Chapter Two – Encounters of the Strange Kind

Evan absent-mindedly ran a hand through his messy hair while he waited for the 'walk' sign to cross the street. Tiffany's birthday was the next day and he was out looking for something to buy for her. He had a few hours before he had to be at work, so he wasn't in a hurry.

The traffic stopped, the light turned to 'walk' and the crowd on the sidewalk crossed the street. Evan started to whistle a tune as he lazily made his way down the path. He glanced from window to window, admiring items in the storefronts but not seeing anything to make him stop.

"Hey now, heeey now, don't dreaaam it's over," Evan sang to himself as he stopped and looked into a window.

It was a shop that specialized in fantasy merchandise. The front window was littered with dragons and wizards of all kinds. He saw an incense burner in the shape of a dragon with a magical castle, an ashtray that had a fire-breathing dragon around the outside, a small statue of an old wizard with a long, white beard holding a crystal ball, and other little knick-knacks.

This should be a good shop, he thought and walked through the door. He smirked as the scents engulfed him upon entering. It was a familiar smell, but he couldn't place it. He took in a deep breath and started to browse the small store.

The shop, Giselle's World of Magic, was quite an interesting place full of unusual items. It had the typical 'fantasy world' objects and memorabilia, but it also seemed to have things that seemed so…useful in a world of magic.

There was a whole case of 'wands'. They were all different sizes and colors, each with a card that "explained" what the wand was made of. He laughed at the array of cauldrons near the back. Giselle also seemed to have just about any herb or special ingredient a 'spell' or 'potion' could call for.

Course, I suppose some people do take 'magic' literally, he shrugged.

The time passed by him quickly, and before he knew it, he'd been in the shop for almost an hour. There was something almost spellbinding about all the objects that he felt the need to investigate each piece thoroughly.

"G'day, sir. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, I didn't hear anyone come in," a short and pudgy woman came from the back suddenly. She had long hair that looked as if it had once been a creamy chocolate color, but now had more white than brown. She had a small nose and wore glasses. But Evan noticed that her warm, brown eyes still shown through.

"Oh, it's quite alright, I was just browsing," Evan smiled.

The shopkeeper nodded with a smile. "Let me know if you need any help." She turned to walk toward the counter but stopped and looked back at him. "You look familiar, you been in here before?"

Evan shook his head. "No, first time I've been here. It's unreal and interesting, though."

The woman looked him up and down. "Hmm, funny. I'm usually rather good with faces. Let me know if you need anything." She shrugged and continued her way to the front.

Evan went on browsing, realizing he had better make up his mind on a gift and start heading to work. After much debate, he finally chose a jewelry box that was engraved with dragons and a castle and played some magical sounding tune that he didn't recognize.

He was walking to the counter, glancing at some jewelry when something caught his eye and made him stop.

It was a broom.

And on the shelf next to it was a small golden ball. The ball looked dingy, beat up, and had what seemed to look like a wing on one side.

He stood and stared as the moments passed by him. A feeling of freedom and being alive took over him. He could imagine the wind blowing against his face as he raced through the air. Evan reached over and picked the small ball up. It was as light as a feather but gave him a rush to hold it in his hand, as if the one holding this special ball was important somehow.

Coming back to his senses, Evan chuckled quietly and put the ball back on the shelf. Racing through the air? He laughed. People can't fly.

The sweet older woman kept staring at him, sure that she'd met him before as she rang him out. Evan assured her that he'd never shopped there before, but would definitely be back. She nodded, unsure still that they'd never met, but let him leave with a warm smile to his retreating back.

Harry had just changed into sleeping clothes and was getting ready for bed. He'd had a long day doing yard work and cleaning for the Dursley's. His Uncle Vernon seemed to think that unless he did more than his fair share, he wasn't paying them back for letting him stay with them.

Well, it wasn't as if he wanted to stay with them. He'd much rather be anywhere else. As he thought of where he'd rather be, he frowned. Really, he couldn't think of a perfect place. There didn't seem to be one anymore. All of his favorite places were tainted now, with memories that he no longer wanted to remember.

He kicked the wall before leaning down on the windowpane. It was another clear night, the stars twinkling brightly. Harry sighed. All of his memories led him to one thought.

Either he had to kill Voldemort or be killed by him. It was his destiny and there didn't seem much like a way out of it. Sometimes he almost wished he'd never gotten the letters from Hogwarts accepting him into the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He sometimes wished Vernon and Petunia had been able to keep the secret of him being a wizard from him. Maybe if he hadn't known about any of it, he wouldn't know the feeling of happiness and thus, not be so miserable now.

He heard the flutter of wings and saw his owl heading for the widow. Hedwig gave a small hoot as she landed in front of him and he stroked her head. She nibbled at his fingers affectionately and stuck her leg out for Harry to notice the note tied to it.

"Where've you been, Hedwig?" Harry asked her as he untied the parchment and found some snacks for the snowy white bird. Hedwig ate the food and flew into her cage, readying herself for sleep after her flight.

Harry unrolled the paper and sighed, taking a seat at his desk. It was from Remus.

Harry,

Just wanted to check on you and see how things were going. We hadn't heard from you yet this week and Mad-Eye was starting to get worked up. Are they treating you okay? I know, Harry, that you don't want to be there. But just a little while longer and I'm sure Dumbledore will give you the okay to be with your friends again.

Hedwig must have known that I was thinking about you. She just showed up a little while ago, but had nothing to give me. She's a faithful owl, and smart.

I've also enclosed something I thought you might enjoy having. It's a picture from my own collection. It's always been one of my favorites. It's of Sirius, your dad and your mum. A good friend took it on our last day at Hogwarts. James and Sirius had just gotten in trouble with Lily for hexing Snape one last time. She was smiling the whole time she was yelling at them, though. The picture has often reminded me of what fun-loving people James and Sirius were, and how Lily was the one to balance them out.

Hang in there, Harry. I'll talk to you soon.

Remus

Harry gulped and picked up the picture. It was taken outside, near the lake. It was a sunny day. Harry could make out other students in the background, laughing and hugging.

Sirius and James both had smug looks on their faces and laughter in their eyes. It was obvious they were trying not to smile as they lowered their heads in mock shame, sneaking glances at one another from time to time. Lily stood beside them, her mouth moving a mile a minute as she shook her finger in front of them. Harry could see that she held two wands in her other hand -- no doubt Sirius and his dad's.

Harry set the picture against the frame holding the picture of his mum and dad. He had a lump in the back of his throat suddenly. He got out his own piece of parchment and ink to write Remus back.

Remus,

I'm doing as well as I always am, being stuck here. They're treating me just like normal, nothing out of the ordinary. It doesn't matter, though - I'm fine.

Thank you for the picture. If it's one of your favorites, you don't have to give it to me. I know they meant something to you, as well.

Take care of Hedwig while you have her. She is smart and very loyal. I have to go. I'm supposed to be in bed.

Harry

Short and to the point, he thought as he rolled it up and walked to Hedwig's cage. She nipped at his hand as he tied it to her leg.

"You can stay with Remus for a while, Hedwig, just get this to him for me," Harry told her. He patted her on the head once more and gave her another treat before she took off out the window.

Harry watched her form disappear into the night sky and crawled into his bed.

The day was overcast, but it didn't stop Evan and Tiffany from enjoying their day off. It was rare for both of them to be off on the same day, as they both worked at the same bar. Roger, the owner, seemed to think that Tiffany was his best server and Evan was his best bartender, meaning he needed one of them working each night to keep things running smoothly.

They climbed their way up out of the tunnel from the Underground Tube Station and squinted. Even with no sun shining, it was still bright compared to being underground.

"So where's this great shop at?" Tiffany asked, excited to see it.

"'Round the corner and across the street," Evan explained as they walked along. "It's a really neat shop, Tiff. I was in there for over an hour."

Tiffany laughed at him. "So you said. I love that jewelry box. I can't wait to see what else this place has."

"Everything you can imagine," Evan smiled.

"Here it is," Evan announced as he slowed down in front of the small store. He watched as Tiffany investigated the objects in the window before he quickly became entranced himself.

They made their way inside, Evan taking in the aroma once again. He smiled at Tiffany who had an excited and mesmerized expression on her face. Just as Evan had done the week before, Tiffany immediately lost sense of the real world and became engrossed at the things in front of her.

They both silently looked about the store, only speaking when either found something they thought amazing or funny. Once again, Evan didn't see anyone working in the shop and assumed the quaint woman was in the back.

"Evan, look at this," Tiffany waved him over. She'd found a knee-high statue of a wizard with a long white beard and sparkling eyes. The statue made the wizard seem old, yet youthful and energetic.

Evan stared at it a moment. "Wonder if it's anyone specifically."

"Like who, Merlin?" Tiffany cackled.

"Actually, it's a statue of one of the greatest wizards to have ever lived," came a voice behind them. Evan recognized her immediately - the proprietor from the week before. "Albus Dumbledore."

Tiffany shrugged. "Never heard of him. What made him so 'great'?"

The plump woman smiled. "Ah, so many things. Not enough time, I imagine, to tell you the whole story and no sense in starting something we can't finish, now is there?"

Tiffany smiled and rose her eyebrows to Evan. Evan hardly noticed; he was still gazing at the statue.

"Dumbledore, you said?" Evan asked the woman.

She tilted her head and looked Evan up and down again. "That's his name. You were in here last week. You still look familiar to me."

Evan smiled at her. "Well, at least now you can place me to something, aye? I didn't see this last week."

"Just got it in the other day," the woman explained, still staring at Evan. "The name is Giselle. Again, let me know if you need anything."

Giselle walked toward the back of the store, leaving Evan and Tiffany to browse more.

"Evan, are you alright? You look a bit pale suddenly," Tiffany gave him a worried look.

"I'm fine," Evan smiled weakly at her. "Keep looking around. You have birthday money to spend."

Tiffany laughed. "I should be using my bonus to pay some bills. But you're right, this place is simply amazing. I could spend my whole paycheck in here."

Tiffany wandered around to another aisle, leaving Evan with the statue of the Dumbledore fellow. Evan sighed and ran a hand through his hair before continuing.

A little while later, after much more admiring, the two heard Giselle enter the storefront again. She smiled at them as she carried a tray with a tea kettle and crumpets on it.

"About to 'ave some company," she smiled at them. "My dear cousin is coming from out of town to visit. Care for a cup of tea and some crumpets while you shop?"

"Oh no, that's quite alright," Tiffany smiled. "Thank you for the offer, though. We should be on our way then. We wouldn't want to impose on you."

"You young'ns are fine," Giselle shook her head. "Take your time. You won't bother my cousin at all. She finds coming here a bit fascinating. She doesn't…leave home too often."

Tiffany smiled and glanced at Evan. "All the same, are you about ready?"

Evan nodded, "Yeah, just about."

Evan had one more aisle to look down. Giselle must have changed the store around a bit since the week before; she'd added new merchandise and he noticed some things gone.

He happily strolled down the aisle, taking in the odd products.

His heart skipped a beat again when he came to the broom and the golden ball. He reached out and ran a finger down the broom handle, getting a chill down his spine. The same feeling of freedom and being alive struck him.

Tiffany rounded the corner and chuckled. "A broom? Oh my. This lady takes the stories of witches straight to heart, doesn't she? What's the ball?"

Evan didn't even smile as he answered, his eyes never leaving the shelf. "I think it's part of a game or something."

Tiffany gave him a strange look. "A game? You mean like witches tossed a ball back and forth while riding their broomsticks?" She passed him an amused smile and winked at him. "Come on, I'm hungry, it's way past lunch."

Evan pulled his hand away from the broom and followed Tiffany towards the door. They both gave an appreciative smile towards Giselle and bid her a good day. Once outside, Tiffany took a deep breath.

"Ah, fresh air," she sighed. "I must be getting old, those incense were giving me a headache. I used to burn them all the time back when I was a teenager. Now, where to for lunch?"

"Um, isn't there a little place down this way?" Evan asked, pointing in a direction and taking a step to walk.

"No! Let's go this way," Tiffany grabbed his hand and pulled him the other way. "We can stop at that music store on the way."

The two started to walk, each taking one last look in the window of Giselle's World of Magic.

"James? James…P-p-potter?"

The hair on the back of Evan's neck stood straight up and a chill went down his spine. He stopped walking and stood, frozen in his step.

"It can't be," a voice, barely louder than a whisper, said from behind him.

Tiffany noticed Evan had stopped walking and turned back to look at him. "Evan? What's wrong?"

Evan swallowed hard and turned to face the voice that'd said the name.

She was a curvy sort of woman, with rosy cheeks and a pretty face. She looked older than him, but was managing to age quite well. Her long dark, blond hair was pulled up with just a few rings falling around her face. She wore an expression of shock and disbelief as Evan watched her face grow white.

"E-excuse me?" Evan stammered out. This woman looked so familiar to him.

"It…it can't be you…" she breathed. "You…but he…and Lily…"

Evan was confused as he looked intently at the woman. The color seemed to still be draining from her face.

"I'm sorry- who did you say?" Tiffany looked at the woman, curious as to why she was having a hard time believing Evan to be who she thought.

The woman put a hand to her forehead. "James…"

Evan shook his head. "I'm sorry, do I know you?" His heart was thumping in his throat and his stomach felt twisted.

"I…is it you? I-I…" the woman didn't seem to be able to make complete sentences.

Just then, Giselle walked out of her shop with a huge smile on her face, obviously happy to see her cousin.

"Rosmerta! You made it!" Giselle's smiled faded as she saw the state of shock her cousin was in. "Rosmerta?"

The woman called Rosmerta turned her face towards Giselle, but not her eyes. Her eyes remained locked on Evan. "Giselle…he looks…just…like…"

Giselle looked to Evan and Tiffany again and pursed her lips. "I've been saying he looks familiar. Who does he look like, Rose?"

"Yeah, who does he look like?" Tiffany questioned, her own heart thumping out of control. Did these women know who Evan was? Were they from his past?

"James Potter," Rosmerta said certainly. "I'd never forget his face. Harry looks just like him."

Giselle threw a hand over her dropped jaw quicker than Evan could take in what Rosmerta had just said.

"Well, by Merlin! Potter, you said?"

Evan just stood there, feeling dumbfounded. Tiffany swallowed and held back confused tears.

"I'm sorry, you say that I look just like someone you know?" Evan managed to sound like a dignified adult.

"You…aren't you…" Rosmerta stammered again. "I mean, what's your name?"

Evan glanced at a paling Tiffany for support. Who were these people? He looked back at them, both still with shocked expressions.

"Evan Gryffin, ma'm."

Giselle nodded and took her hand away from her mouth. "Well, see there, Rose, he must be one of those twins they say everyone has out there."

Rosmerta nodded, but didn't look satisfied. She seemed to be looking deep into Evan's eyes, deeper than a stranger normally would.

"I don't mean to pry, but…why do you looked so shocked to think that you're seeing this…P-potter fellow?" Evan asked, hesitating at the name for some odd reason.

"Because James Potter died almost fifteen years ago," Rosmerta said.

...huggles n cookies...

...missers...