Harry and Kingsley met on Tuesday as planned. After about an hour and a half of discussing the details of the fund for families, they had agreed on an amount. Kingsley suggested an offering method so that families can choose to accept or deny the donation. Harry improved greatly after Ethan had left, and Wyatt graduated from the program the week after. He now focused completely on his goals. After maintaining the green level for over two weeks, the appointment was made for Kingsley to return over the weekend. Mr. Birch had prepared him for the event, mainly due to the fact he was returning to a place where everyone knew who he was, and what that may look like.
Harry waited in his dorm excitedly, watching his dormmates play Speed. Any minute now he was going to be sent up to the lobby where Kingsley will be waiting. Danny huffed dramatically every time he glanced at Harry's happy face.
"You better get me something when you leave," he demanded. "Pack of cigarettes, food, whatever, you hear?"
Harry rolled his eyes and grinned. "Stop telling me what to do."
"Just asking for a souvenir."
Brian gave the man a smirk. "Just give up being awful at following directions and you could go out and buy all the cigarettes you want."
"Hey!" Danny exclaimed. "I have been a green for almost a week, thank you!"
"Yeah, and you've been here forever." Brian looked at Harry. "How long have you been here now?"
He thought a moment. "Almost four months, I guess. I was court ordered for six." Harry felt a burst of excitement after he realized it...he only had about two more months! His court date was near the end of his last month to determine if he required more care or to be released on probation. At this rate, he was heading in the right direction.
Danny threw his cards down after a pitiful loss to Brian. "Yeah, I've gotten to the point where I think I can focus on actually doing what I'm supposed to. My advocate said if I don't improve I'm likely to get six months in jail. Better stick to it and just be sent back home to complete the process all over again."
Harry's heart sank. He truly felt terrible for Danny not having any other options, after explaining that the temporary housing was full of drugs anyhow. Brian gathered the cards up and tried to encourage him.
"Tell you what, mate, I get out when Harry does...hopefully...I can open my place to you. Parents are getting me a flat and I will need help paying the rent."
"Mhm." Danny shrugged. Harry could see that he was thinking about it.
The weekend staff's radio went off, and Harry could hear his name from the speaker. He jumped up from his seat in anticipation.
"See you, mate," Danny called. "And don't forget my present!"
Harry could have skipped to the door he was so happy. Not only had Kingsley come, but the entire Weasley family and Hermione. Ginny ran to embrace him.
"I assumed you would care for some support during our trip to Gringotts." Kingsley winked.
Mrs. Weasley beamed with happiness as she tried to wipe her tears. "Oh, dear, you are looking lovely!" He allowed her to squeeze the life out of him. His heart filled for the woman who he always saw as his mother.
"How are we getting there?" He asked as they left the building, eager about seeing other places than the courtyard.
"Portkey." Kingsley answered, fumbling inside his Muggle jacket for something. He pulled out a decent sized rock that oddly appeared to be the one from the landscaping of Dartford. After setting it on the ground and setting the enchantment, the man counted to three. Harry reached forward as he and his friends warped instantly to London. He fell face first into the dirt of an alley. Ron apparently had done the same thing.
"Argh, my nose!"
Harry laughed, standing up and brushing the dirt off his jeans. Ron held his face, checking to see if blood was oozing out of his nose.
"Everyone good, yes?" Kingsley called. Every one else landed on their two feet. Ginny instantly moved towards Harry and grabbed his hand.
"Lead on, Minister," Mr. Weasley smiled. "After you."
They exited the alley and Harry saw the Leaky Cauldron almost immediately. He had prepared for the attention he was going to receive coming back into the Wizarding world, but he realized at once that it was going to take every coping skill to endure it. The moment they entered the establishment, the heads turned. Knowing eyes widened and Harry felt his body stiffen with anxiety. Ginny squeezed his hand.
"Good day, Tom" Kingsley chimed. "Great to see you!"
"The same to you, Minister." Tom managed to say, watching Harry intently.
Acting as if he saw no one, Harry followed the man towards to entrance to Diagon Alley. One down, a whole crowd left to go. His face must have been giving his emotions away, for Kingsley had paused before opening the wall. "We are all here to help, Harry. Have no worries."
He nodded, starting to feel a bit of heat through his body.
Diagon Alley was as amazing as it had been the first day he laid eyes upon the whimsical buildings and flurry of witches and wizards. Business was much more casual than the summers before Hogwarts, and the most he could see of people were near Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour and outside the Apothecary. Harry felt safe walking in the middle of the group, and he allowed the positive memories of buying his school supplies overrun the negative. He could see Gringotts at the end of the road, repaired after its dragon had burst through the walls. Kingsley had claimed that the goblins forgave the incident after the item stolen took part in the fall of Voldemort. Witches and wizards passed, nodding a hello to the Minister. Harry felt uncomfortable when their smile faded to an expression of shock as their eyes fell upon him.
"Is that Harry Potter?"
"Surely it is!"
"He's been out of sight for months!"
Harry was unsure if they were seeing him as the person who defeated the Dark Lord, or the cause of the war entirely. "As long as they don't threaten me, I'm fine." he managed to say to himself. Ginny was still at his side.
Kingsley opened the door of the bank, and Harry almost rushed in, trying to get away from the eyes behind him in Diagon Alley. He almost wished he was on the other side the minute his eyes locked onto the goblins. At once, they all silenced their quills across the parchment, and every eye was gleaming in their direction. Harry could see a scowl grow deeper in the goblin at the end of the hall. Apparently they were not as forgiving as Kingsley had made them out to be.
"Good day!" said Kingsley, ignoring the glares. He led the group briskly across the hall, and Harry saw the creature's eyebrows furrow further and further down each step they advanced.
"Ah, yes, how could I have forgotten you would be arriving? Perhaps I did not hear the crumbling of the roof above my head."
"Nonsense! Allegiances and relationships are being amended. I trust your dragon is safely secured once more?"
"Oh, yes, I fall into a fit of laughter imagining the poor Ministry sods attempting to wrangle it." The goblin did not appear to express any joy as he stated this. Kinglsey waved his hand, as if to move the conversation along. Harry watched as the man withdrew a parchment from his robes and place it in front of the goblin.
"Review the terms, as discussed in our last conversation, sir. All funds should be in order."
Carefully, the creature skimmed the contents and compared the numbers to a scrawl on a page elsewhere. "Indeed. Carry on then, Potter. Your restitution will be done as soon as your signature is made. Take the quill."
Mrs. Weasley huffed from behind him. "This is not about restitution! He did nothing wrong!" Arthur attempted to hush his wife.
"Call it what you wish. Sign the document."
Harry managed to breathe. He was not quite sure if he had been doing so the entire time he stood before the goblin. He stole a quick glance at Kingsley, who nodded in encouragement. Ginny's hand fell from his and he allowed his eyes to follow the words he attempted to read. An emotion he had not experienced in a long while came to him almost in an instant, and the weight of it nearly broke him down. Even as Harry took the quill in his hands and forced a signature, he was unsure of what was wrong. Or was it truly wrong at all? One of his formidable walls were falling down, and it was as if the pounding were audible. The pressure in his heart was heavy at first, yet in an instant the fear had dissipated. Harry could only compare it to finding a light at the end of a long tunnel, or reaching a point where the forest meets the water. He had finally achieved relief, closure, peace, whatever the word for it was. Harry set the quill back onto the desk without a tremor, and with a loud clunk of the seal, the promise was set.
"Well done, Harry." The Minister stated proudly.
The goblin waved them off. "If that is all, this concludes our discourse for today, and I trust that the Ministry will do their do diligence and offer this opportunity as soon as possible?"
"Yes, the matter will be published in the next Daily Prophet."
"Then good day, and goodbye."
Harry couldn't have left the bank any faster. In a rush they exited the doors and almost as one, they breathed a laugh and beamed.
"Did you see the look on that thing's face?" Ron exclaimed.
"That was so nerve wracking!" Hermione said, giggling to Ginny.
Kingsley turned to Harry and took in his demeanor. He was pleased to see a small smile on the boy's face. "What do you say, Harry, a trip to the ice cream shop, you think? A well earned treat is in order."
Mrs. Weasley jumped in excitement. "We're buying! I don't want to hear any 'buts'."
Mr. Weasley grew concerned and very confused. "We are?"
Molly gave him a willful expression and the man averted his eyes immediately.
Harry embraced her warmly. "Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. I appreciate all of you for being here."
Ron squeezed his shoulder. "What else do I have to do anyway?"
"Ron!" his mother gasped.
Harry only smirked. "Snoring, I'm sure."
Ginny placed her hand behind his back as the group rounded the corner to the shop. Harry felt the anxiety of the shocked stares begin to fade slowly, and he wrapped Ginny by the shoulders so she would fall into him. For once he felt almost normal.
After ice cream and visiting George at his shop, his day pass was nearing its end. He finished as many of the candy George gave him before returning, which left his hair streaking all sorts of brilliant colors. Ginny told him he looked ravishing, and he was certainly glad that her family weren't listening. He began to sense silent conversations were happening through his friends' eyes most of the visit at Diagon Alley. He was not sure what it was all about, and no one was saying a word. It was not until their adventure left them at the end of the alley did he piece it all together. Ollivander's shop remained as it always had. The group held silent, and Harry was forced to look to the Minister for answers.
"You understand what we are asking, yes?" the man asked. Harry only nodded. "Naturally, the decision is yours, and the reasons are obvious to you. None of us will add any input."
Harry stood, sagging slightly as he faced the shop. Smooth, dark and detailed wands spun slowly on display in the windows. He remembered his own. The brother of a far more sinister wand. He admitted that he longed for the feeling of having one in his hands, yet he truly only saw it as a weapon. Mr. Birch would have a way to break this idea, and he realized this, but at this moment, the man was not there. The decision was his.
"I only see them as a way to harm and a way to protect myself," he mumbled. "I can't seem to get that out of my head."
Ginny attempted to speak but Kingsley held out his hand. This was his decision.
"I guess I can…" he paused. "I can talk to Mr. Birch to see how I can change that. Maybe then I can see myself using it again."
"Will you speak to Mr. Ollivander?"
After much hesitation, Harry managed a nod. He ignored the sighs of relief and entered the building, hearing the bell sing above the doorframe. Within the chaos of cobwebs and musty air, he could hear the man tinkering from behind a shelf. Harry had not seen the man since their imprisonment.
"Ollivander, we have come to purchase!" Kingsley called. The shuffling stopped. Harry could see him turning and wobble in their direction, and his face flushed when realization spread across the old man's face.
"Mr. Potter...I had wondered about you."
Harry smiled gently but said nothing.
"You wish to at last replace your wand?"
"Yes."
"Then it shall be done." Ollivander moved quickly to the end of the first row. Bending slightly, he fumbled about in concentration. He was incredibly meticulous. Feeling nervous, he reached for Ginny, not caring anymore about how her family saw them.
Ollivander presented a plain box and opened it gently. Inside was a dark brown wand with a knotted grip. "Willow, 10 inches and Phoenix feather. This is your wand, Potter. There is no mistake."
Harry detached himself for a moment in order to compel his arm to take the wand. Nothing of its appearance reminded him of his enemies, and he took hold of it with renewed curiosity. There was a brief moment of silence, then a sudden whoosh of magic. Harry, almost flinching, was startled at the intense use of magic he had not felt in months.
Ollivander smiled warmly. "The wand is yours."
Harry held the wand, studying its features. Lost in thought, he realized something. "Sir, I didn't get any money from my vault!"
Kingsley made a move towards his pocket, but Ollivander raised a steady hand. "When I say the wand is yours, Potter, I had meant it."
Harry was shocked. "You're letting me have this?"
"Let's say, a gift for help long ago. In times of great peril."
He almost lost his vision with the tears swimming in his eyes. Harry shook the man's hand and held his wand with care.
"I hope to see you around, Potter. More than what we have seen, yes?"
Harry forced a smile, and the group turned to leave. Mrs. Weasley immediately embraced him. "Oh, darling!"
"Oy, stop smothering him, Mum!" Ron moaned.
They bickered for a moment, and Harry saw Kingsley turn to his pocket watch.
"Is it time to go?"
"Yes, unfortunately, our time is short. I would say your goodbyes and we will meet again."
Ginny held her head against his chest, and despite Ron's ears changing different shades of red, he held her tightly.
"Be good, will you?" Hermione said, tearing up. "Keep that green so we can do this again."
"I will."
Ginny kissed his cheek as the Weasley's and Hermione followed them out through the Leaky Cauldron. In a flash they had gone through the Floo Network, and all who was left was Kingsley.
"Here is our portkey. Are you ready?"
Harry held his boxed wand tightly and nodded, and in a swirling, sharp pull, he found himself just outside Dartford's campus. Kingsley straightened up his Muggle attire and led him towards the door to sign him in. Harry suddenly made another decision.
"Kingsley, wait!"
The man halted in concern. "Yes, Harry?"
He held out his wand to the Minister. "Please, take it. I don't want it here."
The man became alarmed. "Harry, this is a means of protection for you. The wand belongs to you."
He could see Aaron behind the glass, ready to meet at the desk. It only caused him more anxiety. "Sir, please! If I have this I am going to leave again. I just know that once I get the chance I'll go back and do everything that sent me here in the first place. I can't afford to do that. I don't want to fail anymore."
Kingsley acknowledged Aaron as well, but his focus was intently in Harry's eyes. "This is your only reason?"
"Yes. I mean, I know it seems I am doing great, but that is an everyday struggle. Give me the opportunity and I know progress will be gone. I don't want to run any longer."
The confusion and frustration Harry had seen were gone. Instead, the man appeared pleased. "You do not give yourself enough credit, Harry. Your improvement has been very strong, and I honor you for that. I will keep your wand. It will be waiting for you when you return."
Harry smiled and let the man take the box. Aaron waved from the door and opened it for them. He was obviously attempting to rush the farewell and Harry realized it was almost time to eat dinner.
"I will see you very soon. Good luck!"
"Goodbye, sir."
Aaron greeted him with a smile. "Successful pass?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, I hope I get to do that again."
"You will, don't worry about it. Everyone is ready for dinner and your dorm was already called. Let's get you some food."
Honestly, Harry was not feeling hungry at all after the ice cream and loads of sweets. He almost felt ill from the lot of it.
"What did you do on your afternoon out?"
He shrugged. "Oh, you know...went to hang out at our usual places. Got to see old friends."
"Good ones, right?"
Harry grinned. "The best ones."
He did not manage to see Mr. Birch that night, but Danny made sure to see him as soon as possible. With salad in his mouth, he demanded his gift.
"So, what did you get me?"
Harry felt dumb. "Oh, sorry. I completely forgot."
"WHAT? I told you, like, ten times to get me something."
He had, in truth forgotten. Touching his pocket, he realized there was one last candy from George. In almost a mischievous manner, he thought of giving it to Danny to see him turn purple right then and there in the dining hall. Harry entertained the idea and sighed. It would have been truly hilarious.