Chapter 12: Making Plans
After availing himself of the downstairs bath, clean and pajama'd, Harry climbed the stairs to his second floor bedroom. The room had originally been a catch all room, full of discarded and forgotten items. Harry felt much better about turning this room into his own, not wanting to sleep in a room that had belonged to another occupant - especially the one that had housed Buckbeek for a time.
The room now held a double bed, chest and dresser and two bedside tables, all made of knotty pine in a warm honey finish. The walls were painted a blue green that leant a cheerful feel to the whole room.
Harry went to his closet thinking that was the best place to store Rus' wand, and after placing the box on the uppermost shelf, he turned and spotted his steamer trunk. Harry pulled the trunk out and sat on the end of his bed.
He would not admit it to anyone, not even Kreacher, but he missed Hogwarts. It had been his home for so long, the only place he felt a measure of happiness. Nostalgia prompting him, Harry opened the trunk.
Inside was a mess of books and parchment, quills and ink. He smiled at some and grimaced at others. Then he had a thought. Maybe it would be a good idea to give these books to Rus, to read over and get a feel for the magical world. Harry rooted around until he found his battered copy of History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot. That was a good start. Harry made a mental note to ask Hermione if she had the rest of the first year books.
Harry placed the book on his bedside table, closed the trunk and returned it to the closet. Ha climbed into bed and, sitting his glasses aside, began to make plans. First he would need to get Rus a cauldron. That would be easy. He could get everything he needed from Diagon Alley, just as he did all those years ago when he himself began learning magic.
He could set aside an area in the kitchen, away from anything flammable, for Rus to practice. Harry felt like everything was coming together. He drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face.
The next day, Saturday, dawned bright with a chill in the air. Harry made his way to the downtown area in search of a mobile phone. Finding a Verizon store, Harry walked in and looked at the phones they had available. He knew enough about cell phones from Hermione to avoid a long term contract. Harry was looking for a pay as you go phone.
Harry found a phone for a reasonable price and purchased a card with the largest amount of minutes available. He thanked the salesgirl and went in search of somewhere to charge the blame thing.
Surprisingly Harry found himself standing in front of #4 Privet Drive. He knocked and waited. This time the door was opened by Dudley, who, judging by the look on his face, would not have been more surprised if Santa were waiting on the threshold.
Dudley invited Harry inside, informing him that his parents were out and not expected back until later in the evening. Harry released some of the tension he'd not been aware he held.
Harry told Dudley about the new cell phone and asked him if it were alright for Harry to charge the phone here. Dudley consented and asked Harry if he were hungry. Same old Dudley, he never missed a meal, but this was the first time he's ever asked Harry to join him.
Aunt Petunia's kitchen was as spotless as usual. Dudley took sandwich fixings out of the refrigerator and he and Harry assembled their sandwiches, grabbed a soda and sat down to a companionable lunch.
A few minutes into the meal, Dudley struck up a conversation. He asked how Harry had been and if he liked where he was living now. Harry replied that all was well and yes, he did like where he lived, even if it was a bit inconvenient not having electricity now that he had a cell phone that needed charging.
Dudley found the idea of living without electricity humorous and asked Harry why witches and wizards did without a lot of modern conveniences. Harry did his best to explain. This led to more questions and before Harry knew it, he and Dudley had spent the better part of two hours discussing the wizarding world.
"Harry, you know, I was a prat all those years. Well, you just made it so easy for me, being scrawny and all. No, don't get riled. What I'm trying to say is - I know you saved my life. I know if we hadn't done what you said all of us would be dead. You didn't have to do that. After the way we treated you, you could have just left and not looked back. So I'm saying thank you."
Harry thought of number of ways he could respond, some of them not so nice. Instead he accepted Dudley's apology thinking maybe, just maybe, Dudley might turn out alright after all.