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Tyson FoxFlame
Author of 38 Stories |
Chapter One
Rough Reality
I, Harry James Potter, am officially screwed over. I’m running low on money due to the fact that I can only work part-time now since they changed around my schedule, which unfortunately clashes right into schooling hours. I suppose if I was really desperate I could drop out of high school and be back working full-time, but that’s really not something I want to do. Although, I’ve come to realize that I have to do a lot of things I don’t want to do in order to take care of myself properly. And yet, I’ve begun to wonder if it’s really even necessary…
A young boy shut his small black journal and tossed it onto the coffee table in front of him, rubbing at his eyes tiredly. He blinked and slipped his wire-frame glass back on, staring behind him at the clock on the kitchen wall.
“11 o’ clock in the evening. It’s no wonder I wake up so exhausted,” he mumbled to himself as he pushed himself off of the worn-down couch, heading over to the tiny closet to his right. Gingerly pulling the door open, he reached in and slowly pulled out a ragged blue blanket in hopes that he wouldn’t rattle the closet door.
“The last thing I need tonight is the closet falling apart again. It takes at least a good 45 minutes to pop the door back into its hinges,” the boy continued talking to himself, brushing a few strands of his charcoal hair out of his face. He shuffled his feet back to the couch and allowed himself to fall, wincing at the loud creaks and moans it made in protest. He took the glasses back off and set them aside someplace safe and out of his reach, just in case he happened to roll off of the couch again like he had the night before.
He stretched his fingertips upward, flicking off the short lamp that sat on a box next to him, covering himself with the blanket and laying his head against the hard white pillow. Emerald-green eyes began drooping against his will and he gradually let them shut all together, enjoying the moment of relaxation he was feeling. He had just reached the stage of being asleep yet barely conscious when a loud bang was heard from next door.
Groaning in complaint, he rolled onto his other side in attempt to drown out the sounds. However, this tactic failed to change the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Next Door were fighting again, this time with props. Cursing the paper-like walls of the apartment building, Harry sat up and snapped the lamp on, realizing that it would be a few more hours until he could sleep semi-peacefully. Snatching up the pen and dark writing book, he propped his feet up onto the table so that his knees were sticking up by his chest, giving him someplace to rest the book as he wrote his thoughts.
Why on Earth did I ever think that it would be wise to move out of Uncle Vernon’s and Aunt Petunia’s this soon? I just turned 16 last July and I still have a year and a half of high school to finish. Not only that, I have to pay for this beat-up apartment with my own money from a job I absolutely cannot stand any longer. I’m considering quitting and searching for a new one, unless I get fired first. But I suppose I could have dealt with them for another two years before moving out on my own. By then I could have had a high school diploma and I wouldn’t have to worry about anything conflicting with my work schedule. As of right now, I’m currently a busboy at that little café down the street from my building and although I work there, I cannot remember the name for the life of me. I get paid two pounds an hour, working shifts of four hours four times a week. If you calculate all of that, that gives me 32 pounds a week, which gives me 128 pounds a month. If you stop and think about that, that’s not a whole lot, just enough to pay for my rent and electrical bill. I can get away with eating meals at the café, so that saves me from grocery shopping. But I don’t know how long I can deal with this. Maybe I shouldn’t have left Uncle Vernon’s.
…
What am I thinking? It was for the best to leave that ruddy house. I’m not stupid enough to stay somewhere where I pretty much live the way I live now. The only difference is, I have my own money this time. But is it really all worth it? My apartment I’m renting out is just a living room, a small kitchenette, and a bathroom. I admit, I tend to get a bit nervous living down here in this part of London. Although I think the worst part are the rats that slip in under the crack in the door. Bloody creatures. I swear one night I’ll be caught off-guard and bitten by one of the buggers and I’ll get rabies or something. I doubt anybody would believe me if I told them I sleep with a baseball bat, just so I can beat them off if they try crawling on me. Truthfully, I shouldn’t be living like this, any fool can see that. And yet, I can’t help but feel satisfied that I am no longer in the even worse kind of hell.
The shouting and crashing had died down in the next apartment over and everything had fallen silent again. Harry looked down at his wrist and hit the small button, illuminating the face with a neon green light.
“Nearly midnight. At least they stopped earlier then a few nights ago,” he chuckled to himself as he gently dropped the book in its original spot, along with the blue ballpoint pen. Lying back down on his stomach he curled up under the blanket and snuggled into the still lumpy pillow. For the second time that night, Harry Potter closed his eyes and this time drifted off into a light sleep.
“We were beginning to wonder if you were going to turn up today,” Neville Longbottom stated as he bit down into his sandwich.
“I got a bit caught up after class,” Harry explained and propped his head up with his hands, allowing his eyes to analyze each of his friends. Despite the fact that many people knew who he was, he only had three close friends that consistently stuck by him.
“Well, whatever the reasoning was, it doesn’t mater since you’re here now.” His last companion, Dean Thomas, blinked his brown eyes at Harry’s presence.
“What difference would it make if I was here or not?”
“Because.” Seamus swallowed a gulp of his cherry-flavored cola.
“Because why?” the black-haired boy questioned impatiently.
“Because we want to know if you’re coming with us after school today to the shopping center,” Dean filled in and continued chomping on his sandwich.
“Can’t. I have to-“
“Work. We know,” all three boys chimed simultaneously. Harry laughed slightly and gave them a mere shrug.
“Sorry guys, but it’s just how things are,” he explained and took a drink of Seamus’s soda.
“Why don’t you just ask your aunt and uncle for money?” Seamus suggested. Harry was about to reply that they had no reason to because they no longer were his guardians but stopped himself in time to remember one detail: he hadn’t told anybody that he moved out. Shaking his head in response and snagging a slice of orange from Dean’s tray, he popped it into his mouth and continued.
“You know how they are. They’re very stingy about where their money goes so they don’t give me much. That’s why I was forced to get a job,” he said as he chewed.
“Whatever you say, Potter. Are you at least coming to Lee’s party tomorrow?” Dean drawled out in a flat tone.
“Most likely. But I’ll let you know if something else comes up,” the green-eyed boy reassured his comrades and tossed the orange rind into the trash can behind him. “Anyway, what else is new?” Harry asked as he stifled a yawn.
“Hey, did you guys here the news about Malfunction Pictures?” Neville suddenly spoke up, not bothering to wait for a reply before plunging a hand into his book bag.
“Isn’t that the big company that released the Kayden Mathews series? The movies about the boy werewolf?” Seamus questioned and turned his full attention to Neville who was still searching for something in his bag.
“Yep, along with Twelve at Twilight and Black Rose,” Dean added in.
“Okay, now that we have established who they are, what’s the big news, Neville?” Harry directed the conversation back to the original topic, not really in the mood to listen to his two friends banter about movies.
“The big news is, they’ve come to Surrey for casting for their next big film! And I heard that if you get a part, they pay you a ton of money, even if it’s just a walk-on role,” Neville replied and slapped a newspaper clipping onto the table. The other three boys leaned in closer to get a better look.
“Auditions are tomorrow and they’ve been handing out scripts to anybody who wants one for the past two weeks. Says you have to recite a monologue, whatever that is, from one of the scenes in the film,” Neville continued his explanation and let his friends read the fine print.
“A monologue is a one-sided act made entirely of dialogue,” Harry mumbled subconsciously and stared at the clipping.
“How did you know that?” Seamus blurted out and gave Harry an unreadable look.
“It’s common knowledge, Seam.” Harry shrugged and took his gaze away from the paper, meeting his friend’s own gaze.
‘Sometimes I worry about his mentality…’ Was the only thing he could think about as he stared back at Seamus.
“Apparently not common enough.”
“Seamus, don’t start today, all right?” Dean sighed and focused on the news once more.
“What’s this movie about?” he continued his original thoughts before Seamus spoke out of line.
“No one’s quite sure unless you pick up one of the scripts. They’re down at the old theater across from that wonky bookshop.” Neville shrugged and began to rifle through his bag. This time, he brought out a sleek navy blue binder and threw it in front of the others.
“Gran picked me up a copy. She wants me to try it and see if I’m good at it. But I would rather not make a fool of myself. I haven’t even opened it yet,” he rationalized. Harry pulled the binder closer and flipped it open, allowing his eyes to scan through the script briefly. Closing it, he looked up and met Neville’s eyes.
“If you don’t want it, would you mind if I read through it during next class? I need something to entertain myself with,” he said, making up an excuse quickly and hoping none of his friends picked up on it.
“No sure, keep it in fact. I can tell Gran I lost it so that she doesn’t make me go to the auditions.” A grin appeared on the round-faced boy’s features. Harry nodded and picked up his things just as the bell sounded off, signaling the end of their lunch break. The other three also stood up and merged out into the hallway with the other students.
“We’ll see you later, Harry!” Seamus bid his thin friend goodbye and proceeded to drag Dean down the North hall for their science lesson. Neville also bid him goodbye before slowly walking off towards the East hall for his math lesson. Nodding in return, Harry turned around and headed in the direction of the west hall where his next class awaited him: study skills.
“Spellbound…interesting,” he mused to himself and returned to his reading, gradually becoming more enticed by the story. Nodding to himself, he closed the binder and opened his journal and clicked the pen, pressing it to the paper instantly.
I, Harry James Potter, may have been granted a miracle. As previously stated, my life has been more or less shot to hell. However, today an interesting proposal was brought to my attention.
It seems at though Malfunction Pictures is creating a new film and casting actors right here in London. Neville gave me his version of the script, along with the information I needed. Auditions are tomorrow and anybody who gets cast makes major money. So you can see my obvious reasoning for wanting to try out.
Then again, I always have been fascinated by acting. I can remember when I was younger I would always talk to myself, pretending I was a variety of different characters. I suppose it sounds crazy now, but who knows, it may have been good practice. My friends don’t know that I plan on trying out, nor do I feel they need to know. It’s not really any of their business what I plan on doing anyway.
I’ll have to skip work today in order to memorize the required monologue by tomorrow, which is Saturday thankfully. Auditions run all day so I can show up whenever I please but I want to give myself plenty of time to make sure I do get in an audition. Now I’m so excited at the mere idea of doing something I would enjoy and making money for it I can’t even concentrate on what I’m writing. It comes off as babbling in a way. I suppose that’s not the point, the point is, it’s Friday and I only have one more class to attend today before I can go home and memorize everything I need.
Now, the true miracle will be if I get a part.
“You would regret calling me weak,” he picked up where he left off. The words sounded odd even to his ears. Sighing to himself, he sat on the couch and turned a few more pages to find a new scene he could make a monologue out of. Suddenly the telephone rang and Harry already knew who it would. Procrastinating for as long as he possibly could, he finally picked up on the sixth ring.
“Hello Argus,” he greeted in a flat tone.
“Potter, where the hell are you? You were supposed to be here three hours ago!” the man on the other line spoke harshly into Harry’s ear.
“I was feeling a tad under the weather, so I came home to rest. After all, you wouldn’t want me to spread germs all over people’s food, now would you?”
“For heaven’s sakes, Potter! You’re a busboy! You don’t touch other people’s food to begin with!”
“Yes, but I would be touching utensils and such that other people will be touching in the future and-“
“That’s enough. You have missed coming into work too many times in the past two months and I cannot allow that to keep happening.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning you are fired. You may come in for your last paycheck tomorrow and then I never want to see you in my sight again. Have I made myself clear?” Argus Filch’s voice was not a pleasant thing to listen to when one was preoccupied with something else, much like Harry was now. He couldn’t tolerate the man’s voice, let alone actually seeing him. Harry shuddered at the thought and regained focus.
“Of course, Argus. I’m sorry for the inconvenience and I thank you in advance for one last paycheck,” Harry said firmly and ended the phone call, stretching out to the point he was laying on his back. Monologue forgotten for the time being, he let his thoughts wander as he gave himself time to let the words sink in. Without a moment’s hesitation, he swiped up his journal and began to add to his previous memoir.
I have just been fired due to my habit of missing work too often. As I am now broke and jobless, it’s most important that I get some role in this movie. Even though Argus told me that I would be receiving one last paycheck, I’m not sure if that will be enough now that I’m going to have to start buying my own food. On the bright side, if I do get a part, nothing can stop me from taking the job. Finding the correct monologue is a pain however. Nothing seems to work for me. So I’ll just have to keep reading through the script and hopefully I will find something I can make half-way decent. I am determined not the mess up this opportunity, no matter what it takes. I’m ready...
Switching books once more, he opened to a new passage and began reading it aloud; finding that it also would not work for what he wanted. However, he didn’t get too far before his cellular phone rang, interrupting his deep concentration once more. He snapped it open before it rang a second time.
“Hello?” he said in a gruff manner, slowly losing any patience he had up until that point.
“You dirty little liar!” Seamus. Go figure.
“What?”
“You said you had to work! We went down to the café and you weren’t even there,” Seamus continued his mild rantings.
“Well, I got fired. That’s why,” Harry replied and leaned back into his couch-bed, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at his friend’s reaction.
“Well, we’re still downtown. You should come find us if you’re not at work,” his sandy-haired friend continued on. In the background, Harry could hear Neville and Dean laughing at something.
“What’s going on?” Harry asked.
“Hold on for a moment, Harry.” Seamus paused and held the phone away from him. Harry could still clearly hear Seamus shouting obscenities at the other two boys and he came back on the line.
“Stupid prats, throwing chips in my hair,” Seamus grumbled in annoyance and returned to his previous conversation. “Anyway, we’re down by the pier. You should come join us, unless you’re busy with something else?” Harry could hear the questioning tone in Seamus’s last statement.
“Actually, I am sort of in the middle of something. I need to focus on finding a new job,” Harry replied as he picked up the script again.
“Well focus on it later. It’s Friday, Harry, you need to kick back and relax.”
“I am relaxed actually. Look, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you tomorrow at Lee’s party,” Harry ended the conversation quickly and closed his phone, throwing it onto the table next to his journal. He continued scanning the page before him and his eyes suddenly widened.
“Yes…yes, that’s it!” he exclaimed joyfully and sprung up. He began to pace around the room and read his lines thoroughly, saying them out loud to himself. With his newfound passage, he continued to dedicate spending the rest of the evening memorizing and perfecting his monologue.
“11:30? I need to go!” He shot off of the couch and into his bathroom, changing into a clean pair of jeans and a black button-up long-sleeved shirt. He brushed his teeth quickly and ran a hand through his hair, knowing from previous experiences that it wasn’t going to serve him justice if he took time to use a comb. Slamming his feet into his beat-up tennis shoes and grabbing his script and phone, Harry locked up his apartment and slammed the door, running down four flights of steps and down the street to the theater. It didn’t matter that his lungs were burning from lack of air or that his legs were beginning to cramp up; all that mattered was reaching the auditions. He burst into the theater 15 minutes later sweaty and flushed, stopping shortly inside the door to catch his breath.
“Here for the auditions, dear?” an older woman asked him kindly, watching him with interest. Walking up to the table set up in front of the auditorium doors, he nodded and gave her a weak smile.
“That I am. Will you need this?” Harry asked and held up his copy of the script.
“Nope, that’s yours to keep. All you need to do is fill out this form and take a number. They will call you when they’re ready and you hand one of the managers your form,” she explained to him and handed him a clipboard and pen.
“Thank you.” Harry nodded to her and took his things with him, settling down in a vacant chair in the lobby. He read through the paper and pulled the cap off of the pen, filling in each required field.
Name: Harry Potter
Age: 16
Date of Birth: July 31st, 1988
Sex: Male
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color Green
Unusual Markings/Defects: Lightning-shaped scar on forehead.
Parent/Guardian’s Names: Vernon and Petunia Dursley
Home Address: Skyline Apartments, Apt. 409
821 Skyline Drive
Little Whinging
Surrey
Telephone: (020) 82243570
Prior Experience: None.
Health Concerns: None
“Here for the auditions too then?” Harry lifted his head up and spotted a girl about his age sitting across from him with her own script and paperwork. Her wavy brown hair was pulled back away from her face, revealing a pair of honey-brown eyes that continued to blink at him.
“Oh, yeah. And I can see that you are as well.” Harry set aside his papers and focused his attention on the new female company. She nodded and smiled lightly. Harry took notice that her front teeth were slightly larger then the rest but thought nothing of it, holding a hand out in greeting.
“Harry Potter,” he introduced himself. The girl took his hand and firmly shook it.
“Hermione Granger,” she replied and dropped his hands, smoothing out her black skirt.
“Pleasure to meet you.”
“Same with you. Do you think you’re a good actor?” she asked him vaguely as she continued to fiddle with the hem of her shirt. Harry shrugged slightly in response.
“I’m not sure. I’ve never done it before.”
Hermione’s eyes shot up to look into his. “Then what on Earth are you doing here?” she asked sharply.
“I decided to try it out. No harm in that, is there?” he challenged her, sitting back in the hard wooden chair. The girl paused briefly and thought it over, shaking her head slowly.
“No, I suppose not. I would just think you would at least like going in there with some idea of what you are doing.”
“Much like you, I take it?” Harry countered. Hermione diverted her eyes at the comment.
“Well, the only acting I’ve done have been plays truthfully. But a movie can’t be much different, can it?”
“Of course not.”
“Number 176!” the woman from the table called out. Hermione stood up and gathered her things.
“That’s my number,” she said in a tone that seemed to be a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
“Well then, good luck to you Hermione. It was nice talking to you,” Harry said politely. Hermione gave him a small smile and nodded.
“Thank you, Harry. It was nice to speak with you too,” she replied and turned on her heel, giving him a wave before stepping in through the doors to the auditorium.
“She might be fine if she doesn’t let her nerves get to her,” a male voice commented somewhere above Harry’s head. He turned part-way and noticed that the words came from a boy standing behind him, leaning against the wall of the theater with his head down and his arms crossed over his chest securely.
“But then again, if she does mess up, she’ll have nothing to worry about. It’s not a big deal anyway,” he continued speaking, peering up at Harry through his bangs.
“Apparently, it’s a big deal to her,” Harry retorted, turning all the way around to face the boy.
“Well it shouldn’t be. It’s just another cruddy movie made by MalPics.” The boy shrugged nonchalantly.
“I’m assuming you’re not a big fan?” Harry analyzed the other boy carefully. He appeared to be a few inches smaller then Harry himself and perhaps a bit younger at that. He was incredibly pale and a tad on the scrawny side of build, with perfectly styled light blond hair and piercing gray eyes. Eyes that were staring right back at Harry.
“I suppose you could say that. I mean, most of their films are remarkable, but this one looks rather cheap. Its lack of detail is its main problem,” he drawled on, continuing to study Harry.
“And I suppose you could write a better film,” Harry shot back, feeling slightly annoyed by the boy’s comments.
“If I really tried, of course I could.” The pale boy smirked in retaliation.
“Have you even read the script?”
“Of course I have. And it’s extremely cliché in my opinion. I mean, young boy wizard living in a mortal realm and nobody knows about it? Has to save the world and ends up with the one he loves? What garbage.” Harry felt a sudden sense of déjà vu as the boy kept talking. He couldn’t quite place it though.
“Then why are you even auditioning?” Harry cut into the string of negativity.
“I’m not.”
“…then why are you here?”
“Just watching over the different people who are coming in.” Harry was about to remark when the woman at the table grinned at him.
“Number 177?” Harry nodded and grabbed his things, feeling slightly put-off that he didn’t get to have the last word in his conversation with the other boy. He walked up to the table and waited for the woman to tell him where to go next.
“Head right through those doors and someone will direct you to which way you should go.” She smiled cheerfully. Harry returned the smile and said his thanks, swiftly walking through the doors. And had he looked back even once, he would have noticed that steel-colored eyes never left his back.
“Paper and script?” he spoke in a dreadful tone, a tone that said he clearly did not wish to be here. Harry pressed both items into the man’s hand and waited while he and his partner read it over. Harry noticed that the second man had hair like the boy in the lobby, long and a tad past his broad shoulders. He whispered something to the sickly-skinned man, who in turn nodded briefly and set aside the paperwork.
“Onto the stage with you.” The blond man motioned towards the platform that sat in front of them. Harry nodded and obeyed their wishes, climbing the stairs up onto the brightly-lit stage.
“Harry, is it?” The long-haired man looked up at him, revealing another set of gray eyes.
“Correct, sir,” Harry answered. The man nodded and set his face into a look of authority.
“I am Lucius Malfoy. I created and own Malfunction Pictures. This is my business partner, Severus.” Lucius nodded at the black-haired man next to him.
“It’s an honor to meet the both of you.” Harry bowed his head slightly.
“Yes yes, get on with your act already,” Severus snapped.
“Patience, Severus. Begin when you’re ready, Mr. Potter.” The words came out, but the gaze did not match them. Harry began walking on the stage and reciting his lines.
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly what you would consider normal. No, I don’t mean just having a few minor quirks like almost every other student at this high school, but I mean being different from anybody, including yourself, Hannah.” Harry spoke and turned around, pretending that he was facing another person.
“I’m talking about the fact that I can do things no one else can. Things you could only imagine beyond actual belief. I can do things that can either create peace, or as the case may be now, provoke chaos,” the young male continued his monologue, pulling what appeared to be a stick out of his pocket.
“This, my friend, is a magic wand.” He twirled the ‘wand’ in between his fingers. He allowed his mind to recite ‘Hannah’s’ part for him before continuing.
“All right then, don’t believe me. But you have to admit, what other explanation could there possibly be? Saving Griffith from the train that crashed during that abnormal earthquake? Catching the man who came into our school with a gun empty-handedly? Preventing the river from flooding? Normal people can’t do those things, Hannah. But you saw me do everything and more. I need you to trust and believe me.” He again waited for ‘Hannah’ to reply before turning his back and walking away slowly.
“If that’s really how you feel, then I’m sorry I told you. I thought maybe you would be able to help me, but I suppose I was wrong.” He feigned hurt and disappointment well. He continued walking away from his previous spot. Lucius raised a fine eyebrow, confused by the fact that he was already done. Suddenly Harry turned and pointed his wand back in the direction he came.
“Oblivion Maxima!” he shouted and a thick beam of green light came shooting out of the end of the wand. He shot another blue shield in the same general direction, racing back towards his original spot. With wide eyes, he moved next to ‘Hannah’ and a look of concern crossed his face. A look of astonishment crossed Severus’s own face, as did with Lucius’s. The two men gave each other identical looks of approval and returned to the show.
“Are you all right?” Harry asked, clutching his wand tightly as he looked around for any more ‘creatures’.
“Those were Shadow-Walkers. They work for Pyros.” He spoke in a solemn tone and lowered his gaze.
“Pyros has come to Earth in hopes to expand his territory, and he will not allow anything to stop him. I was sent here, to this town, this country, this world in hopes that I could end Pryos’s reign. But the truth is, he’s gotten a lot stronger then the last time we met,” he mumbled mostly to himself. Severus began whispering comments to Lucius who was in the middle of watching Harry and taking notes. The blond man nodded and returned to watching. Harry looked up as though he were looking into someone’s eyes.
“Hannah, I need your help. I cannot stop Pyros on my own. You need to help me. You have the inner strength I need to defeat him,” he spoke with pure passion. A smile slowly came onto his grim face.
“You will? Thank you. I realize how bizarre this may all sound, but we need to do it to save the world and everyone living in it. Otherwise the human race will be obliterated.” He moved his arm as though he were clasping someone’s shoulder and the same soft smile appeared on his face.
“There may not be much you can do now…but I can help you. Give me your locket.” Harry held out his hand, giving himself enough time to have ‘Hannah’s locket’ fall into his hand. He set it on the floor in front of him and positioned his wand above it, giving it a flick of the wrist. This time pink sparks flew out of the wand and Harry bent down, scooping up the ‘locket’.
“This is now your capsule. It contains all of the magic you need. As long as you have it around your neck, you can focus your energy and create things like I can.” He shook his head and held up his hand.
“Don’t worry about it, I have just enough time to teach you what you need to know before Pyros sends in his troops. At least I hope I do.” He rubbed the back of his neck and gave ‘Hannah’s hand’ a reassuring squeeze.
“I know you are, but I promise you this. I won’t let anything hurt you. Just trust Spellbound.” Harry let go of the air and turned back to Lucius and Severus, signaling the end of his monologue.
“Bravo, Mr. Potter. Interesting special effects,” Severus spoke first, eyeing the ‘wand’ Harry was still grasping. In return, Harry rewarded him a nervous grin.
“Yeah, I had to make a science project last year for Chemistry so I created a wand,” he explained and securely tucked it into his pocket.
“Yes well, for no prior experience, you seem to be pretty relaxed about your acting,” Lucius continued and looked up from his notes.
“I kind of got carried away, sorry. I didn’t mean to go on for so long,” Harry apologized instantly.
“Think nothing of it. We shall decide on positions tonight and call you tomorrow if needed,” Lucius dismissed him and turned to Severus as they both began speaking in hushed whispers. Harry nodded and jumped off the stage, wandering back out into the hall and out into the lobby. He was hoping to find Hermione to speak with her on how she did, but the brown-haired girl was nowhere to be found. His gaze lingered on the far wall, the wall the arrogant blond had stood. He also was nowhere to be found. Deciding that he was not longer needed there, he headed back to his apartment.
“Harry, it’s Dean. We’re all heading to Lee’s at about 7:30 tonight. Want us to swing by and pick you up too? Give me a call back.” The first message ended and he moved onto the second.
“Harry, Seamus here. We’re all headi-oh wait…Dean just said he already told you. Well then, never mind…” Harry shook his head at his friend’s…well, stupidity and erased the messages. He sat on the couch and stared at the space in front of him where a TV should have gone. A goofy smile crossed his face and he looked at the clock which gave the time of 2:30 in the afternoon. In his normal routine, he reached forward, grabbed his book and pen and turned to a new page, all in one fluid motion.
I, Harry James Potter, stand a very good chance at succeeding in getting a part in this film. My audition went rather well and I can just tell they were impressed. Of course it helped that I used a bit of magic to create different effects. I know, I know, it was wrong to use my actual wand during a movie try-out, but I really couldn’t resist. Isn’t it just ironic that the movie is about a wizard boy living in a human world and I am as well? Just thought I would play the part well. They seemed to enjoy it though, along with my newfound acting ‘skills’. I was speaking to a girl today. She said that it probably would have been better to go in there with some clue as to what I was doing. Well all right, she didn’t say it in those words, but something to that affect. She was pretty nice about it though. Unlike this little snot that was also there. He was just having a grand old time insulting the movie and saying that the script was cheap. I didn’t think if was when I read through it, so I suppose that’s all that matters. They said they would call me if I was chosen by tomorrow. I really hope I was chosen though. But enough rambling, I need to figure out how to divert the guys from heading to my aunt and uncle’s house. Wouldn’t they be in shock if they arrived and I wasn’t there, hmm? Oh well, I also have to get ready for Lee’s party. They’re usually pretty awesome. But first, to call Dean and make plans.
Harry closed the book and picked up his house phone, dialing in Dean’s cell phone number.
“Hello?”
“Dean, it’s me. What are we doing about tonight?”
“Well, Seamus is ‘round at my house right now and Neville can’t even go.”
“Why not?”
“He got in trouble with his Gran and she grounded him. So that leaves just you. Do you want us to drive to your place and pick you up?”
“No!” Harry almost shouted.
“Eh?”
“I mean, well, I’m going downtown for a bit anyway, so why don’t I just meet you guys at Lee’s?”
“Okay, if you’re sure…”
“I am. I’ll see you guys there. Seven-thirty right?”
“That’s right. We’ll see you there then.” Dean hung up, as did Harry. He got off of his couch and headed for the bathroom, digging through a cardboard box of clothing.
“I’d rather not wear just plain jeans. But what else do I have?” He asked himself as he threw different articles around the tiny bathroom. Coming up with a pair of baggy black pants, he threw off his jeans and slipped into them, securing them tightly around his waist with a black belt. He suddenly came to the realization that he looked rather dark and gothic. But it was only a party. Everybody knew who he was and knew he was nowhere near dark and gothic, so what did it matter? Turning right around and grabbing his phone, he once again locked the door to his apartment and walked down the stairs, only at a much slower pace this time. Reaching the outside of his building, he sighed to himself and placed his hands in his pockets.
“And now, to find something to do to kill some time,” he declared and began walking down the sidewalk.
“Hey Harry, come on in. I was wonderin’ when you were going to turn up.” Lee grinned and pulled Harry into his house, where he was met with the sight of at least 35 people from the 12th year class and about 15 from the 11th year class, Harry’s class. Somehow, everyone managed to get along with Lee, hence his mixture of friends. Someone shoved a cup into Harry’s hand and he sniffed the liquid inside.
“Alcohol this early in the school year, Jordan?” Harry joked.
“Shh! It’s not pure alcohol anyway.” Lee winked in return.
“What is it?”
“Rum and cola.”
“Figures. Hey, have you seen Dean and Seam?” Harry changed the subject, taking a timid sip of his drink.
“Um, they went somewhere in the back end of the house. I’m sure they realized you’re here by now.” Lee waved towards the southern end of his home.
“Right, thanks.” Harry waved him a goodbye and headed in the direction his friends supposedly were. He stopped just outside of one of Lee’s guest rooms, spotting Dean’s leather jacket lying on the floor. He heard voices inside the room and he found his hand resting on the doorknob. The talking suddenly stopped though and he turned the handle, flinging the door open.
There sitting on the bed were two of his best friends in a passionate lip-lock, one with his hand up the other’s shirt and the other with his hand in the first’s hair. Harry felt his eyes bulge from their sockets and his jaw fall slightly.
“What are you two doing?” he yelled, overcoming his shock quickly. The two boys pulled away from each other in a flash and each gave Harry their own guilty looks.
“Hey Harry!” Seamus chirped, obviously a little more then smashed. Dean blinked at the figure in the doorway, still slightly dazed from his kissing lesson.
“What the hell were you two doing?” Harry hissed and shut the door behind him, entering the room the whole way.
“…how much did you see?” Dean retaliated with his own question.
“Just you two with your tongues down each other’s throats.” Harry ran a hand through his hair and leaned against the door.
“Blame Seamus. This was his idea.” Dean pointed a finger at the other boy. Seamus blinked and stared at Dean’s finger, soon going cross-eyed and giggling to himself.
“He’s drunk though. What’s your excuse for not protesting?” Harry retorted quickly. Dean didn’t say a word as he got off the bed and fixed his shirt.
“Want to help me get him home? He’s too smashed to really focus on anything,” Dean commented lightly and pulled Seamus up by the arm who in turn started giggling again.
“That tickles! Stop!” Dean rolled his eyes and began to pull him towards the door.
“I’ll come with then.” Harry downed the rest of his drink and tossed the cup into the garbage can, grabbing Seamus’s other arm. The three of them slipped out of the room and out the back door of Lee’s house, stopping in front of Dean’s red car. He grabbed the keys from his pocket and unlocked the door, unlocking the rest of the car as well.
“We’ll just shove him in the backseat.” Harry nodded and pushed Seamus into the car, walking around to the other side of the car and getting into the passenger seat. Dean climbed into the driver’s seat and started the car.
“And if you even think about throwing up in my car I swear I will hang you,” Dean threatened the slightly smaller boy in the back. Seamus blinked and then grinned widely.
“Okay, I love you, buh-bye!” he proclaimed and promptly fell over, snoring lightly to confirm the fact he wasn't passed out. Dean and Harry drove along in silence, not quite sure of what to say to each other. Until Harry spoke.
"So..." Well, it was a start at any rate.
"So..." Dean repeated as he kept his gaze glued to the road.
"Did you enjoy snogging Seamus?"
"Shut up, Potter."
"No, seriously." Harry looked over at his friend who had tightened his grip on the steering wheel involuntarily.
"I...don't really know, all right? It just kind of happened."
"Are you..."
"Am I what?"
"Y'know...gay?" Harry finished. Dean shrugged in reply.
"Truthfully again, I don't really know." With a flick of the wrist, he hit the indicator for the turn signal and steered left, driving down Seamus's street.
"Would it bother you if I was?" Dean raised an eyebrow and looked at Harry from the corner of his eye. Harry bit down on his lip and he sighed.
"I admit, I would feel a little strange because it'd be a new thing and all, but I would definitely get used to it!" he reassured his companion in the most earnest way he could. Dean pulled into the designated driveway and hushed the ignition into silence, turning in his seat to face the emerald-eyed teen next to him.
"I can tell you're bothered by the idea." Dean saw through his mask.
"I'm not bothered! I'm perfectly fine with homosexuals. It's just..."
"You're fearing I would hit on you?" Dean raised his other eyebrow this time while Harry nodded sheepishly.
"Sort of." Dean snorted and rolled his eyes, getting out of the car and opening the back door.
"Sorry, Potter, but you're really not that attractive. So even if I was, you wouldn't have to worry your pretty little head," he chuckled and dragged his other friend out by his ankles. Harry blinked at him briefly and suddenly jumped out of the car as well, face twisting into confusion and mock-anger.
"What do you mean I'm not attractive?" he yelled as he chased Dean into Seamus's house, picking up his friend's arms in the process, just in case he squished them.
Okay, now I’ve seen it all. I showed up at Lee’s two hours later then I had promised the guys and it wasn’t intentional either. Lee hands me a drink, tells me where I can find those two, and I go off to look for them. Now I sort of wish I had knocked first. Opened the door, see them making out on the bed in one of the guest rooms. Seamus was way beyond tipsy at that point, but Dean was perfectly sober, which makes me wonder why he allowed Seams to kiss him. Maybe it’s better that I don’t know. But it’s not like it bothers me. Much. Well honestly, wouldn’t you bit a little startled if you walk into a room and find two of your best friends just randomly kissing? Good thing Neville wasn’t there, he would have freaked. We drove Seamus home and the two of them stayed there, Dean saying something about waiting around until Seamus was a little more sober. And me? I really had no reason to stay, so I came home to try and sleep. But I doubt I’m going to be able to. I’m too wound up from the auditions still. I may end up screaming and running around like a child with a sugar-rush if I get chosen. I never realized how much this whole concept really means to me, it was just so unexpected. But I suppose everything at this point in unexpected, now isn’t it?
Harry finished off his last entry for the evening and closed the book, staring up at the clock on the wall.
“It’s only 10:37 in the evening. What can I do? I’m too awake to sleep, I don’t have a television, and I’m bored,” he sighed to himself and pulled a book out of his school bag. Plucking the red bookmarker out of the pages, Harry began to read the story curled up on his couch, where he would remain until the sun rose.
“Hello?” he said through a yawn and blinked some sleep from his eyes.
“Mr. Potter?” a female voice spoke on the other end.
“That’s me,” he replied politely, for he was not very able to recognize the voice.
“This is Angelina Johnson calling for Malfunction Pictures,” she informed him. Harry’s heart gave a leap as he sat all the way up, pressing the phone tighter to his ear.
“I see. How may I be able to help you, Ms. Johnson?” he asked in a calm voice even though his insides were squirming like made.
“Mr. Malfoy asked me to inform you that you have been selected for his newest film,” Angelina continued in a bright tone. A smile spread across Harry’s face so fast and so wide he was afraid his face would soon split in half.
“That’s wonderful to hear, thank you. What shall I be doing?” he questioned as he silently cheered to himself.
“You are the new Tuck Spellbound.” Harry stopped his celebration short.
“I what?” he half-shouted, half-squeaked.
“Mr. Malfoy said to make sure you understood clearly that he chose you to be Tuck Spellbound,” Angelina replied.
“I…that’s great! What would Mr. Malfoy like me to do first?” he inquired as he slipped his glasses onto his face.
“He would like you to come down to the theater tonight with anything you’ll be wanting for the next several months. He will be sending you to London first thing tomorrow to begin filming,” she informed him precisely.
“I see. I will be there soon. Thank you again,” Harry spoke in a hollow tone and hung up the phone.
“I’m going to be Tuck Spellbound?” he said to himself, not quite wanting to believe the news. But it was true. He had been chosen for the main character. He, Harry Potter, an average teenager, had been chosen to star in a movie created by one of the biggest film companies in Europe.
“Yes!” he cheered and bounced off of his couch, beginning a small victory dance in his pajama pants and white t-shirt. He pulled out his journal and pen quickly to have just enough time to write a little drabble.
I, Harry James Potter, am the newest Tuck Spellbound! Goodbye hellhole apartment! Goodbye Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia! Goodbye stupid café job I got fired from! Hello fame and the good life!
"Number four, Privet Drive. The soul of ultimate hell. But, just think of the look on their faces when you tell them you're going to be famous. They'll be begging you for money when you return, and you can kindly rub it in their faces that they get nothing!" he laughed to himself and put on the false confidence he'd learned to create at will. With one last deep breath, he reached out and pressed the door bell. The door swung open and standing on the other side was a larger-then-life boulder of a boy with thin blond hair and watery blue eyes critically watching Harry. His cousin Dudley.
"Decided to come back, freak?" Dudley sneered and folded his arms in an attempt to make himself look tougher. Inwardly, Harry rolled his eyes as he outwardly frowned.
"Temporarily. Where are your parents?" he asked dully, beginning to regret his choice as the scene played out. Dudley smirked slightly and waddled inside, leaving the door wide open behind him.
"Mummy, the Freak is back!" he announced as he made his way into the kitchen. Petunia Dursley turned slightly from preparing lunch and her eyes widened.
"What do you want?" she spat out once she overcame her initial shock.
"Just thought you should know, I won't be returning to Surrey anytime soon," Harry spoke in an airy tone.
"Why should we care what you do with your life, boy?" his uncle's voice boomed from behind him. Harry spun around quickly and came face-to-face with the neckless man known as Vernon Dursley.
"Just thought you would care to know that I'm leaving to become famous. Leading actor in a new movie being made by Malfunction Pictures. I'm assuming you've heard of them?" His eyes flickered coolly over each figure of his former family, one with her lips pursed tightly, one with food hanging from his lower lip, and one starting to redden with anger.
"How could you possibly become a movie star?" Dudley drawled out as he shoved another bite of chocolate cake into his mouth.
"Because I'm not fat like you and because I have natural talent," Harry shot out the insults faster then he could comprehend them. Petunia gasped loudly at the sudden show of ignorance and Vernon growled lowly.
"Get out of my house this instant!" he roared in the young boys face. With a smile still resting on his lip, he turned around and walked away.
"Of course, Uncle Vernon. But before I go, a parting gift." He pulled his wand out of his pocket in the blink of an eye and muttered the incantation quietly. Pentunia's chicken salad flew up into the air and began to spray out onto each Dursley's body in large quantities and at a rapid speed.
"Goodbye, all." Harry winked and shut the door of number four, Privet Drive, leaving the household in complete and utter chaos.
"And on the bright side, I can't get in trouble for it." He couldn't wipe the grin off his face as he all but skipped down the sidewalk towards the theater, whistling a happy tune as he went.
“Hermione!” he shouted with joy, catching the attention of the girl. She grinned and walked over to him with her own bag.
“Hello Harry! You made the cut too?” she questioned him, even though she knew the answer.
“Yes, I never thought I would, but I did! And you did as well I see,” he commented, dropping his bag to his feet. Hermione nodded her head and absolutely beamed.
“Mum took the call this morning. She and Dad were so thrilled they didn’t even hesitate on letting me go to London to film!” Her eyes danced in delight.
“What role did you get?” Harry asked her as they walked over to the chairs they had sat in the day prior.
“Hannah Gavet. She’s the female lead in the whole movie! Who are you playing as?” she asked him in return. Harry couldn’t help but release a small chuckle following Hermione’s outburst. “Well?” she asked him again and tapped her foot impatiently. Harry looked at her and grinned the same wide grin he had been wearing all morning.
“My name is Tucker Spellbound, but you may call me Tuck,” he recited a line from the script. Hermione’s eyes widened and she grinned with him.
“You really got the part of Tuck? Oh Harry, that’s wonderful!” she exclaimed and hugged him.
“I think you might be more excited then I am,” he remarked in a kidding manner.
“Well, I would rather act with someone I somewhat know then meet a total stranger once we reach London,” she gave her logical reasoning and sat back in her chair.
“I suppose. I can’t wait until we get there. I’ve never been.”
“Really? It’s so wonderful, you’ll love it,” she assured him and all talking ended as Lucius entered the room.
“As you all are aware of, if you’re sitting in this room right now, you have made the cut for this film, I am pleased to say. Now, we have a film studio in London that we will be traveling to first thing in the morning but we would like you to stay here for the evening, getting to know your fellow actors and actresses.” The tall blond man waved a gesturing hand at all of the young adults in the room.
“I would also like to introduce your director.” Lucius cut into the excited chattering that had started up again.
“I thought you were our director,” Hermione spoke up. Lucius gave her a silencing look and nodded.
“While it is true that I am normally the director for all Malfunction Pictures films, I have decided that it was time to let someone else take charge. And so, my son will be watching over, directing, and filming this movie on his own.” Lucius informed the cast that was spread out through the lobby.
“I didn’t realize the Malfoys had a son,” Harry whispered to Hermione. She nodded in reply and shrugged.
“Well, they do apparently,” she whispered back and returned her attention to Lucius who came out of the auditorium with a young boy. Harry suddenly sat up straight in his chair and stared at the pale boy, recognizing him in a heartbeat.
“He’s the Malfoys son?” he spoke in rhetorical surprise. Lucius released the boy’s arm and faced everyone once more.
“This is my son, Draco. From this day forward, you shall listen to all commands he gives you and you will cooperate at his will,” Lucius announced and shoved Draco in front of him. Draco narrowed his gray eyes slightly at his father’s rough touch and turned to face the crowd.
“I can only say this to you. You will only enjoy this filming process if you do not make me angry.” He blinked at his cast and shoved his hands into his pockets.
“A bit of a snob, isn’t he?” Hermione sighed. Harry only managed to nod and reached into his bag, scribbling only six words.
What have I gotten myself into?
So before we move on, let’s clarify a few things…
This is an AU fic. I’m sure you noticed that label on your way in, but just thought I’d remind you. This means a factor of things.
Firstly, Harry and Draco are not going to be the same age. There will be at least a half year’s difference. Why? Simply because I felt like it. And yes, Harry will be the one who’s older in this case.
Second, no Hogwarts. Sorry folks, absolutely none. Doesn’t mean it will be Anti-Magic. Just stick around and read it.
Third, it’s slash. Just remember that.
Fourth, I am changing the timeframe a little bit. This story will be taking place in the year 2004 versus the correct period of 1997. I just feel that this would be better fitting for the plotline itself.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for reading!
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