Chapter III
A Knight-time
Encounter
Harry stared in total shock at the disembodied head of Myk. Myk pulled off the rest of his own Invisibility cloak. He was fully dressed and he was carrying all of his things; his trunk, his umbrella, his backpack, and his guitar. He climbed past Harry onto the Knight bus, paid the conductor, named Stan Shunpike, and flopped onto a bed next to the one reserved for Harry.
"Where to, Myk?" Asked Stan.
"Wherever Harry's going." He answered calmly. Harry climbed on the bus and paid Stan. "Diagon Alley in London," Ron said. Harry sat down on his bed, facing Myk. He barely managed to stammer, "You're… a wizard?"
"Oh, you flatter me."
"Who's this?" Asked Ron, giving Harry a bemused look. "Why's he got that strange accent?"
"Hi, I'm Myk. I'm staying with Harry until I get on the train for Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry on September 1st."
"That's where we're going! Are you a new student or something?" Harry asked.
"Actually, my parents are in the process of moving to Britain from California, so they sent me ahead to get started with the school year. My dad's a Muggle, he manages a construction company, that's why he knew your… Uncle, was it? Man, what an uncool family. And that kid! Sorry, I guess I shouldn't insult your cousin, but I've seen thinner manatees than him."
"Don't worry, we make fun of him too," said Ron, but Hermione elbowed him. Myk looked up at Hermione and jumped off of his bed.
"Ah, but I am forgetting the lady! How inconsiderate of me!" He slid onto his knees at Hermione's feet and kissed her hand gently. She giggled. Ron looked slightly annoyed. "I am sorry for my forwardness, but you are looking exceptional tonight. Tonight? Why not every night? Is it possible that a vision of such loveliness should grace my presence more than one fleeting moment in a lifetime of many possible moments?" Myk looked up at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were staring at him. He had lapsed into a bad French accent for the last part of his monologue. He got up suddenly. "Anyway, I can pay my own way, and I don't know my way around London or Britain or anything, so could I hang with you guys? Please?" He got on his knees again and implored them, exaggerating every move. Ron, Harry, and Hermione laughed.
"Well, Harry? What's this guy like? Is he good enough to be friends with us?" Ron asked Harry. Harry smiled.
"Yeah, he's okay."
Myk jumped up in the air and whooped.
When the reached Diagon Alley, Myk paid for his own room and introduced himself to the Weasley Family, who were staying together while Mr. And Mrs. Weasley repaired the Burrow. Myk hit it off well with Fred and George, who had taken their N.E.W.T.S. over the summer, graduated early, and started their joke shop. They discreetly explained that their experimental Ultra-Sized Dungbomb had blown up half of the house.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione had fun leading Myk through the shops and stores of Diagon Alley. Myk met Bill Weasley in Gringotts, and they exchanged hair care tips while Harry and Hermione got money from their vaults. After that, they went to Madam Malkin's Quality Robe Shop, where Harry and Ron bought new Quidditch robes and Myk bought a dress robe with a Hawaiian pattern.
"Um, that's… interesting, Myk," said Hermione as Myk modeled it for them.
"Isn't it great? I love Hawaiian stuff!" He bought it, along with a set of Quidditch robes. Harry noticed them and asked if Myk played Quidditch.
"Oh, yeah. Most people in California think it's a stupid sport, but I've been playing since I was a kid on little league teams. I'm a Chaser." Harry was impressed; from what he'd read in Quidditch Through the Ages, Quidditch was not very popular in America.
After Madam Malkin's and a visit to Quality Quidditch Supplies, they all went to the pet store. Myk showed great interest in the miniature dragons, but the lady at the counter said, "Those are for adult wizard only." Myk seemed disappointed, but that attitude disappeared quickly as soon as he found a miniature pig in a cage near the counter. He bought it promptly and named it Pig Dude, or P-Dude for short. P-Dude and Crookshanks were instant friends, but P-Dude didn't seem to understand why everyone called Pigwidgeon "Pig" when he was most certainly not a pig. P-Dude insisted on coming when anyone said "pig" at all, and even snorted in disgust over the next morning's breakfast of bacon and eggs.
The day of departure to Hogwarts came quickly; after their last visit, to Flourish and Blotts, they left Diagon Alley through the Leaky Cauldron and began walking to King's Cross Station. They tried to call a cab, but the cabbie took one look at their pets and trunks and drove off without opening the door.