Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. That is owned by J K Rowling I am just borrowing her characters

Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait. I probably should have had some kind of plan when I started this fic but I was just writing by the seat of my pants and well I have no clue where I am going with this just kind of a vague idea.

Shattered Magic

Chapter 3: Breathe

When Harry finally arrived at Guildford station he felt like he was a first year again. Looking at the large brick building filled to the brim with active, busy people rushing every which direction was overwhelming. It was Kings Cross all over again. He stood at the entrance to the station and stared at all of the people bustling around. Everyone seemed to know what to do, how to buy a ticket and where to go. Harry realized that this was the first time he ever had to take a train that wasn't the Hogwarts Express. Other than going to school it was the first time he had ever been in a train station as the Dursley's had never taken him anywhere.

Harry took a deep breath as his eyes jutted around looking at everything going on around him. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," Harry muttered to himself releasing the breath he didn't realize he was holding. Harry realized that this is probably what the purebloods must feel like. Harry shuttered at the thought that if he had taken muggle studies with Hermione during his third year, what would everyone think. The whole wizarding world knew he was muggle raised and if he had shown how ignorant he really was about the world…the rumors…the teasing…it would be primary school all over again, with the added bonus of the press. Harry vividly remembered being unable to answer most of the teachers questions, simple questions, and the resounding laughter and bullying thereafter. It was just he wasn't a fast learner and aunt Petunia never helped him with his homework like she did Dudley. It took him a bit longer than the other kids to learn how to read and he hated feeling stupid. However, he did eventually learn, but by then the class had moved on. Harry always felt like he was playing catch up, and Hermione's ability to lean frustrated him sometimes.

Harry reached into his pack and pulled out a blue and grey baseball cap hoping that it would help him hide his identity. Harry was about to walk over to the information desk, to ask about buying a ticket, as he did not know how to work the kiosk, when he felt a small mental pull to his left. Harry looked over in the direction where he felt the pull and instantly found himself looking at a man standing at the kiosk. The man was dressed normally, a business suit and brief case and unlike other wizards Harry had met he looked like he belonged in the muggle world. But Harry could feel it, like it was calling to him, the man was a wizard.

Harry quickly made a bee line over to the man and taped him on the shoulder, while he adjusted his hat to make sure his scar was hidden.

"Excuse me sir," Harry said.

"What do you want then boy?" The man barked.

"Could you please help me use the kiosk to buy my ticket?"

"What do you need help with a boy your age should know how? I' ain't given you any money."

"I have money. You're the first wizard I've seen and I need help with my muggle studies project?" Harry said thinking fast. Hopefully security didn't think he was begging for money as they would be liable to throw him out.

"Why didn't you just say so boy? Can't be too careful with them muggle pick pockets. Did you bring muggle money?"

"Yes sir." Harry told the man relieved that everything seemed to be going right. He knew he should have just gone to the information desk but something inside of him felt far more comfortable finding another wizard.

"Well where do you need to get to?"

"Charring Cross I need to get to Diagon Alley."

"Will you need a round trip?"

"No I'll just floo back." Harry lied expertly a gift he's had since childhood.

"Alright then pay attention. I remember when I had to learn all of this muggle stuff, damn useful too. See you type in your destination here, it's in alphabetical order so you just select C then move to Charring Cross, see its abbreviated CHX. If you memorize the abbreviation it'll make things easier." The man explained as he touched various buttons on the kiosk.

"Now then you just load you money in here, it'll be £10.10." Harry handed him the money he stole from his cousin. "You just hit this button and you ticket will come out. You have a couple of changeovers at Clapham and London Victoria stations. Do ya know how to do that?"

"Yes sir."

"Good then and be off with ya. Your train 'll be leaven soon."

"Thank you." Harry told the old man as he grabbed his bag and ticket heading off to the platform.

As Harry sat on the train he began to think about what just happened. Harry never really liked walking up to people asking for help. Harry pulled his pack up to his chest and hugged it trying to figure out what had happened. Inside his mind Harry tried to run through the events of the day.

That stupid voice told me to trust my instincts so I did. My gut told me to leave the Dursleys. Then at the train station when every logical bone in my body, which quite frankly isn't a lot, I should have gone to the information desk. Not only that how did I know to talk to that man. Nothing about his screamed wizard, and I shouldn't go up to random people and start talking about magic. So how did I know he was magic?

Harry's thoughts just kept going back and forth trying to figure out if maybe there was something he saw off about the man or maybe he had seen him before in Diagon Alley or some such place. But no matter what scenario he ran through it all came back to one thing he felt the magic. Harry didn't know what to do about that. He had never felt the magic of another person before, not unless they were casting something at him. But he felt it. It was warm and it called to him. Harry briefly wondered if it was a side effect of the vision and being cut by a piece of magic.

'It couldn't possibly have come from the vision' Harry determined because he realized that he had felt it his whole life. Every time he was around something magical he felt more comfortable. Even before he knew magic existed there were certain people, the people in the street who would randomly bow or smile at him, or random people who paid no attention to him but he felt connected to them anyway.

Harry closed his eyes and tried to see if he could feel any other magical people on the train. And that was when he felt it. Well didn't feel it to be precise. All around him were people. He was surrounded, he could hear them, see them, smell them, but it was like they were not there. He couldn't feel their magic; it was like they were each surrounded by a void. Harry didn't know how to react to that thought. He had never felt that void before, no one ever talked about being able to feel or sense magic or the empty feeling he was getting from the muggles. But it was more than that it's not that he never sensed it before, it was like he had always sensed it but never paid attention. The odd thing was that ever since he had learned about magic Harry had always believed that muggles were people who couldn't use magic and wizards and witches were people who could, like being able to paint. But at that moment he started to wonder maybe it wasn't that they couldn't use magic but that they did not have magic. Magic was not something you could access it was something that you are.

Harry got off the train and started heading towards the Leaky Cauldron. He knew what his instincts were telling him. All this time ever since he came to the wizarding world Harry never once thought about magic. Sure he could do magic, he was learning spells and potions and all sorts of things. But never once did he stop to think what was magic. How was he supposed to save magic if he didn't even know what it was? Harry knew he had to learn and the best way to learn. Hermione!

Harry felt a pleasant feeling run through his veins, magic seemed to agree. Harry let out a shaky breath held his head up high and walk with a bit more confidence than he had a minute ago. Magic felt like he made the right decision leaving the Dursleys and for the first time since leaving Harry did as well.

Three hours later Hermione Granger pulled out a piece of parchment tucked into the small leather satchel attached to the public post owl's leg. She hardly ever received public post as most of the people who mailed her had owls of their own. Hermione fished out a knut to put in the satchel as tip since the post was prepaid. She poured herself a cup of mint tea and started to read the letter.

Dear Hermione,

How is your summer going? Mine is ok. I think I am dealing with Snuffles death ok. I am still a bit angry, but I won't do anything stupid. I left Hedwig with Ron since the Dursleys don't like her all that much, but I was visiting London today and stopped by Diagon Alley for a minute and decided to mail you.

I've had a lot of time to think so far this summer since everything is quiet. You'll probably think I'm silly since I should have tried to figure this out first year but I was wondering. What is magic? I tried to think if maybe we covered this in class but I don't remember it ever being brought up. It's just I was all excited to learn I was a wizard and I love magic, but I don't know anything about it except how to cast some spells and such. I don't know where it comes from? Or what it is? Or even how I use it? I figured if anyone knew the answer or could help me research, or tell me what books to get it would be you, my most exponetually exponentially smart best friend. (See the sucking up. Six syllables too.)

Anyway, I hope you're having a great summer. Don't read all day because the weather is nice so have some fun, okay.

-Harry

Hermione smiled before muttering, "Honestly, boys only write when they want something." She was happy that Harry was doing alright she had been worried about how he was taking Sirius's death. She briefly wondered why Harry was in London but guessed that the Dursleys must have brought him with them on a day trip and dropped him off; her parents had done that several times so she could go shopping. Hermione was intrigued by the question that Harry asked; she wondered why she never asked that same question. She started twirling her hair around her left index figure, a gesture she frequently did when she was thinking, and most likely contributed to her split ends.

After quickly finishing her tea, and washing the cup, she ran upstairs, letter in hand, to her bedroom to look through her books for the answer. She quickly realized though that she didn't have any of the proper texts in her personal library. It was times like these that she wished she had access to the Hogwarts library during the summer. She also wished that the wizarding world had a public library. That was one of the first things she noticed about the wizarding world there were very few philanthropic wizards and nothing was free. Hermione started planning her own trip to London to go to Flourish and Blotts. She was excited to start researching this topic. She quickly penned a note to Harry that she would look into his question and get back to him as soon as she knew the answer. She complimented him on his inquiry and that she was looking forward to finding the answers.

After writing to Hermione, Harry quickly made his way to Madam Malkin's he knew he needed to blend in and all of his wizarding clothes were in his trunk with Ron. Harry didn't have time to wait for custom robes like his Hogwarts robes so he just bought and nice navy blue set off of the rack. They were light weight and came with a hood so he could hide his face. The robes unfortunately cost quite a bit and took the last of his wizarding money. However, now that he could blend in he could explore the Alley and go to Gringotts. One thing Harry knew for certain was that he could not stay at The Leaky Cauldron again. It had been too easy for him to be found during his third year and he had no desire to go back to the Dursleys. The problem was that he did not know anywhere else to stay. Harry did know that he was hungry and was looking forward to eating at some of the many café's that were in the Alley. He loved the food he had eaten when he stayed during the summer before third year. To eat and to find somewhere to stay however required money so Harry swiftly made his way through the crowds of people to the bank.

Quite honesty Harry was a bit afraid of the bank. The place was huge and it made him feel very small. The goblins tended to snarl and glare at him and he couldn't tell them apart. Harry brushed his bangs down and pulled his hood up making sure that no one could see his scar. He wished there was something he could do about his glasses but hopefully no one would recognize him. The pictures of him that had been in the newspapers, since the tri-wizard tournament, had made him extremely recognizable.

Harry had entered Gringott's Bank at around lunch time, as near as he could figure since he had no watch, and when he finally stumbled out the sun was starting to set. The sky was a brilliant mauve with bright orange shinning clouds. Harry quickly made his way to Knockturn Alley, and followed the directions that the Goblin had given him to Silver Shadow Terrace. It was a residential street off of Knockturn Alley, a place Harry was planning of avoiding, for his own safety, but he was assured that it was safe.

Dragon's Breath Inn was located on the North side, of the terrace, to the left of Bubbling Court. It was a small Inn walking distance to Both Alley's. It was less expensive than The Leaky Cauldron but catered to long term residence. While The Cauldron hand nice amenities such as a restaurant, immediate access to both Diagon and Muggle London, the Inn had small rooms with a kitchenette, a small cold cupboard and wood stove that could be used to cook with or do potions, you also had to share the bathroom with several other rooms. Harry was glad that the Goblin had told him about the place. Harry was looking forward to falling into the bed and sleeping. Hopefully everything would make more sense in the morning. What he had expected to be a quick trip to the bank had turned out to be more.

Two weeks had passed since Harry had moved into room 206 at the Dragon's Breath Inn. He had taken the time to purchase a few things in order to make the room a bit nicer, homier. A new blue duvet to replace the gray striped one that was provided made the creaky bed more inviting. Harry had also bought a nice silver picture frame where he placed a photo; Colin had taken of him, Ron, and Hermione. Harry had also purchased a few inexpensive robes to blend in to the not so nice area. While to room wasn't as nice as the Leakey Cauldron it was comfortable far more comfortable than the room at the Dursleys where he had been residing.

The Inn also came with a few amenities that neither the Dursleys nor the Leakey Cauldron offered. The Inn had a few house elves to do the laundry so as long as Harry remembered to put his robes in the hamper, as well as a gallon every week he didn't have to do any laundry. The most notable thing in the room was the small table, which served as both a desk and kitchen table, was full of new books. Books he was using to try and understand the new role he was given as an avatar for magic.

Knockturn Alley was still a place that Harry did not trust. It was full of back dealing, creepy people and even creeper shops. And quite frankly he was afraid that if any of the patrons were to get a hold of him they would either take him straight to Voldemort or sell him to the highest bidder. This was the reason why Harry was currently handing seven silver sickles to Mr. Alexi, a rather frail looking man with short gray hair and a wicked left hook not to mention quick with his wand, in order to use the floo to Diagon Alley. Mr. Alexi was also the Inn owner and was the first person to recognize Harry for who he was.

"Have a good day, Mr. Harold." Mr. Alexi called out to Harry who was going by the alias of Evenstar Harold.

Mr. Alexi had graciously helped Harry hide his identity. They had chosen the last name Harold so that Harry wouldn't get confused when someone called out his name and Evenstar to honor his mother. Mr. Alexi had offered his help if in return if Harry allowed him, when Harry returns to school at the end of the summer, to run an advert stating that Harry Potter stayed at his Inn and recommends it. Mr. Alexi, having been a former Slytherin, knew a good deal when he saw one and knew that having Potter's endorsement would mean a lot of new business and revenue. He could finally make most of the repairs and renovations he had been planning on but had been unable to afford. He also wanted to ingratiate himself to Harry as the war had started again and he knew, having a bit of seer blood in his family that allying himself with Potter would save his life. He didn't know how as he could not have visions but he had a gut feeling and that was enough for both him and his wife. The world was changing and he wanted to survive to see it.

Harry pulled up the brown hood of his cloak in order to cover his hair. Martha Alexi, Mr. Alexi wife, who insisted everyone call her Martha, had given Harry a tutorial on magical cosmetics. Harry now knew enough to make Lavender Brown jealous. She taught him how to brew the potion to lighten his hair to a soft sable brown. Harry thought soft sable brown was a ridiculous name for a hair color but she insisted that knowing the proper name for the color helped the potion be more accurate every time he brewed it, otherwise the subtle differences in shade would alert others to it not being his natural color and may lead them to uncovering his disguise. Personally he though she just liked the idea of him muttering that ridiculous phrase over and over again while he brewed his new hair rinse.

She also bought him some magical cover up and foundation. While the scar was still there the makeup helped blend in with his skin and his bangs helped cover it up nicely. The new thin wire rimmed glasses and one could not tell him from any other young wizard roaming around the streets. Harry however was a bit paranoid so he tended to always have his cloak pulled up. It served to hide him more and made him appear older than he was. Magic also seemed to want to add in its' two knuts as every time he left his room it would gently age him to mid-twenties. Both Martha and Mr. Alexi thought perhaps he might have latent metamorphagus abilities, Harry told them he would look into it when he had the time.

Harry stepped into the floo and swirled off into the fire landing neatly in one of the public floo's in Diagon Alley. It had taken him nearly a week of twice daily flooing in order to get the hang of landing up right and properly, while he still felt a bit dizzy when landing but he didn't land sprawled out like a fool anymore.

Harry walked down the alley to a small outdoor café with yellow umbrellas over every table. He took a seat at the third table next to a topiary plant made of three orbs. It reminded him of a green leafy snowman which was why he made it his regular table.

"Good morning, Mr. Harold." The skinny waiter greeted him. "Would you like your usual?" Harry had made it a habit to eat at The Garden Cat café as it was in the center of the alley and the atmosphere always made him feel relaxed. He enjoyed having breakfast and watching the people bustle around greeting each other and getting their shopping done. It didn't hurt that the food was amazing and everyone was polite.

"No thank you. I think I would like the pancakes with lemon and sugar please as well as a pumpkin juice. Harry felt like treating himself so he had forgone his usual tea with eggs and rashers. Last week he also treated himself to a caramel apple and cheese Danish and it was the best thing he had ever eaten.

"Your order will be out shortly." The waiter replied before leaving.

Harry really wished that he could share his new found freedom with his friends but he knew it was too dangerous. He loved Hermione and Ron but he knew that Hermione would tell Dumbledore and Ron would try to wheedle him into coming to the Burrow. Hermione always had this annoying habit to want to tell adults things. It wasn't her fault she was raised properly. And Ron well he would just want someone at his house to protect him from his mother and the twins who seemed to think that summer was made for chores and pranks. He knew his friends meant well and that it was the right thing to do but Harry was not ready to give this up.

Harry knew that this freedom was something he desperately needed. He didn't realize just how close he was to the edge before. He had been constantly terrified since the end of the school year that he was going to get everyone around him killed. That it was his fault that his friends were in constant danger. There were times still where it overwhelmed him and he feared that everyone around him was going to get killed because of him. He felt that he should just lock himself away to protect everyone. But those feeling were becoming fewer and far between. For the first time Harry felt like he could just breathe.

AN: Thank you for reading. Please leave a review, good or bad.