wanted. He dressed well, and everything was quite good. He had never realised how much he had missed, even after all the magic. He loved all of the gadgets and games, and everything else, especially his new phone so he could communicate at any time.

However, as they say, all good things eventually end. Aunt Marge was due in a few hours, set to ruin the peace that had come the past few weeks at the Dursley's home. Dudley had even started acting less douchy after a warning from his mother and father about making the 'happy family' thing look real.

Harry had chosen a nice black suit without a tie for a more casual smart look. He wore a white shirt and black belt and shoes. He had even used hair gel to neaten his hair back nicely with only a few errant strands over his forehead.

He was sitting at his desk in the comfortable office chair reading one of his mothers' journals to keep his mind off things. He had read a few and learnt some spells from some of her year one and year two books as he went over them. He had realised he hadn't learnt hardly anything because all he cared about was what was taught in class, not studying anything else.

He just hoped that he had caught up enough with the spells he had learnt. He had just started on his new third year books, as well as potions year one to three. He wanted to get one over on the idiot potion teacher if he could.

Sighing he skimmed through the book for something fun to read. It was her year three book, and even though young she was still quite smart. It made him feel as if he had something to prove. He wanted more of a connection to his mother than just the same eye colour, and he knew he wasn't as stupid as he had been.

I had only been on the Hogwarts Express for ten minutes and that annoying Potter boy and his friends turned up and got on my nerves for a while before eventually taking the NOT at all subtle hints to go away.

I had been in the carriage with my friend Alice for a while. We were talking about girly things as we tended to do when it was just us. I was glad Severus wasn't with us. I enjoyed hanging with Alice and having some girl time. You can't do that with a boy hanging around, unless he's gay... I wonder... Severus does come off that way, maybe I'll ask him when he's older and sure.

Harry burst out into tears of laughter. "Oh my word," he said chuckling as he had read some later entries where his mother wouldn't accept Snape's date invites because she wasn't attracted to him (though she let him down nicer than that). He only skimmed them, so maybe she thought he was kidding himself and she was trying to get him to come out.

He wondered whether she ever did actually confront him. It would be the greatest ammo ever offered to him. He shrugged then as he wasn't at school yet anyway, so looked back to the journal as she continued her ramblings about her trip.

It must have been halfway through the trip to Hogwarts when 'she' turned up. Kennedy. She was the most annoying Slytherin ever. She had the largest and most adorable grin ever as she happily asked whether she could sit with me, and sat anyway, right up in my personal space... she was kind of creepy, but not in any bad way... I hope...

Harry startled as he heard his phone ringing. It was a tune by Lily Alan. It was something called Roar. He just couldn't get the blasted song out of his head, and couldn't remember how to change the ring tone. He would have to check the instructions again. He had already suffered over a week with Blurred Lines in his head.

"Stupid catchy tunes!" he grumbled to himself as he picked up his red coloured phone.

He looked at the screen as it was lit up. The phone was vibrating and playing the tune. He saw it said 'Hermione' with her picture above the name. He half wished that he never gave her his number.

She called everyday to talk to him about everything and anything she had done, and ask him about his homework to compare notes, and she was getting impressed with his new study ethic, which made her call more, or email and text him.

Hermione had been quite awed that he had actually finished his homework, and done some extra credit before her, so she had to catch up with him. He doubted she print hers out, but used quill and ink. She wouldn't want to try anything different, even a pen when she believed that the teachers (minus Snape) would care as long as it was done well.

Harry understood why she called him so much. She didn't have any muggle friends either, and got lonely. When he gave her his cell phone number she latched on with all the glee of a girl getting a lifeline.

Her lack of friends was more that she was a bit much, bossy, and too into books. The other kids couldn't relate to that. Harry's lack of friends was his bullying douche bag cousin Dudley. He had became quite the well know, must avoid bully, in the neighbourhood, and nobody would blame the other kids.

Sighing, instead of pressing the red ignore button he pressed the green answer button and brought the phone to his ear. "Yes, Hermione?" he asked, exasperated. He had told her his aunt was coming that day and that he would call her that evening to tell her all about it.

"Did you hear that the Weasley's won some money on some competition?" she asked, straight to the point. "I was just reading it in the Daily Prophet now, but Ron sent-."

"You know I suspended my subscription... to both," he replied, rolling his eyes, pleased she couldn't see him. "I also told them not to owl me for the next two weeks while I have to pretend to be normal. But otherwise that is good news. After everything that happened last year with Ginny... well... I just hope that she's doing okay.

"We sent a few letters back and forth, she says she's doing okay, but if she is anything like me-," he said sighing.

Hermione made a noise of humour. "Then she's lying because she doesn't want to be a bother," she interrupted. "I know you mean well and want to look out for her since those silly brothers of hers are useless, but I think you need to give her time to come around. She'll likely be more open to talking in person, so she won't likely tell you much in a letter. It can be difficult writing things down for some people."

"Okay, I get it but-," he paused for a moment before continuing. "I wasn't much of a friend after everything that we went through and I just want to be there for her. I don't normally have that myself, and I know you're here for me, but experiencing, and sharing that is different to trying to understand.

"I guess... in a way I want someone to talk to too," he said thoughtfully. "I know you say 'talk to me' but it's not the same. I also know you think I should talk to Dumbledore, but he is an old man, and quite honestly sometimes I just... I get the urge that he needs a smack.

"I don't want to be here anymore than I would want to hang around in a dragons nest," he said laughing. "But Dumbledore sent me here and doesn't care about... I don't know!" he sighed tiredly. "Maybe I'm thinking too far into this, but I've wondered what would have happened if I ever ran away, or called child services."

"Harry!" Hermione reprimanded. "Dumbledore wouldn't do anything like that. It would be against the law... okay, maybe he has made some mistakes and thinks he's doing right and doesn't ask you or... well. He is only human, and humans screw up all the time. Maybe if you talk to him, tell him how you feel."

"Maybe, I suppose," he replied doubtfully while internally shrugging. He would have to look up Dumbledore in his mother journals. "So... anyway, how is Hedwig doing...?" he asked to change the subject.

"For the last time Harry she is fine," she answered with a sigh as he had sent his owl to stay with her until Marge had gone as Hermione didn't have a post owl, and anything that would go to him could go to her. Hedwig would also be following her on holiday. If it were important she could forward it the muggle way, or if it were a note, over the phone or in a text or email.

"Sheesh, just checking... I worry," he said, laughing while he could nearly hear her eye roll as he joked. "Anyway, has Ron told you what they're going to do with the money?" he asked, as he was curious. If he were in their position, saving it for school would be the best option as they're so poor it would be a lifesaver.

"Not saving it," she replied as if she heard his thoughts on the matter. "They're taking a trip to Egypt to visit Bill Weasley. He's the eldest son if you had forgotten. I suppose it's not too bad. Though, I think Mr. Weasley should think about getting a promotion or something. Ron says he refuses so that he can play with muggle things, which is crazy when these muggle things tend to be decades out of date. If he had more money from a better job he could buy muggle things."

"Yeah, and you haven't properly met the man," He replied, laughing. "First time I met him he asked me what a rubber duck was for. I hadn't thought he was serious but apparently he was."

He heard Hermione laughing. "Weird one for sure," she answered after a few moments. "Anyway, I'll let you go... Skype me when you get away from that mean aunt and her stupid dog. Maybe we should introduce it to Fluffy and see how it deals then!" she said, and he regretting telling her about the vicious Ripper, but Fluffy would put it in its place, or eat it.

"Yeah," he agreed with a small smile. "Hopefully I can get away. If not I'll be back by at least eight tonight, hopefully."

"Well bye, Harry, and good luck," she said.

"Thanks, I'll need all the luck I can get," he said before hanging up his phone and placing it in the inside pocket of his jacket as it was fully charged. He had tried playing out how he would deal with Marge in his head, but the real thing was nerve wrecking. He had so many bad memories dealing with her.

Stretching his muscles he froze as he heard the doorbell ring. He quivered as he tried taking some deep breaths. He took his mothers journal and slid it into his desks top draw out of sight. He checked his wand in its holster, just in case. He had sent off for that after getting a catalogue from a shop Hermione knew sold them.

He had sent her one as a late birthday present as he had only gotten her chocolate that year as he had an unfortunate time of remembering birthdays unless reminded, and she was too nice and shy to do that. She had appreciated the sentiment that he cared enough to dwell on it for so long.

His holster had plenty of charms so muggles couldn't notice it strapped under his left sleeve. He wore it upside down as it felt more comfortable under his arm rather than over it like normal.

Moving to his door he felt like he was meeting a death sentence. He left his room and trekked down the stairs where the front door had been opened and Vernon and Petunia had been greeting the large woman with curly brown hair while Vernon slipped Dudley (in his cheap suit from online) a twenty pound note to let her kiss his cheek.

The woman's fat black coloured dog was on a brown leather leash, and he could have smiled that Petunia hated it as much as he did. It barked, announcing his presence, and Marge turned to him. She looked like the snide comment was on the tip of her tongue and fell off.

"Aunt Marge," he said with a smile. "It is a pleasure to see you and Ripper looking so well," he said. He was surprised she didn't seem to notice that he couldn't suppress any of the sarcasm. "Allow me to take Ripper and see whether he would enjoy a fresh bowl of water, and a run around in the garden. I'm sure he could use it after travelling all that way in the car.

"Duds, why don't you take Aunt Marge's bags upstairs to the spare room while I do that," he said while taking the leash from the surprised woman and a look from Vernon made Dudley comply, though Harry heard a few grumbles as he walked the surprisingly obedient dog to the kitchen.

He remembered Hagrid said that animals respected confidence. He just had to give off the air of the alpha with the annoying dog. He got the spare dog bowl Petunia kept in case Marge ever forgot his and expected her dog to eat and drink from a human bowl. Harry then took a bottle of water from the fridge; Petunia had gotten for the mutt and took him out back.

Harry released the dog from its leash and poured water into its bowl before speaking to it while no one was around. "Okay, Ripper... maybe you can't understand me, maybe magic around me lets you get the gist, or maybe nothing, but mess with me dog and I'll neuter you myself!"

He was surprised the dog whined, but Harry shrugged and left him to whatever, returning through the backdoor where Marge eyed him shrewdly. "So boy!" she said. She wasn't polite, but not overly rude. "Vernon and Petunia have been telling me how well you've changed. They said that the schools around here weren't smart enough for you. You got bored easily and started trouble, but now you've gotten better? Started a school for smart children...!"

"Yes Aunt Marge, I'm doing much better now," he agreed, smiling at her.

"I don't believe a rotten apple can change!" she said to her brothers and Petunia's worry.

"I do," he replied with his smile still in place, even though it was a bit forced. "I believe that anyone could change. It's up to whether they want too. You can't change the past, but you can change the future."

"But the past should still be in effect," she retorted smugly. "A killer should still be punished for his crime."

"Yes, he should," he replied with a shrug. "But I'm not a killer," he replied as he turned to his uncle. "If you will excuse me Uncle Vernon, I have some homework I could add to for some extra credit rather than debating whether or not a person can change if they choose too," he said before walking away.

He had half expected her to call him back as she wasn't the type of person who liked to lose. Harry enjoyed walking away from her and saying he didn't care what she thought without saying it. He had never snubbed anyone before. It was a novel experience.

Sitting at his desk he grabbed his blu-tooth mic and earpiece, (also a unopened throwaway of Dudley's), placing it on as he signed into Skype. It said Hermione was online, so clicked on video call since he had a built in camera.

Her smiling face came up on screen straight away. She was wearing a normal wired headset on her long brown crinkly hair. "Wow Harry. That was really quick. Did everything go okay or not?"

"Not quite sure yet, but she let me leave," he replied while shrugging. "Anyway, I wanted to ask. Did you send back your elective form yet? I don't think we have to until the end of July, right?"

"Yeah, I sent mine back, thirty first is due date," she readily agreed eagerly. "What electives are you taking anyway? I kept meaning to ask but with your Aunt Marge coming round and you moping about it I didn't get too."

"Oh, right, Athermancy and Runes," he replied. "I would have added magical creatures but I wasn't confident enough that I thought I could squeeze that into any study schedule. It would be left till last and waste everyone's time."

"That's okay Harry. You've chosen the more important classes rather than Ron's 'go with the easy classes' route'," she answered thoughtfully. "Anyway, I told you mum and dad are taking me to France for the week skiing, but I should be able to Skype."

"Can I come?" he asked out of nowhere. "I can pay, anything but having to suffer all of this. I can do the skiing for the both of us!"

"Sorry Harry," she said sadly. "If you said at the beginning of the holiday I could have convinced mum and dad, but that is way too last minute. I know you want to get away from your aunt but would France even be far enough away?" she joked playfully.

"Probably not," he reluctantly agreed. "Well, anyway... want to play me at that online battle ships again?" he asked as they had nothing better to do.

"You're so on, I'm logging in now!" she said while he was opening his browser when he turned on the TV and changed the channel to play the game on the TV while leaving Hermione up on his laptop monitor. "You're doing that TV thing again aren't you," she playfully sulked.

"Much better on the larger screen," he playfully agreed.

to be continued...