AN- yess! Finally, I am back with a decent-sized chapter, I couldn't answer any questions regarding the plot here but the filler took precedence for me somehow besides, don't we all love some fluff. Big thanks to HonorverseFan, Nauze and Liberty Prime for the Beta edits. Love you guys.
Anyways, on with it-
An eventful day never really starts with a feeling of anticipation in real life, it just starts. Nothing like wind blowing in a different direction or birds chirping loudly in symphony.
Horrible, stark sunlight poked its obnoxious fingers through the window of my room, bringing me to consciousness far too early in the morning on a Saturday. It moved stealthily, not giving any signs of movement and then arrested my eyes into brightness. I didn't know which spirits I had wronged in my previous life to endure this torture on a weekend but one thing was clear; waking up on weekends is usually pain-inducing.
But it was Okay for today, I guess, most probably because Kates and Lea were going to visit. The thought alone filled me with excitement but I'll have to save some cookies at Floreans' today for what that Albino ferret had done.
Saturday's were half-days for me at Mr Florean's, late to work and early to home. I usually spent these off days with Katie and Lea, depending on what they wanted to do. Sometimes we did homework. Sometimes we went flying and at other times we snuck inside the theatres for a free show, courtesy of Dean Thomas.
The third-year had been working there since last year and had allowed us some free shows by us sneaking in, it wasn't that free, of course. He demanded lessons on magic and we gave it to him when he packed up. Lea argued that she'd give the money to those theatres rather than to teach some jumped up fourth year, but a weird look from Kates had shut her up.
I was already feeling good about today, no ferrets on my bedside to annoy me, my jammies and shirt were not drenched and I did not have an annoyed Auror trying to eat my head.
All in all, good morning indeed.
I took my time doing my morning rituals for the first time in what felt like forever. I took a hot soak, brushed my teeth, and used a little sleekeazy gel for that untamable hair, funnily enough, that was the only thing my so-called 'ancestors' had left me.
So much for hoping for some more gold.
I exited my room and saw that Kefla was already waiting outside. Trying not to pay her too much mind, I made my way to the breakfast table and signaled Tom to bring in my regular.
This had been bugging me since yesterday, well, not the breakfast but last night's conversation. Evra... there was something strange about her.
She knew my parents. Well, that was not a very valid argument here, all of the wizarding Britain had known my parents but the way she spoke that sentence about them last night, it wasn't just how people mentioned me having my mum's eyes, it was different, it was more, it was like she knew them from before.
Again, nothing wrong with speculation but it was just fueling my doubts.
I broke out of my reverie as Tom brought my fish, chips, and coke. A perfect Saturday breakfast. He gave Kefla a toothy grin before he hunched back to attend to an omelet that an auror had ordered.
The restaurant wasn't crowded like before, only the people who came quite regularly here were doing their breakfast. An auror was chatting with what seemed like an informant under silencing charms, A hag was eating liver… again (didn't they have anything else to eat!) and the wizarding radio was blaring on about Monday's final, the Harpies were going against Tornadoes apparently.
Kefla perched up next to me, taking her place like yesterday beside me, nobody batted an eye if they found it weird that a dog had been following me around since yesterday.
Not many knew that I was Harry Potter and those who knew, simply came to know there was nothing special about a boy working just like anyone else at an ice cream parlour no less.
My scar was of course hidden with that fringe that aunt Petunia always insisted I had in front of my forehead, now a habit that doesn't go away. Something good came from their orders, at least for once.
There was no specific problem with knowing the people who knew my parents, at least when they came clean about it, but there was something very shady about Evra; an aura of mysteriousness. Last night her comment about my parents had caught me off guard and her quick change of subject had worked successfully too.
This was another technique that Lea told me about once, what was it called again? Deflection? Or was I thinking too deep into this?
In any case, Lea told me deflection didn't really work that well with me. Or at least it didn't usually but it had.
'All because of a girl,' I thought and shook my head with a stupid smile, as I finished my breakfast. The mention of Fleur had caught me way off guard than I would've ever expected.
I left a few knuts at the table as a polite tip and I stepped through the pub and out the back to the wall hiding Diagon Alley, I wondered if Evra ever ate. I tapped the walls and it opened onto the cobbled street. My hands again moved to protect my vulnerable eyes as sunlight decided to attack poor me again. Damned light. I actually recoiled with the intensity and bumped my legs into Evra who had been following me.
Her short growl got me going again.
My thoughts again wandered to Miss Delacour as I started my walk towards the ice cream store, not paying much attention to the keepers opening their shops and waving at me but my thoughts and my mind just refused to move to any other topic than Fleur Delacour.
The silver-haired girl was different in some way. Magical and unique. In my many years, I had never stumbled over myself in front of anyone, even a beautiful stranger, until her. Her magical voice and enchanting eyes were absolutely mesmerizing.
Was I sounding too cliché? Maybe. But cliché wasn't always a bad thing.
I entered the food court and saw people, roamed around without much hurry and I couldn't help but notice that everyone was excited or happy, save for the worried frowns and clutched coin purses of a few old women and young men.
I was all too familiar with the worry of wallet management, especially on a Saturday morning.
Mr Florean was waving his hands towards me, smiling jovially as I made my way pushing through the crowd. Kefla again disappeared into the crowd or wherever she watched me from. I went inside the shop and with a simple "Mornin'" to the owner, I donned on my apron and gloves.
I couldn't wait for Lea and Kates to come in today.
At about half-passed two when I was just finishing up a twisted nutty Sunday for a little boy, the door to the shop flung open with enough force to turn the little bell into a war gong that was sure to have the neighboring restaurants looking around in a panic.
I just hope Florean had enough mercy not to fire me because if it was who I thought it was...
It was Kates of course, who else? She was wearing her usual tank top that showed her well-muscled, or 'chiselled' as she insisted I call them, arms. Her quidditch slacks covered her legs and her face twisted in a mixture of worry, fear, and rage.
For a moment I felt like I was done for. I mean, you would've thought that too, had you been in my place. She was like a fierce mama bear overly protective of her kids.
I must've blinked for like a second, I swear to god before I even saw what had happened. I was tackled to the back wall in a very fierce and bear-like hug, my vision blocked by her blonde hair. I had no idea how she got past the counter and around the little kid.
Did she jump maybe or apparated? Was that even possible?
"You big Dumbo! I thought you were done for!" she shrieked with a very cracked voice, and when I didn't think it was possible for her to hold me any tighter, she increased the pressure on her grip on me.
I swear I felt at least one of my ribs crack.
"We don't want to kill him just yet, Kates, he still hasn't finished his shift," came a very amused soft voice that wasn't hard to recognize by any means. It was Lea.
Two or three more jingles came and I knew instantly that all our friends had arrived.
"Well, it's bout' ta end in two minutes, so by all means, go ahead!" said the jovial owner of the shop, and a cacophony of laughter followed.
Ah, that bastard Fortescue had his days numbered, I swear to god, he speaks on the most opportune moments, just like a Slytherin!
'I would've left this shop if it wasn't for ice creams and his jovial manner', I thought, trying to console Kates with my free hand which wasn't trapped in the death grip.
Finally, after a minute and a half and assuring Katie that I was indeed not going to Azkaban or was injured in any other matter or form (not mentioning the bear hug), she finally settled on the big round table that my friends had conjured in the middle of the shop.
Katie was the first one to get an ice cream too.
God damn, she had grown, I was pretty sure she could knock out any average adult with a single left hook, I could still feel the bruises on my chest. She smelled of broom polish and hazels on a rainy day, the best chaser to have ever graced Hogwarts with her skills.
She was the most agile and tactical chaser I had ever seen in my whole life!
She had the latest Cleansweep Seven as her go-to ride, though I knew she would've preferred a Nimbus-2001 better for her agility, alas Lea knew that too and I had a sneaking suspicion that she was going to do something about that rather soon.
Finally, I got a look around the table as to who had come to visit me. The table could barely hold everyone. Lea dropped down next to Hannah, handing over a vanilla cup as she did so. Susan and Cedric had deigned to grace us with their presence, only if they'd admit their crushes to one another, the tension around the table would reduce somehow. Justin, Goldstein, and Johnson were doing their best to argue for their teams about the Harpies-Tornadoes rivalry. Surprisingly Chang had shown up too but it was probably because of Cedric. I could see Luna hanging behind all of them with the same dreamy smile and vacant eyes. Well, scary and a little cute as always, the last ones were Padma, Spinnet, and Boot who just watched the scene amusedly and gave me a little wave.
So basically all those who had openly supported me during the 'heir of Slytherin' fiasco. Good, except Chang, she was still a bitch.
"So everything went tits up without us with you this time, eh? You could've at least been a little courteous and waited for the summer to end," commented Jhonson cheekily as I served her the sunday delight.
"Yeah, well, you know me, Angie. Just like my father. An attention-seeking brat wouldn't want to share the attention now, would I?" I replied with air quotes with my hand, which was followed by a few snorts and giggles as I went to get the next order.
"So, are you going for the most detention record or something this year? Getting in trouble before school even started."Alicia asked as I scooped her order.
"Most detentions in a year? Why Alicia, you wound me. Besides, I wouldn't want to divest your boyfriend off of that title now, would I?"
A low blow by me, admittedly but it was worth it by the look of pure astonishment on the rest of the table, except Luna. She scared me.
Chatter broke around the table about the latest juicy information that was provided to them, two of the biggest hands behind the Hogwarts rumour mill were on the table, Susan Bones and Padma Patil. Alicia groaned and glared at me, I gave her a sheepish smile and mouthed 'Fred', this time she actually banged her head on the table on frustration.
You can't expect Fred of all people to not brag about finally dating his crush.
Finally, after everyone got their favourites, I sat down with them with a mint-choco chip for myself, I had to see for myself what was so special about this ice cream anyway. As I sat down between Lea and Kates, Susan leaned forward to speak around Lea. I could see the excitement in her shaking hands.
"Harry! The weird sisters are performing next weekend in the Hogsmeade pavilion, here is your ticket. You have to come! It is going to be a blast! It is once in a year concert, they usually do this in winters but especially for students this time, they made an exception and they organised this one before the term starts!"
The excitement and happiness almost rolling off in waves from her, the bubbly red-head had a special talent to get the aura and atmosphere around her cheered up and pumped, so naturally, my grin had also reached epic proportions till the time I took the ticket from her, the ticket showed four witches in punk rock t-shirts and style, one of them holding a bass guitar and one other behind drums, it distinctly reminded me of Tonks.
"Really?" I asked as I took the first bite of the ice cream, the ice cream was… something I guess, it wasn't bad by any measure, but I had a feeling it was an acquired taste, was this how Fleur would taste if I were to kiss her?
"Yeah, those are sold out, Harry. I would hide that ticket If I were you, people are going crazy behind that. Susan here has her aunt working for DMLE, the security for the event is being handled by her, so some of the tickets were saved by her on the request of our very dear friend, besides, Susie had to wrangle those tickets with completing her homework way early," teased Hannah which was followed by some giggles and Susan's cheeks trying their best to match her hair colour.
"She's right though, ya better keep them hidden, we have the front seats and by any luck, I'll even be able to meet one of them!" replied Padma dreamily.
"As if," Boot scoffed. "I think my height advantage would give me the best advantage to even speak to one of those beauties".
"Oh yeah? I don't think that they're into fourteen-year-olds mate," replied Justin from beside Hannah which led to loud laughs and our rowdy group being warned as my work hours were finally over.'
"Alright then, I do look forward to it! But a toast to Susan who got us the tickets, eh?" I said, I had to admit, I was beyond excited at that point. Raising my ice cream cup to Susan, I cheered, "to Susan completing her homework early!"
"To Susan completing her homework early!" they all echoed and Susan while still tinged with red, took pride in the fact that the toast was for her.
After the rest of our friends left with hugs and shakes or in Luna's case, a gift necklace made up of butterbeer corks, which while thoughtful, still scared me. I kept it in my pocket.
Me, Lea and Kates were the only ones left in the shop and that was when Lea actually got serious.
"Tell me everything," they said in unison.
And I told them everything. My escape, my relatives abusing my parents, flying here on a bike, Draco being an absolute wanker, and my suspicions about the auror.
Just as I was about to expand on my suspicion, Lea just hugged me softly and I felt something slip in my pocket.
The message was clear. Not here.
Katie just gave Lea a weird look on the sudden hug but sobered up when I asked them about today's plans.
"We were just going to just roam around Harry, you know, it's been a while since we.."
And that was when round two of Meet Harry Potter day started…
The loud steps were heard from two streets away, her strawberry blonde hair literally whipped out of her face as she entered the shop with the loud sound, I could see rage in her eyes when she saw me, disbelief that someone got here before her and then worry. Funny how worry came absolutely at last usually.
"You piss poor excuse for a wanker! You pure and utter twat, blowing up your aunt of all people! AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE DECENCY TO SEND ONE FUCKING LETTER!"
I had again taken asylum behind the counter as she had moved right across it, her swearing was the least stunning thing about her honestly and as I had another look, I was again left astonished. She had grown from cute to hot in one sodding Summer…
Yeah, meet Daphne Greengrass, the most Griffyndorish Slytherin to have ever existed, the girl who just couldn't be out-swore by anyone and her temper matched that of Professor Vector when someone failed to turn in their homework. Scary wouldn't even be the word I'd use to describe her.
"You piss shit stain, sorry excuse for a cunt! You dick-headed bastard, disgrace to being called a friend. God only knows how…" was all she got out before I used my emergency move to deal with Daphne.
I took a plastic spoon, dipped it in the new strawberry flavour and shoved it in her mouth just as it opened next.
A little drastic? Maybe. But I knew a Daphne swear rant when I saw one.
She moaned, actually moaned! And her eyes closed, it was my turn to be fully tinged with red as she calmed down completely and I saw Lily Moon, Tracey Davis and Malfoy standing behind her, looking at us in surprise. I could almost hear Katie and Lea trying to hold back in their laughs.
"Which flavour?" Daphne asked as she was still relishing in the aftertaste of that ice cream.
"Um, the strawberry exquisite delight…"
"I'll take your entire stock!"
"I don't think that is good for your health Daphne…"
"Fuck you, Potter! You're in no place to give opinions, just give me the ice cream."
Her eyes were a little cold at my denial but I could see amusement there as well, what the hell was she amused at?
Not wanting to provoke her further ire, I gave her a newly packed brick.
"Now will you tell me, you wanker! What the bloody hell happened? And why did Draco of all people sent me a letter about this?"
Ah Draco, of course, Draco Malfoy. I do wonder sometimes if this friendship with him is even worth it.
"He was bluffing, Daphne. I blew up my aunt, like full of air not into pieces for Merlin's sake!"
Her brow furrowed cutely for a second and then the meaning of her words dawned on her. She turned behind and Lily and Tracey got out of the way and they knew what was coming.
Daphne slapped Draco hard, really hard. Daphne wasn't Katie by any means but oh boy was her hand printed red on that cheek.
"I probably deserved that…" he grumbled as he rubbed his cheek, but it seemed Daphne had started a chain reaction. As, after that, Lea slapped him, then Katie did (though not as hard as she could've), then Lily and lastly Tracey.
"You don't even like him!" Draco grunted to Tracey as he stumbled backward and I handed him an ice pack.
"Why should I leave an opportunity to slap you?"
"…"
"Fair enough"
They said that the Diagon never changed.
And they would be correct for the most part for this piss poor excuse for an alley, they hadn't seen it rebuilt after wars, they hadn't seen the fear in the eyes of people at the mere mention of the dark lord.
Not even the name, just saying dark lord would send shivers down your spine and will have you running like a lunatic in no time. Marlene Alice McKinnon had been one of those but Evra wasn't.
Evra didn't fear most people, Evra didn't have to worry about the whole Wizarding Britain like the Order of the Phoenix. She just had one goal.
Save Sirius, leave England.
But there were variables to every equation whether you wanted it or not, variables always came up. The variable again here had to be one of the Potters.
Even in death James and Lily wouldn't leave her alone.
It was kind of ironic really, all she planned for ten years, all the hatred she tried to develop. Her aloof character just wouldn't stand in front of that scrawny boy.
It was impossible to hate him. It was possible to hate Lily and James, easy even, but Harry was something else altogether.
He looked just like James, his habits that of Lily yet his kindness and good heart exceeding any limits.
Which 15-year old world-famous boy descended from a pureblooded line worked? She knew for a fact that James didn't, neither did Sirius. This had again warranted some investigation from her.
She had asked around on the first day when he wasn't looking and found out he was working for the treatment of Lockheart of all people!
Lockheart, everyone knew the now-infamous man in the Janus Thicky ward for permanent spell damage. He had done some of the worst crimes imaginable and from what she had heard, the worst to Harry himself but alas that didn't stop the kid.
It was also a little funny hearing about how Gilderoy had succumbed impaled on his own sword. Memory charms were dangerous to work with.
Her own predicament was quite conflicting, she liked kids and wanted to have her own someday and if she was being completely honest with herself, she wanted him or her to be like Harry.
'So many people and so many variables', thought Evra Noir finally as the Slytherins exited the store laughing with Harry Potter and his two friends.
Was Harry Potter really worth saving?
Yeah good old Monday at work, just the thing I needed after pulling an all-nighter yesterday. Homework was finished at an exponential speed once I got down to it with Katie and Lea, unfortunately, that also meant that my weekend sucked. Mostly.
No flying, no theatres, and not much discussion about Sirus Black. Lea did promise to tell me all about Sirius afterwards through a chit though, that was something.
A big yawn escaped my lips as I stole another glance at the clock, how the hell was it still five minutes left to my shift? Someone had to have slowed down the time or something.
I had to refill the mint-choco chip Ice cream. Apparently, some customer had come both Saturday and Sunday after my shifts to try out the exotic flavour. Was there another Daphne in town?
I was back in the storage freezer, filling up the ice cream tub when I heard the soft jingle of the bell ringing again.
The mirror over the washbasin gave me a clear view of the door and boy oh boy.
It was Fleur.
Somewhere between work homework and the excitement of the concert, I had forgotten all about her, she hadn't visited the shop the next day or the day after so I had given up hope on her but alas here she was, already making my Monday better.
There was hope after all.
"Just a second," I said loudly enough to reach the doors, I rushed to the washbasin to fix my rebellious hair for the last time and make it look a little bit presentable. I felt like I was looking worse after fixing that. Great.
"Oh, take your time, no 'urries," came a very amused and angelic voice from the front of the store.
Ah, shit.
Fun fact; mirrors go two ways, so If I could see that lovely miss Delacour had arrived, she probably had seen me fixing my hair too.
Just what I needed to boost my self-confidence.
Fleur was drumming her slender fingers on the laminate countertop, where two shiny gold coins rested. And right on cue, I lost the ability to speak.
She was wearing a lime green leafy top that perfectly accentuated her breasts. Her frayed jean shorts revealed so much pale skin that I felt my blood immediately rush places where it wasn't supposed to go at a workplace. Her shiny silver hair was tied in a loose ponytail, a pair of silver Ray-Bans rested on top of her head.
Sometimes there aren't proper words to define beauty of such standards.
"You know, you made your 'air messier with zat," she said with a badly hidden smirk. Her cheeks were bright red from the English summer that she wasn't used to.
I mentally groaned, the mirror was in a direct line with the backdoor. Normally, my comebacks would've been flying around by this time, but she did things to me. Things that made me forget mirrors were two way things.
"Not many people can handle this hot mess, you know?" I tried with a small preen.
This time she did laugh for an unusually big amount of time, I didn't know whether to be offended or to laugh along with her.
I settled with accompanying her. It was impossible not to.
After a small shy smile, I asked "So… how can I help you today?"
"mint-choco chip? Unless you guys ran out."
"We kinda actually did, something about a silver haired girl buying out stock of our mint chocolate chip yesterday." I said with a teasing smirk, I don't know how I hadn't matched the dots before, it had been Fleur who had come on Saturday and Sunday and bought the mint-choco chip, she came!
But oh man, my timing had been pathetic as usual it seems. She must've showed up at evening hours.
"Yeah, the ice cream left an impression. Besides, I had to pay you back too," She said, not breaking her composure at my comeback except for an amused eye-roll.
"So monsieur 'ot mess, can I have ze ice cream now?"
I had to admit, even her sarcasm was elegant.
I nodded silently in a valiant attempt to say less stupid shit and grabbed the cone from the magical dispenser.
"You know, the Diagon Alley is bigger zan I expected, I was really lost yesterday." She continued examining the flavor chart.
I perked up while scooping up the ice cream. Yeah, Diagon was a chore and a half to navigate in if you were new but why was she mentioning it to me though?
"Yeah, it really is a nightmare to roam these alleys without friends or family. My first experience was kinda the same, actually."
"Really? zen maybe you can 'elp me improve my experience…"
Oh….
She was asking me out.
I mean, I had the idea of me asking out a beautiful girl then getting rejected and crying about it someday, but a girl asking me out had just one response in my operating system.
Total shut down.
I made a hilarious sound at the back of my throat after probably three seconds of staring and almost dropping her ice cream. How did I know the sound was funny?
Because her angelic laughter was back at it again and now either I was a really great comedian or my two best friends didn't know how to appreciate top-notch humour.
Most likely the latter. Charles Chaplin didn't have shit on me when it came to comedic genius. He wasn't the one who got a date with a beautiful girl just two days after meeting her.
"I uh, yeah, definitely. Just let me get changed real quick," I responded as I hastily gave her the ice cream and almost tore out of my apron.
"Are you sure? I can wait if you are still working…" she replied, looking half concerned and half entertained.
"No, NO! I was just finishing up. Just two seconds." Little did she know I would've quit then and there if Florean dared to stop me from going out five minutes early.
Luckily for me, he didn't.
I came out of the changing room and saw that Fleur was gently nibbling on her ice cream. It seemed such a good idea for the evening that I asked Florean to make one for me too.
"Which flavour?" he asked me when I presented my request.
"mint choco-chip," I replied. He didn't say anything except for giving me a funny look.
Yes, it was an acquired taste, but one that I was really willing to acquire.
She smiled as I opened the door for her and we got out, her silver hair shining in the evening, giving it an ethereal glow.
"So, where to, monsieur 'ot mess?" She asked, vainly trying to hide her blush as I held her free hand.
"To the shutter buttons!" I only hoped I could make the perfect date for her.
End Notes- And cut! This was a real wild ride. I tried to fit all the summer in this chapter but this spot felt more comfortable to me and my betas, so here it is! As always, Fav, follow and review!
Also my fellow writer finished his flowerpot recently, named Hope and Healing By LibertyPrime or Gomez36000, check that out if you haven't already. Big thanks to Frickles for the shoutout in his story A malignant Ruse.