Title
Dance of the Full Moon
Sakura Hanamoto
Chapter 2: Blow Me Away
Two weeks later found Harry sitting at the dinner table with a glass of…something sitting before him. He looked up at Jennifer, his eyes speaking for him. "Don't worry Harry, it's perfectly safe," she told him, pushing the glass closer to him. Harry swallowed audibly and with slightly shaky hands lifted the glass and bringing it to his lips. "You'd best hurry Harry, once the moon has fully risen, it'll be too late." These words convinced him. Harry threw his head back and swallowed the Wolfsbane potion in one go. He slammed the glass down on the table and shuddered visibly.
"This stuff's horrid!" he cried as he scraped his tongue against his teeth in an attempt to get rid of the taste.
"Well, medicine isn't supposed to taste good, and I suspect it never will, you've done fine these past two weeks so far Harry, I'll see you later, and good luck tonight," Jennifer gave him a hug before leaving, nodding to the Dursleys who sat in the sitting room, eyes never leaving the television. Harry washed the glass out and quickly retreated to his cupboard. He shivered and curled up on his blankets and shut his eyes.
An hour later, a scream ripped through the house, making the Dursleys jump in surprise. Harry's bones popped and snapped as they reshaped themselves. His back arched in pain and his skin itched as his hair shortened and turned to fur and it sprouted from the rest of his body. His clothing ripped and a tail sprouted from the base of his spine. His moans and quiet screams came out as whines and whimpers now as his vocal chords and voice box reshaped itself.
XxXxXxX
Harry remained curled on the blankets until the moon set and the sun rose in the morning. Slowly, the transformation reversed itself and with a groan he pushed himself up. His joints and muscles protested the movement and he flopped back down to rest for a bit. Once he regained his senses, Harry quickly dressed and got up to make the family breakfast. He was lucky it was the weekend since he felt weak, exhausted, and sore from his first transformation. If there was one good thing that came from being a werewolf, it was that he no longer needed his glasses, he'd gleefully thrown them out when he'd found out.
Harry quickly got some bacon frying as he prepared some eggs for an omelet. Dudley soon came pounding down the stairs and sat at the table watching Harry. The smaller boy quickly and skillfully set the table just as Vernon and Petunia joined their son at the table. Harry grabbed a slice of toast and a piece of bacon before retreating to his cupboard until he had to come out and do the chores.
XxXxXxX
Harry pushed himself back and forth slightly on the swing. He'd finished his chores and quickly escaped the house. The park was silent, and Harry found himself bored. After the transformation his body was still a bit sore and the lack of sleep was catching up to him. He ceased any movement and shut his eyes hoping that it would help a bit.
Harry awoke as he tumbled off the swing when a fist collided with his chin. His head whipped back and he groaned as he hit the ground, legs entangled in the swing's chain.
"Get up Potter!" Dudley ordered as one of his gang picked Harry up and held onto the small boy. Harry wrenched free of their grip, but before they could grab at him again, Harry lashed out with his own well aimed punch. The group of boys stared at him in shock.
"What's the matter Dudley? Don't think you're so tough without your goons backing you up eh?" Harry grinned maliciously. Dudley attempted another punch only for his fist to be caught in Harry's hand. "Too slow." Harry retaliated. Seeing that their leader was on the ground, the other boys jumped Harry. He did his best to fight them off, but there was too many of them and he was still tired.
"Hey! Break it up! Break it up!" a male voice yelled as a taller man came running towards the throng of boys, pulling them away from Harry. The boy was curled in a ball, arms protecting his head from injury. "You okay kid?" He asked. A single green eye popped open and it swiveled around to look at the man. "Get up kid." Harry hastily jumped to his feet in response. He dusted his clothes off and straightened them properly.
"I'm fine sir, thanks," Harry replied to his earlier question.
"No need for that 'sir' stuff, I'm only twenty-two after all. What's your name kid?" he asked. Harry noted that the man was clearly of some oriental descent, but his accent was different.
"Harry Potter," Harry answered.
"Jonathan Tanigawa, but you can call me Jon," the older male said extending his hand to Harry. He quickly shook it.
"I don't mean to be rude, but you're not from around here are you?" Harry asked nervously.
"Nope! I'm from California actually. I'm here visiting relatives," Jon replied. Harry nodded. "What was that all about anyway?" Jon asked, looking off in the direction Dudley had run off to.
"Just my cousin and his buddies, that's all," Harry told him.
"You make it sound like that's normal."
"Well it is, but this is the first time I've actually fought back."
"What? It certainly didn't look like that was the first time, Hell, you were showing potential to be a real fighter one day," Jon said. Harry blinked. Honestly, he didn't think he would have fought back the way he had. In fact, he probably wouldn't have at all normally. He wondered if it had anything to being a werewolf. "Do you know anything about martial arts?" Jon asked him abruptly.
"No, not really, just what I've seen in movies," Harry told him. Jon waved his hand dismissively.
"Half the stuff they do in movies doesn't work in real life these days. Anyway, how about I teach you a little," Jon suggested.
"Really?" the boy looked up at him in surprise.
"Sure why not? I told my cousin I probably won't be back until sunset anyway."
"Okay then, what do I do?" Harry smiled widely, and Jon chuckled at his eagerness.
XxXxXxX
Nearly three years later, Jon had ended up moving to Little Whinging, not too far from the Dursleys, in a small one bedroom flat. Harry came in as often as he could to keep learning karate, and other martial art styles. From that one chance meeting in the park up until then Harry had progressed to a point that Dudley had given up on trying to beat Harry up. Of course this only caused more rumors to spring up about how Harry was some kind of delinquent. He simply ignored all the rumors because he knew they were just Dudley's last attempt at trying to control him in some way.
Petunia and Vernon couldn't care-less about where Harry was during the nearly four hour long sessions he was with Jon as long as he didn't come home in the backseat of a police car. That would make them look bad in front of the neighbors.
Harry had even found the courage to tell Jon about the Lycanthrope Virus, the older man had just grinned and ruffled his hair. Harry knew that he didn't believe him, but then again, no sane person would.
The day dawned to Harry being awoken to dust falling onto his body. His cousin was jumping up and down on the stairs. Harry groaned and rose, knowing that he needed to cook breakfast while his relatives showered attention onto Dudley. After all, it was Dudley's eleventh birthday today.
Harry dressed quickly and hurried into the kitchen and took the spatula from his aunt's hands before she could even say anything to him. Petunia immediately wrapped her arms around her son as far as she could.
"How's my Duddikins on his special day?" Petunia kissed him on the cheek, pointedly ignoring the fat boy's look of disgust from the action. Once his mother released him, Dudley quickly turned his attention to the rather large pile of gifts on the table. Scrutinizing them, he addressed Vernon who sat there, a cup of coffee in his hand.
"How many are there?" Dudley demanded of his father.
"Thirty-six," Vernon replied.
"Thirty-six? But last year – last year, I had thirty-seven!" Dudley cried, fake tears welling up in his eyes. Harry rolled his eyes, his long hair shielding his eyes from his family's view. Harry was very aware of the fact that Dudley had stopped crying years ago, but that didn't mean that the fat blond boy didn't know how to throw a tantrum anymore.
"How about this Duddy, today, when we go out, we'll by you two new presents. How does that sound?" Petunia quickly defused the bomb like an expert. Dudley nodded and the tears quickly stopped. Petunia disappeared from the kitchen when the phone rang, but reappeared a few moments later. "Bad news, Mrs. Figg is ill and can't take him today." Harry smiled slightly. As nice as the old woman was, her cats hated him. Harry quickly set the breakfast food on the table and set everything up. Being careful of Dudley's presents, knowing that he would be in a world of pain should he damage anything. "I guess we'll just have to take him with us." Dudley's tears began anew at this statement.
"B-but, he'll ruin everything!" the boy sputtered. Harry was tempted to speak up, to say he'd just stay here or run over to Jon's place, but since either choice involved him enjoying himself, they'd never agree to it.
"We can't just leave him here, he'd blow up the house," Vernon murmured.
"No I wouldn't," Harry replied weakly before returning to his toast and bacon. Dudley crying continued until Petunia offered to buy him all the treats he wanted while they were out.
"No choice then, the boy's coming with us," Petunia announced.
XxXxXxX
Harry grabbed a jacket from his cupboard and brushed his hair from his face. Although his aunt and uncle liked to keep up appearances, they'd long since given up on keeping Harry's hair tame and just let it do as it wished. By now, the back of it just brushed his shoulders, and his bangs were parted in front in such a way that it kept his rather peculiar scar on his forehead out of sight. This scar was just about the only thing Harry really liked about his physical appearance. He was short for a boy his age, too skinny, although there was a healthy amount of muscle on him, not to mention the upper half of his body was riddled with scars. Other than that, it was his lightning bolt shaped scar, and maybe his hair that he really liked.
Harry was pulling his jacket on and reaching for the door handle of the car when Vernon stopped him.
"You listen here boy, and you listen well. If there's any funny business going on today, any at all, you'll be in your cupboard with no meals for a week. Is that understood?" Harry nodded his head. He was given this speech whenever they were forced to take him along for outings, and every time, something always went wrong and he was blamed, even if he was nowhere near the strange happenings. With this warning running through his mind, they set off for the zoo.
XxXxXxX
Dudley's fat face was pressed against the glass, staring at a sleeping python. His father stood by him, looking over a pamphlet.
"Make it move," Dudley ordered. Vernon looked up and knocked on the glass. When the sleeping snake only twitched its tail slightly, Dudley rapped harder on the glass.
"Move!" the python went on sleeping. Dudley sighed and walked away, Vernon trailing his son. Harry went back to studying the large snake. Finally, the snake lifted its head, tongue flicking out. It seemed to look Harry up and down before emitting a low hiss.
"That isss ssso annoying," Harry blinked. Looking around to see if anyone was nearby, he turned back to the python.
"W-was that you?" he asked quietly. The python nodded. Harry glanced at the sign beside the glass window. "Do you think you'd like to go to Brazil one day?" Harry questioned. The python nodded.
"Very much ssso," it replied.
"Must be horrible here, having only people who just press their ugly faces against the glass like my cousin."
"You've no idea," the python told him just as Dudley ran up and elbowed Harry out of the way. Harry rolled and jumped to his feet out of reflex and growled at his cousin. Dudley pressed himself against the glass, and in that moment, the glass disappeared. Dudley flailed his arms to retain his balance, but he pitched forward and fell into the exhibit. The large python took the chance to get out. He paused and looked at Harry. "Thanksss amigo." It said before slithering off, nipping at the heels of the people who couldn't get out of the way fast enough. Harry looked over at Dudley who was just rising to get out but found that his path was impeded by the glass which had reappeared.
Petunia screamed at the sight of her son, while Vernon cast Harry a suspicious look.
XxXxXxX
By the time they'd reached Privet Drive again, Dudley had calmed a bit, but he was still dripping wet. As soon as the front door was closed, Vernon grabbed Harry by the ear and began dragging the boy to his cupboard.
"What happened?" he demanded through clenched teeth. Harry gasped in pain.
"I-I don't know!" Harry cried. Vernon growled and shoved him into the cupboard and locking it shut.
XxXxXxX
Harry had spent the next month and a half in his cupboard. By the time they'd let him out, summer holidays had begun and they were almost through the month of July.
At this time, Harry had just finished setting the table for breakfast and when the click of the mail slot sounded down the hall.
"Go get the mail," Vernon ordered. Harry nodded and moved towards the kitchen door, picking up his two slices of bacon as he went. If he didn't take this precaution, Dudley wouldn't leave any for him. He bent to the pick up the mail, looking through them once he did. He passed over a few bills, a postcard, and a letter. He finished going through the stack before he'd fully realized that the letter was addressed to him. Blinking, he made his way back to the kitchen, staring at the address on the envelope.
Mr. H. J. Potter
The Cupboard under the Stairs
4 Privet Drive
Little Whinging
Surrey
Harry mindlessly handed the rest of the stack to his uncle and made his way towards the hall again to slip inside his cupboard, but Dudley spoke up before he'd taken two steps.
"Dad, Harry's got a letter!" Dudley managed to jump up from his chair and snatched the envelope from his cousin's grip and passed it to his father's hand before Harry had even realized it. When he did, he growled in annoyance.
"Hey! That's mine!" he made a grab for it, but Vernon pulled away.
"Nonsense, who would write to you?" Vernon looked over the envelope, and quickly noticed the wax seal holding the envelope closed. Just above the wax was what appeared to be a school seal featuring a lion, badger, eagle, and a snake. The four animals held aloft a large green H. With shaking hands, Vernon turned it over and saw in green ink, the exact address of where Harry slept. "Dudley, Harry, leave." Vernon ordered tersely.
"But Dad!" Dudley began to protest but Vernon cut him off. Realizing that he wasn't going to get his way this time, Dudley left the kitchen with Harry just behind him. Petunia shut the door behind the boys. Harry paced back and forth for a bit while hearing Petunia and Vernon's hushed voices through the door with ease. Despite this, they spoke carefully; they didn't want the boys to figure out what it was they were talking about. Harry snarled in frustration before making his way to the front door.
The dark haired boy wandered down the street until he came upon an apartment building. Harry entered and jogged up five flights of stairs before he came to the floor he was looking for. Knocking on the third door on the left side of the hall, the door opened to reveal Jon standing at the door, a slice of toast hanging from his mouth.
"Harry? Bit early don't you think?" Jon asked, but stepped aside to let the boy in anyway.
"My relatives are being unreasonable," Harry told him as he kicked off his shoes and sat down on the couch.
"How so?"
"I got a letter in the mail today. I never get mail, and they won't even let me look at it," Harry grumbled. "And there's no way it could be a mistaken address, it even listed my cupboard."
"Cupboard?" Jon looked at him with a questioning look on his face. Harry then realized that he'd never mentioned the fact that he slept in a cupboard. "What do you mean by that Harry?"
"Oh, well, its-its nothing," Harry told him, averting his eyes. Jon approached the boy, and forced Harry to look at him. Harry automatically set his face into a blank stare and Jon sighed.
"I think I've taught you too well Harry, I can't read you anymore," Jon said with a chuckle. "Did you eat breakfast yet?"
"A little bit," Harry replied. As soon as these words left his mouth, Jon lifted the boy up and threw him over his shoulder.
"You're a growing boy Harry, you need to eat more than just 'a little bit'," Jon dumped him on a seat at the kitchen table and served him a large helping of food.
"I don't think I could eat all of this," Harry told him.
"You'd be surprised Harry, now eat," Jon pushed a fork towards the boy and Harry dug into some eggs.
"I didn't know you could cook so well," Harry commented between bites.
"When you live on your own, you pick up a few things," Jon told him while pouring a glass of milk for Harry.
Soon enough, Harry had finished everything on the plate and leaned back in the chair.
"I don't think I can move," Harry said with a heavy sigh.
"You get ten minutes," Jon said.
"Ten minutes for what?"
"To rest before you get to work," Harry groaned.
"No complaining, you're lucky I'm doing this for free, besides, I'm running out of things to teach you," Jon told him. "Though I suppose I can go into other styles that I know." At this, Harry practically leapt from his seat.
"Really? Like what?" Harry stared at his teacher expectantly.
"I know a little Judo that I can teach you, though I was never that good at it to start with. Or maybe Kendo, that's always fun, most people like that one," Jon stated. "So, which will it be? Kendo, or Judo?"
"Let's start with Kendo first," Harry said quickly.
"Great, help me set out the mats and get stretching."
"Hai, sensei."
XxXxXxX
That afternoon Harry trudged back to the Dursleys, his hands throbbed, his back hurt, and his arms felt numb. He didn't think landing on his back could hurt to much. As he opened the door, he was greeted by Vernon.
"We need to talk," Vernon declared before leading the boy into the sitting room. Harry took a deep breath, waiting for his uncle to start yelling. "Uh, Harry, I – that is – you aunt and I have decided that you've gotten a bit big for the cupboard already. What I mean is, you can go ahead and move into Dudley's second bedroom upstairs." Harry blinked, not sure he actually believed what he was hearing. Finally, he remembered the reason he'd left the house that morning.
"What about my letter?" Harry demanded.
"It was a mistake, I've gone ahead and burned the letter," Vernon answered him levelly. "So, go ahead and take your things up to your room." Harry nodded and ducked inside the cupboard to get the few possessions he had. Quickly glancing to make sure Vernon wasn't paying attention he slipped the pocket knife Jon had given him into his pocket before moving up the stairs.
Harry dumped his things onto the bed and looked around the room. Nearly the entire room was filled with broken or unwanted toys and gifts Dudley had received over the years. He shook his head at the sight, evidence of just how spoiled his cousin was. Hell, as far most people knew, it looked as if the only boy living in the house was Dudley, so small was Harry's presence.
There was a commotion downstairs and Harry realized that his cousin had been informed about the change in living arrangements. He groaned and flopped over onto his back, realizing the mistake in doing so, he flipped over onto his stomach. Harry had a feeling that it was going to be a very long summer.
XxXxXxX
Harry awoke the next day and hurried downstairs to make breakfast. Harry pulled out several eggs to cook as Vernon sat down with the morning paper and listened to Harry working.
Once everyone sat down to eat, the click of the mail slot caused everyone to stop. There was a moment of tense silence, and then the three males in the house rose and bolted for the door. Harry got their first, and he'd only gotten a glimpse at the address written on the three letters before Vernon ripped them from his grip.
"Those are mine! They've got my room written on it!" Harry leapt up at Vernon to snatch one away. Vernon held the three envelopes high above his head, far out of Harry's reach.
"Go to your room Harry!" Vernon snarled. Harry shoved past the man and stomped all the way up at the stairs. When he got to his room, he made sure the slam the door loudly just because he could.
XxXxXxX
A week later, Vernon had been driven to madness. He ordered everyone to pack up so they could leave. Harry had no intention of doing so. He did pack, but rather then go downstairs he jumped out of his bedroom window, his landing cushioned by the bushes below his window. He dusted himself off and ran to Jon's place before they noticed that he was missing.
Jon was surprised to see Harry standing at his door step, but agreed to let the boy stay.
"Say Harry, tomorrow's your birthday right?" he asked Harry.
"Yeah, why?"
"Well, I figured since your Uncle's finally jumped off the deep end, we could celebrate your birthday properly," Jon suggested. Harry's face seemed to brighten considerably at this suggestion.
"Okay!" Jon chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm.
"We could even get started today," Jon said, before thinking for a bit. After a while he snapped his fingers and headed over to the shelf of videos he had. "I know, have you ever watched Star Wars Harry?"
"No, never heard of it," was the reply. Jon's movements stilled, and then he turned slowly, shock clearly showing on his face.
"N-never heard of it?" Harry couldn't be sure, but it looked as if Jon's brain was breaking down on him. "B-Blasphemy, anyone who's studied kendo and bushido should – no – must see Star Wars!" He grabbed three videos off the shelf before dropped them on the coffee table in front of the couch.
"Uh, Jon? Is it that big of a deal?" Harry questioned.
"Of course it is! You've gotta be crazy kid to think otherwise," Jon answered as he shoved Harry onto the couch and ran off to the kitchen. "You sit tight kid; I'll have you fixed up in a second."
Harry wondered on what Jon meant by "fixed up".
XxXxXxX
Several hours, four bowls of popcorn, three bottles of soda, and a large amount of candy later, Harry lay on the pull-out bed staring up at the ceiling. 'So that's Star Wars. I must say, it's pretty cool.' He thought as his eyes drifted to the digital clock glowing on the VCR. It was five minutes to midnight, five minutes, and he would be eleven years old. His thoughts drifted to the Dursley's, wondering what it was that they were doing now, and if Uncle Vernon really hoped to escape the people trying so desperately to send a letter to Harry.
Two minutes to midnight. Harry hoped that tomorrow would be just as fun as today had been. He'd tried to get Jon to tell him what the man had planned, but he'd been completely tight-lipped about it.
One minute. He prayed that Uncle Vernon wouldn't punish him too harshly for running off the way he had. Maybe he could convince Jon to let him stay with him for the rest of the summer.
Thirty seconds. He'd run out of things to think about, and he was feeling tired, the sugar rush he'd been riding, finally dying out.
Fifteen seconds. Harry's eyes began to slide closed and he yawned loudly. What was that loud stomping noise in the outside hallway?
Ten seconds. He turned over onto his side, adjusting the pillow beneath his head. The loud stomping was growing ever closer.
Five seconds. His body slowly shut itself down for the rest of the night. He thought it might have been some kind of giant.
Midnight. A blast akin to cannon fire echoed through the small room and made Harry jump so high, he fell out of bed.
"Bloody hell! What was that?" Harry's eyes were drawn to the short hallway that lead to the front door. He could see the wood shaking against its frame. There was another explosion and the door came crashing down. Harry jumped over the back of the couch, looking up to see possibly the largest man in existence step through the threshold of the small flat. Jon's bedroom door opened and the young man came out, eyes searching out Harry in the darkness. The large man came forward and paused to adjust his eyes to the darkness of the room. Jon stood between Harry and the large man, intending to protect the boy. The giant-like man blinked before finally speaking.
"Sorry 'bout that," he turned and put the front door back in place. "I forget me own strength sometimes." He explained. The man turned to see Jon, and Harry hiding, looking at him with wide fearful eyes. "'Arry! I haven't seen you since you was a baby." At this statement, Harry rose and stepped forward cautiously.
"Who are you sir? If you don't leave now, I'll be forced to call the police," Jon stated, somehow keeping a slight tremor from his voice. It seemed the big man finally noticed Jon.
"Sorry, it's jus' I've been told to speak to 'Arry here an' give him 'is letter," the man explained. "The name's Hagrid, Rubeus Hagrid tha' is. But you can jus' call me Hagrid." The man, now named Hagrid fished through the many pockets of his large overcoat and produced a relatively rumpled envelope. He held out the letter to Harry who took it slowly. Flipping it over, he was surprised to see Jon's address written on it, but it had his name on it.
Flipping it back over, he tore the seal and produced three thick pieces of paper. Feeling it, he realized that it wasn't the standard notebook or printer paper he was used to. Opening up the first sheet, he began to read aloud for Jon's benefit.
"'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class. Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards)," Harry blinked, but kept going. "Dear Mr. Potter, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclose a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31. Yours sincerely Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress.'" Harry looked up at Hagrid. "Is this some sort of joke the Dursleys thought up as punishment for leaving without telling them?" Harry asked quite seriously.
"No, it's not a joke 'Arry, it's all true," Hagrid told him.
"How do I know you're not lying to me?" Harry asked of him. Hagrid appeared to be thinking, and then, he pulled a pink umbrella from one of his inner pockets. He then pointed it at the pen sitting on the coffee table and with a flash of light it had transformed into a rubber ball and back again.
"Do ya believe me now?" Hagrid questioned. Both Harry and Jon were staring.
"S-so, this is all true? Harry's a wizard?" Jon asked. Hagrid nodded.
"Who are ya anyway?"
"Oh, I'm Jonathan Tanigawa, I'm Harry's martial arts teacher," Jon informed the taller man.
"So yer a Muggle then?"
"Muggle? I've heard that term before," Harry said.
"Ya have? Where?"
"At the hospital, I was there when I was att-attacked by a dog. The doctor that tested me for rabies used that term. I never asked him what it meant," Harry clarified.
"A Muggle is a person who can't use magic. Yer teacher 'ere is a Muggle," Hagrid told him.
"So, my relatives are Muggles too then?"
"Tha's right. Your mum, and yer aunt were sisters, born from Muggle parents, but yer mum was a fine witch, the best in her year at Hogwarts. Hang on a minute, ya mean ta tell me tha' the Dursleys never told ya? Never mentioned that ya were a wizard?" Harry shook his head. Hagrid growled.
"W-were they supposed to?"
"They bloody were. Professor Dumbledore left a letter with ya when we left ya with the Dursleys. Even explained how yer parents died," Hagrid said.
"How they died? They told me they died in a car crash. Was that a lie too?"
"A car crash? A car crash kill Lily and James Potter? Rubbish, all of it!" Hagrid seemed to be righteously angry.
"Then, how did they die? If you don't mind me asking?" Jon asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"I doan know if I shoul' be the one ta tell ya Harry, but I can say that they were murdered. Died protectin' ya," Hagrid said to the boy. Once this was said, he suddenly jumped slightly, and dug into one of his back pockets. "I've got a little summat fer ya 'Arry. Mighta sat on it, but should taste fine just the same." With this, he produced a slightly squashed box and handed it to Harry. Harry opened it up to see a chocolate cake and green icing that spelled out "Harry Birthday Harry" on it.
"Thank you," Harry said softly. He'd never had a birthday cake before. He'd gotten gifts before, but never a cake. Jon claimed that dessert food was beyond his ability to cook, and the Dursleys just didn't care. Hagrid had pulled out more of that strange paper and what looked like a feather, but he was surprised to see that Hagrid was writing with it. "What is that Hagrid?" Harry asked.
"Parchment and a self-inking quill is all. Jus' sendin' a note to the headmaster. Let 'im know ya got yer letter," Hagrid told him. "Tomorrow, we can go get yer supplies, if that's all right." He pulled a ruffled tawny owl from another pocket and tied the piece of parchment to its leg. Opening up the nearest window, it took off, seeming to know where to go.
"Well, Jon and I were going to celebrate my birthday but…" Harry wasn't sure as to what to say.
"It's fine Harry, but can I come too? All this magic stuff sounds like fun. My father used to tell me stories about magic and stuff. I always thought it was real, deep down. Don't know why, but that's how it is."
"You said yer name was Tanigawa right?" Hagrid asked.
"Yeah,"
"There was a famous wizard by that name, might be a relative," Hagrid muttered. "Well, I s'pose ya can go with us. We'd best be up bright and early." Harry was sitting on the bed again, just about ready to fall asleep again. "I can sleep on the floor, doan think that bed can hold me weight." Hagrid removed his jacket and spread it on the floor. Jon seemed to remember his manners and hurried to get Hagrid a proper pillow and blankets.
"Good night Harry, Hagrid," Jon said before disappearing into his room again.
"Night Jon, Hagrid," Harry lay back down ready to fall asleep. 'I hope tomorrow will be tons of fun.' He thought with a smile before falling asleep.
Thanks to the one person that reviewed at the four that added this story to their alerts. It makes me happy. I know that it seems a bit rushed, but honestly, I don't feel like going on about the three years in between Harry being bitten and finding out he's a wizard. So I settled for a time jump. Please, please, please review!
One more thing: I need help deciding which house to put Harry in. As this is an AU fic, Harry's personality isn't quite the same as in canon. I'm not sure which house to put him in because of this.
