End of Summer:
Harry was happy to be back in England and was happily doing his school shopping with one Albus Dumbledore who had "retired" or as close to it as he would get. He was headmaster of Hogwarts and that was it. It gave him time to enjoy life and be with his students. As today was the day that most students went shopping he was here and greeted students old and brand new. He had decided on his favorite robes of deep blue with stars on them and looked exactly like Merlin in a certain movie. He beamed and looked like he was having fun and Harry was too. Harry had grown a few inches and was now looking more man than boy.
He was clad in crisp navy trousers with matching waistcoat, a light yellow shirt and green and gold tie with a navy robe over all. His hair never would behave and his eyes twinkled as much as Dumbledore's did. It was clear by his deep tan that he had a great summer. He was so happy as he was going to see Sue to day after a summer of not seeing her. She was in Asia learning the family business. While her parent's business made good money in England selling silk, it was in Asia where they really were able to branch out they sold goods in Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. In fact their silk was prized for the making of magical kimonos for many ancient magical families in Japan.
Harry saw her and nearly did not recognize her. While Kimonos were Japanese, the Japanese did like it when others wore Kimonos as they felt that this ancient art was disappearing and so wanted it shared with the world. Sue had her hair done up on her head and was clad in a Kimono that easily was as expensive as a luxury car. It was painted with birds, plants in brilliant colors on a light blue background and the obo was just as bright. She looked stunning and smiled at Harry and walked over daintily (one cannot walk in a Kimono in any other way), he was at a loss for words at the beautiful sight before him. He knew through her letters she was learning the family business but this, this was what silk was for he thought. He saw her mother come up clad in a beautiful natural form silk gown in butter yellow and pale green stripes complete with a bustle.
"I am so glad to see you Sue!" Harry said bowing and taking her hand, "lady Li it is an honor to see you."
"You as well, but do call me Penelope won't you? We are practically family after all." Mrs. Li said.
"Of course Penelope." Harry said, he knew this meant she publically accepted him and saw him as proper for her daughter, and he wanted to make that proper as well, "how was your summer?"
"Mostly work, Sue is learning how to work in the family business, and she is very smart. I can see her taking over in ten or so years."
"She is smart, that is why she is Ravenclaw and I am not." Harry said.
"Harry don't discount yourself." Sue said, "mother might I go with him?"
"Of course, have fun." Penelope said smiling at Harry.
They went off and Dumbledore decided to walk through the alley having a great time talking to everyone here. They loved seeing him here and were endeared to the old warlock who was such a dear. Draco Malfoy saw him as soon as Dumbledore saw him and was surprised when Dumbledore came up to see how he was doing and all. Without all the titles and jobs Dumbledore had all the time in the world to help out and he was going to enjoy that time. Draco found himself liking the barmy old headmaster and found he was a joy to be around. He watched in amusement as Dumbledore flitted around the alley taking after his surname fully as he was rather like a bumble bee in that regard.
Harry in the meantime was having a great time with Sue. He told her all about the fun he had that summer and she told him all about what she had learned. Sue was more than willing to spend the day with him and shop with him. Both got their books for the NEWT level classes they would take, both would take potions, defense, Ancient runes (Harry had taken a liking to these) while Harry would take Transfiguration and Sue would take Charms and Herbology. Sixth year should be fun as Harry was going to enjoy his time with no Voldemort or death eaters to bother him at all. Life was getting to be so good.
Sirius was not so sure life was good, well he was but being the magical mage of England was a lot of work. At least he was able to find a supreme Mugwump for Great Britain to go to the ICW so that role he did not have to take and the chief warlock was going to be Amanda Bones. She was fair and that role was perfect for her. Still, Sirius had a lot of work to do, he had to be at the Wizengamot when it was I session which fortunately was only for twelve weeks of the year. Yet he still had dues and the like as the magical mage. One was keeping the Queen up to date on the goings on of the magical part of her realm and the other was merging the RAM-D with the hit wizards together into a magical military.
This is what the hit wizards had somewhat evolved from and it was easy enough to put them back in that role and join with the RAM-D. They could not be into the dark arts, had to be morally clean (and Sirius wondered what that meant exactly) honest, faithful (did the boy scouts get that form them or something) and true. Both women and men could join after they passed a grueling set of test both written and practical. Then came three months of grueling training. Once things were off and running the new members to join the magical army would have a year of mentorship added. Right now Sirius was impressed with who was in the army. His top right hand was Dawlish, the wrong sort for an Auror (though he did his job very well) but perfect for the military.
"We got a good crew." Dawlish said, "most are fresh from battle, though not all were hit wizards."
"I am aware, many are from RAM-D." Sirius said, "They want this as much as we do."
"I am glad we were allowed to modernize the military." Dawlish said.
It was true, there were no robes in sight, rather the magical military or RAM-D was clad in olive drab uniforms with navy armor that looked like modern muggle armor over it. They stood in neat rows awaiting orders. This was going to work well, mostly because those here had been in war and had been trained under the dragon warriors from Korea. They had taken oaths to never turn to the dark (or evil arts as they were being called) arts and to stand for good and right. Women and men stood tall knowing they were the elite of the elite. Sirius too was pleased and knew that this new day dawning was going to be bright. If only his health would keep up, he had a checkup coming up and hoped all went well there.
Harry had a great last few days before school spending most of that time with Sue and making up for lost time as it were. She was very pretty and getting more so every day as far as he was concerned. Everyone agreed they made a great couple, her with her pretty Asian features and small but not to small frame. Harry with his messy hair and green eyes in a dark still boyish face. They went all over the place, to Bath to take in the mineral baths there. Then to Leeds and York and back to London to see the Tower of London, and finally to Buckingham palace to see the queen and be given the Victoria cross. Harry did not think he deserved it but as it was explained to him when he was presented with the order of Merlin first class, he was taking it for all who had fought. He had fulfilled the prophecy and was to be rewarded for that.
Harry was clad in his best suit, a three piece navy suit with white shirt and green tie. Sue was in a skirt suit of navy with a green shirt with her hair done up and her favorite berry lipstick. She had heals on and Harry thought she looked beautiful. He was ushered into the throne room and saw the queen on her throne clad in a simple white gown with the royal robe of state over her shoulders in red trimmed with ermine. She had a small crown that suited her and looked regal. Prince Philip stood next to her clad in his military uniform. Besides these there were the thanes and their eldest child to watch this clad in more muggle attire to show their support of the realm. The ceremony was solemn and dignified and Sue smiled to him from where she stood with the thanes. Harry bowed deeply and stepped back and saw the queen smile warmly at him.
"Thane Potter, you have done much for our realm, you defeated a great evil and brought hope to millions. You have earned this metal and should wear it proudly." The queen said.
"I will and I will not let you down your majesty." Harry said, "I shall fill my duties all the days of my life."
"Very good." The queen said.
Harry liked her, how could he not? She was the queen but felt like a stern but caring grandmother, which she was. That and she tended to like to knight rock stars which in Harry's book made her all the more cool. At the end of the day he headed out with Sue happy to have met the queen. His cousin would be jealous he thought. Speaking of which he met Dudley the night before he was to head back to Hogwarts. Dudley looked very healthy and happy and grinned on seeing Harry. Sue was with Harry and Dudley kissed her hand gently.
"Harry if you don't treat her like the lady she is I will give you the first honest beating I have ever given you." Dudley warned him.
"No fear, Sue is amazing and smart and everything I wish I could be." Harry replied, "so, you coming to Hogwarts?"
"No, I mean I will visit of course but not go to Hogwarts. Draco was going to get me a private tutor but your godfather beat me to it. I want to join the military too."
"It would suit you." Harry replied, "now about pranks, you might not be a student at Hogwarts but well, I think a bit of fun could be had, though nothing damaging."
"I have just the idea." Dudley said grinning.
Once more a certain potions master had a bad feeling and the headmaster knew something was going to happen. It did, a month after Hogwarts stared, when the students were deep into the new school year out on the great lawn an orchestra appeared. That was charming enough but what followed was a rendition of 1812 Overture complete with things that go boom but would not hurt things, and bells, lots of bells. Then fireworks that went off outside (Flitch would have had kittens if they were inside) and the students were treated to a fine show. Dudley walked up grinning madly only to face Severus.
"Might I ask what that was all about?" Severus asked.
"Well professor a bit of harmless fun, I mean we needed to celebrate often now that the evil is being driven away." Dudley said, "note I did not have this done in the school."
"I should give you detention." Severus said.
"Well sir, you can't, I don't go to this school." Dudley said smirking, "though I am probably banned now."
"Oh I would not say so." Dumbledore said walking up, "very good show Mr. Dursley, I do look forward to the day that your children come to Hogwarts."
Harry managed to keep his features schooled and did not laugh at the look that Severus was giving the headmaster. Dudley was a hero for the day and the students wished he was going to Hogwarts. Yet he was not and would not as he felt he had missed that window to go. He knew how far to push his luck , things that go boom and fireworks on the great lawn fine, fireworks in the school not so fine.
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The Japanese wanting people, even people who are not Japanese to wear Kimono is real. They feel that not enough of their people do wear it and so to keep the beauty of the Kimono from dying out they want women to wear them. A natural form gown is very pretty, best thing to do is to google what it would like. Yes Dudley gets away with a lot, but he is turning out good here. I think a good Dudley is always fun to write.
So Do Review please!