In the last two weeks there wasn't much other magical stuff or other unusual things everything was as normal as possible, aside from the fact that some of the girls find out that Harry was a real wizard they seemed to have coped with it very well and Zoe's suspicions started to also go away, she seemed to have forgotten about all the unnatural stuff that happened and Chloe even though he was keeping secret her new crash. The wizard started to observe the signs; wet hands, blushing and sometimes stuttering, but of course he didn't say anything. He thought that maybe everything will pass, eventually, in his mind.
He just received on his birthday the list for the new books he needs for Hogwarts, one amazing factor was that Bailey's birthday was 4 days after his and he gave as present to his cousin a pair of new riding boots, but not normal ones, they were made of dragon skin and were usually worn by wizards who ride Pegasus from the Lewis Alley; they were made to be comfortable for both the rider and the horse. On receiving such a present his cousin was left totally speechless, not finding the proper word to express him for some hours.
At his birthday Harry received from his friends a Broomstick service kit from Hermione, a pocket sneakoscop from Ron and from Hagrid a copy of The Monster Book of Monsters together with some cookies he have made. Will commented that it was like eating rocks when he heard about his cuisine he also added that Molly would have thrown them away since his father was a dentist and this was before his birthday. His birthday was more a simple one, aside from family and close ones there wasn't that much but even with that he was more than happy that he at last had a normal birthday party. During his cousin's birthday they couldn't take a better look at what he had received but the next day Will, Bailey and the girls aside from the twins that are busy somewhere else took they're time to look at what the wizard have received. And just like Will predicted Molly would throw the rock like cookies away.
"And they say that with this thing you could snick even a piano inside a house?" Asked Molly holding the pocket sneakoscop from Ron.
"I didn't had the time to try it but it might work, of course I would rather try with something smaller."
"It is very nice that your friends still communicate with you. On the other hand I can't imagine that we get to see stuff that we didn't think to even exist." Commented Sara looking in the Broomstick service kit.
"Much magic stuff might be interesting but not all of them are quit the best if I may say that." He said with arms crossed before seeing Alma turning to the Magical Book of Monsters that was tied up with a belt.
"And this is the 'manual' for one of the subjects you had chosen?" Alma asked.
"Oh yeah but I advise you to don't open it, when I tried it almost ate my hand." He said.
"Oh come on what kind of book does that?" Asked Noni.
"That one that is called Monster Book of Monsters. Believe me it was hard to tied the belt back." Commented Bailey still thinking what they had to do yesterday. Out of curiosity he wanted to see what was inside and to his shock the book opened his 'mouth' and it seemed to have chased him in the room, Will and Harry had to hold it in order for him to tie it back. After that experience he will never comment normal big books from now on, but magic ones that behave on themselves he will surely.
"Come on, no book can bite." Said Molly taking it in her hands thinking there was no danger since it looked like any other.
"Molly I really don't advise you to open it." Harry said with dread.
"Come on what could be the harm." She asked removing the belt before the book started to throw itself at her in the attempt to bite her, good thing that she was holding it away with all her strength before throwing it to the ground to start to follow everyone, the four girls took to the bed to not be the victims before Bailey threw himself at it to hold it close to the ground.
"Quickly tie the belt, tie the belt." He said before Harry moved to tie the book's belt before so it wouldn't start to chase them again.
"Wow now that one is a short tempered book." Said Molly.
"And now we know the reason why it is called 'La monstro carta de la monstros'" Alma commented she would have never imagined that there will be a book she would never want to read.
"How on Earth will you manage to use it during the class?"
"I really don't know and I really don't want to imagine how it will be. All of the students will have it."
"It will turn into a wizard-monster book battle. Hope that your teacher will know how to tame it." Said Noni getting back on her feet.
"I want the same thing and I wish to know what kind of teacher we will have this year at Defense against the dark arts." Said the wizard.
"Hopefully not one like, Lockhart although I am more concerned about the one at Care for Magical Creatures since of what kind of book you received." Sara commented making the wizard to get thoughtful it was true that he was expecting someone that might not be a person that people would like or what kind of creatures they will have to take care of.
"I believe I must wait and see."
"Beyond that watch out for that criminal; Sirius Black, although we are not so convinced he might be a wizard but he surely is not between the good ones for sure." Said Noni.
"If he is it will be impossible to enter Hogwarts since Professor Dumbledore is one of the most powerful wizards in the world he will surely take all the measures against him."
"I would rather still hope that he is a non-wizard in this way he will not even know where the castle is and will not manage to enter with all the ghosts you told us about." Said Sara.
"Say that again." Commented Bailey remembering his experience in Louisiana.
"I still can't imagine how you cope to be surrounded by ghosts." Exclaimed Noni, she and the others after they were told about the many ghosts at his school they simply couldn't imagine how they go so well with them, it wasn't so much the idea that there were ghosts at his school but the fact that there were so many.
"We get used to them after a short period of time if they aren't like Peeves." Harry commented.
"Who is Peeves?" Asked Alma.
"He is a poltergeist at Hogwarts he likes to create trouble and chaos around him; he in many cases considers that annoying people is fun. He doesn't listen to the teachers or the prefects; the only one whom he listens and is afraid is the ghost of the Slytherin house; the Bloody Baron whom is not quit the nicest of them."
"And let me guess he is the scariest looking of all of them." Commented Bailey feeling ice like chills on his back.
"Correct." He said knowing Bailey's not so big liking for ghosts.
"In any case let's hope there wouldn't be any more nasty adventures for you, especially monstros." Commented Alma.
"And for real; trolls, basilisk, devil's snare, giant spiders, it's not quit the things someone should encounter." Commented the blond boy.
"Let's hope it will be that way although it is the wizard world I could expect any unusual things."
"Still, Will is right, that kind of stuff is one thing to be only legend or be made for a movie but to find out they are real. It's really a shock to many." Commented Sara.
"And I believe all of you think that, it is shocking, right?"
"True, for us there is one thing to see this kind of stuff in movies or to know they are myths and legends, but find out that they really do exist is something totally shocking." Molly exclaimed.
"Hope that at the Care for Magical Creatures you will have something more…." Said Noni.
"Lenient?"
"Si like a unicorn for example." Said Alma smiling.
"I should see when I return if there are unicorns around Horseland." Said Harry with a smirk.
"If you do that when you are here, call us, seeing real unicorns might be the chance of a lifetime." Commented Sara dreamingly.
"And hopefully there wouldn't be any kind of evil wizard, once in the first year I found a dead unicorn in the forbidden forest." He commented now shocking the girls to the core.
"Why on Earth would someone kill a unicorn?!" Asked Molly shocked.
"Unicorn blood has the property of keeping someone alive even if you are an inch from death, however it is hideous crime to kill something so pure and defenseless. Your life is sustained at a price anyone who drinks it will have a half life a cursed one on the moment it touches the lips."
"Now this is really troubling." Commented Bailey.
"And yet surely there is no one as mad as to do this kind of stuff."
"Unless that person is not You-Know-Who that wanted You-Know-What." Added Will knowing the adventure from the first year the part with the unicorn was somehow creepy for both him and Bailey.
"By the way hope that this year he will leave you alone." He said turning to his wizard cousin.
"Will, with great honesty I want that as well." He said.
"You say that only for Voldemort or for your fans as well Lord of Magic." Said Bailey teasing him.
"Bailey!" He commented wanting to scuffle him, he mentioned of course how his parents died to the girls but not the part that he was the Boy who Lived or the fact that he comes from a Nobel wizard family he hoped that at least the last part they will believe to be just a joke.
"Fans?" Asked Alma now puzzled.
"Lord of Magic?" Asked Molly.
"It was only a joke not so much to say." Bailey said trying to not raise any more questions with what he did but the girls weren't that easy fool.
"You know that we can now expect everything unusual especially if there is a wizard in the room that is officially your cousin." Commented Sara and he is now defeated.
"Ahh, after my parents were killed by Voldemort he wanted to kill me. But when his spell backfired and hit him many thought he was gone for good and over night I find out that I am called the Boy Who Lived." He said now monotonous, he never knows why Bailey sometimes wanted to embarrass him.
"A wizard and a celebrity at the same time, Good thing Chloe and Zoe are not here today." Said Sara either amazed or shocked while Molly had her mouth wide open while Noni and Alma only had a look of shock.
"And the fact of Lord of Magic we don't want to give more detail." Said Bailey.
"Only a nick name." Said Alma.
"Only a nick name." Said Will all three not wanting to shock the girls more than they are.
"Good because if this is a title he has, some of us will surely faint." Said Molly trying to process the information of Horseland has now both a wizard and a hero at the same time, although it might bring magical riders or whatever to Horseland.
"You? Or the girls that are not present?" Commented the wizard.
"We don't encounter every day a boy that is both a wizard, a hero that defeated a mad wizard and a noble at the same time."
"You almost seem like Collins although he and Ginny declared themselves the biggest fans of the Boy who lived. Although maybe some others might be crazy to idolize me and take pictures then be shocked." He said remembering how things were during the year before the boy was petrified.
"And I'm glad I am not a witch now." She said joking.
"This was one of the things I liked this summer. To not be forced to give autographs to crazy fans and so on."
"Did the wizards at Hogwarts ask you to give autographs?" Asked Noni.
"More rather Mr. Lockhart put me to sign the letters he received from fans and Collins even asked for autographs, it really is a tedious work. The best thing I could have wished now will be only for them to stay quit." He said.
"It is not a hundred per cent probability for this to happen." Commented the Hispanic girl.
"I will expect the worst that could happen, no matter what."
At the stalls the horses and the other animals were having several chats regarding what was happening with they're owners of course they all know that they have found out about the magic secret of the new rider, not to mention the fact that some of them even said that if the wizard returns to Hogwarts they don't know if he will even return. Considering what were his little 'adventures' that they heard from they're owl friend.
"I wonder what kind of adventure he will have this year." Asked Aztec.
"Hope one that doesn't involve monsters that could put his life in danger." Commented Calypso.
"Can't agree more, the one with the giant snake was totally creepy." Commented Button.
"Good thing that the basilisk is now dead." Commented the owl.
"Maybe and now who knows what will come out this time; something that bites scratches or cut someone in two?" Asked Pepper, thing that frightens the black mustang.
"Oh, let's not be so pessimistic about what might happen, school hasn't even started yet." Said Shep trying to calm down the now nervous horse concerned for his rider.
"Easy for someone who didn't go to a magic school alongside his owner." Teased Angora, cleaning herself.
"What I'm saying is just because there were once a giant creature under the school or an evil wizard those two years it doesn't mean it will be the same this time." Said the Coolie in his strong Scottish accent, the cat however didn't wanting to give up turned to the owl that was standing on the pole.
"Let's ask then the expert." She said before calling Hedwig.
"Hey Hedwig, do you think something will come out this year?" She called but the owl noticed the coolie's look to don't say anything negative while pointing to Merlin, Cubby and Teeny one with great concern and the other with great fear.
"We shall see what will happen." She said making the elderly dog to breathe easily.
"But if there is something don't worry I will tell you all with the first mail delivery. After he and I leave in the next 10 days to prepare for the school year." Said the owl before hearing the others coming to the stalls.
"If you will leave after 10 days let's at least ride while you can before school starts, it is of course too bad that you will not be able to come to take care of Merlin during the year." Said Sara.
"I know that, and I shall take the time that I still have to ride. Before having to leave, good thing that I managed to finish my homeworks at least, and to think that I did this at first mainly to remind myself what I have done during last year no knowing that I will go to Hogwarts again."
"A good way to remember what you have done and to spend time while you don't have much to do and before the coming of the dog days. Right?" Commented Bailey while preparing the saddle for Aztec.
"However I do admit that I didn't want to make the homework for last year Defense against the Dark Arts." He said while preparing his own black emerald green saddle.
"Why not?" Asked Molly confused before he reached for his left pocket of his trousers to give her with a tedious look a piece of parchment to read it.
"Write a poem about how Gilderoy Lockhart defeated a Werewolf?" She with an unbeliever look before the others looked at the parchment.
"This is what he had given you as homework?" Asked Noni.
"He told us, everything Mr. Lockhart gave to them as homework only regarding himself." Said Will before the wizard took another piece of parchment from his opposite pocket; the look on his face was something like; why he had kept it. Hopefully it wasn't the valentine.
"And this." He said with a smirk of amusement. "is the first test he gave us." He handed it to Sara and what was there made her to look at him in disbelief.
"You can't be serious all the questions here are only about himself!" She commented before the other girls looked at it.
"This is what we were supposed to write from what we read in his books."
"I guess this year instead of DADA you had the Cult of Personality of Mr. Lockhart." Joked Molly.
"Yeah it was more this kind of stuff." He said with a small laugh.
"Well I don't think anyone got any good marks out of it." Laughed Alma but the wizard made a more awkward look.
"Don't tell us someone….." Nani commented.
"My friend Hermione got the highest marks." He said awkwardly.
"She did it for the marks I hope. Not even an airhead will answer at those things." Commented Bailey.
"For me Defense against the Dark Arts was a pure taboo last year." He said before preparing the saddle and getting the parchment with the test back.
"Well I would not do a homework like this, not even if the teacher gives a –F." Molly commented.
"It will not be of importance anymore since Mr. Lockhart got a magic accident in the Chamber of Secrets and got himself in a magic hospital for magical maladies." Said Harry.
"Let's hope this year you will get a somehow normal teacher who will do the subject instead of turning it into something that will teach you about his personality." Commented Will before getting his own saddle prepared.
"I hope."
The other days that followed were only filled with simple activities and training sessions but beyond that there were several other evens to take notice like Alma's birthday that was hold at Horseland and Harry gave her a Book regarding locations where magical creatures could be. Surprisingly Horseland was on the list of Unicorn and Pegasus migrations that come every year in July. As well as receiving a letter from Ron together with a moving picture of him and his family in Egypt telling him when he will return to Britain. As well as a day of trying to preparing himself for the journey that will surely not be very pleasant.
He was now prepared with everything for the journey, all thing that might fit in a trolley at the train station including his trunk was in his Backpack. He told himself that maybe in the magic backpack received from McGonagall he could fit all the things in both his and his cousin's rooms if not more.
"I will try to come back boy. Don't worry." He said patting Merlin but the black stallion was all worried for his master. He was hoping that he will return safely from this while the wizard was hoping to have been a way to visit him more often. Bailey was near him to both consulate and assure him that they will take care of him. With great reluctance and with his heart to his teeth he had to say.
"It's time cousin. And don't worry we will take care of Merlin." He said but the wizard was more with the head to the ground then looking at him with hope before both them walked back to the house, Merlin having deep thought about this.
"I hope you will return soon and safely." He said with sadness looking down while Scarlet and the others were looking at him with deep concern.
"You know Merlin we would feel the same if our owners had to do this almost every time and not be able to see them." Said Aztec.
"Maybe but your owners don't have to go to a Magic School across the Ocean."
"Don't blame him or yourself. If those wizards would take care of horses or at least have a way for him to visit you often or been able to get you there would be better." Commented Pepper although she doesn't have him much at heart it wasn't fair for both of them to not be able to see each other imagining that it might be the same for her if Zoe had to do this trip not knowing if she would come back.
"Pepper is right don't blame Harry for this." Said Scarlet.
"I'm not blaming him for anything." He said turning his head down.
"I just hopped thing could have turned much more differently."
Now in front of the fireplace he was waiting for the rocket like journey to Britain. This thought was giving him both headaches as well as a knock in his stomach and many other things.
"You know the girls told us that this way of travelling will surely be terrifying." Said Will holding the small bag of floo-powder, thinking that how on earth could wizard use such a way of travelling especially that they read about the fact that sometimes wizards do travel in this way across the ocean. One thing is for sure they will not want to know how this will be. Especially that Harry's backpack was more rather tight to him very hard with rope. This wasn't quit the best way of travelling especially at 10:30 in the evening.
"Do I have any choice?" He said to himself placing himself in the fireplace having dread in his mind not noticing that Shep, Teeny, Angora and Cubby were watching from the window.
"This will not end good at all." Said the pig.
"This should be the cruelest way of traveling. Why he doesn't use his broom." Commented the puppy.
"That would have been better." Commented the coolie.
"Let's hope that he arrives safely back and forth at least." Said Angora licking herself but still in deep thought.
"Ahhh, Wish me luck. I will send a letter after I arrive." Harry said with heavy heart taking one hand of floo-powder and went in the chimney. Both Will, Bailey, Ava and John had their fingers crossed to arrive and come back safely.
"Europe, British Isles, England, London, Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley." He said and threw the powder in the chimney before a great green fire went out for 2 seconds before it disappeared. Shocking everyone.
"Well it wasn't quit the best departure if there is something to comment." Bailey said before Will tied up the small bag.
"I pray to God that at least he will arrive safely." Said Ava holding her head trying to forget this, she does admit that magic was sometimes a real pain in the neck. The animals also witnessed this and aside from the shock they turned to the sky.
"Huuh, I believe that I will never get used to this thing." Commented the elderly dog.
"Me neither." Said Teeny hoping that he will arrive safely.
Harry arrived at an estimated 4:30 in the morning, good thing that he didn't caught this time to get to Knockturn alley or somewhere else. He arrived at the Leaky Cauldron or more rather to say crash himself to the floor without much problem. He might never get use to this. What was more amazing was the fact that the owner of it was wide awake and went to greet him warmly.
"Ahh, Mr. Harry Potter I hope the trip went well?"
"In a way better then the first time." He said turning to the old and quit bald innkeeper. But then he noticed something, he seemed happier than ever to meet him.
"Wait!? Do you know that during the summer I am living in the US?" He asked confused.
"Well….." He paused trying to formulate a good answer to this thing.
"It was written all over the first page in the Dailey Prophet when the news of the agreement got out."
"Can you do me a favor and not tell many people about this. Aside, maybe from Hagrid, Ron and Hermione when they come here?" He said to him in a nervous tone giving to him a galleon from his pocket.
"It will not be necessary for me to tell others. When others will see you they will try to get to you like bees to the honey." He said taking the gold coin.
"By the way there is someone waiting for you upstairs."
"Who is it?" The boy asked.
"Maybe you should see for yourself." He said leading him upstairs right to room 11. Inside there was a man in a robe standing at the window behind a table where the feather was writing on its own in a notebook.
"Sometimes Mr. Potter you have to admit that some of those Yanks do know how to negotiate hard but in the end they do get convinced when it comes to educational purposes for wizards." He said turning to him smiling.
"Although, when it comes to be an ocean away, isn't so bad when it comes personal safety." Said the man who was actually the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge.
"What do you mean by that minister?"
"Well we got a killer on the loose. Haven't heard of him?"
"Sirius Black you mean? My cousins think that he is a non-wizard like them." He said not wanting to use the word Muggle on his family.
"Well this is even better." He said catching the young wizard to look at him with suspicion.
"Don't get me wrong Harry. We don't want to kidnap you and force you to stay here without your consent or anything but it is best for your family to don't know much about Sirius Black in this way they will not have to worry so much. They do surely have enough with what they are doing already. By the way what do they do exactly?"
"They have an equestrian riding school sir. They take care and teach others to ride horses."
"I guess it must be enjoyable. Although it doesn't compare to riding a Pegasus that can fly."
"Sir, I am pretty satisfied with the horse I got this summer from my cousins and my uncle and aunt. It's too bad that I can't visit him every day like the others do and probably he will have to bear God know how many children that come to Horseland for they're birthday." Harry said thinking now of the many children with sticky hands from sweets Merlin will have to carry. He doesn't know what to believe regarding how Sara's horse Scarlet is feeling about this or the others together with the owners.
"Well unfortunately Harry no one can have anything. Believe me that even I will be concern the same way as you are if the horse was mine. But don't worries when summer comes you will see him in a good health. And if you do have the talent of your mother regarding them then you should start going to competitions really soon." The minister said.
"After two week of re practicing everything, maybe." he murmured to himself.
"Well now you should maybe go to sleep. Tom will see to you room." Said the Minister of Magic and the Innkeeper took him by the shoulder to his room, once in there he opened his backpack and get Hedwig out before placing her near the window.
"Sorry for the unpleasant ride." He said to the owl.
"Don't worry, it wasn't like the event with the flying car at least." She said even thou he couldn't understand her. She noticed however his owner turning to the window with the view of the city of London.
"Well here I am back again. Let's hope it will not be too unpleasant." He said to himself although thinking again about this the fans shouldn't be a problem, in a way.