Title: Intervening Fate

Disclaimer: This story is heavily based upon SLASH: A homosexual romantic relationship (Please don't read any further than this point if this offends you). Also, I do not claim any rights to Harry Potter or any of its associations. I am merely writing my own version for personal creative enjoyment, and posting it for my fellow creative readers and writers to critique. Flame me, I shall laugh at your pettiness. Feel free—humor at your expense is, well, at your expense (not mine). Constructive criticism and praise are even more so welcome : )

This story has been revised on 6/26/06

Chapter One

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Looking back, in my other life before Hogwarts, I never truly knew what friendship or love felt like. In fact, I really had absolutely no shred of an idea. Sure I had my few moments, fantasizing about a different life—a better life in which my parents were still alive—a life in which I knew the meaning of the word 'love'.

My Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had told me since I was a small child that my parents died in a car accident. Those liars had the nerve to tell me that they had crashed because they had been under the influence, or as they liked to put it: "Those pothead parents of yours were hammered before they died. Such a disgrace to our reputation."

Hah, if people only knew of the Dursley's numerous deep dark secrets, a mere car accident in the family would mean diddily squat to those nosy neighbors of ours.

But, that is a whole other story in itself.

Of course there was no car accident, and their deaths weren't even remotely related to alcohol. My parents died by the hands of Lord Voldemort, trying to protect me from fatal harm. They gave their lives for my own, and when I found out what had actually happened, I felt like strangling those damned people that I grudgingly call my only remaining relatives.

Not a single drop of alcohol had been anywhere in sight. When I think of all the times those gits put me and my parents down, it infuriates me to no end. Not so much on my part, but because of the fact that they had absolutely no right to talk about my parents like that. That made my blood boil like nothing else.

They were better than the Dursley's by tenfold, no—thousandfold, but what else would I expect those disgusting pigs to say? They had a fetish for normalcy, thus belittling me and at that time, for reasons completely unknown to me. Now I know why they treated me in such a horrible way.

I was a wizard, and in their eyes: the total opposite of normal.

Hell, I was even the Boy-Who-Bloody-Lived: the most famous wizard at the time for being the only one to ever survive the killing curse; especially since Voldemort had been the offending hand. The funny part is that for eleven years of my life I never knew. I didn't know many things for they kept me in the dark.

Literally.

I was thrown aside; their main goal to make me feel like the foulest scum scraped from the deepest pits of hell, trying to make me believe that they were being so generous by taking a monstrosity such as me into their household. For a while, I believed them in every way.

If I had known what I know now, I would have rather taken my chances out on the streets.

But the one thing that I truly thank them profusely for, is never showing me love; showing me any feelings other that disgust and hatred. For, when you never know these feelings, it can't hurt you when someone leaves you.

I have learned these feelings of care, trust, and devotion and have embraced them for six years. What happens? Fate throws them back into my face, laughing at the bleeding hole in my heart and taunting me with memories to rip away the scab.

Fate let Sirius die.

Sometimes I believed that I was stronger when I wasn't loved. Now I know this for a fact. Without these feelings, you can't be emotionally hurt by other's actions.

Physically and even mentally, yes, but not emotionally.

Within your heart.

Out of the three, emotional pain is much terribly worse. Physical pain goes away after a period of time. Mental pain can cause you to recede into another world within your own mind, and into unawareness, but the pain that firmly constricts around your heart is always there and it never goes away.

It is a constant reminder of his death.

But I won't let it show, I won't cry into someone's shoulder with my pathetic sob story, I won't present my constant agonizing ache within my chest in front of everyone to see and either belittle or pity, I won't.

I can't.

By now my mask is surely nailed onto my face.

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"Harry," a soft, distant voice called to him, hands lightly shaking his shoulder. He groaned and slowly blinked his blurry eyes open. All that he could see was one big, brown, bushy blob. "Harry," the voice called out again a little louder, the shaking becoming a little more forceful.

He sighed as he slowly sat up. "What'ya want Hermione?" Harry asked with a large yawn, his hand automatically fumbling on the floor for his glasses. Hermione handed him his desired object, and he slid them onto his face, all vision becoming clear once more. They were sitting in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express. Ron and Ginny were missing; they must have been changing into their school robes.

"We're almost there, Harry. Actually, I think we are there. Good thing you changed into your robes before you fell asleep. Are you feeling alright?" she asked in concern as she stood on her tiptoes to retrieve their trunks. She handed Harry Hedwig's cage.

"I'm fine, I just didn't get much sleep last night." Harry said, and to prove his point another wide-mouthed yawn escaped his lips. "Probably from all of the excitement of coming back to classes, and ridiculous towers and mountains of homework." he said with a roll of his eyes, picking up his quite heavy trunk, and sliding open the crystal glass compartment door.

Hermione made an amused face. "Oh I bet, I can see it now, you're planning on quitting the Quidditch team so that we can double our study time together," she said, dragging her own possessions out of the door.

"Funny one, you are." Harry chuckled as they both exited the train in the midst of the rest of the Hogwarts student body. A dark sea of black figures began filing into the carriages pulled by the school's thestrals. A sharp stab shot through Harry's chest as he thought of the last time he rode a thestral to the Ministry of Magic. Reminding him yet again that it was his fault for Sirius's death.

His heart was throbbing with invisible pain.

"Seriously though Harry, you really need to try harder this year. You have so much potential yet so little inclination to live up to it. We aren't children any longer, and now our schoolwork actually counts. I worry that with the juvenile track that you and Ron are on, you two might screw up some chances that may come along soon enough," her voice forcefully dragging him back into the world of reality. He wiped his heavy expression from his face and replaced it with a forced yet believable smile.

"Don't worry about it, Hermione. If it makes you feel any better, I will try a little harder, I promise. By the way, where'd Ron go off to?" Harry asked her.

"Oh, well he went off to change right after you fell asleep, and apparently he ended up hanging out with Parvati and Lavender for the remaining hour and a half, according to Ginny. And Ginny went off to hang out with Dean, Seamus, and Neville, so I was left with only your devastatingly beautiful presence." she smirked.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Harry asked in mock offense.

"It means that our Weasleys abandoned us, Harry. Despite what you think, a snoring Harry Potter may be fun to watch—and at times poke at—but is absolutely not very good company." Hermione stated in her matter-of-fact fashion, climbing into a carriage. Harry climbed in behind her. Two Gryffindor third year girls abruptly stopped their talking as they saw who had entered the carriage. Their eyes immediately flicked up to Harry's forehead, gazing at his legendary scar.

Harry and Hermione exchanged glances as they sat down. "Well, I'll have you know that I do not snore." he protested.

Hermione giggled, "Believe that to your heart's content, but the fact is that you could give Ron a run for his money." she smiled.

Harry smirked, "And how would you know this?"

Hermione's face reddened comically as she stuttered out, "That's not what I meant, Harry."

"Oh?" Harry's smile grew smugger, " Then why are you blushing?"

"Oh shut up will you?" Hermione managed, practically pleading instead of demanding. Harry decided to go easy on her and drop the subject. He sighed and shifted his gaze to the window, staring at the evening sky. Millions of twinkling stars were scattered throughout the darkness; reminding him of the bright lights that wrapped around the enormous Christmas tree at Grimmauld Place.

"So," Harry began, "do you think that I'll survive Advanced Double Potions? I think that if it is even possible, Snape will hate me even more this year."

"Of course you will, Harry. Because if he hates you that much, he wouldn't fail you— simply out of fear that you'd be with him an extra year."

Harry's face brightened noticeably. "You know, I never thought about that."

Hermione hastily added, "But that doesn't mean that you can slack off, Harry! To become an Auror you need top marks in Potions!" Harry softly smiled at his best friend's concern of his grades.

"I know, I know, a promise is a promise. Just promise me you won't make yourself sick with worry, I won't botch it this time." he smiled. As they continued their way up to the vast castle ahead of them, they were entirely unaware of the two sets of ears and eyes hanging on their every movement and word with a dreamy expression.

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Harry and Hermione walked toward the Hogwarts castle. They managed to stick together as students from each and every direction plowed past them; seeking refuge from the chilly September evening. Harry used his newly received height to his advantage, gazing over the heads of younger class mates; searching for a mop of familiar fiery red hair. Harry was startled as the mob of students pushed him forward into the school entrance.

He scowled at the fourth years who had forcefully nudged him forward. They had the honor to look abashed for so rudely shoving him. Hermione rolled her eyes as Harry either consciously or not; was terrorizing the younger students. One Potter glare could make anyone shake in their boots.

Well maybe except a Malfoy.

She grasped his arm; leading over to the Gryffindor table. Apparently they had been the last sixth years to arrive at the table, for Ron, Dean, Neville, Seamus, Lavender, and Parvati were already seated, chatting rather loudly and expressively about something. Harry watched as Hermione's lips pursed into a thin line, sitting on the opposite side of himself.

They still hadn't noticed their presence yet. "…said that they could sneak us some…"

"—But they'll be caught…"

"Oh, come on Neville, there's no point if it's not actually fun!"

"How long do you think it'll take 'em to notice…?"

"Not if we're caref…"

Ron abruptly stopped his comment as he felt a tap on the shoulder. Two inquisitive sets of eyes were watching him expectantly. "Uh, hey Harry! 'Mione!" Ron said with a slightly guilty look.

The corners of Harry's mouth turned up as he watched his best friend squirm. He didn't know why, but he would soon. "Hey Ron, care to explain why you just 'forgot' to come back after changing your robes?" Harry asked.

"Well, you see…"

"See, cause me and 'Mione were having a little bet." he said, already formulating a plan in his head.

A slightly evil plan.

"A what?" Hermione whispered harshly in his ear. He gave her a thumbs up sign under the table. Hermione watched her friend's face closely, he had something planned and she didn't know whether it was a very good idea to go along with it. Hermione sighed, if this would get Ron back for leaving her for Lavender and Parvati, then she knew that she'd willingly playing along.

"A bet? On what?" Ron asked in confusion.

"Well, I said that you were probably out banging Evette Portsmouth, you know, that really hot fifth year Ravenclaw that you are always on about…"

Ron spluttered wordlessly.

"And Hermione thought that you were probably out doing Malfoy. She said that she's seen him give you a once over a couple times."

Ron's pink face grew green at the thought. Their inner circle of friends were torn between amusement and disgust. Hermione closed her eyes in irritation. What the hell was Harry getting them into this time?

"And it looks like we both lost, for you don't look even remotely snogged. But when we started to actually get worried about your v-card, we went looking around the compartments. And Bob's your uncle some guy pulls Hermione aside for a random snog." Harry continued.

It was Hermione's turn to look at him in astonishment.

"W—what?" Ron asked, not fully comprehending the words spoken from Harry's mouth.

"I never knew that she had a thing for Hufflepuffs, but I have to say his friend is hot, maybe Hermione's newfound connections could help me out a little." Harry smiled distantly and then shook his head, "But ramblings of our travels aside, it seems like you're planning to be sneaky, Ronald."

Ron was about to say something when Dumbledore cleared his throat, seeking the attention of the student body. "Now that the Sorting is complete," the sixth year Gryffindors gazed at the new first years, bewildered that they hadn't noticed the Sorting start, "I can begin. First and foremost, welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I would like to inform our newest students that roaming the castle after hours is forbidden, as is the forest surrounding the grounds. I would like to remind a select few of our older students of this as well.

"This should prove to be an interesting year, for reasons that all of you already know," Dumbledore said in a slightly darker voice. Harry knew why. Dumbledore had been referring to Voldemort.

"And without further ado, I would like to introduce this years Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher: Nymphadora Tonks." A young woman with short florescent pink hair rose to stand at being introduced. She beamed a smile at Harry. His jaw dropped open.

The whole hall was unusually quiet; taking her odd appearance in with curiosity. Harry stood up and began clapping loudly, his fellow Gryffindors following by example. Soon, the rest of the students and teachers included were applauding loudly, well, maybe except for a great part of the Slytherin Table, and one pissed off Snape. Her cheeks grew steadily pink from all of the applause.

"Yes, yes, welcome Professor Tonks, but now that all announcements have been made, I assume that all that is left to say is, tuck in!" he said, and all of a sudden, the golden plates were filled with numerous delicious smelling dishes of food. Most of the hall began piling large amounts of food onto their plates, swigging down their fill of pumpkin juice—all except for Ron, Lavender, Parvati, Dean, Neville and Hermione. Harry and Seamus were both hungrily devouring their dinner; Harry having only survived the day on Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes, and Ghostly Gumdrops (which were eaten pretty quickly for fear of disappearance).

Hermione knew her friends all too well. Harry had been trying to ruffle Ron up by his tale of this mysterious snog stealing boy so that he would spill his beans; which he most likely was to do any moment now.

"So, Hermione has a Hufflepuff boyfriend? Who is it then?" Parvati asked smugly, voicing everyone's question. Parvati didn't look as if she believed it; or rather, she didn't look as if she believed that Hermione had gotten herself a boyfriend. Parvati and Hermione both had been a little sour from their fourth year, the Yule Ball with the mixture of the Daily Prophet articles about her and Harry.

Hermione glared at her haughty tone.

Harry took his grand old time to swallow his mouthful of food; an eternity to his fellow sixth years. "Well, I'll leave it to Hermione to tell you the identity of the damn lucky guy," at this, Parvati scowled at Harry, "but I'm sure that she wouldn't mind me describing him, would you Hermione?" he asked her with a glint in his eye. Hermione sighed dejectedly and mumbled out a 'sure.'

"Well, let me elaborate now that I have permission. Kinda medium height with longish sandy blonde hair, hazel eyes, tanned complexion — come on guys you can get this!" Harry said with twinkling eyes.

Ron visibly winced at the polar opposite description of himself. Lavender's eyes grew wide as she began giggling. She leaned over and whispered something in Parvati's ear. The brunette girl's eyes grew round as saucers as she gasped, staring at Hermione.

Hermione felt a large chunk of ice drop into her stomach. Any time now, Harry, you can tell them that you were lying…

"Hermione! How in Merlin's name did you snag him!" Parvati asked.

"Snag who?" Dean interjected.

"Come on Hermione, tell us how it happened." Lavender added.

"Who are you guys talking about?" Neville asked.

"Isn't it obvious!" Parvati shrieked, "Hermione's going out with Paul Ackerly!"

Apprehension dawned on Ron's face. "Paul Ackerly? You mean that pretty boy goody-two-shoes? That Paul Ackerly?" Ron asked incredulously. "'Mione, why in the wizarding world would you date that prat?" he asked. Anger flushed Hermione's face. Even if she wasn't going out with Paul Ackerly, Ron still didn't have the audacity to say such a thing about someone he hardly knew; further more, someone who was supposedly her 'boyfriend.'

"Ronald Weasley! How dare you!" she stood up at a sturdy five foot six, only five inches shorter than Harry, and seven inches shorter than Ron. Hermione's once frizzy mane now tumbling into sleek, spiraling curls, (Thanks to Mademoiselle Miriam's Magical Manageability Mousse ™ that had come out in stores on May first,) and her delicate features shrouded in a mixture of fury and severe irritation at both Harry and Ron.

Mostly at Ron.

"I will not put up with your shit this year," all of her friends' eyes grew wide at her rare cursing, "There is only so much that I can take from you Ronald, but this is pushing it!" Harry watched his friend in confusion, he had a feeling that this had originated somewhere else other than Ron insulting her 'boyfriend.' "Give me a call when you decide to grow up!" and with meaning she spun around, purposefully striding toward the Hufflepuff table, and sat down next to the sickeningly gorgeous Paul Ackerly.

If Hermione had been in her right mind, she would never have thought of doing what she was about to. In her right mind, she would have just stomped right out of the Great Hall in a sulk. Unfortunately, Hermione wasn't thinking straight as she grabbed Paul's head, and kissed him full on the lips.

Paul was shocked for a millisecond until he began kissing the beautiful girl in front of him back, with just as much vigor. The sixth year Gryffindors and the Hufflepuffs surrounding the scene were flabbergasted.

Even Harry's eyes widened at his best friend's behavior. "Wow, I never knew she had it in her," Parvati stated in awe. Ron shot a glare at the shocked girl. He forcefully pushed his untouched plate forward, standing up. "I'm full." Ron hastily left the Great Hall.

Harry knew that he definitely went about the wrong way of milking information from Ron, and that he instead brought unsaid issues to the surface of matters. He sighed as he let his fork drop onto his plate with a loud 'clang' amidst the silence of his fellow peers, and began walking toward the doors exiting the Great Hall.

He had some fixing to do.

Joy.

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T.B.C.

M.R.