Chapter 3

(Next morning, July 23, 2016, 7:00 a.m.)

The next morning Harry woke up relatively early as he is used to getting up early, even in summer. It takes him a few minutes to orient himself and to remember where he is. Then suddenly he finds his thoughts clear as he remembered everything from the previous day. He is now in Gardenia, his new home, far from the Dursleys, and free to do whatever he wants. A thought suddenly occurs to him. Could he use magic without getting caught. After all, magical Britain shouldn't be able to locate him here, but whether they can or not, the American Department still could and it would be better if they didn't find out from him. After all, he's on a secret vacation and possibly on the run.

After another short time, Harry decides to get up and get ready for the day. After half an hour of showering, brushing his teeth and changing clothes, he started walking out of his room towards the hotel cafeteria.

Once at the bottom, he calmly walks into the appropriate den room and notices only a few other people there. Few of them want to start the day that early. Looking around, he sees a large U-shaped room with lots of wooden tables and chairs. There is also a jug of water, a few glasses and a salt and pepper shaker on each table. There is also a large buffet with all kinds of food. There are rolls and bread and croissants, sausage and cheese and chocolate cream and jam, cornflakes and muesli and yoghurt, bacon and eggs and sausages. There is also a coffee machine, three types of juices and tea.

Harry takes a plate of croissants, chocolate and bacon and a bowl of muesli, plus orange juice.

After collecting everything, he goes to a table and enjoys the meal. Meanwhile, however, he also begins to think about a few things. Namely his new life, magic and something else.

If he really intended to stay in Gardenia, he would have to plan a lot. Not only would he need permanent accommodation, he would also have to go to school or find a job so that it doesn't seem suspicious that a young person seems to have nothing to do all day after there are no more holidays. Then there's the war in magical Britain. Could he really just go like that, leaving his friends, Hogwarts and his "duty" behind.? N On the one hand, he feels like a coward, on the other, he remembers Sirius' words. He's only sixteen to scream out loud. He shouldn't have to have such problems. Leaving Hogwarts would be sad, but otherwise also a relief. It was his first real home where he learned magic and met friends. In the past, it would all have just seemed like a dream until it came to be for him. On the other hand, it would be very satisfying to have a quiet year without Cerberus, Basilisks, Dementors and Death Eaters. And as far as his friends go, he has to think of something else to leave them in Britain while he relaxes in Gardenia. Hmm

Magic is another tough one. He can't risk just using them and getting caught. He lived like a Muggle before that, he could do it again. But at the same time magic has become a part of him. It's more than just a tool, it's a part of the world, magical or not. He's been feeling magic around him for some time. At some point when he was thirteen or fourteen, his perception began to change. He felt a trembling and almost "breathing" force around him. He hasn't mentioned it to anyone before because he didn't want to stand out any more, but he really wished he could talk to someone about it. In any case, Harry has to find a way for himself to work magic without getting caught. But he has no idea how to do it.

Finally, a certain pink-haired girl comes to mind, whereupon he blushes a little again. Roxy is pretty stuck in his mind, even though he barely knows her. It's a little, okay, totally different than it was back then with Cho. Where he was previously a clumsy bundle of nerves and blinded by a pretty face, it feels different this time. He can't really describe it, but something seems to draw him to her. And well, she's pretty anyway. He can't deny that.

Trying to concentrate again, Harry continues his breakfast and just enjoys a quiet time. As soon as he is finished he retires to his room and first of all opened the cage and the window for Hedwig.

"Fly a little my girl. I'll be outside for a while, "Harry said, gently stroking Hedwig's feathers.

"Bargh", Hedwig croaked lovingly at him and then spread her wings to fly.

Shortly afterwards, Harry takes all the things he could use from the room, such as his wallet and some of the brochures, and starts to go. With one last look at the clock, which currently shows 8:00 a.m., he walks out the door.

Outside the sun is already shining in the sky and it is a pleasant 20 degrees. Harry just starts walking around a little and absorbing his new area. Colorful houses can be seen everywhere, caffees and restaurants, supermarkets and kiosks and parks. After some thought, Harry remembers something else important that hadn't crossed his mind before. He needs a phone.

With this new idea, he sets out to look for an electronics shop, which is a bit harder than he thought, because he has never been in one and is now looking for one in an area that has not yet been explored.

After a few more minutes to and fro, he finally finds a city map, which shows him the way in good detail.

Once there, he goes in and first has to look around, amazed at so much technology that he has never really seen, or at least not up close.

"One more thing on my long list of Dursleys to thank you for," Harry thinks angrily and sarcastically.

Since Harry doesn't really know much about modern technology, he just finds an employee and asks for a little help. However, he must be careful not to say wrong things, which might sound suspicious.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for a new cell phone and wanted to know which is the most up-to-date." Harry asked the nearest employee.

"Ah, well, if that's the case, come over here with me," said the clerk, "Over here we have our latest models of the biggest cell phone brands."

They both move to one of the tables on which there are several cell phones with different looks. Twelve adjacent cell phones in different sizes, colors and brands.

"What are you looking for, sir," the clerk asked.

"Ah, shit," Harry thinks to himself, "Well, all my new cell phone should be able to do is make calls, write messages, show me the way and maybe play a game or two."

"So basically any of these cell phones are fine," said the clerk, "Well, then I would recommend this one to you." Here the clerk holds up one that is 12 inches tall and black.

"The cell phone here is pretty popular with teenagers and adults alike. It has everything you could want, the latest operating system and is available at a balanced price, "said the employee.

Harry picks up the cell phone and looks at it, trying to pretend he understands a lot about it. After a few seconds to think about it, he finally makes a decision.

"All right, I'll take the cell phone," Harry said.

"Excellent," said the clerk, "then please come to the checkout with me".

They both move to the cash register and the clerk scans the cell phone and tells Harry: "That would be $ 600, sir".

Harry takes out his wallet and pulls out Gringott's card, really hoping it will work.

The clerk simply picks up the card, scans it, and then gives it back to Harry.

"Well then, thank you very much for your purchase, sir"; said the clerk and thanks Harry for the purchase.

Harry then takes the cell phone and goes back on his way.

He looks at the cell phone and examines it a little, looks at what he can do with it. He will find appropriate functions for making calls, an app store for downloading the app, a message messenger, an online map function, the settings program and even a music app.

Harry looks at the cell phone with interest while he walks aimlessly through Gardenia. Until he suddenly feels something.

A magical wave that is strong and yet also unknown. Harry immediately stops and freezes, his eyes wide, unable to come to a clear thought. After only a few seconds, however, he comes back to himself and concentrates on what he just felt. At first he cannot see anything, but then it gradually becomes clearer. Not far away, he feels six magical energy signatures that he has never felt before. And by that he does not mean that it comes from unknown people, not only, but also that it is magic unknown to him. He doesn't want to claim that he knows all kinds of magic, but this feels "strange". He can't really describe it, but somehow it's, well, different.

Not sure what to do, Harry decides to take a different route first and deal with it later. He just really hoped that whoever it is, or possibly what it is, that he or she or it is not hostile and also cannot feel it. The last thing he could use now is an enemy again, who is stronger and who knows what. He really doesn't want to have to deal with strange magic on vacation. Even if he's a little interested.

So Harry finds himself walking in a different direction, still not quite so sure what exactly to do. That's until all of a sudden he sees someone across the street. Someone who looks very familiar to him.

There, just a few meters away, Roxy is walking a dog. She's wearing the same outfit as the night before and still looks just as pretty.

"No, bad Harry! Pull yourself together, "Harry scolded himself.

Since he has nothing else to do and would like to see Roxy again and get to know her better, he decides to go over to her and hopefully spend a little time with her.

"Hey Roxy," Harry called, sprinting over to her.

Roxy, who heard this, turned around and saw Harry walking towards her, a beaming smile on her face as she was happy to see him again so soon.

"Harry! Hello! I am glad to see you again. What are you doing right now? ", She asked him while she waves to him in a friendly way.

"Oh you know, just stroll through Gardenia a little, get to know my new area a little, and all," Harry said a little awkwardly, which his smile also gives away.

"Oh yeah, you said yeah, that you were new in town! How do you like it here. A really beautiful city, isn't it? "Roxy said, very cheerfully.

"You can say that again. It's so nice and quiet here. Very different from where I'm from, "Harry said.

"Where are you from exactly?" Roxy asked curiously.

"Ah shit, what exactly am I saying?" Harry wondered mentally. "Now you see, it's a small suburb in London, relatively far outside the city center. Nothing special, just a few boring little houses with a little green around them ".

"Well, that sounds really rather boring. But I promise you that you will have a lot of fun here. Gardenia is certainly also very peaceful, but at the same time very exciting, "said Roxy very passionately.

"I'm sure of that," said Harry

"You know, if you're not up to anything, I could show you a little everything. I just wanted to go for a walk with Artuu anyway and you could keep us company, "said Roxy, while she blushes a little, because she is a little embarrassed about this question.

"Woof, woof," said Artuu for the first time.

"You know, this is a really good idea, but I, uh, am not that good with dogs. My experience with them so far has been more like… "Harry finished, not sure how exactly to express his experience with Aunt Marge's bulldog and the Cerberus.

"You don't have to worry about that, Harry. Artuu is very dear and would never do anything to anyone except to defend me, is that not true Artuu ", said Roxy with a gentle smile and turned to Artuu towards the end of her sentence.

"Woof," Artuu barked approvingly.

"Well, I think I'd be happy if you showed me around a bit," Harry said, a little nervously, for several reasons.

"Well then, let's get started," Roxy said happily, taking Harry's hand and pulling him with him. Both blushing a little, but both smiling a little too. Even Artuu has an "interested look" in his eyes.

Over the next few hours, both of them are having a great time and having a lot of fun. You first take a walk outside, Roxy showing him several important buildings, such as a museum, a library, an aquarium, a huge mall, a theater and also a bowling alley. Of course, it doesn't stop at just looking at these wonderful attractions from the outside, especially when Harry mentions that he has never visited several of them.

So they both visited the aquarium, where they could see all kinds of fish and other marine animals, such as penguins, crabs and octopus. Roxy knows every single detail what she knows about all of them because she wants to teach Harry so much. After all, she is very enthusiastic about animals and loves to be around them and she wants Harry to feel the same way too.

After the aquarium, they both go to the mall and look around. There Roxy shows him all kinds of shops, such as grocery stores, clothing stores, jewelry stores, a cinema, an amusement arcade, snack bars and much more. First, Roxy pulls him to a clothing store, where she tries on some clothes and poses for Harry. Be it with a pretty purple hat, stylish sunglasses and a pretty green leather jacket. Of course, Harry doesn't let her have all the fun alone and also takes a cowboy hat, funny party glasses with pink glittering decorations and a black leather jacket to match his hair. Of course, this makes both of them laugh and it takes a little bit to get back together. Then they put everything back and go out of business. Wondering what to do next, they look at their cell phones and see that it is already noon. Then they decide to go to one of the food stalls.

Arrived at the snack stand, which sells all kinds of fast food, both of them order something to eat for themselves, as well as something for Artuu, and then take a seat at one of the tables.

"Ahh, it's good to finally get something to eat. I haven't had anything all day, "Roxy sighed happily as she sat down with a satisfied smile.

"While I was eating breakfast, I got pretty hungry too," Harry said, also with a smile.

Both lapse into quiet silence, partly to eat, but also partly because they are not sure what to say now.

"When you think about it like that, it was all kind of like a date today," both Roxy and Harry think at the same time.

"Well, how do you like Gardenia so far, Harry," Roxy asked him.

"It is really incredible. This harmony in this city, coupled with the calm, the peace and the friendliness. I feel relaxed for the first time in a long time, "Harry says in a dreamy tone.

"Weren't you able to relax in your old home? I thought, as boring as it should have been there, would you always have peace? "Roxy asked confused.

"Damn it again. I really have to pay attention to what I say about myself, "Harry scolds in his mind, again.

"Well, I mean, I was sure to have my peace of mind, but almost everyone else there wasn't that friendly and seemed to be at odds all the time," Harry tried to lie gently, or rather to answer without saying how it was actually with the Dursley's, but also at Hogwarts.

"Hmm?" Roxy hummed, frowning, not quite as convinced, but she didn't want to ask either, as it seemed like it was very personal and at the same time uncomfortable for him.

"Anyway, I'm glad you enjoy it here. And there is still so much to do, "said Roxy happily again.

"Then I hope you'll show me all of this and so much more," Harry said with an unknowingly charming smile.

"Is he F-flirting with me?" Asks Roxy and blushes a little again, not sure what to answer to such a statement.

"S-sure I'll show you more. I mean if you are satisfied with me. Um, I mean if I'm good enough for you! I mean, I'd like to show you more of the city ! "Roxy stuttered extremely nervously and also very awkwardly.

Harry then laughs awkwardly, a little embarrassed, but also immediately happy.

"N-Well then, I'm definitely looking forward to our next time together, but now we should probably go, I still have a lot to do today," Harry said as he finished his meal.

"You are probably right, at least I have to get ready for later when I have to go back to work," Roxy agreed and also finished her lunch.

"I could take you home if you want," Harry suggested, a little shyly.

"Um, please," Roxy agreed with a shy smile.

"Well then, let me pay you quickly and then we can go off together to return home," Harry said as he stood up.

After Harry has paid for their meal together, he and Roxy finally make their way home, together with Artuu. On the way back they were both pretty calm, on the one hand to enjoy their time together, and on the other because they both still remember that it was basically like a date. This makes both feel both nervous and strangely happy.

It wasn't long before they both reached a small but pretty house, Roxy's house.

"Well then, here we are," Roxy said nervously, getting ready to say goodbye to Harry for the day.

"So this is where you live, huh," said Harry, "looks pretty cozy."

"Yes, that's it," said Roxy, "at least I had a lot of fun with you and Artuu today"

"Yes, me too," said Harry, "I hope we can do something like that again."

"Yeah, me too," said Roxy, flushing with a soft smile.

"Well then, I think I should break free," Harry said and then started walking towards his hotel.

"Ah, wait a minute, Harry," said Roxy.

"What is it?" Harry asked as he turned around, only to get a very shocked look and blush when Roxy kissed him lightly and briefly on his cheek.

"See you later, Harry," Roxy said as she hurried into her house.

Harry stood there for a while, basically staring into nothing. When he finally composed himself, he started back with a goofy smile.

But on the way back Harry felt "It" again. That strange magic that he just can't explain. He's really tempted to find out what it is, but he decides to hold back and think a little more about it before acting.

Back at the hotel, Harry decided to relax for the rest of the day and later enjoy a peaceful dinner in the hotel cafeteria and then spend a little time with Hedwig. After all, summer is still young, so there is still plenty of time to enjoy Gardenia.

But he still has to think. Unknown magic, starting from six new individuals. Maybe he's just a little paranoid, but something tells him he's going to meet her soon. Who was he joking, of course he would come across this new magic and deal with it, it is always with him in such situations. Only this time will he prepare for it and solve the "problem" on his terms.

That being said, he had really enjoyed the day, even if it was very unexpected to meet Roxy and basically have a "date" with her.

Harry blushes again, mainly thinking back to the kiss he got on his cheek. He really needs to calm his feelings and get around them. Even if he really enjoys his time with her. Hopefully it's not too obvious.

(Change of location to Roxy's house, Roxy's POV)

Roxy is currently busy lying on the bed in her room and staring at her blanket. Artuu, who is lying next to her, but on the floor, looks at her questioningly.

"You know Artuu, I'm not exactly sure what to think of Harry," Roxy began, "he seems like a really cute and nice guy, and I had a lot of fun with him today too, but somehow it seems he is hiding something, possibly something big. I know it's none of my business, but it seems to bother him and I want to help him, "Roxy blushes," I mean, he's a good guy and hopefully a friend now, but ... uh.

Artuu stares at her and seems to be staring at her in amusement, if that's even possible with a dog.

Roxy, who notices this, only says: "Laugh what you want Artuu. We just got to know each other. I just enjoy our time together and want to help him as a friend. There is nothing wrong with that and nothing more profound behind it. I am very honest. "

"Although there was something else. Right before we met him, I felt, well, weird for a moment. Hmm, strange. What do you think Artuu? Roxy asked him.

"Woof," said, or more barked, Artuu in response and lay down to take a little nap.

"Yes, you are probably right that it is nothing, I am probably just imagining it," Roxy said to herself as she turned on her bed and was now lying on her side, looking at the wall and a little thoughtful.

"Well, anyway, I should probably rest a little before I go back to work in the Fruity Smoothie Bar later. I just wish Harry would stop by again, "Roxy said in a low, gentle tone, blushing for who knows how many times a day.