Not Beta'ed

"Boys let's go!" Aurora shouted from the kitchen of her flat. It was a three bedroom flat with a separate kitchen, living quarters, and two bathrooms. Of course it was magically expanded for everything to fit, as Aurora lived in a muggle section of London near Big Ben. Aurora was flipping pancakes the muggle way, they tended to be fluffier that way. She plated the pancakes and bacon as Harry skidded into the kitchen after running full tilt.

"I win!" Harry crowed as loud as he could. The scarring across his throat still affect his ability to talk loudly. He had a potion to help with the gravel tone of his voice but still it limited his vocal range, the injury had occurred to long ago for magic to do much else.

"Buggar that, ya tripped me," Wayne, Harry's best friend, said as he too ran into the kitchen.

Aurora shook her head at the two and with a faintly amused look asked, "What did I tell you about running in the house?"

Harry and Wayne tried to look contrite, "It was okay in dire circumstances?" Harry offered.

Aurora raised her eyebrow, "And what was the dire circumstances?"

"Pancakes!" Wayne said digging into his plate.

Harry looked at Aurora to gage her annoyance, she grinned, "I'll accept pancakes." Harry cracked a grin and dug into his own food.

Wayne had been staying with them for a week now. Harry, Wayne, and their other friends Susan, Izzy, and Neville had been splitting time this summer between each other's houses, though Harry was the only one to see Wayne's. Wayne unlike the other four lived in a simple one family home in a poorer district of London. Neville, Susan, and Izzy all lived in old Manor homes that had been in their families for centuries. Neville was the heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom and Susan was the heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Bones. Isobel was a member of Ancient Clan MacDougal. All three were purebloods though none of them bought into the belief that purebloods were superior to all. Harry and Wayne were both half-bloods.

Wayne's father was a wizard and his mother was a muggle, or non magical folk. Wayne's father was from working class wizarding family. He was only really comfortable with Harry seeing his home. Harry while a half-blood from a well off pureblood family, the Potters, was orphaned at the age of one. Harry's parents were both magical but his mother was a muggleborn. They fought valiantly against the Dark Wizard Voldemort but were killed one fateful Halloween night. Harry was left to his muggle relatives but they sent him to an orphanage rather than raise him. The orphanage was both kind and cruel to Harry. Harry was looked after by the Sisters who ran it but his fellow children thought him a freak. It culminated in Harry's throat being slit by an older orphan who thought Harry was possessed by the Devil. After that Harry spent a few years on the street eventually being taken in by a local hood. Harry and Wayne shared a bond over a rough life, even if Wayne's was offset by loving parents.

The summer with their friends was spent flying, learning how to duel curtsey of Aurora's father Cyril, and generally just being kids. The last part was a bit difficult when they all stayed a week at the Longbottom Manor considering Neville was a war orphan like Harry and raised by his very strict grandmother. Despite that Neville did get to take his friends to an Appleby Arrows Quidditch Game. Neville's family owned a share of the team and considering Wayne, Izzy, and Harry were all Quidditch mad, it was spectacular.

Quidditch was the premier wizarding sport being played by teams of seven. Each team consisted of three chasers who took care of the Quaffle and scored ten points for every goal. Two beaters whose job it was to keep the chasers clear of bludgers and disrupt the other team. A keeper whose job it was to guard three hoops and lastly a seeker who was to try and catch a golden snitch for 150 extra points. Wayne and Harry had spent the year training to try out for the Hufflepuff, their Hogwarts' House, Quidditch team. Harry had grown three inches and put on a bit of muscle whereas Wayne was as bulky as ever but an inch shorter than Harry. Wayne was the type of beater that favored pure power and Harry power and pinpoint accuracy. After spending the summer playing and drilling with Iz, Susan, and Neville they were in good shape to make the Hufflepuff team.

"Alright boys," Aurora said as they finished eating. "We have to meet the others at the Alley in twenty minutes." They had received their second year Hogwarts letters two days ago and planned to meet the others at Diagon Alley today. "And then we have Wayne's party at six o'clock." She smiled widely at the grinning boy whose teeth were slightly crooked. Wayne gave fist pump.

"Happy birthday mate," Harry said clapping him on the back.

"Finally!" Wayne said. He was one of the youngest in their year his birthday being August twenty-eighth.

"Don't rush your birthday," Aurora said, "One day you'll be glad to be younger." She said as only a woman can. "Your parents are meeting us at the Leaky tonight right?"

"Yeah aft'r work." Wayne nodded.

"Good. They gave you money for supplies?" Wayne nodded as he and Harry put on their cloaks. Both boys were in jeans and Falmouth Falcon t-shirts. Wayne's parents had gotten tickets to the game tonight against Puddlemere United. Wayne could only bring one friend though and the others understood when he chose Harry. Harry's robe was dark grey to match his shirt while Wayne had on a Falmouth cloak.

"Are we ready?" Aurora asked the two boys checking them over. She had grown into the mothering role rather quickly despite her youth. Aurora was a young professor not yet into her thirties yet magic had seen fit to make her Harry's guardian last year. Throughout the last year Aurora and her ward had grown as close as if she had raised him all those years. They had survived a year at Hogwarts with two odious professors, one which had Voldemort living in the back of his head and become all the more closer after an attempt on Harry's life. Aurora could not imagine anything happening to Harry and wished to shield him from suffering.

"Right Wayne have you used the floo before?"

"Yep." Wayne nodded and took a handful of silvery powder out of a pouch on the mantle of Aurora's fireplace. Wayne tossed the powder in the fireplace and it flared up with green flames. "Kinda like the feeling." He grinned and stepped in, "The Leaky Cauldron!" With a swirl of green Wayne disappeared from view.

"He likes it?" Harry said quietly shaking his head. "He's nuts."

"Alright Harry you're up." Aurora grinned.

Harry threw the powder in, "LeekyCuldon." The words blurred together as he grimaced preparing himself for the horrible swirling sensation.

"Oh Shite." Aurora cursed as he disappeared, that was not clearly stated.

Harry shot out of a fire place and fell face first into a large black cabinet with silver fastenings. He looked around and found himself and dark and dank shop. Everywhere he looked were different objects, some daggers, potion ingredients, jewelry, furniture, shrunken heads and other body parts. Harry stepped forward and looked around stopping to examine a shriveled hand that's tag read, "Gives light to only the holder." Harry moved on to an ornate but slightly gaudy necklace, this tag read, "Killed thirteen muggles." Harry was seized with the realization that he should not be here just as the bell for the shop door went off.

Harry ducked into the cabinet from earlier just as two blond heads came into view. Harry breathed a sigh of relief that he was able to hide. One of the blond heads belong to a smarmy classmate of his, Draco Malfoy. Draco was everything traditional pureblood elitists loved; rich, snobby, arrogant, and cruel. Last year Draco had sabotaged Harry and Wayne's potion causing the two boys to inhale toxic fumes. The second blond could only be Draco's father given the resemblance. The man was tall, with pointed pale features, that matched Draco's and he had the same pale blond hair. The man's hair was long and straight and perfectly kept to a standard that equaled his arrogant air.

Draco moved to touch the ornate necklace Harry had looked at earlier but was stopped by his father. His father struck his hand with his walking stick handle that was shaped like a striking snake head. "Don't touch anything, Draco. Especially that." Mr. Malfoy's voice was silky smooth with a touch of sharpness to it. Mr. Malfoy pointed to the tag with his cane.

"Thirteen muggles,' Draco read with a laugh. Mr. Malfoy gave a sinister smirk.

"Mr. Malfoy and young Mr. Malfoy to what do I owe the pleasure," a simpering sleazy voice said out of Harry's view.

"Borgin." Mr. Malfoy said in greeting. "I'm selling today." With that Draco stepped forward and shifted a small chest he was carrying forward. Draco set it on the counter and Harry heard it open.

"Very nice, very nice." Borgin said. Some things hit the counter top.

"Yes but they would prove troublesome should the ministry decide to come knocking." Mr. Malfoy said with a sneer in his voice.

"Ministry raids; bad for upstanding gentleman like yourself but great for my business," Borgin replied.

"Yes," Harry could once again hear the sneer in Mr. Malfoy's voice. Harry heard the exchange of coins and hoped that meant the Malfoy's would be leaving so he could get out of there. Harry backed up a little as Draco came closer to the cabinet.

"Come, Draco." Mr. Malfoy snapped. As Draco went to touch the cabinet. Draco turned on his heel and left the store.

Harry waited for a few minutes before slipping out of the cabinet. He looked around the shop once more before darting out of the store and into a rundown alley. It looked like Diagon Alley but none of the shops were familiar to Harry. Harry quickly reverted to his old street persona and kept his head down not making eye contact with anyone, particular the one women he thought might be a Hag. He moved quickly through the alley and made his way to the entrance. The sign pointed to Diagon Alley and Harry quickly went through the narrow passage and sighed in relief when he recognized Gringotts towering across the way.

"Harry!" He heard Susan's voice shout. She and her aunt were standing on bank steps. Susan waved at him. Harry groaned as people turned to look at him and put his head down making a b-line for them. Harry ignored the stares he got from people and focused on the two women in front of him. Susan looked like she grew a little in more than ways than one, Harry noticed and blushed. He quickly averted his eyes to Madam Bones.

"Hey Susan, ma'am."

"Harry we were worried about you," Susan pulled him into a hug. As she spoke Madam Bones sent up red sparks with her wand. The agreed upon signal if anyone found him. Harry looked at it with interest.

"Where did you end up?"

"Knockturn Alley." Harry replied.

Madam Bones looked at him sharply, "Are you okay?"

"Yes ma'am." He thought for a moment and then added, "The Malfoys were in Borgin and Burkes." he had looked at the name when he left. Madam Bones frowned and nodded.

"Harry!" He heard the relieved tone of Aurora from behind him. He turned and she grabbed him in a hug. Harry returned it.

Wayne snickered, "The Great Harry Potter can't floo." Harry just shrugged.

"Oh shut up Wayne," Izzy said from beside him. She elbowed him in the stomach. It looked a little comical as Izzy hadn't grown at all and Wayne had just gotten bulkier and a bit taller. Harry though had shot up a few inches over Wayne. Both of their growth spurts would serve them well for try outs. "Hi Harry!" Izzy pulled him into a hug that seemed like it belonged to someone three times her size.

"Hey mate." Neville said as he and his grandmother arrived. Harry nodded to Neville grinning.

"Mate," Harry nodded before giving Madam Longbottom a nod. After meeting her Harry understood Neville a bit better. Dowager Longbottom would scare Sal's boss, especially the vulture hat, though she had forgone it today.

"Right who needs to go to the bank?" Aurora asked once everyone had greeted each other.

Madam Longbottom nodded and Izzy raised her hand like they were in class, "I'll take Miss MacDougal down to her vault," the dowager said with her usual commanding tone. Izzy looked just slightly worried but shrugged it off. The three left to go into the bank leaving Madam Bones, Susan, Wayne, Harry, and Aurora outside.

"Harry how are your dueling lessons going?" Madam Bones asked him.

"Good, Grandfather really knows his stuff. I already learned the two shield spells, stinging hex, and the disorienting curse."

"What shield spell did you learn besides Protego," Susan asked. She too was getting tutored by her aunt over the summer. Last year's incident was fresh in everyone's mind. Wayne and Neville often joined Harry with his tutoring and Izzy joined Susan.

"Scutum shield," Harry said and Madam Bones' eyes went wide.

"Really?"

Wayne piped in, "Harry's the only one who's gotten it to work. Same with the disorienting curse."

"You're not recruiting my son until he's at least sixteen," Aurora said in an amused but serious tone. Madam Bones simply nodded still looking impressed. Harry looked a bit stunned at the turn of the conversation.

"We're done," Madam Longbottom announced from behind the group. "Where to first?"

"I believe we should head to Ollivander's and then work our way back," Madam Bones said. Madam Bones and Aurora had worked tirelessly this summer convincing Dowager Longbottom that Neville needed his own wand not his fathers. They had finally convinced her when Neville used Wayne's wand and accomplished the Protego charm.

"That's sound plan." Madam Longbottom nodded. She set off leading the pack with the students filling in behind her and Madam Bones and Aurora taking up the rear.

They made it to Ollivander's with minimal interruptions though one man did stop them and bow to Harry. Harry forced himself not to make a snarky comment while Aurora rushed the man on his way. The troop filed into the wand shop and Izzy, Wayne, Susan, and Harry were taken back to last year.

"Mr. Longbottom, I've been waiting for you," The wispy voice of Ollivander said from behind a shelf. Everyone jumped and Ollivander's eyes went to Harry. He smiled faintly when he saw the wand in Mr. Potter's hand and not a knife. Harry saw the look and gave the man a shrug. Mr. Ollivander let out a short laugh.

Neville had his wand out and Mr. Ollivander swept over, "Your father's wand. Beech with a Welsh Green dragon heart string, 11 and ¼ inches. Your mother favored Ebony with a Chinese Fireball heart string, ten and ½ inches. Both very good for combat magic." Ollivander was moving to gather boxes from the shelves. He pulled down three and set them on the counter waving Neville over. "You I suspect are meant for something different." He gave Neville a wistful smile. Neville nodded, he was frequently reminded that he was not his father.

"This one first ash and unicorn hair." Neville picked it up and a shelf exploded. Neville looked shocked while the others snickered.

"Nev, we," He nodded to Aurora, "were in here for an hour," Harry said when he noticed his friend's discouraged look. Neville nodded and picked up the next wand which was cypress and dragon heart string.

"No, no." Ollivander took the wand back and gave Neville a light colored wand. Neville frowned when he held it and Ollivander snatched it back. It took two more tries before Ollivander got that same look in his eyes that Harry recognized when Ollivander picked out his wand. "Try this one," Ollivander left and reappeared with a box. "I don't give many of these out. Very rare. Cherry and unicorn hair, 13 inches long." The wand was interesting a two toned colored wand with a vine like handle. Neville gripped it and a large smile spread across his face and he was filled with warmth. "Well give it a wave." Ollivander prompted. Neville waved it and a shower of green and yellow sparks came out of it. "Wonderfull." Ollivander clapped his hands. "Seven galleons."

Their next stop was at the robe Madam Malkin's robe shop. Susan, Harry and Wayne needed new robes. Madam Malkin offered to buy back their gently used ones from the previous year for reduced price and arrangements were made to ship them to her. Next up was next door at Flourish & Blotts Book store.

The shop was packed well outside the actual store and the group fought through the crowd to the front. Aurora groaned when she a sign that had a picture of handsome wizard smiling and winking at everyone. "Today only Gilderoy Lockhart signing his new autobiography, Magical Me!"

"You have got to be kidding me not that hack." Aurora said causing some of the witches around them to scowl at her. Aurora glared back.

Madam Longbottom surprised them all and laughed at the situation, "Madam Bones and I will get the books. You take the children to Quality Quidditch Supplies for a bit." Neville looked at his grandmother in shock but quickly moved off with the others. Madam Bones and Madam Longbottom steeled themselves and then made their way through the ravenous crowd of witches.

The kids poured into the Quidditch shop and went straight to the new broom that was displayed in the window. It was a Nimbus 2001, the fastest broom on the market. It had gleaming polished black wooden aerodynamic shaft with black, silver, and green tipped twigs. The twigs were perfectly aligned and shaped for flow. The foot braces were a light metal and slightly more curved than the Nimbus 2000, which was what Harry had.

"It was definitely made by a Slytherin. Look at those colors," Izzy said with a groan. "It's faster than the Nimbus 2000."

"Yeah but only by a little," Harry defended his Nimbus 2000. It was a Christmas present from Aurora's parents. Harry treated it more like a baby then a broom. He was nearly perfect in the air on it.

"Says the one with a Nimbus 2000," Wayne added. He had an old Comet 260, it was good broom but not nearly as fast as the Nimbus.

"How much is it?" Susan asked.

"150 galleons." Harry whistled.

"And that's the end of that pipe dream," Wayne said and moved on to look at beater equipment. Harry went with him and they debated which was better for beaters Ironbelly hide or Ridgeback hide. They settled on ridgeback hide as it was lighter and as beaters they were causing the damage not taking it, most of the time.

Susan and Izzy who had been listening with half an ear nodded to each other. Izzy grabbed the beater gloves, which really only protected the knuckles. And Susan grabbed the forearm guards. They snuck them to Aurora along with the money for them and Aurora bought them and quickly shrunk them so that Wayne would remain oblivious.

Izzy came up to the boys who were looking at Falmouth gear. Harry looked at Izzy and gave a slight nod to Wayne. Izzy smirked, "So you know Falmouth's going to get crushed by the United tonight." Susan groaned as Wayne turned on Izzy.

"Oh please we crushed the Harpies, Puddlemere will be next and then Portree!" Harry snickered as Wayne and Izzy descended into an argument about Falmouth's chances tonight. Harry took off with a Falmouth robe jersey and gave it to Aurora. The lively discussion provided Neville with cover to get his friend a pair of shin guards for Quidditch.

It was still going on when an amused Madam Bones and Madam Longbottom came in to get them. "What are you two grinning about?" Aurora asked.

"Lucius Malfoy and Arthur Weasley got in a muggle fist fight and ruined Lockhart's signing.

"Seriously," Izzy said stopping mid word. She started laughing at the thought blood purist Malfoy in a muggle fight.

"I assume Lucius tried to have you arrest Arthur?" Aurora asked.

"Oh he tried but then I told him I would have to arrest him too." Madam Bones grinned. "He shut up fairly quickly and stormed out with his son."

"What were they fighting over?" Neville asked with some interest. Ron Weasley was his dorm mate at Hogwarts.

"One of the Weasley boy's friends is a muggleborn. Thomas?" Madam Longbottom answered.

"Dean, he's an alright bloke." Neville said. Ron was a bit of a prat and Seamus was a hot head. Dean was artist who was obsessed with football and a friend of Ron and Seamus but he treated Neville better than most Gryffindors. His house considered him little better than a squib, he was hoping to prove them wrong with his tutoring over the summer and his new wand. He ran his hand over his wrist where his new wand was strapped.

"Oh and Gilderoy Lockhart is the new Defense Professor."

"What!" Aurora shouted

"He just announced it."

"What in the name of Hades was Minerva thinking!" Aurora said before she stop herself. The five students looked wide-eyed at their Professor. Madam Longbottom glared at her and Aurora winced. "Right pretend you didn't hear that. Please."

"Here are your books. They handed over five sets of shrunken books. They needed a whole new set of books for Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Horrible as that was, it got worse, they were all Lockhart books. The man's books were supposed to be on his exploits defeating magical creatures and dark wizards but instead read as the tales of a megalomaniac, at least according to Aurora. Harry had yet to read the actual books since Aurora had thrown the only one she had into a fire as soon as she finished reading it.

"Good that just leaves Scrivenshafts and the Sluggs & Jiggers." Aurora said. The trip to the Scrivenshafts was easy and painless. Sluggs & Jiggers featured some rather horrible potions ingredients that they needed to stock up on. All five students were excited to see how Professor Slughorn would conduct Potions class. Their former teacher was fired for verbally abusive behavior and favoritism. Slughorn according to Madam Bones did favor certain students but was still a fair man and one of the best potion masters in the country.

The made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron. They were met by the MacDougal ma and pa who were busy with their elder son who left to join Gringotts Russian Branch today. Talking to the MacDougals were the Hopkins, Wayne's parents.

"Happy Birthday son!" Wayne's father Timothy scooped him up in a big bear hug. Timothy was a massive man who worked in magical construction. His mum, Hannah was much smaller and a muggle. Wayne's mum pulled him into a hug also.

"We got the room," Hannah Hopkins said with a grin. They rented a private room for Wayne's birthday party. They led the way to a room where a spread of English favorites was waiting for them. And much to the approval of the five kids Butterbeer. A massive chocolate cake was waiting on the side of table. Aurora went over to it and put the wrapped presents on it unshrinking them. Wayne looked at her confused.

"What you thought we wouldn't get you presents?" Harry asked.

"I've been with you for a week." Wayne replied. Harry just shrugged while the others laughed.

"Dig in!" Timothy said. The kids dug into fish and chips and Shepard's Pie.

"Why don't you like Lockhart?" Susan asked Aurora in the middle of the meal. Everyone stopped to listen.

"Most people that like him have never met him," Aurora started off with. "I had the misfortune of being setup on a blind date with the man." She frowned at the thought and shivered slightly. Harry observed her reaction with a bit of alarm, his dislike for the man he had yet to meet was growing. "He talked of nothing but himself and his award winning smile for an entire hour before I got sick of it and left." Harry's eyes narrowed, he did not like the thought of Aurora being upset. He resolved to get with the Weasley twins when they got back to Hogwarts.

After the talk of Lockhart died down, Madam Bones had shared her own stories of the insufferable man, the cake was brought over. It was decorated like a bludger and Wayne grinned at it. They sang Happy Birthday to him and he blew out all twelve candles in one go. Harry had learned that birthday wishes took on new meaning in the wizarding world and found himself wondering what his friend wished for. They cut into the cake which had a strawberry filling, it made it look like the bludger had taken a piece out of someone. The cake was given rave reviews and then it was time Wayne was waiting for, presents.

"Mine first!" Isobel shouted and ran over grabbing her present and giving it to Wayne everyone laughed. Wayne tore into the packaging, "Robin Hood, pads!" Wayne did not have any beater gear. Susan and Neville went next completing the set of pads. Then the MacDougals gave him a collection of wizarding sweets, it probably had over ten pounds of candy in it. Hannah Hopkins stifled a groan while Wayne grinned from ear to ear. Aurora's present came next she got Wayne a book on more advanced Astronomy as Wayne had shown an aptitude for the subject. Amelia got Wayne a dragon hide wand holster. Harry grabbed Wayne's present and let out a very manly, not really, shriek of delight that left everyone laughing.

"That never leaves this room," Wayne said getting up and switching off his robe for the jersey Harry had gotten him. The jersey was Thad Warrington's, the Falmouth beater and captain.

The party/dinner wound down after the presents and soon only Wayne, Harry, Aurora and Wayne's parents were left. The two boys were nearly bouncing in place as they waited to go to their first professional Quidditch match. Aurora smiled at the Hopkins and they shared a laugh. "Alright I take it you two want to leave?" The boys nodded in sync with each other. Aurora came over to Harry and kissed his forehead. "Have fun and be good for Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins okay?" Harry gave her an innocent grin. She hugged him once more, "I'll see you at Hogwarts. Harry was staying with the Hopkins for the next two days before Hogwarts would start.

They left the private room and went to the floo where Aurora left first. This left Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins and the boys. "You boys ready?" Mr. Hopkins asked. They walked outside where the Hopkins car was parked.

"Yes, bloody hell yes," Wayne shouted.

"Language," Mrs. Hopkins reprimanded her son. She then kissed his forehead and gave her husband a kiss. "I'll see you three at home." She got in the car and as the boys waved her off. They moved into the alley next to the Leaky Cauldron where Mr. Hopkins pulled out a toy whistle from his pocket.

"That's a portkey?" Harry asked.

"Right I forgot you've never used a portkey," Mr. Hopkins said with a chuckle at Harry's bewildered look. "A portkey can be anything usually it's something plain so that a muggle won't pick it up by accident. It's similar to flooing. You grab hold and it will transport us there and it's about as pleasant as flooing too."

Harry groaned, "Why can't we just fly there?"

"It would take too long. Now grab hold." They all grabbed the whistle and Mr. Hopkins activated it, "Falmouth." They disappeared in a swirl of blue.

Harry slammed into the ground with a thud and rolled over looking up at the sky. "I officially hate this the most!" Harry said as he noticed Wayne on the ground next to him. Wayne had managed to land on his feet this time but almost fell over and was on his hands and knees. Mr. Hopkins was standing above them and offered a hand to both of them. They hopped up and got into line with the rest of the fans. Harry was happy to notice he wasn't the only having trouble with the landing.

Harry and Wayne followed Timothy's giant form through the crowds to the ticket booth. He handed over the three tickets and the boys' hands were marked with rune, which would allow them back in if they left the stadium. Timothy looked back at them to make sure they were following and not getting lost with all their stopping to marvel at the stadium and vendors around them. "See anything you want boys?"

"Can I get a poster da?" Wayne asked. Mr. Hopkins nodded. They moved over to a vender selling moving posters of the two teams. Harry was interested in a poster that showed the Warrington knocking out an opposing chaser with a bludger that knocked the player of his broom. Harry purchased his poster and was taking it from the man when he was violently shoved.

"Out of my way Potter." The sharp voice of Draco Malfoy said.

Harry rolled his eyes, "You bumped into me arsewipe." Harry turned and went face to face with the annoying boy. He was pleased to see he was taller than Draco and a bit broader.

"Now boys play nicely." The smooth tone of Mr. Malfoy came from behind Draco. Harry's eyes moved to the tall man who was dressed in immaculate robes. Mr. Malfoy held his hand out to Harry. Harry reluctantly shook it, "Lucius Malfoy, Mr. Potter." He introduced himself. Harry just nodded. Lucius pulled him close and used his cane to brush away the black haired boy's hair so that his scar was visible. "Forgive but your scar is legendary. As is the man who gave it to you."

"Really," Harry said smirking, "I didn't know you knew any muggle boys." Lucius sneered at him and was about to say something but Timothy came over.

"Release him Malfoy or do you want another fight on your hands," Timothy folded his arms over his chest causing them to bulge. His wand was in his right hand. Mr. Malfoy released Harry and Harry just kept smirking at the man and than at Draco.

"Now you're a Puddlemere fan?" Wayne asked Draco with a sneer. "Last year you were a Ballycastle fan." Last year Ballycastle had lost the cup to Puddlemere. Draco flushed with anger.

"Come on boys we need to get to our seats," Mr. Hopkins said putting his hands on Harry and Wayne's shoulders leading them away. He was willing to be the bigger man and walk away from the Malfoys something that just served to irritate the two pale blonds.

Their seats were near the top of the stadium above the goal posts. Not the best seats but definitely not the worst. Music was playing throughout the stadium as the teams warmed up. Mr. Hopkins produced a pair binocular looking things and at Harry's look explained, "These are Omnioculars. Not the fanciest pair but they'll do for ya. Here try 'em." He gave them to Harry and he put them to his eyes. He was surprised when words appeared explaining the warm up routine and shots that the players were taking. Then they slowed the seeker down who was practicing dives.

"Cool," Harry said with a grin and handed them over to Wayne. The players went into the locker room and the referee came out to the pitch.

"Butterbeer! Pumpkin Juice! Lagers!" A vendor shouted nearby.

Mr. Hopkins raised his hand, "Three Butterbeers!" The drinks were passed over and the sickles were exchanged.

"Merlin I can't wait fer Hogsmeade trips next year," Wayne said as he downed some of his butterbeer.

"Yeah there's only so much pumpkin juice one can take," Harry.

Timothy let out a laugh, "You boys are only in your second year and it hasn't started yet." He clapped them on the back good naturedly, but Harry still spilt some of his butterbeer. He snickered as Wayne got the form on his nose. Suddenly the music cutoff before starting up again with just drums.

"The Falcons!" Wayne shouted as their anthem started. Wayne belted it out while Harry just jeered.

The announcer started up, "Here are the visiting Falcons!" Boos and cheers went around the stadium. "Led by their captain and beater extraordinar Thad WARRRINGTON!" He dragged the name off. "And you've got Smith, Ellis, Knight, MacClellan, Murdoch, and the seeker Tommy Payne!" Harry and Wayne were jumping up and down cheering and swapping the omnioculars back and forth. The home team was next and the Puddlemere anthem was taken up around the stadium. The Hopkins and Harry made their boos heard with the rest of the Falmouth fans. "And hear are your Blue Devils! Led by Captain and chaser Robbie STERRRR-LING!" He dragged Sterling's name out to the applause of the Puddlemere fans. "Followed by your two wingers, Chase MacKenna and Missy Lister! The fantastic beater duo of Philberg Somerset and Xander Adeane. The staunch and stalwart keeper Ichabod Humberston and your seeker Sun Xu!"

The Puddlemere fans were rabid and singing their anthem once again as the players finished. The Falmouth fans started their own anthem which was a bit more colorful. Harry and Wayne grinned as they sang "Break their faces," crooning the last words.

"Your referee Shay Cork calls for the captains. They shake hands and mount their brooms. The Snitch is released and the Quaffle's up!" He shouted. "And it's taken by Sterling! But he's hit immediately by a bludger and the Quaffle drops down to Murdoch!" The game moved fast, faster than any Hogwarts game Harry had seen. It was hard to believe for the black haired boy that the game could go faster but it did. The announcer resorted to just calling out the last names of the players as they tossed the Quaffle around the pitch.

"It's MacKenna for Puddlemere to Lister. Lister's hit by Warrington's bludger. And picked up by Murdoch. Murdoch takes it down the pitch; passes to Knight. Knight shoots and scores! Falmouth is goes up 10-0!"

"Humberston throws to MacKenna, MacKenna to Lister. Lister uses a sloth roll to beat a bludger. Lister to Sterling and Sterling punches it towards the goals. 10-10 Tied up." The game continued in similar fashion the two teams rather evenly matched which was good news for Falmouth.

"And that's a penalty by Knight who elbowed Sterling in the nose. Sterling takes the penalty and it's past MacClellan! 150-110 Puddlemere." That was the sixth penalty on Falmouth where as Puddlemere was at one. The game had been going on for an hour with only one Snitch run so far. Harry could barely track the snitch with the Omnioculars, he could not imagine being on the pitch and trying to catch the speeding golden bullet.

"Oh and that one hurt! Lister takes a Bludger to the square of her back. The Quaffle drops to Smith who takes it down the pitch." Smith raced down the pitch with the Quaffle and passed to Knight then Murdoch and then back to Knight who dropped the Quaffle down to Smith. Smith fired a shot and it streaked into the right goal. "150-120!"

The seekers both shot towards the middle of the pitch and Harry who had the omnioculars could see the snitch hovering before it dropped down and shot to the left. "Wayne the Snitch!" He shoved the omnioculars to Wayne as the announced caught the action.

"Xu and Payne are battling it out for the Snitch!" Xu and Payne speed around the stadium on their Nimbus 2001's going faster than the other players. They zigzagged in and around their own teammates and opposing players twice causing collisions. Payne banked a turn stretched out his hand and swiped at the snitch. "Payne has the Snitch! Payne catches the Snitch! Falmouth beats the reigning champs!" Harry and Wayne were jumping up and down shouting. Mr. Hopkins was shouting himself hoarse. The victory made all the sweeter by the fact that Malfoy was supporting Puddlemere.

"Wha's that?" Harry sat up, "Ahh!" His yell woke Wayne who woke up. Wayne added his own yell to the mix. Standing on Wayne's bed was brownish green creature with bat like ears and tennis ball sized wide eyes. It was a house elf. A house elf that Harry had never seen before. Harry and Wayne scrambled out of bed, Harry grabbed for his wand.

"No the Great Harry Potter need not be scared of Dobby," The house elf said bouncing slightly on his toes.

"What do you want then?" Harry asked still holding his wand.

"Dobby has come to warn the Great Harry Potter, who triumphed over He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

"Warn me about what?" Wayne was nodding along with Harry's words.

"Harry Potter must not return to Hogwarts this year!"

"What! Why not?" Wayne asked.

"Great danger waits at Hogwarts. Terrible plots abound." A stomp was heard from the hallway. The elf vanished with a pop just as the door to Wayne's room flew open.

"What's going on in here?" Wayne's dad said looking at the two boys. Harry with his wand out and Wayne in a fighting stance.

Both boys looked confused and glanced at each other before Wayne shrugged, "A house elf was just in here."

Wayne's dad looked shocked and very eloquently said, "Uh? A house elf?"

"He disappeared when he heard you. He said Harry can't go back to Hogwarts. That terrible plots are happening."

"Did he say anything else?" The boys shook their heads. Mr. Hopkins looked confused and bewildered. He ran his hand over his face and into his hair. "Go back to sleep there's nothing we can do. I'll let Aurora know tomorrow before we leave for the train." The boys nodded and got back in bed. They shared a look before shrugging and shutting off the light.

The next morning the boys were woken just as suddenly by Mrs. Hopkins, "Boys get up! You have to eat before you leave!" She yelled through the door and banged on it a couple times. The boys rolled out of bed.

Wayne looked at Harry laughed, "You should totally leave your hair like that." Harry's unmanageable hair was even worse this morning. It was standing up completely just on the right side of his head. Harry checked Wayne's mirror, which thankfully did not talk to him, and chuckled.

"Izzy would go spare." Harry mumbled sleepily. The boys dressed in their school pants, t-shirts, and sneakers. It would make it easy when they had to change if they had their slacks on already. Harry managed to fix his hair to a more appropriate mess while Wayne's was easily tamed. "Lucky bugger." Harry muttered and gave Wayne a playful shove. Wayne shoved back and then ran to the kitchen. Harry hot on his heels pulled up when he saw the Hopkins Ma and Pop. "Sorry ma'am, sir." Harry said innocently.

They laughed, "No need to apologize Harry," Mr. Hopkins laughed.

"Let's eat boys." The Hopkins had eggs and bacon and orange juice instead of pumpkin juice. "Now we already talked to Aurora about your little visitor," She said in between bites.

"She asked if you guys were able to find out who his master was?" Mr. Hopkins asked. The boys shook their heads. "Well she said she will tell Minerva but there is not much we can do on so little. Now it could be prank or just something the house elf misunderstood. I think it best if you put it out of your heads, yes?"

Harry shrugged and Wayne spoke, "Sure da."

When they finished eating the boys finished packing up their trunks and grabbed their brooms and placed them by the door. Mrs. Hopkins came over to them with a piece of paper and a pen. "Alright wands?" She asked and Wayne blushed and glanced at Harry who was looking at him with a questioning look.

"I may have forgotten mine last year." Wayne mumbled causing Harry to laugh. Mrs. Hopkins grinned at the boys.

"Underwear?" both boys nodded. "Socks?" Another check. "Books, yes even the Lockhart ones."

"Check."

"Brooms," She muttered mostly to herself since she could see them. "Toothbrush?" Wayne preferred the muggle way to brush his teeth as did Harry. The list continued finally ending with, "Quills not pens?"

"Yes ma'am," Wayne and Harry both gave her military salutes. She chuckled and pulled them both into hugs. Wayne's was longer and she started tearing up a bit. "Oh ma' I'll be fine and home fer Christmas."

"I know I'll just miss you." She hugged him once more under the amused eye of her husband.

"Honey they need to go." Mr. Hopkins said with a reassuring tone.

"Oh alright." She said with releasing Wayne. She gave Harry another hug as well.

"Boys I'm going to put a feather light charm on your trunks so remember to look like they're heavy." He tapped their trunks with their wands. He then conjured two towels and wrapped their brooms in it. He took them out to the car and loaded them up in the boot. The boys got into the modest sedan and the Mr. Hopkins took them off to King's Cross Station.

"Man I wish we had muggle radio at Hogwarts," Wayne said as they got out of the car. They got their trunks and brooms on trolleys and started making their way to the hidden platform nine and three quarters. There were many Hogwarts students making their way to the platform. They could pick them out due to owls and toads for pets.

"Through the barrier boys," Mr. Hopkins said he stood with Harry and held onto his cart. Harry had not used the entrance last year. "Ready Harry?" Harry nodded and they took off at a brisk pace and went right though the brick wall between platforms nine and ten. Wayne came right along behind them. The gleaming red Hogwarts train was waiting for them.

A/N:

Not beta'ed yet but I do have a beta who is working on the other chapters. Also Si Vis is not abandoned or discontinued. I'm working on the next chapter of Si Vis now but it's slow, I'm dealing with a bit of writers block and trying not to rush through it.

Thanks enjoy

AM