Harry Potter and the Weaver's Wizard
Chapter 10
Harry spent the next few days reading all the letters he had not received and then writing replies to each person, telling them that he was fine and that he hadn't received them until now. He also included that he went on daily trips to London and Diagon Alley and that he might see them there. He sent more detailed letters to Susan, Hannah, Hermione and Neville giving a general recount of his meetings with Ollivander and Ironfist asking for help with the more subtle customs of Wizarding culture.
He had also managed to finish his homework during the first two weeks due to boredom. He felt that they were of a reasonable quality that wouldn't have the teachers complaining and figured he would resume putting more effort in to his classwork when he got back to Hogwarts.
Harry experimented with the different materials that Madam Malkin had managed to secure for him. He found that it was easier to weave the magical materials into clothing due to the residual magic in them but found that the non-magical materials acted as better conduits for his magic.
He had come home one day from wandering Diagon Alley when he stopped short at the sight of the Dursleys dressed in formal wear. He raised an eyebrow and asked if they were having a party.
"The Masons are coming over for dinner and it could make or break a huge deal so I want everything to be perfect."
"If that's the case, would you like me to make some alterations to your clothing? I'm up to date with the latest non-magical fashions so I can make it so that you seem up to date." Vernon and Dudley visibly hesitated but Petunia did not. She clearly was making an effort and decided to trust him.
He smiled at her and brought out his workbasket. He warned her that it might be a bit uncomfortable but he would absolutely not harm her in any way. She visibly relaxed and motioned for him to begin with a nod. At seeing the nod, Harry brought out some red and yellow silk for embroidery and sent it into the hem of her dress and sent it around the bottom of the dress in an over and under pattern. Using his magic he partially merged the silk with the fabric of the dress so that it looked like it was made like that. He then sent the silk up the sides and around the back in a feather-like pattern so that it looked like she had red and yellow wings folded against her back.
He then pulled out two pins and bent the needles until they had a vague earring shape before infusing them with his magic and transfiguring it into gold, while changing the pinheads into small rubies. He handed the earrings over and smiled when she turned to put them on straight away. She gaped at how good her outfit looked and sent a look of pride towards Harry and ruffled his hair. He grinned sheepishly, still not used to the affection she was showing him and looked towards his other relatives with a raised eyebrow.
They felt uncomfortable at seeing the way he waved his hand and things moved but their fears were unfounded when he laid a hand on each shoulder and sent his magic into their clothes, smoothing creases, adding support to other places and making them generally more comfortable. He then placed a pin on the underside of the table.
"I've put enough magic into this pin to anchor the changes I've made until tomorrow evening just in case. It wouldn't do for the changes to revert itself halfway through dinner now would it?" Harry informed them with a gentle grin, having them comfortable enough for him to use magic on them was a huge breakthrough.
"I won't be down for dinner though. I've already eaten so I'll be in my room. I'm also going to put up aversion charms so that they don't notice me. Is that alright?"
They nodded and Harry exited the room with an exaggerated bow. He had bought a few bolts of fabrics and planned to make himself some pants, shirts and a new jacket which should tide him over until he had to buy new clothing. He was also going to attempt to make a cloak out of non-magical silk since it wouldn't do to ruin the expensive Acromantula silk for an experiment.
From what he could hear throughout the night, the dinner seemed like a huge success. Harry had a minor crisis when Dobby popped back into his room and attempted to move the pudding but when Harry felt him arrive he was ready with magic suppression rope and hogtied Dobby before he could do anything. He waited until he heard the Masons leaving before untying Dobby and started releasing magic into his eyes.
"I know you mean well but enough is enough. You need to leave me alone. I'm on guard for trouble and I won't be alone. I have friends I can rely on and your helping me is making things more difficult. So please. Please just stop helping and I'll be fine."
"Dobby is being sorry great Harry Potter but Dobby is just wanting you to be safe."
"If you're worried then ask me if anything is happening before you start trying to help. Understand?"
"Dobby is understanding. Dobby is leaving now." With that Dobby, the slightly insane house elf popped out of his room once more. Harry vented his frustration into making his new cloak and writing a letter to Susan asking if she and the others wanted to shop for their school supplies tomorrow. It was well past 2AM when he finally finished his new cloak and he gently placed it on his mannequin that he had purchased via Madam Malkin to check its length before climbing into bed and passing out.
The next morning he received a reply stating that they would meet him at the Leaky Cauldron at 1PM and that she had passed on the word to the others. Harry was rather excited as this would be the first time that he would see them since the end of term. He was so excited that he hadn't remembered that his birthday had passed while Dobby was holding his communication blackout so was quite shocked when they showed up holding presents.
They had explained that when they tried to owl them to him the owls refused to leave so they decided to just hold on to them until they saw him next. These explanations came with an obligatory smack on the arm for making them worry. In the exact same spot. EACH TIME. So it was with a pouting Harry and cheerful group that made their way into Diagon Alley with Madams Bones and Longbottom as chaperones.
Their first stop was Gringotts where Harry once more nodded in greeting to the guards who returned the nod to the rest of the group's surprise. He just raised his eyebrow in a shockingly similar way to the Bones' and a slight tilt to his head.
The others just shook theirs and made their way to the tellers where they went down to their vaults to pick up some money except for Hermione who made her way to the conversion desk who handed over a small wad of bills and received a pouch of galleons in return. They then spent the time waiting for the others talking about how their holidays have been and how easy the homework had been.
They spent the next few hours purchasing all the things they needed until they went to Flourish and Blotts to purchase their school books. When Harry read their book list for the next year he frowned at the list seeing that they needed 7 books all written by the same person.
By the time the group reached the book shop they saw a large crowd forming outside in a large line that seemed to be full of witches. They had just entered the bookshop when they saw the reason why a large crowd had gathered. Set up at a wall adjacent to the counter was a blond man that looked like he spent hours each morning trying to look as good as he possibly could.
When he heard the girls squeal at the sight of one Gilderoy Lockhart, he shook his head and exchanged eye-rolls with Neville. It seemed that the Madams shared the same feeling. Feeling something off about Lockhart, Harry sent a pulse to examine the man, noting that he hadn't even noticed.
Harry felt deceit and greed radiating from the man in such large amounts that Harry felt sick. He excused himself from the group and made his way to another bookshelf that held books that corresponded to the Runes and Arithmacy courses that would be available to him next year.
As he examined the runes books he noted that they worked in a similar way to the way he used his charms so he put that course down as something he would have to research more.
As he set the book into a basket and started selecting more books that held beginner, novice and journeyman level information so that he could gain a solid understanding of the subject before next year. He also went around the store and selected the books he needed for this year excluding DADA since he judged it to be a waste. He did pick up the standard book of spells for Year 2 however.
Harry had been about to make his way to the counter to pay, thankful that they had bought everything else before arriving here since it seemed like the girls would want to be here for a while when he was accosted by Draco and his father.
"Mr Potter." Lucius' voice was smooth and silky, much like his hair. Harry felt uneasy as he could tell that this was a dangerous man.
"Lord Malfoy. Heir Malfoy." He greeted back, extending his hand and revealing his Heir ring when he reached forward to shake the man's hand.
"Ah Heir Potter. My apologies, I was uninformed that you had received the ring."
"It's not your fault, Lord Malfoy. I had received it when I inquired about it at Gringotts after noticing many of my contemporaries at Hogwarts were in possession of similar rings. I must say that I am envious about the amount of communication that you have with your son. I must honestly say that I am quite jealous and wish that I could do the same."
Madam Longbottom hid a snort inside a cough that was masterfully done, seeing as she had come over to check where Harry was since Madam Bones was more than capable of watching over 1 bored male teen and 3 currently fangirling females.
"Dowager Longbottom, a pleasure as always."
"Lord Malfoy." She replied with a curt nod.
"Come Draco, we must go and collect your things seeing as your mother is slightly preoccupied at the moment."
"Yes father." Draco moved off to follow his father but not before shouldering into Harry and muttering that he should watch his back at Hogwarts this year.
Harry frowned at the threat but figured that he was just bluffing. He had just set his books down on the counter when he heard a commotion at the door and saw a gang of redheads walk in. He waved to the Twins and Percy who were wearing their armbands and jokingly saluted to Harry.
Lockhart had looked up at that moment and noticing Harry, swept over and dragged him away from the counter without permission.
"Harry Potter. What a pleasant surprise to see you here. I see that you couldn't resist seeing another celebrity in the flesh am I right? Smile Harry. We'll be on the front page by tomorrow morning." He said with a large grin that revealed teeth so white Harry could have sworn they would glow in the dark. His hand on Harry's shoulder said otherwise as it slowly retreated from his shoulder and gently ran down his back.
The feel of the hand moving snapped Harry out his shock and he channeled his magic to his eyes and snarled at the man.
"Remove your hand this instant before I get trigger-happy with my magic. How dare you touch me without my chaperone's permission? This is a clear breach of magical etiquette or is Gilderoy Lockhart too good for common courtesy?" Harry was pissed and more than a little shaken at what the man had attempted to do. He moved back towards Madam Longbottom and practically attached himself to her, knowing that she would eviscerate the man before allowing him to touch Harry again.
The smile that she gave him settled most of his nerves but what happened after made him edgy once more.
"Bet you loved that didn't you Potter. Must have loved fame so much that you couldn't resist being the center of attention once more." It was Idiot 1 in the flesh. It seemed that he had forgotten the lesson that Harry had taught him last year.
"Leave him alone Ronald. He can't help that he's so famous and dreamy." Everyone's eyebrows who heard that raised as high as they could go before she turned bright red. With a small eep she turned and ran to her mother and hid behind her.
The adults all chuckled at her reaction while Harry turned to Susan mouthed to her 'I'm dreamy?' who replied with an embarrassed grin and a shrug. He looked at Madam Bones, eyes wide, in confusion who did the typical female reaction that he seemed to get and cooed and pinched his cheeks. He just shook his head and made his way to the twins and Percy to ask and only got head pats and grins. He sighed and figured this would be one of those things he would only understand when he was older.
The rest of the trip passed without incident not including the minor scuffle between Lords Malfoy and Weasley in which fists, rather than spells were thrown. Harry thought he felt a pulse for dark magic but he couldn't pinpoint it and so put it out of his mind.
He spent the rest of the holidays making more of his own clothing to fill out the rest of his closet and examining his magic to figure out why he didn't need a wand. Looking over the memories of the dreams he came to the conclusion that the leech that was attached to his magic was his link for him to use wanded magic. He could feel it pulse in the same way Sandry felt before she was trained. It became a common sight in Number 4 Privet Drive for Harry to be playing with some fabric in some way or another.
He had purchased some non-magical portable looms, embroidery hoops and bobbins and spent his down time either preparing his own wool while infusing his magic into it to make it more pliable to his will or embroidering landscapes such as Hogwarts and the Lake or the Forbidden Forest for his aunt.
Soon enough September 1st came around and it was time to go back to Hogwarts. Harry was excited to see everyone, especially Susan. He was quite confused as to why he felt so happy when they walked arm in arm but he figured he would let the answer come to him in time. No point ruining something by running his mouth off.
His uncle dropped him off at the station at 9AM as he was on his way to work. Before Harry got out of the car and unloaded his trunk he handed the wad of bills he had promised to his uncle.
"See you next summer uncle?" Harry tentatively asked as he wasn't sure if it was an act or not.
"Of course Harry. Your magic isn't so bad. Don't expect me to be welcoming of any of your friends though. There's something unnatural about the way they do magic and I don't want to be anywhere near it." Vernon said brusquely.
Harry nodded in understanding, unloaded his things onto a trolley and bid his uncle farewell, receiving a nod in return before driving off. Harry walked towards the wall that lead to the Platform and made his way through. The platform was quite empty at the moment so he floated his things into one of the larger compartments and warded it to the select magical signatures of his friends and Guard before opening one of Lockhart's books that he was forced to buy.
He spent 10 minutes trying to read it before throwing it away in disgust. Most of the information in the books was about Lockhart, Lockhart and more Lockhart. Barely anything was about the creatures that the books were named after and that more than anything confirmed to Harry that he was a fake. To calm himself down, he sat on the floor, pulled out a few spools of different colored silks and set them on a step spool stand and started braiding them.
He had a black silk of a larger width as the center and used green and red silk as the initial over braid before adding yellow and blue silk as the under braid. He found it quite challenging and he was so engrossed in it that he didn't notice the compartment filling up slowly. One by one, two by two, those he called his friends entered and joined the crowd watching as he worked his magic.
By the time he finished he had a 2 meter long braid of intertwined silks that was mesmerizing to look at. He then coiled it up slowly and making the circles smaller until there was only enough room at the top to thread the rest of the braid which he did and then stuck it to the inside of the coil and weaved the ends together. The final production was a tight spiral that could stand upright but he wasn't satisfied yet.
Closing his slightly strained eyes, he straightened his arm up stretched them up. When his arms went as far as they could go they hit something soft. Rather confused at what this could be he turned his hand so he could grab it and squeeze. Frowning, he couldn't figure out what it was so he just kept squeezing without opening his eyes. He knew that windows weren't soft and neither were the window sills and he was in the middle of the compartment so he wouldn't be feeling the seats.
It was only when a snort sounded throughout the compartment that the dam on the laughter at the hilarious scene broke out. Thoroughly startled, Harry jumped into the air at least one foot into the air which was rather impressive considering he was sitting on the ground. As he did so he heard a noise that was part eep, part squeal with a hint of a moan in it. As he landed back on the floor he wondered why everyone was laughing and when they even got there.
Slowly he turned and his eyes followed his arm until he was looking at where his hand landed. It had landed right on Susan's recently developing breasts and he had quite a handful of them. Slowly he tilted his head back and his eyes travelled upwards to Susan's face and back down to where his hand was. This repeated a few times which was just as funny to everyone else who were starting to struggle to breathe.
As if to confirm he was squeezing what he thought he was he loosened his hand, rubbed it gently in circles before squeezing once more. Then his actions dawned on him and he would later insist that he passed out. He was a boy and boys don't pass out.
He came to a short time later with his head resting on something soft. He slowly opened his eyes and looked up into what he thought was a firey angel.
"Did I die from shock and wake up in heaven because if you're an angel then I never want to leave."
Susan blushed from both Harry's comment and the howls, catcalls and laughter from everyone in the compartment which included Percy, Fred, George, Hermione, Neville, Hannah, Padma, Daphne and someone he figured was Tracey as they hadn't officially met yet but one was never far from the other.
"Did I say that out loud?" Harry groaned and covered his face and rolled over, coincidentally Susan's lap which brought forth another round of breath taking laughter.
"Up you get Ha-Harry. We're nearly there and you're the only one who hasn't changed yet." Everyone but Harry noticed Susan's slight stutter at Harry's name.
"Alrigh- Wait. Did you change while I was in here?" Harry asked, gobsmacked at the very idea.
The girls blushed as a group to the laughter of the boys.
"What did you do? Walk over me as you did? Is that why I feel sore?"
Padma coughed, blush visible on her darker tone of skin.
"Someone may have been feeling a bit nervous that you would wake up at the wrong moment and may have accidentally fallen on top of you."
Susan protested at this, vehemently protested.
"It's not my fault! You saw my reaction earlier! Can you blame me?" By the time she realised what she said she covered her open mouth in shock and her blush became even more prominent, leaving the slight pink and entering a hair mimicking dark shade of crimson. It really was a pity that Harry had no idea what she was talking about and turned towards everyone else, eyes doe-like and head tilted. Everyone cooed at his innocence and either pinched his cheeks or pat his head, causing him to pout.
Sighing in defeat at the lack of information once more, he stood up once more, turned around and wrapped Susan in a rib-cracking hug and whispered sorry into her ear. Feeling that it wasn't enough despite her insistence that it was, he thought about what he could do for a moment before reaching a conclusion.
He gently picked up the silk pyramid and sent his magic running through it to assist in the reshaping of it. He gently moulded it until it was more like a rectangular lantern that bulged out in the middle instead of a pyramid. He pulled out some silver, bronze and white silk that he quickly braided in a French style before weaving it into the top to act like a handle. He then weaved a small, woollen light charm and hung it in the middle before sending his magic racing through the silk and transfiguring the lantern into coloured glass before charming everything with magically drawn unbreakable and ambient acceptance runes.
Harry handed the glass lantern to Susan with an exaggerated bow and a gentle smile. She took it with a shaking hand and came to a silent resolution that she would make him hers and that she wouldn't give him up to anyone for anything.
Harry, of course, had no idea what she was thinking as everyone insisted on keeping him in the dark and preserve his innocence. He did get the deep base impulse of wanting to grab Susan's breasts more however, even if some greater presence in his mind locked it away with a passion. Almost like a mother's determination and wrath.
The girls were rightly jealous and when they insisted on each getting a lantern as well, George joked that all they needed to get one was to let him cop a feel.
Tracey seemed to deliberate in her mind before Daphne smacked her on the back of her head and stating.
"Bad Tracey. No bad thoughts"
Tracey pouted at that and sulkily reminded everyone that Harry needed to change.
Harry just looked down at his dual layered black shirts and shorts underneath black jeans before waving his hand down his body starting from the shoulder. Before everyone's eyes, his clothing gently changed from non-magical casual wear to the official Hogwarts uniform robes with Hufflepuff badge and trim.
He just grinned and leaned against the wall, sitting on the floor since they were running out of room on the benches and pulled Susan down with him before taking her arm in his. He spent the rest of his trip answering questions about what he could do with his magic, getting to know Padma, Daphne and Tracey better and basking in the warmth that Susan was radiating from her still present blush.
The train pulled into the station and Harry, Susan, Hannah and Neville had entered one carriage while Padma, Tracey, Daphne and Hermione had entered another. Fred, George and Percy had left them on the station to find their friends from their own years.
They had reached the castle gates no problem and the boys helped the girls down by taking their hands. After they had gotten down Hannah had let go of Neville's hand with a light blush but Susan had no intention of letting go. She pulled him up the path gently by the hand and Harry simply followed with a happy grin on his face. All the girls who saw them cooed at the pair while the boys merely laughed and clapped Harry on the shoulder as they passed them. He looked at Susan for clarification but got slightly pouty as everyone still refused to tell him why they were acting weird.
The Sorting went by without many interesting first years. They just tended to blur into one another to Harry. The only first years he paid any attention to were was a slightly lost blonde first year who reminded Harry of someone but he couldn't remember who and red haired girl who seemed to be another member of House Weasley if he remembered correctly.
When the feast appeared, Harry dug in, gently pulling his hand away from Susan's who hadn't let go. She pouted slightly at the loss of slight warmth that Harry had felt as well before it turned into a smile when Harry served her pieces of everything that he was getting for himself.
Harry had sent out a gently pulse of magic to reconnect to his web that he had left in place when last year finished and twitched slightly when he felt a large pulse hit the moving tree on the lake. He recognized the signature as belonging to Ronald who he thought was simply in another compartment.
"Oh dear. There's going to be trouble." He murmured to the curious ears of everyone around them.
"Our now second youngest Weasley appears to have crashed what seems to be an enchanted car into the Womping Willow. From the impact I wouldn't be surprised if his wand is broken now, or if a howler arrives tomorrow." He answered when someone asked what had happened. There were snorts of laughter all around the table. "Oh, and there goes Snape. Ronald is going to have a wonderful start to the year isn't he?" Harry mentioned casually.
He was a bit absentminded because Susan had taken his hand once more and discreetly rubbed circles on his hand with her thumb as they shared a small treacle tart. Thanks to his absentmindedness he missed the jokes and teases that Prince Potter was taking on a different meaning.
After the feast the students made their way to their Common Rooms and beds after another ear-rendering round of the school song. He let go of Susan's hand when they reached the door to the girl's dormitory and bowed himself away, lamenting out loud the separation from such beautiful lady before twirling with a Snape robe snap and walking away to find his room.
When he finally arrived he opened his work basket and recast the security braids that he hung over the door frame and the light and alarm charms that he hung from the ceiling before showering and undergoing his nightly ablutions and collapsing into his bed into the warm embrace of Morpheus.