Shifting Directions – Chapter 10 (New Surroundings)

By the time that Tony and Harry had moved from Peoria, Illinois to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the new year had already started. Since it had been decided that it would be after the Christmas holiday. Thankfully there was no immediate need for Tony to start work. He had almost two weeks to get settled in before starting his new job.

That had been one of his worries, it could be hard enough trying to find an apartment that was suited for two people. Even if one of them was an adult, the other a child. That had been one worry that had been lifted off his shoulders. But he soon had another one.

He didn't expect what effect the move would have on Harry. He didn't know much about his life before they met, and he really tried not to pry for answers. He wanted Harry to trust him and he felt that he did. But perhaps maybe this was something he should have expected. The Dursleys had abandoned him. Harry didn't know that Tony wouldn't do the same.

Surely Harry would have known since he brought Harry with him. He had even told him that he wasn't going to abandon him. Though he hadn't spoken the entire drive from Peoria to Philadelphia. He was actually a bit too quiet than what he was used to. That had been the first sign to tell him that something was wrong. And he needed to find out what it was.

So, he spent the first night helping Harry unpack everything. It still wasn't much, which he felt he needed to get him more stuff. A seven-year-old should have more than this. But he still felt it was really hard to find out what Harry liked. Sure, they talked about movies and the food they had. But he never once said anything about stuff that he liked. It had honestly been a guess on the art supplies, he didn't even know if Harry would like those. So, at least that was something he knew that Harry enjoyed. He wondered if the magical world may have something? Though he wasn't sure where the nearest magical alley was. The first one he had been to in years felt like a stroke of luck. Though he had informed the Goblins about the move, because he wasn't sure if there was something meant to be done on their end.

That had been when he had been told there was more than one branch of Gringotts. Of course, the most well known branch in the United States was located in D.C., which actually surprised Tony. He figured it might be in Massachusetts, considering on how well-known Ilvermorny was. But apparently, they had the second largest. Though he didn't ask on how many branches there were, he didn't think he wanted to know just yet. But they did reveal that Philadelphia did have a Gringotts branch. They even told him on how to find it. So, if needed, Tony did know how to get to the magical world. There was still a temptation to keep it cut out of his life, but he knew he wouldn't be able to do that any longer.

To cut that out of his life meant that he would have to cut Harry out too and there was no way he was willing to do that. Even if it came down to a single choice, he would choose Harry.

But that didn't mean he wasn't curious on what this one would have. He didn't really venture into any of the shops back in Peoria. And he still needed to look over what the Goblins gave him from the first visit. He did glance over some of the parchments. But this would take some careful study and then of course he would need to talk it over with Harry.

But first he still needed to figure out what was wrong. He knew it had something to do with the move, that was evident enough.

But there were a few more issues at hand though. Harry needed to go to school and he needed to find a babysitter. It wasn't like Steve could drive all this way constantly to watch over Harry. So, that meant he needed to find someone, and he had no idea on where to start looking.

Did they even have school for magical children before you were eleven? He honestly didn't know but was positive that it was something that he needed to find out. Though the trick would be, where exactly would he ask?

His first thought were the goblins at Gringotts. Even from the first meeting, they had an abundant source of information, information that he didn't have at that time. There were definitely interesting creatures, yet he never wanted to be on their bad side. He would assume they tolerated him at best, which didn't really bother him.

Tony shook his head, he needed to get back on topic. He needed to talk to Harry and then look for a school for him. He wanted to do this before he started work back, because he could not be left by himself. He glanced over to where Harry's new bedroom was, no doubt he was asleep for the moment. He had been worn out after the long drive.

Perhaps after he woke back up and both of them had some food.

Tony could feel the nerves on the upcoming conversation, and he was sure that Harry did too. Their breakfast wasn't all that fancy, just some eggs to start the day with.

"Want to tell me what's bothering you? Was your room not to your liking?" Tony asked.

Harry shook his head, "No! I love it, it's… just… too much."

Tony frowned, so this was about the Dursleys. He knew there would be some ups and downs.

"If you don't want to talk about them, you don't have to, Harry. You are wanted here; you are my son. A son that I want. They didn't know what they had and far as I'm concerned, they are better off with where they are."

Harry took in a shaky breath, "I didn't even have a room before I met you…"

Tony brought Harry into his arms, knowing that it was likely the tears would come soon. He didn't mind and Harry needed to let it out. But he wasn't going to force him to do so. He knew that he needed to do this at his own pace. Though he had wished that he had someone that would have listened to when he was younger. So, the most he could do was be that for Harry.

"You will always have a room here with me," Tony ruffled his hair. "And that means if I have to spoil you rotten, I will!"

Harry laughed at the last part, he doubted that Tony would spoil him to the extent of Dudley, and he didn't want that. But somehow that eased his worries.

"Who's going to keep an eye on me while you're at work?" Harry asked, wanting his mind of the Dursleys. He didn't want to tell Tony about the cupboard, though he knew that Tony would eventually want to know.

"Well… we still have a little bit before we really need to worry about that. I figured the most important thing to do was for you to go to school," Tony brought up.

"School?" Harry felt a strike of fear through him. He could still recall when Dudley made sure that he had no friends. He would be the odd one out, he wasn't sure if he wanted to go.

"It wouldn't be a school that you probably went to back in England. I am fairly certain they have like a magical primary school around here. My mother went to one when she was younger. May help with your magical outbursts. And you'll have others that can do magic as well and you can learn more about it. Maybe even wind up going to the same school when you turn eleven."

Harry looked intrigued by that, though blushed at the last part. Before they had moved, he had almost shattered a window.

"Did you decide on one? I don't want to go to Hogwarts!" Harry asked.

"And as far as I'm concerned, you'll never have to return to England if you don't want to. And since you are no longer a citizen there, I don't see it being an issue. But I have a few in mind that I think you'll like. But that would require another move, but I figured that decision can wait for a few more years," Tony said, running a hand through Harry's hair. He was pleased to see it slightly calming him.

Harry nodded; he wouldn't be against moving again. Especially if he found that he didn't like this place very much. But he was willing to give it a try. Though it was still a scary thought of going to a school where he wouldn't know anyone. But at least now he wouldn't have to worry about the Dursleys.

Tony sighed in relief, least he had some idea now on why Harry may have been silent. He had just been slightly overwhelmed. He made a silent promise to himself to keep an extra close eye so he could notice if things were getting a bit too much. He had assumed the Dursleys had something to do with it.

Even when they lived in Peoria for that short time, Harry had seemed to adjust well despite everything. No doubt with everything, it was still a big change for Harry. And despite that he did have a room, he knew that Harry would still find him in his, which didn't bother him. He honestly was dreading the day that Harry felt he needed to stay in his own room. There was something about being able to provide comfort to Harry by just being close by.

He tried to think of things he needed to do next. It was obvious that a trip to this wizarding village or alley was needed. He would have to bring Harry with him since they didn't have a babysitter for him just yet. He didn't even know when schools started for magical ones. Did they have the same timeline as muggles or as they sometimes called them, no-majs?

He figured the least he could do was ask. Surely the magical world knew someone that didn't mind babysitting a magical child. It wasn't like they would know he was Harry Potter; he was a DiNozzo now. Hopefully it would be someone he could trust. He wished he could just ask Steve to do it, Harry knew him. Even trusted him some, but he couldn't ask him to leave Peoria. He knew Steve would probably move somewhere else later; he had talked about it before. So, that meant that Tony was on his own for the moment.

If anything, Tony figured he could ask around. Hell, he honestly would ask what the goblins thought. He had liked the ones back in Peoria but didn't know how different the goblins would be here.

One of the first things that Tony noticed upon taking the trip to this magical alley was that it had so much more than Peoria did. The street was filled with witches and wizards with cloaks. There had been some stray looks at him and Harry because of them being newcomers. Though part of it could be part of the attire. But it wasn't like he figured Harry would be at the age to need an actual cloak yet. Though it wouldn't be remiss to get some jumpers and trousers. It wasn't like it was standard to walk around in robes and cloaks like in some places.

Though you could already feel the wind try to nip at your skin. So, it was cold just not to the point of freezing yet. So, maybe a trip to a clothing store was a good idea.

Harry huddled close to Tony, his hand firmly in his so they didn't get separated. His eyes were wide as he tried to look at everyone and there were so many people. People that had magic too!? Though he was glad for the comfort of Tony being so close. Then he noticed they were heading into a shop.

"Tony?" Harry asked.

Tony gave him a grin before ruffling his hair, thought you could use some jumpers and more trousers. You've already grown a few inches."

Harry blushed; he had noticed that his trousers he was wearing were hovering above his ankles. Though it was a new feeling, the Dursleys had never bought him clothes, it was always Dudley's castoffs. And he knew that Tony had bought him new clothes before. The day he started living with Tony and then Christmas. But it was different being there with Tony while he bought them. He still felt bad that he was growing so much that Tony had to buy them. He still wasn't quite used to an adult wanting to provide for him. But he still recalled Tony slightly lecturing him about that. That he wasn't his relatives and he bought them because he wanted to and because he needed them.

Harry had been very embarrassed at the time. He still wasn't used to someone wanting him, even all the months of living with Tony. Though he was glad he didn't need glasses anymore too, he could see better than ever. And he loved the fact his eyes were still a bright green, though they looked more like Tony's. It was still sinking in that he had a dad now. He may not know the one that was killed when he was a baby. And he knew that they cared for him the way a parent was supposed to, not like the Dursleys were.

There were days that the word 'dad' was at the tip of his tongue and then he stopped himself. He knew he wasn't replacing the parents that he had. But sometimes it felt like he was. He didn't know if Tony was disappointed that he hadn't called him dad yet. But he never said a word about it. So, he still called him Tony, it was something he was more familiar calling him. Would Tony be upset if he called him dad? He didn't know and didn't have the courage to ask him. Tony had done so much for him and he felt like he was doing so little.

Harry was so lost in thought he slightly jumped when Tony rested a hand on his shoulder.

Tony grinned at him, "you alright?"

Harry nodded; he hadn't meant to worry Tony by his lack of attention.

"How about you get on the platform so you can be measured?"

Harry then noticed an older woman who had a wand in her hand. She looked kind enough. He wondered if he would ever get a wand.

"Measured?" Harry asked.

"They use measurements to get your clothing more fitting for you. Plus, they have charms that do light extension charms when you start to grow. And you should be around the age to get your first wizarding cloak. May have to wait a bit on the robes though."

Harry looked intrigued by that and slowly stepped up on the wooden platform. The shop was surrounded by clothing. And there were a lot of cloaks too. Then he noticed a measuring tape going around him. Was this how wizard and witches got their clothes? He watched as the witch twirled her wand, quietly muttering under her breath.

"That should be it, dearie," the witch said to him.

Harry nodded and took a step down to join Tony's side.

The witch turned to Tony, "so, you needed six set of jumpers, trousers, shirts, shorts. I also added a few cloaks, rain jackets, and two winter cloaks. I also added a few more winter choices like scarfs and gloves. He wouldn't need any dragon hide types of gloves for a few years, same goes for any types of boots. That is more when he has lessons in Potions and Herbology. I've also added some more essential garments as well. But he is still a bit too young to have robes yet. But I have the usual set of charms included. Which does include an extension charm, heating charms on the cloaks, charms against the rain, and several protection charms."

Tony nodded in approval; he hadn't thought about asking for the other stuff. So, he was glad that this witch had.

"I'll just need you to sign this and to sign for the agreed amount of galleons and sickles. I'll send it off to Gringotts for the exchange. It will be ready for pickup in a few hours."

Tony briefly looked it over, he was still getting used to the exchange of currency. The cost came to 37 galleons and 8 sickles. Which the cost here was probably cheaper compared if he went to a regular clothing store. And he wouldn't really care about paying higher, this was for Harry. He had always been a bit cautious when it came to money. He never wanted any of the supposed money from Senior. That man hadn't been a father to him since he turned twelve and had been shipped off to military school. Probably wouldn't matter anyways, Senior had cut him off and didn't want anything to do with him.

But for once, this was his own money that he got to earn. So, perhaps he wanted to give Harry the life that he didn't get to have. And perhaps make up for the damage that the Dursleys had left. Plus, the fact that he didn't want to be a replica of his own father who didn't care about his own child. With that, Tony led Harry out of the shop, they could pick up everything later.

"Are we heading back home and pick up that stuff later?" Harry asked.

"Not yet, there is another stop we need to make. Everything should be ready, so we don't need to make another trip. How's that sound?"

Harry nodded and then he noticed the building they were going towards.

"Gringotts?"

"There are a few things I want to ask about and despite that the goblins don't like wizards much. They may be able to answer some questions I have," Tony explained.

The white building reminded Harry of the same one back in Peoria. He wondered if Gringotts had their banks all resembled like that.

With hesitant steps, Harry entered the bank with Tony close at his side.