Chapter 7
It was after I'd finished my second helping of breakfast that I sat back and took stock of what everyone else was doing. I scanned around the kitchen, a pleasantly full feeling in my belly.
Remus was the only other person at the table finishing his breakfast while Master Figg and Sebastian were quietly discussing something in low tones over by the sink. 'Perfect' it had been a couple of day since I had been taught how to do this by Sebastian and I had been practicing of the last few days.
Leaning forward over my plate I closing my eyes before slowing my breathing Intently focusing on nothing but the quite murmuring floating in the corner of the room tantalisingly just out of ear shot. The next step was to just push with my magic gently towards my ear. After a moment my face broke into a smile as the sound of Sebastian voice became clear.
"You know Harry it's considered quite rude to listen in on someone else's private conversations like that. I am glad you're getting a bit better and a lot quicker as well." Abashed my head snaps up over to Sebastian who with a smirk returned his attention back to Master Figg.
Right then what to do, I look back over the table to Remus whom is just finishing up. As I wonder what we are going to doing today. As if he read my mind he made one more rather inhuman swallow cracking a grin at the slightly revolted look on my face. Then again it's no worse than sitting and eating with Ron I suppose.
"Alright then Harry, me and you are heading over to Diagon Alley a bit of a day out for you birthday it that ok?" seeing my nod he goes on.
"You can open the rest of your presents when you get back ok?" He gazes across the table at me for a moment.
"Ok, what about Sebastian and Master Figg?" I start it's not that I don't want go with him alone but I was just used to their presence now and I didn't want them left out.
"They are going to be busy trying to sort out a problem that's bound to pop up sooner or later. Now go and throw a nice robe on and we'll be off." He finished with a grin
Bloody Dursley's, I can't tell him what's happened to my robes who knows what he will do.
"Umm sorry Remus but l left all my robes are back at Privet Drive" or where ever that diabolical genius Vernon had hidden them. Seeing he was about to ask something I really didn't want to answer I could of kissed Master Figg when she broke in.
"Not to worry Harry you'll just have to one of your gifts a little earlier than planned that's all" as she strolled form the sink over to a painting neat the far wall of a castle that looked vaguely like Hogwarts.
When she got there she uncaringly thrust her arm into the picture rummaging around for a moment be she exclaimed "Ah ha". Then with a strange slurping sound she slowly withdrew her arm leaving an undamaged painting. With her hand clutching a bundle rapped in light blue paper and a smile on her face.
"Come here Harry." As I came before her she presented the bundle to me, as I tore into the wrapping Master Figg kept speaking. "I am so very proud of you harry, these are your apprentice robes. Once you receive these robes it shows that I as you master am impressed by your skill and dedication. It symbolises my belief that you will soon be able to become a learned apprentice."
Holding them out in front of me I can see the only real difference between apprentice and normal robes they were much more open leaving a large V-shape open at the front with two patches on either side of the large V split.
With a grateful smile to my master I throw them on turning to show Remus and Sebastian. Turning around I hear Remus as he sucked in a deep breath turning a little white. "That's the Potter's crest" he pointed to the empty patch on my right breast "I never thought I would see it again so soon. Looking down at my right breast sitting proudly where my Gryffindor badge would normally be sat a crest I'd never seen before.
It looked a little like the Hogwarts badge in that it had four areas but instead of a lion, snake, badger and eagle there was a pot, a horse, a phoenix and a sickle. Under was a latin phrase
'Vis Unita Fortior' looking over to Remus about to ask what it means when Sebastian spoke up
"Vis Unita Fortior united strength is stronger, never truer words were spoken." Then with some interest he continued "more interesting though is your other crest" he glanced over at Master Figg with a calculated look.
"Who's is the other one?" I ask looking between the two of them eventually Master Figg spoke up.
"That is the crest of my family." She looked angry for the first time I could remember. "I had hopped with me being cast out they would of oh never mind. It's the crest of my family, the Zabini crest."
"Zabini" that sounds familiar before it hits me. "As in Blaise Zabini? She's a Slytherin in my year at school"
"Yes that's my brother's brat I suppose she would be about your age now. I've never meet the girl but I was given the honour of being notified that our line would continue on through this girl." She finished sharply. This must be her werewolf subject I realise. Looking over at the smouldering anger coming from the little woman that's more than enough to make me feel it's also one topic I also wish to be away from as soon as possible.
"Thank you Master, I will wear them with pride." I say bowing slightly.
With a nod towards Sebastian, Remus and I were on our way out the door a moment later.
"So Harry as it's you birthday you can choose Apparition or the bus?"
"Won't it take all day on the bus? I mean we are a fair way from London and I don't have much Muggle money...."
"Why would you need Muggle money they only take wizarding money on the bus" it only took a second to click.
"Oh you mean the night bus"
"Don't be silly harry, it's the middle of the day." He started patting me on the head. Then continuing like I was some kind of small toddler. "The night bus is for when its night time" before howling with laughter. It's at times like this when you have only one response open to you.
"Honestly Harry, put your tongue away now you are acting like a child." I'm tempted to add the naaaa sound to go with it but I'm fourteen now and such things are beneath me.
"Let's apparate I've never really done that before." And with a turn and a pop we were gone.
The rest of the day passed in a whirl of laughter but without much incident. We bumped into a couple of adults who I'd never met but they congratulated me none the less on being robed at my age.
Something that was a lot of fun was meeting up with some of the shop keepers I'd made friends with last summer. We had an enjoyable lunch at the leaky cauldron talking to Tom and later snacked at Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlour, where I'd spent much of last summer finishing homework before making the customary trip to pick up a few books from Flourish and Blotts. Soon enough it was getting dark and Remus said it was time to leave and with that we were on our way.
After popping back to Wisteria walk Remus looked around then looked over at me sadly. "Right harry it's time for me to go. Today was fun and I'll be back soon but I still have to help a mutual friend settle in." He finished with a wink.
Throwing my arms around him I whispered into his ear "Give Sirius my...you know. Just tell him I miss him and please be careful Remus."
Breaking away he ruffles my hair "I will, now close your eyes and no peeping." I hear him mutter a spell then. "Ok open them happy birthday Harry." As if by magic (which it no doubt was) he's holding two plain books one looking distinctly more battered than the other.
"I know it isn't much but these were your parents spell journals, there not really used that much anymore but the idea was you would write down any spells that would interest you. A collection of your favourite spells if you will."
I don't know what to say. I've never had anything of my mother's before and barley anything of my fathers. The tears in my eyes say it all to Remus though and before I can wipe them away I'm wrapped in a hug that would have made Molly Weasley proud.
"Take care of yourself cub. I'll see you soon but if you need me just write ok." With the he stepped back and with half a turn popped away. Leaving me standing outside Master Figg's.
Collecting myself I head inside slowly opening the door. I can hear raised voices in the kitchen. I was About to knock on the door when I hear one distinct word cutting through the rest.
"Harry"
My ears perk up almost and without knowing what I'm doing it I start to focus on the sound pushing my magic to make it clearer. Making out Master Figg's voice I start to listen
"He is coming back and when he does he will come for harry. Neither you or I can stop him Sebastian he is too powerful."
"We knew this when we started I won't give him up without a fight."
"Don't be a stubborn fool he is ours for the summer after that who knows what he will do. Harry might not even want it that way."
"I won't allow it he has too much potential to be spoiled by that mad purest"
"Ha, now you sound like him he has to know by now. He'll return soon enough what do we tell harry?"
"Nothing yet, let him enjoy his birthday. Tomorrow we let him know that one of the most powerful men in Britain wants him as his lap dog."After Sebastian harsh last words there is a loud pop before you hear footsteps walking towards the door.
Snapping out of the focus my mind reeling I rush to the front door. Opening I slam it quickly turning just in time to see Master Figg opening the door to the kitchen.
"Harry, You're back I've put your presents are up in your room. Sebastian had to leave but did promise to bring you his gift tomorrow." Who cares about presents I want to shout but relent.
"Thanks Master Figg." I manage to force a pathetic smile. "I'm feeling quite tired so I think I'm going to sleep early. I'll see you tomorrow"
She looks at me with a slight frown before shaking her head. "Well I did tell you not to bother in the greenhouse this morning didn't I, goodnight then Harry." I trudge up the stairs knowing after overhearing that it's going to be anything but a good night.
A/N firstly I'd like to thank all of you for reading especially those who review ;D Now I know Blaise Zabini is a boy but since this wasn't clarified for ages and I always thought he was a she so now he is a she in this fanfic. Sorry for the wait but assignments are stacking up and I had to rewrite this about 6 times and still think its toilet brown lol.
