A/N: Another Harry chapter. I might throw Hermione in here just for the heck of it, but it will be a very small appearance. Anyway, on with the story.
As Harry slumbered, Alex thought back to when he had told Harry about the origin of his scar and his parents' deaths. He had been angry when he had found out the Dursleys had kept the truth from Harry, but they were Dursleys. Alex had expected no better from them.
I'd like to think that it's not their fault, but that would be lying. He smiled a little as he glanced at the scar in question.
"Harry, I have to tell you something. It is overall important to who you are."
This was Alex's third visit to the orphanage. He thought it was time Harry finally knew what he really was.
Harry had been sitting on the bed, his head leaning against the pillows, listening to the stories Alex had been telling about his parents. With his last statement, Harry had sat up a little straighter and had fixed his attention to Alex.
Alex sighed before starting out. "First of all, your parents never died in a car crash and that's not how you received your scar."
Silence followed this. Alex didn't wait for Harry to say something. He wanted to get this out as soon as possible.
"Harry, what I haven't told you is that your parents weren't ordinary people. They weren't Muggles, non-magic people," he added at Harry's confused expression.
"Well," said Harry slowly, "what were they then?"
Alex looked Harry straight in the eyes as he said this. For a boy who had been told all of his life that magic never existed and anything out-of-ordinary that happened could easily be explained away, this would be difficult to digest.
"Your parents were wizards," he said firmly. "No matter what the Dursleys have told you about them, they were wizards, and good ones."
Harry sat there, his slightly open. Alex plowed on, not wanting to waste any time.
"That's one of the reasons they were killed. A bad wizard, a man, a thing, named Voldemort, attempted to kill them. And he succeeded." Harry was still staring at Alex, his mouth was closed now, but his eyes held astonishment.
"But then he tried to kill you Harry." Alex's eyes started to sting and he swiped at them. "He tried to kill you when you were one, but couldn't. He gave you that scar. A mark that has made you legendary in our world."
Harry, who had been sitting numbly, wondering what to say, croaked out, "Our world?" He coughed, trying to adjust his voice. "What do you mean our world?"
Alex laughed a little. He wondered how the rest of the wizarding world would've reacted if they knew that their savior knew nothing about the world that he belonged in.
"I mean the wizarding world Harry. You're a wizard, I'm a wizard. If you hadn't lived with those Dursleys, you'd have grown up in that world."
Harry gave a feeble laugh that held no humor in it. Alex frowned, causing a crease in his eyebrows. He knew it was hard to grasp, but Harry must seeā¦
"Prove it," Harry said, breaking out of his humorless laugh. "If you're a wizard, prove it." There was a hint of anger in his voice. "Go on, prove it."
If that what it takes to show to you that I'm telling the truth.
Alex reached into his pocket where his shrunken wand was at. It slipped back into its normal size as soon as it was released from its prison.
"My wand," he said flourishing it. "Ash, nine and a half inches, with a unicorn tail hair." He extended it to Harry. He looked at it skeptically. "Try it out, see how it works."
Still looking skeptical, Harry took the wand. "This isn't going to blow up or anything is it?"
"No, just try it out. Give it a wave."
Harry ran his hand over the wand before waving it a little exuberantly in the air. Alex felt Harry's magic before anything happened. Blue and red sparks flew out and hit the wall, causing a small fire.
Alex quickly grabbed the wand from Harry and extinguished the fire. It left a small scorch mark.
"I believe I'll have to fix that before I leave," said Alex, looking at the burn. "It does blend in quite well with the rest of the room."
"So it can cause a few sparks. That doesn't make you a wizard, lots of stuff can do that." Harry had folded his arms over his chest and was staring at the scorch mark. Alex was unsure if he was teasing or if he was being serious.
"Is this supposed to be some kind of joke? If it is, it's a really bad one." Now Alex knew that Harry wasn't teasing. He had guessed it wouldn't be so easy. Convincing a seven-year-old boy that magic existed wasn't as easy as it sounded.
"Still don't believe me? Fine, that's fair enough, I suppose. Well, what do you think I should do to prove to you that I'm being serious?"
Harry screwed up his face and thought and looked down at his arms. He wanted Alex to do something difficult, something that could only be done using magic. But he couldn't think of anything. He looked around the room, as if there might be some type of inspiration there.
The room had dark yellow walls and a sickly bulb was the only source of light in the room. There were no windows and three beds in a row. It was small and had a closet next to the door. Next to that was the scorch mark It held no decorations and was a dismal place to live.
"Change the room," he said abruptly.
"Hmmm?" Alex had been off in his own thoughts and had forgotten Harry was in the room. "What was that Harry?"
"Change the room," he repeated. "If you're a wizard, you should be able to change the room."
Alex looked around. The place was poorly taken care of and was in desperate need of renovations.
"Fine Harry, we'll make some renovations. Of course, we'll have to change it back later. Your roommates can't know about this, though." He rolled up his sleeves and held his wand aloft. "What would you like done first?"
Twenty minutes later, the room was drastically different. The walls were now a deep crimson and the room was expanded so everything wasn't so cramped. The beds had been made into one king-sized one with thick sheets that contrasted with the thin, torn ones they had been before. A wooden dresser had been added with a large mirror on top of it. The bare, cracked floor now had a thick, gold carpet. Pictures with moving people adorned the walls. A window was behind the large bed that was streaming in sunlight.
Alex sighed as he finished his work. It had been harder than he had thought, but it certainly made the room more cheerful. "Well, what do you think?" asked Alex, tucking his wand into his pocket.
Harry was staring around the room, his mouth completely open now. He kept touching the bed as if to make sure it was still there. He ran his hands over the walls and over the carpet. He had touched everything at least once before he finally faced Alex and said, "I believe you."
Dumbledore was not an easy man to stump. And it was really saying something when you had stumped him. He had left the Ministry, thanking Callie Allister for her information, not that it had helped him much so far.
Young Alex deserves more credit than he's ever been given for pulling this off.
The documents had been real, but Alex didn't go by his real name in the Muggle world. He hadn't expected anything less from him. So those were useless as well. There was also the fact that Alex's magical signature was completely alien to him.
He couldn't believe he never thought of tracking it before. He had made mistakes before, but never something that was this monumental.
I have to find them and make sure Alex realizes what he has done. And make sure he fixes it.
Alex came back every day after Harry had found out the truth about his parents, bringing small things from them. He mostly brought pictures because he knew that's what Harry would like the most.
"Remus Lupin," he said, showing Harry a picture of a young boy with light brown hair and a tired, but smiling face. "An old mate of your dad's from school. He knew your parents up to the time they died. I haven't seen him for a while." Alex said this with a touch of regret, but Harry's eyes had traveled over to another man in the photograph. He was talking animatedly to James and waving at Harry.
"Who is that?" asked Harry pointing. Alex's eyes darkened and Harry saw a bit more than anger flashing in his eyes. He was almost sorry he had asked.
"Someone who you'll never meet and if you do, I hope it's when he's on his deathbed." Alex didn't let up when Harry gave him a startled expression. The two were sitting on the bed and Alex was clutching the sheets very tightly.
"Wh-what did he do?" Harry ventured tentatively. The man didn't look so bad to him and he had been friends with his dad. Alex said nothing but let out a shuddering breath.
"I'll tell you later. Right now is not the time I'd like to dwell on him."
He'll have to tell me about him someday, thought Harry, looking back down at the photo. Even if he doesn't tell me, I'll find out for myself.
Alex shifted his body into a more comfortable position as the train lurched a little. Harry snored slightly, his mouth halfways open. Alex smiled slightly. At least Harry was carefree. He had no idea how much trouble the two might be in.
That is if Dumbledore is looking for us. Which I suspect he is.
Taking Harry and leaving Surrey had been very easy. Dumbledore hadn't interfered and the Muggles had been unsuspecting. Alex had taken the necessary precautions in leaving. He had left false documents and a false address with the MWRCS office. He had covered his tracks easily and hadn't used any magic since the day he had told Harry what he really was, unless absolutely necessary.
But he was still uneasy. He had taken one of the most important people in the wizarding world and he could bet that Dumbledore wasn't going to take that lying down. Not to mention the Ministry.
His arm tightened protectively around Harry. Harry shifted a little bit and closed his mouth. They couldn't take him away. Alex had waited far too long to take him back. His aunt had died, so he was no longer safe there. Dumbledore hadn't taken any action when Harry had been sent to the orphanage and this had been his last chance.
I'm risking everything for him, and I don't care. As long as Harry's with me and is safe, I don't care. I did this to protect him, I'll take care of the complications after I know we're safe.
The night that Alex had told Harry that he had adopted him had been one of the greatest, and the scariest, moments in Harry's life.
Alex had requested from the matron to take Harry out for the day and the two had traveled to London, where Alex had introduced Harry first-hand to the wizarding world.
"Where are we going?" Harry had asked Alex for the upteenth-time as they exited the train and were swept into busy Muggle London.
Alex was keeping a firm grip on Harry's hand and kept looking from left to right as if afraid they were being followed.
"I told you," said Alex, sweeping them onto the right side of the street, "you'll see when we get there."
Harry bit his lip, but decided to give up. A surprise was better than not knowing anyway.
Alex had cast a Glamour Charm over the two, something Harry had been skeptical about.
"You're going to change me?" he had asked, glancing apprehensively at the wand. He didn't know why, but changing his appearance sounded uncomfortable.
"It won't hurt," said Alex, as if he had read Harry's mind. "A light tap, and you'll be a completely different person."
Harry sighed, but he nodded in resignation. "Why do we need to change our appearance?" asked Harry as his dark hair changed into a dirty blonde and his vibrant green eyes switched to a dull brown.
"It's a necessary precaution," said Alex, tapping his own face and giving himself brown hair. "Considering it's you, we have to be careful."
Harry nodded. Alex had told him that he was famous and from what Harry had seen on TV, being famous wasn't always a good thing. He wasn't keen on someone following him around all day.
"Turn in here Harry." Alex had broken Harry out of his thoughts and was steering him toward a pub that Harry hadn't even seen called the Leaky Cauldron. Not many people were inside and many of the people outside didn't seem interested in going outside. Harry couldn't blame them. The place was dingy and looked as if it was in desperate need for repair.
When the two entered, a few heads turned in their direction, including the barman. A few nodded at Alex as he passed by them and called out greetings to him, but he hurried to the back door.
"Why-" Harry started.
"We don't have time to exchange pleasantries, Harry. I'd rather that we weren't seen."
They were standing in front of a brick wall and this was puzzling Harry. Was this the big surprise? Alex was staring hard at the wall, obviously trying to remember something.
He ran his hand over it, muttering, "Was it this one...or maybe this one...it's been so long...?"
"Erm...Alex?" Harry ventured.
"Oh yes! I remember now!" Alex exclaimed. He took his wand and tapped a brick on the right, three up and two across. Harry wasn't sure what he was expecting to happen, but it certainly wasn't for the wall to start moving and reveal a long, winding alley behind it.
"I haven't visited this place for a while," said Alex as Harry stared with his mouth wide open. "Anyways, welcome to Diagon Alley."
When Alex had first introduced Harry to magic, he had still been slightly skeptical. Now that he was here, there was no doubt in Harry's mind that magic existed.
Witches stood in the middle of the alley shouting out their wares and cauldrons were stacked up against the wall, each of a different make. But what Harry found most surprising was the bizarrely dressed people.
Men and women alike were wearing long, bright robes. Harry had seen a few people dressed like that before on television and had run into people dressed like that on the street. Uncle Vernon had called them "tree-hugging hippies" and Aunt Petunia had always avoided them.
"Alex," he breathed, "this is amazing." Harry wished he had a better word for the place as the two traveled down the alley. He read the signs as they passed. He was very interested in Eeylops Owl Emporium where they had owls of every shape and size. But what he liked most was the store, Quality Quidditch Supplies, where brooms were on display.
"Alex," he said, tugging on his sleeve. Alex stopped and turned to look inside Quality Quidditch Supplies into which Harry was gazing. He didn't know what it was about the brooms, but they were entrancing.
"What's Quidditch?" he asked, his eyes never leaving the broom.
"One of the best sports in the world," said Alex, grinning. "It's played on broomsticks and consists of fourteen players, seven to each team." As Alex started to explain the basics of Quidditch, Harry got closer and closer to the door until he was completely inside.
Harry ran his hand over every broom at least once, enjoying the feel of the wood beneath his fingertips. There were boys and girls alike in the store, a majority of them a great deal older than he was. Robes hung in the back and thick gloves were stacked on counters.
"You know," said Alex from behind him, "your father played Quidditch. He was on the House team."
Harry's head turned around so quickly, he was certain he almost snapped his neck. "My dad played Quidditch? Was he good?"
"One of the best. It's no wonder you're so interested; it's in your blood. We're going to have to get you a broom if you want to get on the House team."
There was no need for Alex to elaborate on the Houses. He had fully explained about Hogwarts, the school Harry expected to go to when he turned eleven.
As Harry picked up a pair of gloves, he turned over the idea of playing a game on a broomstick and the fact that his dad had been a Quidditch player. Of course, he couldn't hide a broom at the orphanage, it would get a lot of attention. He placed the gloves back on the counter and looked around for Alex who had disappeared.
He spotted him lingering near the door. Making his way over to him, he accidentally ran into a boy and a girl, who had been hidden by a rack of robes.
"Hey, watch it!" said the boy angrily, shoving Harry back. His eyes were an icy gray and he had pale blonde hair. He was glaring at Harry. The girl had fallen over and onto the robes.
"It was an accident," she said, standing up and rearranging the robes. Her hair was in short, black braids and her eyes were a dark brown. "Excuse my friend, he has no manners."
"No, it's okay," said Harry. He wasn't keen in getting into a fight, even if the boy was being a jerk. Besides, Alex's head had turned into a direction.
"No harm done then. Come on Draco, Narcissa will be looking for us." As she dragged Draco along, obviously with much effort, he heard her say, "Have you learned anything in the many years I've been living with you? Honestly, you're more like your father..."
The girl's voice faded out as they left the shop and Alex, side-stepping the two, made his way over. "Having problems?" he asked, his voice innocent.
"None at all," said Harry, adopting the same voice.
"Good, we still have a bit of Diagon Alley to explore. Come on."
Nothing else happened to Harry for the rest of the day spent in Diagon Alley. He and Alex visited Flourish and Blott's, but Harry wasn't much for reading and they saw Gringott's, the wizarding bank. Harry wanted to go inside the wand shop, Ollivander's, but Alex didn't see a reason to considering Harry wasn't old enough for a wand yet.
The two stopped at Florean Fortescue's for lunch where they ordered sandwiches and got two large sundaes. Alex had taken a table near the back, just so they'd be out of sight.
"But we have Glamour Charms," Harry had said, taking a seat across from him. "No one would recognize us anyway."
"You can never be too careful," said Alex, picking up a menu.
After the two had lunch, they looked at the rest of Diagon Alley, but didn't go inside any shops. Harry was starting to think that Alex was a little paranoid. He jumped a little every time someone shouted and kept stealing furtive glances around corners. It was iritating.
"Look," said Harry after Alex had jumped for the fifth time. "I think we should go back. I'm feeling a little tired." He tried to fake stifling a yawn as Alex glanced at him.
"Yes, yes, good idea," said Alex, looking at the surrounding people. He was squinting very hard and was ignoring the jostling of the crowd. "Come on."
He led him back to the Leaky Cauldron and back out to Muggle London, where it was dismally raining. Harry expected them to head back to the train station so they could get back to Surrey, but they were heading in quite the opposite direction.
"Where-"
"Don't talk," said Alex quickly, keeping his voice low. His lips barely moved.
Harry decided not to ask why. Alex was on edge, which didn't occur too often. He kept a tight grip on Harry's hand, steering him through the busy streets. They finally made it to a small neighborhood that wasn't as bustling as the rest of London. Alex pulled him towards a small, blue house. As Alex fumbled with the lock, Harry was certain he saw a man lurking near a lamppost. It looked as if he was casually watching the street, but he was certain the man's eyes darted to him occasionally.
Before he could get a better look at the man, Alex had shoved him inside and the door had snapped shut. It was dark until Harry heard Alex mutter, "Lumos."
A thin beam of light shone in the dark hallway, emanating from Alex's wand. The hallway had no windows and the doors to any other rooms, or hallways, were closed. Alex quickly went to the second door on the right, extinguishing the light from his wand.
He emerged seconds later, breathing easier, but his eyes were alert and he still looked jumpy. At least now, Harry understood why.
"Did you see him?" asked Alex, turning on the other lights in the house. Harry nodded as Alex went into the room at the far end of the hallway that turned out to be the kitchen.
"Sorry I didn't tell you sooner," said Alex, as Harry joined him in the kitchen, "but I couldn't risk him overhearing us."
"Do you know who he was?" asked Harry, walking around the table.
"No, actually. Dumbledore might've sent him...but that's not like him at all. Maybe..."
Harry left Alex to his mutterings as he started to explore the house. It was only one story and a few photographs hung on the walls, mostly those of his parents. He didn't linger on them; he had seen them all in the photo album.
He walked into the small room that Alex had first entered and saw that it was the guest bedroom. The bed was twin-sized and there was a small dresser next to a window. Peering through the curtains, Harry saw that it was easy to look out onto the street without being noticed. The stranger at the lamppost had gone.
Going through the rest of the house, he found it ordinary, something he hadn't expected in a wizard's house. The place wasn't quite as neat as his relatives' house, but it contained the basic Muggle gadgets that Harry had come to expect in any Muggle home.
He returned to the kitchen, slightly disappointed, to find Alex rummaging through the cabinets. "Powdered ginger root works better than powdered bitter root," he muttered as Harry took a seat. "Don't get comfortable Harry. We have some things to do."
A/N: I was planning on making this longer, but I'm very sleepy. Anyway, I'll elaborate on the day of Harry's adoption next chapter and I'll try to squeeze Hermione in. Also, due to the fact that school will be starting soon and real life will be catching up to me, I may not be able to update as quickly as possible. Anyway, review. I know you're all reading, but I like reviews.
