Strange Potter

"So what do you think?" Harry turned to the girl behind him. All he got back was a head shake. "Fine." He cast another spell turning his clothes into something more casual. "Better?"

Hedwig hooted.

"Finally. Who would have thought an owl would be such a critic."

She hooted again louder.

"I am not." He argued. "I just want it to go well."

Hedwig tilted her head.

"You know what I mean. Bloody hell you were right the whole time. Happy?" He scuffed.

Hedwig waved her wings as a sign that of course she was. 

"Bloody owl." Harry finished his outfit and sat it out for later. Once dressed in his usual school robes he headed out for class. He was a little behind but knew ways to get there fast.

"Running behind?" Neville asked when he sat at the table.

"I made it." Harry shrugged. He looked to his left and saw Hermione sitting. They shared a blush and looked back up to see Remus coming in.

"I was worried he would be unable to make it and have someone else fill in," Susan whispered to Hermione. 

Remus looked good considering he had two newborns and Wanda at home. Harry suspected a few pepper potions helped.

"Hello everyone." Remus started. "Who can tell me where we left off?" 

"Hinkypunks Professor," Hermione answered.

"Ah yes. Ten points to Gryffindor. But in the future wait until called Miss. Granger."

"Sorry." 

Remus chuckled a bit and started. "The Hinkypunk is a little one-legged creature and looks as if it is made of smoke. It carries a lantern with it. Who can tell me what it does with it?"

Harry raised his hand. 

"Mr. Potter."

"It uses it to lure travelers into bogs."

"Correct. Points to Gryffindor." He pulled back a curtain showing one of the creatures on a magical glass box. "Now this creature may seem rather frail and harmless-looking, but do not underestimate them. What becomes of the travelers that follow them never ends well."

The whole lesson two teens paid attention to it but every time they looked at each other they kept going to the event happening tomorrow. Their first date.

"Ah!" 

The potion room was dark and empty save for two occupants as the night air filled the castle.

"Better." Snape lowered his wand and held out a small vial. "This will help with the pain."

Draco took the offered potion and forced it down. His headache slowly faded as he collected his thoughts.

"Your shield needs more reinforcements but it is an improvement." Snape sat back down. 

"This is pointless."

"Wasting my time helping you? Absolutely, but I doubt that your mother wishes to see her dunderhead and ungrateful son get himself killed."

Draco glared back and nearly snapped. "Potter..."

"You still don't understand do you?!" Snape growled. "It's not Potter you need to be afraid of! He's an arrogant spoiled brat but he is protected. You saw how powerful your father was and where is he?!"

Draco fumed but didn't say anything back.

"The more you let your impulses control you the easier you can read. This Wanda ripped through Lucius' mind like tissue paper when he didn't think through his actions."

"My father will be free again." The boy swore.

"And when that happens you should be able to say you behaved like a proper Slytherin. You waited. Planned. Learned. Keep Strange and Blacks eyes off you. Off your mother." Snape looked at his watch. "You may leave. Study and prepare for the next lesson."

Draco rubbed his head and left to get some sleep. 

Snape stood and began to head for his room when the floo went off. 

"Severus, can you join me for a few minutes?" Dumbledore appeared.

"Of course headmaster." Snape focused his shields. Dealing with Dumbledore was always a challenge. The old man claimed he trusted him and he did but only with his life. Not his secrets though. He stepped thru the floo and entered the office.

"How is your project with young Draco going?" Dumbledore asked after offering him a seat.

"I'm keeping him focused on something other than Potter," Snape replied.

Albus nodded. "That is good. I do not doubt that you have the situation well in hand." He knew the boy was upset and feared he would do something reckless, as children do, but he had faith in Severus. "Please keep me informed. We need to keep a close eye on the boy. He is still young and can learn."

"Of course. What of Potter? He will keep pushing Draco."

"Harry doesn't start the fights as you know." Albus looked over his glasses at Snape. " Just maintain eyes on them and keep them from resorting to violence."

"As you say. Is there anything else? I have papers to grade."

"Only that I may be out of the castle for a bit in the coming weeks. I trust you will inform me if any changes with young Draco?"

"Of course." Snape bowed and exited the room.

Dumbledore considered the situation in hand so his thoughts turned to Strange's warning of the Loki character. From what he gathered from the muggleborns he was a dangerous individual. That combined with the information from the MACUSA of the attack made Albus realize this was a dangerous individual. At first he considered the tales of a hole in space and an army invading as tale of children but the backing of the MACUSA president verifying it changed that. 

Strange has no evidence this Loki is even on Earth. I need to keep my focus on the threat I know not one that may be.

He pulled out a small vial from his robes and walked over to his pensive. He dropped the memory in and started his search again. He was so close to finding one. After using some unsavory methods to get the memory. I wish I could be more careful but Strange's actions forced my hand. Using compulsion charms always seemed to excessive but he did what he had to do. He was sure a few more weeks of going over memories and he would have the location of the Gaunt home. 

Hermione paced in her room. She was going on a date and didn't know what that meant! 

She finally declined to get some advice. So she pulled her mirror out.  "Mum. I need some advice." 

"What about?" Jean asked.

"Well, there's a...Im going on a date!" Hermione decided to do the bandage approach.

Jean smiled slightly. "So where is Harry taking you?"

"He said it was a surprise and...I didn't tell you who it was!" 

Jean's grin grew. "You didn't have to."

"Ah!" Hermione groaned. "I don't know what I'm doing." She lay on the bed holding the mirror above her.

"Just relax. I know you think everything through and plan for every situation but sometimes you just need to go with things."

Hermione sighed. "What if it's awkward?"

"I guarantee it's going to be. All first dates are."

"Where did Dad take you?"

"You know that restaurant we took you when you got home?"

"That's why you love that place." Hermione nodded. It was a nice place but nothing fancy but the food was okay. "I don't even know how to dress."

"I don't think Harry will care too much. I've seen the way the boy looks at you and the way you look at him."

Hermione blushes deeply. "Mother!"

"Had to tease you a little." Jean smiled sweetly. "Dress appropriately for the weather, but pick out some of the nicer ones. One's you don't wear that much."

"Okay. That makes sense." 

"Just be yourself. He didn't ask you out to be someone else."

Hermione realized that. Harry wanted to date her so she didn't need to pretend to be someone else. He knew who she was and still liked her. She smiled at that "Love you, mum." 

"Love you too. Have fun." Jean told her.

Hermione decided on an outfit. Nice jeans and shirt with a sweater, that happened to be the same as the Gryffindor house colors. It was cold outside. With a quick spell to try to straighten her hair, she took a deep breath. Crookshanks rubbed against her leg and meowed.

"Good enough?" 

The cat licked his face before sitting.

"Good enough." She took off for the trip to Hogsmeade.

After all the forms were checked the groups of children took off for Hogsmeade. 

"First thing I'm doing is going to Honeydukes," Susan said as they walked. "What about you guys?"

"Butterbeer," Blaise replied. "Then some ingredients I need to pick up for potions."

"I'm with you Susan," Neville said. "I can almost smell the sweets already."

"What about you two?" The Hufflepuff asked the two, oddly quiet, Gryffindors.

"Loads of shops to see. Sirius told me some good ones." Harry replied quickly.

"Bookstore," Hermione said.

"Of course." The three said together. Making her glare slightly.

When they arrived at the village the others took off and Harry saw his chance. He ducked them into an alley out of sight.

"So where are we going?" She asked.

Harry offered his hand. "Close your eyes."

Hermione narrowed them down briefly but took his hand and closed her eyes. Everything went quiet and she felt the wind fly by her fast. 

"Okay."

She opened them to see a lake "Where are we?"

"My home in the US." Harry pointed to the lake view. "Usually Sirius would need to tell you the secret but I have ways around that spell. At least for places I know." 

"We went all the way over the ocean?!"

"No one will bother us here." He snapped his fingers together as various types of food and a blanket appeared out of nowhere.

In no time he had a picnic all set up for them. 

"I hope this is okay." He spoke. "I didn't want to go too big like the top of the Pyramids of Giza."

"That would be too much." She agreed as she looked at the food. "Is this Bouillabaisse?" 

Harry rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Yeah, I may have asked your mum what you like."

"You can cook?"

"Yeah, I'm more than a pretty face." He smiled.

"You're head will explode one day with how big it gets."

"Haha."  They sat as the blanket formed into comfortable seats. "If there's anything else you want just ask, I'll have it done in a snap. Any food."

"That's impossible. The Gamp Law." She started to recite the very law.

"Doesn't apply to me. Chaos gets its name because it can form from nothing."

"You and rules don't get along do they?" She found herself teasing him.

"I have no idea what you mean."

They sat there eating making small talk. It wasn't unlike eating in the great hall.

"Is this awkward?" She asked.

"I don't think so. Are you feeling like that?"

"It doesn't feel like anything different."

"Have we already been dating?" He blushed.

"According to everyone in school." 

Harry rolled his eyes. "That is annoying. Like they have nothing better to do but talk about us."

"Gossip travels faster than your firebolt."

"Sounds like a challenge."

"No." 

He grinned back then reached over to gently take her hand. She smiled back.

"You look very pretty." He told her.

She blushed slightly. "It's just a sweater."

"It looks nice on you."

"Thank you. You look very handsome." She smiled at his blush this time.

"Thank you. Hedwig had to help me pick it out."

"Your owl helped you? You know what? I'm not asking it is just something that is definitely you." 

He laughed at that which she joined in.

They sat talking about anything but school. Her favorite books. His favorite. Anything they didn't already know about the other from talks in the past. They played a card game he brought while listening to music he summoned from instruments he made from sticks.

"Now you're just showing off." She told him when they played a song she knew and loved.

"I'm good at that." 

Where is the filthy halfblood?! 

Umbridge smiled sweetly as she walked through Hogsmeade. But inside she was seething. All she had to do was find Potter but the boy was nowhere to be seen. It was the weekend of the student's outing and she was certain the boy would be here. 

But after a few hours of walking and making small talk, to avoid suspicion, she realized he wasn't there and flooed home.

Where she was met with an unwelcomed visitor.

"Umbridge." Karl laid down a teacup.

"How dare you break into my house again!" She snapped. 

"You would think you would be more happy with the information that I gave you. Or did you want Stephen to keep listening in on you?"

"I did what you asked. The boy didn't show up."

Karl knew he couldn't get the boy in the school. Strange had set up monitors to see if portals opened on the grounds. And the rest of the time Harry was out he was around Stephen or Wanda. So Hogsmeade was the best bet. "Then we will have to try again."

"We? I'm taking the risk." She croaked.

"For a reward. Help me get the boy and I promise all your problems will soon be over," Karl said. "Strange will be dealt with."

"And of this Wanda? Rumor is she is more powerful than him. What is your plan for her?" 

"If this works then I'll deal with her as well. But I need Potter."

"Why? You still haven't told me why a half-blood is so important."

"Somethings are better left unsaid."

Her face grew red in anger. "I'm taking a risk just allowing you on my property. After your werewolf incident, which only strengthens Stranges power!"

"If you want Strange gone then deliver me the boy," Karl told her as he portaled out. "Understand one thing. You need me. I have a use for you so I will keep my word. Strange's death and the Sorcerers removed from your world for Potter."

She watched him leave and huffed. This deal was dangerous but with Strange ruining the world she had little choice. Going against his opening was too risky. She had to use one devil to remove another. 

And if the man happened to get an Unforgivable to the back at the end then all the better. After he finished his part, of course.

Harry portaled them back to Hogsmeade where they ran to join the groups heading back to the castle.

"Where have you two been?" Susan asked when she saw them.

"Around." Harry shrugged.

"There's a lot of shops to visit. You must have missed us." Hermione shrugged.

"Right..." She looked at them knowing they were hiding something.

"It's none of our business," Neville voiced to cover for them. He already figured out what had gone on.

Once back at the castle, everyone split to go to their dorms but Hermione waited until everyone had gotten out of sight before she took Harry off to the side a bit.

She made sure no one saw it when she leaned in a kissed his cheek. "Thank you. I enjoyed it."

Harry grinned. "Does this mean we're a couple?"

She blushed this time. "Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?"

"Yes."

Hermione smiled brighter. "I would like that."

Harry's grin grew. She was his girlfriend!

"Ah, Harry. You're glowing." Hermione chuckled.

Harry looked at his hands and saw the red as he began to float. Shaking his head he stopped. "Sometimes that happens when I get too excited."

Hermione went back to the dorm room with the biggest smile. Not caring her slightly large front teeth were showing.

"About time," Neville smirked when he saw Harry come to his room to change.

"Shut it." Harry couldn't get the smile off his face.

"I'm not saying anything. Other than about bloody time." He slapped Harry back as he passed him. 

"When are you and Luna going to get together?" Harry asked.

Neville tripped over his feet at that. "What?!"

"I'm going to put a bet in with the twins and screw with you." Harry took off to find the redheads.

"Don't you dare!" His best friend chased after him.

Wanda laid Peitro next to his sleeping brother. Both look so peaceful. Almost identical but she noticed one took after his namesake and had a patch of white hair in the sea of brown. 

At least that makes them easier to tell apart as they get older. Harry's stories of the two redhead twins at Hogwarts came to mind. They better not behave like that. Who am I kidding? Look who they have around them. I have to keep Sirius at a distance. She knew that would be impossible and to be honest she didn't mean it anyway.

"Coffee?" Natasha asked from the doorway.

"Yes." She preferred tea but she could use the caffeine. She didn't like the taste of those potions that Remus used even if they worked better.

"How are you doing?" Natasha poured the cup.

"I'm good. Really."

Natasha smiled. "Motherhood suits you."

"You didn't have to come over."

"I know what it's like raising one. That's with Sirius. You have two and Remus on the other side of the world."

"Remus calls every time he ends a class. I told him a few hours is manageable. It's not like I can't multitask." Wanda floated some items to demonstrate. It did wonders to hold both the children, feed them, and change them. "Not to mention that Tonks has been over nonstop. She loves the kids."

"Girl was so excited with Harry and Regulus and helped me a lot too," Natasha remembered. 

Wanda checked on the sleeping twins one last time and slipped out to sit in the living room. "Any news on Loki?"

Natasha sighed. "None. There's a chance he's not even on Earth hopefully."

"It would be foolish to come here after his defeat last time." She wished she was here for that. "And if he comes anywhere near any of us I will test his godhood."

"I like the sound of that." 

Back in the baby room Lyall and Peitro sleep peacefully occasionally their newborn eyes would open briefly. One with a glow of purple and the other with a shade of yellow before going back to their normal colors.

The boy and his parents continued through the pub passing a man reading a paper. When they went by it lowered down the holders eyes following them.

They disappeared in the back and the man put down the paper before following. Only to see nothing but a brick wall.

"Curious."

Loki examined the wall. There was magic here. It was peculiar. Infantile. He easily reversed the charm causing an alley to appear. 

Well. What do we have here? A whole hidden magical community? He passed by some random humans, dressed differently from the ones outside. With a green glow, he took on the same clothes and a random face of someone he saw outside. Then he saw his targets and a new idea came to him.

Exciting a shop Regulus took off down to see the newest brooms.

"Regulus don't run!" His mother called.

Regulus was already gone when he ran straight into someone and both went to the ground. "Ah. Sorry."

The other boy sat up. "Ow." he had reddish hair and a thin face.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine."

Regulus offered his hand. "I should pay more attention."

"Yes, but the same goes for me." The boy took it and stood. 

"Names Regulus. What's yours?"

"Atreus." 

"You a newblood? I've never seen you around here before."

"Is it that obvious? Yes." 

"Where's your parents?"

"Mums in the bookstore. I snuck out to look around."

"Ha. Like me." Regulus laughed.

"Reg," Sirius said coming over after finding the two. "You know better than to run off."

"Motto was watching me." The boy motioned to his hairy friend who appeared by his leg.

"And who's watching him?" Natasha asked as she found them.

Motto shrugged at the same time as Regulus.

"Wow." Atreus looked down a the creature. "What is that?"

"Motto, he's a Demiguise."

"I don't know what that is but he's wicked." 

Motto looked up at the boy. Something clicked in the creature's mind but he didn't see danger or any immediate threats from him. Still, he was wary.

"He's shy around new people," Regulus said. "Hey, I can tell you about the wizard world if you want."

"I'm planning on reading up as much as I can but I would welcome some first-hand experience. Thank you."

"Aren't you polite?"  Natasha smiled.

"All thanks to my mother, but I know you! You're an Avenger!" Atreus went wide-eyed when he realized who he was talking to.

"First-Gen then." Sirius chuckled.

"Where are your parents?"

"Mum is still in the store. Father is..."

"Not in the picture." A woman came over carrying books. "Atreus. Who are your friends?"

"This is Regulus and his parents. She's the Black Widow."

"Natasha." 

"Freya." The woman greeted her with a handshake.

"Sirius Black." Sirius shook next. "It's a pleasure to see new blood around."

"New blood?"

"There are a lot of old families around this wizard community and it's a welcome change to add new wizards to it. But you're a little young to know about magic. I take it you did some accidental magic at home?"

Atreus looked bashful.

"That he did."

"How old are you Atreus?"

"Ten going on eleven." He said proudly.

"You'll be starting school with me!" Regulus said. "I'll show you around."

"Thank you."

"And if you have any questions my shop over here." Sirius pointed. "Will be more than happy to help. Alice runs the place and is a great source for learning laws and customs here."

"Thank you. We will have to visit." Freya nodded. "It was nice meeting you but I'm afraid we have a lot of things to do don't we?" She looked at her son.

"Yes, mother."

"See you around. Hey, I'll send you an owl!" Regulus told his new friend.

"Thank you."

"Take care!"

"You too!" Atreus waved as they left. He turned to the window where a taller dark haired trickster smiled back. Now let's see what this magic has for me. I think I may like it here. But what is this business with owls? I have a lot to study here if I am going to remain in cover.