(A figured is seen snoring in the corner, cobwebs covering his body as well as the laptop which lies next to him. As he lies there, a stray pop can flies from the side, thrown by an unseen adversary, and smacks the young man in the head. He awakes with a start, his eyes blinking quickly as he stares and the angry and impatient faces around him
…Eh…heh heh heh…um…Hi everyone…Really sorry about all this, I got a bit…side tracked with other things in life, but I really plan to finish this…I have had this finished for a while, but as I re-read it I said to myself "C'mon kid…You can do better than that!" So…I rewrote it…Ta-da? …Anyway I hope I haven't lost any interest…but before I begin I'm going to answerer a question and give a few shout outs, so then:
Mad Eyes Arme: Yes, Harry knows, but you'll find out more in this chapter.
And also, to Celebwen Telcontar: I'm sorry if I stole your idea unknowingly…and I plan to read your story, and I'll try not to take any of your ideas (I'm trying to make this as original as possible).
Now then, I'm proud to give you Chapter 2…please don't be TOO mad at me…)
Chapter 2: Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley was flocked with students, new and old, all attempting to get their school belongings. Yet even still, in the midst of all the chaos, as the entrance opened from the back of the Leakey Cauldron, people stopped. Taking a few steps out into the space there was silence. Most couldn't believe it, some didn't know what was going on, and those that were left were too preoccupied with staring at the new Nimbus 2000 to say anything even remotely interesting. Alastor stopped and looked at everyone staring at him. He growled softly and muttered something about ignorant people before he felt a tug on his sleeve.
Eleven year old Harry's eyes were as bright as could be, but not with their usual mirth. Harry was nervous. Alastor could see that easily as he felt the shaking in his left arm, which Harry now held onto. Hiding behind him he looked out at the people before him.
"…They're staring at me Grandpa…" Harry's young voice trailed up to Alastor's ears, causing the old man to sigh softly before glaring ahead. The glare in itself was enough for people to at least pretend to be interested in something else…but he could see them still looking out of the corner of their eyes…after all, it wasn't often that "Mad Eye" Moody came out in the open…and with Harry Potter no less. Alastor sighed once more and began walking forward, leading a still trembling Harry behind him. Alastor glanced back at Harry through his magical eye and realized the severity of what he was doing.
Harry had never, EVER left the house before. This being true, Harry wasn't sure whether to be afraid or excited. But the coupling of the people staring at the boy and the fact that Alastor was as protective over him as ever…he realized maybe that Harry needed to go cold turkey…Alastor sighed softly at the thought, but after a discussion with Albus, he had come to the understanding it was the correct coarse of action. He would leave him in a safe environment, but give him the freedom to move on his own, without Alastor hovering over him. He looked at his young charge softly before his face hardened as Harry's eyes met his.
"Harry, I'm going to get your school books, why don't you go in there and get your robes, alright?" the statement caused a small squeak to escape from the boy, who looked up in both fear and excitement, "I'll be right over there, just go on in and they'll set you up. Tell them who you are and what you need…you'll be fine." Alastor left no room for arguing as he quickly began moving towards Flourish and Blots. Harry reached out and motioned like he was going to say something, but in a quick moment Alastor was gone and Harry was left alone. Unable to stand being by-himself and not knowing what else to do Harry quickly ran towards the tailor's shop. Yet even still, the excitement of being alone for the first time in years caught up with him as his eyes caught sight of something that was, to at least him, interesting, an older man walking by with one of the newest racing brooms, a Numbus 2000. Harry smiled as he caught the eyes of the man, who nodded back with a smile. That instant of lost concentration; however, was enough for Harry to attempt and impromptu stop, but he failed as he collided with the boy who had just exited the shop. The boy, who looked to be around his age, had fallen over and quickly removed himself from the ground, dusting his expensive looking robes off, the boy's blonde hair was slicked back and his eyes cold as he looked to Harry.
"Watch it! Who do you think you are; running into me?"
"Oh…um…" Harry stopped, looking up from his place on the ground, Harry's green eyes meeting with the blonde's cold bluish gray.
"Well, what, are you going to stare all day or are you going to apologize?"
"Oh…I'm-I'm sorry!" Harry was startled once again as he looked at the boy. The boy he was speaking to smirked, and nodded.
"Right, then watch where you're going next time, eh?" Harry's eyes followed the blonde until he was out of sight. Sighing softly he stood, dusting himself off. He was surprised by the encounter but Harry had been told many times before there were wizards who thought themselves to be better than others…He assumed that whoever that was, was one of those wizards. As he was standing, Harry's mind went slightly numb as he felt two hands on both his arms, helping him stand. Harry's eyes widened as he turned, letting out a small noise of nervousness as he pulled away, only to bump into something from behind.
"Just like a Malfoy, to pester little boys…" The young man in front of Harry spoke, bending his back so that he looked at Harry eye to eye. Whoever was behind him put his hands on his shoulder, not in the threatening way, but in Harry's already panicked mind it felt almost like a vice grip. Harry's eyes showed more than nervousness as he watched the red haired, freckled face before him, grinning as if there was a joke somewhere that only he knew about.
"It's a shame really, especially when little boys are so easily startled" The voice behind Harry said, causing the young, green eyed boy to look up. He gasped slightly as he stared at what appeared to be a carbon copy of the first boy. The boy behind him grinned and looked to the other, "What do'ya say Fred? Is he Harry Potter?"
"I won't know if you can't hold him still so I can see his forehead…" the boy in front of him, Fred, spoke as he reached out to move Harry's hair from his face. Harry thrashed about, moving from side to side before he was finally able to escape the copy's grip and he began running, a voice shouting after him.
"Wait! We just wanna see your scar!" Harry ignored them…closing his eyes and running in the direction he thought was the tailor's shop…only to fall back to the ground for hitting something…or rather someone else.
"Sorry abou' that" a gruff voice said as two strong hands lifted the young boy off the ground and dusted him off. Harry opened his eyes slightly to catch a glimpse of a bearded, gruff, yet kind face. What startled Harry the most was that while at first the man seemed scary, Harry suddenly felt at ease as he watched the larger man smiled, his eyes glinted with a quiet content feeling that he saw when one was happy with what he did…It was as if Harry had seen him somewhere before. The large man looked at Harry after he had dusted him off and smiled, "There, no 'arm done…" He stopped, looking at the boy strangely before grinning slightly, "Well…Harry…" Harry looked up in confusion, "You don't remember? Well course ye don't, ye were just a small little thing back then…" Harry cocked his head to the side slightly before the giant continued, "Well…The name's Rubius Hagrid, I suspect you'll be seeing a lot of me, seeing as I work at Hogwarts and all"
"Hag…rid?" he asked softly, looking up at the giant face before him, only to open his eyes, "I've heard Uncle Albus talking about you!"
"Shhh" Hagrid looked this way and that before leaning down, holding a large finger over the young boy's mouth, "I wouldn't call him "Uncle Albus" while out in public 'arry. There are some who take offence to acting overly friendly with 'ogwart's 'eadmaster. Strictly speaking some people in the Ministry don't think much of 'im…" He looked down at the boy before he swore silently, turning away, "Ya didn' 'ear that…" he spoke before turning back to Harry.
"Um…alright, I'll be careful"
"See that ya do. So then, where were ya off to in such a hurry?"
"Um…I was, going to get some robes, bu-but I"
"Ah, I see you got yourself lost din' ya?" Harry nodded as the large man laughed, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder, "Well we can't have that let's get ya over to the best shop in town…right this way!" As Hagrid led Harry through the forest of people Harry smiled…whether he meant to or not, he'd made a friend…his first friend out of the house he had lived in for so long. The smiled seemed to be contagious as Hagrid looked down at the small eleven-year-old and smiled as well. Standing in front of the shop Hagrid stopped, which in turn caused Harry to do the same.
"Well, this is where I leave ya 'arry, important Hogwarts business, hush-hush and all that" He smiled before patting the young man's head, "and…welcome back 'arry…We've missed you" Hagrid gave one final smile before heading off towards the Wizarding Bank, Gringots. Harry smiled softly before turning his body to enter the building before him…his fears seemingly disappearing…
Oh how quickly feelings such as those return…
"You know, I've read that in most wizarding communities it's customary to wear robes for everything, is this true?" a voice spoke rather quickly from the inside of the shop. Harry's ears perked up as he listened. Whoever this person was she talked a lot…so much that he wasn't fully able to keep up. Her voice continued on, not missing a beat even as the woman didn't answer her question. Sitting down in the small waiting area Harry listened and watched as the brown, bushy haired girl was being measured and magically fitted into robes. He avoided her gaze as he allowed his eyes to wonder on everything else in the small room. Harry felt himself growing more and more nervous as he felt a pair of eyes on him…but unsure of whom it was Harry kept his eyes and his ears open. The words "Constant Vigilance" running through his head like a record player stuck in a loop.
"It's usual for us to wear robes, yes…but there are a few younger wizards and witches who find your muggle clothing to be much more comfortable, and robes are more ceremonial than anything else…so you will find many witches and wizards at least…trying to blend into muggle society." the older witch answered as she shooed the girl to get down from the stool. The girl complied before she looked back at Harry, catching his green eyes with her own brown. Harry felt himself tense…she was looking right at him, an unreadable expression on her face. The older witch looked over him and smiled.
"Ah, young man, are you here to be fitted into your school robes now?" Harry nodded as he stood, avoiding the bushy haired girl's eyes as he walked towards the woman. The older woman smiled softly as she waved her wand, watching as the measuring tape and enchanted parchment and quill wrote down his measurements.
"Um…what are you going to do…?" Harry asked softly. The elder witch smiled softly and watched as the tape ran down in arm and the quill wrote down the number.
"I'm only taking your measurements, you don't need to worry young man, and they'll be done in a few moments." Harry nodded at this and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down and right as he had thought he was fine, the brown haired girl spoke up once more.
"You're Harry Potter!" she exclaimed. Harry turned to her and in his mind's eyes pictured her with her mouth tapped shut…how could she have figured that out?
"How did you?" the words barely left his mouth before she began talking once more.
"You're scar, it gives you away, didn't you think of that? No I suppose you didn't. Not many would really think of something so small but the fact is that people know a lot about you just from looking at the scar, do you remember how you got it?" Before Harry could answer she continued, "It must have been a horrifying experience, what with-" finally the tables were turned as another voice rang through the small shop, cutting the brown haired girl off.
"There you are boy…" a voice spoke which brought Harry out of his thoughts and back to his present. His eyes looked to the door as a smile came to his face.
"Grandpa!" Harry, seeing that the robes and measuring tapes were gone, jumped from the stool and ran to the older man. Alastor let a small smile come to his face before he patted the boy's head, his face becoming stern again.
"You should have been done a while ago…why are you still here?"
"I um…Well I got lost and…"
"Lost? Boy what have I told you about taking in your surroundings?!"
" "Don't loose sight of your target, know the route you need to take, and complete your objective in the quickest manner possible"." Harry replied in a voice that showed his had said this before.
"And…?"
"And…Constant Vigilance…"
"Right; now, are his robes done then?" Alastor's eyes looked to the witch in charge, who stared at the older man in shock and confusion before shaking it from her head, a stern look of her own coming on her face.
"I still need to get this young lady ready, so I believe you will just have to be patient sir." Alastor nodded as he took a glance at the young girl who stared at him in both wonder and confusion.
"It's rude to stare…" a small voice popped up as Alastor looked down to see Harry looking at the bushy haired girl in front of him. The brown haired girl blushed before looking away, but her eyes couldn't help but flicker over to the two of them. Harry smiled in pride; he was able to catch this girl, who seemed so smart, off guard. He continued to smile as he looked around the room once more; catching his eye on a mirror across the room…and it was then he realized why people were staring.
People weren't staring at him, or at his scar, but at his Grandfather who stood beside him. It realized, now more than ever, how opposite the two looked standing next to each other. One, young and full of life, dark hair and bright green eyes…the other, older, blond hair turning to gray, and two mismatched eyes, one far larger than the other; Harry had to remind himself of his own past.
It had been so long since Harry had thought about his parents, about where he came from. And while he was so sure that that Alastor cared for him as family, he had always figured that he was related to him in some way…but seeing them together…Harry realized that there was no possible way he and Alastor were related by blood…He looked to the girl, who was attempting to pretend she wasn't looking, and he sighed. Harry remembered quickly his training; how he was supposed to keep to himself, keep himself away from others unless he had to. He never really understood his grandfather's logic, but he wasn't one to argue with it…Alastor looked down at the young boy before looking again to the witch who was waving her wand as she magically cut the girl's robes.
"Harry, why don't you got speak with her" He muttered so only he could hear. Harry looked up at his grandfather in confusion and surprise before Alastor continued, "…You are going to be classmates…it's best to learn what you can about them…" Harry nodded…of course, it was just another exorcise in his grandfather's mantra of "Constant Vigilance".
Harry nodded as he moved slowly towards the young girl, who seemed to become nervous as he walked towards her. There were a few moments of awkward silence before the girl spoke softly.
"I'm sorry for staring" she whispered. Harry looked at her in surprise as he felt a small guilt in his chest for feeling proud for getting her to look away.
"…It's ok…we must look rather strange standing together…" He muttered softly. The girl looked up and shook her head, causing the boy to look at her in confusion.
"It's just…Well…When I got my letter for Hogwarts, I sent a reply asking if I could get a book to learn about the wizarding world…and in that book I read about a powerful wizard who had a magical eye…it's just really amazing to finally see him…" Harry was even more confused. He looked back to his grandfather, standing there with books, boxes, and looking at different colored fabrics, he really didn't look like the powerful wizard that this girl was talking about.
"Grandpa's famous?" he questioned. It was a shock, never had he really thought about it, but the thought caused him to look at his grandfather in a new and odd light.
"Yeah…but they say he's shut himself off from the world …but I can see that's not true now" she smiled and looked at Harry, "He looks like my grandpa, a really kind man…He cares about you I can tell". Harry chuckled, and smiled at the thought, which caught the attention of Alastor as he looked over. It was then that the boy remembered what he was told. Harry nodded to his grandfather and looked to the girl.
"I'm Hermione, by the way" she spoke, a smile on her face. Harry was caught off guard, "Hermione Granger, I'm a muggleborn". Harry nodded and smiled.
"It's nice too meet you"
"I figured it was unfair for me to know your name and you not know mine"
"Well, that's all then, here're your robes then Miss. Granger" Hermione stood from her seat and walked over to the witch, paying for the robes, and began to move towards the door. She looked back to Harry and smiled.
"Hope to see you on the train Harry!" Harry waved back as she disappeared through the door.
"And here are yours, Mister Potter" Harry nodded, paying the correct amount of money before he walked towards Alastor. He nodded as he turned, Harry following him. Even through the rest of his trip, Harry couldn't help but think about his earlier thoughts, and Hermione's statement.
"He cares about you, I can tell…"
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
The two sat in a rather uncomfortable silence, each eating a piece of cake Alastor had bought him in Diagon Alley. Albus, Miverna, and a surprise of Hagrid had come to the house to celebrate Harry's birthday and the trio had just left, saying that had business to get ready for the coming school year. Alastor cast a glance at Harry, watching as he poked licked at his cake with his fork, only seeing a few small bites taken out of the cake. Alastor put his fork down before looking fully at the boy.
"I expect you to keep up your training, at Hogwarts, alright?" Harry nodded, still seeming to be deep in thought. Alastor sighed as he folded his arms over his chest.
"Alright boy…what's wrong? You haven't touched the cake and I know for a fact it's your favorite…" Alastor heard the fork clang on the table, as Harry looked up at Alastor with saddened eyes.
"…Grand…Alastor?" Alastor was shocked at the sudden change as he continued to listen, "…We're not really related, are we?" Alastor sighed, it was something he never really touched, however he had told Harry the minute he was old enough to understand what had happened to his parents. He didn't think he needed to specify what he was to the boy.
"…By blood, no, we are not…why the sudden question?"
"…Why aren't I allowed to get close to anyone?" The next question caught him off guard as well.
"When did I say that boy?" Harry shook his head, "I never told you not to get close to anyone, you're close to me, and Albus and Miverna, aren't you?" Harry nodded before Alastor continued, "You just have to be careful who you talk to, that's all…"
"…But if I'm carful I won't know who to talk to…"
"…" Harry had him beat on that one. Alastor had never really thought about it, but he supposed his teachings got through to him more than he originally had thought. Albus had warned him, but Alastor had never really listened until he heard the scared and unsure voice that came from the unusually mature eleven year old boy.
"Harry…" Harry looked up to see his Grandfather looking saddened, "Perhaps the teachings of an old man aren't always the best way for a boy to know right and wrong…" He stood and walked over to the door, "You need to learn those for yourself…I can only do so much. You learn for yourself who you can trust…so we'll start with her". The door opened to reveal a cage carrying a snowy white barn owl. Alastor smiled as he saw Harry's eyes light up as he ran towards it, his hand immediately letting the bird out of the cage and onto his arm.
"I asked Hagrid for any present ideas, he helped me find her" Harry smiled at his grandfather before going back to stroking the owl. Alastor sighed as he turned away.
"You just…keep me posted on who you meet and what you're doing…once a week ok?" Harry looked to his Grandfather in slight confusion. Alastor sighed before he started again, "Mail me about your lessons, your training…and…your friends, ok?" Harry nodded, a smile falling as he let the owl hop on the cage before hugging Alastor tightly. Alastor smiled as he wrapped a single arm around Harry.
"We're not related by blood, but we're still family…remember that" Harry nodded as he continued to hug his Grandfather, forgetting momentarily that he was supposedly hugging a hero.
(Heh, sorry, I keep ending with sentimental Alastor and Harry family scenes…I tell you it's not intentional, well the next chapter should be the train ride and the sorting, if I decide to go that far…Anyway, now, I need to ask everyone out there for a beta…I need one I think, and I'm looking for anyone who's willing to beta for me.
If anyone is willing just say so in a Pm or in a review Well anyway, Hope you enjoyed the chapter, till next time!)