The incident had made the front-page news, because of course it did, but he wasn't quite sure what to make of the article. Yes, it had ntioned that Fudge had brought a Dentor onto school grounds, but it was also written in such a way that it made the woman out to be a seeker of justice rather than an attention craving moron.
It had also ntioned his own involvent, as coming across the thief unawares and binding her before she could retaliate. Whether it was because this Fudge was in denial as his own, and thus unbelieving that a child would be able to use the Patronus Charm or had received so sort of pressure to either minimize his abilities or exclude his na the boy wasn't sure, but the rest of his abilities had been absent from the published story.
Still, he had made the papers, which ant the stares were back once more along with the whispers behind his back. At least they weren't calling him crazy, so that was a small plus at the least. On the other hand, there were more speculations than ever as to his upbringing and future.
The staff had managed, for the most part, to return the school year to semi-normalcy. At first Dumbledore, along with most of the Heads of House and even Snape, had proposed to reward Harry for his actions. Everything from House Points to dals had been discussed and it was only when asked directly that the boy made his choice.
"Nothing" he had answered when asked, " If you give a reward then you will need to explain it and I don't want that kind of attention ."
His answer had been far from satisfactory for most, but Dumbledore had ended up seeing the wisdom in his request and had agreed. His personal life was already being put on a stage for the Magical populace, no reason to add any fuel to the fire as it were.
After that the school year had continued much as it had before the incident, although Harry did overhear more than a few students who were upset at the sudden replacent of a professor, especially one that had apparently been very light on howork and testing.
McGonagall, Flitwick, and Sprout had gone back to treating him as before, normal coursework in class and a few extra things to read over and study in private.
Riddle seed more demanding, and intended on shoving him into the spotlight, than ever before. Even outside of class she would 'run into him' during various tis. This would usually result in casual offers of after-hour assistance or training. It was beginning to test his patience, and creativity in coming up with excuses.
But strangest of all was Snape's attitude. There was still a cold disposition between them, though not as frigid as the male version had been. During class she seed to ignore his presence, sothing he was fine with, at least until the other students were preoccupied. It was at that point that he swore he could feel her staring at him. Every ti he tried to catch her though, her attention would be elsewhere.
Regardless, with his grades improving, and his understanding of the various subjects better than it ever was before, Harry felt good, relaxed even.
If he didn't know better, he would have thought this had always been his ho.
****
End of year exams had been delightfully easy for the boy-who-lived. It was also after these that many of the professors, at least those who knew about his unique situation, gave him extra material to look over during the sumr. It hadn't been anything like his previous sumrs, which usually involved essays and other busy work, but rather supplentary materials that might fill in anything he had missed and began expanding his knowledge at what his level should be considering his experience rather than age.
Hermione and his sisters had done well in their own tests, and he overheard Ron bragging about receiving 'high marks in flying'. Even Neville appeared to have been pleased with his own scores.
As for his own house, he couldn't help but roll his eyes at the bragging and exaggerations. If he didn't know any better, he would have sworn that most of the Slytherins, especially in his own year, should have been sorted into Gryffindor instead based on how they waved about exam results.
Slytherin had won the House Cup, with Gryffindor edging out a win in Quidditch.
Everything was as it should have been, and thus Harry was feeling more comfortable than ever before, even looking forward to taking the Hogwarts Express back with his sisters to the Potter residence.
He had never been to the house he had likely been born in, at least that he could rember. What would it look like? How many rooms would there be? Would it have trees in the back yard? Did they have neighbors?
It was on the platform, preparing to board the Express ho, that he had been pondering these things, so focused on his own thoughts and questions that he hadn't even noticed one of the professors approaching, "Mr. Potter" he turned and found himself tensing at the sight of his defense professor. "If you would wait a mont, I have sothing to speak with you about."
Giving a nod to his sisters, he stepped a few feet away with the woman, not noticing she had used the movent to close the gap between them ever further.
"I know we have had a bit of a rough start this year, you and I, but I want you to understand that I would never hurt you." She continued forward, and it was at that point Harry realized just how close she was and shuffled backwards, hoping to put so distance between them without drawing further attention. His efforts failed, and she was within his personal space seconds later, hands clasped on his shoulders and leaning down next to his ear. "I am looking forward to proving this during the sumr, Harry."
Grace Riddle pulled back and before the boy could comnt pushed forward once more, her lips closing over his own.
It wasn't Harry's first kiss, if one considered his previous life, but it was certainly the most.
The most all-encompassing, the most wet, the most consuming, the most aggressive, the most out-of-body, and definitely the most confusing. When her tongue passed over his lips it brought him back to the present.
Before he could react, however, the woman broke the embrace herself, a sensuous smile on her face as she turned, gave a teasing wink, and departed, leaving a stunned boy behind.
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