A/N: A time when Harry can think for himself. Smart!Harry. I don't own Harry Potter but the plot only. Enjoy!
A whole new world
Chapter 1 A New Life
Harry thought life is hard well spend after Sirius died. At first it was too much, and yet Bellatrix show no remorse killing her relative. He did think of revenge, is still new using killing curse, and You-Know-Who and him barely started after Bellatrix retreated. In the end, new changes override as time move on, but Harry wasn't sure would he like spending days with Dursleys after taking train ride home.
"I'm willing to give you money as you should be for taking me in," Harry said with mellow tone. They all were in the car as Vernon driving.
"What? Don't bluff promise you can't keep!" Vernon replied, astonished.
"If bluff I won't be here and already in that Smelting school instead. I mean it. Take me to Charing Cross Road, give me one hour as we have bank."
"Why would you want to give us?" Vernon barked.
"Why don't you believe?"
"Stop asking me. Yes, I have money support for you unwillingly, and it's not like I want money."
Harry looked surprised after what he hears from Vernon.
"Do you want money since I stay in your place? I'm not that ungrateful you make out to be."
"You said, it's Charing Cross nearby?"
Vernon changed direction and headed to that street, allowing Harry drop off and told him "I'll be back in same spot. You better keep your word." Then drove away. When they reached that moment, Harry checked for his key and it was in his pocket to make sure it was safe.
One hour later, he had two version of money in hand, muggle money in briefcase and galleons in pouch, as Vernon's car appeared to park for a moment beside Harry, who deposit briefcase in.
"Aren't you coming in?"
"Not really, Uncle Vernon. Thank you for taking me in to stay through these years. Other than treat me worse, you're still my uncle. Please don't feel guilty about it. I want to be alone. Can you open the boot as I'm moving out?"
Dudley took a moment to open briefcase with eye wide on amount of cash. "Don't touch the money Dudley. We'll take care of it so close the case and you better put money back where it belongs. Understand?" Vernon growled.
Dudley looked disappointed, but immediately put back a piece into it.
"No. Harry, you should come with us, come in instant it's not the time to leave," Petunia said, after looked shock of what she comprehend.
"He wants to go, let him go. It's time for him to be independent, I'm fine with it." He told, pressed the button for boot to click open.
"It's Dumbledore insist you shouldn't leave at all. Why bother to leave now?" Petunia asked.
"I will not manipulated by him and I won't return to boarding school anymore," Harry said as he put out luggage, Hedwig from backseat, and broomstick beside the curb. Vernon looked stunned after hearing him.
"Get in! Or he sends me a Howler for letting you go!" Petunia ranted.
"Ignore that Howler, you'll be fine; by the way, if he drop by, tell him I quit the school." Harry said. "Bye!" He tapped car few times and Vernon drove away.
He dragged his possessions to Leaky Cauldron, and was given a key to room above to unload.
"By the way, if anyone asks for Harry Potter, please don't divulge to any person who asked. Tell the person Harry check out, can you do it?" Harry asked anxiously.
"Sure, I don't need tips, my lips are sealed," the person over the counter said, assuring. "Need help with the luggage?"
After received help to the room, he said thanks as he took in bedroom where he stay for overnight.
After having a rest, he taken dinner in Leaky Cauldron alone, as decided to spend whole night thinking for his future on bed to sleep.
He has no plan to return school, decided to find a job and apartment soon since no longer part of magical community. He does feel sad to cut connection with his best friends, but don't trust Dumbledore as he wished he was not chosen one. It was overwhelming pressure, and he wasn't coward, there are other wizards who better than him can bring down Voldemort not just Harry alone.
In the morning, he woken up to bright sun-light, changed his clothes and headed downstairs for breakfast, having toasts with tea. Afterwards, he was back to his room sorting out his books which to sell to second hand shop, and which to keep. He felt the need to keep quills and parchments in case if to keep in urgent touch. He now realize he need to go shopping for Muggle clothes, as there was no much in the luggage. Harry then wrote a list down for shopping later.
It was cloudy day and nice for a stroll, as he went retail store searching for his size. Luckily he has Muggle money, so got two pouches in his bag, one for wizard galleons. He picked navy blue shirt, green, red, jeans, and shorts, more pajamas, ties and suits along with few dark colour pants. When he came out with shopping bags, he went straight for salon, had his hair cut stylist crew and dyed blonde, even bought few hair gels. Enjoying makeover, he decided going to change glasses to contact lens, and did find himself looked more refined. He did not give up half way; because he noticed some people has mobile phones, as needed one if need to blend in Muggle's street.
However he wasn't in a rush to buy a phone so passed by one and saw a vendor, took out a wallet to buy newspaper to check for apartment listing. Later, he return to Leaky Cauldron to put down shopping bags, Hedwig was hooting happily at him as she was on top of cupboard. Don't feel like to eat dinner; Harry went to ice cream parlour for strawberry and vanilla. When he eating, he suddenly saw Lupin, his former professor who teach in Hogwarts, looked anxious as he search around, apparently- him. It seem he could not recognize his new look, Harry bend his head down eating slowly as Lupin passed by him. He did take a look at him with curiosity, later shrugged his head then walked off.
Thank god for transformation look I no need to be scared, Harry thought, smiling with relief. He quickly finishing his ice cream, then walked in direction to his bedroom, hoping he won't meet more familiar passed by. He considering change his name instead, to Ministry if he allowed to. To change, he has to be seventeen to change name legally. He dropped the idea of it, and noticed a new store, cosmetics shop, it was recent for girls and woman who come to age to upkeep the looks.
He jumped a bit when realized he was being addressed at, by store assistant, who come out behind him calling.
"Welcome! You need anything you like off the shelf? You can totally hide your scar if want by using foundation," she said with earnest. It was clear she was new to Diagon Alley who comes to work in. The idea of having scar hidden was great, nobody would recognize though if put on.
He looked up at her and raise his palm, to show hand up, "give me five."
After purchasing five bottles and sponges, he went to Flourish and Blotts to buy a new backpack and bag too. The new backpack was really special, as allow many things inside instead cramming up. He decided to use backpack for broomstick or any large merchandise. Hedwig can fly beside him with the cage inside instead. He arranged to have foundation bottles in a new bag, picked one and pull the wrapping open, pulled the cap up, pump it out once, looking at mirror, then put on the scar, later use the sponge dabbing blending.
Satisfied with the look, he decided not to take it off. Thinking to get his own new home, but at certain age allowed buying a lot. Renting sounds a good idea. And so it is. One week later, he clinched one to stay in apartment and had his own new bank account which he change currency from Gringotts. He found the place comfortable and affordable, as staying long in Leaky Cauldron was not an option; truth to be told, he saw Dumbledore ambling in Diagon Alley when he tapping the bricks to get through, Harry was eating his lunch while noticing headmaster was behind him approaching to exit.
At other times, he saw Hermione and Ron together; it seems they did get through with intention to help locate him. He was considering to let Hedwig go but let it rest; ask her to take a break for few days outing before return any time she wants. Now he has a place to stay, paying rent, lastly, was to get a job.
On second morning in new home, he saw a headline of job hunt looking for full time job of gardener. Have interest in nature, he called the phone number which stated below the paragraph.
"Hi I'm Harry, and I have interest in gardening and experience. I like to be involved."
The person who picked up, voice belonged to a lady.
"Certainly. Please come down tomorrow for interview on two o'clock sharp. Interview is in Green Inc, successful candidates will be deployed to selected public gardens and parks if accepted. There's no need to wear formal, but need to be presentable, later we decide to accept."
"Sure, I'll be there. May I know the address?"
Harry grabbed nearby tissue and a pen from table, then scribbled down the address which relay on the phone. "Thank you very much. Bye." Harry then hanged up; put the paper on the table with a new watch atop of it.
He spent rest of the day watching tv, eating Chinese food of fried rice for dinner. There was kitchen where he helped himself, and met a girl who share same name with his mum, Lily, also like Chinese food.
"I'm going to have a job soon, wish me luck," Harry shared, "applying for gardening job." He took a spoonful of fried rice as he sitting in front of tv and improvised table.
"Cool! I never see you one who loves nature with green fingers. You always like garden when you're young, back home tending to it?" Lily looked excited as probing, eating a spoonful as well.
"My uncle taught me how when I'm nine until he's comfortable I do upkeep garden myself."
"I'm sure you'll get the job with the experience you have."
Harry smiled. He was looking forward for it as gardening was not hard at all.