With everything done he took off to get some shopping done.
Harry figured he should go to the secondhand shop for some outfits. He debated on getting all new clothes but wanted to avoid the Dursley's asking where the money came from. If he purchased three or four used outfits he can say that his "boss" got them for him because he needed decent clothes because they worked in a nice neighborhood.
As he was walking into the shop the saleslady walked up to him, "Anything I can help you with sweetie?"
What is it with lady's and pet names? He knew he was small so he guessed he still had the little boy cute factor.
"Yes, I need 5 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, some work boots, and one robe. If you have them can the bottoms be 3 black, 1 gray, and 1 blue. The shirts can be the same. The boots preferably black but as long as they're sturdy it will be fine and a simple black robe. Luckily she found all the pants. She had 3 black tops, 1 blue, no gray so he chose a green instead. The boots were black, a little faded but real sturdy, they looked worn in so at least they would be comfortable. Before leaving the shop he changed into the robe and put on the blue pants and black top underneath in case he decided to go to the muggle world afterwards.
After asking around he learned that there wasn't somewhere to get contacts. Harry wondered why contacts hadn't been introduced to the wizarding world. Thinking this might be a good business venture he made sure to make a note to look into later. Merlin, he could get Remus to manage and research spells to modify them. This could be making him money and give Remus a steady job. Because of this it would become a two day outing. He would have to give the optometrist a visit. Oh well.
He decided Flourish & Botts would be next. Upon entering he went straight to the Animagi section. Although the other two were more important this is what he truly wanted to achieve. Why he didn't try in his other life he didn't really know. Not only would it be something he could have in common with his father, but it would be great to have if he ever found himself in a sticky situation. Occlumency was next, he found two books, Secrecy of the Mind: The Art of Occlumency and Mind Arts : Protecting your Secrets. There actually weren't many books on wandless magic; there were basic concepts of it but mostly the theory behind it. It seemed that not many were powerful enough to actually perform more than a few basic spells, if even that. Harry guessed that the more complex spells were dependent on whether you had the power.
Other books he got were Hogwarts: A History, Quidditch through the Ages, and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century. Harry figured he should start getting familiar with other topics such as Goblin Customs and Wizarding Etiquette. His stack also included beginner books on Transfiguration, Charms, DADA, Potions, and Runes. He went to the healing section and looked in the index for nutrient and growth potions. Apparently you could get them from any healer but that wasn't something he wanted to do, instead he got a book with the direction to make them.
When his stomach started rumbling he thought it best to go the Leaky Cauldron to go get a room for the night and get a meal.
Walking in he went straight to Tom got his attention and said, "Excuse me sir"
"Why hello young man, how may I help you today?" Tom said with a slight smile on his face.
Harry tried to make his eyes as innocent as possible. Watching the twins do this many times he knew what to do. He knew it would work better on his childish features. "My dad told me that I'm old enough to rent a room for us. He says I got to start acting like a big man and handle some respone, responsatilaties" Tom had a small smile on his face. "He did didn't he, he sure is lucky to have another man in the family to help him out with things like this." Harry nodded seriously, "Whenever my papa is at work he says I gots to be the man in the house and take care of my mama and baby sister cause they're depending on me to defend their honor." He said with a serious expression.
Tom chuckled, "Well let's you a room…"
After settling his things into his room, he went back downstairs to have a meal while he was 'waiting for his papa.'
Now that he had a full stomach he went back upstairs to go over the information for both potions. He learned that he could only take one at a time. The nutrient potion would be daily for a month or two depending on how much you wanted to gain. Once that was done the growth potion would be taken once a week for a month. This would allow him to be at a normal healthy height. With lists in hand he made his way down to the Apothecary. Having no real interest in browsing he simply gave the list the man behind the counter and waited for his ingredients to be rounded up. Harry debated on getting a full potions kit, but figured he should wait until he's settled in somewhere.
Next stop was the Junk Shop; here Harry was hoping to find something similar to the Mokeskin pouch he got from Hagrid. Mokeskin pouches were very rare, chances of finding one were very poor. But again, it was like someone out there was looking out for him, Harry was ecstatic. The owner said they had just received one yesterday, it wasn't cheap by any means but Harry knew it was a good investment. This purchase alone made his day worthwhile.
It seemed like the right time to head back, he went to the Cauldron right at dinner time. It was very busy and it was easy to get through unnoticed. Once in his room he figured brewing the potion should take precedence he still had energy and wanted to make sure he was focused. Most importantly this had to be done out of the Dursley's home, once there it wouldn't be possible unless he stayed up at night. This took some time since he was being thorough, but in the end it was worth it, he was done.
By the time he was finished it was getting dark and he had built up an appetite. Harry decided to have his dinner brought up rather than eating downstairs. This way he can eat and get some reading done at the same time in silence. Once it arrived he settled down with his occlumency book and started eating his meal. He only got through the first chapter but he already knew more in that one chapter than he learned from Snape. All Snape told him was to clear his mind, obviously Harry had issues with this but was given no further help. This book says that meditation is the first step to occlumency. It's not necessary but if you have issues this is a good starting point. In order to be able to clear away emotion you need to be able to tune the rest of the world out. To accomplish this he should spend some time before bed and some time throughout the day regulating his breathing and trying to find a peace within himself. Learning to call upon that calm was key. Harry realized that if he could manage this it should also help his focus when he starts to study wandless magic.
Harry finally felt that he might be able to do this, of course this isn't occlumency but it's the first step. Working like this didn't make it seem so impossible. He noticed that he always got frustrated if he couldn't do something rather than appreciate what he could do. The patronus for example, achieving a mist at 13 is a feat in itself but he remember only feeling disappointment that he couldn't get it corporeal. Well I have the time to learn things properly now but more importantly the drive to do it, might as well enjoy it. He got ready for bed and focused on his meditation. His breathing was right but he swore he could hear every little sound in the room, and couldn't blur them out. Well maybe tomorrow….
The next morning he took his potion, gathered his things in his pouch, and took off for the day. He figured he would go to a mall some underwear, go for contacts, and then take a cab or a bus home. Probably the bus if only to delay the time before going back to the Dursleys. Four hours later he had contacts in his eyes and brand new underwear and socks. He ended having to bribe a teenager to take him to the optometrist. It really was a pain sometimes to be a child again, at one point he was getting stares for being on his own. He ended up stopping at one of the coin rides and decided to take a ride. He figured it was normal enough and it might be a little fun 'ok so maybe it was a pretty cool, but who could not enjoy a spaceship ride?'
He got some reading done on the way home. The first chapter of wandless magic consisted of the same concept as occlumency. You have to learn to focus your magic before you can actually do much. The idea was that once you start learning meditation to tune the rest of the world out you could move on to focusing inward and searching for your core. Once you become comfortable with this you start to guide it to your hand and push it out. Initially you will only be able to push out raw magic, but slowly you'll be able to modify it for different purposes. The more power and focus you have the more complex spells you can accomplish. It was frustrating though that none of this could really be done without being somewhat competent in meditation.
Once home, Aunt Petunia greeted him by demanding his pay right away. Harry handed the full thirty when it looked like she was about to walk away he made sure to ask about his 3 pounds. She seemed a little disgruntled but gave it to him anyway. He was surprised she didn't come up with something or just take it all regardless.
"Where did you get those clothes boy, and where are your glasses?" she looked at him suspiciously as if he stole them from the store.
"Mr. Johnson said that he liked my work, but that I needed some decent clothes if I wanted to keep working for him. Some of the houses we clean are in nice neighborhoods so we have to be presentable." He had made sure to only have the muggle clothes out so she could see what kind of clothes he got. "We went to a secondhand shop and he got me a few outfits as a thank you. My glasses broke and I figured I'll make do until I can afford a new pair."
"Hmm…" she said disdainfully "fine you better make sure that Johnson fellow calls you again then."
-oOo-
The next three weeks passed with a somewhat developed pattern. He would get up and meditate, anywhere from half an hour to an hour. Before breakfast he would take his nutrition potion, do his chores, then he would spend the afternoon either reading or in the park. The weather was nice and he even got a bit of color, enough to make him look healthy. His evenings were spent learning French for about an hour. He had gotten a book from the library and figured it would be nice to know another language. Another hour would be used to meditate, as he started improving he realized how much more peaceful his dreams were. It was a wonderful feeling. He took about four 'work days' and just went out to enjoy himself. Mostly the library but he did end up going to the movies, the zoo, and McDonald's. He actually spent an hour playing in the tubes, it really was a blast.
At the end of three weeks he had gained half a stone, learned a bit in French, nowhere near competent but could probably greet and say goodbye to someone. He hadn't started on Runes yet and just gave a brief overview on goblin customs. Quidditch through the ages was read first of course, followed closely by Hogwarts: A History. Reading it reminded him of how much he loved Hogwarts, good and the bad it was the first home he knew. Because of this Hogwarts: A History became one of his favorites, finally understanding Hermoine a bit more. He read through the books for DADA, charms, and transfigurations. He felt he knew this material but it was good to review, it helped him remember the concepts behind them and it might help with his wandless magic. Potions wasn't really reviewed but he thought too much of his focus was being put on Occlumency and Wandless magic, once he got the gist of those and it became more of practice rather than learning he could focus on something else that gave him difficulty. The book that really fascinated him was the one on wizarding etiquette. There was so much that could be considered an insult or a compliment without even knowing it. Harry knew that this was something he had to learn if he was going to enter Hogwarts as a lord.
All in all it was a productive three weeks. He was most proud of his progress on Wandless magic, he was at the point where he was going to start focusing on his magic. He knew how to meditate fairly well and he felt ready for the next step. Occlumency was going slower but there was still progress being made, he was able to clear his mind but it still took him some time, practice I guess, once he could clear his mind quickly he would move to the next step and compartmentalize his mind.
-oOo-
One day there was finally that knock on the door. Harry was home alone so he went to open it, it took all his self control to not show the shock that he was feeling. Standing there was no other than Sirius Black, clean, hair combed, and in expensive robes.
"How may I help your sir?" Harry said in a polite tone most would use with strangers .
Sirius was obviously shocked to see Harry right away as well as it took him a moment to acknowledge that he was being asked a question.
"Harry is that really you?"
Harry didn't want him to act as complete strangers so making it up as he went looked at Sirius and replied, "I know you from somewhere, you seem familiar but I'm not sure, something about a foot?"
Sirius let out a loud laugh, "My name is Sirius Black, Harry I'm your godfather. For reasons that I will explain in detail to you later I was unable to care for you. I'm able now and I've been given custody of you, if you want to you can live with me from now on." Warily now he looked at Harry and continued, "Has your aunt told you anything about the world your parents lived in?"
Shaking his head Harry responded, "I found out on my own recently but haven't told anything by them. They're not very receptive to anything they considered not normal."
Frowning Sirius asked "Are your relatives here right now?"
"No they're not, which is why I'm not sure if I should let you in" Can't have his godfather thinking he's a stupid kid either. What would he think about his godson letting in a stranger into his home? Granted he really wasn't but that's just beside the point.
"What if I show you something magical that might help you remember who I am, would let me in then?" Sirius had such a hopeful face that even if he was a stranger Harry would have said yes. Definitely gotta learn that one, maybe with my cute mug it'll work on McGonnagal. Harry warily nodded, with that Sirius looked around to make sure nobody was around. Once Harry saw the grim there he gave a loud gasp and put on a surprised face which quickly turned into a happy one, "PADFOOT! I remember you." Hugging the grim he whispered, "I've missed you."
Hearing this Sirius turned back, and hugged Harry to him, "Oh pup I've missed you too. I'm so sorry I couldn't be here and I will explain it all. But I promise to be here from now on."
Harry couldn't help but think that this was the hello they should have always had. To have Sirius last time only to know that they couldn't be a family was heartbreaking. Granted he had the mentality of an adult but who says you still can't act like a child. He would still focus on learning things but he didn't have to become a Hermoine about it. There is always a balance to everything.
While being hugged Harry was also marveling at the fact that Sirius actually got out without bringing in Harry to testify, either the goblins worked their magic or Dumbledore worked hard to keep him away for as long as he could. He was never worried whether Sirius would be given custody or not. The ministry would be bending over backwards to keep him as happy as possible hoping he wouldn't make a fuss in public.
"Come in, come in" Sirius smile as he was being led to the living room by a very excited 8 year old. He was happy to see the wary kid that opened the door turn into an animated little boy.
"Let me take a look at you Harry" He stood Harry in front of him and gave him a long look. "You looks so much like your father Harry but those eyes are all Lily, the resemblance is uncanny. I'm surprised you don't wear glasses like your old man pup."
Here Harry smiled playfully, "I do but I switched to contacts. I figured these eyes are meant to dazzle women everywhere, it would be a crime to keep them hidden."
Sirius just stared for a second then burst out laughing. He looked so full of life, it was heartwarming to see his godfather like this. But of course it was too good to last, at that moment he heard the lock on the front door being unlocked. He quickly looked at Sirius, "I'm sorry for my relatives, I wish I had more time to warn you but they don't really like me, mention magic and you'll really make them mad. Just tell them you're my godfather and you're taking me away and they should be happy."
His godfather gave him a searching look, he seemed to have seen something because it turned slightly troubled, then mischievous.
Sirius got up to greet his uncle, when Vernon went through the doorstep he stopped when he saw Sirius. Sirius was opening his mouth when Vernon cut in, "Who are you and what are you doing in my home?" Vernon then got a close look at Sirius's robe and seemed to turn purple. "You're one of those freaks aren't you. We've been taking care of the boy and all we ask for is to not be disturbed by any of your kind. I demand you get out of here this instant."
Sirius was momentarily frozen, he wasn't sure what he expected but he certainly didn't expect to be insulted and kicked out before he had even said a word. It was taking everything in him to not hex this muggle right there and then. He probably would have if it wasn't for Harry staring up at him with those innocent yet slightly frightened eyes. He was impulsive once and looks were that ended him up at. Well he didn't have to hex them scare them.
"Mrs. Dursley my name is Sirius Black, perhaps you recognize me from the news about 7 years back. I've just been released from Azkaban, perhaps your sister has told you about it?" He turned to Harry and winked. "I've been released now but still have to go in for mental checks. Apparently when something upsets me I get obsessed and can't really control myself. Luckily right now I have my godson to keep me calm, the ministry thought that he should come and live with me because they felt my love for him will keep me from doing something crazy. Hopefully nobody has treated Harry badly because that's the one thing I'm not sure I could get over. Imagine what would happen if he told me someone has mistreated him, what that could do to my mental state?" The Dursley looked terrified; Harry was doing everything he could to look at Sirius compassionately rather than laughing his butt off.
"You don't know of anyone who would do something like that would you? Somebody at school perhaps, or around the neighborhood? No? Well that's good. Harry go on and pack your stuff so we can be on our way." Harry jumped up and went to his cupboard, he grabbed a bag and packed his clothes and the intro magic books, he also still had his baby blanket, he wondered why he didn't take better care of it last time. He would have Sirius do a cleaning spell and treasure this as well. All in all it was pretty much a bag worth of clothes. Sirius couldn't see the cupboard from where he was at and Harry was grateful for it. He didn't want to deal with this now. He knew he would probably tell him eventually but not now. He could see the Dursley's from where he was at and they looked terrified at him then at Sirius. Harry realized that they were scared Sirius would get up and see the cupboard.
He shut the cupboard without looking twice. "I'm ready to go Sirius" He nodded to his relatives; there really wasn't much to say. Sirius grabbed his hand and led him to the door. His relatives never moved from the couch still too scared to move, Harry couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him as they closed the door behind them.