Title: Free At Last
Author: Lady B
Characters: ---
Summary: Harry's had enough.
Rating: ---
Genre: Pre-6th Year AU
Warnings: Language
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and plots from the Harry Potterverse belong to JK Rowling and various publishing companies and movie studios. I am not making any money from this. I am simply doing this for the fun of it. Any plot devices and original characters belong to me alone and are simply a figment of my imagination.

- - -

5 months after "Henry" changed the color of Decon's comforter...

Henry was in the middle of his Civics class when another student stepped into the room to hand Professor Grady a note. The professor paused in his lecture to read it before giving a nod. He looked around the room and caught Henry's eye. "Henry, the Dean would like to see you."

"Yes, sir." Henry nodded, collecting his things.

"Make sure you look over Chapters 16 through 20 because there will be a quiz on it next class." Henry nodded in understanding before leaving the room. He headed outside and made his way to the Administration building on the opposite side of the quad. It was another nice day and he saw no need to rush. He recognized a few of his dormmates and waved to them as he ran up the steps into the cool interior.

- - -

Dahlia Cruthers had been a secretary at BNMA for nearly seventy years and she had never met a more polite student than the one that had walked into the door. She smiled at him. "Good afternoon, Henry."

"Hi Mrs Cruthers. Dean Matherston is expecting me?"

"Yes. Go right in."

"Thank you, ma'am." Henry smiled, stepping through the partition.

- - -

"...and as you can see from our course outline, we have many similar courses as the ones from your previous school." the Dean was in the middle of explaining to the young man seated across from him.

"This is actually more detailed than where I've been." the young man replied.

"Well I do think you'll be fine. As with all incoming new students, we like to assign a mentor of sorts to help you get acclimated to the school and the surrounding areas. Is that acceptable to you?"

"That's fine." came the reply just as a knock sounded on the door.

"Come in!" Both men turned toward the door as it opened and the student in the chair got a little jolt of surprise when the dark-haired green-eyed man stepped into the room. He had to stop himself from looking at the man's forehead immediately because for a moment, he thought he recognized him. But this was no Harry Potter standing before him. The man's hair was shaggy and unkempt like Potter's but hung down near his shoulders. And the clothes! While Potter's had hung off his bone-thin frame, this man's clothes practically clung to the various muscles he could see. The man's legs were encased in a form-fitting pair of blue jeans and his feet were comfortable situated inside a pair of high top sneakers. Dean Matherston stood up with a smile. "Henry, good to see you."

"Good to see you too, sir. You needed me for something?" Henry asked, shaking the hand that was thrust out to him, curiously staring between the Dean and the student that stood beside him.

"Yes. Henry Blackstone, I would like you to meet Ethan Blake. Mr Blake, this is Henry Blackstone, our Student Advocate and Liasion Officer. He'll be your mentor the first few weeks you're here."

"Pleased to meet you, Mr Blake. Welcome to Berkshires." Henry smiled, holding out his hand. Ethan smiled in return and reached out to shake Henry's hand as well and when their fingers touched, a jolt of magical energy moved between their fingers, causing their hands to tingle. Henry jumped back in surprise, as did Ethan.

"Um...has that ever happened before?" Ethan asked, waving his hand about.

"Not to my knowledge." Henry chuckled, feeling silly for what he had originally thought. For one brief moment, when their hands had touched, Henry had had a small vision of a similar exchange that had never happened from the past life. Instead of commenting further, he turned to the Dean. "His schedule, sir?"

"Ah yes. I've placed him with you in your classes and I've also assigned him as your roommate for the duration."

"Decon isn't coming back?" Henry asked with surprise. Decon had left school in the middle of the month before to return home for a family emergency.

"No. He sent me his letter of his intentions a few days ago. He said his mother really needs him now that his father has passed away. But he is welcome to return at anytime. He also stated he would be sending you an owl before the holiday break to explain it more."

"Thank you for telling me, sir." Henry nodded. He turned to Ethan. "Ready?" Ethan picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder.

"As I'll ever be. Lead the way." Ethan thanked the Dean for his help and followed Henry from the room.