Lonely No More

Chapter 1

Warning: Boy/Boy love a.k.a. yaoi. Don't like: don't read and leave. Like: stay, read, and review if possible.

Chapter 1

The morning was muggy and the air oppressive as Harry made his way through the narrow and twisting lanes in an area of Wizarding London. Natural sunlight seldom reached the cobblestone pathways bordered on both sides by tall, narrow, and ancient-looking shops trading in the less ordinary and unsavory magical supplies. He walked purposefully, avoiding the occasional glance from the other shoppers and traders alike.

Harry had been staying in The Leaky Cauldron since Uncle Vernon had taken the whole family off for a trip to Greece to celebrate Dudley's fifteenth birthday. Naturally, they had left Harry behind. Harry had taken matters into his own hand and decided to leave Number 4, Privet Drive for the relative safety of Wizarding London. He didn't want to impose on the Weasleys, knowing had his woolen hat on, hiding his scar and unruly black hair.

that they had their hands' full gathering supporters for Dumbledore, and no way would he endanger the Grangers with his presence. Returning early to Hogwarts was out of the question as the teachers were currently strengthening the wards after the events following the Triwizard Tournament and they did not want a student getting in the way. Dumbledore had been informed of his decision and wards been placed to protect him while he was there.

Events at the Little Hangleton cemetery seven weeks before had focused his mind in a way that all his former struggles with the Dark Lord hadn't. He figured the best way to defeat his nemesis was to understand the Dark Lord's psyche. Harry's curiosity on the subject of the Dark Arts and Voldemort had reached fever pitch, and he knew he'd probably never have the freedom to devote to this sort of research again. Therefore, Harry had dedicated his every spare moment researching the libraries on the said subjects, but every time he had drawn a blank.

Unfazed by his initial lack of success, he had taken to scouring the seedier side of Wizarding London for bookshops that dealt in the non-mainstream literature. His efforts paid off, and and he has been spending more and more time in Dickens & Gilberts (Antiquarian Specialists since 1542) researching the dark arts in general and Voldemort in particular.

He pushed open the shop door, and returned a quick greeting from the shop assistant. The elderly witch had spoken to him briefly on his first visit, but since then she seemed more than content to have the young wizard holed up upstairs reading her books.

Harry quickly retrieved the book he had begun reading the previous day - Reputations: Lord Voldemort, the True Story and settled himself on a window seat. There weren't many people around, and he remained unnoticed and uninterrupted. The book enlightened and enraptured him in a morbid manner; it was written from the other side's perspective - where topics such as pureblood supremacy and using the Dark Arts as justifying one's ambitions and actions were openly discussed and approved of. Harry smiled wryly and wondered if the Malfoy library was full of these types of books.

A movement on the street level caught his attention, and he shifted to get a better view. Two people with white-blond hair, and dressed in dark travel cloaks seemed to be arguing. The body language of the taller person was hostile, and his shorter companion was that of defiance. As Harry craned his neck to get a better view, the taller man struck out with his snake-headed cane. It caught between the other's ankles, causing the latter to stumble.

Harry caught his breath as he caught sight of the familiar face, now absent of its habitual sneer. "Malfoy?" he whispered as he ducked out of sight.

DUN DUN DUN!