Special thanks to ILoveHarmony for putting into words what I was unable! I started writing this story with intentions of it being light, fun, and smutty. But as I delved into the characters, they came to life, developed clear personalities, and started writing their own stories. So unfortunately it changed, and that's ok. It makes the story better in my opinion.
Thank you for those of you that left kind reviews! I even had a Spanish review that was fun to put into Google translate! I appreciate everyone that left a message, and it's fun to know people from all over enjoy this story.
Curls & Kisses
Harry had 5 days before he was returning to school, and he was panicking a bit. He hadn't thought to get Hermione a gift, and he could have kicked himself! And then she had to go and make him the most amazingly thoughtful, unique, and comfy gift in the existence of ever. How dare she.
So here he was, in Diagon Alley, again. Remus was with him this time. Sirius had just about had it with Harry's frantic quest to find the 'perfect gift.' They had been here three times before already, and to London twice. He had actually had more luck in London than anywhere else though.
A gold piece had caught his eye in the window of a small Muggle jewelry shop. Harry had stopped to inspect it. It wasn't anything fancy, or over the top. A long delicate gold chain, and at the end a round gold medallion with a stylized sun on it. It reminded him of her, what it felt like, the few times he had gotten to feel her magic against his. It was like the light of the sun, ethereal fire, heat, and searing. It warmed him, and awed him.
He had bought it on the spot, Sirius had been surprised, but grateful that the search was over. As was Harry, except for when he got home, and he knew. He just knew something was missing. A Wizards sense, that something was off. And so the search continued, as Harry knew better than to ignore his intuition. Which brought him back to the present, a unbelievably patient Remus, trailing next to him, as he prowled through Diagon Alley for a fourth time. He was about to give up, ready to call it a day and go home. Perhaps he should put some enchantments of his own on her necklace? But no, that did not feel right. The Necklace had to remain as it was, Beautiful, yes, but muggle made, untouched by magic. And then he caught sight of it, something blue, down an alley.
Harry stopped and retraced his steps until he came to the alley entrance. It was narrow, the two buildings on either side were tall, and left little space between them. Just enough for one man to walk with his shoulders almost touching either side. He doubted if someone as big as Hagrid could ever fit through.
He looked down the long, deep, and narrow alley, only to spot a blue door at the end. A very familiar shade of blue! Without thinking, Harry started jogging down the cobbled passageway. He heard Remus start cursing behind him, calling his name.
"Come on Remus, this way!"
Harry laughed as he put on a burst of speed, now racing his annoyed Uncle to the end. It was farther than it seemed. But soon enough Harry came to a stop as the alleyway opened up into a small but cozy courtyard. There was a snow covered bench, and two tall but small trees with branches bare of leaves. And right in front of him, stood a blue wooden door. (1)
It was different though. Different than their door. Up close it was actually a different shade of blue entirely, and though made of wood, the designs etched onto it were not the same. With circles inside of circles, and lines, seemingly at random intersecting it all. There was a round stained glass window at the top of it, with a picture of a book painted on. How strange.
"You are going to be the death of me!"
Harry turned around, Remus was glaring at him, his hair a wild mess almost as bad as Harry's.
"No need to be so dramatic Moony."
Harry rolled his eyes before turning back to the door.
"Do you know what this place is?"
Remus came up to stand beside him, looking around, he shrugged his shoulders.
"I've never been here before."
Harry nodded along, neither had he. Well, then there was just one thing to do. Rushing up to the door, he knocked on it loudly.
"Hello! Happy New Year!"
"Harry, bloody hell, what is wrong with you?"
Remus grabbed at the back of his collar, pulling him back away from the door in a panic.
"What? We don't know if its a business or private property, it would be rude to just walk in."
"Walk in? Dear Merlin, how did we raise such a hooligan. We are not going to walk in, nor bang on their door uninvited like barbarians! Now let's get out of here."
What? No, come on Remus."
Harry tried to pull out of the older man's grasp.
"It looks interesting, let's check it out!"
"Absolutely not."
Harry was disappointed, but no one had come to the door, and no light had come on from the other side of the window. It seemed to be a bust. Perhaps next time they were in the Alley he could give him the slip and try again.
They started to leave, and head back to the Alley propper when Harry felt a tug on his cloak.
"What the-"
Turning around, he looked about in confusion, before feeling another tug, this time on the front of his cloak. He looked down, into the mismatched eyes of a cat. Well not a full grown cat, but not a kitten. The creature seemed to be in that awkward between stage of growing, where its legs were quite long, but the rest of its body had not quite had time to catch up yet.
It was all black, its fur was of a medium length, and dull with dirt. Its tail looked as long as its body and it swirled around in that question mark pattern as all cats did. It's eyes were two different colors, one yellow, the other blue. Harry had a quick silly flashback to Nott and his mismatched eyes.
"Hello"
Remus looked over his shoulder to see what was going on.
"It's a cat." He said.
"Yes, I know its a cat, but what does it want?"
He more felt than saw Remus shrug his shoulders.
"Sorry little guy, I don't have any food."
The cat hissed then. Both grown wizards, stepped back, startled, they looked at the cat warily.
"This is ridiculous, lets go."
Turning back around, Harry was about to take a step when he felt a tug at his neck.
"Hey!"
The cat had caught the end of his scarf, Hermione's scarf! And was pulling on it.
"Don't, you will ruin it!"
The cat wouldn't let go though, and continued to tug on the piece of fabric, quite hard actually! Harry bent down snatching up the cat.
"Remus, he won't let go!"
The werewolf chuckled while looking over the site the pair made. Bringing out his wand, he did not point it at the cat but held it up in front of him.
"Your choice Sir Cat. We do this the easy way or the hard way."
With a small muffled "mrow", and a look of disdain the cat finally let go of the scarf.
"He understood you?"
Harry was surprised that had worked. But then his arms were full of squirming cat, and he quickly let go before he got bit or scratched. The creature landed gracefully on all fours, before sitting down, and pretending none of the last 5 minutes had happened.
"Yes, of course he did, he's magical."
Harry frowned down at the creature.
"But, how did you know?"
"All cat's have a bit of Magic in them. Come on, lets go, it's getting late." (2)
They continued on their way. Once back to the open Alley, surrounded by storefronts, they realized they had a tag along with them.
"Shoo now. Go find your friends."
Harry waved the cat along with his hands. It looked back at him as if he was the most ridiculous thing it had ever seen. Great, he was being judged by a dirty alley cat now. This was just not his day. Making their way cross town, people around them stopped to stare as the duo become a trio, the mangy black cat following dutifully along behind them.
"Harry, he seems quite taken with you."
Remus chuckled, they both looked back at the cat, who gave Harry a resentful look.
"Ugh, yeah sure he does. Listen here Cat, I already have a familiar, and I can't very well have another. So off you go yeah?"
Taking out his wand this time, he made as if to cast a spell. He wasn't really going to cast on the wretch. The cat may be annoying but was still just a cat. Thankfully, that seemed to get the message across. Back arched, its fur standing on end, making it look twice as big. The stubborn creature let out a great big hiss before running off.
With that taken care of, the two made their way towards the nearest apparition point, only to be waylaid by Harry catching sight of something blue again. This time in the storefront window of a small brown brick building with a sign that read; 'Isolda's Floristry & Herbiary'. With a small picture of a bee surrounded on either side by two flowers underneath the store name.
A bee was part of the Potter House sigil, Harry took it as a good sign, before tugging on Remus arm, and stepping inside the small shop. It was like stepping into another world, the inside of the building being brightly colored with flowers every which where about the place. There was a bar top at the back, and the wall behind it was the only wall not covered in flowers of some kind. Instead it was floor to ceiling shelves, filled to bursting with vials of all different shapes and colors. Seeming to be filled with roots, herbs, insects, and other such stuff.
Ignoring everything else, Harry walked up to the diaz by the front window, a smile on his face. He reached out a hand, his fingers brushing against the softness of petals, a softness that matched his scarf. Yes, this is what was missing.
Within twenty minutes their business was concluded, and the duo found themselves leaving the small building. It was with big smiles on their faces that Sirius happened upon them as they came in through the front door, laughing and chatting animatedly.
"Pads!"
Harry bellowed excitedly. Remus rolled his eyes.
"The quest is over, our young Prince here has found the last finishing touch for the gift to the Princess."
"Hey! It's not like that."
"Sure it isn't Harry."
Remus, patted him on the shoulder in an obviously placating gesture. The two started arguing, Harry's hair getting messier and messier as he got worked up. Remus eyes started glowing in amusement as he riled his young nephew on. Sirius grinned at them both while leaning against the wall, a glass of amber liquid in one hand. With a quick cough, he grabbed their attention.
"Ugh, so what's with the cat?"
Harry and Remus looked at each other, before looking down at the ground to find a mangy black cat with mismatched eyes sitting next to them. (Looking quite smug)
1: This door, is actually featured in another Harry-Hermione story of mine! I have not posted it yet, as I have not had the time to give it the attention it deserves.
2: I do believe all cats have a bit of Magic in them. The cat in the fic is mine btw, lol. I put my cat in the story just for fun, you will find out his name soon... (Plus he is laying at my feet biting my toes while writing this chapter.)
This is a very short chapter. Originally it was much longer, but I had to edit it to death. And finally, I just decided to post this as a teaser. I'm working on the next part, and it is going to be FUN! We will finally get some of the lemon/smuttiness I have been promising since forever. BTW, how does this look? Also, sorry if the layout is kinda funny. I read fics almost exclusively on the Fanfiction app, and I think I keep that in mind when writing, not thinking about what it might look like on a normal screen.
Also, Hello and thank you to all the new people that have found their way here from a Harmony Facebook group. (I've been told) I was so surprised to hear my Story had been posted/requested on a fic group and it just warmed my heart! Thank you guys for giving my story a chance.
Please leave Reviews, they really help motivate me! Just like the sudden rush of Likes and Follows motivated me to throw this up real quick. I love hearing your feedback.