Chapter 10: Realization and Worry
Harry and Rus made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron, waving goodbye to Tom as they passed him on the way out. Once on the street the two walked along in silence, each lost in his own thoughts until they reached the tram that would take them back to Rus' neighborhood.
"Harry how do I tell my parents that I'm a wizard? It is just too unbelievable."
"I don't know Rus, maybe you should wait until you've learned something about magic and then you'll have more information to give them." Harry suggested.
"That makes sense. Though I don't know when we'll have the time for lessons, I'm on vacation this week, but I return to work on Monday."
Harry had not thought about Rus having a job, he really had not had much time to think about Rus' life at all. Harry had been so overwhelmed with the knowledge that he had a brother, he'd rushed head long into finding him, never taking into consideration how it would turn Rus' world on it's ear.
"Where do you work?"
"I intern at my Dad's company. I know what you're thinking - special treatment and all - but really it's not like that. I'm just a regular joe. Mostly I'm a gopher, but I enjoy it. I want to be an architect, just like my Dad." At this statement Rus got a very strange look on his face.
"It's alright, he's still your Dad. You shouldn't feel guilty - if anything I should feel guilty for just dropping all this in your lap the way I did."
When the tram arrived Harry and Rus boarded, found a seat in the back and sat down to resume their conversation.
Harry told Rus that with the death of Voldemort things in the wizarding world would be much different than they had been when Voldemort was alive and trying to take control. But Harry was truthful and told Rus that some people may take an instant dislike to him simply because he was Harry Potter's brother. By the same token, there could be some who see Severus Snape as a traitor and therefore harbor ill will towards Rus for being the son of a perceived traitor.
"I just want you to be prepared for anything." Harry advised Rus.
The tram stopped and the two disembarked in a rush of late afternoon passengers on the way home from work. Harry and Rus joined the queue making their way to the steps that would take them above ground.
Once topside and heading towards Rus' house, Rus made a request of Harry. "Would you take my wand home with you? I'd just feel safer with it at your house. I'd hate for mum to find it and - I have no idea - blow up the house or something."
"Sure. I'll take good care of it." Harry took the package Rus offered and tucked it under his arm. "I was thinking maybe I should get a mobile phone. Now that I'm not at Hogwarts, maybe it will work and that way you can get in touch with me if you wanted."
Rus agreed that was a good idea and gave Harry his cell phone number to call when he got his own phone.
Just as the two made it to the drive, the front door was opened by a sturdy looking older man with silver hair and a trim mustache of the same color. "Rus, I'm glad your home, will you help me grab some tubes from the car?"
Rus and Harry stopped at the car and Mr. Hodges began handing out tube after tube. "These have blue prints inside them, it's to keep them safe and dry." Rus told Harry.
The threesome made their way to the house, each laden with 4 tubes. Once inside, Mr. Hodges directed them to the study and placed the tubes upon a large desk. "Thank you boys." He turned to Harry and reached out a hand. "We've not met, I'm Rus' father Adam. It's very nice to meet you."
"Thank you sir, it's nice to meet you as well." Harry noticed how the corners of Mr. Hodges eyes crinkled when he smiled. He appeared to be a jovial fellow and Harry was struck with a pang of longing for the family he'd missed out on.
"Would you like to stay for supper?" Asked Mr. Hodges.
"I better get going, I don't want to impose." Harry replied.
"It's no imposition. We always have enough to feed an army." Mr. Hodges assured Harry.
"Yes, thank you. I'd love to stay."
Sitting in the dining room with the Hodges was completely different from the meals Harry had shared with the Dursley's. For one thing the Hodges did not have a tv in their dining room, for another they actually talked to each other, asking about how the day went and what not. They included Harry in the conversation, which was something new in and of itself. By the end of the meal Harry was certain that aside from the Weasley's, Rus had the best family in the world.
After supper Harry and Rus did the dishes. Harry knew what a dishwasher was of course, even though Aunt Petunia washed everything by hand, but he was not so sure about how to load the thing. Rus laughed and showed him how and soon the two were joking and the task flew by in a blur.
"I'd best head home now." Harry noted that night had fallen, not that he was worried, he planned to disapparate to Grimauld Place.
"Do you need a ride home Harry?" Rus asked.
"No, I've got it covered, thanks anyway." Harry grabbed his jacket and the bag with Rus' wand and the two walked to the door with Harry stopping to say thank you and good bye to the Hodges.
Rus saw Harry to the end of the drive, where the two shook hands. Harry told Rus not to worry that everything would fall into place and bade him good night, then before Rus knew what hit him - Harry turned and disappeared.