A Deal With The Devil CH3
The end of term rolled around and Harry found himself sat on the Hogwarts Express with Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny. The train ride passed comfortably, as the group sat relaxing, and Harry felt for the first time in a a long time, that life might just be getting better. No more tasks, or whisperings about him. No more glares from the other students, at least, from most of them. As he looked around the carriage, Ron amd Neville were laughing at some shared joke. Ginny was flicking through a Quality Quidditch Supplies catalogue, and Hermione was opening a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. She passed the box round, then picked up a book, perched on the seat next to her entitled 'A Practical Guide To Mind Magics.' Harry leant back and allowed himself to drift off, for the first time since the Tournament began, feeling perfectly content.
Harry was awoken several hours later by Hermione, gently shaking his shoulder. He opened his eyes, and looked up blearily. "Whatzzit?" he mumbled.
"Harry, we're in London. We're at Platform 9 ¾." She said. Harry looked out of the window. She was right, students were greeting their families on the platform, carrying pets in large cases, or dragging trunks of the train, most with great difficulty. Harry yawned and pilled himself to his feet. He grabbed his trunk, and Hedwig's empty cage, having let her flown ahead to stretch her wings, and slowly made his way off the train. He could almost feel his good mood evaporating at the thought of spending another summer with the Dursley's. He hugged his friends goodbye, and made his way to the barrier that seperated the two worlds. After being given the all clear by the conductor, he stepped through into the muggle world, and made his way to the entrance to the station. Being the Summer Holiday's, the station was heaving with people. He looked around, searching for the rotund figure of his Uncle Vernon, here to pick him up and bring him down. Strangely, the man was nowhere to be seen. As he looked around he saw families with suitcases running to trains, a group of young people in football shirts laughing loudly as they marched in formation out of the station, gaggles of women chatting happily to one another as they passed. Yet, there was no sign of his Uncle Vernon
It was then that he spotted a woman staring at him. She was wearing a royal blue sundress. Round, oversized sunglasses hid her eyes, and her pitch black hair framed her face. She stepped towards him, removing the sunglasses as she did so. Harry almost had to hold his jaw, to keep it from hitting the floor.
"Emily?" he whispered. "What the bloody hell are you doing here? What if someone see's you?".
"Yes, I'm sure everyone's looking at me, and thinking 'I wonder if that woman in the dress and flip flops get up is the dark lady who tried to take over the world?'." Emily scoffed.
"I mean what if they recognise you?"
"Who? The muggles who've never heard of me? Or maybe your schoolfriends who've never seen me?" she smirked. "Look around, no-one's paying any attention to me.". Harry cast a quick glance around. She was right. No-one was giving either of them a second glance. "Weak Notice Me Not charm on my purse." she said. "Muggles won't notice me at all. Not sure any of your classmates will either to be honest. Doubt any of them are strong enough to pick up on the charm."
"How was I able to see you?" asked Harry.
"I wanted you to." shrugged Emily. "Come on."
"Where are we going?" asked Harry, as Emily came to a stop by a tourist map outside the station.
"Lunch." replied Emily, examining the map. "You know anywhere?"
"Sorry? Lunch?"
"Yes, it's the meal people typically eat around this time of day."
"I know that, but… Why are we going to lunch?"
"I'm hungry? And so are you? Do you like Pizza? There's a nice place on Pentonville road, just a short walk from here.". Harry's mind was reeling. First, Emily had come to pick him up from the station, in muggle clothes, and now they were discussing lunch.
"Yeah, of course I like pizza."he started "But what about-". Whatever he was about to say was cut off as Emily snatched the trunk and cage from his grasp. The two began to shrink, and were suddenly sucked into her bag.
"It's settled then, come on. My treat."
As Emily lead him down the busy street, Harry couldn't help but look her over, analysing every detail. Her dress was sleeveless, so she had no way to conceal her wand up her sleeve. He doubted it was strapped to her thigh, he knew Emily would never carry it in such an undignified manner. Unless it was invisible, he could only guess it was tucked away in her handbag. 'Hardly easy to get to' He thought to himself.
"I agree." said Emily, smirking at him. "But don't you worry, I have no intention of using it.". Harry stared at her, shocked.
"You heard that?"
"You practically shouted it at me." Emily giggled. "And thank you, it is a nice dress.".
"But how-?"
"It's called Legilimancy." she explained, "It means I can read minds. Don't they teach you anthing at that school?". She smirked at him, as they came to a stop outstide the restaurant. The two stepped in, and were seated by a smiling waiter, who was looking over Emily hungrily. Emily didn't seem to notice, or if she did, she didn't seem to care. Harry almost felt sorry for the man, he had no idea what she was capable of, and at this rate, would likely end up doing to him. They ordered their meals, and the waiter left, shooting Emily one last quick grin. Emily ignored him, focusing on Harry. "Go ahead, ask what you've been dying to ask for the past half hour." she said.
"Emily, why are you here?" Harry asked. "Where's Uncle Vernon."
"Surely, you didn't want to stay with those muggles?"
"What did you do to them?"
"Relax, I didn't do anything." she said, taking a sip of her drink. "Not physically at least.
"What do you mean?" asked Harry, panicking now. Mental imagery of the Dursley, sat on their sofa with drool, dripping from the corners of their mouths as Emily shattered their minds with every curse she knew began to race through his mind.
"I offered to take you off their hands. That's all."
"What do you mean?"
"I turned up at their house. Introduced myself as Amy Hartley, a teacher from Hogwarts, and advised that alternative arrangments could be made for your future accomodations if that was more convienient for them. They leapt at the oppurtunity, and now they've signed all the relevant paperwork, they're nothing to you. In fact, I am now your legal guardian."
"So, you're my new Mum?" chuckled Harry.
"Legally speaking." she shrugged. The waiter returned with their orders, and placed them on the table. Harry noticed, he placed his order with a lot less care and grace than he did Emily's. The waiter lingered for a moment, before scurrying away after a dark look from Emily. She chuckled to herself, as she picked up a slice of pizza. Harry sat in silence for a moment.
"So, what happens now, where do I go?"
"Home." she replied simply. "With me.". Harry took a bite of his pizza, and chewed slowly, his mind racing. On the one hand, he never had to set foot in Privet Drive again, on the other, it meant he would be living with the most fearsome dark lady since Morgana La Fey.
Emily rolled her eyes, and picked up her napkin. Leaning over, she wiped the corner of Harry's mouth. "How do you miss a mouth that size?" she chuckled. A warm glow filled Harry heart. Growing up, he hadn't been fed enough to waste getting any on his face, not that Aunt Petunia would have wiped it off anyway. Mrs. Weasley was busy fussing over a small army to notice if he got any on his face, and he highly doubted Professor McGonnagal would come hurrying over from the staff table with a napkin for him.
"I'd live with you?" he asked.
"That's entirely up to you." said Emily. "You could go and rent a room at the Leaky Cauldron, or stay with the Wesley's, or the Grangers. Or, you could come and live with me.". Harry stood in silence, weighing it up. Emily stared ardently at him. Finally, Harry nodded.
"I'll come."he nodded. Emily's face lit up as she beamed at him. The two had finished their meals. Emily fished out her purse, and handed a few notes to a passing waitress, who hurried over to the til.
"Excellent, follow me." she said.
Emily led him out of the restaurant, down the street, finally pulling him into an alley. "Hold onto my hand." she said. Suddenly, there was an unplesent squeezing sensation all over Harry's body, as if he was being pulled through a tube that was far too tight for him. The world passed him by in a dizzying rush, when just as suddenly as it had started, it stopped. He shook his head, blinking rapidly. "Sorry." said Emily. "First time apparating?"
"Yeah." he nodded.
"I forgot how unpleasent it is for first timers. Don't worry, you get used to it, the dizziness should pass in a moment as well.". Harry took a few deep breaths, then slowly looked around.
"Where are we?" he asked. It was clearly a residental area. Cars were parked up by the kerb, in front of tall buildings, laced with iron railings.
"Home." said Emily simply, making her way towards the door. Harry jogged after her to keep up. "I bought this flat shortly after leaving Hogwarts, and since no-one else know's about it, I've been able to keep it, despite everything that's happened. I've spent the past few weeks making it fit for human habitation again." she continued as they approached the entrance to the building. "Admittedly the parking's not great, but there's a nice park, and shops nearby."
"Wait, you drive?" asked Harry. Emily rolled her eyes.
"Of course I do, most powerful witch in the world, remember. I can do anything I put my mind to."
"You drive, and we get here by being sucked through a tiny tube." smirked Harry. Emily just shrugged.
"It's London. Driving here is hell.". As they entered the building, Emily cast a quick smile at the doorman.
"Good Afternoon, Miss Riddle." he greeted.
"Good Afternoon, Tom." she smiled. They approached the elevator, and Emily pressed the button. As they rode the elevator in comfortable silence, Harry began to imagine what Emily's flat could look like. As it happens, nothing could have prepared him for what he saw
.
Emily's flat was a far cry from what Harry had imagined. The door opened into a corridor, with several adjoining rooms. Straight ahead, Harry could see a narrow kitchen, complete with muggle appliances. "Come, I'll give you a quick tour." Emily smiled, leading him down the corridor. The living room had a large corner sofa, covered in fluffy cushions. Several magazines littered the large, oak coffee table. A large TV was perched on the wall, overlooking the whole room. The bathroom, was largely similar to the Dursleys, although not quite as pristine. Emily's room was by far the largest, complete with a four poster bed which Harry was fairly convinced, she had stolen from the Slytherin Dungeons. Finally, the two came to a stop before the final door. "Not what you were expecting?" she asked, smirking at him. If he was honest, he wasn't sure what he was expecting. Maybe a few chains on the wall, blood splatters, a skull here and there. Finally, he found his voice.
"Not exactly." he nodded. Emily chuckled.
"Contrary to popular belief, I don't hate muggles, I actually prefer a lot of their ways.". She gestured around the flat as if to emphasise her point. "I find much of it to be far more convienient than our own way of life.". Harry nodded.
"I can see that.". Emily pushed open the door. "This will be your room." she said, holding the door as he stepped forward. "It's got most of what you need, but we'll head out tomorrow to replace your wardrobe. Can't have you running around in those rags forever.". The room itself wasn't large, but certainly a comfortable size. The bed wasn't as ornate as Emily's, but a far cry from the camp bed he'd slept on at the Dursleys. Emily stepped forward, pulling his shrunken trunk and owl cage from her bag, and placing it againt the wall. With a wave of her wand, they both returned to their normal size.
"What about Hedwig?" asked Harry. "How will she find me?"
"Your owl should be able to find her way here." said Emily. "They're pretty clever creatures." she finished. Harry nodded, and perched himself on the edge of the bed. "You've had a long day." said Emily. "You should rest.". She made to leave the room when Harry's voice stopped her.
"Emily?" he began. Emily stopped, and looked round at him.
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"I don't expect you to trust me completely yet, Harry." she smiled. "But I'm hoping that you've begun to."
