Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or related characters.
This is my first fanfic story so please be gentle.
Title: A Normal Life
Author: Draconia21
Rating: M for some graphic context and words
Summary: When Harry finally thinks he's beginning to have a normal life, Harry realizes that one event can change your life and make it even better.Little does he know that one event happens to be getting braces. HPDM, BZHG
No HBP spoilers
"blah" – talking
'blah' – thoughts
Chapter 1"Harry, c'mon it's time to get up! You have an appointment today!" Remus called from the kitchen of Number 12 Grimmauld Place.
Harry groaned, while he turned in bed to stare up at the ceiling of his second floor bedroom and smiled. Today was his second week at his new home in Grimmauld Place. It no longer held that atmosphere of dark magic, but now resembled a warm and loving home. A home that Remus Lupin and himself created after the defeat of Voldemort.
The war was finally over in some aspects except for a few remaining Death Eaters that managed to escape after the final battle, but in all things where finally starting to look up for Harry or so he thought.
It was as Harry walked into his adjoining bathroom that he remembered he had a dentist appointment this morning. Oh how he hated having to go to the dentist. Living with the Dursleys, not much attention was paid to his health needs. They wouldn't even buy him new clothes let alone take him to the dentist for a proper checkup.
Half an hour later Harry was dressed and bounding down the stairs to the kitchen for breakfast.
"Hey kiddo! Are you hungry this morning?" Remus said upon Harry entering the kitchen. Harry smiled hearing the affectionate term of endearment from his surrogate godfather. It finally felt as if he had a family. Just him and Remus was enough for Harry.
"Hey Remus! I'm hungry, but not that much so I guess some oatmeal should be enough," Harry said, sitting down at the table. It was then that Harry finally got a good look at the table. On the table, Remus had made French toast pancakes, sausages, bacon, kippers, toast and eggs. "Whoa Remus just how many people are having breakfast here this morning."
"Just you and me Harry. Don't you remember you have an dentist appointment this morning?" Remus explained, bringing a pitcher of pumpkin juice to the table and sitting down across from Harry.
"Yeah? But what does that have to do with why you made so much breakfast?" Harry asked, reaching across the table for a slice of toast and the strawberry marmalade and spreading some on his toast.
"Well, I kind of didn't tell you the whole truth this morning. You see, the appointment is not for a regular checkup and cleaning," Remus said wearily, hoping that the rest of the conversation goes smoothly.
"Well, if I'm not getting a checkup and cleaning, then what kind of appointment did you make for me?" Harry asked, taking a bite of toast with some marmalade on it.
"I made you an orthodontist appointment because…" Remus started, but he never got to finish because Harry interrupted him.
"YOU WHAT? WHY WOULD YOU MAKE AN ORTHODONTIST APPOINTMENT FOR ME? I DON'T NEED BRACES!!!" Harry exclaimed.
"I've noticed for quite some time that your teeth seem to be a little on the crooked side and you may have an overbite," Remus replied, totally disregarding Harry's outburst.
"But I don't wanna get braces. People will laugh at me. Besides, why can't I just have them magically straightened," Harry whined.
"No one is going to laugh at you Harry. And besides you may not even have to wear them that long," Remus placated Harry as he came around the table to sit next to Harry and resting a hand on his shoulder. "And I know that your mum and dad would have wanted you to experience some things the muggle way. Your mum was a muggle-born and she never wanted to forget where she came from and that meant not always have things magically fixed when the need suits it.
"So can you just do me a favor and try to eat as much food as you can this morning in case you may not be able to eat for the rest of the day?" Remus finished.
"Okay, but that doesn't mean I have to like it," Harry pouted as he began to place some of everything onto his plate.
"Thanks kiddo," Remus said as he got up and placed a kiss on the top of Harry's head before going back and sitting across from Harry to begin his own breakfast. Harry gave Remus a shy smile at the physical display of affection.
Digging into his food, Harry asked, "So the reason you think I need to eat all this food is because…?"
"The dentist may be doing some preliminary work on your teeth so you might be a little too sore to eat anything else for the rest of the day."
Harry nodded and continued with his breakfast. Though Harry really did not want to go to this appointment, he knew that Remus was only looking out for his best interests. And that was reason enough for Harry to do as his guardian asks.
After he was finished, Harry asked to be excused. He had a lot to think about. "Sure, but your appointment is for 11 o'clock so be downstairs and ready to go by 10:30 so we can drive over there," Remus said before Harry left to go back to his room.
Harry walked slowly up the stairs, his mind swirling with thoughts and questions. 'I can't believe I have to get braces. What is everyone at school going to think? What are Ron and Hermione going to say? Will they still be my friends?'
Harry flopped on the bed and engaged in one of his newest favorite pastimes, staring at the ceiling of his room. As he stared at the ceiling, a thought occurred to him. Harry sat up quickly and groaned for the second time that day.
'What is Draco going to think?' That thought alone made Harry want to crawl into a hole and never come out. You see Harry had a crush on Malfoy since the beginning of sixth year, and it was then that Harry started to see Malfoy as Draco. However, he was Draco in his head only because Ron would never understand how he felt about Draco. It also helped immeasurably that Draco and himself came to a truce in sixth year. Now there was no way in hell that Draco would want to date him.
Harry signed and put his head in his hands and put them on his knees. 'This is going to be a long year'.