Raising Harry: Chapter 10

"I'm a what?" Harry asked disbelievingly, and Katrina said gently "A wizard, Harry. You can do magic, just like your mother and father."

Harry looked even more surprised, and said "N-no, that can't be, I'm, just, Harry. I don't even know how to do magic!"

Hagrid said as he chuckled slightly "Well, 'just Harry', 'ave ye ever noticed tha' strange, unexplainable things 'appen when ye were scared, or angry?"

Harry thought for a moment, and Katrina smiled as she said "I know it's a lot to take in, but you don't have to know everything about magic right away. This school is all about learning how to use magic, and you will do wonderfully, sweetheart. Your mother was a gifted witch, and your father was a very clever wizard, it's in your blood."

Harry smiled slightly, and Katrina said "And, Harry, there's one more thing we should tell you before we go somewhere else special to celebrate your birthday."

Harry nodded, and Katrina continued "Do you remember when Auntie and I told you about your parents and the evil man who killed them, and almost killed you?"

Harry nodded once again, and Katrina pressed on "Well, that despicable man was actually an evil wizard. Once it got out that your parents were killed by him, and you lived, it became known all around the world. In our world, the Wizarding World, you're famous. You are known by many as 'the boy who lived'."

Harry's emerald eyes widened in surprise, and asked "But...why did he want to kill me in the first place?"

Hagrid said "No on' knows, Harry. Maybe he thought he could persuade 'em, maybe he jus' wanted te get rid of 'em since they were close to Dumbledore, or maybe he just liked killin' those who didn' agree with 'im."

Harry was quiet for a moment, and then he asked "Is he still alive?"

Katrina and Hagrid looked at each other, and Hagrid answered "They say he disappeared the night' he tried to kill ya, but no one really knows tha' either. But don' ye worry Harry, yer safe with Katrina 'ere as yer Mum, an' yer away from other witches and wizards who migh' blab to any of You-Know-Who's followers. With Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore protectin' ye too, yer goin' te be safe from anything he or his followers can do."

Harry nodded, but questioned "You-Know-Who? Does he have a name?"

Hagrid said "I don' like sayin' the name if I can help it,"

Katrina said "His name is Voldemort,", causing Hagrid to shudder, and she said "I don't believe in fearing his name. But Harry, sweetie, I just wanted to tell you this so that next year when you get your Hogwarts letter, and you come to school here, you wouldn't feel overwhelmed with it all then, okay?"

Harry nodded, and looked somewhat scared as he asked "What if I'm a terrible wizard? What if I can't do magic like everyone else? What if-?"

Katrina interrupted him as she put her hand over his comfortingly and said "Harry, you are related to the most brilliant witch and wizard I ever knew, and even if you aren't as good at it as they were, that doesn't make you any less of a person. You will always be a clever, caring and wonderful boy, and I KNOW you will become a great wizard."

She smiled at him, and he smiled back, and she said "Well, Hagrid, what do you think? Should we head off, then?"

His eyes crinkled as he smiled through his heavily bearded face, and he said "Yeah! Let's get goin'," as he got up from his seat, and Katrina and Harry did too.

She took Harry's hand, and said "Now, for the fun part of your surprise!"

Harry grinned as he asked "Where are we going?"

Katrina said "You'll see!" as she too grinned, and the trio walked out with Hagrid, where he took a very dusty plastic cover off of what appeared to be a large motorcycle.

Harry's eyes widened, and Katrina asked "How did you get Sirius's bike?"

Hagrid said "I's a long story, I'll tell ye another tim'." She nodded skeptically, and he hopped on the driver's seat of the bike, and pointed to the sidecar attached to it and said "Hop in! There's room for ye both, I know i's a bit small, but ye both shoul' fit."

Katrina got into the sidecar first, and there was barely enough room for Harry to squeeze in in front of her, thankfully he had always been a skinny boy just like his father was, and she had always been slim.

Hagrid handed helmets and goggles to each of them before putting his own on, and once he finished, he put his large hands on the handles of the bike, and asked "Ready?"

Katrina smiled and said "Ready when you are!" and Harry said "Yeah," somewhat nervously.

Hagrid said with a grin "Hold on tight, now!" and Katrina wrapped her arms around Harry, while Harry held onto the sides of the sidecar.

Hagrid started the bike, causing a loud thundering sound, and the vehicle shook violently as he moved the bike forward, and in a moment they found themselves flying through the air.

Hagrid's shaggy hair flew behind him, as did Katrina's brown wavy hair, and both exchanged excited grins. Harry had a grin of his own as he enjoyed the strong breeze flying in his face, and felt the rush of adrenaline as they flew up into the clouds.

About an hour and a half later, they arrived in a dark, damp alley. As he parked the motorcycle, they all got out and left their helmets and goggles there and Hagrid put the keys in his pocket.

Hagrid smiled at Harry as they all went inside what appeared to be a pub called the "Leaky Cauldron", and Katrina held Harry's hand as they followed Hagrid quickly through the bar, trying to remain unnoticed. They slipped out the back door to the pub, and when they reached a brick wall, Harry said "We're at a dead end!"

Katrina smiled as she said with a wink "Not if you know the right combination."

Harry looked puzzled, but then Hagrid pulled out a small pink umbrella from his overcoat, and used it to tap a certain combination on the bricks of the wall. Sure enough, the bricks folded themselves away much to Harry's amazement, and they saw a beautiful town ahead of them.

Hagrid said "Welcome te Diagon Alley!"

Katrina grinned, and said "This is where witches and wizards shop, kind of like the village we live near, except no Muggles can shop here."

Harry looked confused for a second as he asked "Muggles?" Hagrid answered "Non-magic folk," Harry understood, and nodded as he looked around.

Katrina's warm hazel eyes watched Harry as he looked in awe of the place, and she let go of his hand as she said "Take a good look around and see where you'd like to go first."

He nodded and walked quickly to look through the windows of the shops, while Katrina and Hagrid hurried to keep up with him.

Hagrid said "I's goin' te be a long day," as he chuckled, and Katrina smiled as she said "Probably, but it's worth it to see a smile on his face." Hagrid nodded in agreement, and they continued following Harry as he peered into window after window in awe.