64. Sneaking
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood outside of an empty cabin on the Hogwarts Express. Ron was looking particularly awkward, while Hermione seemed a touch worried. This was due to the fact that they had been selected as Prefects. With the title came a host of responsibilities and privileges.
Harry wore an easy smile to assure them, "It's fine. I get that you have to go to the Prefect cabin. I'll live. We don't have to do everything together. Besides, you two deserve the position. Hermione, you excel in everything Hogwarts related."
Hermione smiled in confidence.
Harry then turned towards Ron and squeezed him on the shoulder, "And Ron, this is a big deal. You earned this."
Ron was brimming with self-confidence.
At last, his friends took their leave for their duties. Duties that Harry felt were more trouble than they were worth. Shaking his head at their excitement over such a dubious position, he opened his cabin. He placed the cage holding Hedwig to the ground, opening the hatch he allowed her to spread her wings.
He smiled as she seemingly sighed and spread her wings wide. His attention was drawn to the door as it softly opened. A happy smile graced his features as he saw the visitors. It was Neville, Luna, and one other. Peering past the familiar faces, he was mildly surprised at who he saw.
It was Ron's little sister, Ginny.
Luna smiled that light smile of hers and said, "I see you are alone. Can we sit down?"
Harry welcomed them in and they took their seats. Neville was beside him and the girls sat across from him.
Luna's gaze ran over him before she smiled regretfully, "You've changed your headdress. I rather think I liked how it was before. It had more character."
The others marveled at his changed attire. Their eyes sparkled nearly as brightly as his beads.
Ginny shook her head, "I don't know about that one. This looks prettier."
"It does look neater. Why did you change it?" Neville asked.
"I didn't." Harry smiled softly and said no more.
The others looked puzzled, except for Luna. She began to giggle merrily, despite the odd looks from Neville and Ginny.
"It's nice to love and be loved back."
Harry nodded, "Yes it is."
Harry was broken from the conversation as he saw a familiar red haired man. Opening up the window, he wiggled his way out onto the platform.
"Watch Hedwig for me," he cried out before brushing past the crowds moving around the station. He stood right by the Raggedy Man's side.
The man ceased his movements on his canvas. This new painting depicted a terrible scene of some creature consuming a whole star as everything decayed and collapsed around it.
Morose eyes peered behind dirty hair into Harry's own.
The Raggedy Man smiled faintly. His grip loosened on the brush. "Good morning."
"Good morning," Harry returned. He abruptly took a seat next to the Raggedy Man, dismissing the alarmed looks of wizards and witches around them. "This picture is turning out well."
"Really?" The man looked at his painting with a sense of abject failure.
"It's unusual. But isn't art all about expression or something?"
The man turned to face Harry directly, "Art is a form of creation. It's a means of making your own world and sharing it with others. That's one of the most difficult things to do. What is your art?"
"Magic," Harry responded without hesitation. "It's so beautiful, so amazing. I don't know if it's the same for an artist, but my life would be incomplete without it."
"Magic can be a terrible thing. It can and has hurt many people."
"Many people have been hurt by fists, but I have no intention of chopping mine off. Magic is an important part of me. And if there's one thing I've learned from my relatives, it's holding onto what makes me, well me."
A grunt was all Harry received for his clarification.
"Would you accept a commission for one of your paintings?"
The Raggedy Man's breath hitched a touch.
Harry attempted to convince him, "I'm in a relationship with someone and I feel she should really be introduced properly to your work. I thought a commissioned work as a gift would be good. Teleute should get a taste of the finer things."
"I will accept the commission."
"Really?" Harry blinked in surprise. He had been prepared for a more lengthy conversation.
"Yes. All I ask is that you give it to your special lady and tell me of her reaction."
"I promise."
"Good. It is best you begin leaving. Your train will depart soon. Thank you for talking to this fop."
Harry rose from his position and patted himself down. He took but a single step before he turned by around, "If it wasn't for magic, I may have never grown into my own. I don't think it's foolish to want your own art."
The Raggedy Man did not face Harry, but he did reply in a choked voice, "That is very kind."
