CHAPTER 10
Author's Notes
I know it's been a while, but it's been a really messed up week at school. We had our Prefects' Induction and I was in the thick of things because I got my post as Head Girl. Anyways
On with the story!
:P
000
Harry dragged his feet to the washroom and looked at his face wearily. He had changed a lot from his counterpart in the earlier timeline. His hair hung down slightly longer than an average boy, and his face had a more chiseled, defined look having lost most of his baby fat. Blame the excessive training periods. Not to mention his lean body and heightened figure. But the thing that should never have been present on a child's face was the maturity of a person in his 20's.
He checked the time briefly and grinned wearily when he realized he had woken up at 5:00AM sharp without an alarm clock. The procedure had been drilled into him and it worked like clockwork.
It was the 31st of August and he really had to get a little last minute shopping done before term started, and who knew, he might even meet Hermione again. Spurred on by this thought he pulled on a cardigan and some jeans and made his way down the spiral staircase which led to the living room area.
The house he had made had taken an exceptionally long time and a lot of energy, but because of the expansion of his magical core courtesy of the founders, he had done the entire thing with little to no trouble.
It was a three story, expansive house where he had plenty of room and thanks to the Magic of… well Magic, roomier than it appeared to be. The bottom floor consisted of a living room, a dining room, a kitchen and a library (which he was sure Hermione would die over). The second floor had his bedroom, a visitor's room, bathroom and personal study (where he spent most of his time). And finally the basement which was really a training area, he had expanded the square feet until there was plenty of room for him to practice long range spells and other tactics, although he did prefer the outdoors when he was messing with the elements.
He looked around him once before slowly fading away to a shady corner in Diagon Alley. Without wasting much time he walked over to Flourish and Blotts because he had a sneaking suspicion that a bushy haired someone would be there if she had returned to Diagon Alley. It would have been convenient seeing as he only wanted to pick up some books and a trunk before being shipped off to Hogwarts.
When he entered the bookshop he quietly surveyed the room, walked past the shelves of books and constantly kept an eye out for his Hermione. But it didn't seem like she had come over today. Greatly disappointed Harry continued his inspection of the book racks.
The bookshop held many interesting books, but he already had most of them packed away in the library of his. Everything he had needed was in the small box he had gotten from his parent's vault.
FlashBack
The little box felt cool in his hands as he slowly turned it over to inspect the bottom of it. The box had no prominent opening, but with practiced ease Harry found the little nub cleverly hidden in one of the many grooves on the box. With a small press and twist, the top part of the box slid open revealing a set of tiny boxes packed neatly and methodically in it.
Reaching into it, he slowly and extremely carefully pulled out a single box and placed it on the floor. Raising his hand he slowly channeled a small amount of magic into the box, making it enlarge rapidly until it covered one entire wall of the large Library that he had put up in his new house.
Carelessly waving his hand, Harry expanded the room once again and began working on the next box. Continuing thus, he managed to fill his room with the oversized boxes. Then taking a deep breath Harry gently allowed tendrils of his magic to reach out and vanish the box, resulting in the material inside to finally be seen.
Twenty Five enormous and beautifully polished Mahogany cupboards stood in front of Harry, all filled with books and all sorted neatly into their respective categories. With a grin Harry set about making a directory, goodness knows he'll need one with the mass of books he had acquired.
"Thanks Mum and Dad," he murmured softly looking at the ancient bookshelves.
End Flash Back
Just as he was pausing over a particularly interesting topic, he heard the small bell at the door of the shop tinkle slightly, not really paying it much mind he began to read the introduction to the book, finding its description of hexes to be quite informative. Before he could get fully engrossed with the book he saw a pale blonde haired boy make his way down the rows of bookshelves, obviously searching for something. Harry's eyes widened slightly in recognition.
'Draco,'
The blonde boy didn't acknowledge him immediately as he pulled down a heavy book from the shelf and propped it open. Harry managed to catch a glimpse of the title.
'How To Counter Dark Curses and Ways to bewitch the mind'. Harry barely held in a snort. Typical Draco, going through dark books at the age of eleven. He had confided in Harry that he actually only kept up his prudish, arrogant ways to please his father.
Harry carefully placed his book back on the shelf and neutrally picked up another one. He had to admit that the book had caught his eye earlier, ' Malum Arbitus, Ennumerum Vulgate'. The book was obviously in Latin and roughly translated to- The Dark Arts, Detailed Version. It Was rather strange that a bookshop such as Flourish and Blotts had this type of Dark books just lying around, although…it did seem to be the only one in the shop.
His movement seemed to have caught Draco's interest as he turned to Harry cocking his head slightly to read the title of the book Harry had picked up. The boy seemed to debate with himself whether to talk to Harry or not, but it seemed that his curiosity finally won over because he cleared his throat slightly to get Harry's attention before asking cautiously,
"Do you read Latin?" Harry stared at him, bewildered that the boy had asked him that of all questions.
"Erm…yes," he said awkwardly. Holding up the book allowing Draco to get a closer look at it.
Draco squinted at the title before painfully pronouncing the words, when he was done running through the words in his head he looked over at Harry curiously.
"Malum Arbitus, it means 'The Dark Arts' right?" he questioned and Harry nodded mutely, wondering what had caused Draco to give him his full undivided attention.
"What's your name?" he asked suspiciously, when he noticed Harry looking at him wearily he quickly explained.
"It's just that you could be the son of one of my father's friends. Are you going to Hogwarts too?" Harry nodded again closing the book and moving to another aisle.
"I'm going to be in my first year of Hogwarts," he said slowly as he picked yet another tome from the shelf. Draco eyed him critically before commenting.
"You seem like a second year," he said matter-of-factly, "And you didn't tell me your name!"
Harry sighed, he was really hoping that he wouldn't have to reveal his name (or scar) to anyone until school began, but Draco seemed persistent. Harry decided to try another tactic.
"What's your name, then?" he countered as he flipped through the second book absently. Draco was silent awhile and Harry chanced a brief look at him only to see him frowning at the bookshelf.
"I'm Draco Malfoy. Heir to the Malfoy estate." he said imperially and turned his gaze back to Harry. Harry tilted his head slightly contemplating on the best course of action to ensure that Draco didn't become the snot nosed brat that he had been in the previous time-line.
"Now, you tell me your name. Why the need to avoid the question?" asked Draco rather forcefully and Harry raised an eyebrow at him and bit back a retort, this Draco was really getting on his nerves!
"I'm Harry Potter, if you must know," he said quietly, struggling to keep his voice neutral. There was a prolonged silence in the room, with only a quiet murmur now and then from the few other customers in the shop.
"You're the Harry Potter?" gaped Draco as he stared at Harry dumbfounded. Harry barely suppressed a chuckle before replying.
"Last time I checked there was only one. What's got you so riled up?" he asked knowing the answer perfectly well, but wondering how Draco's reaction would play out.
"You- I…I mean, your Harry Potter. The person who defeated the Dark Lord!" he said pointedly as he raised his finger to Harry's concealed scar.
'At least he didn't ask to see the ruddy scar,' thought Harry wearily as he placed a few more books into his hands, 'or the Dark book'. Trying his hardest to be optimistic, but given the situation it was no surprise that he was failing miserably.
"Yeah, I guess…" he said in a monotone, continuing to browse the shelves. Draco watched him quietly before moving towards him.
"Well, when it comes to friends, you'll find that some are better than oth-" he was cut off by Harry raising his hands defensively.
"Hey, don't get me wrong but I don't really know you, or anyone for that matter. How about we get to know each other at school?" without waiting for a reply, Harry quickly piled a few more books into his hands before walking down towards the cashier, wondering exactly how he was going to befriend Draco Malfoy when he was being such a bloody prat!
000
Harry exited the shop still a bit shocked and not too happy about his coincidental meeting with Draco Malfoy. He strolled down towards Knockturn Alley, making sure he was out of sight before once again charming his appearance to the youthful brown haired man.
He pushed past the crowds in the shabby place and quickly plotted out the shop that he was sure sold those valuable trunks. Of course, he could just make one himself, but it was a waste of time. And why make one when you could easily purchase one of higher quality?
He slipped into the shop and made his way to the counter, a woman with short cut blonde hair stood at the counter, chewing some 'droobles best blowing gum' and looking completely bored. Smiling charmingly Harry tapped his fingers on the desk, bringing her attention to him. She seemed startled to be popped out of her reverie but immediately focused on him with a small smile.
"Sorry about that, I happen to daydream a lot often," she said sheepishly, "What can I help you with?"
"Oh, that's fine…and I was wondering if you have some trunks around here. Mind you not the standard ones, I want one with as many enhancements as possible, including an expanding charm," he explained to her. The girl nodded and began walking over to a corner of the shop.
"Sure, we have lots of those," she said cheerfully, "Aurors and many dark wizards find them extremely handy," she continued as she reached over to drag a trunk into view.
"How about this one?" she questioned as she show rotated the trunk, "It has feather light charms, shrinking charms and even a powerful security system, and on the inside there are five compartments which can each be expanded magically, the maximum expanding limit should be about 300square feet," she paused for a moment, examining the trunk.
"It would be unwise to expand it more than that," she said thoughtfully. Finally she began unlocking the compartments, showing Harry each and every one.
"Yes, I think that has sufficient enhancements-how much is it?"
"Well, what do you think Godric?" asked Salazar, waving his hand absently, it was clear he was referring to Harry as they had just been watching a few of his actions in the past few weeks.
Godric looked extremely thoughtful as he fingered his small beard and pondered over the situation. He heard a disgruntled huff from Rowena and immediately turned to face his wife, wondering what she was annoyed about.
"Honestly! I don't think that males ever perceived the meaning of feelings!" she exclaimed as she turned to face Helga, who looked equally put out.
"What are you talking about, dear?" asked Godric wearily as Salazar sniggered ever so slightly. Rowena bristled.
"You do understand that Harry likes Hermione enough that he might be in love with her?" she asked haughtily and Godric nodded slowly confirming the fact that he did know of Harry's feelings towards the young witch.
"And you also know that she is a very bright girl?" continued Rowena stiffly, again Godric nodded being extremely cautious in his answers.
Rowena huffed slightly, "and do you know that she is a girl, and that a girl's feelings are extremely fragile?" she asked sternly. Beginning to see where she was getting at Godric nodded rather meekly.
"Well then, how do you think you're going to manage to conceal Harry's powers from her? How you're going to conceal Harry's training and everything from the girl who will be the closest to him?" she demanded hotly and Godric shrunk a little in his seat.
"But, Rowena- she…we can't-she can't know about us! No one other than an heir is allowed-"
"To be taught by us," completed Rowena as she stood up to walk over to her husband. Godric was frowning to himself.
"Are you implying that we bring her to the founder's abode and explain everything?" he asked quietly and Rowena nodded.
"And the sooner the better," she said placing her hands on her hips, "I would prefer if Harry told her about this as soon as they become close friends…because if he waits then she will most definitely feel hurt that he didn't trust her with the knowledge of such an important matter, especially if she develops a romantic interest towards him; which she undoubtedly will," she added as an afterthought.
Godric considered her words before turning to Salazar to see what he had to say in the matter who currently seemed deep in thought. He finally looked up, meeting Godric's eyes in an intense gaze.
"I think what Rowena says is most possibly, the best action that we can do. I say we tell Hermione about us…although we cannot teach her our ways," he said slowly and deliberately shifting his gaze every once in a while towards Rowena and Helga.
Godric sighed once and nodded, "So be it."
"Harry!"
Harry jerked awake immediately, his reflexes long since honed to perfection, he sprang out of bed and quickly twitched his hand, allowing his magic to seep out causing a dagger to materialize in his firm grip.
"Calm down you lunatic, it's me!" exclaimed Loran, as he hastily backed away from Harry. Harry's narrowed eyes slowly softened and he fell back onto the bed exhaustively.
"Good God, Loran! I wish you'd stop giving me a heart attack every time you show up," he said weakly, "And why are you here anyway?"
Loran pouted at him and responded with a mock- hurt filled voice, "Forgotten us already have you, Harry?"
Harry grinned at him, "Ah, you can't expect me to remember something as insignificant as you, now can you?" he asked with a small smirk. Loran put on his best hurt expression while Harry just watched in mild amusement.
"Alright, alright, let's continue this in the abode, shall we?" he asked slapping Harry on the back. Without waiting for a reply, he had faded from the house. Harry blinked slightly before standing up and pulling a dressing gown over himself, all the while grumbling about abrupt people.
After checking if Hedwig was alright and testing the wards he faded over to the abode and was immediately engulfed in a hug from Rowena.
"Gah! You're choking me!" he joked as she squeezed him. With a smile gracing her face, Rowena let go and he managed to draw in a breath before Helga followed Rowena's example and attempted to squeeze the life out of him.
When he had been sufficiently hugged enough (according to the women) he was enthusiastically greeted by Godric and Salazar before they all sat down.
"So why'd you want me up here?"
000
Author's Notes
I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I know that I promised to have the Kings Cross episode up by now…but I wanted to add this part for all those people wondering about how Hermione will meet the founders and stuff. Hope it clears some doubts that you guys have.
Thanks for all your support and the reviews. I really appreciate them.
Toothlessthegreat.