Black Dawn Ch.13: The First Light

A red quaffle spun through the air, bouncing off the wall and landing back in Harry’s hand. The chasers from the Puddlemore team poster grin

A red quaffle spun through the air, bouncing off the wall and landing back in Harry’s hand. The chasers from the Puddlemore team poster grinned widely at him as he spun the quaffle on his finger before dropping it on the bed and pacing around the room, feeling a sinking pit in his stomach with each step.

His eyes darted toward the photo of his parents by the bedside, who waved and smiled in the photo.

“Hey, Mum. Hi Dad,” He murmured, pushing away a pair of robes. He sat on the bedside by the frame, mustering a smile for them. “Today I’m going to go shopping for Hogwarts. I got my wand already, but I have to get a lot of other things too.” Harry felt his throat dry. “And I’m going out as me. As your son, for the first time in the wizarding world. As Harry, without any disguise.” He licked his lips. “I always wanted to go as myself. Go without hiding. But today that I am… I’m scared.”

His parents shuffled closer together, smiling wider, and he shook his head. Sometimes he wished his parents had made their portraits like those in the Black Hall. If they had, he could’ve asked them for advice. He could’ve talked to him. He could’ve remembered what their voices sounded like.

Harry picked the frame up, running his fingers over their faces. “I guess I’ll just have to do it, won’t I? Be brave.” He mirrored their smile. “And Uncle Remus said that being brave doesn’t mean that one isn’t scared. It means one is scared, but is doing it anyway. And you two were the bravest people he had ever known. I’ll be brave too, like you were. And you faced Voldemort. This is just people wanting to meet me.” He took a deep breath. “I’ll make you both proud.”

Lily in the photo laughed as James placed a kiss on her cheek, and Harry smiled. He then stood up and straightened his robes, placing the photo back by his bed. Picking the quaffle from the bed, he tossed it away into the corner of his room, where it landed on a small heap of crumpled clothes by the bathroom door. 

He frowned. “Bailey?” 

A pop rang through the room, and Bailey appeared, looking around the room with an affronted expression, before squirming on her feet. “Master Harry, you should be cleaning your room. You have not even made your bed or thrown your clothes in the laundry basket.”

“What?” Harry blinked. “Don’t you always do that?”

“Lord Black has forbidden Melody and me from tidying up your room from now on, Master Harry.” Bailey’s face fell. “Remember? He said that you’re a big boy and are soon going to go to Hogwarts. So you have to be more responsible now.” She said. “You must tidy your own room. I can’t help you do it.”

“What? He said that last night! I didn’t know I had to begin that today!” Harry protested. “At least let the weekend pass. I will clean my room myself starting tomorrow. Pretty please, Bailey?” 

“Lord Black said no, Master Harry.” Bailey looked around the room. “And you best be getting started right away. The room is very untidy. An elf would rather get clothes that see a room like this.”

“It’s not that untidy,” Harry muttered, wincing as he spotted the robes strewn across his bed and his open cupboard. “Alright, it usually is tidy. I was just unsure what to wear today. Had I known that this was beginning from today, I wouldn’t have made such a mess, I swear.” He glanced at Bailey. “Do it for today, please? I’m already dressed and we’re going to the Alley soon. You know Grandpa doesn’t like to be late unless it serves a purpose.”

“I’m sorry, Master Harry. I would love to do it, but I can’t disobey Lord Black.” She hung her head before perking up. “But I can make you hot chocolate and your favorite breakfast while you tidy up!”

“I don’t think I’m even hungry right now,” Harry grumbled. “He said you’re forbidden to clean my room, right?” He asked, and Bailey bobbed her head. “What about arranging my cupboard? Can you arrange my cupboard for me, Bailey?”

She perked up. “Lord Black said nothing about the cupboard. Just the room.”

With a snap of her fingers, the clothes strewn on the bed rose, separating into shirts, trousers, and robes. The robes neatly draped themselves on hangers, while the trousers and shirts began folding themselves before being placed in the cupboard, arranging themselves in neat stacks.

Harry grinned. “Thank you, Bailey. You made my work so much easier.”

“You still have to make your bed, Master Harry.” She reminded him, throwing a disdainful look at the crumpled clothes in the corner. “And take care of those. Or I will have to tell Lord Black that you haven’t tidied your room.”

“That’s easy.” Harry threw his pillow at the headboard, tugging the blanket straight and smoothing the creases on the bed sheet. He scooped the clothes up, dumping them into the basket in the bathroom. “See? All done.”

She shook her head in exasperation and disappeared with a pop. 

“What?” He questioned the empty, before folding his arms and huffing. He straightened his robes, picking his watch up from the dressing table, and sliding it onto his wrist. Glancing into the mirror, he patted his hair down, trying to flatten it the best he could. “Well, that’s as good as it’ll ever be.”

He glanced around before quietly whispering, “Mel. Come here, I need your help.”

A pop shattered through the whisper as Melody appeared, glancing around the room and frowning disapprovingly at the bed he had made. “Yes, Little Master?”

“I need Grandpa’s—”

“No.”

Harry narrowed his eyes. “You don’t even know what you’re going to say!”

“I do. You adore only two things that Lord Black has and won’t give you. It used to be three, but now you have your own wand, so you won’t steal his.” She gave Harry an amused smile as he glared at her. “Of the two, one is his watch collection. Since Mr. Ted gifted you the watch you’re already wearing on your birthday, you’ve loved wearing it. So you don’t want anything from Lord Black’s watch collection. Which leaves… his perfume.”

“Yes.” Harry let out a long sigh. “Yes. Please, Mel. He won’t even know.”

“He absolutely would. I have known Lord Black for longer than you’ve been alive,  Little Master,” Melody said. “He’ll notice it immediately. And you know that Lord Black doesn’t like anyone taking his things, especially without asking. Even if it is you.”

“I’ve got a big day today. Grandpa says that a gentleman—”

“I know all that he says, Little Master. And I know that you’re only asking to follow what he has taught you. I have known his dressing-well philosophy since the day Mistress Melania married him.” Her lips quirked, her eyes checking his attire up and down. “Something you’re taking well.”

“People respond to how you’re dressed. If you want to be treated like a king, you must look like a king.” Harry smirked. “Also, you should smell like a king. Don’t you think?”

Melody let out a long breath. “If he gives me clothes due to this, I’m blaming you.”

“Please, he’s never going to do that. It’d be more of a punishment for him than it’ll be for you.” Harry snorted. “And if he does, don’t worry. I’ll take you as my elf. Far as I’m concerned, you’re the awesomest elf one could ask for, Mel.”

Melody blushed, quietly snapping her fingers. A dark, crystal bottle appeared in her hands, and she gently uncapped it, slapping Harry’s hand away. “I will spray. This bottle is very expensive. Expensive enough that Lord Black will care if you drop it.”

“Doesn’t it have an unbreakable charm?”

“Magic interferes with the ingredients in the perfume, changing the smell.” Melody carefully sprayed it twice, and the aroma of bergamot and Pepper wafted through the air. “This bottle is manufactured by hand with a special crystal that doesn’t let magic seep into the perfume. Wrists.”

Harry held out the inside of his wrists, and Melody put a single spray on them, carefully capping the bottle, which vanished with a pop.

“Smells wonderful,” Harry commented, breathing in the aroma. “Do you think I’m ready for my appearance?”

Melody climbed up on the bed and adjusted the collar of his robe, nodding and beaming at him. “You look very handsome, Little Master. The people will love you.” She put a finger to her chin. “You could wear a hat, too.”

“The only people who wear hats are the ones going for stiffening-formal occasions or the ones who are really old,” Harry said. “No one wears hats these days, Mel.”

“Did you read your Hogwarts list?” Melody asked. “Because you have to buy a hat today with your uniform.”

“I’ve never seen Dora wear a hat,” Harry muttered.

“Because one doesn’t have to wear it unless it is a formal occasion,” Arcturus’ voice rang from the doorway, and Harry turned, seeing his grandfather leaning against the doorframe. “The only times I wore it were during the end-of-year feast, class photographs, and in my NEWT presentation. And the last one was only because Professor Rowle— my head of House, was a stickler.”

“See, Mel? No one wears hats.”

Arcturus sniffed the air, giving Harry a severe look as he walked closer. “And you stole my perfume again. And had Bailey clean your room up for you by working around my orders.”

“Bailey tattled on me?” Harry burst out with indignation. 

“No, she didn’t. I didn’t even know about it until right now.” Arcturus’ lips curved into a smirk, and Harry’s eyes widened. “You’re clever, Harry, but let’s not forget who taught you all that.” He put a hand over Harry’s shoulder, leaning down. “You did the first thing I would’ve sought to do. You spotted the problem with the situation and turned it into your solution.”

“So you’re not mad?”

“No, I am not. You did it brilliantly.” He patted his back. “But I’m still going to go ahead and cut that route off now. Melody, you and Bailey aren’t to do any work in Harry’s room that helps him keep his bedroom tidy. You do not pick anything he tells you to, regardless of how he does it.”

“I bet I can find a loophole in that, too,” Harry said with a grin. “But I won’t… if you give me the perfume you have. I’ll even tidy your room for that.” 

Melody put her palm across her face while Arcturus barked out a laugh. “Nice try, but you’re not getting that perfume. That bottle’s more expensive than many brooms are. So, you’re not getting anything even close to that perfume until you can earn it yourself.” Arcturus said. “Also, feel free to find all the loopholes you want. I’ll keep closing them. But with each new loophole I close, I’ll also increase the chores.”

“That’s not fair,” Harry protested. “I thought you liked that I found a loophole.”

“I liked that you found a loophole, but not the fact that you avoided responsibility. And you didn’t even make the right bargain.” Arcturus ruffled his hair, and Harry scowled. “Do you know the difference between my bargain and yours? I made it something you cannot walk away from or find a third option. A good bargain has leverage and a fair enough exchange of value. Yours had neither, mine did.”

“I suppose,” Harry muttered. “So, I have to either stop finding loopholes or risk getting more chores?”

“Indeed. Now, we must get going soon, and it is going to be a long day of meeting people and shopping. So, you need your strength. Melody, prepare Harry breakfast.”

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“Ready?” Arcturus’ voice cut through the nervous taps of Harry’s feet. Harry nodded, getting to his feet and tugging his robes straight, only for Arcturus to slap his hand down. “Stop fidgeting with your robes. It is fine and you’re dressed perfectly, which means your hair too.”

Harry quickly withdrew the hand he had raised to his head. “I’m just nervous, I guess.”

“You don’t need to be,” Arcturus told him. “You’ll do fine. All you’ve to do is smile and wave, shake hands, compliment someone occasionally, and be polite. The media won’t ask you many questions today, and we’ve prepared you for the usual ones. You’ll do fine.”

“Right, right,” Harry whispered. “But what if I mess up? What if—”

“Harry, there is nothing to mess up.” Arcturus cut in. “Not unless you puke on someone.”

“Oh, Merlin.” Harry felt a sick feeling twist in his stomach. “I shouldn’t have eaten breakfast.”

His Grandfather let out a long sigh, shaking his head, before kneeling, his grey eyes softening. “Harry, listen to me. I’m going to be with you, right next to you, every step of the way. Not only I, but your Aunt Andy and Amelia will be in the alley too. So will several of Amelia’s finest Aurors, thanks to the attempted robbery at Gringotts.” 

“The robbery took place the last time we went to the alley, Grandpa. The day of my birthday,” Harry said. “That’s awful.”

“That’s not the point. Harry, nothing is going to go wrong.” He gave him a long look. “But if you’re really nervous, we can go out with a disguise.”

Harry shook his head, his stomach twisting as he looked at the fireplace cracking merrily with flames. “I should be brave like my parents. They wouldn’t have backed away. Nor would I. I'll have to face it sooner or later. Better be it today when we’re prepared for it.”

“Good man, Harry.” Arcturus patted his shoulder, rising to his feet. “You’ll floo first today. I’ll be right behind you and draw attention to you once we’re ready. If it goes as we expect, people will want to meet you. Shake their hands with a smile, and you’ll be just fine. Ten or fifteen minutes in, we’ll make our way into the alley where fewer people should trouble you.” He gave Harry a piercing look. “Remember, they all love you and your parents for what they did. They’ll all act out of love for you and your parents in some part.”

“Right. Of course.” Harry breathed, nodding solemnly. “Wish me luck.”

“Good luck. I’m right behind you.”

Harry nodded, tossing a pinch of floo powder into the flames, which turned a brilliant green as he stepped in. Arcturus gave him an encouraging smile, and Harry took a deep breath. “Leaky Cauldron.”

The green flames washed over him like a wave upon the shore, swallowing him. Fireplaces spun past him, and Harry crouched, his feet landing smoothly on the hard ground as the flames receded to the view of a bustling Leaky Cauldron.

Harry swallowed his nervousness and stepped out, dusting the specks of ash off his robes, looking around the bar, which seemed brimming with customers. Pots of tea poured themselves into cups while plates of food flew onto tables. The chatter of voices seemed to meld for Harry as he watched people mill around, some looking only a few years older than him.

Behind him, the flames turned green again, and Arcturus stepped out, his cane clicking on the floor audibly.

“Come,” He laid a hand on Harry’s shoulder, steering him closer to the counter where the barman stood, wiping a tall glass. “Morning, Tom.”

“Lord Black, what can I get you?” The barman smiled a toothless grin. “Tea? Breakfast?”

“Already had those before I came. Maybe we’ll stop by for lunch, though. You see, I’m just taking my young ward here, shopping for Hogwarts.” Arcturus replied, clapping Harry lightly on the shoulder, drawing Tom’s attention to him. 

Harry smiled at the barman, swallowing a wince as the glass clattered onto the counter and the barman’s eyes went wide. 

“Bless my soul,” Tom breathed. “It can’t be… What an honor it is, Harry Potter.”

At his name, the bar fell silent as people turned to him, many eyes widening. Harry smothered the dread that pooled in his stomach, giving them a small wave. 

A hand seized his own, shaking it vigorously, and he looked down. “Welcome back, Mr. Potter.” Tears flowed from the old barman’s eyes. “Welcome back.”

“Thank you,” Harry said, glancing around as a hubbub of scraping chairs rolled across the bar, followed by whispers that spread through the crowd like wildfire. “It is good to be back.”

His grandfather squeezed his shoulder briefly and retreated a step as the crowd descended.

“It’s so incredible to meet you, Mr. Potter,” a witch said, clasping his hand with long, bony fingers. “You saved our arses, you did. All those years ago… if you hadn’t been there, we would’ve all been dead, I tell you. I cannot thank you enough.”

Before she could say more, she disappeared amongst the crowd, and a short woman came forward, shaking his hand with trembling fingers. “Doris Crockford, Mr. Potter. I can’t believe I’m meeting you at last.”

“It is great to meet you, too, ma’am.” Harry smiled, his heart hammering in his chest. “The pleasure’s mine.”

“So proud, Mr. Potter.” An old man dressed in fading robes threw his arms around Harry, clutching him tight. Harry smothered the urge to push him away until he heard the man speak quietly. “My son died to the monster, and you avenged him. I’m just so glad I can thank you in person. Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Harry squeezed the man’s arm lightly, patting his back. “I’m sorry to hear about your son, sir. I lost my parents to him, too, so I know the pain.”

The man nodded vigorously as he broke the hug, wiping the tears that spilled from his eyes. “Thank you. Thank you.”

“Always wanted to shake your hand,” another man whispered, his ears turning crimson as he shook Harry’s hand. “I’m all of a flutter.”

Someone elbowed through the crowd and shoved the man away, grabbing Harry’s hands. “Delighted, Mr. Potter, just can’t tell you. Diggle’s the name, Dedalus Diggle.”

“Well, it is nice to meet you, Mr. Diggle,” Harry said, and Diggle tipped his top hat to him. “But it isn’t nice to shove people, is it?” He glanced at the man Diggle had shoved, who was rapidly disappearing into the crowd, his face turning crimson. “Are you alright, mister?”

“Of– of course,” He stuttered. “Thank you. You’re so kind,” the man said, a bright, teary smile lighting up his face. “So kind.”

Before anything more could happen, he disappeared into the crowd, as another witch, one who looked barely older than Dora, shook his hand, her lips trembling as she spoke. “You saved my family, sir, when you defeated you-know-who. We cannot thank you enough.”

“I’m glad I could.” 

Harry smiled and continued, shaking hands, until he caught a glimpse of pink hair emerging through the crowd and paused as the witch shook his hand vigorously, as if trying to rip his arm off. 

“Mr. Potter, I so adore you. You’re lovely and what you did—”

“Nymphadora.” Harry’s lips curved into a smirk as the handshake faltered and her eye twitched, her hair flashing red as blood. “I met you two days ago, on my birthday. Get out of the line.”

“Yeah, yeah, spoilsport,” she stuck her tongue out, shuffling away to stand beside Arcturus, who cuffed her on the back of her head.

As another witch approached Harry, a bright flash of light went off. 

“Harry Potter.” A man in long, wool robes stepped through the crowd, pushing past Doris Crockford, who had shaken Harry’s hand twice already. “I’m Goodwin Cuffe, Editor in Chief of the Daily Prophet. Could I have a quick word?”

“Sure,” Harry said, smiling at an old, hunched witch who had stopped in front of him, her pipe having gone out, and he shook her hand, causing her cheeks to go pink. “What can I do for you, Mr. Cuffe?”

He stepped closer, into the way of the crowd, and shook Harry’s hand as another flash went off. “First, I cannot express how incredible it is to meet you in person, Mr. Potter. The thing you did for us can never be forgotten in a hundred years.” Harry swallowed a grimace as the third flash stung his eyes. “If I may, I would like to ask a couple of questions.” Harry inclined his head. “Where have you been for the past decade? No one has seen you since the fateful night when you defeated He-who-must-not-be-named.”

“Well, I’ve been living with Grandpa Arcturus.” He glanced at his grandfather. “He has raised me as his own. As a ward of House Black.”

“Lord Black.” Cuffe’s eyes widened as he looked between Harry and Arcturus. “Well, I can say this is certainly a huge surprise.”

“It isn’t if you really think about it.” Arcturus stepped closer to Harry. “I’ve been close to Harry’s family for the better part of the century, Goodwin. His grandmother was my sister, while his grandfather was the closest thing I had to a brother. I had a duty to them. To my family. And thus, to Harry.” Arcturus glanced down at Harry, who gave him a smile. “Now, folks, if you would allow us, Harry has some preparation to do for his First Year at Hogwarts. Lots to do today.”

“Thank you all for giving me your time of day,” Harry added, his voice carrying over the swell of whispers. “It was lovely to meet you all. Thank you for all your love and have a good day.”

“Mr. Potter, perhaps we can do an interview later?” Cuffee hurried after them as Arcturus steered Harry out, Dora following close behind. “An exclusive for the prophet? The world is dying to know more about you. We would love to get in a room with you and talk to you at leisure, if you’re comfortable.”

Harry smiled as they made their way to the back of the pub, and Harry caught a flash of red-robed Auror closing the back door behind them. “Well, Mr. Cuffe, I’m just a rather normal person. I don’t really remember anything about the Halloween night when my parents died. If you ask me, it was them who defeated Voldemort, sacrificing their lives to save mine.” He said. “Though, if you reckon you’ll benefit from interviewing me, I’m sure we can set something up.” 

“I agree,” Arcturus declared as he tapped the brick in the wall, and the gate to Diagon Alley formed in front of their eyes. “You can write to me, Goodwin. But Harry and I will really appreciate it if we can shop for his equipment today without any fuss.”

“Of course, Lord Black. I’ll personally get in touch with you later. Enjoy your day.” He bowed slightly. “And thank you for your time, Mr. Potter.”

“You’re most welcome, Mr. Cuffe.” 

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The sun shone down upon the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley, gleaming on the edge of Harry’s silver spoon as it dug into the ice cream. As the creamy coolness melted into his mouth, a shadow fell across the table. Harry looked up to see Susan grinning at him, a huge shopping bag slung over her shoulder. 

“Hi Harry! Hey Dora!” She beamed, dropping the bag onto an empty chair and propping herself into the seat next to Harry, snatching his ice cream cup from under him and taking a bite. 

“Hey! I can order you a bowl if you want.” Harry protested. “Or snatch hers. She has the bigger bowl anyway.”

Dora pulled her bowl of five-scoop ice cream away from him, taking a spoonful of garlic ice cream. “Mine. Shoo.”

“I’m not even tasting any of her… weird flavors.” Susan wrinkled her nose before shooting Dora an apologetic look. “Sorry, but you mix the good ones with the horrendous ones and top them with the weirdest stuff. What is it today?”

“Caramel and mustard.” Dora grinned, and Susan gagged. “Don’t judge me when all you eat are plain, conventional flavors.”

“My ice cream’s still stolen.” Harry tried to snatch his cup back, but Susan whisked it out of his reach. 

“Nope. Now it is mine. Also, I like it a bit melted anyway, so this is perfect.” Susan slurped on a spoonful of cookies and cream. “I heard you met with a lot of people today. The whole alley’s whispering about you. I could swear Aunty Amelia was going to strangle the shop attendant when she ran to get a glimpse of you while measuring my robes!”

“Well, Harry is Mr. Famous today.” Dora snorted, licking her mustard-glazed radish ice cream. “Everyone wants to meet him in whatever shop we’ve been to. Two ladies even kissed the lucky bugger in the book shop.”

“They didn’t kiss me. It was a greeting kiss on my cheek.” Harry scowled, smothering the heat that rushed to his face. “Remind me, why are you here with us today, except to be a smart arse?”

“Mum told me to run interference. She said a friendly face would help you.” She grinned, waving her spoon at him. “I was of half a mind to prank you by changing my appearance, but I reckon mum would have had my hide if I did. So I just got in line to shake your hand when I thought you were getting overwhelmed.”

“I wasn’t getting overwhelmed. While it was a bit more than I thought it would be, and a fair bit more than handshakes and smiles as I was told. But it was nothing I wasn’t prepared to handle.”

Susan nodded, her pigtails bouncing on and off her shoulders. “Aunt Amelia told me that you handled it very well. Better than most do when a crowd corners them. Her Aurors were keeping an eye on you to ensure safety.” She glanced at a corner, where a man sat behind the Daily Prophet, and her voice dropped low. “Don’t tell anyone, but that’s a Hitwizard there. And don’t look. It’s rude.”

“Is he here solely because of me or because of the Gringotts break-in, too?” Harry asked, wincing as his cheeks ached. “Because at this point, I’m ready to go home and be done with this. I just need a reason.”

“Aww, is little Harry’s cheeks hurting?” Dora snickered, leaning across the table to pull his cheeks, but Harry scooched out of her reach. “Lemme pull it all better.”

“You try smiling so much in one day,” Harry muttered, pushing Dora’s hands away. “I mean, the shopping is interesting, but it is like no one wants me to pay. The trunk shop we just went to? He tried giving me a seven-compartment, gold-lined trunk for free, saying it was the least he could do. It was worth nine hundred galleons.”

Susan’s eyebrows shot up. “Seriously? What was in it? A whole house?”

“Actually, yes,” Harry said. “The last compartment was enchanted to be as big as my living room is. It even had a working bathroom and shower in it.”

“Bloody hell. Did you take it?” Dora asked. “What? I got bored and went out to look at other stuff. Who likes to look at trunks, anyway?”

“I didn’t take that trunk, no,” Harry said, rolling his eyes. “I bought a normal trunk. Three compartments, moderately expanded. Grandpa said that I’ll need the space later, and I should keep my clothes, books, and equipment separate. Oh, it has a custom engraving too, which Mr. Wilkinson, the owner, insisted on doing.” Harry shrugged. “At that point, we couldn’t say no anymore, so we let him do it.”

“You think it sounds like a hassle, little cuz, but so many would love to get something like that,” Dora said, digging back into her ice cream. “Quit whining about getting free things.”

Harry scoffed. “Dora, the man wanted to give me a nine-hundred-galleon trunk for free. I don’t even know his first name, for Merlin’s sake!” 

“I agree. You never take free gifts like that, despite who you are.” Susan nodded. “I mean, it wasn’t even a small thing that no one would bat an eye about.”

“Exactly. Florescue giving me an extra scoop without asking? I can take that. A gold-lined trunk? Please.”

“Florescue gave you an extra scoop? The traitor!” Dora hissed. “He refused to even put some gold sprinkles in mine when I asked!”

Harry snorted. “You should be thankful he hasn’t kicked you out for ordering that. He looked like he was about to puke.”

“I bet.” Susan glanced around. “Where are your bags? With your grandfather?”

“No, I sent them home with Bailey,” Harry said. “Dora is yet to do her shopping. She hasn’t selected her sixth-year subjects, and till she does, there isn’t much point in shopping for her.”

Dora groaned. “Not you too. You get good enough grades in your OWLs to have every subject open for you. Then we’ll see how fast you choose. My career depends on this, and I’m still not sure what I want to do.”

“Then you should take your time,” Susan said. “My Aunty says that important decisions shouldn’t be rushed.”

“Yes, they shouldn’t.” Harry turned to see Amelia standing behind them, two cones of ice cream in her hand. “I see Susan stole your ice cream, Harry. You can have hers.”

“Aunty!” Susan protested as Harry plucked the ice cream from Amelia’s hands with a grin, folding her arms and huffing. “This is so unfair.” 

“I’ll be with Mr. Black while you children finish up,” she said. “After that, we all have to go to the Apothecary to get your potion’s equipment.”

As she left, Susan lunged at Harry, but he darted out of her way. “Harry, give me my ice cream!”

“Nope, mine now.”

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AND… DONE! Hope you all liked the chapter!

So, yes, meet the new Harry whom we’re going to live the story through. I won’t say much and let you judge him. The sole note I shall make is that Harry here isn’t afraid of fame like he was in canon. He doesn’t necessarily like it, but he doesn’t abhor it either. He has accepted it.

Do let me know your thoughts about him. I would like to hear what you think.

A huge thank you to Zaby for betaing this chapter!

.

Stay Happy! Stay Safe! Keep Smiling! Keep Reading!

HPfanfictioner66